Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis blamed tactical errors for Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on Sunday, saying the match was effectively decided when India posted 175 in the first innings.

India registered their third consecutive win to qualify for the Super 8 stage, powered by a blistering 77 off 40 balls by Ishan Kishan. Pakistan now need to defeat Namibia in their final Group A match to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Younis said Pakistan’s tactical shortcomings, especially in bowling changes, proved costly and that the damage was done in the first innings itself.

“Pakistan lost the game in the first innings. Once India reached 175, the game was out of Pakistan’s reach. The ball was spinning, and Suryakumar Yadav was smart with his bowling changes. He gave the new ball to Hardik Pandya up front. Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding as always, attacking the stumps and getting movement,” Younis told Star Sports.

“It became very difficult for Pakistan after that. When you look at how much spin Pakistani bowlers got, I don’t think they used them as well as India did. The game was over in the first innings because India scored too many runs,” he added.

The pace legend also said Pakistan erred by delaying the introduction of spinner Usman Tariq, who eventually returned impressive figures but was brought into the attack too late.

“Salman Ali Agha allowed that to happen by not introducing Usman Tariq early. Tariq was superb, taking a wicket and conceding just 24 runs. But by the time he came on, Ishan Kishan had already done the damage. If India had scored 140 or 150 instead of 175, things might have been different,” he said.

Powered by Kishan’s aggressive knock, India posted 175/7, the highest total in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo. In reply, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah struck early to put Pakistan under immediate pressure.

Usman Khan briefly revived hopes with a fluent 44, but his dismissal to Axar Patel ended any realistic chances of a comeback, as India’s bowlers maintained control for the rest of the innings.

Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar praised skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his tactical awareness and leadership.

“You have to play according to the situation, and that is what Suryakumar Yadav has done. He has led from the front. Against Pakistan, when India were 88 for 2, he stayed till the 19th over and scored 32 runs. He ensured wickets didn’t fall and held one end,” Gavaskar said.

He added that Suryakumar’s understanding of match situations, conditions and game management has brought greater awareness and stability to the Indian team in T20 cricket.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Mondau inaugurated an ultra-modern multi-level car parking facility at Nehru Place.

The inauguration of the state of the art multi-level car parking facility is seen as a major boost to Delhi’s urban infrastructure and traffic decongestion efforts.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that Delhi is delivering positive results under the leadership of LG Saxena and guidance of the central government.

CM Gupta accused the previous governments of not making the required efforts to establish effective coordination with the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor, as a result of which several public welfare projects remained pending for years.

In contrast, she said, the Lieutenant Governor personally inspected various sites and consistently monitored projects related to drain cleaning, road construction and infrastructure development.

“He remained actively engaged in serving the people of Delhi even during periods when governance had faced stagnation, the CM stated.

She further said the Delhi Government is working in close coordination with the LG and the Centre, delivering tangible results.

“Through these joint efforts, work is progressing at pace to make Delhi cleaner, better organised and more developed,” she remarked.

CM Gupta said that the new six-storey modern structure has the capacity to accommodate 650 four-wheelers and 352 two-wheelers at a time.

On a rotation basis, it is expected to facilitate parking for approximately 2,000 vehicles daily.

The Delhi CM described it as a significant step in view of Delhi’s growing needs. She added that a comprehensive plan is being prepared to develop parks or parking facilities on available DDA land in areas facing acute parking shortages.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Monday witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling BJP and the opposition Samajwadi Party over the issues of reservation and outsourcing, leading to prolonged uproar in the House.

The confrontation began after Samajwadi Party MLA Sangram Yadav raised concerns over outsourcing and its impact on reservation.

Responding to the allegations, state minister Anil Rajbhar launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party. He said that while the SP talks about PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak), during its tenure, the benefits of reservation were allegedly cornered by a single community.

Rajbhar claimed that during the SP government, nearly 82 per cent of the benefits under OBC reservation went to one community, while several castes, including Rajbhar, Kewat, Mallah, and Chauhan, were deprived of their due share.

He further said that although the SP invokes Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution, social justice was neglected during its rule. He also alleged that the opposition raises the reservation issue during Assembly sessions to gain political mileage.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Rajbhar informed the House about employment provided to youth during the SP regime through job fairs and compared it with employment opportunities generated since the BJP came to power in 2017.

He added that the current government is organising separate job fairs for women to enhance their employment opportunities.

