Mumbai: After the Congress announced that it would go solo in the BMC polls and Shiv Sena (UBT) party president Uddhav Thackeray said it is free to make its decision, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said he would go to Delhi next week and talk to the Congress high command. “Congress must be part of MVA for BMC polls. This is our stand,” Raut said. Raut mentioned that the Sena (UBT) was in discussions with Congress. “If Congress’s confidence increased after the Bihar poll results, then they can fight BMC polls alone, but it is our stand that the MVA must be there and the Congress must be part of this MVA,” Raut stated. Raut also took a dig at the ongoing rumblings between MahaYuti partners Sena and BJP, saying Union home minister Amit Shah would dig the grave of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. Last month, in an indication that he was not going to pacify the Congress to remain in MVA for BMC polls, Uddhav had said that Congress was an independent party and free to make its own decision. Uddhav’s comments came a day after Congress said it would contest the BMC poll on its own.“Amit Shah is going to dig Shinde’s grave. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray met. Raj Thackeray gave a presentation to Uddhav Thackeray. Whatever they are doing is going well. What Eknath Shinde says is not important. Our stand is for Congress to be with us. If Congress has gained confidence after the Bihar election results, then they should fight BMC elections independently. With Raj Thackeray coming along, BJP is going to be defeated. Mumbai’s enemy is BJP. Mumbai is being pushed down the throat of Adani. If we want to stop that, it is necessary to take Raj Thackeray along,” Raut said.“The Gulabo Gang of the Shinde faction has said that Lakshmi Darshan will be done on Dec 1. Now the Election Commission (EC) should take note of this. In some places, Rs 10,000 or Rs 15,000 Lakshmi Darshan is going on for one vote. There has never been such a game of money in municipal elections. These elections were being held at the local level. Now you can see five or six helicopters, private planes, all this. We have left the elections to local workers. People say that the opposition is weak, but that is not the case at all. The electoral culture of this state has been destroyed. In the last four to five years, the culture has been destroyed under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. Currently, there is a competition between the three ruling parties, each trying to prove ‘you are bigger or I am bigger’,” Raut said.

Navi Mumbai: The season’s first flamingos touched down in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai wetlands, exciting bird lovers and environmentalists as the elegant birds signalled the return of the region’s annual pink season. Their arrival was slightly delayed due to the extended monsoon, but the sight of the birds sweeping over creeks and lakes revived hopes of a strong migratory run.Around 300 greater flamingos were recorded in the Thane Creek, said senior bird researcher Mrugank Prabhu, while watchers spotted early flyovers at the DPS Flamingo Lake in Nerul. Numbers remained small, but larger flocks were expected shortly, confirmed Prashant Bahadure, Range Forest Officer at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.Their return marked the informal opening of Flamingo City’s pink festival, said NatConnect Foundation Director B N Kumar, who urged the state govt to finalise the long-pending Gazette notification declaring the DPS Lake a Conservation Reserve. The State Wildlife Board approved the proposal in April after sustained campaigning by environmental groups, backed by state forest minister Ganesh Naik.Environmentalists said the birds’ arrival reinforced the urgent need to secure Mumbai’s shrinking wetlands. Sandeep Sareen of the Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society called on citizens to “wholeheartedly welcome the pink guests,” while demanding stronger protection of their habitats.Kumar stressed that critical wetlands, such as Panje, Bhendkhal, and Belpada in Uran, along with NRI, TS Chanakya, and Lotus Lake in Navi Mumbai, must be notified without delay. These water bodies are among the 24,000 mapped in Maharashtra under the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment, the ISRO-backed Wetland Atlas prepared by the Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad.Nationally, the inventory lists over two lakh wetlands larger than 2.25 hectares, but formal notifications lagged due to prolonged ground-truthing. The verification, conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, was completed recently, removing a major procedural bottleneck.Flamingos contribute significantly to wetland health. By feeding on algae, plankton, and small invertebrates, they regulate nutrient levels and prevent algal blooms. Their constant stirring of the mudflats improves aeration, benefiting aquatic plants and fish, while their presence serves as a reliable indicator of ecological stability. Environmentalists said the pink arrivals were not just a seasonal spectacle but essential partners in keeping Mumbai’s threatened mudflats and creeks alive..

