No More Free Hajj: Egypt Changes the Rules for Pilgrims Ahead of 2026 Pilgrimage

Ahead of the 1447 AH/2026 Hajj season, the Egyptian government has announced that it will stop providing state-funded free pilgrimage slots. Instead, it will use electronic lottery systems and licensed paid pilgrimage packages. This is a significant change for millions of potential pilgrims and indicates reforms in Egypt’s public spending and Hajj logistics before the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Hajj season.

No more free state-sponsored slots

Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity and the National Foundation for Facilitating Hajj announced the results of the public electronic Hajj lottery for 2026 pilgrims, selecting approximately 12,000 applicants from across Egyptian governorates through a fully digital draw aimed at promoting transparency. Successful applicants must now pay for their pilgrimage arrangements through official channels. The confirmation of the lottery result was done through a press conference by Minister Maya Morsi. This highlights the fact that the lottery has currently become the main means for Egyptians, as opposed to a subsidized state sponsorship, for Egyptian Hajj visas.

Hajj 2026 Explained: Egypt’s New Lottery System, Paid Packages and Visa Rules

This is part of a bigger trend that has been underway for the past few years. During economic strains in 2022 and 2023, Egypt cancelled Hajj at state expense for the second consecutive year, opting not to use government resources to underwrite pilgrimages amid budgetary pressures.

Tourism ministry opens paid Hajj registration

Separately, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities opened Hajj registration via licensed tourism companies for the 2026 season, with applications accepted from mid-October and results published in early November. These packages are presented in economy, mid-range and premier options. They are fully paid pilgrim services, requiring applicants to cover costs ranging from accommodation to transport, managed through officially accredited tour operators. Government data showed that tourism Hajj packages this year were priced across categories to accommodate different budgets and that the ministry even reduced some prices slightly compared to the previous season to ease financial burdens. Here’s what this means for Egyptian pilgrims –

No Hajj visa, no pilgrimage: Egypt sets mandatory health and registration conditions

In addition to changes in government support and lottery systems for the Hajj 2026, Egyptian authorities have made it clear that Muslims going for Hajj must submit certain requirements regarding visas and health documents. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has confirmed that pilgrims are required to present a “Health Fitness Certificate” before they can be given a Hajj visa. The health certificate is a medical document that verifies the pilgrims’ ability to carry out the Hajj rituals.

No Hajj Visa Without It: Egypt Introduces Mandatory Health Rule for 2026 Pilgrims

All other official registration formalities have been conducted through the designated channels. The move is a part of the general procedural updates being undertaken to ensure that this is done in an orderly manner and in line with the rules established by the Saudi government, relating to visas as well as safety regulations among the crowds attendant at the annual pilgrimage. Notably, the process of visa application for tourism category Hajj pilgrims is put on hold until this certificate is submitted.

Bottom line

Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and essential for Muslims who can afford it but rising costs and economic reforms have made traditional free or subsidised government sponsorships less viable. Egypt’s updated model meets the rising demand and Saudi Arabia’s logistical changes for managing the annual pilgrimage. It prioritises transparency, fairness and controlled access through digital lotteries and regulated tourism channels.For potential pilgrims and their families, the message is clear. Hajj in 2026 will rely on paid, structured packages and lottery allocations instead of blanket government sponsorship. This approach sets a new standard for one of the largest religious migrations on Earth.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has once again opened up on Virat Kohli’s decision to step away from Test cricket, this time after watching Joe Root register his 41st hundred in the format. The milestone reignited the long-running comparison between the modern greats, with Root, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Kohli once grouped together as the celebrated ‘Fab Four’. Among them, Kohli remains the only one to have exited Test cricket. In a video shared on Instagram, Manjrekar expressed disappointment over Kohli’s choice, especially given the prolonged lean phase that preceded his retirement from red-ball cricket. “Well, as Joe Root attains new heights in Test cricket, my mind goes to Virat Kohli. He’s walked away from Tests, and it’s unfortunate that in the five years that he struggled before retiring, he didn’t quite put his heart and soul into finding out the problems as to why he was averaging 31 for five years in Tests,” Manjrekar said. Manjrekar stressed that the concern was not about Kohli retiring, but about the selective nature of that decision. According to him, walking away from all formats would have been easier to accept. “It was okay, Virat Kohli just walked away from cricket, retired from all cricket. But that he’s chosen to play one-day cricket actually disappoints me more, because this is a format which, for a top-order batter, I’ve said before as well, is the easiest format,” he said. He went on to underline why Test cricket still matters the most in his view. “The format that really tests you is first, obviously, Test Cricket, and T20 cricket has its different challenges,” Manjrekar added. Manjrekar also pointed to Kohli’s fitness and discipline, suggesting that a comeback route was always available if the desire was there. “Because he’s so fit, supremely fit, you feel even more that he could have maybe continued his fight, you know, to get back into form. Even if he was left out of a series, he could have maybe gone down to first-class cricket, played in Australia, England, more matches in India, tried to make another comeback,” he said. The video concluded on an emotional note, with Manjrekar admitting that every big Test innings from Root, Smith or Williamson now brings a sense of loss. “When Joe Root gets hundreds or gets runs, or Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, my mind goes to Virat Kohli with a sense of disappointment and a little bit of sadness, because he cared so much for Test Cricket, didn’t he?”

