Hyderabad: Vehicle owners in Telangana can now skirt the cumbersome process at RTA offices to register their new cars and two-wheelers. The transport department, in a memo on Thursday, allowed authorised automobile dealers to submit applications for permanent registration online, doing away with the requirement for vehicles to be physically presented at RTA offices during first registration.Under the new system, authorised automobile dealers across the state will facilitate online submission of permanent registration applications, with necessary logistical and technical arrangements at the dealer points.

According to the memo, the decision is in line with Rule 48-B of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which permits first-time registration of fully built vehicles sold by authorised dealers without physical production before the registering authority.The facility will apply to fully built non-transport motorcycles and cars.As the department is in the process of migrating registration-related services to the VAHAN platform of the National Informatics Centre, a process expected to take around six months, the existing software service provider has been directed to modify the current system to enable dealer-point permanent registration. The company has been given 15 days to complete the required software changes.Under the new system, authorised dealers will be required to submit online applications for permanent registration through the department’s portal by uploading documents including the invoice, Form 21 (sale certificate), Form 22 (road-worthiness certificate), insurance certificate, address proof of the purchaser, a declaration on non-ownership of a second or subsequent vehicle wherever applicable, scanned copies of the purchaser’s photograph and signature, and photographs of the engine number, chassis number and the vehicle.The registering authority or additional registering authority will scrutinise the applications and, upon approval, assign registration numbers. The registration certificate will be dispatched to vehicle owners through speed post.The memo also states transport department officers, including motor vehicle inspectors, RTOs and senior officials, may conduct random inspections of vehicles available in the inventory of authorised dealers at any time.The exact date of implementation will be communicated separately and will not be later than 15 days from the date of the order, once the software modifications are completed.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration would decide which oil companies will be allowed to operate in Venezuela following the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and pledged to guarantee security for their operations.“We’re going to be making the decision as to which oil companies are going to go in, that we’re going to allow to go in, going to cut a deal with the companies,” Trump told top energy executives at the White House. He said foreign firms had no safety guarantees under Maduro, adding, “But now you have total security. It’s a whole different Venezuela,” as quoted by AP.Trump made the remarks during a White House meeting with executives from 17 oil companies, part of an effort to secure $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela’s oil sector. “You’re dealing with us directly, you’re not dealing with Venezuela at all, we don’t want you to deal with Venezuela,” Trump told the gathering.“At least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House,” Trump said in a pre-dawn social media post.The investment push comes days after a U.S military raid captured Maduro, an action Trump has since framed as a major economic opportunity for the United States. He has said the US is seizing tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and taking over sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned oil, with plans to control those sales worldwide indefinitely.On Friday, US forces seized a fifth tanker over the past month linked to Venezuelan oil. The move highlights the administration’s intention to exert control over Venezuela’s exporting, refining and production of petroleum, signaling long-term US involvement in the sector as it seeks commitments from private companies.The strategy also aligns with Trump’s broader goal of keeping gasoline prices low. With many Americans focused on affordability, the administration has portrayed its actions in Venezuela as a way to influence global energy markets and ease pressure on prices at home.Companies attending the meeting include Chevron, which continues to operate in Venezuela, as well as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, which lost oil projects during a 2007 nationalization under former President Hugo Chávez. Other participants include Halliburton, Valero, Marathon, Shell, Singapore-based Trafigura, Italy-based Eni and Spain-based Repsol, along with companies involved in construction and commodity trading.

The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League 2026 ignited with a high-stakes clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field, citing the potential impact of late-evening dew on the chase. England’s Lauren Bell made her RCB debut and immediately looked at home, finding sharp movement that troubled the world-class MI batting order. While Gunalan Kamalini showed early aggression with a few crisp drives, the focus quickly shifted to the intense battle between Bell and Amelia Kerr.

