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High voter turnout in Telangana local body polls, Congress claims 90 pc sweep
Hyderabad: Over 84 per cent of eligible voters exercised their franchise in the first phase of Gram Panchayat elections in Telangana on Thursday, the State Election Commission (SEC) said. Claiming a decisive victory, the ruling partys state unit president B Mahesh Kumar Goud said Congress-backed candidates won more than 90 per cent of the seats Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
2nd T20I: Unchanged India Elect To Bowl First; South Africa Bring In Reeza, Baartman And Linde
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: An unchanged India have won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Thursday. The stadium is hosting its first mens international cricket match and becomes the 55th venue in India to join this bandwagon. India are currently leading the five-game series 1-0, and a win on Thursday will help them make it 2-0. This has always been a wonderful ground. When we played here during franchise cricket, and recently saw a womens game also happen here, it was wonderful, and it's the first mens game, I heard, that's happening here -- international, so very excited for it. Im sure the crowd are also excited. Its really important for the boys to understand their responsibilities and see what the team demands in that situation. They batted perfectly, looking at the situation. 175 on that wicket was a little over par. The way we bowled, I think it was a lovely effort, said India skipper Suryakumar Yadav. He also heaped praise on seam bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandyas match-winning efforts in the first T20I in Cuttack. The balance that he (Hardik Pandya) provides in the team is amazing. The way he batted, the way he keeps calm on the ground when hes batting, when its a pressure situation. The way he bowled also, I think thats more important. His overs are also really important for the side. The way he carried himself throughout the game, it didnt look like he was injured, added Suryakumar. South Africa captain Aiden Markram said Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje have been replaced by Reeza Hendricks, Ottniel Baartman, and George Linde in the Proteas playing eleven. We would have fielded. Looks like a good wicket. Not a lot of international games here, but I hope to get a good score and put them under pressure. We have to make peace with the fact that we can have nights like the first game, and hope to make a better effort today. We'll get feedback on scores after a few overs, not thought of it now, he said. Playing XIs: We would have fielded. Looks like a good wicket. Not a lot of international games here, but I hope to get a good score and put them under pressure. We have to make peace with the fact that we can have nights like the first game, and hope to make a better effort today. We'll get feedback on scores after a few overs, not thought of it now, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (capt), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman Article Source: IANS
PGTI launches franchise-based professional golf league
PGTI has brought in experienced administrators to steer the league. Veteran sports administrator Amrit Mathur will serve as Commissioner of 72 The League. Amitabh Kant, PGTI board member, and Joy Bhattacharjya, senior advisor for strategy and expansion at Game of Life Sports, will also contribute to the initiative.
The Mumbai Indians: Aakash Chopra shared his opinion on the Mumbai Indians strategy for the recent auction for the Womens Premier League (WPL), stating that the franchise remained firm in its ideology and philosophy and tried its best to retain its core, without trying to fix what is not broken. The WPL 2026 auction reaffirmed the Mumbai Indians belief in stability over sweeping overhaul, as the defending champions walked away with a squad that looks strikingly similar to last seasons title-winning unit. Rather than chasing dramatic restructuring, MI focused on retaining its trusted core and making precise, need-based additions, an approach that drew praise from JioHotstars panel of experts. Former India captain Mithali Raj underlined the franchises clarity in bolstering its bowling unit while preserving the foundation that has served it so well. The Mumbai Indians have done well in their bowling department. They have brought in top-quality seamers like Nikola Carey and Milly Illingworth, Raj said, speaking on JioHotstar. She also highlighted MIs enviable player availability record, stating, Their other main players may not have a direct replacement. But as we witnessed in the last three seasons, their main players have not missed any matches. Maybe they were rested when the team was in a good position, but they have not missed games due to injury. Hopefully, the next seasons will be the same for MI. Aakash Chopra echoed the sentiment, pointing out that MIs minimal tinkering is deliberate rather than conservative. The Mumbai Indians have kept almost everything the same. Only one keeper has changed. They played with Yastika Bhatia for three years. Now Gunalan Kamalini or someone else will come in her place. That is the only thing to look at. The rest is pretty much the same, he said. According to him, the franchises long-standing philosophy remains intact. They are still following their philosophy, even after the big auction. Why fix what is not broken? And if something is broken, then we will fix it again. They follow that philosophy and ideology, and it is right in front of us, he noted. Chopra added that managing continuity after a mega auction is an accomplishment in itself. It is very difficult to keep the same squad after a mega auction. After a big auction, you cannot always keep your main players. Winning makes the next auction the most difficult, because you do not want to change anything, but change is almost mandatory. Despite that, if you can keep your eleven players from last year, or your core, and no main player is missing, that is a huge achievement. It is almost impossible. But the Mumbai Indians have proved that nothing is impossible. Their squad is exactly the same as last year, with only minor changes. MI are certainly moving in the right direction to win their third WPL title, he explained. Saba Karim, too, emphasised that MIs disciplined approach came from knowing exactly whom they needed and why, stating that once those priorities were secured, MI shifted to supplementary talent. Despite that, if you can keep your eleven players from last year, or your core, and no main player is missing, that is a huge achievement. It is almost impossible. But the Mumbai Indians have proved that nothing is impossible. Their squad is exactly the same as last year, with only minor changes. MI are certainly moving in the right direction to win their third WPL title, he explained. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With their proven match-winners retained, their core untouched, and targeted reinforcements in place, the Mumbai Indians appear poised for another formidable title push. If continuity breeds success, MI may once again be setting the blueprint for building and sustaining a WPL dynasty. Article Source: IANS
The Centre has adopted a franchise-led model for the operation of JAKs and targeted 25,000 new centres by March 2027. There were 16,912 JAKs opened across the country, including 1480 in Karnataka, till June 30, 2025.
NIA raids house in Hazaribagh over suspected terror links
RANCHI: Amid the investigation into the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday raided the residence of a suspected terrorist, Shahnawaz Alam. The raids were conducted by a joint team of NIA and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in Ansar Nagar, under the Pelawal police station area in Hazaribagh. According to sources, this action was taken based on information provided by a doctor who was previously arrested by the NIA. This operation is being conducted as part of an investigation into the network linked to suspected terrorist Shahnawaz Alam , who was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in October 2023. The team is reportedly questioning people inside the house. Besides NIA and ATS, additional police forces have been deployed in the area. Officials refrained from sharing any information, looking at the sensitive nature of the operation. Meanwhile, the NIA team has recovered a printing machine from the house. The NIA believes that some kind of documents, posters or objectionable material were being printed there. Shahnawaz Alam, originally hailing from Hazaribagh, was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in October 2023. Investigators suspect that his network may have tentacles in Jharkhand, making Thursdays raid strategically significant. Investigators are also revisiting the background of Shahnawaz, who had earlier been jailed in 2019 for robbery and theft. After securing bail in December 2020, he allegedly came into contact with ISIS handlers, eventually becoming a crucial figure in the Pune module case. Officials suspect that individuals associated with Shahnawaz may still be active in Jharkhand. Reportedly, Shahnawaz Alam alias Safiuzzama had received terrorist training in the forests of Pune. Based on fresh intelligence received in this case, the NIA team has raided his residences in Hazaribagh.
Ahmed talks about Anil and Nana's absence from Welcome 3
Filmmaker Ahmed Khan addresses Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar's absence from 'Welcome to the Jungle'. He noted, I didnt direct Baaghi 4; others handled sequels like Anees Bazmee with Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Franchises evolve beyond originals, shifting to army theme for freshness, avoiding slapstickserious visuals with absurd dialogue.
IPL franchises expand beyond cricket with cafs and sports bars to build year-round brands
IPL franchises are expanding their commercial strategies beyond the cricket season by venturing into physical fan touchpoints like cafs and sports bars. This move aims to build sustainable, year-round businesses and deepen fan loyalty, mirroring global sports club models. While digital remains key, these offline formats foster community and brand engagement throughout the year.
'28 Years Later III' is happening; Cillian Murphy may return
Sony Pictures is moving ahead with a third installment of the popular zombie horror franchise, 28 Years Later, reported Deadline.
Thiruvananthapuram native flies out from Australia to cast vote
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: How far will you go for a vote-- a few kilometres, a ten-minute drive? Meet Arya Sasidharan, who travelled for over 32 hours, all the way from Australia to Thiruvananthapuram to cast her vote in the local body election. Arya, who made the trip with the sole aim of exercising her franchise on Tuesday early morning, will return to Australia next Monday to continue her Geology PhD studies at James Cook University in Queensland. Initially, I was a bit sad that I couldnt be here for the elections, but when situations turned favourable, I took an impulsive decision two days before the election, Arya, who is a voter from the Mudavanmugal ward of the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, said. Flight charges were the only concern she had, but the moment her husband noted that the charges dropped for a brief time, there was nothing else to think about. Multiple layovers, five airports and a tiring jet lag later, Arya landed in her hometown, much to the surprise of her parents. I made up a story to convince my parents, and hence they were flabbergasted to see me upon opening the door, Arya said. We may have our differences with political parties, but we should never let go of our biggest right in a democratic country for that cause. People say that the country is not developing enough, but how else will the country move forward if we refrain from voting too, she asked. Aryas question remains valid in a society where at least some youngsters find apolitical stands to be cool and who dont mind leaving their native country for better living conditions.
Romeo Lane opened 6 UP outlets in 3 years, all through franchises
PS Plus Game Catalog additions for December include Assassin's Creed Mirage
Sony just announced December's Game Catalog additions for PS Plus subscribers and it's a pretty decent lineup. All of these titles will be ready to play on December 16, except Skate Story which is already available . Speaking of Skate Story , it's a really weird skateboarding sim that's set in a glass-covered world. The reviews have been positive , with many people praising the outlandish story, surreal locations and the satisfying trick mechanics. It's made by Sam Eng, who was behind the indie shooter Zarvot . This new game is only available for PS5 subscribers. Assassin's Creed Mirage will be available for both PS4 and PS5 players. This is the mainline entry from 2023 and it's actually really fun . It boasts a back to basics design that old-school fans of the franchise should appreciate. Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a 3D action RPG that started its life as a mobile game . However, this particular RPG features music compositions from Nobuo Uematsu and art direction from Hideo Minaba. Both worked together on some games in a mom-and-pop franchise called Final Fantasy. This console port will be playable on PS4 and PS5 Cat Quest III is a simple action RPG starring, well, cats (and dogs.) This one brings open world tomfoolery to a land teeming with islands, so expect plenty of pirate puns. I enjoyed the first two, as the gameplay loop is pretty addictive and the quests are fun. It'll be available on PS4 and PS5. Other forthcoming games include Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty , Lego Horizon Adventures , Paw Patrol: Grand Prix and Planet Coaster 2 . Sony is also offering a holiday promotion in which new annual PS Plus subscribers receive download credits for movies. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/ps-plus-game-catalog-additions-for-december-include-assassins-creed-mirage-193731745.html?src=rss
IPL 2026: Daniel Vettori Wants To Miss Ashes Test Preparation To Be In Abu Dhabi For Auction
Indian Premier League: With the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 set to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, Australia will be missing their assistant coach during the Ashes series with England, as he will be flying to India to be with his franchise for the auction. Daniel Vettori, who is also the coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, will miss the preparations for the third Test of the Ashes series because of the IPL auction. According to a report in Cricbuzz, the former New Zealand captain has sought permission from Cricket Australia (CA) to travel to Abu Dhabi in the middle of the Ashes. Australia is currently leading the series 2-0, winning the second Test recently. The Australian public will also have its focus on the IPL auction, with many current and former Australian players involved in the IPL. Cameron Green, who is expected to garner a lot of attention in this auction, tops the list of 19 Australians, with Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, and Beau Webster being the other prominent names. A total of 350 players are set to feature in the IPL 2026 mini auction on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, as the BCCI revealed the Player Auction list for the 2026 season on Tuesday. A total of 1390 players registered for the Player Auction, out of which 350 players were shortlisted. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian, and 110 are from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Franchises will compete for 77 available slots overall, including 31 spots reserved for overseas players. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian, and 110 are from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Earlier, a total of 173 players were retained across teams, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. Article Source: IANS
IPL mini auction 2026: Team-wise retentions, releases, purses and slots explained
IPL teams have finalized their player lists for the upcoming mini-auction. A total of 237.55 crore rupees is available across all franchises. Teams will use this budget to fill 77 open slots. Kolkata Knight Riders have a large budget for a major rebuild. Mumbai Indians face purse constraints and need to target value.
