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)

The Supreme Court on Monday paused the bail granted to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. The court said Sengar cannot be released as he is already serving a jail term in another criminal case. A bench said the order giving him bail raises serious legal issues that need full hearing. The judges noted that the lower court may have ignored key facts while granting relief. The apex court will now examine whether a convict in one case can get bail in another matter while still in prison. Sengar is serving life sentence for the 2017 Unnao rape. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met for over two hours in Florida and later described the talks as “great”. Both leaders spoke of progress, but offered few clear details on how the war could end. Key issues such as possible territorial concessions by Ukraine remain unresolved. Zelensky said any deal may need public approval through a referendum. There was also no clear outline of the security guarantees Ukraine would receive. Russia has already rejected ideas such as a ceasefire and foreign monitoring forces. Trump has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “serious” about peace. For now, there is no confirmed agreement accepted by all sides. (PC: BBC)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has criticised Canada’s healthcare system after the death of an Indian-origin man at a hospital in Edmonton. The 44-year-old, Prashant Sreekumar, reportedly waited for nearly eight hours for care while suffering chest pain and later went into cardiac arrest. A video posted by his wife accused hospital staff of neglect. Reacting on X, Musk said, “When the government does medical care, it is about as good as the DMV.” The case has sparked debate online and drawn the attention of Indian authorities. The incident took place at Grey Nuns Community Hospital, where the man was in the waiting area before he collapsed. (PC: India Today)