MUMBAI: Cars in the city have crossed a record 15 lakh, pushing vehicular density to an alarming 753 vehicles per kilometre of road, according to the latest transport department data. Mumbai’s total car registrations stood at 15,06,690 last week, reflecting the relentless growth of private vehicles on roads that have seen little expansion over the years. During the first nine months of the current financial year alone, 49,313 new cars were registered across the city’s four regional transport offices (RTOs). Data shows that the number of cars in Mumbai has more than doubled over the past 13 years, rising from 6.2 lakh in 2012 to 15 lakh in 2025 — a jump of 142%. Even in the last two years, car numbers have grown by 15%, underscoring the rapid pace of motorisation despite congestion and pollution concerns.

Among RTOs, Tardeo recorded the highest number of registrations at 13,408, followed by Andheri with 12,344, Borivli with 11,822 and Wadala with 11,739 registrations during the current fiscal period. Overall vehicular growth has been even steeper. The total number of vehicles in Mumbai has surged from 7 lakh in 2005 to 53 lakh in 2025, of which two-wheelers account for 31 lakh. The trend mirrors a statewide rise in vehicle ownership. Maharashtra currently has about 4.5 crore registered vehicles, including 78 lakh cars and nearly 3 crore two-wheelers. Transport experts warn that the unchecked growth of private vehicles could worsen congestion and strain infrastructure. “Office-goers should be discouraged from using private cars for daily commuting and encouraged to shift to public transport. This can be achieved by strengthening public transport systems and introducing measures such as congestion charges,” a transport analyst said. With road space remaining limited, planners caution that Mumbai’s traffic crisis could deepen unless policy measures are introduced to curb private car use and accelerate investments in mass transit.

Krishnappa Gowtham on Monday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. (PTI Photo)

BENGALURU: Unapologetically honest and flamboyant, a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, Krishnappa Gowtham was never one to blend into the background. For Karnataka, he was more than just an all-rounder. He was a cricketer who carried the team on his shoulders, one who gave his all every single time he walked onto the field.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!At 37, Gowtham has called time on a career forged through hard work, perseverance and an unshakeable belief in himself — a journey that saw him script countless victories for Karnataka and leave an indelible mark on the state’s cricketing fabric.

On Monday, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — the venue where his dreams first took shape — Gowtham was accorded a fitting farewell by the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Surrounded by family and friends, he was honoured by KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, secretary Santosh Menon and vice-president Sujith Somasundar, bringing a sense of closure to an eventful career.Gowtham made his first-class debut in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh and went on to become a pillar of Karnataka’s red-ball success. Across 59 first-class matches, he claimed 224 wickets, while also featuring in 68 List A games and 92 T20s. His journey even took him to the international stage, earning an India ODI cap against Sri Lanka in 2021.Yet, the road was anything but smooth. For all his contributions, Gowtham was unceremoniously dropped after the 2022-23 season — ironically one in which he finished as the joint highest wicket-taker with 31 scalps. It was a decision that hinted at a transition in the spin department, though that transition is yet to fully take shape.

This, however, was not unfamiliar territory for Gowtham. Early in his career, he had already experienced the sting of being sidelined, spending three seasons in the wilderness before mounting a stirring comeback.Offers from other states did come his way, but loyalty, he said, was never up for negotiation.“I have been a man of comebacks, returning from the brink on more than one occasion, and I could have done so again. But had I fought my way back into the Karnataka team, it would have been unfair to the youngsters. I began my journey as a proud Karnataka player, and that is how I wish to be remembered. Playing for another state barely crossed my mind — and certainly never my heart,” he said.He signed off with 14 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls. One performance, however, stands out above the rest. In 2019, against Tamil Nadu in Dindigul, Gowtham produced a match-winning display for the ages — scoring 73 runs (51 and 22) and claiming 14 wickets (6/110 and 8/60) to single-handedly turn the contest in Karnataka’s favour.That same year, he left a mark in the shortest format, too. In the erstwhile Karnataka Premier League, turning out for Bellary Tuskers, Gowtham smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 134 off 56 balls and followed it up with an eight-wicket haul — a reminder of the all-round impact he could have on a game.The Indian Premier League brought with it a different kind of spotlight. Representing five franchises — Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. In 2021, he became the highest-paid uncapped Indian player when Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for a staggering Rs 9.25 crore. While he played 36 IPL matches, Gowtham’s contribution to Karnataka in T20 cricket was immense. His standout moment came in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Tamil Nadu, when he defended 13 runs in the final over to seal a one-run victory.Looking back at his comeback into the Karnataka side during the 2016-17 season, Gowtham described it as a period of deep learning. And come back he did — not just reclaiming his place, but earning an India A call-up that season as well.Giving back to the game, Gowtham said, is the natural next step, and he is more than willing to contribute to the KSCA in any role they see fit — just as he did on the field, with honesty, heart and unwavering commitment.

