Steve Cahillane to become CEO of KRaft Heinz, which currently in process of splitting (AP file photo)

US-origin food MNC Kraft Heinz has tapped Steve Cahillane as the new CEO, effective January 1, 2026, as the company prepares for its division into two separate entities.He will subsequently lead the Global Taste Elevation Co., which will manage prominent brands including Kraft Mac & Cheese, Philadelphia cream cheese and Heinz, following the company’s split anticipated in the latter half of next year.“Like millions of people around the world, I have a deeply personal connection to the Kraft Heinz brands, dating back to my childhood,” Cahillane said in a statement. “I’ve devoted my entire career to building brands, and the opportunity to do the same with Kraft Heinz’s iconic portfolio is a dream come true.”The second entity, North American Grocery Co, will oversee brands such as Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. A CEO for this division has not yet been announced.The current CEO, Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who began his tenure in January 2024, will transition to an advisory role until March 2026.The separation announcement came in September, ten years after the merger that created one of the world’s largest food manufacturers. The company states this division will enhance operational efficiency and resource allocation.The company has faced challenges as consumer preferences shift towards less processed foods, moving away from products like Velveeta cheese and Kool-Aid. Additional costs have emerged from efforts to remove artificial ingredients.The corporation has also encountered difficulties in differentiating its products from lower-priced store alternatives.Cahillane previously managed a similar division at Kellogg Co. in 2023. He led Kellanova, which owned brands like Cheez-Its, Pringles and Pop-Tarts, until Mars Inc. acquired it. Ferrero later purchased WK Kellogg Co., the cereal division.His prior experience includes executive positions at The Nature’s Bounty Co., Coca-Cola Co. and AB InBev.Board Chairman Miguel Patricio endorsed Cahillane’s appointment: “His track record and experience in the industry are unparalleled and will be invaluable as we embark on this next chapter,” he stated.The company’s shares remained stable during Tuesday’s midday trading.

BENGALURU: What feels worse after a long flight — sitting inside the aircraft or walking for nearly 800 metres with luggage to board a private pre-booked cab? For hundreds of passengers arriving at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) over the past few days, the answer has been unequivocal: the long walk.Bengaluru International Airport Ltd’s newly enforced traffic management and kerbside pick-up policy at Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) has triggered widespread frustration among passengers and cab operators alike. Rolled out to curb illegal parking, touting, and congestion outside arrival terminals, the policy allows only airport-authorised aggregator taxis to pick up passengers directly from the kerbside.

All other private pre-booked cabs — including long-distance and outstation taxis — have been shifted to designated pickup zones at parking areas P3 and P4, nearly 800 metres from T1. For tired travellers, the new arrangement often means a 15-17 minute trek after landing, navigating elevated walkways, ramps, long corridors, and multiple elevators — all the while hauling heavy luggage. Senior citizens, parents with young children, and families have been hit the hardest, with many describing the change as insensitive and poorly thought out.At T1, arrivals now face a complex lane system: the first lane is reserved for govt vehicles, the second for airport aggregator taxis, the third to fifth lanes for private white-board vehicles, and the remaining lanes for premium app-based services. While passengers opting for airport taxis can step straight into their vehicles, those who have booked private cabs must make the long walk to reach their drivers. At T2, the issue has taken a different form: a strict time window that many say is nearly impossible to meet.

