NEW DELHI: Delhi’s rouse avenue court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance in proceedings arising from a fresh FIR registered in the National Herald case, observing that the Enforcement Directorate’s probe is based on a private complaint and not on any FIR.The court also ruled that leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other accused are not entitled to a copy of the FIR at this stage. However, it allowed the ED to continue further investigation in the matter.The court noted that cognisance could not be taken as the ED’s case stems from a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and the magistrate’s summoning orders, and not from an FIR.

Reacting to the court’s decision, the Congress said the proceedings initiated by the ED against its top leadership were politically motivated and legally untenable. The party said the court had found the ED’s action to be without jurisdiction, as there was no FIR, which it termed a prerequisite for such proceedings.“Truth has prevailed. The malafide and illegality of the Modi govt stands fully exposed. Proceedings of ED against the Congress leadership – Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji and Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, in the Young Indian case have been found completely illegal and malafide by the Honourable Court,” the grand old party said in a post on X.“No case of money laundering, no proceeds of crime and no movement of property – all baseless charges that have been a part of political witch hunt, propaganda, reputation assassination and campaign which stands defeated today,” it added.The Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered an FIR against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others on a complaint by the ED as part of its money laundering probe into the high-profile National Herald case.Reacting to the FIR, the Congress accused the BJP of pursuing a “politics of harassment, intimidation and vendetta” against its top leadership. The party alleged that the “Modi-Shah duo” was misusing investigative agencies and maintained that the National Herald case was “completely bogus,” asserting that justice would ultimately prevail.Rejecting these allegations, senior BJP leader and former Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the Congress’s claims “baseless.” He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not in office when the private complaint was filed, pointing out that the matter dates back to 2008.“Congress is levelling false and baseless allegations. We vehemently condemn it and request them to give an account of the loot they committee instead of giving speeches… Let the law take its course.” Prasad further added, “The country should know that in the FIR filed by Delhi Police, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been charged under section 120 (B) for criminal conspiracy and Section 420. The case has been filed under the old penal code because the case is old.”

Panaji: Indian football has never experienced anything like this before.First the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL), and now the I-League, Indian football’s second division, has also been left without a commercial partner, throwing the future of leagues up in the air.The All India Football Federation’s bid to find a taker for the commercial rights of I-League ended with no company making a bid. A request for proposal (RFP) was floated on Nov 28, with Dec 14 kept as deadline day for submissions of bids. However, when the federation opened the bids late on Sunday, the result wasn’t surprising.“There are no bids for the I-League too,” a senior official told TOI. “When nobody turned up for the pre-bid meeting last week (Dec 6) and there were no (official) queries, it was clear that there would be no takers for the commercial rights. Things are not looking good at the moment.”Till last month, there were companies who had shown more than just passing interest in making a bid for the I-League rights, even more than the ISL, whose value was pegged at a minimum of Rs 37.5 crore annually. At Rs 6 crore for the three divisions of I-League (I-League: Rs 4 crore, I-League 2: Rs 1.25 crore and I-League 3: Rs 75 Lakh) and a networth of Rs 30 crore for potential bidders, there seemed to be no impediments.The AIFF has only received a lone bid of Rs 5 crore for the Indian Women’s League (IWL) commercial rights, but documents are yet to be signed.“We have to wait for the sports ministry report to be submitted to the Supreme Court. Probably there will be a joint solution for both leagues,” said another official.AIFF’s failure to attract bids for the commercial rights has left clubs worried with many wondering if they will have any competition to play for this season. Most clubs have stopped training due to the uncertainty.According to sources, I-League clubs are mulling over the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court with their concerns, given that the apex court is expected to reassemble this week to listen to the sports ministry’s suggestion. At the last hearing, the Centre was urged to engage with the clubs since there were growing concerns among clubs, players, officials and employees.The 15-year master rights agreement between AIFF and its commercial partner, Reliance-subsidiary FSDL, ended at midnight on Dec 8.

