KOLKATA: After Trinamool’s attack over an alleged “BJP’s fish-meat ban”, Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday asserted that people in the state “will eat whatever they want to eat”, adding that the party would only oppose the open sale of beef.Bhattacharya’s clarification came in response to questions on Bihar govt’s order recent order regulating the open sale of meat — a move that drew sharp criticism from TMC and CM Mamata Banerjee.

Addressing the issue earlier on Tuesday, Banerjee alleged, “If BJP comes to power, they would ban meat and fish in Bengal. I saw Bihar’s deputy CM say that fish and meat can’t be sold in open markets. Only those who have a licence can sell meat indoors. So, will everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? Only a few have the economic strength to do so. Most fish sellers sell fresh fish on the streets here. This is how they earn their bread. I condemn this politics.”Rejecting the charge, Bhattacharya told reporters, “They did not say such a thing. They do not have the courage to say it. If anyone says this, will we even support it? No. People in Bihar — and certainly not in Bengal — will accept it. Can Bengalis not eat fish? Bengal will have its fish and meat. Only that stuff you sell in the open will not be allowed by BJP.” Bhattacharya was referring to open beef sales.State BJP netas said the clarification was necessary to remove confusion around the party’s position.On Feb 13, the BJP’s Bengal minder Amit Malviya, in a post on X criticising TMC over fish imports—both foreign and domestic—wrote, “Bengal is being turned into an import-dependent state. Fish is not just food in Bengal — it is culture, livelihood and identity.”Trinamool countered the charge, stating that Bengal is the country’s second-highest fish producer after Andhra Pradesh. In a post on X, the party said: “With elections approaching, BJP suddenly appears to have rediscovered the economic, social, cultural, and sentimental significance of fish in Bengali life. Now comes the hurried course correction to cover tracks and save face.”

In a tournament often defined by fierce rivalries and high-stakes tension, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed a moment of pure sporting grace in Ahmedabad. Following India’s hard-fought victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night, the focus shifted from the scoreboard to a heartwarming exchange that has since gone viral. India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah transcended the competitive heat of the Narendra Modi Stadium by gifting signed jerseys to the Dutch squad, a gesture that perfectly encapsulated the Spirit of Cricket.

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah share signed jerseys with Netherlands squad post IND vs NED match

While the 17-run victory secured India’s unbeaten status heading into the Super 8s, the real headlines were made post-match. After the final ball was bowled, the cameras captured an intimate and respectful scene on the outfield. Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, two of the most recognizable faces in global cricket, were seen engaged in a long, friendly conversation with several members of the Netherlands team.

The highlight of this interaction was the duo handing over their match-worn, autographed jerseys to the Dutch players. For a team like the Netherlands, which consistently punches above its weight on the global stage, receiving such recognition from world-class stars is more than just a souvenir; it is a mark of professional respect. Pandya, who had earlier contributed a vital 30 off 21 balls, and Bumrah, who delivered a characteristically economical spell of 1/17, showed that while they are relentless competitors during the 40 overs, they remain humble ambassadors of the game once the stumps are drawn.

This act of sportsmanship has drawn widespread praise from fans and former cricketers alike, serving as a reminder that the T20 World Cup is as much about growing the global game as it is about winning the trophy.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Varun Aaron explains what’s holding India back in T20 World Cup 2026 campaign

India edges past spirited Netherlands to maintain perfect streak

The match itself was far from a one-sided affair, as the Netherlands pushed the defending champions to their limits. Batting first, India faced an early scare when Abhishek Sharma fell for his third consecutive duck. However, a masterclass in power-hitting from Shivam Dube, who smashed a blistering 66 off 31 balls, and a steadying partnership with Pandya propelled India to a competitive total of 193/6.

