Environment News in English

News18✓

Dec 17, 2025, 04:55 AM

Why Your LinkedIn Profile Isn't Working After A Layoff: Fixing Common Mistakes

The job market is tough, and layoffs are becoming increasingly common. Data from Layoffs.fyi shows that in 2025 alone, over 1.2 lakh employees lost their jobs as 218 tech companies cut their workforce in India. For most people, the next step is almost automatic; they turn to LinkedIn to look for a new job. Profiles are updated, the Open to Work badge goes on, and the job hunt begins. But for many, LinkedIn doesn’t lead to interviews. The issue isn’t the layoff, and it isn’t LinkedIn either. Jobseekers often make small but crucial mistakes on the platform, mistakes that reduce visibility and cost them opportunities. Let’s break down why LinkedIn often stops working after a layoff, and what professionals can do to fix it. What You Are Doing Wrong One of the first missteps happens quietly. In a rush to “update everything," people copy their CV straight into their LinkedIn profile. The result reads polished but generic, relying heavily on adjectives and lacking specificity. Phrases like “results-driven professional" or “experience across multiple domains" sound impressive but tell LinkedIn’s search system very little. Recruiters don’t search for ambition. They search for roles, tools, and skills. A profile that lacks clear job titles, industry language, and measurable work ends up invisible, not rejected, just unseen. Then comes the headline. After a layoff, honesty often takes centre stage. Headlines begin to explain the situation: recently laid off, seeking new opportunities, open to work. While understandable, these lines shift focus from capability to circumstance. On a platform where recruiters skim dozens of profiles in minutes, context matters less than clarity. A headline is not an announcement. It is a label. When it fails to state what you do and where you fit, it gives recruiters no reason to pause. Many professionals assume the green Open to Work banner will do the heavy lifting. It helps, but only marginally. Recruiters say the badge works best when paired with a profile that shows momentum: recent updates, relevant keywords, visible activity. Without that, the banner becomes a signal floating over an otherwise static page. Why You Need An Active Profile Momentum is where many profiles quietly stall. After the initial update, people retreat. Some feel emotionally drained. Others worry about saying the wrong thing. The result is prolonged silence, no posts, no comments, no engagement. To LinkedIn’s algorithm, inactivity suggests professional dormancy. To recruiters, it suggests someone who has paused rather than pivoted. This doesn’t require becoming a content creator. Even small signs of engagement, such as commenting on industry discussions or sharing relevant insights, keep a profile active and visible. In a competitive market, presence matters as much as polish. The About section often reveals another tension. Some profiles leave it untouched, still describing a role that no longer exists. Others turn it into a personal essay about the layoff itself. Recruiters rarely read this section line by line. They skim it to answer a simple question: Who is this person professionally right now? When that answer is buried under emotion or outdated context, recruiters’ interest in your profile fades quickly. Use Your LinkedIn Network Smartly Networking, too, becomes fraught after a layoff. Many professionals hesitate to reach out, worried they’ll sound desperate. Others do the opposite, sending mass messages asking for referrals or opportunities. Both approaches miss the mark. LinkedIn is built for conversation, not appeals. Brief, personalised messages, grounded in shared context rather than urgency, are far more effective. There’s also the temptation to vent. Layoffs are personal, and LinkedIn can feel like a safe space. But it remains a public platform. Hiring managers often scan activity history, not just profiles. Repeated expressions of frustration, blame, or bitterness, even when justified, can quietly influence perception. The larger truth is this: layoffs are no longer a stigma. In many industries, they are a shared experience. Recruiters aren’t filtering candidates out because they were laid off. They are filtering based on clarity. Your profile should reflect the answer to the following question Swipe Left For Next Video When LinkedIn profiles focus on those questions rather than the shock of job loss, they start working again. The issue isn’t the layoff, and it isn’t LinkedIn either. Jobseekers often make small but crucial mistakes on the platform, mistakes that reduce visibility and cost them opportunities. Let’s break down why LinkedIn often stops working after a layoff, and what professionals can do to fix it. What You Are Doing Wrong One of the first missteps happens quietly. In a rush to “update everything,” people copy their CV straight into their LinkedIn profile. The result reads polished but generic, relying heavily on adjectives and lacking specificity. Phrases like “results-driven professional” or “experience across multiple domains” sound impressive but tell LinkedIn’s search system very little. Recruiters don’t search for ambition. They search for roles, tools, and skills. A profile that lacks clear job titles, industry language, and measurable work ends up invisible, not rejected, just unseen. Then comes the headline. After a layoff, honesty often takes centre stage. Headlines begin to explain the situation: recently laid off, seeking new opportunities, open to work. While understandable, these lines shift focus from capability to circumstance. On a platform where recruiters skim dozens of profiles in minutes, context matters less than clarity. A headline is not an announcement. It is a label. When it fails to state what you do and where you fit, it gives recruiters no reason to pause. Many professionals assume the green Open to Work banner will do the heavy lifting. It helps, but only marginally. Recruiters say the badge works best when paired with a profile that shows momentum: recent updates, relevant keywords, visible activity. Without that, the banner becomes a signal floating over an otherwise static page. Why You Need An Active Profile Momentum is where many profiles quietly stall. After the initial update, people retreat. Some feel emotionally drained. Others worry about saying the wrong thing. The result is prolonged silence, no posts, no comments, no engagement. To LinkedIn’s algorithm, inactivity suggests professional dormancy. To recruiters, it suggests someone who has paused rather than pivoted. This doesn’t require becoming a content creator. Even small signs of engagement, such as commenting on industry discussions or sharing relevant insights, keep a profile active and visible. In a competitive market, presence matters as much as polish. The About section often reveals another tension. Some profiles leave it untouched, still describing a role that no longer exists. Others turn it into a personal essay about the layoff itself. Recruiters rarely read this section line by line. They skim it to answer a simple question: Who is this person professionally right now? When that answer is buried under emotion or outdated context, recruiters’ interest in your profile fades quickly. Use Your LinkedIn Network Smartly Networking, too, becomes fraught after a layoff. Many professionals hesitate to reach out, worried they’ll sound desperate. Others do the opposite, sending mass messages asking for referrals or opportunities. Both approaches miss the mark. LinkedIn is built for conversation, not appeals. Brief, personalised messages, grounded in shared context rather than urgency, are far more effective. There’s also the temptation to vent. Layoffs are personal, and LinkedIn can feel like a safe space. But it remains a public platform. Hiring managers often scan activity history, not just profiles. Repeated expressions of frustration, blame, or bitterness, even when justified, can quietly influence perception. The larger truth is this: layoffs are no longer a stigma. In many industries, they are a shared experience. Recruiters aren’t filtering candidates out because they were laid off. They are filtering based on clarity. Your profile should reflect the answer to the following question When LinkedIn profiles focus on those questions rather than the shock of job loss, they start working again.

22 shares

😢

News18✓

Dec 17, 2025, 04:52 AM

ICICI Prudential AMC IPO Allotment Date, Listing Date, Latest GMP: A Step-By-Step Guide to Check Status Online

24 shares

😐

News18✓

Dec 17, 2025, 04:51 AM

Winter Cocktail Guide: Elevate Your Season with These Exquisite Drinks

The “I don’t need a reason to drink" season is officially here. Consider this your winter cocktail guide, one your guests, partners, and even your future self will thank you for. As temperatures dip and evenings grow slower and softer, winter becomes the perfect time to gather, unwind, and indulge in drinks that warm you from within. Whether you lean toward bold, spirit-forward pours or cosy, spice-led creations, there’s a cocktail for every winter mood. From fireside classics to contemporary twists, here’s a curated selection of exquisite cocktails designed to elevate the season and keep the chill firmly at bay. Ingredients • The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve – 20 ml • Rompope – 20 ml • Cold brew – 80 ml • Cinnamon – for garnish Method Combine all ingredients in a mug. Serve hot or chilled, as preferred. Garnish with cinnamon. Warm | Wintery | Spicy | Fresh The Hot Toddy is the ultimate winter warmer, comforting, aromatic, and perfectly suited to chilly nights. Sweet honey, zingy ginger, and delicate spices come together under a pour of hot water, while Chivas XV adds a refined, warming depth. Chivas XV is a 15-year-old blended Scotch whisky, finished in French oak casks, delivering a rich, velvety expression of the Chivas house style. Ingredients • Chivas Regal XV – 40 ml • Lemon juice – 10 ml • Honey – 10 ml • Fresh ginger – 2 slices • Cinnamon stick – 1 • Star anise – 1 • Boiling water – to top • Lemon slice – garnish Method Place ginger, cinnamon, and star anise into a teacup. Add whisky, lemon juice, and honey. Top with boiling water and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve. A close cousin of the Italian Negroni, the Boulevardier swaps gin for whiskey, resulting in a richer, more winter-appropriate aperitif. Think Parisian elegance rather than Venetian canals—though it works just as beautifully at home. Signature Recipe • Jameson Black Barrel – 30 ml • Red vermouth – 30 ml • Bitter aperitif – 30 ml Method Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon zest. A take on a Kingston Negroni Ingredients • Idaaya – 30 ml • Bitter aperitif (such as Campari) – 30 ml • Sweet vermouth – 30 ml • Orange peel – garnish Method Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with a long strip of orange peel. Citrusy | Warm | Zesty Ingredients • Beefeater Gin – 150 ml • Apple juice or cloudy apple cider – 500 ml • Orange – 1, sliced • Lemon peel – 1 strip • Cinnamon stick – 1 • Cloves – 3–4 • Honey or sugar – 1 tbsp (optional) • Dried rose petals or rose water – a few petals or 2–3 drops Method Add apple juice, citrus slices, cinnamon, cloves, and honey to a pot. Warm gently over low heat, do not boil. Add gin and rose petals or rose water. Heat for another 2–3 minutes until aromatic. Strain into a heat-proof mug and garnish with an orange slice. Floral Pour Base Ingredients • Gin – 300 ml • Lillet Blanc – 100 ml • Kaffir lime leaves – 4 • Jasmine tea – 6 g • Lavender tea buds – 1.5 g Method Combine all ingredients in a container. Macerate for 4 hours. Remove kaffir lime leaves after 2 hours; allow jasmine and lavender to continue macerating. Strain and store. This infusion forms the Floral Pour base. Ingredients • Floral Pour – 30 ml • Gin – 15 ml • Lillet Blanc – 15 ml • Sugar syrup – 17.5 ml • Lime acid solution – 15 ml Method Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice Stir until well chilled. Swipe Left For Next Video Strain into a Nick & Nora glass.

54 shares

😊

AIR News✓

Dec 17, 2025, 04:41 AM

Delhi Government Takes Tough Measures to Combat Air Pollution

The Delhi Government has taken strong measures to tackle the issue of air pollution in the national capital. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that vehicles without a proper Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps from tomorrow.The minister further announced that there will be a complete ban on trucks bringing construction material into Delhi. Moreover, private vehicles from outside Delhi with less than BS6 category will not be allowed to enter the national capital from tomorrow.The Environment Minister further said that no government can completely eliminate pollution in 9-10 months. He blamed the previous government of the Aam Aadmi Party for not taking any concrete action during its tenure. He further said that the present government has improved the deteriorated conditions and is continuously working every day to reduce the AQI.

19 shares

😢

Business Standard

Dec 17, 2025, 04:17 AM

India Braces for Winter: Fresh Alerts Issued for Cold Wave, Dense Fog, and Snowfall

As winter tightens its grip across India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh alerts for cold wave conditions, dense fog and snowfall across several regions, warning of transport disruptions and a further dip in temperatures.Dense fog disrupts DelhiDense fog has continued to shroud Delhi, disrupting daily life and air travel. Over the past two days, several flights have been cancelled due to poor visibility caused by fog and smog.On Monday alone, at least 300 flights across northern India were cancelled, while hundreds more were delayed. Airlines have issued advisories cautioning passengers about possible delays and urging them to check flight status before heading to airports.Fog and cold wave forecastAccording to IMD, dense fog is likely to persist in isolated pockets during early morning hours across multiple regions.The Northeast is expected to witness fog from December 17 to 21, while Punjab may see similar conditions from December 17 to 20. Uttarakhand, west Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are likely to experience fog on December 17 and 18.Also ReadWhy China's graduates are choosing government jobs over private firmsMusk's worth soars past $600 bn; richer than Bezos, Zuckerberg combinedDelhi AQI remains 'very poor'; govt announces BS-VI vehicle rulesTrump to deliver prime-time address on Thursday morning amid waning supportDelhi tightens pollution norms, bars non-BS-VI vehicles from Dec 18Haryana and Chandigarh may witness dense fog between December 18 and 20. Uttar Pradesh is expected to see very dense fog at some places on December 17, with isolated patches likely on December 18.Cold wave conditions are also forecast at isolated places over Telangana, north interior Karnataka and west Madhya Pradesh on December 17 and 18, intensifying winter chill in these regions.Rainfall and snowfall outlookLight rainfall or snowfall is likely at a few or isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad between December 18 and 22.Himachal Pradesh and Punjab may receive rainfall on December 20 and 21, while Uttarakhand is likely to witness rain or snowfall on December 21.Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are very likely at isolated places over the Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on December 17.Minimum temperature outlookIMD has forecast no significant change in minimum temperatures over northwest India during the next three days, followed by a gradual rise of about 2–3 degrees Celsius over the subsequent four days.Over the rest of the country, minimum temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged over the next seven days.

6 shares

😐

News18✓

Dec 17, 2025, 03:59 AM

Delhi's AQI Report: Dense Smog and Fog Worsen Air Pollution Crisis

Delhi Weather, AQI Report Today:Delhi residents faced another difficult day asdense smog and fogcovered large parts of the national capital, reducing visibility and raising health concerns. Visuals on Wednesday morning from areas such as Anand Vihar and ITO showed a thick layer of toxic smog hanging over roads, buildings and traffic corridors. Even prominent landmarks like the Akshardham Temple were only faintly visible through the haze. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), theAir Quality Index (AQI)in Anand Vihar stood at 341, while readings around the ITO area touched 360. Both figures fall in the ‘very poor’ category. Although pollution levels improved slightly on Tuesday due to stronger winds and thinning fog, the air quality remained unsafe, especially for children, the elderly and people with breathing problems. AQI at 341 in Anand Vihar, 350 in Ashok Vihar, 299 in Burari, 297 on Mathura Road, 263 at IGI Airport, 289 at Lodhi Road, and 302 near Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. In response to the continuing pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked all actions under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. These emergency measures are enforced when air quality reaches critical levels and include strict restrictions on construction activities, industrial operations and the movement of certain vehicles. The worsening weather conditions also affected travel. IndiGo issued a travel advisory on Tuesday night, warning passengers of reduced visibility and slower flight movements on Wednesday morning. IGI Airport authorities said10 flights have been cancelled from Delhi today due to low visibility. The airline said fog across North and East India could lead to delays or changes in flight schedules. It also cautioned that road traffic may move slowly, advising passengers to plan with extra time and check flight updates before leaving home. #WATCH| Delhi | Visuals around Anand Vihar area as a thick layer of toxic smog engulfs the national capital. AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 341, categorised as 'Very poor', as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). CAQM (Commission for Air Quality…pic.twitter.com/WCp82nL8mJ— ANI (@ANI)December 17, 2025 The Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government announced stricter steps to tackle rising pollution. Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will no longer be allowed to buy petrol or diesel. Only BS VI-compliant vehicles will be permitted to operate within the city, while older vehicles will face restrictions. On Tuesday, Delhi’s AQI stood at 377, an improvement from 498 recorded a day earlier, but still well within the danger zone. Swipe Left For Next Video Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann weighed in on the issue, rejecting claims that pollution from Punjab was responsible for Delhi’s air crisis. In a video message, he said no smoke was coming from Punjab and urged authorities to acknowledge that Delhi’s pollution has local causes.