Lauren Bell marks RCB debut by dismissing Amelia Kerr to pick WPL 2026’s first wicket

The first breakthrough of WPL 2026 came from RCB’s debutant Lauren Bell, who orchestrated a dream start by dismissing the dangerous Kerr for just 4 runs off 15 balls. Kerr found herself etched into the record books for the wrong reasons, setting a new WPL record for the slowest start by an opening batter, taking 11 deliveries just to get off the mark.

Throughout her stay at the crease, Kerr appeared completely at sea against Bell’s extravagant inward movement and extra bounce, playing and missing at eight of the 11 balls the tall English pacer bowled to her. The dismissal eventually came in the 5th over when Kerr tried to swipe a hard-length delivery across the line, only to get a leading edge that flew straight to Arundhati Reddy at extra cover. Bell’s clinical opening spell, which included a maiden over and figures of 1/7 in her first three overs, left the Mumbai Indians reeling and proved that RCB’s new overseas recruit is perfectly suited for the bouncy Navi Mumbai track.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: WPL 2026 opening ceremony turns electric as Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez and Harnaaz Sandhu steal the show

WPL 2026: Late surge lifts MI to a fighting 154 as RCB’s bowlers keep the opener nicely poised

Mumbai recovered from early jolts and a stuttering middle phase to post a competitive 154/6 against Bengaluru in the opening match of WPL 2026 at Navi Mumbai, a total shaped by a strong finish rather than a fluent start.

Asked to bat first, MI struggled for momentum in the powerplay, managing just 34 runs and losing Kerr early, before Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur fell in quick succession to leave them searching for stability. That stability arrived through a measured rebuild led by Kamalini, followed by a decisive acceleration from Nicola Carey and Sajeevan Sajana, whose fifth-wicket partnership changed the tempo of the innings.

Carey played the anchor with a controlled 40 off 29 balls, while Sajana provided the spark, attacking the spinners and pace alike to race to 45 off just 25 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six. The final five overs yielded 54 runs, allowing MI to push past the 150 mark despite losing wickets late. RCB’s bowlers, however, ensured the damage was contained, with Nadine de Klerk emerging as the standout by picking up four wickets for 26, repeatedly striking just as MI threatened to break away. Bell was impressive with the new ball, conceding only 14 runs in her four overs and setting the tone early, while Shreyanka Patil chipped in with a crucial breakthrough.

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

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

Sachin Tendulkar batting during the 6th NatWest Series One Day International between India and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, Birmingham, 6th July 2002. The wicketkeeper for Sri Lanka is Romesh Kaluwitharana. (Photo/Getty Images)

