US stocks were mixed in early trading on Wednesday, a day after key indices touched fresh record highs, as investors turned cautious ahead of crucial US jobs data and amid rising global uncertainty.The S&P 500 was hovering between gains and losses, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 28 points, or 0.1 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite was also marginally higher by 0.1 per cent. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow had closed at all-time highs in the previous session.US equity futures were mixed before the opening bell, with S&P 500 futures slipping less than 0.1 per cent, Dow futures rising 0.1 per cent and Nasdaq futures down 0.2 per cent.“Global uncertainty continues to deepen,” Tan Boon Heng of Mizuho Bank in Singapore said in a commentary, referring to geopolitical tensions following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces in a weekend operation.Analysts also flagged signs of fatigue in the technology-led rally that has driven markets higher in recent months.“Tech appetite is weaker in Asia,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote. “It increasingly feels like good news is no longer generating the same euphoria seen over the past three years. The tech rally is showing signs of fatigue, supporting rotation trades — a trend further reinforced by geopolitical headlines.”In corporate developments, Warner Bros once again rejected Paramount’s latest takeover bid and urged shareholders to back a rival $72 billion offer from Netflix. Shares of Warner Bros, Paramount and Netflix were largely unchanged following the announcement, which had been widely anticipated.Markets are also focused on a busy week of US labour market data, including job openings data due Wednesday and the government’s monthly jobs report scheduled for Friday. The data will be closely watched by the US Federal Reserve, which is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its meeting later this month after cutting rates three times in late 2025.Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 per cent target, complicating prospects for further rate cuts despite concerns about a cooling labour market.In the bond market, US Treasury yields moved lower. In commodities, US benchmark crude oil slipped 9 cents to $57.04 a barrel, while Brent crude rose 8 cents to $60.78 a barrel. Gold fell 0.8 per cent and silver dropped 2.4 per cent.European markets were mixed, with France’s CAC 40 down 0.2 per cent, Germany’s DAX up 0.5 per cent and the UK’s FTSE 100 lower by 0.6 per cent.Asian markets also showed mixed cues. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 per cent after hitting a record in the previous session, while South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.6 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.9 per cent and the Shanghai Composite edged up marginally.China late Tuesday announced a ban on exports to Japan of goods that could have military applications, adding to regional tensions after recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan.

Venezuela seized tanker (File photo)

US secretary of war Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said the Venezuela oil blockade was “in effect anywhere in the world” shortly after American forces, after a high-stakes chase, boarded and seized a Russian-flagged oil vessel, which reportedly was linked to Venezuela.“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world,” the Pentagon chief said.A US official told news agency AP that the American military has “seized the vessel and handed over control to law enforcement officials”.The US had been pursuing the tanker since last month after it tried to evade a US blockade around Venezuela.The ship was sanctioned by Washington in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The US Coast Guard attempted to board it in the Caribbean in December as it headed for Venezuela, where the Trump administration has placed a naval blockade on sanctioned oil vessels. The ship refused boarding and headed across the Atlantic.The tanker, however, continued to be tracked as it sailed northeast, with US P-8 surveillance aircraft operating from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk monitoring its movement for several days. Open-source flight data showed the aircraft shadowed the ship as it moved northwards and passed close to the UK coast, before it was eventually seized.During the pursuit, the tanker’s crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and claimed the vessel was operating under Russian protection. Soon after, the ship appeared on Russia’s official maritime registry under a new name, Marinera. Moscow subsequently lodged a formal diplomatic protest, demanding that the US halt its pursuit of the vessel.While asserting Russian status could complicate the legal basis for seizure, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the Trump administration has not accepted that claim and continues to treat the vessel as stateless.Second tanker seized in Caribbean SeaThe US military on Wednesday also announced the seizure of a sanctioned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea, the second vessel taken by American forces.US personnel “apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident. The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea,” US Southern Command, which is responsible for the area, said in a post on X.America uses UK basesThe UK said that they won’t comment against the US operation involving the Venezuela-linked Marinera oil tanker. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Downing Street won’t comment on the US operation involving the Venezuela-linked Marinera oil tanker.“We don’t comment on the operational activity of other nations, including the third party use of UK bases”, the spokesperson told reporters when asked about the tanker in the regular Wednesday briefing following Prime Minister’s Questions, adding that the was “a long-standing position” of UK governments.

As the “Hitman” of Indian cricket gears up for the upcoming challenge against New Zealand, his interactions off the field continue to win hearts. A video of former India captain Rohit Sharma politely declining a fan’s offer of his favorite snack—vada pav—has taken social media by storm, showcasing the star batter’s unwavering focus on fitness.