16 shares

😐

Business Standard

Dec 17, 2025, 03:56 AM

Elon Musk Retains Title as World's Richest Person with Net Worth of $684 Billion

Billionaire Elon Musk continues to hold the title of the richest person in the world as his fortune reached $684 billion on Tuesday (local time), according toForbes Real-Time Billionairestracker. The rise is driven largely by SpaceX's soaring value and comes on the heels of the company's reported initial public offering (IPO) move at a valuation of around $800 billion.The jump was abrupt. Musk’s wealth rose by about $168 billion on Monday and added a further $8 billion through Tuesday, taking his estimated net worth to $684.2 billion.Following Musk on the richest person list is Alphabet's co-founder Larry Page at $252 billion. Oracle founder Larry Ellison at $239.8 billion and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos at $235.2 billion are next on the list.Musk's net worth has made him richer than some of the richest billionaires combined - Jeff Bezos, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.While Bezos's fortune is currently at $235.2 billion, Zuckerberg, who's the 6th richest person on the list, has a fortune of $225.3 billion. Huang's total net worth is at $154.4 billion, making him the 8th richest person in the world.Also ReadIMD issues alerts for cold wave, dense fog and snowfall across IndiaWhy China's graduates are choosing government jobs over private firmsDelhi AQI remains 'very poor'; govt announces BS-VI vehicle rulesTrump to deliver prime-time address on Thursday morning amid waning supportDelhi tightens pollution norms, bars non-BS-VI vehicles from Dec 18Reasons behind Musk's soaring wealthMusk, who previously crossed the $500 billion mark in October this year, owns an estimated 42 per cent share in SpaceX, the company that is reportedly planning to go public next year. Earlier in November, Musk, who also owns Tesla, received approval from the company's shareholders for his $1 trillion pay package, making it the largest corporate pay package.His net worth has also received a boost from his approximately 12 per cent stake in Tesla, shares of which have seen an uptick of 13 per cent this year, despite slowing sales.According to aReutersreport, Musk’s artificial intelligence venture xAI is said to be in late-stage discussions to raise about $15 billion in new equity, which would value the company at roughly $230 billion.List of top 10 billionaires according to ForbesElon Musk: $684 billionLarry Page: $252 billionLarry Ellison: $239.8 billionJeff Bezos: $235.1 billionSergey Brin: $232.6 billionMark Zuckerberg: $225.3 billionBernard Arnault & family: $192.7 billionJensen Huang: $154.4 billionWarren Buffett: $147.8 billionSteve Ballmer: $145.4 billion

94 shares

😢

Business Standard

Dec 17, 2025, 03:54 AM

Delhi's Air Quality Remains in 'Very Poor' Category Amid Cold Winds; Government Announces Stricter Measures

Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning, with cold winds sweeping across the national capital. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) at 7 am across all monitoring stations was below the severe range, although several areas recorded ‘poor’ levels.AQI readings across key areasAnand Vihar: 341Ashok Vihar: 349Bawana: 376Also ReadTrump to deliver prime-time address on Thursday morning amid waning supportDelhi tightens pollution norms, bars non-BS-VI vehicles from Dec 18Centre to sell up to 3% stake in Indian Overseas Bank, eyes ₹2,100 croreMeet Archna Vyas, the new Gates Foundation country director for IndiaImpossible to fix AQI in 9-10 months, says Delhi Environment MinisterChandni Chowk: 328RK Puram: 341Rohini: 364Vivek Vihar: 354By 4 pm on Tuesday, Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 354, remaining in the ‘very poor’ category. Jahangirpuri, Mundka, and Wazirpur recorded the highest readings at 426.CPCB AQI categories:0–50: Good51–100: Satisfactory101–200: Moderate201–300: Poor301–400: Very poor401–500: SevereGovernment tightens pollution curbsDelhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that from Thursday, December 18, only BS-VI-compliant vehicles from outside Delhi would be allowed entry into the capital. Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will also be denied fuel at petrol pumps. Automated cameras at fuel stations will monitor compliance.Sirsa added that Delhi currently operates 3,400 electric buses, with plans to expand the fleet to 7,500 to reduce vehicular emissions. A scientific committee has been constituted to recommend pollution-control measures, while the Commission for Air Quality Management has set up a separate panel.Construction-related vehicles will face bans, and strict penalties, including sealing of offending vehicles will be imposed on violators.ALSO READ:Delhi tightens pollution norms, bars non-BS-VI vehicles from Dec 18Weather forecastDense smog that disrupted transport, flights, and road safety over the past few days appears to have cleared on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast mainly clear skies, with shallow fog at many places and moderate fog at isolated locations during morning hours.Maximum temperatures are expected between 23–25 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures are likely to remain between 9–11 degrees Celsius.

31 shares

😐

The Indian Express

Dec 17, 2025, 03:33 AM

Delhi's Environment Minister Introduces Fuel Restrictions for Non-Compliant Cars

If your car does not have a valid pollution under control certificate (PUCC), you have a day – Wednesday – to get one, or be prepared to go without fuel. From Thursday, vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not be allowed to buy petrol and diesel at fuel pumps inDelhi, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday. The decision was among a slew of measures taken by the government to combat air pollution in Delhi, including banning the entry of private vehicles registered outside Delhi if they were not BS-VI compliant.

68 shares

😢

Business Standard

Dec 17, 2025, 03:22 AM

JM Financial Reiterates 'Buy' Rating on Eternal Amid Near-Term Moderation in Blinkit's Growth

Domestic brokerage JM Financial has reiterated its ‘Buy’ rating on Eternal, even as it expects a near-term moderation in Blinkit’s sequential growth during the third quarter of FY26 (Q3FY26) due to heightened competition and an unfavourable base.The brokerage believes these pressures are transitory and do not alter its medium-to-long-term investment thesis, given Blinkit’s improving profitability trajectory and Eternal’s strong positioning across its consumer businesses.According to JM Financial, Blinkit’s net order value (NOV) growth is likely to slow to around 13 per cent quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) in Q3FY26, compared with 25 per cent and 27 per cent growth in Q1 and Q2, respectively. This moderation is largely attributed to the early festive season boost seen in Q2, which created a tough comparison base, as well as rising competitive intensity in the quick commerce segment. Aggressive strategies by multiple players, including reduced minimum order value thresholds and zero or negligible delivery and service fees, are expected to weigh on near-term growth momentum.Despite this sequential slowdown, JM Financial analysts highlighted that Blinkit’s year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth remains robust, with NOV expected to rise over 120 per cent Y-o-Y in Q3FY26, comfortably ahead of management’s guidance of 100 per cent+. For FY27, the brokerage has pencilled in 90 per cent Y-o-Y growth in Blinkit’s NOV, underscoring its confidence in the platform’s structural growth drivers.The brokerage also noted that competitive aggression in quick commerce has intensified in recent months, with newer entrants such as Minutes, Now and JioMart rapidly expanding store coverage and deploying heavy promotional tactics to gain scale. However, JM Financial believes such strategies are unlikely to be sustainable over an extended period due to mounting losses.Also ReadStock Market LIVE: GIFT Nifty indicates lacklustre start for benchmarks; Asian markets trade mixedVolume drop, buying shift: How high gold rates are impacting jewellery indApar Industries gets new 'Buy' from Antique; 20% stock upside seenNuvama upgrades Tata Power to 'Hold' on improved FY30 growth visibilityStocks to Watch today, Dec 17: Ola Electric, Vedanta, HDFC Bank, Akzo NobelContrastingly, Blinkit’s relatively stronger unit economics and more efficient supply chain position it better to navigate this phase without materially compromising either growth or profitability. The report pointed out that Blinkit’s adjusted Ebitda loss per order stood at ₹7 in Q2FY26, compared with ₹84 for Instamart, highlighting its structural cost advantage.JM Financial stressed that the quality of Blinkit’s growth remains superior to that of its peers. The platform continues to benefit from a large and engaged transacting user base, with no meaningful dilution in average order values or ordering frequency. This stability in user behaviour indicates resilient demand, even amid competitive pressures. Lower per-order losses further reinforce Blinkit’s advantage in unit economics, according to the brokerage.On profitability, JM Financial expects Blinkit’s adjusted Ebitda losses to narrow sequentially over the coming quarters. The improvement is expected to be driven by take-rate expansion, operating leverage from the scaling up of dark stores and mother hubs, and margin benefits associated with its inventory-led business model. The brokerage forecasts an adjusted Ebitda margin of -0.9 per cent in Q3FY26, compared with -1.8 per cent and -1.3 per cent in Q1 and Q2, respectively. Blinkit is expected to reach adjusted Ebitda break-even around Q1FY27, assuming competitive intensity remains within current levels.Beyond quick commerce, JM Financial also expects improving trends in food delivery, with NOV growth projected at 16 per cent Y-o-Y, up from 13-14 per cent in the first half of FY26. Food delivery margins are expected to remain stable at 5.3 per cent of NOV, in line with Q2FY26 levels.That said, JM Financial reiterated that Eternal remains its preferred pick, citing market leadership, superior unit economics across its B2C businesses and a healthy balance sheet.The brokerage has maintained its ‘Buy’ recommendation with a revised December 2026 target price of ₹400, based on 75x NTM EPS, compared with 80x earlier, reflecting slightly tempered near-term growth expectations while retaining confidence in the long-term outlook.Disclaimer: The view/outlook has been suggested by JM Financial. Views expressed are their own.

98 shares

😐

Deccan Herald

Dec 17, 2025, 02:38 AM

Bengaluru Sees Spike in Pollution-Related Ailments Amid Poor Air Quality

Bengaluru doctors have seen a rise in pollution-related ailments over the past two to three weeks. This is due to Bengaluru’s air quality, which has fluctuated between satisfactory and moderate over the last two weeks, they say. Cases of respiratory infections, asthma flare-ups, eye irritation and dry skin are significantly higher this season, as are the severity of the symptoms. This spike has affected the “vulnerable category” the most — children, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions. Breathlessness, cough Dr Chandil Gunashekar, a general physician in Whitefield, has observed a 20-25% increase in upper respiratory tract infections (URI) compared to last December. “Cough, asthma symptoms and respiratory infections are the most common complaints,” he says. Pulmonologists observed a similar rise. Dr Sachin Kumar, director ofpulmonology and critical care medicine at a private hospital, says outpatient footfall for respiratory complaints has increased by 20% in the last two weeks. “Both infectious and non-infectious respiratory symptoms are higher this year,” he adds. Patients are coming in with issues of breathlessness, cough, throat irritation, wheezing and sneezing, either as symptoms of an allergy or a viral infection. Among allergy-related respiratory complaints, Dr Shalini Joshi, internal medicine specialist at a private hospital, estimates a 30% increase. “Consistently poor air quality worsens people’s tolerance to pollen. Pollutants make the airway more reactive and sensitive, worsening existing pollen allergies,” she adds. Eye-related complaints are another concern. Dr Naren Shetty, opthalmologist and director at a private hospital, says eye irritation, dryness and redness have increased by around 30% this year. “Allergic conjunctivitis cases are up by nearly 60% compared to December 2024,” he adds. He attributes the rise to exposure to fine particulate matter such as particulate matter (PM) 2.5, which affects the surface of the eye and the meibomian glands responsible for keeping the eyes moist. Ailments lasting longer Some doctors have observed that illnesses are lingering longer this year. Dr Gunashekar says infections that earlier resolved within a week are now lasting up to two weeks. “The intensity of symptoms are also higher,” he adds. Dr Kumar agrees, noting that viral illnesses that earlier resolved in two to three days are now lasting up to 10 days. “Also, patients with diabetes, kidney or heart disease, and people without prior respiratory illness are developing pneumonia. In some cases, they require oxygen support or ICU care,” he says. Docs’ advice On high-pollution days, early morning walks must be avoided as fog traps pollutants close to the ground, says Dr Gunashekar. Warm, nutrient-rich food and adequate hydration help boost immunity,he adds. For essential outdoor travel, a well-fitted N95 mask is advised, particularly for two-wheeler riders and those with asthma or allergies. Outdoor workouts should be avoided on high-AQI days, says Dr Shalini. To improve indoor air quality, she advises using air purifiers or High Efficiency Particulate Air filters and keeping windows shut on high-pollution days. “Changing clothes, and washing hands and face immediately after reaching home, will help.” Pollution data According to data from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) across its 11 monitoring stations ranged between satisfactory and moderate on December 5 and 6, from December 8 to 12, and on December 15 and 16. PM10 and PM2.5 were the dominant pollutants during this period. AQI is categorised as 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and above 401 (severe), a KSPCB official explained.

46 shares

😢

Deccan Herald

Dec 17, 2025, 02:27 AM

IPL Mini-Auction: Cameron Green Breaks Records as Chennai Super Kings Make Bold Moves

Bengaluru: Australian all-rounder Cameron Green lived up to his blue-chip stock status, emerging as the most expensive foreign purchase ever at the IPL mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, but the ones who headlined the bidding process on a highly calculated day of trading were nano caps Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. Green, who had two impressive IPLs in 2023 and 2024 for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru respectively before missing out last year due to a lower back injury, was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 25.20 crore, making him the third highest purchase ever behind Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 cr) and Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 cr). The 26-year-old Green’s stock soaring through the roof was a given considering he is one of the hottest properties in world cricket, but what set the tongues wagging was Chennai Super Kings splurging Rs 14.20 cr each on relatively unknown commodities Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma — a bold decision that was made by the seasoned think-tank at the table possibly based on the inputs from their talent scouts. Sitting on the second highest purse of Rs 43.40 crore going into the auction, five-time champions CSK, who failed to qualify for the playoffs the last two seasons, didn’t blink twice in going after Veer and Kartik following intense bidding wars with neighbours Sunrisers Hyderabad on both occasions. Moment Veer’s name came up for auction, Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants kickstarted the bidding to acquire the 20-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, who was first noticed in the UP T20 League before rising to prominence in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. CSK, looking at him as a potential like-for-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, entered the fray at Rs 1.4 cr. LSG backed out at Rs 4.4 cr when Rajasthan Royals, generally known for picking such unheralded talents at moderate prices, joined the war. But they too backed off when his prize surged past the Rs 6 cr mark. Sunrisers jumped into the picture at Rs 6.8 crore and they went toe-to-toe with CSK before the latter signed him. A similar pattern followed for Rajasthan’s 19-year-old big-hitting sensation Kartik. MI and LSG started off with the bidding before the former exited and were joined by KKR. CSK then jumped in by offering Rs 3 cr, but KKR too were interested in signing the finisher whose lusty hitting has impressed the likes of Kevin Pietersen and R Ashwin. CSK and KKR, like in the case of Green, kept raising the paddle alternately until the Purple bench stopped at Rs 13 cr. Watching all the action unfold silently, Sunrisers made an entry at 13.20 cr, but CSK held strong until signing the teenager for Rs 14.20 cr. Another uncapped Indian, a category which probably witnessed the most activity, who finally realised his long-time dream of being picked up by a franchise was Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi Dar. Having improved his death-bowling skills, which was his deterrent earlier, Auqib was strongly pursued by SRH and Delhi Capitals before the latter won the battle by roping him for Rs 8.4 cr. Meanwhile, Green, who incidentally was listed in the batters’ groups that allowed him the luxury of coming up in the opening set, set the tempo for a high-octane day. MI and RR kicked off the proceedings, KKR, who had the deepest pocket with Rs 64.30 cr, entered at Rs 2.80 cr. RR and KKR went on till CSK joined in at Rs 13.80. At that stage itself, it was clear the two would go all-out and they did so until CSK stopped raising the paddle when KKR offered Rs 25.20 cr. KKR also roped in Sri Lanka’s slinging fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, dubbed ‘Baby Malinga’, for Rs 18 cr. Unlike in the case of Green, where they made their intention clear at the start itself, they were spectators for most of the bidding war, deciding to throw their hat in the ring only at Rs 16 crore. DC backed out at that stage, but LSG stayed on until pulling out of the race when KKR splurged Rs 18 cr.

64 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 17, 2025, 02:18 AM

Redefining Work: The Rise of Agentic AI in the Workplace

.Companies across sectors are beginning to deploy agentic AI systems – software agents capable of making decisions, executing tasks, and collaborating with humans at work. And as this shift gathers pace, business leaders are rethinking not just technology strategy, but also how jobs are designed, skills are built, and teams are managed.Last week, we had an insightful discussion on this.From tools to co-workersSridhar Hariharasubramanian, senior director at Salesforce India, said the rise of agentic AI represents a structural shift. “What we are seeing is a transition from AI as a passive tool to AI as an active collaborator,” he said. “That fundamentally changes how work gets done.” However, Sridhar cautioned that this transition is not just a technology upgrade – it is a people transformation.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomAs AI agents take on routine and even complex tasks, human roles will increasingly centre on creative problemsolving, strategic thinking, and collaboration.A surprisingly critical technical skill, he added, is what many now call prompt engineering – or, more accurately, context engineering. “The quality of outcomes you get from AI is directly proportional to the quality of the questions you ask,” he said. In an agentic enterprise, knowing how to guide, frame, and supervise AI becomes as important as knowing how to code.Sridhar emphasised the importance of continuously learning, unlearning, and relearning, noting that this will define career resilience in the AI age.At Salesforce, he said, employees are actively encouraged to experiment with AI tools so they are comfortable working alongside digital agents as co-workers rather than viewing them as threats.Building adaptability at scaleThat emphasis on learning was also emphasised by Sumati Mohan, director at Cognizant India.At Cognizant, Sumati said, the response to AI has been to invest deeply in structured upskilling and cross-skilling programmes that span not just engineers, but also consultants, sales teams, and operational staff. These efforts are tracked through internal academies to ensure that learning translates into deployable capability.The company has also set up dedicated Agentforce labs and cohort-based learning initiatives to accelerate hands-on exposure.Gen Z employees, Sumati said, have emerged as some of the fastest adopters of agentic AI, quickly experimenting with new ways of working. Mid-level managers, often seen as the hardest group to shift, are also adapting faster than expected. “The demand from clients is very clear,” she said. “They want responsible, outcome-driven AI. And that means our people need to be ready – not just technically, but ethically and operationally.”.Beyond the digital native firmsWhile much of the early AI narrative has focused on digital-native companies, Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO of Nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI, offered a broader view from his work across India’s innovation ecosystem. “Adoption is happening everywhere,” he said. “Yes, digital natives are ahead, but even companies that were never digital are now embracing agentic AI.” The Nasscom centre works closely with startups, enterprises, govt bodies, and SMEs.What Sanjeev is seeing, particularly among small and medium enterprises, is a sharp focus on returns on investment. “SMEs don’t experiment for the sake of experimentation,” he said. “They adopt when they see value – and now they are seeing it.” From automating quotations and procurement processes to handling customer queries and predictive maintenance, agentic AI is delivering tangible productivity gains. He added that collaboration between enterprises and startups is accelerating these innovations.From pilots to productionIf agentic AI is moving beyond experimentation, telecom companies are a prime example – and Shreeya Rashinkar, head of global solutions and presales at Tech Mahindra, has a front-row seat to that transition. Over the past year, Shreeya noted, there has been a marked shift from pilots to production deployments. “Pilots are easy,” she said. “Scaling is hard.” Moving into production requires rigorous testing, strong data foundations, governance frameworks, and regional compliance – particularly for global telcos operating across jurisdictions.New testing and governance capabilities within platforms like Salesforce’s Agentforce are helping accelerate this transition, making large-scale deployment more feasible. But Shreeya noted that every process does not need AI, and not every AI use case delivers RoI. The real work, she said, lies in distinguishing between simple automation, AI-driven intelligence, and tasks that should remain human-led. Tech Mahindra helps clients make those distinctions.Redefining work, not replacing itAcross the discussion, a shared theme emerged: agentic AI is not about replacing humans, but about redefining work. Roles will change. Some tasks will disappear, others will emerge, and many will be reshaped.

