Tom Pidcock (Image Via Getty Images)

Two-time Olympic champion Tom Pidcock escaped serious injury after a frightening crash during stage five of the Volta a Catalunya. The British rider fell into a ravine while descending at high speed. The incident left him briefly stranded, as no one immediately realized where he had crashed. Despite the severity of the fall, Pidcock managed to communicate through his race radio. He was later able to rejoin the race.The 26-year-old rider, who was second overall before the stage, showed remarkable resilience. Even after the shocking fall, he got back on his bike and completed the stage. He eventually finished far behind stage winner Jonas Vingegaard, but his ability to continue racing was seen as a major relief. His team later confirmed that early medical checks showed no serious injuries, although further assessments were planned.

Tom Pidcock escapes major injury after dramatic crash

After the race, Tom Pidcock described the crash as a frightening moment that could have ended much worse. While descending, he briefly took his hands off to drink and misjudged a corner. As a result, he failed to brake in time and went straight off the road into a ravine. He explained that it felt like one of the worst types of crashes seen in cycling, but he was fortunate to escape without serious harm.He added that he landed far away from the road, making it difficult for others to notice the accident. Fortunately, he was able to use his race radio to call for help. No one initially knew his location. He later reflected that considering the speed of around 60 km/h, he was lucky to walk away relatively unharmed.Despite the incident, Pidcock showed determination. He remounted his bike and finished the stage, although he lost significant time. His team reported that initial checks did not reveal any major injuries. However, he would still undergo further medical evaluation as a precaution. Pidcock’s well being has been the biggest relief for his team and his fans. The incident came shortly after another serious crash in professional cycling involving Debora Silvestri during the Milan-San Remo. Silvestri suffered multiple injuries after going over a roadside barrier but has since been discharged from hospital and is continuing her recovery at home.

NEW DELHI: Letting a pet dog roam without a leash in public places could become expensive in Delhi, with a penalty set to rise from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000 under proposed amendments to municipal laws.The change is part of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada. The bill seeks to revise penalty provisions under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, with a broader push to rationalise fines and decriminalise minor offences.A number of civic violations are set to see significant increases in penalties. Tethering cattle on public roads and defacing house numbers would also attract fines of Rs 1,000, up from Rs 100 and Rs 50 respectively. Sanitation-related offences, including failing to arrange garbage collection or obstructing municipal officials, would carry fines of Rs 500. Dumping waste or allowing filth to flow into streets would invite penalties of Rs 200.Fireworks that pose a danger would be fined at Rs 500, while the general penalty for violations without a specified fine is proposed to increase from Rs 100 to Rs 500, with a higher daily fine for continuing offences.The bill also tightens rules around building safety. Failing to vacate a dangerous structure when ordered, or occupying a building without a completion certificate, would now attract fines of Rs 1,000, up from Rs 200.At the same time, certain provisions are proposed to be removed or modified. The existing maximum penalty for starting construction without notice will be scrapped, while some offences, such as failing to report births and deaths, will no longer attract fines. Operating a market without a licence would draw a penalty of Rs 2,000.The legislation also seeks to decriminalise select offences. For instance, the provision allowing imprisonment of municipal sweepers for absence without notice will be replaced with a civil penalty of Rs 500.However, some violations will face stricter consequences. Acts such as dumping items on streets, erecting structures that obstruct public ways, or opening roads without permission could lead to imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of Rs 5,000.In a key procedural shift, most violations would be adjudicated by designated municipal officers of at least assistant commissioner rank instead of criminal courts. The bill also proposes a 30-day window for appeals and a six-month deadline for their disposal.

FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC during the ongoing Indian Super League season. (Image: AIFF)

NEW DELHI: London-based Genius Sports has bid Rs 64.39 crore per year, or approximately Rs 2,129 crore over 20 years, for the commercial rights of the Indian Super League (ISL) and Federation Cup. FanCode’s bid for the same properties stands at roughly half of that: Rs 36 crore for the first year, or Rs 1,190 crore over 20 years. These are the two options in front of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the 14 ISL clubs after the tender bids were opened on Friday (March 27).Both stakeholders in Indian football are at different ends over the two bids. Because of the structure of the two bids, the ISL clubs feel FanCode is a better deal, while the AIFF, which is running the league and had invited the bids, finds the Genius Sports offer to be more favourable.

The difference lies in the details of how the commercial rights pool will be allocated between AIFF, clubs and the eventual winner of the tender.

How the revenue will be shared

Under the revenue sharing model proposed in the tender, AIFF will take home a fixed 20 per cent of the amount that the bidder puts in. Thereafter, at the end of the season, 70 per cent of the net revenue will be shared with the AIFF and rest will go to the commercial partner. Of that 70 per cent that AIFF received, 60 per cent will go to the clubs involved.It must also be taken into account that in the case of net losses, they get transferred to the next year. So, the challenge gets compounded for the second year as the challenge of breaking even, let alone making profit, becomes even higher.

File photo of the Indian jersey with the AIFF logo.

Why AIFF want Genius Sports

On the face of it, Genius Sports is the bigger bid and helps the cash-strapped football body. They make money regardless of what happens at the end of a season. However, with the sports tech company putting in Rs 64.39 crore each year, the challenge of bringing that back and more will be higher. In that scenario, clubs will get smaller, if any, share of funds.

