The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has raised concerns over possible government interference after the Bangladesh sports ministry formed an investigation committee to examine last year’s board elections.The sports ministry appointed a five-member panel, giving it 15 working days starting March 11 to investigate allegations of “irregularities, manipulation and abuse of power” in the election that resulted in Aminul Islam becoming the BCB president.

However, the cricket board has warned that such actions could raise governance concerns within international cricket.“In this context, the matter has been informally referenced in discussions with senior representatives of the ICC leadership,” the BCB said in a statement.

“It was indicated that developments which could be interpreted as interference in the affairs of a democratically elected cricket board may raise governance concerns within the international cricket framework.”

BCB seeks clarification from sports ministry

The BCB stated that it plans to first seek clarification from the National Sports Council regarding the purpose and implications of the government’s decision before considering any formal communication with the International Cricket Council (ICC).“Given the potential implications for Bangladesh cricket at the international level, the BCB considers it important to address this matter with due care and transparency,” the board said.“Before initiating any formal communication or proceedings with the ICC, the BCB believes it is appropriate to engage directly with the National Sports Council to seek clarification regarding the context, intent, and possible implications of the gazette.”The board also urged authorities to reconsider the investigation.“Accordingly, the BCB has requested the National Sports Council to close this matter in a manner that safeguards the stability, independence, and continued progress of Bangladesh cricket, while also ensuring that the country’s standing within the international cricket community remains fully protected.”

Controversy surrounding the elections

The BCB elections have been surrounded by controversy since they were held last year. Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal withdrew from the election midway, citing concerns over alleged government interference. Questions were also raised soon after the results were announced when the sports ministry had to withdraw its nominated BCB director following revelations about his past political connections on social media.Further tensions emerged when a large group of Dhaka-based cricket clubs, which represent Category-2 voters in BCB elections, declared the current board of directors illegal. The same group also boycotted the 2025-26 Dhaka league season, deepening the governance crisis in Bangladesh cricket.

Ac7ionMan (Image Via Getty)

Streamer Aaron “Ac7ionMan” is once again in trouble online after a short video from his livestream spread quickly on social media. The clip, which started circulating on March 16, 2026, led to strong reactions and confusion among viewers. Soon after, his Kick channel was taken down, and users could no longer access his page.The situation began when an account on X, @clippedhubb, shared a 22-second clip from his IRL stream. The post claimed that Ac7ionMan had “relapsed on fentanyl” after being clean for years. The video quickly went viral, and people started discussing what really happened. However, the streamer later came forward with a different explanation.

Ac7ionMan explains viral video and confirms Kick ban after controversy over alleged relapse claim

After the clip gained attention, Ac7ionMan addressed the situation through posts on X. He denied the claims made in the viral post and said he did not knowingly take anything illegal. Instead, he explained that it was something else.He wrote, “It was an over the counter legal pill. We obviously had no idea it was going to be that strong. My god I don’t remember any of this.” He also added, “I legit had no idea what I was taking or how strong it was, this needs to be banned.”His statement added another layer to the story, as it raised questions about what exactly was taken during the stream. While the viral clip suggested one thing, his response pointed to something very different.On the same day, viewers noticed that his Kick channel was no longer available. When users tried to open it, they saw an error message. This usually happens when a channel is removed or suspended on the platform.Later, another X account, @BestfriendKick, shared screenshots of messages from Ac7ionMan’s Discord. In those messages, he said that Kick had banned him for 14 days. He also mentioned that he was trying to get the suspension reduced.He wrote, “Okay we got banned but I’m working on it getting unbanned right it went super viral so they probably just didn’t want heat. Ban is at 14 days right now I’m trying to get it reduced.”This is not the first time Ac7ionMan has faced action from streaming platforms. In the past, he has been banned multiple times, including a suspension from Kick in 2024. That came shortly after he was banned from Twitch again following an incident during a stream.For now, his Kick account remains suspended. The bigger question is whether he will return after the ban or face further action. The viral clip continues to spread, and people are still debating what really happened in that moment.

Mumbai: The BMC has once again failed to attract any bidders for the desilting of the Mithi river, despite extending the tender deadline.The civic body floated a tender on Feb 28, inviting contractors to undertake desilting of the Mithi. While the original deadline for bids was March 11, it was extended to March 17 in an attempt to draw interested parties. However, officials confirmed that not a single bid has been received even after the extension.Sources within the administration said the deadline may now be pushed further by another week. “If this continues, the work may have to be carried out departmentally,” an official said.The issue was recently flagged at a high-level meeting attended by mayor Ritu Tawde, deputy mayor Sanjay Ghadi, leader of the house Ganesh Khankar, standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde and civic officials. Political leaders have asked the administration to be prepared with a backup plan if contractors continue to stay away.The BMC is even considering allowing contractors without prior desilting experience to participate—an indication of the urgency and limited interest in the project. Officials admitted they have informally reached out to contractors capable of executing the work, but have received no positive response.The proposed desilting is to be carried out in three phases, covering the stretch from Filter Pada to Mahim Creek—work considered critical to prevent flooding during the monsoon.Concerns over poor response surfaced even when the tender was first floated. Last year, contractors abandoned the work midway, and since then, no new players from Mumbai, Thane, or Navi Mumbai have shown willingness to take up the project.Civic officials also pointed out that desilting has increasingly become a politically sensitive and closely scrutinised activity. With elected representatives now actively involved, the pressure on timely execution is expected to be significantly higher this monsoon.Last year, of the three companies awarded a two-year contract for desilting Mithi, two failed to complete the work after getting embroiled in corruption cases and with the arrest of contractors and civic officials. The BMC subsequently foreclosed the contract, blacklisted all three firms, and terminated their contracts, leaving the river-cleaning exercise in limbo.

