MUMBAI: Former Nepal prime minister Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday offered a wide-ranging critique of South Asia’s political economy, arguing that the region’s persistent poverty, inequality and instability are the result of extractive institutions, weak state capacity and a failure to build inclusive democracies. Speaking at IIT Bombay’s TechFest, Bhattarai said Nepal’s own turbulent political history — marked by monarchy, conflict and fragile governments — holds important lessons for the region.Bhattarai, an architect by training who later entered politics through Nepal’s pro-democracy movement, reflected on the country’s decade-long struggle against monarchical rule, saying it ultimately gave him the opportunity to help draft Nepal’s new constitution. He said Nepal consciously drew from India’s constitutional experience. “I borrowed many phrases and ideas from the Indian Constitution, whose author was the Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Bhattarai said.Describing Nepal’s recent uprisings as a “wake-up call” for the political and economic elite, Bhattarai said they were rooted in deep institutional failures. He cited corruption, low state capacity and chronic political instability, noting that Nepal has seen “30 governments in 30 years”, which has prevented sustained policy-making and long-term development.Linking Nepal’s experience to wider regional trends, Bhattarai said South Asia’s development record was deeply troubling. “Forty percent of the world’s poor live in South Asia. That is a slap to the face,” he said, arguing that a nation’s prosperity depends on inclusive institutions rather than “extractive and feudal” ones.Bhattarai said Nepal stagnated for decades under authoritarian monarchies and rigid traditional hierarchies. “While the West criticised, thought and voted, we remained stuck,” he said, adding that Nepal’s geopolitical position had further constrained its growth. “We have been caught between two powers and isolated for a millennium, and we got trapped in a cycle of dependency and unequal relationships,” he said. As a result, Nepal today has the lowest levels of foreign investment in South Asia, he added.Calling for structural reforms, Bhattarai stressed the need for land, labour and social justice reforms to address inequality and exclusion. He also warned of widening wealth gaps and environmental degradation across the region. “We share the rivers and the mountains, so we have to get together to take care of them,” he said, making the case for regional cooperation on climate and natural resources.Bhattarai also underlined the importance of deeper economic integration in South Asia as a pathway to prosperity. Recalling the SAARC summit in the Maldives in 2011, he said he had urged then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan’s prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to set aside bilateral disputes and cooperate for regional growth and stability.Critiquing ideological extremes, Bhattarai said South Asia must move beyond what he described as the binary of unregulated economic liberalism and rigid state fundamentalism. He argued for a pragmatic middle path, which he termed “scientific humanism”, that balances markets, the state and social justice.“We have fought for democracy,” Bhattarai said. “Now we have to use it wisely.”

The income tax notices suggest that the assessment of income tax returns and the release of refunds have been paused for these categories of taxpayers. (AI image)

Income Tax alert! The Income Tax Department is sending emails and SMSes to taxpayers, just ahead of the year-end, alerting them of mismatches in their deduction and exemption claims while processing Income Tax Returns. The blunt emails are being received by two categories of income tax payers – the salaried individuals whose claims are not reflecting in Form 16, and the wealthy individuals who appear to have donated money running into lakhs for charities. Form 16 is a consolidated statement of salary paid and tax deducted at source, which employers submit to the Income Tax Department on behalf of their staff. The income tax notices suggest that the assessment of income tax returns and the release of refunds have been paused for these categories of taxpayers. The unexpected arrival of these “do not reply” emails from the Income Tax Department in the inboxes of certain taxpayers has caused unease, according to an ET report.

ITR stuck: Why are you receiving tax alerts?

A December 23 release from the Income Tax Department described the exercise as one meant to assist assessees and encourage voluntary compliance. However, the sharp wording of the emails has left many taxpayers confused about their next steps. Those who have received alerts from the tax department are uncertain whether they should ignore the messages or retract the claimed benefits and file revised returns before the December 31 cut off.Also Read | ITR filing: Received ‘nudge’ from Income Tax Department for tax return & refund claims? Here’s what you need to doThe reasons cited by the Income Tax Department include incorrect permanent account numbers (PANs) of recipient charities, organisations not being registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, or refund claims under the old tax regime that “appear to be high compared to the gross salary.”