Why clubs prefer FanCode

Clubs and the Dream11-owned company both are targeting a long-term approach and a feasible financial structure. Because FanCode will put in Rs 36-plus crore every year, the chances of breaking even and making profit are higher. In that scenario, clubs have the chances of making money although it means AIFF’s direct and immediate share is smaller.

BIDS AND AIFF’S TAKE HOME

1. FanCodeFirst year spend: Rs 36 croreAnnual increments: 5 per centTotal spending over 20 years: Rs 1,190 crore (approximately)AIFF’s share in the first year: Rs 7.2 crore (20 percent)AIFF’s share over 20 years: Rs 238 crore (approximately)2. Genius SportsFirst year spend: Rs 64.39 croreAnnual increments: 5 per centTotal spending over 20 years: Rs 2,129 crore (approximately)AIFF’s share in the first year: Rs 12.87 crore (20 per cent)AIFF’s share over 20 years: Rs 425.80 crore (approximately)

Why invite 15+5 year bids in the first place?

East Bengal vs Mohammedan Sporting during the ongoing ISL season. (Image: AIFF)

In most sports, or even with most brand associations, short term deals are preferred over long term associations. CEAT Tyres has been linked with the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2015, having first come on as ‘strategic timeout’ sponsor for three seasons at a reported Rs 12-15 crore. In 2018, the contract was renewed for five seasons. And by 2024, when it was renewed again, the valuation was at Rs 240 crore for five years or Rs 48 crore a year — a four-time increase in nine years.Returning to Indian football, AIFF are selling rights to their properties for 15-20 years at prevailing rates when the market is not favourable to the sport’s future, considering we’re admist a truncated season that got underway five months late.

Former AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran has advocated for a smaller commercial rights window. (Image: X)

Former AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran made the same arguement on social media. “Indian football deserves a more favorable [sic] commercial roadmap. This 15-20 year deal will make football suffer,” he wrote on X.“The current bids don’t offer the sustainability needed for AIFF or its clubs. “AIFF must avoid long-term traps, limiting partnerships to 2-3 years is essential while the market undervalued (current market for football in India).“Let’s build an ecosystem that actually guarantees revenue distribution where it’s needed most: the clubs,” he continued.Now, the onus is on the ISL clubs, which have been bleeding money already, to discuss and share their views with the AIFF on what the roadmap for the next two decades of Indian football will be. This enormous decision could be taken as early as Sunday when the AIFF Executive Committee are presented with the bid evaluation report.

Candace Owens dismissed viral claims linking her to the hacking of Kash Patel’s personal email, mocking the accusations and calling them baseless. Authorities confirmed the breach was carried out by an Iran-affiliated group, with no impact on classified systems. As misinformation spread online, Owens referenced Alexis Wilkins, highlighting how speculation and conspiracy theories continue to cloud high-profile cyber incidents.

Candace Owens, a podcaster, brushed off a lot of online accusations that she was involved in a cyberattack on Kash Patel. Instead of hurting her reputation, this turned into a moment of public mockery. As rumors spread on social media, Owens responded in her usual blunt way, calling the claims just another chapter in an increasingly complicated political and social media story.The scandal started when officials confirmed that Patel’s personal email had been hacked by a group connected to Iran. Investigators stressed that no classified systems were affected, but the story quickly turned into false information, pulling public figures like Owens into false narratives. Her reaction showed both anger and dismissal at how quickly unproven claims can spread.

Candace Owens invokes Alexis Wilkins as online theories spiral

Owens addressed the allegations directly, writing, “The reaction comes after US authorities confirmed that Patel’s personal email account was compromised in a cyberattack linked to an Iran-affiliated hacking group, which later published alleged personal data and photos.” Her comment was not just a denial but a pointed critique of the rumor cycle itself.She also referenced Alexis Wilkins, a figure already caught in her own web of online controversy. Wilkins has claimed she is the target of a coordinated foreign influence effort aimed at destabilizing political networks linked to former President Donald Trump. Those claims, which have been the subject of a lot of debate and are often called speculative, have only made an already unstable story even more so.Meanwhile, officials confirmed that the Handala Hack Team, a hacking group, was behind the breach and is said to have released personal information to make its point. The attack appeared to be a direct response to recent enforcement actions, where authorities seized parts of the group’s digital infrastructure. Patel himself struck a defiant tone, stating, “We took down four of their operation’s pillars and we’re not done. This FBI will hunt down every actor behind these cowardly death threats and cyberattacks and will bring the full force of American law enforcement down on them.”The episode highlights a familiar pattern. A confirmed cyber incident sparks legitimate concern, but the conversation soon drifts into speculation and finger-pointing. For Owens, the situation became less about the hack itself and more about how quickly narratives can be shaped without evidence.

NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 is just moments away, with the opening match set to be played between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB will be led by Rajat Patidar, while Ishan Kishan will captain SRH.RCB will also wear black armbands during their match against SRH to pay tribute to fans who tragically lost their lives in the stampede outside the venue following the team’s historic title win last year.