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.

Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal‘s father, Sham Kaushal, recently shared a post about his grandson, leaving everyone in awe at the adorable comment. The famed action and stunt director posted an adorable photo of his grandson’s hands along with a caption about how thankful he is.

Sham Kaushal posts about grandson Vihaan Kaushal

Vicky Kaushal’s father recently took to his social media to share a photo of him holding his grandson’s small hands. He posted the sweet photo along with the caption, “Mera Pota Vihaan Kaushal. Bhagwan ka jitna bhi shukar karu kam hain. Blessings, blessings, and blessings” (My grandson Vihaan Kaushal. No matter how many times, I cannot thank God enough).

Fan reactions

The post managed to garner a lot of love online as fans and netizens alike poured in their well-wishes for the newly-made grandfather. One such comment about the post read, “Mubarak! Mubarak!! Such a beautiful name. May he always be a source of love and light for you all and everyone around him. Aankhon Ka Noor aur Dil ka Sukoon. Bohat ziada duas aur pyaaar, Vihaan ✨💙🧿”, while another added, “Many many congratulations sir to all in the family and god bless the little one🧿❤️.”A third person also commented on the post, saying, “Such a beautiful & meaningful name!🥺♥ It’s so sweet that it also connects to Vicky Kaushal’s iconic character Major Vihaan Shergill from URI!🤩♥ Sending love, blessings & heartfelt wishes to the little one & the entire Kaushal family!🥹♥.”

About Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal

Only a few hours earlier, the happy couple had revealed their baby boy’s name, two months after his birth. They had posted the same photo, and had added the caption “Our Ray of Light ❤️ Vihaan Kaushal, विहान कौशल, Prayers are answered. Life is beautiful. Our world is changed in a instant. Gratitude beyond words 🙏🏽🧿🕉️.”The update comes two months after Kaif and Kaushal welcomed their baby into the world.

US President Donald Trump has announced plans for the federal government to purchase $200 billion worth of mortgage bonds, saying the move will help bring down mortgage rates as concerns over housing affordability continue to weigh down Americans.In a post on social media on Thursday, Trump said the funds would come from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two mortgage giants that have been under government conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis. According to the US president, companies currently hold $200 billion in cash that will be used for the bond purchases.“This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable,” Trump wrote.The announcement comes as Trump and the White House seek to tackle affordability issues ahead of the November midterm elections. Home prices have continously outpaced income growth, largely due to a long-running shortage of new housing supply. That imbalance has made it harder for renters to step onto the property ladder and for existing homeowners to move up to larger homes, a problem that stretches back to Trump’s first term and the recovery from the housing market collapse that triggered the global financial crisis.White House officials did not immediately provide details on when or how the bond purchases would take place.The Federal Reserve has previously stepped in to buy mortgage-backed securities during periods of economic stress in an effort to push borrowing costs lower. Those interventions helped drive mortgage rates to historic lows, enabling many homeowners to refinance at rates of 3% or less. However, those same low rates have also discouraged homeowners from selling, limiting the number of homes available on the market.

What it make housing cheaper for Americans?

Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at real estate brokerage Redfin, questioned how effective the proposed move would be in addressing broader housing market constraints.“At a high level I feel this is putting a Band-Aid on a deeper issue and it probably wouldn’t lower rates enough to really undo the mortgage rate lock-in effect,” Fairweather told AP.She estimated that government purchases of mortgage debt could reduce rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage by around 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points. However, she cautioned that such a reduction would not tackle structural problems such as the chronic shortage of homes for sale, which continues to push prices higher and limit affordability.Mortgage rates are currently averaging about 6.2%, according to Freddie Mac. Thirty-year rates have not fallen below 6% since September 2022. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed into conservatorship in 2008 as the US economy slid into the Great Recession.“Lowering mortgage rates by maybe a quarter point or half a point maybe will encourage more demand on the margins, but I don’t think it’s going to solve the restrictions that exist in the housing market,” Fairweather added.The plan also carries risk, as it would draw down cash reserves that are intended to act as a buffer in the event of an economic downturn similar to the Great Recession. Using those reserves could leave Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac more exposed if the housing market were to weaken, effectively relying on the assumption that such a scenario is unlikely.Separately, the Federal Reserve continues to hold a substantial amount of mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet, roughly $2 trillion, down from $2.7 trillion in June 2022. The Fed began reducing its holdings as the US economy recovered from the pandemic.

