Mumbai: After sitting on the drawing board for more than a decade, the BMC on Tuesday finally issued a Rs 3,000 crore tender to construct the 69-metre Gargai dam in Palghar district, along with a 1.6km, 2.2-metre diameter tunnel that will carry water to the Modak Sagar reservoir. The tunnel will be bored through the hill separating the two water bodies. Like Middle Vaitarna, Gargai will also be built as a roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam.Once commissioned, Gargai will add 440 million litres per day (MLD) to Mumbai’s water supply, making it the city’s first new reservoir since Middle Vaitarna became operational in 2014. The BMC is eyeing a 2029 completion, a year that coincides with the next Lok Sabha and assembly polls.Officials said Gargai was first approved as a source for Mumbai in a state govt GR issued in Nov 2013, after which preliminary engineering studies began. Gargai is a sub-tributary of the Vaitarna river. Although the execution period is set at four years, the BMC plans to finish the main dam structure in nine months, compared to the 15 months Middle Vaitarna took, despite that project being ranked the ninth fastest dam construction in the world.According to officials, the first year post-work order will go into securing permissions and creating infrastructure for relocating six affected villages. Dam construction is planned in the second year, followed by the installation of electrical systems in the third year. The project includes a 1,200-kilowatt hydropower unit, intended to offset the dam’s electricity costs. Middle Vaitarna, they said, took nearly 21 years from proposal to completion.However, the project comes with environmental implications. Around 3 lakh trees must be transplanted across neighbouring villages —two directly affected by the dam and four more required for tree relocation. Compensatory afforestation has been proposed across 658 hectares in Washim, Chandrapur, and Hingoli. All residents from affected villages will be shifted to Devali in Wada taluka, with full infrastructure planned at the new site, said officials. The project is still awaiting key clearances: Forest nod from the state and Centre, and National Board for Wildlife permission from the PMO.

US President Trump’s threat of new rice tariffs is unlikely to significantly impact India, as exports to the US are a small fraction of global sales and already face high duties. Experts suggest this is a negotiation tactic amid ongoing trade deal talks, with India aiming to lift existing US tariffs.

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose fresh tariffs on rice is unlikely to have a severe impact on Indian exports.“India exported $392 million worth of rice to the US in FY2025, just 3% of its global rice exports, and already faces tariffs of about 53% in the US market; 86% of these shipments are premium basmati. New duties would scarcely dent Indian exporters, who have strong markets elsewhere, but would make rice costlier for American households,” said trade research body GTRI.A bulk of the 6 million tonne exported to the US may be headed to kitchens of Indian-origin Americans or those on visas. The only substitute for basmati rice can be from Pakistan but the quantities are much lower. Overall, a bulk of India’s rice exports consists of non-basmati rice.Trump’s latest threat comes amid a team from the US visiting India with talks on the much-delayed trade deal scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. While the agenda for the latest discussions were not immediately known, the visit was a surprise as govt officials had earlier said most issues had been sorted out and last-mile talks were expected. News about the US delegation’s trip came ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India.While Trump has taken unilateral measures on trade since returning to office, India’s rice exports are not seen as “dumping” as claimed by the US president, who is not seen as someone who always sticks to facts. Given volumes, neither are rice exports causing harm to domestic market, nor are they subsidised. As a result, it is seen as a pressure tactic amid talks for a bilateral deal.India and the US had launched negotiations for a trade deal in Feb and hoped to close talks by Sept-Oct. But with govt refusing to agree to Trump’s demand for reducing levies on food and GM crops, the US hit back with 25% reciprocal tariffs and another 25% secondary tariffs, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil and defence equipment. In the first phase, which govt is hoping can be clinched by the month-end, India expects the secondary tariffs to be lifted while also seeking concessions on reciprocal tariffs.Trump, in the same event, also threatened high tariff on agriculture imports from Canada and other countries.

The Supreme Court has mandated all states to provide robust security for booth-level officers during voter enumeration, warning of severe action against any threats or obstructions. The court emphasized that non-cooperation with the Election Commission’s work is a serious matter, extending beyond West Bengal to all states, and stressed the need for BLOs’ safety to prevent anarchy.

