MUMBAI: Argentine football legend Lionel Messi reached Mumbai for his “GOAT India Tour 2025”. NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule extended her best wishes to the fans and the people of Maharashtra, while stressing the importance of safety.“I wish them good luck, and I hope it all happens well and everybody who comes to see Messi is very safe,” Sule told ANI.After a disappointing turn of events in Kolkata and a highly successful reception in Hyderabad, the Argentine legend is now set to be welcomed by his passionate fan base in Mumbai. The World Cup winner has reached the Taj Mahal Hotel.It was a memorable night for the fans who gathered at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, as they witnessed Argentina’s FIFA World Cup-winning icon, Lionel Messi, in action at the second pit stop of his “GOAT India Tour 2025”.After the unfortunate chaos that broke out in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium due to fans’ anger at VIPs and politicians allegedly hogging Messi’s time and attention during the visit there, the 38-year-old’s visit to Hyderabad was a fun experience for everyone involved. He took part in a 7-on-7 exhibition football match involving the state’s Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, soaked up the love from a passionate, loud audience, and also met the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.The superstar footballer presented Rahul Gandhi with his iconic number 10 Argentina jersey as the Congress leader posed for a picture with him and his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. The Telangana Chief Minister also felicitated the football legend with a momento.Messi, also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, gave some children present at the venue a memory of a lifetime as he kicked the ball around the park with them for a few moments.During his time in India, under-14 young football players from across the state will be selected by the Maharashtra Sports Department, and they will get the opportunity to practise with Messi on Sunday.Delhi will be Messi’s final pit stop for the ‘GOAT Tour 2025’ on Monday.

The uncapped wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, Kartik Sharma, has become one of the most talked-about domestic talents heading into the IPL 2026 auction on December 16th.

The 19-year-old, known for his explosive power-hitting, has successfully completed trials for numerous top franchises, capitalizing on his strong performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and recent First-Class centuries. Ahead of the auction, Sharma openly discussed the intense trial process, revealing which high-profile teams showed interest and offering insight into his interactions with coaches and mentors. Most notably, he did not hesitate to declare his long-time favorite franchise, while also sharing an encouraging exchange with one of the league’s biggest names.

Kartik Sharma’s extensive IPL franchise trial experience

The interest surrounding Kartik Sharma, who has set his base price at a modest ₹30 lakh, has been intense, leading to him being invited for trials by over half the franchises in the league. This flurry of invitations underscores the high demand for young, dual-skilled domestic talent, especially wicketkeeper-batters, in the IPL.

Kartik appeared in an interview for Game Changer YT Channel where he confirmed that he spent considerable time demonstrating his skills to both the coaching staff and recruitment teams of several major franchises, indicating a serious level of interest from teams looking to secure uncapped players with high potential. Kartik provided a full list of the teams that invited him, stating:

“I’ve attended trials for six to seven franchises so far. Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Chennai, RCB, RR, Delhi. My practice matches in Chennai have gone well. Mahi Bhaiya didn’t come. But the other staff were there and said that they had enjoyed my batting.”

This extensive list, including auction heavyweights like CSK, MI, and the defending champions RCB, showcases the level of attention he has garnered. His recent strong domestic form, including scoring 133 runs at a strike rate of 160.24 in the SMAT and smashing two First-Class centuries (120 vs Delhi and 139 vs Mumbai), has cemented his status as a key target in the uncapped set of players (Set 8).

Also READ: Cameron Green reveals the real reason behind being listed as a ‘batter’ in IPL 2026 auction

Kartik’s favourite IPL Team ahead of 2026 mini-auction

In a major revelation, Kartik disclosed his favorite team, which is particularly relevant given the upcoming auction. The young star openly expressed his deep admiration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the franchise that secured their maiden title in 2025. This preference could subtly influence the bidding dynamic, should RCB enter the fray to acquire him. Furthermore, Kartik shared a valuable mentorship experience he gained during the trial process, receiving direct advice from the veteran wicketkeeper-batter and RCB mentor, Dinesh Karthik. This interaction highlighted the specific aspects of his game that franchises are keen to develop.

Kartik was open about his franchise loyalty and the encouraging advice he received:

“My favorite franchise is RCB & I got a message from DK Sir… DK bhaiya spoke to me during the trials. He said that I’ve been batting well and advised me to focus more on keeping.”

