Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia carried out a “massive” overnight air attack on Ukraine, using more than 600 drones and over 30 missiles. Ukrainian officials said at least three people were killed, including a four-year-old child in the Zhytomyr region. Zelensky said the strikes showed Russia was not under enough international pressure. The state energy operator reported emergency power cuts in several regions as temperatures neared freezing. Zelensky had earlier warned Russia could target Ukraine around Christmas. Russia later said it struck Ukrainian energy and transport facilities. (PC: BBC)

Winston Peters has criticised the India–New Zealand free trade agreement, calling it “neither free nor fair”. He said his party, New Zealand First, will oppose the deal in Parliament. Peters said the pact excludes key dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter, despite dairy being a major export. He added that New Zealand would open its market to Indian goods without similar access for dairy exports. Peters also raised concerns over immigration concessions linked to the deal. He said he conveyed his party’s position to S Jaishankar. (PC: NDTV)

The Delhi government said the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule will stay in force even after GRAP-IV restrictions are lifted. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will not be allowed to operate. The rule came into effect on December 18 to curb rising pollution. Sirsa said anti-pollution steps will continue as air quality remains poor. Inspections found several PUC centres closed or using faulty equipment. Twelve centres were suspended and issued notices. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stayed in the severe range on Tuesday amid dense fog and low visibility. (PC: HT)

Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindu groups held a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi over the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das. Police said the protest turned violent as demonstrators toppled barricades and clashed with security personnel. Heavy security had been deployed, including layered barricades and additional forces. Police stopped protesters about 800 metres from the mission. Bangladesh condemned the protest and summoned India’s High Commissioner, citing concerns over the safety of diplomatic staff. Security was also increased at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. (PC: India Today)

Donald Trump said he “hated” seeing photographs of Bill Clinton in newly released files linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The images were included in documents released by the US Department of Justice. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had always had a friendly relationship with Clinton and described the situation as “terrible”. He added, “Bill Clinton’s a big boy. He can handle it.” Trump said many people had met Epstein years ago and claimed the release was politically motivated. Clinton’s spokesman later called for the release of all remaining material. (PC: Sky News)

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, received Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honor, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence, during an official visit to the Kingdom. The Pakistan Army announced the prestigious recognition, which represents one of Saudi Arabia's most distinguished awards for foreign dignitaries and leaders. The medal acknowledges exceptional contributions to bilateral relations and regional cooperation. This honor reflects the strengthening ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, two nations with historically close diplomatic, military, and economic relationships. The award ceremony took place during Munir's official state visit, underscoring the strategic importance both countries place on their partnership and collaboration across defense, economic, and cultural spheres. (PC: X)

London-based singer Charles Antony, who flew to India to perform a special Spanish song for Lionel Messi at Kolkata's December 13 event, "ran to save my life" amid chaos at Salt Lake Stadium. Positioned near galleries, Antony witnessed water bottles, stones, and metal objects hurled at Messi, Suárez, and De Paul as angry fans who paid ₹4,000-₹20,000 rioted after barely glimpsing their idol. With his access tag making him a target, police advised fleeing to safety as crowds stormed the ground. Antony grabbed equipment and ran to his hotel, later relocating for safety. Unlike 2016's well-managed Maradona event, this descended into "mobocracy," leaving fans from Meghalaya, Assam, and Bengaluru heartbroken. (PC: PTI)

Bangladesh summoned India's envoy Tuesday over security concerns at Bangladeshi missions in New Delhi and Siliguri, where massive protests erupted following Hindu worker Dipu Chandra Das's mob lynching. Bangladesh condemned "premeditated violence" against diplomatic establishments as VHP protesters breached barricades in Delhi, prompting police lathi-charge. Ties deteriorated after India summoned Bangladesh's envoy last week over National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah's inflammatory speech threatening to shelter Indian separatists and sever seven northeastern states. Bangladesh suspended visa operations in Delhi, Siliguri, and Tripura citing security concerns. India dismissed "misleading propaganda" about protests, stating demonstrations were brief and posed no security threat. Tensions escalated following Sheikh Hasina's exile in Delhi.

Large-scale protests erupted across West Bengal including Kolkata and Siliguri after Bangladeshi Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was lynched on December 18 over false blasphemy allegations. Hindu Jagran Manch and VHP staged demonstrations outside Bangladesh Visa Application Centre, while BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari led 2,000 protesters threatening to return with 10,000 people on December 26. Bangladesh suspended visa services indefinitely at missions in New Delhi, Tripura, and Siliguri citing security concerns. India summoned Bangladesh's envoy, formally objecting to minority attacks and diplomatic threats. Investigators found blasphemy claims baseless, suspecting workplace disputes triggered the incident. Police arrested 12 people, including factory supervisors, for forcing Das out instead of contacting authorities.

Massive protests erupted outside Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi following the mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Led by Vishva Hindu Parishad and other Hindu organizations, demonstrators condemned atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Delhi Police deployed heavy security with three barricade layers along San Martín Marg and stationed paramilitary personnel around the diplomatic enclave. Protesters breached the first barricade before being stopped at the second, where police placed a DTC bus to block further movement. Demonstrators raised slogans like "Yunus sarkar, hosh mein aao," chanted Hanuman Chalisa, and burned effigies. VHP leaders repeatedly urged protesters to maintain discipline and comply with law-and-order requirements.