Former India captain and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar feels that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly wasn't right in airing his views on behalf of national selectors Virat Kohli's captaincy saga which has triggered a controversy.
Ahead of their departure to South Africa, Virat Kohli in a media conference said that no one from BCCI told him not to quit T20 captaincy, contrary to Ganguly's claims that he had spoken to the skipper on the issue.
Vengsarkar said that Ganguly had no business to speak in the matter.
"The thing is that Ganguly had no business to speak on behalf of the selection committee. He is the BCCI president. Any issue about selection or captaincy, it's the chairman of selection committee Chetan Sharma, who should speak," Vengsarkar, a veteran of 116 Tests said on Wednesday.
Earlier, Ganguly, himself a former India captain had said that Kohli's decision to not reconsider giving up T20 captaincy prompted the selectors to go for Rohit as the sole white-ball skipper as two different captains in the two formats would have led to "too much leadership."
"We had requested Virat not to step down as T20 captain but he didn't want to continue as captain. So, the selectors felt that they cannot have two white ball captains in two white-ball formats. That's too much of leadership," the BCCI president had told PTI.
Vengsarkar believes that the prerogative of selecting or dropping any player rests solely with selection committee.
"A captain is selected or removed by the selection committee and that is not Ganguly's jurisdiction at all," said the former Mumbai legendary right-handed batter.
Get ready for a night of non-stop laughter as internationally acclaimed comedian Russell Peters makes his much-anticipated return to the UK with his latest stand-up spectacle — the ‘Relax World Tour’. Taking place in May 2025, the tour will see Peters performing live in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, promising fans fresh material, spontaneous humour, and the unique charm that has made him a global comedy powerhouse.
Russell Peters is one of the most recognisable names in stand-up comedy, celebrated for his observational humour, improvisation, and fearless social commentary. With a career spanning over three decades, he has sold out venues across five continents, broken comedy records, and starred in numerous stand-up specials on major platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime.
What sets Peters apart is his ability to connect with multicultural audiences through relatable stories, playful stereotypes, and crowd interactions that are often the highlight of the night. His comedy cuts across borders, languages, and generations.
The Relax World Tour signals a return to form for Peters — laid-back, unscripted, and wildly entertaining. This new set explores everything from ageing and fatherhood to culture shocks and the absurdities of daily life. Expect the unexpected, as he often tailors jokes to the audience, drawing on real-time interactions and observations.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering him for the first time, Peters’ Relax tour is a must-see event that brings together clever insights, universal humour, and an unmistakable stage presence.
With the world more connected — and stressed — than ever before, the Relax World Tour is a reminder of comedy’s power to unite and heal. Peters has long used humour to explore identity, race, and culture in a way that’s insightful, inclusive, and ultimately, funny. His return to the UK is not just another tour — it’s a cultural event, a shared laugh, and a night you’ll talk about long after the curtain falls.
Tickets are already in high demand, so early booking is highly recommended. You can purchase tickets directly through the official websites of https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/
Follow Russell Peters on social media for exclusive content, tour updates, and sneak peeks into his live performances.
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a live comedy show, especially when it’s delivered by one of the best in the game. Russell Peters’ Relax World Tour offers UK fans a chance to unwind, laugh out loud, and enjoy an evening of unforgettable entertainment.
Mark your calendars for May 2025 — and get ready to relax.
THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured confiscation orders totalling £305,284 from Raheel Mirza, Cameron Vickers and Opeyemi Solaja for their roles in an investment fraud. The orders cover all their remaining assets.
The confiscation proceedings against a fourth defendant, Reuben Akpojaro, have been adjourned.
The FCA said the money will be returned to investors as soon as possible. Failure to pay could lead to imprisonment.
Between June 2016 and January 2020, the defendants cold-called individuals and persuaded them to invest in a shell company.
They claimed to trade client money in binary options, but the funds were used to fund their lifestyles.
In 2023, the four were convicted and sentenced to a combined 24 and a half years.
Steve Smart, executive director, Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA, said: “We are committed to fighting financial crime, including denying criminals their ill-gotten gains. We’ve already successfully prosecuted these individuals for their part in a scam that conned 120 people out of their money. We’re now seeking to recover as much as we can for victims.”
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Aamir Khan and Jr NTR are set to portray Dadasaheb Phalke in two separate biopics
The man who started it all, Dadasaheb Phalke, the pioneer of Indian cinema, is set to be immortalised on screen not once, but twice. In a surprising turn, two major biopics on the "Father of Indian Cinema" are in the works, with Bollywood and Tollywood’s biggest stars stepping into his shoes.
First, reports emerged that Jr NTR will portray Phalke in Made in India, a project backed by RRR director SS Rajamouli. The film, announced last year, will be a pan-India release diving into the birth of Indian cinema. Sources say NTR was instantly drawn to the script, fascinated by lesser-known aspects of Phalke’s journey. The actor, always known for his high-action roles, will take on a more subdued, dramatic part this time.
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But before fans could fully process this news, another bombshell dropped! Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are teaming up for their own take on Phalke’s life. The duo, known for blockbusters like 3 Idiots and PK, has been working on the script for four years, with Phalke’s grandson contributing personal anecdotes. Set against India’s independence movement, the film will highlight Phalke’s struggles and triumphs in creating an industry that now dominates global screens.
