Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav (ANI photo)

NEW DELHI: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday again addressed a press conference amid outrage over the “new definition” of the Aravali range, saying that “no new mining leases will be permitted, especially in core, protected and ecologically sensitive areas, including the NCR”.Speaking on the Supreme Court’s acceptance of the “new definition” of Aravalli, the minister said: “The ruling recognises and endorses the Government of India’s sustained efforts to protect the Aravalli range through scientific assessment, strict safeguards and initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall Project.”

He futher highlighted the expansion of Ramsar sites, afforestation drives and international recognition of India’s forest cover, saying that under the BJP-led NDA government remains “firmly committed to balancing ecology and economy, while countering misinformation with facts and science”.Addressing concerns in some quarters over a possible expansion of mining activities in the Aravalli Hills and Ranges following the adoption of a uniform definition, Bhupender Yadav on Sunday said it was incorrect to conclude that mining would be permitted on all landforms below 100 metres in the Aravallis.“Only 0.19% of the total 1.44 lakh sq km area of Aravalli can be eligible for mining. The rest of the Aravalli is protected and secure,” he posted on X.Yadav explained that the Aravali range comprises all landforms located within 500 metres of two adjoining hills with a height of 100 metres or more. All landforms falling within this 500-metre zone, regardless of their height or slope, are excluded from the grant of mining leases, he said.The minister also elaborated on the issue while responding to a media query on the sidelines of a meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority at the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The query related to the Supreme Court of India’s recent acceptance of a uniform, policy-level definition of the Aravali Hills and Ranges, particularly with respect to regulating mining.Following the apex court’s acceptance that any landform located in the Aravali districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local relief would be classified as Aravali Hills, some stakeholders expressed apprehension that the move could open more than 90% of the Aravalis to mining, as most landforms lie below the 100-metre mark.

With just days left before the year-end compliance window closes, the Income Tax department has begun reaching out directly to multinational companies, asking them to alert Indian employees about undisclosed foreign assets and income, according to multiple tax advisors.Several large multinationals — including a global consumer healthcare firm, a wireless technology major and a US-based semiconductor designer — have received formal communications from the department, indicating that a number of their India-based employees fall under mandatory foreign asset reporting for the assessment year 2025-26, according to an ET report.In one such email reviewed by advisors, the tax office said it already possesses relevant data and urged cooperation from employers. “Data received indicates that 30 of your employees are subject to mandatory reporting for the assessment year 2025-26. To ensure confidentiality, the department is not disclosing the specific names of the employees in this email. We request your cooperation in ensuring statutory compliance,” the communication stated.The companies have been advised to sensitise staff on the urgency of disclosing overseas assets and income, warning that failure to do so could invite assessment proceedings, a penalty of Rs 10 lakh, and even prosecution under the Black Money law.Tax professionals say many such lapses arise from misconceptions rather than intent. Indian employees of multinational firms often fail to report employee stock option plans (ESOPs), overseas dividends or capital gains, assuming that foreign income will not come to the attention of Indian authorities. However, information now routinely reaches the department through global data-sharing frameworks such as the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).“This places a disproportionate onus on employers, requiring them to monitor and interpret employees’ foreign assets — an area that often extends beyond payroll visibility. The onus of reporting foreign assets in Schedule FA (in the I-T return) rests with the employees. On ESOPs, a longstanding issue that requires clarification from CBDT is whether disclosure is necessary at the time of grant or vesting,” said Ashish Karundia, founder of the CA firm bearing his name, ET quoted.What has surprised advisors is the speed at which the information exchange is now occurring. “The exchange of information is moving at a speed that’s unheard of. The government is getting data within six months of the year-end. The department is sending reminders via SMS and emails, which would help genuine assessees to revise or update returns without getting into litigation. As things stand, residents have no option but to disclose overseas assets in ITRs,” said Rajesh Shah, partner at Jayantilal Thakkar & Co.The outreach forms part of the second phase of the Central Board of Direct Taxes’ ‘NUDGE Campaign’, launched in 2024, which offers taxpayers an opportunity to file revised or updated returns by December 31, 2025. Individuals who earned interest, dividends, rental income or capital gains from unreported foreign assets are being asked to correct their filings.However, experts caution against misplaced reliance on updated returns alone. “There is a misconception that disclosing foreign assets through an Updated Return, or ITR-U, (u/s 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act) provides immunity from the stringent penalties of the Black Money Act. However, a closer reading of Section 43 of the Black Money Act reveals a significant legal gap. Since section 43 does not explicitly recognize an updated Return for penalty waiver, taxpayers relying on ITR-U may still be liable for the ₹10 lakh penalty,” said Mohit Bang, partner at Trivedi & Bang.He added that disclosure and correction before the December 31 deadline would help taxpayers avoid penalties for both non-reporting and tax evasion.The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, which came into force on July 1, 2015, empowers authorities to tax and penalise undisclosed overseas assets, including foreign bank accounts, offshore trusts and unlisted entities with concealed beneficial ownership.