🚨 | 📢 | 🔔
When Asked About Which Team He Would Like To Play Kartik Said There Is Nothing Like That, I Just Want To Play IPL.
When Asked About His Fav Team In IPL He Supports He Said RCB.
VC: Game Changer YT Channel (@manoj_dimri)#IPL2026 #IPLAuction #IPL #RCB #Cricket https://t.co/SKmGW27gLF pic.twitter.com/7eIynbQDc1

— surendeRR singh 💗 (@Surende26790545) December 13, 2025

The advice to focus on keeping is highly strategic, as his primary role in the IPL will be to provide a reliable wicketkeeping option alongside his proven batting talent. Kartik’s success against major domestic teams, coupled with the explicit interest from teams like RCB and the positive feedback from CSK staff, strongly suggests that his name, listed with a base price of ₹30 lakh, will quickly become one of the most aggressively bid-upon in the uncapped category of the IPL 2026 auction.

Also READ: GOAT India tour 2025: When Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Police cordon off an area at Bondi Beach (AP photo)

Australian city Sydney was shaken on Sunday by a violent mass shooting, involving two gunmen, at the city’s iconic Bondi Beach, leaving multiple people dead and others injured during a Chanukah celebration. The attack prompted condemnation from national leaders, community groups, and international figures as authorities work to investigate.

9 killed, several others injured

Nine people were killed after gunmen open fired at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, according to police’s statement to AFP. Additionally, Australia’s national broadcaster ABC reported that one of the attackers was also killed, and at least 11 others were injured.

2 gunmen involved

Two gunmen were involved in the shooting, leaving nine people dead, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Police shot and killed one of the attackers. The other was arrested.One bystander emerged as a hero amid the chaos, confronting the armed gunman. A video captured the tense moment: as gunshots rang out and panicked crowds scattered, the man used parked cars for cover, closed in on the shooter, and tackled him in a daring attempt to wrestle the rifle away. His intervention briefly disarmed the attacker, providing a critical window for others to escape and for police to respond.Read more: Bystander tackles gunman at Bondi Beach; heroic act caught on camera

‘Shocking & distressing’: Australian PM Anthony Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed shock after the incident offering prayers and assistance. “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected,” he said. “I have just spoken to the AFP Commissioner and with the NSW Premier. We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police,” he added.

Israel calls the attack ‘vile’

Israeli leaders strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a Chanukah celebration in Sydney.Speaking at a ceremony honoring immigrant contributions to Israel, President Isaac Herzog called the attack “vile”. He said, “At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach. Our hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment. As we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem.”Herzog also urged the Australian government to take action against rising antisemitism, warning of “the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society.”Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the attack as “murderous” and linked it to years of antisemitic incitement in Australia. He tweeted, “These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of ‘Globalise the Intifada’ that were realized today.” He added that the Australian government, “which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses.“Energy Minister Eli Cohen extended condolences and emphasized the need to fight antisemitism worldwide. “We stand with the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, in its difficult times, sending condolences to the murdered and praying for the recovery of the wounded,” Cohen said. “Sadly, antisemitism in the world is raising its head, gaining backing from weak leaders who succumb to terror and collaborate with false campaigns against Israel. We must fight antisemitism with an iron fist and by all means.”

Australian Muslim organisation condemns ‘horrific’ shootings

A major Australian Muslim organisation condemned the “horrific” shooting. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack,” the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement. “This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,” it added.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/australia-sydney-bondi-beach-mass-shooting-10-killed-9807015” on this server.

Reference #18.34fdd417.1765708665.5dd0e98

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.34fdd417.1765708665.5dd0e98