Monday morning saw visible chaos at both terminals, with confused passengers asking for directions, pre-booked private cab drivers arguing with security personnel, and tempers flaring. Several travellers complained that the policy was implemented without adequate public communication or a transition period. “We landed around noon and were suddenly told our cab couldn’t come anywhere near the terminal. My parents are elderly, and my mother has knee problems. Making them walk nearly a kilometre was extremely stressful,” said Rakesh Sharma, a first-time visitor to Bengaluru from Jaipur who had pre-booked a private cab.Another passenger, Anita Fernandez, who arrived from Goa with her two children, said the experience was exhausting. “After paying airport charges and cab fares, you expect some convenience. Instead, we were made to walk endlessly, with hardly any staff to guide us. For families, this is a nightmare,” she said.Cab operators, especially private and outstation drivers, say the policy has directly affected their livelihoods. Many report passengers cancelling bookings midway and switching to airport taxis simply to avoid the walk. “Passengers are angry and take it out on us, but this isn’t our fault,” said Srinath R, a private cab operator who has serviced KIA for over a decade.At T2, commuters say the pressure is even higher. Drivers must pick up passengers within eight minutes to avoid penalties, turning arrivals into a frantic race against time. “After a three-hour flight from Lucknow, I felt like I was in a sprint just to help my driver avoid a fine,” said Mohammed Irfan, adding: “There was no prior information, no clear signage, and no assistance. An airport arrival should be seamless, not stressful.“Voices from the ground“This is absolutely unacceptable. Not everyone wants to be tied to Bengaluru airport taxis or aggregators, many of us operate independently. Just because BIAL wants to maximise revenue, ordinary cab drivers are being made to suffer. I have come to pick up a family of 58 travelling to Kushalnagar, and I am now forced to ask all of them, including several senior citizens, to walk nearly 800 metres to board the cab. They are understandably unhappy… This is not how passenger transport should work. Drivers are being put in embarrassing situations.”— Ravi S | Taxi Driver“I regularly pick up a family, and they trust me because they are comfortable with my driving. Today, they are upset with me — not because of my service, but because I asked them to walk a long distance before boarding the cab. That is not easy, especially after a flight. BIAL should have at least announced these rules well in advance so that both drivers and passengers could plan accordingly.”— Dharmaraju MG | Taxi Driver from Mysuru“As a passenger, the entire system is confusing and extremely tiring. We are forced to walk long distances with heavy luggage, with very little guidance. For passengers who require wheelchairs, this feels like punishment rather than support.”— Kiran Purushotham | Passenger“I have arrived with my family of 58 for a wedding, and this experience has been horrible. The walk is not even straightforward. There are elevations, elevators, long corridors of nearly 400 metres, then another descent using stairs before you finally reach the cab pick-up point. With so much luggage and elderly family members, this is simply not possible. Expecting passengers to navigate such a complicated and physically demanding route defeats the purpose of airport transport.”— Jashveer Singh Hora | Passenger“I am confused about where to go or how to coordinate the pick-up. For first-time visitors, this creates a terrible impression of the city and the airport. Nothing about this system is passenger-friendly or driver-friendly.”— Mohammed Ansil | Taxi Driver

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, during his first bilateral visit to the country.Speaking after receiving the award, PM Modi said it was a matter of pride to be honoured by “a very ancient and prosperous civilisation”. He said he accepted the award on behalf of all Indians and described it as a recognition of the many Indians who have contributed to strengthening India–Ethiopia ties.PM Modi also said, “On this occasion, I also express heartfelt gratitude to my friend PM Abiy Ahmed Ali. Last month, when we met during the G20 Summit in South Africa, with great love and right, you had urged me to visit Ethiopia. How could I have turned down this invitation from my friend, my brother? So, at the first chance, I decided to come to Ethiopia.”During the visit, India and Ethiopia agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. PM Modi held delegation-level talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, where the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.“We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties,” Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.PM Modi said the talks focused on cooperation in areas including economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral forums. On Wednesday, PM Modi is scheduled to address a joint session of Ethiopia’s Parliament, where he will speak about India’s democratic journey and the value of the India–Ethiopia partnership for the Global South.PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held talks with King Abdullah II and signed several agreements to boost bilateral cooperation. He will next travel to Oman on the final leg of his three-nation tour.