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Tuesday asked all states to provide adequate security to booth-level officers engaged in special intensive revision, and warned that it would seriously view any instance of BLOs being threatened or impediments being placed in their work.The observations were made by a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi after senior advocate V Giri, appearing for NGO Sanatani Sangsad, demanded security for BLOs, alleging that they were being intimidated and threatened during voter enumeration work in West Bengal. EC, through senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, said the commission had written a strong letter to WB govt on security of BLOs and assured the court that it had adequate powers under the Constitution to handle the situation. Dwivedi said such situations were arising because EC had no control over state police. The petitioner sought deployment of paramilitary forces in WB for safety and security of BLOs.Giving a pan-India dimension to the issue raised in the petition, the bench said, “If EC had any grievance about non-cooperation from state officials or police regarding safety and security of BLOs, it should approach the SC. We will pass appropriate orders. It is not only about West Bengal but for all states. Non-cooperation with EC work is a serious issue. BLOs must get full security.”While seeking a response from the Centre and EC, the bench asked the poll panel to assess the situation in all states and move SC for appropriate directives, if needed. “We will take strong action to protect BLOs. Their safety and security must be ensured, otherwise there will be anarchy,” the CJI-led bench said and referred to its Dec-4 order directing states to allow BLOs who are stressed or face health issues to withdraw from SIR work and provide adequate replacements.When Dwivedi and senior advocate Maninder Singh said problems were arising in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal because their state govts had made public their opposition to SIR, the bench said BLOs unwilling to carry out SIR work would have to file an application before the district electoral officer, who would inform the state.During the proceedings, Justice Bagchi questioned the material submitted by Sanatani Sangsad to allege intimidation of BLOs in West Bengal. “Apart from a solitary FIR, there is no other credible evidence to substantiate the allegations. Based on a solitary incident, can it be said that it is done only in West Bengal and not in other states? Is it not a narrative from one side? Should police in all states be put under EC?” he asked. EC said there had been certain incidents in West Bengal that saw electoral officers being gheraoed and threatened by the public. “A lot of narratives are being floated by political parties. At present, a BLO is to do enumeration of a maximum of 1,200 voters in 37 days, which is roughly 35 per day. Is it too much work?” the poll panel said.Justice Bagchi said, “This is not a desk job where the quota of 35 is met easily. A BLO must go from house to house, verify enumeration forms and then upload it. There could be stress and physical strain. We want to ensure that SIR at ground level is done without a hitch.” EC said the narrative of BLOs being under stress was being spread by political parties. The CJI said that was why the court had directed states on Dec 4 to augment the workforce.

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GOA: The Goa government has ordered the demolition of an illegal beach shack at Vagator owned by the fugitive proprietors of a nightclub where 25 people died in a fire over the weekend. Chief minister Pramod Sawant instructed the district administration to complete all formalities and carry out the demolition on Tuesday.

Officials said the shack, known as ‘Romeo Lane’, was illegally built on government land. Machinery and staff have already been prepared for the operation. The shack is the third property owned by brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled to Thailand hours after the blaze at their ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Arpora, which occurred around midnight on Saturday. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner notice against the brothers, the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed. Following the fire, authorities had already sealed the Vagator shack, along with another property in Assagao, earlier on Monday as part of the investigation.Investigations also have revealed that the deaths could potentially have been avoided, according to a senior local police officer aware of the probe. Two local police units — Anjuna police station and the crime branch — had previously issued notices to the club’s owners to submit documents and permissions required to operate. Senior IPS officers, however, allegedly intervened to prevent further action.Also read: The ‘burning’ empire of Luthra brothersThe officer said top officials also pressured local police to close an FIR registered against the club in connection with loud music violations. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Anjuna police inspector Prashal Desai had sought details about the club’s permissions, but a senior IPS officer, now retired, blocked the inquiry.Subsequent attempts by crime branch DSP Rajesh Kumar and Anjuna PI Paresh Naik to pursue violations were also reportedly halted, with officers being instructed not to confront the club owners and, in some cases, to file closure reports. Investigators believe that call records of IPS officers, both serving and retired, could directly link them to the club owners.On Sunday, state revenue minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate questioned whether IAS and IPS officers implicated in wrongdoing would face suspension, as three government officials were suspended following the tragedy.Also read: As Goa club burned, they boarded IndiGo plane: Luthra brothers flee to Thailand The suspended officials include former director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar, former member-secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board Shamila Monteiro, and former secretary of Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat Reghuvir Bagkar.The state government said demolition of the nightclub was necessary to prevent further risk and to assist in ongoing investigations.

Mumbai: Upholding compensation granted by a railway claims tribunal to the family of a man who died due due to falling from a Mumbai suburban train two decades ago, Bombay high court said there was no negligence on his part.“If a person has to travel for his work and it is very difficult to enter inside the compartment, the passenger has no choice, but to risk his life by standing near the door. This reality cannot be brushed away by the court. Therefore, to attribute negligence on the part of the deceased merely because he was standing near the door cannot be accepted,” said Justice Jitendra Jain on Monday.The railways appealed against the tribunal’s Dec 16, 2009 order allowing compensation for his dependents – his widow, two daughters and his mother. On Oct 28, 2005, around 10am, the man, while travelling from Bhayander to Marine Lines, fell out of the train between Bhayandar and Mira Road stations. He was taken to the hospital. On Nov 2, 2005, he succumbed to his injuries.While the railways asserted that man was not a bona fide passenger as his local pass was not found at the accident site, Justice Jain noted his widow produced it alongwith the identity card before the tribunal. It was valid. The railways disputed its genuineness, but could not prove it. “The genuineness of the local pass stands proved. There could be various reasons that on that date of the accident the deceased may have forgotten the pass at home, but that would not disentitle the compensation amount to the dependents,” said Justice Jain, adding that the finding that the deceased was a bona fide passenger “cannot be faulted”.The railways next contended the man was negligent in standing near the door and therefore he fell from the train. Justice Jain said it is “an accepted position that a Virar-Churchgate train is very much crowded” and it is very difficult for any passenger to enter the compartment more so at “Bhayander station”. “This is a situation even today, therefore to contend that a passenger is negligent while standing near the door cannot be accepted,” he added.Justice Jain was not shown any provision in the Railways Act which states that if a person is standing near the door due to heavy rush and he falls down, such incident will not be covered by the “untoward incident” as defined.” “In view of above, there is no infirmity in the impugned order of the tribunal directing compensation to be paid to the respondents by the appellant,” he concluded.

