Top CPI (Maoist) leader Ganesh Uike was killed in an encounter with security forces in Odisha on Thursday. Police said Uike carried a reward of ₹1.1 crore and led Maoist operations in the state. The operation took place in Kandhamal district after teams received specific intelligence on Maoist movement. Three more Maoists, including a woman cadre, were also killed in separate exchanges of fire in nearby forest areas. Their bodies were recovered during search operations on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Arms and equipment were seized from the sites. No injuries were reported among security personnel. Combing operations have been intensified in the region. (PC: HT)

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)

US authorities say they have found more than one million additional records that may be linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The FBI and federal prosecutors in New York told the Department of Justice about the discovery. The department said lawyers are reviewing the files and making required redactions to protect victims. It plans to release the records in stages in the coming days and weeks. The disclosure follows criticism over delays in publishing Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law last month. The law orders the public release of records while protecting victim identities and active investigations. The department did not explain how the new material was located. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after more than 17 years in self-exile in the United Kingdom. He arrived with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. Large crowds gathered along routes near the airport to welcome him. Party leaders said Rahman travelled in one of two specially imported bulletproof vehicles to a reception in Purbachal, where he was scheduled to address supporters. The BNP expects a very large turnout for the event. After his speech, Rahman is to visit his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who is receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital.

A new report by the US Department of Defense says China now treats its claims on Arunachal Pradesh as part of its “core interests”. The report also places Taiwan and China’s territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea in the same category. It says these goals are linked to Beijing’s plan to achieve what it calls the “great rejuvenation” of the Chinese nation by 2049. The document notes that China sees these issues as central to its national identity and long-term strategy. It adds that Beijing is using diplomatic, military and economic tools to protect these claims and shape regional security trends.

The Princess of Wales and her daughter Princess Charlotte performed a piano duet for the Together at Christmas carol service broadcast on Christmas Eve. The piece was pre-recorded at Windsor Castle last week and aired during the ITV programme. They played Holm Sound by Scottish composer Erland Cooper. Catherine used her left hand while Charlotte played with her right. The footage was shown as guests arrived at Westminster Abbey. Kensington Palace said the clip was made to highlight family bonds. Catherine, who has piano training, has played at the service before, including a surprise performance in 2021. (PC: BBC)

Virat Kohli marked his return to domestic List A cricket with a 131-run knock for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Thursday. Playing at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, he scored 131 off 101 balls as Delhi chased 299 to beat Andhra. The innings took Kohli past 16,000 List A runs, making him the second Indian to reach the mark after Sachin Tendulkar. The hundred came weeks after his back-to-back ODI tons against South Africa. His childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma said Kohli is in strong form and “fully ready” for the World Cup build-up. (PC: X)

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)

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed he met Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh just hours before Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July 2024 during Iran’s presidential swearing-in ceremony. Gadkari, representing India at the event on Prime Minister Modi’s request, said Haniyeh was present among global dignitaries and he saw him depart for the function. Shortly after, Iranian authorities informed him of Haniyeh’s killing at a heavily guarded military facility, with details of the attack still unclear. The incident underscores serious security lapses in Iran and raises geopolitical questions. (PC: PTI)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it has uncovered more than a million additional documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, significantly delaying the planned public release of all files mandated by the recently passed Epstein Files Transparency Act. The discovery by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan means the DOJ now expects the full release to take several more weeks, surpassing the original Dec. 19 deadline. The department says lawyers are working to redact sensitive details to protect victims before disclosure. Lawmakers and victims have criticized the slow pace and heavy redactions. (PC: AP)