The death of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura studying in Dehradun, has triggered claims of racial abuse by his family. Police say there is no evidence so far to support this. Chakma was injured in a clash on December 9 and died on December 26 during treatment. His family says the attackers used slurs such as “Chinese momo” before stabbing him. The Dehradun SSP said the fight began after the victim objected to banter at a party and that the FIR mentions no racial angle. Five of six accused are in custody. One accused is absconding. (PC: HT)

Eurostar disruption entered a second day after a power fault in the Channel Tunnel forced major delays and cancellations. Some passengers were stranded on trains for more than six hours overnight. A traveller on a 19:01 London-Paris service said the train was still waiting near the tunnel at 03:00 GMT. Getlink, the tunnel operator, said engineers worked through the night to fix damaged overhead cables. Only one tunnel line was open for part of Tuesday. Eurostar said it plans to run all services on Wednesday but warned of delays and last-minute cancellations. At least a dozen trains were cancelled on Tuesday. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir hosted a low-profile wedding for his third daughter, Mahnoor, on December 26 at the Pakistan Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi, marrying her to his nephew, Abdul Rehman, the son of his brother, according to multiple reports. The ceremony was attended by top political and military figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, the ISI chief and senior army officials, but no official photos were released due to security. Abdul Rehman is a former army captain now serving as an assistant commissioner through a military quota, and about 400 guests were present at the event, which was kept discreet amid tight security. (PC: Reuters)

Israel has announced it will bar more than two dozen international humanitarian organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, ActionAid, and the International Rescue Committee, from operating in Gaza for failing to meet new registration rules demanding detailed staff information — seen by Israel as a security measure. Foreign ministers of 10 countries including the UK, Canada and France warned the move risks worsening an already “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where winter conditions and damaged infrastructure leave millions in urgent need of shelter, healthcare, and basic supplies. Critics say the bans will hamper aid delivery and deepen civilian suffering. (PC: AP)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding his resignation for “failing” to prevent recent terror attacks in Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir, questioning the Centre’s handling of national security. She challenged Shah’s allegation that West Bengal is a hub of infiltration, asking why attacks occurred outside Bengal if only it had security lapses. Banerjee invoked mythological figures to accuse Shah of political motives ahead of Bengal’s assembly elections, rejecting claims about border fencing and blaming the Centre for double standards. Her party also hit back through senior TMC leaders. (PC: ANI)

India’s next-gen Vande Bharat Sleeper train successfully reached 180 km/h during high-speed trials on the Kota–Nagda section, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared on social media, posting a video of the run under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety. The clip showed the train hitting around 182 km/h, and a “water test” with glasses remaining stable highlighted ride comfort and engineering precision. Designed for long-distance travel, this sleeper variant aims to combine speed, comfort, and modern amenities, and is expected to begin commercial services soon, enhancing India’s rail travel options.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed Beijing helped mediate the May India-Pakistan military standoff, asserting China’s “objective and just stance” in resolving global conflicts, including tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. He listed several crises China engaged in, framing Beijing as a peace builder. India firmly rejected any third-party role, saying the four-day confrontation ended through direct military-to-military talks and that it opposes external intervention. The remarks echo similar U.S. claims by former President Donald Trump that Washington mediated a ceasefire, which India also denies. (PC: AP)

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s long absence from the Indian team may soon end, with selectors reportedly reconsidering his place ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shami hasn’t played an ODI since March 2025 and a Test since June 2023, but his strong domestic form — including 37 wickets in his last 10 matches — has put him back on the BCCI’s radar. Sources say fitness remains the key concern, but discussions are ongoing, and a recall, potentially in the upcoming series vs New Zealand, isn’t ruled out. His experience could bolster India’s pace attack if he stays fit and in form. (PC: AFP)

The Saudi-led coalition conducted a limited airstrike on Yemen’s Mukalla port after two vessels from the UAE’s Fujairah port entered without approval and unloaded unauthorised weapons and combat vehicles, allegedly for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council separatists. Saudi and Yemeni authorities said the operation targeted the military cargo and posed no collateral damage, insisting it defended security and de-escalation efforts. Yemen’s presidential council declared a state of emergency, canceled its defense pact with the UAE, and ordered Emirati forces to leave within 24 hours, deepening the rift between long-time Gulf allies. (PC: Reuters)

India has imposed a three-year import duty on select steel products to curb a rise in cheap shipments, mainly from China. The tariff will be 12 per cent in the first year, 11.5 per cent in the second, and 11 per cent in the third. The move follows complaints from local producers over a surge in low-priced imports that hurt domestic sales. India is the world’s second largest crude steel maker. The government had earlier placed a 12 per cent temporary duty for 200 days, which ended in November. An industry body had also sought anti-dumping action through the trade remedies office in August. (PC: India Today)