Alireza Firouzja opens up on Iran unrest (Photo by AP and GCL)

NEW DELHI: French No. 1 chess grandmaster Alireza Firouzja gained global attention after a social media post. The post on X (formerly Twitter) read, “Long live Iran.”The message spread quickly online. Many fans linked it to unrest in Iran. Firouzja also shared the monarchial-era Iranian flag with the caption: “Live free or die”. Many see this flag as a sign of resistance. Many also see it as a symbol of hope.

Firouzja also shared the monarchial-era Iranian flag, which many see as a symbol of resistance and hope for change.The timing of the post matters. Iran is facing widespread anti-government protests. People across the country are demanding change. Rights groups say the situation is serious as they describe it as a humanitarian crisis. Authorities have reportedly shut down internet services. Phone services have also been restricted. This has cut millions off from the outside world. Dozens of people have reportedly died since the protests began. Global concern continues to grow. Many saw Firouzja’s message as support for ordinary Iranians. Firouzja is now a French citizen. However, his roots remain connected to Iran, where he was born on June 18, 2003. He is seen as one of the top chess talents of his generation. He became a grandmaster at age 14. He later broke Magnus Carlsen’s record by becoming the youngest player to cross a FIDE rating of 2800.Firouzja’s journey has not been without challenges. In 2019, he left the Iranian Chess Federation due to Iran’s policy of refusing to compete against Israeli players. For a period, he played under the FIDE flag before becoming a French citizen in 2021 and officially representing France. Despite the change in nationality, his recent post shows that his emotional bond with Iran remains strong.

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has shared concerns about how artificial intelligence (AI) may change the structure of software teams. Sharing a post on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), Vembu said that AI is making senior software architects more productive, but at the same time it is also reducing the need for junior engineers. This shift, he warns, could impact how future architects are trained. In the post, Sridhar Vembu further writes that senior architects today need to understand both technical requirements and the full technology stack to guide AI tools effectively and refine their output. “AI makes senior architects more productive and reduces the need for junior engineers,” he writes in the post, adding “The architect needs to understand the requirements as well as the technology stack well, to be able to guide the AI and fine tune its output”.“But if we don’t have junior engineers, we don’t get to train the next generation of architects – after all how does someone become a software architect without being a junior engineer first? I am still thinking through how this gets resolved,” he further says.Vembu’s comments reflect a broader debate in the technology sector, where AI tools such as coding assistants and autonomous agents are increasingly taking over tasks that were traditionally assigned to junior engineers. Experts have raised concerns about AI’s potential to reshape how technical careers begin.

Sridhar Vembu’s post triggers discussion

Vembu’s post has triggered discussion among engineers and social media users. Replying to his post, one user writes: “We still have some programmers who understand assembly languages. I think there will always be some engineers who would want to dig deeper. I think demand will play its role.” “Change the career ladder, not the headcount. Keep juniors, but redefine their role: AI-augmented engineers, not manual coders. Move juniors earlier into design, reviews, system thinking, and trade-off discussions while AI handles boilerplate,” suggested another. “With AI, all the unsolved problems of the intermittent steps become viable business problems. Hence new markets open to entrepreneurs for those middle step problems. Thats how we will see waves of new age entrepreneurs with many solopreneurs,” a third user commented.

BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari sitting on a ‘dharna’ in a police station after the alleged attack (PTI)

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday criticised the West Bengal Police following an alleged attack on the convoy of party leader and leader of opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari.Also Read: Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari accuses TMC workers of attacking his convoy; sits on dharna at police station“Efforts were made to file a police report. This attack happened in the presence of the police, but no FIR was registered. If even the leader of the opposition is attacked, you can understand (how the situation is),” senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference in Delhi.Prasad, a former Union minister, recalled how a BJP delegation led by him nearly failed to enter West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, where local strongman Shahjahan Sheikh — linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) — had been accused of sexual assault by multiple women.“If my security personnel and the central forces had not been there, we would have been unable to enter the village,” he added.Adhikari, a former TMC leader who joined the BJP in December 2020 ahead of the West Bengal assembly polls in April–May 2021, alleged that his convoy was attacked by Trinamool Congress workers. The incident took place in Paschim Medinipur on Saturday night.“Tonight, around 8:20 pm, while I was returning from Purulia at Chandrakona Road in Paschim Medinipur district, I was viciously attacked by TMC goons. The police personnel were mute spectators. The TMC’s desperation is showing, resorting to thuggery because they can’t face the heat of the people’s rising anger,” he posted on X.Meanwhile, a state BJP leader said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a report on the incident from Adhikari’s office.“The MHA has sought a report regarding the attack. The LoP’s office is preparing a detailed report, which will soon be sent to them,” the leader told news agency PTI.The next West Bengal assembly elections are expected in April–May.

COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu may soon be home to south India’s first hot air balloon adventure park. The Tamil Nadu Balloon Adventures (TNIBF) has launched the trial phase of the balloon safari in Pollachi. It will be conducted in Madurai and Tiruvannamalai, as well. A permanent hot air balloon flight operations hub and aviation park will be established in one of these three places based on the outcome of the trial phase.The trial is being held on the campus of the Pollachi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Poosaripatti. It started on Jan 4 and will conclude on Jan 26. Following this, the trial will be held in Madurai from Jan 30 to Feb 22. It will be held in Tiruvannamalai from Feb 26 to March 29.Benedict Savio, founder of Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival, said, “The trial phase will evaluate operational feasibility, safety standards, visitor response and long-term scalability. The balloon safari initiative aims at introducing hot air ballooning as a safe, sustainable, and experiential adventure tourism product, aligned with the vision of Tamil Nadu Tourism to diversify tourism offerings and enhance high-value visitor experiences. Once the study is completed, a permanent balloon safari will be set up, converting this into an active tourism destination at least for six to seven months from September to March. However, ballooning is completely weather-dependent.”He said three trail destinations have been carefully chosen for their scenic beauty, cultural significance and strong tourism appeal, offering visitors a unique aerial experience of Tamil Nadu’s diverse landscapes and heritage.Benedict added, “Once this turns into a permanent set-up, it will be the only kind in south India. There is one in Jaipur. Once established, it will be a major leap in tourism in Tamil Nadu. The trial is being supported by the TN tourism department.”The TNIBF is scheduled to conduct its annual balloon festival at Jallikattu Grounds in Coimbatore from Jan 15 to 18. The festival will showcase hot air balloons from various countries, featuring a spectacular display of diverse hot air balloons and mini hot air balloons in unique shapes, vibrant colours, and stunning designs. Carnival timings are between 4 pm and 9.30 pm, and the hot air balloon show is from 5.30pm onwards.

India’s young fast-bowling sensation Harshit Rana produced a moment of sheer brilliance during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, as he dismantled a threatening opening partnership with a perfectly disguised slower ball. Rana’s spell not only removed the well-set Henry Nicholls but also sent back Devon Conway in quick succession, swinging momentum firmly in India’s favour after a dominant start by the visitors.

India’s decision to bowl backfires early

After winning the toss, India opted to field first on what looked like a good batting surface. However, the decision initially appeared questionable as New Zealand’s openers made full use of the conditions. Conway and Nicholls batted with composure and authority, rotating strike efficiently while punishing loose deliveries. Their understanding in the middle was evident as they stitched together a commanding 117-run opening stand, putting early pressure on the Indian bowlers and silencing the home crowd in Vadodara.

Harshit Rana removes Henry Nicholls with a beauty

Just when the partnership looked set to inflict serious damage, Rana produced a moment of tactical excellence in the 22nd over. After bowling a couple of short-of-length deliveries that were dispatched for boundaries, Rana cleverly set up Nicholls with a slower off-cutter. On the fourth ball of the over, Rana delivered a 113 kmph slower ball outside off stump. Nicholls, expecting pace, reached out to squeeze the ball through the off side.

Instead, he only managed a faint outside edge, and the ball ballooned towards the wicketkeeper. KL Rahul reacted sharply, diving to his left to complete a superb catch and break the dangerous stand. The dismissal immediately lifted India’s energy on the field and marked a crucial turning point in the innings.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Here’s why Rishabh Pant is not playing the first ODI

Rana strikes again to remove Conway

Rana was not done yet. Riding high on confidence, the young pacer returned in his very next over and delivered another decisive blow. On the final ball of the 24th over, he bowled a fullish delivery at 142.2 kmph that landed on the seam and jagged back in. Conway, who had raced to a well-made 56, attempted a drive with hard hands away from his body. The ball took a thick inside edge and crashed into the leg stump, leaving the New Zealand opener stunned.

Here’s the video:

One brings two for Harshit Rana and #TeamIndia!

New Zealand lose both their openers.

