Mustafizur Rahman (Image credit: BCB)

NEW DELHI: In addition to seeking a shift of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup league matches from India to Sri Lanka over “concerns about players’ safety” following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL on BCCI instructions, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also been asked to suspend the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh.Government adviser Asif Nazrul said he has requested the adviser to Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry to ensure that the IPL broadcast in the country is halted.

“I have requested the adviser for Information and Broadcasting to ensure that the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh is also suspended.“Under no circumstances will we tolerate any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers, or Bangladesh itself. The days of servitude are over,” he said.There is a sense of disbelief within BCB circles over how the situation escalated, particularly after India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka.“The BCB announced the schedule for India’s tour of Bangladesh because there was a sense of positivity but now we need to get an official confirmation from the Indian board as to why Mustafizur’s contract was cancelled,” a BCB source told PTI on condition of anonymity.“Till now BCCI hasn’t communicated anything to BCB officially. Only after official communication will BCB decide further course of action,” the source added.The Shah Rukh Khan co-owned IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released the Bangladesh left-arm pacer — bought for Rs 9.20 crore after a bidding war at last month’s auction in Abu Dhabi — in line with the BCCI’s diktat.BCB president and former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public comment after an emergency board meeting convened in the wake of the development.However, Asif Nazrul reiterated that he has instructed the board to approach the Jay Shah-led ICC to shift Bangladesh’s four league matches — three scheduled in Kolkata and one in Mumbai — to Sri Lanka.“As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC,” Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.“The board must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play the World Cup.“I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead,” he further wrote.Bangladesh’s four league fixtures are against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9) and England (February 14) in Kolkata, followed by their final group match against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.A BCCI source, however, insisted that such a shift is virtually impossible with just a month remaining before the tournament.“You can’t just change games at someone’s whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked.“Also on all days there are three games each which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done,” the source said.India’s arch-rival Pakistan is already playing its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as part of an understanding reached months ago.Meanwhile, Indo-Bangladesh relations have deteriorated sharply following the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August last year after anti-government protests.She was later sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal for her alleged role in a deadly crackdown during the agitation in which several students were killed.While the BCCI did not explicitly cite the prevailing political situation as the reason for seeking Rahman’s release, it indicated that the decision was triggered by recent developments.Hindus have been targeted in violent attacks since Hasina’s ouster.

Mustafizur Rahman (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been directed by the country’s sports ministry to seek a shift of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup league matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing “concerns about players’ safety” following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL on BCCI instructions.The Shah Rukh Khan co-owned IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released the Bangladesh left-arm pacer — bought for Rs 9.20 crore after a bidding war at last month’s auction in Abu Dhabi — in line with the BCCI’s diktat.

BCB president and former Bangladesh skipper Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public comment after an emergency board meeting held in the wake of the development.However, government adviser Asif Nazrul said he has instructed the board to approach the Jay Shah-led ICC to shift Bangladesh’s four league matches — three scheduled in Kolkata and one in Mumbai — to Sri Lanka.“As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC,” Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.“The board must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play the World Cup.“I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead,” he further wrote.Bangladesh’s four league fixtures are against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9) and England (February 14) in Kolkata, followed by their final group match against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.A BCCI source, however, maintained that such a shift is virtually impossible with just a month remaining before the tournament.“You can’t just change games at someone’s whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked.“Also on all days there are three games each which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done,” the source said.India’s arch-rival Pakistan are already playing their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as part of an understanding reached months ago.Meanwhile, Indo-Bangladesh relations have deteriorated sharply following the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August last year after anti-government protests.She was later sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal for her alleged role in a deadly crackdown during the agitation in which several students were killed.While the BCCI did not explicitly cite the prevailing political situation as the reason for seeking Rahman’s release, it indicated that the decision was triggered by recent developments.Hindus have been targeted in violent attacks since Hasina’s ouster.

Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday condemned the US military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.The socialist democrat called it an “act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”At a news conference, Mamdani said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump by phone to voice his opposition to the military operation and the attempt to change Venezuela’s government.Mamdani said: “I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act and to make clear that it was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal international law and a desire to see that be consistent each and every day. I registered my opposition, I made it clear and we left it at that.”US President Trump had announced the capture earlier in the day, describing it as a “large scale strike” following months of US assaults on suspected drug vessels allegedly tied to the Venezuelan regime in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. The Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning the attack, describing it as an “attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a ‘regime change,’ in alliance with the fascist oligarchy.”Mamdani later took to X to highlight the potential impact on New Yorkers, particularly the city’s tens of thousands of Venezuelan residents. “This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” he said.The mayor is a democratic socialist who shares some policy similarities with Maduro, including a focus on redistributing wealth. Mamdani has campaigned on taxing the wealthy and corporations to fund public services, while Maduro redistributed wealth through oil revenues and state control of resources. However, Venezuelan socialism has involved nationalisation and centralised control, contributing to economic collapse and authoritarian practices, unlike Mamdani’s localised policy agenda focused on public housing, childcare, transit and city-owned grocery stores, according to Fox News.

