Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Ness Wadia has publicly criticised Australia wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, accusing him of acting unprofessionally over how he communicated his availability for IPL 2026, a controversy that escalated after Inglis secured a lucrative deal at the auction.

The sharp remarks followed a dramatic sequence of events that left PBKS frustrated and questioning the transparency of the process, with the franchise now considering whether to raise the issue formally with the BCCI.

Punjab Kings wanted to retain Josh Inglis after strong IPL 2025 season

Wadia revealed that Punjab Kings were keen to retain Inglis after his impressive performances during the IPL 2025 season. However, the franchise’s plans were thrown into disarray when they were informed of his limited availability just 45 minutes before the retention deadline.

According to Wadia, Inglis told PBKS he would miss a significant portion of IPL 2026 due to his wedding scheduled for early April, creating uncertainty around his participation. With little time to adjust their strategy, Punjab felt compelled to release him at a base price of ₹2.6 crore, rather than committing a retention slot to a player unavailable for much of the season.

Auction twist leaves PBKS feeling “cheated”

The situation took an awkward turn during the IPL 2026 auction. Inglis initially went unsold in his first set, seemingly confirming Punjab’s concerns about availability. However, his return in the accelerated round sparked a fierce bidding war, culminating in Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) snapping him up for ₹8.6 crore.

For PBKS, the sight of a player deemed “largely unavailable” fetching more than three times his previous contract was difficult to swallow. Wadia described the episode as deeply disappointing, suggesting the franchise felt misled and unfairly disadvantaged.

Wadia indicated that Punjab Kings are exploring the option of approaching the BCCI, framing the issue as one of poor communication rather than auction mechanics. The franchise believes clearer disclosure earlier in the retention window could have changed their decision-making.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction – Salary of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) players; check out how much Rishabh Pant and Josh Inglis earn

Josh Inglis: “I didn’t expect big money”

Inglis has sought to defuse the situation, offering his version of events in an interview with ABC Sport. The Australian international said he never anticipated a big-money move, given that his wedding and national commitments would restrict him to only a short stint in IPL 2026.

He claimed he had mentally switched off from the auction after going unsold initially, only to wake up to messages informing him of LSG’s winning bid. According to Inglis, Lucknow’s interest was driven more by long-term planning than expectations of immediate full-season impact.

Also READ: Ashes 2025/26 – Fans erupt as Travis Head hits dazzling century on Day 3 of Adelaide Test

Who is Nicole Lunders? NASCAR driver Greg Biffle’s ex wife and mother of Emma Elizabeth after deadly North Carolina plane crash (Image via Getty)

Nicole Lunders is known as the ex-wife of NASCAR driver Gregory Jack Biffle and the mother of their daughter, Emma Elizabeth Biffle. In recent days, Nicole has been in the public eye again after reports confirmed that Emma Elizabeth died in a tragic plane crash in North Carolina. Officials are still investigating what caused the crash, and many questions remain unanswered.The plane went down near Statesville Regional Airport in December 2025. Local authorities confirmed that everyone on board died after the aircraft caught fire while attempting to land. The names of the victims were not released right away. Later, family friends told Associated Press and ABC News that Emma Elizabeth was among those killed. Reports also said the flight was connected to Greg Biffle’s family. As the investigation continues, attention has turned to Nicole Lunders, not for her past marriage, but because she has lost her only child in a sudden and heartbreaking way.

Nicole Lunders and Gregory Jack Biffle were together for many years before getting married in 2007. During Greg’s rise in NASCAR, Nicole stayed mostly out of the spotlight. She was often seen supporting him at races but kept her personal life private.The couple welcomed Emma Elizabeth during their marriage. Even after Nicole and Greg separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2016, both remained closely involved in raising their daughter. Friends have often said Emma was the center of both parents’ lives.After the divorce, Nicole focused on being a full-time mother. She avoided public attention and did not stay active on social media. Emma, however, was sometimes seen with her father at racing events and special ceremonies. In September 2025, Emma attended an event where Greg Biffle was honored at the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, showing they shared a strong bond.That is why the plane crash has shocked so many people. Authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, are still working to find out what went wrong. Officials have asked the public for patience as the investigation moves forward.For Nicole Lunders, the focus now is not public attention, but grief. She is being remembered as a devoted mother facing an unimaginable loss, as the racing world and fans continue to mourn young Emma Elizabeth.Also Read: Greg Biffle Net Worth In 2025: NASCAR Star, Career, Family, Income And Death In Plane Crash

It took Hardik Pandya one ball to announce himself in Ahmedabad. The bat came down in a full arc, the ball went up and over, and somewhere beyond the rope a cameraman found himself part of the moment. Ahmedabad had barely settled when Pandya, walking in mid-innings, turned the fifth T20I on Friday into a reminder of how quickly a game can change when he decides to intervene.Walking in during the 13th over, the all-rounder hit a six off his first ball, which also struck a cameraman standing at long-off.