The streets of Hyderabad erupted in celebration this week as local hero and newly-crowned T20 World Champion, Tilak Varma, made his triumphant return to Telangana. The young batting sensation, who played a pivotal role in India’s dominant ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, was officially honoured by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in a high-profile ceremony that captured the spirit of a grateful state.

India’s 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final was a masterclass in clinical cricket, but for Hyderabadis, the definitive moment remains etched in history: Tilak, stationed at long-on, clutching the winning catch off Abhishek Sharma’s bowling. After traveling from the scenic hills of Mussoorie where he attended the wedding of teammate Kuldeep Yadav, Tilak touched down in his home state to a reception fit for a champion.

T20 World Cup winner Tilak Varma receives grand welcome from CM Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad

Upon his arrival, Tilak was whisked away to meet Chief Minister Reddy, who led a distinguished delegation to honour the southpaw’s achievements. The felicitation was not just a political formality but a star-studded sporting gathering. In attendance were notable figures including former Indian captain and current Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, Minister Vakiti Srihari, and Rajya Sabha member Vem Narender Reddy.

The atmosphere was electric as CM Reddy presented Tilak with traditional honours, recognizing him as a symbol of Telangana’s rising dominance on the global sporting stage. While official discussions regarding a specific cash prize or land allotment customary for World Cup winners in India have not yet been finalized, the Chief Minister emphasized that Tilak’s journey from the local academies of Hyderabad to the pinnacle of world cricket serves as an inspiration to millions of aspiring athletes in the region.

Here’s the video:

Tilak Varma felicitated by Telengana CM Revanth Reddy https://t.co/lZpdzuHIzu

— Aatish Kapoor the oscar winner (@AkashThapa2505) March 17, 2026

Also READ: Captain Shubman Gill reveals Team India’s ultimate goal

The evolution of Tilak as a finisher in T20 World Cup 2026

While many players contributed to India’s 2026 trophy haul, Tilak’s evolution during the tournament was perhaps the most significant tactical shift for the Men in Blue. Initially slated as a classical No. 3 batter, Tilak showcased a rare selfless streak by dropping down the order to balance a top-heavy Indian lineup. This shift turned him into a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for the captain, providing explosive power in the death overs.

His statistics as a lower-order finisher were nothing short of breathtaking:

• Vs Zimbabwe: A blistering 44* off just 16 balls.
• Vs West Indies: A crucial 27 off 15 deliveries.
• Vs England (Semi-final): A high-pressure 21 off 7 balls.
• Strike Rate: An astronomical 227.27 when batting at positions 5, 6, and 7.

By adapting to the team’s needs, Tilak transitioned from a promising stylist to a cold-blooded finisher. His ability to maintain such a high strike rate under the immense pressure of a World Cup knockout stage proved to be the X-factor India had long sought.

Also WATCH: Heartwarming scene as KL Rahul embraces Sanju Samson during BCCI’s Naman Awards tribute to T20 World Cup champions

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Netanyahu mocks death rumours again in new video with US envoy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again mocked online rumours about his death, this time appearing in a new video alongside US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, as conspiracy theories about the Israeli leader continue to circulate on social media amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

New video shows Netanyahu joking about death claims

In the latest video shared by Netanyahu on X, Huckabee is seen walking with the Israeli prime minister through his office and joking that US President Donald Trump had sent him to check on Netanyahu.“Donald Trump wanted me to come and make sure you were ok,” Huckabee says with a laugh.Netanyahu responds: “Yes, Mike, I’m alive.”Huckabee then adds that Trump wanted to make sure “because you guys get along too well.”The Israeli premier continues the joke by taking aim at another viral online claim that recent videos of him were AI-generated.“We shake hands with five fingers in each hand,” Netanyahu says, mocking social media posts that alleged he appeared to have too many fingers in earlier footage.The remark was a direct reference to the so-called “six fingers” conspiracy theory that has been widely shared online in recent days.

