US President **Donald Trump has publicly defended an ICE agent who fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Trump described the incident as a violent situation, asserting Good “behaved horribly” and alleging she ran over the agent before he fired in self-defense, comments made before a full investigation. Federal authorities, including Homeland Security, echoed the self-defense claim and labelled Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism.” Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, strongly rejected this narrative, calling it misleading as protests and national debate escalate over the use of force. (PC: NDTV)

West Bengal Chief Minister **Mamata Banerjee has announced a protest rally in Kolkata on Friday in response to Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the I-PAC office and the home of its chief, Pratik Jain, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to a coal pilferage case. Mamata has described the raids as politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections, alleging attempts to confiscate Trinamool Congress internal documents, hard disks and data. She has vowed demonstrations across the city and across state party units, framing the issue as misuse of central agencies for political ends. (PC: The Hindu)

A Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera (formerly Bella 1), was seized by the United States in the North Atlantic, accused of violating US sanctions related to Venezuelan oil exports after a weeks-long pursuit involving Coast Guard and military forces. Three Indian nationals were among the 28 crew members, which also included Ukrainians, Georgians and Russians. The U.S. operation, backed by British support, has sparked protests from Moscow, which called the action unlawful and demanded humane treatment and speedy repatriation of the detained crew. The legal status and future of the seized sailors remain uncertain.

US President Donald Trump has backed a bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill that could let the US impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries importing Russian oil or uranium, as part of broader measures to weaken Moscow’s economy amid the Ukraine war. The legislation, championed by Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, targets trading partners like India, China and Brazil that continue buying discounted Russian energy. While the bill still needs Congressional approval, it marks a significant escalation in economic pressure and could strain US–India trade relations if enacted. (PC: NDTV)

The family of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain has filed a police complaint in Kolkata, alleging that important documents were stolen during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at their Loudon Street residence. The raid, conducted in connection with a money-laundering investigation linked to the coal pilferage case, reportedly began early morning and continued for nearly nine hours. Jain’s wife approached the Shakespeare Sarani police station, claiming personal and official papers went missing during the search. The police have confirmed receipt of the complaint and said the matter is under verification and inquiry. The ED also searched I-PAC offices, sparking political controversy.

A Bengaluru-based entrepreneur, Suraj Biswas, founder and CEO of deep-tech startup Assessli, has publicly defended Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, drawing on his own experience as a former Zomato delivery partner in 2020–21. In a LinkedIn post, Biswas said his time delivering food helped him pay college fees, support his early team and stay financially independent, with monthly earnings of around ₹40,000, and he knew riders earning up to ₹90,000. He described gig work as offering independence, dignity and opportunity, and rejected calls to ban ultra-fast delivery models, arguing that flexibility and tech-led platforms create economic mobility. (PC: LinkedIn)

Bangladesh police have arrested Yasin Arafat, a 25-year-old former madrasa teacher and imam, as a key suspect in the lynching and burning death of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila on December 18. Authorities said Yasin played a leading role in gathering and inciting a mob that beat Das to death, dragged his body, and set it on fire, triggering widespread outrage and concerns over minority safety. He was captured in Dhaka after nearly two weeks on the run. The total number of arrests in the case has now reached at least 21. Investigations continue.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it detected 77 Chinese military aircraft and 17 naval vessels operating around the island as of 6 a.m. local time, during large-scale drills by China’s People’s Liberation Army. Of the aircraft, 35 crossed the median line into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), the ministry added, and it monitored and responded to the activity. The exercises, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” involve joint Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force units and have raised concerns about regional stability and risks to civilian air and sea traffic. 

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was the woman shot dead by a US immigration agent in Minneapolis. City leaders said she was a legal observer of ICE activity. The White House said she interfered with officers. Her family said she was “kind and compassionate.” Good was an award-winning poet who studied creative writing at Old Dominion University. She later worked as a dental assistant and at a credit union, but had stayed home in recent years. She had moved to Minneapolis last year from Kansas City. A fundraiser for her children raised more than $370,000 within hours. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh police have arrested another suspect in the killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. The detective branch said Mohammad Yasin Arafat, 25, was held from Dhaka’s Sarulia area on Wednesday. A senior officer said Yasin “played a leading role” in the murder and went into hiding for nearly two weeks after the attack. He was working as an imam and also taught at a madrasa, police said. Officers added that his role was confirmed by other accused and witnesses. So far, 21 people have been arrested in the case, with most sent to jail. (PC: HT)