PUNE: A Shiv Sena candidate from the Dhankawdi-Sahakarnagar ward of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was booked on Wednesday after he allegedly swallowed the A and B form of another party member at the ward office in the afternoon.Assistant election officer and nayab tehsildar Manisha Bhutkar filed a complaint with the Bharati Vidyapeeth police, after which a case was registered against the candidate under sections 132 (assault or use of criminal force against a public servant) and 324 (mischief) of BNS.
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Senior inspector Rahul Khilare said the party initially issued the form to party worker Machindra Dhawale, who submitted the nomination documents for Ward 36 A. Later, another AB form was issued to the accused, who also filed his documents on Tuesday.“The accused visited the ward office on Wednesday and requested the file containing candidate lists and forms. After receiving the file, he pulled out Dhawale’s form and tried to tear it. When officials intervened, he fled toward the washroom and swallowed the form. The document could not be recovered,” Khilare said.
The gross Goods and Services Tax collections for December 2025 were at Rs 1.75 lakh crore, marking a 6.1 per cent increase from the previous year. The April-December period of 2025-26 saw massive growth in GST collections, with total collections reaching Rs 16.5 lakh crore, up 8.6 per cent from Rs 15.2 lakh crore in the same period last year. Both central and state components showed positive growth during this time.The fiscal year 2024-25 also proved to be a landmark year for GST, with collections hitting a record Rs 22.08 lakh crore, showing a 9.4 per cent jump from its previous year. The average monthly collection reached its highest level since GST’s 2017 launch, standing at Rs 1.84 lakh crore.This growth comes after the system moved from four tax slabs to two main rates of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, with a special 40 per cent rate for luxury goods.The recent reforms announced by Prime Minister Modi from the Red Fort on Independence Day and implemented from the first day of Navratri represent the most significant overhaul of the system. These changes aim to reduce the tax burden on citizens while promoting economic growth through a simpler tax structure. Meanwhile, since its formation in 2016, the Council has held 55 meetings and taken several key decisions aimed at simplifying the GST framework and making it more business-friendly.
SALEM: A 22-year-old man who killed his lover and threw her body into a 300ft-deep gorge in Yercaud was arrested on Monday. He was caught after he sent her mangalsutra to her husband through courier.The incident happened on Dec 23 in the Yercaud garden area where G Venkatesh was meeting 25-year-old Sumathi. They got into an argument there. “Sumathi got a call when they were together, and when Venkatesh asked her who it was, she did not give him a proper answer. This angered him,” said police. “He then strangled Sumathi to death with her dupatta.”Venkatesh put her body in a bag, carried it on his two wheeler to a gorge on the Yercaud-Kuppanur ghat road and threw it there.He then sent Sumathi’s thaali through courier to her husband, whom she had separated from two years ago. Police said the husband, Shanmugam, a truck driver, had been taking care of their two children. After he got the parcel from Venkatesh, he tried searching for Sumathi but it was in vain. So, on Dec 25, he filed a complaint with the Yercaud police, who questioned Venkatesh, arrested him and retrieved the body from gorge with the help of forest officials and firemen. The body was then sent to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital for postmortem.
The year 2025 witnessed several prominent cricket personalities navigating challenging personal terrain, with multiple high-profile relationship endings capturing widespread attention across social and traditional media platforms. These developments underscored the intense pressures that accompany celebrity status in professional sports.
Cricketers’ relationships that ended in 2025
Professional athletes often face unique challenges in maintaining personal relationships while managing demanding careers and constant public visibility. This year saw several cricket stars publicly addressing the end of their marriages and partnerships, with varying degrees of controversy and media attention accompanying each announcement.
1) JP Duminy and Sue Erasmus parts ways after 12 years
Sue Erasmus, JP Duminy (PC: X.com)
Former South African cricketer JP Duminy and his wife Sue Erasmus concluded their marriage in February 2025, ending a union that had lasted over a decade. The couple, who exchanged vows in 2011, released a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to their daughters Isabella and Alexa Rose. Their announcement prioritized co-parenting arrangements and family stability moving forward. Observers had noted decreased public appearances together in preceding months, though no detailed explanation was provided for the separation. Sue has since moved forward with a new relationship, publicly sharing moments with her partner Franco Roberto on social media.