The Dutch chase was spearheaded by spirited knocks from Bas de Leede (33) and late fireworks from Noah Croes, who remained unbeaten on 25. Despite their aggressive intent, the experience of India’s bowling attack proved decisive. Varun Chakaravarthy was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/14, while Bumrah’s clinical precision at the death ensured the Netherlands were restricted to 176/7.

With this win, India finish the group stage with a perfect four-out-of-four record. As they move to the Super 8s to face giants like South Africa, they do so not just with momentum, but with the goodwill of the cricketing world following a night in Ahmedabad where humanity outshone the highlights.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: India vs South Africa Super 8 Ticket Prices, Booking Details

Abhishek Sharma (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India legend Sunil Gavaskar believes the weight of expectation is behind Abhishek Sharma’s alarming slump in the T20 World Cup, urging the young opener to resist the temptation of instant big shots and instead focus on building his innings patiently.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Abhishek entered the tournament as the world’s top-ranked T20I batter and one of India’s most feared six-hitters, but his campaign has unravelled dramatically with three successive ducks against the USA, Pakistan and the Netherlands.

“Abhishek Sharma is a lovely guy, but expectations seem to be weighing on him,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports. “If he had started well against USA, it would have been different. Now, the pressure of being the big six-hitter and top batter is showing.”According to Gavaskar, the 25-year-old’s aggressive instincts are working against him early in his innings. “With his shot range, he needs to spend time in the middle. He cannot try to hit a boundary or six on the first ball of his innings. If the big shots come, fine. But he shouldn’t force himself to play the big shots across the line.”Instead, the former captain stressed the importance of small beginnings. “Take a single and get off the mark. Even four dot balls don’t matter. He can make up for them later. He needs to play smart at the start. Spend an over or two settling in, then play his natural game.“First, just get off the mark. Every batter wants that first run. Once he gets it, everything will fall into place,” he added.While Abhishek has struggled, Gavaskar was full of praise for all-rounder Shivam Dube, whose explosive 66 powered India to a 17-run win over the Netherlands. “Shivam Dube is very difficult to bowl to because he has a wide range of shots. If he works hard on developing the inside-out shot over extra cover, he will become a really scary batter,” he said.Gavaskar also highlighted the importance of spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who claimed 3 for 14. “When you take wickets, you also take away runs. Clearly, Varun is going to be your key bowler. India will depend a great deal on his four overs,” he noted.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-says-iran-has-15-days-to-make-nuclear-deal-as-military-buildup-grows-11093142” on this server.

Reference #18.4cfdd417.1771542051.551974b1

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.4cfdd417.1771542051.551974b1

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh with children during the distribution of financial assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Alternative Housing Complex in Langol, Imphal West, on Thursday.

Imphal/Churachandpur: A fractured state tried to talk to itself. For the first time since ethnic violence tore Manipur apart in May 2023, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh addressed on Thursday displaced Meitei and Kuki-Zo families together – on a shared platform, if only virtually – pairing cash relief with an appeal to rebuild trust.The outreach, anchored at a relief camp in Langol of Imphal West district, connected displaced Meitei families in the valley with Kuki-Zo inmates of camps in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi via video link. Direct benefit transfers were credited during the meet.Each displaced person received Rs 2,420 for essentials. Families whose homes were burnt are being paid Rs 1 lakh in instalments, officials said.More than 260 people have been killed and over 60,000 displaced since clashes erupted between Meitei and Kuki communities in 2023. Since then, movement has been sharply curtailed – valley residents rarely enter Kuki-majority hills, and Kukis seldom travel into Imphal.Singh said resettlement had begun in peripheral areas, but restoring homes in sensitive zones remained difficult. “Resettling IDPs (internally displaced persons) to their original places is a priority, though challenges remain. While tensions have eased, mistrust continues,” he said, urging social groups and families to help bridge the divide.It was a modest step – cheques and promises – but the first time the state tried to stitch two wounded communities into the same conversation. Voices from camps cut through the screen. A young Kuki woman from Kangpokpi asked for access to jobs and higher education. A Meitei woman broke down, pleading to return home after three years in a camp. Another Kuki-Zo inmate flagged the struggle to reach hospitals.The CM promised security for Kuki-Zo patients visiting Imphal and special plans for about 6,000 displaced students whose schooling has been disrupted. “I’m no god, but I will not let your tears go in vain,” Singh said.