You'd Be Foolish To Treat ILT20 As A Warm-up For T20 World Cup, Says DC All-rounder Neesham
T20 World Cup: James Neesham, the New Zealand seam-bowling all-rounder currently turning out for Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 *(ILT20), said the ongoing tournament cant be viewed as a warm-up for next years T20 World Cup, stressing that the mega event in India and Sri Lanka will pose challenges entirely different from the UAE conditions. In 93 T20Is for New Zealand, Neesham has amassed 1010 runs and grabbed 56 wickets. Look, I think everyone nowadays is playing cricket around the world pretty much year-round. So, you don't put too much emphasis on one tournament over another. I think India and Sri Lanka will be very different conditions from what they are over here. So we'll have to prepare for that tournament as best we can when that moment comes. But I think you'd be foolish to treat the ILT20 as, I suppose, a warm-up series for the World Cup because they're obviously two very unique prospects, Neesham told IANS in an exclusive conversation from Dubai. Neesham, a long-time globetrotter in T20 leagues, said his first stint in the ILT20 so far has been a unique one. It's obviously a unique tournament with the number of overseas players that are playing in each team. It's a high-quality product. I have come from Nepal, where there are only three or four overseas players in the team and six or seven locals. Then you come here, and there are only two locals and nine overseas. So, it's a different makeup. It brings high-quality cricket to the table. I think we're going to continue to see some very high-quality players over the next month or so, he said. Seeing Dubai Capitals, the defending champions, get their first win of the ongoing competition has been immensely helpful. Obviously, it's good to get our first win of the season. Rovman (Powell) and Coxsey (Jordan Cox) obviously batted incredibly well to get a good total, and the guys all bowled well as well. So, the mood in the camp is good. We've got a couple of good training days ahead of us before our next game is on Saturday. In the last few years, power-hitting has become a defining skill in modern T20 cricket batting, and Neesham stated that the scope of an anchor batter is now wiped out. Obviously, the game has become more aggressive, I think, over the last few years. I think the role of an anchor batter sort of batting through in an innings is almost extinct now. Most teams have set themselves up to be aggressive from the top, bat deep, and try to finish games off. So, it's an important part of the game to be able to clear the rope, and hopefully we can continue to do that over this series and bat other teams out of the game. Modern-day cricket has become significantly more demanding for fast bowlers, with workload and injury risks rising due to the overlap of international cricket and franchise leagues. Neesham opined that fast bowlers will soon be forced to choose between playing formats and urged the ICC to find a balance between scheduling international games and franchise leagues. I think fast bowlers basically just can't play all three formats. I don't think that can happen. So, guys are going to have to choose earlier than they would in the future. I think one day cricket is obviously the format that is going to fall by the wayside, I guess, with Test cricket being the most valuable format of the game and T20 being the biggest earner, he added. Modern-day cricket has become significantly more demanding for fast bowlers, with workload and injury risks rising due to the overlap of international cricket and franchise leagues. Neesham opined that fast bowlers will soon be forced to choose between playing formats and urged the ICC to find a balance between scheduling international games and franchise leagues. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Neesham signed off by hoping he can manage his playing schedule fairly well. Obviously, that'll be different for different individuals. So, for me, I'm 35 years old now, and I've been around the block a fair bit. So I'm pretty resilient when it comes to the physical demands of the game. So, hopefully that can continue for the next few years. Article Source: IANS
Jharkhand government announces proposal to rename Lok Bhawans after Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanu
RANCHI: In a significant move, Jharkhand Government has made a proposal in the Assembly to name the Lok Bhawan in Ranchi as Birsa Munda Bhawan after the tribal icon, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and the Lok Bhawan in Dumka after Santhal rebellion, Sido-Kanu Murmu. The proposal was made by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radhakrishna Kishore in the Assembly on Wednesday. The minister announced in the House that Ranchi's main Raj Bhavan will be named as Birsa Bhavan, and Dumka's Raj Bhavan will be called Sido-Kanu Bhavan. I propose that the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi be renamed Birsa Bhawan after Birsa Munda, and the Raj Bhavan in Dumka be renamed Sido-Kanhu Bhawan after Sido-Kanu Murmu, said Kishore in Jharkhand Assembly. Notably, the Raj Bhavan in Jharkhand was officially renamed Lok Bhavan on December 3, as part of a nationwide initiative to shed colonial-era titles. According to Kishore, the Lok Bhavan is state government property, under Article 154 of the Constitution, the executive power of the state rests with the Governor, so his office is also part of the state. The state government has full authority to name the property, said the minister. The BJP has criticised the decision, arguing that Governor Houses across the countrynot just in Jharkhandhave been renamed as Lok Bhawan. The party also accused the ruling alliance of creating unnecessary political controversy over the matter. Where were the leaders of the ruling alliance when Birsa Mundas recognition was limited only to Jharkhand? It was the BJP-led government at the Centre that brought Birsa Munda national prominence. This is nothing but petty politics. Instead of indulging in such trivial issues, they should focus on constructive governance, said state BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha. Notably, the central government on December 3 had ordered that all Raj Bhavans across the country to be renamed Lok Bhavan. Lok Bhavan in Ranchi is spread over 52 acres of land, which also includes Audrey House, built in 10 acres. Its foundation was laid in 1930 and it was completed in March 1931 at a cost of just Rs 7 lakh.
New bridge, old roads on mind, Thiruvananthapuram's tribal belt casts votes
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tribespeople of Thodumala ward in Thiruvananthapuram's Amboori grama panchayat are grateful to the government for the Kumbichal bridge. The newly-opened, but yet-to-be-inaugurated bridge has significantly cut down the travel time of the residents of the ward's 11 tribal settlements and also reduced their dependency on boats their lone mode of transport until now. However, as the capital's tribal belts cast their votes in the local body elections on Tuesday, one question lingered: Will the bridge sway voters' sentiments? Neither do we favour a party, nor do we vote based on it. However, nothing has helped us in recent times like the bridge. Earlier, we depended on boats, whose availability was always uncertain, said 20-year-old Raman, who cast his first vote on Tuesday. We have been seeing remarkable developments in our area, one of which is this bridge. However, I don't know how it will reflect in the results, said the film aspirant. Generally, tribal belts see active participation in elections. I never miss an election, said Sarasu, after casting her vote at the Government Tribal LP School in Puravimala. Initially confused upon seeing three EVMs kept together, she exercised her franchise eventually with the help of a polling officer. Election officer applying ink to tribal voter Sarasu before voting at the Government Tribal LP School, Puravimala on Wednesday. Over 50% polling at the booth was completed by afternoon, thanks to the jeeps arranged by various political parties to ferry voters. Voters who could not spot a jeep walked a few kilometres to their booth and cast their votes. Meanwhile, though people are happy with the bridge, many highlight the poor condition of roads leading to their settlements, which they say makes their journeys dreadful. Some roads were repaired recently. However, there remain places like Thenmala, located deeper in the forest, inaccessible to vehicles. If a person there falls ill, he/she will have to be carried some distance, before getting a vehicle to any hospital, said a resident. Oorumooppan Chandran Kani expressed hope that the government that built the bridge will also build good interior roads. Funds have already been allocated for this, he said. Some tribal residents are upset about losing touch with their culture. Today, our people are not aware of our old rituals or songs. We need a representative who will help us retain our identity and be available, regardless of the voter's political affiliation, said Reena, another resident. Damage caused by wild animals is another concern. We voted early in the morning and returned to work. Look at the destruction caused by the animals, an elderly farmer said as he and his wife tried to salvage what they could after wild elephants and boars damaged their crops in Amboori.
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, franchises are expected to target elite spinners, impact all-rounders and top overseas stars. But the biggest storyline is whether any player can come close to, or surpass, Rishabh Pant's historic record as the most expensive buy in IPL history.
SIR nothing but 'backdoor NRC'; selective disenfranchisement based on religion: Owaisi
NEW DELHI: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday alleged in the Lok Sabha that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is nothing but ackdoor NRC and a malafide exercise of power to selectively disenfranchise people on the basis of religion. Participating in the debate on 'election reforms', Owaisi also called for building a consensus and making the right to vote a fundamental right. I would like to point out at the outset that SIR is violative of parliamentary legislation. It violates the rights prescribed by Parliament and it is contrary to a judgement of the Supreme Court. It is a malafide exercise of power to selectively disenfranchise on the basis of religion, Owaisi claimed. He asserted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot be igger than the Supreme Court and Parliament. May I point out that the Representation of the People Act prescribes that inclusion in the electoral roll will be based on self-declaration of citizenship backed by one of six documents in Form 6, he said. This is an Act which was passed in Parliament. The Supreme Court in its Lal Babu Hussein judgement said that once a voter has been included in the electoral roll, there is a presumption that they are citizens and cannot be removed except by an inquiry into the citizenship of the individual voter and giving them the opportunity of hearing after informing them of the basis on which doubt arose concerning citizenship, Owaisi contended. What is happening now is that the ECI is putting the burden of proof on the voter, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen said. It is completely in violation of the Representation of the People Act, electoral rules passed by the House and the Supreme Court judgement. The SIR has turned this on its head and put the onus on the voter, Owaisi said. Voters who were part of the electoral roll in 2025, instead of being given the benefit of the presumption, are required to submit documents to prove their citizenship. The 2003 electoral roll is arbitrarily fixed as the baseline on which revision is being conducted, he said. The ECI is not a body empowered to go into the question of citizenship as the power for that lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Owaisi said. What ECI is doing is wrong. How is the ECI assuming the power given to other agencies of parliament? They are violating the sanctity of a law passed by this House, he alleged. When 3.66 lakh voters were deleted through SIR, this government came with a new Immigration and Foreigners Act and it was notified, he said. When the Supreme Court is seized of the petition of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the government issues a foreigners' exemption order. Why? Because they realise that in this 3.66 lakh, there can be non-Muslims also, to protect them. That is why I say this whole exercise is a backdoor NRC (National Register of Citizens), Owaisi said. I oppose the SIR; this is nothing but backdoor NRC, he added.
Brook set for 470,000 Hundred pay-day as franchises lock in retentions
Major names in line for lucrative deals after equity sale transforms Hundred finances
Allen Could Miss Part Of NZs T20Is Against India If Scorchers Reach BBL Finals
Big Bash League: New Zealand opener Finn Allen may miss part of the five-match T20I series in India, scheduled for January 2026, due to his upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) commitments with Perth Scorchers. The T20I series against India, starting on January 21 in Nagpur, and followed by matches in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, is regarded as vital preparation for New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Before this, New Zealand will play three ODIs in India from January 1117 and Allens availability for the T20Is depends on the defending champions Scorchers progress in the BBL. If the Scorchers reach the final on January 25, Allen may not be available until the fourth T20I on January 28. However, if they do not qualify, Allen is expected to be available for the full T20I series. Pending selection, Ill head straight to India once the Big Bash finishes up for us, Allen was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday. Allen is one of five players who have signed casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), providing flexibility between national duties and franchise commitments. Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket's obviously evolving and changing year on year. New Zealand Cricket's been really good to work with over the last wee while. (I'm) confident about getting back into some Black Caps stuff after the Big Bash and hopefully can continue that, he added. Allen is one of five players who have signed casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), providing flexibility between national duties and franchise commitments. Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket's obviously evolving and changing year on year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In that tournament, his knock of 151 runs, including hitting a record 19 sixes for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom, left everyone jaw-dropped. Allen last featured for New Zealand in March, scoring 27 off 12 balls in an eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Wellington. Article Source: IANS
GTA 5 Mansion Update: Is Rockstar using this framework as a test run for GTA 6?
The GTA 5 Mansion Update, formally titled A Safehouse in the Hills, has sparked considerable excitement within the player community and fuelled speculation that Rockstar Games may be quietly trialling features destined for the next instalment in the franchise.
After RCB stint, Dinesh Karthik takes over as mentor and batting coach of THIS franchise
After completing his stint with RCB, Dinesh Karthik has stepped into a major coaching role, taking charge as mentor and batting coach of THIS franchise. The move marks a significant shift in his post-playing career as he transitions into a full-time leadership role.
The Indian Street Premier League concluded its Season 3 Player Auction in Mumbai. Eight franchises invested nearly Rs 10 crore in 144 players. Vijay Pawle became the league's highest-ever buy at Rs 32.50 lakh. Two new teams, Ahmedabad Lions and Delhi Superheros, joined the competition. The auction showcased emerging talent and attracted cricket and Bollywood personalities.
