MUMBAI: Yet another Bollywood personality has received an extortion demand from Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police sources said Wednesday. This time it’s actor Aayush Sharma, brother-in-law of Salman Khan, who himself has been targeted with shots being fired at his flat last year.The demand via Proton Mail for a large sum of money came a day after police said actor Ranveer Singh received an extortion threat from the gang.Late Wednesday, there were also unconfirmed reports that the secretary of an action hero received threat calls. So far over a dozen Bollywood celebrities have received such threats in the last two weeks. In view of the threats, the crime branch Wednesday invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act against 5 members of the gang’s Shubham Lonkar faction.Sharma, who is married to Salman’s adopted sister Arpita, made his Bollywood debut with ‘Loveyatri’ and later starred alongside Salman in ‘Antim: The Final Truth’.Police have advised actor Aayush Sharma to remain vigilant and seek protection if he feels unsafe. The cyber cell has initiated efforts to trace the sender of the email, police officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.On Tuesday, it was learnt that actor Ranveer Singh was provided additional police protection following an extortion threat, also from the Bishnoi gang. At the time, the police were not willing to provide any information on the matter.Asked about the threat to Singh, a senior officer said, “We are in the process of verifying the details and will soon register an FIR. The investigation is underway. It would not be proper to comment on such a highly sensitive case.”Following concerns raised by the managing committee of the Beau Monde residential tower in Prabhadevi, where Singh resides with his wife Deepika Padukone, the Dadar police on Tuesday visited the premises to review security arrangements. During inquiries, the police confirmed that Singh had been provided with two armed personnel from the police protection department on orders from seniors.The developments come even as the city crime branch continues its search for the unidentified shooter who fired five rounds outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence last month.

Kalyan: The tax department of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Tuesday sealed the offices of G R Patil School and Junior College in Titwala over non-payment of nearly Rs 1.3 crore property tax arrears.According to KDMC officials, the school had defaulted on property tax payments for several years. The school paid Rs 57 lakh two years ago, but had not cleared the dues. A penalty at the rate of 24% was imposed on the outstanding amount since the building is illegal, increasing the total liability to Rs 1.3 crore. Despite repeated notices, the school management failed to pay the balance amount, prompting KDMC to seal the premises under the supervision of tax superintendent Jayaram Shinde.The principal’s cabin, staff room, fee counter, and management office were sealed. Officials maintained that the seals would not be lifted until the pending dues are cleared.Headmistress Vidya Kamble acknowledged that the school building is unauthorised, but said the regularisation process is in progress. She expressed concern over the timing of the action, saying exam preparations are on and SSC practical and oral exams have already commenced. “All academic and administrative documents are inside the sealed offices. The staff is now working out of classrooms,” she said.Describing the institution as an unaided, self-financed school and junior college serving over 550 students from economically weaker sections, Kamble appealed for administrative intervention, warning that the sealing of offices could disrupt routine functioning and affect ongoing examinations. Kamble claimed that Rs 1 crore of the arrears are penalty charges. “We have requested KDMC to reduce the penalty, but officials cited closure of the Amnesty Scheme and declined relief,” she said.KDMC officials, however, reiterated that recovery actions are being undertaken strictly as per rules and that compliance with property tax obligations is mandatory.Tuesday’s action comes as KDMC pursues its revenue target of Rs 750 crore for the 2025–26 financial year. With around Rs 300 crore collected so far, the tax department has accelerated recovery measures after being relieved from election-related duties. The department has launched a series of steps against defaulters, including issuing notices and sealing properties.

A day after actor-comedian Rajpal Yadav surrendered to Tihar Jail in connection with multiple cheque-bounce cases, his wife Radha Yadav revealed that the film fraternity has rallied behind him. His wife has finally spoken up on the matter. Yadav had made an emotional statement before surrendering himself to the authorities and confessed he doesn’t have any money and is all alone in this battle. Post that, several celebs have come forward and offered support to him. After Sonu Soon, Guru Randhawa pledged to help him, Mika Singh has now offered help of Rs 11 lakh to the actor. Rajpal Yadav’s wife Radha expressed gratitude to those extending support during this difficult period. When asked about the response from the industry, Radha said in an interview with PTI, “Everybody has stood by him. The industry has been supportive, a big thank you to everyone who is coming out to help.” Several members of the industry and even the TV industry, like Gurmeet Chaudhary and music composer Rao Inderjit Yadav, have publicly offered financial help and encouraged others to contribute as well.

