A Royal Bengal Tiger was found trapped in a deer-hunting snare set by poachers in the Sundarbans near Shorki Canal in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat. The Forest Department began a rescue operation on Sunday morning with the help of specialists to free the tiger. Officials said the animal was discovered about half a kilometer inside the forest from the canal bank, and the area has been cordoned off to prevent public access. Dipon Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Chandpai Range under the Sundarbans East Forest Division, confirmed that a veterinary surgeon from Dhaka was brought in to assist in the rescue. The team may use a tranquilizer gun if necessary. If the tiger is found injured or unwell, it will be caged and sent to a rescue center in Khulna or Dhaka for treatment. Local residents gathered near the site after hearing about the trapped tiger, but the Forest Department has restricted entry to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations.

At least 40 soldiers of Myanmar’s junta were killed in coordinated attacks by anti-junta resistance fighters in Yesdase town of Bago region, south of the capital Naypyidaw. The assaults took place on Tuesday, according to a statement released Thursday by the Naypyidaw People’s Defense Force (PDF). The group said it targeted junta positions on both sides of the Sittang River, focusing on military outposts in Doyetan, Khintanle, and Omyatu villages. The PDF reported that the first attack began around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday near a camp in Doyetan, where about 40 soldiers were stationed, killing two and seizing ammunition. About an hour later, resistance fighters ambushed a convoy of 70 junta troops sent to reinforce the camp, killing at least 20. A separate midday assault in Omyatu village left another 20 soldiers dead, with three captured and a large cache of weapons and ammunition seized. The PDF claimed full control of Omyatu village following the attacks, marking one of the deadliest recent clashes in the Bago region.

At least 40 soldiers of Myanmar’s junta were killed in coordinated attacks by anti-junta resistance fighters in Yesdase town of Bago region, south of the capital Naypyidaw. The assaults took place on Tuesday, according to a statement released Thursday by the Naypyidaw People’s Defense Force (PDF). The group said it targeted junta positions on both sides of the Sittang River, focusing on military outposts in Doyetan, Khintanle, and Omyatu villages. The PDF reported that the first attack began around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday near a camp in Doyetan, where about 40 soldiers were stationed, killing two and seizing ammunition. About an hour later, resistance fighters ambushed a convoy of 70 junta troops sent to reinforce the camp, killing at least 20. A separate midday assault in Omyatu village left another 20 soldiers dead, with three captured and a large cache of weapons and ammunition seized. The PDF claimed full control of Omyatu village following the attacks, marking one of the deadliest recent clashes in the Bago region.

A man named Sohel Rana, aged 35, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi early Sunday. The attack occurred around 1 a.m. in Polashi Fatepur Karali Naushara area under Chakrajapur Union. Sohel Rana, son of Kalu Mondal, died on the spot after being hit by bullets. His wife and daughter were also injured and admitted to the local health complex. According to Sohel’s brother, the family was asleep when the attackers struck the tin walls of the house, creating loud noises that woke neighbors. The assailants warned that anyone approaching would be shot, then entered the house and fired several rounds after cutting through the tin. Police Inspector (Investigation) Supravat Mondal of Bagha Police Station said the killing was linked to a previous murder case. The body was recovered and sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and a case will be filed. Police have begun an investigation into the incident, citing previous enmity as a possible motive.

Almost one million Indian nationals living in Canada are at risk of losing their legal residency status within the next few months as their work permits approach expiration. According to immigration consultant Kanwar Serah in Mississauga, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that by the end of 2025, about 1.053 million work permits will have expired, with another 927,000 set to expire in 2026. The Canadian government is also reducing opportunities for new visa applicants and permanent residency, which could intensify the situation. Serah warned that if migrants fail to apply for new visas or permanent residency, they will lose their legal right to stay in the country. Temporary workers and international students are expected to be the most affected. He noted that Canada has never faced such a large number of immigrants losing legal status before, with around 315,000 expected to become undocumented in early 2026 and over 291,000 by late 2025. By mid-2026, at least two million people could be living in Canada without legal status, nearly half of them Indian nationals. Serah emphasized that stricter rules will apply to Indian citizens and that the number of undocumented migrants will continue to rise over the next two years.

Eight flights scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were diverted on Sunday due to dense fog. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the diversions, citing safety concerns for takeoff and landing operations. The affected flights were rerouted to alternative airports to ensure passenger and aircraft safety. According to the Civil Aviation Authority’s public relations officer, Kawsar Mahmud, six of the diverted flights were sent to Sylhet Osmani International Airport, one to Kolkata Airport, and another to Hanoi Airport in Vietnam. The diversions were implemented as visibility at Dhaka airport dropped significantly, making normal operations unsafe. The situation highlights the continuing challenges posed by seasonal fog in Bangladesh’s air transport sector, which often disrupts flight schedules during winter mornings.

Information and Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that there is a suitable environment for elections in Bangladesh and that citizens have long been deprived of voting. Speaking at a media exchange at the Secretariat on Sunday morning, she said that those advocating for the banned Awami League to be allowed into elections are making irrelevant demands. She emphasized that the party cannot participate in elections or political activities until judicial proceedings against it are concluded. Hasan also commented that Bangladeshi citizens have the right to express opinions about the Indian Premier League (IPL). She added that the government is considering halting IPL broadcasts based on legal grounds. Her remarks came in response to journalists’ questions during the event. The adviser’s comments underline the government’s stance on maintaining legal restrictions on banned political entities while also reflecting sensitivity to public sentiment regarding foreign sports broadcasts.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a clear warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro following the capture and transfer of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the United States. Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Trump accused Petro of overseeing cocaine production and trafficking operations that send drugs into the U.S. He claimed Petro runs cocaine factories and urged close monitoring of his activities. Before the operation in Venezuela, Trump had repeatedly accused Caracas of involvement in illegal drug smuggling into the United States. In his latest remarks, he also criticized Cuba, describing it as a “failed state” and blaming its leadership for decades of economic hardship. Trump suggested that Cuba could soon become a central topic in U.S. policy discussions. Trump added that the U.S. wants to help the Cuban people and those who have migrated from Cuba to live in America, signaling potential future engagement on Cuban issues.

