Kevin Pietersen and Brendon McCullum (Photos by Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: After England suffered a heavy 4-1 Ashes series loss to Australia, former England star Kevin Pietersen has spoken out and called for changes in the national coaching setup. Pietersen believes England should think about bringing back former head coach Andy Flower and see him as a possible replacement for current coach Brendon McCullum.

Pietersen shared his views in a post on X, where he openly supported his former coach. He admitted the idea might sound unusual but felt it was worth discussing. According to Pietersen, Flower has changed over the years and now understands today’s players much better. “This is a WILD thought. I reckon one of my wildest. Can England bring back Andy Flower now that he’s changed and in line with the modern-day player? He gets Test cricket. I’ve been told by many players that he’s changed his ways since our drama. He’s winning leagues so really does get the modern-day player. VERY IMPORTANT! Wild, I know! Thoughts?” wrote Pietersen on X. Andy Flower has a strong record as a coach. During his earlier time with England, he guided the team to the 2010 T20 World Cup title and helped them win three Ashes series in 2009, 2010–11 and 2013. Under his leadership, England also reached the number one position in Test cricket. After stepping away from the England job, Flower found great success in franchise cricket. He has won major titles with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, Trent Rockets in The Hundred, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025. Brendon McCullum, meanwhile, is still under contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board until the end of the 2027 Ashes series. However, after the Ashes defeat, McCullum admitted there might be someone better suited for the head coach role.

Companies have paid an estimated $133.5 billion in IEEPA-based tariffs through December 14, according to government data. (AI image)

The Supreme Court will not rule in the crucial case of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs case on Friday. The ruling is being watched globally for its implications on all major economies. Earlier it was expected that the apex court would rule on the important issue on Friday.At the centre of the case is the legality of the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs and whether the US president has the authority to impose them under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law that grants special powers during national emergencies. Back in 2025, lower courts had ruled that the tariffs were implemented illegally, however, allowed the import taxes to remain in force while the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court.

The justices heard arguments in the case on November 5, during which both conservative and liberal members of the court expressed scepticism about whether the law gave the president unilateral authority to levy such broad duties. The ruling, issued after weeks of deliberation, now provides clarity on the scope of presidential power under IEEPA and the future of the tariffs imposed using it.The decision carries major financial implications. Companies have paid an estimated $133.5 billion in IEEPA-based tariffs through December 14, according to government data, with the total now believed to be closer to $150 billion, as estimated by Reuters. Hundreds of companies have taken legal action, filing lawsuits in the US Court of International Trade seeking to have the tariffs they paid declared unlawful and demanding refunds. More than 900 lawsuits have been filed on behalf of companies seeking tariff refunds, collectively naming over 1,000 plaintiffs, according to a tally compiled by Bloomberg. The list includes major brands such as Costco, Reebok, Peloton, Dole, Revlon and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, alongside firms including Kawasaki Motors, EssilorLuxottica, Bumble Bee Foods, Schick Manufacturing, Playtex, Spencer Gifts, PopSockets, Conair, Xerox, Dooney & Bourke, Barnes & Nobles, PUMA, Lane Bryant, Steve Madden, Bath & Body Works, Bose, TOMS Shoes, e.l.f. Cosmetics, J. Crew Group, Blick Art Materials and Diageo, Forbes reported. Those cases were put on hold pending the Supreme Court’s decision.

NEW DELHI: Political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) has termed the Enforcement Directorate raids an “unsettling precedent”. The probe agency condicted searches at I-PAC offices and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata a day before, in connection with a coal smuggling-linked money laundering case.In a statement on Friday, the firm categorically stated that it had worked for parties including “across ideologies” including BJP, Congress and AAP among others.

“Yesterday, officials from the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at the I-PAC office and at the residence of our Director, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata. It was difficult and unfortunate day for a professional organisation like I-PAC. We believe this raises serious concerns and sets an unsettling precedent. Regardless, we have extended full cooperation and will continue to do so as required, engaging with the process in complete accordance and respect for the law,” the statement said.“Over the years, I-PAC has worked in a professional advisory capacity with multiple political parties across ideologies and regions, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, All India Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, YSR Congress Party, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now BRS), Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena among others. We do not contest elections or hold political office. Our role is limited to transparent and professional political consulting, uninfluenced by differences in political ideology,” it further said.High drama unfolded after the ED carried out searches at the Salt Lake office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the Kolkata residence of its founder Pratik Jain, along with other locations in West Bengal and Delhi, in connection with a coal scam-linked money laundering probe. The ED alleged that chief minister Mamata Banerjee interfered during the raids, removed digital devices and key documents with police support, and forced officials to terminate the searches without making any seizures.The agency also claimed that around Rs 20 crore in hawala funds from alleged coal pilferage were routed to I-PAC and has sought court protection, including safeguards against tampering with seized data and relief from FIRs filed against its officials.