Pandya came in after India captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for five off seven balls on the first delivery of the 13th over. Yadav was caught by David Miller off the bowling of Corbin Bosch.Facing his first ball, a length delivery outside off from Bosch, Pandya walked down the pitch and hit a lofted drive for six. The shot went to long-off and struck the cameraman, who was later attended to by the Indian team physio.In the following over, Pandya took on George Linde, hitting three sixes and two fours to collect 27 runs from the over.

Second-fastest T20I fifty for India

Pandya brought up his half-century in just 16 balls, the second-fastest fifty for India in T20 internationals after Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball effort.He was eventually dismissed at 63 off just 25 balls, hitting 5 sixes and as many fours in his innings. India scored a massive 231 for 5 in the 20 overs. Earlier, South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl in the fifth and final T20I. The visitors made one change, bringing in spin all-rounder George Linde in place of fast bowler Anrich Nortje.India brought back Jasprit Bumrah, who had missed the third T20I in Dharamsala due to personal reasons, replacing Harshit Rana. Washington Sundar came in for Kuldeep Yadav.Sanju Samson was named in the XI in place of vice-captain Shubman Gill, who was ruled out of the final two matches due to a toe injury.

Randi Mahomes thanks fans for their prayers as Patrick Mahomes begins rehab after season-ending knee surgery. (Image via Getty)

Patrick Mahomes is already in rehab after a season-ending left knee injury, and his mom is making it clear she is reading every message that comes in. Randi Mahomes posted public thanks this week after the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback underwent surgery, telling supporters she and her family appreciate the prayers and the words of encouragement.The update lands at the worst possible moment for Kansas City. Mahomes tore his left ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the loss pushed the Chiefs out of playoff contention for the first time in the Mahomes era.

Patrick Mahomes’ injury, surgery, and the timeline Kansas City is now staring at

Athlon Sports reported Mahomes suffered the injury against the Chargers and later underwent surgery on Monday. The report said the procedure was performed by Dallas Cowboys head physician and orthopedic surgeon Dan Cooper. Kansas City placed Mahomes on injured reserve, and the quarterback has already begun rehab.The medical timeline matters because it shapes everything the Chiefs do next. Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder said the recovery expectation is nine months, though it could swing by a month or two in either direction, per USA Today. That puts Mahomes’ 2026 season availability at the center of every offseason decision, even if the team stays quiet publicly.Mahomes’ injury also closes the book on a season where he still produced. Athlon Sports noted he recorded 22 passing touchdowns and five rushing scores in 2025 before the knee gave out. Now the conversation shifts from stats to survival: how Kansas City steadies itself without the player it has been built around, and how quickly Mahomes can get back to full strength.The Chiefs missing the playoffs is the loudest headline. Athlon Sports called the Chargers loss the final blow to Kansas City’s postseason hopes. It is also a rare swing in the Mahomes era. Andy Reid’s teams had been a January constant, and Athlon Sports noted Kansas City reached the Super Bowl five times in the last six seasons, winning three. That is the standard Mahomes and the Chiefs are judged by, and it is why this injury lands like a crisis instead of a routine rehab story.

Randi Mahomes thanked supporters as Patrick Mahomes posted ‘why this had to happen’

The emotional side of this hit the public right away. TMZ reported Mahomes posted a message on X after the injury report became public, and he did not try to dress it up.“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes wrote. “And not going to lie, it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again.” He also addressed the fan base directly in the same TMZ report.“Thank you, Chiefs kingdom, for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I will be back stronger than ever.”TMZ noted Randi Mahomes shared his message with a heart and prayer emoji, and her own posts kept the focus on gratitude. Athlon Sports reported she wrote a public message while also sharing about her “Home for the Holidays” event for the Kansas City community.“Thank you all for the prayers and kind messages for Patrick. We truly appreciate every one of them,” she wrote.Athlon Sports also reported she added a second note on her Instagram Stories. “Thank you for lifting Patrick up in prayer. We’re so thankful for this community.”That is the cleanest read on the moment. The family is not selling false optimism. They are acknowledging reality, leaning on faith, and keeping the message tight: Mahomes has surgery behind him, rehab in front of him, and a fan base watching every step.For the Chiefs, the next part is not dramatic. It is practical. Mahomes’ rehab is the story now, and the rest of the roster gets judged by how it responds to life without him. The one piece of good news, per Athlon Sports, is that Mahomes is on track to return to full health when the 2026 NFL season comes around. The rest is patience, and nine months can feel like forever when you are Kansas City.

