Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam stated the board doesn't feel secure sending their national team to India for the T20 World Cup amid current circumstances. The statement follows BCB's formal request to the International Cricket Council to shift Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches out of India. Bangladesh was scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. This strong move was triggered by BCCI instructing Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract. Aminul told reporters the next steps depend on ICC's response to their venue change request, marking an unprecedented escalation in cricket relations between India and Bangladesh. (PC: PTI)

The Border Security Force installed newly designed 12-feet-high fencing across 75% of the strategically vital Chicken's Neck (Siliguri corridor) region amid Bangladesh civil unrest. The upgraded border security system, difficult to cut or climb, is backed by pan-tilt-zoom cameras providing live feeds for rapid response, creating a "smart border." Enhanced area domination plans now target cattle collection points several kilometers inside Indian territory. BSF launched community-centered initiatives discouraging villagers from border crimes through confidence-building measures with families of suspected smugglers. Since January 2025, BSF seized contraband worth Rs 8.5 crore, apprehending 440 Bangladeshis and 152 Indians. After thorough background checks, 187 Bangladeshis were returned to Border Guard Bangladesh with fingerprint verification. (PC: PTI)

Reliance Industries Limited strongly denied Bloomberg's report claiming three Russian oil tankers were heading to its Jamnagar refinery. RIL clarified it received no Russian oil cargo in approximately three weeks and expects no deliveries in January. The company expressed deep displeasure that Bloomberg published the report despite RIL's denial, accusing the publication of ignoring its clarification and tarnishing its image. Bloomberg had reported three vessels carrying 2.2 million barrels of Urals crude were signaling Jamnagar as their destination for early January delivery. The world's largest oil refining complex in Gujarat faces heightened scrutiny following US sanctions on Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil since October 2025. (PC: Times Now)

Indian entrepreneur Meghna left her high-flying media career to move to Denmark with her husband five years ago. Despite initial warnings about job difficulties for spouses, she secured a role at a reputable Danish organization, though with reduced seniority. After experiencing 2023 layoffs, she founded Pillion Expats consultancy. Meghna revealed that despite being in India's top 1% income bracket, their purchasing power felt limited, with most income going to rent and investments. In Denmark, earning average salaries with double income enabled them to buy an apartment and travel frequently. She highlights Denmark's safety and freedom for women, though notes quick-commerce services are absent and finding jobs remains challenging for Global South immigrants. (PC: HT)

Over one million Indian immigrants in Canada face losing legal status as more than two million work permits expire in 2025-2026 under Prime Minister Mark Carney's tightened immigration policies. Approximately 1,053,000 permits expired by end-2025, with another 927,000 expiring in 2026. Immigration consultant Kanwar Seirah estimates Canada could have two million undocumented immigrants by mid-2026, with Indians comprising nearly half. The crisis stems from Carney's sharp immigration caps reducing permanent residency targets to 380,000 in 2026 and cutting temporary foreign workers and student visas. Tent encampments have appeared in Greater Toronto Area as housing pressures mount. Expired permit holders have 90 days for costly restoration applications, but approvals take months without work authorization. (PC: India Today)

BCCI ordered Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL 2026 contract without consulting all board officials or IPL Governing Council members. The decision, made at the highest BCCI level, stunned officials who learned about it through media reports. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia cited "recent developments" when announcing Mustafizur's release, who was bought for INR 9.20 crore at auction. Bangladesh responded with an unprecedented nationwide IPL telecast ban. The move follows escalating bilateral tensions after Hindu minorities were attacked and killed in Bangladesh, including a Hindu man being lynched and burned. Bangladesh Cricket Board now seeks to shift T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka. (PC: AFP)

Pathankot police arrested a 15-year-old boy for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Authorities claim the minor shared sensitive information about India with ISI handlers for one year through communication channels now under investigation. Police expressed serious concerns that ISI is targeting and recruiting young children for espionage activities, posing significant security risks. Investigations suggest other minors in Punjab may have links with ISI operatives, prompting authorities to alert police stations statewide to remain vigilant. The investigation continues as officials work to identify the broader network involved. Police confirmed all legal procedures applicable to juveniles are being followed in this case, which highlights emerging security threats.

Venezuela’s ousted leader Nicolas Maduro told a New York court that he is still the country’s president as he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges. The hearing marked his first appearance in the United States after he and his wife Cilia Flores were seized in Caracas and flown to New York. Images earlier showed the couple being moved in handcuffs under heavy guard. During the session, a brief exchange took place between Maduro and a member of the public. Outside the courthouse, small groups of protesters gathered with signs for and against the US action. Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president in Caracas. (PC: BBC)

The India Meteorological Department has warned that dense fog and cold wave conditions will affect large parts of the country on Tuesday. Morning fog is likely over northwest, central, east and northeast India. Cold wave alerts are in place for parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. The weather office said night temperatures may fall further due to weak western systems. In the past day, visibility dropped to near zero in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, disrupting road and air travel. Very dense fog may continue in isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, east Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. Clear skies later may lead to colder nights and fresh fog by morning. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has again said the United States needs Greenland for national security. He told reporters that the island is vital for defence and early missile warning. Greenland is part of NATO through Denmark and lies on the shortest route between Europe and North America. The US already runs the Pituffik Space Base in the island’s northwest. Experts say the area helps track Russian naval movement. Greenland also holds large deposits of minerals such as lithium and rare earths, though oil and gas drilling is banned. The island has wide self-rule but remains under Denmark’s constitution. Both Greenland and Denmark rejected Trump’s offer to buy the island in 2019. (PC: NDTV)