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)

India is reportedly seeking over $30 billion in compensation from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and its partner BP over alleged under‑production of natural gas from the D1 and D3 offshore fields in the KG‑D6 block of the Krishna‑Godavari Basin. Government submissions to a three‑member arbitration tribunal claim the companies failed to meet production targets, causing losses of gas and value. Final arguments concluded in November 2025, and a decision is expected by mid‑2026. However, Reliance has strongly denied any $30 billion claim, calling reports “factually incorrect”. 

Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, continued its strong box office run on Day 25, earning over ₹10 crore on its fourth Monday and crossing the ₹700 crore mark in India. Despite a dip in weekday collections, the film’s total national net now stands at about ₹701.25 crore, according to Sacnilk box office estimates. Released in theatres on December 5, Dhurandhar has sustained audience interest well beyond its opening weeks, solidifying its place among the year’s biggest Bollywood hits. (PC: X)

A tragic accident occurred on Monday night (Dec 29, 2025) when a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus, while reversing on Station Road near Bhandup West, struck pedestrians around 10:05 pm. The collision killed four people and injured nine others, officials said. Emergency teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, BEST staff, and ambulance services rushed to the scene and transported the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities have secured the area and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, 36, was injured in a serious car crash on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, local police confirmed on December 29, 2025. The Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck, killing two passengers at the scene. Joshua, seated in the rear, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities said preliminary investigations suggest excessive speed and a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre caused the crash. An official inquiry is underway, and details about the deceased are yet to be released. (PC: AP)

Indian ODI vice‑captain Shreyas Iyer is nearing a long‑awaited return to competitive cricket following a near‑fatal spleen laceration injury sustained during an ODI against Australia in Sydney in October. After being hospitalised and treated for internal bleeding, Iyer was discharged and has been progressing well in recovery. He recently resumed batting and is training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru as he builds fitness. Reports indicate he could play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 3 and 6, before potentially rejoining India for the ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026. (PC: X)

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved defence procurement proposals worth about ₹79,000 crore (≈ $8.8 billion) to significantly strengthen the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The approved acquisitions span advanced systems including loiter munitions for precision strikes, lightweight radars to detect low-flying drones, and long-range guided rockets for the Pinaka rocket system. The Army will also receive integrated drone detection systems, while the Navy gets high-frequency radios and leased high-altitude drones. The Indian Air Force’s plan includes automatic take-off/landing recorders, Astra Mk-II missiles, simulators, and precision guidance kits, bolstering operational readiness and modernisation. (PC: The Telegraph)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke by phone with Tarun Prasad Chakma, father of 24-year-old MBA student Angel Chakma, who died after a violent attack in Dehradun, and assured strict punishment for the accused, officials said. Dhami expressed grief over the incident and said five suspects have been arrested, while a sixth is believed to be in Nepal, with a reward offered and a team sent to apprehend him. He also spoke with Tripura CM Manik Saha and Union ministers, stressing the state stands with the victim’s family amid rising calls against hate crimes. 

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)