Panaji: Bibiano Fernandes is expecting an urgent call from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).The India U-16 coach’s short-term contract with the AIFF ended with the memorable win against Iran last night. Now with the team making it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next year, a new improved deal is expected to be inked, and of course, there are plans to be drawn to ensure that India is in best shape for the continental tournament in May.This will be India’s tenth assignment at the continental stage, and for Bibiano, it will remarkably be the fourth time he is managing the team. His record in the Qualifiers is impeccable: four out of four, since 2018.“This was the most difficult campaign because we didn’t have a long camp and exposure tours like in the past,” Bibiano told TOI on Monday. “It was difficult for the boys in the Qualifiers. We knew it would be a tough task and the challenge was to keep the boys motivated, make them believe that we can qualify.”Nobody had more belief than Bibiano that India can make it to the AFC U17 Asian Cup. It is precisely for this reason that the former midfielder from Goa quit a secure two-year contract at Bengaluru FC to take up the India assignment on a short-term basis. “(Training) Reserves wasn’t really for me. When I got an offer (to work) for the national team, I said, this is where I want to work, and this is how I want to work.”Seeing his desire, Bengaluru agreed to free him from his contract.At the Qualifiers in Ahmedabad, India started gingerly with a draw against Palestine, put it across Chinese Taipei and then lost to Lebanon in what turned out to be an inconsequential tie. In the end, it all came down to the ‘final’ against Iran, which India won 2-1 to top the group and qualify.“The win against Iran proves that we are not short of talent in India. I’ve seen different batches and one thing we cannot deny is the talent at our disposal. Against Iran, a powerhouse, we knew they had better players in every position. They were strong physically and our best chance was to defend really, really well. Because if we held them, we would surely have our chances,” explained Bibiano.For someone who has won five SAFF titles and dedicated his life to shaping India’s future in football, qualification isn’t enough. He wants to take India to the World Cup and that’s only possible if the team makes it to the semifinals in Saudi Arabia, a goal that Bibiano has set for himself and the team.“With the first batch (in 2018), we made it to the quarterfinals (before losing to South Korea). If we can prepare the way we did that year and make it to the quarters, it’s anybody’s game. We are very close (to qualification), just have to do what’s needed from our side and play our part well. We have to get these boys at the highest level possible.“We have to start scouting immediately. We have a batch of 23 players, there’s a need to scout for another 23, merge and finalise the best (team). Exposure is a must too. Playing these matches in qualifiers, we have improved so much. If we go into any qualifier, we will be a different team. We need to play these kind of qualifiers, higher-level matches,” said Bibiano.

Jaxson Dart’s necklace (Getty Images)

Jaxson Dart’s necklace sparkles during every New York Giants game, but beneath the bright stadium lights, it stands for something far more personal. This small piece of jewelry has been with him through bowl games, draft day expectations, and now the roaring NFL stage. It is never just part of his outfit. It is a ritual, a reminder, a heartbeat from home woven into every snap and every throw.He takes the field with confidence, toughness, and real emotion. It is a demanding job to step into the spotlight as a rookie quarterback in New York, but Dart brings a piece of family faith to steady him in every moment. That little chain carries a lot of heart.

Jaxson Dart‘s necklace: The deeper meaning behind a Giants good luck charm

When asked about the necklace, Dart explains it openly. “I haven’t missed a game with it. I make sure it’s one of the first things that I pack,” Dart said. For him, it is not crafted from diamonds or forged by luxury jewelers. It is something much more meaningful. It came from his sister.He still remembers the moment he first picked it up. “I remember I was walking out the door, and I was just grabbing my headphones, whatever it may be on the table, and I saw this necklace,” he said. “I looked at it and I was like, dang, I like that necklace. I asked my mom, I said, ‘Whose is it?’ And she’s like it’s your sister’s.”That day, he wore it into a college bowl game and threw four touchdowns. From then on, it became tradition. “It started out because I felt like it looked cool, you know, during the games. And that was kind of a swag piece that I’d put together each game day,” he said. “It’s a good luck charm for sure. But at the same time, it’s a cool thing between me and my sister.”Through every rough tackle and every triumphant first down, it stays with him. “I try to do my best to adjust it if it’s kind of messed up when I come back on the sideline,” Dart said. “It’s definitely held its own because I’ve taken a lot of hits.”The hearts on the chain are not real gemstones, but they might as well be priceless. “It’s definitely very valuable to me, because like I said, it’s a relationship thing between me and my sister,” Dart said. Then he shared the meaning that goes beyond football. “I’ve kind of thought of it as a deeper meaning to love all that you’re around … a special reminder that we live in a world where maybe not everybody agrees with everybody’s opinion. I think that’s kind of the beauty of our identity as people. But at the same time, I think it’s important to share love and bring people together. So that’s just kind of like the emoji of a heart, bringing people together and kind of spreading joy and love to all.”In a league full of glare and glitter, Jaxson Dart reminds us that the most powerful symbols are not worn for show. They are carried from home, from family, and from the people who held belief long before the world ever did.Also Read: While Drake Maye prepares for Giants, his wife Ann’s Patriots-themed cookies become unexpected pre-game sensation

