Lionel Messi with main organiser Satadru Dutta at Salt Lake Stadium. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar has revealed the reasons behind the anger and chaos that erupted during the Kolkata leg of Lionel Messi‘s GOAT India Tour on December 13, pointing squarely at mismanagement by the organisers.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kumar said the event at the Salt Lake Stadium, originally scheduled for nearly two hours, was cut short to just 20 minutes, triggering the crowd’s unrest. “When you cut a 1 hour 40-minute event to 20 minutes, this is bound to happen. It is a fallout of mismanagement. We have arrested one person and prepared a list of people to be summoned,” he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Satadru Dutta, chief organiser of Messi’s India tour, was arrested following the fiasco. A Bidhannagar court rejected his bail plea, and he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. The commissioner indicated that CCTV footage is being reviewed and more arrests are likely. “No permission for water bottles was given. The additional guest list was not given to us. Vendors, too, will be questioned. All those identified will be arrested,” Kumar said.The police chief explained how the situation escalated despite tight security. “Everything was under control until 10 am. However, the matter escalated at 11:48 am, four minutes before Messi had left the venue. The crowd started shouting ‘boo boo’, and we could sense their dissatisfaction. Messi’s security team swiftly escorted him out, and as fans saw him leave, they began throwing bottles, chairs, and other objects onto the field,” Kumar added.

Two suo motu cases have been registered against Dutta and unidentified individuals. Charges include provocation with intent to cause a riot, mischief, assault on public servants, and damage to public property under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.Kumar’s statement highlights glaring lapses in coordination and crowd management, providing insight into why a highly anticipated return of the football superstar turned chaotic in Kolkata. The inquiry into the incident continues, with authorities vowing accountability for those responsible.

Wholesale inflation in November was down 0.32%, thanks to falling prices of food articles, oils and electricity. However, the figure was still 0.71% up as compared to the previous month, when the WPI recorded a sharp plunge of 1.21%. This increase is attributed to the month-on-month increase in the prices of pulses and vegetables, according to government data.WPI-based inflation stood at 2.16% in November, last year.Primary articles record an uptickIn November, primary articles, which account for 22.62% of the index, registered a notable rise, as the index climbed by 2.07%, from 188.2 in October to 192.1. Within this category, minerals prices increased by 4.50%, food articles by 2.50% and non-food articles by 1.28%. At the same time, crude petroleum and natural gas prices declined by 1.62% during the month, as compared to October.Fuel and power also increase The fuel and power segment also inched up marginally, with the index rising by 1.03%. Electricity prices jumped by 6.70% in November, while mineral oil prices slipped by 0.67%. Coal prices, meanwhile, showed no change from October.Manufactured productsIn contrast, prices of manufactured products, which form the largest share of the WPI basket at 64.23%, edged down slightly in November. The index dipped by 0.07% to 145.0 from 145.1 in the previous month. Of the 22 two-digit NIC groups under this category, 14 recorded price declines, seven saw increases and one remained unchanged.Price drops were seen in areas such as fabricated metal products (excluding machinery and equipment), food products, non-metallic mineral products, computer, electronic and optical products, and chemicals. Meanwhile, prices rose in segments including other manufacturing, machinery and equipment, textiles, electrical equipment and wearing apparel.Food inflationFood inflation at the wholesale level showed some moderation, though it remained negative. The WPI Food Index, with a weight of 24.38%, rose to 195.0 in November from 192.0 in October. On a year-on-year basis, food inflation stood at (-) 2.60% in November as compared with (-) 5.04% in the previous month.The next Wholesale Price Index, which will be for the month of December 2025, is scheduled to be released on January 14, next year.

Luthra brothers likely to arrive in India on Tuesday

NEW DELHI: The Luthra brothers are likely to arrive in India on Tuesday morning after being deported from Bangkok, sources said. They are scheduled to land at the Delhi Airport, from where they will immediately be taken into custody by a team from the Goa Police.A senior Goa Police officer confirmed the developments.

