Sharif Osman Hadi (File photo)

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday submitted its chargesheet in the Sharif Osman Hadi case, naming 17 people in connection with the killing of the Bangladesh student leader.Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, Md Shafiul Islam, additional commissioner of the DMP’s Detective Branch, said Hadi was killed out of “political vengeance” at the behest of the now-banned Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina. The former prime minister was ousted following student-led protests in August 2024 and has since been living in India.

“Through public rallies and social media, Hadi had strongly criticised the past activities of the Awami League and the Chhatra League,” Islam told reporters, referring to the party’s student wing. “His outspoken remarks angered leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and its affiliated groups.”Also read: Who was Sharif Osman Hadi? Key figure in Sheikh Hasina ouster“Considering the political identities of the accused and the victim’s previous political statements, the investigation has revealed that Hadi was shot dead due to political vengeance,” the police officer added.Hadi, 32, a spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, rose to national prominence during the mass protests that led to the fall of the Hasina-led government. He was shot in the head on December 12 while campaigning in Dhaka.He was also a parliamentary candidate for the February 12 elections. Hadi was airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.Also read: 2 Hindu men murdered as violence surges in Bangladesh — 6 such killings in 18 daysMeanwhile, Islam further stated the alleged shooter, Faisal Karim Masud, was “directly involved” with the Chhatra League. Another accused, Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi—an Awami League-nominated ward councillor—allegedly helped Masud and another prime suspect, Alamgir Sheikh, flee after the murder.So far, 12 people have been arrested in connection with the case.On Monday, home affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury had told reporters the final chargesheet would be submitted on January 7. However, police filed it a day earlier amid protests in Dhaka by Inqilab Moncho, which has been demanding justice for its slain leader.(With PTI inputs)

A month after its theatrical release, ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to dominate the box office and has now crossed Rs 760 crore net in India. The Aditya Dhar directorial is headlined by Ranveer Singh and stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal in pivotal roles. While Ranveer won a lot of praise, it was Akshaye who broke the internet as his entry song and performance as Rahman Dakait was the most talked about. In a recent interview, actor Naveen Kaushik who plays Rahman Dakait’s trusted aide in the film, believes the conversation around performances has been somewhat one-sided.He said in a recent interview that it’s unfair that Akshaye has gotten all the attention while Ranveer has been sidelined. He pointed out that Ranveer had to focus on “containing his energy and delivering an extremely subtle, monotone performance throughout the film,” he said in an interview with Siddharth Kannan.

Addressing perceptions about Akshaye Khanna’s reserved nature, Naveen clarified that the actor was never distant or cold. “If we went up to him for a conversation, he would speak very warmly. But once the conversation ended, he would retreat back into his space and so would we. I don’t know if it was method acting, but just like Rahman Dakait, who stays quiet, observes, and remains unpredictable, Akshaye sir was quite similar in real life. He stayed away from the chaos on set and focused solely on his character.”Naveen then spoke about Ranveer Singh, highlighting how starkly different the actor is from his on-screen persona Hamza. “Hamza is completely different from Ranveer. Ranveer is a ball of energy—a thousand-volt electric current. Whenever he’s on set, he greets everyone. He doesn’t like people sitting around lazily,” he said. Emphasising the contrast between the two key characters, he added, “These two characters, Hamza and Rahman, are poles apart. Every time the director said ‘cut’, Ranveer would instantly switch back to being himself, unless it was a very serious scene. He had a child-like curiosity throughout, with absolutely no ‘I am a huge star’ tantrums.”He also marked change in Ranveer’s emotional state during this film compared to earlier projects. “He wasn’t depressed the way he once spoke about being during Padmaavat. This time, it felt like he had an internal switch, he could move from Hamza to Ranveer in a click. He has incredible energy to play such varied characters. No one can match that.”While acknowledging the impact of Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal, Naveen reiterated that Ranveer’s work deserved more credit. “I do feel it’s unfair. Akshaye sir has undoubtedly created an iconic character that will be remembered for years. But what Ranveer has done as an actor, the tiny nuances, his voice modulation, for someone who is so energetic in real life to suppress all of that and play the complete opposite, it’s extremely difficult.”Referring to a standout sequence, Naveen said, “In the famous ‘FA9LA’ song, everyone in the scene is dancing, except Ranveer Singh. To restrain yourself in a moment like that is incredibly hard. But people didn’t notice it because of Akshaye sir’s commanding aura. Ranveer’s character is deliberately underplayed. He doesn’t seek attention. In the film, the first man in command is Akshaye, followed by Danish. If Ranveer had ego issues, he could have easily tried to draw focus to himself, but he didn’t. An insecure actor would have done that. Ranveer stayed true to his character and allowed someone else to shine.”Speaking about their off-screen dynamic, Naveen described a professional and collaborative relationship between the two actors. “Ranveer and Akshaye shared a very cordial relationship on set. They rehearsed together, looked out for each other, whether it was during rehearsals or something as simple as arranging chairs. They were great collaborators.”