Decision taken after national review

NEW DELHI: Two medicines used widely – antibiotic doxycycline and thyroid drug carbimazole – will soon carry stronger safety warnings, following a national review of adverse drug reaction reports.After examining patient-level safety data, regulators have flagged possible mental health symptoms linked to doxycycline and a rare but potentially life-threatening blood disorder associated with carbimazole. In separate communications issued this month, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) directed all State and Union territory licensing authorities to ensure manufacturers update prescribing information and package inserts for both medicines and report compliance.For doxycycline – commonly prescribed for respiratory infections, acne, sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infection and numerous vector-borne diseases – the authorities have asked that specific central nervous system side effects be explicitly mentioned. These include restlessness, anxiety, irritability, nervousness and dizziness.The decision follows an assessment by Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, which reviewed adverse reaction reports and individual case safety data. The issue was examined at a Signal Review Panel meeting in March 2025 and later discussed by Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs in Jan 2026, which endorsed updating the official prescribing documents.While gastrointestinal discomfort and photosensitivity were already known side effects of doxycycline, the latest directive formally adds neuropsychiatric symptoms to the safety profile. Regulators have directed manufacturers of carbimazole – prescribed for hyperthyroidism, including Graves’ disease – to prominently warn about agranulocytosis, a rare but serious condition marked by a sharp fall in white blood cells.Agranulocytosis can leave patients vulnerable to severe infections. Early warning signs include fever, sore throat and unexplained infections. The recommendation emerged from the 26th Signal Review Panel meeting and was subsequently reviewed by SEC on endocrinology and metabolism before being approved for inclusion in prescribing information leaflet.Dr Rommel Tickoo, director of Internal Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket, said the move reflects a maturing safety system. “CDSCO’s decision on for doxycycline and carbimazole reflects a proactive and responsible pharmacovigilance system. While the medicines remain safe and effective when used appropriately, clearer warnings help both doctors and patients recognise rare but important side effects early. In the case of carbimazole, prompt attention to symptoms like fever or sore throat can be life-saving. Such regulatory steps strengthen patient safety without creating unnecessary alarm,” he said.For patients, the updated leaflets mean clearer information on risks. For clinicians, the advisory reinforces the need to counsel patients on warning symptoms and monitor use appropriately.

Govt sources said the robotic dog, presented by the university as “Orion”, was identified as the Unitree Go2 — a commercially available quadruped robot made by Chinese robotics firm Unitree, priced in India around Rs 2-3 lakh.

NEW DELHI: It was supposed to be its date with fame on a global stage, but turned out to be a moment of embarrassment for the Greater Noida-based Galgotias University, which also left organisers of the India AI Impact Summit red-faced.The private institution was asked to pack its bags and leave the summit’s expo zone at Bharat Mandapam after a robotic dog it tom-tommed as an in-house innovation turned out to be a made-in-China project available online.

MeitY secretary S Krishnan said the organisers took a firm view as they did not want any controversy around exhibits showcased at the Impact Expo. “We want genuine exhibits. We don’t want a controversy over exhibits in the expo or to encourage plagiarism. The issue is about misleading and the claim to have made something which they have not,” Krishnan said.

