Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, exchanging New Year greetings and discussing ways to further strengthen the India–Israel strategic partnership in 2026. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment against terrorism and zero tolerance for terror in all forms, while also exchanging views on the evolving regional situation. Modi highlighted satisfaction with the momentum in bilateral cooperation and emphasized expanding collaboration across key sectors. The conversation underscored growing mutual trust, security cooperation and a forward-looking vision for deeper ties in the year ahead. (PC: X)

Russia has sent navy ships to escort an oil tanker that the United States is seeking to seize, US media reported. The vessel, earlier known as Bella 1 and now called Marinera, is believed to be sailing in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. The ship once carried Venezuelan oil and is accused of breaking US sanctions. American officials said they prefer to board and seize it rather than sink it. Russia said the tanker is sailing under its flag in international waters and accused the US and Nato of giving it unfair attention. The move follows Washington’s order to block sanctioned tankers linked to Venezuela. (PC: BBC)

Dhurandhar has become the highest grossing Hindi film, its makers said on Wednesday. Jio Studios said the Ranveer Singh film earned ₹831 crore net in India after 33 days. This beat the Hindi run of Pushpa 2, which made about ₹821 crore. The studio shared a poster to mark the record. Some trade trackers disputed the claim and said Dhurandhar’s total is closer to ₹782 crore. They said it still needs about ₹40 crore to cross Pushpa 2. The spy film is directed by Aditya Dhar and stars Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt and R Madhavan. Part two is due in March 2026. (PC: X)

The Trump administration has told Venezuela’s interim leadership that it can raise oil output only after cutting economic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba, ABC News reported. Sources said the US also wants Venezuela to partner only with American firms and favour the US when selling heavy crude. The warning comes after US forces captured former president Nicolás Maduro last week and Delcy Rodríguez took charge. US officials believe pressure will work because oil tankers are already full and wells are being shut. Lawmakers said Caracas may face insolvency within weeks without oil sales. The White House has not denied the report. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday continued hearing petitions on the stray dog issue and questioned why arguments focus only on dogs. The court asked if the lives of other animals like chickens and goats also matter. Lawyers for victims said people were suffering from dog attacks and called for stronger action, including no-dog zones in housing areas. An animal rights lawyer opposed mass removal and said global models rely on capture, sterilise, vaccinate and release. The court said its earlier order was limited to institutional areas such as schools and hospitals and asked why stray dogs should be allowed there. The Solicitor General said housing societies should decide the issue by majority. (PC: India Today)

The White House said using the US military to secure Greenland is “always an option”, raising concern among European allies. President Donald Trump has spoken in recent days about seeking control of the island, which is part of Denmark and a NATO member. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any US move by force could end NATO. Greenland’s prime minister said the territory cannot be taken “because you want to”. In a joint statement, leaders from several European states said they will continue to defend Greenland’s territorial integrity. US House Speaker Mike Johnson later said he did not think military action was appropriate and had not discussed it with Trump. (PC: Sky News)

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi carried out a late-night demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque close to Turkman Gate on Wednesday. The action followed a Delhi High Court order that asked the MCD, the Ministry of Urban Development and the Delhi Waqf Board to file replies on the dispute. The court said the matter needed consideration and listed the case for hearing on April 22. Videos shared by local residents showed bulldozers and earth-movers removing parts of structures near the century-old mosque. Police were deployed at the site and tear gas was used to control the crowd, officials said. No official estimate of damage was released. (PC: HT)

US forces killed at least 55 Cuban and Venezuelan military personnel during the operation to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, officials in Caracas and Havana said. Venezuela confirmed that 23 of its service members died in the attacks. Cuba said 32 of its troops and security staff posted in Caracas were also killed. The dead included two colonels and a lieutenant colonel, aged between 26 and 67. The raid began with air strikes on military sites and ended with US special forces seizing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple were taken to New York and have pleaded not guilty to drug charges. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi met him to discuss delays in Apache helicopter deliveries and trade issues. Speaking at a House GOP retreat, Trump said India had ordered Apaches but did not receive them for five years. He added that Modi asked to see him and that they shared a good personal relationship. Trump also said Modi was unhappy over US tariffs, including levies linked to India’s oil trade with Russia. He claimed India had cut Russian oil imports in recent months. Trump said he could raise tariffs further if India does not help on the oil issue. The US has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. (PC: India Today)

A Hindu man died in northern Bangladesh after he jumped into a pond to escape a mob that accused him of theft, police said on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Mithun Sarkar. The incident took place in Naogaon district. Police said people chased him through the area before he leapt into the water. He later died. Officers recovered the body with help from the fire service. A post-mortem is under way and an investigation has started, police said. The death comes amid a series of recent attacks on Hindu men in different parts of the country in the past weeks. (PC: HT)