Earlier, Sangram Yadav accused the government of misleading youth in the name of outsourcing. He alleged that outsourcing was being used to avoid permanent recruitment and that young people were being exploited with low salaries ranging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 per month.

Yadav also claimed that outsourcing was being used to weaken the reservation rights of backward classes and Dalits, and alleged that reservation norms were not being properly followed in recruitment processes.

The government rejected these allegations, stating that detailed clarifications had already been given in the House on the reservation issue and accused the opposition of raising the matter repeatedly without justification.

The issue led to intense sloganeering, allegations, and counter-allegations, disrupting proceedings for a considerable period.

Jammu and Kashmir skipper Paras Dogra and Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal grabbed headlines on February 16, 2026, producing historic performances in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. While Dogra became only the second player in tournament history to cross 10,000 runs, Padikkal hammered a maiden double century to put Karnataka in a commanding position.

Paras Dogra’s historic 10,000-run milestone

Jammu and Kashmir veteran Paras Dogra etched his name into Ranji Trophy history, becoming only the second batter after Wasim Jaffer to score 10,000 runs in the competition’s 92-year history.

The 41-year-old achieved the landmark during J&K’s semi-final clash against Bengal in Kalyani, entering the match needing just 11 runs to reach the milestone. He walked in at No. 4 with his side reeling at 13/2 and played a crucial knock of 58 off 112 balls before being dismissed by Mukesh Kumar.

1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ runs and counting…

A historic moment as Paras Dogra becomes only the second player in the history of #RanjiTrophy to reach the milestone @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/0G6nbljVFX

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 16, 2026

Dogra added 143 runs for the fourth wicket with Abdul Samad (82 off 85 balls), helping Jammu and Kashmir reach 198/5 at stumps on Day 2, still trailing Bengal by 130 runs.

For Bengal, Mohammed Shami claimed three wickets, while Mukesh Kumar chipped in with two.

With this milestone, Dogra joins elite company, also boasting 34 first-class centuries—second only to Jaffer (40) in Ranji Trophy history.

Devdutt Padikkal’s maiden double century powers Karnataka

In the other semi-final in Lucknow, Devdutt Padikkal produced a captain’s knock of 232 off 330 balls, including 29 fours and three sixes, to propel Karnataka to a massive 689/6 at stumps on Day 2 against Uttarakhand.

Resuming the day on 355/2, Karnataka continued their dominance with Padikkal and Karun Nair adding a 129-run stand for the third wicket. Nair fell for 60, while Padikkal carried on to register his maiden first-class double century before being dismissed by Lakshya Raichandani.

Ravichandran Smaran added an unbeaten 121 off 191 balls, while Kruthik Krishna made 60. Shreyas Gopal was dismissed for a duck, and Vidyadhar Patil remained unbeaten alongside Smaran at the close of play.

This was Padikkal’s second century since taking over the captaincy mid-season, following his match-winning 120* against Punjab earlier in the tournament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday shared details of his recent meeting with Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the Grand Mufti of India, describing the interaction as productive and comprehensive.

Taking to X, the Prime Minister said, “Had a very good interaction with Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Sahab, Grand Mufti of India. We exchanged views on a wide range of issues. His efforts to further social harmony, brotherhood, and improve education are noteworthy.”

Sources familiar with the discussions said the meeting focused on promoting communal harmony, advancing educational opportunities, and strengthening social cohesion across communities.

The Prime Minister is learnt to have acknowledged the Grand Mufti’s sustained efforts to encourage inclusivity and expand access to education, particularly among marginalised groups.

Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, a respected Islamic scholar and community leader, has long been associated with initiatives aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue and uplifting underprivileged sections through education. His outreach programmes have emphasised unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence within India’s diverse social fabric.

The interaction assumes significance amid the government’s continued emphasis on the “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” vision, underscoring its commitment to inclusive development and collective progress. Political observers note that such engagements reflect ongoing efforts to build bridges across communities and strengthen national integration.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP MLA Rohit Pawar has met several pilots and aviation specialists in Delhi to help unravel the January 28 air crash at the Baramati airstrip that killed former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, sources said here on Monday. He is also in the process of hiring private detectives to conduct an independent probe into the crash.

Rohit Pawar had held a press conference a few days ago and hinted at the possibility of foul play behind the plane crash. He had also accused the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of not investigating the case thoroughly.

