Thailand on Thursday defended the demolition of the Vishnu idol, describing it as a “decorative structure” along its border with Cambodia, after criticism from India.Thailand’s prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul also defended the move, telling reporters on Thursday that “a destroyed statue cannot compare to soldiers’ lives or limbs”.The Thai government further said that the structure was “not connected to any religion” and was “merely a decorative piece at a location along the Thailand-Cambodia border.”It said that the statue was removed to assert control in a disputed border area and that the action was not meant to insult any religion.“The removal was related to security considerations and area administration and not intended to disrespect any religion or beliefs,” it said in a statement.In a separate statement, Bangkok added that the statue was “not installed as a registered or officially recognised religious site”.The government also expressed “sincere regret for any discomfort that may have arisen from misunderstandings” following the circulation of images showing the demolition.India slams idol destructionIndia reacted sharply to the incident on Wednesday, with the ministry of external affairs saying that “such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place.”“Notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place,” the ministry said, adding that “Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilisational heritage.”A Cambodian government spokesman from Preah Vihear province earlier said, “We condemn the destruction of ancient temples and statues that are worshipped by Buddhist and Hindu followers.”He further said that the statue was “inside our territory in the An Ses area”.Cambodia has repeatedly accused Thai forces of damaging temple ruins along the border during recent clashes, an allegation Bangkok has denied.Thailand-Cambodia conflictThe demolition followed nearly two weeks of military clashes between the two neighbours.Videos showing the Vishnu statue being torn down with a backhoe circulated widely on Thai social media this week. AFP verified the footage and confirmed it was filmed near the disputed An Ses area.A check on Google Maps showed the statue stood about 400 metres from the border, on the Cambodian side.The long-running border dispute flared up again this month, leaving 23 people dead in Thailand, most of them soldiers, and 21 civilians killed in Cambodia, according to official figures. Both sides have blamed each other for triggering the latest fighting and have accused one another of targeting civilians.

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Here are the top 5 stories of the day:

‘Don’t comment, post views’: Army issues policy on use of social media apps

The Army has issued a new policy regulating the use of social media and messaging applications by its personnel, allowing access with strict limitations. As per the guidelines, platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter) and Quora may be used only for passive viewing or monitoring purposes, with posting of comments, messages or other user-generated content strictly prohibited. Read full story

Odisha encounter: Top Maoist with Rs 1.2 crore bounty among 4 killed

A senior Maoist leader was among four Naxals killed in an encounter with security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal. The slain included Ganesh Uike (69), a central committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and the outfit’s Odisha in-charge, marking the first instance in recent years of a commander of his rank being neutralised in the state. With this operation, the number of Maoists killed in Kandhamal over the past two days has risen to six, following a separate encounter on Wednesday in which two cadres, including an area committee member, were shot dead. Read full story

Nitin Gadkari recalls meeting Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh hours before assassination

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has recalled an encounter with Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh just hours before Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, citing the episode as an example of the increasing influence of technology in contemporary warfare and national security. He recalled noticing one individual among the dignitaries who was not a head of state. “I wondered who he was. I also shook hands and asked. He was the head of Hamas,” he said, adding that Haniyeh later walked into the ceremony alongside Iran’s president and chief justice, while other delegates followed. Read full story

Bangladesh unrest: Ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman returns after 17 years in exile

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at Sylhet airport in Dhaka, bringing to an end more than 17 years of self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. He had left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment amid mounting legal and political challenges. The elder son of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Rahman is widely regarded as the party’s key electoral figure ahead of the parliamentary polls scheduled for February 12, especially with Zia continuing to remain in poor health. Read full story

Rich Indians rush to transfer money abroad as rupee falls, banks expand regulations

Banks have stepped up scrutiny of overseas remittances, with several Indians being asked to provide detailed proof of the source of funds amid a weakening rupee, according to a media report. Over the past month, at least two Mumbai-headquartered private sector banks have sought chartered accountant–certified documents from high net worth individuals, non-resident Indians and a film production company to validate funds proposed to be sent abroad. In some cases, customers were told the certification must be issued by accountants empanelled with the bank, the report said. Read full story

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New Zealand’s premier T20 competition returns this Boxing Day as the Super Smash 2025-26 season gets underway. The campaign begins at Hamilton’s Seddon Park, where the Northern Knights will host the Auckland Aces to kick off a summer of high-octane cricket.

The Central Stags enter the tournament as the team to beat, looking to defend their crown in a competitive double round-robin format. The schedule features 32 matches across six regional sides, all vying for a spot in the finals weekend, which is set to take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 30–31.

Super Smash 2025-26: The competitors

The league features six teams mixing seasoned domestic veterans with potential international stars.

