Shreyas Iyer is nearing a comeback after suffering a broken rib and ruptured spleen during a match against Australia two months ago. The Indian ODI vice-captain has resumed batting at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, practicing for nearly an hour without discomfort. BCCI sources confirm Iyer is pain-free and has returned to regular gym training. He will spend four to six days at the Centre for assessment before finalizing his return timeline. Iyer is eyeing the Vijay Hazare Trophy for his comeback to competitive cricket. With India's ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, his inclusion cannot be ruled out, with squad announcement expected January 2-3. (PC: Times Now)

A 44-year-old Indian-origin accountant, Prashant Sreekumar, died at Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton, Canada, after waiting over eight hours in the emergency room despite severe chest pain. The father of three, aged 3, 10, and 14, repeatedly complained of unbearable pain, with his blood pressure reaching 210. He was allegedly offered only Tylenol after triage and an ECG. His father recalled Prashant saying, "Papa, I cannot bear the pain." After waiting eight hours, he collapsed from apparent cardiac arrest seconds after being called into the treatment area. The family demands answers, while Covenant Health, which operates the hospital, has referred the case to the Chief Medical Examiner.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman appealed for national unity after landing in Dhaka following a 17-year absence. Addressing thousands of supporters directly from the airport, the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia called on citizens across all political and religious backgrounds to work together for peace and stability. His return comes amid massive unrest following youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi's murder, who led last year's protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina's government. Rahman, a top prime ministerial contender, pledged to create a safe Bangladesh for all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity. His unity call gains significance as Jamaat-e-Islami emerges as BNP's main rival after Awami League's electoral ban.

India successfully tested the K4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from its nuclear submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, marking a significant strategic milestone. The missile was fired to its full operational range of approximately 3,500 km. INS Arighaat, India's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned last year, strengthens the sub-surface component of India's nuclear triad. The K4 provides crucial second-strike capability, as submarines remain undetectable and can stay submerged for months. This longer-range missile enhances India's strategic posture across the Indo-Pacific, bridging the gap between the shorter-range K15 Sagarika (750 km) and future longer-range systems. The successful test significantly boosts India's nuclear deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries. (PC: X)

A Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal (also known as Samrat), was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari district, Bangladesh, late Wednesday after being accused of extortion, police said. Locals claimed he and his associates demanded money from a resident, prompting villagers to attack him when they thought he was a robber. Mondal was taken to a health complex but died early Thursday. Police detained one associate and recovered firearms. The incident follows recent communal violence in Bangladesh, including the lynching of another Hindu man days earlier, raising concerns over mob justice and minority safety. (PC: India Today)

Israeli police detained a Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus at a Christmas celebration in Haifa, forcibly dispersing the event and also arresting a DJ and a street vendor before later releasing them. Rights group Mossawa Centre alleged excessive force and said the raid lacked legal authority, while police claimed the Santa-clad man resisted arrest and assaulted an officer. Footage shows officers dragging him from the scene. The incident, set amid broader holiday tensions, drew criticism as Palestinians mark Christmas under ongoing restrictions and amid regional conflict. 

Six Maoists, including senior leader Ganesh Uike, were killed in separate gunfights with security forces in Odisha as part of an intensified anti-Naxal operation. The encounters occurred in forested areas during a coordinated operation involving Odisha Police and central armed forces. Ganesh Uike, considered a key strategist and wanted in several cases of violence, was a significant target for security agencies. Arms, ammunition and Maoist literature were recovered from the sites. Officials said the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs and marks a major blow to Maoist activities in the region, reinforcing the state’s commitment to curb left-wing extremism. (PC: NDTV)

Thailand has said the removal of a Lord Vishnu statue near its border with Cambodia was driven by security needs and not religious reasons. Officials said the structure was not a registered religious site and was a later installation in a disputed area. Videos on social media showed the idol being pulled down by Thai forces, though the clips could not be verified. India’s foreign ministry said such acts hurt religious sentiments and urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue. Cambodia claimed the statue stood inside its territory and accused Thailand of damaging a heritage site. The incident comes amid renewed border clashes between the two countries, with talks now under way to ease tensions. (PC: HT)

Tarique Rahman, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, returned to Bangladesh on Thursday after living in London for 17 years. The 60-year-old is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and is seen as the party’s main face ahead of the next general election. BNP leaders said large crowds gathered in Dhaka to welcome him. Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 during the rule of Sheikh Hasina. Several cases were filed against him at the time, but he was cleared after Hasina was removed last year. Hasina now lives in India and her Awami League is unlikely to contest the coming polls. (PC: BBC)

Several countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and others have strongly condemned the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying the move violates international law and could fuel instability in the region. In a joint statement, they urged Israel to reverse the decision and halt settlement expansion, warning it risks undermining peace efforts, the Gaza ceasefire plan and long-term stability. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected the criticism, saying the actions were necessary for security and that foreign governments should not interfere. (PC: Reuters)