It’s tough to pinpoint the exact reason why a team goes on to win a long tournament like the World Cup. It will almost always be a culmination of many small things working well together for the team to be successful at that level.To win a Cricket World Cup, all your elements — batting, bowling and fielding — need to collectively work well. Consistency in team efforts, along with a few individuals’ standout performances, makes a team the World Champion.But sometimes a decision, technical or tactical, during the buildup to such a mega event turns out to be a trump card for the team, leading them to massive success. One such tactical decision was made by the Sri Lankan side in the lead-up to the 1996 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by India, Pakistan and the island nation.Little did they, or the cricketing world at large, know back then that the decision to promote wicketkeeper-batter Romesh Shantha Kaluwitharana as an opener in the final series before the mega-event would change their fortune in such a quick time.On This Day, thirty years ago — January 9, 1996 — Kaluwitharana batted as an opener against Australia in Melbourne for the first time in his over five-year ODI career. He had a clear mandate — to blast from the get-go — and he did the same in style.Australia had posted 213 for 5 in their 50 overs after electing to bat first at the MCG, with Ricky Ponting top-scoring with 123 off 138 balls. Ponting added a record 159 runs for the fifth wicket with Michael Bevan, who contributed 65 not out off 87 balls.Sri Lanka lost two early wickets and were at 39/2, but Kaluwitharana kept the scoreboard ticking with captain Aravinda de Silva (35) and added 88 runs for the third wicket. Kaluwitharana was the next wicket to fall, scoring a 75-ball 77 laced with 12 fours. Sri Lanka then lost three more wickets quickly, but Roshan Mahanama (51) and Kumar Dharmasena (28) guided the visitors to victory in the day-night encounter by three wickets with 15 balls to spare in the Benson & Hedges World Series, which included West Indies as the third team.Kaluwitharana had a decent run in the series as an opener as he stitched together a string of good scores. Even though he ended the series with a duck in Sydney, his scores read — 77 (75), 20 (27), 50 (54), 74 (68), 13 (9) & 0 (2).That one tactical move on January 9 inadvertently started a pinch-hitting plan for the Lankans. And within ten weeks from that fateful day, despite Kaluwitharana’s below-par contributions individually, the impact of attacking from the word go played a big part in bringing the World Cup home for Sri Lanka.Opening with Sanath Jayasuriya, who won the Man of the Series at the World Cup, Kaluwitharana was a menace for new-ball bowlers in that tournament. He started the World Cup with a duck against Zimbabwe in Colombo, but the co-hosts persisted with the opening pinch-hitter in Kaluwitharana.His 1996 World Cup record reads — 20 (16) vs India in Delhi, 33 (18) vs Kenya in Kandy, 8 (3) vs England in Faisalabad, 0 (1) vs India in Kolkata and 6 (13) vs Australia in Lahore. He scored just 73, but it came at a 140.38 strike rate, well before the concept of T20 cricket came into being, and along with Jayasuriya’s 221 at a 131.54 strike rate, new-ball bowlers were hit hard by the Lankans.In fact, Sri Lankan batters were trendsetters in that tournament, with De Silva (448 at a 107.69 strike rate) and Arjuna Ranatunga (241 at 114.76 SR) making bowlers search for cover.At a time when a 100 strike rate was a rare commodity, four of Sri Lanka’s top batters were cruising well above it thirty years ago, setting a template widely followed these days even in T20 cricket, especially with powerplay field restrictions.The outcome of the tactical decision was an inadvertent one, but it was a happy move for Sri Lanka and world cricket.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde is trumpeting a cluster redevelopment policy aimed at rehabilitating 17 large slum pockets in Mumbai—areas which the party says are predominantly Maharashtrian settlements.Buttressing the argument that the civic body must be run by parties governing the state, the Sena has made housing revamp its main poll plank in the civic elections. “Because we control urban development, it will be easier for us to get this implemented. This is the main thrust of our BMC manifesto which will be unveiled on Saturday,” said the party’s ex-MP Rahul Shewale, speaking to TOI. The Sena hopes to counter Sena (UBT)-MNS’s attempts at appealing to Marathi manoos by focusing on basic housing rights. At the heart of the outreach is implementation of the 2034 Development Plan through a cluster-based approach, with Ramabai Nagar cited as a template. “The model for this whole plan is the Ramabai Nagar project, where they have moved out 4,000 people and given rent to them,” Shewale said, referring to transit accommodation and rental support provided in redevelopment.Shewale said 17 clusters, each around 15 hectares, will be developed on the lines of the Ramabai Nagar model. “Instead of isolated vertical slum buildings, we will create township-like neighbourhoods with housing, parking, open spaces, healthcare, schools and commercial zones,” he said.He also said seven additional clusters are planned in Prabhadevi and Dadar, including the Khandke building precinct—an area of symbolic importance. “This is where Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray groomed the Shiv Sena in its initial days,” Shewale said.Shewale said Sena will also focus on economic empowerment of Marathi entrepreneurs. As a tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary on Jan 23, the party plans to partner with emerging entrepreneurs by offering seed capital. “Many Marathi entrepreneurs have ideas and skills but lack seed capital. Govt-backed seed funds, credit guarantees and partnership models will be created,” he said.“Economic empowerment of Marathis is central to preserving Mumbai’s character,” Shewale said, arguing that rising real estate prices over the past decade have pushed original residents out of the city. He said special provisions for pagdi tenants—long a contentious housing issue—are also being considered.Shewale pointed out that Mumbai’s scale requires strong state-level leadership, and that the civic body alone cannot deliver mega projects. “Mumbai’s infrastructure and housing needs cannot be addressed by the civic body alone. Coordination between the state and Centre is critical,” he said, adding that key clearances ultimately rest with the chief minister.On the economy, Shewale said Mumbai must develop IFSC and FinTech hubs to generate more employment.BOX: Utility tunnel network in the worksOne ambitious intervention, which is part of the Shiv Sena manifesto, is a Rs 50,000-crore utility tunnel network to house water pipelines, power cables, gas lines and fibre optics. “This will end repeated road digging and ensure durable roads for decades. Global cities have adopted this model and Mumbai must do the same,” said ex-MP Rahul Shewale.