WPL 2026: Jemimah Leading Delhi Capitals Will Be Fascinating To Watch, Says Aakash Chopra
With Meg Lanning: Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes a possible elevation of Jemimah Rodrigues as captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 season will make for an intriguing storyline. With Meg Lanning roped in by UP Warriorz during last months mega auction, Jemimah is a front-runner to be DCs captain in WPL 2026, especially with team owner Parth Jindal stating that an Indian player will be made the sides skipper. Jemimah had been the vice-captain when Meg captained DC to the WPL finals thrice. Between Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland, you already have eight quality overs. Weve spoken about Nandini Sharma; she can be the third bowling option. DC have two excellent spinners in Sneh Rana and Shree Charani, and Chinelle Henry adds strong fast-bowling support. With their overseas players, they can easily get ten overs, if not twelve. If Nandini Sharma plays, she gives them even more pace-bowling depth. Their spin attack is already impressive. But the most interesting aspect is how Jemimah Rodrigues captains this side. Weve seen her flourish as a player and as a strong team personality, but this is her first time leading a successful franchise. Its a big elevation and will be fascinating to watch, said Chopra on JioStar. Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, believes that with the new additions DC have got, they should cross the line if they manage to enter the final, to be played on February 5 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. For Delhi Capitals, the auction has never been the issue; it is about how they finish the tournament. Despite having match-winners in the line-up, for some inexplicable reason, they havent been able to cross the line in key knockout moments. Can they do it this time? They had a purse of 5.7 crore and worked very intelligently. Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, believes that with the new additions DC have got, they should cross the line if they manage to enter the final, to be played on February 5 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They clearly want players who can finish games for them, which is why someone like Sneh Rana at No. 8 or 9 becomes important. So, while finishing has been an issue for DC, they have done some sharp work at the auction table, he said. Article Source: IANS
Dinesh Karthik Named Mentor & Batting Coach Of London Spirit Men At The Hundred
London Spirit Men: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who is also a mentor of reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has been named mentor and batting coach of The Hundred franchise London Spirit. In his first-ever role within a franchise for The Hundred, Karthik's expertise comes from participating in over 250 matches as both a player and a coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), along with 180 international matches representing India. London Spirits Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, in a statement shared by the franchise, said, Its a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit. He is a truly original thinker in our game and his vast experience in short-format and franchise cricket will be invaluable to us. Hes also great fun to work with and brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. The signing of another elite individual with significant stature in the game demonstrates our ambition and the importance we place on ensuring that our players receive the best possible support, Bobat added. London Spirits Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, in a statement shared by the franchise, said, Its a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit. He is a truly original thinker in our game and his vast experience in short-format and franchise cricket will be invaluable to us. Hes also great fun to work with and brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The new role will be relatively easy for Karthik, who has worked closely with both Bobat and Andy Flower, Spirits head coach, at RCB in the IPL. Article Source: IANS
Exclusive | 'Its loyalty': Powell on why Caribbean stars stick to their IPL franchises
Rovman Powell reflects on how franchise leagues transformed his life -- from financial security to building lifelong friendships. The West Indies power-hitter opens up about his journey from Bannister, discovering his talent early, and the discipline that shaped his career. Powell discusses natural Caribbean power, ILT20s impact on UAE cricket, the Caribbean loyalty seen in IPL stars, and why six sixes in an over will soon be more common.
Why the current ICC broadcast rights are unsustainable
JioStar is not exiting its cricket media rights deal with the ICC. The broadcaster faces financial losses due to high prices. Cricket federations lack alternatives, forcing negotiations. This situation impacts future broadcast rights for major tournaments like the T20 and 50-over World Cups. IPL franchises are also concerned about declining brand value linked to broadcast revenue.
Kerala local body polls: On D-Day, party veterans steal the show
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Conventional politicking and canvassing have largely given way to tech-driven exercises, mostly carried out by youths. However, one thing has largely remained unchanged. On the D-day, it is the senior party workers who turn out to be the most indispensable players. With their decades-long experience and grassroots connections, they scan through the voters list, mark each votes polled, and check if any of the names that they deem as sure votes are yet to be polled. If thats the case, those voters are immediately contacted and arrangements are made to ferry them to the polling station, if required. Without veterans, the election day activities can hardly be proceeded with meaningfully. The decades of experience gained from the political crucible empower the oldies to asses which are their votes and which are not. And who they should transport to the polling booth and whose failure to turn up should make them happy. At the Congress booth, near Perumala LPS, that falls in Pullampara panchayat under Vamanapuram assembly constituency, H Shajahan is busy marking in the voters list, using a red pen, the names of those who have exercised their franchise. This is to find out those still to vote. A man in his fifties, Shajahan knows Nagarukuzhy ward like the back of his hand. Then, using another colour, he marks the names that he feels are party votes and are yet to be polled. Its 11am, and before 4pm, we need to ensure that our votes are polled, Shajahan said. The question arises: How is it possible to assess who are party voters and who arent? Its because of the long experience in local politics that we are able to gauge votes. Congress H Shajahan I have around 40 years of experience in politics and around 30 years in poll management. Only seasoned people can do this job, he said. A little further, K Tulaseedharan Nair is busy doing similar work with the voters list, in the CPM dugout. The 63-year-old is the agent of the LDF candidate in the ward and is awaiting a paper thats due from the polling station. Every hour, our agent inside the polling station sends us the serial number of the votes cast. In our dugout, we mark these numbers on the voters list and check how many of our votes have been polled. Veteran party workers know the political inclination of the voters. This is partly done by observation and feedback from people who they meet regularly. In around 90% of the cases, our assumption turns true, he said. Poll managers, as they can easily be called, vouch that the role of the veteran local politician can never be replaced by any technology. Even AI is no match for them in this context. They know each family and individual. In some families, members vote en-bloc for a party, while in some, there is a vote split. So, you cannot guarantee full votes even from a party family. Thats when the personal rapport and networking of the local veterans come into play. They can differentiate between votes in a single family, and generally, it turns to be precise, Shajahan said. Tulaseedharan, however, said around 5% voters never telegraph their political inclination and hence their votes cannot be deemed as for or against a particular party. Similar is the case with new voters, Shajahan said. As the action ends at dusk, the poll managers count their votes and predict the outcome. The prediction is around 90% accurate, Tulaseedharan averred.
Will be back with masala in my bowling, says Shreyanka Patil
For Shreyanka Patil, pressure has become a familiar companion rather than a burden. The off-spinner, who emerged as Royal Challengers Bengalurus (RCB) leading wicket-taker and Purple Cap winner during their Womens Premier League (WPL) title run in 2024, approaches high-stakes moments with calm, shaped by preparation. Before I bowl, especially when I feel Im under pressure, I take a moment, breathe and smile. When you smile, your nerves ease down, says Patil, her composure evident even as she speaks. Bowling across phases, Patil (23) is often trusted in difficult overs. When it comes to structuring her training, she mirrors it with match-day stress. The way I practise is mostly based on what I face on a game day. Practising under pressure has helped me reach a stage where I believe I can do it, she says. That belief, Patil feels, is as vital as skill. These ideas of anticipation and strategy were echoed during her recent appearance at the Chess and Chill night at the RCB Bar and Cafe, hosted by Fyers American Gambits. Over 70 chess players gathered for an evening that marked probably the first cafe-style chess event on this scale. Shreyanka Patil with her teammates during the Womens Premier League 2024 Walking into the cafe, Patil stole the spotlight with her chic ensemble a double bow solid black tube top and pleat-heavy white trousers, that complimented her golden accessories. Watching boards fill the space, Patil drew natural parallels, as she says, You have to be in it. Its the same as any other sport, where you have to be mentally focused, do your preparations well and know what your opponent is good at. The key is understanding your sport and yourself. Strategy, of course, is important in chess or cricket. When it comes to cricket, we obviously study patterns. In chess, too, there are certain moves players are good at. It always goes back to preparation and practice. Talking about getting the jitters before the city event where she had to play a game of chess and interact with players, she says, Firstly, I was nervous, because if you put me on a cricket field, I know Im going to actually come out of any situation. For the past couple of days, Ive been practising chess on my iPad. Even when I go to bed, Im like okay let me just win this. Her defining moment in cricket came during RCBs title-winning WPL 2024 season. Reminiscing the big moment, she says, lifting the cup, the eliminator where her team played against the Mumbai Indians and her getting Harmanpreet Kaur out in her final over changed the whole game. That wicket shifted momentum and soon after came the trophy and the Purple Cap, marking a breakthrough season that established her as one the leagues standout performers. Patils journey, however, hasnt been uninterrupted. The season that followed proved testing, with injury forcing her away from competitive cricket, including the ICC Womens World Cup 2025. However, the setback offered perspective, reinforcing the importance of trust and patience. Much of her confidence comes from the environment RCB has fostered. Being a death specialist (for her skill in bowling crucial overs), if they hadnt given me that opportunity, I wouldnt even know I could do it. Understanding the game better and being put into situations Im good at shaped me, Patil admits. Over three WPL seasons,the franchise backed her in high-pressure moment, helping her grow not just as a bowler but as a decision maker. That trust carried into her transition to the international stage. For Patil, timing and backing have worked in tandem, allowing her to take responsibility with conviction. When I went on to play for India, I felt ready. Im happy that the platform came at the right time, she says. Being part of a franchise that celebrates multiple sports resonates with her. Ive followed RCBs social media page growing up. They were always into something interesting, and thats not just cricket. Doing a lot of stuff off the field is something thats been eye-catchy. They were always about more than just cricket, Patil adds. Currently working on her next big tournament, with recovery behind her and competitive cricket back in sight, Patil keeps her cards close. Its a secret until you watch the game, she laughs. Its been 10-14 months now and nobody has seen me. Ill be back with some masala in my bowling. Being a spinner, you have to have at least few variations handy. Im working towards it and I would love to execute them in the games as well, concludes Patil.
JioHotstar to invest 4,000 crore in South Indias creative economy
JioHotstar announced a 4,000 crore investment over five years to boost South India's media and entertainment sector. The platform unveiled 25 new South titles, including originals and returning franchises, and partnered with the Tamil Nadu government to expand its production ecosystem, aiming to create thousands of jobs and champion regional storytelling.
Jharkhand to deploy university volunteers for tiger census for the first time
RANCHI: For the first time in Jharkhand, volunteers from different universities studying botany and zoology will be deployed for the tiger census in the state. According to forest officials, besides creating a young workforce, this move will help raise awareness about comprehensive tiger estimation and conservation. This is also the first time tiger census activities will be conducted outside the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), covering forest ranges in Ranchi, Dumka and Hazaribagh. The Field Director and Deputy Director of PTR have been appointed as nodal agencies for the tiger census in Jharkhand. Forest personnel across the state have also been trained for the exercise, and the training process is still underway. Tiger censuses are conducted every four years, and the next data will be released on July 29, 2026. The last census was released in 2023. According to PTR Deputy Director Prajesh Kant Jena, volunteers will undergo a skill test before being deployed. In the first phase, PTR will recruit 20 botany and zoology students from Nilamber Pitamber University as volunteers for the tiger count. Only those who clear the skill test will be included, he said. This is the first time volunteers are being involved in the count, he added. Jena said the aim is to involve more people in the campaign to build awareness about wildlife conservation. Botany and zoology students from various colleges will be given basic training and then integrated into the campaign, he said. Letters have been sent to vice-chancellors seeking student participation; the PTR is awaiting a response from Nilamber Pitamber University. Tiger census data released in 2023 recorded three tigers in Jharkhand, all within the PTR. Tiger counting includes deploying high-resolution cameras and conducting special patrols. Every activity and wildlife-related data point is documented during the exercise. Spread over 1,149 sq km, PTR is home to tigers, elephants, bison, spotted deer and bears. Current forest department data shows six tigers, around 180 elephants, over 10,000 spotted deer, more than 50 bison and around 200 wolves. According to the 2006 census, Jharkhand had 10 tigers, which fell to three in 2014. The latest report puts the number at six. Beginning with 22 tigers in 1972, PTR reached its peak in 1995 with 71 big cats before witnessing a steep decline, down to three in 2014 and zero in the 2018 census.
