Anthony Joshua (AP Photo)

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was hospitalised in Nigeria on Monday after being involved in a road accident that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members, his promoter confirmed. Joshua, 35, sustained injuries in the crash but is in a stable condition and remains under observation.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Matchroom Boxing and 258 BXG can confirm that Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment. He is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation,” Matchroom Boxing said in a statement. The promoter later identified the two fatalities as Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. “With profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away,” the statement added.

Police said the accident occurred around 11:00 am local time in Makun, along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a major route linking Ogun State to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua was suspected to have been travelling above the prescribed speed limit. “The vehicle lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck by the side of the road,” the FRSC said.Photos circulating on social media showed Joshua being assisted from the wreckage, visibly in discomfort. Ogun State Police confirmed that Joshua, who was seated in the rear of the vehicle, suffered minor injuries and was receiving medical attention alongside another injured person.

People gather at the accident scene of Anthony Joshua in Lagos, Nigeria. (Federal Road Safety Corps via AP)

A joint statement from the Lagos and Ogun state governments said medical evaluations indicated that both patients admitted after the crash were stable and did not require emergency intervention. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also spoke to Joshua by phone, offering condolences and wishing him a speedy recovery.Joshua, whose parents are from southwestern Nigeria, is a regular visitor to the country. Earlier this month, the two-time world champion knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a Netflix-backed bout in Miami. Talks have also been ongoing over a potential mega-fight with Tyson Fury in 2026.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face a pivotal decision ahead of the IPL 2026 season, with Josh Hazlewood’s persistent injuries casting doubt over his availability. The Australian paceman, retained by RCB at ₹10.75 crore despite missing the majority of matches this summer, boasts 57 IPL wickets at a strike rate of 15.21 but has played just 15 matches since 2023 due to side strains and Achilles issues.

IPL 2026: 3 possible replacements for injured Josh Hazlewood

1) Jhye Richardson

Jhye Richardson emerges as RCB’s prime target for Hazlewood’s role, blending raw speed with death-over nous. The 29-year-old right-armer has 27 IPL wickets across 24 games for Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians at an economy of 8.15 and strike rate of 17.4 balls per wicket – superior to Hazlewood’s IPL mark. His standout 2025 Big Bash League saw 18 wickets in 10 innings at 7.92 economy, including a best of 4/16, while in The Hundred, he claimed 12 scalps in 8 matches at 7.45 runs per over.

Richardson’s ability to hit 145kph and reverse swing late makes him ideal for Chinnaswamy’s dew factor.

2) Alzarri Joseph

West Indies tearaway Alzarri Joseph delivers raw 150kph thunder to fill Hazlewood’s enforcer void, with proven IPL bite. The 29-year-old right-armer snared 21 wickets in 22 IPL outings for Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and RCB at an economy of 9.55, peaking with 6/12 in his debut season. His 2025 CPL haul featured 18 wickets in 12 matches at 8.45 economy, while in the T20 Blast, he grabbed 14 scalps in 10 games at 7.90 runs per over.

Joseph’s bouncer barrage and seam movement suit RCB’s aggressive template, offering middle-over wickets. At a base price near ₹2 crore, he fits as a high-impact overseas option.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting takes swipe at ₹25.20 crore IPL signing of Cameron Green

3) Wiaan Mulder

Wiaan Mulder provides RCB dual utility as a seam-bowling allrounder, covering Hazlewood’s workload while adding middle-order muscle. The 28-year-old South African has limited IPL exposure but impressed in T20 Blast 2025 with 16 wickets in 12 innings at 7.88 economy and a batting strike rate of 132. His Test record shows 40 wickets at 28.45 average, transitioning seamlessly to T20s via SA20 where he took 10 wickets in 8 games at 8.10 economy plus 112 runs.

Mulder’s ability to bowl cutters in the middle overs (strike rate 18.5 in T20s) and bat at No. 7 echoes Hazlewood’s discipline without injury baggage.

