KALYAN: Police have arrested a newly hired Rapido bike taxi driver, aged 19, for allegedly molesting and attempting to rob a 26-year-old female passenger on a deserted stretch in Kalyan on Saturday evening. Mahatma Phule police station’s senior inspector Baliramsingh Pardeshi said, “We have also recovered a knife from the accused, who has been identified as Siddhesh Pardeshi, a class 7 dropout from Kalyan’s Khadakpada area.” Siddhesh was employed with Rapido for the last one-and-a-half months, police said.

In her complaint, the woman said she booked a Rapido bike-taxi ride to travel to her gym near Kalyan railway station around 7pm. Siddhesh accepted the ride and picked her up from near her Chickenghar area residence. But instead of the intended destination, when he diverted the scooter towards a deserted, dark stretch of road near the police colony in the Syndicate area, she raised an objection. Siddhesh allegedly stopped the scooter, grabbed her hand, and “behaved in an indecent manner”, causing her severe mental distress and humiliation, stated the FIR. Further, he allegedly snatched her purse and took Rs 1,000 cash. The woman resisted and raised an alarm. Hearing her cries for help, local residents rushed to her aid and apprehended Pardeshi. They thrashed him before handing him over to Mahatma Phule police. Siddhesh was produced before a holiday court, which remanded him to police custody till Dec 18. Police said they are probing whether the teenager has been involved in similar incidents in the past and are also verifying his background and ride history with the aggregator platform.The incident has once again raised serious concerns over passenger safety, especially for women using app-based services. Police have appealed to passengers to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious behaviour.

The opening day of Big Bash League (BBL|15) was overshadowed by a devastating mass shooting at Bondi Beach, leaving Australian cricket grappling with tragedy as the Sydney Sixers took the field thousands of kilometres away. What was meant to be a celebration of the new BBL season instead became a sobering reminder of events unfolding far beyond the boundary rope.

On Sunday evening, two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, in an attack authorities have described as terrorism. At least 16 people were killed, including one of the attackers, while more than 40 others were injured, among them police officers who rushed to the scene. Officials have labelled the incident Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades, sending shockwaves across the nation.

Sixers stand in Perth as tragedy unfolds in Sydney

As the scale of the attack became clear, Sydney Sixers were in Perth for their season-opening clash against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium. With Bondi located in their home city, the emotional toll on the visiting squad was immediate.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, Cricket Australia made the rare decision to temporarily relax its strict anti-corruption protocols, allowing Sixers players to access their mobile phones before the match. The move enabled players and staff to contact family and friends in the Bondi area and confirm their safety as emergency services continued their response.

The Sixers later confirmed that no players or team members were directly affected, but the anxiety of waiting for updates weighed heavily on the group.

Charlie Stobo reflects on emotional challenge faced by Sixers players

Fast bowler Charlie Stobo spoke about the emotional strain faced by the squad as they attempted to compartmentalise the tragedy while still fulfilling their professional commitments.

“We are wishing everyone affected speedy recoveries and all the best,” Stobo said. “We had our phones locked away and we were allowed to use them to just sort of check in with family and friends. It’s all happened pretty quickly.”

The match itself was rain-affected, adding to the strange atmosphere as players competed under floodlights while their home city mourned. For the Sixers, maintaining focus proved difficult as updates filtered through throughout the evening.

Also READ: Big Bash League 2025/26 – Complete squads of all 8 teams in the BBL|15

Cricket Australia and England & Wales Cricket Board offer condolence to all those affected

Players, officials and fans across the competition expressed condolences and solidarity with the victims and their families.

“Everybody at Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board is horrified by the tragic events at Bondi Beach yesterday evening.

All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time.

Our condolences go out to all those affected.

We stand with you,” wrote CA and ECB in their shared social-media post.

