Around 50 Indians are still trapped in the Russian army amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the government told Parliament. The Ministry of External Affairs said over 200 Indians were recruited, mostly through fake job offers. So far, 119 have been brought back. At least 26 Indians have died and seven are missing. Junior minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said India is working with Russian authorities for early release and safe return. Indian missions are helping with travel, DNA identification, and the return of bodies. (PC: AP)

India rejected what it called misleading claims by Bangladesh over a protest in New Delhi. India said 20–25 people briefly protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission over the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. Officials said there was no security breach. Police dispersed the group quickly. Bangladesh rejected India’s statement and questioned how protesters reached a secure area. Dhaka warned it may scale back diplomatic operations if tensions rise. Both sides said talks are continuing through diplomatic channels. The protest followed unrest in Bangladesh after the killing of the Hindu man. 

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of empowering extremists and causing Bangladesh's descent into chaos following Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi's death. She warned that India "sees the chaos," threatening South Asian stability. Hasina alleged Yunus placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organizations into public life. She blamed the government's extremist links for strained India-Bangladesh relations, particularly following attacks on minorities including the lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das. Hasina expressed confidence that once legitimate governance returns, Bangladesh will restore its partnership with India, calling India Bangladesh's "most steadfast friend for decades." (PC: Times Now)

A Chinese-made assault rifle scope capable of attachment to sniper rifles was recovered near the National Investigation Agency headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir's Asrarabad area. A six-year-old boy found the weapons scope in a nearby garbage dump while playing, prompting immediate police action. Senior officers conducted searches in Sidhra region following the discovery. A 24-year-old man was detained in Samba district in connection with the scope recovery. Separately, police took Tanvir Ahmad, an Anantnag resident currently living in Samba, into custody after a Pakistani phone number was found on his mobile. Jammu Rural Police and Special Operations Group teams are investigating both incidents while urging public not to panic. (PC: NDTV)

US Vice President JD Vance defended H-1B visa restrictions as "true Christian politics" prioritizing American labor and economic dignity at Turning Point USA's convention. He argued that Christian values should inform government's approach to economics, questioning why companies bypass American workers for cheaper third-world options. Meanwhile, Indian H-1B visa holders face severe disruptions as US consular offices abruptly rescheduled appointments between December 15-26, stranding professionals who traveled home for visa renewals. The delays follow expanded social media vetting policies implemented under the Trump administration. Previously limited to student visas, the online presence review now covers all H-1B specialty occupation workers and H-4 dependents, creating uncertainty for Indian professionals.

Over 200 Indians have been recruited into Russian armed forces since the Ukraine war began, with 26 killed, seven missing, and 50 still trapped, the Indian government told Parliament. While 119 have been discharged through diplomatic efforts, the crisis continues as young men from states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are lured through deceptive promises of high pay. Many traveled on student or tourist visas, only to face coercion into military service. Some faced choices between prison or frontline deployment after criminal arrests. India's MEA continues diplomatic engagement with Russian authorities for repatriation, facilitating DNA identification and coordinating with families for deceased nationals' return. (PC: AP)

India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed "misleading propaganda" in Bangladesh media regarding protests outside Dhaka's High Commission in New Delhi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that 20-25 youth gathered on December 20, protesting the "horrendous killing" of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and demanding minority protection in Bangladesh. Jaiswal emphasized no attempt was made to breach the High Commission fence or create security threats. Police dispersed the group within minutes. The MEA stated visual evidence is publicly available and reaffirmed India's commitment to protecting foreign missions per Vienna Convention obligations. The clarification came amid heightened diplomatic tensions following violent protests and minority attacks in Bangladesh after Sharif Osman Hadi's death. (PC: ANI)

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus delivered an emotionally charged speech at Sharif Osman Hadi's funeral, vowing to fulfill the anti-India leader's ideals. Hadi, an Inqilab Mancha spokesperson who rose during last year's uprising against Sheikh Hasina, was shot by masked assailants on December 12 and died in Singapore on Thursday. Yunus told hundreds of thousands of mourners at Sangsad Bhaban that Hadi would remain in Bangladeshis' hearts forever, pledging "we will not bow before anyone." The funeral echoed with slogans like "Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka." Police suggest suspects fled to India, fueling diplomatic tensions. Hadi's death triggered violent nationwide protests, attacking media houses and resulting in Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das's lynching.

Utkarsh Amitabh, a 34-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur in the UK, earns approximately Rs 18,000 hourly training AI models as a side hustle. The founder-CEO of Network Capital began freelancing with micro1 in January 2025, making nearly Rs 2.6 crore including bonuses. With mechanical engineering credentials from Delhi College of Engineering, an Oxford philosophy master's, and six years at Microsoft on AI partnerships, Amitabh works 3.5 hours nightly after putting his daughter to bed. His role involves testing models with complex business problems, identifying AI confusion points, and reframing prompts. He emphasizes intellectual curiosity over money, stating the work aligns with his AI research interests while requiring immense attention to detail. (PC: LinkedIn)

India suspended visa operations at its Chittagong mission amid escalating Bangladesh unrest following the death of Osman Hadi, a prominent July Uprising leader. The Indian Visa Application Centre cited security concerns after stone-hurling at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence. Security was strengthened at Indian missions in Sylhet. Hadi, 32, died from injuries sustained in an assassination attempt last week. Angry protesters attacked offices of Prothom Alo and Daily Star newspapers, vandalizing and setting them ablaze. Cultural institution Chhayanaut and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence were also targeted. A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally lynched and set on fire in Mymensingh, with ten arrests made. (PC: AP)