The Bangladesh government has ordered an open-ended ban on the telecast and promotion of the Indian Premier League after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. In a notice issued on January 5, authorities said all IPL shows, ads and event coverage must stop with immediate effect. The order said the move was taken in the public interest. Officials said the decision to remove Mustafizur was conveyed as a direction from the BCCI and had no clear reason. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has also decided not to send its men’s team to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and government advice. The ICC is expected to review the situation. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has warned India that Washington may raise tariffs if New Delhi continues to import Russian oil. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi “knew I wasn’t happy” about the oil trade. He claimed India has already reduced some purchases from Russia. The remarks came as Indian and US officials began a fresh round of talks to settle a long trade dispute. Earlier negotiations were disrupted after the US imposed higher duties on Indian goods, in some cases up to 50 per cent. India has said buying Russian oil is needed to protect domestic energy supply. Both sides have said they want to keep trade ties moving forward. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian Embassy in the United States said it is providing all possible consular help to the family of Nikitha Godishala, an Indian woman found dead in a Columbia, Maryland apartment. The 27-year-old, who lived in Ellicott City, was discovered with multiple stab wounds in the home of her former boyfriend. Police said the suspect, 26-year-old Arjun Sharma, reported her missing on January 2 and left the US for India the same day. Investigators later searched his apartment and found Godishala’s body. Howard County Police have issued an arrest warrant for Sharma on murder charges and are working with federal agencies to trace and arrest him. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court on Monday refused bail to student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The court said material on record shows a prima facie case and that national security and public order outweigh long pre-trial custody. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said their role is different from other accused. The court, however, granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed. The police say the violence was pre-planned and aimed at undermining the country’s sovereignty. Khalid and Imam have been in jail since 2020.

US President Donald Trump warned Venezuela’s incoming leader Delcy Rodríguez that she could face a “bigger price” than Nicolás Maduro if she fails to cooperate with Washington. His comments came as Maduro prepared to appear in a New York court on Monday on drug and weapons charges, which he denies. Rodríguez, who will be sworn in as president in Caracas, offered cooperation with the US under international law. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is not at war with Venezuela and called the action a law enforcement operation. Democratic leaders criticised the mission and questioned its legality. Several Latin American nations said the action threatens regional peace. (PC: BBC)

The Indian Embassy in Washington confirmed it's providing consular assistance to Nikitha Godishala's family after the 27-year-old Indian woman was found dead in Columbia, Maryland. Police identified her ex-boyfriend as the prime suspect who allegedly reported her missing before fleeing the United States. Authorities issued arrest warrants for first and second-degree murder, coordinating with federal agencies for next steps. The Embassy is assisting with documentation, coordinating with local officials, and monitoring investigation developments. Friends described Godishala as a young professional who moved to the US for higher studies and work opportunities. The case has raised safety concerns for Indian nationals abroad, prompting the Embassy to advise vigilance and encourage citizens to contact consular officials during emergencies. (PC: X)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized BCCI's decision to ask Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, arguing sport shouldn't bear political failures' burden. "Sport should be kept apart from politics," Tharoor told ANI, emphasizing India has multiple diplomatic channels with Bangladesh. He noted India's Foreign Minister recently met Bangladesh's likely future Prime Minister. On minority attacks in Bangladesh, Tharoor said India is urging law and order restoration diplomatically. He expressed concern over social media outrage driving policy decisions. Tharoor defended Rahman, stating the cricketer "has nothing to do with any of these things" and hasn't been accused of hate speech or defending attacks. He warned against isolating neighbors over political differences. (PC: X)

Denmark and Greenland strongly rejected US President Donald Trump's remarks about acquiring Greenland for defense purposes. Danish PM Mette Frederiksen stated, "The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom," urging Washington to "stop the threats against a historically close ally." Greenland's PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen called Trump's comments linking Greenland to Venezuela and military intervention "disrespectful." Trump told The Atlantic, "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense." He recently named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs warned of international law erosion, stating Europe should prepare for potential US occupation of Greenland. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh has announced it won't travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, creating a major setback for BCCI. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also revoked Mustafizur Rahman's IPL No Objection Certificate after Kolkata Knight Riders released him following BCCI orders amid Hindu persecution concerns in Bangladesh. Following an emergency board meeting, BCB cited "deep concern over the current security situation" and requested ICC relocate all Bangladesh matches outside India. The BCB emphasized protecting players' safety and well-being. BCCI sources responded firmly, calling relocation a "logistical nightmare" involving air tickets, hotels, and broadcast crews. This crisis mirrors the Champions Trophy 2025 situation when India refused touring Pakistan. (PC: PTI)

A video of Indian Instagram creator Noah offering water and food to a homeless American couple on New Year's Day has gone viral. Noah approached the struggling couple, gave them water bottles, and asked what they needed. The man humbly requested McDonald's, which Noah promptly delivered. The couple, visibly moved, repeatedly thanked him, with the man saying "God bless you." Noah captioned the video: "I was in tears seeing this. How long do you survive without water?" The compassionate gesture resonated widely online, with viewers praising his kindness. Noah previously gained attention for helping a paralyzed woman caught in heavy rain, driving her safely to her daughter's house during a downpour.