New York woke up to its heaviest snowfall in nearly four years after a winter storm hit the north-east United States. Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow, the most since January 2022, the National Weather Service said. Some parts of the state saw up to 7.5 inches. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in more than half the counties before the storm. On Saturday, over 900 flights were cancelled in the New York area and more than 8,000 were delayed across the country. New Jersey and Connecticut also reported heavy snow. Authorities warned of black ice on roads and bridges. (PC: BBC)

US Congressman Ro Khanna has condemned the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker who was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, earlier this month. In a post on X, Khanna described the death as “horrific” and said people must speak out against “vile acts of hatred and bigotry”. Das was killed during protests that followed the murder of student leader Osman Hadi. The incident triggered demonstrations in several Indian cities, including New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala. Hindu groups also protested near Bangladeshi missions and sought protection for minorities. The case has strained India-Bangladesh ties, with both sides summoning envoys and raising concerns at diplomatic levels. (PC: HT)

A high school student in the United States has identified about 1.5 million new space objects using artificial intelligence and old Nasa data. Matteo Paz built a machine learning system to study records from the retired Neowise mission. His model reviewed around 200 billion infrared entries and flagged objects such as quasars and supernovas that were missed earlier. Paz worked with astrophysicist Davy Kirkpatrick through Caltech’s Planet Finder Academy. His findings were published in The Astronomical Journal and are now guiding future observations by the James Webb Space Telescope. Nasa chief Jared Isaacman praised the work and publicly invited Paz to apply for a job, adding a fighter jet ride as a personal offer. (PC: India Today)

Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has raised concern over what he called a growing culture of “anti-India sentiment” after two Indians were killed in Canada within a week. Speaking to ANI, Bordman said the cases happened in different places and do not appear linked. He criticised Canadian police for slow updates and said the public knows few details about the latest shooting in Toronto. Bordman also questioned how such crimes are handled by law agencies. The deaths include 30-year-old Himanshi Khurana, whose partner is a suspect, and 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, who was shot dead on December 23. Police said suspects fled before officers reached the scene. (PC: NDTV)

Israeli military action has continued in Gaza despite a ceasefire, with health officials saying more than 400 people were killed and about 1,000 injured since October 10. Aid agencies say many areas remain in ruins, while Israel does not allow reconstruction material or heavy machines to enter. The UN says about 85% of buildings are damaged and nearly two million people are displaced. Satellite images reviewed by Sky News show the Israeli control line moving hundreds of metres deeper into Gaza. The IDF said its forces remain inside the strip to stop threats. It confirmed shooting a 16-year-old it called a suspect but gave no proof of militant links. (PC: Sky News)

A 24-year-old student from Tripura, Angel Chakma, died after fighting for life for 17 days following a violent attack in Dehradun, police said. The incident took place on December 9 near a roadside canteen in the Selakui area. Police said a group of men made racially abusive remarks at Angel and his brother. When they objected, a fight broke out. Angel was allegedly hit with a sharp weapon and a metal kada, causing serious head and back injuries. He was admitted to a private hospital but died on Friday. Three accused were arrested, two minors detained, and one suspect remains absconding. Murder charges have now been added. (PC: India Today)

The BCCI had informally approached former India batter VVS Laxman to take charge of the Test team after India’s 0–2 home series defeat to South Africa, a report said. The move came even though current head coach Gautam Gambhir is under contract until the 2027 ODI World Cup. This was the second time Laxman was contacted, after a similar outreach last year before Gambhir’s appointment. Laxman declined again, saying he is happy as Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The report said the board still has doubts about Gambhir’s red-ball role, with India sixth in the World Test Championship. (PC: HT)

The Congress is dealing with new internal tension after senior leader Digvijaya Singh made an online post seen as praising the BJP and the RSS. Singh said the BJP-RSS allows workers to rise from the ground level to top posts, sharing a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with L K Advani. He later said he remains opposed to the RSS ideology. Party leaders gave mixed reactions. Pawan Khera rejected Singh’s view, while Mallikarjun Kharge stressed that Congress does not do politics in the name of religion. Sachin Pilot said the party is united. Others backed Singh, saying his words were misread. (PC: NDTV)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a major overnight Russian attack on Kyiv showed Moscow does not want peace. The strike lasted about 10 hours and used missiles and drones. Local officials said two people were killed and 32 were injured. Energy damage left about 40% of homes in Kyiv and nearby areas without heating. Zelensky said Russia launched almost 500 drones and 40 missiles at energy and civilian sites. Russia said it used long-range weapons to hit military-linked facilities. Zelensky made the remarks while travelling to Florida for talks with US President Donald Trump on a new 20-point peace plan. (PC: BBC)

Security agencies have flagged the presence of more than 30 Pakistan-linked terrorists operating in the Jammu region this winter. Officials say sustained pressure has pushed these groups into higher and middle mountain areas of Kishtwar and Doda, where civilian movement is limited. The Army has expanded counter-terror work since the start of Chillai Kalan on December 21. Forward winter bases and temporary surveillance posts have been set up in snowbound zones. Patrols are sweeping ridges, forests, and remote valleys. Operations are being carried out with the police, CRPF, and local defence groups using drones, thermal cameras, and ground sensors. (PC: India Today)