Venezuela has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump after he ordered a blockade on sanctioned oil ships linked to the country. Trump said the move targets Venezuela’s government, which the US now labels a foreign terrorist group. He accused it of drug smuggling and human trafficking. Venezuela rejected the claims and said the US wants to steal its oil. The order follows the US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker last week and fresh sanctions on more ships. Caracas called the action a serious threat and warned it could raise tensions. Venezuela depends heavily on oil exports for its economy. (PC: Getty Images)

India on Wednesday closed its Visa Application Centre in Dhaka due to serious security concerns. The centre, located at Jamuna Future Park, stopped work in the afternoon. Officials said the move followed threats from extremist groups and strong remarks by Bangladeshi leaders. India also summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi to raise concerns about the safety of Indian missions. The Ministry of External Affairs said India expects full protection for its embassy staff. All visa appointments were cancelled and will be rescheduled. India also rejected false claims being spread against it and said the security situation in Bangladesh has worsened in recent days. (PC: India Today)

A London court has ordered the indefinite detention of a man who stabbed an 11-year-old girl in Leicester Square. The girl, an Australian tourist, was visiting London with her mother. The attack happened outside a Lego store in August last year. The accused, Ioan Pintaru, grabbed the child and stabbed her multiple times. She suffered serious injuries but survived the attack. Pintaru later pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and carrying a knife. Doctors told the court he was suffering from severe mental illness. The judge said the crime caused lasting trauma to the child and deep fear for her family. (PC: X)

A Goa court on Wednesday sent nightclub co-owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra to five days of police custody. The brothers owned ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’, where 25 people died in a fire on December 6. They were arrested after landing in Delhi following deportation from Thailand. The court ordered fresh medical tests before remand. Police said the brothers had fled to Phuket hours after the fire. Their passports were cancelled by Indian authorities. An FIR has been filed under serious charges, including culpable homicide and negligence. Police are searching for another accused linked to the case. (PC: ANI)

Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound has reached the Oscars 2026 shortlist in the Best International Feature category. The film stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. It was chosen as India’s official entry and competed with 86 films worldwide. Only 15 films made the shortlist. This makes Homebound the fifth Indian film to achieve this feat. Earlier films include Mother India, Salaam Bombay! and Lagaan. The next round of voting will decide the final nominees in January 2026. While the competition remains tough, the shortlist spot is a major win for the film and Indian cinema. (PC: X)

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh seized 750 sacks of roasted chickpeas treated with harmful chemicals in Gorakhpur. The Food Department found that a synthetic yellow dye was used to make the chickpeas look attractive. Officials said the dye is meant for clothes and paper, not food. Tests confirmed high chemical content, making the product unsafe to eat. Health experts warned it can harm the liver and kidneys and may cause cancer. The chickpeas were brought from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. All seized sacks were banned from sale. Officials said strict legal action will be taken against suppliers involved in the adulteration network. (PC: India Today)

Football legend Lionel Messi received a rare luxury watch during his visit to India. The watch was gifted during his visit to Vantara, a wildlife centre founded by Anant Ambani. It is a Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon Asia Edition. The watch costs about Rs 10.9 crore. Only 12 such watches exist worldwide. It has a tourbillon movement and dual time display. The watch also shows power reserve and torque levels. It is made using carbon and titanium. Several global leaders and sports icons own this model. Messi was later seen wearing the watch after receiving it. (PC: NDTV)

Thousands gathered in Sydney on Wednesday for the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, killed in the Bondi Beach shooting. He was among 15 people shot dead during a Hanukkah festival. Schlanger was known as the Bondi Rabbi and helped organise the event. Community leaders called his death an unspeakable loss. Family members spoke of his kindness and service. Political leaders and diplomats attended the funeral. Other victim funerals are planned this week, including that of a 10-year-old girl. Police said charges against the main accused may proceed after medical checks. The attack was Australia’s deadliest shooting since 1996. (PC: BBC)

A migratory seagull fitted with a GPS tracker was spotted near the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, Karnataka. Local residents noticed the bird resting near a garden close to the coastline. Forest Department officials were alerted and later captured the bird for inspection. Officials found that the GPS device was linked to an international research project. The tracker is believed to be used to study bird movement and migration patterns. Authorities said there is no immediate security concern. Efforts are underway to contact the research group linked to the tracker. The matter is still under review. (PC: Republic)

India on Wednesday summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah over security concerns in Dhaka. The Ministry of External Affairs raised strong concerns about the safety of the Indian mission. This followed reports of planned protests by extremist groups near the embassy. India asked the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure full security for all diplomatic missions. The MEA said the security situation in Bangladesh has worsened in recent days. It also rejected false claims made by some leaders against India. Relations between the two countries have remained tense since political changes in Bangladesh last year. (PC: HT)