Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi's threat to withdraw from T20 World Cup 2026 over Bangladesh's venue dispute has drawn strong criticism from Pakistani cricket veterans. Former Test captain Muhammad Hafeez, ex-PCB Chairman Khalid Mahmood, and secretary Arif Ali Abbasi urged PCB to send the team, warning against damaging ICC and member board relations. Officials noted no other board supported Bangladesh's demand to move matches from India, and Bangladesh won't appeal ICC's decision. Former players including Inzamam ul Haq, Mohsin Khan, and Haroon Rasheed cautioned against sacrificing Pakistan's cricket interests, especially since all their matches are in Sri Lanka, not India. (PC: AFP)

Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu revealed poor visibility at Baramati airport when Ajit Pawar's plane crashed Wednesday morning. The pilot initially reported runway not in sight, prompting a go-around, but confirmed visibility during the second attempt before the tragic crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will analyze flight recorders, aircraft systems, crew records, and ATC data. Opposition leaders, led by Mamata Banerjee, demand Supreme Court-monitored probe, alleging compromised agencies. The VSR Ventures flight departed Mumbai at 8:10 AM, disappearing from radar at 8:45 AM. Witnesses described the aircraft appearing unstable before crash-landing with massive explosions. Maharashtra declared three days mourning; last rites scheduled Thursday with full state honors.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s aircraft was cleared to land at Baramati airport at 8:43 am on January 28, 2026, just a minute before it crashed in flames, killing all five on board, the civil aviation ministry said. The Bombardier Learjet 45 had initially attempted a landing but went around after reporting the runway wasn’t in sight. On the second approach, ATC granted landing clearance but did not receive the required readback from the pilots; moments later flames were spotted near runway 11. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has taken over the probe. (PC: HT)

Renowned Indian singer Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing, stating he will no longer take on new film assignments but will continue creating music independently. He shared gratitude for fans’ support and described his journey as “wonderful,” signalling a shift toward broader artistic exploration and self-directed music. Shreya Ghoshal responded positively, calling it the start of a new phase and urging fans not to see it as an end of an era, expressing excitement for his future work beyond traditional formats. Industry peers and fans have reacted with surprise and support. (PC: PTI)

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India “comes out on top” in its newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, calling it a strategic win for New Delhi that offers expanded access to the EU market and bolsters long-term economic ties. The deal — described by leaders as the “mother of all deals” after nearly 20 years of talks — will slash tariffs on most goods and create a market of nearly two billion consumers. It also reflects growing trade diversification as U.S. tariff policies under President Trump prompt partners to seek alternative ties. (PC: X)

Details of the last phone call made by flight attendant Pinky Mali have emerged after the plane crash near Baramati that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Pinky told her father she was flying with Pawar to Baramati and would speak to him the next day. The call never came. The Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crashed while attempting to land near Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The plane had five people on board, including two pilots and a security officer. It departed Mumbai at 8.10 am and lost radar contact minutes before the crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the incident. (PC: NDTV)

Singer Arijit Singh has said he retired from playback singing because he felt creatively bored and wanted to explore other forms of music. In posts shared from his private social media account, Arijit said the decision had been on his mind for a long time. He explained that he often changes song arrangements because he gets bored easily. He added that stepping away would allow new singers to emerge and inspire him. Arijit clarified that he is not quitting music and will continue to create his own work. He also said he plans to return to Indian classical music. His announcement came days after releasing a song for an upcoming film. (PC: X)

The death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has created uncertainty within the Nationalist Congress Party. Attention has now shifted to his wife, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP. Though she stayed away from frontline politics for years, she entered active politics in 2024 and later joined the Upper House. Sunetra Pawar has strong political and social links in Baramati and Marathwada. She also heads educational, business, and environmental initiatives. Party leaders say sympathy and her family standing may place her at the centre of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, even as questions remain over future leadership and unity. (PC: India Today)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a Russian drone strike on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region, calling it “terrorism”. Local officials said at least five people were killed and several others injured. More than 200 passengers were on board when one carriage was hit and two nearby drones exploded. Zelensky said there was no military reason to target civilians. Russia has not commented on the incident. Authorities said the train was travelling from western Ukraine to the Kharkiv region. The attack came amid intensified Russian drone strikes on transport and energy sites. Elsewhere, drone attacks killed civilians in Odesa and near Kyiv, officials said. (PC: BBC)

A Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati airport on Wednesday, killing all five on board. The Civil Aviation Ministry said the aircraft was attempting a second landing at the time of the crash. Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, where pilots manage traffic with limited ground support. The pilot was cleared to land at 8.34 am but did not provide a mandatory readback confirming the clearance. Earlier, the first landing attempt was aborted due to the runway not being visible, prompting a go-around. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft stopped transmitting signals minutes before impact. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the incident. (PC: NDTV)