NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Saturday that the dates for the Indian Super League (ISL) will be announced next week after a meeting of its Emergency Committee.In a statement, the AIFF said the Emergency Committee met on January 3 to consider and acknowledge the report submitted by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee was set up on December 20, 2025, following discussions during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

The Coordination Committee had been asked to submit its report to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, which it did. The report was formally acknowledged by the AIFF Emergency Committee, which recommended that the league should be conducted by the AIFF.Following this, the AIFF said it will conduct the league and confirmed that the date of commencement of the ISL will be announced next week.In a statement shared on Instagram, the AIFF said, “The AIFF Emergency Committee met today (January 3, 2026), to consider and acknowledge the report submitted by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee was constituted on December 20, 2025, following the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent AIFF Annual General Meeting. The Coordination Committee was requested to submit its report to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, 2026, which was duly complied with. The report was formally acknowledged by the AIFF Emergency Committee, which recommended that the league be conducted by the All India Football Federation. Accordingly, the AIFF will conduct the league, and the date of commencement will be announced next week.”The ISL, which was expected to begin last September, has not started so far due to the absence of a commercial partner.On Friday, several footballers, including Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan, released a video titled ‘Save Indian Football’, calling on FIFA and FIFPRO to step in.“It’s January and we should be on your screens as apart of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League,” Gurpreet said in a joint video statement posted on social media.“Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something which we all know,” Jhingan added.The players said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is no longer in a position to fulfil its responsibilities and appealed to FIFA to step in to safeguard the future of the sport in the country.“But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. Indian football governance is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities.We are now staring at a permanent paralysis. This is the last-ditch effort to save what we can. So we are calling the FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football,” other players pitched in.The players stressed that their appeal was not political in nature, but born out of necessity.“We hope this message gets to the power that are in Zurich. This call is not political, it is not driven by confrontation but by necessity. It might sound like a big word but the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, sporting and economic crisis. And of course, we need rescuing at the earliest. We just want to play football, please help us do it,” other players said in the statement.“Players, staff, owners and the fans deserve clarity, protection and more importantly, a future,” Chhetri concluded.

The ministry of information and broadcasting has set up a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to support the structured growth of India’s live entertainment industry and strengthen the country’s emerging concert economy, according to an official release.The LEDC will function as a single-window facilitation mechanism aimed at streamlining processes for the sector and positioning India among the world’s leading live entertainment destinations by 2030. The move comes at a time when the organised live events market has expanded rapidly, with the sector valued at Rs 20,861 crore in 2024 and growing at 15 per cent. It is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate of 18 per cent, outpacing several traditional media segments.The cell was constituted in July 2025 under the directions of Union information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. It brings together representatives from the Central and State governments, industry bodies and major event companies to coordinate policy support and sectoral expansion.The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the WAVES Summit in May 2025, where he highlighted the live entertainment industry’s untapped potential as a driver of investment, tourism and cultural influence. According to the ministry, the sector currently supports over 10 million jobs, with a single large-format event generating more than 15,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are increasingly emerging as key growth centres. Citing a BookMyShow report for 2025, the ministry said Visakhapatnam saw a 490 per cent rise in live entertainment footfalls, while Shillong and Guwahati recorded growth of 213 per cent and 188 per cent, respectively. Overall consumption across music concerts, sports and theatre rose by 17 per cent, with more than five lakh people travelling to other cities to attend events, reported news agency ANI.Industry participants say the presence of global artistes alongside large domestic tours reflects growing market maturity. To address infrastructure gaps and ease of doing business, the ministry has also formed a Joint Working Group with private stakeholders, including District by Zomato. The LEDC aims to double the sector’s size, generate 15–20 million jobs and place India among the top five global live entertainment hubs.

India all-rounder Washington Sundar has sparked controversy after a viral video showed him turning away from eager fans seeking selfies and autographs in a hotel hallway. The brief clip, which surfaced on social media platforms like X, captured the Gujarat Titans star appearing uncomfortable as supporters crowded him, leading to accusations of arrogance from some quarters. While the incident has divided opinions, it comes at a time when Sundar remains a key asset for India across formats.​

Washington Sundar trolled after turning down autograph and selfie plea from kid fan

The episode unfolded in a confined hotel lobby or hallway, where Sundar was navigating through a group of enthusiastic fans calling out for photos and signatures. Visibly hesitant and looking overwhelmed, the 26-year-old cricketer did not stop to engage, instead opting to abruptly turn back and retrace his path to evade the crowd. The short video quickly spread online, amassing thousands of views and igniting a firestorm of reactions.​

Critics were quick to label Sundar’s demeanor as too much attitude, questioning why a public figure like him seemed dismissive toward young admirers desperate for a moment with their idol. Comments flooded social media, with users lamenting that stars should prioritize fan interactions, especially from children, and branding the move as rude or entitled. However, defenders countered that athletes deserve personal space in private settings, arguing the clip was edited to portray him negatively and that constant demands can be exhausting.