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The clash of these two projects has sparked debates: Who will do justice to Phalke’s legacy? While Rajamouli’s vision leans toward grandeur, Hirani’s touch is expected to bring together emotion with humour. Meanwhile, fans are already picking sides: will NTR’s intensity or Aamir’s nuanced acting win over audiences?
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As the two teams prepare to bring this legendary filmmaker’s story to audiences, viewers can look forward to two distinct cinematic portraits of the man who laid the foundation of Indian cinema, each promising a unique perspective on the icon who changed the course of Indian storytelling forever.
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Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said at a Downing Street press conference that the changes were necessary as male prisons in England and Wales are expected to run out of space by November.
THOUSANDS of criminals, including domestic abusers and sexual offenders recalled to prison for breaching licence conditions, will be released after 28 days under new emergency measures to manage the prison capacity crisis.
Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said at a Downing Street press conference that the changes were necessary as male prisons in England and Wales are expected to run out of space by November. “That would lead to a total breakdown of law and order,” she said.
The policy applies to offenders originally sentenced to between one and four years. Terrorists and those assessed by the police, prison and probation services as high risk or those who have committed serious further offences will be excluded, The Times reported.
Mahmood said the change “buys us the time we need to introduce the sentencing that — alongside our record prison building plans — will end the crisis in our prisons for good.”
According to The Times, the number of prison spaces has dropped below 500, with jails operating at 99 per cent capacity. The Ministry of Justice said those being recalled for minor infractions, such as missing appointments or failing to notify changes in circumstances, are clogging up the system. Currently, 13,583 people — 15 per cent of the prison population — are in jail after recall, up from 100 in 1993.
Victims commissioner Baroness Newlove told The Times: “Victims will understandably feel unnerved and bewildered… reducing time served on recall can only place victims and the wider public at an unnecessary risk of harm.”
Domestic abuse commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs said: “You are not sent to prison for four years if you do not pose significant danger… Re-releasing them back into the community after 28 days is simply unacceptable.”
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said Labour was “siding with criminals over the public” and should instead focus on the 17,000 people on remand and deporting the 10,350 foreign criminals in UK prisons.
Amy Rees, interim permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, said failure to enact the measures would be “intolerable” and could force courts to release dangerous offenders on bail due to lack of space.
The policy is expected to create 1,400 places and remain in place until the government’s wider sentencing reforms begin next spring. Construction on three new prisons will begin this year, adding 5,000 places, but the government still faces a projected shortfall of 9,500 by 2028.
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Iconic moments that transformed Eurovision, from ABBA’s dazzling debut to Måneskin’s raw rock rebellion, these performances changed the game forever
The Eurovision Song Contest has never been just about glitter, high notes, and questionable fashion choices. It’s where music collides with the messiness of global politics. Some acts stroll onstage, sing politely, and vanish. Others? They rip the roof off, rewrite the rules, and leave scorch marks on history.
From ABBA’s glitter-drenched revolution to Måneskin’s rock ‘n’ roll swagger, these iconic acts reshaped the contest, searing themselves into the collective memory of millions. Let’s dive into five performances that tore the rulebook to shreds and left the world stunned.
1. ABBA – Waterloo (Sweden, 1974)
The explosion that turned Eurovision into a supernova. ABBA didn’t just win. They hijacked the whole show with sequins, swagger, and a chorus that’s been stuck in humanity’s brain for 50 years. The song was so unstoppable that even Napoleon would’ve surrendered to it. This was a total pop coup. Why it’s legendary? Because Eurovision’s biggest success story began here! ABBA set the bar for every act that followed.
Monsters. Fire. Riffs that could crack concrete. Who would’ve thought that a metal band dressed like monsters would rock the Eurovision stage? When Finland’s nightmare-fuelled rock brigade stormed the stage, half the audience clutched their pearls and the other half lost their minds. Eurovision had never smelt like gasoline and face paint before. It was the first time Eurovision truly embraced heavy metal, and Europe loved it. It was an anthem of rebellion, forcing Eurovision to evolve and Finland’s first win was well earned.
3. Conchita Wurst – Rise Like a Phoenix (Austria, 2014)
Conchita Wurst didn’t just sing, in fact, she soared. In a flowing gown with a beard that dared the world to question its norms, Conchita’s ballad became an anthem for resilience. When the final note faded, it was clear: Conchita had shattered stereotypes, and Eurovision was more inclusive because of it. Eurovision became more than a show that night; it became a revolution.
Leather, sweat, and a smirk that could melt steel. Rock hadn’t felt this raw at Eurovision in years. Måneskin swaggered onto the stage with an unfiltered, unapologetic energy that made everyone sit up and take notice. Gritty, powerful, and defiantly cool, this performance not only won the contest, but also marked a new era, where Eurovision wasn’t just a pop paradise but a space for rock to thrive.
Måneskin - Zitti E Buoni - Italy 🇮🇹 - Grand Final - Eurovision 2021youtu.be
5. Loreen – Euphoria (Sweden, 2012)
Twelve minutes of wind machines and raw euphoria (pun intended). Merging barefoot from the shadows, she captivated audiences with her ethereal vocals and minimalist choreography, all set against a backdrop of strobe lights and falling snow. By the time she finished, Europe was collectively breathless, earning her a landslide victory with 372 points: the second-highest in contest history at the time.
Eurovision isn’t just another song contest. It was a referendum. On war. On freedom. On who gets to be heard. Some acts left with trophies, others left with scars. But every single one proved that when the world’s a dumpster fire, music doesn’t just soundtrack the chaos… it answers it.