World

Pakistani security forces thwarted an IED attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan’s Nasirabad, the latest in repeated insurgent attempts on the train. Services were halted for safety as authorities investigate, following several deadly attacks on the route this year

New Zealand’s plan to add feral cats to its Predator Free 2050 target marks a major cultural shift, raising ethical and welfare concerns. While feral cats are classified as pests, their overlap with domestic cats complicates control methods and sparks wider debates about human–animal relationships

Bethlehem marked a cautious return of Christmas celebrations after two years of the Gaza war, with residents and businesses hoping for economic revival. While tourism remains low and West Bank tensions persist, locals say the festivities signal a fragile but welcome sense of hope.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden ODI century in Visakhapatnam and highlighted the importance of toss and dew in the series win over South Africa. He also reflected on Shubman Gill’s absence and criticised outside comments on cricket matters

India head coach Gautam Gambhir criticised social media theories on split coaching after India’s Test series loss to South Africa. He highlighted Shubman Gill’s absence in the first Test and urged opinion-makers to stay in their domain, defending his red-ball coaching record

India defeated South Africa by nine wickets in the third ODI at Visakhapatnam to win the series 2-1. KL Rahul finally won the toss, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna starred with the ball, and India chased 270 comfortably

The Pro Wrestling League 2026 will start on January 15 at Noida Indoor Stadium, with the finale on February 1. Over 300 wrestlers from 20 countries have registered, making it one of India’s biggest sporting events of the year

Sanskar Saraswat and Mithun Manjunath reached the men’s singles final at the Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters, ensuring an all-Indian clash. Tanvi Sharma stunned Japan’s Hina Akechi to enter the women’s final, while Pruthvi and Sai advanced in men’s doubles

India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill has been declared fit to play against South Africa after completing rehabilitation for a neck injury. Cleared by the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Gill will join the squad in Cuttack for the opening T20I

Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Ankita Raina exited in the semifinals of the W100 Dubai doubles tennis championship. The Indian duo lost to Russia’s Rada Zolotareva and Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 5-7, 3-10 in a hard-fought contest

Singer-songwriter Katy Perry shared pictures and videos from her Japan tour featuring former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, confirming their relationship. Viral images of them embracing on Perry’s yacht had already sparked speculation, now widely seen as confirmation of their romance.

Virat Kohli said he feels “really free” after scoring 302 runs in India’s 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa. Kohli hit two centuries and a fifty, while Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball

India clinched the ODI series 2-1 against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden century, Rohit Sharma added 75, and Virat Kohli finished unbeaten on 65 as India chased 271 with nine wickets in hand.

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting power stations and energy infrastructure while Ukraine shot down most drones. The attacks coincided with US-mediated talks aimed at ending nearly four years of war, with 8 civilians wounded.

A drone attack by Sudan’s RSF on a kindergarten in Kalogi, South Kordofan, killed 50 people, including 33 children. The attack comes amid intensified fighting with the Sudanese military, displacing thousands and raising global humanitarian concerns.

Security forces in Pakistan killed nine TTP terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in Tank and Lakki Marwat, with weapons recovered at the sites. ISPR said the militants were involved in major attacks, amid rising terror activity since the TTP ended its ceasefire in 2022.

The death toll from a mass shooting at an illegal shebeen in Pretoria has risen to 11, including three minors. SAPS has launched a manhunt for three gunmen, while 14 survivors remain hospitalised. The incident adds to South Africa’s growing gun-violence crisis.

Major US media outlets cast the Modi–Putin summit as a high-stakes test of India’s strategic balancing act, highlighting pressures over Russian oil, Washington’s geopolitical expectations, and the personal chemistry between the two leaders as New Delhi navigates ties with both Moscow and the West.

US Senator Ruben Gallego has urged stricter oversight of the H-1B visa programme, warning that major US tech firms are laying off domestic workers while hiring thousands of foreign professionals. The move could impact Indian engineers, who form the largest H-1B beneficiary group.

A 24-year-old cyber security professional from Hyderabad, Sahaja Reddy Udumala, died after a fire broke out at her residence in Albany, US. Firefighters rescued her but she succumbed to severe burns. Authorities are investigating the cause, while efforts are underway to repatriate her body.

At least 10 people were killed and nine injured after a car rammed into a Christmas gathering in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe. Authorities are investigating the cause, while witnesses suggested the driver may have suffered a medical emergency. A crisis unit was activated.

Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged heavy fire at the Chaman border late Friday, with both sides blaming each other for the clash. Three people were injured, and no official statements have been released amid rising tensions over cross-border militancy.

Singer Mary Millben praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the most influential global leader, lauding his handling of the New Delhi summit with Vladimir Putin. Criticising recent U.S. policy towards India, she urged Washington—and Donald Trump—to reset bilateral ties and invite PM Modi for talks.

Soungoutou Magassa’s late strike earned West Ham a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Dalot had earlier put United ahead, but missed chances and defensive lapses cost them as they failed to climb higher in the Premier League table