Also READ: No Sanju Samson and Mohammed Shami in India’s ODI squad for New Zealand series as Aakash Chopra picks his 15-member team

Here’s how fans reacted:​

Even though failed as a batter & allrounder..
Disgusting 🤮 https://t.co/EWiqRc9751

— Dhananjaya Singh (@Dhananjaya1402) January 2, 2026

WTF??? What attitude?!! He’s just awkward. And why aren’t people taking the cue? If he’s not interested in getting clicked, just respect his wishes and stop invading his space… Bashing Washi for BS reasons!!! https://t.co/eXpoOseRry

— 🦢 (@Shakarshee) January 2, 2026

That y someone says money and fame can’t handle by everyone https://t.co/mM6bXDdoFA

— kingVIRATkohli (@SAMIRBISWA53788) January 2, 2026

Similar attitude with @akshar2026 when we tried to talk to him in ITC.. they are probably right. I don’t know. Felt like insult to us. https://t.co/5H1LBnYxMd

— Contractor Ganesh (@ganeshraja88) January 2, 2026

Jab us level tal pahunch jayega tab dekha jayega, abhi toh coach ke favour mein hain https://t.co/6IXZV44nqv

— Scooter Libby (@Libby9595S) January 2, 2026

11 days ago, I saw him travel in the same flight as mine and a old guy asked for a selfie in the transit and he literally told him “ don’t you have sense ?” I mean he didn’t invade his privacy nor didn’t gimmick any stunts. That was really harsh. https://t.co/JUVv3poArG

— Aarav Shain (@AaravShain) January 2, 2026

wtf is this https://t.co/hE9BkI2idL

— Yogi In Australia 🇮🇳🇦🇺🕉️ (@akshaypujari3) January 2, 2026

Who are those idiots trying for a selfie with sundar!! That in itself is an insult to cricket. https://t.co/Yo6XX1XsP0

— moodalapalya share auto (@deshmukhnaveen) January 2, 2026

the ending of this video lmao, no way out https://t.co/Bd9OYeZITc

— Aal (@Aaalway) January 2, 2026

Washington Sundar 🤩 pic.twitter.com/rXotcYtzOd

— Vrushank (@77vrushank) January 2, 2026

Imagine denying selfies when fans struggle to even recognize you without Google.
Bro acting like prime Kohli with net-bowler fame. 📵😭 https://t.co/6W0e2excAX

— Unagi (@Unagi_999) January 3, 2026

Washington Sundar’s impressive recent performances

Despite the online drama, Sundar has been in red-hot form, solidifying his reputation as a versatile all-rounder. In Tests, he boasts an average of 42.14 with a highest of 101*, including standout knocks like a century in the 2025 England series in Manchester and a rapid fifty in 39 balls during the final Test. His bowling shines too, with 36 wickets at 32.97 and economical spells like his career-best 7/59 against New Zealand in 2024.​

In T20Is, Sundar has 51 wickets at 22.76 across 58 matches, complemented by useful cameos like 49 off 23 balls in an ODI against Australia. For Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026, expectations are high as coaches eye him for No. 4 batting, leveraging his improved white-ball aggression after a strong 2025 tour of England. Recent series against South Africa and Sri Lanka further highlighted his consistency, silencing doubters with match-winning contributions. As debates rage, Sundar’s on-field prowess underscores his value to Indian cricket.

Also READ: Reason why Shreyas Iyer will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand

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Shah Rukh Khan, Mustafizur Rahman

Former India cricketer Madan Lal spoke about the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decision to direct Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and supported actor and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, saying he had no role in team selection.“This is the decision of the BCCI and the Central government must have taken this decision, given the atrocities are being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh,” Madan Lal told news agency ANI.

The former World Cup winner said Shah Rukh Khan should not be linked to the matter and pointed out that team selection is handled by the franchise’s cricket management.“There is no fault of Shah Rukh Khan as they have the team who picks the team,” he added.His comments came after KKR confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman had been excluded from the squad for the upcoming season on the BCCI’s instructions. In a media advisory, the franchise said, “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.” “The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India,” the statement added. The advisory also said, “BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.” Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board had directed KKR to release the Bangladesh pacer “due to the recent developments.”Earlier on Saturday, BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som welcomed the BCCI’s decision. Som also took a swipe at Shah Rukh Khan and said the actor had understood not to go against the “Sanatanis”.Meanwhile, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the BCCI after KKR were told to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the IPL 2026 season.Sharing a video from Friday, Tharoor reiterated his stand on the issue. “Recalling my views on the subject, now that BCCI has deplorably pulled the plug on Mustafizur Rahman,” he said. He further questioned the decision, adding, “And what if the Bangladeshi player in question had been Litton Das or Soumya Sarkar?”Tharoor also raised broader concerns about the move. “Who are we punishing here: a nation, an individual, his religion? Where will this mindless politicising of sport lead us?” he asked.