Rohit Sharma’s heartwarming reaction after being offered vada pav by a fan

The incident occurred recently while Rohit was preparing for a net session in Mumbai, ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand which is set to begin on January 11. As the batting maestro was getting his gear ready, a fan from the sidelines was heard calling out in Marathi, “Rohit bhaiya, vada pav pahije ka?” (Rohit brother, do you want a vada pav?).

Known for his well-documented love for the iconic Mumbai street food, one might have expected a tempting glance or a witty remark. Instead, Rohit turned with a warm smile, simply waved his hand to signal a polite “No,” and immediately turned his focus back to his training. The brief but candid exchange was captured on camera and instantly resonated with fans across the internet

Here’s the video:

After the practice session ended, when Rohit Sharma came out, the fans jokingly said, “Rohit bhaiya, vadapav pahije ka” and
Rohit just waved his hand and replied, “No” 😂❤️

bRO always enjoy with his fans❤️ pic.twitter.com/euco1nvMqs

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) January 6, 2026

Also READ: Dwayne Bravo reveals his all-time T20 World XI; no place for Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers

Fitness over food: A new avatar for Rohit

This isn’t just a funny interaction; it highlights a significant shift in Rohit’s routine. Since retiring from the longer formats (Test and T20I) to prolong his ODI career, the 38-year-old has placed a renewed emphasis on his physical conditioning. Reports suggest that Rohit has adopted a stricter diet and training regime to maintain peak performance levels for the 50-over format. This “no vada pav” policy seems to be a serious part of that discipline. Interestingly, this is the second time in recent weeks that Rohit has turned down the snack publicly; a similar incident occurred during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Jaipur last month, where he laughingly declined a fan’s offer while fielding on the boundary.

Also WATCH: Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma shares adorable interaction with Rohit Sharma’s son Ahaan

As January arrives, Mumbai once again bursts into rainbow hues with a vibrant lineup of events marking Mumbai Queer Pride Month. Organised by a range of community groups and organisations across the city, the month-long celebrations will culminate in the Mumbai Queer Pride March on Saturday, January 31, from 3 pm to 5 pm at August Kranti Maidan.Setting the tone for the celebrations is the KASHISH Pride Film Festival, a key member of the Mumbai Queer Pride collective. The festival will launch Pride Month with a special LGBTQ+ film screening titled ‘KASHISH Forward @ Sophia’ on Friday, January 9, from 1 pm to 3.30 pm at the convention centre of a women’s college in Mumbai.The screening will feature seven acclaimed short films by emerging filmmakers, all of which have won awards or received recognition at the annual KASHISH Pride Film Festival. Together, the films reflect the diversity of queer experiences across the LGBTQ+ spectrum in contemporary society, offering stories rooted in hope, resilience, and affirmation.The films being screened include MAKEUP MY SHIELD (Marathi, directed by Kunal Vijaykar), TUTTI FRUTTI CAKE (Hindi, directed by Rohit Prajapati), THE WITCH OF VIHAR LAKE (Marathi, directed by Joey Kaushik), PROJECT PRIYO (Assamese, Bengali, Malayalam, Hindi, directed by Shoi), HOLY CURSE (English, Hindi, directed by Snigdha Kapoor), JASMINE THAT BLOOMS IN AUTUMN (Bengali, directed by Chandradeep Das), and BECAUSE (Hindi, English, directed by Sunita Malpani).Each film explores a distinct narrative. Makeup My Shield is a powerful music video portraying a trans Lavani dancer who uses makeup as both armour and expression. The Witch of Vihar Lake weaves together themes of environmental conservation and folklore, while Project Priyo—a co-winner of the Ismat Chughtai Award for Best Woman Filmmaker—amplifies the voices of queer and trans* individuals across India, addressing intersections of caste, religion, and marginalisation.Tutti Frutti Cake celebrates the strength of chosen families among LGBTQ+ individuals sharing a home, while Because sensitively depicts the bond between a visually impaired man and his closeted friend. Jasmine That Blooms in Autumn, winner of the Best Indian Narrative Short award, presents a quiet and evocative story of companionship between two women in an elderly shelter home.The highlight of the screening is Holy Curse, a short film that was in consideration for the Best Live Action Short category at this year’s Academy Awards. The film follows an 11-year-old grappling with their gender identity in India, as their family attempts to “cure” what they believe to be a curse.With its compelling selection of films, KASHISH Forward @ Sophia promises a meaningful and inclusive start to Mumbai’s Queer Pride Month, reaffirming the city’s commitment to visibility, dialogue, and celebration of queer lives.

Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman celebrates with team mates (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has openly questioned whether the International Cricket Council is fully grasping the gravity of the situation surrounding the national team’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup matches scheduled in India. Speaking to the media on Wednesday after a meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul and vice-president Faruque Ahmed, Asif Nazrul said the response received from the ICC failed to reflect the seriousness of the security concerns raised by Bangladesh.