NEW DELHI: Researchers, policymakers, clinicians, investors and AI health-tech innovators gathered at IIT Delhi on Friday to examine how artificial intelligence can responsibly transform healthcare and life sciences at AI Impact in Biotech and MedTech Innovation – The Next Frontier, a curtain-raiser to the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Pitch sessions featured student-led health-tech solutions addressing gaps in care, diagnostics and delivery. Innovations included a non-invasive device to manage post-treatment lymphoedema in breast cancer patients; a solid-state, IoT-enabled vaccine cooling carrier powered by battery and solar energy for remote areas; and a smart protective belt designed to reduce fall-related hip injuries among the elderly. Women’s health solutions included a smartphone-based, AI-powered cervical cancer screening tool that enables frontline health workers to detect early abnormalities offline. The forum focused on AI’s growing role in diagnostics, disease management, cancer care and scalable health solutions. The agenda featured two expert panel discussions, pitch sessions by 12 AI health-tech startups and curated networking with over 15 potential investors. Discussions highlighted AI’s ability to extract faster insights from large datasets and improve access to advanced analytics suited to India’s healthcare realitgies. Tarun Chaturvedi, COO of the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi, said AI is boosting healthcare innovation by converting large datasets into actionable insights. “India is likely to see a surge in successful AI startups over the next three to five years,” he added. Diagnostics emerged as a major focus area, with startups showcasing point-of-care testing platforms capable of analysing over 25 parameters related to kidney, cardiac and pancreatic conditions at significantly lower costs. Sandeep Nailwal, founder of Blockchain For Impact, said India has the potential to take AI-driven healthcare solutions global, provided technologies are implemented at scale and reach the grassroots level.

A shocking video from Ghaziabad is going viral on social media. It shows a cook at a roadside restaurant apparently spitting on rotis while making them. The clip got a lot of attention from both the public and local authorities, and people are now questioning how clean these eateries really are.

Cook arrested after video circulates

Police acted quickly after the video surfaced and arrested the cook seen in the clip. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kavinagar) Suryabali Maurya confirmed the arrest and said:“Today, dated 08.01.2026, a video came to light from the Vardhman Puram outpost area of Madhuban Bapudham police station, in which it was claimed that rotis were being prepared by spitting by a person working at the shop. The video was immediately taken cognisance of, and upon viewing it, at first glance, it appeared that the person was indeed spitting while making rotis. Acting promptly, the accused, Javed Ansari, son of Chand (deceased) and a resident of the Muradnagar police station area, was taken into custody. A case has been registered under relevant sections, and necessary legal action is underway.”The accused cook has been identified as Javed Ansari, a resident of Muradnagar town.

Investigation extends to eatery owner

The restaurant, A1 Chicken Point, is owned by Waseem. Police are looking into whether the owner was present during the incident. Authorities are also checking the eatery’s license and have reported the matter to the food safety and health departments for necessary action.“Reports have also been sent to the food safety and health departments for appropriate legal action against the eatery owner,” Maurya added.

