Mumbai: The recent war of words between NCP and BJP—which escalated after deputy CM Ajit Pawar dubbed the ally corrupt—prompted state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare to attempt damage control. “I have spoken with Ajit Pawar, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule from BJP. I agree that things reached this point. But I am hopeful now that there will be no further comments and misunderstandings,” he said on Wednesday when asked about BJP leaders targeting his party chief. While BJP had raked up the Rs 70,000-crore irrigation scam in which Ajit Pawar was accused of being involved, the latter accused it of corruption in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where the two parties are pitted against each other. Even Fadnavis had waded into the row, asking those who were questioning BJP’s governance to “look in the mirror”. Tatkare launched NCP’s manifesto for the BMC polls. Its vision of “Mumbai for all” promises social justice along with progress. It vows to waive property tax for houses up to 700sqft and provide free water supply for residents of old chawls and slums. The manifesto sets a target of 500km new roads over the next five years. Economic hubs such as BKC, Worli and the eastern suburbs will be developed to create employment centres, it said. The manifesto also promises to introduce a module in schools to promote equality, brotherhood and good citizenship.To combat pollution, it promises to make Mumbai a ‘Green City’ by planting 10 lakh trees and promoting electric buses and CNG vehicles. The party also plans to build 1 lakh new affordable houses and introduce smart water meters by 2030, and also supports garbage collection tax. The manifesto promises to implement an AI-powered ‘smart traffic signal’ system and expand the CCTV and WiFi networks under the Smart City initiative, as well as offers fare concessions for persons with disabilities in Metro. The party has planned facilities for stray dogs and licences for pet dogs. The party’s vision includes a ‘Safe Mumbai’ campaign for women, featuring increased police patrolling, dedicated helplines, and construction of working women’s hostels. Also, it promises to provide free training and loans for women entrepreneurs.

Jacob Bethell is a name that will echo in the halls of England cricket for years to come. On January 7, 2026, the 22-year-old batting prodigy did more than just steady a sinking ship at the Sydney Cricket Ground; he announced himself as a world-class talent by smashing his maiden Test century against Australia. In a script that felt almost too perfect, this milestone at the SCG was not only his first international ton but the very first First-Class century of his professional career. While his Bazball adjacent aggression and clinical footwork left the Australian bowlers searching for answers, it was the raw, unfiltered reaction of his family in the stands that became the defining image of the 2025-26 Ashes.

Jacob’s Bethell’s maiden test ton at the SCG

Stepping into the high-pressure number three slot on Day 4, Bethell faced a daunting task with England trailing significantly and their top order under fire. Having been touted as a generational talent since his debut in New Zealand, he finally delivered on that promise with an innings of pure substance. The left-hander reached the magical three-figure mark off 162 deliveries, passing his previous personal best of 96 with a fearless drive that pierced the cover region. This century was particularly symbolic; before this knock, Bethell had recorded nine First-Class half-centuries without ever crossing the line. Doing so at the historic SCG during a “Pink Test” ensured his name joined the elite list of Englishmen to have conquered Sydney.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Stuart Broad reveals the ‘truth’ behind verbal altercation between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne

Graham and Giselle Bethell’s reactin on son Jacob’s hundred

While Jacob’s bat-raise was a study in youthful composure, the cameras quickly panned to a far more emotional scene in the Member’s Stand. His parents, Graham and Giselle Bethell, who had flown in from Barbados to witness their son’s first Ashes tour, were caught in a moment of pure, unbridled joy. Giselle was seen clenching her hands in prayer before breaking into tears of relief as the ball hit the boundary, while Graham erupted in a jubilant celebration that captured the hearts of the 40,000-strong crowd. The contrast between the high-stakes pressure of the Ashes and the simple, profound pride of a family watching their son reach the pinnacle of the sport became an instant viral sensation, serving as a reminder of the human stories that underpin the fiercest rivalries in cricket.

Here’s the video:

A maiden Test century for Jacob Bethell! What a way to do it 🤩#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/lXSUViEVrR

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2026

Also WATCH: Cameron Green floors Jacob Bethell with a nasty bouncer on Day 4 of SCG Test

Bangladesh’s national airline will resume nonstop flights between Dhaka and Karachi later this month, restoring direct air links between Bangladesh and Pakistan after a gap of more than 10 years, officials said on Wednesday.Biman Bangladesh Airlines will begin operating the Dhaka–Karachi service from January 29.

