The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced India's 15-member T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Saturday, dropping vice-captain Shubman Gill and recalling Ishan Kishan. Kishan earned his return after scoring 517 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a strike rate of 197.32, hitting 33 sixes and 51 fours while captaining Jharkhand to victory. Rinku Singh and Axar Patel also returned to the squad. Gill, who replaced Rohit Sharma as ODI captain, scored just 32 runs across three T20I innings against South Africa before injury. Jitesh Sharma lost his place to Kishan, while Shahbaz Ahmed was dropped. This marks Gill's second consecutive exclusion from a T20 World Cup squad. (PC: Times Now)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first nature-themed airport terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati on Saturday, calling it a "new chapter" in Assam's development. Built at nearly Rs 4,000 crore, the nature-inspired terminal reflects the region's natural landscape and will enhance passenger capacity, connectivity, tourism, and trade across the Northeast. Modi described the occasion as celebrating development for the entire Northeast, not just Assam. During his two-day visit, he will pay homage to 1979 Assam Movement martyrs, interact with students aboard Brahmaputra cruise vessel 'Charaideo' under 'Pariksha pe Charcha,' and lay the foundation stone for a Rs 12,000 crore ammonia-urea fertiliser plant in Namrup.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted a "major concern" for the T20 World Cup 2026 squad hours before its announcement, warning about over-reliance on Hardik Pandya as a finisher. With less than 50 days before the tournament, Pathan stressed the importance of identifying who will support Pandya at the other end. Following Shubman Gill's return, specialist finisher Rinku Singh has been sidelined as management prioritizes a wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner expressed hope that Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, or Jitesh Sharma would prove themselves, but emphasized the critical need for a backup finisher if Pandya gets out under pressure, calling it a significant headache for team management. (PC: Sportskeeda & NDTV)

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Modi government over changes to the rural employment scheme, vowing to fight the "black" G RAM G Bill. Gandhi recalled passing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) nearly 20 years ago under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, calling it revolutionary for crores of rural families. She accused the government of weakening MGNREGA over 11 years by removing Mahatma Gandhi's name and changing the law's structure without consultation. Gandhi alleged decisions on employment would now be made by Delhi, removed from ground realities. She vowed resistance, stating Congress fought for employment rights earlier and would fight again for farmers, laborers, and landless rural poor.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of 27-year-old Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced Saturday. The Rapid Action Battalion detained suspects Md. Limon Sarkar (19), Md. Tarek Hossain (19), Md. Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain (38), and Md. Miraj Hossain Akon (46) following coordinated operations. The lynching occurred amid widespread unrest following youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death, who was shot by masked gunmen in Dhaka on December 12. Bangladesh's interim government condemned the incident, stating "no one involved in this brutal crime will be spared" and urged citizens to reject violence, provocation, and hatred. (PC: X)

Security heightened along Jammu and Kashmir's International Border in Samba and Kathua districts following intelligence inputs warning of possible infiltration attempt by three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. The alert was shared with all sister security agencies, prompting intensified surveillance and coordinated deployment across vulnerable border stretches. Security forces maintain high vigilance to thwart infiltration bids. Separately, the National Investigation Agency arrested two absconders in Maharashtra's Dinesh Pusu Gawade murder case both CPI (Maoist) members identified as Raghu and Shankar Mahaka. Additionally, Budgam Police registered an FIR against Syed Khurshid Ahmad for attempting to enter Srinagar International Airport using a forged air ticket, discovered during routine security checking at the airport's drop gate. (PC: Times Now)

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)