The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday stayed the bulldozer-style demolitions against the petitioners of Hamirpur district in the Bundelkhand region until further orders.

The Court stayed the potential demolition of properties belonging to a family in the Bharua Sumerpur area of Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The petitioners have filed a petition to protect their properties from demolition. The next hearing in the case will be taken up on February 25.

The order was issued by a division bench of Justices Atul Shridhar and Siddharth Nandan while hearing the petition filed by Faimuddin and two others. The court stated that action can be taken against the petitioners following due process under the law until the next hearing, but their properties will not be demolished without further court orders.

The court has given the state government two weeks to file a response.

On January 21, the Allahabad High Court’s division bench expressed displeasure and made harsh remarks during the hearing. The court had stated that, despite the Supreme Court’s November 2024 ruling against such actions, punitive demolitions of buildings have continued in the state.

The court has affirmed the Supreme Court’s decision. Citing that demolitions have continued in Uttar Pradesh despite the order, the petitioners have sought judicial intervention from the high court to prevent the potential destruction of their properties.

The petitioners’ counsel filed a supplementary affidavit, which was taken on record.

In the 14th match of the T20 world cup 2026, Australia registered a dominant 67-run victory over Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, Australia posted a competitive 182/6 in their tournament opener despite a shaky start. Stand-in captain Travis Head was run out for 6 off 7 balls following a mix-up with Josh Inglis, but Inglis and Cameron Green launched a counterattack with a brisk 49-run stand in just 23 balls. Green smashed 21 off 11 balls before falling to Mark Adair, while Inglis impressed with 37 off 17 deliveries, striking six fours and a six.

Glenn Maxwell failed to capitalise on the platform, edging Lorcan Tucker for 9, leaving Australia at 90/4 at the halfway stage. Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis then steadied the innings with a crucial 61-run partnership, mixing smart strike rotation with timely boundaries. Renshaw scored 37 off 33 balls before being bowled by Matthew Humphreys, while Stoinis narrowly missed a half-century, scoring 45 off 29 balls. Mark Adair was the standout bowler for Ireland with figures of 2/44, while Humphreys, George Dockrell and Harry Tector picked up a wicket each.

In response, Ireland’s chase never gained momentum as Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa ran through the batting lineup. Ellis finished with sensational figures of 4/12 in 3.5 overs, while Zampa claimed 4/23 to bundle Ireland out for 115 in 16.5 overs. George Dockrell top-scored for Ireland with 41 off 29 balls, but lacked support from the other batters.

Brief Scores:
Australia 182/6 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 45, Matthew Renshaw 37; Mark Adair 2/44)
Ireland 115 all out in 16.5 overs (George Dockrell 41; Nathan Ellis 4/12, Adam Zampa 4/23)
Australia won by 67 runs.

Match Context

Ireland enter the contest looking to bounce back after a 20-run defeat to Sri Lanka in their Group B opener on February 8. Despite controlling the middle phase with spin, Ireland’s performance was undermined by sloppy fielding, including five dropped catches, which allowed Sri Lanka to recover and post a competitive total.

Australia enter the opener without several key veterans, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

Reflecting on their recent T20I loss to Pakistan, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh said:

“We were outplayed by Pakistan. And yeah, we’ve left it there, and we’re ready to move on.”

Highlighting the team’s preparation ahead of today’s match, Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan said:

“We’ve done some of that work over the last 24 hours leading into this game. Very clear around some of the plans that we’ve got in place for some of the Australian players. And if we can adapt to the situation and the conditions quickly out there, hopefully the boys can execute their skills well tomorrow.”

Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026: Playing XI

Ireland:
Paul Stirling(c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Australia:
Travis Head (c), Josh Inglis (w), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa

Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

Event: Australia vs Ireland, T20 World Cup 2026 (Group B)

Venue: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo

Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026: Live Streaming Details

Where to watch the Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup match live on TV?

The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India.

Where to watch the Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup match live streaming?

Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website in India.

Australia vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026: Head-to-Head Stats

Total T20Is: 2

Australia won: 2

Ireland won: 0

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand reached Agra on Wednesday to have a glimpse of the seventh-century monument of love ‘Taj Mahal’. She was a state guest of the Uttar Pradesh government and arrived here following a tour of Rajasthan.
She reached the Taj Mahal with a delegation in the morning, and stayed there for about one and a half hours. She also got a photo shoot done, and expressed admiration for the monumment . A guide informed her about the history of Taj Mahal.

After Taj Mahal, she also visited the Agra Fort. It was a private visit for the Princess. Strict security measures were in place for her, including coordination between Thai security agencies and local police.

