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.

China has strongly rebuffed a recent U.S. Pentagon report suggesting Beijing may be leveraging reduced tensions along the Line of Actual Control with India to prevent deeper strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called the assessment a distortion of China’s defence policy designed to sow discord and justify U.S. military dominance, insisting Beijing views its relationship with India from a “strategic height and long-term perspective” and opposes external interference. China stressed the border situation is stable with open communication channels and emphasised its commitment to strengthening mutual trust and cooperation with India. 

A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died of a suspected cardiac arrest after waiting over eight hours for treatment in the emergency room of Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton, Canada on December 22. He had been rushed to the hospital with severe chest pain and repeatedly told staff his pain was “15 out of 10,” but was given only Tylenol and an ECG, which reportedly showed no significant issue, before being asked to continue waiting. His blood pressure rose sharply during the wait, and when finally called in, he collapsed and died shortly after. He leaves behind his wife and three children, and the case has sparked questions about emergency care response times. (PC: X)

Hollywood actor Kumail Nanjiani, who grew up in Pakistan, expressed nostalgia for India-Pakistan cricket matches, noting they've lost their former "brotherhood" vibe. Speaking on Hasan Minhaj's YouTube channel, Nanjiani observed that while both were once top cricket teams, "now Pakistan is not that great and India is the best in the world." He recalled how these matches once celebrated similarities between nations despite political differences, emphasizing shared culture and language. Nanjiani lamented that nationalism has increasingly seeped into Indian and Pakistani films, creating unhelpful animosity. He believes the matches previously highlighted unity over division, with people from both countries connecting despite governmental tensions, a sentiment largely lost today. (PC: X)

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.

A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died in Edmonton after waiting about eight hours for treatment at Grey Nuns Hospital. He had complained of severe chest pain while at work on December 22 and was taken to the hospital by a client. Doctors performed an ECG and said nothing serious was found. He was given Tylenol and asked to wait. His father later joined him and said Prashant told staff his pain was “15 out of 10”. Nurses checked his blood pressure during the wait. When he was finally taken into the emergency room, he collapsed within seconds and died. The hospital expressed sympathy but declined to comment on care. (PC: India Today)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman reached Dhaka on Thursday, ending more than 17 years in exile in London. His Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight made a brief stop in Sylhet before landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport amid heavy security. The BNP said senior party leaders received him at the airport, followed by a public reception route through Purbachal. Rahman is also scheduled to visit Evercare Hospital to meet his mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Authorities issued traffic advisories ahead of the arrival as large crowds were expected in several parts of the capital. (PC: India Today)