17 shares

😐

The Indian Express

Dec 17, 2025, 02:17 AM

Delhi Bans Non-BS VI Private Vehicles and Fuel Sales Without Pollution Certificates

No non-BS VI private vehicle registered outside Delhi will be allowed to enter the capital from Thursday, the Delhi government has announced. Private vehicles that flout the entry ban will be seized, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday. Sirsa also announced that beginning Thursday, vehicles that do not have a valid pollution under control certificate (PUCC) will not be sold fuel at fuel pumps in the capital. After three straight days of ‘severe’ air, including the second worst bad-air day on the record on Sunday, the airquality index (AQI) in Delhi improved to ‘very poor’on Tuesday. The average AQI on Tuesday was 354, somewhat better than the levels of 427, 461, and 431 recorded on the preceding three days.

51 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 17, 2025, 02:13 AM

Bellatrix Aerospace: Pioneering Space Technology with Custom-Built Infrastructure

Former Isro chairman S Somanath examines a ultra-high vacuum chamber at Bellatrix Aerospace's lab on the IISc campusThis firm’s one of the few in the world working on the tech behind ultra-low Earth satellitesImagine trying to build an ion thruster that works only in the vacuum of space – the first challenge is figuring out how to test it inside a warm, air-filled laboratory.Bellatrix Aerospace solved that problem by creating machines that mimic the complete absence of an atmosphere.In its lab on the IISc (Indian Institute of Science) campus in Bengaluru, the space-tech firm now operates sophisticated systems that recreate the conditions hundreds of kilometres above Earth.Yashas Karanam, co-founder & COO of Bellatrix Aerospace, gave us a tour of the lab. The propulsion systems that Bellatrix is making are not engines that fire rockets off the ground, they are vacuum engines, designed to work once a satellite has already been released into space.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whom“These engines are used to reorient the spacecraft once it is in space,” Karanam explains. To test them, Bellatrix must recreate space on Earth, and that requirement has shaped almost everything the company has built here.To recreate space, Karanam says, you need a combination of multiple pumping systems – roughing pumps, roots pumps, rotary vane pumps, turbo-molecular pumps and cryogenic pumps – working in concert to pump particles out.Finally, cryogenic plates are cooled to near absolute zero, trapping residual particles that cannot be removed by suction alone.Extreme DIYBellatrix was founded in 2015 by Karanam, together with Rohan M Ganapathy and Nuthan Prasanna Kumar, all engineers with backgrounds in aerospace and satellite systems who previously worked closely with India’s space ecosystem. The company has raised over $11 million from venture capital firms, and has multiple customers, including ISRO.What makes Bellatrix unusual is not just that it operates complex infrastructure, but that it chose to design much of it from scratch. “The machine is our own customised one,” Karanam says. Asked why, his answer is blunt: “Otherwise we could not afford it.” Some of these systems cost several crores of rupees even when built in-house. Buying them off the shelf, often from overseas suppliers, would have been prohibitive, slow and restrictive.“So we do that for a lot of things,” he says. “Even the diagnostic machines here. we could build propulsion not exist when we started. So we designed our own vacuum chambers, what allows us to work at the level of There’s a team of PhDs in the company which makes them all.”That decision to build machines, rather than buy them, has shaped Bellatrix’s engineering culture. The company works closer to fundamental physics than most satellite manufacturers.“If you are a satellite manufacturer, you would get components which are already designed for space,” Karanam says. “We are making those fundamental elements.” That means relearning how fluids behave in vacuum and zero gravity, how electronics degas when exposed to space, and how materials degrade under radiation.“Design selection is very important. The way you configure redundancies i s very important,” he says.“It’s all together one of the most complex ways you can engineer” ..Inside one vacuum chamber, a Hall-effect thruster is mounted, tiny in size, its anode and cathode arranged to generate plasma from xenon or krypton gas. When fired, the thruster produces a plume that must be precisely characterised so that the spacecraft it is attached to can gain enough thrust to orient itself correctly. Bellatrix has built its own plasma diagnostics rigs to measure ion density, divergence angle and plume behaviour.“If the divergence angle deviates too much, your plasma turns back and falls on your satellite,” Karanam explains. That can charge the spacecraft and cause unpredictable interactions with Earth’s magnetic field.Elsewhere in the lab, smaller vacuum chambers handle chemical propulsion systems, while degassing ovens strip moisture and contaminants from components before deeper vacuum testing. Furnaces heat-treat metals and ceramics through proprietary thermal cycles, altering material properties to survive extreme temperatures.One such process produces catalysts that can withstand combustion temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Celsius.Green propulsionBellatrix’s work on green chemical propulsion is another area where its lab infrastructure has been critical. Traditional satellite propulsion has relied on hydrazine, a toxic, carcinogenic fuel used since the 1950s. Bellatrix developed a hydroxyl ammonium nitrate-based alternative that is safer to handle and easier to integrate.“I can touch it like this safely,” Karanam says while holding a flask of the substance.The benefit is not just environmental. Satellites can be fuelled at the manufacturing site and shipped fully integrated, rather than being fuelled at the launch site under hazardous conditions. It’s equivalent in performance to traditional propulsion fuel, but green.Achieving that performance required thousands of iterations, balancing reactivity, stability and longterm storage.“Formulating that blend and refining it so many times to finally achieve a blend which does not react with everything, that was a major innovation,” Karanam says.Bellatrix has also developed some of the smallest Hall thrusters in the world, including a heaterless cathode design that can be fired instantly in orbit. “Earlier, you had to turn on the heater, wait tens of minutes, and then turn on the engine,” Karanam says.“Here, this is instant. That changes the whole game.” Removing heaters also improves reliability. “Heaters are the first things to fail,” he adds. “So we have tackled the hardest problem related to failure rates.”Beyond propulsion, the IISc lab supports Bellatrix’s longer-term ambitions, including ultra-low Earth orbit satellites operating around 200 kilometres above us. At that altitude, atmospheric drag is significant.Maintaining orbit requires continuous thrust and extremely efficient propulsion. Bellatrix is betting that its deep understanding of propulsion physics, built through years of inhouse experimentation, will allow it to crack a problem few others have solved anywhere in the world. Engineers working on this programme draw heavily on the same vacuum, materials and diagnostics capabilities developed for propulsion, rather than relying on external suppliers.The company is now preparing to scale. It’s already planned a large manufacturing facility on a fiveacre site near the Bengaluru airport, capable of producing hundreds of propulsion systems a year. The company recently expanded into the US, and is looking at a manufacturing facility there.

81 shares

😐

First Post

Dec 17, 2025, 02:10 AM

Actor-Director Rob Reiner's Son Charged with Murdering Him and His Wife

Rob Reiner’ssonNick Reinerwas charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, which stunned their communities in Hollywood and Democratic politics, where both were widely beloved. Nick Reiner, 32, is charged with killing the 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife,Michele Singer Reiner,District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a news conference with LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice,” Hochman said. Along with the two counts of first degree murder, prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and a special allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife. The additions could mean a greater sentence. Hochman said his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case. “This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones but for our entire city,” McDonnell said. “We will continue to support the Reiner family and ensure that every step forward is taken with care, dignity and resolve.” The announcement came two days after the couple was found dead from apparent stab wounds in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the west side of Los Angeles. Nick Reiner did not resist when he was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from the crime scene, police said. Reiner had been expected to make an initial court appearance earlier Tuesday, but his attorney Alan Jackson said he was not brought from the jail to the courthouse for medical reasons and the appearance was postponed to Wednesday. Rob Reiner was the Emmy-winning star of the sitcom “All in the Family” who went on to direct films including “When Harry Met Sally&mldr;” and “The Princess Bride.” He was an outspoken liberal activist for decades. Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer, movie producer and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They had been married for 36 years. Representatives for the Reiner family did not respond to requests for comment. Police haven’t said anything about a motive forthe killings. Nick Reiner is being held in jail without bail.He was arrestedseveral hours after his parents were found dead in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, police said. Jackson, the defendant’s attorney, is a high-profile lawyer who representedHarvey Weinsteinat his Los Angeles trial andKaren Readat her trial in Massachusetts. He was a central figure in the HBO documentary on the Read case. Investigators believe Rob and Michele Singer Reiner died from stab wounds, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official, who was briefed on the investigation, could not publicly discuss the details and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The killings were especially shocking giventhe warm comic legacy of the family. Rob Reiner was the son of comedy legendCarl Reiner, who died in 2020 at age 98. Kathy Bates, who won an Oscar as the star of Rob Reiner’s 1990 film “Misery,” wasamong those paying tribute to the couple. “I loved Rob,” Bates said in a statement. “He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life. Michele was a gifted photographer.” Bill Clinton called the couple “good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better.” “Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner,” he said in a statement. “They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television.” Three months ago, Nick Reiner was photographed with his parents and siblings at the premiere of his father’s film “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.” He had spoken publicly of his struggles with addiction, cycling in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness in between through his teen years. Rob and Nick Reiner explored — and seemed to improve — their relationship through the making of the 2016 film, “Being Charlie.” Nick Reiner co-wrote and Rob Reiner directed the film about the struggles of an addicted son and a famous father. It was not autobiographical but included several elements of their lives. “It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had,”Rob Reiner told the APin 2016. “I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already.’” Rob Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable and endlessly watchable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap” and “A Few Good Men.” He met Michele Singer Reiner on the set of “When Harry Met Sally&mldr;,” and their meeting would inspire the film’s shift to a happy ending, with stars Billy Crystal — one of Reiner’s closest friends for decades — and Meg Ryan ending up together on New Year’s Eve. The Reiners were outspoken advocates for liberal causes and major Democratic donors. President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing,delivering the unsubstantiated claimin a social media post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy. Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court sentenced Zaheerul Hassan Shah, a senior Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan leader, to 35 years in prison for inciting violence against ex-Chief Justice Isa, amid a crackdown on the banned group after recent deadly clashes. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.

89 shares

😢

News18✓

Dec 17, 2025, 01:48 AM

Australia vs England Ashes Live Score: Aussies Take Control on Day 1

77 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 17, 2025, 01:41 AM

Rob Reiner's Son Charged with Murder in Slaying of Hollywood Icon and Wife

Rob Reiner's son Nick Reiner was charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents.The 32-year-old, was charged with killing his father, 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner, and his mother, Michele Singer Reiner, the District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a news conference with LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell.Rob Reiner Murder Shock: Son Nick Charged, Held on $4M Bail in Slaying of Hollywood Icon & Wife"Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice," Hochman said.Investigators believe Rob and Michele Singer Reiner died from stab wounds, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official, who was briefed on the investigation, could not publicly discuss the details and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.The killings were especially shocking given the warm comic legacy of the family.Rob Reiner was the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, who died in 2020 at age 98.DA could seekdeath penaltyAlong with the two counts of first degree murder, prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and a special allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife. The additions could mean a greater sentence.Hochman said his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case."This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones but for our entire city," McDonnell said."We will continue to support the Reiner family and ensure that every step forward is taken with care, dignity and resolve."The announcement came two days after the couple was found dead from apparent stab wounds in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the west side of Los Angeles. Nick Reiner did not resist when he was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from the crime scene, police said.Reiner had been expected to make an initial court appearance earlier Tuesday, but his attorney Alan Jackson said he was not brought from the jail to the courthouse for medical reasons and the appearance would not come before Wednesday.Nick Reiner not yet entered his pleaNick Reiner has not yet entered a plea. He was not brought to the courthouse from the jail Tuesday for unspecified health reasons, and his first appearance before a judge was postponed to Wednesday.Nick Reiner held in jail without bailPolice haven't said anything about a motive for the killings.Nick Reiner is being held in jail without bail. He was arrested several hours after his parents were found dead in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, police said.Harvey Weinstein's attorney to represent Nick ReinerNick's attorney, Allan Jackson, is a high-profile lawyer who represented Harvey Weinstein at his Los Angeles trial and Karen Read at her trial in Massachusetts.He was a central figure in the HBO documentary on the Read case.Hollywood stars pay tributeKathy Bates, who won an Oscar as the star of Rob Reiner's 1990 film "Misery," was among those paying tribute to the couple."I loved Rob," Bates said in a statement. "He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life. Michele was a gifted photographer."Bill Clinton called the couple "good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better.""Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner," he said in a statement. "They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television."Nick Reiner opens up about struggles with addictionThree months ago, Nick Reiner was photographed with his parents and siblings at the premiere of his father's film "Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues."He had spoken publicly of his struggles with addiction, cycling in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness in between through his teen years. Rob and Nick Reiner explored - and seemed to improve - their relationship through the making of the 2016 film, "Being Charlie."Rob Reiner on working with son Nick ReinerNick Reiner co-wrote and Rob Reiner directed the film about the struggles of an addicted son and a famous father. It was not autobiographical but included several elements of their lives."It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had," Rob Reiner told the AP in 2016. "I told Nick while we were making it, I said, 'You know it doesn't matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already.'"About Rob Reiner and Michele Singer ReinerRob Reiner was the Emmy-winning star of the sitcom "All in the Family" who went on to direct films including "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The Princess Bride." He was an outspoken liberal activist for decades.Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer, movie producer and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They had been married for 36 years.Rob Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable and endlessly watchable movies of the 1980s and '90s, including "This is Spinal Tap" and "A Few Good Men."He met Michele Singer Reiner on the set of "When Harry Met Sally...," and their meeting would inspire the film's shift to a happy ending, with stars Billy Crystal - one of Reiner's closest friends for decades - and Meg Ryan ending up together on New Year's Eve.The Reiners were outspoken advocates for liberal causes and major Democratic donors.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

27 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 17, 2025, 12:57 AM

IndiGo Issues Travel Advisory Due to Foggy Conditions in North and East India

.IndiGo airlines issued a travel advisory on Tuesday night warning passengers about potential flight delays and disruptions expected Wednesday morning due to foggy conditions across North and East India, with the airline implementing measures to manage schedules and assist customers while ensuring safety during reduced visibility conditions."As the morning approaches under misty winter skies, fog is predicted across parts of North and East India, which may lead to reduced visibility and a slower pace of flight movements during the early hours. In the interest of safety, some flights may experience delays or adjustments," IndiGo posted on X.'Delhi NOT Most Polluted': Doctor's Shocking Reveal On Toxic Monster; And How To Fight BackThe airline assured that their teams are prepared to handle the situation and maintain smooth operations across airports.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whom"Our teams across airports are fully prepared and working in close coordination to manage schedules smoothly, assist customers, and maintain a steady flow of operations," the airline stated.Passengers were advised to plan their travel with extra buffer time and monitor flight status through IndiGo's website or app."Foggy conditions may also impact road traffic, with slower movement and longer travel times expected while commuting to the airport.Customers travelling early are advised to plan with additional buffer time and check the latest flight status on our website or app before leaving home," IndiGo added.The combination of dense fog and hazardous pollution levels has significantly impacted visibility in the early morning hours, affecting air traffic operations across the capital region.Airport authorities and airlines continue to issue advisories urging passengers to remain alert and adjust their travel plans accordingly.