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) stock tumbled 5% on Tuesday, falling to an intraday low of Rs 1,497.05 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The share price plunged after RIL denied a Bloomberg report claiming that its Jamnagar refinery will be receiving three ships of Russian crude oil.Today’s session recorded the stock’s steepest intraday decline since June 4, 2024. RIL shares slipped below their 50-day moving average, wiping out more than Rs 1 lakh crore from the company’s market capitalisation. Reliance also emerged as the single biggest drag on the Nifty 50, pulling the benchmark index down by about 82 points.Responding to the Bloomberg report, Reliance clarified that its Jamnagar refinery has not received any Russian crude cargo over the past three weeks and is not expecting any such deliveries in January.Taking to X, the company wrote, “A news report in Bloomberg claiming “three vessels laden with Russian Oil are heading for Reliance Industries Limited’s Jamnagar refinery” is blatantly untrue. Reliance Industries’s Jamnagar refinery has not received any cargo of Russian oil at its refinery in the past three weeks approx. and is not expecting any Russian crude oil deliveries in January.”The company further added, “We are deeply pained that those claiming to be at the forefront of fair journalism chose to ignore the denial by RIL of buying any Russian oil to be delivered in January and published a wrong report tarnishing our image.”The Bloomberg report, which cited data from Kpler, alleged that three vessels loaded with Russian crude were en route to the Jamnagar refinery. Reliance, which had earlier emerged as India’s largest buyer of discounted Russian oil following the Russia-Ukraine war, has paused the purchasing, ET reported.However, despite the company’s clarification, its shares continued to trade in red with heavy volumes reflecting investor reaction to the news and broader weakness in the market.India’s oil imports from Russia, according to a Reuters report, are expected to fall further in January after Reliance’s decision to halt intake of Russian crude. Moscow’s oil inflows to the country have already slowed amid tighter US and European Union sanctions, with imports dropping to a three-year low of around 1.2 million barrels per day in December, down about 40% from the peak of nearly 2 million barrels per day in June.