2) Yuzvendra Chahal’s high-profile separation from Dhanashree Verma
Dhanashree Verma, Yuzvendra Chahal (PC: X.com)
The dissolution of Yuzvendra Chahal’s marriage to choreographer and content creator Dhanashree Verma became one of the most discussed cricket-related stories of early 2025. The Bandra Family Court in Mumbai officially granted their divorce on March 20, bringing closure to a relationship that began during pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Court documents cited incompatibility as the fundamental issue, with reports suggesting differing preferences regarding residential location and lifestyle choices created persistent friction. The couple had been living apart since mid-2022.
Financial settlements reportedly included substantial compensation, with Chahal agreeing to provide INR 4 crore alimony payment. The Bombay High Court expedited proceedings by waiving the standard waiting period, accommodating Chahal’s professional cricket commitments during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Media attention intensified when both parties arrived at court proceedings wearing masks to avoid identification. Post-separation, both individuals made subtle social media statements that generated additional public discussion.
3) Megan Schutt confirms split with partner Jess Holyoake
Jess Hollyoake, Megan Schutt (PC: X.com)
Australian women’s cricket star Megan Schutt publicly acknowledged the end of her marriage to Jess Holyoake through a heartfelt social media message. The couple, who married in 2019 following several years together, decided to separate after experiencing difficulties in their relationship. Schutt emphasized that despite the romantic partnership ending, both remain dedicated to raising their daughter Rylee, born in 2021. The announcement stressed mutual respect and a commitment to maintaining positive communication for their child’s benefit.
4) Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal’s wedding called off
Smriti Mandhana, Palash Muchhal (PC: X.com)
Perhaps the most dramatic development involved Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal, whose planned November wedding was abruptly cancelled. The couple, together since 2019, had wedding preparations underway when circumstances changed dramatically on the scheduled ceremony date. Mandhana’s father experienced a medical emergency that morning, followed by Muchhal’s own hospitalization.
Online speculation intensified with unverified claims regarding relationship dynamics, which Muchhal’s family firmly rejected as false rumors while threatening legal action against those spreading misinformation. Mandhana removed wedding-related content from her social media profiles, and by early December, both parties confirmed the permanent cancellation. Mandhana requested focus remain on her cricket career, while Muchhal expressed his intention to move forward respectfully.
5) Imad Wasim’s contested divorce from Sannia Ashfaq
Imad Wasim, Sannia Ashfaq (PC: X.com)
Imad Wasim’s marriage dissolution in late December 2025 generated significant controversy when conflicting narratives emerged. The Pakistani all-rounder announced his separation from Sannia Ashfaq on December 28, requesting privacy and asking supporters to refrain from sharing outdated couple photographs. His statement referenced unresolved conflicts accumulated over several years.
Ashfaq responded with a contrasting account, making serious allegations about the circumstances surrounding their separation. She claimed external interference contributed to the marriage breakdown and described experiencing significant emotional difficulties, particularly during pregnancies. Her statement indicated ongoing legal proceedings and suggested she possessed supporting documentation. The couple, married in 2016, has children together. Speculation emerged regarding third-party involvement, though definitive confirmation remained elusive amid denials from various parties.
India is set to get its first bullet train by 2027! Union minister of railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on 15 August 2027.