Salman Khan‘s 2009’s film ‘Wanted’, a remake of Telugu hit ‘Pokiri’ by Prabhu Deva, revived his career. He played Radhe, an undercover cop acting as a gangster with style, cool lines, and big action. Single-screen fans loved its fast story and fun moments. It kept Pokiri’s core but made Salman a huge hero that everyone loved.

Boney Kapoor spots potential in ‘Pokiri’

Recently, in a chat with Rediff, producer Boney Kapoor talked about how he got Salman on board for the film. He shared, “I happened to see Puri Jagannadh’s 2006 Telugu blockbuster, Pokiri. I thought Salman would be apt for the character of Radhe aka Rajveer Shekhavat. I wanted him to see the film and had arranged two preview shows, but because of his hectic schedule, Salman couldn’t make it. I was worried that the Tamil remake would release, and if it was as big a hit as the original, another Bollywood actor or producer would evince an interest in the Hindi remake rights and like with Ghajini, I would lose out on Pokiri too.“

The late-night screening drama

Kapoor added, “I kept urging Salman to see it, and one day, past midnight, he finally turned up at a Mumbai preview theatre to see Pokiri. My elation was short-lived when I discovered that following a mix-up, instead of the Dolby Digital, they had sent across a DTS print. Nervously, I waited for Salman’s reaction to Pokiri. After watching it, he walked past me without a word. I followed anxiously, and before sitting in his car, he just signalled thumbs up.“

Salman Khan’s Katrina Kaif suggestion

‘Wanted’ also features Ayesha Takia in the female lead, but Boney shared that Salman had a different actress in mind for the role. Kapoor said, “Salman had suggested Katrina Kaif’s name for the role of the heroine in Wanted, the Hindi remake of Pokiri. But since the character is initially ambivalent about her feelings for Radhe, I reasoned that it would be better if we cast an actress who had never been paired with him before. We toyed with several names, including Genelia D’Souza, before settling for Ayesha Takia.“

A massive 2009 blockbuster

Released in 2009, the film went on to become a big hit.

The cricketing season is in full swing, and as teams gear up for the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy, Punjab has made a significant statement with its squad announcement. On December 22, 2025, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) released an formidable 18-member lineup, brimming with a blend of international experience, IPL firepower, and promising young talent. This year, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Punjab as they aim to clinch the coveted limited-overs title, and their squad selection strongly indicates their serious intent.

Punjab’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is a testament to the depth of cricketing talent in the state. The selectors have clearly prioritized a balanced side, featuring explosive batters, reliable wicketkeepers, and a diverse bowling attack.

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma headline Punjab’s batting unit

The batting department looks particularly strong, anchored by some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Shubman Gill, a consistent performer across formats and the current captain of India’s ODI team, leads the charge. His presence alone adds immense gravitas and class to the top order. Joining him is the dynamic Abhishek Sharma, whose all-round capabilities and aggressive batting style have made him a force to be reckoned with in white-ball cricket.

The squad also includes promising young talents like Harnoor Pannu and Anmolpreet Singh, who will be eager to make their mark. Uday Saharan, a rising star, and experienced campaigners like Naman Dhir, Sanvir Singh, and Ramandeep Singh add depth and flexibility, providing crucial all-round options with both bat and ball.