NEW DELHI: India has barred the use of power banks to charge portable electronic devices inflight. Charging power banks by plugging them to in-seat power supply systems that airlines provide is also no longer allowed.Permitted only in hand bags, flyers are no longer supposed to keep power banks and batteries in overhead bins. This comes after instances of lithium batteries catching fire mid-flight.DGCA recently issued a ‘dangerous goods advisory circular’ to minimise risks from lithium battery-powered devices carried by passengers and crew members.The regulator has directed airlines to make inflight announcements regarding the new rules. Passengers need to “immediately inform cabin crew if any device emits heat, smoke or an unusual odour”, the rules say, adding that airlines must “promptly report all safety issues and occurrences related to lithium battery incidents to DGCA”. Some other countries and airlines, including Emirates and Singapore Airlines, had issued similar restrictions for the same reason last year.Aviation experts warn that airlines should strictly implement the one-hand-bag-per-passenger rule in wake of this new fear. The reason: While batteries and power banks are not allowed in check-in bags, airlines very often take hand bags — which have portable electronic devices (PEDs) and power banks — at boarding gates or aerobridgesfrom passengers and keep them in the belly of aircraft, as overhead bins are full.“This defeats the purpose of not allowing batteries in check-in bags. A battery catching fire in baggage hold, remaining undetected and then spreading can have serious consequences. The issue of how much cabin bags flyers carry onboard needs to be tackled either by airlines on their own. And if they can’t do so, rules need to be in place to ensure lithium batteries do not make it to baggage hold,” said a senior pilot.The new DGCA circular says: “The widespread usage of lithium batteries in various rechargeable devices has led to an increase in carriage of lithium batteries by air. Power banks, portable chargers, and similar devices containing lithium batteries can act as ignition sources and potentially initiate on-board fires. Lithium batteries placed in overhead stowage bins or within carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crew members. This may result in delayed detection of smoke or fire and response actions, increasing the potential hazard to flight safety.”Lithium battery fires are very “energetic” and can cause PEDs to explode. “A lithium battery fire can be started by uncontrolled heating, overcharging, crushing or internal short circuit triggered by poor manufacturing quality, aged batteries or damage due to mishandling. Unlike other fires, lithium battery fires may be self-sustaining and require special methods to handle. The general preventive measures to minimise risks of lithium battery fire may include minimising possibilities of heating of devices; early detection in case of fire; and reinforcement of effectiveness of firefighting procedures,” it adds.

NEW DELHI: After pushing organisation cohesion and laying out BJP’s agenda in West Bengal, home minister Amit Shah will be in another poll-bound state Tamil Nadu for two days from Sunday to give shape to the party’s strategy, where it is a junior partner to AIADMK, but will have to play a key role in guiding the alliance that faces a host of knotty issues.Shah’s schedule includes attending the closing ceremony of a state-wide yatra in Pudukkottai – which was led by BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran and has championed Tamil pride to counter the governing DMK-led alliance’s projection of the party as an organisation arraigned against the state’s values; presiding over a meeting of key BJP leaders and attending Pongal celebration.Sources said key BJP allies, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, may also meet Shah.His visit to the southern state is expected to push efforts for NDA’s expansion, which has hit roadblocks. While PMK, a BJP ally in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls when AIADMK had fought separately, has split into two factions, one led by its founder S Ramadoss and the other by his son Anbumani Ramadoss, another prospective ally DMDK, founded by actor Vijayakant and now headed by his widow Premallatha Vijayakant, is yet to finalise its stand.That BJP and Palaniswami, known as EPS, do not see eye to eye on the course the alliance must take to put up a strong contest against the DMK-Congress-Left alliance amid emergence of popular actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has succeeded in draw a few regional satraps, especially from AIADMK, to its fold.While BJP is believed to be a votary of former AIADMK functionaries like O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, who either quit or were expelled from the party due to their differences with EPS, returning to their parent party to project a picture of organisational unity and revival, EPS remains wary of welcoming them back, apprehending that they may challenge his grip over AIADMK.Union minister Piyush Goyal was in Tamil Nadu recently after being appointed as BJP’s election in-charge of the state and met EPS, NDA functionaries from the state are of the view that it will require Shah to step in and reach out to current and prospective allies to expand NDA. With his proven political skills and electoral track record, Shah has the authority and mojo to get them around to joining ranks for defeating DMK, which someone like EPS may lack despite AIADMK being the senior partner as his party has struggled to challenge CM M K Stalin.BJP brass will also need to bring its own house in order as its former president Annamalai, popular among the core BJP supporters, has been lying low and, at times, skipped key meetings.

