largest deportation drive in US history, targeting 1.5 million undocumented individuals. Among them, nearly 18,000 Indians face deportation. The US has approximately 725,000 undocumented immigrants from India, the third-largest group after Mexico and El Salvador. ICE recently deported Indian nationals via chartered flights and criticized India for delays in confirming citizenship and issuing travel documents. India is among 15 countries labelled "uncooperative" by ICE. Many undocumented Indians struggle to legalise their status, with some waiting years for clearance. Trump's policy has sparked concerns about the fate of affected families and US-India relations.

India expressed sadness over the murder of three Indian students in Canada and called for a thorough investigation. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the killings as "terrible tragedies" and said Indian missions are working closely with Canadian authorities. The missions are also in touch with the victims' families and have offered condolences. India urged its nationals, especially students, to remain cautious due to rising violence in Canada. Relations between the two nations have worsened in recent months, with India accusing Canada of providing space to anti-India groups, further straining diplomatic ties.

The Ashmolean Museum at Oxford University has agreed to return a stolen idol of saint poet Thirumangai Alwar to the Soundararaja Perumal Temple in Tamil Nadu. The bronze idol, stolen over 60 years ago, was traced by Tamil Nadu’s idol wing CID. Oxford University verified its origins and promised to cover all costs for its return. Investigations revealed the temple uses replica idols for worship, while originals are in foreign museums. Efforts are ongoing to repatriate other stolen idols. Experts urge authorities to check for more fake idols in temples. The idol will return to India soon.

Sanjay Shah, a 54-year-old Indian-origin British hedge fund trader, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Danish court for orchestrating a $1.2 billion tax fraud. Shah masterminded a "cum-ex" scheme, fraudulently claiming $1.27 billion in dividend tax refunds between 2012-2015. The court also seized $1 billion of his assets, including properties. Shah, who was arrested in Dubai in 2022 and extradited to Denmark, has appealed to the Danish High Court. He also faces a $1.83 billion civil tax fraud case in London, set to conclude in April 2025.

The US Visa Bulletin for January 2025 shows progress for Indian green card applicants, especially in family-sponsored and employment-based categories. The family-sponsored category limit is set at 2.26 lakh, with the employment-based preference capped at 1.4 lakh. Key updates include advancements in final action dates for F1, F2B, F3, and F4 family categories, along with changes in EB-2 and EB-3 employment categories. Over 1 million Indians await green cards, with delays extending up to 195 years, per Congressional Research Service. The bulletin marks a slight but significant relief for Indian applicants striving to reduce prolonged immigration backlogs.

IndiGo Airlines faced severe criticism after around 400 passengers were stranded at Istanbul Airport for over 24 hours due to delays in flights to Delhi and Mumbai. Passengers complained about inadequate food, poor accommodation, and lack of communication from the airline's staff. Social media was flooded with posts highlighting their ordeal, with some accusing IndiGo of "failing basic service standards." Despite promises of lounge access, overcrowding left many standing for hours. IndiGo apologised for the inconvenience and assured direct communication with affected passengers but offered no detailed explanation for the delays. Both flights remain grounded as of now.

Rittika Rajput, a 22-year-old student from Punjab, died tragically when a tree crashed on her during a bonfire with friends at James Lake, British Columbia, Canada, on December 7. The hospitality management student succumbed to severe head injuries. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have deemed the incident non-suspicious but continue investigating. Rittika came from a low-income family; her mother worked tirelessly to send her to Canada. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to repatriate her body to India. Family friend Amarjit Lalli recounted the accident caused by a sudden gust of wind.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified India’s stance, stating that Sheikh Hasina’s statement criticizing the Yunus-led interim government was made through "private communication devices" and not endorsed by India. Addressing a parliamentary standing committee, Misri emphasized India's non-interference policy in the internal matters of other nations. He also highlighted India's commitment to fostering constructive ties with Bangladesh’s citizens, regardless of political affiliations. Misri's recent visit to Dhaka included discussions on protecting minority rights and addressing attacks on cultural and religious sites. His remarks are seen as a subtle shift in India’s diplomatic approach toward Bangladesh.  

A Bangladesh delegation is expected to attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata on December 16, 2024. The event commemorates India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war and the formation of Bangladesh. The delegation might include muktijoddhas, Bangladesh’s freedom fighters from the 1971 struggle. This follows recent high-level talks between Indian and Bangladeshi officials. The celebrations at Eastern Command headquarters will feature a wreath-laying ceremony, military tattoo, and interactions with 1971 war veterans. Last year, a similar delegation participated in the event, marking a historic military collaboration between the two nations.

Chiranjeevi Panguluri, a 32-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh, died in a road accident in Leicestershire, UK, on Tuesday. The car, a grey Mazda 3 Tamura, veered off the A6 road and ended up in a ditch. Four others, including a woman and two men, sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. A 27-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but later released on bail. Leicestershire Police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses or dash cam footage of the incident. All involved reportedly hail from Andhra Pradesh, with Panguluri residing in Leicester.