“Today is the 20th day since the unfortunate accident of Ajit Dada and the preliminary investigation report has still not been released by the DGCA. Also, no action has been taken against the VSR company, which operates aircraft in violation of rules. As a result, doubts are growing stronger. Therefore, the DGCA should submit the preliminary report as soon as possible and take appropriate action against VSR,” Rohit Pawar said in a post on X.

Ajit Pawar’s chartered aircraft had crashed on January 28 while he was travelling to Baramati to campaign for the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. The plane had taken off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 8:10 am and reached Baramati at around 8:45 am. However, while attempting to land, it crashed into a nearby field before reaching the runway and exploded.

All five people on board, including Ajit Pawar, died on the spot. The investigation into the crash is currently underway, though no definitive conclusions have yet emerged.

In a related development, Ajit Pawar-led NCP MLA Amol Mitkari, who had earlier raised suspicions of a conspiracy, has once again demanded answers and sought access to CCTV footage related to the pilots.

Mitkari questioned the circumstances surrounding the replacement of one of the pilots. “The original pilot of Ajit Dada’s plane was reportedly stuck in traffic and was replaced at the last moment. When did the two pilots, Sahil Madan and Yash, leave their homes? In which vehicles did they travel, and where exactly were they stuck in traffic?” he asked.

He also demanded details about the movements of pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak, who died in the crash, including when they left their homes, their travel routes and their duty schedules.

Mitkari further questioned claims that data recovery from the aircraft’s black box would take time because it was damaged in the fire.

“They say the black box was burnt and that its data will be recovered abroad. We will wait, but until then, the Maharashtra government should immediately release CCTV footage from the airport and other relevant locations to ensure transparency,” he said.

Rohit Pawar has intensified his demand for an impartial and comprehensive probe, stating that several unanswered questions continue to raise suspicions about the crash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the Jio Intelligence Pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, being held from February 16-20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

During the visit, Akash Ambani, Chairman of Jio, showcased the company’s AI-led transformation across healthcare, education, culture, and smart home solutions to Prime Minister Modi.

Akash showed PM Modi a live demonstration of Jio’s AI capabilities, including Jio AI Stack, Jio Sanskriti AI, Jio Arogya AI, Jio Shiksha, and Jio AI Home.

These platforms are designed to drive enterprise intelligence, promote Indian languages and cultural content, enhance healthcare delivery, strengthen education systems, and enable AI-powered smart living.

Akash also briefed PM Modi about Jio’s comprehensive AI ecosystem and its role in accelerating digital transformation across sectors. Reiterating Jio’s vision of “AI for All,” the company has highlighted its commitment to making advanced technologies accessible and inclusive at scale.

In Pics | Akash Ambani, Chairman of Jio, showcases the company’s AI-led transformation across healthcare, education, culture, and smart home solutions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Jio AI Pavilion during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.@RIL_Updates | @reliancejio |… pic.twitter.com/qmzGVg01FA

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) February 16, 2026

The India AI Impact Summit has brought together leading technology firms, innovators, and policymakers from India and around the world to explore the future of artificial intelligence.

Earlier today, Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026, which is being held alongside the India AI Impact Summit. The theme of the Summit is Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya. Following the inauguration, the summit will be open for the general public from Tuesday.

The India AI Impact Expo will host over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations, structured across three thematic chakras – People, Planet, and Progress. Over 600 high-potential startups will demonstrate AI-based working solutions that are already deployed in real-world settings.

Besides Indian startups and states, pavilions from 13 countries showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem have also been set up at the Expo. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and Africa.

In a major breakthrough against cyber fraud, Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a transnational online investment scam involving fake trading platforms and phishing websites, arresting a doctor identified as the alleged mastermind and exposing fraudulent transactions worth over Rs 209 crore.

The main accused, Ekant Yogdutt alias Dr Morphine, was arrested by Ganderbal Police while returning from China at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Eight other accused have also been arrested from various parts of the Kashmir region. Further investigation is underway to trace the entire money trail and attach properties of the accused, police said.

The scam surfaced following a complaint by Firdous Ahmad Mir of Safapora in Ganderbal, who alleged identity theft and cheating by online fraudsters through fake investment platforms.

Acting on the complaint, Ganderbal Police registered FIR No. 08/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Khalil Ahmad Poswal.

Police said investigations revealed that the fraudsters created fake online investment and cryptocurrency trading platforms, including websites such as paisavault.com, to lure investors with promises of high returns.