Here is a look at the contenders:

1. Central Stags: The title holders will be looking to replicate last season’s winning formula.
2. Auckland Aces: Known for their strong batting depth, they will look to dominate with the willow.
3. Canterbury Kings: With the finals scheduled for their home ground (Hagley Oval), they have a massive incentive to go deep.
4. Northern Knights: Have the honour of launching the season at home against Auckland on December 26.
5. Otago Volts: Face an early test in the schedule against Canterbury.
6. Wellington Firebirds: Will look to make their home games at the historic Basin Reserve count.

Super Smash 2025-26: Full squads

1) Auckland Aces

Sid Dixit, Cam Fletcher, Matt Gibson, Rohit Gulati, Bevon Jacobs, Harrish Kannan, Simon Keene, Ben Lister, Jock McKenzie, Angus Olliver, Dale Phillips, Samrath Singh, Sean Solia, Lachie Stackpole, Jordan Sussex

2) Canterbury Kings

Chad Bowes, Matt Boyle, Leo Carter, Jesse Frew, Scott Janett, Rhys Mariu, Cole McConchie, Angus Mckenzie, Cam Paul, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Michael Rae, Michael Rippon, Matt Rowe, Fraser Sheat

3) Central Stags

Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Toby Findlay, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Angus Schaw, Brad Schmulian, Blair Tickner, Ray Toole

4) Northern Brave

Xavier Bell, Josh Brown, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Kristan Clarke, Henry Cooper, Matthew Fisher, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Robbie O’Donnell, Ben Pomare, Bharat Popli, Tim Pringle, Jeet Raval

Also READ: Super Smash 2025/26 Schedule – Broadcast, Live Streaming details | When and where to watch in India, New Zealand & other countries

5) Otago Volts

Matt Bacon, Jack Boyle, Max Chu, Mason Clarke, Jacob Cumming, Danru Ferns, Luke Georgeson, Jake Gibson, Andrew Hazeldine, Llew Johnson, Troy Johnson, Ben Lockrose, Jarrod McKay, Thorn Parkes, Jamal Todd

6) Wellington Firebirds

Liam Dudding, Nick Greenwood, James Hartshorn, Nick Kelly, Callum McLachlan, Samuel Morgan, Sam Mycock, Amogh Paranjpe, Tim Robinson, Gareth Severin, Michael Snedden, Jesse Tashkoff, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Yahya Zeb

Also READ: New Zealand announces white-ball squads for the India tour; no Kane Williamson and Jacob Duffy in ODIs

Prashant Sreekumar (Image/X@yegwave)

Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old Indian-origin man died after waiting for hours in the emergency room of Edmont Hospital.He began experiencing intense chest pain while at work. A client drove him to Grey Nuns Hospital in southeast Edmonton, where he was registered at triage and asked to wait in the emergency room. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, arrived at the hospital shortly afterwards. “My son told me, ‘Papa, I cannot bear the pain,” Kumar recalled, as reported by Canadian news channel Global News.

According to the family, Prashant described his pain as “15 out of 10” and informed hospital staff about the severity of his condition.An electrocardiogram (ECG) was conducted to assess his heart, but the family said he was told that nothing serious was detected and that he would need to continue waiting. He was also offered Tylenol to manage the pain.As the hours passed, Kumar said nurses periodically checked his son’s blood pressure, which kept rising. “It went up, up, and up. To me, it was through the roof,” he said.More than eight hours later, Prashant was finally called into the treatment area. Kumar said his son had been seated for only a few seconds when he suddenly stood up, clutched his chest and collapsed.“Nurses called for help, but it was too late,” Kumar said. Prashant died of an apparent cardiac arrest.Prashant is survived by his wife and three children, aged 3, 10 and 14. Family members said he was deeply devoted to his children and known for his cheerful, playful nature. The family often travelled together and shared a close bond.“He lived for his family and his kids,” his father said. “Anyone who knew him would say they had never met someone as kind as him.”Friends and relatives are now seeking answers, questioning how someone reporting severe chest pain could remain untreated for so long in an emergency room.Family friend Varinder Bhullar, who had also used Prashant’s accounting services, said the death has deeply shaken the local Indian-origin community in Edmonton.“This is a huge loss,” Bhullar said. “We expect better from the hospital and from the health-care system.”Grey Nuns Hospital is operated by Covenant Health. In a statement, the organization said that the case has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.“We offer our sympathy to the patient’s family and friends. There is nothing more important than the safety and care of our patients and staff,” the hospital said in a statement.As the family mourns Prashant’s death, they say they are struggling to come to terms with how he died and without being seen by a doctor. “They took my baby for nothing,” his father said.