The IPL 2026 auction kicks off on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, marking the third straight year the event shifts abroad after Dubai and Jeddah. This single-day spectacle features 350 players vying for 77 slots across ten franchises, with a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore fuelling intense bidding wars. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide gear up as teams finalize squads’ post-retentions and trades ahead of the 2026 season.​

Marquee players for IPL 2026 Auction

Indian stars Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi headline the ₹2 crore group, released by KKR and LSG respectively, offering versatile all-round skills and leg-spin prowess. Overseas firepower dominates with Australia’s Cameron Green, a power-hitting all-rounder previously fetched for ₹17.5 crore, and New Zealand opener Devon Conway, known for anchoring innings.​

South Africa’s David Miller brings explosive finishing ability, while Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana, the CSK-released slinger, promises lethal yorkers at 150kph plus. Rachin Ravindra and Liam Livingstone add spin-all-round balance and middle-order muscle from New Zealand and England.​

Seventeen players target ₹1 crore, including potential names like Quinton de Kock, alongside at ₹ 75 lakh such as Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. These base prices spark bidding frenzy for 77 slots, blending proven T20 performers with domestic talents.

Also READ: Sanjay Bangar picks IPL 2026 auction’s biggest “steal deal”

Team purses and slots overview

Franchises enter with diverse budgets, led by Kolkata Knight Riders’ massive ₹64.3 crore war chest for 13 slots, enabling aggressive rebuilds after retirement of stars like Andre Russell. Chennai Super Kings hold ₹43.4 crore for nine spots, targeting death bowlers and openers, while Sunrisers Hyderabad wield ₹25.5 crore across ten vacancies. At the lower end, Mumbai Indians scrape by with ₹2.75 crore for five slots, focusing on budget picks post-trades like Shardul Thakur. Here’s the full breakdown:

Team	Purse Remaining (₹ Cr)	Slots Remaining
Kolkata Knight Riders	64.3	13
Chennai Super Kings	43.4	9
Sunrisers Hyderabad	25.5	10
Lucknow Super Giants	22.95	6
Delhi Capitals	21.8	8
Royal Challengers Bengaluru	16.4	8
Rajasthan Royals	16.05	9
Gujarat Titans	12.9	5
Punjab Kings	11.5	4
Mumbai Indians	2.75	5

Broadcast and live-streaming details

• India: Star Sports, JioHotstar
• Australia: Foxtel
• UK: Sky Sports, Now TV
• South Africa: SuperSport

Also READ: IPL 2026: Cameron Green to CSK, Liam Livingstone joins KKR – Full list of sold and unsold players in Ravichandran Ashwin’s mock auction

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), placing the synthetic opioid in the same category as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The move marks a dramatic escalation in Washington’s response to the fentanyl crisis, reframing the drug not just as a public health emergency but as a national security threat.The White House said the designation would “unleash every available tool” against the criminal networks responsible for producing and trafficking fentanyl, warning that the substance could be weaponised for mass-casualty attacks by organised adversaries.“Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic,” the executive order said, pointing to its extreme potency and the scale of deaths linked to its spread across the United States.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid approved by the FDA for pain management and anesthesia. It is extremely potent—about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Developed in 1959 and introduced medically in the 1960s, fentanyl is legally manufactured in the United States, but both pharmaceutical and illicit forms are widely misused.Illicitly produced fentanyl and its analogs have driven a sharp rise in overdose deaths. According to CDC data, deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased from about 2,600 annually in 2011–2012 to more than 71,000 in 2021, totaling over 260,000 deaths from 2013–2021. This surge closely mirrors increased trafficking and distribution of illicit fentanyl.On the street, fentanyl may appear as powder or counterfeit pills and is often mixed with heroin or cocaine. Common street names include China Girl, King Ivory, and Tango & Cash. Fentanyl can be injected, smoked, snorted, or taken orally.

What makes Fentanyl dangerous?