The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 — a private member’s bill introduced in Parliament last week — has reopened the conversation on work-life boundaries, even though experts say it is unlikely to become law anytime soon. The legislation, moved by NCP MP Supriya Sule, proposes giving employees the legal right to ignore work-related communication outside designated working hours. While private member’s bills seldom translate into statutes, they often succeed in spotlighting issues of public concern — and this one has already triggered strong reactions across India Inc, according to an ET report.Executives at Mercedes-Benz India, RPG Group, Bombay Realty (Wadia Group), Grant Thornton Bharat, TeamLease Services and Randstad India said the move underlines a growing cultural shift toward employee well-being. Several countries including France, Belgium, Ireland and Australia have already enacted similar rights, experts noted. “Its stated intent is broadly aligned with our approach to employee well-being in a holistic manner,” an RPG Group spokesperson told ET. The conglomerate has implemented flexible hours, hybrid models and firm boundaries such as CEAT’s 8 pm–8 am no-work window, no-work weekends and silent lunch hours. “We believe a happy work environment leads to happy employees, who in turn will deliver their best,” the spokesperson said, ET quoted.Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer said the company’s hybrid working model — allowing employees to work from home twice a week — supports “quality time with family members” while maintaining accountability. “There is higher trust in hybrid culture,” he added. Randstad India CEO Viswanath PS described the proposed law as a “coming of age” moment for the Indian workforce. “This invites us to dismantle the ‘always-on’ habit,” he said, arguing that leadership must shift focus from “input metrics” like hours worked to “impact metrics”.Grant Thornton Bharat partner Priyanka Gulati said conversations with about 20 client organisations across sectors show broad support for clearer boundaries. “Self-accountability is more powerful in mature organisations where employees measure their energy, not just their hours,” she said. At the same time, she noted that companies expect employees to stretch when business demands it. TeamLease Digital CEO Neeti Sharma said defined hours — 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday — act as a helpful baseline, particularly for dispersed teams. “Companies also need flexibility for global collaboration, time zones and project-based work,” she said.Experts stressed that young professionals often hesitate to say no, which makes clearer norms important. Lydia Naik, Group CHRO at Bombay Realty (Wadia Group), said there is “no one-size-fits-all” for work hours. “What truly matters is the quality of work, personal balance and ensuring workloads are realistic,” she said. Despite the bill’s uncertain legislative future, the renewed debate suggests a shift in how Indian workplaces view well-being, productivity and boundaries — with corporate India acknowledging that the era of being perpetually “online” may be nearing its end.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday held a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, intensifying its campaign over alleged “vote chori” and the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The protest, held under the banner “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod”, comes days after sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition in Parliament over electoral integrity.Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The leaders of the BJP only do drama…Some BJP leaders were questioning whether, after the Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi is going abroad. During the Parliament session, PM Modi never attends the session but goes abroad…They are all sitting in power after doing vote chori, we will have to remove these traitors from power…”

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of undermining democratic institutions and questioned the conduct of elections, as she addressed the party’s ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor’ rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital. Addressing a large gathering of party workers and supporters, Priyanka Gandhi said elections in the country were no longer being conducted fairly and that suspicion now surrounded every stage of the process. “Elections not being conducted properly, there is suspicion at every step,” she said, alleging systematic erosion of democratic norms. Recalling the constitutional vision of India, she stressed the centrality of the right to vote. “Our voice should reach the PM’s residence. It’s very important to understand that your vote plays an important role. Nehru ji said that the people of India, every single son and daughter of India, are all a part of Mother India. This very thought shaped our constitution. This Constitution gave you the right to vote,” Priyanka Gandhi said. She also alleged that constitutional bodies were being pressured to function in line with the government’s interests. “All institutions in country being made to bend before govt,” she said, while addressing the rally against what the Congress has termed “vote theft”. Priyanka Gandhi further accused the Election Commission of ignoring alleged violations during polls and questioned the integrity of the electoral process. “EC shutting its eyes to Rs 10,000 being paid during election process; is this poll not ‘vote chori’?” she asked, referring to alleged inducements during elections. She urged party workers not to be demoralised by electoral defeats, particularly in Bihar, claiming that outcomes were manipulated. “You should not lose heart over losing Bihar, entire country knows BJP wins through ‘vote theft’,” she said.“In the Parliament hardly there are one or two debates in a session.When Rahul ji raised the issue, Kharge ji raised the issue that we want to debate on the way votes are being stolen through the EVMs, they got scared. They didn’t agree. Finally, how did they agree? They said we will even discuss Vande Mataram…I challenge them to fight a fair election. Let them fight on the ballot paper, and they themselves know that they will never win. Today, you don’t need to be disappointed that you lost the Bihar election. Because the whole country is watching that they win through theft,” Priyanka said.The rally also follows Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks in Parliament, where he termed alleged vote theft as a serious threat to democracy, triggering a political confrontation with the ruling BJP.

