Mumbai: Firecrackers crackle and garlands sway as BJP candidate Rakhi Jadhav opens her election office on the bustling Sixty Feet Road, momentarily drowning out the noise of the traffic with chants and applause. Supporters spill on to the pavement, stopping to take photographs and greet the candidate — an early signal that Ward No. 133 in Ghatkopar (East) is headed for a keenly watched contest.A short distance away, Jadhav’s main campaign control room near Vanita Samaj hums through the day. Volunteers, residents and party workers move in and out constantly, many waiting patiently just to flag a civic issue or exchange a quick word. Pant Nagar, dominated by Marathi-speaking households, forms the emotional core of her campaign, while the Gujarati-speaking stretches along Sixty Feet Road bring a distinct, business-oriented voter base.“This is (going to be) my fourth term,” Jadhav says between meetings. “I first contested in 2007 from Ramabai Nagar. Ward numbers and reservations changed, but my work and my connect with people here continued.”A three-time corporator, Jadhav argues that continuity matters in a ward grappling with redevelopment-led stress. “One five-year term is often not enough,” she says. “This was a low-lying area. Stormwater drains, sewer and water lines were laid in 1964. Today, redevelopment has multiplied the pressure on infrastructure.”As buildings that once housed 30 families now accommodate over 100, traffic snarls, pedestrian bottlenecks and shrinking open spaces dominate daily conversations. Hawker congestion, she admits, remains contentious. “Yes, hawkers are a major issue, but solutions must balance livelihoods and public convenience,” she says.Pant Nagar resident Amey Karbhari often shadows Jadhav after finishing his day-time job. “She is one of the most approachable leaders,” he says. “She listens to everyone’s grievances and tries to resolve them.”Another familiar presence is Alka Jadhav, part of the Jadhav family’s election efforts since 1992. “Wherever she goes, people say, ‘Didi, your work will ensure your win,'” she says, as supporters queue up to meet the candidate. Local resident Varsha Pauskar echoes the sentiment, recalling pandemic outreach. “She and her family did tremendous work during Covid-19. Nobody here will forget it,” Pauskar says.Jadhav’s campaign is backed by senior leaders of the BJP. Former minister Prakash Mehta, sitting MLA Parag Shah, former MP Manoj Kotak and former corporator Bhalchandra Shirsat have been visiting her offices, reviewing booth-level preparedness and boosting worker morale. The contest, though, is far from one-sided. Jadhav’s main challenger is Vrushali Chawak of the Shiv Sena (UBT, who is seeking to capitalise on redevelopment-related discontent. “We have a strong chance of winning this seat because there is clear anti-incumbency,” says Vishal. “Infrastructure has not kept pace with massive redevelopment in Pant Nagar.”Jadhav’s days begin around 9 am with society and group meetings, stretching into evening rallies and sabhas. “We’ve divided the ward into 10–12 parts and try to cover one area every day,” she says. As she steps into another crowded lane, she explains that she was born and brought up here. “For me, this campaign is not about introductions—it’s about continuing a long conversation with my people.”