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratna had reached Agra a day earlier by a special plane and had spent the night in a hotel. She will leave for Bangkok by a special flight this afternoon.

More than watching movies, I find web series and old American sitcoms far more interesting and engaging. Web series offer greater scope for creativity and imagination. In ‘The Vampire Diaries’ on Netflix, there are several scenes that sweep you off the feet and the cinematography is so convincing. The series is old, and many of us grew up watching such dramas where the merging of reality and imagination worked beautifully. But let’s agree, old is gold!

The story of the Salvatore brothers and their journey throughout the series is remarkable. The narrative blends elements seamlessly. And with every episode, it just gets more intriguing. While nearing the end of Season 6, it’s noteworthy to reflect how far the overall storyline has evolved. There are several instances in the drama that make you feel a deep personal connection.

What particularly triggered me the most lately is one of the most beautifully explored concepts in the series: Humanity Switch. Until Season 5, Stefan Salvatore had multiple moments where he turned off his humanity and awakened the ripper within him. Paul Wesley’s portrayal of Stefan is so compelling that it feels incredibly real. But what truly sits right to understand the depth of the Humanity Switch was when Caroline Forbes turns it off during Season 6, after losing her mother to cancer and feeling abandoned due to Stefan’s emotional negligence in their relationship.

That entire arc pushes you to think deeply. The scenario is fictional, we know! A vampire grieving her mother and shutting down emotionally, doesn’t it feel familiar? There are moments in human life too when pain becomes unbearable, when heartbreak is so devastating that we wish we could rip off our humanity just to survive. This is the art of survival.

Also Read: Nina Dobrev speaks out on ‘The Vampire Diaries’: Played double roles, paid less

More than vampires, it speaks profoundly about humans and the emotional realities of life.

It is also striking how she gets her humanity back. After going through so much and destroying almost everything, there comes a pivotal moment when Stefan helps Caroline see her mother through visions. Her emotions make her realise that losing humanity was never an option. It was merely escapism. In her vision, she sees her mother and Stefan talking about her just moments before Liz passes away.

Love, emotion, compassion, and a true bond reflect back at her and help her understand what she needs to do.

When we lose hope, we feel lost. We give up on humanity. Yet a single ray of hope, filled with love and compassion, can begin to heal us.

If someone tells you ‘The Vampire Diaries’ is just about vampires, love triangles or supernatural chaos, ask them to have a second thought. It is more about the fragile nature of human emotions. The Humanity Switch may be fictional. But the desire to shut down when pain overwhelms us is very real. Perhaps that is why the series continues to resonate. Yes, we are all flawed!

And beneath these fangs and fantasy, it quietly tells the story of us.

BJP’s three-time corporator Ritu Tawde from Ghatkopar West was elected unopposed as the Mayor of Mumbai’s civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on Wednesday, ending the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s 25-year reign over the richest civic body in India since 1997.

The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Ghadi was also elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor.

Both Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi took over charge from Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The CM and his deputy were present at their swearing-in ceremony, bringing the curtains down on the political process that began with the municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra.

The BMC is India’s richest civic body, with its budget for 2025-26 pegged at Rs 74,450 crore, which is more than the budgets of several state governments.

Earlier, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was keen to ensure that the BJP faces a tough contest, but later he accepted the reality of not having enough number of elected Sena corporators for such a contest and decided to back out of putting up candidates for the posts of Mumbai mayor and deputy mayor.

Earlier on Wednesday, a large police contingent was deployed outside BMC headquarters opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, known as Victoria Terminus earlier, as Fadnavis arrived at the BMC headquarters. As the CM entered the BMC headquarters building, BJP corporators began chanting “Devabhau, Devabhau (Brother Devendra)” loudly, which was answered by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena corporators who shouted “Chor Hai Chor Hai (He’s a thief)”.

There was a huge commotion even before the proceedings of the house began at the BMC headquarters. After a while, the atmosphere calmed down until BJP corporators began shouting pro-Modi slogans, which were countered by Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena corporators who retorted again with “Chor Hai, Chor Hai”.

Speaking to media persons after the proceedings of the house concluded, CM Fadnavis congratulated Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and said, “Members of our Mahayuti grand alliance have been elected as the mayor and deputy mayor. Ritu Tawde is known as an experienced and transparent leader. She has taken an active role in solving the problems of Mumbaikars in the past. Sanjay Ghadi’s experience will also be useful as the deputy mayor”.