Following their arrival and apprehension at the airport, the Goa Police will present both brothers before a Delhi court tomorrow. The primary objective of the court appearance will be to secure a transit remand for the accused, a crucial step that legally authorises the police to move the Luthra brothers out of the jurisdiction of Delhi and transport them to Goa.Once the transit remand is successfully obtained, the Luthra brothers will be taken to Goa, where further legal proceedings and investigation related to their case are expected to continue.The legal action against brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ in North Goa’s Arpora village, stems from a devastating fire that occurred on the night of December 6, 2025. The blaze, believed to be triggered when electric firecrackers used during an event struck the wooden ceiling, resulted in the tragic deaths of 25 people, including tourists and staff.The Goa Police have filed serious charges against the brothers, which reportedly include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, endangering public safety, and negligent conduct concerning fire hazards.Investigations have revealed that the nightclub was allegedly operating illegally for nearly 18 months without mandatory safety permissions and on an expired licence. The Luthra brothers reportedly fled to Phuket, Thailand, just hours after the fire broke out.They were subsequently detained by Thai authorities after the Indian govt suspended their passports and issued an Interpol Blue Corner Notice for their apprehension. The custody transfer at Delhi Airport is part of the final deportation process to bring them back to India to face the charges.

NEW DELHI: The Centre is set to replace the two-decade-old national rural employment scheme – MGNREGA – with a new legislative framework titled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025. In response to the change, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi slammed the government questioning the intentions behind removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name.The Bill, aimed at aligning rural livelihoods with the government’s long-term development vision, has been listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha, according to the supplementary list of business issued on Monday.

The proposed legislation seeks to dismantle MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, and establish a new statutory regime for rural employment.Priyanka Gandhi criticises the movePriyanka Gandhi questioned the government’s intent behind renaming the scheme, asking whether such a move was necessary in the first place. Speaking to the reporters outside the Parliament complex, she said, “Why is Mahatma Gandhi’s name being removed. Mahatma Gandhi is considered the tallest leader not just in the country but in the world, so removing his name, I really don’t understand. What is the objective? What is their intention?”She further went on to argue, “Whenever the name of a scheme is changed, there are so many changes that have to be made in offices, stationery, for which money is spent. So, what is the benefit? Why is it being done?”Priyanka Gandhi added that the move was wasteful in terms of both money and time, and said the Centre was effectively disrupting its own work by squandering valuable debate time. “Even when we are debating, it is on other issues, not the real issues of the people. Time is being wasted, money is being wasted, they are disrupting themselves,” Priyanka Gandhi added.Last week, when reports surfaced about the government renaming the scheme to ‘Poojya Bapu Grameen Rozgar Yojana,’ Gandhi had said the exercise would be a waste of government resources and questioned what benefit the process would serve. “I can’t understand what mentality is behind this. First, this is Mahatma Gandhi’s name, and when it is changed, the government’s resources are spent on it again,” Priyanka Gandhi argued, “From offices to stationery, everything has to be renamed, so this is a big, costly process. So what’s the benefit of doing this unnecessarily? I can’t understand.”What changes?The government would guarantee 125 days of wage employment every financial year to each rural household whose adult members are willing to undertake unskilled manual work. This is an upgrade from the minimum 100 days of wage employment.The bill positions itself as part of a broader “rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047”The goal of MGNREGA framed the programme to “enhance the livelihood security”While the MGNREGA focused on the goal to “enhance the livelihood security”, the new bill says it aims to promote “empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation for a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat”, and lays emphasis on “empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation through public works aggregating into forming Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack”.In the statement of objects and reasons, rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan acknowledged the role played by MGNREGA over the last 20 years in providing assured wage employment to rural households. However, the new legislation signals a reimagining of rural employment policy as the government seeks to transition from an entitlement-based safety net to what it describes as a future-oriented development mission.The VB-G RAM G Bill would mark the end of one of India’s most expansive social welfare programmes and the beginning of a new chapter in rural employment policy, potentially reshaping how the state supports livelihoods in the countryside.

