US President Donald Trump again claimed that Washington helped stop fighting between India and Pakistan, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. In a video from the meeting, Trump said he had settled “eight wars” and was not given credit. He said trade pressure helped bring an end to the India-Pakistan clash in May. Trump has repeated this claim many times since posting online on May 10 about a “full and immediate” ceasefire. India has rejected any third-party role. New Delhi says the ceasefire followed contact between military officials after India launched Operation Sindoor. (PC: NDTV)

Ukraine has denied Russia’s claim that Kyiv sent drones to attack a residence used by President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said 91 long-range drones were launched overnight and all were destroyed by air defences. He said there were no casualties or damage. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the allegation “typical Russian lies” and said Moscow was trying to weaken peace talks. The claim came after US-Ukraine talks in Florida on a new peace plan. The White House said President Donald Trump later spoke to Putin and was told about the alleged incident. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin told him Ukraine tried to attack his residence in northern Russia. Kyiv denied the claim and said it was false. Speaking in Florida, Trump said he was “very angry” after hearing the allegation and added that this was not the right time for such actions during peace talks. He said there was no proof yet and that more details would emerge. Russia said it was reviewing its position in negotiations after the reported drone attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the charge and accused Moscow of using the claim to justify new strikes. (PC: NDTV)

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a long illness. Doctors said she was in extremely critical condition and on life support at a Dhaka hospital. Zia led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to victory in 1991, ending two decades of military rule. She later served two more terms, in 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. Her career was shaped by a fierce rivalry with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Zia was jailed on corruption charges in 2018, which she denied. She was released last year after Hasina was forced into exile. (PC: BBC)

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago resort to push forward the stalled Gaza ceasefire plan and negotiate its next phase, focusing on transitional governance and international security arrangements for the Palestinian enclave. Trump’s initiative, agreed in October, envisages Israel’s gradual withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas’s disarmament, but significant hurdles remain, including disputes over compliance, disarmament, and hostages. Discussions are also expected to cover Israel’s security concerns about Hezbollah and Iran. The meeting reflects pressures to revitalise peace efforts amid ongoing regional tensions. (PC: Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly rejected Russia’s allegation that Ukraine launched a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region, calling the claim a fabrication and “another lie.” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of using around 91 long-range drones in the purported strike and suggested Moscow might adjust its negotiating stance and launch retaliatory strikes. Kyiv insists it is focused on defending its own territory and accused Russia of using the accusation as a pretext to justify future attacks on Kyiv and government buildings. (PC: X)

Russia has accused Ukraine of launching drone strikes targeting President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region soon after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming 90+ long-range drones were intercepted by Russian air defenses. Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, condemned it as “state terrorism” and said Moscow might revise peace-talk positions. Kyiv strongly denied the allegations, calling them false and a possible pretext for new Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. It remains unclear whether Putin was present during the incident. (PC: Reuters)

A Sydney shop owner who disarmed a shooter during the Bondi Beach attack has spoken about his actions. Ahmed al Ahmed told US media he tackled one gunman from behind and pulled away a long weapon. He said he warned the man to drop the gun. Mr Ahmed was later shot several times by the second attacker and needed surgery. The attack at a Hanukkah event on December 14 killed 15 people and injured 40. Police have called it a terrorist act aimed at the Jewish community. One gunman was killed by police. The other has been charged with murder and terrorism offences. Mr Ahmed said he only wanted to stop the killing. (PC: BBC)

Tamil Nadu Police have detained four teenagers for attacking a migrant worker on a suburban train near Chennai. The boys, all aged 17, were seen in viral videos hitting the victim with machetes and later posing with a “victory” sign. One clip was shared as an Instagram reel with music. The injured man, from Maharashtra, is being treated at Thiruvallur Government Hospital. The attack happened on a train heading to Thiruthani. Police sent three of the accused to a juvenile home in Chengalpattu. A court released the fourth on bail, citing his studies. The case is under investigation. (PC:  NDTV)

At least five houses of a Hindu family were set on fire in Dumritala village in Bangladesh’s Pirojpur district on December 28. Police said the exact cause is not yet known and an investigation is under way. Most family members were away at the time. An elderly relative raised the alarm, but the fire spread fast. No one was hurt, but documents, cash, furniture and certificates were destroyed. A video showed locals trying to control the blaze. A minority rights group said it recorded at least 71 cases linked to blasphemy claims against Hindus from June to December across more than 30 districts. (PC: India Today)