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has thrown his weight behind India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, explaining how the star cricketer can return to the fearless style that once made him one of the most destructive batters in world cricket. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin on February 7, Ponting believes Suryakumar’s experience and self-belief will be crucial for India’s campaign.

A surprising slump for Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is

Suryakumar’s dip in form during the 2025 T20I season raised eyebrows across the cricketing fraternity. Known for his innovative stroke play and ability to dominate bowlers in all phases of an innings, the Indian skipper endured an unusually lean run. Across 19 T20I innings in 2025, he scored only 218 runs at an average of 13.62, with a strike rate of 123.16. Notably, he failed to register a single half-century, with his highest score being an unbeaten 47.

Ponting admitted that the numbers were unexpected for a player of Suryakumar’s calibre. The former Australian great highlighted that consistency had long been one of the Indian batter’s biggest strengths, making his recent struggles even more surprising.

“That’s as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. He’s been such a solid and consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn’t been able to find it of late. He’s an interesting one because when I’ve seen him play his best, he’s taken six or eight or 10 balls to get going and then just lets it all go,” Ponting told ICC.

Ponting explains how Suryakumar can regain his form

Ponting stressed that the key to Suryakumar’s revival lies in mindset rather than technique. According to Ponting, when Suryakumar is at his best, he allows himself a brief settling-in period before unleashing his full range of shots without fear of dismissal. The Tasmanian drew parallels with Travis Head, noting that both players thrive when they focus on scoring freely instead of worrying about getting out. He advised Suryakumar to think about run-making, trust his instincts, and back the methods that have already proven successful at the highest level.

“He plays all of his shots and backs himself and a bit like Travis Head where it almost looks like they don’t ever fear getting out. That’s what I’d say to him. I’d be saying, think about scoring runs, don’t think about getting out. Trust yourself, back yourself. You’re proven to be as good as anybody in the world in the T20 format and go and prove it to everybody once again,” added Ponting.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting selects Australia’s 16-man squad for Ashes 2027; picks two uncapped players

Stark contrast between international and IPL form for Surya

What has puzzled experts and fans alike is the sharp contrast between Suryakumar’s international struggles and his dominant performances in franchise cricket. During the IPL 2025 season, he was in sensational touch for Mumbai Indians, finishing as the franchise’s leading run-scorer with 717 runs. He averaged an astonishing 65.18 and struck at 167.91, regularly dismantling bowling attacks with ease. This disparity suggests that the issue is not a decline in skill but perhaps the added pressure of leadership and expectations at the international level.

As India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar’s form carries added significance. His performances at the upcoming World Cup will be closely scrutinized, not only for their impact on India’s results but also for what they signal about his leadership under pressure.

Also READ: Who is Khushi Mukherjee? The actress who made bold claims against Suryakumar Yadav

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Here are your top stories of the day:

‘Failing to do its duty’: SC raps air quality body over Delhi pollution

The Supreme Court has pulled up the commission for air quality management (CAQM) over its failure to take effective steps as Delhi’s air quality continues to remain in the ‘poor’ category. The court asked the CAQM to hold a meeting of experts within two weeks to assess the reasons behind the pollution levels and work out long-term remedial measures, and declined the commission’s plea seeking a two-month adjournment on crucial interventions. Read full story

‘Will Trump kidnap our PM?’ Prithviraj Chavan’s bizarre remark amid Venezuela crisis

Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan connected the ongoing trade frictions between the US and India, including the imposition of tariffs, to what he described as a CIA-backed operation in Venezuela. Raising a rhetorical question on whether President Donald Trump would dare to kidnap India’s Prime Minister, Chavan criticised the Centre for remaining silent on developments in Venezuela and accused it of being apprehensive about the US. Read full story

JNU seeks FIR against students over anti-govt slogans during protest

Jawaharlal Nehru University has approached the police seeking the registration of an FIR against office-bearers of the students’ union and some other students for shouting “objectionable, provocative and inflammatory” slogans during a protest near Sabarmati Hostel on Monday night. The demonstration, organised by the JNU students’ union, was held to observe six years since the January 5, 2020 campus violence and to protest the Supreme Court’s decision refusing bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The university alleged that slogans were also raised against the prime minister and the Union home minister. Read full story

‘I was a minor’: Indonesian model says she was forced to marry Malaysian prince

Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia has alleged that members of the Malaysian royal family forced her into a marriage with Prince Tengku Fakhry. In an Instagram post, Odelia stated that her association with the prince was neither consensual nor romantic. The 33-year-old also claimed that the relationship was unlawful, as she was a minor at the time. Read full story

India growth outlook: Economy may grow 6.9% in FY27; ‘Goldilocks’ phase likely to continue

India Ratings & Research has projected India’s economy to expand by 6.9 per cent in FY27, supported by ongoing structural reforms and the benefits of new trade agreements. The agency expects the country to enter a “Goldilocks” phase marked by robust growth and controlled inflation, with retail inflation averaging 3.8 per cent. It also forecasts an improvement in public finances, with the Centre’s debt declining to 55.5 per cent of GDP. Read full story

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that could consolidate hundreds of the state’s school districts without requiring parental approval. The legislation, introduced by State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, would allow county executive superintendents and the state education commissioner to approve mergers for districts with fewer than 500 students.Currently, voters in affected school districts must approve any consolidation. Gopal told NJ.com he aims to reduce the total number of districts from around 600 to “maybe 70 or 80” to address what he described as an affordability and efficiency crisis in public education.Bill targets small districts and regionalises schoolsUnder the proposed S4861 bill, county officials would draft consolidation plans to eliminate smaller districts and potentially expand regional districts. Gopal, in conversation with NJ.com, said the plan would also examine districts enrolling students only up to eighth grade and their transition into larger regional high schools.Approximately one-third of New Jersey’s districts serve fewer than 500 students. Gopal cited Neptune City, with 240 students at 35% capacity in a single building, as a potential target. In Cape May County, Cape May City and West Cape May recently received a $50,000 grant to study consolidation, with the two elementary schools enrolling a combined 241 students.Opposition raises cost and community concernsTeachers’ unions and school administrators have voiced objections. Steven Baker, spokesperson for the New Jersey Education Association, told NJ.com, “Consolidation and regionalisation efforts must be voluntary and based on the needs of the communities involved.”Debra Bradley, director of government relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, highlighted potential hidden costs, stating in conversation with NJ.com that salary adjustments and transportation expenses could offset any anticipated savings. “At each juncture, as the Legislature considered potential cost savings, it discovered that the reality is much more complex, the cost savings more ephemeral, and the process potentially quite divisive,” Bradley added.Past consolidation efforts show mixed resultsNew Jersey has attempted voluntary consolidations in recent years. In Monmouth County, the K-6 districts in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands merged into the K-12 Henry Hudson Regional School District in July 2024 after voters approved the plan. By contrast, a referendum to add Seaside Heights to Toms River Regional failed, despite 86.9% approval from the four existing towns.Gopal told NJ.com that the bill would allow administrators to review mergers more broadly, including for larger districts like Colts Neck in Monmouth County, which has nearly 1,000 students across three schools and feeds into a regional high school.Legislative process and next stepsS4861 has not yet had a vote in the Senate, and no companion bill exists in the Assembly. The legislation must pass both chambers and be signed by the governor to become law. Gopal told NJ.com he hopes the proposal will “start a conversation” about district consolidation while thoroughly reviewing any potential changes.