America and mortgage woes

Mortgage rates surged as inflation accelerated after the pandemic, with the consumer price index reaching a four-decade high in 2022. While average mortgage rates have eased from nearly 7% at the start of Trump’s second term last year, the decline has done little to alleviate public anxiety over rising costs of housing, food and energy.Lower interest rates can reduce monthly mortgage payments and temporarily improve affordability, though home prices typically adjust over time. As of mid-2024, outstanding mortgage debt in the US stood at around $21.1 trillion, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve.During the pandemic, many homeowners refinanced their loans at rates of 3% or lower, further contributing to the reluctance to sell.Trump has said broader housing reforms are on the way. Last month, he announced plans to unveil new measures, and on Wednesday he said he wants to prevent institutional investors from purchasing homes.

The Hobart Hurricanes host the Adelaide Strikers in a crucial mid-season encounter at Bellerive Oval. The Hurricanes, currently sitting at the top of the table with 10 points, are in formidable form as they look to defend their title. They are coming off a solid 6-wicket victory against the Sydney Thunder.

The Adelaide Strikers, meanwhile, are fighting for consistency. Sitting in 5th place with 6 points, they are just outside the finals spots and desperately need a win to stay in touch with the top four. They enter this match with some confidence after a thrilling 6-run win over the Thunder in their last outing.

Expect the same XI for Hurricanes that beat the Thunder. The batting order is firing, with Tim Ward coming off a match-winning 90, and the bowling attack led by Nathan Ellis remains disciplined. The Strikers, however, have made a significant change to their overseas contingent. South African wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi returns to the squad, replacing Hassan Ali. His inclusion adds mystery spin to a bowling attack that already features the pace of Jamie Overton and Luke Wood.

HH vs AS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: January 09; 01:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

HH vs AS, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 25 | Hobart Hurricnaes won: 10 | Adelaide Strikers won: 14 | No result/Tied: 01

Bellerive Oval Pitch Report

Bellerive Oval typically offers a true surface with good pace and bounce, rewarding shot-making. However, the cool evening conditions often allow seamers to find swing early on, especially with the new ball. The average first-innings score is around 160-170. Chasing has historically been the preferred option here, as the pitch tends to settle under lights, and dew can occasionally play a factor in the second innings.

Also READ: Ollie Peake guides Melbourne Renegades to thrilling win over Perth Scorchers in BBL|15

Squads:

Hobart Hurricanes: Tim Ward, Mitchell Owen, Rehan Ahmed, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Will Prestwidge, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Charlie Wakim, Billy Stanlake, Macalister Wright

Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Mackenzie Harvey (wk), Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Jamie Overton, Harry Manenti, Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood, Lloyd Pope, Tabraiz Shamsi, Alex Ross, Henry Thornton

HH vs AS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Hobart Hurricanes wins the toss and bowls first
• Adelaide Strikers’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Adelaide Strikers’ total score: 150-160

Case 2:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bowls first
• Hobart Hurricanes’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Hobart Hurricanes’ total score: 160-170

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: BBL|15: Joel Davies’ all-round brilliance guides Sydney Sixers past Brisbane Heat in a low scoring thriller

Australia’s Mitchell Starc stretches on day four of the fifth Ashes cricket Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 7, 2026.

