Pakistan has accused India of sponsoring terrorist attacks within its territory, claiming to possess credible evidence of New Delhi’s involvement. Speaking before the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, Gul Kaisar Sarwani, Counselor and Political Coordinator of Pakistan’s UN Mission, alleged that India supports groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and others operating against Islamabad.

Sarwani argued that India uses unfounded terrorism allegations to divert global attention from its own record of cross-border aggression and state-backed violence in Jammu and Kashmir. He further criticized India for rejecting Pakistan’s proposal for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack, calling New Delhi’s actions a violation of international law.

The Pakistani diplomat also warned that India’s unilateral actions, including threats to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, amount to weaponizing water resources for political gain. The remarks underscore deepening diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with no immediate sign of de-escalation.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new advisory for civilian aircraft operating in or near Venezuelan airspace, citing heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions. The warning urges airlines and pilots to exercise extreme caution when flying in the region. The move follows a recent near-miss incident involving a JetBlue aircraft and a US Air Force refueling plane near Venezuelan territory.

According to AFP, this is the second such warning in a month, reflecting growing instability in the Caribbean region. Several international carriers have already rerouted flights to avoid Venezuelan airspace. Panama’s Copa Airlines announced an extension of its suspension of flights to Caracas until January 15. The advisory comes as Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, deploying warships in the Caribbean and accusing him of leading a narcotics-linked criminal network.

Analysts warn that the renewed airspace restrictions could further isolate Venezuela and complicate regional air travel. The situation underscores escalating geopolitical and security tensions between the United States and the Maduro government.

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi concluded his visit to India with a memorable appearance at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he was warmly received by thousands of fans. During the event, ICC Chairman Jay Shah presented Messi with a special invitation ticket to India’s opening match of the 2025 T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 7 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The upcoming tournament will follow a hybrid hosting model shared between India and Sri Lanka.

Messi also received an Indian cricket jersey and an autographed bat, while his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul were gifted numbered jerseys. The gesture symbolized a rare moment of camaraderie between football and cricket communities. Former Indian women’s goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan also presented personalized shirts to the trio.

Expressing gratitude, Messi said he was deeply touched by the affection shown by Indian fans and promised to return in the future. His visit is seen as a boost to India’s growing sports diplomacy and cross-sport cultural engagement.

Saudi Arabia has officially launched its newest multi-mission warship, ‘His Majesty King Saud,’ in Wisconsin, United States, marking the first vessel completed under the Kingdom’s Tuwaiq Project. The ship, built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), represents a major step in Riyadh’s broader initiative to modernize its naval fleet and strengthen maritime defense capabilities.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior Saudi and U.S. military officials, including RSNF Commander Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Ghuraibi, as well as representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, the firms involved in construction. Al-Ghuraibi highlighted the Saudi leadership’s “unlimited support” for the navy, emphasizing that the Tuwaiq Project will enhance operational readiness and safeguard strategic sea routes. The warship is designed to counter threats from air, surface, and underwater domains.

Following the ceremony, Al-Ghuraibi met with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle to discuss expanding bilateral naval cooperation. The Tuwaiq Project underscores Saudi Arabia’s intent to build a faster, more capable maritime force amid evolving regional security challenges.

A mild cold wave has continued for seven consecutive days in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the lowest temperatures in Bangladesh for over a week. On Wednesday, December 17, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9.7°C with 71% humidity, following 9.5°C the previous day and 9°C on December 15. The daytime highs have remained around 27°C, indicating a sharp contrast between day and night temperatures.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, the mild cold wave began on December 11 and has persisted across various parts of the upazila. The consistent low temperatures have made Tetulia the coldest region in the country during this period. Local residents have reportedly experienced increased cold discomfort, especially during early mornings and late nights.

Meteorologists expect the cold conditions to continue for several more days, with the possibility of the cold wave spreading to adjacent northern districts. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly.

