This is Apple’s first such evaluation of having specific chips assembled and packaged within India. (AI image)

Apple iPhone chips may soon be assembled in India with the tech giant in early discussions with Indian chip manufacturers regarding the assembly and packaging of components for the iPhone. This development could represent a significant advancement for suppliers in Apple’s technology supply chain.According to an ET report, initial discussions have happened between representatives of CG Semi, owned by the Murugappa Group, which is setting up an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.CG Semi’s Rs 7,600-crore OSAT facility has support from both central and state governments and is being established in partnership with Renesas and Stars Microelectronics.The investment spans across five years for developing two advanced facilities — G1 and G2. G1, which was launched on August 28, will function at a maximum capacity of approximately 0.5 million units daily. The facility is capable of managing complete chip assembly, packaging, testing and post-test operations.CG Semi confirmed plans to begin commercial operations in calendar year 2026, in accordance with its commitment to the India Semiconductor Mission.

Apple’s chip plans for India

This is Apple’s first such evaluation of having specific chips assembled and packaged within India. “The companies are in the very initial stages of discussion,” according to one source quoted by the financial daily. “It is not clear what chips will be packaged out of the Sanand facility at this stage, but it will likely be display chips.”The source indicated that this could present a significant challenge for CG Semi, as advancing discussions would require meeting Apple’s strict quality requirements. “Apple is already in talks with several companies for a number of other supply chain functions, and very few will end up on their supplier list,” the source said.

Bytes of Apple

A potential agreement would mean a notable advancement for India’s developing semiconductor sector, following Intel’s recent collaboration with Tata Electronics. The December 8 agreement outlines plans to look at manufacturing and packaging of Intel products for domestic markets at Tata Electronics’ forthcoming fab and OSAT facilities.The firms indicated they would consider joint efforts in advanced packaging within India. The packaging process serves essential functions, including component protection and performance enhancement.Industry analysts note that Apple’s iPhone display panels are sourced from leading OLED manufacturers: Samsung Display Corp, LG Display and BOE. The display driver integrated circuit (DDIC) providers for these manufacturers include Samsung, Novatek, Himax and LX Semicon, who rely predominantly on facilities based in South Korea, Taiwan or China for chip production and packaging operations.“As India evolves into a crucial component of the global electronics supply chain, Apple could gain from increased stability and variety by potentially collaborating with an Indian chip manufacturer,” said Prabhu Ram, vice president, industry research group, CyberMedia Research. “The main challenge—and opportunity—for CG Semi will be meeting Apple’s stringent quality standards, attaining consistent yields and steering deep OSAT process expertise at scale.“

Acclaimed actress-turned-director Tisca Chopra is currently riding high on the release of her OTT directorial debut, ‘Saali Mohabbat.’ While the Radhika Apte and Divyenndu Sharmaled murder mystery has been garnering attention on Zee5, Chopra recently revealed that the journey behind the scenes, specifically the writing process with her husband, Sanjay Chopra was as intense as the film itself.

The ‘yin and yang’ of writing a murder mystery

For the unversed, Chopra co-wrote the “howdunnit” with her husband, Sanjay Chopra who is a pilot by profession. Talking to Mid day, Tisca Chopra went on to divulge how was the situation of working together under one roof led to some hilarious, albeit stressful friction between the couple.The ‘Taare Zameen Par’ actress revealed how despite their contrasting styles of working, the duo still managed to blend their perspectives to write the story of the drama thriller. Tisca said, “We almost got divorced writing it. His sense of writing is robust, mine is more subtle. So the yin and yang came together nicely in the script.”

Tisca Chopra on being a director

Interestingly, Tisca had initially intended to play a role in ‘Saali Mohabbat’ while also directing it. Then, producer Manish Malhotra stepped in, urging her to commit to just one responsibility.Reflecting on this, Tisca admits, “Directing is a mother-of-God hard job. It just never ends,” she laughed. Describing the relentless nature of the role, she shared how a director is bombarded with a “volley of questions” from dawn to dusk—ranging from the size of a car’s number plate to whether an actor should shave his chest.