Initially, the airline will run two flights a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported, citing a press release from Biman.According to the schedule shared by the airline, the flight will leave Dhaka at 8 pm local time and reach Karachi at 11 pm. The return service will depart Karachi at midnight and land in Dhaka at 4.20 am.Direct flights between the two cities were last operated in 2012. News portal tbsnews.net, quoting Biman officials, said discussions with Pakistani aviation authorities had been underway for several months to reopen the route. The relaunch has now received formal clearance from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, which has approved Biman to operate flights and use designated air corridors within Pakistani airspace.The move comes amid improving ties between Dhaka and Islamabad following the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. Since then, both sides have taken steps to rebuild diplomatic, trade and people-to-people relations after years of strained ties. Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan in 1971.However, it remains unclear whether Bangladesh has obtained overflight permission from India, as the shortest air route between Dhaka and Karachi passes through Indian airspace, according to news agency PTI.In a statement, Biman said the new service is expected to make travel between Bangladesh and Pakistan “easier and more convenient” and could also support business, tourism and family travel. The airline added that the flights will be operated using modern aircraft and experienced crews.As per bdnews24.com, the aerial distance between Dhaka and Karachi is around 2,370 km. Currently, passengers travelling between the two cities have to rely on connecting flights via Middle Eastern hubs. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Gulf Air and Air Arabia operate these services, with total travel times ranging from eight to 12 hours, and sometimes extending to over 18 hours due to long layovers.Plans to revive direct air connectivity were first announced in August last year during the visit of Pakistan’s deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka. His trip marked the first high-level visit from Pakistan to Bangladesh in more than a decade, reported PTI.

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh’s education sector has witnessed a far-reaching transformation over the past eight years, marked by expanded digital access, improved infrastructure, higher enrolment, rapid growth in skill education and structural reforms in higher education.Government data indicate that sustained policy focus since 2017 has led to measurable improvements across school, secondary, technical and university education, aligning learning with employability and long-term development goals.

Digital Expansion and Infrastructure Push in School Education

One of the most visible changes has been the expansion of digital education and school infrastructure. Thousands of council schools have been upgraded with smart classrooms, ICT labs and learning resources, reducing the rural–urban digital divide.Key developments include:

Under Operation Kayakalp, primary and upper primary schools have achieved saturation of basic infrastructure facilities, improving classroom environments and student retention.

Improved Teacher Availability and Learning Conditions

Teacher availability has improved across school levels, contributing to better learning outcomes. Student–teacher ratios have declined in junior basic, senior basic and higher secondary schools, easing classroom pressure and improving teacher engagement.To strengthen staffing further, the government has reformed recruitment processes by abolishing interviews and shifting to written examinations. Since 2017, thousands of teachers have been appointed in government and aided secondary schools, alongside the creation of new teaching posts.

Enrolment Drive and Declining Dropout Rates

Enrolment-focused initiatives such as School Chalo Abhiyan and the Sharda Programme have played a key role in expanding access to education. Nearly four million additional children have been enrolled through these campaigns, accompanied by a significant decline in dropout rates.Under the Sharda Programme alone, 7.77 lakh children were admitted to council schools in 2024–25.Participation under the Right to Education (RTE) Act has expanded sharply:

The state has reimbursed more than Rs638 crore in fees to unaided recognised schools between 2022–23 and 2024–25 under RTE provisions.

Focus on Girls’ Education and Residential Schooling

Girls’ education has received targeted attention. All 746 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas have been upgraded to provide free residential education up to Class 12 for girls from weaker sections.In addition, new institutions such as Atal Residential Schools (now operational in 18 divisions) and Chief Minister Model Composite Schools are expanding access to quality schooling. With a budgetary provision of around Rs 4,500 crore, 150 model composite schools are being established across districts, offering education from pre-primary to Class 12.

Rapid Expansion of Skill and Technical Education

Skill development has emerged as a central pillar of education reform. The state has recorded rapid growth in technical institutions:

Training and employment outcomes under the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission have improved substantially. Between 2017–18 and 2023–24:

Annual averages during this period nearly doubled compared to pre-2017 years.

Secondary Education Infrastructure and Sports Promotion

The state currently has over 29,000 secondary schools. New government intercolleges and high schools have been established, while hundreds of existing institutions are being upgraded under the Project Alankar scheme with libraries, laboratories, classrooms, drinking water facilities and sports infrastructure.Indoor mini stadiums are being constructed in government intercolleges to promote sports awareness, while ICT labs and Atal Tinkering Labs are expanding hands-on learning.

Higher Education Reforms under NEP 2020

Higher education reforms gained momentum after the implementation of NEP 2020, which Uttar Pradesh began adopting from 2021–22. Multidisciplinary education, credit-based systems, flexible entry-exit options and uniform academic calendars have been introduced across institutions.Digital empowerment has been a key focus:

Quality benchmarks have improved, with more institutions securing NAAC accreditation and representation in national rankings. Paid internships, apprenticeships and mandatory skill courses have strengthened the employability focus.