Victims were induced to deposit money, which was routed through multiple bank accounts in Jammu and Kashmir and later transferred outside the Union Territory and abroad through layered transactions to evade detection.

So far, police have identified 835 bank accounts linked to the fraud and verified transactions in 290 of them. These accounts alone received over Rs 209 crore from victims across India. Officials said the total amount involved is likely to exceed Rs 400 crore once all accounts are fully verified.

Police identified the main handler as Ekant Yogdutt alias Dr Morphine, a resident of Hisar in Haryana, who allegedly learned cyber fraud techniques while pursuing his MBBS degree in the Philippines and developed links with foreign nationals, including individuals from China.

He was arrested by Ganderbal Police at the Delhi airport upon his return from China. Police said Yogdutt operated the scam through a network of associates and coordinated fraudulent operations across multiple regions.

Eight other accused were arrested from various parts of Kashmir, including Ganderbal, Budgam, and Baramulla. They include regional coordinators and account mobilisers who facilitated the operation at the local level.

Investigators said the accused recruited economically vulnerable individuals, including below poverty line (BPL) account holders, offering them Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month in exchange for access to their bank accounts and ATM cards. These accounts were then used to receive and transfer the proceeds of the fraud.

Police also found evidence suggesting the involvement of some bank employees, who allegedly provided QR codes linked to mule accounts that were uploaded on fake investment platforms.

The fraudsters operated Telegram channels and groups to circulate new QR codes and account details regularly, enabling them to quickly shift funds and bypass account freezes imposed by cybercrime units following complaints.

Police said further investigation is underway to trace the complete money trail, identify additional accused, and attach properties acquired through illegal proceeds. Authorities are also coordinating with cybercrime units and financial institutions across the country.

In a major step towards strengthening emergency cardiac care, PGIMER will operationalize its long-awaited Dedicated Cardiac Emergency Facility from 1st March 2026. The initiative addresses a critical gap that has been felt since the establishment of the Advanced Cardiac Centre in 2009.

Sharing this development, Prof Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER said the need for a separate cardiac emergency had been recognized for years. “In a high-volume tertiary care institute like PGIMER, managing acute cardiac cases within the general emergency system was increasingly challenging. We felt it was important to create a focused pathway exclusively for cardiac emergencies,” he said.

For a long time, cardiac emergency patients were managed through the main Emergency wing, which caters to a massive influx of trauma, medical, surgical and critically ill cases from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and neighbouring regions. Given the daily patient load, time-sensitive cardiac cases often had to function within a crowded system, underscoring the urgency for a structured, specialized response.

Prof Lal said from early in his tenure as Director PGIMER, efforts were made to streamline systems and prioritise patient-centric reforms. “Cardiovascular emergencies are time-critical. Every minute saved can translate into a life saved. Our objective has been to ensure that no cardiac patient loses precious time because of logistical bottlenecks.”

Acknowledging the team spirit, Director PGIMER stated, “The Dedicated Cardiac Emergency has been made possible through coordinated efforts of the Departments of Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, Hospital Administration and Nursing Services. According to the Director PGIMER, this integrated framework is designed to minimize delays and enhance accountability in emergency cardiac care.”

The Director PGIMER further highlighted that the initiative is also expected to decongest the main Emergency wing, improving overall patient flow and reducing stress for both patients and attendants. “This is not merely an infrastructural addition but a strengthening of systems. We are building responsiveness into our emergency care framework,” Prof Vivek Lal remarked.

With the Dedicated Cardiac Emergency becoming operational from 1st March, PGIMER reinforces its commitment to timely, focused and life-saving care, ensuring that when every second matters, patients receive the attention they need without delay, summed up Prof Lal.

Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, on Monday, alleged massive fraud and corruption in West Bengal records under the TMC-led government, claiming that fake birth certificates are being issued in backdates under the Rules that came into existence years later.

“Blatantly false birth certificates are being issued. To make matters worse, the Registration date is of 1996, but it brazenly cites Rule 9 of the West Bengal Registration of Births and Deaths Rules 2000, which didn’t even exist until 2000!!!” Adhikari wrote on X, sharing a purported image of a birth certificate issued in Gazole Block in Malda district.

The BJP leader said that the revelation exposes the depths of the alleged corruption under the TMC government. He said, “This is not incompetence; it’s deliberate fraud designed to fabricate identities and undermine our democratic processes.”