Netanyahu also references fresh Israeli strikes

The video was not limited to humour.At one point, Netanyahu pulls out what he describes as a card listing senior Iranian leaders being targeted by Israel.“Today I erased two names on the punch card,” he says, referring to the overnight killings of Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.Praising Washington’s role in the conflict, Netanyahu says: “What the president and US forces are doing is incredible.”He adds that Israel is “very proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder” with the United States in the campaign against Iran, accusing Tehran’s leadership of seeking nuclear weapons and the means to strike “every American city” after “wiping out Israel.”“They ain’t gonna do that,” Netanyahu says. “We’re wiping them out.”Sharing the clip on X, Netanyahu wrote: “Crossing names off the list is good – doing it shoulder to shoulder with our American friends is even better.”He added, “Good to see Ambassador @GovMikeHuckabee. Always a pleasure.”The post appeared aimed at both reinforcing his public presence and projecting close strategic alignment with the Trump administration at a time when misinformation about his condition has been spreading online.

Rumours have swirled for days

This is now the latest in a string of videos Netanyahu has posted to dismiss false claims about his death.The Israeli prime minister on Monday shared another clip of himself outdoors, chatting casually while apparently buying coffee.In that video, when told that some channels were claiming he was dead, Netanyahu quipped: “I am dying for coffee”. That came a day after he posted another video showing both his palms and mocking rumours about his death as well as the “six fingers” claim.“They say I’m what?” Netanyahu had captioned that earlier video.

PM’s Office, Israeli envoy earlier denied claims

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has already rejected the rumours as entirely false.“These are fake news; the prime minister is fine,” the office told Anadolu News when asked about social media posts claiming Netanyahu had been killed in retaliation for recent Israeli and US strikes on Iran.Israeli ambassador to India Reuven Azar dismissed the viral claims during an interaction with reporters in Delhi, saying, “PM Netanyahu is alive. I saw him when I was in Israel more than once. The video at the cafe is not AI-fabricated. A lot of disinformation is being spread.”Azar also accused Iran and its “accomplices” of spreading disinformation, reported TOI.

‘Six fingers’ theory fuelled AI speculation

The “six fingers” rumour appears to have gained traction after Netanyahu posted a video of a press conference on Friday about the conflict involving Israel, the US and Iran.Some social media users claimed the footage was AI-generated, pointing to a moment when Netanyahu raised his hand and appeared, in their view, to have an extra finger.Users described it as a “classic AI finger glitch,” though the Israeli government has flatly rejected the claim.The rumours have spread during a period of heightened regional tension that began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on targets in Iran, triggering a flood of misinformation, manipulated visuals and unverified claims online.

India’s mutual fund industry assets under management (AUM) rose to Rs 82.03 lakh crore in February 2026, registering a 27.1 per cent increase from Rs 64.53 lakh crore a year earlier, according to data released by Franklin Templeton report.The growth was driven largely by sustained inflows into equity-oriented schemes and continued expansion in systematic investment plan (SIP) participation. Equity fund AUM climbed 29.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 35.44 lakh crore, while hybrid fund assets rose 30 per cent to Rs 11.71 lakh crore. Fixed income fund AUM increased 13.5 per cent to Rs 19.65 lakh crore during the same period.Passive investment products continued to gain traction, with passive fund AUM rising 41.3 per cent to Rs 15.24 lakh crore. Their share in total industry assets increased to 19 per cent from 17 per cent a year ago. Within passive funds, domestic equity passive AUM grew 30.2 per cent to Rs 9.78 lakh crore, while commodity-linked products such as gold and silver funds saw sharp expansion. Gold fund AUM surged to Rs 1.83 lakh crore from Rs 0.56 lakh crore, while silver fund AUM increased more than six-fold to Rs 0.92 lakh crore, the report noted.Industry participation metrics also showed steady improvement. Unique investor accounts rose to 6.09 crore in February, reflecting an addition of about 70 lakh investors over the past 12 months. Monthly SIP gross inflows stood at Rs 29,845 crore, up 15 per cent year-on-year, while total SIP AUM climbed 34 per cent to Rs 16.64 lakh crore. SIP assets accounted for about 28.5 per cent of total equity AUM during the month.The total number of SIP accounts increased to 10.45 crore, with 65.72 lakh new accounts registered during February. Aggregate SIP inflows over the last 12 months amounted to Rs 3.43 lakh crore, marking a 21 per cent rise compared with the previous year, the data showed.Individual investors continued to dominate industry participation, accounting for around 60 per cent of total AUM, while institutional investors held the remaining 40 per cent share. Direct plans contributed 49 per cent to total industry assets, up from 47 per cent a year ago.The mutual fund industry has added more than Rs 17.5 lakh crore to its asset base over the past year. Over the last five years, industry AUM has expanded at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 21 per cent, significantly higher than the 11 per cent CAGR recorded in bank deposit growth over the same period.Mutual fund assets were equivalent to about 33 per cent of total bank deposits in February 2026, compared with 29 per cent a year earlier. The number of asset management companies operating in the country also increased to 50 from 43 in the previous year, indicating broader industry expansion.