MUMBAI: Bajaj Group on Thursday completed the acquisition of a 23% stake in its insurance joint ventures from Allianz SE for Rs 21,390 crore, marking the largest transaction in India’s insurance sector and bringing the group closer to full ownership of Bajaj General Insurance and Bajaj Life Insurance.The stake purchase involved Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Holdings & Investment and Jamnalal Sons acquiring Allianz’s shares for Rs 12,190 crore in the general insurance arm and Rs 9,200 crore in the life insurance arm. The transaction raises the Bajaj Group’s ownership in both insurers to 97% from 74%, with Bajaj Finserv holding 75.01%, giving it management control.Bajaj’s purchase values the general insurance venture at Rs 53000 crore and the life jv at Rs 40,000 crore. This is much lower than what analyst reports from Jefferies, Avendus and Kotak which have valued the non-life company between Rs 85700 crore and Rs 54600 crore while the life company has been valued between Rs 56,800 crore and 56,200 crore.Allianz said it received a gross consideration of around 2.1 billion euros for the divestment of the first major tranche and expects to sell the remaining 3% stake by the second quarter of 2026. The German insurer said the decision followed constructive and amicable discussions, noting that its ability to operate in India had remained limited due to its minority position.“This transaction is transformative for the Bajaj Group, enabling us to contribute even more strongly to the Govt’s vision of ‘Insurance for All’ that is Made in India, Made for India and Made by India,” Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finserv, said. He said the acquisition provides strategic flexibility to expand markets, launch new products and build scale as insurance penetration is set to rise over the next two decades.Bajaj Finserv said the transfer of Allianz’s remaining 3% stake is expected to be completed over the next few months through a proposed buyback, subject to approvals. If completed, Bajaj Finserv’s stake could rise to around 77.3%.Allianz said India remains a market of high strategic priority and that it intends to stay invested in the country’s insurance growth. The company pointed to its recently announced plans with Jio Financial Services to form a 50:50 domestic reinsurance joint venture and explore new general and life insurance ventures.Allianz said it expects to recognise a non-operating IFRS gain of around 1.1 billion euros from the transaction in its first-quarter 2026 results and anticipates a positive impact of around five percentage points on its group solvency ratio, with proceeds to be redeployed in line with its strategic priorities, including investments in new India ventures.

As the Indian cricket team gears up for the high-stakes India vs New Zealand ODI series, the spotlight has shifted from the pitch to the arrivals terminal. On January 7, 2026, Virat Kohli‘s arrival at the Mumbai airport sent social media into a frenzy, not just for his upcoming return to international duty, but for a subtle fashion choice that fans were quick to label a ‘romantic tribute.’ Clad in a black cardigan featuring a red heart and the letter ‘A’ the star batter inadvertently sparked a viral debate over whether the motif was a nod to his wife, Anushka Sharma.

‘A’ for Anushka on Virat Kohli’s black cardigan? The viral heart motif decoded

The ‘Virushka’ fan base was quick to flood social media with screenshots of Kohli’s airport look, decoding the red ‘A’ and heart emblem as a public declaration of love for Anushka. Speculation grew that the custom-knit was a parting gesture as Kohli headed to Vadodara for professional commitments while Anushka reportedly traveled to the UK.

Years may change but Virat wearing A letter shirt or jacket is constant ♾️ pic.twitter.com/7kBR8dCkiP

— 🪷 (@maddified18) January 7, 2026

However, the “truth” behind the garment is rooted in high fashion rather than personal monograms. The cardigan is a signature piece from the French luxury label AMI Paris. The “A” and heart motif is actually the brand’s iconic “Ami de Coeur” logo (Friend of Hearts), designed by founder Alexandre Mattiussi. Priced at a hefty INR 65,700, as per Hindustan Times and multiple media outlets, the luxury knit has become a staple for celebrities, and while the ‘A’ conveniently matches Anushka’s initial, it remains a designer trademark.

एयरपोर्ट लुक हो तो विराट जैसा! 🔥 Ami Paris के सिग्नेचर कार्डिगन और बैगी जींस में किंग कोहली का स्वैग। क्लास और कंफर्ट का परफेक्ट मेल।#ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/8YcLSi61qA

— Shashank Singh (@imShashankji) January 8, 2026

Also READ: Brother Vikas hits back at Virat Kohli’s critics ahead of IND vs NZ ODI series

Kohli’s road to 28,000 international runs

While the internet was busy with his wardrobe, Kohli was focused on a landmark year. He arrived in Vadodara to a ‘King’s Welcome’ ahead of the first ODI on January 11. Kohli enters the series in peak form, having recently broken Sachin Tendulkar’s record during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 to become the fastest player to reach 16,000 List A runs, achieving the feat in just 330 innings. The three-match series against the Black Caps serves as a vital chapter in Kohli’s career as he nears the monumental 28,000-run mark in international cricket.

• 1st ODI: Jan 11 – Vadodara (BCA Stadium)
• 2nd ODI: Jan 14 – Rajkot (Niranjan Shah Stadium)
• 3rd ODI: Jan 18 – Indore (Holkar Stadium)

With Kohli stepping away from T20Is and Tests earlier in 2025, his focus is now singular: dominating the 50-over format and leading India’s charge toward the ODI World Cup 2027.

Also READ: Virat Kohli to team up with Mr Beast? The American YouTuber with 458 million subscribers makes a public request in a viral video

A powerful storm hit Istanbul on Thursday, bringing strong winds, towering waves, and widespread disruption to sea transport, and it also affected several other provinces across western Turkiye.Several videos are going viral on social media, and one of them shows a Pegasus flight aborting landing at Istanbul Airport due to severe weather. The flight could be seen losing balance and couldn’t move straight, forcing the pilot to abort the landing.Another video showed a strong lodos winds battered the area, rocking boats violently and creating rough, stormy conditions.Following warnings from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, gale-force winds began sweeping through Istanbul in the morning hours and intensified over the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, Hurriyet Daily News reported.In Besiktas, large waves slammed into the shoreline, creating hazardous conditions along the coast. Maritime operations were brought to a grinding halt as treacherous sea conditions made navigation impossible. Besiktas–Kadiköy passenger boat services were suspended, while some ferry lines announced multiple cancellations.In Bakirköy, a tree toppled onto four vehicles along the coastal road, forcing a lane to close temporarily. In Bahçelievler, another fallen tree injured a pedestrian, who was reported to have sustained minor injuries.According to official data, wind speeds exceeded 70 kilometres per hour in some districts.Beyond Istanbul, severe weather battered the broader Marmara and Aegean regions. In the northwestern province of Çanakkale, strong winds forced the temporary suspension of transit ship traffic through the Dardanelles and several ferry services were also cancelled. In the neighbouring province of Edirne, heavy rainfall caused localised flooding. Fishermen in the western city of Izmir remained in port due to rough seas, carrying out maintenance work while waiting for conditions to improve.The storm also reached the Black Sea coast, with severe winds causing trees to topple and block roads in Samsun.

Captain Brandon Fisher, the pilot of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Boeing. He alleges the company wrongly blamed him and his first officer for the door plug blowout that forced an emergency landing in January 2024. The lawsuit was filed on December 30, 2025, in an Oregon court and relates to a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.In court filings tied to a separate passenger class-action lawsuit, Boeing denied liability for the blowout. The company argued the aircraft may have been “improperly maintained or misused by persons and or entities other than Boeing.” Fisher’s lawyers say this language effectively shifted blame onto the flight crew despite the lack of evidence against them.

Boeing’s role in the Flight 1282 door plug blowout

The incident occurred on January 5, 2024. Flight 1282 suffered a door plug panel blowout shortly after take-off from Portland. The aircraft was flying at about 16,000 feet and had 177 people on board. Fisher and first officer Emily Wiprud landed the plane safely back in Portland.Investigators later found that bolts meant to secure the door plug panel were missing. The aircraft had undergone factory repairs linked to parts supplied by Spirit AeroSystems. The work was not properly documented and no inspection followed. Investigators said the evidence pointed to manufacturing and quality control failures rather than pilot error.

Claims of blame shifting

Fisher alleges Boeing’s legal position contradicted its earlier public statements. After the incident, the crew received praise from regulators, the airline and company officials for landing the aircraft safely. The lawsuit argues that Boeing later reversed course in court to protect itself from liability.Fisher says the statements caused emotional distress and harmed his reputation. He says he became the target of passenger lawsuits and public criticism. The lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages.

The investigation and next steps

The door plug failure remains under investigation by federal authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board. Boeing has declined to comment on Fisher’s lawsuit, citing ongoing litigation. Alaska Airlines thanked the flight crew for their actions but did not address the legal claims. Spirit AeroSystems is also named as a defendant.The case is pending in Multnomah County, Oregon. No trial date has been announced.