New Delhi: At the post-match presentation ceremony after the Sydney Test, Mitchell Starc, while receiving the Player of the Series medal for his 31 wickets and two match-defining half-centuries at the Gabba and Adelaide, admitted he was “a little bit tired”.Starc, who will turn 36 in three weeks, bowled 153.1 overs in the Ashes and was pivotal in Australia’s 4-1 triumph. Australia did not have Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out with hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries. Captain Pat Cummins played only one Test because of a back injury. The hosts also lost Nathan Lyon after the Gabba Test.

But Starc, whom his childhood coach Neil D’Costa calls a “panther”, stood tall, with the left-arm quick admitting this is the best he has ever bowled.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Maybe. It feels like it’s going okay, the body is still holding together,” he said at the post-match presentation.“A little bit tired. Scotty (Boland) and I are on the older side of things, but we still managed to get the job done. Between Scotty, Nes (Michael Neser) and I, we’ve certainly been told we’re not on the younger side of things. But to play the roles that we did, we were a bit tired and sore yesterday,” Starc said.

Australia’s Mitchell Starc (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

Starc picked up two wickets on Thursday to wrap up England’s second innings and took his career tally to 433, moving past Richard Hadlee, drawing level with Rangana Herath and sitting just one short of Kapil Dev. With seven more scalps, he would also move ahead of Dale Steyn to break into the top 10 on the all-time wicket-takers list.Starc has terrorised many batters across the globe in his career, leaving them gasping for breath. However, starting out, he was never a fast bowler. Long before the accolades and comparisons with legends, there was a 14-year-old boy keeping wickets at Homebush Boys High School.

At the start of the Ashes, when TimesofIndia.com reached out to his childhood coach Neil D’Costa , the veteran coach immediately replied with a chuckle. “This story has been done to death.”After a brief pause, the 55-year-old gathered his thoughts and said, “No harm in recollecting it again.”D’Costa discovered Starc when the then 14-year-old was trying out for the Western Suburbs Green Shield team. D’Costa , then the club coach, noticed how the tall kid moved and then saw him put on wicketkeeping gloves.

Mitchell Starc and Travis Head pose with the Ashes Trophy after winning the Ashes on day five of the Fifth Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“I called him over and said, ‘I want you to bowl.’”Starc replied that he wasn’t a bowler, but a gloveman. D’Costa asked him again to bowl and this time Starc obliged.“I then said, ‘Do you want to make this team? If you do, then that’s the end of your wicketkeeping. I’m going to teach you how to bowl.’”D’Costa has coached the likes of Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes from a young age and also watched a raw tearaway named Umesh Yadav find his feet while he was the coach of the Vidarbha Cricket Association residential academy in Nagpur from 2008 to 2011.

He had a West Indian way about him. My brain raced to what he could be, not what he was.

Neil D’Costa

When coaxed about Starc’s early days, D’Costa paused again before continuing.“He played in his age group for a representative team and I think Alyssa Healy was in it as well. They certainly knew each other.“What I saw was a very tall kid who moved like a panther. He threw a stray ball back into a drill from about 50 metres and his mechanics were awesome. I grew up playing baseball, so those things stood out straight away.”

Mitchell Starc of Australia is awarded the player of the series after day five of the Fifth Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

D’Costa was head coach of Western Suburbs Green Shield at the time. Starc was with the juniors. When asked to bowl, the teenager hesitated.“He was very shy, but you could tell he was a nice kid. I asked his name and then asked him to bowl for me. He very quickly said he was a wicketkeeper-batter. I laughed, but he didn’t.”When Starc resisted again, D’Costa was firm. “I said, ‘Mate, I’m the head coach here, so it might be a good idea to do what I say.’ I wasn’t smiling anymore.”

If any muppet tells you to slow down and get line and length, make a mental note. He does not understand the game. It’s called fast bowling.