AMBERNATH: In the midst of the Ambernath Municipal Council elections, the Shiv Sena has strongly refuted allegations of intimidation and misuse of power levelled against its leaders, accusing its political rivals of indulging in misinformation to influence voters. Addressing a press conference held in Ambernath, Shiv Sena leaders asserted that the party has always focused on development and inclusive governance and rejected claims of “politics of fear” in the city.City Shiv Sena President Arvind Walekar made a firm and emotional statement, declaring that if any trader or builder from Ambernath comes forward and proves that he or his family members ever harassed them or demanded money for any city event, they would immediately quit politics. He challenged opponents to present even a single individual who could claim that the Walekar family collected funds for cultural or social events such as Dahi Handi, Navratri, Rang Panchami, or any other public programme. Walekar said the repeated allegations against his family were politically motivated and aimed solely at defaming them during the election period.The press conference was attended by Shiv Sena district president Gopal Landge, MLA Balaji Kinikar and Arvind Walekar. Without naming the BJP directly, the leaders accused the party of spreading false narratives against Shiv Sena in the run-up to the elections. They maintained that Ambernath has long been considered a Shiv Sena stronghold due to consistent development work carried out over the years, which has transformed the city and improved the quality of life for its residents.Highlighting the city’s progress, Arvind Walekar stated that more than 90 percent of the roads in Ambernath are now cemented. He listed several major development projects completed under Shiv Sena’s leadership, including a grand theatre, shooting range, medical college, sports grounds, gardens and various public amenities. According to him, the scale of development has made Ambernath an attractive place to live, drawing residents from neighbouring towns.The election to the 59-member Ambernath Municipal Council is scheduled for December 20, with results to be declared on December 21. This election is significant as the post of municipal council president will be filled through a direct election for the first time. Both Shiv Sena and the BJP have fielded separate candidates for the top post. Shiv Sena has nominated Manisha Walekar, former municipal president and wife of Arvind Walekar, while the BJP has fielded the daughter-in-law of senior local leader Gulabrao Karanjule, who is a chartered accountant by profession. The contest is widely seen as a direct fight between Shiv Sena and the BJP.Responding to accusations from BJP leaders about alleged intimidation in the city, Shiv Sena leaders said such claims were baseless and insulting to the people of Ambernath. They emphasised that the city is known for communal harmony, with people of all religions living together peacefully.MLA Balaji Kinikar said Ambernath’s development speaks for itself, adding that people from outside the city are choosing to settle there because of improved infrastructure and facilities. District president Gopal Landge echoed similar sentiments, stating that sensing a decisive Shiv Sena victory in the upcoming elections, opponents had resorted to false propaganda. He expressed confidence that the people of Ambernath would respond on December 21 by voting in favour of Shiv Sena’s development work and leadership.

As panic spread across Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration, one man put his life on the line to stop the gunfire. His name is Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner who is now being hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the attackers. The heroic act was caught on camera and went viral following the shooting.

Ahmed is a father of two from Sydney’s south. He was walking past the area when two gunmen opened fire near the Chanukah By The Sea, a Jewish celebration on Sunday. The gathering was held near a children’s playground and hundreds of families were there for the event.Footage online shows Ahmed, dressed in a white shirt, crouching behind parked cars as shots ring out. At the right moment, he rushed forward and grabbed one of the gunmen from behind, placing him in a headlock. After a violent struggle lasting several seconds, Ahmed wrestles the shotgun from the attacker, forcing him to retreat.In the video, Ahmed can later be seen sitting on the ground as bystanders rush to help him. A towel is brought to stop the bleeding from his leg. He was shot twice. Despite being wounded, he remains conscious and places the seized weapon against a tree. His cousin, Mustafa, spoke to 7News and said Ahmed was undergoing treatment in the hospital.“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” Mustafa said. “We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 per cent.”Ahmed was reportedly due to undergo surgery and had no prior experience handling firearms. According to family members, he acted out of instinct to protect others.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the heroic act, describing it as “the pinnacle of Jewish heroism”.

Bondi Beach shooting: 11 dead, shooters seized

Police said two shooters were involved in the attack. One was shot dead at the scene, while the other was critically injured and taken into custody. Moments after Ahmed disarmed the first attacker, police moved in. An officer approached from behind the bridge and shot the remaining gunman dead. Separate footage later showed officers administering CPR to one of the suspects.At least 11 were killed in the attack. Twenty-nine others were taken to the hospital. NSW Ambulance said more than 26 resources were deployed, including helicopters and specialist paramedics. Several patients were treated at the scene, with others transported to hospitals across Sydney.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes were “shocking and distressing.” He added that police and emergency services were working to save lives. Local council officials urged the public to avoid the area as investigations continued.