An IIT professor said the institutes have also decided to emphasise more on participation by start-ups promoted by Centre under Viksit Bharat scheme

MUMBAI: Even as the placement season began across the premier IITs on Monday, more than 20 companies were banned from participating this year. These firms had rescinded job offers made to students in the last academic year, some even as late as June or July this year, at the time of joining. Since many IITs do not allow students with existing offers to sit for further interviews, such late withdrawals not only jeopardised career prospects but also affected students’ mental well-being, said officials. IITs, therefore, unanimously decided to ban these companies from the current placement cycle. IITs tried helping the concerned students despite the time lapse.The list of banned companies was finalised after these firms revoked offers at more than one IIT. Some of them are data analytics and software-based firms. They, however, are allowed to place students through off-campus process.An IIT professor involved in the placement process said the names of the companies were cross-verified by placement coordinators at 15 IITs recently. “We looked at their past records too. Some of these companies had a history of revoking offers and six to seven IITs had already banned them from participation. Offers have been revoked by some companies where some alumni are working. There were also a few companies that reduced salary packages offered in the letter. The placement cells are trying to speak to higher authorities in these companies,” said the professor.Speaking about such cancellations, a computer science graduate from IIT-Bombay’s batch of 2025, said he was hired by a trading platform last December and his joining date was June 1, 2025. “My offer was revoked on May 29. The company made me an offer of nearly Rs 30 lakh and I was more than happy to join. They revoked my offer just two days before I was supposed to join, but fortunately, I got a better offer through an alumnus in some time. Though IIT-Bombay extended help, I did not need it at that time,” said the graduate. He said some of his friends’ offers were revoked too, but a few of them landed other offers. “By June and July it becomes difficult for the institutes too to help with placements as phase-II of the process concludes by the end of the academic year,” he said.The professor added that the IITs this year have also decided to emphasise more on participation by start-ups promoted by the Centre under the Viksit Bharat programme. “The job market is slow, but we are trying to reach out to many more companies and encourage start-ups incubated on prominent campuses to reach the best targets,” he said, adding that so far the placement season looks good.

Virat Kohli brought Bollywood flair to the cricket field by mimicking Salman Khan‘s iconic Tere Naam dance steps to tease Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s hairstyle before India’s thrilling 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi on November 30, 2025.

Virat Kohli pulls off Salman Khan’s trademark dance to mock Yashasvi Jaiswal’s hairstyle

As Team India lined up behind the boundary ropes for the national anthem at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Kohli performed the open-chested “Lagan Lagi” moves from the film, drawing laughter from Jaiswal whose hairdo echoed Khan’s famous look. This light-hearted moment showcased Kohli’s fun side amid high stakes, following India’s 0-2 Test series loss to the Proteas, setting an upbeat tone for the white-ball redemption.​

The Ranchi pitch offered early bounce for pacers before slowing down, aiding India’s total of 349/8 after South Africa won the toss and bowled. Kohli anchored with his 52nd ODI century, 135 off 120 balls (11 fours, 7 sixes), in his 306th match, alongside fifties from Rohit Sharma (57) and KL Rahul (60). South Africa fought back with Matthew Breetzke‘s 72, Marco Jansen‘s explosive 70 off 39, and Corbin Bosch‘s 67, but fell to 332 all out in 49.2 overs. Kuldeep Yadav starred with 4/68, dismantling the lower order in a tense finish.​

Here’s the video:

Kohli trolling Jaiswal’s hairstyle with Salman’s dance in Tere naam 🤣 pic.twitter.com/V9jF1PccKK