Fentanyl is a fully synthetic opioid, approved for limited medical use but overwhelmingly produced illegally for the black market. Its lethality lies in its strength: as little as two milligrams — roughly the equivalent of a few grains of salt — can be fatal. US authorities say this makes it comparable, in practical terms, to chemical agents designed to kill with minute exposure.The order notes that hundreds of thousands of Americans have died from fentanyl overdoses in recent years, often without knowing they were taking the drug at all. Fentanyl is frequently mixed into counterfeit prescription pills or blended with heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine, leaving users unaware they are ingesting a substance far more powerful than expected.US officials argue this combination of concealment, potency and ease of mass distribution elevates fentanyl beyond conventional narcotics. The administration also claims that, in theory, the drug could be used deliberately in concentrated form to carry out terror-style attacks, although experts remain sceptical about that specific risk.

National security, cartels and enforcement powers

The executive order ties fentanyl directly to organised crime and terrorism, saying its production and sale fund assassinations, insurgencies and violent campaigns by cartels and foreign terrorist organisations. It singles out two major cartels as being primarily responsible for fentanyl distribution inside the US, accusing them of waging armed conflict over territory and trafficking routes.Under the order, the attorney general is directed to pursue enhanced criminal prosecutions and tougher sentencing for fentanyl trafficking. The treasury and state departments are instructed to target financial networks linked to fentanyl production, while the Pentagon is asked to assess whether military resources should support domestic law enforcement.The armed forces will also be required to update homeland chemical-incident response plans to explicitly include fentanyl, and the Department of Homeland Security will draw on counter-proliferation intelligence normally reserved for WMD threats to track fentanyl smuggling networks.Trump announced the move while intensifying a wider campaign against what his administration calls “narco-terrorists” in Latin America, including military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels. He has repeatedly argued that fentanyl kills more Americans than bombs or conventional weapons.

IND vs MAS Live Score, ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025: India will lock horns with Malaysia in their third Group A fixture of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai today, with momentum firmly on the former’s side. Dominant victories over UAE and Pakistan have already sealed India’s place in the semifinals, while Malaysia, winless so far, sit at the bottom of the table but are still technically in the race.

The spotlight once again shines on teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 14-year-old grabbed global attention with a sensational 171 off 95 balls against UAE — the highest-ever individual score in U19 Asia Cup history and India’s second-highest in youth ODIs. His innings powered India to a record 433/6 and a crushing 234-run win. However, expectations were tempered when he managed just five runs against Pakistan, despite India cruising to a comprehensive 90-run victory powered by disciplined bowling from Kanishk Chouhan and Deepesh Devendran.

Malaysia believe they can exploit that opening. Captain Deeaz Patro and all-rounder Muhammad Aalif have revealed specific plans to counter Suryavanshi, stressing disciplined bowling and smart field placements. Deeaz, who has strong Indian roots through his Odisha-born father and idolises David Warner, wears jersey No. 31 in tribute to the former Australian opener. Aalif, meanwhile, draws inspiration from Virat Kohli’s aggression and mindset.

While India may rotate players and focus on combinations, Malaysia are motivated to challenge the tournament favourites and make the contest memorable.

NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday triggered a controversy after he pulled the hijab of a woman doctor during an appointment letter distribution programme.A video shared by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on X shows Nitish on stage alongside deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary and health minister Mangal Pandey.The incident took place at a programme held at the chief minister’s residence, where appointment letters were being distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors.When it was the turn of Nusrat Parveen, who had arrived with her face covered with a hijab, Nitish frowned and exclaimed, “What is this?”Standing on a raised platform, Nitish then bent down and pulled the hijab down. The visibly flustered appointee was soon pulled aside by an official present at the event, while d CM Samrat Choudhary, standing beside Kumar, was seen tugging at his sleeve in an apparent attempt to restrain him.The incident drew sharp reactions from the opposition, with questions raised about Nitish Kumar’s conduct and mental health.Sharing the video on X, the RJD wrote, “What has happened to Nitish Ji? Has his mental state completely deteriorated, or has Nitish Babu now become a 100 per cent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?”Reacting to the incident, RJD MP Manoj Jha said the visuals were unsettling and raised serious concerns.“I have seen the visuals and they were unsettling. The Deputy CM even tried to stop him. It should be a matter of concern. As someone who has grown up in Bihar, I am worried that such visuals do not give a good message and raise several doubts,” Jha said.The Congress also attacked the Bihar chief minister, calling the act “vile.”“This is Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar. Look at his shamelessness—a female doctor had come to collect her appointment letter, and Nitish Kumar pulled off her hijab. A man occupying the highest position in Bihar is openly indulging in such a vile act,” the party said in a post on X.“Nitish Kumar should immediately resign for this disgusting behaviour. This vileness is unforgivable,” it added.Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also condemned the incident, accusing the chief minister of violating traditions and faith.“This does not seem appropriate from any angle. Treating a woman like this is condemnable,” Bhagat said.Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the act, saying no one should be allowed to publicly humiliate an adult woman.“It is her dignity and knowledge of being an equal that makes her stand there to receive the acknowledgement she deserves. No father figure, CM, PM, brother or husband should be allowed to publicly humiliate an adult, educated woman for her choice of dress,” she wrote on X.According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the appointees included 685 Ayurveda doctors, 393 homeopaths and 205 practitioners of the Unani system of medicine.Of them, 10 appointees received their job letters in person from Kumar, while the rest were issued appointment letters online.