Tax Trouble

Tax experts, however, point out that many such emails have been issued even where all details furnished by taxpayers are correct. According to the ET report, several individuals have expressed confusion after being questioned over donations made to a well known foundation in southern India that works in the area of yoga and spiritual development. As per the existing rules, taxpayers are eligible to claim a deduction of 50% of the qualifying donation amount.At the same time, this deductible amount is capped and cannot exceed 50% of the total contribution made to a trust or non profit organisation registered under Section 80G.Taxpayers who made contributions of over Rs 2 lakh appear to be the main recipients of these emails, which, notably, are not formal notices and do not reflect on the income tax portal.The messages cite several grounds for placing income tax return processing on hold. These include leave travel allowance claims that are significantly higher than the figures reported by employers in Form 16, capital gains declared in the return that do not seem to align with entries in the Annual Information Statement and the Taxpayer Information Summary, an unusually high house rent allowance claim, or donations reported above the permissible deduction threshold.The AIS and TIS are auto generated records prepared by the department using transaction level information and details reported by various third parties.Also Read | Income tax refund: Your refund may be delayed if revised return not filed by December 31, 2025 deadline – here’s why

Uncertainty on Tax Refunds

There is also increasing uncertainty over the timeline for receiving tax refunds, even among those who remain confident that claims in their income tax returns are accurate.“A policy that may have been conceived with good intentions has been undermined by ineffective communication. The use of charged terms such as ‘false claims’ for donations flagged by risk systems has rattled taxpayers who have followed the rules,” said Mohit Bang, partner at Hyderabad based chartered accountancy firm Trivedi & Bang. “We are increasingly seeing cases where taxpayers with legitimate and properly supported claims are being swept up by these automated notices,” he told ET.Bang noted that it reflects a deeper mismatch when contributions made via traceable banking channels to institutions approved by the government are described as “potentially false.” He added, “If the objective is to make compliance simpler, the department needs to fine tune its data analytics to minimise false positives. Automated communications should guide and correct, not intimidate, so that law-abiding citizens are not subjected to unnecessary stress despite full disclosure.”He also pointed to another concern, saying that refunds are being delayed for more than four months from the date returns are filed, while notices highlighting such issues are being issued barely a week before the filing deadline.According to Ashish Karundia, founder of chartered accountancy firm Ashish Karundia & Co, “The existing reporting framework already has strong safeguards in place, with recipient organisations required to submit Form 10BD and issue donor specific certificates in Form 10BE, which taxpayers rely on while filing their returns. “This information is easily accessible for system driven verification of legitimate claims. In the same way, although employers often impose internal deadlines for declaring investments or deductions, usually around November or December, there is no legal bar on claiming genuine deductions that were not communicated to employers within those timelines,” he told ET.In the case of salaried taxpayers, differences between figures in Form 16 and the income tax return often arise because investment details could not be submitted to employers in time.“Even though the objective may be constructive, the release of these communications toward the end of the year has unsettled many compliant taxpayers. A better approach would have been to engage earlier during the filing season, giving individuals sufficient opportunity to reconcile differences or revise returns in an orderly manner. Such messages should function as advisory nudges for compliance, not as suggestions of incorrect reporting, especially when claims are valid and properly supported,” Karundia said.

The countdown to 2026 has begun, and everyone is scrolling through the 2025 album, revisiting the journey of the year. Some call it rewarding, some look at the tough love, while actor Nagarjuna describes his 2025 as ‘very, very satisfying.’ In a conversation with us, the popular star added, “On both the personal and professional front, I couldn’t have hoped for more. My younger son, Akhil, got married to a lovely girl, and he is very happy with her. My elder son Chaitanya got married on December 24, and they have just completed one year of happily married life.”Further sharing what a relief it feels to see his sons settled in their respective married lives, the National Award-winning artist says, “Everyone has to go through their share of upheavals. I am glad my sons have found their happiness.” Shedding some light on the professional aspect, he adds, “Akhil has a release coming up in 2026. It is shaping up well. I hope it works.”

