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Henil Patel stole the show with a sensational five-wicket haul as India U19 cruised to a six-wicket win over USA U19 in a rain-affected ICC Under-19 World Cup opener on Thursday. The right-arm pacer ran through the USA middle order with ruthless precision, finishing with outstanding figures of 5/16 from seven overs, including a maiden, as India opted to bowl under cloudy conditions. The visitors were bundled out for just 107 in 35.2 overs, leaving India with a modest target. Rain interrupted India’s chase, reducing the revised target to 96 in 37 overs under the DLS method. India had made a cautious start, reaching 21/1 in four overs before the weather intervened. Once play resumed, 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell early for 2, bowled by Ritvik Appidi (2/24 in five overs) after attempting a risky step down the pitch. Skipper Ayush Mhatre showed intent with two boundaries but could not stay long, falling for 19. Vedant Trivedi (2) and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra (18) also departed, leaving India slightly wobbling at 70/4.
Abhigyan Kundu then anchored the innings, scoring a patient 42 not out from 41 balls, guiding India to victory with composure and ensuring Kanishk Chouhan (10 not out) stayed unbeaten at the other end. Henil’s brilliance with the ball had set the tone early. He struck in his first over, catching Amrinder Gill (1) behind the slips, then had Sahil Garg (16) caught at third man. He dismantled the USA captain Utkarsh Srivastava for a duck and Arjun Mahesh (16) in the same over. Khilan Patel added to the damage, trapping Amogh Arepally (3), while Nitish Sudini’s 36 offered the only resistance. Henil returned to clean up the tail, sending Sabrish Prasad (7) and Rishabh Shimpi (0) back to the pavilion. With this win, India begin their Group B campaign confidently alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand. Brief Scores: USA: 107 in 35.2 overs (Nitish Sudini 36; Henil Patel 5/16) India: 99/4 in 17.2 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 42*, Ritvik Appidi 2/24)
Wall Street steadied on Thursday as heavyweight technology stocks bounced back on the back of strong signals from the global chip industry, while a sharp drop in crude oil prices helped soothe broader market concerns, according to an AP report.The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, snapping a two-day losing streak that followed its recent record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 140 points, or 0.3%, in early trade, while the Nasdaq composite outperformed with a 0.8% rise, led by renewed buying in Big Tech stocks.
The rebound in technology shares came after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a critical supplier to Nvidia and other global tech giants, reported quarterly profits that beat analyst expectations. The chipmaker also said it may raise capital expenditure to as much as $56 billion this year to capitalise on sustained demand from artificial intelligence applications.Nvidia, which had been one of the biggest drags on the S&P 500 a day earlier after sliding 1.4%, jumped 2.3% following TSMC’s results, easing concerns that AI-linked stocks had run too far, too fast. TSMC’s US-listed shares surged 3.7%, while ASML, a key supplier to chipmakers, rallied 6.7%.Sentiment was further supported by a sharp cooling in oil prices. US benchmark crude tumbled 4.6% to $59.04 a barrel, while Brent crude fell 4.3% to $63.69. The decline followed comments from President Donald Trump that executions in Iran may have been halted amid protests, easing fears of supply disruptions from one of the world’s key oil-producing regions. Gold prices also edged down from record highs, another signal of easing risk aversion.Corporate earnings remained in focus as reporting season gathered pace. Asset management giant BlackRock climbed 4.5% after posting stronger-than-expected profit and revenue, while Morgan Stanley gained 3.4% on similar results. Goldman Sachs slipped marginally, despite beating profit estimates, after missing revenue expectations.In deal-related moves, Boston Scientific slid 5.5% after announcing a roughly $14.5-billion cash-and-stock acquisition of Penumbra, whose shares jumped 11.3%.Bond yields edged higher after a series of encouraging US economic indicators. Data showed fewer Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week, alongside stronger-than-expected manufacturing activity in parts of the country. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose to 4.14%, from 4.12% earlier in the day.Overseas, equity markets were mixed across Europe and Asia, with South Korea’s Kospi standing out after climbing 1.6%, one of the strongest global performances for the session.
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday clarified that any attempt to erase the indelible ink applied on a voter’s finger and creating confusion during polling amounts to an electoral malpractice.The clarification came amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing local body elections across 29 municipal corporations in the state.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray alleged malpractice in the civic polls, claiming that the indelible ink applied to voters’ fingers could be easily removed using nail polish remover or sanitiser, allowing some people to vote more than once. He alleged that this indicated “collusion” between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the State Election Commission.