Adam the Woo. Image via: TheDailyWoo/YouTube

Adam the Woo, the widely followed YouTube creator whose real name was David Adam Williams, has died at the age of 51. Authorities confirmed he was found unresponsive inside his home near Orlando, Florida, on Monday afternoon. Adam had built a loyal audience over more than a decade by sharing his travels, theme park visits, and love for pop culture landmarks.Deputies were first called to the residence for a welfare check before returning later for an unattended death report. A medical examiner is expected to determine the official cause of death. Adam’s father, Jim Williams, later confirmed the loss on social media, as fans and fellow creators struggled to process the sudden news.

Adam the Woo’s death investigation and official details

According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to Adam’s home around midday after concerns were raised about his well-being. Unable to make contact, authorities returned hours later after a friend borrowed a ladder and looked through a third-floor window, where Adam was seen lying motionless. Deputies entered the home with Fire Rescue and pronounced him deceased at the scene. Officials confirmed that Adam’s father, who lives nearby, was notified.The cause of death has not yet been released. Adam was last seen by a friend the previous day, and his final YouTube video was uploaded on December 21. Filmed a day earlier, the video showed him decorating his yard and walking through Celebration, Florida, a familiar setting for longtime viewers.

YouTube community pays tribute to Adam the Woo

Adam began his YouTube journey around 2009. Initially, he documented abandoned places and filmed locations tied to classic movies and television. He later launched his daily vlog channel, TheDailyWoo. The channel became his primary platform and attracted hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Over the years, he traveled to all 50 states, explored Disney history, attended conventions and baseball games, and shared roadside Americana moments.Tributes poured in from fellow creators, including close friend Justin Scarred, who wrote, “The world has lost a giant, and I have lost a friend closer to me than blood.” He added, “We lost Adam. I loved this man with my whole heart and I don’t know what to do or what to say. His family are informed and have quietly confirmed online. Please pray for his parents Jim and June and his sister Faith.”Scarred also shared, “He touched many many lives, and he was preparing for another year of adventures,” capturing the sense of loss felt across the community. Adam the Woo’s influence lives on through the countless places he explored and the people he inspired along the way.Also Read: Why is Low TierGod suspended from Twitch again? Sensational streamer’s seventh suspension sparks fresh controversy

Yann LeCun, former Meta AI chief and Godfather of AI teaches computer science at New York University (NYU). During a recent podcast appearance, LeCun joked that he is a computer science professor who argues against studying computer science. Explaining what he meant, he later told Business Insider (BI) that he was not asking students to avoid a computer science major. Instead, he said that students should focus more on core subjects such as maths, physics, and electrical engineering, rather than spending too much time on taking courses based on short-term technology trends. In an email, LeCun told the publication that if computer science students don’t spend their time wisely, they ‘may find out their degree doesn’t add up’.

What Yann LeCun said on the podcast

During his appearance on “The Information Bottleneck” podcast, LeCun said “What we should do is learn kind of basic things in mathematics, in modeling, mathematics that can be connected with reality”. “You tend to learn this kind of stuff in engineering in some schools that’s linked with computer science, but sort of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, et cetera”, he added.Interestingly, LeCun revealed during the conversation that he himself was not a CS engineer. Instead, he studied electrical engineering at ESIEE in Paris before earning a Ph.D. CS from Sorbonne Université in 1987. “Engineering disciplines, you know, in the US, you learn Calculus 1, 2, 3 that gives you a good basis, right?” he said. “In computer science, you can get away with just Calculus 1. That’s not enough, right?”

Adding further, LeCun said “Obviously, you need to learn enough computer science to kind of program and use computers”. “And even though AI is going to help you be more efficient at programming, you still need to know how to do this,” he said.

