India dropped Shubman Gill and recalled Ishan Kishan for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, marking Kishan's return after two years following strong domestic performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the defending champions, with Axar Patel reinstated as vice-captain replacing Gill. Rinku Singh returns after being dropped post-Asia Cup, while Jitesh Sharma misses selection. Gill's poor form just 291 runs from 15 innings with a highest score of 47 prompted his exclusion despite replacing Sanju Samson as opener. The 15-man squad features Abhishek Sharma-Samson opening pair, middle-order comprising Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Pakistani politician Nabil Gabol criticized his portrayal in Ranveer Singh's blockbuster Dhurandhar, where Rakesh Bedi plays character Jameel Jamali based on him. The former Member of National Assembly and Minister of State for Ports and Shipping told media his role wasn't depicted accurately, stating his real persona was "very audacious" unlike the film's portrayal. Gabol disputed the film's depiction of his hometown Lyari as a terrorist hub, asserting "if their agent had been there, he would not have gone back alive from Lyari." The spy thriller, directed by Aditya Dhar, features Ranveer as an Indian spy infiltrating Lyari's criminal networks. The film has earned over ₹700 crore worldwide despite criticism in Pakistan for tarnishing the country's image.

Lucknow has been recognized by Unesco as a Creative City of Gastronomy, becoming only the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to join the coveted list of 70 cities globally. The northern Indian city, capital of Uttar Pradesh, is celebrated for its melt-in-the-mouth kebabs, distinctive biryani, and the Dum pukht slow-cooking technique developed in 18th-century royal kitchens. Famous dishes include mutton galouti kebabs, created for a toothless nawab, and seasonal delights like makkhan malai. Legacy establishments like Netram (established 1880) and Sharmaji Tea Stall (operating since 1949) preserve centuries-old traditions. The recognition honors Lucknow's culinary heritage, blending Persian and Indian styles, while opening avenues for international collaboration in sustainable urban development. (PC: BBC)

Saudi Arabia deported 24,000 Pakistani nationals this year over begging allegations, while the UAE imposed visa restrictions citing criminal activities. Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency offloaded 66,154 passengers at airports in 2025 to dismantle organized begging syndicates. FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar confirmed the networks cause reputational damage, with similar cases detected in Africa, Europe, Cambodia, and Thailand. Dubai deported approximately 6,000 individuals, while Azerbaijan sent back 2,500 Pakistani beggars. Saudi Arabia previously urged Pakistan to prevent exploitation of Umrah visas for begging in Mecca and Medina. Legal experts describe begging as a highly structured enterprise, with government officials estimating 90% of beggars detained in West Asia are Pakistani nationals. (PC: AFP)

India will announce their T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav holding a press conference at 1:30 PM IST at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The major focus is on the opener's slot battle between Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson, with Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion despite superior records raising questions. Concerns surround Gill and Yadav's poor form, while wicketkeeper choices between Jitesh Sharma, Samson, and potential returnees like Rishabh Pant remain uncertain. India has maintained a settled squad since the Asia Cup, with only minor changes expected. The tournament runs February 7-March 8, with India facing USA, Namibia, Pakistan, Netherlands in group stages.(PC: Goya Hills)

Extreme fog blanketed northern India on Saturday, severely disrupting air, rail, and road transport across multiple states. Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport cancelled 129 flights, 66 arrivals and 63 departures due to persistent low-visibility conditions. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning of dense to very dense fog. Visibility dropped to 200 metres at Safdarjung and 350 metres at Palam by 8:30 AM. Delhi's Air Quality Index stood at 376, with several areas recording severe levels above 400. The Ministry of Civil Aviation directed airlines to follow passenger facilitation norms, mandating timely updates and compensation. Dense fog also disrupted transport in Dehradun, Jammu, Bihar, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.(PC: India Today)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized America's peacemaking role in global conflicts, including India-Pakistan, Russia-Ukraine, and Sudan. Rubio credited President Donald Trump for stopping the India-Pakistan conflict, a claim Trump previously made. During a press conference, Rubio highlighted US engagement in various disputes, stating Trump prioritized being a peacemaker. He defended the administration's strict immigration policies as sovereign rights ensuring national safety, while pointing to Venezuela's drug trafficking as a major threat. Rubio stressed Hamas must be disarmed for Middle East peace and emphasized the US's unique position to mediate the Russia-Ukraine war. He stated US foreign policy aims to serve national interests, making America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.

A 25-year-old Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Bangladesh's Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy amid ongoing unrest following anti-India radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death. Das was beaten outside his factory workplace, hanged from a tree, and set on fire. Indian politicians including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan condemned the incident, urging the Bangladesh government to protect minorities. Exiled writer Taslima Nasreen alleged a Muslim coworker falsely accused Das to settle a trivial dispute. Bangladesh's government condemned the lynching, promising perpetrators won't be spared. The incident highlights escalating violence against Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities, with over 2,400 documented incidents between August 2024-July 2025. (PC: X)        

Delhi faced severe disruption Friday as dense fog and hazardous air pollution gripped the capital, affecting over 700 flights with 177 cancellations. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for Saturday, warning of dense to very dense fog in early morning hours. Air Quality Index reached 374 in the "very poor" category, with forecasts predicting it will breach 400 into "severe" territory over the weekend. Visibility dropped to zero at Safdarjung station at 5:30 AM. Eleven of forty monitoring stations recorded severe air quality, with Vivek Vihar worst at 434. This marks the ninth consecutive day of very poor or severe air quality despite intensified vehicular enforcement. December has already recorded three severe air days.

The United States issued a travel advisory for its citizens in Bangladesh ahead of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi's funeral on Saturday. Hadi, a spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha and leader in last year's July Uprising protests, died recently, triggering widespread unrest. Protesters demanding justice set fire to two major media offices in Dhaka on Friday. The funeral prayer is scheduled at the National Parliament Building's South Plaza at 2 PM. The US warned that peaceful gatherings could escalate into violence, urging citizens to avoid demonstrations and expect heavy traffic throughout Dhaka. Bangladesh's interim government appealed for calm against "fringe elements." Authorities banned drones near the venue and requested attendees avoid carrying bags or heavy objects during the ceremony. (PC: Hindustan Times)