Sachin Tendulkar and Lionel Messi created a historic sports crossover at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on December 14, 2025, during the Argentine star’s GOAT India Tour. The cricket legend gifted Messi his autographed No. 10 India jersey from the 2011 World Cup triumph at the same venue, while Messi reciprocated with a FIFA World Cup ball from Argentina‘s 2022 victory. Fans erupted in chants for both icons, blending cricket passion with football fervour in a rare moment.​​

Sachin Tendulkar and Lionel Messi share smiles and swap memorabilia at Wankhede

The exchange highlighted the shared No. 10 legacy of two global greats, drawing thunderous applause as the event host emphasized their common number. Tendulkar, who played his final international match at Wankhede, called Messi’s visit a “golden moment for Mumbai, Mumbaikars, and India,” linking it to India‘s 2011 World Cup glory where fan support fuelled dreams.

Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, shared smiles and a brief chat aided by his translator, captivating the packed stadium. These mutual memorabilia swap symbolized respect across sports, with Tendulkar later posting on social media that the day rated “10/10.”​​

Here’s the video:

MESSI & TENDULKAR 🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/bF8lcCTojS

— Messi World (@M10GOAT) December 14, 2025

Also WATCH: Arshdeep Singh removes Reeza Hendricks with a beauty in 3rd T20I – IND vs SA

Electric Wankhede Stadium atmosphere

Earlier, Messi interacted with fans, kicking balls into stands and joining exhibition matches, penalty shootouts, and a masterclass for young talents. Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri joined the spotlight, receiving a signed Argentina jersey from Messi in a heartfelt embrace that thrilled the crowd.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched Project Mahadeva alongside Messi, a statewide initiative to scout and train 60 under-13 footballers for future World Cups like 2034, boosting grassroots development. Bollywood stars and heavy security marked the high-profile evening, turning Wankhede—twice a Cricket World Cup site—into a unified celebration of athletic excellence. The GOAT Tour’s Mumbai leg, part of a four-city visit from December 13-15, left enduring memories for sports enthusiasts.

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NEW DELHI: As the countdown begins for the IPL 2026 mini auction, one question continues to dominate discussions among fans and franchises alike: will teams be allowed to use the Right To Match (RTM) card in Abu Dhabi?Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The auction for the 19th season of the Indian Premier League is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, in Abu Dhabi, marking the third consecutive year the event is being staged outside India.

Following last year’s high-profile two-day mega auction in Jeddah, the IPL will now return to a mini auction format, where teams fine-tune their squads rather than rebuild from scratch.Franchises had until November 15 to finalise and announce their retained players. While some teams, including Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, have chosen to significantly revamp their squads—freeing up large portions of their purse—others such as Mumbai Indians have largely backed continuity and are expected to make only selective additions.

Will franchises be allowed to use ‘Right To Match’ cards?

Despite the anticipation, the IPL Governing Council has made it clear that the RTM card will not be in play at this auction. The Right To Match option is reserved exclusively for mega auctions, where teams are allowed to retain only a limited number of players, ensuring a competitive reset across the league.First introduced ahead of the IPL 2014 mega auction, the RTM rule allowed franchises to reclaim players they had released by matching the highest bid at the auction table. The provision remained in place for the 2018 mega auction but was eventually scrapped before the 2022 season. During the previous mega auction cycle, teams were permitted to retain up to six players, either directly or via RTM cards, which led to varying strategies across franchises.In contrast, mini auctions allow teams to retain as many players as they wish beforehand, making the RTM mechanism unnecessary. As a result, franchises cannot use RTM cards to buy back released players in Abu Dhabi.For IPL 2026, team strategies will instead revolve around purse management, targeted acquisitions, and capitalising on gaps in rival squads—without the safety net of the RTM card influencing bidding dynamics.

IPL 2026 auction purse and spots to fill

MUMBAI: Rapidly depleting mangrove cover and a once-glorious river now reduced to a nullah pose a dual challenge for candidates keen to contest in the R North ward. Located at the northernmost tip of the city, the areas of Borivli and Dahisar that form part of this civic ward also face critical issues of walkability, poorly maintained civic gardens and the long-delayed inauguration of the second phase of a major public hospital.