‘EC should not forget they are country’s EC not of PM Modi’: Rahul Gandhi targets EC, BJP

Addressing the party’s ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor’ rally at Ramlila Maidan, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the BJP, the RSS and the Election Commission of India, alleging “vote chori” and institutional capture.“…Listen to RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat’s statement, the world doesn’t look at truth, it looks at power. Whoever has power is respected. This is Mohan Bhagwat’s thinking. This ideology belongs to the RSS. Our ideology, the ideology of India, the ideology of Hinduism, the ideology of every religion in the world says that truth is the most important thing. Mohan Bhagwat says that truth is meaningless, power is important...I guarantee you from this stage, you will see, by upholding the truth, by standing behind the truth, we will remove Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the RSS government, from India”Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of manipulating elections and alleged collusion between the ruling party and the Election Commission.“They (BJP) do ‘vote chori’. Rs 10 thousand were given during the elections…Election Commission of India is working in collusion with the BJP…PM Narendra Modi changed the law to ensure that no action can be taken against the Election Commissioner, no matter what he does”He further warned the Election Commission against acting in the interests of the ruling party.“EC should not forget they are country’s EC not of Modi,” Rahul Gandhi said, adding that the Congress would act to restore accountability.Addressing party workers, he said the Congress would repeal legal changes made by the Modi government to shield election officials.“PM Modi brought a new law to give immunity to EC; we will change that and act against Election Commissioners.”Rahul Gandhi said the fight against the BJP and the RSS would be based on truth and non-violence.“It may take time, but truth will ultimately win; we’ll work with truth, non-violence to defeat Modi, Shah,” he said.

Senior Congress leadership turns up

Several senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Sachin Pilot, attended the rally. Former party president Sonia Gandhi was also likely to be present. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy joined the event as well.“Our party has organised the ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod’ rally at Ramlila Maidan. The Congress party has taken a step towards a decisive battle, and a large number of people will attend this rally,” Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel was quoted as saying by ANI.According to party sources, Congress units from multiple states mobilised supporters for the rally. A party spokesperson said 1,027 Congress leaders and activists set out from Jammu on Saturday, raising slogans of “vote chore, gaddi chhore” and “Delhi chalo” while travelling to the capital.

Workers mobilised from states

Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee made extensive preparations for the programme. Calling the rally historic, he said party leaders, workers and representatives from across Jharkhand had already reached Delhi in large numbers.

‘Lacking a neutral umpire’: K C Venugopal

Congress MP K C Venugopal on Saturday targeted the Election Commission of India, alleging institutional bias and warning of consequences for democracy.“We are lacking a neutral umpire in this country for conducting elections. This is actually very dangerous to democracy. That is why we are going completely for a campaign and movement. The five-crore signature has to be submitted to the President of India. We are seeking an appointment… In Parliament, we also discussed this vote chori issue. Our LoP has given straightforward suggestions. Not only criticising, but we are also providing clear suggestions...There are a lot of complaints about the machines, the EVMs. Lakhs of people will participate in that… This is an internal party program,” Venugopal was quoted as saying by ANI.Venugopal claimed the Congress has collected over five crore signatures nationwide to flag alleged vote theft. He alleged the presence of bogus and duplicate votes, said Rahul Gandhi’s press conferences had exposed irregularities benefiting the BJP, and accused the Election Commission of ignoring Congress complaints while acting against the party.

Kharge attacks BJP, alleges stolen mandates

Addressing the rally, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of misleading Parliament and alleged that electoral mandates had been stolen in multiple states.“Answering in Parliament is one thing, but they (Home Minister Amit Shah) did not answer our questions; they gave answers from their own minds. They provided incorrect information in Parliament. We had asked how and in what way votes were stolen, and Rahul Gandhi spoke about this with evidence… We want to tell the people that the governments in power in Anand, Maharashtra and Haryana have come to power by stealing votes... The people sitting in power today have not been elected by the people…”

Sachin Pilot questions Election Commission’s role

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said concerns over institutional fairness were being raised across the country. He said “Across the country today, this question has arisen that fairness and transparency are disappearing from institutions. The attitude adopted by the Election Commission is very unfortunate… The Election Commission should work with fairness and honesty, rising above leaders, ideologies, or parties, which they are not doing... The Election Commission is unable to answer… Unfortunately, when we ask questions to the Election Commission, the answers are given by BJP spokespersons.” “Today we are organising a mega rally in Delhi, where workers from across the country will gather and, becoming the voice of the people, will ask the question why the Election Commission is not working impartially?,” Pilot added.