“Our effort will be to run the kind of administration expected by the late Hindu Hriday Samrat (Emperor of Hindu Hearts) Balasaheb Thackeray, on the occasion of his birth centenary. Our mayor, deputy mayor and all office bearers will together give a direction to this municipal corporation. They will fulfill the dreams of ordinary Mumbaikars. The Mahayuti alliance government will do the work of giving it full strength. Eknath Shinde and I will stand behind them with full strength. We will work to give momentum to the new Mumbai, which we will build through them,” Fadnavis said.

As per the new rules, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani was appointed as the presiding officer of the elections. However, the Shiv Sena-UBT objected to the change in rules made by the Fadnavis government through a notification regarding who should be the presiding officer during the election of the new mayor.

According to the earlier rule, the outgoing mayor or the senior-most corporator used to function as the presiding officer when the mayor was elected, but as per the new notification, the power to be the returning officer was given to an officer of the rank of the Principal Secretary. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has the rank of Principal Secretary, and hence he functioned as presiding officer during the mayor’s election.

Also, the concept of an “outgoing mayor” was not applicable this time, since the term of the previous municipal council had already expired for almost three years. Yet, if the old rules had been followed, senior corporator Shraddha Jadhav of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena would have had the right to be the presiding officer during the election of the mayor.

The Child Education Society (CES) hosted the 4th CES Vidya Utsav on 7 February 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre Auditorium, ND – bringing together policymakers, educators, cultural thinkers and education stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue on reimagining education to shape future-ready citizens.

The event was graced by Mr Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, who addressed the gathering on the theme “Shaping Futures Beyond Classrooms” .He emphasised the need for experiential and application-based learning to nurture critical thinking, adaptability and real-world skills among students. He also highlighted the importance of multilingualism in enhancing access, inclusivity and the overall impact of education.

Mr Nikhil Channa, President, Child Education Society, in his address, focused on redefining education to make it more relevant, holistic and inclusive, underscoring the importance of a value-based and humane approach that nurtures empathy, character and social responsibility alongside academic excellence.

A panel discussion examined key contemporary themes, including building employability skills, strengthening Public–Private Partnerships, effective utilisation of school-level autonomy, and the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence, acknowledging its irreversible impact on the education system. The panel comprised Dr Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer, AICTE and CEO, Anuvadini AI; Ms Lakshmi Kaul, expert in public policy, trade policy, skilling and education; Dr Vinnie Jauhari, educationist, author and Director – Education Industry, Microsoft Elevate; and Dr Biswajit Saha, Director, Skill Education and Training, CBSE. The session was moderated by Mr Sharad Arora, Member, Board of Management and Advisor (IT), CES.

The afternoon session, themed “Vidya, Vivek, Vikas – The Indian Triad of 21st Century Education,” featured a compelling address by Mr Ashutosh Rana, renowned actor, author and cultural thinker. He held the audience spellbound with his wisdom and artistic articulation, stimulating intellectual engagement and earning widespread appreciation. He reflected on the significance of knowledge (Vidya), wisdom (Vivek) and progress (Vikas) in education, advocating a shift from livelihood-centric learning to living with purpose, and lauded CES for celebrating the arts and nurturing values among children.

The cultural segment featured a choir-orchestral presentation “Ragamala — A Garland of Ragas” and a classical dance recital, offering a tribute to India’s rich and diverse intangible cultural heritage.

The felicitation of distinguished alumni and stalwart leaders emerged as a defining moment of the event, recognising their enduring contributions to society and their deep association with CES.

The conclave concluded with Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr L. V. Sehgal, Joint Secretary, CES, who acknowledged the pivotal role of all stakeholders—especially educators—in shaping the future of the nation, and commended their unwavering commitment to nurturing responsible, value-driven citizens.

The 4th CES Vidya Utsav reaffirmed CES’s vision of education that integrates knowledge, wisdom and progress, preparing learners to contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the US-India trade deal, alleging the Narendra Modi government had sold the country in finalising the agreement.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Union Budget 2026-27, Rahul referred to PM Narendra Modi and alleged, “You have sold India, are you not ashamed? Do you have no shame?”

“They are choking him, we see fear in the PM’s eyes,” the Congress leader alleged further, adding he has surrendered India’s future before the US.

‘Indian data compromised’

Rahul said the data of 1.4 billion Indians was a key strength of the country and the Modi government had compromised on the same while finalising the trade deal with the US.

“In a contest between the US and China, the key is the Indian data. If the US wants to remain a superpower, Indian data is the key, because the Chinese have their own pool of data of about 1.4 billion people. Population is not a disaster but our biggest asset,” he told the House.