About ‘Sali Mohabbat’

The film headlines Radhika Apte as Smita and Divyenndu Sharma as Ratan. It also features Anshuman Pushkar, Sharat Saxena, Srishti Shrivastava and Anurag Kashyap. The plot follows Apte’s character, a housewife who gets embroiled into a web of infidelity, deceit and a double murder. The film began streaming on Zee5 from December 12, 2025.

As India and South Africa gear up for the fourth T20I in Lucknow, weather conditions are expected to play a subtle but important role at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. With the series at a decisive stage, teams will be closely monitoring the forecast, dew factor and toss dynamics as they fine-tune their strategies for the night contest on Wednesday, December 17.

The good news for players and fans is that there is no rain threat for the match, ensuring uninterrupted action in what could be a series-defining clash.

Lucknow weather forecast for IND vs SA 4th T20I

According to weather projections, the Lucknow weather on match day is expected to remain stable throughout the evening and night. Skies are forecast to stay clear, with no precipitation predicted before, during or after the game.

Temperatures during play are likely to range between 11°C and 16°C, creating cool playing conditions typical of North Indian winters. While light winds are expected, they are unlikely to significantly affect swing or ball movement. Moderate humidity may add a slight chill in the air, but overall conditions should be comfortable for both players and spectators.

Importantly, there are no weather-related disruptions anticipated, allowing teams to plan without the uncertainty of rain interruptions or reduced overs.

Dew factor at Ekana Cricket Stadium

One of the key talking points for the IND vs SA 4th T20I is the dew factor. As the night progresses, most forecasts suggest that dew is likely to settle in, especially during the latter half of the match.

Dew can make the ball skidier and more difficult for bowlers to grip, particularly spinners and seamers relying on cutters. While the Ekana Stadium has occasionally remained relatively dry compared to other North Indian venues, winter evening games in this region generally experience enough moisture to influence conditions.

As a result, the surface may quicken slightly under lights, allowing batters to play through the line more freely during the chase. Fielding sides could also find it harder to control the wet ball, increasing the challenge in the death overs.

Also READ: IND vs SA – Pitch Report for 4th T20I, Ekana Cricket Stadium Stats and Records

Toss prediction: Bowl first or bat first?

Given the expected weather and dew conditions, toss prediction trends point towards teams choosing to bowl first. Captains may look to take advantage of a relatively drier pitch early in the evening before moisture sets in later on.

Bowling first allows teams to exploit any early grip available on the surface and then rely on improved batting conditions while chasing.

Based on recent matches and pitch behaviour, the par score at Ekana Stadium is projected to fall in the 165-180 range. Teams batting first will aim to push beyond 170 to stay competitive, particularly with dew expected to assist chasing sides.

Bowling units will focus on restricting the opposition through disciplined middle overs and smart variations, while batting sides will look to pace their innings and capitalize on any late-evening slickness on the outfield.

Also READ: IND vs SA, 4th T20I, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game between India and South Africa?

MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming (Agency Image)

NEW DELHI: Former India and Chennai Super Kings batter Robin Uthappa believes the speculation surrounding MS Dhoni’s future can finally be put to rest, insisting that the IPL 2026 season is set to be the 44-year-old legend’s last as a player. Speaking after CSK’s strikingly youth-focused auction strategy, Uthappa said the franchise’s clear shift in philosophy points to Dhoni preparing for a transition from player to mentor.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I think the writing is on the wall. This is clearly going to be MS Dhoni’s last season. No more conjecture, no more speculation,” Uthappa told JioHotstar on Tuesday. “All the signs point towards that when you look at the investment in youth and the kind of teams they have picked since last year.”

CSK’s auction approach underlined that belief. Of the Rs 41 crore spent on nine players, a staggering Rs 28.4 crore — nearly 60 per cent of their purse — was invested in just two uncapped youngsters. Teenage keeper-batter Kartik Sharma was snapped up for Rs 14.20 crore, while 20-year-old left-arm spin all-rounder Prashant Veer commanded a similar price, instantly becoming among the most expensive uncapped players in IPL history.For Uthappa, the aggressive backing of raw talent signals Dhoni’s evolving role within the franchise. “They are focused on developing talent, uncovering talent and keeping that talent within the franchise,” he said. “If you can develop another Jadeja with the kind of mentorship MS Dhoni provides, along with the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, why not?”