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Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP)

TL;DR: Driving the news

Parliament on Thursday passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, a landmark law that opens the country’s tightly controlled civil nuclear sector to private and foreign investment for the first time since Independence.The Rajya Sabha approved the bill by voice vote, defeating opposition demands to refer it to a standing committee. The Lok Sabha passed it a day earlier. Once the President gives assent, the bill becomes law.

“It marks a transformational moment for our technology landscape,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, linking the bill to India’s clean energy ambitions and global leadership in AI and green manufacturing.PM Modi added in his post on X: “My gratitude to MPs who have supported its passage. From safely powering AI to enabling green manufacturing, it delivers a decisive boost to a clean-energy future for the country and the world. It also opens numerous opportunities for the private sector and our youth. This is the ideal time to invest, innovate and build in India!”

Why it matters

The SHANTI Bill aims to supercharge India’s clean energy transition. It also enables India to scale from 8.9 GW of nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, requiring investments worth Rs 19.3 trillion ($214 billion), as Bloomberg reported.“This (nuclear energy) will be the most reliable, steady 24×7 source of energy, unlike some other renewable sources,” said Jitendra Singh, minister of state for Atomic Energy, defending the bill in Parliament.

At a time when power demand is exploding-driven by industrial growth, data centers, and urban expansion-the bill aims to ensure a firm, carbon-free power source, unlike solar or wind, which are intermittent.

Zoom in: What the SHANTI Bill actually does

This isn’t just about inviting private capital. The bill overhauls the entire nuclear governance architecture, combining safety, licensing, regulation, liability, and dispute resolution into one statute.

Private sector involvement is now a reality: Indian private firms are now permitted to construct, possess, and manage civil nuclear facilities. Foreign entities can also get involved through partnerships or joint ventures.Out with the old: The Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act of 2010 are both being repealed, making way for a single, updated regulatory structure.Liability is being redefined: Operators’ liability is capped (for instance, Rs 3,000 crore for large reactors), and the government can establish a Nuclear Liability Fund to cover any claims that exceed this limit. Suppliers are generally protected from liability, unless their contracts specify otherwise.The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is now a statutory body, gaining legal independence as a safety regulator. This grants it the power to inspect, halt, or even shut down operations.A dual authorization system is being implemented. Nuclear plants will require both an operating license and a safety authorization. Every single action, from building to waste management, will need official approval.“The standard operating procedure explicitly states: ‘safety first, then production,'” Singh noted, emphasizing that India’s safety protocols remain firmly grounded in the Nehru-era approach.Dual authorization model: Plants will now need two clearances-a licence to operate and a safety authorisation. Every activity-from construction to waste storage-requires approval.“The SOP in place clearly mentions: ‘safety first, second production’,” said Singh, asserting that India’s safety standards are still rooted in the Nehru-era framework.

Between the lines

The bill is not just about clean energy-it’s about unlocking stalled mega-projects and repositioning India geopolitically.India’s 2010 liability law scared off global suppliers. Companies like GE, Westinghouse, and EDF shelved projects worth billions because of Section 17(b) of the CLND Act, which allowed victims to sue suppliers in case of a nuclear accident.That’s now gone.SHANTI removes this statutory risk, aligning India with global conventions like the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) and signalling to Washington, Paris, and Tokyo that India is open for business.

What they’re saying

Meanwhile, opposition MPs raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha, questioning the Centre’s decision to allow private players into the nuclear sector, warning it could affect the country’s sovereignty.“We are seeing profits being privatized, and risks being socialized,” warned Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, referring to taxpayer-backed safety nets for private players.“The bill dismantles the liability framework established after the Bhopal gas tragedy,” said IUML’s Haris Beeran, adding, “Posterity will judge us very badly”.“The government comes up with an acronym first and then a policy,” said Congress’ Jairam Ramesh, accusing the BJP of rewriting history and ignoring contributions made before 2014.“It’s a milestone. We are now a first-line nation, not followers,” Jitendra Singh told Rajya Sabha, adding India’s global role in energy and climate has changed significantly.Participating in the debate, Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose described the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill as not just flawed but “fundamentally dangerous.”“This Bill brings neither Shanti nor security… we are not debating whether India should pursue nuclear energy, India has always pursued nuclear energy responsibly for decades…” she said.“But as a country, are we now prepared to abdicate our sovereign responsibility, gamble with public safety and place one of the most sensitive sectors of the nation at the mercy of crony capitalism and government-friendly oligarchs as well as foreign pressure?”“This Bill is not reform, it is recklessness. This Bill is not for the public, it’s for profit,” she added.DMK MP P Wilson said the Bill is a “nuclear bomb which threatens the country’s peace and security”. He also demanded that the Bill be sent to a Select Committee of Parliament.AAP MP Sandeep Pathak questioned BJP-led Centre and pointed out that the saffron party had opposed India-US civil nuclear deal due to foreign involvement.“Do you accept the opposition at that time was political not ideological? If it was ideological, do you accept that you have changed your ideology?” he said.“Is it for money? Or do you think they will bring technology? We are importing a foreign model without importing their regulatory spine,” he added.