A look back at Nagajuna’s professional trajectory in 2025

During our conversation, we also discussed how 2025 shaped the career trajectory of the actor. “Firstly, there was Kubera, where I got to work with Dhanush for the first time. It was a joy to work with him. We are both the kind of actors who don’t feel threatened by anyone’s presence. Later during the year came Coolie where again, I got to work with a Tamilian icon for the first time, this time it was the great Rajinikanth,” he says. For the actor, ‘Coolie’ was ‘important for other reasons.’ Sharing the same, he adds, “I played a villain for the first time in my career. My character, Simon, has become a metaphor. I am being asked by other filmmakers to do a Simon. I am not closed to the idea of playing the villain again. But I am happy being the good guy.”

The re-release of ‘Shiva’

2025 saw several re-releases, one of which was Nagarjuna’s ‘Shiva.’ Expressing his content on how the re-release of his iconic film helped him garner immense love, he states, “What an impact it made! It reconnected with the youth, the Gen Z, just as it had connected thirty years ago with youngsters.” He continues, “Even outside India, Shiva is a film I am most recognized for. I think ‘Geethanjali’ and ‘Shiva’ are my most influential films.”

What’s next for Nagarjuna?

“In 2026, I have my hundredth release coming up. We are in no hurry to release it. We want it to be something special,” he says, while discussing his upcoming film. “It is a family film with action. My character, his wife, and daughter are there. The director Ra Karthik has directed an OTT series before. This is his first feature film. I am open to working with new talent,” concluded the actor.

Kriti Sanon, who was last seen in Aanand L. Rai’s ‘Tere Ishk Mein’, is back in headlines once again. This time, for her old video that has surfaced on social media once again. In the clip, the actress can be seen giving her audition when she was just 22 years old. Let’s learn more about it in detail.

Kriti Sanon’s first audition tape resurfaces

In the audition tape, the young actress can be seen donning a white off-shoulder dress with frills as she performs a drowning rescue scene. She can be heard saying, “Hi, I am Kriti Sanon, I am 5’9″, and these are my profiles.” When Kriti was asked if she was available on the dates, she said yes. In the same video, she can be heard saying that she was not comfortable in a two-piece. The actress then performed a cliff rescue scene. Check out the video here.

Soon, the video received comments from the netizens. A person wrote, “These star kids nowadays don’t even go through the hurdles of audition.” Another added, “Nepo kids be like: Whts audition? Humein toh sirf audi car pata hai.” A person posted, “She did best. hats off to her.”Watch the video here.

Kriti Sanon’s projects

The actress was recently seen in the film ‘Tere Ishk Mein’, co-starring Dhanush. The movie failed to pull the audience to the theaters. The film was released in theaters on November 28, 2025.Next, she is set to star in ‘Cocktail 2’, directed by Homi Adajania. The film also features Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles. If reports are to be believed, the movie will also star Amitabh Bachchan. It is set for release in the second half of 2026. The actress also has ‘Don 3’ in the pipeline. Not just that, she will also star in the sequel of ‘Bhediya’.

MUMBAI : 2025 was a landmark year for Western Railway, marked by significant achievements in electrification, infrastructure, safety, and digital transformation. A landmark achievement by Western Railway in 2025 was the complete electrification of its Broad Gauge network, a testament to the zone’s dedication to sustainable and energy-efficient operations. This milestone aligns with national goals for a greener future and positions Western Railway as a leader in sustainable transportation, said WR chief spokesperson Vineet Abhishek while releasing the year-ender on Sunday. Another standout achievement of 2025 was Western Railway’s exceptional punctuality, maintaining an impressive 97% punctuality rate in Mail/Express services. This remarkable feat, achieved despite challenging conditions, underscores the zone’s robust operational planning and real-time monitoring capabilities, setting a new benchmark for efficiency in the railway sector.In a move towards digital transformation, Western Railway achieved 100% digital ticket checking with the deployment of 2,270 Hand-Held Terminals (HHTs), retaining its No.1 position in Rail Madad grievance redressal for the fifth consecutive year, Abhishek said. Safety and connectivity were further enhanced with the construction of 138 Road Over Bridges and Under Bridges, the elimination of 114 manned level crossings, and the installation of 660 km of W-beam fencing. These efforts have significantly improved passenger safety and operational efficiency.Western Railway’s focus on heritage conservation, inclusivity, and public engagement was evident through initiatives like the Bandra Station Mahotsav, celebrating the rich heritage and architectural legacy of the iconic Bandra suburban railway station, Abhishel said. The zone’s commitment to safety was demonstrated through the courageous efforts of Western Railway RPF personnel, who saved 37 lives under Operation Jeevan Raksha and rescued 769 runaway/missing children under Operation Nanhe Farishtey, he added. The completion of the Loco Manufacturing Shop at Dahod, a project valued at Rs 21,405 crore, further underscores this commitment. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this state-of-the-art facility is set to manufacture 9000 HP electric freight locomotives, bolstering India’s freight capabilities and supporting the “Make in India” initiative. The year also witnessed the completion of 234 km of new lines, doubling, and gauge conversion projects, enhancing network capacity and operational flexibility. The commissioning of India’s first 2×25 kV traction system on the Khachrod–Nagda section marks a significant technological advancement, enabling higher speeds and improved energy efficiency.

