Mumbai: Warning against technological dependence, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal on Tuesday made a strong case for “sovereign AI”, citing what he described as the quiet external takeover of Venezuela’s critical infrastructure as a cautionary tale.“We saw Americans just going to another country and picking up their President, very silently, very recently, and obviously people have different conjectures. No one really knows what happened outside, but probably they got full grip over their power grid many months back and sold into many of their systems,” said Aggarwal, and warned that without its own AI capabilities, India risked becoming “a slave again — of a different kind.““So unless we are good at AI and we are good at manufacturing and the whole supply chain of the entire thing, our sovereignty will also be at stake in future,” he warned at the day-long conclave on AI for Science at IIT Bombay, one of the precursor meetings to the AI Impact summit in February.An IIT Delhi alumnus, Aggarwal recalled his own work on artificial intelligence dating back to the late 80s, when he worked on what he described as an early “nano-AI” system that could generate code from natural language prompts. Noting that nearly 60% of India’s data centres are located in Maharashtra, he said technological sovereignty was no longer optional, but strategic.“Let’s work together on this and ensure that we remain sovereign. AI is going to be a very different beast from other inventions till now, and if we lag behind, probably we will be slaves again in a different way,” he said.Earlier, Richa Bagla, Maharashtra principal secretary (finance), accounts and treasuries, said digital platforms were no longer just systems of record, but systems of intelligence.“AI can definitely help in predictive analytics for cash flow, revenue trends and expenditure patterns. It can help with early warning systems for abnormal transactions, fraud detection and risk profiling,” she said. “AI can greatly improve and expedite automated compliance and audit readiness, thus reducing manual intervention. And not just this, decision support systems for budget formulation and outcome-based monitoring, but also intelligent, grievous and exception handling for faster service delivery are some of the key areas in which AI can be a strong backbone,” said Bagla.IIT Bombay director Shireesh Kedare summed it up when he said, “The short-term impact of AI is over-estimated and the long-term impact of AI is mostly under-estimated.”Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Abhay Karandikar, said AI may have a deeper role than what it is currently perceived to achieve. “If scientific discoveries get disrupted by AI, it will have a far more effect and impact than what is currently being thought … because there is a possibility of disrupting even the scientific principles.”

Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis gave Sydney Sixers batter Babar Azam a savage send-off, adding more heat to the moment during the 27th Match of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on January 8.

Stoinis bowled a full and straight delivery aimed right at the stumps in the seventh over. The ball moved slightly back in after pitching. Babar stepped forward and tried to play across the line, but he closed the bat face too early. Because of that, the bat missed the ball completely.

Savage Celebration in BBL 2025-26: Marcus Stoinis vs Babar Azam at the MCG

The ball went on to hit him on the pads in line with the stumps. Stoinis appealed loudly, and the umpire immediately raised a finger. The Pakistani batter had a quick discussion with his Sydney Sixers batting partner Philippe about taking a review, but he decided not to challenge the on-field umpire’s decision after thinking it through.

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As Babar walked back to the dugout, Stoinis aggressively celebrated the massive breakthrough, with the Pakistani star managing only 14 runs off 17 deliveries in the ongoing BBL 2025-26 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Stoinis said, “See you later Babar! See you later, brother!”

Marcus Stoinis removes Babar Azam, and doesn’t he love that 👀 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/eyAAOhIRsH

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 8, 2026

Babar Azam’s tough BBL 2025-26 run

With this poor dismissal, Babar Azam’s struggles in the BBL 2025-26 continue. In seven innings, the right-handed batter has managed only 145 runs, with just two half-centuries. An average of 24.16 and a slow strike rate of 108.20 highlight a season far below Babar’s usual standards.

Slower ball trap ends Josh Philippe’s fight as Melbourne Stars on top

Later, Haris Rauf bowled a slower ball on the middle stump to Josh Philippe. The Australian star tried to hit the ball over long-on for a big shot, but the bat twisted in his hands at the moment of contact, and the ball did not go where he wanted.

Read Also: Ruturaj Gaikwad humiliates Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, becomes Vijay Hazare Trophy’s greatest batter

Instead of going straight, the ball went slightly to the right of long-on, and Thomas Rogers ran across quickly, slid on the ground, and took a clean catch in a big moment for the Melbourne Stars, as Philippe was dismissed for 35 runs off 25 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.

Defending the paltry target of 128 runs, Melbourne Stars had a great start, as Peter Siddle dismissed Moises Henriques lbw, and then Babar Azam and Josh Philippe could not also make a big impact. The captain Stoinis is on fire, as Sam Curran became his second victim in the 13th over.

Sydney Sixers hold edge after bowling Stars out for 128

At the time of writing, the Sydney Sixers need 37 runs in 42 balls to win the BBL 2025-26 clash against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG. Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Stars could manage only 128 runs thanks to collective efforts from Sam Harper (21), Thomas Rogers (23), Stoinis (33), and Blake Macdonald (33) against the Sixers in the Big Bash League clash.

