Mumbai: The BJP in the BMC opposed the civic administration’s proposal to construct a town hall at the gymkhana grounds near Azad Maidan during the civic standing committee meeting held on Wednesday, and demanded that the site be used to build a new, larger civic hall to address space constraints faced by 232 corporators. This is for the fourth time that the party has opposed the plan.The proposal, prepared by the civic body, was repeatedly placed before the standing committee for approval, but each time was kept on hold. At Wednesday’s meeting, the proposal was sent back to the administration.The plan envisioned a govt-backed town hall, described as a formal civic auditorium designed to host public dialogue. The project was also conceived as a tourist attraction, featuring a glass dome and a viewing gallery offering panoramic views of the surrounding heritage precinct. A rooftop cafeteria was part of the proposal.To remain in harmony with the heritage character of the area, the structure’s height was planned to be proportionate, ensuring it does not obstruct the visibility or aesthetics of nearby historic landmarks. Therefore, a ground-plus-four-storey building that would house the Town Hall, along with restaurants, and would be accessible to the general public.During discussions, BJP leader in the BMC Ganesh Khankar objected to the plan, arguing that the prime location opposite the BMC headquarters should be reserved for a full-fledged municipal hall. Khankar said the current civic house was inadequate, forcing corporators to function in cramped conditions, with limited seating for even civic officials and journalists attending.“The administration should withdraw this proposal and prioritise a new civic house instead. I’m not saying that a town hall plan should be scrapped, but the administration should try to see how to accommodate both,” he said, adding that this proposal shouldn’t be brought before the committee again unless changes as suggested are made in the plans.Standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde of the BJP also said that the administration was bound to make a plan that benefits everyone.With the proposal referred back, officials said they would need to appoint a consultant to suggest how the changes could be accommodated. “A corporation hall needs to be made in a manner that the seating is circular so that everyone can see the presiding officer speaking,” said an official.

Moment Air Canada flight collides with the fire truck

Air Canada plane colliding with the fire truck

Moment Air Canada flight collides with the fire truck

Air Canada plane colliding with the fire truck

Moment Air Canada flight collides with the fire truck

Footage has surfaced capturing the exact moment an Air Canada flight collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, an incident that left both the pilot and co-pilot dead and several others injured.Also Read | Who was Antoine Forest? One of 2 Air Canada pilots killed in LaGuardia plane crash identifiedThe video shows the truck crossing the tarmac just as the aircraft slammed into it.“Oh God!” a person—likely watching the CCTV footage—is heard saying in the background.Moments before the collision, an air traffic controller can be heard urgently instructing the fire truck to stop over airport communications.Also Read | ‘Stop, stop, stop!’: Cockpit audio captures final moments between pilot, co-pilot before Air Canada crash kills bothAround 20 minutes later, the controller appeared to take responsibility, saying, “We were dealing with an emergency earlier. I messed up.”The truck had been cleared to enter the runway to check on a United Airlines aircraft that had reported an odour onboard.There were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada, according to the airline. The flight originated from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.Also Read | Is LaGuardia Airport open? Hundreds of flights disrupted after fatal runway collision in New YorkAbout 40 passengers and crew members, along with two people from the fire truck, were taken to hospitals, some with serious injuries. Most were released by Monday morning, authorities said.The pilot and co-pilot who died were both based in Canada, said Kathryn Garcia, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia. It was the 19th busiest airport in the US in 2024, with over 16.7 million passengers boarding there, according to a 2025 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) database.FAA statistics show there were 1,636 runway incursions last year.LaGuardia will remain closed until at least early Monday afternoon (US local time) during the investigation, which is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board. Canada has also sent a team of investigators.(With AP inputs)

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approaches, all eyes are on the Wankhede Stadium. Following a triumphant T20 World Cup 2026 campaign where India clinched the title, the domestic spotlight shifts to the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI). Amidst the tactical buzz, former India opener and domestic legend Wasim Jaffer has shared his specialized Playing XII prediction, offering a fascinating blueprint for Hardik Pandya’s men.

Wasim Jaffer names his ideal Mumbai Indians lineup for IPL 2026

The most striking aspect of Jaffer’s prediction is the structural overhaul of the top order. While Rohit Sharma remains the undisputed cornerstone, Jaffer suggests a spoilt for choice scenario for the opening partner, pitting the explosive Ryan Rickelton against the returning club legend Quinton de Kock. De Kock, reacquired in the 2026 auction for a bargain price of 1 Crore, brings a nostalgic yet potent left-right combination back to the MI fold.

However, the real talking point lies in the middle order. Jaffer has slotted Suryakumar Yadav at his preferred No. 3, but has made a decisive call to promote skipper Hardik Pandya to No. 4. While Pandya featured at this spot only once in the 2025 season, Jaffer points to his successful stint with Gujarat Titans, where he amassed his highest run-tally at this position.

Surprisingly, Jaffer’s combination excludes England’s in-form sensation Will Jacks. Instead, he opts for a more balanced overseas quartet featuring Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, and Trent Boult, alongside one of the wicket-keeper openers. This lineup emphasizes depth and versatility, especially with Santner providing a much-needed left-arm spin option on the Wankhede tracks.

