Moscow condemns US seizure of Russian-flagged vessel

Russia on Wednesday strongly condemned the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker by US military forces, asserting that Washington had no legal right to use force against a vessel lawfully registered under another country’s jurisdiction on the high seas.In a statement issued on Telegram, Russia’s ministry of transport said the tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, had been granted a temporary permit to sail under the Russian flag on December 24, 2025, in accordance with Russian and international law. As per news agency ANI, the ministry said the vessel was boarded by US naval forces outside the territorial waters of any state, after which contact with the ship was lost.“On December 24, 2025, the Marinera received a temporary permit to sail under the Russian Federation flag, issued in accordance with Russian law and international law. Today, at approximately 3:00 pm Moscow time, the vessel was boarded by US Navy forces in the high seas outside the territorial waters of any state, and contact with the vessel was lost,” the statement read.Quoting the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the ministry stressed that freedom of navigation applies in international waters. “In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in high seas waters, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states,” the statement added.The Russian statement came shortly after the US European Command announced that it had seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker M/V Bella 1 in the North Atlantic Ocean. According to a post on X by the command, the vessel was seized under a warrant issued by a US federal court for violations of US sanctions, after being tracked for weeks by the US Coast Guard cutter Munro.US authorities said the tanker had evaded a US blockade of sanctioned oil vessels near Venezuela for over a fortnight. The operation was carried out by the department of homeland security with support from the department of war, reflecting what officials described as a “whole-of-government approach” to protecting US national security.According to AP, the ship had been sanctioned by the US in 2024 and was later renamed Marinera and reflagged to Russia. The seizure has added to tensions between Washington and Moscow, with reports indicating that Russia had also deployed naval assets to escort the tanker amid the standoff.

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.

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.

Mustafizur Rahman and T20 World Cup trophy (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul has strongly denied reports claiming that the ICC has forced Bangladesh to play all their T20 World Cup matches in India. He called such reports false and said the board is standing firm on its concerns about player and staff safety.Bulbul spoke to the media on Wednesday after meeting Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul along with other BCB directors. He made it clear that the board’s main concern is security while travelling to India for the ICC T20 World Cup.

“We first wrote to the ICC regarding the importance of security and safety. While our scope is limited to looking after the players, there is a large population beyond them, including journalists, sponsors, and cricket lovers,” Bulbul said.He explained that any overseas tour needs government approval, which is why the BCB has asked for guidance from the authorities.“Since a government order is required for any overseas trip, we are seeking the government’s guidance. If safety and security do not improve, we will continue to fight for our rights regarding this World Cup.“This is a valid concern; we have played many World Cups before but never raised such issues until now,” he added.Bulbul also addressed media reports suggesting that the ICC told Bangladesh they must play in India or lose points. He dismissed those claims and said they are misleading.“There is propaganda claiming the ICC informed us that playing in Sri Lanka is impossible, which is false news. We have been in communication with the ICC, and they have asked us to specify our issues. We are currently documenting those issues for them,” he said.When asked about possible consequences if Bangladesh refuses to travel to India, Bulbul pointed to past examples involving other teams.“The BCB has certainly considered that. When the Champions Trophy was held [last year], India did not travel to Pakistan, and similarly, Pakistan did not go to India for the last few World Cups. Therefore, we hope for a proper resolution. If we have to compromise on the World Cup due to security issues in India, we will remain firm on our stance,” he said.Meanwhile, the BCB confirmed on Wednesday that the ICC has responded to their concerns and is open to discussions. The board said the ICC wants to work closely with them to ensure Bangladesh’s full participation. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board has received response from the ICC regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC T20 World Cup, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches,” the BCB said.“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament.“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event,” it added.

The United States Embassy in India on Wednesday issued a cautionary advisory to students, warning that violations of US law could lead to visa cancellations, deportation, and long-term bans on future travel.Emphasising that a US visa is a privilege rather than a right, the embassy said entry into the country is not an entitlement and depends on continued compliance with American laws and regulations.

In a post on X, the US Embassy said, “Breaking U.S. laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future U.S. visas. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardize your travel. A US visa is a privilege, not a right.”The advisory came amid increased scrutiny of immigration compliance in the United States and periodic warnings from US authorities to foreign nationals about maintaining lawful status while studying or working in the country.From December 26, mandatory biometric checking of all non-US citizens, including Green Card holders, at border points came into effect. Under the rule, US Customs and Border Protection officials took photographs of non-US citizens at every entry and exit point across airports, land crossings and seaports.The new rule applied to all non-US citizens entering or exiting the country, including children below 14 years and adults over 79 years.The biometric system aimed to address security and visa-overstay concerns. DHS said it was not for broad surveillance, though critics remained wary.Biometric collection at exit for the US was earlier limited to pilot programmes at select ports, but it was now mandatory.

Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: Wedding celebrations are set to take centre stage in the Tendulkar household, with reports confirming that Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok have locked in their wedding date. The couple is expected to tie the knot in March, bringing an end to months of speculation around their plans.The development comes after a period of largely private celebrations, with the family choosing to keep details under wraps.

