Venezuela’s government on Saturday accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported over the capital, Caracas, around 2 am local time.Following the strikes, President Nicolás Maduro declared a nationwide state of emergency, ordered national defence plans to be implemented and called for ‘mass mobilisation’.

Meanwhile, US officials later told CBS News that President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, as Washington escalated its campaign against the Maduro government.The strikes followed months of US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and several other warships in the Caribbean. In recent weeks, the United States has seized two oil tankers off Venezuela and launched deadly strikes on more than 30 boats which, according to the US, were carrying drugs.Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared Venezuela’s official statement on X, which said:“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population in the civilian and military areas of the city of Caracas, capital of the Republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, particularly its Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of States, and the prohibition on the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and puts the lives of millions of people at grave risk.The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, attempting to break the Nation’s political independence by force. They will not succeed…”

Government accuses US, calls for mobilisation

In an official statement, Venezuela’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military areas and urged supporters to take to the streets.“People to the streets!” the statement said. “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”The statement added that President Nicolás Maduro had “ordered all national defense plans to be implemented” and declared “a state of external disturbance.”

Emergency declared as Maduro alleges regime change bid

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington.In a pre-taped interview aired on Thursday, Maduro said the United States wants to force a government change in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves through a months-long pressure campaign that began with a major US military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August.Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism in the United States.

Trump threats, blockade and military buildup

Trump had, for months, threatened that he could soon order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land.The United States has seized sanctioned oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela, and Trump ordered a blockade of others, a move that appeared designed to tighten pressure on the South American country’s economy.The US military has been attacking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean since early September. As of Friday, there have been 35 known boat strikes and at least 115 people killed, according to figures released by the Trump administration.The strikes followed a major buildup of American forces off South America, including the arrival in November of the US military’s most advanced aircraft carrier, adding thousands of troops to what was already the region’s largest US military presence in generations.Trump had justified the strikes as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and has said the US is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.(With inputs from AP)

THANE: The Thane Crime Branch Unit-3 has arrested two habitual offenders, solving as many as 52 cases across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Police recovered stolen gold jewellery worth Rs 30.06 lakh from the accused.The arrests followed a parallel probe into a surge in chain-snatching incidents in Thane city and nearby areas. Acting on specific intelligence, the Crime Branch team laid a trap in the Ambivli area and apprehended the suspects.The accused were identified as Kasim Garibshaha Irani (38), a native of Irani Vasti in Shrirampur (Ahilyanagar) and currently residing in Patilnagar, Ambivli, and Mukhtar Sheru Husain, also known as Irani (32), a resident of Patil Chawl, Ambivli, Kalyan.During interrogation, the duo allegedly confessed to a series of chain snatchings and trickery-based thefts targeting men and women. Investigators said their crime trail spanned Thane city, Kalyan, Ambernath, Badlapur, Bhiwandi, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and parts of Karnataka.The accused were initially booked at Kolsewadi police station under sections 309(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Custodial interrogation led to the recovery of a large haul of gold ornaments valued at over Rs 30 lakh.Cases linked to the duo were registered at multiple police stations, including Kolsewadi (Kalyan), Hill Line (Ulhasnagar), Badlapur (East and West), Ambernath, Kalwa, Kapurbawdi, and Mahatma Phule Chowk, with some offences reported as recently as late 2025.Officials added that both accused have extensive criminal records. One is wanted in at least 20 cases, while the other has 14 cases registered against him at various police stations.Further investigation is being carried out by Crime Branch Unit-3, Kalyan, to trace possible accomplices and recover additional stolen property.

Zohran Mamdani’s historic swearing-in as New York City’s new mayor was meant to be the headline moment. But online, the conversation quickly drifted, not to policy, not to politics, but to footwear.While Mamdani took the oath at a midnight ceremony, social media zeroed in on what his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, was wearing that night. Photos from the late-night event, held inside the abandoned City Hall Subway station, circulated widely and sparked a fresh debate over optics, wealth, and symbolism.