People worried about food safety

The video has made many people worry about how clean roadside restaurants are. Officials have said they are looking into the matter and will take action to stop something like this from happening again.The police are checking everything carefully to make sure people stay safe and responsible for any mistakes are held accountable.Thumb image: X

Mumbai Indians clawed their way back into the WPL 2026 contest through a moment of sheer class from Amelia Kerr, as the off-spinner produced a decisive over to derail Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s chase at the DY Patil Stadium. With RCB looking settled at 90/5 in pursuit of 155 and the asking rate still manageable, the game hinged on one breakthrough to shift momentum. Kerr delivered exactly that, and more, by striking twice in the same over, removing the dangerous Richa Ghosh and cleaning up Radha Yadav with a beauty. The double blow left RCB needing 65 runs from 43 balls, suddenly exposed in the lower middle order. It was the kind of over that doesn’t just take wickets, but flips belief. MI’s body language lifted instantly, the crowd found its voice, and the chase tilted sharply.

WPL 2026, MI-W vs RCB-W: Amelia Kerr removes Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav in the Same Over 

The big strike was the Richa one, and Kerr knew it. Tossing the ball up full and just outside off, she tempted Richa Ghosh into going aerial over long-off, a shot RCB desperately needed in that phase. Ghosh didn’t quite get under it, and the ball flew flatter than intended, allowing Alex Carey to judge it perfectly, move left, leap, and complete a sharp catch under pressure. Ghosh’s reaction said it all, head thrown back, disbelief written across her face, because MI had just removed RCB’s most explosive finisher for 6 off 6 balls.

Just a few deliveries earlier, Kerr went quicker and smarter, unleashing a perfectly disguised googly to Radha. Bowled on a teasing length outside off, the ball dipped late, spun viciously, and left Radha completely clueless as she lunged forward, playing for turn that never came. The googly ripped past the inside edge and crashed into middle and leg, a dismissal that underlined Kerr’s control, deception, and confidence under pressure. Two wickets in an over, both different in execution, both devastating in impact. From a steady chase to a nervy scramble, RCB suddenly found themselves relying on tail-end resistance.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: Dream start for Lauren Bell at RCB as Amelia Kerr becomes first wicket of WPL 2026

Kerr’s twin strikes Put Mumbai Indians firmly in control against RCB

Mumbai have seized a strong grip on the opening night of WPL 2026 as Bengaluru find themselves under mounting pressure at 118/6 after 16.3 overs, still needing 37 runs from 21 balls. What once looked like a competitive chase has steadily slipped away from RCB, largely due to MI’s disciplined middle-overs bowling and timely breakthroughs.

Kerr has been the standout, conceding just 13 runs in her four overs while picking up two massive wickets, effectively stalling RCB’s momentum when the game was finely balanced. Her dismissals of Richa and Radha in the same over triggered a collapse that RCB have struggled to recover from. Earlier, the chase promised fireworks as Grace Harris smashed 25 off just 12 balls and Smriti Mandhana struck a fluent 18, racing RCB to 57/2 inside the powerplay. However, once Shabnim Ismail and Nat Sciver-Brunt applied the brakes, the tempo dipped sharply.

The loss of Mandhana, Harris, Hemalatha and then the quick double blow from Kerr reduced RCB to 65/5 inside eight overs, completely shifting the pressure onto the lower order. Nadine de Klerk has fought admirably with an unbeaten 32 off 28 balls, anchoring the innings, while Arundhati Reddy supported her with a gritty 20, but the required rate has crept beyond 10 an over. MI’s fielding intensity has been equally decisive, highlighted by sharp catches from Carey and Ismail that snuffed out any hopes of a late surge.

Also READ: WPL 2026: Here’s why Hayley Matthews is not playing today’s MI-W vs RCB-W match

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