Ecological devastation stands out as the most pressing concern. “If you compare aerial photographs of the mangrove cover in Dahisar (West) from 1995 with the existing situation, you will get an idea of just how much mangrove cover has been depleted, with new structures coming up,” points out environment activist Harish Pandey, directly linking environmental degradation to unchecked urban development. Plans for the second phase of the Coastal Road project have created significant anxiety among residents. “There are several questions: How many trees will be cut? How will they be compensated for? And what sort of problems will arise thereafter?” said Pandey.The rejuvenation of Dahisar River has not taken off over the years, and it continues to remain polluted. BMC is in the midst of constructing an STP (sewage treatment plant) in Dahisar (West), which aims to prevent drain and sewage water from entering the river. However, enforcement will be key. Pandey provides a damning example: “Another STP is already functional in Borivli (East), but we have pointed out to the local MLA that waste from ‘tabelas’ (cow sheds) in the area is being dumped into the river after the construction of the STP, defeating the whole purpose,” he said.Architect and former Congress corporator Sheetal Ashok Mhatre, who intends to contest the civic polls, sharply criticised the neglected state of amenities, specifically citing uneven pavements and poorly maintained civic gardens.“Tukaram Omble Garden on New Link Road, for instance, was constructed at a cost of Rs 4 crore in 2009, but it is in shambles now. I have dashed off letters to the civic body, the local MP and the MLA requesting repairs to the boundary wall,” she said.Activist Cassandra Nazreth pointed out that pavements were completely missing on several internalroads in the ward. “Parking and vendors take up an entire lane of the carriageway. Pedestrians have to risk their lives and walk on the carriageway adjacent to the parked vehicles,” she said. Nazreth has been fighting for years to get signage installed on Western Express Highway to direct motoristssafely towards the east-west connector (Sudhir Phadke flyover), but in vain.The reservation lottery has dealt a blow to some corporators who will now have to hunt for new seats to stay in the fray. The late Abhishek Ghosalkar and, subsequently, his wife Tejasvee Ghosalkar served as corporators from Prabhag 1 for a decade. But with the seat now reserved for an OBC candidate, Tejasvee will have to look for another “open seat” to contest from.In a push for accountability, former BJP corporator Harish Chheda suggested introducing a ‘punishment clause’ to penalise civic engineers who repeatedly undertake work on the same pavement or gully in a slum over just a couple of years.Residents also pointed out that critical health infrastructure — the second phase of the civic-run Bhagwati Hospital — has yet to be inaugurated.“The inauguration of Bhagwati Hospital and connectivity with south Mumbai are key issues for R North ward residents, most of whom travel a considerable distance southwards every day to reach their workplaces,” said former Shiv Sena corporator Sheetal Mukesh Mhatre.Politically, Mhatre, who served as a corporator for a decade from 2012 to 2022, said she is not too keen to contest again. “I believe that karyakartas (party workers) should be given a chance instead.”

NEW DELHI: Countries like UK, Canada and Singapore on Monday issue travel advisory cautioning its citizens against the deteriorating air quality index in Northern India.This comes as the Delhi continued to experience hazardous air conditions, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 493, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category.

Singapore High Commission in New Delhi has issued an advisory asking its citizens to monitor their flight status as many flights were cancelled dense smog engulfed major cities of north India.“In light of the Indian Central Pollution Control Board invoking Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan, the Singapore High Commission has issued the following advisory for Singapore nationals in the Delhi NCR,” a statement from the High Commission read.Earlier, United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said that pregnant women, people with heart or respiratory condition should consult a doctor before travelling to India.“Severe air pollution is a major health hazard, especially during the winter months from October to February. North Indian cities are most affected by extremely high levels of pollution,” the advisory reads.“Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be especially affected. If you’re pregnant or have a respiratory or heart condition you may wish to consult a medical practitioner before you travel,” it added.Canada also issue a similar advisory and asked travelers to monitor air quality regularly, especially if someone is suffering from respiratory ailments “Smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in urban areas and cities such as Delhi. It’s typically at its worst in winter. In rural areas, air quality can be affected by agricultural burning,” it said.“Dust storms also occur across northern India. Monitor air pollution levels, which change quickly, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions,” it added.Visibility in Delhi was severely affected on Monday morning as a thick layer of smog and fog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and disrupting air traffic operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The weather conditions led to concerns over delays and rescheduling of flights, particularly during early morning hours.The air quality was ‘severe’ at 38 stations while it was ‘very poor’ at two stations. Jahangirpuri, which recorded an AQI of 498, recorded the worst air quality amongst all 40 stations.According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.The AQI in Delhi had climbed to 461 on Sunday and marked the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface.The air quality monitoring station at Wazirpur recorded the maximum possible Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 500 during the day, beyond which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) does not register data.