ULHASNAGAR: As campaigning picked up pace for the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday addressed a major public rally in the city, delivering a strong message on law and order, stalled development, and long-pending civic issues.Speaking at the election rally, Fadnavis adopted a firm tone, warning against any return of criminal dominance in Ulhasnagar. Without naming anyone directly, he took an apparent dig at Shiv Sena’s local alliance partner, Team Omie Kalani, which has a controversial past. “No one should even think of bringing back gundaraj to Ulhasnagar. We will not allow it. Only the rule of law will prevail here,” the Chief Minister asserted, adding that he knows how to deal strictly with those who attempt to disturb law and order.Highlighting Ulhasnagar’s developmental lag, Fadnavis said the city, despite reflecting India’s social and cultural diversity, has failed to achieve the growth it deserved over the last three decades. “Ulhasnagar became a Municipal Corporation in 1996, but in the last 30 years, it has not progressed like other cities. We all know the reasons—the governments and municipal administrations of that time,” he said.Calling his government an agent of transformation, Fadnavis urged voters to give the BJP an opportunity to bring change. “Our government stands for transformation. Give us one chance, and we will transform Ulhasnagar,” he declared.The Chief Minister also spoke about integrating Ulhasnagar into the broader development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. He pointed out that projects worth ₹4.5 lakh crore have been implemented across the MMR through MMRDA and assured that Ulhasnagar would now be brought into the mainstream of this large-scale development.Announcing major infrastructure initiatives, Fadnavis said the proposed metro corridor from Kalyan to Ambernath would pass through Ulhasnagar, providing long-awaited metro connectivity to the city.Addressing a long-standing civic concern, he spoke about the large number of old and unauthorised buildings in Ulhasnagar. “Several attempts were made in the past to legalise these structures, but they failed. We will bring a new policy to legalise old unauthorised constructions so that people can finally get ownership rights to their homes, while ensuring that no new illegal constructions come up,” he said.He further assured residents that a new Development Plan (DP) would be prepared to upgrade the city’s poor road infrastructure. “Our goal is to build an advanced Ulhasnagar,” the Chief Minister concluded.With strong assurances on law and order and ambitious promises on infrastructure and housing, Fadnavis’ Ulhasnagar rally has given fresh momentum to the municipal election campaign, setting the stage for a closely watched political contest in the city.

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh have hardened their stance on playing the ICC T20 World Cup in India, with the government making it clear that participation cannot come at the expense of national dignity or the security of its cricketers. On Wednesday, Bangladesh government’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul said Dhaka would make a strong case before the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to co-host Sri Lanka, accusing the global body of failing to grasp the seriousness of the situation.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Nazrul’s comments came after a meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors, held in the wake of an ICC letter responding to Bangladesh’s formal request for a venue change. The request followed recent controversy involving Mustafizur Rahman, after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release the Bangladesh pacer, triggering fresh security concerns.

“We sat together with the BCB directors – Bulbul bhai, Faruque bhai and everyone else. Today we discussed the situation and we all agreed that Bangladesh earned qualification for the T20 World Cup through hard work. We are a cricket-crazy nation and we definitely want to play,” Nazrul told reporters.However, he underlined that participation could not come at any cost. “We do not want to play the World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, at the cost of the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists, or at the cost of the country’s dignity,” he said. “After reading the letter we received from the ICC today, it felt to us that they have not fully understood the serious security situation that has developed in India for Bangladeshi cricketers.”

Nazrul went further, describing the issue as one that goes beyond safety. “To me, it does not feel like only a security issue – it feels like an issue of national humiliation as well. When the Indian cricket board itself is telling a team that they cannot provide security to this player and asking them to drop him, that alone shows there is no environment in India where it is safe to play.”Laying out Bangladesh’s position in unequivocal terms, he said: “We want to play cricket, we want to play the World Cup, and since there is another host country, Sri Lanka, we want to play there. We are firm on this position. On the question of Bangladesh’s security, honour and dignity, there will be no compromise.”Nazrul confirmed that a detailed letter would be sent to the ICC shortly, after which Bangladesh would decide its next course of action based on the response.BCB president Aminul Islam echoed the government’s concerns, stressing that security worries extend beyond players. “There is a large group involved – journalists, sponsors and spectators. Ensuring security for everyone is not possible for the board alone,” he said, adding that reports claiming the ICC had already ruled out Sri Lanka were “propaganda”.

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The Ashes 2025-26 series reached a poignant and dramatic conclusion on January 8, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). While Australia had already secured the urn, the final day of the fifth Test was heavy with emotion as it marked the international retirement of veteran opener Usman Khawaja. Chasing a tricky target of 160 on a deteriorating surface, Australia overcame a spirited English fightback to secure a five-wicket victory, sealing the series with a definitive 4-1 scoreline. Despite the loss, England found a silver lining in the emergence of young Jacob Bethell, whose marathon second-innings knock ensured the series went down to the final afternoon in Sydney.

