Sri Lankan cricket star Maheesh Theekshana and his wife, Arthika Yonali, have shared some joyous news with their fans worldwide. Just a year after their star-studded wedding, the couple took to social media to announce that they are expecting their first child.

The announcement has sent a wave of excitement through the cricketing community, with teammates, fans, and franchises flooding the couple’s social media pages with “congratulations” and well-wishes.

A new chapter for Maheesha Theekshana

The announcement comes at a poignant time for the couple, coinciding with their first wedding anniversary. Maheesh and Arthika tied the knot on January 17, 2025, in a lavish ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo.

Taking to Instagram to share the milestone, the couple posted a series of heartwarming photos. One of the slides featured a glimpse of the ultrasound, confirming that the “mystery spinner” is about to take on his most important role yet: fatherhood.

“Late Christmas, early New Year and the most beautiful surprise to begin our next chapter,” wrote Theeskshana on Instagram.

Also READ: Shardul Thakur and his wife Mittali Parulkar become parents to a baby boy

From the cricket pitch to parenthood

2025 was a whirlwind year for Theekshana. On the field, he cemented his status as one of the world’s premier white-ball spinners, notably claiming a historic ODI hat-trick against New Zealand and making a high-profile move to the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He achieved the No. 1 spot in ICC’s ODI bowler rankings in February 2025. Despite these highlights, his T20I performance for the year saw a high average of 39.20 and an economy rate of 9.76 in the IPL, indicating some struggles with consistency.

Off the field, his partnership with Arthika, a professional cabin crew member, has been a favorite among fans. The couple has often shared snippets of their travels and life together, but this latest “adventure”—as their wedding theme once hinted—is undoubtedly their biggest one yet.

Also READ: Aiden Markram set to become a father; wife Nicole shares baby bump pictures

Mumbai: Greater Mumbai under the BMC’s jurisdiction has recorded the strongest housing market performance in 14 years in 2025. Property registrations between Jan and Dec 2025 touched a high of over 1.5 lakh, while stamp duty collections generated revenue of Rs 13,487 crore.In Dec 2025 alone, 14,447 properties were registered, contributing Rs 1,263 crore to state exchequer. “This translated into a robust 16% year-on-year increase in registrations and an 11% YoY rise in stamp duty collections. On a sequential basis, Dec registrations surged 18% while stamp duty revenues climbed sharply by 22%,” said Knight Frank India.

Dec emerged as the second-strongest month of the year, surpassed only by March, when monthly registrations crossed 15,000 mark. Residential properties accounted for 80% of total registrations in Dec.Shishir Baijal, international partner, chairman and MD, Knight Frank India, said the year “2025 marked a steady and mature phase for Mumbai’s housing market, with property registrations crossing 1.50 lakh, the highest level seen in the past 14 years. This milestone is a strong indicator of the underlying resilience and depth of the market, driven by sustained end-user demand and a far more supportive supply-side ecosystem.” He said, “Rising stamp duty collections reflect a gradual improvement in per unit transaction values. This strength is reinforced by a significant improvement in affordability, with Mumbai now at 47%, a sharp correction from levels where EMIs once consumed as much as 97% of household income.”Homes priced above Rs 5 crore accounted for 7% of total registrations in Dec 2025, up from 6% a year earlier. The less than Rs 1 crore range saw its share decline as affordability challenges weighed on buyer sentiment in this bracket. The Rs 2-5 crore range was stable, while the share of properties worth Rs 1-2 crore rose from 30% in 2024 to 32% in 2025.Properties up to 1,000 square feet continue to lead in registrations in Dec 2025. Units up to 1,000 sq ft contributed 82% of all registrations in line with last year. The 500–1,000 sq ft segment was the most preferred. Larger homes retained a niche base, with 1,000–2,000 sq ft units edging up to 15%, and above 2,000 sq ft 3%. Western and central suburbs account for 85% of total market share in Dec.

Mumbai: At 211, drunk driving cases saw 37% reduction in Mumbai this New Year’s Eve on Wednesday night compared with 333 cases recorded on Dec 31, 2024. The rest of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region also witnessed a decrease in cases—274 recorded in Thane and 250 in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday night (see box). Thane traffic police also booked 12 co-passengers for abetment as they were found accompanying inebriated drivers.“Consistent crackdowns on drunk driving throughout the year and registration of FIRs on offenders since April 2025 has resulted in the decrease in drunk driving cases on New Year’s Eve,” said Anil Kumbhare, joint commissioner of police, traffic, Mumbai.