Also READ: Chris Jordan picks his all-time IPL XI; no place for Rohit Sharma

MUMBAI: What began as a cautious drift toward safe assets has, over the course of 2025, become one of the most emphatic rallies the bullion market has seen in years. Gold and silver, propelled by a confluence of global uncertainty and domestic demand, have climbed steadily through the year — reaching record or near-record levels by December.In its annual review released this week, the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) traced this surge to a world that feels increasingly unsettled. Geopolitical tensions, war-like situations in parts of the globe, and a visible slowdown across major economies have pushed investors toward instruments that promise stability rather than growth. Gold, the oldest of safe havens, has once again become the refuge of choice.That shift has been reinforced by expectations that the United States Federal Reserve may begin cutting interest rates in the months ahead. Lower rates tend to make non-interest-bearing assets more attractive, and gold has benefited almost immediately from this change in sentiment. The weakening of the US dollar has further added to the momentum, lifting international prices and, by extension, domestic valuations.Reflecting on the year, GJC Chairman Rajesh Rokde described 2025 as a reaffirmation of the role precious metals play in both economic and cultural life.“The bullion market in 2025 has been a clear reminder that precious metals are strategic assets, not speculative instruments,” he said.“Gold’s historic rise is a direct reflection of global uncertainty and, more importantly, the unwavering trust that Indian households and investors place in it as a store of value across generations. Silver has decisively evolved beyond tradition — emerging as a critical metal powering the future through renewable energy, solar applications, and electric mobility, while retaining its cultural and jewellery relevance. This year has firmly established that gold and silver are not just commodities traded on screens, but enduring pillars of economic stability, cultural heritage, and India’s journey toward technological and sustainable growth.”Vice Chairman Avinash Gupta echoed the sense that opportunity now lies in understanding, not simply participating. “As we look toward 2026, the industry must prepare for a more complex environment,” he said.“Volatility will be part of the journey, yet the underlying drivers — from central bank accumulation to industrial demand — remain intact. For jewellers, investors, and consumers alike, the opportunity lies in understanding these dynamics and positioning wisely. Precious metals will continue to safeguard wealth, but they will also increasingly power the technologies of tomorrow. The GJC will stand alongside the trade, ensuring that our community adapts and thrives in this evolving landscape.”Behind the scenes, central banks have also been quietly reshaping the market. Countries such as China, Turkey, and India have increased the share of gold in their foreign exchange reserves — not as a short-term trade, but as a long-term hedge. Their steady accumulation has lent structural strength to the bullish trend.Silver’s story has been slightly different — and arguably more modern. Once viewed largely through the lens of jewellery and ornamentation, silver has increasingly found itself at the heart of the clean-energy transition. Its use in solar panels, electric vehicles, and advanced batteries has risen sharply, transforming it from a traditional precious metal into a strategic industrial resource. This dual identity — cultural and technological — has given silver a fresh relevance and a powerful new demand base.India’s own contribution to the rally has been unmistakable. Strong physical buying during the festive and wedding seasons has supported prices, as households continue to treat gold and silver not only as adornment, but as security. In times of uncertainty, the instinct to convert savings into tangible wealth remains deeply embedded.Looking ahead to 2026, GJC expects many of these forces to remain in place. Global uncertainty has not receded. Rate cuts remain likely. The dollar remains under pressure. Central banks continue to buy. And industrial demand for silver shows no sign of slowing. Together, these elements point toward a market that may be volatile, but fundamentally strong.

Arjun Erigaisi (Image credit: X)

NAGPUR: Hope. Heartbreak. Repeat. That has long defined Arjun Erigaisi’s relationship with world championships. For eight years, the script barely changed: promise gave way to disappointment and near-misses piled up into a quiet burden. Until Sunday night, when Arjun finally caught a break, secured a podium finish in the Open section of the World Rapid Championship and became only the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to do so.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In 2017 — the year Anand won his last world rapid title — Arjun finished runner-up in the U-14 World Youth Championship. Since then, a world-championship podium had remained a so-near-yet-so-far affair.

The wonder boy from Warangal has collected records across a 14-year journey: titles in international rated events, an Olympiad gold and a rise to India’s No. 1 in ratings. Despite having the strength of a Super GM, luck often played hide-andseek with him — in world titles as well as Candidates qualification. In Oct last year, Arjun became the 16th player in history to cross the 2800 mark in live ratings, only the second Indian to do so after Anand.In Doha, Arjun began brightly at the World Rapid Championship, sharing the lead with world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. In the last round on Day One, he held Carlsen — who had two extra pawns — to a draw in a marathon 101-move game to stay in touch with the lead.

Day Two brought his first defeat, followed by a couple of draws against lower-ranked opponents. Still, Arjun stayed joint 2nd. On the final day, just when was going great guns, he was stunned by 14-year-old and 156th-ranked Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and nearly slipped out of medal contention. He kept fighting, however, and won the last two rounds.As it turned out, Carlsen took a clear one-point lead and was just a draw away from regaining the title. The joint second-placed players drew and Arjun sneaked onto the podium — by half a point on tie-breaks. In the previous three World Rapid C’ships, he had missed bronze by the same margin.Overshadowed by Gukesh, Pragg’s world titlesIn 2018, Arjun became a GM as a 14-year-old, within four months. Post-pandemic, from 2021 onwards, he played nonstop and registered his first Elo surge, climbing 230 places from 359th to 129th in the world. By 2022, he made a jump from 134th to 21st, placing himself firmly among the new generation of Indian stars alongside Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa.Between Nov 2023 and July 2024, Arjun outpaced the global elite to add 66 points for a rating of 2778, rising from 30th to fourth in the world. Yet, despite his consistency, he was often overshadowed by world champion Gukesh and Pragg, a twice Candidates winner and World Cup finalist. When he was eliminated in the Goa World Cup, Arjun was heartbroken. But he came back stronger in Doha.