Responding to the allegations, the SEC said in an official statement that erasing ink from a voter’s finger and attempting to vote again falls under the purview of electoral malpractice.“If it is found that a person has erased the ink from their finger and attempted to vote again, appropriate legal action will be taken against them,” the commission said.The SEC emphasised that removing the indelible ink does not enable a voter to cast a second vote, as detailed records of voting are maintained.“Even if someone attempts to commit malpractice by erasing the ink, the concerned voter cannot vote again. Necessary safeguards are already in place. Once a voter has cast their vote, it is recorded. Therefore, merely erasing the ink does not allow a voter to vote again,” the statement said.The commission added that fresh instructions have been issued to all concerned authorities to remain vigilant.According to the SEC, orders issued on November 19 and November 28, 2011 mandate the use of marker pens for applying indelible ink in local self-government elections. Since then, marker pens have been used to mark voters’ fingers during civic polls.“As per these orders, the ink should be applied with a marker pen so that it is clearly visible on the voter’s finger. The ink must be rubbed three to four times on the nail and the skin above the nail. These instructions are printed on the marker pens and have been reiterated earlier,” the statement said.In a later statement, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said an inquiry has been ordered into complaints and clarified that claims about acetone or nail polish being able to remove the indelible ink are false.“The indelible ink used in the markers applied to voters’ fingers has been in use since 2011. The markers are manufactured by the same company and use the same ink composition. The ink takes 10 to 12 seconds to dry after application, and once it dries, it cannot be wiped off. Circulating videos on social media regarding the ink to create confusion among voters is unacceptable and may invite legal action,” Waghmare told reporters.The SEC also appealed to voters not to attempt such malpractices.Social media was flooded with videos of common voters, politicians and mediapersons using Acetone to wipe off the ‘indelible’ ink applied with marker pens on their fingers after voting.”The viral videos of the marker ink being wiped off are being investigated and case will be filed against those trying to spread a fake narrative,” said Waghmare.Polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other municipal corporations began at 7.30am on Thursday and will continue till 5.30pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, January 16.(With agency inputs)
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Thursday said it is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from Iran who wish to travel back to India, in view of the evolving situation in the country, sources told ANI.Earlier,the Indian Embassy in Iran has issued an advisory urging all Indian citizens currently in the country to register with the embassy. Officials noted that the registration process has been slow due to an ongoing internet shutdown. Family members of Indians in Iran have been advised that they can complete the registration on behalf of their relatives through the MEA’s online portal at https://www.meaers.com/request/home
The advisory further stated that Indian nationals in Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, should leave the country using any available means, including commercial flights. The embassy has also activated four emergency helplines for Indian citizens: +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109, +98 9128109102, and +98 9932179359.With Iran reopening its airspace to civilian traffic after a temporary closure amid rising tensions, the first evacuation flight is scheduled to depart from Tehran to Delhi tomorrow. According to officials, all students have been duly registered, the embassy has collected their personal details and passports, and the first batch has been asked to remain ready by 8:00 am. Students from Golestan University and a few students from SBUMS and TUMS are likely to be part of the first evacuation batch. The final passenger list will be shared later tonight once confirmed by the authorities.Iran has been witnessing nationwide protests for over two weeks, initially triggered by anger over the collapse of the national currency and worsening economic conditions. The unrest has since escalated into broader protests against the country’s theocratic leadership, driven by discontent over economic mismanagement and restrictions on personal freedoms.The evacuation move has brought relief to families, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, who have been concerned about the safety of students amid the deteriorating security situation in Iran.
Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada, which includes northern Alberta and parts of the Northwest Territories, is home to the largest beaver dam ever documented. The structure is located deep within the park, far from roads, towns, and established paths, making it inaccessible by foot. It is so large that it can be seen in satellite photographs from orbit. The dam is approximately 775 metres long at its front edge and spans an area of around 70,000 square metres, keeping back a substantial volume of water. It was initially discovered in 2007 using satellite imaging rather than terrestrial exploration. Further investigation revealed that the dam did not exist before 1980, implying that it was developed over several decades by multiple generations of beavers operating in the same spot.
Wood Buffalo National Park lies across northern Alberta and parts of the Northwest Territories. It is the largest national park in Canada and one of the largest protected areas in the world. The beaver dam sits deep within it, far from roads, towns, or marked trails.Reaching the site on foot would take days. The landscape is difficult and slow. Wetlands stretch for long distances. Muskeg gives way under weight. Boreal forest closes in thickly. Most people who have seen the dam up close did not walk there. They arrived by private sightseeing flights, looking down rather than approaching on the ground.