82 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 17, 2025, 12:08 AM

Rajasthan Minister Calls for Probe into MLA Funds Amid Corruption Allegations

Alwar: Forest and Environment Minister Sanjay Sharma Tuesday called for an impartial investigation into the MLA development funds of all 200 legislators in Rajasthan, following the exposure of alleged commission-taking and corruption involving three MLAs in a recent sting operation.He said the issue should not be limited to a few individuals and demanded a comprehensive probe to ensure transparency.Commenting on the state govt's decision to give a clean chit to RPS officer Divya Mittal in an alleged bribery case, Sharma said the matter warranted reinvestigation. "In a case where corruption money amounting to around Rs 2–3 crore reportedly surfaced later, the govt should re-examine the Divya Mittal bribery case and take action strictly on the basis of investigation," he said.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomOn allegations related to MLA funds, Sharma said a media sting had levelled charges against three legislators and that the govt acted promptly. "A high-level committee comprising the chief secretary, the director general of police and vigilance officials has been formed, and the matter has also gone to the Ethics Committee. Judicial action should follow wherever required," he said, reiterating that an impartial committee should scrutinise the MLA funds of all legislators in the state.The minister also accused Leader of Opposition from Alwar rural Tikaram Juli of obstructing a plan to bring water to Alwar city from the Siliserh Dam area."Juli himself lives in Alwar city with his family and needs water like everyone else, yet he is opposing the project. He should support the plan in the larger public interest," Sharma said.Earlier in the day, Sharma inaugurated a photo exhibition at the Information and Public Relations Office in Alwar to mark the completion of two years of the state govt.He also released a book highlighting the govt's development works.Speaking to reporters after the event, the minister listed key initiatives undertaken during the two-year period. He said work on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) would soon begin in Alwar, ensuring water supply to Jaisamand Dam. Sharma also said a detailed project report was being prepared to bring water from the Chambal river, adding that a major announcement for Alwar was expected soon.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

11 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 17, 2025, 12:00 AM

Mid-Cap Banks in India: Attractive Valuations Amid Strong Growth

9 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 11:41 PM

Physician Sentenced for Role in Matthew Perry's Fatal Overdose

FILE - Dr. Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, who is charged in connection with Matthew Perry's fatal overdose, is seen after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine in Los Angeles on Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)FILE - Actor Matthew Perry participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the mini-series "The Kennedys After Camelot" in New York, March 30, 2017. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)FILE - Dr. Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, who is charged in connection with Matthew Perry's fatal overdose, is seen after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine in Los Angeles on Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)FILE - Actor Matthew Perry participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the mini-series "The Kennedys After Camelot" in New York, March 30, 2017. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)FILE - Dr. Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, who is charged in connection with Matthew Perry's fatal overdose, is seen after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine in Los Angeles on Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)12who pleaded guilty in a scheme to supply ketamine to actorMatthew Perrybefore his overdose death was sentenced Tuesday to 8 months of home confinement.Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett handed down the sentence that included 3 years of supervised release to the 55-year-old in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles.Dr. Mark Chavez on Matthew Perry's deathBefore the sentence was delivered, Chavez addressed the judge and said he had lost a loved one recently and understood the grief that Perry's death has caused."I just want to say my heart goes out to the Perry family," he said.Dr. Mark Chavez 'accepted responsibility'Chavez acquired ketamine and gave it to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison earlier this month for selling ketamine to Perry in the months leading up to his death.Chavez's attorneys emphasized the difference between the two doctors and said that Chavez "accepted responsibility early" by cooperating with investigators and voluntarily giving up his medical license ahead of his detention hearing."These are real steps that someone takes toward accountability," attorney Matthew Binninger said.He called the sentence a "fair and just outcome" for the case.Dr. Salvador Plasencia knew Matthew Perry was a 'struggling addict'Perry had been taking the surgical anesthetic ketamine legally as a treatment for depression. But when his regular doctor wouldn't provide it in the amounts he wanted, he turned to Plasencia.Plasencia admitted to taking advantage of Perry, knowing he was a struggling addict.Plasencia texted Chavez that Perry was a "moron" who could be exploited for money, according to court filings.Chavez admitted to obtaining the ketamine from a wholesale distributor on false pretenses and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He has not been in custody.Matthew Perry's struggle with drug addictionPerry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on "Friends," when he became one of the biggest TV stars of his generation as Chandler Bing.He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC's megahit.About theMatthew Perry death caseChavez is the second person to be sentenced of the five defendants who have pleaded guilty in connection with Perry's death at age 54 in 2023.Perry was found dead by his assistant on Oct. 28. The medical examiner ruled ketamine was the primary cause of death. The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression that has become increasingly common.Seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him, about a month before his death Perry found Plasencia, who in turn asked Chavez to obtain the drug for him.He met with Plasencia between San Diego and Los Angeles to hand off ketamine he got using fraudulent prescriptions. In all, he admitted to supplying 22 5-milliliter vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges.Chavez will also be expected to do 300 hours of community service.The other three defendants who reached deals to plead guilty will be sentenced at their own hearings in the coming months. Garnett has said she would seek to make sure all the sentences made sense in relation to one another.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, please seek help from available helplines or support organizations.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

28 shares

😢

First Post

Dec 16, 2025, 11:30 PM

CSK Rips Up Their Blueprint: Prioritizing Youth Over Experience at Mini-Auction

At times last season, there were signs that theChennai Super Kings(CSK) were ripping up their oft-successful blueprint of prioritizing experience over youth, owing to the replacements they picked and the players they subsequently released. And at the mini-auction on Tuesday, it became clear that that blueprint had indeed been ripped to shreds. CSK went hard for Cameron Green. Because, well, it was Cam Green. But they opted not to push their bid beyond Rs 25 crore. It felt a little counter-intuitive, both at that juncture and later when they did not raise the paddle at all for Liam Livingstone, but it soon made sense, with CSK breaking the bank to acquire youngstersKartik Sharma and Prashant Veer- both becoming the joint-most expensive uncapped players. Ever. If they slot into CSK’s first-choice side remains to be seen, although the splurge does indicate that that might be the case. Elsewhere, they also bought Akeal Hosein, a more experienced option in the Ravindra Jadeja mould. Matthew Short was also acquired for his base price of Rs 1.5 crore. But after a strange-looking auction (at least based on what CSK have done throughout their existence), they did spring to life in the accelerated round with two trademark buys. Matt Henry and Sarfaraz Khan were bought for their respective base prices, and could even slot into their playing eleven/twelve. The Rahul Chahar pick was a little more surprising. He does have a good record at Chepauk but the conditions have changed recently, and CSK, if Noor Ahmad is playing, would ideally want their second spinner to be a handy contributor with the bat. Zak Foulkes was CSK’s final buy, an all-rounder from New Zealand who can swing the new ball and is a decent batter lower down the order. Also Read:IPL 2026: Full list of squads of all 10 teams after mini auction in Abu Dhabi Batting firepower. Which is kind of ironic given CSK spent much of last season fielding questions if they had enough of it in their side. A major transformation has taken place since and if Kartik and Veer live up to their potential, and Sarfaraz continues his recent rich vein of T20 form, CSK will have a firecracker top eight (including MS Dhoni and perhaps excluding Urvil Patel). And if pitches in Chennai are indeed as flat as they were for most of last season, their young Indian core and batting firepower should hold them in good stead. What also stands out is the number of options CSK have this time out. In the 2025 iteration, they almost had too many like-for-like replacements, meaning even if they wanted to break out of the funk, they could not do so, until they brought in a host of reinforcements mid-way. CSK fans have seen better bowling attacks. That is no blot on the current one, but it does seem a little light and a touch short of experience. Nathan Ellis, who has suddenly become CSK’s pace spearhead, has barely played regular IPL cricket. Noor Ahmad is still young and a little erratic. Veer has never bowled a ball in the IPL, and Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed are not dependable all-phase bowlers yet. They tried to rectify that with the signings of Chahar and Henry. The former, though, has been a shadow of his previous self, while the latter, despite his international pedigree, is an untested commodity in the IPL. The same could be said about seam-bowling all-rounders Foulkes and Jamie Overton. There are also a lot of moving parts, which is totally unlike CSK. They are betting on a lot of new players to hit the ground running and in the scenario that they do not, they could be forced to play catch-up, all over again. Well, they would have loved to pay lesser for both Kartik and Veer. Both youngsters crossed the Rs 14 crore threshold, and no uncapped player, before Tuesday, had ever gone for that many. That, of course, will bring added pressure, even if CSK are usually a side that likes to insulate its players from outside noise. There is a huge upside to Kartik, especially, but with Liam Livingstone eventually being sold for a sum lesser than what CSK paid for the youngster, the question arises if it would have been better for them to hold an interest in the England all-rounder. More so because that would have added more experience and given them that sixth/seventh bowling option from their top six. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Also Read:IPL 2026 Auction: Full List of Most Expensive Capped and Uncapped Players 1 Ayush Mhatre, 2 Sanju Samson, 3 Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 4 Sarfaraz Khan, 5 Dewald Brevis, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 MS Dhoni (wk), 8 Prashant Veer, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Khaleel Ahmed, 12 Nathan Ellis Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Zak Foulkes, Aman Khan, Rahul Chahar Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, MS Dhoni (wk), Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Short, Jamie Overton, Aman Khan, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Urvil Patel, Mukesh Choudhary, Shreyas Gopal, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Zak Foulkes, Rahul Chahar Jasprit Bumrah was rested for fifth Test against England at The Oval Workload management was believed to be the reason behind Bumrah's absence The pacer, however, reportedly has a knee injury, a BCCI official claimed in a report. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.

77 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 11:18 PM

Mangrove Destruction in Maharashtra: Environmentalists Urge Government Action

Navi Mumbai: In a detailed study using satellite imagery and other technical support, environmentalist D Stalin, who is also a member of the Bombay high court-appointed state wetlands committee, has alleged that 160 acres of mangroves have been destroyed due to debris dumping and other illegal means in the three districts of Raigad, Thane and Palghar.Green activists have requested that the state govt stop taking mangroves and wetlands lightly. They alleged, for instance, that more than 4 acres of a partial coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) area near the NMMC head office in Belapur had been earlier converted into a cricket ground, and now the civic body plans to set up a super-speciality hospital on this site and the additional adjoining space. While cricket enthusiasts are also protesting, environmentalists said more CRZ areas in the three districts are vulnerable in this manner.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomStalin, who heads NGO Vanashakti, said, "It is shocking that mangroves on 160 acres have been destroyed in the three districts. The actual damage to the environment is much more. We need to understand that this destruction occurred in brazen violation of high court orders that protect wetlands. Apart from mangrove lands, the thousands of acres of wetlands that were reclaimed illegally have not been documented. We urge the govt to restore these ecologically important areas and prosecute those responsible."The satellite mapping and study of mangroves was conducted by Mahapreit ERAF and Geoinfo Services. Palghar lost the maximum mangroves spread over 78.99 acres, followed by Raigad, where mangroves on a 53.71 acre area were destroyed and encroached upon. In Thane district, 28.26 acres of mangroves land was similarly encroached upon.Environmentalist Nandakumar Pawar, president of the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union and head of Sagarshakti Coastal Projects, said: "The destruction of the green coastal areas is continuing, but the govt is not doing much.This can lead to a serious ecological hazard in the coming years. Just recently, massive mangrove trees were being destroyed at Dadarpada in the Pen taluka of Raigad, while the green coast of Panje in Uran taluka is also being damaged through debris dumping."The greens have reiterated that if the destruction of mangroves continues, there can be massive flooding and other disastrous events that can severely affect humans.Stalin said, "The satellite study is very detailed and clearly shows (in red colour) how various mangroves have been encroached upon illegally. It is sad that the CRZ area just behind the NMMC head office in Belapur has also been made into a ground, where the authorities now plan to build a super-speciality hospital."TOI had earlier spoken to NMMC commissioner Kailas Shinde about the ground where a super-speciality hospital is being planned. Shinde had said this matter was currently in court due to litigation among the parties, including cricket match organisers.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

63 shares

😢

Republic World

Dec 16, 2025, 11:00 PM

Delhi Government Introduces Tough Measures to Combat Vehicular Pollution

New Delhi:Announcing strict measures to control vehicular pollution in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday said that vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will not be supplied fuel at petrol pumps in Delhi, starting from December 18, said an official release. Addressing the press conference, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "To control tailpipe emissions from vehicles, all petrol/diesel/CNG pump dealers have been instructed to provide fuel only upon presentation of a valid PUCC." He further added, "For the protection of Delhi's air, all vehicles registered outside Delhi and of a category lower than BS-VI will not be allowed to enter Delhi when GRAP-III and GRAP-IV are implemented. No polluting vehicle will be allowed to enter Delhi." He further stated that when GRAP-IV is in force, vehicles carrying any kind of construction material will also be barred from entering Delhi. The Minister said that PUCC and vehicle categories will be verified through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and ground-level checks. He appealed to citizens to carry valid PUCC certificates to avoid inconvenience. Sirsa said the current government has implemented scientific, data-driven measures to control pollution. He said, "In 8 out of the 11 months, better air quality has been recorded compared to the previous year. Even in a critical month like November, the average AQI remained approximately 20 points lower than last year. This is a result of daily stringent actions and structural reforms." On action against industries and generator sets, the Minister said DPCC and district administration teams are conducting extensive surveys in industrial areas, redevelopment zones and non-conforming areas. He said 824 industrial units have been identified for action so far. He added that more than 2,000 notices have been issued and penalties totalling Rs 9.21 crore have been imposed for violations of pollution norms. Strict action is also continuing against diesel generator sets and polluting commercial establishments. Over 3,200 generator sets have been inspected in accordance with CAQM standards, and 318 banquet halls have been directed to ensure compliance with DG set norms, with sealing action to follow in case of violations. On legacy waste management, Sirsa said waste processing at all three landfill sites has been increased from 20,000 metric tonnes per day to 35,000 metric tonnes per day to complete biomining by 2026. He said that of the approximately 202 acres of landfill area, 45 acres have been reclaimed so far, with plantations underway and dense forests being developed on seven acres. On public transport, the Minister said, "Delhi's public transport is rapidly moving towards a green transition. 3,427 electric buses have already been inducted, and by December, the number will reach 3,800." Responding to protests by AAP, Sirsa said, "Those who ruled Delhi for 10-12 years and inflicted the disease of pollution on the city are now protesting against the same disease. They left Delhi with mountains of garbage and smog, and now they are playing politics in the name of clean air." He further added, "While some leaders are engaged in drama, the current government is addressing pollution on a daily basis, hotspot by hotspot, landfill by landfill and industry by industry." He said that while only 13 pollution hotspots had been identified earlier, the current government has identified 62 traffic-congestion hotspots and begun work on them.

