File photo: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

NEW DELHI: A resolution seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker was defeated in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by a voice vote amid protests and sloganeering by opposition members demanding an apology from Union home minister Amit Shah.With Speaker Birla absent during the debate, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the proceedings, announced that the no-confidence motion had been rejected after the vote.

Opposition members continued their protests in the House, prompting Pal to urge them to return to their seats so that the motion could be put to vote. As the protests persisted, he proceeded with the voice vote, after which the resolution was declared defeated and the House was adjourned for the day.

Amit Shah criticises opposition over motion

Earlier, Shah strongly criticised the opposition for bringing the motion against the Speaker, saying such an occurrence was rare in parliamentary history.“It is not an ordinary occurrence as after nearly four decades such a motion has been brought against the Speaker,” Shah said, according to PTI.He said it was unfortunate for parliamentary politics that opposition parties were questioning the integrity of the Speaker.“According to the established history of this House, its proceedings are conducted on the basis of mutual trust. The Speaker serves as a neutral custodian, representing both the ruling party and the opposition,” Shah said.He added that the House would function according to its rules and not the rules of any political party.“The House will be run by its own rules and not by the rules of a party,” Shah said.

Opposition protests disrupt proceedings

During Shah’s remarks, opposition members objected to certain statements and began shouting slogans, demanding that the home minister apologise.The protests disrupted the proceedings of the House and continued as the motion was put to vote.Shah also said the Bharatiya Janata Party had spent a long period in the opposition but had never brought a no-confidence motion against a Speaker.He said that in India’s parliamentary history, such motions had been introduced only a few times.“This is a regrettable event for both parliamentary politics and the House. Because the Speaker does not belong to any party, the Speaker belongs to the House,” Shah said.He added that questioning the integrity of the Speaker amounted to casting doubts on democratic processes.

Bangladesh produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Pakistan by eight wickets in the first ODI of the Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. After opting to bowl first, the hosts bundled Pakistan out for just 114 in 30.4 overs before chasing down the modest target comfortably in only 15.1 overs, thanks largely to a blistering knock from Tanzid Hasan Tamim.

Nahid Rana leads destructive bowling display

Bangladesh veteran Najmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to bowl first proved spot on as the bowlers dominated proceedings from the start. Pakistan’s top order struggled to cope with the disciplined Bangladeshi attack and never managed to build any meaningful partnerships.

Young pacer Nahid Rana was the standout performer with the ball, producing a sensational spell of 5 for 24 in seven overs. His pace and accuracy troubled the Pakistan batters throughout the innings, triggering a collapse that left the visitors reeling.

Sahibzada Farhan tried to give Pakistan a steady start with 27 off 38 balls, while Maaz Sadaqat contributed 18. However, once the early wickets fell, Pakistan’s middle order failed to stabilize the innings.

Mohammad Rizwan managed only 10 runs, and Salman Agha and Hussain Talat could add just nine runs between them. Abdul Samad was dismissed for a duck as Pakistan slid deeper into trouble.

Faheem Ashraf emerged as the lone fighter for Pakistan, playing a counter-attacking knock of 37 from 47 balls that included six fours and a six. His effort helped Pakistan push past the 100-run mark before they were eventually bowled out for 114.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a crucial supporting role with the ball, claiming 3 for 29 in his 10 overs, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman picked up one wicket each to keep Pakistan under constant pressure.

Also READ: Explained: Why the Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI series matters for World Cup 2027 qualification?

Tanzid Hasan Tamim powers Bangladesh chase

Chasing a modest target of 115, Bangladesh wasted little time asserting their dominance with the bat. Opener Tanzid played an aggressive and entertaining innings, taking the Pakistan bowlers apart with a flurry of boundaries. Tanzid smashed 67 runs from just 42 deliveries, striking seven fours and five towering sixes to put Bangladesh firmly in control of the chase. His attacking approach ensured the required run rate never became a concern.