Ben Dwarshuis (4/13) and Jack Edwards (3/27) were outstanding with the ball for the Sydney Sixers, while Joel Davies also chipped in with two wickets against the Stars in Melbourne. This match is equally important for both teams to boost their chances for the playoffs.

Ottneil Baartman of Paarl Royals sends down a delivery during match 3 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between Paarl Royals (PR) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) held at the Boland Park Stadium in Paarl, South Africa on the 27th December 2025 Photo Credit: Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for SA20)

New Delhi: The noise around for Ottneil Baartman’s omission from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad are growing louder. A couple of days after Dale Steyn questioned Baartman’s exclusion from the Aiden Markram-led side, his former teammate JP Duminy has shared his opinion on the ongoing debate around the speedster.Duminy believes Baartman’s response to being left out of the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup says more about the fast bowler than any selection call ever could.

“To come off the back of not getting selected and then put in the performances he has speaks volumes about his character,” JP Duminy said while addressing the media in a session facilitated by SA20. “He’s not letting the negativity around it affect his performances. Instead, he’s using motivation and encouragement to keep delivering.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“It’s always a tough one to make a late call like that,” he said. “The more important angle is preparing as if an opportunity might come, and being ready if it does.”Baartman, who part of the Paarl Royals, has taken 11 wickets from 4 matches and is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing fourth edition of the SA20. Yet, he has missed the bus for the T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka next month.Legendary Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was Baartman’s bowling coach for the first three season of the SA20 at Sunrisers Eastern Cape, urged the selectors to have a second look.“He’s the highest wicket taker in SA20, won the league twice and made a final, let me remind you, that’s a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL players (often batters) plus all the PROTEAS! He’s number 1,” Steyn posted on X. “Thats TOP quality, but he’ll be sitting home for this years 20/20 WC.”Yet, despite those positives, Baartman’s absence remains a reminder of how fine the margins are at the top level. Duminy was careful not to speculate on the selectors’ reasoning, acknowledging that such decisions are rarely understood in full from the outside. “Yes, there will be disappointment and questions,” he said, “but the focus has to stay on what you can do right now for the team you’re playing for.”For Baartman, Duminy stressed, control is limited to effort and focus. “As a cricketer, you can only control what you put into your performances. What we’ve seen so far is that he’s done that exceptionally well, and with real consistency.”Duminy’s comments came at the halfway mark into the SA20 with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. He also highlighted the significance of form players peaking at the right time. The return to rhythm of Quinton de Kock (205 runs from 5 matches @68.33 with a strike rate of 173.73), he felt, was a major positive. An in-form de Kock, Duminy said, “boosts the morale and confidence of the South African public and, more importantly, the team.”“If you put your Quinton de Kock hat on, obviously missing out on international cricket for a period of time and the competitor that he is, he certainly wants to getting the backing now from the selectors and the team, he certainly would want to perform in a way that warrants that selection,” he said on De Kock.

“And if you have an in-form De Kock, it always boosts the morale and the confidence of the South African public and more importantly, the South African team. So, long may it continue going into a very important T20 World Cup.”He was equally optimistic about the rise of Marco Jansen (4 wickets), describing the left-armer as a genuine all-round package in the making.Duminy noted that South Africa’s tradition of impactful all-rounders makes Jansen’s development particularly significant, especially in white-ball cricket, where balance and flexibility often define tournament success.

JIND: A daughter was welcomed like a son. A son was welcomed after 10 daughters. Haryana this week offered a stark snapshot of its gender paradox — son preference under pressure and yet undefeated.In Pauli village of Julana block in Jind district of central Haryana, Sanjay organised a Kua Pujan — a well was worshipped, a ritual traditionally reserved for male births — to celebrate the arrival of his daughter. Music filled lanes as villagers gathered for a feast.“We performed this to symbolise respect and equality,” Sanjay said. He added that his sister, born 39 years ago, was the last girl born in his family. His wife said daughters today excel in sports, education and even the armed forces, proving they are no less than boys.

Father struggles to recall all 10 daughters’ names

The village sarpanch said the entire community shared the family’s joy. About 115km away, in Dhani Bhojraj village of Fatehabad district in western Haryana, another celebration unfolded — this one for a son. Sanjay, a daily-wage labourer, welcomed his 11th child after 10 daughters. “After 19 years, my mother’s wish is fulfilled,” he said. “My eldest daughter studies in class 12. Everyone in the family and village is happy.”Yet the contrast cut deeper. Speaking to reporters, the father struggled to recall all his daughters’ names. “Sometimes I forget,” he said. He spoke of dreams of making his son an officer. He had no such plan for his daughters.The birth took place at a govt hospital in Uchana Kalan, a town in Jind district. Doctor Santosh, who handled the case, called it high-risk. The mother’s haemoglobin level was just 5 grams. The baby suffered from low amniotic fluid. “Despite complications, she delivered a healthy baby boy through normal delivery. Both are stable,” the doctor said.She warned sharply against repeated pregnancies. “They pose serious risks to both mother and child. I strongly advise families not to opt for a third child, let alone 11.”Haryana has long grappled with deeprooted patriarchy, reflected in skewed sex ratios and persistent pressure on women to bear sons. In the 2011 census, the state ranked among the country’s worst performers, with just 834 girls per 1,000 boys.A decade of awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of laws against sex selection and changing social aspirations has nudged the numbers upward. Yet the celebration of an 11th child solely because he is male underscores how entrenched son preference remains. Together, the two births reflect a state in transition, where visible progress coexists uneasily with enduring bias.