Mumbai: Santacruz police registered a case against three men on Nov 6 after a senior citizen from Santacruz (W) was duped of Rs 1.5 lakh. The victim, MD Mangi (76), was persuaded by two of the accused who told him they knew a person capable of solving his financial problems and promised that the victim will earn money by claiming that Satan could make it rain money. Illyaz Moosani (35) and Sohail Shaikh (35) were arrested during the probe on Sunday; the third suspect remains at large.Mangi’s wife had been undergoing treatment for the last two years, and he was in dire need of funds. He mortgaged a milk shop for Rs 3 lakh and a house for Rs 2 lakh to cover her medical expenses.When the accused learned of his plight, they assured him they could produce money through black magic. “The accused asked him to arrange Rs 1.5 lakhs for money rain to happen through black magic. They cheated him by giving fake notes of Rs 77,000 and fled away to Gujarat,” said a police officer of the Santacruz police station.In his complaint, Mangi said, “The accused got in touch with me through one of my relative. On Oct 25, the accused told that they knew a person, Khan Saheb, who could help to remove my financial problem, who can make it rain money.” The duo took him to a spot on Juhu Tara Road where they introduced him to Khan Saheb. “The conmen with his handiwork showed money earned through black magic after placing a black cloth on the floor. This made Mangi ready to arrange the money and met the accused with Rs 1.5 lakhs. They handed over a bag claiming it contained double the money and left for Surat with Rs 1.5 lakhs,” said a police officer.Mangi realised he had been duped only when he opened the bag and found it contained play notes bearing fictitious bank names. “Mangi arranged the money hoping that he can raise funds to clear the debts, that he had taken for his wife’s treatment, after mortgaging his shop and house,” said the officer.The accused ran a kite shop and a vegetable shop and were aware of the funds Mangi had obtained through his mortgages, which prompted them to plan the fraud. The two are in police custody while efforts continue to trace the third suspect.

NEW DELHI: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan’s first day as chairman of Rajya Sabha was marked by a warm welcome by treasury benches led by PM Narendra Modi and clashes between them and opposition as the latter raised the issue of ex-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar.PM praised Radhakrishnan’s contributions and said his rise from an ordinary background to the office of vice president reflects the true strength of democracy. The PM assured him that the Upper House will always uphold the dignity of the “esteemed institution and will remain ever mindful of maintaining your dignity as well”.Welcoming the new chairman, PM Modi recalled his past association with Radhakrishnan and said that he has always set himself apart by rising above the constraints of protocol. “In public life, there is a special strength in living beyond protocol, and we have always seen that strength in you.”But a clash between BJP and Congress members erupted as leader of opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge recalled the sudden resignation of former VP Jagdeep Dhankhar. Kharge said any democracy in which opposition is not allowed to criticise freely govt policies will degenerate into tyranny.Kharge assured the chairman of Congress’ support, but urged him to treat opposition and treasury equally. “Fair and impartial conduct of proceedings, providing just opportunity to members of each party, is essential for credibility of this office,” he said.He referred to Dhankhar, who had resigned from the post of VP on July 21 over “health” issues. “I am constrained to refer to your predecessor’s completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of the chairman, RS. The chairman, being custodian of the entire House, belongs as much to opposition as to govt. I was disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him a farewell. Regardless, wish him, on behalf of the entire opposition, a very healthy life,” he said.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Kharge: “I just want to remind the House that you have forgotten the language you used to insult him… The removal motion you served, a copy of which we still have…just think how much you have tarnished the dignity of the chair. My appeal is, please do not refer to anything which is not necessary on this solemn occasion.”Leader of the House in RS J P Nadda also criticised Kharge. Nadda said Radhakrishnan’s public life was unblemished. He ended his speech by quoting former President S Radhakrishnan: “We should behave like responsible members in Parliament and not as professional agitators.”Earlier, members appealed to the chairman to ensure that opposition gets a voice in Parliament. “This is the only forum where opposition can put its point across,” said Congress MP Rajiv Shukla. CPI MP Santosh Kumar P, AGP MP B P Baishya & nominated member Sudha Murthy appealed to him to give requisite time to smaller parties, northeastern states and nominated members, respectively, during debates.

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NEW DELHI: Opposition parties disrupted proceedings in Lok Sabha and walked out of Rajya Sabha on the first day of the winter session after govt refused to concede their demand to immediately allow a debate on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by Election Commission.They rejected the stand of parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju that the demand for debate over SIR was under consideration but govt could not be tied to a timeline.