Joel Embiid injury update (Image via NBA)

Joel Embiid is expected to be available when the Philadelphia 76ers face the New York Knicks on January 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. He is listed as probable due to right knee injury management, but his recent right ankle sprain no longer appears on the injury report. That change points to improved health as Philadelphia looks to build on recent wins.The matchup carries added attention because Embiid has not played at Madison Square Garden since the 2024 playoffs. With the Sixers finding some rhythm and Embiid logging steady minutes, Saturday night presents a chance for both the player and the team to measure where they stand entering the heart of the season.

Joel Embiid’s injury status heading into MSG on January 3 vs the New York Knicks

Joel Embiid has dealt with ongoing knee management throughout the season, the same issue that limited him for long stretches last year. Despite that, he has been able to stay on the floor recently, and Saturday would be his third game in five days.The removal of the ankle sprain from the report is a key development. It suggests the Sixers are more concerned with managing workload than reacting to a new setback. The team is expected to monitor his minutes, but there is confidence he will play.

Joel Embiid’s Recent form shows consistency

Across his last six games, Embiid is averaging 29.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks in about 33 minutes per night. Those numbers reflect steady production rather than short bursts.Philadelphia has benefited from that stretch, snapping a three-game losing streak and winning back-to-back games. In a recent overtime victory, Embiid finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds, controlling the paint late.

Philadelphia 76ers injury report vs the Knicks

• Joel Embiid: Probable (right knee injury management) • Kelly Oubre Jr.: Out (left knee sprain), sidelined since mid-November • Trendon Watford: Out (left adductor strain), continuing his recovery from a late-November injuryThe Sixers enter the game with a relatively short injury list compared to earlier in the season.

Knicks’ situation and matchup context

New York is coming off a 111-99 loss to Atlanta, shooting 37.1 percent from the field. The Knicks are dealing with several question marks, including Karl-Anthony Towns (illness), Josh Hart (ankle), and Mitchell Robinson (knee).Also read: Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks regular season game: Full injury report, who’s out, where to watch, and more (January 3, 2026)If New York’s frontcourt remains thin, Philadelphia could lean heavily on Embiid inside while Tyrese Maxey applies pressure on the perimeter. With Embiid likely available, the Sixers hold a clear advantage in the paint, setting up a meaningful test at Madison Square Garden.

AGRA: Almost 20 days after a multi-vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway that claimed 19 lives, the fate of two victims—a woman passenger and a bus conductor—remains unresolved, with no physical remains conclusively traced to either of them despite extensive forensic examination. The Mathura administration has now constituted a five-member committee to probe the circumstances surrounding their deaths.The accident occurred in the early hours of Dec 16 near Milestone 127 under Baldev police station, when more than a dozen vehicles, including several buses, rammed into each other amid dense fog and caught fire. Eighteen people were burnt alive, while another succumbed to injuries at SN Medical College, Agra. Around 100 others were injured.Most bodies were charred beyond recognition. Police managed to recover 18 sets of burnt remains and carried out DNA profiling by matching samples provided by victims’ families at forensic laboratories in Agra and Lucknow. While 19 victims were officially identified, DNA samples of two missing persons—Parvati, a resident of Hamirpur, and Bholu, a bus conductor from Dholpur—did not match any of the recovered remains.Officials said Parvati was travelling by bus to Noida with her two children—Prachi (8) and Sunny (12)—to meet her husband when the pile-up occurred. After the collision, the bus caught fire, trapping passengers inside.As flames spread rapidly, Parvati broke the bus window and pushed both Prachi and Sunny out to safety. Recounting the moments before the fire spread, Prachi told TOI that their mother asked them to get down from the bus, saying, “You get down, I am getting down too.” While the children managed to escape, flames surrounded Parvati. “We kept screaming outside, but couldn’t save our mother,” Prachi said.Similarly, Bholu has also not been traced since the accident. His sister, Sitara, told TOI that he was on one of the buses that caught fire. “Where else could he have gone?” she said.With unanswered questions surrounding the two deaths, the Mathura administration on Friday constituted a five-member committee, headed by a magistrate-level officer, with representatives from the police, transport and health departments, to examine why their remains could not be recovered.Mathura DM CP Singh said on Saturday, “Based on DNA analysis and scientific examination, the charred bodies recovered were handed over to families. We remain in constant touch with the families of the two missing victims. I am sure things will be clear in the coming days.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going into a crucial Week 18 game with their playoff chances on the line. One of the main doubts for fans has been whether or not star wide receiver Mike Evans will be able to participate. The positive news comes at a very important time for Tampa Bay after a season full of uncertainties.

Mike Evans’ injury status

Yes, the Buccaneers expect Mike Evans to play this week. Even though he missed a practice session earlier in the week, the team made it clear that the absence was just a day off for a veteran and not because of a new injury. Evans was fully involved earlier in the week, which means he is physically fit to play.After a tough 2025 season in which Evans had to deal with a lot of injuries, including a hamstring problem and a broken collarbone, the Buccaneers have been careful with his workload. Those setbacks kept him from playing as much as he wanted, but when he is on the field, Evans still looks like Tampa Bay’s most reliable offensive weapon.

What Mike Evans’ availability means for Tampa Bay

The time of Evans’ return is quite critical. The Buccaneers’ game against the Carolina Panthers is a high-stakes one that could make or break their season. If they win, Tampa Bay will still be in the running for the playoffs. If they lose, their chances of making the playoffs will be almost over.Evans is a reliable red-zone target and a proven deep threat for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Evans has proved that he still works well with Mayfield, even if he hasn’t played much this season. Since coming back from his collarbone injury, he has been routinely targeted and has made big plays, including touchdowns in two straight games.Evans is 32 years old and firmly in the veteran stage of his career. The Buccaneers have made it clear that his health is their first priority. Experienced stars across the league now use strategic recovery days, especially during weeks when they have to win. Tampa Bay’s way of doing things shows confidence, not worry.Evans himself has said that missing games made him remember how much he loves football. This has led to speculation that he could keep playing after this season, even if there are still rumors that he would retire. But for now, the main goal is still to assist the Buccaneers get through Week 18.Evans is likely to start and play his normal role in the Buccaneers’ offense unless anything goes wrong at the last minute. Tampa Bay will likely rely on him a lot at first, especially when the stakes are high. He can spread the field and get the defense’s attention, which might also give other receivers chances.Also Read: NFL playoff format explained: Everything you need to know

Inside operation Absolute Resolve

The United States revealed new details of the covert military mission that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with senior officials describing an operation of unprecedented scale and precision involving more than 150 aircraft across the Western Hemisphere.According to General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the mission, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, was carried out “during the darkest hours of January 2nd” and was the result of months of planning, rehearsals and interagency coordination.He said that President Trump gave a go-ahead for the mission at 10:46pm (ET).He described it as “an audacious operation that only the United States could do”, stressing that it integrated air, ground, maritime, space and intelligence capabilities on a scale rarely seen.“The Force included F-22s, F-35s, F-18s, EA-18s, E-2s, B-1 bombers, and other support aircraft, as well as numerous remotely piloted drones,” he said.“We arrived at Maduro’s compound at 1:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, or 2:01 a.m. Caracas local time, and the apprehension force descended into Maduro’s compound and moved with speed, precision and discipline towards their objective and isolated the area to ensure the safety and security of the ground force,” Caine added.Caine said the operation relied on the combined efforts of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and guardians working alongside intelligence agencies and law enforcement partners. “We watched, we waited, we prepared, we remained patient and professional,” he said, adding that the mission drew on decades of experience in complex joint operations and counter-terrorism efforts. Intelligence support from agencies including the CIA, NSA and NGA was described as critical to its success.At the core of the mission was an exceptionally precise extraction plan. “An extraction so precise it involved more than 150 aircraft launching across the Western Hemisphere in close coordination, all coming together in time and place to layer effects for a single purpose,” Caine said. That purpose was “to get an interdiction force into downtown Caracas while maintaining the element of tactical surprise”. He warned that failure by any single component “would have endangered the entire mission”, adding that “failure is never an option for America’s joint force”.President Donald Trump praised the military’s role, calling the operation one of “breathtaking speed, power, precision and competence”. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago club and later in interviews with Fox News, Trump said the raid took place under cover of darkness, claiming that “the lights of Caracas were largely turned off”. “It was dark and it was deadly,” he said, adding: “No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved yesterday.”Trump said Maduro had been “highly guarded” inside a palace “like a fortress”, and that US forces had rehearsed the raid on a full-scale replica of the building. He said troops were prepared to breach reinforced rooms using “massive blowtorches”, but that Maduro failed to reach a secure space in time. The assault, according to Trump, lasted less than 30 minutes, with at least seven explosions reported across the capital.Venezuelan officials said civilians and members of the military were killed, though no figures were provided. Trump said only “a couple of guys were hit” on the US side, adding that no American personnel were killed and no equipment was lost. General Caine said those involved in the operation “were willing to give their lives for those on the ground and in the helicopters”.Following the capture, Trump said the United States would assume control of Venezuela in the immediate aftermath. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he said, though he offered no timetable. The Justice Department later confirmed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face narco-terrorism charges in the United States.