According to Parks Canada, from end to end, the front of the dam measures roughly 775 metres. That is close to seven football fields laid side by side. The entire perimeter of the dam area approaches 2,000 metres. Its surface area covers about 70,000 square metres.The pond created behind the dam is thought to be around one metre deep. That would place the volume of water at roughly 70,000 cubic metres. Another way to see it is through scale. A standard dump truck carries about 10 cubic yards. By that measure, the dam holds back the equivalent of more than 90,000 dump trucks of water. Seen as ice, it would fill around 1,600 hockey rinks.
According to BBC Wildlife, no explorer stumbled across this dam by chance. No ranger logged it during patrol. It was first noticed in 2007, not on the ground, but in satellite imagery. The structure was large enough to be visible from space.Further images, including those provided by NASA, showed that the dam did not exist before 1980. That suggests it could be up to 45 years old. Over that time, it grew slowly, piece by piece, shaped by water flow and repeated work rather than a single effort. The location helped keep it hidden. With no nearby access routes, there was little reason for people to pass through.
Beavers are often described as ecosystem engineers. They change landscapes by design, even if that design follows instinct rather than a plan. By felling trees and packing wood, mud, stones, and vegetation together, they redirect water and create ponds.In the case of this dam, multiple generations of beavers worked on the same structure. Each added material where it was needed. Over time, the dam expanded and strengthened, holding back runoff from the Birch Mountains at the southern edge of the park. The result is not just a barrier but an entire water system shaped by animals rather than machines.
Wood Buffalo National Park is known for more than its size. It supports wood bison, whooping cranes, and the Peace Athabasca Delta, one of the largest inland freshwater deltas in the world. The beaver dam fits quietly into that setting.It supports wetlands, slows water movement, and creates habitat for other species. It does not draw crowds or require fences. It simply exists, doing its work out of sight. Even now, most people will never see it directly. The dam remains where it was built, surrounded by forest and water, changing its corner of the park a little at a time.
A sensational century from Finn Allen laid the foundation for a dominant performance as Perth Scorchers thrashed Melbourne Renegades by 50 runs in Match 36 of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at Docklands Stadium. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, the Renegades were made to pay heavily for some loose bowling as the Scorchers piled up an imposing total of 219/7.
The Scorchers’ innings was headlined by Allen, who produced a stunning knock of 101 off just 53 balls, smashing five fours and eight towering sixes. Allen set the tempo early and maintained his aggression throughout, dismantling the Renegades’ bowling attack with clean hitting and smart placement. He received useful support from Aaron Hardie (22 off 11) and Laurie Evans (21 off 11), ensuring the momentum never dipped in the latter half of the innings.
Despite Allen’s dominance, Melbourne found a bright spot through Sam Elliott, who delivered an impressive spell of 4 for 28 in three overs. Adam Zampa and Brendan Doggett chipped in with a wicket each, but the damage had already been done as Perth crossed the 200-run mark comfortably.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Finn Allen lights up Docklands Stadium with sizzling century in BBL|15
Chasing a steep target of 220, the Renegades got off to a poor start, losing Josh Brown for a duck and failing to build early partnerships. Tim Seifert stood tall amid the collapse, scoring a fighting 66 off 43 balls with four fours and four sixes. His innings briefly revived hopes, especially when Jake Fraser-McGurk blasted a rapid 42 off just 18 deliveries, striking five sixes in an entertaining cameo.
However, the required run rate continued to climb, and regular wickets ensured Melbourne never truly threatened the Scorchers’ total. The middle and lower order struggled to sustain momentum, with only small contributions coming late in the innings as the Renegades closed on 169/7 from their 20 overs.
Perth’s bowlers executed their plans effectively, led by Cooper Connolly and Mahli Beardman, who claimed two wickets apiece. Connolly’s economical spell of 2 for 23 proved crucial in breaking partnerships, while Beardman’s disciplined bowling applied the squeeze in the middle overs. Support came from Hardie and Luke Holt, ensuring Melbourne were kept well below the asking rate.
Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Renegades by 50 runs 💪#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/wr07YOZCIO
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 15, 2026
Also WATCH: Beau Webster launches a colossal 105 meter six as Brisbane Heat sneak past Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|15
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NEW DELHI: A rally was organised in Kargil on Wednesday under the banner of the Imam Khomeni Memorial Trust to express solidarity with Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, amid unrest and heightened international attention on developments in the country.The rally commenced from multiple locations across the town. One procession started from Zainabia Chowk, passing through Fatima Chowk and Isna Asharia Chowk, while another began from Jamia Masjid, proceeding via Lal Chowk and Khomeni Chowk. All processions converged at the Old Taxi Stand, Kargil, where the main gathering was held.