“Now what has happened? You’ve done a trade deal. The thing that is going to transform India in the 21st century, the thing that is going to make us a superpower in the 21st century, this is what the Modi government has done with our data. We have given up control over our digital trade rules. Number two, there is no need for data localisation. Number three, free data flow to the United States. Number four, limit on digital tax. Number five, no need to disclose any source code. The finance minister is smiling. She likes to smile a lot. 20-year free tax holiday to anybody who wants it, to the big tax company. This is what you’ve done on data,” Rahul alleged.

#WATCH | In the Parliament, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “… I am saying that you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? Do you have no shame in selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata. The interesting thing is that I know that… pic.twitter.com/3eSekTdlqO

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2026

Rahul said if the INDIA alliance was in power at the Centre and it was doing the trade deal, it would tell the US President: “The first thing we would say is President Trump, the most important thing in this equation is Indian data. You want to protect your dollar? We are your friends. We appreciate you. We want to help you protect your dollar. But please remember that if you want to protect your dollar, the biggest asset that can protect your dollar is lying with the Indian people.”

“President Trump, if you want access to this data, then please understand that you are going to talk to us as an equal. You’re not going to talk to us as if we are your servants. Second thing we would say is Mr Trump, please understand that our energy security is our energy security. No matter what happens, we are going to protect our energy security. The third thing we would say is, President Trump, we understand that you have a voter base, an agricultural voter base. We understand that you need to protect your farmers, but we will also protect our farmers,” he added.

Rahul on US tariffs

The Congress leader also criticised the government on the issue of tariffs, stating while the US tariff on Indian goods has increased from 3 per cent to 18 per cent, while their duty has come down from 16 per cent to zero.

Earlier, beginning his speech, Rahul said we are now living in a world of energy and finance weaponisation where the US dominance and the dollar are being challenged.

“The world is moving away from stability to instability, to a dangerous world… we are moving away from a world with one superpower to where there are possibly multiple superpowers,” he said.

Rahul added that at the centre of all this is the world of AI, where data is the key.

He also listed three biggest strengths of India, which include the 1.4 billion population, food self-sufficiency and energy.

“The Budget recognises these strengths, dollar weaponisation, and US dominance. But there is nothing in the Budget about energy and finance weaponisation or geopolitical crisis,” he said.

During his speech, Rahul also mentioned the names of businessmen Gautam Adani and Anil Ambani.

“At the centre of our defence budget is a choke applied by Adani… There is a businessman named Anil Ambani. I want to ask why is he not in jail? The reason is that his name is in the Epstein Files. I would also like to ask (Union minister) Hardeep Puri, who introduced him to Epstein. I know who introduced him, and Hardeep Puri knows who introduced him…”

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju intervened and asked Rahul Gandhi to authenticate the allegations that he has levelled on the floor of the House.

“All the points you have made have serious repercussions, so you will have to authenticate that,” Rijiju said. To this, Rahul Gandhi responded, “I will authenticate right now and I will give it.”

Subedaar Teaser: Just when the streaming space starts to feel crowded, Prime Video drops a teaser that says this is not a quiet release. ‘Subedaar’ is coming, and it wants your full attention.

At the heart of ‘Subedaar’ is Arjun Maurya, a retired soldier who doesn’t quite fit into the modern world he now lives in. Anil Kapoor plays this tough, disciplined man who once lived by rules, honour and service.

Retirement, however, is not peaceful for him. Crime, corruption and moral decay surround him, and his personal life is no less messy.

Also Read: Coffee with Jalan: Inside the legal battle between Karan Johar and CarryMinati over YouTube parody

 

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Arjun’s relationship with his family, especially his daughter, is strained. As the world around him changes fast, his values are tested at every step.

The film is directed by Suresh Triveni, known for emotionally rich stories like ‘Tumhari Sulu,’ ‘Jalsa’ and ‘Daldal.’ This time, he blends emotion with intensity. The screenplay is written by Triveni along with Prajwal Chandrashekar.

Subedaar cast

Backing up Kapoor and Radhikka Madan is a solid supporting cast. Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik and Mona Singh appear in key roles.

‘Subedaar’ is produced by Vikram Malhotra, Anil Kapoor and Suresh Triveni under Opening Image Films, in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network.

When and where to watch ‘Subedaar’

‘Subedaar’ will stream exclusively on Prime Video starting March 5. The film will be available in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh presented a tax-free budget of Rs 9,12,696 crore for the financial year 2026-2027 in the state assembly on Wednesday.

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said that this budget reflects the government’s commitment to the state’s holistic, balanced, and infrastructure-led development.