Also READ: Fans go gaga as Cooper Connolly’s explosive innings fires Perth Scorchers to thrilling win over Sydney Sixers in BBL|15

KALYAN: Kalyan-Dombivli witnessed an enthusiastic response to a public awareness cycle rally organised by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to mark Energy Conservation Week. The rally, organised by the civic body’s Electricity Department, saw participation from hundreds of cyclists from across Kalyan and Dombivli, who came together to spread the message of saving energy and protecting the environment.Cyclists from various groups, including Kalyan Cyclists Group, Bikeport Cyclists Group, Dombivli Cycling Club, Evergreen Cyclists Group and Palava Cyclists Group, participated in the event. Nearly 300 cyclists, ranging from senior citizens to young children, took part and conveyed strong messages on energy conservation. Many cyclists displayed placards on their bicycles with slogans such as “Energy Saving is National Saving”, “Save Energy, Save Money”, “Protect the Environment” and “Use Solar Energy for a Clean Future”.The rally was held under the concept envisioned by Additional City Engineer of the Electricity Department, Prashant Bhagwat. Two separate cycle rallies were organised—one in Kalyan and another in Dombivli—both starting and concluding at the KDMC headquarters. In Kalyan, the rally passed through Patri Pul, Waldhuni, Subhash Chowk, Bhavani Chowk, Khadakpada Chowk, Durgadi Chowk and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk before returning to the civic headquarters. The Dombivli rally covered Patri Pul, Mhasoba Chowk, Gharada Circle, Tilak Chowk, Indira Chowk–Phadke Road and Thakurli–Patri Pul before concluding at the same venue.Adding significance to the event, KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goel, Kalyan Zone-3 Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende and Additional City Engineer Prashant Bhagwat actively participated in the cycle rally.Addressing the participants, Commissioner Abhinav Goel said that energy conservation has become a pressing need of the time and even small changes in daily life can make a big difference. He appealed to citizens to save electricity every day for long-term environmental benefits. Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende stressed that people should not wait for others to take the initiative and instead begin energy-saving efforts themselves.During the event, information boards carrying messages on energy conservation were unveiled by the dignitaries. As part of Energy Conservation Week, KDMC has planned a series of awareness programmes across the city. These include activities in government offices on December 15, schools and colleges from December 16 to 18, railway station areas on December 19, and residential societies in Kalyan-Dombivli from December 20 to 21, Additional City Engineer Prashant Bhagwat informed.

NEW DELHI: Former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim reacted to his expulsion from the party on Monday, defending his move to write to Sonia Gandhi expressing dissatisfaction with the party leadership, citing recent electoral losses. He cited Rahul Gandhi’s suggestion of “daro matt (don’t be scared)” and said that he had “told the truth to the party’s high command” but had to be expelled.“I came to know that I have been expelled from the party. I had taken the right step after due deliberation. We are such a big party but we are unable to connect to people in every state. We are unable to win. Congress is minimising. So, as a true Congress worker, I thought that if the high command is not meeting us and we are unable to communicate with them,” he said.

Also read: Congress expels ex-Odisha MLA over ‘anti-party’ activities“So, I expressed my thoughts to Sonia ji through a letter. The truth and the need to reform the party – I just gave her a suggestion. Later, it came in the media and when they asked me I told them the truth. Rahul ji himself says ‘daro matt’…I told the truth to the party’s high command but had to be expelled,” Moquim added.Congress party cited “anti-party” activities as the reason behind his expulsion.“This is for the information of all concerned that AICC has approved the proposal for the expulsion of Sri Md. Moquim from the primary membership of the party, due to anti-party activities,” the notice issued by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) said.In the letter, Moquim had urged Sonia to bring forward “young leaders”, as the party was going through a “difficult phase”.“The recent outcomes in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Kashmir, where our defeats were by staggering margins, are not just electoral setbacks; they reflect a deeper organisational disconnect,” the letter said.“A series of wrong decisions, misguided leadership choices, and the continued concentration of responsibility in the wrong hands have weakened the Party from within. Rather than correcting these errors, we appear to be repeating them and the consequences are now visible to the entire nation,” the letter added.

Wakefit Innovations entered the Dalal Street on a muted note on Monday with its shares trading at Rs 195 on the NSE, matching its issue price. On the BSE it opened slightly lower at Rs 194.1.However, later the stock price jumped to over Rs 200 on both the benchmarks. On the Bombay Stock Exchange, Wakefit was trading at 202.20, up 4% or 8.10 points from the listing. At the NSE, the stock was up 6.92 points, or 5.55%, to reach 201.92 around 11:54 AM. The flat debut was indicated in the unofficial market as Wakefit’s grey market premium hovered around 3%, suggesting limited upside despite the company’s strong consumer-facing brand, ET reported.

