World

A Dhaka court sentenced former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison in three corruption cases linked to the Purbachal New City Project. The verdict follows an earlier ICT ruling sentencing her to death, which she termed politically motivated.

US President Donald Trump said South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, accusing Pretoria of human rights abuses and failing to hand over the G20 Presidency properly. South Africa rejected the claims as “misinformation” and defended its G20 role.

A Peruvian court sentenced former President Martin Vizcarra to 14 years in prison for accepting nearly $700,000 in bribes while serving as Moquegua governor. Vizcarra, who denies wrongdoing and calls the case “revenge”, is also barred from holding public office for nine years.

US President Donald Trump condemned the shooting of two National Guardsmen near the White House as an “act of terror” and ordered an additional 500 troops to Washington. The Afghan-origin suspect is in custody, while the injured Guardsmen remain in critical condition.

At least 44 people died and 45 were injured after a massive fire swept through multiple residential towers at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po. Three men were arrested for suspected manslaughter as rescue efforts continued through the night.

The 19-year-old defeated Wei in the second Rapid Game in the tiebreak with black pieces to become the first Uzbek chess player to win the World Cup

A Pakistani woman lost at age 10 was reunited with her family after 17 years, thanks to AI facial recognition used by the Safe City Project. Kiran, raised at the Edhi shelter in Karachi, was finally traced to her father through an old police report

Torrential monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides across North Sumatra, killing 17 people and leaving six missing. Thousands were displaced, homes destroyed and access roads cut off, as rescuers struggled against bad weather and dangerous conditions to reach affected areas

A major fire broke out in a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, killing four people and injuring three. The blaze spread quickly through bamboo scaffolding, trapping residents as firefighters worked to control the intense flames

The IMF says Pakistan’s economic problems come mainly from corruption, weak institutions and powerful groups controlling the system. Everyday people suffer while elites benefit. The report warns that without honest accountability and major reforms, the country will stay in crisis

President Donald Trump said his Ukraine peace proposal has been “fine-tuned” and that envoys will soon meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian officials. His plan, criticised for favouring Russia, remains under negotiation as Europe seeks stronger guarantees and fresh Russian attacks intensify pressure on talks.

India ended Day 4 at 27/2 chasing 549 against South Africa in the second Test at Guwahati. Tristan Stubbs scored 94 before the visitors declared at 260/5. Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets, but India face a daunting task

India will face Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo during the 2026 T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 in Mumbai. The 20-team tournament will feature 55 matches across India and Sri Lanka, with Rohit Sharma named brand ambassador

A high-level review meeting was held at the ACA–VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam to discuss arrangements for the India–South Africa ODI on December 6. Officials focused on security, sanitation, traffic and beautification works to ensure smooth conduct of the match

GM Andrey Esipenko defeated Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev in the third-place play-off at the FIDE World Cup Goa 2025, securing his place in the Candidates. The final between Wei Yi and Javokhir Sindarov heads to a tiebreak after two draws

Indian shooters won 16 medals, including seven gold, six silver and three bronze, at the Tokyo Deaflympics. Rifle shooter Mahit Sandhu led with four medals, while Abhinav Deshwal, Pranjali Dhumal and Dhanush Srikanth also starred in India’s dominant campaign

At least ten civilians, including nine children, were killed after Pakistani forces struck a residential home in Khost province, Afghanistan. The attack follows escalating cross-border tensions, with separate strikes injuring four more civilians in Kunar and Paktika.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is fast-tracking a trade deal with India after two years of strained relations. The move follows G20 discussions between PMs Carney and Modi, aiming to double bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.

Russia launched early-morning attacks on Kyiv, hitting residential buildings and energy infrastructure, injuring at least four. The strikes came despite ongoing US-mediated peace discussions in Geneva, aimed at de-escalating the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

US President Donald Trump announced an April visit to China at Xi Jinping’s invitation following a productive phone call. Leaders discussed Ukraine, trade, fentanyl, and Taiwan, building on recent agreements and Trump’s upcoming hosting of Xi for a state visit in the US.

The White House defended President Trump’s nuanced H-1B visa policy, allowing initial foreign hires to launch projects but prioritizing American workers long-term. Trump’s position has sparked debate among Republicans, amid legal challenges and opposition from business groups.

The Melbourne Cricket Club will host WARNE: Treasures of a Legend at the Australian Sports Museum from December 16, 2025, to August 9, 2026. The exhibition features 48 memorabilia items celebrating Shane Warne’s career and legacy at his beloved MCG

Chinese GM Wei Yi held GM Javokhir Sindarov to a draw in the opening game of the FIDE World Cup 2025 final. GM Andrey Esipenko defeated GM Nodirbek Yakubboev in the third-place play-off in Panaji, Goa

An Ariana Afghan Airlines flight from Kabul mistakenly landed on runway 29R instead of the cleared 29L at Delhi’s IGI Airport on Sunday. The pilot cited ILS failure and poor visibility. DGCA has launched a probe into the near-miss incident.