An Israeli soldier has died by suicide inside a northern military base, marking the 61st such case since Israel’s Gaza offensive began in October 2023. According to TRT World, the soldier, serving under mandatory military service, shot himself and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday evening. Israeli police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The rise in suicides among returning soldiers has drawn attention to the psychological toll of prolonged conflict. Data from the Knesset Research and Information Center show that between early 2024 and July 2025, 279 Israeli soldiers attempted suicide. Analysts and mental health advocates have urged the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to expand counseling and rehabilitation programs for troops exposed to combat trauma.

Observers warn that without systemic mental health reforms, the IDF could face a growing crisis of morale and readiness. The government is expected to review existing support mechanisms for soldiers in the coming months.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered firearms and ammunition allegedly used in the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The operation, conducted on December 16 in Narsingdi’s Tarua area, led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect named Md. Faisal. Authorities seized two foreign pistols, two magazines, a toy gun, and 41 rounds of ammunition from his possession, according to RAB’s Legal and Media Wing Director, Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury.

The recovery followed intelligence-based operations after Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 while traveling by rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. The assailant reportedly fired from a moving motorcycle. Earlier, RAB had detained the parents of the prime suspect, Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the case.

Investigators are now analyzing ballistic evidence and communication records to trace the network behind the attack. The incident has drawn public concern over political violence and the safety of activists ahead of upcoming political programs.

India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to express concern over recent threats targeting the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and inflammatory remarks made by some Bangladeshi political figures. The move follows comments by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah during Bangladesh’s 55th Victory Day celebrations, where he reportedly made statements suggesting separation of India’s northeastern states.

According to Indian media outlet NDTV, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its expectation that Bangladesh’s interim administration will take all necessary measures to maintain internal law and order and ensure a peaceful electoral process. The diplomatic démarche underscores India’s sensitivity to cross-border political rhetoric that could strain bilateral relations.

Analysts note that the timing of the summons, amid Bangladesh’s pre-election environment, adds a layer of complexity to Dhaka–Delhi ties. Observers expect both sides to seek de-escalation through diplomatic channels to prevent disruption of ongoing cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional security.

Pakistan has informed the United Nations Security Council that Jammu and Kashmir was never part of India and will not be in the future. Speaking at the Council, Pakistan’s mission counsellor and political coordinator Gul Qaiser Sarwani described the region as an internationally recognized disputed territory, asserting that this position aligns with the UN’s own stance.

Sarwani reminded the Council that India had originally brought the issue to the UN and accepted the obligation to allow a plebiscite under UN supervision to determine the region’s future. He accused India of failing to fulfill that commitment for nearly eight decades while maintaining a heavy military presence and suppressing fundamental freedoms in Kashmir.

Addressing terrorism allegations, Sarwani said India uses such claims to divert attention from its own human rights record. He alleged that India engages in state-sponsored violence in occupied Kashmir and against minorities. Pakistan, he added, continues to show restraint and responsibility in the face of provocations.

The political alliance 'July Unity', which claims to uphold the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising, announced a 'March to Indian High Commission' program scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Dhaka. The rally will begin at Rampura Bridge and is expected to include former military officers, student leaders from Dhaka University and other institutions, and representatives from various political and social groups. The organizers said the march aims to protest alleged conspiracies by Indian proxies and demand the repatriation of individuals accused of crimes during the 2024 events.

According to the group’s statement, India has been providing shelter to those they describe as perpetrators of violence and continues to interfere in Bangladesh’s democratic process. July Unity leaders stated they would issue an ultimatum to both the Indian government and the interim Bangladeshi administration, warning of consequences if their demands are not met. Authorities have heightened security around the Indian High Commission, and the Indian visa center is expected to close early due to safety concerns.