The forthcoming days are likely to see more disruptions as there is no indication that the govt might relent on its stand not to discuss the functioning of Election Commission, an independent body. The opposition is determined to force the issue and chose the path of confrontation despite misgivings among smaller INDIA bloc parties. You can’t dictate timeline for govt call on SIR debate, Rijiju tells oppnThere are signs suggesting that Trinamool is ploughing its own furrow in the matter (special intensive revision of electoral rolls being conducted by Election Commission) rather than following Congress. At a meeting of the grouping, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is learnt to have repeated his “vote manipulation” charge — a clear sign that Congress would remain hewed to its stand opposing special intensive revision.There were repeated adjournments in the first half of the session as opposition shouted slogans disregarding Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s appeal not to do so. “You can raise slogans outside but not in the House,” he said. A bill introduced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to implement amendments to GST law in Manipur was passed in Lok Sabha amid the din.Sitharaman also introduced in Lok Sabha two new bills that seek to repurpose levies on ‘sin goods’ such as tobacco, pan masala and related products. However, with opposition persisting with its slogan shouting, the House had to be adjourned for the day in the second half.In Rajya Sabha, opposition MPs were on their feet to press their demand soon after the felicitation of chairman C P Radhakrishnan, who chaired the proceedings for the first time since his election as Vice President in Sept this year.TMC member Derek O’Brien said that parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju had promised them on Sunday to get back to them on their demand that SIR should be taken up under the broader agenda of “electoral reforms”. Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and CPM’s John Brittas joined in the demand.They cited suicides by booth-level officers (BLOs) due to alleged workload, with Kharge calling for taking up the debate on SIR first as they have been demanding it since last session.Rijiju reiterated that their demand is under govt’s consideration and that he would get back as soon as possible. “Nobody is undermining the matter taken up by opposition. It is under consideration of govt. But you cannot impose conditions like taking up the discussion today. There are opposition parties other than a dozen (demanding debate on SIR), who represent different states and want discussion on other issues,” he said. Opposition MPs told Rijiju that he had promised on Sunday to convey to them govt’s decision by 9pm the same day. Rijiju, however, said opposition cannot dictate a timeline.“Timeline is not the problem. But there is a trust deficit,” retorted Derek. Opposition members then staged a walkout in protest, following which the Chair took up special mentions and Zero Hour.Opposition functionaries said that they will continue to stick to their demand for SIR discussion on Tuesday and will take stock of the situation on Wednesday amid slender hope in its ranks that govt could agree.INDIA bloc will protest against the SIR at the Parliament entrance on Tuesday morning, in what will be reminiscent of the Monsoon session that was washed out over protests against ‘vote chori’.Many eyebrows were raised when Trinamool did not join the meeting of INDIA bloc held at Congress’s initiative. Also, smaller parties from Kerala like CPI, CPM, RSP and IUML felt that complete washout of proceedings should be avoided as there were important issues to be highlighted.Congress president Kharge sympathised with them, but said the issue of SIR is important and govt should accept the demand for discussion even if it is under some other subject like “electoral reforms”.But, sources said, a difference of views was the reason why opposition has decided to take a fresh look at the issue after two days.

It has been a week since Hindi cinema lost one of its most iconic and beloved superstars, Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at his Mumbai residence, just days before his 90th birthday.While the nation continues to mourn the unforgettable legend, Hema Malini has now opened up about his final days, and her words are heartbreaking.Filmmaker Hamad Al Reyami, who met the actress three days after Dharmendra’s death, has shared the deeply emotional conversation on Instagram.

Hamad recalled meeting Hema Malini during the third day of condolences and described how painful the atmosphere was. “I sat with her, and in her features I could see a broken inside that she’s trying so hard to hide,” he wrote. The actress fondly remembered a moment from two months earlier, saying to him, “I wish I was at the farm the same day I was with Dharminder two months ago… Hope to have seen him there.” She also shared how she always encouraged her husband to publish his poems and writings, but Dharmendra would lovingly respond, “Not now... let me finish some poems first.”

Hema Malini confessed her regret that Dharmendra’s literary work never came to light while he was alive. “Now the strangers will come… They’ll write about it; they’ll write books… While his words have not seen light,” she said bitterly. She expressed sadness that fans didn’t get one last chance to see him, yet revealed the reason behind that decision: “Dharminder, throughout his life, never wanted to be seen as weak or sick. He was hiding his pain even from the closest people. After the person leaves, the decision remains in the hands of the family.”

According to Hamad, the most piercing moment came when Hema Malini recalled the immense suffering Dharmendra endured in his final days. She told him with overwhelming pain, “But what happened was mercy… Because, Hamad, you couldn’t bear to see him like that. His final days were cruel… hurtful… And even we can barely bear to see it like that,”. She later agreed to a photograph with Hamad, with warmth and kindness that instantly reminded him of Dharmendra himself.The memory of “My forever hero… Dharmendra,” as Hamad described him, continues to echo through countless hearts, and his performances will be cherished forever.