Galgotias sorry for ‘confusion’, blames it on ‘ill-informed’ rep

The action taken, Krishnan added, is also to ensure that “such exhibits don’t overshadow other genuine and excellent works showcased in the exhibition”.Govt sources said the robotic dog, presented by the university as “Orion”, was identified as the Unitree Go2 — a commercially available quadruped robot made by Chinese robotics firm Unitree, priced in India around Rs 2-3 lakh. As scrutiny intensified, the university was asked to vacate its stall at the expo.The controversy was triggered after a faculty member, Neha Singh of the university, told DD News, “We are the first private university investing more than Rs 350 crore in artificial intelligence… So, Orion has been developed by the Centers of Excellence and as you can see, it can take all shapes and sizes.” She added that the robot was “quite naughty” and could perform surveillance and monitoring tasks.As criticism mounted online, Galgotias issued a series of statements that appeared to walk back the claims. In its first clarification, the university said it had not built the robodog and stressed student learning through exposure to global technologies. In a later post, it alleged a “propaganda campaign” against the institution.Singh later said the row stemmed from unclear communication, adding, “We cannot claim that we manufactured it.”In its final statement, the university apologised “profusely for the confusion”, blamed an “ill-informed” representative for giving “factually incorrect information”, denied any institutional intent to misrepresent the innovation and said it had vacated the premises in line with the organisers’ sentiments.The episode drew sharp reactions on social media, with some of the netizens questioning credibility of participants and quality of vetting at a summit meant to spotlight Indian innovation.

The world of Pakistan cricket has been plunged into a state of disbelief following a series of explosive allegations made by Sannia Ashfaq, the former wife of star all-rounder Imad Wasim. In a series of harrowing social media disclosures, Ashfaq has levelled grave accusations against the cricketer, ranging from emotional abandonment to what she describes as a “murderous” act regarding a forced medical procedure. The controversy has quickly transcended the sports pages, sparking a national conversation about accountability, the private lives of public icons, and the protection of women’s rights within high-profile marriages.

Sannia Ashfaq urges to Mohsin Naqvi and Shehbaz Sharif over allegations against Imad Wasim

Breaking her silence months after their December 2025 divorce, Ashfaq released a deeply personal video statement that has since gone viral. The core of her grievance centres on a traumatic event in December 2023. Ashfaq alleges that she was coerced into undergoing a forced abortion, an experience she describes as a source of profound physical and emotional scarring. According to Ashfaq, the procedure was not her choice, and the subsequent lack of support from her then-husband exacerbated an already devastating situation.

“I am recording this video with immense courage because I want the truth for my children and justice for the life that was lost,” Ashfaq stated. She claims to possess documented evidence of these events and has publicly appealed to the highest offices in the country.

Ashfaq specifically called upon the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice of her plight. She is demanding a formal investigation into the matter, insisting that her pursuit is for “respect and accountability” rather than personal revenge. Furthermore, she urged the Islamabad United franchise to review the conduct of their player, emphasizing that no woman should have to endure such silenced agony.

Also READ: Pakistan all-rounder hits back at Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf over remarks on team’s T20 World Cup 2026 performance

“He is a murderer…”: Ashfaq’s allegations and WhatsApp revelations against Imad

The controversy took an even darker turn when Ashfaq shared a third post late Wednesday, explicitly labeling the cricketer a “murderer” in relation to the lost pregnancy. To ground her claims, she released screenshots of purported WhatsApp conversations. These messages allegedly show a stark lack of empathy from Wasim during her pregnancy. Ashfaq claims that while she was carrying his child and seeking emotional support, she was met with legal threats instead of comfort.

The screenshots suggest that when she reached out to Wasim to share the vulnerability of her pregnancy, he allegedly threatened to file a harassment case against her if she continued to contact him. “I simply asked him to see his unborn son… and instead, he threatened me,” she wrote.

Ashfaq’s narrative paints a picture of a systematic “negative campaign” run against her on social media to silence her voice. By coming forward now, she maintains that her primary motivation is the future of her children and ensuring that the “truth” behind the dissolution of her marriage and the loss of her unborn child is acknowledged by the public and the authorities alike.

Also READ: Explained: Which teams will Pakistan face in Super 8 of T20 World Cup 2026?