MUMBAI: “The manner in which the entire process of admission of new members was undertaken gives a prima facie impression that everything was done in a hot haste,” and the court cannot adopt a “hands-off approach” and allow the election scheduled on January 6 to continue, said the Bombay High Court in its reasons to stay Tuesday’s election to the apex council of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA).The HC on Monday directed the electoral officer for MCA not to proceed with the election process in whatsoever manner without prior court nod, and adjourned a batch of petitions challenging the poll after a “last minute” “illegal” addition on December 29 of almost 400 new voter-members, including MCA President and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar’s father-in-law, wife, and another relative, taking the count to 570.Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, in the reasoned order made available on Tuesday morning, as stated while delivering the operative order on Monday, said there were prima facie reasons to interfere with the election process at the MCA.The HC noted, “On 31 October 2025, a report was submitted by a one-man committee of a former Judge of the High Court. (The HC order does not name the former HC Judge.) In that report, the committee accepted the application for admission to the MCA by 397 members and rejected 48 applications. This report was laid before the apex body, which approved the same, and on the same day, the AGM purportedly resolved to approve new members in the MCA.”The HC thus termed the process as “hot haste” and said the “HC should not permit the illegality to be perpetuated”. Holding that an “election petition” cannot be deemed as the only remedy for those aggrieved once the election process is initiated, the HC said it is “not in public interest” that the court should permit the legal wrangle to go on unabated.If the election scheduled on January 6 is not stopped, petitioners would suffer irreparable loss, while MCA would not be put to any prejudice, the HC interim order stressed.The HC, acknowledging the submissions of senior counsel Vishwajeet Sawant for the Latur Cricket Association, who said no details of new members were shared on the website or with members, observed that “By doing so, the MCA has deprived and denied the members of the MCA who intended to contest the elections. The preparation of voters list is an integral part of the election process. The purity of election is maintained not only by showing compliance of the rules, but there must be real opportunity to all the stakeholders to raise their objection.”The MCA, represented by senior counsel AM Singhvi, argued the process was transparent, and the real reason members and others challenged it was to ensure an administrator gets appointed if the election is not held on time. He also contended there were restrictions on HC power to interfere with the election process once it has begun and, in fact, is at the fag end.The HC said, “By merely saying that there is restriction on the powers of the High Court to interdict the election process, the (MCA) cannot overcome the rigours of the rules of natural justice and the mandate under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The High Court is entitled to examine the decision-making process as to how about 400 new members were inducted in the MCA under different category in the face of the allegations of illegality, arbitrariness and nepotism.”The view taken by the electoral officer in his order dated 29 December 2025 prima facie seemed to be not correct, the HC observed, noting it lacked any mention of whether MCA was uploading the minutes of meetings on its website or providing them to members, as argued by the petitioners.For the various petitioners, including the lead petition by Kedar Jadhav, an international cricketer, senior counsel Vineet Naik, Venkatesh Dhond, and Vishwajeet Sawant, as well as counsel Abhinav Chandrachud and advocates Sukand Kulkarni, Rohan Kelkar, and Janay Jain appeared and stressed on the aim and objectives of the MCA being to promote cricket. For MCA CEO, senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani appeared; for the electoral officer, senior counsel Huzefa Ahamadi appeared; and for the State govt, pleader Neha Bhide appeared with AGP Kavita Solunkhe. The HC heard the matter at length in the first and second half on Monday.The objects and purposes of MCA provide a clear insight into the activities and area of operation of MCA, which must relate to the game of cricket, said the HC, and added, “This is a debatable issue that by mere donation of funds one can become a life member of the MCA. Subject to final decision on this aspect, we are of a prima facie opinion that large-scale admission of new members just 2 months prior to publication of the schedule of the elections raises a serious question on the procedure adopted by the MCA for admitting about 400 new members.”The bench found “substance in the submission that the proceedings of the AGM, Special General Body and Apex Council were not published and the minutes of the meetings were not supplied to the members.”The HC also observed that the members did not get sufficient opportunity to object to the addition of so many members at one go. As the previous trends, voter count decreased since the last polls held in 2019, and while it may not indicate a steady decline, “admission of about 400 new members would certainly change the whole complexion and to a certain extent the Constitution of the MCA in certain aspects.”The addition of members was by show of hands. The HC also noted Chandrachud’s and Dhond’s submission that the record showed “there was no clear agenda for approving the admission of new members.” Petitioners argued that any addition of new members requires first a change in the MCA constitution.Singhvi argued that in the past, when members were added, there was no change in the constitution of MCA and hence the additions in December also were legal and valid. The HC said, “A few instances in the past when new members were inducted is not a ground to hold that the proceedings under challenge were legal and valid.”Thus, the HC said it prima facie concluded that it needs to intervene and stay the election till the next date and seek reply from the MCA. The reply is to be filed by February 3, and the HC will hear the matter next on February 4.

An extraordinary piece of fielding from Matthew Breetzke provided the standout moment in an otherwise one-sided SA20 2026 contest, as Sunrisers Eastern Cape cruised to a dominant 10-wicket win over Pretoria Capitals at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Breetzke’s sensational sliding catch to dismiss Dewald Brevis briefly ignited the crowd, but it proved to be a rare highlight for the home side on a night controlled almost entirely by the Sunrisers.

Pretoria Capitals post a competitive total

After winning the toss, Pretoria Capitals elected to bat first and posted a respectable 176/7 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Connor Esterhuizen, who played with composure and intent to score 52 off 33 deliveries. His knock ensured stability through the middle overs, especially after the Capitals lost early momentum.

Power-hitter Sherfane Rutherford provided the late flourish, remaining unbeaten on 47 and lifting the innings with clean striking in the death overs. Despite those efforts, the Capitals were kept in check by a disciplined bowling display from Sunrisers Eastern Cape, led by pace spearhead Anrich Nortje, who returned impressive figures of 3/32.

