India has announced a new sports policy that blocks bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan but allows Pakistani athletes and teams to compete in international events hosted in the country. The Sports Ministry said Indian teams will not travel to Pakistan for bilateral events, and Pakistani teams will also not be allowed for bilateral contests in India. However, the government clarified that multilateral events will follow international sports rules. “Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” the memo said. The move comes as India prepares to host major global events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2031 Cricket World Cup. The government also promised easier visas for athletes and officials. (PC: The Indian Express)

Global oil prices eased on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in “Project Freedom”, the US-led naval operation aimed at securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, to allow space for fresh negotiations with Iran.   Brent crude dropped 1.7% to $108 a barrel, while US crude slipped 1.6% to $100.60 after recent sharp gains driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East.   Trump said “great progress” had been made towards a possible agreement with Iran, though uncertainty remains over the reopening of safe trade routes through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. (PC: BBC)

The organiser of Lionel Messi’s India “GOAT Tour”, Satadru Dutta, has threatened to file a ₹100 crore defamation case against the Trinamool Congress after the party’s defeat in the West Bengal elections. Dutta alleged that the controversy surrounding Messi’s chaotic visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium destroyed three years of work and damaged his reputation. He accused former Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas of mismanaging the event by crowding around the football star for photographs, which allegedly triggered unrest inside the stadium. Dutta, who spent 37 days in jail after the incident, said he was ready to approach the Supreme Court if necessary. (PC: India Today)

The Congress has extended support to actor-politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, but with a key condition that no “communal forces” be included in the alliance.   The support from Congress adds five MLAs to TVK’s tally, taking its strength to 112, still short of the 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. TVK is also holding talks with the VCK, CPI and CPM to secure additional support.   Congress said the alliance was based on “shared responsibility” for a secular and progressive government in Tamil Nadu after TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the election. (PC: NDTV)

Security arrangements outside the residences and offices linked to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee were scaled down in Kolkata two days after the BJP’s sweeping Assembly election victory.   Police removed several additional security measures, including scissor barricades, from Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence and replaced them with manual guardrails. Officials said only the existing Z+ security cover would remain, while extra personnel deployed during the TMC government’s tenure were withdrawn.   The move comes amid a major political transition in Bengal after the BJP won 207 seats, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state. (PC: HT)

Three people were killed and several injured as post-poll violence continued across West Bengal for a second day after the Assembly election results. Clashes, arson and vandalism were reported from Kolkata, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, Asansol and other districts, with the BJP and the Trinamool Congress accusing each other of orchestrating attacks.   A BJP worker was allegedly beaten to death in New Town, while a TMC worker was hacked to death in Birbhum’s Nanoor. Violence also erupted in Sandeshkhali, where police personnel and central force jawans were injured in firing during patrols.   The Election Commission directed Bengal Police and central forces to adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach and restore order immediately amid rising political tension across the state.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay has intensified efforts to form the next government in Tamil Nadu after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections. Vijay has sought support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol Thirumavalavan, along with Congress, CPI and CPM. Congress has already agreed to back TVK, sources said. TVK won 108 seats, falling 10 short of a majority in the 234-member Assembly. Support from VCK and Left parties could help Vijay cross the halfway mark and stake claim to form the government. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in “Project Freedom”, the American operation launched to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of conflict with Iran. Trump said the decision followed “great progress” in talks aimed at reaching an agreement with Tehran. The operation had begun earlier this week to restore the movement of oil shipments through the critical global trade route. Iranian state media described the pause as a US “retreat”, claiming Washington failed to reopen the waterway. Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the offensive phase of the conflict had ended. (PC: BBC)

Indian journalist Suparna Sharma and graphic artist Anand RK have won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary for trAPPed, a graphic investigation published by Bloomberg. The report, created with senior investigative reporter Natalie Obiko Pearson, explored the growing threat of “digital arrest” scams through the story of an Indian neurologist allegedly trapped by online fraudsters. The Pulitzer Board announced the winners at Columbia University in New York, recognising the project’s powerful blend of visual storytelling and investigative journalism. (PC: X)

Former India cricketer and ex-TMC MLA Manoj Tiwary has quit the Trinamool Congress, alleging he was asked to pay ₹5 crore for an Assembly election ticket from Howrah’s Shibpur seat. “Only those who could pay hefty money were given tickets,” Tiwary claimed, alleging large-scale corruption in candidate selection. He said he refused to pay and later lost the nomination. Tiwary also criticised the Mamata Banerjee government, saying ministers had “very little” authority to work independently. Declaring his “TMC chapter is over,” the former Bengal captain said he will now focus on cricket coaching after applying for Bengal’s Ranji team head coach position. (PC: X)