Yann LeCun’s advice to young students

Yann LeCun’s advice to young students: “learn things with a long shelf life”.“My recommendation was not to avoid CS as a major but to take the maximum number of courses on foundations (e.g. math, physics, or EE courses) rather than take courses on the trendy technology du jour,” LeCun said. “If you are a CS major and take the minimum required math courses for a typical CS curriculum, you might find yourself unable to adapt to major technological shifts,” the former Meta AI scientist told BI.Yann LeCun’s advice echoes with other tech leaders like OpenAI‘s Bret Taylor and Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton who have stressed that young engineers must learn critical skills beyond coding.

The Big Bash League 2025-26 season continues with a mid-week blockbuster as the Adelaide Strikers host the Melbourne Stars for the 10th match of the tournament at the Adelaide Oval. Both teams will enter this clash with winning momentum; the Strikers pulled off a thrilling last-over upset against the Sydney Sixers, while the Stars clinical performance saw them dismantle the Hobart Hurricanes. Historically, this has been a neck-and-neck rivalry, but with the Strikers playing their first home game of the season in front of a passionate Adelaide crowd, the stakes are incredibly high for both sides to maintain their undefeated start.

AS vs MS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 23 (Tuesday); 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 6:45 pm Local
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Head-to-Head Record in BBL:

Matches played: 19 | Melbourne Stars won: 10 | Adelaide Strikers won: 09 | No result/Tied: 0

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report

The Adelaide Oval is one of the most iconic batting-friendly surfaces in the BBL, typically offering a true bounce and consistent pace that stroke-makers relish. However, it also provides a unique challenge: the new ball under the lights can offer significant swing for the seamers, while the pitch often slows down slightly in the middle overs, bringing spinners into play. Statistics at this venue favor the team batting first (44 wins to 34), as the surface can become harder to chase on if the pressure of a high total mounts. Despite this, with dew often playing a role in day-night fixtures, the captain winning the bat flip may still lean towards bowling first to exploit early movement.

Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars: Team dynamics and key players

Adelaide Strikers: The Strikers are led by the explosive Matthew Short, who remains their most vital asset at the top of the order alongside the veteran Chris Lynn. Their recent victory was sparked by a resilient Liam Scott, showing their batting depth. On the bowling front, English left-armer Luke Wood has hit the ground running with a three-wicket haul in the opener. Supported by the pace of Henry Thornton and the craft of Jamie Overton, the Strikers possess a versatile attack that is particularly effective in defending totals on their home turf.

Melbourne Stars: The Stars look like a powerhouse this season under the captaincy of Marcus Stoinis, who dominated the opening game with both bat and ball. The middle order is arguably the most dangerous in the league, featuring the “Big Show” Glenn Maxwell and the reliable Hilton Cartwright. Their bowling department has been bolstered by the pace of Haris Rauf and the experience of Peter Siddle, who has a prolific record at the Adelaide Oval. The Stars’ ability to strike early with the ball and power through the middle overs makes them a nightmare for any opposition.

Also READ: BBL|15: Check out the full list of Pakistan and Bangladesh players playing in the Big Bash League

AS vs MS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bats first
• Adelaide Strikers’ powerplay score: 48-58 (6 overs)
• Adelaide Strikers’ total score: 170-185

Case 2:

• Melbourne Stars wins the toss and bats first
• Melbourne Stars’ powerplay score: 52-62 (6 overs)
• Melbourne Stars’ total score: 175-195

Match result: Melbourne Stars to win the contest

Also READ: Big Bash League 2025-26: Complete squads of all 8 teams in the BBL|15

As the Test & ODI captain comes to terms with his recent axing from the World Cup squad, questions swirl around whether it was really necessary to induct him in an already-strong lineup. Perhaps, the whole unsavoury saga could have been avoided…Five months ago, the world was a beautiful place for Shubman Gill. All that he touched turned into gold. He scored 754 runs in the Test series against England, was pitchforked to the Test and ODI captaincy and was even made vice-captain in the T20 format.At the end of the year, though, the stylish 26-year-old is walking a lonely path. T20s are the flavour of the season but Gill, who has been projected as the new pin-up face of Indian cricket, will suddenly be out of work during a World Cup at home that’s going to rule the head and heart of cricket fans over the next couple of months.