With the registration of an FIR, the motorist would have to go to a hospital for a medical examination and subsequently to court for trial. It may also impact his employment prospects.Besides drink driving, Mumbai traffic police issued over 13,500 challans, with fines running up to Rs 1.3 crore on Wednesday for other violations such as speeding, not using helmets or seat belts, driving in the wrong direction, signal jumping and speaking on the phone while driving.Under the Thane police commissionerate, Kalyan reported the highest number of cases. A total of 18 traffic units operate under 35 police stations in the region. Acting on directives given by police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre, the traffic department deployed 739 personnel and set up 54 checkpoints across the region to ensure road safety on New Year’s Eve.Both, Mumbai and Thane, had lower drunk driving cases on Dec 31, 2025 compared with figures on Dec 31, 2024, and Dec 31, 2023.Across Navi Mumbai, the police used mascots to create awareness among motorists about the risks of mixing drinking and driving. Around 2,500 cops were deployed to carry out checks at major junctions along Sion-Panvel highway, Thane-Belapur road and Palm Beach Road from 8 pm on Wednesday until 6 am on Thursday, according to police commissioner Milind Bharambe. Out of total 250 drunk driving cases by 16 traffic units in Navi Mumbai, a maximum of 26 cases were recorded in Turbhe and Panvel city each.In Kalyan as well as Navi Mumbai, police cracked down on illegal sale and consumption of alcohol, careless use of inflammable substances in public, drugs consumption and creating obstruction on public streets. In Kalyan, action was also taken against 45 motorists for riding triple-seat and overspeeding.(Inputs by Nitasha Natu, Nishikant Karlikar, George Mendonca & Pradeep Gupta)

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Launch, Route & Fares: The much awaited Vande Bharat sleeper train is all set to be launched soon, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced. The new train will be flagged off by PM Narendra Modi in the next few weeks. Vande Bharat sleeper trains, aimed at providing superior experience to Rajdhani Express trains, are for long-distance overnight travel. The new train has several passenger-friendly features and will offer the fastest rail travel option on any route. What’s special about the Vande Bharat sleeper train? From Vande Bharat sleeper train’s maiden route to ticket prices & features – here are top 10 facts and stunning photos:

Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin (AP)

Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the deadly fire at the bar in Crans-Montana that killed 40 and injured 115 as “one of the worst tragedies” the country has known.A fire broke out shortly after midnight on Thursday during New Year celebrations at Le Constellation, a bar popular with international tourists. Swiss police said nearly 100 people were inside at the time of the blaze.

Speaking after the incident, Parmelin said authorities are investigating “the exact circumstances” of what happened. “We owe it to victims”, their families and all Swiss citizens, he said, as quoted by BBC.He added that flags will be flown at half-mast for five days, stressing that a “tragedy of such a scale” must not happen again.Asked by a journalist whether minors were among those who died, state councillor Stéphane Ganzer said he would not describe the victims as minors, but added, “You can imagine on New Year’s Eve that the population is quite young. We’re talking about a young festive population.”Parmelin said the identification of victims needs to be completed as quickly as possible, but stressed the process is “extremely difficult work” and “is something that will last a long time.”Parmelin thanked countries that offered support in the aftermath of the fire, pointing specifically to neighbouring France, Germany and Italy. He said communications are being established through foreign ministries with the families of foreign victims.Earlier, Parmelin, who took office on January 1, wrote on X, “What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond. The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families and it extends its deepest condolences.”Authorities have cordoned off the area and imposed a no-fly zone as emergency operations continue. Around 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances and 150 responders were deployed to the scene. Officials said emergency operations will continue over the coming days.Officials described the blaze as an “embrasement généralisé,” a firefighting term referring to a sudden and violent ignition caused by combustible gases, similar to what English-speaking firefighters call a flashover or backdraft.Beatrice Pilloud, prosecutor-general of Valais canton, said “currently we are favouring a fire and at no time is there question of any attack,” adding that out of respect for the families she could not provide further details. Police have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Sherfane Rutherford of Pretoria Capitals plays a shot during match 8 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between MI Cape Town (MICT) and The Pretoria Capitals (PC) held at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town , South Africa on the 31st December 2025. (Sportzpics)

New Year’s Eve turned into a night of fireworks for Pretoria Capitals as they registered their first win of SA20 Season 4 with an emphatic 85-run bonus-point victory over MI Cape Town at Newlands on Wednesday.Capitals piled up a daunting 220/5 before skittling the hosts for just 135, with Sherfane Rutherford delivering a sensational all-round performance on a memorable night in Cape Town.

After being put under pressure early, Capitals found themselves wobbling at 36/3 inside the Powerplay, thanks largely to a probing opening spell from a fit-again Kagiso Rabada. However, Shai Hope and Wihan Lubbe steadied the innings with a crucial fourth-wicket stand, arresting the slide with calculated aggression.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Hope struck a composed 45 off 30 balls while Lubbe anchored the recovery with a fluent 60 off 36, ensuring Capitals had a platform to launch from in the death overs. That platform was spectacularly exploited by Sherfane Rutherford and Dewald Brevis.The duo unleashed a breathtaking assault, adding 86 runs in just 27 balls. Rutherford’s unbeaten 47 came off only 15 deliveries and included six towering sixes, while Brevis matched the tempo with a rapid 36 not out from 13 balls. Capitals plundered 92 runs in the final five overs at a staggering run-rate of 18.2.Rutherford’s penultimate over assault on Dewald Pretorius stunned the Newlands crowd, as the West Indian smashed four consecutive sixes, part of a sequence of six maximums in a row across two overs.In reply, MI Cape Town’s hopes rested heavily on openers Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen, who provided a brisk start with a 60-run stand inside the Powerplay. But once both fell in quick succession, the chase unraveled rapidly.

Nicholas Pooran briefly threatened a counterattack, hammering Keshav Maharaj for four sixes in a row during a 25 off six balls. Maharaj, however, had the final say, dismissing Pooran and finishing with figures of 3/28 to break the spine of the middle order.Rutherford capped off a dream evening with career-best bowling figures of 4/24 as MI Cape Town collapsed, sealing a dominant victory for Pretoria Capitals and kickstarting their Season 4 campaign in emphatic fashion.Brief ScoresPretoria Capitals: 220 for 5 in 20 overs (Wihan Lubbe 60, Sherfane Rutherford 47 not out; Kagiso Rabada 2/48) MI Cape Town: 135 all out in 14.5 overs (Ryan Rickelton 33; Sherfane Rutherford 4/24, Keshav Maharaj 3/28)

The Corporate Affairs Ministry has relaxed compliance requirements for company directors by replacing the mandatory annual KYC filing with a simplified requirement once every three years under the Companies Act, 2013, PTI reported.The change follows a review of Rule 12A of the Companies (Appointment & Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, based on recommendations of the High Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms and suggestions received from stakeholders, the ministry said in a release.The amended rules were notified on December 31, 2025, and will come into effect from March 31, 2026.Under the revised framework, directors will be required to submit an abridged KYC intimation once every three years, replacing the existing annual KYC filing requirement.The ministry said a revised KYC form has been introduced, which can be used not only for KYC compliance but also for updating mobile numbers, email addresses and residential addresses, as well as for reactivation of the Director Identification Number (DIN).Verification through a digital signature by the DIN holder or director and certification by a professional will be mandatory only if the KYC form is submitted for updating the mobile number, email address or residential address, it said.The amendment is aimed at providing significant ease of compliance to directors across all companies.All directors who have completed their KYC requirements to date are covered under the new provisions, and their next KYC filing will be due by June 30, 2028, according to the ministry.Directors who have not submitted their KYC forms so far may continue to get their DINs reactivated as per existing provisions until March 31, 2026, it added.

NEW DELHI: “You are a nominated official, but I am an elected representative … ” The Trinamool Congress’s offensive against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has set the stage for an all-out confrontation over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls ahead of upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who led a Trinamool delegation to the Election Commission on Wednesday, accused the CEC of “losing temper” and “raising fingers at party members. Abhishek dared the CEC to respond to his allegations.

“They think that by raising their voice and speaking aggressively, everyone will be silenced. When we started speaking, he began losing his temper. He tried to stop some of us and pointed fingers at me. I then stated that you are a nominated official, but I am an elected representative. You are answerable to your masters, but I am answerable to the masses who elected me, for whom we have come here to ensure that no legitimate voter is deleted from the list... If he has the courage, let him release the footage. I am standing very close to the ECI office,” Abhishek said standing at the gate of the Election Commission office.“Gyanesh Kumar must be hearing what I am saying to the media right now. If he has the courage, he should come down, face the media, and rebut every point I am making, rather than making selective leaks after 8 pm. What is stopping him? Does he think the people of Bengal are his subservient? Apart from two-three questions, he has failed. Does he think the people of Bengal, and we MPs, ministers, and MLAs elected by the people, are bonded labourers or slaves?” the Trinamool MP asked, targeting the CEC.Abhishek Banerjee’s dig on selective leaks referred to the party’s last meeting with the poll body on November 28. The Trinamool leader claimed that they had asked the Election Commission five questions in that meeting, but didn’t receive a single precise answer to any of them. The Trinamool leader had accused the Election Commission of selectively leaking information to some journalists, claiming that they had answered every question. In return, the Election Commission accused the Trinamool of intimidating its electoral staff in the state.The Election Commission (EC) officials said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation was told that intimidation of any electoral staff by ground-level political representatives and workers will not be tolerated and that the West Bengal government should immediately release the enhanced honorarium to each BLO.Draft rolls for West Bengal released by the ECI in December show that 58,20,899 names, about 7.59 per cent of the electorate, have been provisionally deleted due to reasons such as death, permanent migration or untraceability. The Trinamool has raised concerns over the scale of deletions, alleging possible disenfranchisement. Also, around 1.36 crore entries have also been flagged for “logical discrepancies”, while 30 lakh voters were categorised as unmapped – a significant percentage of whom are likely to be called for verification hearings. The timeline for final publication of electoral rolls in the state is February 14, 2026.Abhishek Banerjee questioned the list of “logical discrepancies” made by the EC and accused the poll body of weaponsing the voter list to help the BJP. The TMC leader demanded that the list of voters under the “logical discrepancy” category be published and the methodology and legal authority used to create this category be disclosed. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was a huge “scam” being conducted with the help of artificial intelligence, and has warned that her party will gherao the Election Commission’s office in Delhi if the name of even a single legitimate voter is deleted from the electoral rolls.Trinamool Congress has said that it will not accept the final voter list if it has “discrepancies” and if needed “it would fight it legally.” Clearly SIR, which is already in the centre of a political storm, is set for a rough ride in West Bengal with the Trinamool Congress piling unrelenting pressure on the Election Commission.