Rupee on Tuesday rose 3 paise to 89.95 against the US dollar in early trade supported by a weaker greenback and strong industrial output data. However, foreign fund outflows, marginally higher crude oil prices and a weak start in domestic equities limited sharper gains, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 89.98 and strengthened to 89.95 against the dollar, up from its previous close. Earlier on Monday, the local currency had depreciated 8 paise to settle at 89.98.“The RBI on Monday protected the top end of the curve while FPIs who sold equities also were dollar buyers, keeping bids on for the full day and taking it almost to 90 levels,” Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP said, PTI reported.Bhansali pointed to strong Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data released on Monday. “The IIP came at a 25-month high of 6.7 per cent for November against expectation of 2.5 per cent and last month growth of 0.5 per cent. The growth during the year has been 3.30 per cent against 2.70 per cent in the last month,” he added.Indian equity benchmark indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, opened in red on weak global cues. While Nifty50 went below 25,950, BSE Sensex was down over 120 points. At 9:19 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,902.85, down 39 points or 0.15%. BSE Sensex was at 84,567.40, down 128 points or 0.15%.Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 2,759.89 crore on Monday, according to exchange data, while the dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six currencies, was marginally lower by 0.03 per cent at 98.01.

US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Monday arrested an ISIS sympathiser in Texas over attempts to provide bomb-making components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization.FBI chief Kash Patel said that 21-year-old John Michael Garza Jr allegedly shared ISIS propaganda, sent cryptocurrency believing it would fund terrorist activity.

“The FBI and our partners have arrested a 21-year-old alleged ISIS sympathizer in Texas – following a terrorism investigation into attempts to provide bomb-making components and financial support to a designated foreign terrorist organization,” Patel said.“The subject allegedly shared ISIS propaganda, sent cryptocurrency believing it would fund terrorist activity, and attempted to deliver materials intended for explosive devices. This is radical Islamic terrorism, and it was identified and stopped. Great work by our FBI teams and great law enforcement partners,” he added.According to FBI, Garza brought various bomb-making materials to a meeting on Monday evening and gave them to an individual he allegedly believed was an ISIS “brother.”However, in reality, Garza met with an undercover agent.During the meeting, Garza described how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to build the bomb. Law enforcement agents arrested Garza shortly after he left the meeting.“According to the complaint, in mid-October 2025, an undercover New York City Police Department employee noticed a particular social media account — later determined to be Garza’s — that followed several other pro-ISIS accounts and wrote a comment on a pro-ISIS post. When the NYPD undercover engaged with Garza on social media, Garza described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas,” FBI said in a press release.“In their continuing conversations throughout November and December, Garza shared that he ascribed to the ISIS ideology and sent the undercover multiple official ISIS media releases. Garza paid the undercover small sums of cryptocurrency in November and December 2025, believing that he was supporting ISIS causes, including buying firearms and other materials. Examples of ISIS media releases that Garza provided included,” it added.

NEW DELHI: The NHRC has sent a notice to the Dehradun district magistrate and the SSP over the allegedly racially charged killing of a student from Tripura in the Uttarakhand capital. The national human rights commission has directed the Dehradun authorities to investigate the allegations and has sought an action taken report within seven days.

The commission has asked for a copy of the case proceedings to be sent to the Uttarakhand chief secretary and the director general of police. “Additionally, the authorities are directed to ensure safety of the students of North Eastern region in the entire state,” it says. Anjel Chakma, 24, a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, was allegedly attacked by some youngsters with a knife and a bracelet on December 9. He died on December 26, after being in a hospital for 17 days. His father, a BSF jawan currently posted in Tangjeng in Manipur, alleged that his son was “brutally attacked” when he tried to defend his brother, who was called “Chinese” by the attackers. The assailants called his sons “Chinese momo” and abused him, the father of the victim told PTI over the phone. Anjel told them that he “was also Indian, not Chinese,” but they attacked him with knives and blunt objects, the father said. According to the proceedings, a bench of the NHRC, presided by its member Priyank Kanoongo, has taken cognisance under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The complainant has alleged that the student from the Tripura region was brutally attacked and killed in Dehradun, in a “racially motivated incident” while studying outside his home state. According to the complaint, the person was “targeted with racial slurs and assaulted after asserting his identity as an Indian citizen”, reads the proceedings. “The incident has caused nationwide outrage and is stated to reflect deep-rooted racial discrimination against people from the North-East, failure of local authorities to prevent the violence, and lack of adequate protection mechanisms,” it adds. The complainant alleged that the incident amounts to a “serious violation” of the victim’s right to life, dignity, and equality. The complainant had sought the intervention of the NHRC in the matter and requested urgent intervention, accountability, and systemic measures to prevent such hate-based crimes, the proceedings says. The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victim, the NHRC says. “The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the DM and the SSP, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an action taken report within seven days for perusal of the Commission,” it says. On Monday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to the father of the student and assured strict punishment for the accused. Leaders cutting across political lines called for comprehensive efforts to end “hate crimes” against the people from the northeastern states.