Arjun, who is the son of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, has been in the spotlight recently for professional reasons as well, having been traded from the Mumbai Indians to the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.Arjun and Saaniya had formalised their relationship last August, when they got engaged in an intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family members. The engagement marked a significant milestone for the young couple, who have largely stayed away from public attention despite their prominent backgrounds.WHO IS SAANIYA CHANDOK?Saaniya Chandok hails from a well-known business family in Mumbai. She is the granddaughter of Ravi Ghai, a leading industrialist and the head of the Graviss Group. The conglomerate has a strong presence in the food and hospitality sector and owns popular ice cream brands such as The Brooklyn Creamery and Baskin Robbins in India.Professionally, Saaniya is actively involved in entrepreneurship. As per records from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, she serves as a Designated Partner and Director at Mr. Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP, a Mumbai-based venture focused on pet care services and retail.The Ghai family’s business interests also extend to hospitality, including the management of premium hotel properties such as the InterContinental. Graviss Food Solutions Private Limited reported a revenue of ?624 crore in the FY23–24 financial year, reflecting a robust growth rate of around 20 percent.ARJUN TENDULKAR’S CRICKET CAREERCarving his own identity in cricket, Arjun Tendulkar has steadily built a career as a bowling allrounder in the domestic circuit. He currently represents Goa after beginning his journey with Mumbai.Arjun made his T20 debut for Mumbai during the 2020/21 season against Haryana, having previously featured in age-group cricket and the India Under-19 setup. In the 2022/23 season, he moved to Goa, where he went on to make his First-Class and List A debuts.In red-ball cricket, Arjun has played 22 matches, scoring 620 runs that include one century and two half-centuries. With the ball, he has picked up 48 wickets, highlighted by one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls. In List A cricket, he has appeared in 23 matches for Goa, scoring 155 runs across 15 innings.

An user recently shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) stating that Google’s Gemini 3.0 Pro is better than “any of ChatGPT models”. The post shared by Joseph Carlson, host of business podcast The Joseph Carlson Show has more than 83K views so far. Among others, it caught the attention of Google AI CEO Demis Hassabis who reposted it. In the post, Carlson states that he holds a premium ChatGPT account with verified top 1% ChatGPT stats for 2025 and also has access to Gemini Pro. Being a heavy AI user, Carlson asserts Gemini 3.0 Pro surpasses all ChatGPT models in reasoning, logical soundness, explanatory depth, and access to recent data, based on his intensive daily workflows like business analysis and idea validation.“I was literally a top 1% user of ChatGPT in 2025 and have a premium account. I also have Gemini Pro and I could guarantee you that I am a top 1% user of Gemini as well (I probably use it more than ChatGPT),” Jason Carlson writes in the post.

“I can confidently say, without a doubt, Gemini 3.0 pro is better than any of ChatGPT models. In my opinion, they’re not even close. The reasoning, soundness of logic, explanations, how recent the data is, all of it, is just better,” he added.

Google leaves ChatGPT ‘behind’ in AI market share: Report

Interestingly, Carlson’s remarks resonate with a recent report by Menlo Venture which revealed that OpenAI seems to have lost significant market share in the lucrative market for enterprise customers, falling to 27%. Google’s Gemini, on the other hand, has risen to 21% and rival startup Anthropic leads at 40%. Incidentally, the ChatGPT-maker disputes the figures from Menlo, noting that the venture capital company is an investor in Anthropic.Data from Similarweb reveals that in the last 12 months, Google’s Gemini has reportedly more than tripled its share of generative AI web traffic, climbing from a modest 5.4% to 18.2%. ChatGPT, once commanding an 87.2% share has slid to 68% – a staggering 19% drop.

Google cofounder Larry Page has shifted key business entities, including his family office, out of California to Delaware, Nevada, and Florida. This move precedes a potential state wealth tax, which could cost him billions. Other tech titans are also exploring exits, citing tax and privacy advantages offered by states like Delaware.

Google cofounder Larry Page has severed his business connections with California, ending a decades-long relationship with the state that helped birth his tech empire. The billionaire moved several key business entities out of California by late December 2025, according to filings reviewed by Business Insider, beating a critical year-end deadline tied to the state’s proposed wealth tax.Page converted his family office, Koop, from California to Delaware incorporation in late December, Business Insider reported. Several other entities followed suit, including Flu Lab LLC—which funds his influenza research—and One Aero, his flying car venture. Both now list principal addresses outside California, in Nevada and Florida respectively. A source close to Page confirmed to Business Insider that the Google cofounder had already left the state, though whether the move is permanent remains unclear.

California’s billionaire tax sparks tech exodus

The mass restructuring comes as California debates a controversial ballot measure that would impose a one-time 5% tax on residents worth over $1 billion. If voters approve the measure in November 2026, it would apply retroactively to anyone living in California as of January 1, 2026. For Page—currently ranked the second-richest person globally by Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index—that could mean a tax bill exceeding $12 billion.The New York Times reported in December that Page told associates he was considering relocating to Florida specifically because of this proposal. He’s not alone in his concerns. Fellow tech billionaire Peter Thiel has opened a Miami office for his investment firm, Thiel Capital, while venture capitalist David Sacks launched operations in Austin, Texas.The proposed tax, backed by healthcare union SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, aims to raise $100 billion over five years from California’s approximately 200 billionaires. Supporters argue the revenue would offset anticipated federal budget cuts to healthcare, education, and food assistance programs.

Privacy and business advantages drive Delaware shift

Beyond tax concerns, Delaware offers significant advantages for wealthy individuals seeking privacy. The state doesn’t require LLCs to disclose directors’ names and addresses when incorporating, providing an extra layer of anonymity—something particularly valued by Page, whose family office operates under exceptional secrecy managed by CEO Wayne Osborne.Page also converted LLCs previously used to purchase islands in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Fiji from California to Delaware. Even his wife Lucinda Southworth’s marine conservation charity, Oceankind, made the switch in December.California Governor Gavin Newsom has opposed the wealth tax proposal, warning it would trigger an exodus of the state’s wealthiest residents. The ballot measure still needs 870,000 signatures to qualify for November’s vote. However, billionaires aren’t waiting to see if it passes—they’re protecting their assets now and potentially bidding Silicon Valley goodbye.