Adhikari further claimed that such practices are rampant across West Bengal, alleging that the state government wants to derail the Special Intensive Revision exercise by flooding the system with fake documents.

A shocking revelation from Gazole Block in Malda district exposes the depths of corruption under the TMC-led West Bengal Administration !
Blatantly false birth certificates are being issued. To make matters worse, the Registration date is of 1996, but it brazenly cites Rule 9 of… pic.twitter.com/QenUiIJCAC

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) February 16, 2026

“The Mamata Banerjee regime is playing with fire, compromising the integrity of our electoral rolls and citizen verification for their petty political gains,” he said.

Adhikari urged the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to thoroughly investigate the alleged fraud and launch a crackdown on it.

“I urge the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, to immediately take cognizance, launch a thorough investigation, and crack down on these corrupt elements before they hijack our democracy entirely,” the BJP leader said, adding, “The people deserve transparency, not treachery.”

Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was down for thousands of users globally on Monday. Users were unable to load pages and access core features, including posts, comments, For You, and Lists.

According to the outage tracking website Downdetector, a sharp spike in complaints was noticed across regions. As of 7.06 pm (IST), Downdetector received 42,261 reports in the United States, 11,388 in the United Kingdom, and over 2,128 reports in India.

A black screen with a white X logo appeared while trying to log in. There was no immediate statement from the social media giant. X boss Elon Musk, who often takes digs at other social media platforms when they face outages, didn’t comment either.

The services were restored in India after around 40 minutes. #XDown and #TwitterDown started trending on X, with several users posting memes on the outage.

“Twitter account is down, friends, has it started working for you?” asked a user. Another criticized X Corp CEO Elon Musk, saying, “Musk is running X with a team of 30 people. It goes down every other day.”

“Bro, even Elon Musk’s servers couldn’t handle the load of 1 billion Indians laughing at once. X went down because the “meltdown” was too heavy for the internet!,” quipped one more

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic is scheduled to arrive in Agra on February 21 to visit Taj Mahal. On this occasion, the monument will be closed for general tourists for three hours.

According to information, the Croatian PM will be visiting Agra with his wife and three children. He will enter Agra by car via Yamuna Expressway at around 12 noon. After reaching Shilpgram, he will enter the Taj by golf cart.

He will enter the Taj at around 1 pm and will spend half an hour there. After the visit, the Croatian Prime Minister will have lunch at a hotel with his family before visiting the Agra fort. After the visit to the fort, he will return to Delhi by car.

In view of the security of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, an advance team has held a meeting with the Agra administration and officials of all departments related to the Taj Mahal.

It has been reported that Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic is arriving on a visit to India from February 17.

Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar held a meeting here at 6 pm on Monday to take stock of the political situation arising from an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raid and sealing of the state secretariat (Mantralaya) office of her party leader and Food & Drug Authority Minister Narhari Zirwal last week.

Opposition parties comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Congress had asked Zirwal to resign last week.

Meanwhile, the ACB raided the Nashik district residence of clerk Rajendra Dherange who allegedly took the bribe on Monday, which has ensured that pressure has increased on the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to which Zirwal belongs.

In a related development, Rajendra Dherange, who was caught accepting a bribe red-handed by the ACB inside the office of the Ministry of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) headed by Narhari Zirwal, was produced in court here on Monday.

Yet, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is said to be in a dilemma and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar who heads the party is expected to take a decision to deal with the political fallout arising from the ACB action against her party man and minister Narhari Zirwal.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP’s core committee meeting held on Monday at 6 pm took stock of the political consequences arising from Zirwal’s predicament. The decision taken at the meeting is still not known, but a discussion about electing Sunetra Pawar as the national president of the party is also expected, since the process will begin in the next 15 days, sources said.

As things stand, no leader from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has come to the defence of Narhari Zirwal, except party MLA Amol Mitkari. So far, Mitkari alone has defended Zirwal, saying that he has been “framed” in the case.

“Narhari Zirwal is innocent. The details of who took the contract to frame him in the case will come to light very soon. Zirwal is a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the face of the common people of the tribal community. He has done nothing wrong,” Ajit Pawar-led NCP MLA Mitkari had stated last week.

