NEW DELHI: In a major relief for Vodafone Idea, the Union cabinet on Wednesday decided to freeze the telecom company’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues at Dec 31 level of Rs 87,695 crore, with payment rescheduled over 10 years, starting 2031-32. In addition, the dues frozen at the current level will be reassessed by the telecom department based on Deduction Verification Guidelines and the outcome will be decided by a committee appointed by the Centre and that shall be binding on both parties, said officials. The AGR dues for 2017-18 and 2018-19 that were finalised through a Supreme Court order in Sept 2020 can be paid by the company between 2025-26 and 2030-31, without any change.

Why the call for support

The cabinet decision, providing a five-year relief, follows Supreme Court judgments allowing govt to reassess the statutory dues. The stock market was, however, unimpressed by the latest package with the company’s shares closing 11% lower at Rs 10.8 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, recovering 50 paise from the day’s low of 10.26. Given that the decision was not made public, responding to a clarification from the exchanges, Vodafone said it had not received any communication from govt. This is the latest round of support for the beleaguered telecom company, which was hit hard by the massive fall in tariffs, along with the AGR hit. Also, earlier restructuring by govt has failed to sail smoothly. It is sitting on a pile of debt of over Rs 2 lakh crore, including the AGR dues, with losses adding up to Rs 5,600 crore during the Sept quarter. It has been reporting losses since the year-ended March 2017. As part of earlier bailouts the Centre is now the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea with a 49% stake. Vodafone Idea has lost market share as the promoters, the Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone, have been seeking to rope in investors. Despite the relief offered earlier, Vodafone Idea was not in a position to pay Rs 18,000 crore annually, starting March, and had approached the court as well as govt for fresh support. Officials said that the decision was in view of the public interest, substantial stake of govt and the interest of 20 crore mobile consumers. Govt has argued that the telecom sector needs to be competitive with at least three private players, in addition to state-run BSNL.

NEW DELHI: The Centre has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of all oral formulations of nimesulide above 100 mg in immediate-release form, citing risk to human health and the availability of safer alternatives.In a notification issued on Dec 29 and published in The Gazette of India, the health ministry said it was satisfied that continued use of higher-dose nimesulide was “likely to involve risk to human beings” and that the prohibition was necessary in public interest.Nimesulide is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for pain, inflammation and fever. The ban applies only to oral formulations above 100 mg in immediate-release form and takes effect immediately. Lower-dose formulations are not covered.The order has been issued under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), and bars manufacturers, distributors and sellers from producing or supplying the banned formulations.Nimesulide has been under regulatory scrutiny for over a decade. In 2011, the central govt prohibited six drugs, including nimesulide, following DTAB recommendations, and barred its use in children below 12 years amid concerns over liver toxicity.Earlier this year, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also flagged safety concerns, recommending restrictions on nimesulide use in patients below 18 years and above 60 years, and advising that formulations above 100 mg be banned. In India, the drug is sold under brands such as Nimulid, Nimtex and Nicip, with Nise among the largest-selling brands.Welcoming the move, Dr Rommel Tickoo, director, internal medicine, Max Hospital, Saket, said, “This is a prudent and timely decision taken by govt. The restriction on high-dose immediate-release nimesulide addresses a long-standing safety concern, especially when misused or taken without supervision. With safer NSAID alternatives readily available, limiting exposure to higher doses is clearly in the interest of patient safety.“