Bihar cabinet clears three new departments to drive youth jobs, higher education push
RANCHI: The newly formed Bihar cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of three new departments to ensure better and effective implementation of its schemes and policies, aimed at providing jobs and employment opportunities to one crore youth over the next five years. For this purpose, three new departments, youth, employment and skill development, higher education, and civil aviation. have been created. These are in addition to the existing 45 government departments, cabinet secretariat departments additional chief secretary (ACS) Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told the media in a post-cabinet briefing. A total of 19 decisions were taken at the meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar. Notably, CM Nitish Kumar had on December 5 announced the creation of three new departments as part of his governments target to generate one crore jobs and employment opportunities in the next five years. Taking to X, CM Nitish said, We set a target to provide jobs and employment to one crore youth in the next five years (202530). For this, it is necessary that maximum youth of the state be given training for skill development and quality higher and technical education. Youth, Employment and Skill Development has been created for the all-round development of youth by equipping them with skills to improve employability. The higher education department will ensure quality education in the state, while the civil aviation department will focus on the expanding aviation sector and enhancing air travel services, the ACS said. The cabinet also rechristened the animal and fisheries resources department as the dairy, fisheries and animal resources department. Similarly, the labour resources department will now be known as the labour resources and migrant workers welfare department. The art, culture and youth department has been renamed art and culture department, Chaudhary added. DA hiked for employees, pensioners under 5th & 6th pay The cabinet approved a five per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for employees, pensioners, and family pensioners drawing salary or pension under the 6th Pay Commission. The DA has been increased from 252% to 257%, effective July 1, 2025. Similarly, DA for those under the 5th Pay Commission has been increased by eight per cent, from 466% to 474%, also effective July 1, 2025. New Directorate of MSME formed In another decision, the cabinet approved the industries departments proposal to rename the Directorate of Technical Development as the Directorate of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) to strengthen the sector and make it globally competitive, the ACS said. Directorate of Mines & Geology reconstituted The cabinet also reconstituted the Directorate of Mines and Geology into two separate directorates the Directorate of Mines and the Directorate of Investigation. The Directorate of Mines has been further divided into two deputy directorates: mines and security. The restructuring is expected to speed up investigation processes, Chaudhary said, adding that certain posts have been created for the purpose. Gaya Ji & Munger declared Civil Defence Districts The disaster management departments proposal to declare Gaya Ji and Munger as Civil Defence Districts was approved. Fourteen posts have been created to support the move, which will strengthen strategic and internal security and improve response to natural and man-made disasters. The cabinet also approved the appointment of Mohammad Imdad Raza on compassionate grounds. Raza is the son of BSF Sub-Inspector late Mohammad Imtiyaz, who was martyred during Operation Sindoor. Other decisions The cabinet sanctioned Rs 400 crore for payment of electricity dues of urban local bodies to the two power distribution companies North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd -- for FY 202526. It approved the Bihar Dastavej Lekhak Anugyapti (Sanshodhan) Niyamawali 2025 (Bihar Deed Writers Licence Amendment Rules 2025), under which leprosy-affected persons will be eligible to obtain licences as deed writers. The move aims to support their social and financial empowerment. The finance departments proposal to sign an MoU with the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSEIL) to empower youth and run the Student Skilling Programme was cleared. An MoU with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Ltd (NIIFL) was also approved for assistance in various state projects. The cabinet approved a corpus fund of Rs 15 crore for the Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve Foundation/Trust. The foundation will utilise the amount for conservation and management activities. It also approved the constitution of the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park Management and Development Society, which will oversee the parks upkeep. Additionally, the cabinet approved the Bihar Electronic Order (Issuance, Execution and Disposal) Rules 2025 and the Bihar E-Sakshya Prabandhan Niyamawali 2025 (Bihar E-Evidence Management Rules 2025). The e-summon rules will streamline digital processes, while the E-Sakshya rules cover electronic evidence, video conferencing, digital signatures, and the management of witness testimony under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
From octogenarians to first-timers, voters queue up to exercise their franchise
Kartik Aaryan reveals he initially said no to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise
Mumbai: Did you know, Kartik Aaryan initially said no to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise? Addressing one of the sessions of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Kartik shared that he had said no to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise. He revealed that when he was approached for the project, there was no particular Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Kartik Aaryan made a big revelation about Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, confessing that he wasn't keen to replace Akshay Kumar in the iconic horror-comedy franchise.
IPL 2026: Complete list of the most expensive players in every auction
With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, franchises are gearing up for intense bidding wars for top talent. The event in Abu Dhabi will see 350 shortlisted players compete for 77 available slots. This year's auction follows a trend of escalating player values, with Rishabh Pant holding the record as the most expensive player.
Despite billions earned, studios hesitated about multiple 'Avatar' sequels
James Cameron, the acclaimed director behind the Avatar franchise, recently revealed that he faced resistance from studio executives when he proposed expanding the number of sequels from three to four.
The BCCI has trimmed its IPL 2026 mini-auction list to 350 players, including 35 surprise entries like Quinton de Kock. The auction will be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, featuring capped and uncapped players, with an accelerated phase after the 70th player. Exciting bids expected.
New OTT releases movies: Netflix is reportedly set to acquire Warner Bros for $82.7 billion, gaining control of major franchises. Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance has launched a competing $108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery, creating uncertainty. December also brings new Netflix releases like 'Single Papa,' 'Man Vs. Baby,' and 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.'
350 Players To Go Under The Hammer At IPL 2026 Auction On Dec 16
Kolkata Knight Riders: A total of 350 players are set to feature in the IPL 2026 mini auction on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as the BCCI revealed the Player Auction list for the 2026 season on Tuesday. A total of 1390 players registered for the Player Auction, out of which 350 players were shortlisted. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian and 110 from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Franchises will compete for 77 available slots overall, including 31 spots reserved for overseas players. As many as 40 players have listed themselves at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore, with Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi being the only two Indians among them. Earlier, a total of 173 players have been retained, across teams, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. South African wicketkeepers Quinton de Kock and George Linde, and Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage, who were not part of the longlist, have been included in the final list. Earlier, a total of 173 players have been retained, across teams, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia's Cameron Green has been tipped to become the most expensive buy at the upcoming IPL auction as both KKR and CSK, who have the highest purses, are expected to put in strong bids for the allrounder. Article Source: IANS
'Kaafi masti hogi': Shardul Thakur opens up on his bond with Rohit Sharma
Shardul Thakur expressed his excitement about rejoining the Mumbai Indians, highlighting Rohit Sharma's crucial role in fostering his confidence and freedom. Thakur also reflected on his early experiences with the franchise as a support bowler, crediting the exposure and guidance from coaches and senior players for shaping his career.
IPL Auction: Not 1355 only 350 players will go under the hammer on Dec 16
Among the 35 new additions to the final list, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock stands out as a surprise entry. De Kock was not part of the original document but was later included following a recommendation from a franchise. His addition comes soon after he reversed his international retirement and scored a century in the ODI against India in Visakhapatnam.
Queues thin at Chennai International Airport; IndiGo cancels 71 flights
CHENNAI: After nearly a week of chaos, the thinning of queues outside IndiGo counters at Chennai International Airport, that began on Sunday, continued on Monday as well, and flight operations showed further signs of normalisation. Cancellations, however, still remained high. The airline cancelled 71 flights throughout the day - 38 departures and 33 arrivals. On Sunday, the airline had cancelled a total of 91 flights at Chennai airport, including 49 arrivals and 42 departures. Many passengers were seen enquiring whether their scheduled flights on Tuesday would operate or if they needed to seek refunds. For some, there was relief after IndiGo officials confirmed a few of the previously cancelled services would operate as scheduled. Abul Basan, an employee at Pullman Hotel in Chennai, told TNIE that he had visited the airport to check the status of his flight from Chennai to Kolkata, with a connecting service to Agartala. The IndiGo official at the counter told me the flight will operate as per schedule, he said. Inbound services linking Chennai with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad were impacted. Delhi emerged as the worst-hit route, accounting for nearly half of the cancelled departures, followed by Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai. Anchal, who had gone to Ahmedabad to attend a wedding, said she was relieved to get back to Chennai. I was struggling to get back and was finally able to fly back home on Monday, she added. Meanwhile, Indian Railways set up a help desk at Chennai International Airport to assist stranded passengers in booking train tickets. Railway officials said 15 passengers availed themselves of the service on Monday. Ashant Kumar and Abdurrahim, commercial and ticket clerks with Southern Railway, said the special counters had been functioning since Sunday. Twelve passengers were guided to book train tickets to destinations such as Bengaluru, Ranchi and Tatanagar. The railways has made provisions for special ticketing in select routes, including 3 AC, 2 AC and 1 AC coaches. On other routes, additional coaches have been earmarked for stranded passengers, they added. Railways helpdesk Indian Railways has set up a helpdesk at Chennai International Airport to assist stranded passengers in booking train tickets. Railway officials said 15 passengers availed themselves of the service on Monday
Arvind inaugurates new franchise store of Reliance Digital
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 8: Reliance Digital, Indias largest consumer electronics retail chain inaugurated its new state-of-the-art franchise store here at Akhnoor road near Pillar no. 56, Top Sherkhania. The store was formally inaugurated by Arvind Gupta, MLA Jammu West who graced the occasion as chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, the MLA congratulated Reliance Digital on expanding its footprint and highlighted the brands contribution to bring the latest technology and customer-centric services to consumers across the country. A handout [] The post Arvind inaugurates new franchise store of Reliance Digital appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Katsuhiro Harada is leaving Bandai Namco after 30 years
Katsuhiro Harada is departing Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. He announced the news both with a farewell note shared on X and, in possibly the coolest exit ever, with an hour-long DJ mix. Harada's 30-year career has most closely been involved with Tekken and he's a familiar face in the fighting game community. He began as a voice actor in the original Tekken game and continued to do so even as he became a director for the series. He has worked on other Bandai Namco titles as a producer, both in and out of the fighting genre. Each project was full of new discoveries and learning, and every one of them became an irreplaceable experience for me, Harada wrote on X. To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude. He closed by saying that over his career, he never DJed at a tournament event. So to mark his departure, Harada posted a full set titled TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey Haradas Final Mix to SoundCloud. Which is just the most swag move I can think of and a fun way to close out this chapter for fans of the franchise. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/katsuhiro-harada-is-leaving-bandai-namco-after-30-years-223156258.html?src=rss
India To Have Training Camp In Bengaluru Ahead Of Womens T20Is Against Sri Lanka
The T20I: The Indian womens team is set to have a preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, starting from Tuesday, ahead of the five-game T20I series against Sri Lanka, set to begin on December 21. The T20I series against Sri Lanka will be Indias first international assignment after winning the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai on November 2. IANS understands that the Indian womens team members will have their annual testing done in the next two days before the preparatory camp focuses on honing their skillsets, fitness levels, and getting them match fit. India and Sri Lanka will play the first two T20Is on December 21 and 23 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The remaining three matches will be played on December 26, 28, and 30 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The series against Sri Lanka will kickstart Indias preparations for the 2026 ICC Womens T20 World Cup, to be held in England from June 12 to July 5. India has never won the silverware in the shortest format, with their best result being the runners-up finish in the 2020 Womens T20 World Cup in Australia. IANS also understands that the Amita Sharma-led womens selection committee had a meeting on Monday to finalise Indias squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and an announcement is expected to be made soon. This will be the first squad to be picked by the Amita-led selection panel, who took charge from September 28, and who make the cut will make for an interesting watch. IANS also understands that the Amita Sharma-led womens selection committee had a meeting on Monday to finalise Indias squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and an announcement is expected to be made soon. Also Read: Live Cricket Score After the T20I series against Sri Lanka, the Indian team players will feature for their respective franchises in season four of Women's Premier League (WPL), set to run from January 9 to February 5, 2026, in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. Post that, India will travel to Australia for the multi-format tour set to happen from February 15 to March 6. Article Source: IANS
Dhanbad families refuse relocation; demand technical solution as toxic gas leak persists
