Bangladesh has said it will not play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the International Cricket Council to shift their matches to a neutral venue. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said the issue is not just about safety but also national dignity. “We do not want to play at the cost of national humiliation,” he said. Bangladesh wants to play in Sri Lanka instead. The row follows Mustafizur Rahman’s release from IPL side KKR after security concerns were raised. (PC: PTI)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked French President Emmanuel Macron while recalling a tariff dispute. Trump claimed he warned France of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports unless it raised drug prices. “Donald, you have a deal. I beg you,” Trump said, imitating Macron. He claimed France tripled drug prices after the threat, while US prices fell. Trump said similar pressure worked with other countries too. He linked the move to his “Most Favoured Nation” policy aimed at lowering US drug costs. France has not responded to the remarks.

Videos circulating online show Hamas leader Naji Zaheer at a Lashkar-e-Taiba camp in Pakistan’s Gujranwala, raising fresh security concerns. Zaheer is said to be a close aide of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal. Reports say he was invited as a chief guest at the event. This comes as Pakistan faces pressure from the US to send troops to Gaza. Analysts say the sighting points to growing links between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan has not confirmed the visit. The development could complicate Islamabad’s position on any Gaza deployment amid domestic and global scrutiny. (PC: AFP)

An encounter has broken out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said on Wednesday. Security personnel launched a search operation in the Billawar area after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants. Three terrorists linked to the banned group Jaish-e-Mohammed are believed to be hiding and are currently engaged with forces in the forests of Kamadh Nullah. Fire was exchanged after the militants opened fire on the search team, prompting retaliation by the troops. Reinforcements have been sent to the site as the operation continues. (PC: HT)

Aloka, an Indian street dog, has become an internet sensation by joining Buddhist monks on a 3,700 km "Walk for Peace" across the United States. The four-year-old Indian Pariah dog first encountered the monks while wandering India, following them for over 100 days and forming a loyal bond. After his India adventure, Aloka joined 19 monks for their peace walk from Fort Worth in October, spanning 10 states over 110 days, concluding in Washington DC in February. With over 1.5 lakh Instagram followers, Aloka's journey is tracked on social media and live maps. Users praised him as a "noble guardian" and "goodwill ambassador," with his calm presence inspiring followers worldwide. (PC: Instagram)

The US Embassy in India issued a stern warning to international students that breaking US laws could result in student visa cancellation, deportation, and long-term ineligibility for future visas. In a post on X, the embassy emphasized "a US visa is a privilege, not a right," urging visa holders to comply with local laws and regulations. The advisory comes amid the Trump administration's tightened visa enforcement across student, work, and visitor categories, focusing on compliance, security vetting, and deterring overstays. Measures include broadened visa revocations for legal infractions, enhanced background checks, social media screening, and proposals limiting student stay durations without additional review while prioritizing higher-paid H-1B applicants. (PC: News 18)

Arjun Tendulkar is set to marry fiancée Saaniya Chandhok in a three-day ceremony from March 3-5, 2026, according to Times of India reports. The wedding will be an intimate, private affair with a curated guest list comprising family, close friends, and select cricket community members. The couple got engaged in August 2025 in a low-key ceremony, with Sachin Tendulkar confirming the news during a Reddit AMA. Saaniya Chandhok is an entrepreneur and designated Partner-Director at Mr Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP. She's the granddaughter of industrialist Ravi Ghai, head of Graviss Group, which manages Mumbai's Intercontinental Hotel and recorded Rs 624 crore revenues in FY23-24. (PC: Instagram)

India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya sparked widespread ridicule after mispronouncing Mohun Bagan and East Bengal—two of India's most iconic football clubs during a crucial ISL press conference on January 6, 2026. The minister was announcing that the stalled ISL 2025-26 season would resume February 14 with all 14 clubs participating, ending months of uncertainty. However, his pronunciation gaffes calling them "Mohan Baigan" and "East Baigan" instantly overshadowed the positive announcement and became viral on social media. The slip-up triggered backlash and reopened questions about football awareness at top government levels. Mandaviya appeared alongside AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and club representatives during the announcement meant to signal stability for Indian football.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sparked renewed interest in his Hindu spiritual connections after appearing publicly wearing a luxury wristwatch featuring Lord Ganesha. The timepiece adds to Maduro's well-documented affinity for Indian spirituality, particularly his devotion to Sathya Sai Baba. He has previously been photographed wearing kalawa (sacred thread), and Venezuela once issued National Day invitations decorated with the Om (ॐ) symbol under his leadership. The Ganesha watch images went viral on social media, prompting fresh discussions about his faith influences. This visible Hindu symbolism at both personal and state levels highlights how Indian spiritual elements continue appearing prominently in Maduro's public life, even amid his current detention in the US. (PC: Instagram)

The United States has seized a second oil tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the Caribbean, the US Southern Command said on Wednesday. The vessel, identified as the M/T Sophia, was taken in international waters and is being escorted to the United States, officials said. This follows the earlier capture of a Russian-flagged tanker, the Marinera, in the North Atlantic. US forces and the Coast Guard conducted the operations under sanctions enforcement for carrying oil tied to Venezuela. The actions are part of wider US efforts to disrupt sanctioned oil shipments. No details on crew or cargo were released. (PC: BBC)