The brother of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu youth lynched in Bangladesh over blasphemy allegations, expressed his family's desire to return to India. Apu Das told CNN News18 his family feels scared and wants to leave Bangladesh if proper assistance is provided. Dipu, a factory worker in Mymensingh, was beaten by a mob, hanged from a tree, and his body set ablaze. Authorities arrested 21 suspects linked to the killing. Minority groups protested Monday in Dhaka, criticizing the interim government's failure to prevent minority persecution. The incident sparked widespread protests from factory workers, students, and rights groups, with India expressing concerns.

New Zealand has liberalized mobility provisions under the newly concluded FTA with India, offering extended post-study work visas and opportunities for 5,000 Indian professionals. For the first time, New Zealand signed an annexure on student mobility with any country, providing no numerical caps and guaranteeing 20 hours weekly work rights for Indian students. Students will receive two to four-year work visas depending on their qualifications. The Skilled Employment Pathways allows 5,000 Indian professionals including yoga instructors, chefs, Ayush practitioners, IT specialists, teachers, and nurses with three-year work permits. Additionally, 1,000 young Indians annually receive 12-month Working Holiday Visas. The FTA awaits parliamentary approval and implementation within seven-eight months. (PC: PTI)

Hundreds of H-1B visa holders who returned to India to renew work permits are stranded after appointments scheduled between December 15-26 were abruptly postponed to March. The delays stem from the US State Department's new social media vetting policy aimed at ensuring national security. The US Embassy warned applicants arriving on original dates would be denied entry. Tech giants Google and Apple advised employees against international travel, citing processing delays up to 12 months. India accounts for 71% of H-1B holders. Immigration attorneys call it "the biggest mess" they've witnessed. The Trump administration recently imposed enhanced screening and a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. (PC: X)

Bangladesh suspended consular and visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi following India's similar move in Chattogram. India had halted visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre in the southeastern port city amid escalating tensions after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in last year's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. The suspension came after crowds gathered outside India's Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. Bangladesh's mission cited "unavoidable circumstances" for the temporary suspension, expressing regret for any inconvenience. The tit-for-tat diplomatic actions mark a significant deterioration in bilateral relations between the neighboring countries, with both nations now restricting consular operations. (PC: Reuters)

Many Indian H-1B visa holders are stranded in India after US consulates delayed or cancelled visa renewal appointments this month. Immigration lawyers called the situation the “biggest mess” they have seen. A report by Washington Post said hundreds are affected. Lawyers said appointments between December 15 and 26 were rescheduled without clarity. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Indians make up 71 per cent of H-1B holders. The US State Department said delays are due to expanded social media checks. New rules under Donald Trump have tightened visa scrutiny. (PC: Reuters)

A 26-year-old Indian-origin Singaporean man placed a fake bomb inside St Joseph's Church on Sunday, forcing the cancellation of all services. The accused, Kokulananthan Mohan, made the device using cardboard, pebbles, wires and tape. The Singapore Police Force said the object was meant to look like an explosive but posed no real danger. Mohan told police his actions were influenced by lack of sleep due to night shifts. Authorities said there was no terror or religious motive. He has been remanded for psychiatric checks and may face up to 10 years in jail. (PC: AFP)

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)