NEW DELHI: Canada has told Air India that one of its pilots was found tipsy just before operating a flight on Dec 23, 2025, violating the country’s laws, and that the airline should investigate the case and inform it of action taken by Jan 26, 2026.Transport Canada sent this communication to AI a day after the pilot failed the breathalyser (BA) test and asked it to take “corrective action” under its safety management system “to prevent any such recurrence”. This was first reported by TOI on Jan 1.Taking a serious view of the matter, AI has sought details of the BA test from Canada, including the level of alcohol found in the test, and has informed DGCA.“We were advised by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Captain *** reported for duty on Air India Fight AI 186 on Dec 23, 2025, while under the influence of alcohol, and unfit for duty. Two BA tests conducted by the RCMP at Vancouver International Airport confirmed this after he was advised to leave the aircraft. This incident indicates a contravention of Canadian Aviation Regulations by the operator (AI) and the crew member... as well as conditions outlined in Air India’s Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC 1946) issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). It is likely that enforcement action will be pursued by the RCMP, and by TCCA,” says a Dec 24 letter from Transport Canada to AI.One of the conditions in AI’s FAOC violated is that “foreign air operator shall conduct a safe operation”.Due to closure of Pakistan airspace after Operation Sindoor, AI North America ultra long hauls now make a midway fuelling stop. AI 186 was to be operated by two sets of pilots – a captain and co-pilot in each set – from Vancouver to Vienna. From the Austrian capital, another set would have flown it to Delhi.“This pilot, who had a layover in Vienna, was reportedly buying alcohol from Vancouver Duty Free… The pilot was boarding from Canada and alighting in Austria, both foreign stations where most probably no BA checks would have been conducted. However a staffer at duty free smelt alcohol on his breath and informed police. Using CCTV, the police traced him to the AI flight ,” said sources.Pilots don’t have alcohol at least 12 hours before flying. “In case someone has not been able to do so, they should refuse to operate a flight on medical grounds. Refusing the flight will save your job, your licence, and your career,” said a senior captain.In a statement on Wednesday, AI had said: “AI 186 from Vancouver to Delhi on Dec 23, 2025 experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot’s fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry.”

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NEW DELHI: Medical aspirants seeking postgraduate admissions will get a wider choice this year after the National Medical Commission (NMC) approved 171 additional PG seats across medical colleges and directed counselling authorities to include them without waiting for formal permissions. According to a public notice, the 171 additional seats span key clinical and diagnostic specialties, including general medicine, general surgery, anaesthesiology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, psychiatry, orthopaedics, respiratory medicine and pathology. Colleges across multiple states – including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Haryana – have received additional seats under the appeal process. In a notice issued on Dec 31, 2025, NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board said postgraduate seats granted by the First Appeal Committee for the 2025-26 academic year will be treated as valid for the counselling process. Counselling authorities have been told they need not wait for letters of permission (LoPs) from individual institutions to proceed. The additional seats were approved after medical colleges challenged earlier MARB decisions under provisions of NMC Act, 2019. These appeals were examined by the First Appeal Committee in meetings held on Dec 22 and 23, following which extra seats were sanctioned. The commission clarified that the list uploaded on the NMC website would itself serve as the valid document for counselling, ensuring that eligible PG seats are not lost due to administrative delays. Formal LoPs for the newly sanctioned seats, it said, will be issued shortly. Officials said the move is aimed at maximising seat utilisation while retaining regulatory oversight through the appeal mechanism. State medical education departments and counselling authorities have been instructed to act on the decision immediately. For thousands of PG aspirants, the approval offers additional opportunities at a time when competition for postgraduate medical seats remains intense.

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2025 turned out to be a landmark year for Smriti Mandhana both professionally and personally. On November 2, she etched her name in history as the Indian women’s cricket team lifted the World Cup for the first time, a moment that made the entire nation proud. Around the same time, her pre-wedding shenanigans with music composer Palaash Muchhal had captured public attention, with the couple scheduled to tie the knot on November 23, 2025. However, the much-talked-about wedding was eventually called off, amid massive speculations, marking a dramatic turn in what had seemed like a fairytale year.

Year-end recap with a cryptic message

As 2025 drew to a close, Smriti Mandhana took to Instagram on December 31 to share a recap video of the year gone by. The video featured glimpses of her World Cup-winning celebrations, cherished moments with her family, and snippets from her fitness routine. What stood out, however, was the quote she chose to end the video with—a line attributed to Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita.

The quote read, “DAY 12 Of daily Bhagavad Gita ‘Before something great happens to you, everything falls apart. So just wait.’ – Lord Krishna.”The message immediately caught attention, with many seeing it as a reflection of the emotional ups and downs she experienced over the year.

