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)

The funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia will be held in Dhaka on Wednesday after Zohr prayers, officials said. Zia died on Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after a long illness. Her body will be taken from Evercare Hospital to her Gulshan home, Feroza, on Wednesday morning, and then to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. Funeral prayers are set for 2 pm at the South Plaza and Manik Mia Avenue. She will be buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan. India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar will attend. Bangladesh has announced three days of state mourning. ( PC: HT)

India has become the world’s fourth largest economy after overtaking Japan, the government said on Tuesday. The country’s GDP now stands at about USD 4.18 trillion. It is expected to surpass Germany to become the third largest economy within the next two to three years. A Press Information Bureau release said India is the fastest growing major economy. Real GDP grew 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of FY26, up from 7.8 per cent in the first quarter. Growth was driven mainly by strong local demand. The Reserve Bank of India has raised its full-year growth forecast to 7.3 per cent. (PC: HT)

India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the fifth women’s T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to complete a 5-0 series clean sweep. Asked to bat first, India were in trouble at 77 for five after early wickets. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with 68 off 43 balls, while Arundhati Reddy added an unbeaten 27. India finished on 175. Sri Lanka fought hard in reply as Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani built a partnership. Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma then took key wickets. Sri Lanka ended on 160 for seven. (PC: India Today)

A report by the US-based Council on Foreign Relations has warned of a possible armed conflict between India and Pakistan in 2026 due to rising terrorist activity. The study is based on a survey of American foreign policy experts. It notes that the Trump administration has tried to reduce tensions between the two neighbours. India and Pakistan were involved in a brief military stand-off in May after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam killed 26 civilians. India later carried out Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan. The report also said there is a moderate risk of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan next year. (PC: NDTV)