— Gangadhar (@90_andypycroft) November 30, 2025

Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir engage in an animated discussion after India’s 1st ODI win against South Africa

Kohli’s mental mastery secures Player of the Match

Named Player of the Match, Kohli credited his “mental” approach for the knock, stating all his cricket stems from visualization and fitness rather than excessive nets. “I’ve never been a believer of a lot of prep. All my cricket has been mental. I work physically very hard… you visualise batting and feeling well,” he explained post-match, emphasizing awareness of conditions at Ranchi where the pitch held decently for 20-25 overs. Now with 14,390 ODI runs at 58.02 average and 93.41 strike rate—including 52 centuries—Kohli affirmed his focus on ODIs at 37, arriving “at 120%” when selected.​

This victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the next ODI in Raipur on December 3, as Kohli’s return with Rohit bolsters the side post-Test woes. Fans erupted as Kohli reached three figures off Jansen, looking skyward in thanks amid a fan breaching security. South Africa’s resilience highlighted their WTC gains from the Tests, but India’s experience prevailed in this balanced contest.

Also READ: “I’d be lying if…”: KL Rahul on India’s nervy win over South Africa in Ranchi ODI

Mumbai: After the Congress announced that it would go solo in the BMC polls and Shiv Sena (UBT) party president Uddhav Thackeray said it is free to make its decision, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said he would go to Delhi next week and talk to the Congress high command. “Congress must be part of MVA for BMC polls. This is our stand,” Raut said. Raut mentioned that the Sena (UBT) was in discussions with Congress. “If Congress’s confidence increased after the Bihar poll results, then they can fight BMC polls alone, but it is our stand that the MVA must be there and the Congress must be part of this MVA,” Raut stated. Raut also took a dig at the ongoing rumblings between MahaYuti partners Sena and BJP, saying Union home minister Amit Shah would dig the grave of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. Last month, in an indication that he was not going to pacify the Congress to remain in MVA for BMC polls, Uddhav had said that Congress was an independent party and free to make its own decision. Uddhav’s comments came a day after Congress said it would contest the BMC poll on its own.“Amit Shah is going to dig Shinde’s grave. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray met. Raj Thackeray gave a presentation to Uddhav Thackeray. Whatever they are doing is going well. What Eknath Shinde says is not important. Our stand is for Congress to be with us. If Congress has gained confidence after the Bihar election results, then they should fight BMC elections independently. With Raj Thackeray coming along, BJP is going to be defeated. Mumbai’s enemy is BJP. Mumbai is being pushed down the throat of Adani. If we want to stop that, it is necessary to take Raj Thackeray along,” Raut said.“The Gulabo Gang of the Shinde faction has said that Lakshmi Darshan will be done on Dec 1. Now the Election Commission (EC) should take note of this. In some places, Rs 10,000 or Rs 15,000 Lakshmi Darshan is going on for one vote. There has never been such a game of money in municipal elections. These elections were being held at the local level. Now you can see five or six helicopters, private planes, all this. We have left the elections to local workers. People say that the opposition is weak, but that is not the case at all. The electoral culture of this state has been destroyed. In the last four to five years, the culture has been destroyed under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. Currently, there is a competition between the three ruling parties, each trying to prove ‘you are bigger or I am bigger’,” Raut said.

Navi Mumbai: The season’s first flamingos touched down in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai wetlands, exciting bird lovers and environmentalists as the elegant birds signalled the return of the region’s annual pink season. Their arrival was slightly delayed due to the extended monsoon, but the sight of the birds sweeping over creeks and lakes revived hopes of a strong migratory run.Around 300 greater flamingos were recorded in the Thane Creek, said senior bird researcher Mrugank Prabhu, while watchers spotted early flyovers at the DPS Flamingo Lake in Nerul. Numbers remained small, but larger flocks were expected shortly, confirmed Prashant Bahadure, Range Forest Officer at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.Their return marked the informal opening of Flamingo City’s pink festival, said NatConnect Foundation Director B N Kumar, who urged the state govt to finalise the long-pending Gazette notification declaring the DPS Lake a Conservation Reserve. The State Wildlife Board approved the proposal in April after sustained campaigning by environmental groups, backed by state forest minister Ganesh Naik.Environmentalists said the birds’ arrival reinforced the urgent need to secure Mumbai’s shrinking wetlands. Sandeep Sareen of the Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society called on citizens to “wholeheartedly welcome the pink guests,” while demanding stronger protection of their habitats.Kumar stressed that critical wetlands, such as Panje, Bhendkhal, and Belpada in Uran, along with NRI, TS Chanakya, and Lotus Lake in Navi Mumbai, must be notified without delay. These water bodies are among the 24,000 mapped in Maharashtra under the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment, the ISRO-backed Wetland Atlas prepared by the Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad.Nationally, the inventory lists over two lakh wetlands larger than 2.25 hectares, but formal notifications lagged due to prolonged ground-truthing. The verification, conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, was completed recently, removing a major procedural bottleneck.Flamingos contribute significantly to wetland health. By feeding on algae, plankton, and small invertebrates, they regulate nutrient levels and prevent algal blooms. Their constant stirring of the mudflats improves aeration, benefiting aquatic plants and fish, while their presence serves as a reliable indicator of ecological stability. Environmentalists said the pink arrivals were not just a seasonal spectacle but essential partners in keeping Mumbai’s threatened mudflats and creeks alive..