Saif Hassan departed early for four runs, but Tanzid continued to score freely alongside former captain Shanto. The pair added valuable runs to keep Bangladesh on track. Shanto played a composed supporting role, scoring 27 off 33 balls with five boundaries. Even after Tamim’s dismissal, Bangladesh were already within touching distance of victory. Litton Das remained unbeaten on three as Bangladesh completed the chase in just 15.1 overs, finishing at 115 for 2.

What a remarkable victory this is for Bangladesh over Pakistan in the 1st ODI ⚡#BANvPAK #BangladeshCricket #MehidyHasanMiraz pic.twitter.com/emUzMrVRP7

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 11, 2026

Also READ: BAN vs PAK 2026: Broadcast and Live Streaming Details – When and where to watch in India, USA, Pakistan & other countries

Sunidhi Chauhan has been holding concerts in different cities across the country. Recently, at her Lucknow concert, she turned emotional in front of the audience. Videos of the singer circulating online show her apologizing to the audience because her voice was not at its best. She expressed gratitude to the fans attending the event for their support.

Sunidhi Chauhan apologizes to the audience at the Lucknow concert

In several clips circulated online, Sunidhi Chauhan can be seen breaking down while speaking to the audience from the stage. The videos show her saying, “I have a terrible throat; aaj mera aavaj bohot zyada kharab hai (Today my voice is very bad). But I know you are with me, and I want to still do this. Oh my God, this has never happened with me ever, and it’s embarrassing. I am so sorry. It’s just that, mujhe thoda… I always want to give 100%.“

The singer further added, “But unfortunately, I am trying, and maybe it won’t be that, so please already forgive me. I am just going to move on. Thank you so much for your love.” Sunidhi continued the concert even though she was not feeling well.

More about Sunidhi Chauhan’s ‘I Am Home’ tour

Sunidhi Chauhan is currently on her India tour, which kicked off in Mumbai on December 24, 2025. Next, she is set to host the concert in Kolkata on March 14 at the Aquatic Ground in West Bengal’s capital city. With that, she will conclude her ‘I Am Home’ tour.Her Delhi concert also featured a performance by actress Sanya Malhotra. Sunidhi and the actress grooved to their hit song ‘Aankh’, which was released online last year.Meanwhile, in Mumbai, she brought veteran Alisha Chinai on stage. The audience witnessed the live performance of her iconic tracks ‘Tinka Tinka’ and ‘Aaj Ki Raat’.

Here are top 5 updates of the day

IRCTC tells vendors to switch cooking methods as Iran war disrupts LNG flow

Indian Railways has asked licensees at station food outlets to switch to alternate cooking methods such as microwaves and induction stoves after a reported cut in LNG supplies linked to the West Asia conflict. The directive, issued through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, applies to food plazas, refreshment rooms and Jan Aahar outlets across railway stations as disruptions in the Middle East affect energy supplies to India.Read full story

PM Modi assures help for Indians stranded in Gulf amid Middle East crisis

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Centre would provide all possible assistance to Indians stranded in the Gulf amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation. Addressing a rally in Kochi, he said India would not abandon its citizens abroad and was working to ensure support for Indians in West Asia.Read full story

Where is Iran’s Supreme Leader? Officials drop hint on Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “safe and sound” despite reports suggesting he was wounded during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, the son of Iran’s president confirmed. The statement comes as uncertainty persists over the cleric’s whereabouts after several days without a public appearance. Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, said he checked with contacts after hearing rumours that Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. He later said they confirmed Khamenei was “safe and sound.”Read full story

Report says Iran was close to acquiring China’s ‘aircraft-carrier killer’ missile

A report suggested that just days before tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel escalated, Tehran was close to acquiring one of China’s most feared anti-ship weapons, the CM-302, often dubbed an “aircraft-carrier killer.” According to reporting cited by the South China Morning Post, a deal for the missile, the export version of the YJ-12, was nearing completion before Beijing publicly denied the claim.Read full story

India buys 30 million barrels of Russian crude after US waiver

India has bought about 30 million barrels of unsold Russian crude after the United States granted a 30-day waiver allowing purchases of shipments already stranded at sea, according to Bloomberg. The report said Indian refiners quickly secured cargoes already positioned in Asian waters, providing an immediate alternative as disruptions affected oil flows from the Middle East.Read full story

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has addressed allegations of preferential treatment after travel disruptions following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 sparked controversy among several participating teams. While some sides were able to leave India soon after their elimination, others remained stranded due to ongoing airspace restrictions linked to escalating tensions in parts of the Middle East.