The shift has been building for some time. Ahead of the auction, CSK traded Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals and brought in middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar — players firmly in their prime. The arrival of Sanju Samson further strengthens the idea of a succession plan, with Dhoni expected to gradually step back from on-field responsibilities.“We all know that if he is not playing, he will be mentoring the side,” Uthappa added. “I think this year he will operate as a mentor-cum-player. He is already viewing things from that perspective.”For years, Dhoni’s retirement has been a perennial IPL talking point. Even after leading CSK to the title in 2023, the former India captain chose to continue, driven by a desire to give fans a fitting farewell. Now, with CSK placing their future in the hands of Ruturaj Gaikwad and investing heavily in youth, the franchise appears to be preparing for life after ‘Captain Cool’ — with Dhoni still very much at the heart of it.

MUMBAI: The Worli police have taken a Lamborghini in custody after a video of it was uploaded on a social media platform a couple of days ago showing its speed as more than 200 km/h. The viral video shows shows the Lamborghini weaving through traffic on the sea link, overtaking multiple cars at high speed.Investigators said the vehicle was identified through its registration number visible in the footage.The Lamborghini was reportedly driven on the Bandra Worli sea link where the speed limit is 80 km/h. Police are verifying the documents of the car owner and the car dealer.Suzuki Hayabusa crashIn a separate incident, a motorcyclist suffered injuries on Sunday morning while allegedly trying to speed past another vehicle on NH-8 near Ambience Mall in DLF-3. Footage recorded on a fellow rider’s helmet camera shows a Suzuki Hayabusa accelerating aggressively seconds before the collision.According to police, the rider lost control during a risky overtake, causing him to be thrown off the bike and tumble repeatedly on the highway. The superbike slid several metres before coming to a halt. The clip went viral online, drawing criticism over reckless biking on the busy Gurgaon expressway.A patrol team reached the location and took the injured motorcyclist to Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.Officers said a case was not registered as the rider admitted he was speeding and overtaking improperly, and declined to file a complaint. “The video clearly showed the violation,” the SHO of DLF Phase 3 said.Police said the Swift car seen in the clip has since been traced and its driver identified, but initial investigation suggests the biker triggered the crash.Authorities noted that NH-8 continues to report numerous accidents linked to speeding, aggressive overtaking and lane indiscipline. Traffic officials once again urged commuters to maintain speed limits, especially around the Ambience Mall stretch, which is notorious for congestion and frequent mishaps.

The proposed $100,000 fee for fresh H-1B workers by Trump could severely impact IT outsourcing and staffing sectors. (AI image)

US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration and H-1B visas will hit Indian IT firms, particularly Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys, analysis suggests. According to a Bloomberg News study, the impact would be particularly significant for international staffing organisations serving as intermediaries for companies seeking H-1B talent, including firms like Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Infosys Ltd., and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.The proposed $100,000 fee for fresh H-1B workers recruited from abroad by President Donald Trump could severely impact IT outsourcing and staffing sectors. This substantial levy represents the most stringent limitation yet imposed by the Trump administration on skilled foreign worker employment.

The H-1B programme, which serves as the main entry point for foreign professionals holding at least a bachelor’s degree into US employment, has traditionally been utilised extensively by major technology and IT organisations. These firms secure the majority of the 85,000 available visa positions annually.Legislators from both major political parties have suggested that organisations utilise the programme to avoid hiring American workers at higher costs, although H-1B regulations require employers to pay industry-standard wages, and entry-level H-1B professionals typically receive compensation above the US median salary.Analysis of data by Bloomberg News reveals that international applicants from abroad, rather than recent international university graduates already present in the US, represented over 40% of new H-1B approvals during the previous four-year period.

Why TCS, Infosys Bear Brunt of H-1B Fee Hike

For TCS, Infosys and Cognizant, approximately 90% of their new H-1B appointments between May 2020 and May 2024 received approval at US consulates. Had this fee been in place, each organisation would have incurred additional expenses in the hundreds of millions.The Bloomberg analysis indicates that Infosys would have needed to pay the $100,000 fee for over 10,400 workers, which is more than 93% of their new H-1B appointments during this period, potentially resulting in visa charges exceeding one billion dollars.TCS would have been required to pay this fee for 6,500 workers, affecting 82% of their newly approved H-1B staff, whilst Cognizant would have faced charges for more than 5,600 employees, comprising 89% of their new H-1B recruits.

