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)

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the long-awaited greenfield aviation hub near Ulwe, officially commenced commercial flight operations on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, marking a major boost to air connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The airport launched with around 30 domestic flights connecting key cities such as Hyderabad, Goa, Bengaluru and more, aimed at relieving congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport and improving travel options. Built with modern facilities and infrastructure, NMIA is expected to expand services gradually, enhancing regional transport capacity and passenger convenience across western India. (PC: PTI)

India has expressed serious concern over the demolition of a Hindu deity’s statue in the ongoing military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, calling the act “disrespectful” and hurtful to followers’ sentiments worldwide. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered across the region as part of shared civilizational heritage, and such actions should be avoided irrespective of territorial claims. India has urged both nations to return to dialogue and diplomacy, resume peace, and prevent further loss of life, property and damage to cultural heritage. Videos of the statue’s demolition have circulated widely on social media. (PC: ANI)

A passenger bus travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna collided with a truck early Thursday on National Highway-48 in Chitradurga district, Karnataka. The impact caused the bus to catch fire and be completely gutted, trapping passengers inside. Police confirmed that at least nine people were charred to death and several others were seriously injured and rushed to hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga. Preliminary reports suggest the truck crossed the central divider before the crash, triggering the blaze. Rescue teams and police are investigating the cause and working at the scene.