A 30-year-old Indian national, Himanshi Khurana, was found murdered inside a Toronto residence on December 20, marking the city's 40th homicide of 2025. Toronto Police responded to a missing person call from the Strachan Avenue-Wellington Street West area on December 19 at 10:41 pm, locating her body the next morning at 6:30 am. Police issued a Canada-wide warrant for Abdul Ghafoori, 32, charging him with first-degree murder. Investigators confirmed the victim and suspect knew each other but didn't specify their relationship. The Indian Consulate in Toronto expressed being "deeply saddened and shocked," offering condolences and assisting Khurana's family while coordinating with Canadian authorities as the manhunt continues. (PC: Toronto Police)

India and Bangladesh summoned each other's envoys Tuesday over escalating tensions. Bangladesh foreign secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma protesting "regrettable incidents" outside Dhaka's mission in New Delhi and Siliguri visa center vandalism. India later summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, demanding proper investigation into radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's killing, rejecting unsubstantiated allegations of Indian involvement that triggered anti-India protests. India emphasized protesters were stopped 500 meters from Bangladesh's mission versus Chittagong where petrol bombs were thrown at India's mission. Bangladesh suspended visa services in New Delhi, Agartala, and Siliguri; India suspended Chittagong services. Muhammad Yunus expressed "profound sorrow" over Dipu Chandra Das's lynching as 12 arrests were made.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman condemned Pakistan's double standards, arguing if Islamabad justifies striking Afghanistan causing civilian casualties then it cannot object to India's Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Speaking at Karachi's Lyari conference, Rehman questioned Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir's logic: "If you attack your enemy in Afghanistan, India can also attack headquarters responsible for Kashmir attacks." Operation Sindoor referenced India's May 7 missile strikes on nine terror targets including Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba bases, avenging April 22's attack where 26 civilians were killed. Rehman, who previously offered to mediate Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, remains the only Pakistani lawmaker meeting Taliban's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.

Pakistan Muslim League youth leader Kamran Saeed Usmani threatened India over Bangladesh tensions, warning "Pakistan's army and missiles are not far away" if India attacks Bangladesh's autonomy. Usmani proposed a formal military alliance between Pakistan and Bangladesh, including mutual military bases on each other's territories. He claimed Pakistan wouldn't tolerate India's "Akhand Bharat ideology" being imposed on Bangladesh and suggested a strategic scenario where Pakistan attacks from the west, Bangladesh from the east, while China focuses on Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. Usmani accused India's BSF of "disturbing" Bangladesh and argued linking China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with Bangladesh's ports would strengthen strategic control, claiming "those who control ports rule the world."

The United States has opened a rare filing window for Indian professionals waiting for Green Cards. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services allowed applicants to file using either of two visa charts. The January 2026 visa bulletin showed major progress in EB-1 and EB-5 categories for Indians. EB-2 and EB-3 also moved forward. Immigration experts called the change “extremely important.” They warned the relief may be short-lived. Applicants are advised to file quickly and prepare documents, including medical exams. The filing window runs from January 1 to January 31.

Pakistan lawmaker Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticised his own government over strikes on Afghanistan that caused civilian deaths. Speaking in Karachi, he said, “If we justify attacks across the border, then we cannot object to India doing the same.” Rehman questioned the logic of the Pakistan army led by Asim Munir. He referred to India’s Operation Sindoor, saying Pakistan had lost moral ground. India has condemned Pakistan’s strikes on Afghan civilians and reaffirmed support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty.

India has summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah for the second time in a week amid growing tensions. The move came hours after Bangladesh called in Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma over security concerns. India raised objections about threats near its mission in Dhaka and blamed extremist groups. The Ministry of External Affairs said Bangladesh must ensure the safety of Indian missions. Ties have been strained since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge. India said it supports peace and fair elections in Bangladesh. (PC: PTI)

A Sikh religious procession was disrupted in South Auckland, New Zealand, after members of a far-right group blocked the route and performed a haka. Videos showed protesters chanting Christian slogans and stopping the nagar kirtan on Great South Road. The agitators were linked to supporters of Brian Tamaki, leader of the Destiny Church. Police remained between the groups to prevent violence. Organisers said the procession had official approval. Several New Zealand lawmakers criticised the disruption and voiced support for the Sikh community. Political leaders in India also urged authorities to raise the issue with New Zealand, calling the incident a threat to religious freedom. 

Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned India’s envoy to protest incidents near its diplomatic missions in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said demonstrations outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the visa centre in Siliguri endangered diplomatic staff. Protests by groups including the Vishva Hindu Parishad led police to use crowd-control measures after barricades were breached. Dhaka condemned what it called acts of intimidation against diplomatic establishments. The move comes amid strained ties linked to unrest in Bangladesh and the exile of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India. Bangladesh has suspended visa services at some missions, citing safety concerns. (PC: India Today)

Winston Peters has criticised the India–New Zealand free trade agreement, calling it “neither free nor fair”. He said his party, New Zealand First, will oppose the deal in Parliament. Peters said the pact excludes key dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter, despite dairy being a major export. He added that New Zealand would open its market to Indian goods without similar access for dairy exports. Peters also raised concerns over immigration concessions linked to the deal. He said he conveyed his party’s position to S Jaishankar. (PC: NDTV)