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Speaking about the timeline of the project, he said, “The bullet train will be ready in 2027, August 15th, 2027.”The minister further informed about the routes, saying, “the first section to open will be from Surat to Bilimora. After that, Vapi to Surat will open. Then Vapi to Ahmedabad will open, and after that, Thane to Ahmedabad will open, and then Mumbai to Ahmedabad will open.”“For the bullet train … you can buy a ticket now itself, as it will be operational by 2027,” he further added, jokingly.The 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, India’s first high-speed rail line, has been steadily progressing, with significant work completed on viaducts, bridges, tunnels, and stations. The corridor, which will operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph, is expected to reduce travel time to under two hours. Officials earlier said that 320 km of viaduct work is already complete, with land acquisition, tunnelling, station construction, and electrification moving ahead simultaneously. The project, developed in collaboration with Japan, combines Shinkansen standards with Indian engineering at scale, and officials expect the first operational run in 2027, with full corridor operation by 2029.The minister also announced that the first Vande Bharat sleeper train is set to be launched this month. PM Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the service in the second half of January 2026.Speaking about the success of the Vande Bharat Express, Vaishnaw said it has created a “new sense of confidence across the country,” and added that the train has been widely appreciated. “Requests are now coming in from all over India to run Vande Bharat trains, and almost every MP wants one. With the same comfort, safety, and standards, a new overnight journey will begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper,” he informed.
NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday backed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, asserting that the BJP’s “conspiracy” would fail. He also predicted that the BJP would lose the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2027.Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav said, “In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is going to win by a large margin of votes. These BJP people conspire everywhere. This time, their conspiracy will not work. First, they will lose in Bengal, and then they will lose in UP as well,” Akhilesh told reporters.
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During a recent visit to Kolkata, Union minister Amit Shah alleged that “fear and corruption” have become the identity of West Bengal over the last 14 years.He also accused Mamata Banerjee’s government of facilitating the infiltration of illegal immigrants and claimed that the state government was refusing to provide land for border fencing.In response, Mamata Banerjee referred to Amit Shah as “Dushasana,” a character from the Mahabharat.Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav also targeted Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in the state, alleging pressure on Election Commission officials.“When the chief minister said that four crore votes had been deducted from his count, he was essentially telling the officials to commit fraud… The data emerging at this time proves that the Election Commission and its officials need to demonstrate their credibility. Because if there is a discrepancy between figures from the state government and those from SIR, the EC will have to consider the purpose of SIR and the whole revision process,” Akhilesh Yadav said.
Australia cricket team (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Australia have named a 15-member squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England, set to begin on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as confirmed by cricket.com.au. Steve Smith will continue to lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins. The regular captain missed the opening two Tests of the series after failing to recover in time from a lower back injury. Cummins returned for the Adelaide Test, where he resumed captaincy and helped Australia secure the Ashes on home soil. However, the team management has now opted to rest the fast bowler for the remainder of the series.
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The decision has been taken to carefully manage Cummins’ workload and ensure he remains fully fit ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Cummins has been named in Australia’s provisional squad for the global tournament. Usman Khawaja has also retained his place in the squad despite ongoing speculation surrounding his Test future. The 39-year-old began the series as Australia’s established opener but has endured a disrupted campaign. He was unable to bat in the second innings of the Perth Test due to back spasms, missed the Brisbane Test altogether, and was initially left out for Adelaide before being recalled to bat at number four following Steven Smith’s illness. In the fourth Test, Khawaja continued in the middle order alongside Travis Head and Jack Weatherald, scoring 29 in the first innings before being dismissed for a duck in the second. Across the series so far, he has accumulated 153 runs from three matches and five innings at an average of 30.60, with his only half-century coming in Adelaide.Australia squad for fifth Ashes Test:Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster. Australia head into the Sydney Test looking to respond after a four-wicket defeat to Ben Stokes’ England in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
