World

Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 will be high on glamour but low on football action. Unlike his 2011 visit, this promotional roadshow spans Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, featuring fashion events, celebrity matches and meetings with leaders

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said Shubman Gill must bat freely in T20s, like he does in the IPL, instead of trying to justify his place. He also backed Suryakumar Yadav and admitted India’s bowlers had a poor outing against South Africa

The Indian men’s hockey team finished its South Africa tour unbeaten, winning two matches and drawing one. India defeated South Africa 5-2 in the opener, drew 2-2 in the second Test, and sealed the tour with a 4-1 victory

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed 171 off 95 balls as India crushed UAE by 234 runs in the U19 Asia Cup opener in Dubai. India posted a record 433/6 before restricting UAE to 199/7, assuring a dominant start to their campaign

Indian shuttlers dominated the Odisha Masters in Cuttack, with Unnati Hooda, Tasnim Mir, Isharani Baruah, Kiran George and Rounak Chouhan reaching the semifinals. India assured multiple medals as all four women’s singles semifinalists are Indians, alongside strong doubles and mixed doubles performances

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan felicitated the Indian blind women’s cricket team after their World Cup victory. The ACA organised the event, acknowledging his personal contribution to support the players. Senior ACA officials attended the felicitation ceremony in Hyderabad

The Indian women’s kabaddi team was felicitated in Mumbai by PKL and JioStar after winning the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka. India defeated Chinese Taipei in the final to claim their second consecutive title, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohaib Afridi alleged that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are facing mistreatment in Adiala Jail, citing lack of basic necessities and harsh treatment. Afridi condemned the use of water cannons on Khan’s sisters and criticised repeated denial of meeting requests 

Thailand’s Parliament was dissolved by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for early elections amid deadly border clashes with Cambodia. The caretaker government will hold limited powers, while Anutin leverages nationalism and military action to bolster popularity ahead of a constitutional referendum

TTP terrorists attacked a police checkpost in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injuring five policemen. A three-hour gunfight ensued, with several militants reportedly killed. Authorities praised police bravery, amid rising terror incidents in KP and Balochistan following the TTP’s ceasefire end

Pakistan’s former spy chief Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years for violating military laws, with ongoing investigations linking him to May 2023 anti-army riots. Analysts suggest his conviction may trigger further cases against politicians and activists allegedly involved in unrest

Scientists found evidence of deliberate fire-making 400,000 years ago at Barnham in eastern England, pushing back controlled fire use by 350,000 years. Heat-altered sediments, pyrite fragments and repeated burning indicate early Neanderthals intentionally created fire, revealing major evolutionary, cognitive and social implications 

Do Kwon was sentenced to 15 years for orchestrating the US$40 billion collapse of Terraform Labs’ crypto ecosystem, labelled a massive fraud that devastated countless investors. Judge Engelmayer condemned the scheme’s human toll as victims detailed life-altering losses caused by Kwon’s deception and evasion

A federal appeals court paused the release of hundreds of immigrants detained in the Chicago-area crackdown, ruling a judge exceeded his authority, while upholding an extension of the consent decree limiting warrantless ICE arrests. Attorneys say many detainees face deportation without understanding their options

Japan issued a tsunami advisory after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the northeast. No immediate damage was reported. The tremor followed a 7.5 magnitude quake earlier in the week that caused minor damage, triggered a tsunami and injured at least 34 people.

Australia named its 15-member squad for the U-19 World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe, featuring Indian-origin players Aryan Sharma and John James. The team, led by Oliver Peake, also includes players of Sri Lankan and Chinese heritage

India defeated Brazil 4-0 in their final Pool B match of the Squash World Cup in Chennai. Wins from Velavan Senthilkumar, Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh sealed the tie, while Joshna Chinappa got a walkover. India will face South Africa next

India lost the second T20 against South Africa by 51 runs in Mullanpur. Quinton de Kock’s 90 set up South Africa’s 213, while India managed only 162 despite Tilak Varma’s 62. The five-match series is now level at 1-1

The ICC has opened ticket sales for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. With entry-level tickets priced at Rs 100 in India and LKR 1000 in Sri Lanka, the tournament promises accessibility and inclusivity

Lionel Messi will play in Hyderabad on December 13 as part of his India tour. The event at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium will feature a short match, football clinic, parade, and appearances by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul

Australia’s sweeping social media ban for under-16s could redefine global child-safety laws and push other nations toward tougher digital protections

A boat carrying migrants capsized on Croatia’s Sava River near Slavonski Brod, killing three and injuring eight. Dense fog and illegal border crossing attempts were cited. A Bosnian man was hospitalized, suspected of people smuggling along the Balkan migrant route

Over 100 Nigerian students were released after being abducted from a Catholic school in Papiri, though around 150 children and staff remain captive. Authorities are yet to reveal details, while parents, officials, and the Pope urge action for their safe return

Former ISI chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years by a Pakistani military court for political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act, misuse of authority, and causing wrongful loss. He may appeal the verdict