71 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 10:32 PM

Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors: Calculated Moves Ahead as Team Seeks Roster Improvements

Oilers trade Rumors (Getty Images)The Edmonton Oilers did not wait for the calendar to force their hand. They chose action, and they chose it loudly. Friday’s goaltending shakeup sent a clear signal that patience has limits in Edmonton, especially for a team built to win now.Trading Stuart Skinner was not an emotional move. It was calculated, measured, and rooted in urgency. For an organization chasing unfinished business, stability in net mattered more than familiarity.What followed was not relief, but curiosity. Around the league, executives and insiders began asking the same question. Was this the final piece, or only the opening move? With the Oilers sitting fourth in the Pacific and momentum proving hard to hold, the timing suggested something more.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomThe season has been uneven, and expectations remain heavy after two straight Stanley Cup Final losses.Edmonton Oilers trade rumors point to more roster changesThat sense of unfinished work was echoed by NHL insider David Pagnotta during his appearance on “The Sheet with Jeff Marek.” While many teams would pause after a headline deal, Pagnotta made it clear Edmonton is still scanning the market.“I think they’re going to explore by the way, I think they’re going to explore adding later on in the season.I think it’s from a defensive perspective, whether it’s the blue line or in their bottom six, somebody more responsible in those in that in either of those roles.”Those words matter. They reveal a front office focused less on star power and more on reliability. Edmonton has enough firepower. What it wants now are players who protect leads, manage pressure, and make the hard plays when games tighten.The financial structure of the Tristan Jarry trade supports that approach.Pagnotta noted the money is nearly a wash, keeping options open as the season progresses. That flexibility could prove critical as injuries mount and contenders separate from pretenders.There is also quiet confidence in Jarry himself. Edmonton believes his recent struggles were more about environment than ability. As Pagnotta put it, “how he’s performing now, playing well in high danger situations and being able to bail out his team. It’s not just the numbers that are, you know, window dressing this. This is legit.”Behind a stronger lineup, the Oilers expect Jarry to steady the crease and lift the group in front of him. With a road matchup against Pittsburgh looming, the message is clear. Edmonton is not done yet.Also Read:NHL Trade Rumors: Dougie Hamilton’s future in doubt as Devils pivot to trade options following Quinn Hughes setbackGet an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

29 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 09:00 PM

Makop Ransomware Attacks Surge in India: Experts Warn of Evolving Threat

India faced a significant surge in Makop ransomware attacks, with 55% of victims globally located here. Attackers are exploiting weak security, outdated software, and vulnerable RDP access, even developing tools to disable local antivirus. This evolving threat, now using Guloader for distribution, demands immediate attention to basic cybersecurity practices.In a recent Acronis Research study, it was found that 55% of the victims attacked by the ransomware group Makop are based in India, making it the country most affected by this malware globally.This is an indicator that cyber attackers are focusing on regions where poor security practices and outdated antivirus software are in use.The report illustrates a significant change in the ransomware group's operational modus operandi. This is the first observed case of Makop being distributed via Guloader, a type of loader malware that typically distributes information-stealing malware. The new modus operandi will make it difficult for security tools to trace any ransomware-related activities.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomMakop was first observed around 2020 and is associated with the Phobos ransomware group. Most of these attacks begin with unauthorised access to RDP computers that lack protection for Remote Desktop Protocol communications, according to Acronis analysts. Cyber attackers use hacking tools to crack weak passwords.After gaining access, the perpetrators follow a predictable sequence of actions: network scanning, stealing login credentials, moving deeper into the system, turning off security software, and encrypting files.They also use known tools such as Mimikatz to steal credentials or network scanners to understand their environment.The study indicates that attackers are now making greater efforts to circumvent security solutions. The attackers use specially created uninstallers to remove Indian antivirus software such as Quick Heal. The attackers also use vulnerable drivers and legitimate utilities, such as Process Hacker, to bypass security solutions.To enhance their chances of a successful attack, Makop attackers exploit multiple Windows vulnerabilities to gain administrative privileges, some of which are many years old.Acronis has also cautioned that a mixture of “outdated vulnerabilities, poor passwords, and vulnerable remote access services” continues to leave organisations vulnerable to attack. This is also true of what is being seen in the Makop campaign, where ransomware gangs are exploiting a lack of effort in basic security to launch successful attacks.The company's recommended actions for businesses include implementing Multi-Factor Authentication for all remote access, applying frequent patches, restricting public RDP access, and using adequate endpoint security that can detect Guloader.Enhancing password management practices and conducting security audits for businesses could also help minimise the risks and threats associated with the Guloader malware.Ilia Dafchev, senior security researcher at Acronis, said,“Makop is not a brand-new family of ransomware, but it is changing in ways that are impossible for defences to ignore. Makop is being deployed using Guloader for the first time, which is a significant change from its typical manual, RDP-based distribution. This modification makes the ransomware more difficult to identify and indicates that even low-complexity attackers are using increasingly complex methods.The regional targeting pattern, 55% of the victims we saw were in India, where attackers even created tools to remove popular local security products, is particularly alarming. These results demonstrate a straightforward reality: businesses with inadequate security measures or exposed RDP services remain highly vulnerable. Improving fundamental cyber hygiene is now essential to staying ahead of fast-evolving threats like these.”

29 shares

😐

NASA News✓

Dec 16, 2025, 08:32 PM

NASA's Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry Group Ensures Safe Space Exploration

5 min read Achieving safe exploration of space in vehicles that rely upon closed environmental systems to recycle air and water to sustain life and are operated in extremely remote locations is a major challenge. The Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry (TEC) group at Johnson Space Center (JSC) is made up of 2 interrelated groups: Toxicology support and the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory. The scientists in both groups play an important role in ensuring that the crew of the ISS are breathing clean air and drinking clean water. Personnel within the TEC establish safe spacecraft environmental limits, monitor the air and water quality aboard current spacecraft (ISS and Commercial Crew and Cargo vehicles), and support technology advancements. The TEC employs in-flight monitoring capabilities as well as postflight sample analysis techniques to monitor the air and water quality from spaceflight. NASA

25 shares

😐

NASA News✓

Dec 16, 2025, 08:30 PM

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Discovers Rare Exoplanet with Unique Atmosphere

Scientists using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have observed a rare type ofexoplanet, or planet outside our solar system, whose atmospheric composition challenges our understanding of how it formed. Officially named PSR J2322-2650b, this Jupiter-mass object appears to have an exotic helium-and-carbon-dominated atmosphere unlike any ever seen before. Soot clouds likely float through the air, and deep within the planet, these carbon clouds can condense and form diamonds. How the planet came to be is a mystery. The paper appears Tuesday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. “This was an absolute surprise,” said study co-author Peter Gao of the Carnegie Earth and Planets Laboratory in Washington. “I remember after we got the data down, our collective reaction was ‘What the heck is this?’ It's extremely different from what we expected.” This planet-mass object was known to orbit a pulsar, a rapidly spinningneutron star. A pulsar emits beams of electromagnetic radiation at regular intervals typically ranging from milliseconds to seconds. These pulsing beams can only be seen when they are pointing directly toward Earth, much like beams from a lighthouse.

7 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 07:49 PM

Delhi Bars Polluting Vehicles and Trucks from Entering Capital

.NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday announced that all private vehicles below BS-VI standards and not registered in Delhi will be barred from entering the capital from Thursday.This restriction will continue till stages III and IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) are in force.No vehicle without a PUC certificate will be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps from Thursday, Sirsa added.The minister also announced that trucks carrying construction and demolition waste are barred from entering Delhi and will be seized when Grap IV is in place. The move aims to reduce emissions from the transport sector, which is the major source of Delhi's pollution.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomCurrently, all four stages of Grap are in place in Delhi-NCR.Sirsa said a meeting between Delhi Police and transport department is being held for enforcing these directions.156 entry points to capital see collection of green tax, tollTeams will be deployed at city entry points, and vehicles nor conforming with BS VI standards will be asked to return. Delhi has 156 entry points where green taxes and tolls are collected.“Delhi will not allow any polluting vehicle to enter and pollute the air,” Sirsa said at a press conference. He added that govt was giving non-Delhi registered vehicles below BS VI time till Wednesday to leave Delhi.Currently, only BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers and certain diesel commercial vehicles, which are BS IV or below, are restricted as part of GRAP’s restriction. A ban is also in place for construction and demolition activity as part of GRAP.The minister said, “To control vehicular tailpipe emissions, all the dealers of petrol, diesel and CNG pumps are directed to dispense fuel to motor vehicles only on production of a valid Pollution under Control Certificate (PUCC).” He added that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and on-ground checks will be deployed to verify PUCC status and emission category of vehicles, and directed citizens not to argue with enforcement officials at fuel stations and borders when found non-compliant.Welcoming the decision, the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association requested the Delhi govt to deploy personnel from enforcement authorities concerned at every petrol pump. “In these challenging times, when air pollution is gravely impacting public health, extraordinary steps are indeed necessary. We welcome the initiative taken by the Delhi govt; however, effective enforcement of this directive remains an extremely difficult and arduous task," it said in a statement.Sirsa also mentioned several measures taken by the BJP-led govt to reduce air pollution, including electrification of the public bus fleet; action against polluting commercial and industrial establishments; action on polluting diesel generator sets and ongoing biomining of legacy waste. “Delhi’s public transport is undergoing a massive green transition. With 3,427 electric buses already inducted and a target of 7,500 by Dec 2026, which will drastically cut vehicular emissions in the city,” he said.

98 shares

😐

Dec 16, 2025, 07:13 PM

Cannabis and Driving: A Study on the Effects of THC on Impaired Driving

What really happens when you drive under the influence of cannabis? REV puts it to the test in a professional driving simulator with police-style impairment tests — walking the line, eye tracking and cognitive tasks.

16 shares

😐

The Free Press Journal

Dec 16, 2025, 06:37 PM

Sunburn Festival in Mumbai Faces Legal Notice Over Public Safety Concerns

Mumbai: The organizers of the upcoming Sunburn Festival in Mumbai have been issued a formal legal notice compelling them to demonstrate statutory compliance regarding public safety, child protection, and drug prevention measures. The notice was served ahead of the electronic dance music (EDM) festival's debut in Mumbai’s Sewri, and outlines a series of serious concerns based on the organisation's past operational record. Adv. Poonam Dilip Jadhav issued the notice to Space Bound Web Labs Pvt. Ltd., the organisers of the Sunburn Festival, citing a history of alleged failures and posing "foreseeable and imminent threats" across several critical areas. The notice focuses heavily on alleged violations of the Right to Life, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. The 13-point legal notice, which gave the organisers 72 hours to submit a complete action taken report, highlighted various serious concerns. It raised concerns related to permitting minors aged 16 to 17 years to attend an EDM festival with a documented history of narcotics infiltration, medical collapses, and fatalities. The notice cited multiple past deaths associated with the festival, including those of Neha Bahuguna in 2009, three deaths during the 2019 Goa event, and of Karan Kashyap in 2024. It argued that these incidents establish a "continuing pattern of failure to assess foreseeable risk." The legal action asserted that the festival’s history of drug-related incidents, including arrests and seizures, constitutes chronic lapses in security and could expose the organisers to strict criminal liability under the NDPS Act. The notice also criticised the festival’s proposed venue at Sewri for its narrow access roads, limited emergency vehicle mobility, and proximity to the ecologically sensitive Sewri mudflats, which is home to migratory flamingos. The notice demanded independent structural safety audits and an environmental impact assessment. The notice alleged that the organisers are actively selling tickets without mandatory police permission from the local Sewri Police Station, a conduct labelled as "deliberate suppression of material facts" and a potential breach of consumer protection law. Adv. Jadhav warned that failure to provide a complete, certified, and document-supported action taken report within the 72-hour window will lead to the immediate initiation of proceedings before the Bombay High Court to seek an immediate stay on the event. Notably, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also took cognisance of a separate complaint with similar allegations and on Friday issued a notice to the Maharashtra’s director general of police and the chief secretary, seeking an action taken report within three days regarding steps taken to prevent the use of illicit substances and ensure child safety. The Free Press Journal contacted the organisers of Sunburn Festival but did not receive any response from them. The festival has not issued any detailed public response to the growing opposition, as the festival's highly anticipated Mumbai debut draws near.

51 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 06:30 PM

Vinod Khanna's Journey from Stardom to Spirituality: A Look at His Personal Life

Akshaye Khannahas become an internet sensation, ever since the release of Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar'. While he's basking in all the glory, there's also now curiosity around his personal life.Khanna has chosen to have a private life which is away from the limelight. His fatherVinod Khannahas enjoyed stardom and when he was at the peak of it, he left it and turned to spirituality. He left his wife and two boys - Akshaye and Rahul Khanna - and went to Osho's ashram. Here's all you need to know about Akshaye's mother and Vinod Khanna's ex-wife Geetanjali.Vinod Khanna’s first wife, Geetanjali Taleyarkhan, was a model from a well-known Parsi family.Her background included lawyers and businessmen, and she became the first in her family to step into the glamour world. Geetanjali was the daughter of A.F.S. Taleyarkhan, who was recognised as one of India’s earliest commentators in the 1950s.Vinod first met Geetanjali during his college years and was instantly drawn to her. The two began dating at a time when Vinod had not yet established himself in the film industry.Soon after, he caught the attention of actor-producer Sunil Dutt, who offered him his debut film, 'Man Ka Meet', setting his acting career in motion, according to Bollywoodshadis.comAs Vinod’s popularity grew and success followed, he eventually agreed to settle down. In 1971, he married Geetanjali in a lavish wedding attended by prominent names from the film industry. A year later, the couple welcomed their first son, Rahul Khanna, followed by Akshaye Khanna in 1975.With both his professional and personal life flourishing, Vinod was known to prioritise family time, even making it a rule to not work on Sundays.Despite enjoying fame, success, and a happy family life, Vinod Khanna felt a growing spiritual void. At the height of his career, he chose to renounce worldly life and took sanyas in 1982, leaving Bollywood and joining Osho’s ashram. This decision drastically altered his personal life.Initially living in the United States, Vinod stayed in touch with Geetanjali and their children through phone calls. However, the distance proved difficult, especially as their two sons were growing up. Geetanjali struggled to manage life as a single parent and shared how the children were often questioned about their father’s absence.After three years of trying to balance everything on her own and urging Vinod to return home, Geetanjali eventually gave him an ultimatum, to choose between his family and his spiritual path.When there was no response, she filed for divorce, and the couple legally separated in 1985. Although Vinod returned to India in 1987, his prolonged stay at the ashram had already ended his first marriage.A while ago, in an interview, Akshaye had opened up on the effect his father going to Osho's ashram had on him. Recalling that time, Akshaye had shared with Mid-day, “To not only leave his family, but to take ‘sanyaas’ (renunciation).Sanyaas means giving up your life in totality, family is only a part of it. It’s a life-changing decision, which he felt that he needed to take at the time. As a five-year-old, it was impossible for me to understand it.I can understand it now.”He reflected that his father must have experienced something deeply transformative to make such a decision. He said, “Something must have moved him so deeply inside that he felt that that kind of decision was worth it for him.Especially when you have everything in life. A very basic fault line/earthquake has to occur within oneself to make that decision. But also stick by it. One can make the decision and say this doesn’t suit me, let’s go back.But that didn’t happen. And circumstances in America with Osho and the colony, friction with the US government, that was the reason he came back.”Back in India, Vinod resumed his acting career on Osho’s advice—to live life like an actor and act as though life itself were a role. The film industry welcomed him back, and at the age of 43, he found love again. He later married Kavita Daftary in 1990 after a long courtship. The couple went on to have two children, a son and a daughter.Geetanjali Taleyarkhan, however, never remarried. She dedicated her life to raising Rahul and Akshaye on her own, away from public attention. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 70, a year after Vinod Khanna’s death in 2017.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