The Finance Minister informed that Uttar Pradesh has secured first place among the country’s landlocked states in the Export Preparedness Index-2024, released by NITI Aayog in January 2026, a testament to the state’s export potential and industrial progress.

Referring to the agricultural sector, he said that Uttar Pradesh is the country’s leading agricultural producer. The state contributes the most to the national production of wheat, paddy, sugarcane, potatoes, bananas, mangoes, guavas, amla, and mint.

Highlighting the expansion of irrigation facilities, the Finance Minister stated that while the irrigated area was 21.6 million hectares in 2016-2017, it will increase by 6 million hectares in 2024-2025. Crop intensity has also increased to 193.7 per cent in 2024-2025 from 162.7 per cent in 2016-2017.

Referring to achievements in the energy sector, he said that, compared to 5,878 MW of thermal power generation capacity in 2016-2017, 9,120 MW has been achieved in the financial year 2025-2026 (till December 2025), an increase of 55.16 per cent.

The state government is also paying special attention to the development of green and clean energy sources. So far, 2,815 MW of solar power projects have been installed in the state.

The Finance Minister said that the budget presented is an important step towards making the state self-reliant, energy efficient, and agriculturally and industrially strong.

Khanna said that the state has witnessed an all-round development during the previous and current tenures of the government.

He said that significant progress has been made in the areas of strengthening law and order, expansion of infrastructure facilities, industrial investment, employment generation, women empowerment, youth skill development, farmer prosperity, and poverty alleviation.

The Finance Minister informed that according to the quick estimates for 2024-2025, the state’s GSDP is estimated at Rs 30.25 lakh crore, which represents an increase of 13.4 per cent compared to the previous year. He stated that the state’s per capita income has been estimated at Rs 109,844, which is more than double that of Rs 54,564 in 2016-2017. Per capita income is projected to reach Rs 120,000 in 2025-2026.

He claimed that the state government has succeeded in lifting approximately 60 million people out of multidimensional poverty, and the unemployment rate has declined to 2.24 per cent.

Khanna stated that Uttar Pradesh’s ranking in the SDG India Index has improved from 29th in 2018-2019 to 18th in 2023-2024.

Highlighting achievements in the field of industrial investment, the Finance Minister stated that MoUs worth approximately Rs 50 lakh crore have been signed so far at the fourth Global Investors Summit held in February 2024, which are expected to create approximately 1 million jobs. Of these, four groundbreaking ceremonies have been held for over 16,000 projects involving investments worth approximately Rs 15 lakh crore.

He stated that Uttar Pradesh has become the country’s largest mobile phone manufacturing hub, accounting for 65 per cent of the country’s total mobile phone production. A total of 55 per cent of India’s electronic component units are located in the state, and electronics exports have reached Rs 44,744 crore.

The Finance Minister stated that efforts to promote innovation, along with investment in industry and technology, have resulted in Uttar Pradesh achieving “Leader Category” status in the national startup rankings.

He expressed confidence that the presented budget will further empower the state economically and take it to new heights of development.

After days of uncertainty and intense discussions surrounding the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, clarity has finally emerged, with Pakistan confirming they will play the match on February 15 in Colombo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and the country’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, said Pakistan’s initial boycott threat was aimed solely at securing “respect” for Bangladesh, following their removal from the tournament.

Pakistan had earlier announced they would boycott the marquee group-stage fixture against India, but on Monday, the Pakistani government reversed its stance and directed the national team to take the field as scheduled.

“We didn’t keep any condition other than Bangladesh. Our only aim was to get Bangladesh some respect, to right the injustice that had been done to them,” Naqvi told reporters in Peshawar, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“You’ve seen whatever Bangladesh wanted, it’s been accepted. We had no personal aim in this. When their demands were accepted, and it was acknowledged that they suffered an injustice, we decided to play again,” he added.

Pakistan’s boycott decision came in support of Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland in the tournament after the ICC rejected their request to shift matches out of India due to security concerns.

Pakistan government confirms decision to play

The ICC subsequently held a meeting with the PCB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to resolve the issue. Following the discussions, the Pakistan government issued an official statement confirming the team’s participation in the February 15 fixture.

“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the statement read.

“This decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket and supporting the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations.”

BCB appreciates Pakistan’s support

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Md Aminul Islam Bulbul praised Pakistan’s stance, thanking the country for its support during the controversy.

“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” Bulbul said.

He also urged Pakistan to play the match for the benefit of the tournament and the wider cricket ecosystem.