H-1B visa burden

What’s the future on H-1B visas?

Despite potential legal interventions to stop the H-1B fee implementation, sector analysts expect a significant reduction in visa applications and increased overseas staff deployment.“We’re already seeing that happen,” said immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden, who represents many IT employers. “The fear is that if you have truly exceptional talent overseas, those people are definitely going to be missing out,” he told Bloomberg.Several organisations indicate that the immediate impact of the fee on their activities will be minimal.“The recently announced Proclamation is expected to have limited near-term impact on Cognizant’s operations,” said Cognizant spokesman Jeff DeMarrais. “Over the past several years, we have significantly reduced our reliance on visas, using them only for select technology roles that supplement our US workforce.”IT companies took advantage of the online lottery system established in 2020, enabling H-1B worker registration with minimal fees and simplified petitions. The registration numbers increased significantly, reaching 758,000 eligible submissions for fiscal 2024.The Biden administration’s DHS officials identified IT consultancies’ manipulation of the system, leading to lottery modifications. The newly implemented $100,000 fee serves as a stringent measure to restrict these companies’ programme participation.Taylor Rogers, White House spokesperson, stated it would provide greater certainty to American companies seeking skilled workers whilst preventing organisations from “spamming the system and driving down wages.”The US Chamber of Commerce and various states have mounted separate legal challenges to the fee implementation. A forthcoming hearing will address the motion to suspend the fee or determine its validity.Companies are revising their recruitment strategies without awaiting legal outcomes. The IT consultancy sector has reduced new H-1B applications since 2024, and the fee increase will result in additional offshore recruitment, according to Steve Hall, chief AI officer at Information Services Group Inc.He anticipates increased corporate investment in India, the primary source of H-1B workers, over the next five years, stating, “If you want to access the world’s best talent, you have to go where the talent is.”Infosys referenced CEO Salil Parekh’s October statement, noting limited sponsorship requirements for US staff. Parekh assured continued client service delivery “without any disruption to their services today and into the future.”IBM Corp., which recruited 88% of its H-1B workers internationally, has modified its skilled immigration approach, according to spokesperson Miki Carver, who stated, “Our focus remains on ensuring we have the right skills to meet clients’ evolving needs.”The increased fee represents a positive development, although employers will discover ways to adjust, according to Ron Hira, a Howard University political scientist who has criticised the H-1B programme. He indicated that the visa lottery in April will serve as an initial indicator of the measure’s effectiveness.“Will that be a higher skill, higher wage cohort? That’ll be the first sign,” Hira said.According to Finn Reynolds, director of market research at legal technology startup Lawfully, major H-1B employers intend to avoid registering workers requiring consular visa processing in the lottery. He noted this recruitment adjustment would likely spread across industries until there is clarity regarding the $100,000 fee.Lawfully forecasts that these additional expenses, alongside Trump’s proposed lottery modifications, could reduce next year’s lottery entries by 30% to 50%. Reynolds explained that organisations must evaluate both the fee expenses and candidates’ chances under the revised selection process.“The Trump administration’s $100,000 fee, combined with the weighted-lottery rule, has created an entirely new set of incentives that will reshape market behavior vis-a-vis the H-1B lottery,” he said.

Auqib Nabi’s rise has been nothing short of inspirational. Once borrowing spikes for trials, the 29-year-old fast bowler has now bagged an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract worth ₹8.40 crore at the mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.In a four-way battle, Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi was bagged by Delhi Capitals for a whopping ₹8.40 crore, which is 28 times more than his base price of ₹30 lakh. Nabi’s long-cherished dream is to open a cricket academy in Baramulla, where he can nurture more Auqib Nabis — and now he will have the money to fulfil it.

“I’d like to open an academy,” Nabi had earlier told TimesofIndia.com.“There’s absolutely nothing here. When I started playing, I had to go to Bengaluru for training and played lower-division matches there. I want to find and train more Auqib Nabis from Baramulla,” he added.Over the last few years, Nabi has been called by at least half a dozen IPL franchises for trials but never found a team. Interestingly, Delhi Capitals were interested in him last year and even called him for a trial, but he couldn’t attend due to a state camp.“I’ve given trials for MI, RR, KKR, GT and SRH. Last year, DC called me but I couldn’t go. I want to play in the IPL — it will help me achieve my dream of starting an academy in Baramulla,” he said.

Aquib Nabi (Agency Image)

Auqib Nabi can swing the new ball and has also improved his skills with the older one. He was super impressive in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which followed an exceptional start to the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy. He was the only seamer among the top five wicket-takers in the first half of the season. His 29 wickets in nine innings included three five-fors and a stunning 7 for 24 against Rajasthan, helping J&K secure a knockouts berth.Nabi has picked up 15 wickets in seven matches so far in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) at an economy rate of 7.41. In his most recent outing earlier this week against Madhya Pradesh, he contributed a cameo of 32 off 21 balls to help set up a defendable total, before returning with a crucial three-wicket haul to seal the game for J&K.In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, he picked up 44 wickets in eight matches — the second-most in the season. His performances helped Jammu and Kashmir qualify for the quarterfinals, where Kerala edged them out on a one-run first-innings lead.

Auqib Nabi Dar

Nabi’s father, Gulam Nabi Dar, is an English teacher in a government school in Baramulla.“I was good in studies, and my father’s dream was that I would become a doctor,” recalls Nabi.“I used to play tennis-ball cricket for fun. I had a friend who went for a JKCA trial but wasn’t selected. I was never that interested in cricket. He insisted, and when he told me stories about the camps, it intrigued me. I went for the trials but wasn’t selected for two or three years.“In 2016, my last U-19 year, I finally got picked — not for the one-dayers, but for the four-day matches. When I played the Cooch Behar Trophy, I made up my mind that this is what I wanted to do. Then I played two or three years in U-23 cricket before making my Ranji Trophy debut in 2020,” he says.Gulam Nabi Dar wanted to see his son in whites — but not the ones Auqib chose.“My father used to tell me that studies were important. I was good at them too. He was really upset when I started playing cricket. After I got picked for U-19, he began supporting me. Before that, he was against it. Now he’s my biggest fan,” says Nabi.

Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi, right, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Bihar’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi during a Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy 2025 cricket match between Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

Nabi recalls an interesting story from his first trial. When he reached Jammu, he realised he needed spikes to bowl.“I was shell-shocked. I was wearing sports shoes worth ₹500,” he reminisces.“Then I borrowed spikes from a senior player. When I got picked for U-19, I borrowed spikes from a friend who had already played U-19 for J&K. He gave me a spare pair,” he adds.From his first match fee, Nabi bought his own pair of spikes — which he still treasures.“They’ll stay in my house till my last breath. Those shoes were the first step towards a big dream,” he says.Nabi wants to play for India, and given the way he is taking wickets, the “Dale Steyn of Baramulla” may not be far from an India call-up.“When I started taking cricket seriously, my sole aim was to represent India — to represent my country. Coming from Baramulla, even thinking about playing for your country is a big thing. You don’t have role models.“Now, my only goal is to play for India. Nothing else. I’ll keep working hard to achieve that,” he says.During the Duleep Trophy, when he picked up a five-for for North Zone, his fast-bowling partners Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana boosted his confidence.“The duo kept telling me, ‘Paji, kaafi achha kar rahe ho, lage raho aap (You’re doing really well, keep it up).’ I loved playing with them,” he says.Recently, in the first round of the Ranji Trophy against Mumbai, Nabi received a pat on the back from selector Ajay Ratra, who was present at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.“When I picked up five wickets in the second innings, I met Ajay sir at the team hotel, and he appreciated my bowling,” says Nabi.Despite all the accolades and attention, the Baramulla boy remains grounded. He believes in destiny and hard work.“Whatever is written for you, you’ll get it. Main mehnat kar sakta hoon, baaki Allah dekh lenge (I can only work hard; the rest is in God’s hands),” he says.“For me, it all started with gully cricket. We never had any proper ground. Now there are a couple, but back then there was absolutely nothing. I didn’t even know that a fast bowler needed spikes. I never thought I’d come this far. I’m just blessed,” he adds.“The main change I made was in my mindset. I started believing in myself. I stopped thinking about results. I focused more on the process, and the rest took care of itself.”