32 shares

😐

Wisden News✓

Dec 16, 2025, 04:11 PM

Rising Star: Yash Raj Punja's Journey from UAE to Indian Cricket

Rashid Khan, Ian Bishop and the UAE’s youngest first-class cricketer – it sounds like the start of a bad joke. But these are all just stops on leg-spinner Yash Raj Punja’s journey. He first came to the wider attention of Indian cricket in May 2024, when Ian Bishop posted a photo on social media with “Yash, an 18-year-old leg spinner from Bengaluru”. The photo was taken at the Chennai airport, and featured Bishop alongside Yash – who towered an inch or so over than the former quick. A tall, promising leg-spinner wouldn’t really go unnoticed in India, but that’s because Punja does not have any professional cricket under his belt as yet. This August in Mysuru, he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Maharaja KSCA T20 Trophy, Karnataka's contribution to the Indian state-level T20 league ecosystem. It was his first season in the competition; his 23 wickets in 10 matches came at 12.48 runs apiece, and with remarkable consistency – he did not take a single four-wicket haul, but took three wickets on five occasions. Bishop said in his post that Punja was “at least 6ft 6inches tall”. It was viewed nearly 500,000 times on X, and responses went one of two ways; praising Bishop’s commitment to research as a broadcaster, or marveling at Yash’s height (6 '5 " is the number on record now). Anil Kumble was a shade over six feet tall, and after him, India’s tallest leg spinner was Rahul Sharma, who measured 6 '4 ", but whose international career fizzled out rapidly. All this is to say the novelty of a player that size, with the ability to bowl leg spin, remains. Tall cricketers are often pushed to take up fast bowling. Punja started out that way too, he tellsWisden.com:“When I was younger, I was a fast bowler. I feel like we all were fast bowlers when we started. But there was an issue with my action. “I'd be frustrated that I wasn't able to bowl as fast as the other kids, so I just ended up chucking the ball at the last second. Because of that, my coaches just told me to take up leg spin.” After he was picked up at base price (INR 25,000) by the Hubli Tigers for this year’s Maharaja Trophy, the team’s batting coach, Yere Goud – also the Karnataka domestic team’s head coach –was open about their faith in him: “He has been a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals for the last two years. “He bowls very controlled, flattish leg spin, bowls the googly, [which is] not that easy to pick up. He will be one of the surprise packages in the tournament for us. We expect performances from him – he has the capacity to win matches.” Goud first saw Punja playing for Vijaya Cricket Club, on the Bengaluru league circuit. But the leggie’s journey does not begin at Vijaya CC, or in Bengaluru, Karnataka or even India. It starts in the UAE, where Punja was born to Indian parents in 2006. He says it was around the age of eight that his cricketing journey really kicked off, and the catalyst came from within the same household. In November 2015, Punja’s elder brother – fast bowler Yodhin – became the UAE’s youngest first-class cricketer, in an ICC Inter-continental Cup fixture against Hong Kong. He took the wicket of opener Anshuman Rath, who later went on to play for Odisha in the Ranji Trophy, and is now back with Hong Kong for the 2025 Asia Cup. Five days later, at the age of 16 years and 206 days, Yodhin became the UAE’s youngest international cricketer, in an ODI against the same opposition. A record across genders at the time, it remains so for the men’s team, nearly ten years on. “I started playing cricket because of my elder brother,” Yash says. “It was a big deal when he played for the UAE men’s (senior) team, and everyone looked up to him. So that's how it started for me as well. I wanted to be like my brother when I was younger. “When he made his debut for the men's team was around when I started playing cricket as well, when I was eight. It all started off just using him as my role model. I played cricket in UAE for almost eight or nine years, till I was 17.” In May 2023, Yash represented Abu Dhabi in the Emirates D50 tournament, with a standout performance of 4-44 against Fujairah, which included the wicket of UAE opener Rohan Mustafa. That year, he also shifted base to Bengaluru. “I didn't move to India as a planned thing,” he says. “I was just there for summer vacation, and I was training at the Six Academy in Bengaluru. “While I was there, Rajasthan Royals had a camp there with Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, [former Karnataka spinner] KC Cariappa and all those guys. So they had just spotted me because a few of the coaches at Six told them about me and said, ‘If you want someone to bowl in the nets, you can take him.’ “That went well, and they were interested in me. They spoke to my parents, told me to move to India, told my parents that they’d take care of my expenses and all that. So that's where the plan to move to India started, after RR was interested in me. For the past two years, since then, I've just been going for any camps they have throughout the year. They usually have one once a month.” In the Maharaja Trophy, Yash was one of only two bowlers in the competition to take more than 20 wickets, alongside death-overs specialist Kranthi Kumar of the Mangaluru Dragons. He went wicketless in his first game of the campaign, and took three in his second. One ball after removing Harshil Dharmani in his third match of the season, he really grabbed the attention. Karnataka stalwart Manish Pandey came out to face his first delivery, which was dropped short and outside off stump. Pandey went back and across, setting up to viciously flay a loosener through point. To his horror, the ball spun back in sharply. It cramped him for room, took the bottom edge and hit the stumps – a googly that he never saw coming. It is no surprise that Yash’s googly is so deceptive. Batters are trained to look for the ball coming out of the back of the hand to spot one, but his comes out of the side of the hand. The difference in release from the leg-break is almost imperceptible. Like his cricketing journey itself, he partly owes this to Yodhin: “When he was captaining the UAE U19 side, he played a lot of cricket against Afghanistan U19. At that time – 2015, 2016 – Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Rashid Khan, all of those guys were playing U19 cricket. “So he was just telling me that these guys bowl the googly a little differently from the rest of the leg-spinners in the world. They bowl only with three fingers: the thumb, the middle finger and the index finger. “I tried to copy that grip, and with a few months of just repeating that grip again and again, it kind of just stuck, and that's how I've been bowling my googly since then, till now.” Read more:Analysed: The rare Rashid Khan slump, and the short road back to his best That googly became his calling card over the course of the Maharaja Trophy, accounting for 12 of his 23 wickets – for right-handers, it helped him constantly keep the stumps in play, and left-handers often found themselves slicing across the line, to a ball going away from them. Because of his height, Yash has a natural tendency to bowl with a flattish trajectory, and extract extra bounce. But he does have the ability to toss it up in more classical fashion as well. That tendency, as well as his bowling action which has changed since 2023, are reminiscent of a senior India leggie – with whom he has spent time at close quarters. “For leg spin, I'd say my biggest role model is Anil Kumble. And Yuzi Chahal as well. For the one year that he was with RR at the same time I was, he was quite helpful in the nets. “[He’s a] very friendly, jolly guy. So I used the opportunity to talk to him whenever I could. He talked to me about pace variation, and not being afraid to give the ball a little air, regardless of who the batsman is. So I feel like this Maharaja [season] as well, I used some of his tips as best I could.” More generally as well, Yash values the opportunity that being in and around the RR squad has given him: “They take care of us very well. They make sure they treat us (net bowlers) similar to [main squad] players, if not the same. Whatever the players need; recovery, etc, we get the same thing. So in that sense, the life of a net bowler is pretty good. “From where I started off in 2023 in India, having looked up to all these guys like Sanju [Samson] and [Yashasvi] Jaiswal, to bowling to them in the nets on a daily basis, that definitely changes you as a player – it makes you learn a lot of things. “And I’d definitely say, a large contribution to my performance in Maharaja is due to all the camps I've attended with RR. That's helped me learn a lot about the T20 format, and what to bowl to which kind of batsman.” In one sense, Yash is walking much the same path that his brother did. Yodhin attended a trial with RCB in March 2017, butsuffered a knee injury off his very first delivery, which kept him out of the entire season.The following year, he spoke aboutplaying in the Karnataka Premier League (the earlier version of the Maharaja Trophy) to get back up to speed. Between his time in the RR nets, and his outstanding season with Hubli, Yash has gone a step ahead. International cricket is still far away, but in all fairness, there’s enough time at hand for the 19-year old. He is not heaping pressure upon himself in that respect. “I feel the goal is always to, you know, level up… try to play the next level. And with IPL as well, it's a long way to go. So whatever happens, happens for the best. I'm not really targeting anything.” The way he tells the story about his “surreal” meeting with Bishop, it was the senior man who noticed him and wanted to know more: “He approached me at the Chennai airport just asking me how tall I was. Then he saw that I was wearing the RR travel jersey as well. “He just went into depth asking me questions about where I'm from, what I bowl. So we had a short conversation there, and we just took the picture and he wished me lu...

1 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 16, 2025, 03:59 PM

IPL 2026 Players Auction: Cameron Green Becomes Most Expensive Overseas Purchase in IPL History

IPL 2026 Players Auction HIGHLIGHTS: A total of 369 players went under the hammer as all 10 franchises looked to fine-tune their squads at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which concluded in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The standout moment of the day was Cameron Green’s Rs 25.20 crore move to Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the most expensive overseas purchase in IPL history. KKR further bolstered their line-up by signing Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore. Another major theme of the auction was the rise of uncapped Indian players, who dominated bidding proceedings. Uttar Pradesh’s Prashant Veer was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore, while Jammu & Kashmir all-rounder Auqib Dar earned a Rs 8.40 crore deal from Delhi Capitals. Kartik Sharma also fetched Rs 14.20 crore, with CSK securing his services to complete a remarkable day for domestic talent. At the start of the auction, franchises had 77 slots to fill, including 31 overseas positions, setting the stage for one of the most competitive mini-auctions in recent years. There was also keen interest in whether any bid would surpass Rishabh Pant’s Rs 27 crore record, set at last year’s mega auction by Lucknow Super Giants , a mark that ultimately remained intact. Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders entered the auction with one of the strongest financial positions. The Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise had a purse of Rs 64.30 crore, allowing them to go all out for Green before completing a marquee signing in Pathirana. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings were among the most active sides after enduring their worst-ever IPL campaign in 2025, finishing bottom of the points table. With Rs 43.40 crore available and nine slots to fill, CSK engaged in a bidding war with KKR for Green before spending over Rs 28 crore on two uncapped Indians- Prashant Veer, viewed as a potential long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja , and Kartik Sharma. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings were among the most active sides after enduring their worst-ever IPL campaign in 2025, finishing bottom of the points table. With Rs 43.40 crore available and nine slots to fill, CSK engaged in a bidding war with KKR for Green before spending over Rs 28 crore on two uncapped Indians, Prashant Veer, viewed as a potential long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja, and Kartik Sharma. In contrast, Mumbai Indians , the league’s most successful franchise with five titles, had limited room for manoeuvre, heading into the auction with just Rs 2.75 crore. While this restricted their spending, MI still managed to add experience by signing Quinton de Kock for Rs 1 crore. With the auction now complete, franchises will turn their focus to striking the right balance between star power and squad depth as preparations begin for the IPL 2026 season. That brings down the curtain on a dramatic and record-breaking IPL 2026 auction. From Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma becoming the costliest uncapped Indian players ever at Rs 14.2 crore each, both snapped up by Chennai Super Kings, to Cameron Green emerging as the most expensive overseas buy at Rs 25.2 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders, the day delivered big-money moves and major talking points. Thank you for staying with us through every bid, twist and turn. Keep following financialexpress.com for the latest news from India and around the world. Jamieson finally gets a buyer. No other team can come in for him. DC lone team, they have him for his base price of Rs 1 crore. Vihaan Malhotra to RCB for Rs 30 lakh. Earlier, Kanishk Chouhan- Rs. 30 lakh also went to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs. 30 lakh Luke Wood to GT for Rs 75 lakh Kuldeep Sen to RR for Rs 75 lakh. Ostwal goes to RCB for Rs 30 lakh. Adam Milne finally finds a buyer. GT rope in Prithvu Raj for Rs 30 lakh. Banton SOLD to GT for Rs 2 crore. No takers for Jamieson either. No takers for Sanvir Singh goes UNSOLD againPunjab allrounder Sanvir Singh back in at 30 lakh. Unsold Zak Foulkes to CSK for Rs 75 lakh. No takers for Jamie Smith or Spencer Johnson. No takers for Deepak Hooda. He goes unsold. Prithvi sold to DC for Rs 75 lakh. No one bids for Swastik Chikara. No takers for Milind, he remains UNSOLD. No one raises the paddle for Siddharth Yadav. Jack Edwards sold to SRH for Rs 3 crore. RR rope in Brijesh Sharma for Rs 30 lakh. No bidders for Ritik Tada. No one bids for Macneil Noronha. Sahil Parikh goes to DC for Rs 30 lakh. Vishal Nishad to PBKS for Rs 30 lakh No interest from anyone for Riley Meredith, Richard Gleeson, Mayank Dagar, Monet Grewal. They are all UNSOLD. Praveen Dubey to PBKS for Rs 30 lakh That means they can no longer rope in any other player. No takers for Manan Vohra. Mayank Rawat to MI for 30 lakh DC bring in Lungi Ngidi for Rs 2 crore. Adam Milne goes unsold , Salman Nizar finds to takers. Aman Rao is snapped for Rs 30 lakh.

93 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 03:57 PM

China's Economy Stalls Amid Weak Domestic Demand and Real Estate Crisis

TL;DR: Driving the newsChina’s economic engine sputtered hard in November, with retail sales rising just 1.3% - the weakest since December 2022, when “zero-Covid” ended - and industrial production slowing to 4.8%, a 15-month low.Meanwhile, fixed-asset investment dropped 2.6%, the worst performance in decades, and property investment plunged nearly 16%. Even the usually robust auto and appliance markets collapsed, with car sales down 8.5% and home appliance sales falling a staggering 19%, per Bloomberg.'No Free Lift For India': PM Modi's Chief Economic Adviser Says China Won’t Repeat West’s Mistake“The economy faced a number of challenges,” China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. “There were many external instabilities and uncertainties, and domestic demand was insufficient.”IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL Auction: Green becomes most expensive overseas; CSK spend Rs 28.4 crore on uncapped duoIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomWhy it mattersBeijing has been over-reliant on exports to meet its annual growth target of around 5%. That worked in 2025, helping China notch a record $1 trillion trade surplus, but the strategy is showing serious cracks:* Domestic demand is faltering under the weight of a real estate crisis, weak consumer confidence, and fading fiscal stimulus.* Global frustration is rising over China’s massive export surplus.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeNita Ambani unveils an innovative treehouse at Nita Mukesh...UndoArpita Khan drops a rare throwback picture with a young Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan alongside their father, Salim KhanThe Times of IndiaUndo* Protectionist responses are escalating - from the US and Europe to Mexico.“Strong exports limited the need to turbocharge domestic demand this year,” said Xu Tianchen of the Economist Intelligence Unit. “Policymakers have turned their attention to 2026, since the 5% growth target seems within reach.”But the warning signs are piling up that next year could be far tougher.The big picture: A lopsided economyThe imbalance between booming exports and collapsing consumption is becoming untenable:* Retail sales growth has now slowed for six consecutive months, the longest streak since 2020, according to the Wall Street Journal.* Despite $1 trillion in exports, China’s domestic economy is stuck in low-gear recovery, with consumer sentiment still shaken by years of lockdowns and a deteriorating property market.* Singles’ Day, China’s Black Friday, ran for five weeks this year. Even that failed to excite cautious spenders.“November data point to broad-based weakness in domestic activity,” said Zichun Huang of Capital Economics. “Policy support should help drive a partial recovery… but this probably won’t prevent China’s growth from remaining weak across 2026.”Bloomberg noted that November’s 1.3% retail sales growth missed every estimate in its analyst survey.Indeed, China’s surplus is more a problem for itself than for the rest of the world. It is the only big country where inflation looks dangerously low. Hiring is weak, consumers lack confidence, and the property market has entered the fifth year of a seemingly intractable slump. The central bank is worried that lower interest rates will hurt banks’ margins. And the government is reluctant to do whatever it takes to turn things round.An article in the EconomistZoom in: The property crisis is the epicenterAt the center of China’s consumption problem sits its property market, which for decades doubled as both a growth engine and a savings account. Roughly 70% of household wealth is tied up in real estate, according to estimates cited by the International Monetary Fund.That wealth is still shrinking.New home prices fell further in November, and property investment dropped 15.9% in the first eleven months of the year, widening from earlier declines. Fixed-asset investment overall fell 2.6% over the same period, one of the sharpest pullbacks on record, according to official data cited by Reuters, Bloomberg, and the Wall Street Journal.The trouble is no longer confined to weaker developers. China Vanke, long seen as relatively stable and backed by state-linked lenders, plans to hold another bondholder meeting this week after investors rejected a proposal to delay repayment on an onshore bond.The company is now racing against the clock during the bond’s grace period, according to Reuters.“Developers are struggling to convince investors there are buyers for their apartments,” said Fu Linghui, NBS spokesperson. “Even discounted units remain unsold.”The IMF has warned that repairing the sector could cost the equivalent of 5% of GDP over the next three years. But even that figure understates the psychological damage.Unsold apartments, discounted units, and half-finished developments have turned housing from a source of security into a reminder of risk.Between the lines:Xi Jinpingis worried about fake growthAt last week’s Central Economic Work Conference, President Xi Jinping issued a rare rebuke of GDP-chasing and inflated local data, warning that “reckless” projects and overbuilt industrial zones are wasting resources and distorting progress, a Bloomberg report said.“All plans must be based on facts,” Xi said. “Those who act recklessly without regard for reality must be held strictly accountable.”His call for “high-quality, sustainable development” was widely seen as a rebuke of the decades-long model that emphasized GDP at any cost - often backed by wasteful borrowing and inflated statistics.Yet the contradiction is stark:* Xi demands quality growth,* But local officials remain judged on quantity,* While global demand for Chinese goods is starting to fade under rising tariffs.Growing trade headwindsWhile exports saved China’s 2025 performance, protectionism is spreading fast - and the backlash is now global, not just from Washington.* French President Emmanuel Macron warned of tariffs and called China’s trade practices “unsustainable.”* Mexico approved new tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese imports starting next year to protect local manufacturers.* US and European leaders continue to pressure China over industrial overcapacity and export dumping, particularly in clean energy and EVs.“China is too large to rely on exports for growth,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned last week.The outlook: More of the same - for nowDespite warnings, no aggressive new stimulus appears imminent.* The People’s Bank of China is expected to cut interest rates moderately in early 2026.* The government may repeat a 4% budget deficit, per economists cited by Bloomberg.* Leaders pledged a “proactive fiscal policy,” but specifics are scarce.China’s 30-year bond futures have slumped to their lowest levels since 2024, and stock markets remain under pressure.The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index is down 1.3% amid renewed real estate fears.Still, the 5% growth target for 2026 - seen as politically important - remains in place, likely buoyed by modest stimulus and base effects.China has become dependent on the spending of foreigners to stabilise its own economy. It is not being anti-social. But it is being unwise.The EconomistThe bottom lineFor now, China is still likely to hit its growth target of around 5% this year. Most economists expect Beijing to set a similar target for 2026, along with a fiscal stimulus package roughly the same size as this year’s.But confidence in the medium-term outlook is fading.“November data point to a broad-based weakness in domestic activity, largely due to a pull-back in fiscal spending,” said Zichun Huang, China economist at Capital Economics. “Policy support should help drive a partial recovery in the coming months, but this probably won’t avert China’s growth from remaining weak across 2026 as a whole.”Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis, was more blunt in comments cited by Bloomberg.“While a 5% real growth target is likely a done deal, 2026 will be a much more challenging year if the stress persists,” he said.China’s economy is not collapsing. It is stalling in a more subtle, more politically uncomfortable way. The factories still run. The ships still leave port. But inside the country, households remain cautious, investors hesitant, and policymakers caught between old instincts and new constraints.(With inputs from the agencies)Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

13 shares

😢

News18✓

Dec 16, 2025, 03:48 PM

IPL 2026 Auction: Cameron Green Acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for Historic Rs 25.20 Crore

5 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 03:41 PM

Kolkata Knight Riders Make Big Splash at IPL Auction 2026

51 shares

😐

AIR News✓

Dec 16, 2025, 03:31 PM

Union Minister Chairs Meeting to Mitigate Air Pollution in Gurugram and Faridabad

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today chaired a high-level review meeting on air pollution mitigation action plans for Gurugram and Faridabad. This meeting was a part of a series of reviews for Delhi-NCR cities.During the meeting, Mr Yadav expressed concern over persistent issues such as legacy waste, traffic congestion, poor condition of rural roads, and violations of building by-laws in peri-urban areas.He noted that these are significantly contributing to environmental degradation in the National Capital Region. He called for strict action on vehicular emissions, non-compliant industries and illegal units involved in waste tyre burning.Mr Yadav stressed the need to fast-track solutions for municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste, augment air quality monitoring stations, and improve road paving to control dust. He also highlighted the importance of public participation, urging urban cleanliness drives, behavioural change initiatives and greening of open spaces with indigenous plant species.The Minister appreciated best practices such as Faridabad’s Pothole Ambulance initiative and suggested their replication across NCR. He also directed the preparation of short-term and long-term plans to reduce vehicular pollution.