Following the talks, the ICC confirmed that Bangladesh would not face sanctions for refusing to play their matches in India and that they have been awarded hosting rights for an ICC event between 2028 and 2031.

The Kollam Vigilance Court on Wednesday granted statutory bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President and ex-Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu in connection with the alleged theft of gold from the door frames of the Sabarimala temple. The relief came after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file its charge sheet within the stipulated 90-day period.

The court imposed stringent conditions while granting bail. Vasu has been barred from entering Pathanamthitta district and is prohibited from leaving the state. He has also been directed to appear before the investigating officers every Tuesday and Friday until further orders.

Vasu is among the accused granted statutory bail due to the SIT’s failure to submit the charge sheet within the legally mandated time frame. Earlier, four other accused — Unnikrishnan Potty, Murari S. Babu, S. Sreekumar, and Sudheesh Kumar — had secured similar relief from the court.

The alleged offence dates back to 2019, when Vasu was serving as Devaswom Commissioner. He was arrested on November 11, 2025, as part of the ongoing probe into the disappearance of gold-plated copper sheets from the temple’s door frames.

According to the SIT, Vasu allegedly described gold-plated copper sheets merely as copper sheets in official correspondence to the Board. Investigators claim that this communication prompted the Board to initiate steps to remove the gilded sheets from the temple artefacts under the pretext of maintenance work and hand them over to Unnikrishnan Potty.

Vasu, a former CPM leader, has held several public positions over the years. He previously served as President of the Kulakada Panchayat in Kollam and was personal assistant to P.K. Gurudasan during his tenure as minister in the V.S. Achuthanandan government from 2006 to 2011. He has also been a member of the Vigilance Tribunal.

Currently practicing as an advocate at the Vanchiyoor court in Thiruvananthapuram, Vasu served twice as Devaswom Commissioner before being appointed TDB President in 2019. Notably, he was the first former Devaswom Commissioner to assume the post of Travancore Devaswom Board President.

The investigation into the alleged temple gold theft remains ongoing.

Confident of the DMK forming the government on its own for the second consecutive time in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday ruled out power-sharing, maintaining that such an experiment is not suitable for the Dravidian heartland.

“The DMK will form the next government on its own. Our alliance is very strong, and there is no rift between the DMK and the Congress. The question of sharing power does not even arise. It is not suitable for Tamil Nadu, and both the DMK and the Congress are aware of the same,” he said at a private event in Chennai. “Some are bent upon dividing us, but we are not bothered since we remain as strong as ever and will face the 2026 assembly election together,” he added.

Effusive about his cordial relationship with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the DMK chief said, “Rahul sees me like a brother, and besides politics, we share a lot.” The personal rapport between Rahul and Stalin remains a bedrock of the DMK’s alliance with the Congress, and both parties have been journeying together since the 2016 Assembly elections.

Significantly, Stalin, dismissing the demand from a section of the Congress for a share in power, came a day after the DMK announced that the party would commence seat-sharing parleys with the allies, including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Left Parties, and others, on February 22. This has come after exasperated Congress leaders vented out their frustration at big brother DMK inordinately delaying the process for more than two months after the grand old party had constituted a committee for the purpose. In the first week of December last year, the Congress panel, headed by Kirish Chodankar, had made a courtesy call on Stalin. However, the DMK, irritated by the demand for power-sharing, had tested the patience of the Congress by not even forming the party’s committee to hold the seat-sharing talks.

The DMK’s announcement had enthused not only the Congress but also the other constituents of the alliance. The Congress is believed to be making a hard bargain to secure more seats than it had contested last time. In the 2021 election, the Congress won 18 out of the 25 seats it had contested. On the Congress’ demand for more seats, analysts opine that the national party, despite its vote share coming down, acts as a multiplier for the alliance and brings secular credentials to it.

Coffee with Jalan: Bollywood drama does not always unfold on the big screen. Sometimes, it plays out in courtrooms and on YouTube timelines. The latest clash? Filmmaker Karan Johar versus YouTube superstar CarryMinati. And this time, the judge has spoken.

The growing friendship between Bollywood celebrities and digital creators has been one of the biggest trends in recent years. From film promotions to podcast appearances, the two worlds are mixing like never before. But this week showed that not every crossover ends in smiles.

Also Read: Imanvi Ismail rumoured to romance 24-year-older Pawan Kalyan in Surender Reddy’s next film: Reports

Karan Johar vs CarryMinati

Director Karan Johar recently filed a legal case against Ajey Nagar, better known as CarryMinati. Johar claimed that certain videos on CarryMinati’s channel were defamatory and damaging to his reputation.