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Gauri Lankesh was shot dead on September 5, 2017

NEW DELHI: Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, will contest the January 15 Jalna Municipal Corporation election in Maharashtra as an independent candidate.He is running from Ward 13, facing opponents from the ruling BJP and several other parties, while deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has not fielded a candidate, news agency PTI reported.Incidentally, ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, Pangarkar had joined the Shiv Sena. However, following public outcry, Shinde put his induction into the party on hold.Earlier, Pangarkar served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council from 2001 to 2006, representing the undivided Shiv Sena. After being denied a ticket in 2011, he joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.In August 2018, he was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from various parts of the state. He was booked under the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).In the Gauri Lankesh murder case, Pangarkar was granted bail by the Karnataka high court in September 2024.Lankesh, who ran the weekly “Gauri Lankesh Patrike,” a Kannada-language tabloid, was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on September 5, 2017. The murder made national headlines, sparking debates over alleged “intolerance” in the country under the ruling BJP.The Karnataka Police identified and charge-sheeted 18 suspects, arresting 17 of them in connection with the case.The trial in the case began in May 2022.

The English cricket team perform the sprinkler after winning the fourth test during day four of the Fourth Test match between Australia and England (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: For England, winning the Ashes in Australia has always felt less like a sporting challenge and more like a test of fate. Tours come and go, and captains come back home to the freezing cold with harsh lessons. The sun is unforgiving, the crowds hostile, and the margins brutal. That is why the winter of 2010–11 remains frozen in time, the last, and perhaps most complete, Ashes triumph by England on Australian soil, achieved under the calm, almost understated leadership of Andrew Strauss.

It was not a victory built on bravado or bluster. There were no bold declarations of intent, no verbal duels, no chest-thumping celebrations. Instead, England’s success was rooted in something rarer on Australian tours: control.England arrived as the No.1 Test side in the world, Ashes holders after the 2009 home series, and armed with a belief that this team was different. They were organised, physically prepared and mentally hardened by years of overseas failure.

Andrew Strauss (C) of England gestures to the crowd after England won the match during day four of the Fourth Test match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 29, 2010. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

This was not a side hoping Australia would falter. It was one that trusted its own process.The first Test at Brisbane set the tone for everything that followed. England batted first and refused to be hurried. At the centre of it all was Alastair Cook, then just 25, who played an innings that came to define the series. He batted for nearly two days, leaving, nudging and wearing down Australia’s bowlers with monk-like patience. Cook made 235, an epic effort of concentration that drained the life out of the home attack. Rain eventually denied England a win, but the psychological shift was unmistakable. Australia, so used to dictating tempo at the Gabba, had been forced to react.The decisive moment came in Adelaide, under lights. The pink ball was still years away, but England’s bowlers made the most of evening conditions. James Anderson, at the peak of his powers, swung the ball late and viciously, exposing Australia’s fragile batting. England dominated every session and won by an innings. It was their first Ashes Test win at Adelaide Oval in decades, and it rattled the hosts.

Alastair Cook of England (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

If Adelaide gave England belief, Perth gave them authority. The WACA had long been Australia’s ultimate weapon — fast, bouncy and intimidating. England had often wilted there. This time, they stood tall. Cook once again led the way with the bat, while England’s seamers matched Australia for pace and discipline. The victory in Perth was seismic. England now led the series, and Australia had no clear answers.By the time the teams reached Melbourne, England were thinking in terms of control rather than conquest. A rain-affected draw at the MCG was embraced, not regretted. Strauss’ side understood the value of patience. They did not chase moments. They waited for them.The final act came in Sydney, where England delivered the finishing blow. On a surface offering turn, Graeme Swann ran through Australia’s batting with skill and guile. England won comfortably, sealing a 3–1 series victory and confirming their dominance. It was not just an Ashes win; it was a statement.At the heart of the triumph was Cook, who finished the series with 766 runs, a staggering return built on discipline and resilience.

James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Alastair Cook of England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 29, 2010 (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Anderson and Swann formed a perfectly balanced bowling partnership, while Kevin Pietersen provided flashes of brilliance at key moments. And overseeing it all was Strauss — calm, measured and utterly unflustered.What made the achievement truly special was the manner in which it was done. England did not try to mimic Australia’s aggression. They beat Australia with preparation, structure and mental strength — qualities Australia had long claimed as their own.Fifteen years later, that winter remains a benchmark. England have returned to Australia since, sometimes with hope, sometimes with hype, but never with the same sense of certainty.Under Strauss in 2010–11, England didn’t just win the Ashes. They changed the story of what an English team could be in Australia.