MUMBAI: BJP has denied BMC election tickets to nearly 40% of its corporators who were elected in the previous poll of 2017. While some lost out because their wards got reserved, others were denied tickets either in order to accommodate fresh entrants from other parties or to give an opportunity to new and young faces in the party.BJP had won 82 seats in the 2017 polls. It released its list of 137 candidates for the Jan 15 BMC polls on Wednesday, having conceded 90 to the deputy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
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Most of the former corporators missing out are from the western suburbs. Among them are the wife of an MLA and another MLA’s son.Among ex-corporators who have not been renominated by the BJP are Jyoti Alavani, wife of Vile Parle MLA Parag Alavani, Sagar Singh Thakur of Kandivli, Deepak Thakur, son of MLA Vidya Thakur from Goregaon, Nehal Shah from Matunga-Sion and Asawari Patil from Magathane.Also among those who missed out are Atul Shah, a corporator from South Mumbai, whose ward has been reserved for women, some who became MLAs last year, and those like Manoj Kotak, who was a corporator before he became MP from 2019 to 2024.Those denied tickets outright are mainly from the party’s stronghold areas, and according to sources, many senior corporators were also not adjusted in neighbouring wards; that was a concession extended only to a few.There were mixed reactions from those who have been denied tickets. A few, like Nehal Shah, are contesting as independents, while Asawari Patil has joined the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) to contest from her ward in Magathane.Some have remained loyal to the party and accepted its decision. Atul Shah, who had won the last election by a toss as he and his rival secured an equal number of votes, said that with his ward reserved, he had engaged with the new candidate Deepali Kulthe for her campaign. Referring to the new candidate, he said, “She (Kulthe) worked as an arogya sevika for a long time and visited the vicinity for (administering of) polio drops. She has been well-connected in the ward, and the party is giving a chance to such new people. I am happy with it,” he said.Jyoti Alavani said, “I had decided not to contest this time due to personal reasons, irrespective of whether the ward was reserved or not. I am now working for the party’s new candidate.”In some places, the party’s decision triggered visible resentment among its workers. At a programme organised in Dahisar for a new entrant in the party, Tejaswi Ghosalkar, a BJP woman worker questioned the leadership from the dais, demanding an explanation from MLA Manisha Chaudhary and ex-MP Gopal Shetty, who were also present on the dais, on why a long-time grassroots worker like her had been denied a ticket.
Russia on Thursday said at least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on a hotel and café where New Year celebrations were underway in the occupied Kherson region. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, said the strike took place in Khorly, a coastal village near the Russian-controlled Crimean Peninsula.In a post on Telegram, Saldo said the drone attack hit a hotel and café crowded with people celebrating the New Year, Reuters reported.The claim comes amid heightened tensions after Russia’s defence ministry released night-time footage that it said showed the wreckage of a Ukrainian drone shot down near one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences in north-west Russia.
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Moscow described the alleged incident as a “terrorist act” and a “personal attack” on Putin, allegations that Kyiv has firmly denied, calling them fabricated.The video, published on Wednesday, shows a damaged unmanned aerial vehicle lying in snow in a wooded area. According to the defence ministry, the drone was intercepted during what it described as a “mass launch” targeting Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region on the night of December 28–29.Russian officials claimed that 91 drones were launched during the incident and said all were intercepted by air defences. The ministry said the drone carried a six-kilogram explosive charge, but added that the residence was not damaged.The defence ministry said the alleged attack was “targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages.”Reuters could not verify the attack.
THANE: A 15-year-old boy was kidnapped for ransom by four young men after being lured through a fake Instagram account, police said on Thursday. The Class 10 student was reportedly contacted on Instagram by the accused, who posed as a young girl. Over time, they developed an emotional bond, giving the impression of a romantic relationship and earning the boy’s trust. The accused then invited him to meet at Nandivali in Kalyan (East), Thane. The boy travelled there in an app-based cab, only to be kidnapped and confined in a room in a residential building. The men demanded a ransom of Rs 20 lakh, sending a WhatsApp voice message to his family. After the boy’s parents filed a complaint on December 28, police tracked the cab using CCTV footage and technical analysis. Within 24 hours, they raided the location, rescued the boy, and arrested all four suspects. The accused have been identified as Pradeep Kumar Jaiswal (24), Vishal Pasi (19), Chandan Maurya (19), and Satyam Yadav (19). They have been booked for kidnapping and extortion under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and remanded in police custody.