Punjab have opted for two capable wicketkeeping options: Prabhsimran Singh and Salil Arora. Both are known for their clean glovework and ability to contribute with the bat, offering strategic flexibility depending on match conditions and team requirements.

A formidable bowling attack featuring Arshdeep Singh

The bowling unit is equally impressive, featuring a mix of pace and spin that can trouble any opposition. The spearhead of the pace attack is undoubtedly Arshdeep Singh, whose left-arm swing and death-overs expertise make him a vital asset. He is complemented by the likes of Gurnoor Brar, Jashanpreet Singh, and Sukhdeep Bajwa, who will be looking to make an impact.

In the spin department, Harpreet Brar brings his valuable left-arm orthodox spin, known for his control and ability to pick up crucial wickets. He is joined by Raghu Sharma, Krish Bhagat, and Gourav Choudhary, ensuring a varied spin attack capable of exploiting different pitch conditions.

The inclusion of Gill, Abhishek, and Arshdeep is a massive boost for Punjab. However, their full availability throughout the tournament remains subject to their national commitments. India are slated to play an ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 11, 2026. This potential conflict could see these key players miss a significant portion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, posing a challenge for the team management. Their presence, even for a few games, will undoubtedly lift the team’s morale and performance.

Also READ: Rishabh Pant to captain Delhi as Virat Kohli makes historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return; squad announced for first two games

Leadership vacuum? Captaincy yet to be announced

One of the interesting aspects of the squad announcement is the absence of a designated captain. While Gill, given his experience as India’s ODI captain, would be a natural choice, his potential national duties might make the PCA hesitant to name him upfront. This leaves an intriguing leadership question open, which will likely be addressed closer to the tournament’s start or perhaps on a match-by-match basis, depending on player availability.

Also READ: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes historic return

Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty has warned private schools against blocking Christmas celebrations, citing concerns of divisive religious models

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala education minister V Sivankutty on Sunday flagged reports of some private schools in the state blocking Christmas celebrations on campus, warning that the LDF government would not tolerate “divisive models based on religion and belief, as seen in north India”.“Such actions are unheard of in a state like Kerala, known for its…secular culture…Our schools are places where children learn and grow together beyond caste and religious thoughts. We won’t let them become communal labs,” Sivankutty said.The minister’s remarks followed allegations by CPM mouthpiece Deshabhimani that some “Sangh Parivar-run” schools and another institution with a “Hindu management” had decided not to hold Christmas programmes. At least one institute allegedly collected contributions for the festival before reversing the decision. Sources said some parents jointly petitioned the minister against a school in Thiruvananthapuram that cancelled the celebrations after planning them.Sivankutty said schools in Kerala had traditionally celebrated Onam, Christmas and Eid with equal fervour. “It is through such gatherings that children learn to love and respect each other. The act of cancelling celebrations after collecting money and then returning it is both hurtful and cruel to young minds,” he said.The minister stressed that all schools — government-run, aided or private — “have a responsibility to uphold the secular principles enshrined in India’s Constitution”. Without naming any institution or organisation, he warned of strict action against anyone attempting to turn schools into what he described as “places that protect narrow political and communal interests”.PTI quoted an RSS functionary as saying it was implausible that any institute would have decided to prevent children from celebrating a festival. “We are not against any sort of cultural celebration,” he said.Officials of the “Hindu-management school” referred to in the CPM mouthpiece clarified that there was no ban on Christmas celebrations in their institution. “But a restriction is imposed on cutting cakes as part of the celebration in view of concerns of any possible food poisoning. Christmas celebrations will be held as such,” an official told PTI.Sivankutty said instructions would be issued to officials concerned to conduct an urgent inquiry into the matter and submit a report.

Australian players celebrate England’s Ben Stokes was dismissed (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has delivered a blunt assessment of England’s Ashes campaign in Australia, insisting that despite a complete change in mindset under the Bazball era, the outcome has been “no different” from previous tours.Speaking on the Ashes Daily podcast on Sky Sports Cricket after Australia sealed the series with an 82-run win in the third Test in Adelaide, Hussain said he initially supported England’s decision to rethink their approach following years of failure Down Under.