Confirming the wedding cancellation

Earlier, on December 7, 2025, Smriti had confirmed through an Instagram Story that her wedding to Palaash Muchhal had been called off. Addressing the speculation around her personal life, she wrote, “Over the past few weeks, there has been plenty of speculation around my life, and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time. I am a very private person, and I would like to keep it that way, but I need to clarify that the wedding is called off.”She further appealed for privacy, adding, “I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I request you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace.”In the same note, the Indian vice-captain underlined where her priorities lie. “I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all, and for me, that has always been representing my country at the highest level. I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible, and that is where my focus will forever be. Thank you for all your support. It’s time to move forward.”

From dream proposal to public scrutiny

Smriti and Palaash’s relationship had been in the spotlight just weeks earlier, from a dreamy proposal at the DY Patil Stadium—where she had lifted the World Cup—to their mehendi and sangeet ceremonies. The wedding, scheduled to take place in Smriti’s hometown of Sangli, was initially postponed after her father Shrinivas Mandhana was hospitalised. Soon after, allegations and speculation surrounding Palaash Muchhal surfaced, further intensifying public scrutiny. Eventually, both Smriti and Palaash addressed the situation separately, bringing an end to the chapter.

The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 once again lived up to its reputation for high-octane entertainment as Melbourne Renegades took on Sydney Sixers in Match 18 at the Docklands Stadium. While the Sixers eventually cruised to a six-wicket victory, the contest was lit up by a jaw-dropping moment in the field, with Renegades all-rounder Hassan Khan pulling off a sensational catch to dismiss Sixers skipper Moises Henriques.

Competitive total for Melbourne Renegades

Batting first after Sydney Sixers opted to bowl, Melbourne Renegades posted a competitive 164/9 from their 20 overs. Josh Brown provided early fireworks with a blistering 43 off just 19 balls, while Jake Fraser-McGurk and Hassan added vital middle-order contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking.

However, the Sixers’ bowlers struck at regular intervals to prevent Melbourne from gaining full control. Sean Abbott led the attack with an excellent spell, while Jack Edwards and Hayden Kerr chipped in with key wickets, ensuring the Renegades were kept to a chaseable total on a good batting surface.

Hassan Khan takes a splendid catch

The standout moment of the match came on the final ball of the 14th over during Sydney Sixers’ chase. Gurinder Sandhu delivered a full ball outside off stump, and Henriques shuffled across in an attempt to scoop the ball over the leg side. The shot was mistimed and went high into the air, seemingly heading towards safety.

What followed left everyone stunned. Hassan, positioned deeper at mid-wicket, sprinted a long distance across to his left, judged the ball perfectly, and slid full length to complete an extraordinary two-handed catch just above the turf. The athletic effort drew loud applause from the crowd and instant admiration from teammates and opponents alike.

Here’s the video:

That is OUTSTANDING 😮🔥 Hassan Khan takes a screamer in full flight! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/FlldlVfQP4

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 1, 2026

Also WATCH: Tanveer Sangha takes a sensational diving catch to dismiss Josh Inglis in BBL|15

Sixers finish chase despite Renegades’ fight

Despite the brilliance in the field, Sydney Sixers remained in control of the chase. Babar Azam anchored the innings with a composed half-century, while Joel Davies provided the finishing touch with an aggressive unbeaten cameo. The Sixers eventually reached 168/4 in 19.1 overs to seal a comfortable win.

Also READ: BBL|15: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam star in Sydney Sixers’ thrilling win over Melbourne Renegades

Mitchell Marsh (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Australian selectors have named a spin-heavy squad as the defending champions gear up for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.The 2021 champions, announced on Thursday, have opted not to include a left-arm pacer following Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20 Internationals. Starc, who stepped away from the format late last year, had missed just one of the past six ICC T20 events.

The biggest surprise in the squad is Cooper Connolly, who has not featured in any of Australia’s last 12 T20 Internationals.Australia will begin their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11, before facing Zimbabwe at the same venue on February 13. They then travel to Kandy for group-stage fixtures against Sri Lanka on February 16 and Oman on February 20.Pat Cummins’ participation in the tournament remains uncertain, with a scan on his back scheduled later this month set to determine his availability. Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, meanwhile, are both working their way back from hamstring injuries.Under ICC regulations, teams are permitted to make changes to their squads until January 31.Australia will play a three-match T20I series against Pakistan later this month as part of their preparation.All of Australia’s group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka, though the side will travel to India for at least part of the Super Eights stage should they progress.Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa