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. Currently, 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.

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AGRA: The death toll in the devastating multi-vehicle collision on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura has risen to 13, officials told news agency ANI on Tuesday, as rescue and relief operations continue. The tragic accident, which involved seven buses and three cars, left several victims charred to death after some of the buses caught fire. Among the deceased, one each was identified from Prayagraj, Gonda, and Azamgarh, while efforts are underway to identify the remaining victims.

District authorities confirmed that all 60 injured passengers are receiving treatment in various hospitals, with doctors attending to burn injuries and trauma sustained in the crash.

Mathura: Injured passengers receive treatment at a hospital after a fog-hit pile-up involving buses and cars sparked fires on the Yamuna Expressway, in Mathura. (PTI Photo)

In the wake of the tragedy, Mathura District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident, with the Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) tasked to submit a report on the causes and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.Both the state and central governments have taken swift notice of the calamity. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each deceased, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via a tweet and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.The PM said, “The loss of lives due to a mishap on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely painful. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”Police have begun registering an FIR in connection with the accident, and authorities are examining CCTV footage and vehicle records to determine the cause. The horrific incident has sparked renewed concerns over road safety on high-speed expressways and the need for stricter traffic regulation and monitoring.The accident occurred around 4.30 am on the Agra–Noida stretch of the Yamuna Expressway, near Milestone 127, under the jurisdiction of Baldeo police station in Mathura district. Police said heavy fog and low visibility led to the pile-up involving multiple vehicles.Of the injured, all were rushed to nearby hospitals for primary treatment. Police said none of the injured is in critical condition.Speaking about the incident, SSP Mathura Shlok Kumar said the crash was triggered by poor visibility caused by dense fog. “Around 4.30 am, approximately seven buses and three small vehicles collided with each other due to low visibility. The vehicles caught fire after the collision. Local administration and emergency teams reached the spot immediately,” he said.He added that rescue operations are nearly complete. “So far, four deaths have been confirmed. Around 25 people have been admitted to hospital and none of them is serious. They are being provided the best possible treatment. The expressway was completely blocked, so traffic has been diverted from behind. The debris has now been removed and passengers have been sent to their destinations using government vehicles,” the SSP said.SP Mathura Rural Suresh Chandra Rawat said three cars first collided with each other, following which seven buses — including one roadways bus and six sleeper buses — rammed into them.“All the buses caught fire. Eleven fire tenders are at the spot and the fire has now been brought under control. Four dead bodies have been recovered so far. Rescue work is underway,” he said.The fatal crash on the Delhi–Agra Expressway comes a day after dense fog triggered multiple pile-ups across NCR expressways, leaving at least six people dead and several injured.The first major accident occurred near Raniyala Patakpur village in Nuh district, where at least 20 vehicles, including two trucks, were involved in a chain collision on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. Two people — CISF inspector Harish Kumar (38) from Alwar and Khalil (45) from Jaipur — were killed, while five others were injured.Another pile-up involving seven to eight vehicles was reported near Banarsi village on the same expressway, though no injuries were recorded. A separate accident on Delhi–Alwar Road near Ghaseda village involved a Haryana Roadways bus and a tractor, causing damage but no casualties.In Faridabad, a Ford Endeavour rammed into a stationary truck near Kail village on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, killing two men from Jaipur. A third occupant later succumbed to injuries during treatment.On the other side of NCR, two pile-ups involving around 20 vehicles were reported on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Attai village in Noida, leaving a 24-year-old truck driver dead and 13 others injured, police said.Traffic police across NCR said dense fog and near-zero visibility were the common factors in all the crashes and urged motorists to slow down, maintain lane discipline and avoid stopping on expressways during foggy conditions.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction concluded with an electrifying session that saw franchises reshuffle their rosters through a mix of record-breaking bids and strategic acquisitions. In an auction shaped by the demand for versatile all-rounders and emerging domestic talent, the ten franchises completed their squads by filling all available slots, investing heavily while bringing in a strong mix of Indian and overseas players.

Cameron Green becomes most expensive buy

The biggest headlines were grabbed by the astronomical sums shelled out, marking new benchmarks in the league’s history. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player ever, snapped up by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering ₹25.20 crore. Close behind was Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who also commanded a massive price tag of ₹18 crore from KKR.

Uncapped duo surprised many fans

However, the real surprise of the day was the unprecedented bidding frenzy for uncapped Indian players. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shocked many by investing a whopping ₹14.20 crore each in uncapped domestic stars Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, making them the joint-highest-paid uncapped players in IPL history. This trend continued with Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar going to Delhi Capitals for ₹8.40 crore, underscoring the shift in focus towards nurturing formidable local talent.

Also READ: From Cameron Green to Josh Inglis: Top 10 most expensive buys at IPL 2026 Auction

Complete list of sold players at IPL 2026 mini auction

Also READ: How Kavya Maran’s bidding tactics on two uncapped players impacted CSK’s purse in the IPL 2026 Auction

London: Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi applied to reopen his extradition case at the London high court on Tuesday, claiming he had substantial new evidence that he will be interrogated and tortured by the investigating authorities if extradited to India. His confidential legal application, which hitherto had barred his extradition to India, has now “failed”, the court was told.Edward Fitzgerald KC, representing Nirav (54), said the new evidence had arisen following the Sanjay Bhandari judgment handed down by the same court on Feb 28, which found that Bhandari, accused of tax evasion, should not be extradited as he could be tortured or mistreated by the Indian police or investigative authorities, both within and outside Tihar jail. The Bhandari judgment claimed the use of torture in India to obtain confessions “is commonplace and endemic”.Fitzgerald argued there was a real risk that Nirav would be interrogated by the CBI, ED and other investigative agencies upon his extradition, and that he was at “real risk of torture”, contrary to Article 3 of the ECHR.This “expert evidence” came from former Supreme Court judge Deepak Verma and Ayush Agarwal, a lawyer in India who previously acted for Nirav.A confidential legal matter, which began in April 2018 and barred Nirav’s removal to India despite his extradition being ordered on April 15, 2021, had concluded in Aug and Nirav’s application “had failed”, the court was told. This matter has never been disclosed, but is widely believed to be an asylum claim.Within days Fitzgerald applied to reopen Nirav’s appeal against extradition. Had he not done so, Nirav would have already been removed to India.UK courts may only reopen decisions in exceptional circumstances such as a “supervening event”.Fitzgerald argued that in Nirav’s earlier appeals, the focus was on Nirav’s suicide risk and prison conditions and the issue of torture did not arise, but the Bhandari judgment and several new reports, including one by the US state department, were “the supervening event”.Nirav appeared via video link from a London prison in a khaki T-shirt. He has been in prison since he was arrested on an extradition warrant in March 2019 charged with defrauding Punjab National Bank of over $1 billion.Four men from the CBI and ED flew here from India for the hearing.Helen Malcolm KC, representing India, said: “On 28th Feb the high court gave judgment which had a convulsive effect on all extraditions to India, especially to Tihar jail. Fitzgerald raised this in March and then it went quiet, and then Nirav’s secret application failed, and then suddenly we got this application. I don’t know what the confidential thing was. But I know there is only one statutory thing to stop extradition. My concern is we are now already six years down the line. I just see this going on for the rest of my career.”Malcolm provided new assurances from New Delhi saying Nirav would not be interrogated by any agency on his return to India. But Fitzgerald argued these needed further examination by his experts. The two HC judges agreed. Lord Justice Stuart-Smith told Malcom: “Your chunky assurances came very late.” He added: “We are concerned that the materials we have been given don’t leave us on a stable footing for deciding this application.”The next hearing is expected to take place in March.

Jammu: Security forces on Tuesday intensified their operation to trace three terrorists holed up in a dense forest near a village in Jammu’s Udhampur district, a day after a policeman was killed in a gunfight in the area.Amjad Ali Khan, a special operations group (SOG) constable, lost his life on Monday night during the encounter that broke out in Soan village in Majalta area earlier in the evening. In a post on X, J&K Police said Amjad “made the supreme sacrifice, whilst combatting Pakistani terrorists”.Speaking to media persons in Udhampur on Tuesday, Jammu zone IGP Bhim Sen Tuti said after the initial firing, the terrorists escaped into a dense forest area. “However, all possible escape routes have been sealed and a tight security cordon has been established, with additional forces rushed to the spot. The operation is in progress,” he said.According to sources, one terrorist is believed to have been injured, but there was no official confirmation.The gun battle started after a search operation was launched on Monday evening on the basis of specific information about the presence of terrorists. “The intelligence input was accurate and during the exchange of fire, the presence of three terrorists was confirmed,” the IGP said.During the encounter, SOG jawan Amjad, a resident of Poonch, was injured. “We tried to get him out, but due to blood loss, unfortunately we lost him,” Tuti said.A wreath-laying ceremony for the slain cop was held at district police lines on Tuesday, which was attended by DGP Nalin Prabhat, IGP Tuti and other senior officers of J&K Police and CRPF and district administration. “Heroes Never Die!” J&K Police said in their tribute on X.Officials said the search operation continues, and the cordon has been further strengthened, with additional forces rushed to the spot. “A joint team of SOG, along with the Army and the CRPF, is on the job with sniffer dogs,” said an official.Traditionally, Pakistani terrorists have used areas like Basatgarh-Dudu area in Udhampur district, which have hilly terrain intersected with rivers and streams, to cross over to Doda and Kishtwar and further move to Kashmir Valley after entering from the International Border (IB) in Jammu’s Kathua district. The area has witnessed several encounters and terror incidents in the past.On Nov 28, the forces had launched a joint search operation in the upper reaches of Basantgarh after three suspected terrorists reportedly appeared at a Bakerwal’s house and demanded food at gunpoint, according to some reports.On Oct 7, a similar operation was carried out in the Dharni top area of Basantgarh after some locals reported movement of three suspected terrorists.Prior to this, on June 26, a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist was killed by security forces, while his three associates remained trapped in an encounter in a forest area of Bihali, Basantgarh, in Udhampur.On April 24, an Army Havaldar, Jhantu Ali Sheikh from 6th Para of Special Forces (SF), was killed in an encounter in Dudu-Basantgarh area.

Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana & Liam Livingstone (Agency Image)

The IPL Auction 2026 wrapped up with plenty of drama, surprise twists and big-money moves. Here is the list of the most expensive signings for all 10 franchises this season.Kolkata Knight Riders stole the headlines with the biggest buy of the auction. Australian all rounder Cameron Green was snapped up for a massive Rs 25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. The bidding crossed the previous record held by Mitchell Starc and placed Green as the third costliest player ever at an IPL auction, behind Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. KKR made a clear statement of intent by investing heavily in the Australian star.Chennai Super Kingsfocused on young Indian talent and dominated the uncapped players’ market. CSK secured Uttar Pradesh left arm spinner Prashant Veer and Rajasthan wicketkeeper batter Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.20 crore each. Both came in with a base price of just Rs 30 lakh and ended the night as the highest paid uncapped players in IPL auction history.

Most Expensive Players — Team-Wise:

Sunrisers Hyderabad also made a bold move by signing England all rounder Liam Livingstone for Rs 13 crore. After going unsold in the opening round, Livingstone triggered a bidding war before SRH finally sealed the deal, making him their most expensive buy of the auction.Delhi Capitals turned heads by splurging Rs 8.40 crore on Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar. Starting from a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Dar emerged as one of the biggest gainers of the mini auction and DC’s costliest signing.Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending IPL champions, made Indian all rounder Venkatesh Iyer their biggest signing by securing him for Rs 7 crore. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, spent Rs 7.4 crore to bring in leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi, making him their most expensive purchase at the auction.Gujarat Titans went big on experience by acquiring Jason Holder for Rs 7 crore, while Lucknow Super Giants surprised many by paying Rs 8.60 crore for Josh Inglis, despite the Australian being available for only four IPL matches this season.Punjab Kings, the IPL 2025 finalists, adopted a measured approach at the auction, with Ben Dwarshuis emerging as their most expensive purchase at Rs 4.40 crore. Mumbai Indians, who entered the auction with the smallest purse of Rs 2.75 crore, saw Quinton de Kock become their top signing at Rs 1 crore.With 359 players in the pool and only 77 slots available, the IPL Auction 2026 once again delivered high stakes, unexpected outcomes and plenty of talking points ahead of the new season.

Thane: Subhash Singh Thakur, serving a life term in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehgarh Central Jail for the sensational JJ Hospital killings of 1993, has been arrested by Maharashtra police for the contract killing of a builder in Virar in 2022.Thakur, who was sentenced by a special TADA court in Mumbai in 2000 for the 1993 case, was produced in the Thane court a day after Mira-Bhayander-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police brought him from the UP jail on a transit remand.Despite his incarceration, Thakur used encrypted mobile apps to pass instructions to associates who carried out the 2022 murder of Virar-based realtor Samay Chauhan, prosecution informed Thane MCOCA court on Tuesday, while seeking his police custody.Special MCOCA judge V G Mohite remanded Thakur, a former associate of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim, to police custody till Dec 22.The MBVV crime branch, which is probing the case led by ACP Madan Ballal, told the court that on Feb 26, 2022, two bike-borne assailants fired five rounds at close range at Chauhan in Virar’s Manvelpada area, killing him. Investigators said the contract killing stemmed from a property dispute between Chauhan and another builder Rahul Dubey.Police had applied provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and apprehended 13 accused, including the alleged shooters and intermediaries.Dubey was apprehended in Ballia in Bihar, while the alleged shooters, Manish Singh and Rahul Sharma, and their accomplice Abhishek Singh were arrested from Varanasi. Of three absconding accused, one died and two are still at large.The prosecution claimed that Thakur masterminded the contract killing despite being incarcerated at Fatehgarh Central Jail. They alleged that Thakur maintained control of his crime syndicate through Akhilesh Tiwari even when he was transferred to jail hospitals and Banaras Hindu University hospital in Varanasi for medical care. Thakur who once led assailants armed with AK-47s and grenades into JJ Hospital to kill a Gawli gang member and two constables who were guarding him, was convicted in the case but spent years in and out of hospital on grounds of medical treatment.The prosecution highlighted that during Thakur’s treatment at BHU, other accused conducted multiple meetings with his associate Tiwari to finalise the plan, a claim corroborated by CCTV footage analysis.The prosecution alleged that Rahul took the contract to eliminate Chauhan via Tiwari. To help the shooters recognise their target, Tiwari reportedly showed them Chauhan’s photograph on his phone. Rahul, Abhishek, and Arjun, alias Ajju Singh, who lived near the location, oversaw the operation and provided logistical assistance to ensure the crime was successfully executed.The court was informed that an initial attempt to execute the contract killing occurred in June 2021. Dubey and other associates allegedly provided accommodation, financial support, and logistical assistance; and firearms and live ammunition were procured; and the accused were dispatched to Virar. However, the operation failed due to Rahul’s declining health.Police said the conspiracy was reactivated on February 16, 2022, and the accused carried out the hit 10 days later. Investigators claimed that after the killing, Thakur used encrypted mobile apps to specify where the pistol and cartridges used in the crime should be delivered to his associate in Andheri.Police depended on voluntary confessional statements recorded under the MCOCA to establish the organised crime network and stated that custodial interrogation was necessary to track the contract payment and investigate assets obtained through criminal enterprises.

Steve Cahillane to become CEO of KRaft Heinz, which currently in process of splitting (AP file photo)

US-origin food MNC Kraft Heinz has tapped Steve Cahillane as the new CEO, effective January 1, 2026, as the company prepares for its division into two separate entities.He will subsequently lead the Global Taste Elevation Co., which will manage prominent brands including Kraft Mac & Cheese, Philadelphia cream cheese and Heinz, following the company’s split anticipated in the latter half of next year.“Like millions of people around the world, I have a deeply personal connection to the Kraft Heinz brands, dating back to my childhood,” Cahillane said in a statement. “I’ve devoted my entire career to building brands, and the opportunity to do the same with Kraft Heinz’s iconic portfolio is a dream come true.”The second entity, North American Grocery Co, will oversee brands such as Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. A CEO for this division has not yet been announced.The current CEO, Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who began his tenure in January 2024, will transition to an advisory role until March 2026.The separation announcement came in September, ten years after the merger that created one of the world’s largest food manufacturers. The company states this division will enhance operational efficiency and resource allocation.The company has faced challenges as consumer preferences shift towards less processed foods, moving away from products like Velveeta cheese and Kool-Aid. Additional costs have emerged from efforts to remove artificial ingredients.The corporation has also encountered difficulties in differentiating its products from lower-priced store alternatives.Cahillane previously managed a similar division at Kellogg Co. in 2023. He led Kellanova, which owned brands like Cheez-Its, Pringles and Pop-Tarts, until Mars Inc. acquired it. Ferrero later purchased WK Kellogg Co., the cereal division.His prior experience includes executive positions at The Nature’s Bounty Co., Coca-Cola Co. and AB InBev.Board Chairman Miguel Patricio endorsed Cahillane’s appointment: “His track record and experience in the industry are unparalleled and will be invaluable as we embark on this next chapter,” he stated.The company’s shares remained stable during Tuesday’s midday trading.