In a light-hearted highlight of the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2025 final on November 30, UAE Bulls all-rounder Tim David entertained fans by imitating teammate Sunil Narine‘s iconic bowling action right in front of the West Indies spinner.

Tim David entertains fans by doing a comic imitation of Sunil Narine’s bowling action

This playful gesture came during the final over of Aspinwall Stallions’ chase, after UAE Bulls posted 150/1, powered by David’s explosive batting. Captain Kieron Pollard handed David the ball with 86 runs needed off the last 10 balls against Karim Janat, allowing the Australian to experiment with actions, including Narine’s slingy release on the third delivery. David conceded just 5 runs, securing an 80-run victory and the tournament title for Pollard-led Bulls at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.​

David’s all-round display defined the fast-paced final, blending power-hitting with comedy in the 10-over format designed for explosive cricket. Social media clips of the mimicry quickly went viral, capturing Narine’s amused reaction and amplifying the fun amid high stakes. The moment underscored team camaraderie in UAE Bulls, who overcame a mid-table league position (4th with 3 wins from 7) to dominate playoffs.​

Here’s the video:

Tim David mimicking Sunil’s bowling action right in front of him 😭pic.twitter.com/Cs9ETxCJBQ

— Kanishk (@jeene2yarr) December 1, 2025

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Explosive batting powers UAE Bulls to Abu Dhabi T10 glory

David starred with the bat first, smashing an unbeaten 98 off 30 balls—3 fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of 326.66—falling just short of a T10 century. Batting at No. 4 after openers Phil Salt and James Vince (retired hurt) set the platform, David unleashed carnage, including four consecutive sixes in one over and five in the last against Ashmead Nedd. His knock, earning Player of the Match honours, propelled UAE Bulls to 150/1, the second-highest total of the season after their 162/3 in the Eliminator.​​

Aspinwall Stallions crumbled to 70/4, unable to match the firepower despite reaching the final as Qualifier 1 winners (2nd in league with 4 wins from 7). Pollard, the T20 veteran coaching in IPL while thriving in franchises, added another trophy, highlighting his leadership in steering Bulls through Qualifier 2 and the decider. David’s dual impact signals strong form ahead of IPL 2026 with RCB, where his Abu Dhabi exploits preview potential destruction.​The victory capped a thrilling Abu Dhabi T10, with Bulls rising from league struggles to champions against a strong Stallions side.

Also READ: Breakdown of Andre Russell’s IPL salary since his debut – From 2012 to 2025

(AI-generated image used for representation purposes)

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court order for pan-India CBI probe into ‘digital arrest’ cases, while signifying the threat from digital scamsters, is important also because the opposition-governed states had withdrawn “general consent” to CBI to probe crimes in their territories.Keeping two other forms of cyber-crime – investment scams and part-time job scams – on the back burner, the bench said CBI shall investigate digital arrest scam cases, and the court will consider whether the other two forms of cyber-crime require court supervision/monitoring. Suspecting assistance to scamsters by banking system insiders, the bench said, “CBI shall have a free hand to investigate bankers under Prevention of Corruption Act when they are suspected to be involved in the opening of ‘mule accounts’ where the fraudsters park their extorted monies.“

CJI Kant and Justice Bagchi said that given the magnitude of the crimes and the fact that many of them were being committed from ‘scam hubs’ located in foreign countries, “we direct the CBI to coordinate with Interpol to lay their hands on the cyber-crime havens operating from abroad”.The bench also issued notice to RBI and asked it to explain to the court why artificial intelligence tools or machine-learning technologies should not be employed to identify mule accounts in banks and freeze the deposits suspected to be proceeds of crime.The court also directed the IT intermediaries to preserve data relating to phones and equipment used by fraudsters, provide it to CBI and render full assistance to the central agency as and when sought in a particular case or in general.The bench further said that there is widespread breach of norms in issuance of SIM cards. “Facts brought on record so far reveal an alarming negligent and irresponsible approach of telecom service providers while issuing multiple SIM cards in one name. We direct the DoT to submit a proposal for the consideration of SC, which may eventually be required to be implemented to prevent misuse of SIM cards,” it said.SC directed all states and UTs to ensure establishment of regional/state Cyber-Crime Coordination Centres and operationalise them for better coordination with Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of MHA so that effective steps could be taken against cyber-crimes, especially digital arrest scam cases.It asked MHA, ministry of finance, DoT, MeitY to submit a detailed plan of action for coordinated steps against digital arrest scam cases. The court adjourned hearing on the case by two weeks to enable CBI to choose experienced hands from state police forces as well as experts in information technology who can assist it in investigating digital arrest cases across India.