“I quite like the fact they have done things differently over the last four years since the last Ashes drubbing,” Hussain said. “I do like the fact they have thought differently; they have planned ahead. If you carry on doing what you have always done, you will get the same results, so they saw we need to do something different. I quite like that, they’ve thought ahead.”Australia wrapped up the series midway through the final day in Adelaide, bowling England out for 352 in their second innings to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. It marks England’s first away Ashes defeat of the Bazball era, following the appointments of Brendon McCullum as head coach and Ben Stokes as captain in 2022.However, Hussain said that when judged purely on performances, this England side has looked all too familiar. “But actually, if you’ve come here and looked at them in the last three-four weeks you’d have thought, ‘is it really that different from any other England side?’” he said.“They’ve not batted well, they’ve not bowled well, they’ve not caught well. Under key moments and pressure situations, they’ve buckled,” Hussain added.Pointing to history, Hussain explained why England felt forced to reinvent themselves in the first place. “Every other England side apart from the (Andrew) Strauss side [in 2010-11] has come here and lost and lost convincingly,” he said. “Joe Root has now played 17 Test matches in Australia; he hasn’t won one.”Despite understanding the logic behind the overhaul in strategy, Hussain admitted frustration that the end result has remained unchanged. “So that’s why there was this rethink,” he said. “Even after the massive rethink and left-field selections and ‘we must have pace’ and ‘we must have batters that put bowlers under pressure’, actually we’ve ended up getting exactly what we’ve had on virtually every other Ashes tour.”He concluded with a note of disappointment, adding, “That’s what disappoints me because I thought this time, with this opposition, it might have been slightly different. It has been no different.”

Rohit Sharma (Pic credit: BCCI)

Former India captain Rohit Sharma being a behemoth in limited-overs cricket is a well-established fact in the world. His ODI and T20I records are second to none, and his penchant for big scores is unmatched. Rohit is still the only batter to smash three double hundreds in ODIs, and is the joint-most century-maker in the shortest format of the game.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rohit’s mammoth innings in T20Is are backed by his ability to hit sixes at will. He is the only batter in the world to smash more than 200 jaw-dropping sixes in the format. He retired from T20Is after leading India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024, with 205 sixes in 151 innings.

Rohit and his long-time teammate and fellow run-machine Virat Kohli bid adieu to the format after the T20 World Cup triumph last year, finishing off their shortest-format careers with Rohit scoring 4231 runs from 159 matches, which included a record five hundreds and 32 fifties.On this day in 2017, eight years ago, Rohit stamped his dominance by smashing the then joint-fastest T20I century off just 35 balls, equalling South African David Miller’s less-than-two-months-old record. Rohit set the record against Sri Lanka in Indore, while Miller had achieved the feat against Bangladesh at Potchefstroom on October 29, 2017.

Rohit Sharma had a mind-boggling white-ball series against Sri Lanka at home that year. He smashed his third ODI double hundred against the visitors before the T20Is kicked off. His 208 not out in Mohali ensured he finished the three-match ODI series as the top run-getter.He started the T20I series with 17 off 13 balls in Cuttack before coming to Indore.When Sri Lanka skipper Thisara Perera won the toss and put India in to bat, little did he know what was in store.Captain Rohit Sharma and his opening partner KL Rahul punished the visitors’ bowlers ruthlessly from the start. India raced to 59 for no loss after the Powerplay and did not look back.Rohit reached his half-century off 23 balls, with the help of three sixes and seven fours, and brought up a 100-run opening partnership in just 52 balls with Rahul.