A Shift Towards Future-Ready Education

From a system once constrained by limited access and weak infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh’s education sector has transitioned towards a digital, skill-oriented and employment-linked framework. Officials say the reforms reflect a long-term effort to align education with innovation, self-reliance and inclusive growth, positioning the state for future demographic and economic challenges.

US stocks were mixed in early trading on Wednesday, a day after key indices touched fresh record highs, as investors turned cautious ahead of crucial US jobs data and amid rising global uncertainty.The S&P 500 was hovering between gains and losses, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 28 points, or 0.1 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite was also marginally higher by 0.1 per cent. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow had closed at all-time highs in the previous session.US equity futures were mixed before the opening bell, with S&P 500 futures slipping less than 0.1 per cent, Dow futures rising 0.1 per cent and Nasdaq futures down 0.2 per cent.“Global uncertainty continues to deepen,” Tan Boon Heng of Mizuho Bank in Singapore said in a commentary, referring to geopolitical tensions following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces in a weekend operation.Analysts also flagged signs of fatigue in the technology-led rally that has driven markets higher in recent months.“Tech appetite is weaker in Asia,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote. “It increasingly feels like good news is no longer generating the same euphoria seen over the past three years. The tech rally is showing signs of fatigue, supporting rotation trades — a trend further reinforced by geopolitical headlines.”In corporate developments, Warner Bros once again rejected Paramount’s latest takeover bid and urged shareholders to back a rival $72 billion offer from Netflix. Shares of Warner Bros, Paramount and Netflix were largely unchanged following the announcement, which had been widely anticipated.Markets are also focused on a busy week of US labour market data, including job openings data due Wednesday and the government’s monthly jobs report scheduled for Friday. The data will be closely watched by the US Federal Reserve, which is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its meeting later this month after cutting rates three times in late 2025.Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 per cent target, complicating prospects for further rate cuts despite concerns about a cooling labour market.In the bond market, US Treasury yields moved lower. In commodities, US benchmark crude oil slipped 9 cents to $57.04 a barrel, while Brent crude rose 8 cents to $60.78 a barrel. Gold fell 0.8 per cent and silver dropped 2.4 per cent.European markets were mixed, with France’s CAC 40 down 0.2 per cent, Germany’s DAX up 0.5 per cent and the UK’s FTSE 100 lower by 0.6 per cent.Asian markets also showed mixed cues. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 per cent after hitting a record in the previous session, while South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.6 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.9 per cent and the Shanghai Composite edged up marginally.China late Tuesday announced a ban on exports to Japan of goods that could have military applications, adding to regional tensions after recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan.

Venezuela seized tanker (File photo)

US secretary of war Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said the Venezuela oil blockade was “in effect anywhere in the world” shortly after American forces, after a high-stakes chase, boarded and seized a Russian-flagged oil vessel, which reportedly was linked to Venezuela.“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world,” the Pentagon chief said.A US official told news agency AP that the American military has “seized the vessel and handed over control to law enforcement officials”.The US had been pursuing the tanker since last month after it tried to evade a US blockade around Venezuela.The ship was sanctioned by Washington in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The US Coast Guard attempted to board it in the Caribbean in December as it headed for Venezuela, where the Trump administration has placed a naval blockade on sanctioned oil vessels. The ship refused boarding and headed across the Atlantic.The tanker, however, continued to be tracked as it sailed northeast, with US P-8 surveillance aircraft operating from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk monitoring its movement for several days. Open-source flight data showed the aircraft shadowed the ship as it moved northwards and passed close to the UK coast, before it was eventually seized.During the pursuit, the tanker’s crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and claimed the vessel was operating under Russian protection. Soon after, the ship appeared on Russia’s official maritime registry under a new name, Marinera. Moscow subsequently lodged a formal diplomatic protest, demanding that the US halt its pursuit of the vessel.While asserting Russian status could complicate the legal basis for seizure, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the Trump administration has not accepted that claim and continues to treat the vessel as stateless.Second tanker seized in Caribbean SeaThe US military on Wednesday also announced the seizure of a sanctioned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea, the second vessel taken by American forces.US personnel “apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident. The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea,” US Southern Command, which is responsible for the area, said in a post on X.America uses UK basesThe UK said that they won’t comment against the US operation involving the Venezuela-linked Marinera oil tanker. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Downing Street won’t comment on the US operation involving the Venezuela-linked Marinera oil tanker.“We don’t comment on the operational activity of other nations, including the third party use of UK bases”, the spokesperson told reporters when asked about the tanker in the regular Wednesday briefing following Prime Minister’s Questions, adding that the was “a long-standing position” of UK governments.

