NEW DELHI: After pushing organisation cohesion and laying out BJP’s agenda in West Bengal, home minister Amit Shah will be in another poll-bound state Tamil Nadu for two days from Sunday to give shape to the party’s strategy, where it is a junior partner to AIADMK, but will have to play a key role in guiding the alliance that faces a host of knotty issues.Shah’s schedule includes attending the closing ceremony of a state-wide yatra in Pudukkottai – which was led by BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran and has championed Tamil pride to counter the governing DMK-led alliance’s projection of the party as an organisation arraigned against the state’s values; presiding over a meeting of key BJP leaders and attending Pongal celebration.Sources said key BJP allies, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, may also meet Shah.His visit to the southern state is expected to push efforts for NDA’s expansion, which has hit roadblocks. While PMK, a BJP ally in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls when AIADMK had fought separately, has split into two factions, one led by its founder S Ramadoss and the other by his son Anbumani Ramadoss, another prospective ally DMDK, founded by actor Vijayakant and now headed by his widow Premallatha Vijayakant, is yet to finalise its stand.That BJP and Palaniswami, known as EPS, do not see eye to eye on the course the alliance must take to put up a strong contest against the DMK-Congress-Left alliance amid emergence of popular actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has succeeded in draw a few regional satraps, especially from AIADMK, to its fold.While BJP is believed to be a votary of former AIADMK functionaries like O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, who either quit or were expelled from the party due to their differences with EPS, returning to their parent party to project a picture of organisational unity and revival, EPS remains wary of welcoming them back, apprehending that they may challenge his grip over AIADMK.Union minister Piyush Goyal was in Tamil Nadu recently after being appointed as BJP’s election in-charge of the state and met EPS, NDA functionaries from the state are of the view that it will require Shah to step in and reach out to current and prospective allies to expand NDA. With his proven political skills and electoral track record, Shah has the authority and mojo to get them around to joining ranks for defeating DMK, which someone like EPS may lack despite AIADMK being the senior partner as his party has struggled to challenge CM M K Stalin.BJP brass will also need to bring its own house in order as its former president Annamalai, popular among the core BJP supporters, has been lying low and, at times, skipped key meetings.

Steve Smith has moved swiftly to shut down talk of an imminent retirement, insisting he remains fully invested in Test cricket ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting January 4. Australia’s stand-in captain acknowledged that recent years have not quite matched the extraordinary standards he set earlier in his career, but stressed that speculation around his future is premature. Smith’s peak years saw him dominate red-ball cricket, averaging over 70 across multiple seasons between 2014 and 2019. While his numbers since then remain strong — averaging above 50 in 2021, 2022 and 2025 — the absence of sustained, match-defining spells has prompted outside chatter about his longevity. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Sydney, Smith made it clear that he has no fixed timeline in mind and is focused only on the present.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing at the end of this week. I’ve said it for a while. I’m taking it day by day, series by series. We’ll see where things land,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m doing all right at the moment. I’m enjoying it. I’m contributing and having fun. There’s no real end date for me, I suppose. I’m still playing. I’m enjoying it.” Smith also reflected on Australia’s recent success in Test cricket, pointing to the collective strength of the side rather than reliance on individual brilliance. Australia have reached two World Test Championship finals in the last few years, a run Smith believes highlights the depth and balance within the squad. “I think we’ve got a really good team,” he said. “The team we’ve had over the last three or four years, obviously making two World Test Championship finals, different people have stood up at different times. It’s never been one or two people just getting the job done. It’s been shared across.” As one of the senior figures in the dressing room, Smith sees his role evolving beyond just runs. “As an older player now, hopefully I can help some of the players coming through and help teach them the game of Test cricket. I guess that’s my role now,” he added. For now, Smith’s focus remains firmly on the SCG and the task at hand, with retirement a conversation he is in no rush to have.

INDORE: Angry residents of Bhagirathpura area, where 10 deaths have been reported because of contaminated drinking water – although MP govt has confirmed a toll of five so far – want those guilty of negligence to be held to account.Hours after reports of deaths and hospitalisations surfaced on December 29, Indore municipal corporation (IMC) officials found a toilet connected to Bhagirathpura police outpost was constructed without a proper septic tank. The waste line reportedly opened into a pit located directly above the pipeline for drinking water, allowing the contaminated water to enter the drinking water supply network in the area.“So many people lost their lives because there was negligence while constructing a police toilet? This is shocking. A case should be registered and someone should be held accountable,” said Ashok Pathi, a local.Residents demanded that a case of culpable homicide be registered against the contractor who constructed the toilet. However, officials said locating the original builder might be difficult. “A lot of the families are living in fear because what we trusted as safe drinking water turned fatal for so many. Someone’s negligence cost lives, and people responsible must be punished,” said Ramesh Verma, a resident.Authorities are now examining how the construction work was allowed without safeguards, and whether oversight lapses occurred. Lab findings are awaited, while residents continue to demand accountability and long-term measures to secure the drinking water system.“We are apprehensive every time we turn on the tap. Authorities should ensure this never happens again, and those at fault should not be allowed to walk away,” said Meena Jain, another local.Indore police collected soil samples from the suspected contamination site as part of the investigation. DCP Rajesh Vyas said, “Soil and water samples were collected for examination. Strict action will be taken against those responsible.”

Desert Vipers will face MI Emirates in the final of the International League T20. This article provides details about MI Emirates’ Playing 11 vs Desert Vipers for the final game of the competition.

MI Emirates Playing XI vs Desert Vipers- ILT20 2025-26, Final:

Openers: Muhammad Waseem, Andre Fletcher

MI Emirates would back their players to give what it takes to win the final of the fourth edition of the ILT20 and clinch their second title by defeating Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The Kieron Pollard-led side would like the opening batters to take the responsibility and get the team off to a good start while playing in the aggressive way that they are known for in the first six overs.

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The opening pair of Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher would want to fulfill their role by laying a platform for the middle order batters to capitalize on both while batting first and while chasing, and help the team win another trophy.

In addition to that, the captain would also wish for both Waseem and Fletcher to make a decisive contribution individually, which would create pressure on the strong bowling lineup that the Desert Vipers possess and give the team a run for their money.

If the openers are able to do what is asked of them, they will put MI Emirates in a strong position in the title clash in terms of winning it.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Tom Banton (wk), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Kieron Pollard (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd, Arab Gul Momand

The openers will be followed by a strong and in-form middle order of the MI Emirates, which includes names like Tom Banton, captain Kieron Pollard, and Romario Shepherd, all of whom have contributed at different points in the tournament.

The MI Emirates management would hope for the above-mentioned batters to keep up the good work in the final as well and help the team put on a strong effort.

Other than the likes of Pollard and Shepherd, the team also has the services of Shakib Al Hasan, who brings a rich vein of experience with him with both bat and ball, and will play a vital role in the game.

The onus will be on the top five batters to score the majority of the runs for the team and not depend on the lower order to get the job done.

Bowlers: Allah Ghazanfar, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi

As has been the case in the whole tournament, MI Emirates will have a number of bowling options heading into the final, which will help the captain to juggle around with bowlers according to the situation of the game.

MI Emirates are expected to have seven bowling options, including the captain, Kieron Pollard himself.

The fat bowling department of the team will be handled by Muhammad Rohid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Shakib Al Hasan and Allah Ghazanfar will take care of the team’s spin bowling attack and will look to keep the batters in check.