Rohit Sharma

After that, Rohit changed gears and left Sri Lankan players chasing leather like never before. The India skipper smoked five more sixes and four more boundaries in the next 12 balls to zoom to his record hundred in just 35 balls — joint-fastest in the world at that time.With the feat, Rohit overtook his partner Rahul’s India record of a 46-ball hundred, set against the West Indies at Lauderhill on August 27, 2016.Rahul also raced to his fifty off 35 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours, as the duo added 165 runs in just 12.4 overs. Rohit was the first to fall in the India innings after a majestic 118 off 43 balls, which included 10 sixes, 12 fours, and a mouth-watering strike rate of 274.4.India went on to post 260 for 5 in their 20 overs, with Rahul contributing 89 off 49 balls with the help of eight sixes and five fours.Under the pressure of chasing a mammoth 261, Sri Lanka lost the early wicket of opener Niroshan Dickwella (25) in the fifth over. But a 109-run second-wicket stand between Upul Tharanga (47 off 29 balls) and Kusal Perera (77 off 37 balls) kept Sri Lanka in the chase.Then India’s spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav worked their magic in the middle overs. Chahal started the collapse with the caught-and-bowled dismissal of Tharanga in the 14th over. Kuldeep then removed Perera and captain Thisara Perera in consecutive deliveries in the next over, before making it a three-wicket over by dismissing Asela Gunaratne as well.From 145/1, Sri Lanka crumbled to 161/5 in just 10 balls, and there was no fightback after that.Chahal finished with figures of 4 for 52, while Kuldeep returned 3 for 52. Both were expensive after the initial onslaught from Sri Lankan batters, but they derailed the chase with quick wickets in the middle overs as the visitors were bundled out for 172 in 17.2 overs.

Rohit Sharma’s storied T20I careerThe 35-ball hundred was Rohit’s second T20I century, and he followed that up with three more hundreds in his career, including a career-best 121 not out against Afghanistan in Bengaluru (January 2024). His other two T20I hundreds were 100 vs England in Bristol (July 2018) and 111 vs West Indies in Lucknow (November 2018).Rohit signed off from the format with the then most runs in a career — 4231 runs from 159 T20Is at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89. Meanwhile, Kohli ended his career with 4188 runs from 125 T20Is at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, which included one century and 38 fifties.Recently, in 2025, Pakistan batter Babar Azam surpassed Rohit as the leading run-scorer in the format.

Foxconn has rapidly scaled up its newest iPhone manufacturing facility near Bengaluru, hiring close to 30,000 workers within eight to nine months, marking the fastest workforce expansion by any factory in India to date. The swift ramp-up at the Devanahalli plant underscores Apple’s push to diversify its supply chain beyond China, according to people familiar with the development, ET reported. Spread across 300 acres, the facility is notable for its predominantly female workforce. Around 80% of the employees are women, most of them aged between 19 and 24 and entering the workforce for the first time, the people said. “The factory started testing production in April-May this year with iPhone 16 and now makes the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models,” said a person privy to the details. More than 80% of the output from the plant is exported, the person told ET. As production scales up, employment is expected to rise further. A second person said the unit has the capacity to engage up to 50,000 workers once it reaches peak production next year. “There are six large dorms, several of which are currently functional to house the women staff, and construction for the rest are also in full swing,” the person told ET.

What’s next…a mini township?

With its planned expansion, the Devanahalli facility is expected to house more women workers at a single location than any government or private entity in the country. Women migrants from neighbouring states have already found employment at the plant, which is envisioned to eventually function as a mini township. Plans for the site include residential facilities, medical services, schools and entertainment spaces within the premises. Industry estimates suggest that, along with free accommodation and subsidised food, workers earn an average monthly salary of about Rs 18,000, placing it among the better-paying blue-collar jobs for women. Foxconn, Apple’s largest contract manufacturer, is investing Rs 20,000 crore in the project. Once fully completed, it is expected to become India’s largest factory in terms of both production capacity and employment. “With a production floor space of nearly 250,000 sq ft, it’s massive by any standards but certainly amongst the largest in the country,” said the first person. The new plant is set to surpass Foxconn’s first iPhone manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu, which currently employs around 41,000 workers. People tracking the Bengaluru project said the facility is likely to house up to a dozen iPhone assembly lines in the future, compared with about four at present.Apple has beensteadily shifting iPhone production to India, aided by the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme introduced in 2021. “Apple’s operations in India are a shining example of government-industry partnership,” said a government official. “This size and speed of expansion was unimaginable just four years ago. Apple’s plant has broken multiple records setting a new benchmark for what is possible in manufacturing and exports from India.”According to ET, all iphone models are made in India from the start and then exported globally. The rapid scale-up has been supported by the expansion of Apple’s supplier network in India to nearly 45 companies, including local component manufacturers and sub-assembly firms.