Mumbai: Santacruz police registered a case against three men on Nov 6 after a senior citizen from Santacruz (W) was duped of Rs 1.5 lakh. The victim, MD Mangi (76), was persuaded by two of the accused who told him they knew a person capable of solving his financial problems and promised that the victim will earn money by claiming that Satan could make it rain money. Illyaz Moosani (35) and Sohail Shaikh (35) were arrested during the probe on Sunday; the third suspect remains at large.Mangi’s wife had been undergoing treatment for the last two years, and he was in dire need of funds. He mortgaged a milk shop for Rs 3 lakh and a house for Rs 2 lakh to cover her medical expenses.When the accused learned of his plight, they assured him they could produce money through black magic. “The accused asked him to arrange Rs 1.5 lakhs for money rain to happen through black magic. They cheated him by giving fake notes of Rs 77,000 and fled away to Gujarat,” said a police officer of the Santacruz police station.In his complaint, Mangi said, “The accused got in touch with me through one of my relative. On Oct 25, the accused told that they knew a person, Khan Saheb, who could help to remove my financial problem, who can make it rain money.” The duo took him to a spot on Juhu Tara Road where they introduced him to Khan Saheb. “The conmen with his handiwork showed money earned through black magic after placing a black cloth on the floor. This made Mangi ready to arrange the money and met the accused with Rs 1.5 lakhs. They handed over a bag claiming it contained double the money and left for Surat with Rs 1.5 lakhs,” said a police officer.Mangi realised he had been duped only when he opened the bag and found it contained play notes bearing fictitious bank names. “Mangi arranged the money hoping that he can raise funds to clear the debts, that he had taken for his wife’s treatment, after mortgaging his shop and house,” said the officer.The accused ran a kite shop and a vegetable shop and were aware of the funds Mangi had obtained through his mortgages, which prompted them to plan the fraud. The two are in police custody while efforts continue to trace the third suspect.

NEW DELHI: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan’s first day as chairman of Rajya Sabha was marked by a warm welcome by treasury benches led by PM Narendra Modi and clashes between them and opposition as the latter raised the issue of ex-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar.PM praised Radhakrishnan’s contributions and said his rise from an ordinary background to the office of vice president reflects the true strength of democracy. The PM assured him that the Upper House will always uphold the dignity of the “esteemed institution and will remain ever mindful of maintaining your dignity as well”.Welcoming the new chairman, PM Modi recalled his past association with Radhakrishnan and said that he has always set himself apart by rising above the constraints of protocol. “In public life, there is a special strength in living beyond protocol, and we have always seen that strength in you.”But a clash between BJP and Congress members erupted as leader of opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge recalled the sudden resignation of former VP Jagdeep Dhankhar. Kharge said any democracy in which opposition is not allowed to criticise freely govt policies will degenerate into tyranny.Kharge assured the chairman of Congress’ support, but urged him to treat opposition and treasury equally. “Fair and impartial conduct of proceedings, providing just opportunity to members of each party, is essential for credibility of this office,” he said.He referred to Dhankhar, who had resigned from the post of VP on July 21 over “health” issues. “I am constrained to refer to your predecessor’s completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of the chairman, RS. The chairman, being custodian of the entire House, belongs as much to opposition as to govt. I was disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him a farewell. Regardless, wish him, on behalf of the entire opposition, a very healthy life,” he said.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Kharge: “I just want to remind the House that you have forgotten the language you used to insult him… The removal motion you served, a copy of which we still have…just think how much you have tarnished the dignity of the chair. My appeal is, please do not refer to anything which is not necessary on this solemn occasion.”Leader of the House in RS J P Nadda also criticised Kharge. Nadda said Radhakrishnan’s public life was unblemished. He ended his speech by quoting former President S Radhakrishnan: “We should behave like responsible members in Parliament and not as professional agitators.”Earlier, members appealed to the chairman to ensure that opposition gets a voice in Parliament. “This is the only forum where opposition can put its point across,” said Congress MP Rajiv Shukla. CPI MP Santosh Kumar P, AGP MP B P Baishya & nominated member Sudha Murthy appealed to him to give requisite time to smaller parties, northeastern states and nominated members, respectively, during debates.

