Police in Birbhum, West Bengal, seized around 20,000 gelatine sticks from a pick-up van during a naka check near Nalhati on Tuesday night. The vehicle was coming from Pakur in Jharkhand. Police said the explosives were packed in 50 bags and were moved without permission. One man, Narayan Ghosh of Birbhum, was arrested. He was produced in the Rampurhat court and sent to police custody for three days. Police are working with Pakur authorities to trace the source. Officers said such explosives are often used in illegal mining and stone quarries in the area. (PC: India Today)

US Congress has approved a bill ordering the Justice Department to release all unclassified files on Jeffrey Epstein. The House voted 427-1, and the Senate passed it without objection. The move comes after President Donald Trump changed his stance and asked Congress to release the records. The bill requires the Attorney General to publish documents, flight logs, and internal communications within 30 days, unless they affect active investigations or reveal victim identities. The push was led by lawmakers Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna. Survivors also urged transparency, saying hiding the records was a betrayal. Trump is expected to sign the bill. (PC: BBC)

An eight-month pregnant Indian woman, Samanvitha Dhareshwar, was killed in a car crash in Sydney. She was walking with her husband and three-year-old son when a speeding BMW hit a Kia, which then struck her. Police said she suffered severe injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital, but she and her unborn child could not be saved. The BMW was driven by 19-year-old Aaron Papazoglu, who was later arrested. He has been charged with dangerous and negligent driving causing death, and causing the loss of a foetus. A magistrate denied bail. The case may fall under Zoe’s Law. (PC: NDTV)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly dismissed claims that the U.S. might deploy troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing that such an intervention will “never happen.” She stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously proposed sending American forces, but Mexico rejected the idea each time. Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable,” though she remains open to intelligence-sharing and coordinated strategies that do not involve foreign military presence. Her remarks followed renewed debate in the U.S. about cross-border operations, prompting Mexico to reiterate its constitutional commitment to controlling its own security operations. (AFP)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly dismissed claims that the U.S. might deploy troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing that such an intervention will “never happen.” She stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously proposed sending American forces, but Mexico rejected the idea each time. Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable,” though she remains open to intelligence-sharing and coordinated strategies that do not involve foreign military presence. Her remarks followed renewed debate in the U.S. about cross-border operations, prompting Mexico to reiterate its constitutional commitment to controlling its own security operations.

Sajeeb Wazed, son of ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, condemned the tribunal’s verdict sentencing her to death, calling it a “complete mockery of justice.” He claimed the trial was rushed, predetermined, and conducted by an “unelected, unconstitutional” interim government that even amended laws to fast-track it. Wazed said his mother was denied her own defence attorneys, and argued that there is “no rule of law” in Bangladesh now. (PC: India Today)

Awami League leaders in exile condemned Sheikh Hasina's death sentence as a "pre-determined verdict" by an "illegal, unconstitutional" Yunus government. Organizing Secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel slammed the tribunal, defending Hasina's 15-year work for Bangladesh's 170 million people. The party called for a national shutdown protesting the "politically motivated" verdict. Leaders warned they "will not allow elections without the Awami League" and threatened escalating protests unless international intervention occurs. Rights groups called the trial a "political farce" violating fair trial standards, noting 17 judges were dismissed before proceedings. Bangladesh banned Awami League activities ahead of February elections, with supporters vowing "stronger protests" and warning of potential violence. (PC: Britannica)

President Donald Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an Oval Office meeting, dismissing US intelligence findings that MBS approved journalist Jamal Khashoggi's 2018 murder. Trump called the ABC reporter "fake news" and insisted the Crown Prince "knew nothing about it," adding "things happen" and some didn't like Khashoggi. MBS acknowledged the incident was "painful" and called it a "huge mistake," claiming Saudi Arabia improved systems to prevent recurrence. The exchange overshadowed MBS's first White House visit since the killing. The Crown Prince announced increasing US investments from $600 billion to $1 trillion, while Trump praised Saudi Arabia's "incredible" human rights progress without specifics.

The United States is secretly collaborating with Russia on a 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war, inspired by Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, reports Axios citing US and Russian officials. Special envoy Steve Witkoff leads the drafting process, having extensively discussed it with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev during an October Miami visit. The plan addresses four categories: Ukraine peace, security guarantees, European security, and future US-Russia-Ukraine relations. However, Russia's territorial control in eastern Ukraine remains unresolved. Dmitriev suggests the framework extends beyond Ukraine to address Russian security concerns and restore US-Russia ties. Ukrainian officials confirmed awareness after Witkoff briefed national security adviser Rustem Umerov. European officials are receiving briefings. (PC: ABC News)

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein urged US lawmakers to release all remaining documents linked to the late sex offender. At a news conference at the US Capitol, survivor Annie Farmer said they had faced “institutional betrayal” for years. The US House began debating a bipartisan bill that would force the Department of Justice to make the files public. More than 20,000 pages were released last week, some mentioning Donald Trump. Trump has now asked his party to support the bill. Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene also demanded full release, saying the issue has divided the MAGA movement. A vote is expected soon. (PC: BBC)