After suffering a serious neck strain during the South Africa Test series, Gill ran against time to be fit for the T20I leg of the series. He might have got the hint that he needed to prove himself in T20Is all over again to hold on to his India place. But scores of 4, 0 and 28 in the first three games, followed by a toe injury, finished his hopes of hanging on to his spot. Rejection in T20Is is nothing new to Gill — despite being one of the leading IPL players, he was kept out of the 2024 T20 World Cup that India went on to win. It was a major disappointment and he may have been looking to make amends since.As Gill tries to deal with this recent humiliation, it begs the question — was it really necessary to try and fit him into a system that was not broken in the first place? Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were batting like a dream as openers in T20Is. Also, one need not be a cricket analyst to understand that Yashasvi Jaiswal is a more explosive T20 batter than Gill. Still, the Indian cricket hierarchy felt it was necessary to find a new all-format leadership face and that’s why Gill was not only brought back but given the vice-captaincy too.

WV Raman, a former India batter who coached the women’s team, feels that is where the decision-makers missed a trick. “Gill hasn’t been dropped for any significant fault of his. Just that the players around him are more explosive than him, a quality that is essential in modern-day T20 cricket. In an imaginary scenario, it is almost like choosing K Srikkanth over Sunil Gavaskar for the T20 format, knowing full well who the better batter in the format actually could be. That’s why I was wondering why it was necessary to make him the T20 vice-captain at that stage, when so many others fit the T20 bill so well,” Raman told TOI.Prior to the England Tests, Gill had worked on his batting technique, whereby his bat was coming down a lot straighter than it was doing during the Australia series or before that. There’s a school of thought that believes the tweak in technique restricted him a little while playing the kind of horizontal bat shots required in T20Is. While Gill became a much tighter Test batter, as we saw in England, his range of shots in T20 cricket took a hit. The fact that Gill’s career strike-rate of 138.59 in T20Is has come down to 127.65 in the last 10 T20Is adds credence to the theory.But Raman doesn’t buy the idea completely. “Rohit Sharma plays with a straight bat, but does that restrict his hitting? Sometimes a straight bat opens up more scoring options even in T20 cricket. It is more about who you are as a player and we have to admit that some of the others around him are naturally more explosive,” he said.

Where does that leave Gill the player and captain in the other two formats? If sources are to be believed, the star right-hander wasn’t told until just before the selection meeting that he would be dropped. For a player of his stature, that’s probably not the best since Gill will be working with the same coaching staff and selection committee in the days to come. After showing so much faith, this sudden snub for a talent like Gill may well bring in a sense of insecurity for the player. He is well within his right to ask why captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose batting average is 13.62 in 2025, is getting a look-in ahead of him.Raman feels “what’s done is done” and it is crucial that Gill tries to insulate himself from the toxicity that is swirling around him. “If I was his coach, I would have told him that there is no place for emotion in a player’s life. It is a decision that has been taken with the team composition in mind and Gill should not think for a second that he has become a lesser player,” Raman said.It’s for Gill to understand that there’s life beyond the glitter of T20 cricket and he can still be India’s best batter in the other two formats.

Dynamic asset allocation funds, also known as balanced advantage funds, are hybrid schemes. (AI image)

Markets were very volatile during 2025, with the Nifty falling below 22,000 in March before recovering and shooting past 26,000 in October. Analysts expect heightened volatility to continue in 2026 as well. Investors can cushion themselves by opting for dynamic asset allocation funds in the coming year.Dynamic asset allocation funds, also known as balanced advantage funds, are hybrid schemes that change their asset mix depending on market conditions. While equity funds delivered flat to negative returns during 2025, the dynamic asset allocation category has managed to give 4.57% average returns. ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund, the best performing fund in the category, delivered double digit returns (see table). This was possible because unlike balanced funds which maintain a 65% exposure to equity and the rest to debt, dynamic asset allocation funds can invest between zero and 100% in equities. Some funds depend on the fund manager’s ability to read the situation while others follow a rule-based approach. When the market valuation is high, these funds will reduce the exposure to equities and shift to the safety of debt. When markets decline, they will automatically ramp up the allocation to equities while slashing the exposure to debt.Best performing dynamic asset allocation funds

Data as on 18 Dec 2025. Source: Value ResearchNo doubt, this seems like a win-win situation for the investor. However, in reality the mandate of managing asset allocation dynamically can be difficult to follow. Investors can be disappointed if the fund does not time its asset-allocation shifts correctly. Besides, since there is no predefined limit on the minimum allocation requirement of each asset class, the decision of deciding the asset mix is left to the discretion of the fund manager. Therefore, the asset allocation in this category, as also the returns, vary from fund to fund.The choice of funds in this space is critical. In turbulent phases, an asset allocation fund truly serves its purpose if it lets you to keep your cool and gives you the comfort of staying invested even during the tough times. That’s why it is a good idea to look under the hood before you invest. Some funds are more aggressive than others, but experts say it is better to opt for funds that follow a moderate-to-conservative stance. Avoid chasing returns in this category. Funds that lay emphasis on controlling risk are better than those offering an edge in returns.There are also downsides to dynamic asset allocation funds. One, they tend to lose out if the markets continue rising when they have reduced the equity exposure. And two, given that they do not maintain a 65% exposure to equities, these funds do not qualify for the favourable tax treatment enjoyed by equity-oriented funds.

