World

Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 48 guided Zimbabwe to a dominant eight-wicket win over Oman in their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava starred with the ball, sharing six wickets as Oman were bowled out for 103

South Africa defeated Canada by 57 runs in their T20 World Cup opener in Ahmedabad. Aiden Markram scored 59, while David Miller and Tristan Stubbs added a quick 75-run stand. Lungi Ngidi took four wickets as Canada managed 156

Pakistan is likely to withdraw its boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India after Bangladesh’s request. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said a decision will be announced soon, with ICC and BCB discussions continuing ahead of the February 15 clash

Manu Bhaker missed gold in a tense shoot-off against Vietnam’s Thuy Trang Nguyen, while Esha Singh won bronze in the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship. Naamya Kapoor clinched junior gold and Anjali Bhagwat bronze as India’s medal tally reached 60

China reacted to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide midterm victory, citing structural and ideological trends. Beijing emphasized adherence to bilateral agreements, criticized Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks, and highlighted ongoing diplomatic tensions, including travel advisories and trade restrictions on Japanese goods.

At least 53 people, including two babies, are dead or missing after a migrant boat capsized off Libya. Human traffickers exploit unstable conditions, forcing migrants onto unsafe vessels, while survivors report losing family members during the perilous central Mediterranean crossing.

Iraq has executed a former senior security officer from Saddam Hussein’s era for his role in the 1980 killing of Shiite cleric Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr. The case highlights continued efforts to prosecute crimes linked to past repression.

Norwegian ambassador Mona Juul has resigned after scrutiny over her past contact with Jeffrey Epstein. The decision follows reports that Epstein left millions to her children and comes amid a wider review of ties involving senior Norwegian figures.

Pakistani security forces killed a senior TTP commander, Maulana Younis alias Billa, during an operation in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police said he was involved in planning attacks against law enforcement agencies and civilians.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his Labour Party after a scandal involving former diplomat Peter Mandelson. The crisis has cost him his chief of staff and raised fresh doubts about his leadership just 18 months into office.

Iranian authorities have arrested senior reformist figures as part of a broader crackdown on dissent following deadly protests. The move comes amid renewed nuclear talks with the United States and growing regional tensions involving Israel and Iran.

A community awareness event in New Jersey marked the launch of ‘Help Before Scam’, an initiative aimed at combating fraud targeting Indian Americans, as experts warned seniors and students about impersonation scams, legal risks and the need for early reporting.

The fading threat of a US strike on Iran signals a fragmented, deterrence-driven regional order where crises simmer rather than explode

Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to over seven additional years in prison, alongside a two-year travel ban and internal exile, amid her ongoing hunger strike. The Revolutionary Court in Mashhad delivered the verdict.

Sri Lanka began their T20 World Cup campaign with a 20-run win over Ireland in Colombo. Kusal Mendis scored 56, Kamindu Mendis added 44, while Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga took three wickets each to seal the victory

India won both men’s and women’s titles at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh, defeating Iraq and Pakistan respectively. Led by T Anudeep Reddy and Sunita Meena, the teams showcased dominance as India’s community in Saudi Arabia celebrated the double triumph

Tejaswin Shankar won gold in men’s heptathlon at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin, setting a new national indoor record with 5993 points. India finished sixth overall with five medals, including silvers for Pooja and Tajinderpal Singh Toor

England survived a spirited challenge from Nepal to win their T20 World Cup opener in Mumbai by four runs. Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook struck fifties, while Lokesh Bam’s late assault nearly pulled off a historic upset for Nepal

Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh won a thrilling doubles rubber against David Pel and Sander Arends to give India a 2-1 lead in their Davis Cup Qualifiers tie against the Netherlands in Bengaluru, setting up crucial reverse singles matches

Tim Seifert’s aggressive fifty and Glenn Phillips’ quick knock powered New Zealand to a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in a Group D T20 World Cup clash in Chennai. Gulbadin Naib’s fluent fifty lifted Afghanistan to 182, but it was not enough

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi is poised for a landslide victory in Sunday’s snap lower house election. Exit polls suggest her LDP-led coalition could secure a majority, allowing her to advance right-wing policies on defense, economy, and immigration.

A Russian airstrike in Kramatorsk kills one and injures two. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says the US has set a June deadline for a peace deal, with the next round of trilateral talks likely to be held in Miami amid ongoing Donbas fighting.

Hundreds of traders protested in Baghdad against new customs tariffs of up to 30%, citing rising costs and corruption. The fees have caused port backlogs and nationwide strikes, while Iraq’s Supreme Court is set to rule on a related lawsuit.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu will make a state visit to the UK on March 18 and 19. It will be the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to Britain in nearly 40 years.