A woman was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during the crackdown operation in south Minneapolis on Wednesday.Officials said the shooting occurred amid a tense confrontation as unmarked law enforcement vehicles moved through a residential neighbourhood during the operation.

Video footage circulating online showed officers ordering the woman, who was driving an SUV, to get out of the vehicle and attempting to open her door. As the vehicle moved, an ICE agent fired three shots. The SUV then travelled a short distance before crashing into a parked car.The woman was taken to Hennepin County Medical Centre, where she was pronounced dead, according to Minneapolis police. The Department of Homeland Security said the agent acted in self-defence after the woman attempted to run over officers, a claim disputed by city leaders and civil rights groups, who have called the killing preventable and demanded an independent investigation.The incident quickly drew national attention and triggered protests across Minneapolis. Hundreds of people gathered near the site of the shooting and later attended a vigil. Mayor Jacob Frey urged federal immigration officers to leave the city, stating that their presence was “causing chaos” and putting residents at risk.

Who was Renee Nicole Good?

The woman killed in the shooting was identified as Renee Nicole Good. She is a 37-year-old poet and writer who lived just a few blocks from where she was shot. Her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that the family was informed of her death late Wednesday morning.“That’s so stupid that she was killed,” Ganger said, after learning some of the circumstances from a reporter. “She was probably terrified.”Ganger said her daughter lived in the Twin Cities with her partner and was not involved in violent activity or efforts to obstruct ICE agents. “Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” she said. “She was extremely compassionate. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.”Good was the mother of a six-year-old child and also had two other children who, according to family members, lived with extended relatives. She had previously been married to Timmy Ray Macklin Jr, who died in 2023. Macklin’s father said he was shocked by the news and expressed concern for his grandchild. “There’s nobody else in his life,” he said. “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come and get my grandchild.”The Instagram account of Good described her as a “poet and writer and wife and mom” from Colorado who was “experiencing Minneapolis,” according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. In 2020, while studying creative writing at Old Dominion University in Virginia, she received the university’s undergraduate poetry prize. A brief biography posted by the university described her as someone who loved writing, reading and making art.Friends, neighbours and community leaders remembered Good as a caring and peaceful presence. At a vigil attended by hundreds, speakers described her as a good neighbour who was trying to look out for others.“She was peaceful, she did the right thing,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-MN. “She died because she loved her neighbours.”

The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 officially kicked off on January 9, 2026, with a breathtaking opening ceremony at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Blending Bollywood glamour with the fierce ambition of women’s sport, the event set the stage for the opening blockbuster between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The ceremony followed the theme of “Confidence, Courage, and the Unstoppable Rise of Women in Sport,” reflecting the league’s massive growth after India’s recent ODI World Cup success. Highlighting the evening were star-studded performances from Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, and an inspiring narrative by Harnaaz Sandhu, creating a cultural spectacle that went far beyond the boundary ropes. As the lights dimmed and the entertainment concluded, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field, citing the dew factor as the first ball of the 2026 season was bowled at 7:40 PM.

WPL 2026 opening ceremony: ‘Let the game begin’- Harnaaz Sandhu’s voice of empowerment

IIn a unique departure from purely musical acts, former Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu opened the proceedings with a powerful spoken-word segment that served as the “voice” of the tournament. Walking onto a specially designed pedestal at the center of the stadium, her words set an emotional tone for the season, describing the TATA WPL as a testament to the power of a woman’s dreams. Highlighting the league’s massive influence on the next generation, she emphasized that the players were competing for millions of girls watching at home, proving that their ambitions truly have no limits. She celebrated this as the era of confidence and courage, noting that the rise of women in sport has become unstoppable. Her performance culminated in a spirited Punjabi call to action, “Chakk de fatte sherniyan!”, which acted as the cue for a massive pyrotechnic display that transitioned the evening into the high-energy dance segments.