NEW DELHI: All India Imam Association president Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Monday criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks on India being a Hindu Rashtra, saying the idea went against the Constitution and the country’s democratic character. Responding to Bhagwat’s statement that India is a Hindu Rashtra and that the Constitution’s preamble reflects this., Rashidi said, “…He does not know that a Hindu rashtra can only be a slogan. Those who are singing the praises of the Hindu nation want to crush the constitution. India is not of one religion but of 140 crore residents. If there is a Hindu kingdom, then the constitution of India will die. We see that all the Islamic countries, where the principles of the Quran are followed, are not democratic countries. It has become a religious country..”Reacting to Bhagwat’s view that the culture of the majority should be respected and not opposed, Rashidi questioned how can Hindus who are in majority be threatened terming the assertion “laughable.” “In Dubai there are 8 per cent Hindu, 5 per cent Hindu in Oman, 15 per cent in Saudi Arabia they are all safe. Here you’ve 80 per cent Hindus; majority and they are not safe? It is laughable, and you’re saying that in a country where from PM to peon is a Hindu. All the judges are Hindu, IAS, IPS are Hindu and still the 80 per cent Hindus are in danger,” he added. He alleged that fanning insecurity among the majority community was politically motivated and purely oriented for vote bank politics. “Telling Hindus that they are in danger is just the politics of the vote bank, it has nothing to do with the constitution,” he said, adding, “I believe that RSS is a big organisation. Its leaders should talk very thoughtfully. The contradictions in his remarks are glaring,” he said. Rashidi further also referred to Bhagwat’s earlier comments acknowledging the historical and continuing presence of Muslims in India, and then contradicting them saying, he is the chief of a big organisation like RSS he should make comments after thorough thinking. “On one hand he says there is no India without Muslims. Muslims were always there, are and will always be, then he says everybody living here is a Hindu, they don’t consider them Muslims ...”Warning of constitutional consequences, if India were to be a Hindu rastra he said, “The day this country becomes a Hindu rashtra, that day the constitution will be over, then Manusmriti will be implemented and then whatever is told in it will happen with Dalits and other religions …”Earlier on Sunday Mohan Bhagwat speaking at Kolkata Vyakhyanmala, a session to celebrate the centenary of RSS, said seeing RSS through the lens of BJP is a big mistake. He further added, “There are people who spread wrong narratives about the Sangh. Interpretation of the Sangh should be objective and not through secondary sources. The goal of the Sangh is organisation of the entire Hindu society, but it is not aimed at opposing others…If you see that Sangh is anti-Muslim, you can make (that) your opinion. But change your opinion if you don’t find that.”

MUMBAI: City-based think tank Idea of India (IOI) Foundation has unequivocally and strongly condemned the brutal murder and mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a non-Muslim citizen, in Bangladesh. In a statement, Mohammad Umar Siddiqui, head of the Foundation, expressed deep anguish and outrage over the incident, stating that this barbaric act represents not only the tragic loss of an innocent human life but also a direct attack on human rights, minority protection, and the fundamental principles of international law.Siddiqui voiced serious concern over the increasing incidents of violence against religious and social minorities, warning that such acts pose a grave threat to regional peace, mutual trust, and the rule of law. He emphasized that the killing of Dipu Chandra Das is not merely a crime against an individual, but a crime against the collective conscience of humanity, one that cannot and must not be ignored.In response to this tragedy, the Idea of India Foundation announced that it will soon send a formal appeal and memorandum of demands to Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus, urging him to take some immediate steps such as: conduct an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into the incident, bring all perpetrators and conspirators to justice and ensure strict punishment under the law, implement effective and enforceable measures to protect minorities and introduce institutional reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.The Idea of India (IOI) Foundation has also appealed to the international community, human rights organizations, and civil society to take immediate cognizance of this incident, stand in solidarity with the victim’s family, and exert pressure on the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure justice.