However, the questions being discussed in political circles is why Zirwal was kept in the dark about the ACB raid on his office and why the raid happened when he was away in Delhi. Sources said since the the ACB raid took place in the premises of the Maharashtra state secretariat building (Mantralaya), it had obviously received the go-ahead from the home department, which is headed by none other than Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself, whose office is hardly a few yards away from Zirwal’s office on the second floor of the Mantralaya.

The sources further said that the political inference is that since the raid is unlikely to have happened without a green signal from Fadnavis, there is something much more to it than meets the eye and there are several theories being discussed about the intention behind the raid, including a theory that it could be a move to put the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar on the backfoot in order to use the embarrassing episode as a political bargaining chip.

“Additional chief secretary (Home Department) Manisha Mhaiskar, who is the administrative head of the home department, had signed off on the ACB raid and yet Zirwal had no knowledge of these developments. Moreover, the ACB team had visited the minister’s office on two occasions last week,” sources said.

“Also, the timing of the ACB raid is rather odd, especially considering the fact that Zirwal has been vocal about the merger between the two NCP factions,” sources said indicating the huge discomfort and unease in the BJP about any possible merger of its alliance partner Ajit Pawar-led NCP with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).

On Thursday last week, the ACB caught Rajendra Dherange, the clerk in Zirwal’s office in the state secretariat, accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000 from a chemist red handed, to revoke the suspension of his licence. Dherange, who hails from Zirwal’s constituency in Nashik district, is originally an employee of the state Food & Civil Supplies Department, but was on deputation to the Ministry of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) headed by FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal.

Sources also said that both Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar are in a dilemma about whether to allow Food & Drug Authority Minister Narhari Zirwal to stay in power or make him resign.

“If Zirwal is asked to resign, the Opposition’s efforts to portray the Fadnavis government as corrupt will get a big boost, especially after Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader and former Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate who had been convicted to two years’ imprisonment in a 1995 forgery and cheating case, had to resign on December 18, 2025. Even before that, Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader as well as former Food & Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde too had to resign after his alleged involvement in the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. If Zirwal is allowed to remain a minister, the opposition will keep using it to criticise the Fadnavis government, but even if he is asked to resign, the opposition would still project it as vindication and evidence of its allegation that the Fadnavis government is corrupt. So it is going to be a tough call for both Fadnavis and Sunatra Pawar to make Food & Drug Authority Minister Narhari Zirwal resign or even allow him to remain a minister,” sources said.

Even as Microsoft founder Bill Gates held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers and toured Amravati and the state Secretariat, the red carpet welcome accorded to him in the state drew considerable online criticism due to the billionaire’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein.

Gates was received at Gannavaram Airport by the state IT minister, Nara Lokesh. He then went to the state Secretariat, where he was welcomed by the chief minister, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and the other ministers. The chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation visited the Real Time Government Society for an hour, as the chief minister gave a detailed presentation on the functioning of RTGS towards providing civic services, including using Data Lake and WhatsApp governance.

Naidu recalled his first meeting with Bill Gates in 1997, when he had presented his vision for IT in unified Andhra Pradesh. He said, “What began as a conversation about building a technology ecosystem back then has now evolved into a broader mission of using innovation to transform governance and improve lives at scale… We discussed our priority sectors and explored avenues for collaboration with the Gates Foundation to empower our people and enhance their quality of life.” They also discussed the implementation of the Sanjeevani health project in Naidu’s constituency, Kuppam, with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project includes digital health records and low-cost diagnostic services.

Following his visit to RTGS, Gates accompanied Naidu to Undavalli to get a first-hand look at the upcoming capital city, Amaravati. He was given a traditional welcome, which was followed by a demonstration of the use of drones in farming. “Andhra Pradesh is delivering AI-generated, precise advisories to farmers based on their crops, market prices and soil conditions. We are also actively promoting natural farming and sustainable agricultural practices,” stated Naidu. He also highlighted his plans for 30 per cent green and blue spaces in the capital city.

Gates also recollected his long association with Naidu, terming him his good old friend. He added when he was trying to explain digital governance to the world, Naidu implemented it.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to directly entertain petitions accusing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of making hate speeches against a minority community, directing the petitioners to approach the Gauhati High Court instead.

The pleas were filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI leader Annie Raja, and Assamese scholar Dr Hiren Gohain.

A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi said the jurisdictional High Court was the appropriate forum to consider the matter in the first instance.