Here’s the video:

WPL 2026 opening ceremony: Jacqueline Fernandez’s Juventus style and Bollywood beats

Immediately following the narrative, Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez took center stage, captivating the audience with a high-energy dance act themed around female resilience. In a surprising and viral fashion choice, Jacqueline performed her famous hits, including the track ‘Yaar Naa Miley’ from the movie Kick, while wearing an official Juventus (Italian football club) jersey. This cross-sport aesthetic was a deliberate nod to the global influence of women’s athletics and the merging of international sport with Indian cinema. Surrounded by a team of dancers, she executed a flawless “Confidence and Courage” segment that kept the DY Patil crowd on their feet. Her performance underscored the WPL’s position as a premier entertainment property, bridging the gap between mainstream pop culture and elite-level professional cricket.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: Ellyse Perry shares emotional tribute to RCB ahead of WPL 2026 clash with Mumbai Indians

Yo Yo Honey Singh and the captains: An electrifying finale to WPL 2026 opening ceremony

The energy reached its peak when rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh made a grand entrance, starting his set seated right between the two rival captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, in the dugout. He kicked off his performance with his new track ‘Millionaire’, directly featuring the two iconic leaders, before moving to the main stage to belt out a mix of latest hits and timeless classics like ‘Blue Eyes’ and ‘Lungi Dance’. Dressed in an all-black outfit, Honey Singh’s performance was described as “electrifying” as he engaged with the wild crowd and moved through the arena with full energy. The ceremony reached its conclusion as all three performers, Harnaaz, Jacqueline, and Honey Singh, came together on stage for a final bow as the curtain fell, making way for the toss where Mandhana chose to field first under the humid Navi Mumbai lights.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: WPL 2026 Schedule: TV channels, Live Streaming details: When and where to watch in India, Australia, US, UK & other countries | Women’s Premier League

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

US stock markets traded slightly higher on Friday after a mixed US jobs report tempered expectations of an early interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, without fully closing the door on easing later this year, according to an AP report.In early trading, the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and hovered near its all-time high set earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 147 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite was largely flat.Treasury yields moved in different directions after the Labor Department said employers hired fewer workers in December than economists had expected, even as the unemployment rate improved and came in better than forecasts. The data reinforced the view that the US labour market may be in a “low-hire, low-fire” phase.The improvement in unemployment prompted traders to scale back expectations of a rate cut at the Fed’s next policy meeting later this month. Markets are now pricing in just a 5% chance of a rate cut, down from 11% a day earlier, according to CME Group data. However, traders continue to expect at least two rate cuts later in the year.“Until the data provide a clearer direction, a divided Fed is likely to stay that way,” Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, said. “Lower rates are likely coming this year, but the markets may have to be patient.”After the report, the yield on the 10-year US Treasury was steady at 4.19%, while the two-year Treasury yield edged up to 3.50% from 3.49%, reflecting shifting expectations for near-term Fed policy.On the corporate front, Vistra surged 14.6% after signing a 20-year agreement to supply electricity to Meta Platforms from three nuclear plants, highlighting rising power demand from data centres supporting artificial intelligence. Oklo jumped 12% after announcing a separate deal with Meta to help secure nuclear fuel and advance its Ohio project.These gains offset losses in some stocks. General Motors fell 1.6% after saying it would take a $6 billion hit to its fourth-quarter 2025 results related to its pullback from electric vehicles, citing weaker demand due to fewer tax incentives and looser emissions norms. WD-40 tumbled 13.7% after posting weaker-than-expected quarterly profit, though the company said the shortfall was due to timing issues rather than demand.Global markets were largely positive. France’s CAC 40 rose 1%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.6%. Shares of Fast Retailing jumped 10.6% after the Uniqlo owner reported a nearly 34% year-on-year rise in quarterly operating profit and raised its full-year forecast.

Australia all-rounder and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Ellyse Perry made her presence felt ahead of the team’s opening match of WPL 2026 against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium, despite pulling out of the tournament. Perry, who has withdrawn citing personal reasons, shared a video message for the team and fans on Friday morning.The 2024 WPL champions RCB posted the video on Instagram with the caption, “A familiar voice wishing strength and support. Perry sends her love and luck to the squad for the WPL 2026 season ahead.”

In the video, Perry addressed her teammates and the “RCB Bold” fanbase, highlighting the connection she has built with the franchise and the city over the past three years.Though she will not take part in the matches, Perry said she would follow the tournament from home and support the team. She also asked fans to back the side through the season.“Hey team, all the very best tonight and for all of the WPL. I hope you guys have a great time. You’ve got the best fans in the world, and I’m sure they’ll be there cheering you on, as will I from home. Go well, have a great time,” Perry said in RCB’s Instagram post.Perry’s absence from WPL 2026 ends a run of consistent performances in the league. She was retained by RCB for Rs 2 crore ahead of the season. Across three WPL seasons, she has scored 972 runs.In the 2024 edition, Perry won the Orange Cap after scoring 347 runs at an average of 69.40. She has taken 14 wickets in the league and holds the record for the best bowling figures in WPL history, 6/15 against Mumbai Indians. Perry has played a key role for RCB with both bat and ball, contributing in the middle order and with timely wickets.