The opening T20I of the India vs South Africa series at the Barabati Stadium witnessed a moment of pure bowling brilliance when Axar Patel dismissed South African skipper Aiden Markram with a stunning delivery. The dismissal, which came off the very first ball of the sixth over, became one of the standout highlights of India’s commanding victory.

Axar Patel produces a beauty to uproot Aiden Markram’s stumps

South Africa, in pursuit of India’s competitive total, were looking to rebuild their innings when Markram took strike against Axar. What followed was a textbook example of left-arm accuracy and subtle variation. Axar bowled a flatter-length delivery targeting middle and leg, giving the batter almost no room to manoeuvre. Deceptively skidding through instead of turning, the ball zipped into Markram, who pressed back trying to work it towards the leg side.

But the South African captain misjudged the line and pace. Beaten on the inside edge, Markram watched in disbelief as the ball straightened just enough to clip the leg stump, sending it cartwheeling. Axar’s celebration reflected the significance of the breakthrough, while the crowd erupted in appreciation of the perfectly executed delivery.

Here’s the video:

Spinners doing the trick 🪄

Axar Patel 🤝 Varun Chakaravarthy #TeamIndia chipping away at the wickets in Cuttack 🔢

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh #INDvSA | @akshar2026 | @chakaravarthy29 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Hjg7nUKCDV

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2025

Also READ: Fans erupt as Hardik Pandya propels India to emphatic win over South Africa in the first T20I

Hardik Pandya powers India to commanding win

India opened the five-match T20I series with a dominant performance, riding on Hardik Pandya’s explosive innings to seize control after a shaky start on a challenging surface. While most batters struggled to find rhythm, Pandya’s counter-attacking knock transformed India’s total from a potentially below-par score into a highly competitive one.

The momentum he created carried into the bowling effort, where India’s attack dismantled South Africa’s top order in quick succession, removing Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Markram and David Miller before the visitors could build any foundation. Dewald Brevis tried to steady the chase with a composed effort amid constant pressure, but as wickets fell around him and the asking rate kept rising, South Africa never recovered and eventually folded for just 74.

Also READ: IND vs SA: Fans fume as India drop Sanju Samson in the first T20I against South Africa

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower borrowing costs this week, but deep divisions within the policy-making panel suggest further rate cuts will be harder to secure, analysts say.Policymakers are set to meet on December 9–10 amid a complicated economic backdrop, with inflation still running above the Fed’s 2% target even as hiring weakens and unemployment rises. Economists expect Chair Jerome Powell to back a quarter-point cut — the third this year — though dissent is likely to be unusually high, AP reported.Some analysts believe as many as three officials could vote against the cut, marking the most dissenting votes in six years. Only 12 of the Fed’s 19 rate-setting committee members vote on decisions, and several non-voting officials have also expressed opposition to further easing.“It’s just a really tricky time. Perfectly sensible people can reach different answers,” William English, economist at Yale School of Management and former senior Fed staffer, said, highlighting the challenge of building consensus.The debate has been complicated by sparse official data following the prolonged US government shutdown, which delayed employment and inflation readings. Inflation pressures would normally argue against rate cuts, while signs of labour market weakness point in the opposite direction.Most economists now expect a “hawkish cut” — a rate reduction accompanied by guidance suggesting the Fed may pause to assess economic conditions. Financial markets are increasingly focused on the tone of Powell’s commentary rather than the cut itself.Kansas City Fed president Jeffrey Schmid is expected to dissent again in favour of holding rates steady, potentially joined by St. Louis Fed president Alberto Musalem. Fed governor Stephen Miran may oppose the quarter-point move and instead argue for a larger half-point reduction.Expectations of a December cut firmed after New York Fed president John Williams said the recent rise in inflation appeared to be a temporary effect linked to tariffs, and that he still saw “room for a further adjustment” in rates. Market-implied odds of a cut now stand at about 89%, according to CME Fedwatch.Powell’s leadership is also being tested politically, as President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the Fed chair and signalled that a new chair will be appointed when Powell’s term ends in May.While concerns about unemployment — which rose to 4.4% in September — are driving support for a December cut, economists caution that additional easing will depend on upcoming data. The Fed will review a backlog of jobs and inflation reports before its next meeting in January, which could either justify further cuts or compel a pause.