Rajpal was taken into custody after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea seeking additional time to clear dues in a long-pending cheque-bounce matter. The total outstanding amount stands at nearly Rs 9 crore.In its recent order, the Delhi High Court observed that Rajpal was required to deposit ₹1.35 crore in each of the seven cases filed against him. The court also directed that the amount already deposited with the registrar general be released to the complainant.The financial trouble dates back to 2010, when the actor borrowed Rs 5 crore from M/S Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata. The film’s poor box-office performance reportedly worsened his financial situation.Reports suggest that actors Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, and filmmaker David Dhawan have also offered assistance. Goldie Jain, who has managed Rajpal Yadav for over two decades, confirmed that many well-known names from across the industry have reached out.“People have taken the initiative to help. They all have promised to help, it doesn’t mean financially only. It’s true that Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Varun and David Dhawan these people have called. In what capacity and how they will help, that is yet to be known. They are all well-wishers of Rajpal bhai,” he said as quoted by PTI.Among the first to extend support was actor Sonu Sood, who reportedly signed Rajpal for a film and offered the signing amount in advance as immediate assistance.See More: ‘Family is hopeful’: Rajpal Yadav’s BAIL hearing tomorrow; manager reveals Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and others lend support

NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented step, Supreme Court put on hold an advocate’s two attempts to divorce his wife through talaq-e-hasan and sent them to mediation for an amicable settlement of their marital dispute even though the man had remarried after the first talaq-e-hasan in 2022.Amid duelling interpretations of Shariat, Muslim personal law and its religious connotations between senior advocates Rizwan Ahmed – appearing for the woman, Benazeer Heena – and M R Shamshad – appearing for the man, Yusuf Naqi – a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi persuaded the parties to go for mediation.The advocate had first given talaq-e-hasan (pronouncement of talaq three times, each separated from the other by a month) first in 2022. However, on a petition by Heena where she challenged the validity of talaq-e-hasan, which she said left Muslim women destitute as there was no provision for maintenance, SC noted that it was handed over to her thro-ugh her husband’s counsel.Heena said she could not remarry as she did not have a valid divorce under Muslim personal law. When Shamshad said his client had given her a valid divorce, Ahmed contested this and termed the second round illegal.The bench said, “There is an urgent and dire necessity to refer parties to mediation for amicable resolution of their marital disputes and whether talaq-e-hasan was given validly and to explore any alternative solution.”It referred the parties for mediation before former SC judge Kurian Joseph, who incidentally was with the majority verdict by a five-judge Constitution bench that declared instant triple talaq unconstitutional in the Shayara Bano case on Aug 22, 2017.In another petition filed by Delhi-based Aasma questioning the validity of talaq-e-hasan given to her, the bench found that her husband, Mohd Anshar, had not responded to the court’s notice seeking a response. It directed the SHO of Karawal Nagar to produce Anshar at the next hearing.After SC passed the two orders, Shamshad said it should not give the impression that talaq-e-hasan was an invalid mode of divorce among Muslims. The bench said it had expressed no opinion on the validity of talaq-e-hasan and that it was facilitating exploration of the possibility of an amicable settlement.

The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo turned into a sea of green and gold on Wednesday, as Australia delivered a masterclass in T20 cricket. In the 14th match of Group B at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Australia dismantled a resilient but outmatched Ireland side, securing a massive 67-run victory. While the Irish fans arrived with hopes of a historic upset, they were met with a clinical Australian outfit that excelled in every department, effectively signalling their intent for the knockout stages.

Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis anchor Australia to a powerful total against Ireland

Choosing to bat first, Australia’s innings began with a shock as captain Travis Head was run out for just 7 by a sharp piece of fielding from Ben Calitz. However, the early wicket failed to dampen the Australian aggression. Josh Inglis took charge immediately, playing a whirlwind knock of 37 off just 17 balls, ensuring the Powerplay remained productive. Despite the loss of Cameron Green (21) and Glenn Maxwell (9), Australia’s depth proved to be the difference-maker.

The backbone of the innings was formed by a steady Matt Renshaw, who grinded out 37 runs, and the explosive Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis was the primary aggressor in the latter half of the innings, smashing 45 off 29 deliveries, including four boundaries and two towering sixes. His ability to find the gaps during the middle overs allowed Australia to reach 150 by the 18th over. Late cameos from Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett pushed the total to a formidable 182/6. Ireland’s Mark Adair was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/44, but the Irish attack struggled to contain the sheer variety of the Australian stroke play.

Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa’s bowling masterclass silences Ireland 

Ireland’s chase of 183 got off to a disastrous start. Captain Paul Stirling was forced to retire hurt just one ball into the innings, leaving the middle order exposed. Nathan Ellis, thriving in the humid Colombo conditions, produced a spell for the ages. He struck early and often, removing Ross Adair and Curtis Campher in quick succession. Ellis’s ability to extract pace and bounce from the surface left the Irish top order reeling at 27/4 within the first five overs.

As the match progressed, Adam Zampa turned the screws. The premier leg-spinner was virtually unplayable, bamboozling the Irish batsmen with his subtle variations. Zampa tore through the middle and lower order, finishing with incredible figures of 4/23. He claimed the crucial wicket of Lorcan Tucker (24), who was the only Irish batsman to offer significant resistance. George Dockrell attempted a late charge with a spirited 41, but it was too little, too late.

Ellis returned to polish off the tail, finishing with a stellar 4/24. Ireland was eventually bundled out for 115 in 16.5 overs, falling 67 runs short. The victory not only cements Australia’s dominance in Group B but also provides a massive boost to their Net Run Rate, making them the team to beat as the tournament progresses.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Blow for Ireland as Paul Stirling retires hurt during crucial clash against Australia

Here’s how fans reacted:

𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 🦁🌟: Nathan Ellis Awarded MOTM For his excellent spell against Ireland. He picked 4 wickets for just 12 runs with an economic rate of 3.1. #CSK #IPL2026 #IPL #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/dVVb8xi1DK

— Super Kings Centre (@superkingcentre) February 11, 2026

Nathan Ellis is a bowler tailormade for T20 format. He is simply one of the best short format bowler in the world right now.

He is accurate, he is precise, he has all the variations in the world, he can bowl in powerplay, he can at the death, he is just too good in this format.… pic.twitter.com/6HaGRTBQ52

— Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) February 11, 2026

Dream debut for Nathan Ellis
4 wicket Haul without giving boundery
4-12-3.5 including ( 1 median over )
Won Player of the match 🔥🧨#AUSvsIREpic.twitter.com/dAlXR5Aa46

— 𝑵𝑲𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓 (@Nkumaaaran) February 11, 2026

– 4/12 (3.5 Overs).
– Won POTM Award.

WHAT A BOWLING PERFORMANCE BY NATHAN ELLIS Vs IRELAND IN THIS T20 WORLD CUP. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/04aBv6VgjB

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 11, 2026

Talk about a one-two punch 🌟🔥

Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa combining for 8/35 as Australia bowls Ireland out for 115 🇦🇺#cricket #ICC #T20WorldCup #NathanEllis #AdamZampa #AUSvIRE pic.twitter.com/vfmQoy3Zxe

— Prime Video Sport AUNZ (@pvsportaunz) February 11, 2026

Australia begin their #T20WorldCup campaign with a dominant victory over Ireland 🔥

📝: https://t.co/XyF5850xB5 pic.twitter.com/UBPbPz1HRH

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 11, 2026

Player of the Match: Nathan Ellis#cricket #T20WorldCup2026 #AUSvIRE pic.twitter.com/TTKoKIRtBX

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 11, 2026

Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis has broken the hopes of another full member team – Ireland..
Finally we got the first game of Australia, and as usual – a one sided match..#T20WorldCup2026 #AUSvsIRE 🇦🇺🇮🇪#AUSvIRE 🇦🇺🇮🇪

— Asad (اسد) 🇵🇰 (@Asad_1108) February 11, 2026

AUSTRALIA CRUISE PAST IRELAND BY 67 RUNS 🇦🇺🔥

– Nathan Ellis 4/12 in 3.5 overs, including a maiden & Adam Zampa 4/23 in 4 overs shines for Australia!

Dominant bowling performance seals the win! 🏏#T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/VclKTWwly8

— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) February 11, 2026

🔥 AUSTRALIA WIN BIG IN COLOMBO 🔥

Australia defeat Ireland by 67 runs in the T20 World Cup at Colombo.