Visuals from the rally showed people gathering in large numbers, holding banners of Ayatollah Khamenei and chanting slogans.The rally comes amid continued unrest in Iran, which has drawn international attention. Iran has formally appealed to the United Nations Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, accusing the United States of inciting violence, interfering in its internal affairs, and threatening military action, according to an official letter circulated by Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN on Wednesday.Protests in Iran entered their 20th day on Wednesday. What began as demonstrations over record inflation and a sharp fall in the national currency has escalated into widespread unrest, with reports of agitation at more than 280 locations.Amid the rising tensions, Congress MP and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor described the situation as “very serious”, warning that developments could intensify in the coming days.Tharoor’s remarks followed an advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which asked Indians to “avoid travel to Iran” until further notice.Speaking to ANI, Tharoor said there was limited information emerging from Iran due to reported internet shutdowns.“It looks very serious. But we are not getting much information out of Iran; the internet has been cut. All we know is what we are getting in the media and their sources are also somewhat erratic. My understanding is that things are grim in Iran. 3000 protesters have apparently been killed,” Tharoor said.He added that the coming days would be crucial for the Khamenei regime.“It looks like we will be looking at some serious developments in the next few days. It is crucial that if the regime is going to survive, it will have to survive the next few days in very difficult circumstances,” he said.
Medical inflation is the most pressing concern at the moment.
By Srikanth KandikondaAs India prepares for the Union Budget 2026-27, stakeholders across sectors are sharpening their focus on measures that can strengthen economic resilience and citizen welfare in the coming year. In the healthcare and insurance space, expectations are anchored in a sustained commitment to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all. With rising medical inflation and evolving health risks, the budget presents a timely opportunity to bolster public health infrastructure and support insurance solutions that protect millions of Indian families.We recognize and applaud the proactive policy measures the government has already taken to support the health insurance sector and make coverage more affordable. A major development has been the passing of the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, which allows 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector. This year, the government has also taken steps to reduce the cost burden on policyholders by removing 18% GST earlier levied on insurance premiums. This initiative makes health and life insurance products more affordable for customers, especially for underserved communities. Medical Inflation: The primary challengeMedical inflation is the most pressing concern at the moment. As per industry reports, it is projected around 11.5-14% for 2025-2026, significantly outpacing general inflation, and among Asia’s highest. Customers unfortunately bear the brunt of it. With hospital bills, cutting-edge treatments, specialized medicines, and a heavier load of illnesses are all driving up out-of-pocket expenses, leaving too many without the care they need.Given this backdrop, we request the government to take steps in the Union Budget to increase public healthcare spending. Currently, public health expenditure in India remains below global benchmarks and even short of the National Health Policy target of 2.5% of GDP in 2025. Enhancing the budgetary outlay for public health would strengthen primary care networks, expand preventive services, and relieve financial stress on citizens. It would also support the expansion of community health infrastructure in underserved areas which are critical in bridging healthcare inequities.Prevention is the need of the hour While increased public spending is imperative, complementary policy measures can significantly accelerate the transition toward preventive healthcare, a proven strategy for reducing overall healthcare expenditure. Evidence from India and globally demonstrates that prevention fundamentally alters the economics of healthcare. For instance, primary prevention programs in cardiovascular disease management alone saved 3.6 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) annually at an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $469 per DALY averted when compared with the status quo of no coverage. The impact on hospitalization is equally significant. Individuals with Outpatient Department (OPD) coverage, demonstrate 5-10% reduction in hospitalizations compared to those without such coverage. In practical terms, this means preventing the need for expensive hospital visits and prolonged inpatient stays. To harness this prevention dividend and encourage wider adoption of OPD coverage, we recommend the government introduce separate and enhanced tax benefits specifically for OPD services and preventive health screenings in the Union Budget 2026-27. Currently, preventive health check-ups receive a modest tax deduction of ₹5,000 annually under Section 80D. This is a limit that does not reflect the true value of prevention in reducing long-term healthcare costs.According to a recent report by KPMG, by 2050, India is projected to account for 16% of the global population aged 60 and older. As per United Nations Population Fund, India’s elderly population is predicted to double by 2050 and overtake the number of children in the country. As people live longer, the risk of chronic illnesses also increases. This makes preventive healthcare even more critical. Regular health check-ups, early detection and timely care can help seniors stay healthier for longer and avoid serious medical complications later. Policy measures that support preventive healthcare are, therefore, the need of the hour. Looking forward, the Union Budget 2026-27 provides a strategic moment to reinforce a health-led growth framework that aligns with India’s long-term vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’. The combination of increased public investment, and pro-insurance reforms, and focus on preventive approach, can accelerate progress towards universal health protection and financial security for all Indians. As the budget announcement approaches, we look forward to constructive reforms that foster greater affordability, inclusivity, and resilience in India’s healthcare and insurance landscape.(Srikanth Kandikonda is Chief Financial Officer of ManipalCigna Health Insurance)