Matthew Breetzke’s screamer steals the show

The defining highlight of the first innings came on the third ball of the 16th over. Nortje banged the ball in short, forcing Brevis into an awkward pull. The ball ballooned high towards the deep mid-wicket region, where Breetzke charged in from the boundary, judged the ball perfectly, and completed a stunning low sliding catch.

It was a moment that showcased athleticism, awareness, and safe hands under pressure — a ‘blinder’ that instantly went viral and drew applause from both dugouts. While it did little to alter the course of the match, it underlined Breetzke’s growing reputation as an elite fielder in the South African circuit.

Here’s the video:

Matthew Breetzke takes flight and takes an absolute spekky 💯#BetwaySA20 #PCvSEC #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/8oA4qUAzpm

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 5, 2026

Also READ: Faf du Plessis recalls MS Dhoni’s iconic act after Donovan Ferreira’s stunning run-out for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2025-26

Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow make light work of the chase

Any hopes Pretoria had of defending 176 were swiftly extinguished by a ruthless opening partnership. Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow delivered a batting masterclass, chasing down the target without losing a wicket in just 14.2 overs.

De Kock was elegance personified, finishing unbeaten on 79, striking five fours and six sixes, while Bairstow matched him blow for blow with an explosive 85 not out, decorated with eight boundaries and six maximums. The duo dismantled the Capitals’ bowling attack with authority, combining power and placement to perfection.

Also WATCH: Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford unleash a flurry of sixes on MI Cape Town bowlers in SA20 2025-26

Kolkata ready to embrace the warmth of chess (Photo by Timothy Neesam and Tata Steel Chess India)

NEW DELHI: On a winter evening in Kolkata, when the fog hangs low over the Maidan and the city’s iconic hand-pulled rickshaws creak their way home, the clatter inside a chess hall, mostly the slamming of pieces, ticking of clocks, and cascade of countless ideas, keeps the air vibrant.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!For a few days every year, this city, better known for football chants and cricketing nostalgia, becomes the nerve centre of world chess.But, strangely enough, the roots of this high-octane Kolkata spectacle stretch back nearly nine decades to a coastal village in the Netherlands, on the edge of the North Sea.

In 1938, at Wijk aan Zee, the tournament, then known as the Hoogovens Tournament, was conceived by the steel company Koninklijke Hoogovens with the simple aim of promoting chess as a thinking man’s game for workers and intellectuals alike.World War II halted the movement of pieces for a while, but when the world steadied itself in 1946, Wijk aan Zee returned stronger.Over time, it became the game’s most sacred annual gathering, later earning the nickname the “Wimbledon of Chess”.In 1999, following a corporate merger, it was renamed the Corus Chess Tournament.

Champions like Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen were crowned there.When Tata Steel acquired Corus in 2007, along with the legacy of the Wijk aan Zee tournament, the focus remained firmly on preserving the historic Dutch event.At the same time, the acquisition opened discussions on extending Tata Steel’s involvement in chess to India.“Tata took over Wijk aan Zee, and they did not want to hamper the traditional chess tournament; they said that it would be continued. That is a very traditional, old tournament,” Dibyendu Barua, veteran grandmaster and tournament director of Tata Steel Chess India, told TimesofIndia.com from Kolkata.“But at the same time, they wanted to do something meaningful in India. Something different.”That difference was later reflected in the choice of format.Rather than replicating a classical tournament, the focus shifted to rapid and blitz chess. Jeet Banerjee, managing director of a Kolkata-based event management company, brought the concept to fruition, with Barua closely involved in its development.