BJP hits back

Reacting to the rally, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of using abusive language and promoting disorder.“In the rally held at Ramlila Maidan by the anti-Ram Congress, abusive language and insults were once again used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Videos have surfaced showing their workers once again chanting slogans wishing for Modi’s death. This shows that the Congress party is now becoming a platform for anarchy instead of a political party, operating under a Muslim League-Maoist agenda. You want to praise Rahul Gandhi? Go ahead. But the use of such abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been done before, is utterly reprehensible. Although there is no comparison.”The rally marks a fresh escalation in the political battle between the Congress and the BJP, with electoral processes and the role of constitutional institutions now at the centre of the confrontation.BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “Today the Congress party is holding a rally against vote theft at Ramlila Maidan. It is being said that people are also coming from other states ruled by Congress. Surprisingly, even after the discussion in the House, the Congress party is holding this rally. This same Congress party had submitted an application in the House for a discussion on SIR. Everyone in the House expressed their thoughts, and the Union Home Minister also responded to them... A person who always wears a T-shirt gives a lecture on khadi that day… and from that, their true form is revealed, and they fabricated a story about SIR… They made up the entire story, and when the Home Minister gave point-by-point responses one by one… The Congress party heard about all the issues. When they won in Telangana, Himachal, Karnataka, there was no vote theft, but where the BJP won, there was vote theft… When the Home Minister mentioned infiltrators, that the Congress party is trying to protect the infiltrators, then they created a deadlock and walked out; this clearly shows that this rally against SIR that is happening is an effort by the Congress party to protect the infiltrators…”

India’s Tilak Varma (PTI Photo/Shiva Sharma)

Tilak Varma’s rise in India’s T20I set-up continues to gather momentum, with the left-hander establishing himself as one of the most dependable batters in run-chases at the international level. Among players from Test-playing nations with at least 500 T20I runs while chasing, Tilak currently sits second on the list for batting average, bettered only by Virat Kohli. Kohli leads the chart with 2013 runs from 48 innings at an outstanding average of 67.10, with a top score of 94 not out.

At just 23, Tilak has already accumulated 518 runs in 15 innings during chases, averaging an impressive 64.75, with a highest score of 72 not out. The numbers underline his growing reputation as a calm and reliable presence when targets are on the board. The ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa has further highlighted his form. Across the first two games, Tilak has scored 88 runs. He began with 26 in the opening match before producing a fluent 62 from 34 balls in the second T20I. Despite the quality of that innings, India suffered a 51-run defeat in the contest. Overall, Tilak’s T20I record continues to strengthen. He has amassed 1084 runs in 38 matches at an average of 47.13, striking at 145.50, with two hundreds and five half-centuries to his name. A closer look at his batting positions shows his strongest returns have come at number three. Batting there, Tilak has scored 443 runs in 13 innings at an average of 55.37, while operating at a strike rate close to 170. At number four, he has piled up 490 runs in 14 innings at an average of 54.44, including two fifties such as his unbeaten 69 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, though his strike rate at that position drops to 128.60. Speaking ahead of the third T20I against South Africa, Tilak made it clear that flexibility is not an issue for him. He said he is ready to bat anywhere from number three to six, depending entirely on what the team requires from him.