England’s batting lineup, which struggled in the first three Tests of the ongoing Ashes series, showed renewed form in the fourth match and carried that momentum into the final Test in Sydney. At the time of reporting, Joe Root and Harry Brook were guiding England toward a strong total, remaining unbeaten with scores of 72 and 78 respectively. England reached 211 for 3 in 45 overs before rain interrupted play at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Earlier, England’s top order faltered again as Zak Crawley (16), Ben Duckett (27), and Jacob Bethell (10) failed to build substantial innings against Australia’s pace attack. Root and Brook then steadied the innings with composed yet aggressive batting, both reaching half-centuries and moving toward centuries. For Australia, Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland each claimed one wicket. The match situation suggests England are in a strong position to post a large first-innings total once play resumes.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence announced that the Royal Air Force, in coordination with France, carried out a joint airstrike on Saturday night targeting an underground facility in Syria. The site was believed to be used by ISIS for storing weapons and explosives. Officials stated that the target was located in a sparsely populated area and that the operation posed no risk to civilians. Although ISIS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group remains active in the country’s desert regions. Palmyra, known for its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was previously under ISIS control. The latest strike follows an attack last month in Palmyra by a lone ISIS gunman that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian. In response, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on several ISIS targets across Syria. The joint UK-France operation underscores continued international efforts to suppress ISIS activities in Syria’s remote areas following renewed militant attacks.

Anti-narcotics experts have stated that Venezuela’s role in global drug trafficking is relatively small, serving primarily as a transit point for narcotics produced elsewhere. Neighboring Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, but most of its output reaches the United States through routes other than Venezuela. According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), about three-quarters of the cocaine entering the U.S. travels via the Pacific Ocean, with only a small portion coming through the Caribbean. Although earlier U.S. operations targeted Caribbean routes, recent enforcement efforts have shifted focus to the Pacific. In September, former U.S. President Donald Trump told military leaders that intercepted boats carried bags of white powder, mainly fentanyl and other drugs. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid about 50 times stronger than heroin, has become a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. On December 15, Trump issued an executive order designating fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction.” However, the DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment did not identify Venezuela as a source of fentanyl trafficked into the United States, noting that the drug is primarily produced in Mexico and smuggled across the southern border by land.

Myanmar’s military junta has announced the release of more than 6,000 prisoners as part of a general amnesty marking the country’s Independence Day. According to a statement from the junta’s National Defense and Security Council, the acting president of the Union of the Republic of Myanmar granted pardons to 6,134 male and female inmates held in prisons, detention centers, and camps across the country. The announcement, reported by AFP, follows a long-standing tradition in Myanmar where authorities issue general amnesties each year to commemorate Independence Day. The statement did not specify the identities or categories of those released, nor did it indicate whether any political detainees were included. Such annual amnesties are a customary gesture by the authorities during national celebrations, reflecting a symbolic act of leniency tied to the country’s founding anniversary.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured in a special operation in Venezuela and flown to New York, according to the report. After completing legal procedures at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office, they were transferred to a detention facility in Brooklyn known for its harsh and violent conditions. The prison, built in the 1990s to reduce overcrowding, has previously held high-profile inmates such as Ghislaine Maxwell and P. Diddy. The couple faces charges of drug and arms trafficking, which Maduro has long denied. Their aircraft landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City, before they were flown by helicopter to Manhattan’s West Side Heliport and then taken to the DEA office. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Colombia, supported by Russia and China, called an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president to maintain order and continuity of governance, according to Reuters.

Two people were killed when a truck lost control and broke through a bridge railing before plunging into the Kumar River in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday night on the Jhenaidah-Kushtia highway near the Bardah old bridge in Garaganj area. The victims were identified as truck driver Sohel Sheikh, 27, and his assistant Mubarak Hossain, 20, both from Gazamanikunda village in Pabna Sadar upazila. According to Abdus Salam, assistant director of the Fire Service’s Jashore region, the truck was carrying lentils from Jashore to Pabna when it lost control on the bridge and fell into the river. Two fire service units from Shailkupa and Jhenaidah conducted the rescue operation. Mubarak’s body was recovered at dawn, and Sohel’s body was found around 8 a.m. Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Masud visited the accident site after receiving the news.

At least 40 people were killed in a United States military operation in Venezuela reportedly aimed at abducting President Nicolás Maduro, according to a senior Venezuelan official cited by The New York Times. The casualties included both military personnel and civilians. The report said the US forces launched a large-scale assault to destroy Venezuela’s air defense systems before landing troops on the ground. US officials were quoted as saying that more than 150 American aircraft were deployed to neutralize Venezuela’s air defenses, allowing military helicopters to safely deploy troops who then attacked Maduro’s position. The operation’s details and the exact number of casualties have not been officially confirmed. The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately comment when contacted regarding the reported attack or its aftermath.