Wakefit IPO

The company’s public issue comprised a fresh equity raise of Rs 377.18 crore alongside an offer for sale of Rs 911.71 crore by existing shareholders. According to the company, funds raised through the fresh issue will be directed towards expanding its physical retail footprint, meeting lease commitments for current stores, acquiring equipment and machinery, and increasing spending on marketing and brand-building. Wakefit has outlined plans to add more than 100 new offline stores, underscoring a stronger push into omnichannel retail as online customer acquisition costs remain high. The Rs 1,289 crore IPO, which concluded on December 10, received overall bids amounting to 2.52 times the shares on offer. Retail investors showed the highest interest, subscribing 3.17 times, followed closely by qualified institutional buyers at 3.04 times. Non-institutional investor participation was comparatively modest, with subscriptions at 1.05 times. Before opening the issue to the public, Wakefit had secured Rs 580 crore from anchor investors, including several prominent domestic and international funds, providing a measure of confidence to the offering amid cautious secondary market conditions, according to ET.

Financial profile

In FY25, Wakefit’s revenue climbed 28% year-on-year to Rs 1,305 crore, while the company reported a loss of Rs 35 crore, higher than the loss recorded in the previous financial year. However, the trend improved in the first half of FY26, when Wakefit posted a profit of Rs 35.6 crore for the six months ended September, supported by better operating leverage and stricter cost management. Based on the issue price, the company commands a valuation of around Rs 6,373 crore. This translates into a price-to-earnings multiple that many market participants view as demanding, given Wakefit’s relatively short profitability track record and the intensely competitive nature of the home and furnishings market. Investors, for now, appear to be waiting for more sustained earnings visibility before re-rating the stock.

About Wakefit

Founded as a digital-first brand in mattresses and sleep solutions, Wakefit played a key role in popularising the category in India through online distribution and value-driven pricing. The company has since broadened its portfolio to include furniture, furnishings and home décor, evolving into a more comprehensive home solutions business.Wakefit now operates across online platforms and a growing network of company-owned and company-operated stores. As of September 2025, it had a presence in 62 cities through 125 offline outlets.

PM Modi congratulates the Indian squash team on its historic World Cup win. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in celebrating a watershed moment for Indian sport on Sunday, congratulating the Indian squash team for clinching their first-ever Squash World Cup title and calling the achievement a source of inspiration for the country’s youth.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India produced a flawless performance to defeat top-seeded Hong Kong 3–0 in the final in Chennai, completing an unbeaten run through the tournament and going two steps higher after settling for bronze in the 2023 edition. The triumph marked a significant leap for Indian squash on the global stage.

Taking to X, PM Modi praised the quartet of Joshna Chinnappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthil Kumar and Anahat Singh for their commitment and resilience. “Congratulations to the Indian Squash Team for creating history and winning their first-ever World Cup title at SDAT Squash World Cup 2025! Joshna Chinnappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthil Kumar and Anahat Singh have displayed tremendous dedication and determination. Their success has made the entire nation proud. This win will also boost the popularity of squash among our youth,” the Prime Minister wrote.India’s dominance was evident throughout the competition. The team swept aside Switzerland and Brazil 4–0 in the group stage before defeating South Africa 3–0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, India stunned defending two-time champions Egypt with another emphatic 3–0 victory to set up the title clash.In Sunday’s final, veteran Joshna Chinnappa, ranked 79th in the world, gave India the perfect start with a composed 3–1 win over world No. 37 Lee Ka Yi in the women’s singles. Asian Games medallist Abhay Singh, India’s top-ranked men’s player at world No. 29, then stretched the lead with a ruthless 3–0 victory over Alex Lau in just 19 minutes.Seventeen-year-old Anahat Singh sealed the title in style, beating world No. 31 Tomato Ho 3–0 to complete a historic clean sweep, making it unnecessary for national champion Velavan Senthil Kumar to take the court.Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded the team, stating that their triumph would inspire future generations. “The display of your indomitable sporting prowess with which you defeated even the most formidable opponents will become the inspiration for our new talents,” he posted.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed from Delhi on a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, nations with which India shares “age-old civilizational ties” and strong bilateral relations.The visit to Jordan coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a milestone expected to strengthen bilateral engagement further.“I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations,” the prime minister said before his departure, as cited by PTI.

What is PM Modi’s itinerary?