Neil D’Costa

What followed confirmed D’Costa ’s instincts. “What I saw was what I thought. He had a West Indian way about him. My brain raced to what he could be, not what he was.”That belief soon turned into a pathway. D’Costa arranged for Starc to join the West Club Academy.“Wests club was a huge reason Clarke, Hughes and Starc came through. Many people played roles,” he said.When D’Costa met Starc’s parents and explained the opportunity, their reaction was disbelief.

Mitchell Starc at Homebush Boys High School (Source: Facebook – NSW Department of Education)

“They were in shock and thought I was mad. They asked about costs and I said none. His dad said, ‘Neil, are you sure, mate?’ Lovely guy. I laughed and said, ‘Relax, man. Bring him down and we will have some fun.’”Training was repetitive and demanding. Sundays in the off-season meant bowling close to 100 balls at Kingsgrove Sports, starting with one step, then three, and gradually building up.“He was bored out of his brain, but he never questioned it,” D’Costa said.What stood out just as much as the pace was the personality.

Is everyone telling you to slow down and get your line and length?’ He said yes. But I had already told him, ‘Mitch, bowl every ball as fast as you can and try to swing the ball.

Neil D’Costa

“Everyone liked Mitch. Always smiling and happy. He greeted everyone he met with a warmth and humbleness that is rare. He always gave it all he had.”The speed arrived quickly. Control did not.“When he was bowling, wicketkeeper was not where you wanted to be. Or short leg. The pace was frightening. But the wides, no-balls and beamers continued.”

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates dismissing Jacob Bethell of England during day five of the Fifth Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

While others urged caution, D’Costa took a different approach.“I sat with him and said, ‘Is everyone telling you to slow down and get your line and length?’ He said yes. But I had already told him, ‘Mitch, bowl every ball as fast as you can and try to swing the ball. That’s your job.’”His message was blunt. “If any muppet tells you to slow down and get line and length, make a mental note. He does not understand the game. It’s called fast bowling.”One Second Grade match became a turning point. Starc opened the bowling. It was quick but erratic.

My job was to get people to leave Mitch alone. I was a bodyguard, not a coach. Mitch coached Mitch

Neil D’Costa

“He bowled a beamer in the second over and was warned. It scared the hell out of the batter. He did it again and hit the guy on the arm. Mitch’s spell was done.”Starc was distraught. D’Costa was not. “I walked down to fine leg. He was visibly upset. He felt he let the team down. I was kind of laughing.”Starc questioned himself. “He said, ‘I’m useless. I can’t bowl again, aren’t you watching?’” D’Costa ’s response was unwavering. “I said, ‘Relax, man. You’re going to play for Australia.’ He looked at me like I had two heads. He said, ‘Coach, you’ve lost it. I can’t bowl, I’m rubbish.’”

Mitchell Starc of Australia walks onto the stage awarded Player of the Series after winning the Ashes series 4-1 during day five of the Fifth Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

D’Costa doubled down. “I said, ‘That bloke is off to hospital. You’re bowling heat. Who cares where it goes right now? You will work that out later.’”The message never changed. “Speed. Swing. Learn the rest later.” That speed earned Starc selection in NSW Under-17s. Each year he grew stronger, taller and more controlled.“I always laugh when dads tell their sons to slow down and get your line and length. My job was to get people to leave Mitch alone. I was a bodyguard, not a coach. Mitch coached Mitch.”Genetics helped. So did mindset. His younger brother Brandon Starc is a high jumper who has won Commonwealth Games gold and competed in multiple Olympics.

Poll

Do you think Mitchell Starc is currently at his peak performance level?

“Mitch had great genetics. All his siblings do. His brother is an Olympian. Six foot plus, a great learner, a wonderful, appreciative kid with great manners. It was not hard to want to help him.”Looking back, D’Costa remains modest about his role. “Our lives crossed paths. I hope I helped him, but many more played roles.”Years later, every thunderbolt that crashes into the stumps carries echoes of those early Sundays, when one coach saw speed and swing and told a shy wicketkeeper-batter never to slow down.