RANCHI: The families affected by the toxic gas leak in Dhanbads Kenduadih have directly rejected the proposal to relocate to a safer place. They made it clear on Monday that they would not abandon their ancestral land and relocate to the proposed sites at Belgadia or Karmatand. According to the affected families, the land is the heritage of their generations, and there is no question of leaving it. We would rather die, but not leave our land, they said unanimously. They believe that instead of displacing them, BCCL management should focus on extracting the gas and finding a technical solution to the problem. Relocating would provide neither employment nor essential amenities, further worsening their lives, they said. Notably, even after more than six days of the gas leak incident, no concrete measures have been taken to deal with the situation. The affected families alleged that they have long been demanding that BCCL start the underground mine's fan and extract gas through drilling, but the management is not taking their demands seriously and is only insisting on displacement. Raising slogans against BCCL management, they warned that they will intensify their protest if a permanent technical solution to the gas leak is not found soon. They also made it clear that they would not leave Kenduadih till their death. Social activist and local resident Awadhesh Paswan also asserted that no one is going anywhere. He alleged that the administration and BCCL management are trying to evict poor families under the guise of safety so that the mafia may be given free rein to extract coal. Dhanbad administration struggles to relocate 10,000 residents after toxic gas leak in Kenduadih Meanwhile, they have given BCCL management an ultimatum of two days; if no concrete solution is found, activities of all outsourcing companies in the vicinity will be halted. In between, a special team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached from Ranchi on Sunday and assessed the affected area. The 32-member team also measured the intensity of the gas leak. NDRF officials said that the situation is very dangerous and frightening. According to them, normally, if the amount of carbon monoxide gas in the air exceeds 50 ppm, the situation is considered dangerous. However, in Rajput Basti, it was found to be up to 1680 ppm. On Saturday night, seventy people went to the relief camp set up by BCCL and an outsourcing company for 500 affected people and had their food, but no one stayed there. Notably, the gas leak was first reported on Wednesday in Rajput Basti, where two women died and more than two dozen residents, mostly women and children, were admitted to BCCLs Kustore Regional Hospital and Central Hospital, Dhanbad. The impact of the gas is being felt in the Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla, and Officers Colony areas of Kenduadih, home to a population of approximately 10,000. The persistent stench and gas leakage have made life extremely difficult for the residents. Dhanbad DC orders detailed enquiry into toxic gas leak incident that killed two
Rohit Made Me Comfortable, Allowed Me To Be Free With Him And Express Myself, Says Shardul
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Indias seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur said veteran opener Rohit Sharma made him feel comfortable and encouraged self-expression, something which he is now eager to experience again in the Mumbai Indians' camp for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Ahead of retentions, Thakur was traded from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the Mumbai Indians, a side where he was a support bowler in 2010. Abhi aur pata chalega jab sath me baithenge toh. Kaafi masti hogi. He made me comfortable, he allowed me to be free with him, and he allowed me to express myself. We became comfortable with each other, and he played a major part in it, Thakur was quoted as saying by the franchises website on Monday. Thakur, whos played 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for India, noted that the exposure to the MI dressing room environment in IPL 2010 instilled the professionalism in him to achieve greater things in his cricketing career. I was made to play practice games. I bowled with a new ball, so that boosted my morale and confidence to another level, and I was picking wickets. I was lucky enough to experience the dressing room early in my days, Thakur said. I was already feeling comfortable in front of senior players. Somewhere down the line, whatever the way I was treated during the Mumbai Indians camp, also, that small gesture from the Mumbai Indians helped me a lot to grow in my career, he added. Thakur, who is turning out for Mumbai in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, also credited MI Director of Cricket Rahul Sanghvi and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey for their daily guidance and inputs shaping his growth as a professional cricketer. I was already feeling comfortable in front of senior players. Somewhere down the line, whatever the way I was treated during the Mumbai Indians camp, also, that small gesture from the Mumbai Indians helped me a lot to grow in my career, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mumbai Indians, along with Chennai Super Kings, are the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), claiming five titles apiece. MI have, among others, picked Thakur to bolster their squad, hoping to win their sixth title in the upcoming IPL 2026. Article Source: IANS
UP forms SIT to crack Rs 425-crore codeine cough syrup smuggling racket
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced the formation of a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to dismantle an organised racket involving the illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup for narcotic abuse. The smuggling case came to light around 20 days ago when a truck loaded with codeine-based cough syrup was seized in Sonbhadra. Speaking to the media, FSDA Secretary Roshan Jacob, accompanied by Principal Secretary Sanjay Prasad and DGP Rajeev Krishna, said the SIT had been formed to investigate the case. Three accused have been arrested so far. Jacob said misleading information was being circulated on social media. Police have taken action. A truck of cough syrup was caught in Sonbhadra some 20 days ago and based on that evidence, a second truck was recovered in Ranchi, she said. She clarified that the UP case has no connection with a similar case reported in Madhya Pradesh. She said the investigation had been expanded to 300 drug dealers to trace the main supply channels. We want to reach the big traders, not the small retailers, Jacob added. UP DGP Rajeev Krishna said that using cough syrup for any purpose other than its normal medical use amounted to a legal offence. Several pieces of evidence have been found in the last two months. FSDA has registered 128 FIRs across 28 districts, including 38 in Varanasi, 16 in Jaunpur, eight in Kanpur, six in Ghazipur and four each in Lakhimpur Kheri and Lucknow, he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who holds the health portfolio, said in Jaunpur that strict action would be taken against the guilty irrespective of their social standing. The DGP added that 279 medical stores were inspected, and many were found to be non-existent. Others had serious anomalies in sale and purchase records. It reflects that the firms were selling cough syrup in an organised manner as an intoxicant, not a medicine. The drug was being supplied from Lucknow, Lakhimpur, Bahraich, Varanasi, Ghaziabad and even Nepal to Bangladesh, he said. In a parallel crackdown, the SIT constituted by the Varanasi Police Commissionerate to probe the smuggling racket run by Shubham Jaiswal of Varanasi arrested two close associates of the kingpin. The racket was operated through his firm, Shelly Traders. Shubham Jaiswal is believed to have fled to Dubai along with his associates Gaurav Jaiswal and Varun Singh on November 5. His father, Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, was arrested at Kolkata airport on November 30 while attempting to fly to Dubai. The two accused arrested on Monday, Vishal Jaiswal and Badal Arya, revealed key details during interrogation. They allegedly earned large sums by setting up shell firms, receiving Rs 25,00030,000 per consignment. The SIT also uncovered suspicious transactions worth Rs 425 crore linked to Shubham Jaiswal over the past two years. DCP Gaurav Basbal said Shubham Jaiswal had left India and look-out circulars were being issued. A Red Corner Notice would also be sought through Interpol. The arrested duo told interrogators that CA Devesh Jaiswal had full access to Shubhams bank accounts. They said they had conducted business worth around Rs 7 crore with him within a year. One of the accused, Badal Arya, claimed Devesh Jaiswal helped him open his firm. The other accused, Vishal Jaiswal of Hukumganj, also said Devesh Jaiswal helped him open a firm named Hariom Pharma. I would place orders but the syrup never came to my shop. I used to get Rs 20,00030,000 in cash, he said. SIT chief ADCP Kashi Zone Saravanan T said two more suspects were being questioned and their documents were being scrutinised.
Jharkhand government orders statewide safety audit after Goa nightclub tragedy
RANCHI: The Jharkhand government has ordered an immediate, state-wide safety audit of all bars, restaurants, hotels and hospitals, directing district administrations to submit their reports within a week. The decision comes in the wake of the horrific fire at a restaurant-cum-nightclub in Goas Arpora on Saturday night , which claimed 25 lives, including three youths from Jharkhand who had recently migrated there for work. The victims have been identified as 24-year-old Pradeep Mahato and 22-year-old Vinod Mahato, both residents of Fatehpur village in Ranchis Lapung block, and 22-year-old Mohit Munda from Govindpur village under Karra block of Khunti district. All three were employed as cooks in the nightclub and were present inside the kitchen when the blaze erupted. According to Health and Disaster Management Minister Irfan Ansari, the government would deal firmly with any lapse related to public safety. If an incident like the one in Goa happens in Jharkhand, officials will be held accountable, he warned. Ansari stressed that all commercial establishments must adhere to strict kitchen safety norms, carry out routine technical checks of gas pipelines, burners and chimneys and ensure that fire-safety equipment and emergency exits remain operational at all times. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of three migrant workers from Jharkhand were brought to Ranchi on Monday morning. Agriculture Minister Shilpy Neha Tirkey, who coordinated with the Goa government to bring back the bodies, informed that all three workers belonged to the Assembly constituency, Mandar. The bodies were sent to their native villages in special ambulances. I will request Chief Minister Hemant Soren for some welfare provisions for the families of the victims, said Tirkey. The Labour Department has handed Rs 50,000 each to the families of the victims as immediate assistance. State Migrant Control Room's team lead Shikha Lakra, who received the bodies at the airport, said that the Labour Department has ensured that two of the family members of the victims who are still stranded in Goa are brought back to Ranchi by a flight by the evening.
Goa nightclub fire: Last rites of 3 workers killed in blaze held in Jharkhand
The last rites of three Jharkhand migrant workers who died in the Goa nightclub fire were performed in their native villages on Monday. Brothers Pradeep and Binod Mahto from Ranchi and Mohit Munda from Khunti were among the 25 victims
Jharkhand government tables Rs 7,721.25 crore supplementary budget in Assembly
RANCHI: The Jharkhand government on Monday presented a supplementary budget of Rs 7,721.25 crore for the 202526 financial year in the state assembly. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore placed the second supplementary budget of the fiscal year before the House. The first supplementary allocation, amounting to Rs 4,296.62 crore, had been approved during the monsoon session on August 25. Earlier, in March, Kishore had introduced the states annual budget of Rs 1.45 lakh crore for 202526. Shortly after the supplementary budget was tabled, Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto adjourned the days proceedings till 11 am on Tuesday. The session had been marred by disruptions. As the House assembled for the second day of the winter session, BJP MLAs rushed to the Well of the House demanding action over alleged irregularities in student scholarship schemes. Members of the ruling coalition also moved to the Well, resulting in heated exchanges and loud sloganeering from both sides. The uproar forced the suspension of Question Hour. Expressing displeasure, Speaker Mahto said that such disruptions defeat the purpose of all-party meetings and undermine the functioning of the Business Advisory Committee. He also warned that the House cannot operate meaningfully if important public issues are not allowed to be addressed. Despite multiple appeals for order, the protests continued, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House first until noon and later for the remaining day. The winter session, which began on Friday, spans five working days and is scheduled to conclude on December 11.
Ex-England Coach Jon Lewis Appointed Head Coach Of London Spirit In The Hundred Women's
ICC T20 World Cup: Former England coach Jon Lewis has been appointed as the new head coach of London Spirit in The Hundred Womens competition. He takes over from Chris Liddle, who previously posted on Instagram to thank players and staff for four unforgettable years. Lewis will work closely with London Spirit womens General Manager, veteran England batter Heather Knight, on staff appointments and squad composition ahead of the player auction in March. This is a really exciting opportunity to play a part in shaping the future of this franchise. I am looking forward to building a team packed with talent and character, playing cricket that Spirit fans coming to Lords will get behind as we aim to win a second title this summer. I am also grateful to Gloucestershire for allowing me to take this opportunity during The Hundred, while also continuing to drive forward enhancements to the countys performance structure, said Lewis in a statement on Monday. Under Lewis, England reached the semifinals of the 2023 ICC T20 World Cup and defeated India in an away T20I series before winning home series against Pakistan and New Zealand in 2024. He also oversaw England's memorable 2023 Ashes series in which England came back from 6-0 down to draw 8-8. But Lewis had to leave as Englands head coach earlier this year after the side crashed to a 16-0 drubbing in the Womens Ashes in Australia. He also left his role as head coach of UP Warriorz in the Womens Premier League (WPL) after the franchise finished at the bottom of the points table in this years tournament. Im delighted to have Jon joining London Spirit as our Womens Head Coach. I know first-hand his capabilities as a coach and his qualities as a person. He has a fantastic breadth of experiences across both the womens and mens games, which will stand us in good stead in our pursuit of sustained success. Its particularly exciting to consider the potential of his professional partnership with Heather, whom he obviously knows well from his time with the senior England womens team, said Mo Bobat, Director of Cricket at the Spirits. Lewis represented England across formats during his playing career and also serves as Director of Cricket at Gloucestershire, where he manages performance structures for both mens and womens teams and oversees pathway programmes. He will join up with the Spirit after Gloucestershires final T20 Blast match in July, ahead of the start of The Hundred in August. Lewis represented England across formats during his playing career and also serves as Director of Cricket at Gloucestershire, where he manages performance structures for both mens and womens teams and oversees pathway programmes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For him to be working as Head Coach of London Spirit is great news for Gloucestershire, as we seek to develop our womens cricket team. With our strategy of moving to become Tier 1 ready, having someone at the heart of the elite womens game can only help us as we build towards that goal, said Neil Priscott, Chief Executive at Gloucestershire Cricket. Article Source: IANS
Mortal remains of Jharkhand migrant workers killed in Goa nightclub fire brought back
RANCHI: The mortal remains of three migrant workers from Jharkhand, who were among the 25 people killed in the fire at the Goa nightclub , were brought to Ranchi on Monday morning, officials said. Pradeep (24) and Binod Mahto (20), two brothers from Fatehpur village in Lapung, and Mohit Munda (22) of Govindpur village in Khunti district's Karra block died in the inferno that ravaged the North Goa club post-midnight on Sunday. Agriculture Minister Shilpy Neha Tirkey, who coordinated with the Goa government to bring back the bodies, said all three workers belonged to her Mandar constituency. The bodies were sent to their native villages in special ambulances. I will request Chief Minister Hemant Soren for some welfare provisions for the families of the victims, she told PTI. The Labour Department has handed Rs 50,000 each to the families of the victims as immediate assistance. State Migrant Control Room's team lead Shikha Lakra, who received the bodies at the airport, told PTI the Labour Department has ensured that two of the family members of the victims who are still stranded in Goa are brought back to Ranchi by a flight in the evening. These three people were among 14 staff members of the nightclub killed in the fire. The brothers had migrated to Goa about a year ago and used to send around Rs 30,000 per month to support their family. Both were unmarried. They were scheduled to celebrate Holi with us next year, their elder brother Phagu had said. The chief minister and his legislator wife, Kalpana Soren, have condoled the loss of lives in the blaze, describing it as extremely heartbreaking and tragic.