“All these issues can be effectively adjudicated by the jurisdictional High Court. We see no reason to entertain this here and thus we relegate the petitioner to the jurisdictional High Court,” the court said, requesting the Gauhati High Court Chief Justice to prioritise the hearing in view of the urgency expressed by the petitioners.

The Bench made it clear that though it had jurisdiction under Article 32, litigants must not bypass High Courts. “You have not even gone to the High Court. I am on the shortcut… In our anxiety to invoke one jurisdiction, we cannot undermine the jurisdiction of another (High Court). This court cannot become a playground for all this,” Chief Justice Surya Kant observed. He added, “Why have you not gone to the High Court? Unless the High Court also has become a ground for political battle.”

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for one of the petitioners, described Chief Minister Sarma as a “habitual and repeat offender” and urged the Court to intervene directly, arguing that the alleged remarks had ramifications beyond Assam. “This affects the fundamental rights under Article 14, 15, and 21… We are seeking a SIT, and what SIT in Assam can do against the Boss of Assam?” he submitted.

The Court, however, rejected suggestions of sending the matter to another High Court. “It cannot become a convenient forum shopping… Sending to another High Court is a serious aspersion which I outrightly reject,” CJI Surya Kant said, cautioning against any “calculated effort” to undermine the authority of the High Courts.

The petitions relate to speeches and a controversial video allegedly depicting inflammatory remarks targeting Muslims, including references to “Miya” voters. While reiterating that it was not commenting on merits, the Court said, “Please go through the channel, trust the High Court and let them decide… if you don’t succeed, come here.”

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria as well as the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take note of the alleged use of government funds to hold an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rally at Killi Chehlan in Moga on Monday.

In a statement here, senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the AAP was playing deceitful politics by linking its rally with the government’s ‘Yudh Nashain Virudh’ scheme, even though its purpose was to blow the bugle for its election campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections. “Government funds were not only used to ferry people to the rally, but the entire cost of the event has also been charged to the government, despite the fact that the rally was presided over by AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Delhi leadership of the party, which has no role in governance in Punjab,” he added.

Terming this kind of politics shameful, Dr Cheema said the rally also witnessed purely political speeches and the levelling of wild allegations against political opponents. He urged both the Governor and the ECI to initiate the process of recovering the entire amount spent on the rally from the AAP, as it was held against norms and could not qualify as a government event.

The SAD leader also condemned the manner in which the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police were allegedly made to address a political rally. He said this would result in the politicisation of the state bureaucracy and was not good for democracy. “Tomorrow, the AAP government may force district-level officers to address political rallies and become part and parcel of the party,” he said, adding that free and fair elections could not be expected in such a situation.

The co-hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have finally announced themselves on the big stage, with Sri Lanka storming into the Super 8s after a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia in Pallekele on Monday.

The victory sealed Sri Lanka’s qualification for the next round, while Australia’s tournament fate now hangs by a thread following their second defeat in three matches.

Australia posted 181 all out in their do-or-die Group B clash. Despite racing to 104/0 inside nine overs, the visitors suffered a dramatic collapse, losing all 10 wickets for just 77 runs.

Travis Head (56 off 29) and Mitchell Marsh (54 off 27) laid a strong foundation with aggressive powerplay batting, but Sri Lanka clawed back through disciplined bowling. Dushan Hemantha (3/37) and Dushmantha Chameera (2/36) led the fightback as Australia’s innings unravelled late, including the loss of their final five wickets for just seven runs.

In reply, Pathum Nissanka produced a historic innings, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls to lead Sri Lanka to victory with 12 balls to spare. His century, only the second by a Sri Lankan batter in T20 World Cup history, underlined the hosts’ dominance and capped a flawless group-stage run. Sri Lanka chased down the target with composure, exposing Australia’s bowling struggles under pressure.

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bowl first, backing his attack to exploit early conditions. Australia made three changes to their playing XI, bringing in Mitchell Marsh, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett for the must-win encounter. Sri Lanka also made a change, with Kusal Mendis returning to the side in place of Kamil Mishara as the co-hosts bolstered their batting depth.

Australia’s campaign was already on shaky ground after their shock defeat to Zimbabwe, making this a high-stakes contest in the Super 8 race. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, entered the match with momentum after wins over Ireland and Oman, and their victory here confirmed their status as serious contenders heading into the knockout phase.

Australia vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup: Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (Playing XI):
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Australia (Playing XI):
Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa