THANE: Dynastic politics and experience have emerged as the top currency in Thane civic elections. Not only have family ties shaped candidatures —and in some cases triggered rebellions too—but parties have also largely reposed their faith in the old guard in Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva and Naupada-Kopri, with 29 sitting corporators securing nominations once again in 11 key wards.While political observers said organisational loyalty and lineage continue to outweigh grassroots leadership in Sena chief Eknath Shinde’s stronghold, party leaders defended the strategy, citing winnability and voter trust, and asserted that performance, not lineage, ultimately decides outcomes at the civic level.

In the Kolshet-Balkum belt, Sena veteran Devram Bhoir, son Sanjay, and daughters-in-law Usha and Sapna are contesting from different panels in ward 8, while a fifth relative, Bhushan Bhoir, entered the race as an independent from ward 3 after being denied a party ticket. Prakash Shinde, a former corporator and younger brother of Eknath Shinde, is in the fray, as is the wife of Sanjay More, Shiv Sena secretary and close associate of the deputy CM. The wife and the brother of another aide, former MLC Ravindra Fatak, are also contesting.When parties failed to accommodate loyalists’ kin, a few chose to go solo. In Ghodbunder, former corporator Namrata Gharat is contesting on a Sena ticket, while her husband, Ravi, is fighting as an independent. In Kalwa, former NCP (SP) corporator and now Independent contestant, Pramila Keni, and son Mandar, who is now a Sena candidate, are contesting from separate panels of the same ward.By fielding mostly known faces in the politically sensitive belts of Naupada, Kalwa-Mumbra and Diva, major parties have also clearly prioritised electability over experimentation. Observers pointed out that sitting corporators enjoy a distinct hyperlocal advantage that first-time candidates cannot replicate in a single campaign cycle.

The anticipation for the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is at an all-time high as the tournament gears up for a spectacular launch on January 9 in Navi Mumbai.

WPL 2026 set for a grand opening

The league, which has rapidly gained popularity as a premier competition in women’s T20 cricket, promises an electrifying season filled with intense matches, high-profile players, and grand entertainment. The inaugural match will feature a highly anticipated showdown between defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, setting the stage for an action-packed month of cricket.

With five teams set to battle it out across two venues, WPL 2026 will showcase top-tier talent and bring fans closer to the action. The tournament, spanning from January 9 to February 5, will travel across two key Indian hubs. The strategic shift in venues aims to deepen the league’s reach and foster growing enthusiasm for women’s cricket in India.

WPL 2026: A two-city cricketing extravaganza culminating in Vadodara

The journey of WPL 2026 will commence in Navi Mumbai, where the first 11 matches of the tournament will take place. The caravan will then travel to Vadodara, another vibrant cricketing hub, for the remaining league matches and the high-stakes knockout rounds. The Kotambi Stadium (Baroda Cricket Association Stadium) in Vadodara has been selected to host the crucial Eliminator match on February 3. The grand finale, scheduled for February 5, will also be held at Kotambi Stadium, marking a shift from previous seasons by concluding the tournament in Gujarat. This move reflects a concerted effort to celebrate the sport in regional heartlands while maintaining elite playing conditions.

Also READ: Not just RCB! Richa Ghosh picks another franchise capable of winning WPL 2026

WPL 2026 opening ceremony: Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez and Harnaaz Sandhu

WPL 2026 is elevating its entertainment quotient with a star-studded opening ceremony designed to celebrate the spirit of women in sport. The ceremony will take place as a pre-match spectacle on January 9, starting at 6:45 PM IST.

1. Music sensation Yo Yo Honey Singh is set to take center stage, bringing his high-energy beats to the DY Patil Stadium. His performance is expected to set a pulsating tone for the season, blending hip-hop and pop with the thrill of T20 cricket.

When the beat drops, history begins. 🎤🔥

Yo Yo Honey Singh takes centre stage at the TATA WPL 2026 Pre Match Entertainment – setting the tone for an electrifying season! 🙌

📍 DY Patil Stadium | 🗓 9th January#TATAWPL | #MIvRCB | #KhelEmotionKa | @asliyoyo pic.twitter.com/9eAh6wX69H

— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 7, 2026

2. Joining the musical frenzy, Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez will deliver a vibrant dance performance that honors the unstoppable rise of women in sport, adding a touch of glamour and grace to the evening.

This stage celebrates more than sport, it celebrates women ✨

The #TATAWPL Opening Day comes alive with a Pre-Match performance by Jacqueline Fernandez that honours confidence, courage, and the unstoppable rise of women in sport. #KhelEmotionKa | #MIvRCB | @Asli_Jacqueline pic.twitter.com/Jrk7Ph9REs

— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 7, 2026

3. Furthermore, Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu will open the season with a powerful narrative. Her speech will focus on confidence, courage, and empowerment, inspiring both players and fans alike. Together, these performers ensure that WPL 2026 is not just a sporting event, but a cultural celebration.

A voice that inspires. A narrative that empowers. ✨

Harnaaz Sandhu opens #TATAWPL – Season 4 with a powerful narrative celebrating confidence, courage, and the unstoppable rise of women in sport.

📍 DY Patil Stadium
🗓 9th January #MIvRCB | #KhelEmotionKa | @HarnaazKaur pic.twitter.com/2M4LMdKy3i

— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 8, 2026

Broadcast and Live Streaming Details

With the increasing commercial pull of women’s cricket, WPL 2026 will reach a massive global audience through extensive coverage. Fans in India can catch the live telecast on the Star Sports Network, which has secured the broadcasting rights for this edition. For those preferring digital platforms, the matches will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar (via the app and website). With multiple viewing options and a lineup of world-class performers, WPL 2026 is poised to be the most accessible and entertaining edition to date.

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

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

MUMBAI: In the first stay in the ongoing city corporation elections in the state, Bombay HC Thursday put on hold the poll process for Ward 17A in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) after a BJP candidate, Nilesh Bhojane, challenged the rejection of his nomination form on Dec 31, reports Swati Deshpande.A Shiv Sena candidate had filed a complaint against Bhojane’s nomination. The rejection order cited an NMMC notice to Bhojane last Feb over “alleged unauthorised commercial use” of his house.

HC observed that the case prima facie demonstrates “illegal & arbitrary exercise of powers” by the returning officer and posted the matter to Jan 9 (Friday) for final disposal.Granting urgent interim relief to BJP candidate Nilesh Bhojane, Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, in their order, said, “We are of the prima facie opinion that there is no absolute bar (under the Constitution) to entertain a writ petition in matters like the present one, which prima facie demonstrate illegal and arbitrary exercise of powers by the Election Returning Officer.”The RO’s order cited a civic notice Bhojane got on Feb 24, 2025 to “stop alleged unauthorised commercial use” of his house in Navi Mumbai, rendering him “disqualified” under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (MMC) Act. The notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act did not specify the alleged unauthorised use, Bhojane’s petition said.Senior counsel Navroz Seervai for Bhojane argued that the disqualification, as conceived under the provision invoked to disqualify Bhojane, applied to a “sitting councillor” and not to a candidate who sought to contest an election. He said the order was illegal and ought to be quashed. The term “councillor” meant a sitting councillor, Seervai said, citing various judgments. Section 10 (1D) governs disqualification for being a councillor if involved in any illegal construction or obstructing authorities. The section was wholly inapplicable also since nothing illegal was done, Bhojane’s case said.The petition said rejection was on “flimsy grounds” and “is anathema to democracy”. It said, “A popular candidate who is likely to win an election is prevented from even contesting” on grounds bereft of merit. The petitioner challenged as “illegal and invalid” the order from the RO. Seervai, with advocates Mayur Khandeparkar and Nivit Srivastava, argued the MMC Act provision was not applicable to Bhojane.Bhojane, also a lawyer, said that, under the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations for Maharashtra, professional practice by oneself is permissible in any building in a purely residential zone. He added he was shown no material NMMC relied on to keep him out of the polls. Senior counsel A Y Sakhare for Patkar said the petition was not maintainable.Sachin Shetye, counsel for State Election Commission, stated Bhojane could not be included in the list of validly nominated candidates.

File Pic: India and Bangladesh fans during the Asia Cup match in Dubai. (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has intensified its standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) by sending a second formal communication, reiterating its demand to move Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play four group matches — three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. However, the team has so far refused to travel to India, escalating uncertainty over its participation just weeks before the global event.

According to reports, the latest letter was sent after discussions between the BCB and sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, who has taken a firm stance on the issue. “The ICC wanted to know the areas of concern regarding security, and the BCB has cited them in detail,” a source close to the board told PTI, requesting anonymity. The specifics of the concerns, however, have not been made public.The renewed communication comes against the backdrop of the Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman being released from the IPL on instructions from the BCCI, which cited unspecified “developments all around” as the reason. That decision appears to have deepened mistrust and hardened the BCB’s position.The ICC, while yet to make a public statement, has sought clarity from the Dhaka-based board on the exact nature of the apprehensions. Internally, the BCB itself remains divided. One faction is backing Nazrul’s uncompromising approach, while another is pushing for continued dialogue with the ICC and Indian authorities, arguing that enhanced and foolproof security arrangements could address the concerns.Nazrul’s assertive line marks a shift from the BCB’s traditionally cordial relationship with the BCCI. For now, the ICC has given no indication that Bangladesh’s venues will be shifted from Kolkata and Mumbai to Colombo, though the BCB maintains that the global body has shown willingness to assess the security issues raised.

MUMBAI: The State Election Commission (SEC) is of the view that prima facie, the action of the Colaba returning officer (RO) Krishna Jadhav who did not allow the AAP and Janata Dal candidates to file their nominations on Dec 30, 2025 was legally sound and followed the rules, sources said. However, the SEC has sought an additional report from the observer before reaching a definite conclusion.The two parties had complained that the RO acted at the behest of state assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who is from the BJP. Three of his relatives are contesting the BMC elections, and he was present at the RO’s office when the nominations were being filed, the parties had stated.

