Massive protests erupted across Bangladesh after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical political leader and Inquilab Mancha spokesperson, who succumbed to injuries from a shooting earlier this month. Demonstrators in Dhaka and other cities marched, chanted slogans, and demanded justice, accusing authorities of failing to protect Hadi. Violence escalated as protesters vandalised and set fire to media offices like Daily Prothom Alo and Daily Star, and also targeted an Awami League office. Slogans against India and anti-government sentiments were voiced, including at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram. The interim government declared a day of mourning as security remained tight. 

Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent Bangladeshi youth and student movement leader, died in a Singapore hospital on December 18, 2025, from injuries sustained when he was shot in Dhaka a week earlier during his election campaign. Hadi was 32 and a key figure in last year’s uprising and outspoken critic of pro-government politics. After being critically wounded on December 12, he was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed despite intensive care. His death has ignited widespread protests and violence in Bangladesh, with demonstrators attacking media offices and demanding justice, highlighting deep political tensions ahead of national elections. (PC: NDTV)

UK sanctioned Pakistani oil trading tycoon Murtaza Lakhani over alleged involvement in Russia's energy sector amid Ukraine war. British sanctions designated his Mercantile & Maritime Group and UAE-based companies including Tejarinaft FZCO, Fossil Trading FZCO, and Amur II-FZCO, conducting business in sectors strategically important to Russia. Lakhani, who operated from London's Chelsea neighborhood with strong British political connections, declined comment. The move follows EU sanctions targeting Lakhani and an Azeri rival. Washington prepares similar designations targeting Russia's shadow tanker fleet and energy traders. Lakhani built reputation as skilled operator in challenging jurisdictions. The coordinated Western sanctions aim pressuring Moscow toward Ukraine peace agreement. (PC: Money Control)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders in Brussels to loan billions of euros from frozen Russian assets, primarily held by Belgium’s Euroclear, to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs. Russia’s €210 billion in EU assets could fund up to €90 billion over two years, covering much of Ukraine’s projected requirements for 2026–2027. While countries like Germany and Italy back the plan, Belgium and Hungary remain hesitant, citing legal and financial risks. The decision requires a qualified majority among EU states. Zelensky emphasized urgency, warning Ukraine’s finances could run dry without action. (PC: BBC)

A video from Pakistan has gone viral showing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari being introduced at a public event with the hit track “FA9LA” from the Indian espionage thriller Dhurandhar playing in the background — despite the movie being banned in Pakistan for alleged anti‑Pakistan content. The song, performed by Bahraini artist Flipperachi and featured in a popular entry scene, has become widely popular across the country even as some Pakistani politicians, including Bhutto’s own party, have demanded legal action against the film over the use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto. 

Heavily armed Australian police rammed a white Hyundai hatchback in a dramatic operation in a Sydney suburb, just four days after the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack. The vehicle, reportedly heading toward Bondi, was stopped by officers who handcuffed and detained the occupants amid heightened security fears. The action followed intelligence inputs as authorities remain on high alert after the worst terror attack in Australia in three decades, which killed 15 people. Police said the operation was precautionary, with investigations underway to determine any links to the Bondi shooting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received Oman’s national honour, the First Class of the Order of Oman. This is the 29th international honour given to PM Modi. The award has earlier been given to global leaders such as Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela, and King Abdullah of Jordan. PM Modi is in Oman as part of the final leg of his three-nation tour. He was welcomed by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in Muscat. The two leaders held talks on trade and ties. India and Oman also signed a free trade agreement during the visit. (PC: HT)

Ukraine is secretly building new long range missiles to boost its war effort. The Flamingo cruise missile is made in hidden factories across the country. Workers assemble the weapons under strict security. Phones are banned and locations are concealed. Ukraine says it now makes more than half of the weapons it uses. The Flamingo can strike targets deep inside Russia. It has a range of up to 3,000 kilometres. Officials say these weapons help hit oil sites and factories. Ukraine is scaling up production despite constant attacks. Leaders say domestic arms give security when foreign support is uncertain remains fragile. (PC: BBC)

New satellite images show repair work at Pakistan’s Murid Airbase after an Indian Air Force strike in May. A large red tarpaulin now covers a key building hit during Operation Sindoor. The strike caused major roof and internal damage. Earlier images showed only partial cover, but the full structure is now hidden. Experts say tarpaulins are used to conceal repairs from satellites. Murid Airbase is important for Pakistan’s drone operations. The IAF attack came after heavy drone activity from Pakistan. Other damaged airbases and runways have also been repaired in recent months. (PC: NDTV)

Aditya Dhar’s film Dhurandhar has created history on Spotify. All eleven songs from the movie entered the Spotify Global Top 200. This is the first time a full Hindi film album has achieved this feat. Earlier, only single Indian songs made global charts. The album also debuted at number two on the Global Top Albums list. It ranked fifth in the US albums chart. Composer Shashwat Sachdev created the music. The film stars Ranveer Singh and is close to earning Rs 500 crore at the box office. The success shows growing global interest in Bollywood music. (PC: India Today)