The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to ignite on January 9, bringing a month of high-octane cricket to Mumbai and Vadodara. Following India’s historic ODI World Cup 2025 triumph, the domestic league has reached a fever pitch, with fans eager to see the world’s best talents return to Indian shores. This season features an expanded schedule and a renewed focus on aggressive, result-oriented play. Among the five competing franchises, the Gujarat Giants have become the center of attention due to a series of high-profile staff and roster overhauls.

Gujarat Titans bring in three-time World Cup winner as fielding coach for WPL 2026

In a landmark move to fortify their defense, the Giants have officially appointed legendary England wicketkeeper-batter and three-time World Cup winner Sarah Taylor as their new fielding coach for WPL 2026. Taylor, widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted cricketers in history, brings a wealth of tactical experience from both the women’s and men’s professional circuits.

Speaking to IANS on January 6, 2026, Taylor emphasized a culture of fearlessness and precision ahead of their tournament opener. “The focus is to get the girls ready for the first game on the 10th, while also ensuring they enjoy themselves and play with real aggression in the field. Matches can often be won or lost through fielding, catches, run-outs, and moments like those, so we want the girls to be fully prepared and ready for whatever comes their way,” Taylor stated.

Taylor’s appointment is a clear statement of intent from the Adani-owned franchise, which has identified fielding lapses as a primary reason for their previous struggles. By integrating Taylor into a coaching staff that includes head coach Michael Klinger and bowling coach Pravin Tambe, the Giants are banking on her ‘Gold Standard’ expertise to transform them into the sharpest unit in the league.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition

The Giants’ road to redemption ahead of WPL 2026 

The Giants will enter WPL 2026 with the weight of history on their shoulders and a desperate need for consistency. After finishing at the rock bottom of the points table in the first two seasons (2023 and 2024), the franchise finally tasted success in WPL 2025, achieving a historic milestone by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time.

Under the tactical leadership of Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who replaced Beth Mooney as captain last season, the Giants secured a third-place finish with a balanced record of four wins and four losses. For the 2026 edition, the franchise has doubled down on this winning formula by retaining Gardner as captain for a staggering ₹3.5 crore.

The squad has been significantly bolstered with marquee signings, including New Zealand icon Sophie Devine and India’s swing specialist Renuka Singh Thakur. With a revamped roster featuring power-hitters like Danni Wyatt-Hodge and emerging Indian talents like Kashvee Gautam and Titas Sadhu, the Giants are no longer the league’s underdogs. Gardner’s retention as the first overseas player to lead the team full-time signals a long-term vision to move beyond the Eliminator and secure their maiden WPL title.

Also READ: From emerging player to WPL 2026 winner: Deepti Sharma shares bold predictions for the Women’s Premier League

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

File photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi (Picture credit: AP)

China on Tuesday banned exports of dual-use goods that can serve both civilian and military purposes to Japan, a move that comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries over Taiwan.In a statement, China’s commerce ministry said exports of such items to Japanese military users, as well as to any other end-users that could help enhance Japan’s military power, are prohibited. It warned that any individual or organisation violating the rule by transferring or providing these made-in-China products to Japanese entities would face legal consequences, regardless of nationality.While the notice did not specify the items covered, some technology-related exports, including drones and navigation systems, could potentially be adapted for military use, as per news agency AP.There was no immediate response from Japan.China said the measures take effect immediately and are aimed at safeguarding national security and interests.Beijing classifies a range of products in sensitive sectors such as biotechnology, aerospace and telecommunications as dual-use goods subject to export controls.Relations between China and Japan have deteriorated in recent months over comments linked to Taiwan. Ties worsened after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said late last year that Japan’s military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own territory. In December, Japan also said Chinese military aircraft locked radar on its fighter jets, despite what Tokyo described as a safe distance between them.China has stepped up military pressure around Taiwan, launching large-scale drills near the island last week. During that period, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi criticised Japan’s leadership and Taiwan’s “pro-independence forces,” accusing Tokyo of challenging China’s territorial sovereignty.As per AFP, a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson slammed Japan’s recent “erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan, implying the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait,” adding that the tightened export controls were necessary to protect China’s security interests.