After AAP lodged a complaint with the SEC, the BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has submitted a report pointing out that although Jadhav’s actions were legally sound, he should have been administratively careful. The two had alleged that nomination forms of their candidates were not accepted though they had received tokens and were present in the RO’s office before the 5 pm deadline on the last day for filing nominations.

However, Jadhav’s contention was that the rules require the candidates to be inside his cabin, not just on the office premises by the 5 pm deadline. He also stated that he made several announcements on this.However, in his report, Gagrani pointed out that the candidates had been given tokens and were present on the office premises of the RO. Hence, Jadhav should have been administratively careful and prudent, his report said.Although the provision of tokens is not mentioned in the election rules, it has become established practice to provide tokens to voters queuing up at polling booths on voting day close to the deadline. Those given the tokens are allowed to vote. Hence this may have created confusion, officials said.

MUMBAI: The BJP on Thursday suspended 26 office bearers, including former corporators, and those who are fighting the BMC polls as rebel candidates for 6 years. Mumbai BJP chief, MLA Ameet Satam, in his suspension order, said they have been suspended for not cooperating with Mahayuti candidates in the BMC elections 2026 despite repeated requests from the party. Among those suspended are Divya Dhole from Ward 60, Versova; Nehal Amar Shah from Ward 177, Matunga; Janhvi Rane from Ward 205, Abhyudaya Nagar; and Asawari Patil from Ward 2, Borivli; among others. Several other office bearers have been suspended for allegedly working against the party.

A senior BJP functionary said Nehal Shah, for instance, not only filed her nomination against the official BJP candidate, but also tried to defame the candidate and damage the prospects of the party. “The party gave tickets to the candidates based on surveys and internal assessment. Winnability was the main criteria. There was high anti-incumbency and complaints about lack of citizen connect. Local officer bearers had also complained. So, the party made a decision to drop her and give the ticket to Kalpesha Jesal Kothari, who is a good local face. This was the case with many of the candidates who were dropped. Many of them did not rebel or withdrew their nomination, but some went ahead despite the party’s request,” the functionary said.Senior BJP functionaries, though, said the party took too much time to suspend the rebels. “Some of those suspended are rebel candidates in the BMC polls. Most others are working against the party ideology and party line. Despite several requests and instructions, they continued anti-Mahayuti activities. So they have been suspended as part of disciplinary action,” Satam said.Last week, the BJP had managed to get some of its rebels to pull out. Among those were BJP party worker Sunita Yadav who filed her nomination form as an independent from Ward 1 against BJP’s official candidate Rekha Yadav. In Ward 221, former BJP corporator Janak Sanghavi also withdrew his nomination, leaving Aakash Purohit as the BJP’s official candidate.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen (AP file photo)

Denmark has warned that its troops are under standing orders to “shoot first and ask questions later” if Greenland comes under attack, as anxiety grows in Europe over the United States under President Donald Trump openly weighing military action to seize the Arctic territory.The country’s defence ministry said a Cold War-era rule obliges soldiers to respond immediately to any foreign invasion without waiting for political clearance or formal orders. Speaking to Danish newspaper Berlingske, the ministry said the directive requires forces to “immediately take up the fight” if attacked and remains fully in force.

The rule, introduced in 1952, states that in the event of an invasion, troops must act “without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanders in question are not aware of the declaration of war or state of war”. Danish officials said the provision applies regardless of who the invading force may be.

Europe scrambles to push back

The warning comes as European leaders struggle to frame a response to repeated statements by Trump, who has refused to rule out the use of force to annex Greenland. The White House has said Trump is still considering all options, heightening unease among Denmark’s allies.European governments have rallied behind Copenhagen, with calls for a coordinated response to any US move against Greenland. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he would discuss the issue with his German and Polish counterparts, emphasising the need for collective action.“We want to take action, but we want to do so together with our European partners,” Barrot told France Inter radio.He added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had “discarded” the idea that Greenland could face an intervention similar to the recent US assault on Venezuela aimed at ousting President Nicolas Maduro. Despite those assurances, Denmark’s reaffirmation of its shoot-first doctrine underscores how seriously it is preparing for the possibility of escalation.

‘$10,000 to $100,000 per person’

The Trump administration is considering a plan to offer direct cash payments to Greenlanders in an effort to persuade them to break away from Denmark and move closer to the United States, according to multiple sources cited by news agency Reuters.US officials have talked internally about offering lump sum payments of between $10,000 and $100,000 per person to residents of Greenland. The island nation is currently a semi-autonomous Danish territory with a population of about 57,000 and has an abundance of useful natural resources. The idea remains at a preliminary stage and details are still unclear. Aides have discussed figures that could amount to nearly $6 billion in total, sources said.Another option being discussed is a Compact of Free Association, an agreement the US already has with some Pacific island nations. Under such deals, the US provides financial aid and defence protection in return for military access. Greenland would likely have to become independent from Denmark first, and payments could be used to encourage public support for that step or for a future agreement.Polls show most Greenlanders favour independence from Denmark, but surveys also indicate they do not want to become part of the United States.