27 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 03:27 PM

From Rejection to Redemption: Tejasvi Singh Dahiya's Journey to the IPL

Rejected at last year’s IPL auction, Tejasvi Singh Dahiya rebuilt himself under a harsh, gurukul-style training regime in Bhopal. Son of two schoolteachers and armed with a fearless batting mindset, the Delhi batter’s Rs 3 crore KKR deal now offers him a chance to turn sacrifice, discipline and six-hitting flair into an IPL breakthrough.NEW DELHI:Tejasvi Singh Dahiya was shattered after his name came up twice at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction last year, only to find no bidders.A disappointed Dahiya then received a call from his coach Sanjay Bharadwaj — a hard taskmaster and one of the doyens of the domestic circuit, who has coached the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Unmukt Chand, Nitish Rana and Priyansh Arya.Bharadwaj asked him to book a train ticket to Bhopal, where the Dronacharya Awardee runs a ‘gurukul’-style coaching setup in the middle of a forest.KKR CEO Venky Mysore Explains Cameron Green Buy - 'We were getting close to the limit'“I was unhappy after going unsold. When my name came up in the accelerated round, I was hopeful. But when no one lifted the paddle for me, I was shattered from inside,” Dahiya tells TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.SUBSCRIBE NOW!Moving to Bhopal, where he had lived in the recent past, was not easy.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL Auction: SRH shell out Rs 13 crore for Livingstone; Prithvi Shaw goes unsold againIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whom“Bharadwaj sir even takes away our phones. There is only one hour of entertainment, during which we get our mobiles to talk to our parents,” he says.The 23-year-old turns philosophical and adds, “If you want to achieve something, you have to sacrifice a lot. This is what I believe in.”Dahiya, who shot to fame with his exploits in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs3 crore — ten times his base price of Rs30 lakh.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeNita Ambani unveils an innovative treehouse at Nita Mukesh...UndoIn explosive Vanity Fair article, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles says a driven Trump has an 'alcoholic's personality'The Times of IndiaUndoMumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were involved in a bidding battle for the Delhi wicketkeeper-batter.Tejasvi Dahiya celebrates after scoring winning runs in the DPL“What Gauti (Gautam Gambhir) bhai did with KKR, I want to repeat that,” says Dahiya.Dahiya was the leading six-hitter in the DPL, smashing 29 sixes and amassing 339 runs at a strike rate of 190.44.“He has that attacking mindset. He has always been like this. He and Priyansh (Arya) used to get into six-hitting competitions at the LB Shastri Academy,” says Bharadwaj.“When I saw him bat for the first time, I imagined the entire picture.Mujhe lag gaya ki ek heera haath aa gaya hai(I realised I had found a diamond). At 16, I made him the captain of LB Shastri. He has a mature head on his shoulders. Since he keeps wickets as well, he understands and reads the game really well,” adds the coach.But the journey wasn’t easy for Dahiya. He comes from a family of teachers. His father, Ravindra Singh Dahiya, is a maths teacher, while his mother, Babita Dahiya, is an economics teacher in a Delhi government school.“Naunko yakeen ho raha hai, na main digest kar pa raha hoon(Neither my parents nor I can believe it),” says Dahiya.Tejasvi Dahiya plays for South Delhi Superstarz in the Delhi Premier Legaue“Barring Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, I went for trials with all the other teams. But I wasn’t sure because of what happened last year,” he adds.Growing up, Dahiya looked up to Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.“I loved the attacking intent of Viru sir, the six-hitting and keeping of MS, and the discipline of Virat bhai,” he says.Dahiya says he is eager to play in the IPL and show the world what he can do.“Humtoh Delhi se hain aur hum jaan laga ke khelte hain(I am from Delhi, and we play with full intensity),” says Dahiya.PollDo you think Tejasvi Dahiya's hard training approach will help him succeed in the IPL?Yes, hard work pays off.No, talent is more important.Meanwhile, coach Bharadwaj says he is excited for his ward but cautions him against reckless shot-making early on.Tejasvi Dahiya“Kids these days go for a first-ball six — there’s a bravado I don’t like. I think he can have a good season and might end up playing all the matches, but he needs to make it count,” says Bharadwaj.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

36 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 03:22 PM

Tyreek Hill's Mysterious Post Sparks Reunion Speculation After Patrick Mahomes' Season-Ending Injury

Tyreek Hill reacts on X after Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending ACL tear ends the Chiefs’ decade-long playoff run. (Image via Getty)The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff streak ended Sunday with a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.Patrick Mahomesleft late with a season-ending ACL tear, and Kansas City missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.Not long after, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill posted a single 😔 on X at 6:20 a.m. on Dec. 15. Hill did not name Mahomes in that post, but the timing still lit up Chiefs fans, especially with Mahomes now done for the year.Tyreek Hill didn’t say much, but the internet filled in the blanksHill’s reaction stayed short on X, and he also posted, “I hate injuries shake back 15,” referencing Mahomes. Fans immediately treated it like a signal, and the replies turned into reunion talk.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL Auction: SRH shell out Rs 13 crore for Livingstone; Prithvi Shaw goes unsold againIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomOne comment said, “You and Pat both coming back from major injury to another Chiefs run would be epic just saying,” while another called it a “bat signal” and wrote, “Tyreek Hill sending the bat signal to Pat Mahomes after they both got into season ending injuries but if Twitter therapist would tell you.. that Tyreek needs to heal first.. literally before he is going to look for a QB to pair up with.”That’s the part fans want to run with. The facts are simpler. Hill played for the Chiefs from 2016 to 2021 and won aSuper Bowlthere in 2019. He and Mahomes built one of the league’s most productive connections, and Hill has openly said the relationship still matters.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeNita Ambani unveils an innovative treehouse at Nita Mukesh...UndoIn explosive Vanity Fair article, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles says a driven Trump has an 'alcoholic's personality'The Times of IndiaUndoIn a preseason interview with Kay Adams, Hill said, “I feel like me and Pat got a good relationship, I gotta keep it that way. At the end of the day, me and him are brothers, you know what I’m saying, outside of football, like obviously we were teammates, but I feel like whenever he came into the league, our careers grew both together, so he will always be a brother to me.” He added, “Whenever I was in Kansas City, he did a tremendous job of uplifting his guys, holding his guys accountable, and making sure that guys are, you know, ‘If you’re not ready to play, then get your a* off the field’.And that’s what I love about Pat. He’ll never shy away from that.”*Patrick Mahomes confirmed the tear, and both teams now have to manage the falloutThe Chiefs announced Mahomes tore his ACL after an MRI on Sunday. Mahomes addressed it himself on X, writing, “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts,” followed by, “But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers.I Will be back stronger than ever.”CBS Sports injury analyst Marty Jaramillo said Mahomes is expected to make a full recovery in the offseason and should be available for Kansas City’s start to the 2026 season. At the same time, ACL recoveries often take six to 12 months, and many players need closer to nine months before they regain full strength. That makes the 2026 timeline the real storyline, not the emoji.Hill is living that reality himself. He suffered an ACL injury against the New York Jets on Sept.29. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said last month, “Everything I get from Tyreek and the Dolphins is that his rehab is going extremely well,” and added, “He’s working incredibly hard. He’s made really great progress, and everything is going according to schedule.” Hill also spoke about rehab on Terron Armstead’s “The Set” on YouTube, saying, “Rehab going good, man.I’ve been attacking it every day,” and, “I gotta enjoy the small victories and just take it one day at a time, man and just count the many blessings that god has blessed me with, man.”For now, the schedule keeps moving. The Dolphins close the regular season vs. the Cincinnati Bengals (Dec. 21), at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dec. 28), and vs. the New England Patriots (Jan. 4). The Chiefs finish vs. the Tennessee Titans (Dec. 21), vs. the Denver Broncos (Dec. 25), and vs. the Las Vegas Raiders (Jan. 4).Hill’s post gave fans something to talk about. Mahomes’ ACL tear gave the Chiefs a problem they can’t meme their way out of.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

66 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 16, 2025, 03:18 PM

IPL Mini Auction 2026: Cameron Green Signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for Record-Breaking Bid

68 shares

😐

First Post

Dec 16, 2025, 03:01 PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Jordan to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on December 15-16, 2025, at the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. The visit comes at a significant time as both countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. During the visit, PM Modi engaged in high-level discussions aimed at enhancing political, economic, defence, security, cultural, and educational cooperation between India and Jordan. Here’s the joint statement: At the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on December 15-16, 2025. The Leaders acknowledged the fact that the visit of Prime Minister Modi is taking place at a significant time, as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. The Leaders appreciated the long-standing relationship between their countries which is characterized by mutual trust, warmth and goodwill. They positively assessed the multi-faceted India-Jordan relations that span across various areas of cooperation including political, economic, defence, security, culture, and education among others. The Leaders appreciated the excellent cooperation between the two sides at the bilateral level and in multilateral forums. They warmly recalled their earlier meetings in New York (September 2019), in Riyadh (October 2019), in Dubai (December 2023) and in Italy (June 2024). Political Relations The Leaders held bilateral as well as expanded talks in Amman on 15 December 2025, where they discussed relations between India and Jordan. They also agreed to expand cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest and to stand together as trusted partners in pursuing their respective development aspirations. The Leaders noted with satisfaction the regular convening of political dialogue between the two countries as well as the meetings of the various Joint Working Groups in diverse areas. They further agreed to fully utilize the established mechanisms to consolidate bilateral relations. In this regard, the leaders commended the outcomes of the Fourth Round of Political Consultations between the two foreign ministries that was held in Amman on April 29, 2025. The fifth round will be held in New Delhi. Looking forward, the Leaders reaffirmed their determination to sustain the positive trajectory of relations between the two countries, to promote high-level interactions, and continue to cooperate and collaborate with each other. Economic Cooperation The Leaders appreciated the strong bilateral trade engagement between India and Jordan, currently valued at USD 2.3 billion for 2024, making India the third largest trading partner for Jordan. They agreed on the need to diversify the trade basket to further enhance bilateral trade. The Leaders also agreed on the early convening of the 11th Trade and Economic Joint Committee in the first half of 2026, to monitor progress in economic and trade relations. The Leaders welcomed the convening of the Jordan- India Business Forum on the sidelines of the visit on 16 December 2025. A high-level business delegation from the two countries discussed ways to further strengthen and expand trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. The Leaders acknowledged the importance of cooperation in the field of customs. They further agreed to fully utilize the Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. This agreement facilitates sharing of information to ensure proper application of Customs Laws and combating of customs offences. It also provides facilitation of trade by adopting simplified customs procedures for efficient clearance of goods traded between the two countries. Both Leaders underlined the potential for enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, taking into account Jordan’s strategic geographic location and advanced logistics capabilities. In this context, both sides reaffirmed the importance of strengthening transport and logistics connectivity, including the regional integration of Jordan’s transit and logistics infrastructure as a strategic opportunity to advance shared economic interests and private-sector collaboration. Technology and Education The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation in the fields of digital technology and education and agreed to collaborate in various fields such as the capacity building of officials in digital transformation, promoting institutional cooperation for feasibility study in the implementation of Digital Transformational solutions and in other areas. They also agreed to explore further avenues of cooperation in the implementation of digital transformation initiatives of both the countries. The two sides expressed interest in expanding and upgrading the infrastructure and the capacity building programs of the India and Jordan Centre of Excellence in Information Technology, hosted at Al Hussein Technical University. The two sides discussed the road map for collaboration in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). In this context, both sides welcomed the signing of a letter of intent for entering into an agreement on sharing of Indian experience of DPI. Both sides agreed to collaborate in ensuring a safe, secure, trusted and inclusive digital environment. The two sides recognized the vital role of technology in education, economic growth and social development and agreed on continued collaboration in the areas of digital transformation, governance and capacity building. The Indian side highlighted the important role of capacity building in sustainable development and expressed commitment to continue collaboration in this field through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme in various fields including information technology, agriculture, and healthcare. The Jordanian side appreciated the increase of ITEC slots from 35 to 50 with effect from the current year. Health The Leaders underscored their commitment to working together in the field of healthcare through sharing of expertise, especially in advancing tele-medicine and capacity building in training of health workforce. They acknowledged the importance of health and pharmaceuticals as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation, underlining its role in promoting the well-being of their peoples and in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Agriculture The Leaders acknowledged the crucial role of the agricultural sector in advancing food security and nutrition and expressed a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration in this sector. In this context, they reviewed current cooperation between the two sides in the field of fertilizers, especially phosphates. They also agreed on increasing collaboration in exchange of technology and expertise to enhance the efficiency of agriculture and related sectors. Water Cooperation The Leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in the field of Water Resources Management & Development and acknowledged the importance of cooperation between the two sides in areas such as water-saving agricultural technologies, capacity building, climate adaptation and planning and aquifer management. Green and Sustainable Development The Leaders discussed the importance of increasing collaboration in the field of climate change, environment, sustainable development and encouraging the use of new and renewable energy. In this context, they welcomed the signing of the MoU on Technical Cooperation in the field of New and Renewable Energy. Through the signing of this MoU, they agreed on the exchange and training of scientific and technical personnel, organization of workshops, seminars and working groups, transfer of equipment, know-how and technology on a non-commercial basis and development of joint research or technical projects on subjects of mutual interest. Cultural Cooperation The two sides expressed their appreciation for the growing cultural exchanges between India and Jordan, and welcomed the signing of the Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2025–2029. They supported the idea of expanding cooperation in the fields of music, dance, theatre, art, archives, libraries and literature, and festivals. They also welcomed the signing of the Twinning Agreement between the City of Petra and Ellora Caves Site, focusing on the development of the archaeological sites and on promotion of social relations. Connectivity The two sides acknowledged the importance of direct connectivity in fostering bilateral relations. It is an important cornerstone for promotion of trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges and helps in cultivating deeper mutual understanding. In this regard, they agreed to explore the possibility of enhancing direct connectivity between the two countries. Multilateral Cooperation His Majesty King Abdullah II praised India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). India welcomed Jordan’s expression of willingness in joining the ISA, CDRI and GBA. The two sides recognized biofuels as a sustainable, low-carbon option to achieve decarbonization commitments and deliver greater economic and social development for the people of both countries. At the end of the visit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah II for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation. He also conveyed his best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. For his part, His Majesty extended his sincere wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the friendly people of India for further progress and prosperity. Delhi will ban ...