NEW DELHI: West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday termed the chaos at football star Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake stadium an episode that “brought untold shame” to Kolkata and football lovers, and called for strict accountability, including a judicial inquiry, arrests of organisers and a standard operating procedure (SOP) for managing large congregations.After visiting the venue and interacting with affected spectators, the governor said a committee headed by a retired high court judge, with the state chief secretary and home secretary among its members, is already inspecting the incident. “This should be an eye-opener for all of us. This incident has brought untold shame to the football lovers everywhere, and in Kolkata,” Bose said.Earlier on Saturday, at Salt Lake stadium, around 50,000 spectators, many of whom had paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 for tickets, and, in some cases up to Rs 20,000 in the black market, expressed anger after politicians, VVIPs and security personnel surrounded Messi, restricting visibility for the general public. The situation later escalated, with some spectators throwing bottles, which are banned inside stadiums. Chairs were pulled out and thrown, causing damage to fibreglass seats across the ground and the synthetic track.Stressing that the public should not suffer when private parties commercialise sporting events, he said, “There should be a standard operating procedure for such congregation management in future. Because when a private party is allowed to commercialise sports and make money, the public should not be the sufferers.” He added that the issue involved “larger issues of administrative governance” as well as “the fundamental rights and the human rights of the people.”The governor said he would submit a report after discussions with victims. “My report after discussing with some of the victims will be submitted to the concerned authorities, and I do not want to reveal the content right now, but my report is almost ready. After the mark of this field visit, I will submit my report,” he said, adding that it would also be sent to the Centre.Bose outlined steps he has suggested to the authorities, including a judicial inquiry into the matter; arrest of organisers, “not just the organiser”; refund of ticket money to the public; immediate freezing of the organiser’s accounts; laying down an SOP for such gatherings; and putting in place an insurance scheme for spectators with the premium to be paid by the organiser.He said he has proposed 12 points to the government, covering remedial, short-term and long-term measures.

NEW DELHI: As air quality deteriorated to ‘severe plus’ across Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday directed Delhi and NCR state governments to ensure the immediate suspension of all outdoor physical sports activities, warning that their continuation poses a “serious health risk to children.“In a letter to the chief secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the Commission said it was concerned that “some schools and institutions in Delhi-NCR were still holding outdoor sports activities” despite earlier directions issued in line with a Supreme Court order dated November 19.It said allowing outdoor physical activities during periods of adverse air quality is “contrary to the spirit and intent of the apex court’s observations and the Commission’s instructions.”The directive came as the CAQM invoked the strictest measures under its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Stage IV on Saturday, after pollution levels rose sharply due to unfavourable meteorological conditions. The Commission said it had earlier, in a letter dated November 19, called for the “postponement of physical sports competitions scheduled during November and December.”The CAQM asked the Delhi government and NCR states to ensure strict and immediate compliance with its directions. It also asked the government to issue necessary instructions to schools, educational institutions, sports bodies and local authorities to discontinue outdoor physical sports activities, and sensitise schools and parents about the associated health risks.Authorities were also told to closely monitor compliance on the ground and take action against violations.Under GRAP IV restrictions, all construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR have been banned, including linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecom works.The entry of trucks into Delhi has been stopped, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services, with CNG, LNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks exempted.Schools in Delhi and the most affected NCR districts have been directed to run classes in a hybrid mode for students from primary classes up to Classes VI to IX and XI, with the option of online attendance where feasible.State governments have been asked to consider additional emergency measures if pollution levels worsen further, including closing colleges and educational institutions, shutting non-essential commercial activities and introducing odd-even vehicle restrictions.

The combined market capitalisation of eight of India’s 10 most-valued companies fell by Rs 79,129.21 crore last week, with Bajaj Finance and ICICI Bank taking the sharpest hit amid a broadly weak trend in equities, PTI reported. The BSE benchmark dropped 444.71 points, or 0.51%, during the week. Among the top-10 pack, only Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro managed gains, while HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, Tata Consultancy Services, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance and Life Insurance Corporation of India saw erosion in their valuations. Bajaj Finance’s mcap plunged Rs 19,289.7 crore to Rs 6,33,106.69 crore, making it the biggest loser. ICICI Bank followed with a decline of Rs 18,516.31 crore, taking its valuation to Rs 9,76,668.15 crore. Bharti Airtel’s valuation fell Rs 13,884.63 crore to Rs 11,87,948.11 crore, while State Bank of India shed Rs 7,846.02 crore to settle at Rs 8,88,816.17 crore. Infosys lost Rs 7,145.95 crore, bringing its market value to Rs 6,64,220.58 crore. TCS saw its mcap slip Rs 6,783.92 crore to Rs 11,65,078.45 crore, and HDFC Bank’s valuation declined Rs 4,460.93 crore to Rs 15,38,558.71 crore. LIC, meanwhile, recorded a marginal erosion of Rs 1,201.75 crore, taking its valuation to Rs 5,48,820.05 crore. In contrast, Reliance Industries added Rs 20,434.03 crore to reach Rs 21,05,652.74 crore, while Larsen & Toubro gained Rs 4,910.82 crore to stand at Rs 5,60,370.38 crore. Reliance Industries remained India’s most valuable company, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro and LIC.