As the 2025 cricketing calendar draws to a close, the debate over who will lift the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy is reaching a fever pitch. This year has been a masterclass in all-format excellence, defined by India’s Champions Trophy glory, a high-octane Ashes battle, and the rise of a new breed of all-format stars.

While many specialists dominated single formats, the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award rewards those who displayed sustained brilliance across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. From Pakistan’s new versatile leader to India’s run-machine captain, here are the top five contenders for 2025.

5 frontrunners for ICC Cricketer of the Year 2025

1. Shubman Gill (India)

Gill has truly owned 2025, marking his arrival not just as a premier batter but as a leader of global stature. Taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma as India’s all-format captain was never going to be easy, but Gill embraced the responsibility with remarkable maturity and consistency.

He piled up a staggering 1,764 international runs, finishing the year as the highest run-scorer in world cricket. His output wasn’t inflated by one format either—Gill delivered across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, averaging close to 50 in 35 matches.

The defining moment of his year came at Edgbaston, where his monumental 269 against England rewrote the record books as the highest individual Test score by an Indian captain. Add seven international centuries and a Champions Trophy triumph, and Gill has built a near-flawless case.

👉 Verdict: Leadership, volume runs, big-match performances—Gill ticks every box and enters the race as the frontrunner.

2. Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan)

If one word defines Salman’s 2025, it’s indispensable. Thrust into leadership roles in white-ball cricket, he became Pakistan’s glue across formats, featuring in 56 international matches, more than any other contender on this list. Salman scored 1,569 runs, often in pressure situations, while also contributing with the ball and excelling in the slips—grabbing 32 Test catches, a remarkable number for a non-specialist fielder.

His Champions Trophy campaign elevated his stature further. Calm under pressure, Salman played the innings of his life with a maiden ODI century (134) against South Africa, steering Pakistan through a tense chase.

👉 Verdict: His workload, adaptability, and leadership under scrutiny make him a serious contender despite stiff competition.

3. Joe Root (England)

Root continues to age like fine wine. Even after stepping away from T20Is, his grip over Tests and ODIs in 2025 was so commanding that he still finished with 1,598 international runs, the third-highest tally worldwide. This year also saw Root climb further into cricketing immortality as he became the second-highest run-scorer in Test history. In ODIs, he was peerless—scoring 808 runs at an average of 65.77, topping the charts.

His unbeaten 166 against West Indies was vintage Root: unhurried, technically pristine, and utterly ruthless once set. Matching Gill with seven international centuries, Root showed that class truly is permanent.

👉 Verdict: Root’s Bradman-like consistency in the longer formats keeps him firmly in the conversation.

Also READ: Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2025

4. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)

In a year dominated by batters, Duffy stood tall as the bowler who refused to be overshadowed. He ended 2025 as the highest wicket-taker in international cricket with 81 wickets across formats. Duffy was especially devastating in Tests, claiming 25 wickets in just four matches at an extraordinary average of 16.28. His ability to extract movement, hit the deck hard, and exploit conditions made him New Zealand’s trump card.

What set him apart was his white-ball impact as well. With 53 T20I wickets, Duffy proved he could adapt seamlessly, whether swinging the new ball or executing clever variations at the death.

👉 Verdict: When matches needed turning, Duffy delivered—making him the standout bowler of 2025.