AI hype is high, clarity is low Im staying cautious: WhiteOak Capital CEO Aashish Somaiyaa
WhiteOak Capital Asset Management differentiates itself with strategies designed to keep investors invested for longer. This includes portfolio construction that avoids extreme swings, a fund lineup less prone to high volatility, and a sticky SIP-led franchise, CEO Aashish Somaiyaa tells Sanket Dhanorkar in an interview.
Not chasing AI blindly:WhiteOak CEO Somaiyaa
WhiteOak Capital Asset Management differentiates itself with strategies designed to keep investors invested for longer. This includes portfolio construction that avoids extreme swings, a fund lineup less prone to high volatility, and a sticky SIP-led franchise, CEO Aashish Somaiyaa tells Sanket Dhanorkar in an interview.
Following rift with the producer, he is also dropped from the Race franchise
Dale Steyn hails KL Rahuls leadership
Visakhapatnam, Dec 7: Former South African fast-bowling great Dale Steyn has heaped praise on KL Rahul, crediting the Indian stand-in captain for steering the side to a well-earned 21 triumph over South Africa in the recently concluded three-match ODI series. India set the tone in Ranchi with a hard-fought 17-run win before sealing the series []
Dhanbad administration struggles to relocate 10,000 residents after toxic gas leak in Kenduadih
RANCHI: The Dhanbad district administration has intensified efforts to relocate 10,000 residents of Kenduadih following a suspected toxic gas leak that killed two women and left several others ill on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan said the administration is facing challenges in convincing families to move to the proposed relocation site at Belgadia, with many residents citing minor concerns despite repeated assurances. The gas leak was first reported in Rajput Basti, where more than two dozen people, mostly women and children, were admitted to BCCLs Kustore Regional Hospital and Central Hospital, Dhanbad. Although no new cases have been reported, locals continue to detect a faint gas odor in the area. The affected zones include Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla, and Officers Colony, which together house around 10,000 residents. The affected families were concerned about where they will keep their cattle if relocated to the proposed site. We have agreed to provide cattle sheds, yet they are still reluctant to move, Ranjan said, emphasizing that relocation is necessary to prevent any future untoward incidents. He added that the administration is handling the crisis with the highest level of urgency, coordinating multiple agencies, monitoring the area, reviewing evacuation plans, and ensuring timely medical support. Meanwhile, amid rising tension and protests, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Ranchi entered Rajput Basti on Sunday to assess the suspected poisonous gas. Residents reportedly tried to block the team, alleging that BCCL was using the gas leak as a pretext to clear the settlement for a planned coal project. Nearly 400 unauthorised families currently live in the fire-affected danger zone of Rajput Basti. Local resident Lal Bahadur Singh said, BCCL is trying to evict poor families under the guise of safety, noting that previous relocation attempts had failed due to community resistance. Scientific assessments following the leak revealed extremely high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), with readings reaching 1,500 parts per million (PPM)around 30 times the permissible limit. Exposure to CO is harmful even at 50 PPM, causes headaches at 2 PPM, and can lead to dizziness, nausea, and unconsciousness at 8 PPM, highlighting the urgent need for evacuation. The administration continues to engage with residents to implement the relocation plan while ensuring their safety and well-being.
Severe cold grips north India; IMD warns of cold wave, fog across multiple states
NEW DELHI: Cold conditions prevailed across north India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp being the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan reporting minimum temperatures between three and seven degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degrees, up from 6.8 degrees a day ago and yet 1.6 notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch below normal, while the relative humidity was 92 per cent in the morning. For Monday, the weather department forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, with mist expected. Pollution levels in Delhi remained in the very poor category on Sunday, prolonging the spell of toxic air that has hung over its residents for several weeks now. The city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 308. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and 401 and 500 severe. Further in the north, the night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night. The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus one degree Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius in north Kashmir's Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir's Kokernag, according to officials. The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on Sunday, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8. In Himachal Pradesh, The IMD predicted dense fog in parts of the state until Wednesday. A yellow alert for dense fog was also issued in parts of the reservoir area of the Bhakra dam in Bilaspur district and over some parts of the Balh valley in Mandi district during early morning till Monday. In Punjab, Faridkot remained the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settling at 4.4 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, Narnaul saw the lowest temperature at 4.6 degrees Celsius, according to the local meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda and Gurdaspur recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Ferozepur recorded 6 degrees, Amritsar 6.1 degrees, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 8.9 degrees. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a low of six degrees, Hisar 6.2 degrees, Sirsa 6.6 degrees, Karnal seven degrees, Rohtak 7.8 degrees, and Ambala 9.8 degrees. Rajasthan, similarly, reeled under intense cold, the Meteorological Centre here said. Fatehpur in the Sikar district continued to record the lowest minimum temperature, albeit at 3.5 degrees Celsius, slightly up from 2.3 degrees a day ago. According to the weather department, Lunkaransar (Bikaner) recorded a low of 5 degrees Celsius, followed by Dausa at 6 degrees, Churu at 6.3 degrees, Vanasthali (Tonk) at 6.4 degrees and Jhunjhunu at 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning. The department said a fresh but weak western disturbance is likely to cause partly cloudy skies in some parts of the state over the next few days. Under its influence, the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius, providing relief from the cold wave, it said. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, eight districts recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, noting a cold wave in parts of the state. Gumla recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 3.5 degrees Celsius up from three degrees Celsius while Khunti logged five degrees Celsius, the IMD weather bulletin stated. The minimum temperature in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, was 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daltonganj recorded 6.5 degrees and Jamshedpur recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, North-westerly winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over Jharkhand have caused the drop in mercury. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail across the state over the next five days.The minimum temperature may rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 72 hours, he added. In West Bengal, the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark for the first time this winter in the state's plains with Sriniketan in Birbhum districts recording a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the IMD said. Its forecast for West Bengal suggested dry weather across all districts of West Bengal for the next week, with shallow to moderate fog likely in the northern districts. Darjeeling was the coldest in the hills at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the other Himalayan tourist town of Kalimpong was warmer at 10.5 degrees Celsius. The other places which recorded low night temperatures are Alipurduar (11 degrees), Kalyani (11.4 degrees), Purulia (11.4 degrees) and Panagarh (11.9 degrees). Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, forecasting mist in the morning on Monday. IMD further predicted dense fog conditions in isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between December 8 and 12. It was also very likely in parts of west Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Odisha until Tuesday. In west India, a gradual fall by two to three degrees over the next three-four days is expected, and no significant change is anticipated thereafter, the IMD said.
Kerala local body elections: 22.54 lakh voters to exercise franchise in Kollam
Goa nightclub fire tragedy extremely heartbreaking: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren
Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday said the loss of lives in a fire accident at a nightclub in Goa was extremely heartbreaking. The chief minister extended prayers for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident. At least 25 people were killed, and six others suffered injuries in the blaze that Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Collector says district is poll-ready, urges all voters to exercise franchise
Of the 7,347 candidates in the fray, 3,917 are women and 3,457 are men
Dhanbad mine gas leak: Experts find CO level 'dangerously high' in affected areas
A team of experts who visited the Kenduadih area of Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, which reported a toxic gas leak incident on Wednesday, has recorded carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the air as dangerously high, at up to 1,500 parts per million (PPM). At least two women were killed while over 20 others complained of vomiting and headache, allegedly due to leakage of toxic carbon monoxide gas in the Putki Balihari Colliery Area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)in Dhanbad's Kenduadih. Officials are yet to confirm the cause of the women's death. According to the experts, the CO levels in the area is around 30 times higher than the permissible limit, as the dangerous level of carbon monoxide concentration starts with 50 PPM. A joint experts' team of Dhanbad IIT-ISM and Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) visited Rajput Basti, Masjid Muhalla and Area No.5 of the Putki-Balihari colliery area on Friday to assess the carbon monoxide levels, said Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan. The experts recorded the level of carbon monoxide at up to 1,500 PPM, which poses a serious threat to human health, and recommended immediate shifting of residents from Rajput Basti. Headache appears when the level reaches 200 PPM, and symptoms like dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness begin at 800 PPM, the expert said. According to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the permissible limit for CO is 2 mg/m3 (milligram per cubic meter) for an eight-hour average in residential areas, and 4 mg/m3 for a one-hour average, a Ranchi-based environmentalist said. The 1,500 ppm CO concentration is dangerously high for human survival, said the environmentalist who refused to be quoted. Ranjan said, People from the affected areas are being shifted to temporary camps. So far, around 400 people have been shifted. The process is on to shift the rest of the residents from the area. A section of the locals said they are worried about their livelihood in new areas and are not in favour of shifting. The DC himself visited the affected sites on Friday and assessed the condition of the people living in the area. The problem did not arise now; it has existed for decades. Due to different reasons, the residents could not be shifted to a safe place, Ranjan said. The area has long been declared a 'danger zone' due to underground mine fires. The DC said he urged the residents to shift to a safe place as soon as possible. An arrangement has been made at Belagadia and Karmatand. For the time being, temporary accommodation has been provided till the situation becomes normal in the area, Ranjan said. (With inputs from PTI) Dhanbad DC orders detailed enquiry into toxic gas leak incident that killed two
Old Image of MS Dhoni Watching a Match at Ranchi Stadium Passed off as Recent
We found that the image dates back to January 2023, when Dhoni was attending the Ind vs NZ T20I match.
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) has achieved a significant global milestone by ranking 4th in Google's list of the Top 5 Most Searched Sports Teams worldwide in 2025, becoming the highest-ranked IPL team on the list, as per a press release of PBKS.