IPL 2026 mini auction unfolded at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on December 16, drawing global attention as franchises vied for 77 slots with a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore. Amid record buys like Cameron Green to KKR for ₹25.20 crore and Matheesha Pathirana to the same team for ₹18 crore, numerous high-profile players failed to attract bids, reshaping narratives around team priorities. This event, featuring 359 shortlisted players from 1390 registrants, highlighted strategic purse management post-retentions, with uncapped Indians stealing the spotlight over veterans.​

Youth takes center stage in IPL 2026 mini auction

Franchises displayed a clear pivot from veteran superstars to young, uncapped Indian talents, reflecting long-term squad-building amid tight budgets. Chennai Super Kings set records by splurging ₹14.20 crore each on uncapped prospects Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, the joint-highest for domestics in IPL history, signalling faith in future stars over established names. Teams like KKR and RCB prioritized balanced units with emerging pacers and all-rounders, while Mumbai Indians, with just ₹2.75 crore left, focused on trades like Sherfane Rutherford to bolster depth without heavy auction spends.​

This youth influx aligns with recent trends, where 224 uncapped Indians dominated the pool, outnumbering overseas options and forcing captains to bet on domestic potential for consistency in IPL 2026. Purse leaders like KKR (₹64.3 crore pre-auction) restructured aggressively post release of Venkatesh Iyer, who later fetched only ₹7 crore at RCB, underscoring the devaluation of underperformers.​

Unexpected twist at IPL 2026 mini auction as star players go unsold

The auction delivered jaw-dropping twists, with England‘s Liam Livingstone (₹2 crore base) and Prithvi Shaw (₹75 lakh) among stars who stunned fans by going unsold despite hype. Livingstone, expected as an all-rounder fix, drew zero interest initially, while Shaw’s domestic form failed to sway bidders amid strategic oversights. New Zealand opener Devon Conway (₹2 crore) and Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (₹2 crore) also missed out, echoing past mini-auctions where timing trumped reputation.​

Other surprises included South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee (₹2 crore) and Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana (₹2 crore), overlooked as teams chased pacers like Anrich Nortje (₹2 crore to LSG). Jake Fraser-McGurk‘s unsold fate at the opener slot amplified the chaos, with franchises citing form dips and role mismatches. These moments, amid bidding wars for Ravi Bishnoi (₹7.20 crore to RR), exposed IPL’s ruthless evolution.​

Also READ: From Cameron Green to Josh Inglis: Top 10 most expensive buys at IPL 2026 Auction

Complete list of unsold players along with their base price in the IPL 2026 mini auction

Batters

• Jake Fraser-McGurk – ₹2 crore
• Devon Conway – ₹2 crore
• Atharva Taide – ₹30 lakh
• Anmolpreet Singh – ₹30 lakh
• Abhinav Tejrana – ₹30 lakh
• Abhinav Manohar – ₹30 lakh
• Yash Dhull – ₹30 lakh
• Arya Desai – ₹30 lakh
• Sediqullah Atal – ₹75 lakh
• Salman Nizar – ₹30 lakh
• Dheeraj Kumar – ₹30 lakh
• Chintal Gandhi – ₹30 lakh
• Daniel Lategan – ₹30 lakh
• Manan Vohra – ₹30 lakh
• Swastik Chikara – ₹30 lakh​

Bowlers

• Gerald Coetzee – ₹2 crore
• Spencer Johnson – ₹1.5 crore
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – ₹1 crore
• Maheesh Theekshana – ₹2 crore
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman – ₹2 crore
• Raj Limbani – ₹30 lakh
• Simarjeet Singh – ₹30 lakh
• Akash Madhwal – ₹30 lakh
• Wahidullah Zadran – ₹30 lakh
• Shivam Shukla – ₹30 lakh
• Karn Sharma – ₹50 lakh
• Kartikeya Singh – ₹30 lakh
• Chetan Sakariya – ₹75 lakh
• Waqar Salamkheil – ₹1 crore
• KM Asif – ₹40 lakh
• Murugan Ashwin – ₹30 lakh
• Tejas Baroka – ₹30 lakh
• KC Cariappa – ₹30 lakh
• Mohit Rathee – ₹30 lakh
• Taskin Ahmed – ₹75 lakh
• Richard Gleeson – ₹75 lakh
• Alzarri Joseph – ₹2 crore
• Riley Meredith – ₹1.5 crore
• Jhye Richardson – ₹1.5 crore
• Irfan Umair – ₹30 lakh
• Mayank Dagar – ₹30 lakh
• Jikku Bright – ₹30 lakh
• Izaz Sawariya – ₹30 lakh
• Money Grewal – ₹30 lakh
• RS Ambrish – ₹30 lakh​