The case was heard in a Mumbai court, where Civil Judge PG Bhosale passed an interim order in Johar’s favour. The court has directed Ajey Nagar to remove all existing content that targets Johar in any way. The order is temporary for now, but it clearly sides with the filmmaker.

Apart from Ajey Nagar, the lawsuit also named his manager Deepak Char, One Hand Clap Media Pvt Ltd, Google, and Meta as defendants.

What sparked the legal battle?

The controversy began after CarryMinati uploaded a roast video titled ‘Coffee with Jalan’. Johar’s legal team argued that the video was modeled around Johar’s famous celebrity chat show ‘Koffee with Karan’.

In the roast, CarryMinati reportedly targeted Karan Johar directly. The video also included commentary about Bollywood and nepotism, a topic that has already been sensitive in the industry for years.

Ajey’s lawyer informed the court that the video in question had already been deleted from the channel. According to the defense, since the content was no longer available, there was no need for further legal action.

However Johar’s legal team disagreed. They argued that clips from original video are still circulating online. In their view, damage had already been done and simply deleting the video was not enough.

Court observations and injunction

Johar’s lawyer, representing DSK Legal, requested an injunction to stop Ajey from creating or sharing any more content that could harm the director’s reputation.

According to reports, Johar’s side told the court that the filmmaker has built his name and goodwill “painstakingly over the decades.” They argued that the online content posted by Ajey appeared to ridicule him and damage that hard-earned reputation.

The court agreed with this concern. In its observation, it stated that it “appears that the defendants no. 1 and 2 (Nagar and Char) have made defamatory statements and used vulgar language against the plaintiff.”

As a result, the court granted a temporary injunction in Johar’s favour. The judge also noted that the court did not have jurisdiction to fully try and entertain the suit, but the interim relief was still provided.

Who is CarryMinati?

For those unfamiliar with the name, CarryMinati is one of India’s biggest YouTube creators. Ajey Nagar started out with gaming content. Over time, his channel evolved into a mix of gaming footage and commentary on trending topics.

His roast style and bold opinions made him hugely popular among young audiences. Today, he has over 45.3 million subscribers on YouTube, making him one of the most followed creators in the country.

CarryMinati has also collaborated with several big names. His most recent collaboration was with global YouTube star KSI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Assam on Saturday (February 14) on a day-long programme to inaugurate multiple infrastructure projects, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister will arrive at Chabua airbase in Dibrugarh and proceed to Moran to inaugurate the Advanced Emergency Landing Facility (AELF), the first highway-based AELF in the Northeast.

Built on a 4.2 km stretch of National Highway-37 (NH-2), the facility serves as a strategic dual-use infrastructure designed for the landing of aircraft during combat or disaster, enhancing security near the China border.

Sarma said 16 Indian Air Force combat aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi, and Tejas jets, etc, will land and take off from the Moran facility following the inauguration. Modi will then fly from Moran to Guwahati, the chief minister said.

“In Guwahati, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the bridge between the Guwahati and North Guwahati over the Brahmaputra River, which itself is an architectural marvel, and inaugurate the temporary campus of the IIM Guwahati virtually from the Lachit Ghat in Guwahati,” he said.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate a Hyper Scale Data Centre built at Amingaon in Guwahati, the same day, and dedicate to the people of Assam about 100 EV and CNG buses. “Following this inauguration, the Prime Minister would visit the Veterinary field ground at Khanapara to address the BJ booth Sanmilani, where lakhs of booth level members of the BJ would arrive,” he said, adding that Modi will leave for New Delhi the same evening.

Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on Wednesday presented the State Budget for 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly, highlighting what he described as “all-round development” achieved during the previous and current tenures of the Yogi Adityanath government.

Highlighting the state’s improved national standing and industrial progress, the Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister cited improved rankings in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“Uttar Pradesh’s ranking in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index has improved from 29th in 2018-2019 to 18th in 2023-2024. The state government successfully organised the fourth Global Investors Summit in February 2024. MoUs worth approximately Rs 50 lakh crore have been signed so far, potentially creating approximately 1 million jobs. Of these, four groundbreaking ceremonies have been held for over 16,000 projects involving an investment of approximately Rs 15 lakh crore,” Khanna said while addressing the state assembly.

“Uttar Pradesh is India’s largest mobile phone manufacturing hub. The state produces 65 per cent of the country’s total mobile phone production. 55 per cent of India’s electronics component units are located in the state. The state’s electronics exports have reached Rs 44,744 crore. Investment in industry and technology, along with efforts to promote innovation in the state, has resulted in Uttar Pradesh achieving a ‘Leader Category’ ranking in the national startup rankings,” he added.