The tournament concluded on Sunday with India defeating New Zealand in a dominant final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, but logistical challenges have overshadowed the closing chapter of the global event. Teams including West Indies and South Africa were forced to remain in India for several days due to restricted flight routes and safety concerns affecting international travel.

West Indies and South Africa face extended wait

Both West Indies and South Africa experienced significant delays in leaving India after their campaigns ended. The Caribbean side played their final match of the tournament on March 1, yet the squad remained in the country for over a week due to complications involving flight availability and safe travel corridors.

South Africa encountered similar issues. The Proteas were eliminated in the semi-finals by New Zealand on March 4, but were unable to depart immediately afterward. With several conventional flight routes unavailable, the team stayed in Kolkata awaiting clarity on their travel plans.

Meanwhile, England managed to return home shortly after losing their semi-final against India on March 5, which quickly triggered debate among fans and former players about whether certain teams were being given priority.

Michael Vaughan and players question ICC handling

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was among the most vocal critics of the situation, questioning whether the global governing body had treated teams equally.

Vaughan took to social media to express his concerns, stating that all teams should be handled the same regardless of their influence within the ICC structure. His comments fuelled the growing conversation around fairness in logistical arrangements following the tournament.

South African players David Miller and Quinton de Kock also raised questions about the travel situation. Both cricketers publicly wondered why England had secured a charter flight soon after their elimination while the South African contingent was still awaiting clarity regarding their departure.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy joined the criticism as well, revealing that his team had been waiting nearly a week without a clear plan regarding their travel home.

Also READ: David Miller questions ICC after England receive early charter flight following T20 World Cup 2026 exit

ICC reacts to the travel bias claims

Responding to the growing backlash, the ICC strongly denied allegations that any team had been given special treatment. According to an ICC spokesperson, departure schedules were determined purely by operational and safety considerations, including airspace access, flight routing permissions, visa logistics, and aircraft availability.

The governing body explained that England’s departure route from Mumbai remained open, allowing the team to travel via North Africa and Egypt without restrictions. However, traditional travel paths used by teams such as West Indies and South Africa typically rely on major Gulf hubs like Dubai and Doha, which have been impacted by ongoing regional tensions and missile warnings.

The ICC emphasised that ensuring the safety of players, support staff, officials, and tournament personnel remained the highest priority while navigating the evolving situation affecting global aviation.

“Decisions on departure sequencing are being driven solely by airspace availability, aircraft routing permissions, visa requirements and operational safety considerations. Any suggestion that teams have been prioritised based on anything other than these constraints is incorrect,” said the spokesperson as quoted by BBC.

“The safety and well-being of players, support staff, officials, and our own workforce remain our absolute priority as we respond to the evolving situation affecting air travel across parts of the Middle East. For instance, the England team and their staff were able to fly out from Mumbai without restriction due to the route’s airspace being unaffected and flights operating as usual. The ICC categorically refutes any claims of bias in this or other instances, and has been fully accommodating of specific demands and conditions put forth by teams,” added the spokesperspon.

Despite the delays, travel arrangements are now being finalised for the affected squads. The South African contingent is scheduled to begin departing on staggered flights, with all members expected to leave India within the next 36 hours. Similarly, members of the West Indies squad have started returning home in batches. Nine individuals have already departed, while the remaining members are expected to leave within the next 24 hours.

Also READ: New Zealand unveil squad for home T20I series against South Africa, Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham to share captaincy