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NEW DELHI: Opposition parties disrupted proceedings in Lok Sabha and walked out of Rajya Sabha on the first day of the winter session after govt refused to concede their demand to immediately allow a debate on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by Election Commission.They rejected the stand of parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju that the demand for debate over SIR was under consideration but govt could not be tied to a timeline.

The forthcoming days are likely to see more disruptions as there is no indication that the govt might relent on its stand not to discuss the functioning of Election Commission, an independent body. The opposition is determined to force the issue and chose the path of confrontation despite misgivings among smaller INDIA bloc parties. You can’t dictate timeline for govt call on SIR debate, Rijiju tells oppnThere are signs suggesting that Trinamool is ploughing its own furrow in the matter (special intensive revision of electoral rolls being conducted by Election Commission) rather than following Congress. At a meeting of the grouping, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is learnt to have repeated his “vote manipulation” charge — a clear sign that Congress would remain hewed to its stand opposing special intensive revision.There were repeated adjournments in the first half of the session as opposition shouted slogans disregarding Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s appeal not to do so. “You can raise slogans outside but not in the House,” he said. A bill introduced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to implement amendments to GST law in Manipur was passed in Lok Sabha amid the din.Sitharaman also introduced in Lok Sabha two new bills that seek to repurpose levies on ‘sin goods’ such as tobacco, pan masala and related products. However, with opposition persisting with its slogan shouting, the House had to be adjourned for the day in the second half.In Rajya Sabha, opposition MPs were on their feet to press their demand soon after the felicitation of chairman C P Radhakrishnan, who chaired the proceedings for the first time since his election as Vice President in Sept this year.TMC member Derek O’Brien said that parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju had promised them on Sunday to get back to them on their demand that SIR should be taken up under the broader agenda of “electoral reforms”. Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and CPM’s John Brittas joined in the demand.They cited suicides by booth-level officers (BLOs) due to alleged workload, with Kharge calling for taking up the debate on SIR first as they have been demanding it since last session.Rijiju reiterated that their demand is under govt’s consideration and that he would get back as soon as possible. “Nobody is undermining the matter taken up by opposition. It is under consideration of govt. But you cannot impose conditions like taking up the discussion today. There are opposition parties other than a dozen (demanding debate on SIR), who represent different states and want discussion on other issues,” he said. Opposition MPs told Rijiju that he had promised on Sunday to convey to them govt’s decision by 9pm the same day. Rijiju, however, said opposition cannot dictate a timeline.“Timeline is not the problem. But there is a trust deficit,” retorted Derek. Opposition members then staged a walkout in protest, following which the Chair took up special mentions and Zero Hour.Opposition functionaries said that they will continue to stick to their demand for SIR discussion on Tuesday and will take stock of the situation on Wednesday amid slender hope in its ranks that govt could agree.INDIA bloc will protest against the SIR at the Parliament entrance on Tuesday morning, in what will be reminiscent of the Monsoon session that was washed out over protests against ‘vote chori’.Many eyebrows were raised when Trinamool did not join the meeting of INDIA bloc held at Congress’s initiative. Also, smaller parties from Kerala like CPI, CPM, RSP and IUML felt that complete washout of proceedings should be avoided as there were important issues to be highlighted.Congress president Kharge sympathised with them, but said the issue of SIR is important and govt should accept the demand for discussion even if it is under some other subject like “electoral reforms”.But, sources said, a difference of views was the reason why opposition has decided to take a fresh look at the issue after two days.