Mumbai: The Ajit Pawar led NCP declared its list of 37 candidates for the BMC polls on Sunday even as its MahaYuti partners Shiv Sena and BJP are yet to declare their candidates. Among the candidates there are three relatives of NCP neta Nawab Malik on the list. Nawab Malik’s brother Kaptan Malik will contest from Ward No 165 (Kurla), his sister Dr Saeeda Khan from Ward No. 168 and Nawab’s niece Bushra Malik from Ward No. 170 in the Kurla area. Malik is a former Minister and his daughter Sana Malik is a sitting MLA from Anushakti Nagar. The second list is expected soon, Sana Malik said. Though a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, the NCP is contesting the BMC polls independently. Earlier, Mumbai BJP chief MLA Ameet Satam had ruled out any truck with the NCP saying its leader Nawab Malik was in-charge of the party’s election management for the BMC polls. Malik has been accused of being involved in money laundering and having links with Dawood Ibrahim’s associates.

Pune: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced sweeping changes to its objective examination answer sheets and evaluation process from March 1, 2026, aiming to enhance transparency, standardisation and accountability in its competitive exams in a move set to impact thousands of aspirants across the state.The notification said revised answer sheets will continue to be issued in two copies, in line with the commission’s existing policy. However, notable modifications have been made to the structure of the answer sheet, the method of shading answer circles and the evaluation rules. Negative marking has been clearly defined under the new evaluation method. As much as 25% (one-fourth) of the marks will be deducted in each question if the candidate does not shade any of the five options, shades more than one option, attempts to correct an answer or gives an incorrect answer. The circular by the joint secretary, IT, MPSC, on Dec 24 said, “If the total score results in a fractional number, it will be retained as such and not rounded off”. Officials said these changes are intended to reduce errors, curb malpractices and bring uniformity to evaluation process.

Mumbai: The Powai police booked an Andheri resident after his 17-year-old nephew, driving a car, lost control and met with an accident in Powai on Friday night. The car belonged to the uncle of the minor boy who had rammed it into a parked scooter and then collided with a nearby building’s gate in Powai.A police source said that the boy, aged 17 years and six months, did not have a driving license. The minor boy, who was allegedly on a joyride, took his uncle’s SUV car from Marol in Andheri and came alone in the car to Powai. The accident took place near a Mhada building while the boy was returning to Andheri.As soon as the boy lost control, the car reportedly crashed through a footpath railing, ramming into a parked two-wheeler scooter before colliding with the gate of a residential building. There were no pedestrians on the footpath at the time of the accident.The police have registered a case under sections 180 (Allowing unauthorised persons to drive vehicles), 184 (reckless driving) and 199A (offenses by juveniles) of the MV act. Sections of the BNS have also been invoked in the case. The car has been seized by the police and a team of RTO will inspect it too.

Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand against Nick Kyrgios during their Battle of the Sexes tennis match, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday Dec. 28, 2025. (Photo via AP)

DDUBAI: Nick Kyrgios beat women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” on Sunday, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans.Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.Back then, there was more at stake with the nascent women’s professional tour, set up by King, fighting for its legitimacy and prize money for female players still far lower than for the men.King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, saw off the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston.On Sunday, each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court were nine percent smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage.Kyrgios has dropped to 671 in the rankings after playing just six ATP matches over the past three seasons, but the 30-year-old Australian still had enough to see off four-time Grand Slam singles champion Sabalenka. “Honestly, it was a really tough match. She’s a hell of a competitor,” said Kyrgios.“I had to strap in because she was putting the pressure on and ultimately it was a really hard-fought battle.”

Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Hong Kong based supplier’s company director for mis-declaring and causing a loss of Rs 30 crores in a luxury furniture import case. She is the third accused to be arrested in the case. The DRI in May this year arrested two — Rizwan Iqbal Chunawala and Sajid Hanif Jada. During searches conducted at multiple premises, officers recovered incriminating documents pointing towards systematic undervaluation and document manipulation aimed at evading customs duty, Integrated Goods and Services Tax, and Social Welfare Surcharge.

Navi Mumbai: A 34-year-old man has been arrested by NRI coastal police for allegedly sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl residing in his locality in Karave village on Dec 24 night.A police officer informed that, on Dec 24 around 9.30 pm, the accused identified as Pravat Kumar Paik, a daily wage labourer, entered the girl’s house when she was alone and was watching television. As he allegedly sexually fondled the minor girl, she raised an alarm when neighbours rushed to her rescue and caught the accused till the girl’s parents, who are also labourers, arrived after being informed about the incident. The accused was thrashed by the building residents and brought to police station.An FIR was registered under BNS section for assault or the use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty along with Pocso Act for punishment for Aggravated Sexual Assault and Punishment for Sexual Harassment of a Child. The accused was arrested and produced before Belapur court that remanded him in police custody for one day till Friday and later sent him to jail custody.

Mumbai: Police on Saturday booked a 40-year-old JCB machine driver for causing death by negligence after crushing a woman sleeping at Chimbai maidan.The incident took place at around 4 am on Saturday. Bandra police received information and arrived at the spot. An injured unidentified woman was lying down on the ground. People who had gathered there told police that the JCB machine while moving in reverse crushed her. The woman was taken to Bhabha hospital where she was declared dead before admission. The JCB driver has been identified as Saleem Khan.