NEW DELHI: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday accused the Centre of “continuously attempting to financially strangle” the state, further announcing a satyagraha protest on January 12 against the “economic blockade” .Speaking to the reporters, Vijayan said, “The central government is continuously attempting to financially strangle Kerala. Since 2017, the Centre has been implementing cutbacks by including amounts from the Public Account while fixing reductions in the State’s permissible borrowing limit.” “In protest against the central government’s economic blockade against Kerala, a satyagraha protest will be organised on January 12 at the Martyrs’ Column in Thiruvananthapuram, with the participation of Ministers, MLAs and MPs. The support of everyone is requested for this protest,” he added.The Kerala CM also criticised the Centre’s and the Congress’ foreign policy approach to the US military operation in Venezuela that removed Nicolás Maduro.“Instead of viewing with seriousness the imperialist move that has shocked the human conscience, the central government is displaying an eagerness to trivialize it and to demonstrate subservience to the United States. In the statement issued by the ministry of external affairs in this regard, even the name of the United States was not mentioned,” he asserted.“The central government is unable even to register a protest against the American President, who makes statements every day that insult India and our sovereignty,” the CM alleged.Further taking a swipe at the Congress, Vijayan said “the party, which claims to be the principal opposition party of the country, is also moving along the same path.”“Even while American President Donald Trump is repeatedly threatening India by saying that he will once again raise import tariffs, we have seen the Congress government in Telangana displaying competitive enthusiasm to even construct a road in Trump’s name. No one is surprised by this.” he added.The Kerela CM further remarked, “Only those who once carried out a coup disguised as a so-called ‘liberation struggle’ that was planned by the CIA with American funding can behave in this manner.” “Disregarding the sovereignty of Venezuela, American imperialism has intruded into that country and has even taken the head of that nation into custody. The United States is preparing to overthrow the elected government and to suffocate the people through sanctions and blockades.” he added.Calling the situation alarming, Vijayan said, “Extraordinary incidents are taking place in the world,” referring to the crisis in Venezuela. He further warned that, “what happened in Venezuela today can happen in any other country in the world tomorrow. This is an issue that should cause concern to each and every one of us.”

A wide-ranging collection of Steve Jobs’ childhood belongings and some of Apple’s earliest products has gone up for auction as the company approaches its 50th anniversary on April 1, 2026. The sale is being handled by RR Auction, which has opened bidding on 191 items spanning Jobs’ early life and Apple’s formative period in the mid-1970s.

The first Apple check and early hardware

Among the centrepieces of the auction is the first known cheque issued by Apple Computer, Inc. on March 16, 1976. Signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the $500 cheque was made out to Howard Cantin, who designed the printed circuit board for the Apple-1 computer. The document predates Apple’s official incorporation and is described by the auction house as a foundational artefact from the company’s earliest days.

Also drawing strong interest is the earliest known prototype motherboard for the Apple-1, alongside other rare hardware from Apple’s pre-Macintosh era. Early bidding has already pushed some items into the tens of thousands of dollars, with expectations that final prices could climb far higher.

Rare Apple devices from different eras

The auction also includes a functional Lisa-1 computer, a key transitional machine that preceded Apple’s Macintosh line, as well as a first-generation iPhone that was later jailbroken by teenage hacker George Hotz. Together, the items trace Apple’s evolution from a garage-based start-up to a consumer electronics giant.

Steve Jobs’ childhood belongings

Adding a more personal dimension, the collection features items from Jobs’ childhood and teenage years, provided to the auction house by his stepbrother, John Chovanec. These include bowties, Bob Dylan 8-track tapes, and the wooden desk from Jobs’ bedroom at the Los Altos, California home later associated with the famed “Apple garage”.Other personal effects include components from Jobs’ own Apple-1 computer, hand-annotated car repair manuals, and a short handwritten note to his father on an early Apple business card.

Posters, paperwork and early marketing

Rounding out the auction are original Apple marketing posters from the 1970s and 1980s, along with internal documents and ephemera from the company’s earliest phase. Together, the items offer a rare, material record of Apple’s origins and the personal world of its co-founder.Bidding for the collection is open until January 29, with interest expected to grow as the anniversary year approaches.