Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said she will return to Bangladesh only when the country has a legitimate government and an independent judiciary. She rejected extradition demands by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, calling them politically motivated. Speaking to ANI, Hasina said she left to prevent bloodshed after student protests last year. She criticised rising violence and lawlessness under the current administration. Hasina also accused the Yunus government of harming ties with India and failing to protect minorities. (PC: Reuters)

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. 

An Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai returned shortly after take-off on Monday. The aircraft, a Boeing 777, faced a technical issue mid air. Reports said engine oil pressure dropped to zero on the right engine. The crew shut down the engine as a safety step. The plane landed safely at Delhi airport. About 355 people were on board. Passengers disembarked without injury. The airline arranged another aircraft for the journey. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is investigating. The Ministry of Civil Aviation sought a full report. (PTI/ File)

The US Justice Department has restored a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The image was briefly removed for review. Officials said it was taken down “out of an abundance of caution” to protect possible victims. After review, they found no Epstein victims in the photo. The image was reposted without changes. The move came amid criticism over redactions in the document release. Officials denied political motives. Lawmakers from both parties questioned transparency. Jeffrey Epstein died in jail in 2019. Trump faces no accusations. (PC: US Department Of Justice)

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)

Adidas orchestrated a historic meeting at Delhi's Purana Qila, bringing together football legend Lionel Messi and India's elite world champions. The iconic gathering featured Para Athletics champions Sumit Antil and Nishad Kumar, Women's World Boxing Champion Nikhat Zareen, and T20 World Champions Renuka Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav. Against the majestic heritage site backdrop, the athletes exchanged mutual respect and inspiration across different sporting disciplines. Messi acknowledged that despite playing different sports, champions share the same passion and drive. adidas GM Vijay Chauhan emphasized sport as the ultimate unifier, reinforcing the brand's vision to foster a dynamic multi-sport culture in India and create a global stage celebrating excellence beyond borders.

German engineer Michaela Benthaus made history as the world's first wheelchair user to travel to space. The European Space Agency employee, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, joined five others on Blue Origin's 10-minute flight from Texas on Saturday. After reaching out online to retired SpaceX manager Hans Koenigsmann about whether her astronaut dream remained possible, he helped organize the historic mission. The crew reached just above the Kármán line, the recognized boundary of space. Benthaus independently transferred from her wheelchair into the capsule using a specially installed bench. Blue Origin modified ground support equipment to accommodate her, demonstrating that space accessibility is achievable for everyone.