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/OcIPHEpvjr#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/gSzvDD40XU

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2026

Also READ: Shubman Gill speaks out on T20 World Cup 2026 exclusion as India gears up for New Zealand ODIs

Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a faster, demand-driven privatisation strategy for public sector enterprises (PSEs) in the Union Budget 2026-27, urging the government to adopt a predictable roadmap to unlock value from disinvestment and mobilise resources for capital expenditure amid global economic uncertainties.In its Budget proposals, CII suggested an accelerated four-pronged approach to privatisation, focusing on sectors where private participation can improve efficiency, technology adoption and global competitiveness, while allowing the government to sustain capex and meet developmental priorities.The industry lobby recommended that the Centre announce a rolling three-year privatisation pipeline, clearly outlining which enterprises are likely to be taken up during the period. It noted that full privatisation of all non-strategic PSEs is complex and time-consuming, and greater visibility would help attract deeper investor participation and improve valuation and price discovery.“Government could reduce its stake in listed PSEs in a phased manner to 51 per cent initially, allowing it to remain the single largest shareholder while releasing significant value into the market. Over time, this stake could be brought down further to between 33 and 26 per cent,” CII said.According to its analysis, reducing the government’s stake to 51 per cent in 78 listed PSEs could unlock close to Rs 10 lakh crore. In the first two years of the roadmap, disinvestment could target 55 PSEs where government holding is 75 per cent or less, mobilising around Rs 4.6 lakh crore. In the subsequent stage, 23 PSEs with higher government stakes could be disinvested, potentially raising Rs 5.4 lakh crore.“A calibrated reduction of the government’s stake in listed PSEs to 51 per cent and even lower is a pragmatic step that balances strategic control with value creation. Unlocking nearly Rs 10 lakh crore of productive capital would provide vital resources to accelerate physical and social infrastructure development and support fiscal consolidation,” said CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee.CII said strategic privatisation, supported by strong governance, regulation and enabling infrastructure, can free up public resources for health, education and green infrastructure, while competitive markets drive efficiency.“India’s growth story is increasingly being powered by private enterprise and innovation. A forward-looking privatisation policy, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat, will enable the government to focus on its core functions while empowering the private sector to accelerate industrial transformation and job creation,” it said.The industry body also urged faster implementation of the government’s strategic disinvestment policy, which envisages an exit from all PSEs in non-strategic sectors and minimal presence in strategic ones.Recommending a shift to a demand-based approach, CII said the current practice of identifying enterprises first and then inviting bids often leads to stalled processes if valuation expectations are not met. Instead, it suggested gauging investor interest across a wider pool of enterprises first, and prioritising those with stronger demand.Such an approach, it said, would ensure smoother execution and better price discovery, while structured feedback from investors could help address procedural and regulatory bottlenecks.CII also proposed setting up a dedicated institutional framework to make privatisation more predictable and professionally managed, comprising a ministerial board for strategic guidance, an advisory board of industry and legal experts, and a professional management team to handle execution, due diligence, market engagement and regulatory coordination.

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India, New Zealand players, and match officials before the first ODI cricket match of series between India and New Zealand, at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Photo)

Ties between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have come under strain after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) chose to exclude Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 season, despite buying him for Rs 9.2 crore at the mini auction.Following the decision, Bangladesh banned broadcasts of the Indian Premier League in the country. This is the first time IPL broadcasts have been banned in Bangladesh since the league began in 2008.

The BCB has also decided not to send its team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing safety concerns. The board said the decision was taken “following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India.” The BCB has said it is still waiting for a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on its concerns about playing at Indian venues.At the same time, Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula has been officiating in the first ODI of the three-match series between India and New Zealand, which is being played in Vadodara on Sunday.Follow live updates

Who is Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula?

Sharfuddoula has been appointed as the TV umpire for the first India vs New Zealand ODI match. Born in Dhaka, he has officiated in 32 Tests, 118 ODIs, 75 T20Is, 17 women’s ODIs, and 28 women’s T20Is.In 2024, during the Australia vs West Indies Test in Brisbane, he became only the second Bangladeshi umpire to stand as a neutral umpire in a Test match. A former left-arm spinner, Sharfuddoula represented Bangladesh in the ICC Trophy in 1994, taking six wickets in three matches. He later worked briefly as a coach before joining the BCB in an administrative role.He umpired his first domestic match in 2007 and made his international umpiring debut in 2010, standing alongside Simon Taufel in a Bangladesh-Sri Lanka ODI. In March 2024, he became the first Bangladeshi to be included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.

Who appoints umpires for ODI matches

As per ICC regulations, umpires for ODIs are appointed under specific clauses. Clause 2.1.4 states that the ICC shall appoint one umpire for each ODI, who must not be from the same country as the participating teams and must be from the Elite Panel or International Panel. Clause 2.1.5 says the home board shall appoint one umpire from its own Elite or International Panel.Clause 2.1.7 states that in matches where the Decision Review System (DRS) is used, the ICC will appoint a third umpire, who will act as the emergency on-field umpire and handle DRS-related duties. This umpire must also not be from the same country as the participating teams and must be selected from the Elite Panel or International Panel.