World

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held meetings with European, UK, and Egyptian counterparts, including Xavier Bettel, Radoslaw Sikorski, Baiba Braze, David Lammy, and Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum 2025 in Abu Dhabi 

The Thailand–Cambodia border conflict, reignited on December 7, has killed over 20 civilians and displaced half a million. Domestic political pressures, nationalism, and economic distractions are driving renewed hostilities, with both countries leveraging the crisis for internal political gain

Chaos and vandalism during Lionel Messi’s event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium drew widespread international media attention, with major global outlets highlighting mismanagement and crowd unrest, raising concerns over the city’s global image and event-handling capabilities.

Actor Amy Schumer announced her amicable divorce from husband Chris Fischer after seven years of marriage, saying the decision was difficult but mutual. The couple will continue co parenting their six year old son, Gene, and requested privacy

Severe flooding swamped Washington communities as an atmospheric river drenched the Pacific Northwest, forcing mass evacuations and dramatic water rescues, while arctic air spread across the United States, bringing dangerous cold, wind chills, power risks, and warnings of more rain 

At least two people were killed and nine others wounded in a shooting at Brown University in the US during final exams. Police launched a massive search for the suspect as the campus remained under lockdown amid widespread fear and disruption.

An Indian-origin man was among four people killed after a four-storey Hindu temple under construction collapsed in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Rescue operations were suspended due to bad weather, while authorities said the project lacked approved building plans.

Two US soldiers and a civilian translator were killed in an ISIS attack in Syria’s Palmyra region, with three others wounded. President Donald Trump vowed “very serious retaliation” as the incident underscores ongoing security challenges in post-Assad Syria.

President Donald Trump vowed retaliation after two U.S. service members and one civilian interpreter were killed in an ISIS-linked ambush in central Syria. The attack, near Palmyra, also wounded three others and marked the first U.S. fatalities since the fall of Bashar Assad.

The Global Chess League Season 3 began in Mumbai with Triveni Continental Kings aiming for a hat-trick. Led by Alireza Firouzja, the team will face Alpine SG Pipers in the opener of the six-team tournament featuring top global stars

Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet won gold in the 61kg and 65kg freestyle categories at the Senior National Wrestling Championship in Ahmedabad. RSPB lifted the Championship Trophy with 160 points, ahead of SSCB and Haryana

India reached their first-ever Squash World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Egypt in Chennai. Velavan Senthilkumar, Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh secured victories as India set up a summit clash against Hong Kong China at Express Avenue Mall

India batter Tilak Varma emphasised batting flexibility ahead of the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala. With the series tied 1-1, Tilak said he is ready to bat anywhere in the order as India eye a series lead

Shubman Gill faces a survival test in the South Africa T20Is, with India’s team management weighing options ahead of the T20 World Cup. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form adds pressure as India prepare for their title defence

India will have strong representation in the Odisha Masters 2025 finals as Isharani Baruah, Unnati Hooda and Kiran George advanced after gritty semifinal wins. Isharani will face Unnati in women’s singles, while Kiran meets Indonesia’s Muhamad Yusuf in men’s singles

Lionel Messi’s Kolkata visit turned chaotic at Salt Lake Stadium as poor crowd management left fans frustrated. Bottles were hurled, seats vandalised and organisers criticised, overshadowing the Argentine star’s brief appearance during his GOAT Tour in India

Lionel Messi’s Kolkata event at Salt Lake Stadium ended in chaos, with police detaining the organiser for mismanagement. Fans vandalised the venue after failing to see Messi clearly. CM Mamata Banerjee apologised and ordered a judicial probe into the incident

Over 10,000 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan in two days, with thousands more detained in Pakistan in 2025. Humanitarian groups warn of instability, lack of housing, and basic services for returned families.

Two people were killed in a drone attack in Russia’s Saratov region, while Russia launched strikes on Ukraine’s energy and port infrastructure, leaving thousands without power. Peace talks continue, with Zelenskyy visiting Germany amid stalled negotiations.

Thailand said it will continue military action until its people are safe, rejecting claims that recent casualties were accidental. Cambodia accused Thai forces of attacking civilians as fighting along the border intensified, despite earlier ceasefire agreements.

A fire broke out in a 12-storey market and residential building in Dhaka early Saturday. Firefighters rescued at least 42 people, and no casualties were reported. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.

More than 1,000 people have died after floods and landslides hit Indonesia’s Sumatra Island. Authorities continue rescue and recovery efforts as experts warn that climate change and weak planning are increasing disaster risks.

Spain has recorded the first known case of human-to-human transmission of mpox clade 1b outside Africa. The infection was confirmed in a vaccinated patient with no travel history, raising fresh public health concerns.