Bangladesh police say two prime suspects in the killing of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi have fled to India via the Meghalaya border, following his fatal shooting in Dhaka earlier this month. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) identified the suspects and said they crossed into Indian territory, prompting Dhaka to seek cooperation for their arrest and extradition. The development has heightened tensions between Bangladesh and India, with authorities discussing cross-border law enforcement collaboration. Hadi, a founder of the Inqilab Moncho platform, died in Singapore after being shot, and investigation efforts are ongoing amid public outcry for justice. (PC: Reuters)

An Indian man has been awarded nearly £67,000 after a UK tribunal ruled he faced racial abuse and unfair dismissal at a KFC outlet in London. Madhesh Ravichandran, from Tamil Nadu, joined the West Wickham branch in January 2023. He said his manager denied him annual leave, made him work extra hours and referred to him as a “slave”. He resigned after raising the issue and said no proper inquiry followed. Judge Paul Abbott said the refusal of leave was influenced by race and that Ravichandran was humiliated. The tribunal found him to be a victim of racial harassment and wrongful dismissal. The firm was told to provide staff training on workplace discrimination.

Varun Vummadi, co-founder and CEO of San Francisco based AI firm Giga, said his startup is facing an extortion attempt for three million dollars in cryptocurrency. In a post on X, he said a small group got access to internal company data and is using it to demand payment. He said the group has already shared false claims online and is threatening to release edited data if the money is not sent. Former staff have accused the firm of unethical conduct, which Vummadi has denied. He said the company has reported the case to law agencies and plans legal action. Giga was founded in 2023 by Vummadi and Esha Manideep. (PC: NDTV)

Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has raised concern over what he called a growing culture of “anti-India sentiment” after two Indians were killed in Canada within a week. Speaking to ANI, Bordman said the cases happened in different places and do not appear linked. He criticised Canadian police for slow updates and said the public knows few details about the latest shooting in Toronto. Bordman also questioned how such crimes are handled by law agencies. The deaths include 30-year-old Himanshi Khurana, whose partner is a suspect, and 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, who was shot dead on December 23. Police said suspects fled before officers reached the scene. (PC: NDTV)

More Indians were deported from Saudi Arabia than the United States between 2021 and 2025, government data shows. In a written reply, Ministry of External Affairs said deportations were mainly due to visa overstays and labour law violations. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said illegal border crossings were not a major reason. Saudi Arabia recorded the highest deportations of Indians worldwide during this period. In contrast, deportation numbers from the US remained much lower. The government said Indian missions continue to help affected citizens and ensure their safe return. (PC: AFP)

The Indian rupee fell sharply in 2025 due to foreign fund outflows and global tensions. It hit a record low near 91 against the dollar. Analysts say 2026 may be better if key factors improve. A possible India-US trade deal could boost investor confidence. Fresh inflows by foreign investors may also support the currency. The Reserve Bank of India has stepped in to stabilise the rupee through bond purchases and swap auctions. Experts also see hope from India’s likely inclusion in global bond indices. This could bring large foreign inflows. Analysts expect the rupee to trade between 89 and 92 in 2026. (PC: Representative Image)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs on December 26 issued a strong statement condemning recent violent attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, saying these incidents “cannot be brushed aside” as political violence or media exaggeration. New Delhi warned the interim government of Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus to take effective action to protect minority communities and ensure justice, following reports of lynchings and other hostile acts. The MEA expressed deep concern over documented cases of killings, arson and persecution, urging Dhaka to uphold human rights and safeguard minorities amid escalating bilateral tensions.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India as a landmark achievement, saying it will bring more jobs, higher incomes and increased exports by opening access to India’s 1.4 billion-strong market. The deal, part of his government’s agenda to “Fix the basics, build the future,” aims to double bilateral trade and attract investments. However, Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticized the agreement as “neither free nor fair,” arguing it was rushed and fails to secure sufficient benefits for New Zealand, notably protecting sensitive sectors like dairy. (PC: AP)

US far-right journalist Matt Forney sparked outrage with a deleted X post proposing to "Deport Every Indian" as a solution to racist attacks. He warned that hatred against Indians will reach a boiling point in 2026, predicting violence, vandalism, and temple attacks by Black, Latino, or Pakistani perpetrators rather than whites. The New York-based journalist, known for racist blogs like "5 Reasons Why You Should Not Date Indian Girls," was fired by The Blaze in November for anti-Indian social media remarks. He founded Terror House Press in 2018, serving as chief editor until 2024. Forney previously called Etsy's new Indian CEO "unqualified" and demanded deportation of Indians. (PC: The Week)

Indian mountaineers led by high-altitude climber Narendra Kumar successfully summited Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest mountain and North America's tallest volcano, at 5,636 meters (18,491 feet) in December 2025. The team scaled the challenging Jamapa Glacier route from Piedra Grande refuge, requiring seven to eight hours and demanding technical skills including crampons, ice axes, and navigation across slippery rocks, glaciers, and fresh snow. Kumar shared the achievement on Instagram, stating "Step by step, breath by breath… summit tak ka safar." He revealed plans to climb Mount Everest Base Camp in winter next. Pico de Orizaba, known for thin air, icy terrain, and harsh conditions, serves as a training ground for the Volcanic Seven Summits.