58 shares

😐

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 03:00 PM

Cuban Boas' Cooperative Hunting Strategy Challenges Traditional Views on Reptile Cognition

Snakes have traditionally been considered solitary, instinctive predators. However, a rare finding in one Cuban cave rewrites that perception. According to the research published inAnimal Behavior and Cognition, Cuban boas (Chilabothrus angulifer) engage in a kind of coordinated, pack-like hunting.These large, nocturnal constrictors positioned themselves strategically along cave entrances to intercept bats, adjusting their placement in response to others and dramatically increasing their hunting success. This behaviour challenges long-held assumptions about reptile cognition and social interaction. While cooperative hunting is common among mammals like wolves and lions, it is virtually unheard of in snakes.The research into these Cuban boas provides new insights into the flexibility and intelligence of reptilian behaviour, as well as the ecological pressures that drive unusual survival strategies.Cuban boas cooperative hunting strategyDinets made the observations over eight nights in a Cuban cave, where up to nine Cuban boas hunted side by side. The snakes did not simply aggregate where prey was plentiful; instead, they placed themselves with marked intention, often mirroring angles or spacing themselves to form a blockade.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeNita Ambani unveils an innovative treehouse at Nita...UndoPhysical training banned at Gandhi MaidanThe Times of IndiaUndoIn this staggered arrangement, as bats emerged from the cave, easy escape was prevented, and capture rates higher than those of solitary hunters were realized.This behaviour meets two criteria for cooperative hunting: predators adjusting their behaviour in relation to one another and mutual enhancement of hunting success.Cuban boas are largely nocturnal and rather clandestine; therefore, this behaviour is not frequently observed.What facilitated the coordination of the snakes is spatial awareness rather than a desire for sociability or communication. Each snake knew that its opportunities for successful predation of bats would escalate if it were co-located with other predators. This synchronised behaviour allowed several snakes to efficiently target quickly flying prey in the confines of a cave passage while showcasing a level of flexibility that had not been appropriately recognised in snakes.This, of course, contradicts traditional views of a cognitive deficiency on the part of reptiles. For instance, a species of boa in Cuba was observed to exhibit pattern recognition, social cue recognition, and positional awareness. This evidence points to the possible complex behavioural traits that snakes may display, above and beyond what has traditionally been acknowledged. Snakes, of course, do not hunt prey with complex planning, a capability exhibited by mammals, but they do so with a high degree of adaptive intelligence that utilises ecological opportunities with the utmost efficiency.Cuban Boa: Discover their key characteristics and venomThe Cuban boas, Chilabothrus angulifer, are moderately sized snakes that reside in the Caribbean. They are widely known not only for their massive size but also for their unique habits. They are distributed in Cuba. They have an average length of 4-5 meters and thus directly classify the species as heavy predators.Their ambush mode of predation defines them. The Cuban boa has been observed to be nocturnal with a tendency to be crepuscular.This is because dense forest habitats, rocks, and caves offer them an abundant source of prey. Camouflage abilities and sensory functions like movement detection and temperature detection could thus work as a significant advantage for the Cuban boa in hunting prey, even on a solo basis or while acting in collaboration with others, as there have been instances in caves.The Cuban boas are non-venomous snakes, even though they appear intimidating because of their size. The Cuban boas use only the constriction method on their prey. This method is applied in that they wrap their bodies entirely around their targets in order to get the muscle power needed to make the targets suffocate from the lack of oxygen. The incorporation of muscle power, hunting skills, and awareness of the environment makes the Cuban boas the masters of their food chain.

74 shares

😢

The Free Press Journal

Dec 16, 2025, 02:52 PM

Air India Flight Delayed for 20 Hours Due to Dense Fog

Mumbai, Dec 16:Last night, a passenger called us to narrate the 20-hour ordeal he had to face while flying an Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai. He is a senior executive with a large conglomerate who did not wish to be named. The following is his first-person account: Early Morning Departure From Gurgaon “Sunday morning, left home in Gurgaon at 1:00 am for my Air India flight AI 887 to Mumbai at 3:20 am. There was fog on the highway but not dense enough to raise an alarm, and I reached IGI Airport at 1:35 am. Boarding was smooth and I was comfortably seated inside the aircraft by 2:40 am. Soon enough, I dozed off, trying to catch some precious sleep with a full day at work ahead of me!" Dense Fog Grounds Flight “After a while, I looked outside, having been woken up by the captain’s voice announcing that we couldn’t take off due to almost zero visibility on account of the dense fog that had engulfed the city by then. At 4:30 am, they asked all passengers to disembark, carrying our respective cabin luggage.” Repeated Security Checks And Delays Begin “Not a single flight had taken off from Delhi so far due to the fog situation, they said. We had to go through the security check once again after disembarking and then we were led to the same departure gate. Then the take-off time kept shifting from 6:30 am to 7:30 am to 9:00 am. The airline staff were very kind and arranged for packed noodles, chhole chawal, fruit juice and water for the passengers.” Frustration Peaks As ETD Shifts Again “But then it turned into bedlam when the next update mentioned the ETD as 11:00 am. The passengers went berserk and kept taking out their frustration and anger over the inordinate delay on the poor staff.” Visibility Improves, Anger Grows “By now, the fog had cleared considerably and visibility had improved significantly. ‘What are we waiting for then? Where are your seniors?’ the passengers were shouting at the top of their voices, with some choicest expletives thrown in!” Crew Unavailability Revealed “‘Sir, we don’t have any crew to operate the flight,’ came a sheepish response from one of the ground staff.” Flight Cancellation Sparks Chaos “Amidst all the chaos and shouting, another half an hour passed, and yet there was no sign of any senior official of the airline; it was still the two ground staff who kept suffering all the abuses hurled at them with commendable patience! Then, a smart passenger checking the airline website alerted the rest of the travellers that the flight had been cancelled!” Social Media Amplifies Passenger Anger “More chaos, more expletives, now with a higher decibel level! ‘You are making fools of all of us, you blood-sucking ******,’ some people had now started live-streaming the chaos on social media through their smartphones.” Flight Revived With New Departure Time “At around 12:30 pm, one of the ground staff took the mic to announce that the same flight would operate and would take off at 2:30 pm from the same gate (Gate 32).” Temporary Calm At The Gate “In complete contrast to the aggressive and agitated atmosphere just moments ago, the announcement was greeted with much applause and whistles by the passengers.” Passengers Return, Delays Resume “Now relaxed with this assurance, most of the passengers dispersed.” “By 2:00 pm, the departure gate was again crowded, with all the passengers now eager to board. However, there was no sign of any crew or any boarding activity for the next 45 minutes! The shouting and abuses returned with far bigger fury this time, and yet the two airline staff managing the counter at the gate continued to keep their calm!” Aircraft Change And Data Loss Add To Confusion “Then it transpired that a different aircraft would now fly to Mumbai instead of the earlier plane, so it would take time to transfer the luggage from one to the other. And then came the next update: the airline had lost all passenger data as the original flight had been cancelled, so all that data had to be manually fed into the computer before the new boarding passes could be issued!” New Boarding Passes Issued “After another hour of more chaos and confusion, the passengers started receiving the new boarding passes on their registered emails and WhatsApp!” “And yet, no sign of the crew!” Crew Arrives After 14 Hours “At 3:30 pm, an airline staff member came to the gate with physical boarding passes for the passengers. As each passenger was called out to be handed over the boarding passes, two pilots and the cabin crew also turned up and headed to the aircraft.” Boarding Completed, Flight Still Grounded “Boarding started at 4:15 pm and I was seated at 4:30 pm. Completely exhausted by the ordeal of the past 14 hours, I immediately dozed off, before being woken up by the noise of shouting passengers. It was 5:30 pm and I realised we were still at the parking bay!! Apparently, a couple of passengers were yet to turn up.” Fog Returns As Passengers Protest “I looked outside; the fog was setting in again. It seemed visibility would get worse in a few minutes. It had been almost an hour since we boarded.” “Some of the passengers had now gotten up from their seats and were shouting at the crew, demanding that the plane fly without the remaining passengers. And then, the two missing passengers turned up and entered the plane.” Finally Airborne After Nearly 15 Hours “We finally took off from Delhi a few minutes past 6:00 pm and landed in Mumbai at 7:40 pm.” Journey Ends After 20 Hours “I reached my home in Bandra West at exactly 9:00 pm on Monday—nearly 20 hours since I drove out from home in Gurgaon!” Passenger Questions Airline Preparedness “As I dragged my exhausted body to bed after a nice warm shower, I kept wondering what happened!” Also Watch: “Was it the winter fog of Delhi, which could not have been helped, or was it the lack of anticipatory preparation on the part of the airline? Was it the lack of adequate night-vision technology in these aircraft, or the near-complete absence of communication from the airline? Was there any single factor that made the entire experience so painful, or a combination of all these factors that made it so emotionally and physically draining?” To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit:https://budgetproperties.in/

1 shares

😢

Newsbytes✓

Dec 16, 2025, 02:50 PM

5 Surprising Perks of Making Plogging a Regular Part of Your Weekends

Plogging, a combination of jogging and picking up litter, is gaining popularity as an eco-friendly exercise.This simple act helps keep the environment clean while also providing a unique workout experience.By incorporating plogging into your weekend routine, you can enjoy several unexpected benefits that go beyond physical fitness.Here are five surprising perks of making plogging a regular part of your weekends.

48 shares

😊

Newsbytes✓

Dec 16, 2025, 02:35 PM

Delhi Environment Minister Apologizes for Air Pollution, Blames Previous Government

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has apologized for the city's air pollution, calling it "impossible" for any elected government to improve air quality within nine to 10 months."This disease of pollution is given to us by theAam Aadmi Party(AAP), and we are working to fix it," said Manjinder Singh Sirsa"I apologize for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day," Sirsa said.

48 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 16, 2025, 02:30 PM

Five US Coins that Sold for Millions: A Journey Through American History

Coins are easy to ignore in daily life, but some become powerful pieces of American history. In rare cases, a simple coin turns into an object worth millions, drawing intense interest whenever it appears at auction.Only a small number of US coins have made this jump from pocket change to priceless treasure. Their value is shaped by factors like extreme rarity, minting errors, limited production, and the stories behind how they were created. Some were tied to major political or economic moments, while others survived by accident.For collectors, these coins sit at the very top of the hobby. For historians, they offer a glimpse into key moments from America’s past. Here are 5 US coins that were sold for millions due to their rarity1794 Flowing Hair Silver DollarThe 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is widely believed to be the first silver dollar ever struck by the United States.Minted at a time when the young nation was still defining its identity, the coin’s size and weight were modeled on the Spanish dollar, then the dominant global currency.Only an estimated 150 examples are known to survive today, most of them heavily worn. One exceptional specimen, graded SP66 by Professional Coin Grading Service, stands apart. Widely regarded as the finest known example, it includes an added silver plug.a common early Mint practice to correct weight.In January 2013, thiscoin sold for $10,016,875at a Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction, cementing its reputation as the first US coin to officially cross the $10 million mark and securing its place as an icon of American numismatics.1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ($20 Gold Coin)Few coins carry a story as dramatic as the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Although more than 445,000 were minted, none were released into circulation after the US government abandoned the gold standard.Almost all were melted down, and ownership of surviving examples became legally forbidden.Today, only one specimen is legally allowed in private hands, the so-called “Farouk” coin, once owned by Egypt’s King Farouk. In June 2021, the coin, graded MS65 by PCGS,sold for $18,872,250at a Sotheby’s auction. The price, which includes the buyer’s premium, set a world record and is documented by PCGS and Coin World. Its unmatched legal status and dramatic history explain why it remains the most expensive coin ever sold.1787 Brasher Doubloon (“EB” on Wing)Struck privately in 1787, the Brasher Doubloon predates the U.S. Mint itself. It was created by New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher, whose initials, “EB”, appear stamped on the eagle’s wing or breast, depending on the variety.Only nine Brasher Doubloons are known to exist. Seven are of the “New York style,” featuring an eagle with a sunrise, while two follow a “Lima style” inspired by Spanish gold coins. Their scarcity and historical importance make them among the most coveted American gold coins.In January 2021, the finest known New York-style example, graded NGC MS65★,sold for $9,360,000at a Heritage Auctions sale. Numismatists frequently refer to it as the most valuable privately minted American gold coin, a distinction recognized by both PCGS and NGC.1804 Silver Dollar — Class IIINicknamed the “King of US Coins,” the 1804 Silver Dollar is legendary, and famously misunderstood. Despite the date on the coin, none were actually struck in 1804. Instead, they were produced decades later, in the 1830s, as diplomatic presentation pieces for foreign leaders.There are three classes of 1804 dollars, with Class III examples being especially rare. Across all varieties, only 15 or 16 coins are known to exist.In December 2025, a newly discovered Class III example, graded PCGS Proof-65 and recognized as the finest of its class,sold for $6,000,000at a Stack’s Bowers auction. According to PCGS, the sale nearly tripled the previous Class III record.1913 Liberty Head (V) NickelThe 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is a coin that technically should not exist.The design had already been discontinued, yet five examples were secretly struck under unexplained circumstances.Today, three are privately owned, while two reside in museums, making each appearance at auction a major event. The coins are named after prominent former owners, including the famous Eliasberg specimen.In August 2018, the finest known example, graded PCGS Proof-66 CAC,sold for $4,560,000at a Stack’s Bowers auction. The sale set a public-auction record for the series and confirmed the coin’s status as a “holy grail” of American numismatics.

32 shares

😢

News18✓

Dec 16, 2025, 02:29 PM

Luthra Brothers Deported From Thailand, Face Charges Over Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire

Luthra Brothers Deportation In Goa Night Club Fire Case Live Updates:The Luthra brothers, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, where 25 people died in a fire incident, landed in Delhi on Tuesday after their deportation from Thailand. It is learnt that said Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were seated in the last row of the aircraft, accompanied by four to five officials from Indian authorities and enforcement agencies, to avoid disturbing other passengers. The flight departed from Bangkok and reached Delhi at around 2 pm. The Goa Police is also be present at Delhi Airport to arrest them and escort them to Goa, likely by tonight. The Luthras face charges for allegedly operating the club without proper safety permits. The December 6 blaze, believed to have started during a fire show at the nightclub, prompted an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against them. After leaving for Phuket shortly after the incident, the brothers were detained by Thai authorities on December 11 following intervention by the Indian mission, which coordinated closely with the Thai government.Follow for live updates. The Luthra brothers, owners of the nightclub linked to the deadly Goa fire incident, were produced before the Patiala House Court in Delhi following their deportation from Thailand. Goa Police took custody of the accused upon their arrival in the national capital and completed the required legal formalities before presenting them in court. Goa Night Club Fire Case Live Updates: Goa Police have taken custody of absconding accused Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra upon their arrival in Delhi, following their deportation by Thai authorities in connection with the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident. Goa Night Club Fire Case Live Updates: CNN-News18 has accessed details of the Goa Police’s legal strategy ahead of their appearance before the Patiala House Court in Delhi, where investigators are set to seek the transit remand of the Luthra brothers in connection with a high-profile case under investigation. According to sources, the Goa Police will argue that the charges against the Luthra brothers are serious and grave in nature, warranting immediate custodial interrogation. Investigators plan to tell the court that the club linked to the accused was allegedly operating without proper licences and the requisite permissions, raising significant questions about regulatory violations and accountability. The first visual of Luthra brothers has surfaced. Visuals have emerged of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra at Bangkok airport as Thai authorities deported the two men to India in connection with the deadly Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people earlier this month.Read more Proceedings at Patiala House Court are likely to take place around 4 pm today, in connection with Goa club fire case. The Indian officials will hand the brother duo to the Goa Police shortly. Goa Police are set to produce the arrest memo and take the brothers into custody for further legal proceedings. Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, accused in Goa club fire case, have been formally arrested. The Luthra brothers have landed at Delhi airport. They were brought back to India from Thailand where they had fled shorty after the deadly blaze at their club. Luthra brothers will land in Delhi shortly. They will be arrested upon arrival. The brother duo, who fled to Phuket hours after the deadly incident, is expected to be produced before the Patiala House Court for remand proceedings. According to an FIR, the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra organised a fire show at the Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant in Arpora without taking adequate precautions or providing necessary fire safety equipment and other safety measures. The fire show led to a major blaze in which 25 people, including tourists and staff, lost their lives, while several others were seriously injured. The Goa Police will be present at Delhi Airport ahead of the arrival of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra and will arrest them upon landing. The brothers are likely to be escorted to Goa by tonight, sources said. The Luthra brothers have boarded a flight to New Delhi after being deported from Thailand. They are expected to reach Delhi airport by 1.45 pm on Tuesday.

31 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 16, 2025, 02:21 PM

China Offers Air Pollution Solutions as Delhi Sees Slight Improvement

The Chinese Embassy in India offered several ways to tackle air pollution on Tuesday — stressing the need for vehicle emissions control as step one. The remarks came even as the air quality in Delhi turned ‘severe plus’ over the weekend and a toxic haze descended upon the city. Environmental Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also issued an apology on Tuesday while insisting that the current situation was “impossible” to fix within 10 months. “How did Beijing tackle air pollution? Step 1: Vehicle emissions control – Adopt ultra-strict regulations like China 6NI (on par with Euro 6). Phase-out retired old, high-emission vehicles. Curb car growth via license-plate lotteries and odd-even/weekday driving rules. Build one of the world’s largest metro and bus networks. Accelerate the shift to electric mobility. Work with the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region on coordinated emissions cuts. Cleaner air doesn’t happen overnight—but it is achievable,” Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing wrote on X. It is pertinent to note that many of these policies — such as the use of odd-even driving rules and expansion of public transit systems have already been introduced in Delhi. Neither the previous AAP government nor the current administration led by the BJP have attempted to introduce “license-plate lotteries” or adopt “ultra strict regulations”. The developments came even as Delhi Environmental Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa laid the blame squarely on the previous Aam Aadmi Party government. He insisted on Tuesday that it would take some time to ‘fix’ the situation and assured that the BJP administration was doing “better work” to address air pollution. He revealed that the Delhi government had also decided that vehicles would not be allowed to refuel in the city unless they held a valid pollution control certificate. “It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months. I apologise for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day. This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it,” he said. Air quality in the national capital saw a slight improvement with an AQI of 377 on Tuesday morning. The number is an improvement from the 498 recorded a day ago. Smog continued to blanket the city and reduce visibility as residents shivered at 8.3 degrees Celsius during the morning hours.

84 shares

😢