Batting heroes 💥
• Josh Inglis
• Matthew Renshaw
• Marcus Stoinis

Bowling finish 🎯
• Nathan Ellis
• Adam Zampa

Clinical performance from the Aussies #AUSvIRE… pic.twitter.com/e3U8jCcixS

— All about Cricket (@CricHitmanThala) February 11, 2026

Also WATCH: Spinner Matthew Humphreys’ 110 kmph thunderbolt destroys Matt Renshaw’s middle stump | T20 World Cup 2026

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Reference #18.34a21ab8.1770849072.12ca075a

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Manas Dhamne has won three ITF titles since turning pro in 2023. (Photo by Special Arrangement)

New Delhi: It was an all Piatti Academy final at the ITF M15 Zahra in Kuwait. On one side was Manas Dhamne and on the other was his coach Riccardo Piatti’s son Rocco. The top-seeded Indian got the job done in straight sets (7-5, 6-3) for his first title of the year and third since turning pro in 2023.Before shifting focus to the ATP 50 Chennai Challenger, which got underway on Monday, it was perfect preparation for Dhamne. He came into the ATP Challenger, a step above in the ladder, having dropped just one set all week in Kuwait.

The outcome, however, wasn’t desirable. He lost 3-6, 2-6 to fourth seed Ilia Simakin in the singles draw and 3-6, 6-2, 8-10 in the doubles alongside Atharva Sharma. But the 18-year-old Dhamne isn’t willing to get bogged down by defeats and focusing on the slow-but-steady climb.“I think this is where the experience of my team really helps me. (Joao) Fonseca is a great player but he is also older then me and way ahead of me still,” he told TimesofIndia.com when asked about seeing the likes of 19-year-old Fonseca get plenty of attention. “I am working on my own progress. The progress is more important than the results. If the progress is good the results will come. If the results will come the ranking will come. It’s as simple as that,” he added.

Manas Dhamne trains at the Piatti Tennis Centre in Bordighera, Italy. (Photo by Special Arrangement)

Dhamne’s training base is in Bordighera, Italy at the Piatti Tennis Center, which has produced the likes of Jannik Sinner, Borna Coric and Ana Bogdan. The lead figure, Ricardo, has coached some of the top players in the world: former World No. 3 Ivan Ljubcic, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, ex-World No. 9 Richard Gasquet, former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and Sinner until 2022. It was in 2018 that he launched the academy which houses multiple budding tennis stars of the future.Dhamne aspires to enter this illustrious list but prefers to keep himself grounded with his team playing a key role.“My team around me is very professional. Riccardo and his team have produced the best players in the world and I am learning from them. Not just in terms of coaching, but also in terms of physical training, mental training, nutrition, etc.,” he explained. “Same with my management team (IMG), they have so much experience in helping players get to the top, I am learning from this every week. So when you ask me about learning curve it is a lot about new experiences…first time I played a 15K, first time I played a Challenger, first time I played an ATP event….all were tough challenges, but this is what I am working on all these days. “One thing is clear, the Pro Tour is tough. Players are very good, mentally never give up, and physically very fit. I am working day in and day out to be there with them,” he continued.

Manas Dhamne, at 18, is the second youngest player in the ATP top-500 rankings. (Photo by Special Arrangement)

For many tennis players, the challenge lies in deciding when to go pro. It is a tricky position that needs delicate balance of going from college/junior level to the upper echelons. For Dhamne, that decision came in 2023 and he made his ATP Tour debut at the Tata Open Maharashtra as a wildcard. Even though he lost, he became the first player born in 2007 to compete in a main draw match on the men’s tennis tour.Now, at 18, Dhamne, at World No. 486, is the second youngest player in the ATP top-500 ranking, behind Diego Dedura of Germany. The learning curve continues for Manas and seeing the best around keeps him motivated.“I have been very lucky to be based at Piatti Academy. Because I am there I have already hit with players like Sinner, (Daniil) Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, (Grigor) Dimitrov, etc. So I have already experienced for a while the incredible level these guys produce. They just don’t miss.”

NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday fully matched Rahul Gandhi‘s aggression on the floor of Lok Sabha, terming his allegation about govt selling out the national interest in the trade agreement with the US a blatant lie, painting him as a leader filled with bitterness and hatred who would go to any extent to harm the country in his attempt to target the ruling alliance. Hitting out at Rahul, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it was Congress govt which surrendered India’s interest before international organisations, including WTO, and “sold” the interest of the poor and farmers. She said the UPA govt had compromised the interest of farmers at Bali on agriculture, and had agreed to the trade facilitation deal, without securing India’s interests. She also referred to the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Statement and accused the Manmohan Singh govt of diluting India’s position on sovereignty and security in its engagement with Pakistan. Reacting angrily to Rahul’s “sellout” charge against PM Narendra Modi, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said no “mai ka laal’ has the audacity to do so and lauded Modi as India’s strongest PM. Rijiju, who stood up to challenge Rahul’s charges against govt and dared him to authenticate his claims, also said that a privilege motion may be brought against the Congress leader for making false allegations. “You are levelling serious charges without any proof. You are making wild allegations. Please make substantive points,” he said. BJP, in any case, would not have let Rahul’s claims go unchallenged. But on Tuesday, it was enthused by a “fact-sheet” issued by the Trump administration which showed that India got better terms than what the bilateral statement suggested. Information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnav took on Rahul for claiming the deal had compromised the ownership of data, saying it was protected under a strong legal regime. Former Anurag Thakur said in Lok Sabha that successive electoral losses had filled Gandhi with hatred. “He hates parliamentary rules, he hates the Speaker, he hates constitutional institutions, he hates the PM and now he has started hating India.” Thakur alleged that it is Rahul, who accused govt of caving in to the US pressure, who is guided by “visible and invisible” foreign players working against India. Rahul raised the issue of “vote chori (vote theft)” whereas the reality is that the people have stopped voting for thieves, he said. BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni offered pointed rebuttal to Rahul’s allegations, accusing him of misquoting and misinterpreting documents, including the budget and agreement with the US, to mislead Parliament and the country. “Rahul has once again chosen theatrics over truth. Deliberately misrepresenting the budget weakens democratic debate and disrespects the intelligence of the people of India,” he said on X.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. As much as the BCCI was at fault in instructing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL team, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was wrong in trying to score a political point by saying they would like to avoid touring India for the T20 World Cup. Further, had BCB, on January 6, conveyed to the ICC that they were refusing to play in India because of a directive from their government and squarely in response to Mustafizur’s release from the IPL, the entire matter would’ve then become a diplomatic issue, with ICC members having no locus standi.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Instead, BCB used “safety concern” as a justification to their demand, which forced the ICC to call for an independent security assessment and gave Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the window for drama. The risk assessment procedures lasted two weeks, following which the ICC had no choice but to call for the members to vote. The ballot was 14-2 against the idea of moving the matches to a neutral venue.

BCB’s pullout under the pretext of security – fueled by all the social media angst – gave PCB an opportunity to play the role of an agitator. PCB took advantage of a scenario that did not involve them and gave way to a controversy that wasn’t. Anybody who has tracked crossborder tensions between India and Pakistan since 1971 will know the ‘why’ of what transpired.It is here that ICC chairman Jay Shah, alongside senior member board representatives in the governing body got together to get the mess resolved. Shah’s office deputed senior ICC office-bearers to conduct talks with the PCB and help them understand what was at stake. The chairman’s office had only one priority – to ensure cricket doesn’t suffer.“Bangladesh’s absence is regrettable. But it does not alter the ICC’s commitment towards them as a core cricket nation. It remains a priority ecosystem and cannot be defined by any short-term disruption,” ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said.As far as Pakistan and the general issue of safety is concerned, we’re talking about a country that no major international cricket-playing nation – including Bangladesh – was agreeing to tour between 2009 and 2022 due to safety fears. During these years, the BCB categorically refused to tour Pakistan. BCB shelved their tour plans in 2012-13.In 2018, once again, Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan was called off for safety reasons. In 2021, a planned series was cancelled after a Dhaka court injunction owing to unease among players and officials.“It’s a bit rich coming from Pakistan that they’re standing in solidarity with a country over a matter that doesn’t concern them. Given the context and their cross-border dispute with India, where’s the surprise? No other member board was party to the stand that PCB took,” say those tracking developments.Why India vs Pakistan was allowed to move to a neutral venue, but India vs Bangladesh wasn’t, is because an India vs Pak game has its own economic value, and summarily put, is the reason why a tournament like Asia Cup even survives. An India vs Australia clash, for separate reasons, falls in the same economic bracket. An India vs Bangladesh doesn’t.Given the unresolvable issues between the neighbours, cricket has only two choices – either to allow the idea of a neutral venue as a long-term exclusive option or to let go of a clash this valuable. This is why, a long-term solution of India not playing in Pakistan and Pakistan not playing in India was agreed upon between the two boards, with the ICC chairman personally green signalling the move.Else, letting go of a clash of such proportions would mean countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan – and even Pakistan – losing out on massive revenues.If anything, the episode taught the subcontinent’s cricketing ecosystem one important lesson – an India vs Bangladesh is not the same as an India vs Pakistan. And that’s the only reason Pakistan are playing India and Bangladesh aren’t.