Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has declared the veteran batter "fully ready" for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa, calling him "the most consistent player of the Indian team." After retiring from Tests and T20Is, Kohli now exclusively plays ODIs for India. Following back-to-back ducks during the Australia tour, he's rebounded with two centuries and two half-centuries in his last four international matches. He carried this form into domestic cricket, scoring 131 against Andhra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy opener and 77 against Gujarat. Sharma defended Kohli's occasional poor innings, stating his record speaks for itself. Kohli next plays internationally in January against touring New Zealand. (PC: X)

An Israeli reservist soldier rammed an ATV into a Palestinian man praying on a West Bank roadside on Thursday, captured on video. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, stating the reservist's service was terminated, his weapon confiscated, and he acted in "severe violation of his authority." Video shows the armed soldier in civilian clothes ramming the vehicle into the praying man, then yelling at him to leave. The victim, though hospitalized, returned home with leg pain. His father claimed the soldier also used pepper spray and regularly provokes village residents. The attacker was arrested and placed under five-day house arrest. UN data shows over 750 Palestinian injuries from Israeli civilian attacks this year in the West Bank.

The Ministry of External Affairs responded to a viral video showing Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya partying in London, where Modi sarcastically called themselves "biggest fugitives of India." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India remains "fully committed" to bringing back all fugitives, saying talks are ongoing with several governments despite complex legal layers involved. The video, posted on Modi's Instagram with the caption "Let's break the internet down in India again," sparked outrage on social media, with many viewing it as mockery of Indian authorities. Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in 2019 for loan defaults and money laundering. Modi fled in 2010 amid IPL financial irregularity investigations. Both currently reside in the United Kingdom.

Three satellite-tagged Amur falcons from Manipur named Apapang, Alang, and Ahu have completed record-breaking migrations to Southern Africa, captivating global attention. Apapang flew 6,100 kilometers to Kenya in six days, one of the longest uninterrupted journeys for small raptors. Alang, the youngest, covered 5,600 kilometers with brief stops in Telangana and Maharashtra, while Ahu paused in Bangladesh before flying 5,100 kilometers to Somalia. The tiny birds crossed India, the Arabian Sea, and the Horn of Africa, reaching destinations including Zimbabwe's Harare, Kenya, and Botswana's Okavango Delta. Wildlife Institute of India scientist Suresh Kumar tracked their journey, highlighting the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the critical need for cross-border conservation efforts. (PC: @supriyasahuias)

India's Ministry of External Affairs responded to the death of Indian-origin Canadian citizen Prashant Sreekumar, stating Canada should take responsibility for the incident. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed Sreekumar was a Canadian national of Indian origin. The 44-year-old accountant and father of three died from suspected cardiac arrest after waiting over eight hours at Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton despite severe chest pain. His father recalled his final words: "Papa, I cannot bear the pain." After finally being called for treatment, Sreekumar collapsed within 10 seconds and died. MEA also expressed condolences for Indian doctoral student Shivank Avasthi, shot dead near University of Toronto campus, and is coordinating with authorities while providing family assistance.

Fresh anti-India protests erupted at Dhaka University following Friday prayers, with demonstrators demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, an Inquilab Mancho anti-leader assassinated earlier this month. Protesters chanted "I am Hadi" slogans and called for speedy trial and hanging of his killers. Bangladesh claims the assassins fled to India, but New Delhi strongly rejected these allegations, further straining bilateral ties. The unrest challenges Muhammad Yunus's interim regime, with Dhaka University's iconic Madhur Canteen vandalized yesterday. Hadi was shot by masked gunmen on December 12 while traveling in a rickshaw and died in Singapore on December 18. Rapid Action Battalion remains deployed amid lingering violence fears.

India has expressed grave concern over ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh, condemning the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man lynched and set on fire over false blasphemy allegations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that "unremitting hostilities" by extremist elements against Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists cannot be dismissed as political violence or media exaggeration. India reported approximately 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities during Bangladesh's interim government tenure. Jaiswal rejected Bangladesh's "false narrative" on these incidents and urged authorities to ensure minority safety and hold perpetrators accountable. Regarding BNP leader Tarique Rahman's return after 17 years, India reiterated support for free and fair elections while closely monitoring the protection of minority rights.

A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died at Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, Canada, after waiting eight hours for treatment despite complaining of severe chest pain. The father of three arrived at the hospital on December 22 after experiencing chest pain at work. Despite his blood pressure rising to 210 and constant pain complaints, staff conducted an ECG, gave him Tylenol, and told him chest pain wasn't considered acute. After more than eight hours in triage, he was finally called into the emergency room but collapsed and died within 10 seconds. His wife blames the hospital for not providing timely care. Canadian health authorities have referred the case to the Chief Medical Examiner for review.

At least 14 people were injured in a violent incident at a rubber factory in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Friday afternoon. A man armed with a knife reportedly stabbed multiple workers, and an unspecified liquid was sprayed during the attack, according to emergency officials. Local fire department personnel transported the injured to hospitals for treatment. Japanese police detained the suspect at the scene, and authorities are investigating the motive and the nature of the liquid used. Further details on the victims’ conditions have not been released. 

An accountant carrying ₹85 lakh in cash was robbed in a brazen daylight attack on the Delhi–Lucknow highway near Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. CCTV footage shows two bike-borne criminals overtaking the victim’s scooter, kicking him off the vehicle, and escaping with the cash-filled bag. The victim was returning after collecting money for a Noida-based businessman when the incident occurred. He sustained injuries but survived. Police have registered a case, formed multiple teams to track the accused, released suspect visuals, and announced a ₹50,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.