A police volunteer was convicted on Saturday for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The trial, expedited due to public outrage over women’s safety, concluded with the judge ruling that the circumstantial evidence proved the defendant’s guilt.

The victim’s body was discovered on August 9 in a classroom within the hospital premises, sparking widespread protests from doctors demanding justice and improved security at public hospitals. For weeks, medical staff refrained from work in solidarity with the victim.

Sanjay Roy, the accused, maintained his innocence, asserting in court, “I have not done this,” and claimed he was being framed. His legal representatives were unavailable for comment following the verdict, but they had previously argued discrepancies in the investigation and forensic reports.

Judge Anirban Das delivered the ruling, stating, “Your guilt is proved. You are being convicted.” The sentencing, which could range from life imprisonment to the death penalty, will be announced on Monday.

The victim’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, asserting that the crime could not have been committed by a single individual. “Our daughter could not have met such a horrific end by a single man,” her father said. “We will remain in pain and agony until all the culprits are punished.”

India’s federal police, who handled the case, termed the crime “rarest of rare” during the trial and sought the death penalty for Roy.

The high-profile case saw protests outside the courtroom, where junior doctors and medical staff chanted slogans demanding justice. “Street protests will continue until justice is done,” said Dr. Aniket Mahato, a spokesperson for the junior doctors.

More than 200 armed police officers were stationed at the court to maintain order as Roy arrived under heavy security.

The trial, which began on November 11, was fast-tracked to address the public outcry. Investigators examined 51 out of 128 witnesses, according to court sources.

Compounding the controversy, local police and hospital officials were charged with tampering with evidence and destroying the crime scene. The officer in charge of the local police station is currently out on bail, while the hospital’s former head remains in custody for a separate case involving financial irregularities.

The verdict has brought some closure to the victim’s supporters, but calls for broader accountability and systemic reform continue to dominate the conversation.

In a dramatic incident, a Hungarian passenger clung to the cables connecting two carriages of a high-speed train traveling at 282 kilometers per hour after it left a station without him. The 40-year-old man, who did not have a ticket, took the desperate action after stepping off the train at Ingolstadt station for a cigarette and realizing he had left his luggage onboard.

The man climbed onto the connecting plates between two carriages as the train sped towards Nuremberg in winter conditions. Witnesses reported spotting a figure precariously clinging to the exterior of the inter-city train as it traveled through the countryside, prompting them to alert rail authorities.

The train traveled approximately 30 kilometers before making an unscheduled stop at a minor station. Remarkably, the man emerged unscathed and disembarked.

A police officer aboard the train apprehended the man at the Kinding station, where he was subsequently handed over to local authorities and placed under arrest.

The passenger now faces charges, including fare evasion, according to police. Authorities are investigating the incident, which they described as a reckless and life-threatening act.

Witnesses and rail officials expressed astonishment at the man’s actions and the extraordinary circumstances under which he managed to avoid injury. The train company has yet to comment on the incident.

This dramatic episode has raised safety concerns, with officials urging passengers to exercise caution and avoid endangering themselves in similar situations.

As the Ukraine war drags into its fourth year, optimism and uncertainty surround the possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs under the incoming Trump administration. Ukrainian officials and NATO allies, while outwardly hopeful, face hard questions about the sustainability of support and the risks of a fractured alliance as new leadership takes charge in Washington.

Trump Administration’s Diplomatic Approach

President-elect Donald Trump’s team has hinted at a preference for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, has proposed a peace plan involving a ceasefire, the establishment of a demilitarized zone, and conditional military aid tied to Ukraine’s participation in negotiations. However, the plan’s reliance on Russia’s willingness to adhere to terms devised by the United States raises doubts, particularly given Moscow’s history of undermining ceasefires and advancing military goals under the guise of peace.

On Sunday, Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz, emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution, a statement swiftly echoed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as evidence of the U.S. acknowledging “the reality on the ground.”

NATO’s Fragile Unity

While NATO allies remain publicly committed to Ukraine, internal divisions are beginning to surface. Some European defense officials are exploring the feasibility of deploying NATO troops to monitor a potential demilitarized zone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly discussed the possibility of “partner contingents” with French President Emmanuel Macron, fueling speculation about the formation of a NATO peacekeeping force.

However, Eastern European NATO members remain wary of any ceasefire deal that might embolden Moscow. Estonia’s Kaja Kallas, now serving as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, warned that a flawed peace deal could lead to further aggression.

“Without credible security guarantees, any ceasefire agreement is likely to fail,” Kallas told CNN. “Russia will simply rearm and re-attack. We must learn from the past and ensure any future agreement is sustainable.”

Moscow’s Record of Deception

Russia’s track record of exploiting ceasefires raises alarms about the viability of any new agreements. From its 2014 annexation of Crimea to territorial advances during the Minsk peace talks in 2015, Moscow has consistently pursued military gains while ostensibly engaging in diplomacy.

As the conflict grinds on, Western officials estimate that Russia has suffered nearly 700,000 casualties, with daily losses of up to 1,500. Despite these staggering numbers, the Kremlin frames the war as an existential battle against NATO, complicating the prospects for meaningful concessions at the negotiating table.

Risks of NATO Involvement

While Kyiv advocates “peace through strength,” questions remain about the extent to which NATO is willing to intervene directly. The potential deployment of NATO troops in a demilitarized zone raises concerns about what level of provocation would warrant retaliation against a nuclear-armed adversary like Russia.

Trump’s historical reluctance to confront Moscow and his skepticism of NATO further cloud the alliance’s future cohesion. Analysts warn that any lapse in unified support for Ukraine could embolden the Kremlin, allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to exploit the slow pace of diplomacy and incremental territorial gains.

As NATO’s backing for Ukraine shows signs of strain, the coming months could determine whether Kyiv’s allies can maintain their resolve or whether the war will slide into a drawn-out stalemate, with devastating consequences for European security.