PM Modi will be in Jordan from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, during which he will hold talks to review the full range of India-Jordan relations and discuss regional developments.He is also set to meet the Indian diaspora in the country. “First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” the prime minister said as he departed.In the second leg of his tour, PM Modi will visit Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first visit to the country. He is scheduled to hold detailed talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of bilateral relations. Addis Ababa, the capital, is also the headquarters of the African Union.Speaking about the visit, PM Modi said, “I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.” He added, “In Addis Ababa, I will hold detailed discussions with H E Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there.”The prime minister will also address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament. “I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India’s journey as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South,” he said.The MEA said the Ethiopia visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to strengthening friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation.In the final leg of his tour, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second visit to the country. The Ministry of External Affairs said India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership rooted in centuries-old ties of friendship, trade, and strong people-to-people connections.The visit coincides with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations and follows the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to India in December 2023. Both sides are expected to conduct a comprehensive review of cooperation across areas, including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture, and culture, and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.“In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship. I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the country’s development and in enhancing our partnership,” PM Modi said.

Rob Reiner, the director of the movie When Harry Met Sally, and his wife Michele Singer were found dead at his Los Angeles home and his son Nick is under suspicion. According to the People, Nick Reiner has killed his parents with a knife. Till now, there is no confirmation from the officials.

Who were Robe Reiner and Michele Singer?

Reiner carved out an influential career as an actor, director, writer and producer across five decades, according to the Variety.Born on March 6, 1947, in the Bronx, he was the son of legendary comedian and writer Carl Reiner, a giant of television’s Golden Age. Raised in Hollywood, Reiner studied at UCLA Film School and began his career with small television roles before landing the part that made him a household name. Reiner rose to fame as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on CBS’s groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family, playing the liberal, idealistic son-in-law to Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker. The role earned him two Emmy Awards and placed him at the center of one of television’s most influential series, known for tackling social issues previously considered taboo. After leaving the show in 1978, Reiner reinvented himself behind the camera. His directorial breakthrough came with the 1984 improvisational mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, which he also co-wrote and starred in. The film became a cult classic and launched one of the most remarkable directing runs in modern Hollywood. Between 1986 and 1992, Reiner delivered a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films across genres, including Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Misery and A Few Good Men, showcasing rare versatility and a keen eye for performance. In 1987, Reiner co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment, which produced numerous hit films before being acquired by Turner Broadcasting. While his later projects were often more personal and political—and less commercially dominant—he remained committed to filmmaking as a means of expression rather than profit.A vocal progressive activist, he remained committed to storytelling over profit. His most recent work was Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.Singer was at one time a photographer who shot Donald Trump’s photo for the cover of “The Art of the Deal.”Reiner and his wife are survived by children, Jake, Nick and Romy. He was the adoptive father of actress Tracy Reiner, the daughter of his first wife, the late actress and director Penny Marshall.

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: According to Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities, the top stock picks for this week are BHEL, and Ashok Leyland. Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the week starting December 15, 2025:Nifty ViewThe benchmark index Nifty kicked off December on a strong note, scaling a fresh all-time high of 26,325 in the very first trading session. However, the initial surge was followed by a familiar market behaviour — a measured and orderly pullback. Since August, the index has consistently followed a well-defined corrective pattern, with declines limited to under 3.5% and each phase spanning roughly 5 to 10 trading sessions. This disciplined price action has been a hallmark of the ongoing uptrend, prompting market participants to watch closely if history would repeat itself yet again.True to form, the latest corrective phase unfolded almost on expected lines. The index retreated close to 2.5%, with the correction extending over eight trading sessions, perfectly in sync with its established rhythm. Importantly, the 50-day EMA once again emerged as a key demand zone, arresting the decline and helping the index form a solid base. Adding to the constructive setup, Nifty has now formed small-bodied candles with long lower shadows for the third week in a row — a classic indication of sustained buying interest at lower levels. What this recurring pattern reveals about the market’s underlying resilience is where the real insight lies.Currently, Nifty is trading above both its short-term and long-term moving averages, with their upward slope suggesting improving trend strength. Momentum indicators echo this view, as the daily RSI has rebounded sharply from the 44.50 region and is now hovering around 54.48, comfortably above its 9-day average. This convergence of trend and momentum raises an important consideration: is the index quietly building the foundation for its next directional move?From a level’s perspective, the 26,150–26,200 zone is likely to act as an immediate resistance area. A sustained breakout above 26,200 could trigger a swift upside move towards 26,350, followed by 26,500 in the near term. On the downside, the 50-day EMA band of 25,750–25,700 is expected to provide a strong support cushion against any corrective pressure.Bank Nifty ViewThe banking benchmark index Bank Nifty underperformed the broader market last week, settling at 59,390 with a weekly decline of 0.66%. For the second week in a row, the index printed a small-bodied candle accompanied by a long lower shadow, highlighting buying interest at lower levels but also reflecting the absence of strong bullish follow-through.During the week, Bank Nifty spent most of its time hovering around the 20-day EMA, underscoring prevailing indecision and subdued momentum. Consistent with this price behaviour, the daily RSI continues to move in a sideways band, suggesting consolidation rather than the emergence of a directional trend.Looking ahead, the 59,700–59,800 zone is likely to act as a key resistance area. A decisive and sustained move above 59,800 could open the door for a sharp upside move towards 60,500, and if momentum strengthens further, the index may even test the 61,000 mark in the near term. On the downside, the 58,800–58,700 zone will serve as immediate support, and a breakdown below this level could increase downside pressure.