The issue escalated after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the next IPL season, following advice from the BCCI. Soon after, the BCB formally asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures from India to co-host Sri Lanka. “After reading the letter we received from the ICC today, we felt that they have not fully understood the serious security situation that has developed in India for Bangladeshi cricketers,” Asif Nazrul said. “To me, it does not feel like only a security issue. It feels like an issue of national humiliation as well. Still, we are primarily treating it as a security issue.” Asif Nazrul said discussions with the BCB leadership led to a unanimous view that Bangladesh’s qualification for the World Cup came through hard work and deserved respect. “We are a cricket-crazy nation and we definitely want to play. We do not want to play the T20 World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, at the cost of the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists, or at the cost of the country’s dignity.” Reiterating Bangladesh’s position, Asif Nazrul made it clear that the request to shift matches was non-negotiable. “When it comes to the security of our cricketers, the security of Bangladesh, and the honour and dignity of Bangladesh, there will be no compromise. We want to play the T20 World Cup and since there is another host country, Sri Lanka, we want to play there. We are firm on this position.” The adviser also pointed to the Mustafizur episode as evidence of a wider problem. “When the Indian cricket board itself is telling the Kolkata team that they cannot provide security to this player and asking them to drop him from the team, that alone shows there is no environment in India where it is safe to play.” On the possibility of the ICC rejecting the request, Asif Nazrul said the immediate focus was persuasion. “Our first stand is to convince the ICC. We have strong arguments and we will convince them with those arguments. On the question of Bangladesh’s security, honour and dignity, there will be no compromise.”

Warner Bros. Discovery has once again turned down a takeover offer from Paramount, telling shareholders that the rival bid does not serve their interests and reiterating its recommendation to support a proposed $72 billion transaction with Netflix.In a statement on Wednesday, the company said its board had reviewed Paramount’s latest proposal and concluded that it “is not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders”, urging investors to stick with the Netflix agreement, AP reported.

“Paramount’s offer continues to provide insufficient value, including terms such as an extraordinary amount of debt financing that create risks to close and lack of protections for our shareholders if a transaction is not completed,” Warner Bros. Discovery chair Samuel Di Piazza Jr. said. “Our binding agreement with Netflix will offer superior value at greater levels of certainty, without the significant risks and costs Paramount’s offer would impose on our shareholders.”Paramount, controlled by Skydance, has taken its approach directly to shareholders after Warner’s leadership repeatedly rebuffed its overtures. The media group has sweetened its hostile bid to about $77.9 billion for the entire Warner Bros. Discovery company, compared with Netflix’s proposal, which covers only Warner’s studio and streaming assets.Late last month, Paramount announced an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle founder Larry Ellison to back $40.4 billion in equity financing for its offer. It also raised the promised payout to Warner shareholders to $5.8 billion if regulators block the deal, matching the break fee proposed by Netflix.In a letter to shareholders, Warner Bros. Discovery flagged concerns that Paramount’s proposal effectively resembles a leveraged buyout, involving heavy debt and a longer closing timeline of 12 to 18 months, increasing execution risk.The competing offers also differ sharply in scope. Netflix is seeking Warner’s studio and streaming operations, including legacy film and television production units and platforms such as HBO Max. Paramount, by contrast, is bidding for the entire company, which also includes cable and news networks such as CNN and Discovery.If the Netflix transaction goes through, Warner’s news and cable businesses would be spun off into a separate company under a previously announced plan.Any deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to face intense antitrust scrutiny in the US and overseas, given the size of the companies involved and the potential impact on competition in the global media and streaming industry.

The United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker with links to Venezuela after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic. In a post on X, the US European Command said that the Justice department and department of war has taken out the operation to seize the Bella 1 for violation of sanctions.“The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of US sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” it said.
The US had been pursuing the tanker since last month after it tried to evade a US blockade around Venezuela, AP reported. They added that Russian military vessels were in the general vicinity of the operation, including a Russian submarine. It was unclear how close the vessels were to the operation, which was taking place close to Iceland.The US Coast Guard first attempted to intercept the vessel last month, but it refused to be boarded. Since then, it registered under a Russian flag, Reuters reported.The tanker, now known as the Marinera, was the latest tanker targeted by the US Coast Guard since the start of US President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela.Separately, the US Coast Guard also intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters, US officials told Reuters, as the US continued enforcing a maritime “blockade” of sanctioned vessels from Venezuela.The moves came just days after US special forces swooped into Caracas before dawn on Saturday in a deadly raid to seize President Nicolas Maduro and take him to the United States. The US military turned him over to federal authorities for prosecution on charges involving alleged drug trafficking.Top Venezuelan officials called Maduro’s capture a kidnapping and accused the US of trying to steal the country’s vast oil reserves, estimated to be the largest in the world.In turn, Trump and top US officials accused Venezuela of stealing US oil, in an apparent reference to the country’s nationalisation of its energy sector in several waves over the past half-century.