World

The ICC Match Referee has rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch for the fourth Ashes Test as unsatisfactory, citing imbalance between bat and ball. England defeated Australia in two days, raising concerns over pitch quality ahead of future Boxing Day Tests

Bhutan spinner Sonam Yeshey made history by taking 8 wickets for 7 runs in a T20I against Myanmar, becoming the first bowler ever to claim eight wickets in a men’s T20 International match

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Cambodian and Thai counterparts in Yunnan to mediate a border dispute. The talks followed a fresh ceasefire, aiming to stabilize the region and strengthen China’s role as a regional diplomatic mediator

A fire at a retirement home in Manado, Indonesia, killed 16 elderly residents and injured 15. Firefighters took over two hours to control the blaze, while authorities are investigating the cause, with an electrical fault suspected initially

At least 13 people were killed and 98 injured after the Interoceanic passenger train derailed from a bridge near Nizanda in southern Mexico. Authorities launched rescue operations and ordered an investigation into the cause of the deadly accident

Pakistani security forces killed four terrorists during a raid in Balochistan’s Kalat district, the ISPR said. A security report noted 2025 as Pakistan’s deadliest year, with rising terror violence claiming over 2,100 lives, including security personnel and civilians

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump indicated major progress toward ending the Ukraine war, saying a peace plan is nearly finalised, though continued fighting and unresolved security guarantees underline the fragility of negotiations

At least 13 people were killed and 98 injured after Mexico’s Interoceanic Train derailed near Nizanda, halting a key Pacific-Gulf rail corridor as authorities rushed officials, rescue teams and assistance to victims’ families nationwide response

A brutal knife attack in Richelieu, Commewijne district, near Suriname’s capital Paramaribo, left nine people dead, including five children. The suspect, who killed four of his own children and neighbours, was injured while resisting police and is recovering in hospital. Another child and adult remain critically injured.

Liverpool beat Wolves 2‑1 to stay in the Premier League’s top five, while Kevin Schade’s hat‑trick powered Brentford past Bournemouth. Fulham edged West Ham 1‑0, and Burnley held Everton goalless in a busy day of action

Pakistan kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput has been banned indefinitely by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation for representing an Indian team in a private tournament in Bahrain without an NOC. Rajput apologised, claiming he was misled, but the federation upheld disciplinary action

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma’s record 162‑run stand powered India to their highest women’s T20I total of 221/2, before Vaishnavi Sharma’s 2/24 sealed a 30‑run win over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. India now lead the five‑match series 4‑0

India’s Arjun Erigaisi and Koneru Humpy won bronze medals at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships in Doha. Carlsen clinched his sixth men’s title, while Goryachkina won the women’s crown after a tie‑break against Zhu Jiner

Hyderabad’s Aaron George has been selected for India’s under‑19 World Cup squad to play in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The young batter, known for his consistency, hopes to break into the senior team, drawing inspiration from AB de Villiers

Tarique Rahman, the son of former Bangladesh premier Khaleda Zia, who returned to the country recently after 17 years in exile, is expected to emerge as a top contender in the crucial electoral battle scheduled early next year.

At least three people, including a one-year-old child, died when a two-story building collapsed in South Africa's Soweto township in the early hours of Sunday morning. Officials said three others sustained injuries during the incident and are undergoing treatment at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

China’s parliament expelled three senior military officials, including Wang Renhua, amid a crackdown on corruption. The generals, absent from recent PLA and party events, remain Central Committee members. The purge also included former vice chairman He Weidong.

Bangladesh police say two prime suspects in the murder of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi have fled to India via Meghalaya. Authorities are coordinating with Indian agencies as the investigation nears completion.

Myanmar began its 2025 general election with the first phase of polling on Sunday, five years after civil war erupted. The three-phase election spans 692 constituencies and introduces a new voting system, with increased female participation

The US condemned the killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, urging protection of minorities. Lawmakers and advocacy groups expressed concern over rising religious violence, while Washington reiterated its commitment to religious freedom and minority rights.

Martin Odegaard’s first goal of the season and a Georgino Rutter own goal helped Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1 in London. David Raya’s late save preserved the win, taking Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table

Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Kartik criticised the bowler-friendly MCG pitch after the Ashes Test ended in two days, highlighting selective criticism of Indian tracks. Michael Vaughan and Aakash Chopra joined the chorus, while CA CEO Todd Greenberg admitted short Tests are bad for business

India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, aim for a fourth straight win in the Women’s T20I series against Sri Lanka. With bowlers Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh starring, India lead 3-0 and look set for a clean sweep

England captain Ben Stokes criticised the bowler-friendly MCG pitch after the Ashes Test ended in two days. Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Kartik highlighted selective criticism of Indian pitches, while CA CEO Todd Greenberg admitted short Tests are bad for business