As the “Hitman” of Indian cricket gears up for the upcoming challenge against New Zealand, his interactions off the field continue to win hearts. A video of former India captain Rohit Sharma politely declining a fan’s offer of his favorite snack—vada pav—has taken social media by storm, showcasing the star batter’s unwavering focus on fitness.

Rohit Sharma’s heartwarming reaction after being offered vada pav by a fan

The incident occurred recently while Rohit was preparing for a net session in Mumbai, ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand which is set to begin on January 11. As the batting maestro was getting his gear ready, a fan from the sidelines was heard calling out in Marathi, “Rohit bhaiya, vada pav pahije ka?” (Rohit brother, do you want a vada pav?).

Known for his well-documented love for the iconic Mumbai street food, one might have expected a tempting glance or a witty remark. Instead, Rohit turned with a warm smile, simply waved his hand to signal a polite “No,” and immediately turned his focus back to his training. The brief but candid exchange was captured on camera and instantly resonated with fans across the internet

Here’s the video:

After the practice session ended, when Rohit Sharma came out, the fans jokingly said, “Rohit bhaiya, vadapav pahije ka” and
Rohit just waved his hand and replied, “No” 😂❤️

bRO always enjoy with his fans❤️ pic.twitter.com/euco1nvMqs

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) January 6, 2026

Also READ: Dwayne Bravo reveals his all-time T20 World XI; no place for Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers

Fitness over food: A new avatar for Rohit

This isn’t just a funny interaction; it highlights a significant shift in Rohit’s routine. Since retiring from the longer formats (Test and T20I) to prolong his ODI career, the 38-year-old has placed a renewed emphasis on his physical conditioning. Reports suggest that Rohit has adopted a stricter diet and training regime to maintain peak performance levels for the 50-over format. This “no vada pav” policy seems to be a serious part of that discipline. Interestingly, this is the second time in recent weeks that Rohit has turned down the snack publicly; a similar incident occurred during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Jaipur last month, where he laughingly declined a fan’s offer while fielding on the boundary.

Also WATCH: Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma shares adorable interaction with Rohit Sharma’s son Ahaan

As January arrives, Mumbai once again bursts into rainbow hues with a vibrant lineup of events marking Mumbai Queer Pride Month. Organised by a range of community groups and organisations across the city, the month-long celebrations will culminate in the Mumbai Queer Pride March on Saturday, January 31, from 3 pm to 5 pm at August Kranti Maidan.Setting the tone for the celebrations is the KASHISH Pride Film Festival, a key member of the Mumbai Queer Pride collective. The festival will launch Pride Month with a special LGBTQ+ film screening titled ‘KASHISH Forward @ Sophia’ on Friday, January 9, from 1 pm to 3.30 pm at the convention centre of a women’s college in Mumbai.The screening will feature seven acclaimed short films by emerging filmmakers, all of which have won awards or received recognition at the annual KASHISH Pride Film Festival. Together, the films reflect the diversity of queer experiences across the LGBTQ+ spectrum in contemporary society, offering stories rooted in hope, resilience, and affirmation.The films being screened include MAKEUP MY SHIELD (Marathi, directed by Kunal Vijaykar), TUTTI FRUTTI CAKE (Hindi, directed by Rohit Prajapati), THE WITCH OF VIHAR LAKE (Marathi, directed by Joey Kaushik), PROJECT PRIYO (Assamese, Bengali, Malayalam, Hindi, directed by Shoi), HOLY CURSE (English, Hindi, directed by Snigdha Kapoor), JASMINE THAT BLOOMS IN AUTUMN (Bengali, directed by Chandradeep Das), and BECAUSE (Hindi, English, directed by Sunita Malpani).Each film explores a distinct narrative. Makeup My Shield is a powerful music video portraying a trans Lavani dancer who uses makeup as both armour and expression. The Witch of Vihar Lake weaves together themes of environmental conservation and folklore, while Project Priyo—a co-winner of the Ismat Chughtai Award for Best Woman Filmmaker—amplifies the voices of queer and trans* individuals across India, addressing intersections of caste, religion, and marginalisation.Tutti Frutti Cake celebrates the strength of chosen families among LGBTQ+ individuals sharing a home, while Because sensitively depicts the bond between a visually impaired man and his closeted friend. Jasmine That Blooms in Autumn, winner of the Best Indian Narrative Short award, presents a quiet and evocative story of companionship between two women in an elderly shelter home.The highlight of the screening is Holy Curse, a short film that was in consideration for the Best Live Action Short category at this year’s Academy Awards. The film follows an 11-year-old grappling with their gender identity in India, as their family attempts to “cure” what they believe to be a curse.With its compelling selection of films, KASHISH Forward @ Sophia promises a meaningful and inclusive start to Mumbai’s Queer Pride Month, reaffirming the city’s commitment to visibility, dialogue, and celebration of queer lives.