INDORE: Seven people have died, while dozens are battling for life in hospitals following diarrhoea and vomiting caused by contaminated tap water in Indore, which boasts of retaining India’s cleanest city tag eight times in a row in the national Swachh Survekshan rankings. Patients began pouring into hospitals Monday evening after a leakage in the Bhagirathpur area of the city led to sewage water mixing with drinking water. The area has a population of about 15,000 people. However, confusion prevailed over the numbers of those dead and hospitalised, as the patients are spread over govt as well as private health facilities across the city. CM Mohan Yadav, who visited the patients admitted to various hospitals on Wednesday evening, said, “As of now, the number of deaths recorded is four. But, we have initiated a probe and the final figure would be clear once the report is filed.” Earlier in the day, city mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava had said, “Health department has officially reported the deaths of three persons, but according to my information, seven people have died.” While Indore collector Shivam Verma had earlier informed that 149 patients were admitted in 27 hospitals across the city, the CM said: “Currently, there are 162 patients admitted in hospitals, with 26 in ICU, and 50 have been discharged.” “As many as 7,992 homes have been surveyed, examining approximately 39,854 people, of which about 2,456 were suspected of illnesses, and patients received primary treatment at the same location,” CM Yadav added. He also announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of the deceased, and directed free medical treatment of all patients. Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) officials said the source of contamination was a toilet constructed at the Bhagirathpura police check-post. The contractor had channelled the output from the toilet to a pit above the main water supply line. IMC zonal officer Shaligram Sitole and assistant engineer Yogesh Joshi had been suspended with immediate effect, while in-charge sub-engineer Shubham Shrivastava had been dismissed, teh collector said. A three-member committee, comprising an IAS officer, an engineer and a medical college professor, has been constituted to investigate. As officials struggled to verify the figures of the ill and dead, Indore bench of MP high court Wednesday directed the state govt to collate figures and submit a report on Jan 2. A vacation bench comprising Justices Rajesh Kumar Gupta and B P Sharma passed the direction while hearing a PIL by Indore HC Bar Association president Ritesh Inani.

Adelaide Strikers cricketer Chris Lynn achieved a massive milestone against his former team, Brisbane Heat, in the ongoing match of the BBL 2025-26 season. The right-handed batter became the first player to complete 4,000 runs in the history of the Big Bash League, reaching the milestone with a six.

Brisbane Heat suffered a disastrous start after being asked to bat, collapsing early at the Adelaide Oval. Their top order failed to cope with the pressure, leaving the side reeling at 21 for 5. The Adelaide Strikers bowlers put pressure on opposition batters and wrapped up the innings for just 121 in under 20 overs.

Chris Lynn Becomes First Batter to Reach 4,000 Runs in BBL History With a Six

Chris Lynn reached a historic milestone in the Big Bash League, becoming the first player to score 4,000 runs in the tournament. He came into the match needing just 14 runs to get there.

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Lynn launched Xavier Bartlett for a six over midwicket on the final ball of the fourth over. The powerful strike took him past the 4,000-run mark in his 300th T20 match. With that hit sailing into the crowd, Lynn etched his name into BBL history.

A BBL great! 👏 Chris Lynn is the first to 4,000 BBL RUNS – and he does it with a six! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/V66sxynAPe

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 31, 2025

Most Runs in Big Bash League (BBL):

The Strikers completed the run chase with more than five overs to spare. Chris Lynn scored an unbeaten 79 runs off 41 balls, including six boundaries and as many sixes. Matthew Short (19 off 27) was the second-highest scorer for the team. Ollie Patterson, Xavier Bartlett and Thomas Balkin took one wicket each.

Brisbane Heat Bowled Out for 121 Runs in 19.4 Overs

Adelaide Strikers put Brisbane Heat under pressure right from the start. Brisbane slid to 21 for 5 inside six overs, losing key batters including Colin Munro, Lachlan Hearne, Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant. Liam Scott conceded just 12 runs and took two wickets in his four overs.

A brief counterattack came from Captain Xavier Bartlett, who hit a few big shots to lift the tempo, but his dismissal during the Power Surge ended any hopes of a recovery. The Strikers stayed ruthless, never allowing momentum to shift. Matthew Kuhnemann top-scored with an unbeaten 31.

Jamie Overton was the pick of the bowlers with an impressive spell of 3 for 19. He removed key batters, including Jack Wildermuth and Xavier Bartlett. Liam Scott and Hasan Ali picked up two wickets each.

Also read: Nikhil Chaudhary suffers HORRIFIC INJURY in BBL 2025-26, carried off the field