“Jeet came to me and said he wanted to do something big,” Barua recalled. “India already had many open tournaments. He wanted an event that felt elite.”Banerjee’s experience managing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders and the ICC World Cup came in handy.“Then he approached Tata Steel. Tata Steel is always eager to contribute to sports and cultural activities. And that is the first company that started giving sponsorship to national and international-level players,” Barua added.Kolkata was selected as the host city based on its strong sporting culture and audience engagement.“Kolkata was chosen because Kolkata is known for its architectural style. The people are very much interested in sports and any cultural event. So that’s how they said, ‘we will do it in Kolkata’,” Barua, the second Indian to become a grandmaster after Viswanathan Anand, revealed.The seventh edition of the tournament begins on January 7, effectively setting the tone for the international chess calendar.Over the previous six editions, the event has attracted several of the world’s leading players. Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian, Hikaru Nakamura and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave have all taken titles home from Kolkata. On a fair ground for all, Indian players have shown their mettle, with Anand winning the inaugural Blitz edition, Arjun clinching the Rapid title in 2021, then Blitz in 2022 and Nihal Sarin lifting the 2022 Rapid title.The shorter formats have helped draw wider spectator interest in a sport traditionally associated with long playing hours.Managing elite players in such an environment has not been an issue, according to Barua.“We have a very professional team. Magnus, Nakamura, Anand, no issues at all. The only problem is that fans want photos and autographs. People are crazy for chess here,” he admitted.Although the pandemic caused scheduling disruptions in recent years, the tournament has continued to grow.“COVID affected the schedule, yes,” Barua added. “But the quality? It only improved. Every year, the strength of players goes up. The competition is becoming stronger.”This year’s shift to January was prompted by a congested international calendar, with events such as the Global Chess League and the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships held in close succession last season.The rescheduling, however, has not diminished anticipation around the tournament.Running parallel to the main competition is the Tata Chess Festival, which provides opportunities for amateur players, including children, to participate and engage with elite-level chess.“It will be held over five days, and the response is always overwhelming,” Barua said. “Whenever we open registrations for the Tata Chess Festival, they fill up within a few hours, and we have to close it quickly to avoid overcrowding. We cap participation at 250 players.“In total, across four to five days, nearly 1,000 players take part. Parents come along, and it becomes a complete festival atmosphere.”For now, the rapid and blitz format remains central to the identity of the Kolkata event. Invitations are issued strictly based on player ratings to ensure a competitive field.“It is completely an invitational event. Invitations are issued based on player ratings to ensure that the top players participate. If a player withdraws at the last moment due to personal reasons, the spot goes to the next highest-rated player,” added the 59-year-old tournament director.There is no partiality involved. Over the last three years, the same rules have been followed for the women’s section, with players’ rapid and blitz ratings determining invitations.While Wijk aan Zee continues to stand as a benchmark for classical chess, Kolkata has established itself as India’s premier destination for elite rapid and blitz competition. As the day draws its curtains, the City of Joy will wake up to a fresh cup of tea, biscuits, and chess.Kolkata Rapid & Blitz Event 2026 line-upOpen: Viswanathan Anand, Wesley So, Wei Yi, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Volodar Murzin, Hans Niemann, Vidit Gujrathi, Aravindh Chithambaram, Nihal SarinWomen: Aleksandra Goryachkina, Kateryna Lagno, Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali, Nana Dzagnidze, Harika Dronavalli, Carissa Yip, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Vantika Agrawal, Rakshitta Ravi

NEW DELHI: A TikTok video in Nepal’s Birgunj triggered religious tension, prompting the Parsa District Administration Office to extend an ongoing curfew.The prohibitory order had been issued on Monday, but both groups involved in the dispute held simultaneous demonstrations in defiance of it, leading authorities to enforce a full curfew to restore order.The district administration office (DAO) in Parsa imposed a curfew in Birgunj on Monday from 6pm (January 5) to 8am (January 6). With tensions still high and the threat persisting, authorities have extended the curfew until 1pm on Tuesday.“The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00pm to 8:00am on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, meeting, or siege,” the latest order said.The administration designated Bus Park, Nagwa, Inarwa (East), Sirsia River (West), Gandak Chowk (North), and Shankaracharya Gate (South) as the four pillars under the curfew.“During the curfew, security personnel are allowed to shoot on sight, so it is requested that you do not step out of your home except for essential purposes, and if you do need to step out, coordinate with the nearest security personnel or call 100,” the order warned. Authorities added that movement of essential service vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, health workers, media personnel, tourists, and vehicles of diplomatic missions would be allowed.The unrest in Birgunj, near the Indian state of Bihar, erupted on Sunday after a dispute between two groups was triggered by a TikTok video originating from Dhanusha’s Kamala Municipality. Two youths, Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari, had uploaded a video in Janakpur, Dhanusha, which locals said hurt religious sentiments, leading to their handover to the police.Tensions escalated after a mosque in ward 6 of Kamala Municipality was vandalized. Demonstrators in Birgunj protested by staging rallies, burning tyres, and chanting slogans. The unrest, initially confined to Dhanusha and Parsa, spread via TikTok, with both sides taking to the streets over religious and communal concerns.