Asian markets fell sharply on Tuesday, following Wall Street’s losses, as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of key US employment and inflation figures. Concerns over a potential tech bubble added to the cautious mood.Hong Kong’s HSI was trading at 25,139, down 489 or 1.91%. Nikkei also trimmed 673 points or 1.34% to 49,494. Shanghai and Shenzhen were down 1.22% or 1.88%, respectively. South Korean Kospi also dipped 73 points to trade at 4,016 at 10:05 AM IST.Markets, after a strong, tech-led rally this year, have slowed, as traders opt for a wait-and-see approach, amid heavy investments in artificial intelligence and signs that the Federal Reserve may halt further rate cuts. The spotlight is on the US November jobs report, along with delayed October data, due later today. Analysts say the figures, followed by Thursday’s consumer price index, will provide insight into the Fed’s plans for interest rates in early 2026. Fed officials remain divided on the decision. Governor Stephen Miran, appointed by Donald Trump, said rates are still too high while New York Fed President John Williams described them as “about the right place.” Boston Fed President Susan Collins called the decision a “close call,” according to AFP. The downbeat mood further extended to cryptocurrencies, with bitcoin dropping to $85,171. Gold, continued its safe haven charm, rising above $4,300, nearing record highs. The Japanese yen gained against the dollar ahead of the Bank of Japan’s expected rate hike on Friday.

Google is retiring its free Dark Web monitoring tool. In a support page, Google announced that it is discontinuing the “Dark Web report” tool. Since the past two years, the tool has been available for free to all Gmail users. Google’s ‘Dark Web tool’ feature worked by scanning users’ email addresses to determine whether they had appeared in data breaches, which often circulate on Dark Web marketplaces. The tool then alerted users about where the data that was exposed in the breach, including any accompanying details such as date of birth, addresses, and phone numbers.Google, however, says that the tool has not been helpful enough. “While the report offered general information, feedback showed that it didn’t provide helpful next steps,” says the company on its support page. Some users also reportedly complained that it didn’t provide meaningful alerts.

When will ‘Dark Web Report’ tool stop working

Google Support page says that the company is discontinuing the Dark web report. The key dates are:* January 15, 2026: The scans for new dark web breaches stop.* February 16, 2026: The dark web report is no longer available.

Google on why it has discontinued the Dark web report

While the report offered general information, feedback showed that it didn’t provide helpful next steps. We’re making this change to instead focus on tools that give you more clear, actionable steps to protect your information online. We’ll continue to track and defend you from online threats, including the dark web, and build tools that help protect you and your personal information.Google says that it encourages users to use the existing tools we offer to strengthen your security and privacy, including:* Security Checkup* Create a Passkey to Log Into Your Google Account* Authentication Tools for secure Sign-In Google Safety Center* Google Password Manager* Password Checkup* We encourage you to also use Results about you. This tool helps you find and request the removal of your personal information from Google Search results, like your phone number and home address.