India skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed star pacer Mohammed Shami's return to the team during the third T20I against England after a 14-month hiatus. Although Shami showed promising speed and swing, he went wicketless, and India suffered a 26-run defeat but still lead the series 2-1. Sidelined since the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia, Shami had played domestic cricket in the interim, but this was his first game for India since then.
Related news
India's total forest and tree cover reached 827,357 sq km, about 25% of the geographical area, showing a slight increase. While forest cover grew marginally, moderately dense forests declined. Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh saw the biggest gains, while Madhya Pradesh experienced the largest decrease.
Seventeen houses of a minority Christian community in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts were set on fire on Christmas Eve. Preliminary investigation suggests the arson might be linked to an ongoing rivalry within the same community. Four people were arrested; the government has provided assistance to the affected villagers.
A five-year-old girl is in critical condition after being raped and brutally assaulted by a 17-year-old neighbor in Shivpuri, MP. She was found with severe injuries and underwent multiple surgeries. The community is outraged and demanding the culprit be hanged. The perpetrator attacked her for over two hours before fleeing when discovered.
At a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, an Indonesian delegation performed 'kuch kuch hota hai', adding a cultural touch to the strengthening of India-Indonesia ties. The event, held in honour of President Prabowo Subianto's inaugural state visit, was attended by senior Indonesian cabinet members and featured a 190-member ensemble band from the Indonesian Military Academy.
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh police conducted a joint operation, resulting in the deaths of three alleged Khalistan Zindabad Force operatives. The men's families contested the encounter, questioning their involvement and circumstances, describing the deceased as ordinary labourers and drivers. Local communities in Gurdaspur expressed disbelief and demanded justice and a thorough investigation.
Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders to reject the Afghan Taliban's restrictions on women's education, calling it a crime. Speaking in Islamabad, she emphasized unified action against the Taliban's gender apartheid. Despite their absence, the conference aimed at advancing girls' education highlighted strategic support for Afghan girls through scholarships and initiatives, stressing the urgency of addressing this crisis.
Astronauts returning from space experience 'baby feet,' where their soles become hypersensitive due to microgravity. This is caused by the lack of weight-bearing exercises. Recovery involves gradual re-acclimatization to pressure, specific exercises, balance training, and proper hydration. Other effects include puffy faces, muscle loss, and dizziness. Rehabilitation is critical for a complete recovery.
A sand-laden dumper truck overturned at a road construction site in Banaskantha district, killing three women and a toddler. The incident occurred as the driver lost control while navigating a narrow turn. Emergency services worked for two hours to rescue the victims, who were pronounced dead at a government hospital.
Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif's remarks about Mahmud of Ghazni being 'merely a plunderer' have sparked controversy. His comments have initiated a domestic debate and strained relations with Afghanistan. This also questions the suitability of naming Pakistani missiles after historical figures who invaded India.
Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the Indian diaspora in Boston, alleged that the Election Commission of India is compromised. He cited irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly elections, claiming a statistically impossible surge in voter turnout within a short period. The Election Commission refuted these claims, stating that the electoral rolls were updated with minimal contestation.