All-rounders

• Gus Atkinson – ₹2 crore
• Wiaan Mulder – ₹1 crore
• Deepak Hooda – ₹75 lakh
• Vijay Shankar – ₹30 lakh
• Rajvardhan Hangargekar – ₹40 lakh
• Mahipal Lomror – ₹50 lakh
• Eden Tom – ₹30 lakh
• Tanush Kotian – ₹30 lakh
• Kamlesh Nagarkoti – ₹30 lakh
• Sanvir Singh – ₹30 lakh
• Sean Abbott – ₹2 crore
• Michael Bracewell – ₹2 crore
• Daryl Mitchell – ₹2 crore
• Dasun Shanaka – ₹75 lakh
• Dan Lawrence – ₹2 crore
• Tanay Thyagarajan – ₹30 lakh
• Nathan Smith – ₹75 lakh
• Karan Lal – ₹30 lakh
• Utkarsh Singh – ₹30 lakh
• Ayush Vartak – ₹30 lakh
• Manisankar Murasingh – ₹30 lakh
• Macneil Noronha – ₹30 lakh
• Siddharth Yadav – ₹30 lakh
• Ritik Tada – ₹30 lakh
• Chama Milind – ₹30 lakh
• William Sutherland – ₹1 crore​

Wicketkeepers

• KS Bharat – ₹75 lakh
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – ₹1.5 crore
• Jonny Bairstow – ₹1 crore
• Jamie Smith – ₹2 crore
• Ruchit Ahir – ₹30 lakh
• Vansh Bedi – ₹30 lakh
• Tushar Raheja – ₹30 lakh
• Connor Esterhuizen – ₹30 lakh

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Fans erupt as CSK signs Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma at record prices; making them joint most expensive uncapped players

In a significant overhaul of retirement withdrawal norms, exiting the National Pension System (NPS) has become more flexible for non-government subscribers. Under amended rules notified by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), eligible NPS members can now withdraw up to 80 per cent of their retirement corpus as a lump sum at the time of exit, reported Economic Times.The revised rules apply to subscribers under the All Citizen Model and Corporate NPS, bringing major relief to non-government sector employees who were earlier required to allocate a larger share of their savings to annuity purchases.

Mandatory annuity requirement cut to 20 per cent

As per the amended PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under the NPS) Regulations, 2025, notified on December 16, the compulsory annuity purchase requirement for non-government subscribers has been reduced to a minimum of 20 per cent of the accumulated pension wealth in specified cases.Annuities provide regular pension income after retirement, while the remaining portion of the corpus can be withdrawn as a lump sum or through systematic unit withdrawal.Earlier, non-government NPS subscribers had to use at least 40 per cent of their retirement corpus to buy an annuity on exit.The revised annuity requirement applies to normal exits at the age of 60, exits after completing the minimum subscription period, and exits between the ages of 60 and 85.For subscribers whose accumulated pension wealth crosses certain monetary thresholds, at least 20 per cent of the corpus must be set aside for annuity purchase, while up to 80 per cent becomes available for withdrawal.

How the corpus thresholds work

The amended regulations lay down different withdrawal rules based on the size of the retirement corpus:

Greater control over retirement savings

By lowering the mandatory annuity component from 40 per cent to 20 per cent, the PFRDA has given non-government NPS subscribers greater control over how they use their retirement savings. The move increases liquidity at exit and allows retirees more flexibility in planning post-retirement income, while still ensuring a minimum assured pension through annuity purchase.

