The United States has addressed human rights concerns with Bangladesh's interim government, amid ongoing tensions with India over attacks on minorities. In a phone conversation on Monday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus discussed the protection of human rights, though the official accounts of the discussion varied significantly.

A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported, citing Kazakhstan's Emergencies Ministry. The aircraft, which was en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya, was rerouted due to fog in Grozny.

Sanjeeb Wazed, son of deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused the Muhammad Yunus led interim government of “weaponising the judiciary” for carrying out a “political witch hunt” against the Awami League leadership.

Pakistan, in rare airstrikes, targeted multiple suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban inside neighbouring Afghanistan on Tuesday, dismantling a training facility and killing some insurgents, four security officials said.

Bethlehem (West Bank): Bethlehem prepared on Tuesday to mark another sombre Christmas in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza.

Pakistan is planning to procure 40 advanced Chinese stealth fighter jets, J-35, marking a potential milestone as China's first export of its fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The acquisition is expected to enhance Pakistan's air capabilities amidst regional tensions with India, according to the South China Morning Post.

South Korea's main opposition party said Tuesday it will seek to impeach acting leader Han Duck-soo after he missed an opposition-set deadline to approve independent investigations into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife.

Bangladesh's interim government said on Monday that it has sent a diplomatic note to India to send back deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka.