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  • Bangladesh Announce Squad For ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026

    Bangladesh Announce Squad For ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026

    Dhaka, January 3:
    The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday unveiled its squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026, naming a 15-member team that blends experienced youth campaigners with exciting new talent. The squad selection reflects selectors’ efforts to strike a balance between batting depth, bowling variety, and fielding agility, aiming to make a strong impact on the global stage. Team management said players were chosen based on domestic performances, fitness standards and potential to perform under pressure in varied conditions.

    Among the selections are several standout performers from Bangladesh’s recent youth tournaments, including leading run-scorers and strike bowlers who impressed with consistency and temperament. The squad features promising all-rounders capable of influencing games in multiple facets, while pace and spin departments have been bolstered with bowlers who have shown skill and tactical awareness in high-intensity matches. Coaches emphasised that focused training camps and match simulations have been organised ahead of the tournament to enhance team cohesion and readiness. With the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 drawing near, Bangladesh’s squad announcement has sparked excitement among fans and boosted hopes that the young Tigers will deliver spirited performances and challenge traditional powerhouses in the junior cricket world.

  • Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26: RCB Star Scores Fifty as Arshdeep Singh Leads Punjab’s Charge

    Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26: RCB Star Scores Fifty as Arshdeep Singh Leads Punjab’s Charge

    New Delhi, January 3:
    The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 witnessed an exciting contest on Saturday as a star batter from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a strong impact with a composed half-century, while India pacer Arshdeep Singh delivered a standout bowling performance for Punjab. The match drew attention as several established domestic performers and international stars took the field, underlining the importance of the premier 50-over domestic tournament in shaping India’s limited-overs depth. The RCB-affiliated batter played with confidence and control, anchoring the innings and stabilising his side after early pressure, while rotating the strike effectively and finding boundaries at crucial intervals.

    On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh once again showcased his ability to dominate in white-ball cricket, striking early and maintaining relentless discipline with the new ball for Punjab. His sharp swing and accurate line troubled the opposition batters, resulting in key breakthroughs that tilted the momentum in Punjab’s favour. Arshdeep’s spell not only restricted the scoring rate but also highlighted his growing stature as a dependable limited-overs bowler. As the Vijay Hazare Trophy progresses, performances like these continue to reinforce the tournament’s role as a crucial platform for players eyeing national selection and IPL success.

  • India vs South Africa U19 1st Youth ODI: When And Where To Watch Live Streaming And Telecast

    India vs South Africa U19 1st Youth ODI: When And Where To Watch Live Streaming And Telecast

    Benoni, January 3:
    India Under-19 will begin their Youth ODI series against South Africa Under-19 with the first match scheduled to be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday. The encounter marks the opening fixture of India U19’s tour of South Africa and is expected to offer young talents from both sides an opportunity to showcase their skills at the international youth level. The match is set to start at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled half an hour earlier, as both teams look to gain early momentum in the series.

    Cricket fans in India, however, may face limited viewing options as no official television broadcaster has been announced for the live telecast of the 1st Youth ODI. According to available information, the match will not be shown live on Indian TV channels. Viewers can instead follow the action through live score updates on cricket websites and mobile applications. In some instances, youth international matches are streamed by host boards through digital platforms, and fans are advised to keep an eye on official South African cricket channels for possible online streaming. Despite the absence of confirmed live telecast details, the match has generated interest as it features emerging players who are seen as future prospects for senior national teams.

  • MI Emirates Defeat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders By 7 Wickets, Set Up ILT20 Final Clash With Desert Vipers

    MI Emirates Defeat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders By 7 Wickets, Set Up ILT20 Final Clash With Desert Vipers

    Abu Dhabi, January 3:
    MI Emirates stormed into the final of the International League T20 (ILT20) after registering a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the qualifier clash, delivering a dominant all-round performance under pressure. Chasing a manageable target set by the Knight Riders, MI Emirates displayed composure and intent from the outset, with their top-order batters laying a solid foundation before the middle order ensured a smooth finish. The chase was completed with several overs to spare, underlining MI Emirates’ control over the contest and their growing momentum at the business end of the tournament.

    Earlier, the MI Emirates bowling unit produced a disciplined effort to restrict Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a below-par total. Their bowlers struck at regular intervals, preventing the opposition from building sustained partnerships and applying constant pressure through tight lines and smart variations. Despite brief resistance from the Knight Riders’ middle order, MI Emirates maintained their grip on the match with sharp fielding and well-executed death bowling. With this convincing win, MI Emirates booked a place in the ILT20 final, where they will face Desert Vipers in a high-stakes title showdown, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season.

  • How India’s Richest Civic Body BMC Earns And What It Spends On

    How India’s Richest Civic Body BMC Earns And What It Spends On

    Mumbai, January 3:
    The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), recognised as India’s richest civic body, draws its revenue from a diverse mix of taxes, user charges and non-tax sources that together enable it to fund extensive public services and infrastructure projects. Major streams of income for the BMC include property tax — its largest single revenue source — which is collected from millions of residential and commercial properties across Mumbai. In addition, the civic body levies profession tax, advertisement tax, vehicle entry fees in designated zones and entertainment tax, alongside receiving significant grants and shared tax revenues from the Maharashtra government and the Centre.

    Non-tax revenues also play a crucial role in bolstering the BMC’s coffers, including fees from water supply, building plan approvals, parking charges, rental income from municipal properties and dividends from civic commercial ventures. The BMC has increasingly relied on better digital tracking and compliance measures to improve collection efficiency, leading to improved fiscal health in recent years. Officials said this diversified revenue base is pivotal to financing the corporation’s ambitious annual budget, which runs into tens of thousands of crores of rupees.

    In terms of expenditure, the BMC allocates a substantial portion of its budget to essential services such as solid waste management, road maintenance, public health and sanitation, stormwater drain programmes, water supply infrastructure and civic amenities like street lighting and public parks. Major capital outlays include investments in coastal road projects, metro rail support infrastructure, flood mitigation systems, slum rehabilitation and redevelopment schemes. A significant share is also devoted to employee salaries, pensions, and social welfare programmes, including public health drives and disaster preparedness initiatives.

  • BCCI Directs KKR To Release Mustafizur Rahman Amid Bangladesh–IPL Participation Row

    BCCI Directs KKR To Release Mustafizur Rahman Amid Bangladesh–IPL Participation Row

    Mumbai, January 3:
    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the franchise ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), as tensions escalate between the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over player availability for the tournament. The directive comes amid growing controversy surrounding the participation of Bangladeshi players in the IPL, with the BCB having expressed reservations about releasing its contracted talent during a period that overlaps with key national commitments. The BCCI, asserting its position, has maintained that as per existing player contracts under the IPL framework, franchises have the legal right to secure overseas talent and that clubs should abide by the league’s player release and registration protocols.

    Officials close to the development stated that while the situation has sparked diplomatic cricketing dialogue between the two boards, the IPL’s contractual terms and international cricket calendars must be respected. Mustafizur Rahman, who has been a seasoned performer in various T20 leagues worldwide, was signed by KKR with the expectation of bolstering their pace attack for the upcoming season. However, the BCB’s stance regarding his release — influenced by national scheduling and workload management concerns — prompted the BCCI’s formal intervention, instructing KKR to proceed with his release to uphold IPL regulations. Cricket analysts have pointed out that this conflict highlights broader challenges in balancing franchise league commitments with international duties, especially as global calendars become increasingly congested, and negotiations between boards remain pivotal in resolving such disputes.

  • NASA Shuts Down Largest Research Library at Goddard, Agency Head Clarifies No Scientific Knowledge Is Being Tossed Away

    NASA Shuts Down Largest Research Library at Goddard, Agency Head Clarifies No Scientific Knowledge Is Being Tossed Away

    Washington / Greenbelt, January 3:
    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has officially closed its largest and oldest research library located at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, as part of a broader infrastructure reorganisation and cost-cutting exercise. Established in 1959, the library played a critical role in supporting NASA scientists, engineers and researchers for more than six decades, housing tens of thousands of books, technical manuals, journals and historical documents related to space science missions. The closure comes amid NASA’s plan to shut down several ageing facilities across the Goddard campus by March 2026 to address rising maintenance costs and modernise operations, with a greater shift towards digital access and centralised resources.

    Following public concern and media reports suggesting that valuable books and research materials would be “tossed away,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman issued a strong clarification, stating that such interpretations were misleading. He asserted that NASA is not discarding important scientific or historical knowledge and that all materials are undergoing a structured review process. According to officials, selected collections will be preserved in government archives or transferred to other institutions, while duplicate or outdated materials will be handled in line with federal guidelines. NASA reiterated that the decision reflects evolving research practices and space-efficient management, assuring scientists that access to critical information will remain uninterrupted through digital repositories and collaborative networks.

  • Andhra Pradesh Rings In 2026 With Peaceful New Year Celebrations Across State

    Andhra Pradesh Rings In 2026 With Peaceful New Year Celebrations Across State

    Visakhapatnam / Vijayawada / Tirupati, January 3:
    Andhra Pradesh welcomed the New Year 2026 with peaceful and vibrant celebrations across major cities and towns, as people gathered at temples, beaches, public spaces, and private venues to mark the occasion. Popular locations such as Visakhapatnam’s Beach Road, Vijayawada city centres, and Tirupati witnessed large crowds, with families and youth participating in prayers, cultural programs, and celebrations. Devotees were seen offering special prayers at temples, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being in the year ahead.

    Police officials said elaborate security arrangements were put in place across the state to ensure law and order during the celebrations. Special patrols, traffic management measures, and surveillance were deployed in sensitive and high-footfall areas. Authorities confirmed that celebrations remained largely incident-free, reflecting effective coordination between law enforcement agencies and the public. Officials praised citizens for cooperating with safety guidelines, stating that the peaceful celebrations highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s strong civic sense and festive spirit as the state stepped into the New Year.

  • Indian Railways Introduces Sleeping Pod Facility At Guntur Railway Station

    Indian Railways Introduces Sleeping Pod Facility At Guntur Railway Station

    Guntur, January 3:
    In a major boost to passenger amenities, Indian Railways has introduced modern sleeping pod facilities at Guntur Railway Station, marking a significant step toward improving comfort for travellers in Andhra Pradesh. The newly launched pods are designed to provide safe, hygienic, and affordable resting spaces for passengers waiting for long hours or travelling overnight. Each pod is equipped with essential features such as clean bedding, charging points, ventilation, and secure access, catering especially to budget travellers and solo commuters.

    Railway authorities stated that the initiative is part of a broader modernization drive aimed at transforming major railway stations into passenger-friendly hubs. Officials noted that Guntur was selected due to its strategic location and high passenger footfall. Travellers have responded positively to the facility, saying it offers a convenient alternative to waiting halls and nearby lodges. The Railways also indicated that similar pod facilities may be introduced at other major stations across the state based on passenger response and demand.

  • Andhra Pradesh Schools To Observe Extended Holidays In January 2026

    Andhra Pradesh Schools To Observe Extended Holidays In January 2026

    Amaravati, January 3:
    The Andhra Pradesh government has announced an extended holiday schedule for schools across the state in January 2026, providing students and parents with a significant break during the winter and festival season. According to officials from the School Education Department, the holiday calendar includes a total of 13 days, covering weekends, public holidays, and festival-related breaks. The decision has been taken keeping in mind students’ academic workload, mental well-being, and the need for adequate rest following examinations and continuous classroom activities.

    Education officials clarified that the holiday schedule has been carefully planned to ensure there is no adverse impact on syllabus completion or examination timelines. Schools have been instructed to adjust academic plans accordingly, with teachers expected to ensure smooth continuity of lessons once classes resume. Parents and educators have largely welcomed the move, stating that the extended break will help students recharge and spend quality time with family, while maintaining a balanced academic environment.