The impending patent expiry of semaglutide drugs across India, emerging markets and select regulated markets such as Canada and Brazil is expected to create a revenue opportunity of more than Rs 50 billion for generic pharmaceutical companies over the next 12 to 15 months, according to an industry update by Systematix Institutional Research.The report said the opportunity is likely to be shared among 10 to 15 Indian and global generic players. For FY27, incremental revenues are estimated at Rs 10–20 billion from India’s branded formulations market, about Rs 45 billion from regulated markets including Canada and Brazil, and Rs 5–10 billion from emerging markets.While regulated markets could deliver a sharp near-term boost, analysts cautioned that the upside may moderate over time due to pricing pressure and rising competition. In India, the launch of generic semaglutide, expected in the first quarter of FY27, is projected to lift overall Indian Pharmaceutical Market growth by 0.5–1%, reported news agency ANI.Prices are expected to be 30–50% lower initially compared to current levels, with deeper cuts of up to 70–75% over time. This is likely to significantly accelerate the adoption of GLP-1 therapies among diabetic patients. Market leadership in the GLP-1 segment is expected to remain concentrated among five to ten players.Currently, Alkem Laboratories, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Sun Pharma have secured regulatory approvals in India, while other players are awaiting clearances. Zydus Lifesciences is pursuing a differentiated injectable version, which could provide a competitive edge despite its smaller diabetes franchise, the report noted.In regulated markets, the combined semaglutide market in Canada and Brazil is estimated at nearly $2 billion annually. Assuming 50% price erosion and 50% market share capture by generics, the addressable opportunity could be around $500 million. Analysts said timely regulatory approvals will be crucial, with Dr Reddy’s potentially emerging as the first Indian entrant in Canada and Sun Pharma enjoying a first-mover advantage in Brazil.Emerging markets are expected to offer steadier, longer-term growth with lower regulatory risks. Companies such as Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy’s, Alkem, Biocon and OneSource Specialty Pharma are seen as well placed to benefit, aided by their existing diabetes portfolios and partnerships. Ancillary players such as Shaily Engineering Plastics could also gain, as demand rises for pen devices used in injectable therapies, as per ANI.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were dragged from their bedroom during the overnight US military raid that led to their capture, according to officials briefed on the operation, as cited by CNN.The couple were asleep at their home inside the heavily guarded Ft Tiuna military complex in Caracas when US special forces stormed the residence, as per news agency AP.US bombs Venezuela – follow live updates The operation, carried out by the US Army’s elite Delta Force alongside FBI agents, lasted less than 30 minutes and resulted in no American fatalities.

US President Donald Trump said Maduro had been taken from a “fortress”, describing the absence of US deaths as “amazing”, though he acknowledged some personnel were injured. Trump said that they are aboard a US warship. Fox reported that the duo will reach New York on Monday.The United States launched a swift overnight military operation against Venezuela early on Saturday, capturing Maduro and his wife. US officials say both will face narco-terrorism charges in American courts.Explosions were reported across Caracas in an assault lasting less than half an hour. At least seven blasts were heard, apparently targeting military sites, with smoke rising from a base hangar and power cut at another installation. Earlier Trump said in a social media post that Maduro “has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.” Venezuelan ruling party figure Nahum Fernández said the pair were seized at their residence inside the Ft. Tiuna military complex.The operation followed months of escalating US pressure, including naval deployments and strikes on alleged drug-smuggling routes. Last week, a CIA drone strike reportedly hit a Venezuelan docking site linked to cartels.US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores had been indicted in New York and “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” She detailed charges including “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy” and weapons offences. Trump said the couple were being held aboard a US warship and would be prosecuted in New York.

Navi Mumbai: A week after arresting nine accused for the murder of Mangesh Kalokhe (45), the husband of newly elected Khopoli councillor Manasi Kalokhe of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), the Raigad police have arrested two more accused contract killers, while one key contract killer is at large.Mangesh Kalokhe was hacked to death by five assailants with swords, sickle and an axe on Dec 26 around 7 am at a busy junction in Khopoli while he was returning home on his bike after dropping his two daughters to school. The assailants were waiting for Kalokhe in a black coloured car.Anchal Dalal, Raigad SP, said that the arrested key murder conspirator Ravindra Devkar is the husband of NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction neta, Urmila Devkar, who was defeated by Manasi Kalokhe in the recent Khopoli municipal council election. Ravindra Devkar has confessed that he had hired three contract killers for executing the murder of Kalokhe due to political rivalry, Dalal said. The five assailants included the arrested accused Darshan Devkar, the elder son of Ravindra Devkar and the latter’s bodyguard Mahesh Dhaitadak and three contract killers, out of whom we have arrested two contract killers and one key contract killer is being traced.SP Dalal said, “We are probing to ascertain the murder conspiracy involvement of two accused Sudhakar Ghare, the Raigad district NCP President and NCP spokesperson Bharat Bhagat, who have been named in the FIR by Kalokhe’s nephew. Untill the key contract killer is arrested, the role of Ghare and Bhagat in the murder conspiracy cannot be confirmed.The nine accused arrested within 48 hours of Kolakhe’s murder were Ravindra Devkar, his wife Urmila, their sons Darshan and Dhanesh, NCP supporters Vishal Deshmukh, Dilip Pawar, Mahesh Dhaitadak, Sagar More and Sachin Kharade. One more accused named in the FIR identified as activist Sachin Chavan is also been traced.