Cold wave grips north, east India; Kolkata records seasons lowest, Kashmir below freezing point
Residents across parts of north and eastern India woke up to biting cold on Saturday, with temperatures dipping well below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In Kolkata, the mercury plunged to 14.5 degrees Celsius, the coldest morning this season and 2.1 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature in the city is expected to hover around 26 degrees Celsius, with misty and foggy conditions likely in the evening. Other parts of Gangetic West Bengal are also experiencing a gradual temperature drop, which IMD forecasts will continue over the next 24 hours. Cold wave conditions gripped Jharkhand, with Gumla recording the states lowest temperature at 3 degrees Celsius. A yellow alert for cold wave has been issued for 11 districts including Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra, Lohardaga, Simdega, Ranchi, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Khunti, Latehar, and Gumla till 8.30 am on Sunday. Minimum temperatures ranged from 3 degrees in Gumla to 10.1 degrees in Ranchi, with north-westerly winds contributing to the fall in mercury. Officials expect temperatures to drop by up to 2 degrees more over the next 48 hours before rising slightly. Meanwhile, in Kashmir, night temperatures plunged well below the freezing point, with Srinagar recording a low of minus 4.1 degrees Celsius. Shopian was the coldest place at minus 6.4 degrees, followed by Pahalgam at minus 4.4 degrees. Other towns such as Qazigund, Kupwara, Kokernag, Gulmarg, and Konibal recorded minimums ranging from minus 0.2 to minus 5.2 degrees. A thick layer of fog engulfed parts of the valley, and the meteorological department has forecast generally cloudy but dry weather on December 6-7, with light snowfall at isolated higher reaches possible on December 8. No respite from toxic air in Delhi The air quality in the national capital remained in the 'very poor' category on Saturday morning, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am settled at 335. According to the Central Pollution Control Board Sameer App, 36 monitoring stations across the capital also reported very poor air, with Mundka recording the worst levels at 387. According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. Delhi's air quality has swung sharply through the week, the city recorded an AQI of 279 on Sunday, 304 on Monday, rose sharply to 372 on Tuesday, and stood at 342 on Wednesday. The city's AQI remained in the very poor category on Thursday with a reading of 304, and 327 on Friday. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature settled at 6.8 degree Celsius, 2.7 degree Celsius below normal, with morning humidity at 95 per cent. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature may reach 24 degree Celsius under a partly cloudy sky. (With inputs from PTI)
Hemant Soren calls for tribal unity, warns big fish will eat little fish if communities stay divided
RANCHI:Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged the tribal communities across the country to stand united, warning that otherwise they may face extinction. He used the ig fish eat little fish proverb to buttress his point. Asserting that the tribal community never receives its due place in the census, Soren said it was time to fight for their rights, as challenges will continue to increase. Today, the people have chosen me as the chief minister of Jharkhand. But I know that as we move forward, the challenges will keep increasing. You must have seen that a big fish always tries to eat the little fish, Soren said, addressing tribal representatives gathered here from different parts of the country on Friday. Unless and until the community is united, they may face systemic marginalisation and neglect, the JMM president cautioned. Recalling the legacy of legendary freedom fighters and revolutionaries like Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, Tilka Manjhi and 'Dishom Guru' (leader of the land) Shibu Soren, he said Jharkhand is not merely a state but he land of Mother Earth that leads the tribal society of the entire nation. The CM said that the tribal community must assert its rights, fight for its land, protect its cultural identity and safeguard its existence. He stressed that tribal people can progress only through collective unity and that their struggles must no longer remain isolated or unheard. The tribal people of the country will have to unite and fight together so that our problems do not remain mere voices but become an agenda of national politics, he said, adding that tribal society must recognise itself as a community with a shared past and an equally shared future. He lamented that the tribal community has not been able to produce an extensive written record of its civilisation. We are worshippers of nature; our document is nature itself, he posted on X, insisting that the world must recognise that indigenous lifestyles rooted in nature are crucial for global ecological balance. Pointing to the alleged depletion of the Hasdeo forest in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and the environmental crisis in Delhi, Soren said the world was now finally facing the consequences of ignoring ecological preservation - something tribals have upheld for generations. The chief minister raised concerns over the natural wealth of Jharkhand, urging people to reflect on whether its mineral richness has been a blessing or a curse. He argued that nature and tribal society have never been prioritised in national policy-making, despite being central to environmental sustainability. He warned that a society deeply connected to water, forests and land has continuously been pushed to the margins, even as environmental threats intensify. Soren voiced strong dissatisfaction over the lack of adequate representation of tribal populations in the national census exercises. He said that while every section of society receives recognition and categorisation, tribals often do not receive their rightful place in demographic exercises. If this continues, he warned, the community may gradually be erased from the nation's consciousness. He also highlighted the gaps in economic, social, intellectual and political opportunities available to tribal citizens, asking how many from the community have truly been allowed to advance in various fields Alleging political discrimination against tribal leaders, Soren said that, except for the North East and a few states, tribals have rarely held chief ministerial positions. He claimed that neighbouring states appointed tribal CMs only after Jharkhand elected one, illustrating how representation of the community at the highest levels remains a significant challenge. Soren informed the gathering that he had instructed his office to collect contact details of all tribal representatives present so that communication, coordination and solidarity could be strengthened. He assured them that whenever he visits their states, he will meet them personally. Yes, if we unite as a group, then we can move forward as a great power, he said, emphasising that isolated struggles cannot secure a collective future. He said that the tribal community has always played a significant role in various fields and has produced countless brave men and women, but lamented that the community has been forced to remain divided for far too long. The chief minister reaffirmed his commitment to standing firmly with all indigenous societies and announced that his government will prepare a detailed action plan aimed at building a strong, unified and empowered tribal society. As the challenges ahead grow, he said, unity will be the only shield.
IndiGo meltdown throws KIA into chaos
BENGALURU: Thousands of passengers were stranded at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Friday as Terminal 1, known for its iconic design, descended into chaos, overcrowding and exhaustion, resembling a refugee camp. As 292 IndiGo flights were cancelled and abrupt disruptions continued for the fourth day on Friday, there was little clarity and passengers frustration only grew. Arguments broke out between passengers, airline staff and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. Fares on other airlines skyrocketed to Rs 1 lakh for routes to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. With limited seating available, families and solo travellers stretched out on the floors, some sleeping on jackets, while others leaning against luggage, turning the terminal into a crowded waiting hall. A family enroute to Haridwar for asthi visarjan was stranded, even as the daughter of the deceased held a urn that had the remains of her father. They had no option other than paying exorbitant sums for an alternative ticket. Even as passengers struggled, no food or alternative flight arrangements were made. Hyderabad-bound passenger Jayesh Menon told TNIE that flyers were initially informed about one-hour delays, that repeated multiple times before the flights were cancelled. But even a bigger crisis awaited flyers as many were unable to retrieve their checked-in baggage for four to five hours. People are angry, sad, every emotion you can think of, he added. Several stranded passengers continued waiting for their luggage late into the evening, while others scrambled to find alternative travel arrangements amid disruptions, he added. Airfares surge tenfold on certain routes on Saturday as IndiGo cancels 1,000 flights on Friday RANCHI TO BLURU: A 36-HR ORDEAL What should have taken a routine 2.5-hour journey from Ranchi to Bengaluru turned out to be a 36-hour ordeal for Sanjay Choraria and his wife. They started on Thursday at 7 am to reach the airport early for their 8.50 am IndiGo flight, only to face repeated one-hour delays that stretched endlessly until the airline abruptly cancelled the flight at 4 pm. The only alternative offered was a punishing detour - Ranchi to Kolkata to Chennai to Bengaluru. But a bigger nightmare awaited them on the Kolkata to Chennai with the 9.40 pm departure repeatedly pushed past midnight and to 2.30 am. It finally took off at 4 am after tensions boiled over. In Chennai, passengers were dealt another blow when the final flight to Bengaluru was cancelled. Exhausted and out of options, the couple hired a private cab and reached Bengaluru at 7 pm on Friday. HUBBALLI BRIDE, GROOM ATTEND RECEPTION ONLINE Hubballi: It was a full house at a marriage hall in Hubballi. There were close to 700 guests who arrived to bless the couple for their reception. But there were no bride and groom. They came on live on screen from Bhubaneshwar. Following countrywide delays in air traffic involving Indigo Airlines, the bride and groom could not make it. However, the brides parents were at the venue to complete the rituals. The parents of the bride, Medha, at the last minute decided to host the party and ensured the bride and groom got ready and came online at the marriage hall. Medha and Sangam Das were married on December 23 in Odisha and the reception was scheduled on December 3 in Hubballi. They were to fly to Mumbai on December 2 and then to Hubballi. -- Amit S Upadhye IndiGo pilots and crew say management failures left staff to face public ire amid mass cancellations
Surprise twist! This IPL team tops Google searches, leaving RCB, CSK and MI behind
Punjab Kings achieved a significant global milestone, ranking fourth on Google's Top 5 Most Searched Sports Teams of 2025. This recognition follows their impressive IPL 2025 final run, highlighting their growing international fanbase and strong digital presence. The franchise emphasized the emotional connection with supporters as a key factor in this achievement.
Ministers Visit State Capitals to Invite CMs for Telangana Rising Summit
Bhatti met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi and presented him with the specially printed summit invitation and briefed him on Telanganas vision of achieving a $ 3 trillion economy by 2047.
With Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, speculation is swirling around the franchise's next leader. Young all-rounder Riyan Parag has finally responded to the rumours linking him to the captaincy role. Here's what he said and what it means for RR going forward.
Dhanbad DC orders detailed enquiry into toxic gas leak incident that killed two
RANCHI: Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Aditya Ranjan has ordered a detailed inquiry into the toxic gas leak incident , which was reported from the Putki Balihari Colliery Area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in Dhanbad. He also directed officials to immediately relocate the residents living in the affected zones to safer locations. Notably, at least two women allegedly were killed while several others complained of vomiting tendency and headache due to leakage of toxic carbon monoxide gas near Children's Park in Dhanbad's Kenduadih, affected by underground fire for more than a century. Taking note of the gravity of the situation, Dhanbad DC convened an emergency review meeting with senior representatives of BCCL, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), the Health Department, Disaster Management and JRDA. During the meeting, the DC formed a committee to determine how the leak occurred, what gaps existed in safety protocols and which agencies failed to respond effectively. The investigation will examine each incident in detail and determine whose negligence led to the loss of life. The committee will investigate whose negligence led to the casualties. Strict action will be taken on the basis of the report, said the DC. The inquiry will be conducted under the Mines Act, 1952 and Disaster Management Regulation, 2025. According to locals, Priyanka Devi died late Wednesday evening, while another woman, Lalita Devi, died on Thursday. Besides that, a dozen children and women in the area have fallen ill, they said. However, the exact cause of death for both women will only be clear after the arrival of postmortem reports. These frequent deaths have fueled locals anger. Protesting against the local administration and BCCL, locals blocked Dhanbad-Ranchi Road for several hours by burning tyres on the road. Protesters claimed that a thick haze has been lingered since morning. Their homes have filled up with smoke, causing breathing problems for children and the elderly. Eye irritation, cough and choking problems have also increased, they said. They fear that if the underground fire expands further, the entire area could be in grave danger.
Ranveer Singh's new film Dhurandhar is now in cinemas. The spy thriller is about a mission in Karachi. It faced delays and controversy. The film is long and has an adult rating. It is also the first part of a franchise. The second part will reportedly rrelease in 2026. Read on!
Soren meets allies amid buzz over change of guard
RANCHI: Putting an end to speculation that Jharkhands political equations might change in the coming days, the INDIA bloc in the state displayed unity during a meeting of alliance partners conducted by CM Hemant Soren on Thursday. The meeting, held ahead of the Winter Session of Jharkhand Assembly beginning December 5, was significant because rumours had circulated after Soren and his MLA wife, Kalpana Soren, visited Delhi, claiming they had allegedly met senior BJP leaders. These reports suggested dissatisfaction within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) over the performance of its allies, the Congress and the RJD, in the recent Bihar polls. The concerns had intensified after the JMMs decision to withdraw from the 2025 Bihar elections, citing what it called a political conspiracy by its allies in Bihar. Days after the Mahagathbandhans rout in the polls, JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey said that it was time to review the alliance not only in Jharkhand, but at the central level too. However, after the Thursday meeting, sources said the coalition is focused on governance and the upcoming Assembly session. All four ministers from the Congress quota, along with Jharkhand in-charge K Raju and state Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh, attended the meeting. All the 16 MLAs will be present during the Winter Session of Jharkhand Assembly and put the questions in the interest of the people of the state, said State Congress Chief Keshav Mahto. Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radhakrishna Kishore said the speculation about a change in power had been proven baseless. He added, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated during the winter session of Parliament that the Lok Sabha is a place for delivery, not drama. BJP MLAs should also keep this in mind. Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said they would not allow the BJP narrative to succeed. Health Minister Dr Irnan Ansari said the BJP had no issues to raise and had resorted to drama. JMM ministers and MLAs, however, avoided speaking to the media.
India-SA ODI Teams Arrive In Vizag For Tomorrows Match
India won the opening ODI in Ranchi before the South Africans bounced back to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory in Raipur and level the series.