The big picture

India is betting on nuclear while the world is rediscovering it as a climate-friendly baseload power source.Global nuclear capacity could potentially exceed 860 GW by 2050, a projection fueled by AI, data centers, and the push for clean technology, as highlighted by Morgan Stanley Research in August.

Nations such as China, South Korea, and Japan are actively increasing their nuclear power capabilities. The US and EU are also showing interest in small modular reactors (SMRs), a trend the SHANTI Bill supports.India’s plans are in step with this global shift:

The Department of Atomic Energy reports that India’s nuclear energy budget has seen a significant increase, nearly tripling from Rs 13,879 crore in 2014 to Rs 37,483 crore in 2025.The safety-liability issue remains a point of contention.Critics argue that SHANTI weakens accountability standards.No strict criminal liability for suppliers.Operators face capped compensation.Victims have limited recourse.G Sundarrajan, an anti-nuclear activist, told the AP that the bill “takes away essential safeguards,” making it “nearly impossible” for radiation victims to seek legal redress.“This also provides little recourse for any Indian citizen to claim damages from nuclear companies,” he added.Union minister Singh, however, countered those concerns, stating, “Wide consultations were held… with industry leaders, scientific experts, startups, and ministries.”“We took more than a year, and the bill was framed with safety and global benchmarks in mind.”

Implications: Enter the SMR era

SHANTI’s strategic vision hinges on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These compact, factory-assembled reactors, each under 300 MW, are designed to power industrial hubs or remote areas.Consider these possibilities:

The legislation’s framework permits private ownership, licensing, and safety approvals for these installations, providing a competitive advantage in clean energy for heavy industries.According to Bloomberg, L&T is already exploring SMR technology.The geopolitical implications are significant.The SHANTI Bill extends beyond energy; it’s also a tool of foreign policy.By adhering to global standards for liability and safety, India is:Reviving the Westinghouse project in Andhra Pradesh, which had previously stalled.Reengaging in agreements with EDF, GE, and Rosatom.Strengthening strategic relationships with the United States, France, and Japan.This also positions India as a climate-conscious global leader, particularly in the lead-up to G20 follow-up meetings and COP summits.

Looking ahead:

How quickly are licenses granted? What are the specific safety requirements? Who will be the first to apply – Tata? Adani?Insurance: Who’s going to take on the nuclear risk? And are the premiums even realistic?Liability Fund: How does the funding work? What’s the process for payouts?AERB’s autonomy: Will it actually enforce the rules, or will it cave to political influence?Local opposition: Places like Kudankulam have seen protests. Could land acquisition and health concerns spark fresh conflicts?(With contributions from various sources)

NEW DELHI: Over two months after a 65-year-old woman was robbed and murdered in her house in northwest Delhi’s Rohini, police arrested her tenant on Wednesday. The accused, Himanshu Yadav, claimed that the woman, Naresh Kumari, had allegedly humiliated and slapped him after he defaulted on rent, leading him to plot the crime. On October 7, the woman was found dead in her ground-floor house, where she lived alone. She was lying dead on her bed with scratch marks around her neck, indicating that she had been strangled after a brief struggle. Her son was an MCD inspector.A team formed by deputy commissioner of police (crime) Pankaj Kumar under inspector Ajay Sharma analysed CCTV footage and noticed a person leaving the locality early in the morning. He was later identified as Yadav, a salesman who used to frequently travel outstation for work. Suspicion deepened after the cops couldn’t trace him and found his phone had been switched off.The team then fanned out to several states and pored over footage from more than 1,000 CCTV cameras. Acting on a tip-off that Himanshu would return to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh to visit relatives and was planning to flee to Nepal, police laid a trap and arrested him from Japanese Park in Rohini. Himanshu owned an electronics shop, but it shut down. He invested in share market and gaming applications, incurring heavy losses. Following these financial setbacks, he took up work as a salesman. His landlady, who was demanding he cough up rent dues, reportedly reprimanded him on Oct 5. Driven by anger and need for easy money, he decided to kill her and rob her valuables, police said. Early on Oct 7, Yadav entered the landlady’s room. When she woke up, he allegedly strangled her before she could raise an alarm. He then removed the gold earrings and a ring she was wearing before hastily fleeing without scouring the room, fearing someone might enter.Yadav left Delhi and travelled to Bhiwani in Haryana, where he mortgaged the jewellery for Rs 70,000. Over the next couple of months, he changed his locations frequently, taking care not to stay at one place for more than five days at a stretch, police said. He travelled to Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to evade arrest, before he was finally picked up in Delhi.