5. Shai Hope (West Indies)

Hope may not always grab headlines, but his numbers in 2025 are impossible to ignore. He finished just four runs behind Gill with 1,760 runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer globally. Playing 42 matches, the second-most among the contenders, Hope balanced the dual role of wicketkeeper and top-order batter with remarkable composure. He struck 5 centuries and 9 fifties, offering reliability in a West Indies side finding its feet again.

His value extended beyond stats. Hope’s calm leadership and match-saving innings—especially during the tough New Zealand tour—played a major role in the Caribbean resurgence.

👉 Verdict: Consistency, durability, and all-format excellence make Hope a genuine Sobers Trophy contender.

Also READ: Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s ODI cricketer of the Year 2025

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi HC order granting Kuldeep Singh Sengar bail in the Unnao rape case, in which he has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice AG Masih, while challenging the suspension of sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case, asked Sengar to file response in four weeks and posted the matter for hearing in last week of January.“But here, the situation is peculiar since he is inside the jail for another case,” he added.This comes after the Central Bureau of Investigation moved the top court after Delhi high court suspended Sengar’s life sentence in the rape case.Representing the central probing agency, solicitor general Tushar Mehta requested the apex court to stay HC order claiming that the incident is a “very horrific case.”“This is a horrific case of rape of a child. Charges were framed under Section 376 IPC and Sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act,” he said.“Conviction is on two counts. I have quoted all relevant parts. Para 3 of my note has conviction order. There is a finding recorded which says the child was less than 16 and was 15 years 10 months. Against this conviction, appeal is pending,” he added.Mehta further argued that Sengar was a public servant at the time of incident, pleading for minumum 20 years of covicting.“Public servant is not defined in Pocso act by reference. Whatever defined in IPC will be the definition. Every word used in any statute is not mechanically getting definition public servant would mean a person who is in a dominant position over child,” he said.A division bench comprising of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar while pronouncing the order noted that Sengar had already served seven years and five months in prison.The court ordered that the suspension will remain in force while his appeal against conviction is pending. While the high court granted him bail in the rape case, he will continue to remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year sentence in a CBI case related to the custodial death of the survivor’s father. His appeal in that case, along with a plea seeking suspension of sentence, is also pending.The high court imposed several conditions while granting bail, including a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh with three sureties, a direction not to enter a 5-km radius of the survivor’s residence in Delhi, and a strict bar on threatening her or her mother.In December 2019, ex BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25 lakh.

File photo – Venkatesh Iyer (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Venkatesh Iyer’s outing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Kerala at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad did not unfold the way many had anticipated. The moment the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder walked out to the middle, expectations were high that he would fire in his trademark aggressive style. Instead, the left-hander endured a brief stay at the crease, managing just eight runs before being run out by Krishna Prasad.Iyer’s dismissal came after a costly mix-up with Himanshu Mantri while attempting a quick single, leaving him short of the crease. The early exit once again brought focus on the 30-year-old, who has been under scrutiny following an eventful IPL auction cycle.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured Iyer for Rs 7 crore at the IPL 2026 mini auction, a significant drop from the Rs 23.75 crore Kolkata Knight Riders had spent to retain him last season. The reduced price tag, however, has not changed perceptions around his ability, even if his role at RCB remains uncertain.Former India captain Anil Kumble believes the defending champions are unlikely to rush Iyer straight into the playing eleven at the start of the season. According to Kumble, RCB are keen to maintain stability in what is already a settled and successful side, which could mean Iyer may have to wait for his opportunity.Former India all-rounder and JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging Iyer’s quality while pointing out the challenge of breaking into a well-set combination. “He has been consistent, and you can see his confidence,” Bangar said, adding that RCB’s coaching and scouting group view Iyer as a long-term investment. However, Bangar also admitted there is uncertainty around his immediate role. “Will he be in the playing eleven right away? There is some doubt, as this is a settled team,” he said.Iyer entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore and attracted early interest from Lucknow Super Giants before Gujarat Titans and his former franchise KKR joined the bidding. RCB eventually emerged successful to bring him to Bengaluru.Across 56 IPL innings, Iyer has scored 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12, striking at over 137, with one century and 12 half-centuries. His most recent IPL season, however, was a difficult one, yielding just 142 runs in seven innings for KKR, despite his hefty price tag.