Also READ: Former CSK star picks his ideal playing XI of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2026

Hardik Pandya’s vision for MI in IPL 2026

The upcoming season is more than just a quest for a trophy for Pandya; it’s a mission for redemption and building a legacy. After a rollercoaster 2024 and 2025, MI enters the 2026 campaign with a renewed sense of purpose. Speaking ahead of the season opener, Pandya highlighted his desire to return to the MI Way, a culture of backing players and relentless hard work.

“The ultimate dream is to win the IPL for the sixth time. I want us to represent the best cricket Mumbai Indians have ever played,” Pandya stated via Cricbuzz.

The franchise has been inconsistent since their 2020 title, but the addition of experienced campaigners like Deepak Chahar and the retention of the Jasprit Bumrah- Boult pace duo makes them formidable. With young talents like Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir rounding out the XI, the balance looks primed for high-octane T20 cricket.

Mumbai Indians will kick off their IPL 2026 journey on Sunday, March 29, in a high-stakes encounter against the Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium.

Jaffer’s predicted MI XII for IPL 2026:

Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton/Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.

Also READ: Will Jasprit Bumrah miss IPL 2026? MI star’s CoE visit raises questions

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday named Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, as its candidate from Panihati in its third list of nominees for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, formally bringing the bereaved mother into the electoral fray.In a press release, the party said its Central Election Committee had approved a third list of 19 candidates for the Assembly polls, with Ratna Debnath fielded from Assembly constituency number 111, Panihati.Her candidature had been widely speculated in recent days after she publicly expressed willingness to contest on a BJP ticket. As per the BJP’s official list released on Wednesday, that possibility has now been formalised.

Move follows her public call to enter politics

Earlier, Ratna Debnath had said she wanted to contest the election to “secure justice” for her daughter and fight for women’s safety in West Bengal.“A long time has passed since the brutal killing of my daughter. Despite prolonged movements and struggle, we are yet to get justice. I have decided to contest the election on a BJP ticket to secure justice for her,” she had said the previous week.Her husband had also indicated that preliminary talks had taken place with BJP leaders over her possible candidature and said she was prepared to enter politics directly over the justice issue.

Political and protest backlash had followed

Ratna Debnath’s demand had triggered sharp reactions from some faces associated with the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest movement that had emerged after the RG Kar case, with several activists and public figures calling the decision “unfortunate” and expressing concern over the political turn,Some protest voices said they understood the family’s frustration over delayed justice but questioned the decision to join electoral politics. Others said the prolonged wait for accountability may have pushed the family towards a more direct political route.The BJP’s official announcement on Wednesday, however, confirms that the party has gone ahead with her candidature from Panihati.

BJP’s third list features 19 names

Apart from Ratna Debnath in Panihati, the BJP’s third list includes candidates for constituencies such as Coochbehar Dakshin, Raiganj (SC), Islampur, Hemtabad (SC), English Bazar, Santipur, Howrah Madhya, Uttarpara, Singur, Chandannagar, Chunchura, Haripal, Tamluk, Medinipur, Purbasthali Dakshin, Katwa, Saithia (SC) and Nalhati, as per the party’s release.Ratna Debnath’s candidature is likely to draw significant political attention in the coming days, given the emotional weight of the RG Kar case and the wider debate it had sparked around women’s safety and justice in West Bengal.

NEW DELHI: Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday named India pacer Navdeep Saini as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana.Saini has played 2 Tests, 8 ODIs, and 11 T20Is for India.TimeofIndia.com was the first to report that Harshit has been ruled out of the season due to a knee injury that he had sustained ahead of the T20 World Cup.Later, Harshit Rana was seen on crutches at the BCCI Naman Awards.Rana, who sustained a ligament strain in his right knee injury during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa, is currently undergoing rehabilitation.The pacer had pulled up after delivering just one over in that game and was subsequently ruled out of the T20 World Cup following surgery. He was replaced by Mohammed Siraj, who played one match (against the USA) during India’s title-winning campaign.KKR are grappling with multiple fitness concerns. Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been nursing a calf strain sustained during the T20 World Cup, which had initially not been expected to affect his IPL availability.KKR are also without left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman after the BCCI instructed it to release the Bangladeshi player amid strained geopolitical relations between India and Bangladesh earlier this year.The franchise has since signed Zimbabwe quick Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement. Muzarabani opted out of his Pakistan Super League stint with Islamabad United as he is set to join the squad here Tuesday.KKR’s other pace options include Vaibhav Arora, Saurabh Dubey (came as a replacement of Akash Deep), Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, and all-rounders Cameron Green and Ramandeep Singh.KKR will begin their campaign against Mumbai Indians in an away fixture on March 29, before hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in the opening phase of the tournament.

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told leaders at the all-party meeting that India does not see itself as a “dalaal” (broker) like Pakistan, amid growing reports of mediation efforts in the ongoing Iran conflict, news agency PTI reported quoting sources.The remarks came as multiple countries, including Pakistan, Turkey have stepped up efforts to act as intermediaries between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.