Emphasising economic growth indicators and social development outcomes, Khanna reiterated the government’s performance during both tenures.
“The state has witnessed all-round development during the previous and current tenures of our government, including strengthening law and order, expanding infrastructure, industrial investment, employment generation, women’s empowerment, youth skill development, farmer prosperity, and poverty alleviation,” the UP Finance Minister asserted.
Speaking further in the Assembly, Khanna underlined infrastructure-led development, agricultural output and energy capacity expansion.

“The state’s commitment to infrastructure-led development is evidenced by the state’s ranking among landlocked states in the Export Preparedness Index 2024, released by NITI Aayog in January 2026. The state is a leading agricultural producer in the country. The state contributes the highest nationally in wheat, paddy, sugarcane, potatoes, bananas, mangoes, guavas, amla, and mint production. The irrigated area in the state has increased by 6 million hectares to 2.76 million hectares in 2024-2025, compared to 2.16 crore hectares in 2016-2017,” he said.

“Crop intensity, which was 162.7 per cent in 2016-2017, has increased to 193.7 per cent in 2024-2025. Compared with 5,878 MW of thermal power generation capacity in 2016-2017, 12,120 MW has been achieved in the current financial year 2025-2026 (till December 2025), an increase of 55.16 per cent. Our government is developing green and clean energy sources. So far, a total of 2815 MW solar power projects have been installed in the state,” he added.
The Budget Session is scheduled to run from February 9 to February 20, with the state budget for the 2026-27 financial year to be presented on February 11.

At least 52 people have died after the passenger-cargo ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 sank near Basilan province in the southern Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard said Tuesday, as rescue teams continue to search for any remaining victims

A total of 316 survivors have been rescued.
Divers recovered one more body early Tuesday during search and rescue operations near Baluk-Baluk Island, bringing the total fatalities to 52, the PCG said, citing ongoing efforts by technical dive teams.

The vessel sank on the night of January 26, approximately one nautical mile from Basilan, with 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board. Authorities said technical issues were the likely cause of the sinking.

“At approximately 7 am, PCG technical divers commenced operations at the wreck site. Fifteen minutes later, the dive team recovered one female victim from the sunken vessel,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. The body was retrieved by the PCG ship BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and secured for proper handling.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, as authorities continue to account for all passengers and crew aboard the ferry.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has made a striking admission regarding the country’s historical alignment with the United States, accusing Washington of exploiting Islamabad for its strategic interests before abandoning it once its objectives were achieved.

Speaking in Pakistan’s National Assembly, Asif acknowledged the country’s controversial past links with terrorism, describing them as errors made during periods of military rule.

He stated that Pakistan often avoids confronting its own history related to terrorism and called it a “mistake committed by dictators in the past.”

The minister also described Pakistan’s participation in two Afghan wars as a grave error, asserting that the terrorism currently being faced by the country is largely the consequence of those decisions.

Asif reflected on Islamabad’s strategic realignment with Washington after 1999, particularly in the context of developments in Afghanistan, which he said caused long-term damage to Pakistan.

Highlighting the fallout of the post-September 11, 2001, geopolitical shift, Asif said the price Pakistan paid for supporting the United States in its global war on terror was enormous.

“Pakistan was treated worse than a piece of toilet paper and was used for a purpose and then thrown away,” he said.

The Defence Minister noted that Pakistan once again sided with Washington during the US-led war in Afghanistan after 2001, a move that also involved turning against the Taliban.

He said that although the United States eventually withdrew from the region, Pakistan was left to deal with the aftermath, including prolonged violence, rising radicalisation and economic challenges.

Asif also questioned the narrative that Pakistan’s participation in the Afghan conflicts was motivated by religious duty.

He admitted that many Pakistanis were mobilised to fight under the banner of jihad and said that this framing proved to be misleading and severely damaging to the country’s long-term stability.

Addressing lawmakers, Asif stated that “two former military dictators (Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf) had joined the war in Afghanistan, not for the sake of Islam, but to appease a superpower.”

He further said, “We deny our history and do not accept our mistakes. Terrorism is a blowback of the mistakes committed by dictators in the past.”

The minister emphasised that the damage suffered by Pakistan due to these policies cannot be undone.

“The losses we suffered can never be compensated,” Asif said, describing the country’s past decisions as “irreversible” mistakes.

Asif also claimed that Pakistan’s education system underwent ideological changes during these periods to justify involvement in the wars, adding that these shifts in narratives continue to influence the country’s social and political fabric even today.