A farewell fit for a legend: Usman Khawaja’s guard of honour

The final morning was defined by a touching show of sportsmanship as the England team formed a guard of honor for Usman Khawaja. As the 39-year-old walked out to bat for the last time in his Baggy Green, the SCG erupted in a standing ovation for the local hero. In a career that began on this very ground in 2011, Khawaja’s impact as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer was acknowledged by captain Ben Stokes, who personally shook his hand before play resumed. Though his final innings was brief, dismissed for six by Josh Tongue after chopping onto his stumps, the veteran left the field to another raucous reception, concluding an 88-Test journey marked by resilience and grace.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Fans erupt as clinical Australia crush England in SCG Test to clinch Ashes series 4–1

Australia’s dominance and England’s grit in the Ashes 2025-26

The series as a whole reflected Australia’s relentless clinical edge, though England’s late-series resurgence prevented a total whitewash. After dominant victories in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the Australians appeared untouchable before a chaotic, two-day shootout in Melbourne gave England a four-wicket consolation win. The final Test in Sydney encapsulated the shifting dynamics: Joe Root’s first-innings 160 and Jacob Bethell’s heroic 154 in the second innings put Australia under immense pressure. However, the hosts’ depth proved too strong, with Travis Head (Player of the Match for his first-innings 163) and Mitchell Starc (Player of the Series with 31 wickets) consistently seizing the decisive moments.

Earlier, speaking to TNT Sports after Day 4, Sir Alastair Cook had predicted that a target of 160 was ‘defended able’ if England could strike early and remove Travis Head. His prophecy nearly came true as Josh Tongue ripped through the Australian top order on Day 5, reducing the hosts to 92/3 and eventually 121/5. While England did manage to remove Head (29) and Khawaja (6) cheaply, an unbeaten 40-run partnership between Alex Carey and Cameron Green eventually steadied the nerves. Carey hit the winning runs off Will Jacks, ensuring that while the series ended 4-1, the final day in Sydney was a fitting tribute to both a retiring legend and a competitive Ashes summer.

Also READ: Harry Brook, Yashasvi Jaiswal or Rachin Ravindra? Mark Waugh names the next greatest Test batter

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif

Pakistan on Tuesday expressed confidence that it may no longer need financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund within six months, with Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif claiming the country had seen a surge in aircraft orders following a four-day military standoff with India in May, Geo TV reported.Speaking on a Geo News programme, Asif made a fanciful claim while arguing that the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict showcased Pakistan’s “resolve and military effectiveness” to the world.Military tensions escalated in May 2025 after Pakistan-sponsored terrorists carried out a terror attack in Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians in April. India responded with a strong military operation, launching Operation Sindoor, under which it targeted and destroyed multiple terror camps and Pakistani military facilities.However, Khawaja Asif, appearing disconnected from the ground reality, made such statements after a Bangladeshi defence delegation met Pakistan’s air chief to discuss a potential sale of the JF-17 Thunder, the multi-role fighter aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan. There are also reports of talks between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to convert about $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, according to two Pakistani sources cited by Reuters.According to Arab News, several countries have since stepped up defence engagement with Pakistan.“Right now, the number of orders we are receiving after reaching this point is significant because our aircraft have been tested,” defence minister Asif told Pakistan’s Geo News channel.“We are receiving these orders, and it is possible that after six months we may not even need the IMF,” he said.Pakistan markets the Chinese co-developed JF-17 as a lower-cost multi-role fighter and has positioned itself as a supplier offering aircraft, training and maintenance outside Western supply chains.“I am saying this with full confidence,” Asif said. “If all these orders materialise over the next six months, we will not need the IMF.”

Pakistan’s repeated reliance on IMF

Pakistan has repeatedly turned to the International Monetary Fund over the years, for financial support to stabilise its fragile economy, with such assistance tied to strict conditions including fiscal reforms, subsidy cuts and revenue-enhancing measures.In September 2024, the IMF approved a $7 billion bailout for Pakistan under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF), followed by a separate $1.4 billion loan under its climate resilience fund in May 2025, aimed at bolstering the country’s economic stability and climate resilience.

Bangladesh shows interest in Pak’s JF-17

Demonstrating Dhaka’s efforts to move closer to Islamabad, Bangladesh has expressed “potential interest” in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, along with plans to resume direct flights between the two countries from January 29 after a gap of more than a decade.The JF-17, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, was deployed by Pakistan against India during the May 7–10 hostilities. In November last year, Indian Air Force chief Air chief Marshal A P Singh said the aircraft was among at least five high-tech Pakistani fighters shot down during Operation Sindoor.This latest development and closeness between Pakistan and Bangladesh comes under the pretext of Dhaka’s straining relations with India.

Pak seeks JF-17 deal with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are also in talks to convert around $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, as two Pakistani sources told Reuters, in a move that would deepen military cooperation between two Islamic nations. Pakistan and Saudi signed a mutual defence pact last year.The discussions highlight efforts by the long-time allies to operationalise defence cooperation at a time when Pakistan is under acute financial strain and Saudi Arabia is recalibrating its security partnerships amid uncertainty over US commitments in the Middle East.