In the images, Duwaji is seen wearing sleek black boots that Vogue later identified as designer footwear from fashion brand Miista. The boots, known as the “Shelley Boots,” retail for $630 a pair. According to the brand, they feature a 6-centimeter (2.3-inch) heel and a lace-up back. Once the price tag became public, criticism followed. Some users questioned how Duwaji could be wearing boots worth more than $600 while Mamdani has built his political identity around affordability and advocating for a more accessible New York.Photos from the abandoned subway station, dramatic, moody, and undeniably stylish, only amplified the attention.One user wrote, “Tough being a socialist when boots cost more than my rent.”Another said, “Wealthy communists. It’s always the case. Should surprise no one.”A third wrote, “We don’t call them Champagne Communists for nothing.”However, many were even defending Duwaji. A user wrote, “She dressed up for the biggest moment in her husband’s life, oh the horror. I must have missed the $50,000 watch or $30,000 bracelets I see on MAGA women like Kristi Noem”A second user said, “$630 for a shoe at a NYC mayoral signing is not a flex. anything less would be disrespect to the city.” Another asked, “and the problem is? Acting like she bought em with government money or something.”Rama Duwaji’s fashion had become topic of conversation long before her husband won the Mayoral race. Online, she’s often spotted in similarly modernist outfits. During the 34-year-old democratic socialist’s victory speech in November, Duwaji stood by his side in a dark denim square-neck top by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi, paired with a black skirt from Ulla Johnson, and accessorized with statement dangling earrings by New York City jewelry designer Eddie Borgo.In an interview with The Cut, Rama said, “I love fashion, and I love being creative and putting things together and styling things.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The decision was communicated to the franchise on Saturday and is understood to be linked to recent developments in Bangladesh that have raised wider sensitivities, prompting the board to intervene ahead of the upcoming season.

BCCI instructs KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the governing body has asked KKR to move on from the Bangladesh international and has also assured the franchise that it will be permitted to sign a replacement. The board’s stance ensures that KKR will not be left short-handed as they prepare their squad for IPL 2026, even though the release was not driven by cricketing reasons.

According to Saikia, the instruction was issued after reviewing the prevailing situation, with the BCCI keen to act decisively to avoid any further complications. While the board has not set a deadline publicly, KKR are expected to complete the formalities soon and initiate the process of identifying an alternative overseas player.

“Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchisee KKR to release one of their player Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” said Saikia as quoted by ANI.

High-profile auction buy sparks debate

Mustafizur had been one of KKR’s headline acquisitions at the IPL mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi, where the franchise secured him for INR 9.20 crore after a competitive bidding tussle with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The pacer’s international experience and his reputation for deceptive cutters made him an attractive option for the defending champions, particularly for matches on slower surfaces.

However, the signing quickly became a talking point beyond cricket. Over the past few days, KKR and their ownership group, including co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, faced criticism from sections of fans on social media. The backlash centred on the timing of the move, given the strained atmosphere surrounding India–Bangladesh relations, eventually drawing the attention of the BCCI.

Also READ: IPL 2026: 3 players KKR can sign to replace Mustafizur Rahman if he misses out

No clarity yet on India’s Bangladesh tour

With Mustafizur set to exit, KKR’s think tank will now reassess its overseas combination. The franchise is likely to look for a fast bowler who can offer similar skills—variation at the death and experience in pressure situations—while also fitting seamlessly into the team’s broader plans for the season.

The BCCI’s assurance on allowing a replacement provides KKR flexibility, whether they choose to dip into the unsold pool or explore other available options. From the league’s perspective, the move reinforces the board’s intent to keep the IPL insulated from off-field turbulence as much as possible.

Interestingly, the BCCI has remained silent on India’s scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh later in the year. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently announced that India are slated to play three ODIs and three T20Is in September 2026, with the squad expected to arrive in Dhaka on August 28. The series had earlier been postponed due to unrest in the country.

Also READ: Jahnavi Mehta reveals why KKR spent INR 18 crore on Matheesha Pathirana at IPL 2026 Auction

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders have officially confirmed that Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released from their squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The franchise shared the update through a press release, stating that the decision was taken after instructions from the IPL governing body. “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season,” said in a statement.