Suspected gas leak kills two, leaves several others ill in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
RANCHI: At least two women allegedly died while several others complained of vomiting tendency and headache due to leakage of toxic carbon monoxide gas for the last two days near Children's Park in Dhanbad's Kenduadih, affected by underground fire for more than a century. Though efforts are being made to seal the leaking spots, authorities have urged people to vacate the area as a precautionary measure. According to locals, the impact of the gas is being felt in the Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla and Officers Colony areas of Kenduadih, home to a population of approximately 10,000. The persistent stench and gas leakage have made life difficult for the residents. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner also asserted that two people have died due to the gas leakage. Yes, two people apparently died due to the gas leakage. Meanwhile, we have done a makeshift arrangement for nearly 400 families living in the area, said the DC Aditya Ranjan. Eviction notice has already been issued long back in the wake of the underground fire in the region, but people are reluctant to vacate the place, he added. According to Ranjan, taking a fresh initiative, the district administration has been making announcements through the public address system, appealing to people to vacate the place as soon as possible. Though the permanent solution is eviction, as a temporary solution, we have directed to make two ambulances available, both by the district administration and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), each, said the DC. #WATCH | Dhanbad, Jharkhand: 2 women lost their lives as a gas leak in Kenduadih escalated. Villagers blocked the Dhanbad-Ranchi main road and burned tyres in protest against the district administration and the BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) management. pic.twitter.com/igWcKvy9De ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025 According to locals, one woman--Priyanka Devi--died late Wednesday evening, while another woman, Lalita Devi, died on Thursday. Besides, a dozen children and women in the area have fallen ill, they said. However, the exact cause of death for both women will only be clear after postmortem reports. These frequent deaths have fueled locals anger. Protesting against the local administration and BCCL, locals blocked Dhanbad-Ranchi Road for several hours by burning tyres on the road. Protesters claimed that a thick haze has lingered since morning. Their homes have filled up with smoke, causing breathing problems for children and the elderly. Eye irritation, cough and choking problems have also increased, they said. They fear that if the underground fire expands further, the entire area could be in grave danger. Locals have been demanding adequate compensation and arrangements for relocation to a safer location. Meanwhile, Project Officer Lakhan Lal Barnwal stated that the gas accumulated in the colliery, closed for nearly 15 years, started leaking through cracks in the ground. The impact of the gas has been felt within a radius of approximately 400 feet, he said. BCCL has set up emergency shelters for 15-20 families by erecting tents at two locations.
Virat Kohli's second successive ton looked inevitable, he carried on confidence from Ranchi
Virat Kohli's second consecutive ODI century against South Africa was deemed inevitable by Sunil Gavaskar, who highlighted the batsman's confidence from the first match. Kohli's 102, coupled with Ruturaj Gaikwad's 105, set a new record for India's third-wicket stand. Despite their efforts, South Africa chased down 358 to level the series, with Aiden Markram scoring a crucial maiden century.
The Oval Invincibles will be rebranded as MI London from 2026 after Reliance Industries acquires a 49% stake in the franchise. Surrey retains 51%. Both men's and women's teams will carry the MI brand, bringing the Mumbai Indians' global legacy to The Hundred in England.
Supreme Court hears arguments that the Special Intensive Revision allows mass scrutiny of citizenship based on mere suspicion, posing threats of disenfranchisement and statelessness
Virat Kohli moves up to No. 4 in ICC ODI rankings
DUBAI, Dec 3: Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Wednesday moved up to No. 4 in the latest ICC rankings with a match-winning hundred against South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi boosting his ascend. Kohli made his 52nd hundred in the 50-over format, a 120-ball 135 that propelled India to a 17-run win []
Oval Invincibles is MI London as RIL concludes Surrey deal
Reliance Industries has acquired a significant stake in The Hundred's Oval Invincibles. The team will be known as MI London starting in 2026. This move expands Reliance's global cricket presence. Other franchises have also seen new ownership and investment. The Hundred league continues to grow in value.
JSSC-CGL paper leak: Jharkhand HC rejects PIL seeking CBI probe
RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged paper leak of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level Examination (JSSC-CGL). On November 3, after hearing arguments from all parties, a division bench of the High Court Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar had reserved the order. The court has also directed the JSSC to declare results and initiate the recruitment process. The court, in its order, has also put a stay on the publication of results for ten candidates who had gone to Nepal ahead of the examination in the name of preparation. JSSC-CGL examination 2023 was held on September 21 and 22, 2024. Appearing on behalf of the state government, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, reiterated that no evidence of a question paper leak was found in the examination and CID investigation has not yet revealed any leaks. Guess papers are being termed as paper leak by some of the candidates as they deliberately want to disrupt the examination process by portraying it as a question paper leak, he said. According to the Advocate General, a person named Santosh Mastana has also been arrested and thoroughly interrogated; he also talked about the guess papers. A new SIT was formed, headed by an IG-rank officer, to ensure a fair investigation, he said. Senior Supreme Court lawyers Gopal Shankar Narayan, V Gohana and Amritansh Vats, representing successful candidates, Deepak Oraon and others, also dismissed the question paper leak allegation as baseless. They also submitted that no evidence had been found to suggest question paper leaked. It was submitted by the successful candidates advocates that repetition of previous years' questions took place on September 21, so candidates were focused on the repeated questions in September 22 examination; there appears to be no issue of a question paper leak. No leaks of question paper or answer sheets were found anywhere, they said. Petitioners advocate on the other hand, stated that the state government, citing court orders, dissolved the previous SIT and formed another SIT to prevent the investigation going into the right direction. Senior Supreme Court advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha and senior High Court advocate Ajit Kumar presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners. Advocate Sanjay Piprawal and Advocate Prince Kumar appeared on behalf of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Notably, the students have been alleging that the exam was marred by irregularities such as paper leaks, unsealed papers, and the repetition of a large number of questions. 304,769 candidates participated in the CGL 2023 exam. Selected candidates will be appointed to 2,025 positions in various departments. According to the students, only 82 candidates qualified in the exam held on September 21, whereas 2178 passed in the exam held on September 22. They also alleged that the answers to the questions were available to many candidates even before the start of the first shift of examination on September 22.
ED takes over Jharkhand liquor scam probe, launches PMLA investigation
RANCHI: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally taken over the Jharkhand liquor scam probe from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), launching its own investigation into the case. ED sources confirmed that the agency has adopted ACB case 9/2025 and registered a parallel Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) numbered 10/2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Following the registration of the ECIR, the ED moved the Special PMLA Court in Ranchi seeking permission to interrogate the accused arrested by the ACB. The court approved, allowing the agency to question individuals currently lodged in jail and record their statements. EDs application carried filing number 11431/2025 and registration number 10/2025. With the ED stepping in and launching its own probe under the PMLA, the case has taken a significant turn, adding a new layer of scrutiny to the unfolding scandal. Notably, the case was first registered by the Economic Offences Wing based on the statement of Vikas Singh, a resident of Argora police station area in Ranchi. Singh had accused Chhattisgarh officials Anil Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar, Arunpati Tripathi, and others of causing a revenue loss worth billions of rupees to the Chhattisgarh government through a liquor scam. Following an FIR (36/2024) registered by the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing, the ACB Ranchi also registered a preliminary investigation (PI). During the investigation, the ACB questioned former Excise Secretary Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh multiple times. Based on information obtained during the initial questioning, the ACB registered a regular FIR related to the liquor scam with government approval. After completing the investigation of the FIR registered in Chhattisgarh in March 2025, the Economic Offences Wing wrote to the Jharkhand government requesting sanction for prosecution against Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh. The ACB registered the FIR in May after completing its preliminary inquiry into the alleged liquor scam. The FIR named senior IAS officer Vinay Choubey, Excise Department Joint Secretary Gajendra Singh, Vinay Singh, and seven others as accused. Following the FIR, the ACB arrested Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh. So far, more than a dozen arrests have been made in the case, several of whom have since secured bail. The ACB continues to pursue its investigation independently.
Second supplementary budget for 2026-27 slated for debate in Bihar Assembly
PATNA: Bihar NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday tabled second supplementary budget of Rs 91,717 crore for financial year 2025-26. The budget presented by state finance minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav will be put up for debate in the House and subsequent approval on Friday, the final day of the five-day Winter Session of the state legislature. A sum of Rs 51,253 crore has been earmarked for the annual expenditure on schemes, while Rs 40,462 crore is meant for establishment and committed expenditure. The supplementary budget laid emphasis on women empowerment with a provision of Rs 21,000 crore for the purpose. The government has already announced to provide Rs 2 lakh each to women entrepreneur under Mukhyamanti Mahila Rojgar Yojna. Under the scheme launched ahead of state assembly election, Rs 10,000 was earlier transferred to bank accounts of nearly 1.40 crore women entrepreneurs. The total number of women associated with Jeevika stands at 1.56 crore in the state. During the election campaign, CM Nitish Kumar had announced that the next instalment of Rs 2 lakh each would be given after assessment of their business after six months. This is perhaps the reason women voters favoured NDA candidates in the election, paving way for Nitish's return to power. Around 71.6 per cent of 3.51 crore voters turned up at the booths to exercise their franchise in comparison to 62.8 per cent of 3.94 crore male electors who cast their votes. Together, they led to the best-ever voter turnout of 66.91 per cent after 1951 election in the state. The two-phase elections were held on November 4 and 11 and counting of votes was conducted on November 14. NDA won 202 seats out of the 243-member assembly. The Opposition could win only 35 seats. Another Rs 1,885 crore is meant for the old age pension scheme, the beneficiaries of which get Rs 1,100 per month. The quantum of payment was raised from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 in August this year. The rise in pension for the aged people and people with physical disabilities was widely hailed by the beneficiaries. Incidentally, the size of Bihars annual budget for the financial year 2025-26 was Rs 3.17 lakh crore, and the first supplementary budget tabled earlier was of around Rs 50,000 crore. Earlier, in his joint address to the members, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan reiterated state governments resolve to generate one crore jobs for states youth and 125 units free electricity to each domestic user. Khan said that 50 lakh jobs have already been provided and remaining 50 lakh would be generated in next five years. He also spoke of NDA's commitment to the uplift of women, especially girls, through measures like free uniforms and bicycles to those in school, which were announced shortly after Nitishs ascent to power in 2005.
Jharkhand HC exempts CM Hemant Soren from physical appearance in ED summons case
RANCHI: In a major relief to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday exempted him from physical appearance in the MP-MLA Court in a case related to disobeying summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case was heard on merits by Justice Anil Chaudhary, who disposed of the petition. Earlier, on November 25, Soren had been asked to appear personally after the Jharkhand High Court vacated an interim order issued on December 4, 2024, which had exempted him from personal appearance before the Ranchi MP/MLA court. The High Court had vacated the interim order and directed the Ranchi MP/MLA Court to continue the trial process and proceed with the case. This decision has brought significant relief to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who will not have to be physically present in the court during the hearing. Senior advocate Arunav Chaudhary and advocate Dipankar Rai appeared on behalf of the Chief Minister. Notably, the Chief Minister had filed a petition seeking exemption from personal appearance against the courts order, but the lower court had rejected it. Challenging this order, Soren filed a petition in the High Court seeking dismissal of the case pending in the lower court. The High Court had then stayed the lower courts order requiring the Chief Minister to appear, which was later vacated on November 25. The case was subsequently heard on merits and disposed of on Wednesday. Earlier, the complaint was filed by the ED against Soren on February 20 for disobeying summons in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. On June 3, the case was transferred to the MP-MLA Court. Taking cognisance of the case on March 4, 2025, the court had observed prima facie that Soren had disobeyed the summons. According to the ED, 10 summons had been issued to Hemant Soren in a money laundering case linked to a land scam, but he appeared before the agency only twice, on January 20 and 31. The agency stated that Soren had disregarded ED summons eight times. After skipping ED summons for the eighth time in the land scam case, Hemant Soren, for the first time, agreed to join the probe and was questioned by ED at his residence in Ranchi on January 20 for more than seven hours. Later, on January 27, the ED sent a letter to CM Hemant Soren, asking him to decide a time and place for questioning either on January 29 or 31. The letter stated that if Soren did not decide, ED officials would come to his official residence for questioning. Soren agreed for the second questioning on January 31 after the tenth summons. The ED finally arrested Soren on January 31, 2024, after he avoided officials and disappeared from his Delhi residence on January 29. Soren remained untraceable for about 40 hours before resurfacing in Ranchi on the day of his arrest.
India rely on Kohli, Rohit pair to seal ODI series victory against doughty SA
RAIPUR, Dec 2:The chatter around the volatile dressing room environment notwithstanding, India will rely on Virat Kohlis imperious form and Rohit Sharmas indomitable presence to seal a series victory over a doughty South Africa in the second ODI, here on Wednesday. A record-extending 52nd ODI century by Kohli and a rapid 57 from Rohit paved the way for Indias 17-run win in the series-opener at Ranchi, where the home bowlers endured a spirited fightback from the Proteas before managing to [] The post India rely on Kohli, Rohit pair to seal ODI series victory against doughty SA appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Supreme Court hears arguments that the Special Intensive Revision allows mass scrutiny of citizenship based on mere suspicion, posing threats of disenfranchisement and statelessness
Big Show No More: Why Glenn Maxwell Pulled Out of IPL Auction?
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has withdrawn from the IPL 2025 mini-auction amid declining form and waning franchise interest. His inconsistent performances over recent seasons made him an unlikely bidder favorite.