NEW DELHI: Bomb threats were emailed to courts across India Thursday, sparking panic, mass evacuations and multi-state security sweeps before authorities declared them hoaxes. Messages claiming RDX-based IEDs and suicide attacks forced shutdowns in Odisha, Bihar, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, among others, paralysing judicial work.In Bhubaneswar, an email warned judges and staff to flee by 2.35pm, prompting evacuations. Cyber police said the mail, sent under the name “Arun Kumar, LTTE”, mentioned LTTE, ISI and Tamil Nadu constables, and may have been routed through a VPN.Courts in Patna, Danapur, Araria, Gaya and Kishanganj were cleared after similar emails, including one claiming a “human bomb”. In Kerala, Kasaragod and Manjeri district, courts were evacuated following emails traced to Tamil Nadu, one sent in the name of a so-called Tamil Liberation Organisation.Searches in Rajnandgaon, Durg and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, Mohali, Moga and Ferozepur in Punjab, Shimla high court, and courts in Anantapur, Chittoor, Visakhapatnam and Eluru in Andhra Pradesh found no explosives.Cyber cells launched a coordinated hunt for senders, warning of strict action as normal court work resumed.(Inputs from Bhubaneswar, Patna, Araria, Gaya, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Raipur, Bathinda, Shimla, Vijayawada)

Sarfaraz Khan has completely taken over Indian domestic cricket, delivering one explosive batting performance after another and leaving bowlers with no answers across the formats. Sarfaraz Khan was unstoppable during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.

Sarfaraz Khan takes over domestic cricket with relentless run-fests

The Mumbai batter smashed an unbeaten 100 off just 47 balls, followed it up with scores of 52 not out from 40 balls, a rapid 64 off 25, and then a breathtaking 73 off only 22 deliveries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, and his every inning showed power, control, and fearless intent.

Well, Sarfaraz’s dominance has continued in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, where he has been just as destructive. He began the tournament with a steady 55 off 49 balls, and then he played a jaw-dropping knock of 157 runs from only 75 deliveries before unleashing another brutal knock.

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On Thursday, January 8, Sarfaraz showed his beast mode in the seventh round of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy as he smashed a 15-ball half-century against Punjab in Jaipur. However, Mumbai suffered a narrow defeat of just a single run, but the explosive batter managed to script history.

Sarfaraz Khan goes berserk, Punjab attack left shell-shocked

When Mumbai was chasing 217 against Punjab, Sarfaraz, batting at number three, tore into the attack, scoring runs at a ridiculous strike rate of 310. Two overs summed up his insane form.

The Mumbai batter went on a hitting spree against Abhishek Sharma, smashing three sixes and three boundaries for 30 runs, and then smashed the left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar for 19 runs in five balls to leave the Punjab attack speechless in the VHT clash in Jaipur.

Sarfaraz’s blazing knock came to an end on 62 from just 20 deliveries when he was trapped lbw by Mayank Markande after smashing seven boundaries and five sixes, proving that he is currently dominating attacks and setting new standards in domestic cricket.

Sarfaraz Khan rewrites List-A records with explosive 15-Ball Fifty

Meanwhile, during his explosive 62 off just 20 balls against Punjab, Sarfaraz reached his half-century in only 15 deliveries against Punjab. With this mind-blowing effort, the Indian batter shattered the record for the fastest fifty in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Read Also: Ruturaj Gaikwad humiliates Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, becomes Vijay Hazare Trophy’s greatest batter

The knock also helped him achieve another rare feat in List-A cricket. Sarfaraz now holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian batter in List-A cricket. He shattered the earlier joint record of 16 balls, which was shared by Maharashtra’s Abhijit Kale, set against Baroda in 1995, and Baroda all-rounder Atit Sheth, who achieved the same feat against Chhattisgarh in 2021.

Overall, Sarfaraz’s 15-ball fifty stands as the fourth-fastest fifty in List-A cricket. The record for the fastest half-century in List-A cricket still belongs to Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who reached fifty in just 12 balls during a domestic match in the 2005–06 season.

Notably, Safaraz is currently the leading run-scorer for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with 303 runs in six innings at an average of 75.75 and a strike rate of 190.56.