The protest underscores ongoing tensions in Dhaka’s political landscape and the fragile state of Bangladesh-India relations amid accusations of external interference.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report reveals that as of September 2025, nearly 91% of all defaulted loans in the banking sector have become unrecoverable, posing a severe threat to the country’s financial stability. The total volume of defaulted loans reached BDT 6.44 trillion, with BDT 5.85 trillion classified as bad or loss category. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year, when unrecoverable loans accounted for about 82% of total defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the surge to large business groups that borrowed heavily during the previous Awami League government and allegedly siphoned funds abroad. Following political changes, many borrowers fled the country, further reducing recovery prospects. State-owned banks hold the largest share of bad loans, with Janata Bank alone reporting BDT 695.86 billion in unrecoverable debt. Private banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh and First Security Islami Bank, also face mounting pressure.

Experts warn that the growing volume of bad loans will erode banks’ lending capacity and profitability, as they must maintain full provisioning against such debts. Bangladesh Bank has identified 24 commercial banks failing to meet required provisions, signaling deep structural stress in the sector.

Indian police have confirmed that one of the two attackers killed in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney was an Indian citizen named Sajid Akram, aged 50. Akram, originally from Hyderabad, had moved to Australia in 1998 for work and participated in the attack alongside his son, Navid Akram. The incident, which left at least 16 people dead, is being described as Australia’s deadliest shooting in nearly three decades.

According to Telangana state police, Sajid Akram had no prior criminal record or known extremist affiliations. His family reported no signs of radicalization, and Indian authorities stated there was no evidence linking the attack to any Indian group or network. Australian police revealed that Sajid and his son had traveled to the Philippines last month, but the purpose of that trip remains under investigation.

Authorities in both countries are examining possible extremist motives and international connections, including whether the attackers targeted specific communities. The Bondi Beach tragedy has sparked widespread concern in Australia and abroad, prompting heightened security and a joint investigation into the attackers’ backgrounds and motives.

Bangladeshi intelligence sources have revealed that a secret meeting took place at a resort in Savar to plan the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The three-and-a-half-hour meeting reportedly occurred early Friday morning at the Green Zone Resort in Madhumati Model Town. Surveillance footage shows four individuals entering and leaving the room during the specified time frame.

Investigators identified the participants as alleged shooter Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Dawood Khan, his partner Maria, and two others including Alomgir Hossain. Authorities claim the group discussed details of the planned attack, with an audio recording of their conversation now in the possession of law enforcement. Maria was arrested on December 13, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Security forces have seized CCTV footage and conducted searches at the resort. The resort’s staff, including a service worker who booked the room, have been questioned by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Officials say the evidence is being analyzed to determine the full scope of the conspiracy.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has formally accepted charges against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan for alleged crimes against humanity, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the Awami League government’s tenure. Prosecutor Sheikh Mahdi submitted the charges to the tribunal’s registrar office on Wednesday morning, following Ahsan’s transfer from prison to the court. He is the sole accused in the case.

The prosecution alleges that Ahsan, a former senior army officer, was directly involved in three incidents of serious human rights violations. The tribunal’s move marks a rare instance of a high-ranking retired military official facing such charges. Legal observers note that the case could test the tribunal’s jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed outside the 1971 war context.

If the tribunal proceeds to trial, it may set a precedent for accountability in cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in recent political periods. The defense is expected to contest the admissibility of the charges in upcoming hearings.

The Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) located at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka announced an early closure on Wednesday due to unspecified security concerns. According to a notice published on IVAC Bangladesh’s official website, all operations were suspended from 2 p.m. onward, with no further processing of visa applications until a new schedule is announced.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the capital, where various political and social groups have planned demonstrations near diplomatic zones. While the Indian High Commission has not issued an official statement, the precautionary measure reflects growing worries about potential disruptions or safety risks for staff and applicants. Applicants with pending appointments have been advised to monitor official channels for updates.

The temporary closure may delay visa processing for travelers to India, including business and medical visitors. Authorities are expected to reassess the situation before resuming services, with further announcements likely in the coming days.