“The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India.” “BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.”After a strong showing in the Bangladesh Premier League, Mustafizur shared a message on social media on Friday. “Alhamdulillah for another milestone. 400 T20 wickets and a solid win against the Sylhet Titans. Always grateful to perform. Thanks to everyone for the love and support,” Mustafizur Rahman wrote on X. While he continues to perform well on the field, developments off it took a different turn. The BCCI had earlier stepped in after public and political reactions followed KKR’s decision to sign him at the IPL auction. The franchise had bought Mustafizur for Rs 9.20 crore, much higher than his base price of Rs 2 crore, after competing with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Soon after the signing, objections were raised by some political leaders and religious groups. Their concerns were linked to current India–Bangladesh relations and reports of unrest in the neighbouring country. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision and said KKR would be allowed to name a replacement player. “The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for a replacement if needed, and upon request, the BCCI will allow a replacement player,” Saikia told PTI on Saturday.

Hindu businessman Khokon Das, who was attacked with sharp weapons and set afire in Bangladesh, died on Saturday while receiving treatment in the Natioal Burn Institute in Dhaka.According to the news agency ANI, professor of the National Burn Institute Dr Shaon Bin Rahman confirmed his death.This comes three days after 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das was reportedly waylaid, beaten and doused with petrol before being set ablazeAccording to the police, Das was a resident of Tiloi village in Koneshwar Union and ran a pharmacy along with a mobile banking business at Keurbhanga Bazar.On Wednesday night, after shutting his shop, he was returning home in an auto-rickshaw when the attackers stopped the vehicle on the Damudya–Shariatpur road near the market and assaulted him. According to Prothom Alo, the miscreants attacked him with sharp weapons before setting him on fire. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond along the roadside.Hearing his cries, local residents rushed to the spot, forcing the attackers to flee.Locals later rescued Das and rushed him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he was given first aid in the emergency ward.Sima Das, the victim’s wife, said the family was struggling to understand why he was targeted. “My husband returns home every night after closing his shop with the day’s sales money. On Wednesday night, criminals attacked him. He recognised two of the attackers, and because of that, they assaulted him with the intention to kill–hacking him and setting fire to his head and face after pouring petrol on him. We have no enemies in the area. We have no disputes with anyone over any matter. We cannot understand why the criminals suddenly targeted my husband.”This comes amid a series of violent incidents targeting members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Last month, two Hindu youths were lynched in separate incidents. Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker in Mymensingh district, was beaten to death over alleged blasphemy charges on December 18, after which his body was reportedly hanged and set on fire.Meanwhile, a Hindu youth identified as Amrit Mondal was lynched in Hosendanga village of Kalimohor Union in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district over an alleged extortion dispute.These incidents have triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from political leaders, religious organisations and minority groups in both Bangladesh and India.

Mustafizur Rahman (Agency Photo)

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has found himself at the centre of attention, both for his cricketing milestone and a growing controversy around his IPL participation. Amid the ongoing debate, Mustafizur took to social media to celebrate a personal achievement and his recent performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

After a strong outing against the Sylhet Titans, Mustafizur shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that reflected gratitude and calm amid the noise.“Alhamdulillah for another milestone. 400 T20 wickets and a solid win against the Sylhet Titans. Always grateful to perform. Thanks to everyone for the love and support,” Mustafizur Rahman wrote on X.While Mustafizur continues to perform on the field, things have taken a different turn off it. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release the Bangladeshi pacer ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. This decision came after political pressure and public debate following KKR’s move to sign him at the IPL auction.KKR had bought Mustafizur for Rs 9.20 crore, well above his base price of Rs 2 crore, after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. The franchise saw him as an experienced overseas bowler who could strengthen their attack. However, soon after the signing, objections were raised by sections of the Bharatiya Janata Party and some religious groups. Their concerns were linked to the current strain in India–Bangladesh relations and reports of violence in Bangladesh. What began as a cricketing decision quickly turned into a sensitive political issue.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board’s decision and clarified that KKR would be allowed to sign a replacement player.“The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for a replacement if needed, and upon request, the BCCI will allow a replacement player,” Saikia told PTI on Saturday.When asked about the reason behind the call, he added, “Because of recent developments all across.”Despite the controversy, Mustafizur continues to make an impact in the BPL. He recently took three wickets for Sylhet Titans, showing that his focus remains firmly on cricket.