Cameron Green (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders made the biggest statement at the IPL players’ auction on Tuesday, shelling out a record Rs 25.20 crore to secure Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and spending another Rs 18 crore to bring in Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana. In contrast, Indian batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan failed to attract any bids despite enjoying a strong run of form with the bat.Green’s signing saw him overtake compatriot Mitchell Starc, who was bought for Rs 24.75 crore, to become the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history. The hefty price tag came after an intense bidding battle between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, with KKR eventually prevailing.

KKR also showed interest in retaining Venkatesh Iyer but pulled out of the contest as Royal Challengers Bengaluru stepped in to acquire the India all-rounder for Rs 7 crore.

The three-time champions later re-entered the spotlight during the bidding for Pathirana. After Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants bowed out following a fierce contest, KKR clinched the Sri Lankan pacer, who entered the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore and went on to become the costliest Sri Lankan ever sold at an IPL auction.Despite the headline figure of Rs 25.20 crore, Green’s take-home pay for the season will be capped at Rs 18 crore (USD 1.9 million), with the remaining amount set to be allocated to the BCCI’s player development programme in accordance with auction rules for overseas players. Pathirana, however, will receive the full sum as his contract falls within the salary cap.Green, who has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has featured in 29 IPL matches to date, scoring 707 runs and claiming 16 wickets.

Kolkata Knight Riders Full Team List IPL 2026

Players retained: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun ChakravarthyPlayers bought at auction: Cameron Green (Rs 25.20 crore), Finn Allen (Rs 2 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (Rs 18 crore), Tejasvi Singh Dahiya (Rs 3 crore), Kartik Tyagi (Rs 30 lakh), Prashant Solanki (Rs 30 lakh), Tim Seifert (Rs. 1.50 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (Rs 9.20 crore), Daksh Kamra (Rs 30 lakh), Sarthak Ranjan (Rs 30 lakh), Rahul Tripathi (Rs 75 lakh), Akash Deep (Rs 1 crore), Rachin Ravindra (Rs 2 crore)Full squad:Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep.

Ravi Bishnoi (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade)

India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi described his return to Rajasthan Royals as “like playing at home” after the inaugural champions secured him for Rs 7.2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The bidding for the 25-year-old turned intense before the Royals finally had the last word at the Etihad Arena. A native of Jodhpur, Bishnoi’s move to Rajasthan carries strong personal significance. The leg-spinner began his early cricketing journey as a net bowler with the Royals, and returning to the franchise now as a full-fledged IPL player marks a full-circle moment in his career. Speaking after the auction, Bishnoi said representing a team that carries the name of his home state made the opportunity even more special.

Rajasthan Royals lead owner Manoj Badale echoed those sentiments, calling Bishnoi’s signing a homecoming. He described the leg-spinner as a special talent who has long been admired by the Royals’ fanbase, praising his bowling ability, athletic fielding and competitive mindset that aligns with the franchise’s values. Bishnoi entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, with Rajasthan opening the bidding straight away. Chennai Super Kings soon joined the contest and steadily raised the stakes. After CSK pushed the bid to Rs 4.2 crore, Rajasthan briefly paused before re-entering at Rs 4.4 crore, reigniting the duel. The price climbed to Rs 5.8 crore before the Royals stepped in again at Rs 6 crore, at which point CSK backed out. Just as Rajasthan looked set to seal the deal, Sunrisers Hyderabad entered with a bid of Rs 6.2 crore, forcing another round of competitive bidding that finally ended at Rs 7.2 crore in favour of the Royals. On the field, Bishnoi brings solid recent form and valuable experience. During the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he picked up nine wickets in seven matches while maintaining an economy rate of 8.40. In the IPL, he has represented Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, featuring in 77 matches and claiming 72 wickets. Bishnoi was part of the LSG squad in IPL 2025. With his roots in Rajasthan and a growing reputation as a reliable leg-spinner, Bishnoi’s return is expected to add both quality and emotion to the Royals’ bowling attack in the upcoming season.