Stock recommendations:

BHELBHEL had struggled to close decisively above the 280 mark for the past six sessions, making it a strong resistance zone. On 12th December, the stock finally broke above this level on a notable rise in volumes, signalling strong buying conviction. With this breakout, the stock has also closed above the midline of the Bollinger Bands, indicating a shift toward positive price momentum.The RSI has moved up from 45 to 59, reflecting improving bullish strength. Additionally, the shrinking red MACD histogram bars suggest selling pressure is fading and a potential bullish crossover may be nearing, reinforcing the improving upward bias. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 285-282 with a stoploss of 275. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 305 in the short term.Ashok LeylandAshok Leyland broke out of a tight 155–161 consolidation range of the last three trading sessions and closed higher, signalling renewed buying strength. The stock continues to trade comfortably above its key short and long-term moving averages, reinforcing a strong underlying trend. The Nifty Auto/Nifty ratio chart shows the ratio line bouncing off its upward-sloping trendline, highlighting sectoral outperformance with Ashok Leyland at the forefront. ADX is in a rising mode, indicating strengthening trend momentum, while the MACD line holding well above the zero line reflects sustained positive bias. RSI has climbed from 62 to 70, suggesting strong bullish momentum. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 164-162 with a stoploss of 156. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 175 in the short term.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

A minor road altercation on the Katraj–Dehu Road bypass escalated into a brutal attack, leaving a 28-year-old Mumbai woman with a grievous eye injury

PUNE: What began as a minor road altercation on the Katraj–Dehu Road bypass turned into a brutal attack that left a 28-year-old Mumbai woman with a grievous eye injury and uncertain chances of regaining her vision. The Chembur resident, an HR professional, suffered severe damage to her left eye and had to undergo emergency surgery after three men on a two-wheeler allegedly chased the car she was travelling in, pelted it with stones and smashed its windows. The incident occurred near an underpass in Pune after the car reportedly ran over the foot of one of the men during an overtaking manoeuvre. According to police, the three men were detained and later released after being served notices as per procedure. As per the FIR, the woman, Puja Gupta, was seated in the passenger seat while her fiancé drove the car back to Mumbai on December 6, following a visit to his parents in Gaikwadnagar, Punawale. While overtaking a two-wheeler, the car’s tyre allegedly went over the foot of one of the riders. Though no one was injured, the incident sparked a heated argument. The men allegedly abused the couple, and one of them threw a stone at the car’s windscreen, shattering it. Fearing for their safety, the couple tried to flee but were forced to slow down after getting caught in a traffic jam near the Punawale underpass. The attackers reportedly caught up with them and smashed the remaining windows, including the rear windscreen. During the attack, a shard of broken glass pierced Gupta’s left eye, causing a serious injury. She was rushed to a private hospital in Chinchwad, where doctors performed an emergency corneoscleral repair surgery in an attempt to save her vision. More than a week after the operation, Gupta said her eyesight has not returned. “Doctors had initially said one surgery might be sufficient, but they also warned that another procedure could be required if my vision does not improve. They are unsure whether my eyesight will be fully restored because blood has accumulated inside the eye,” she told TOI. The FIR has been registered under sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 125 and 125(a) (rash or negligent acts endangering life or personal safety), 324(4) (mischief), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Gupta said she had urged the police to invoke the charge of attempted murder. “That was not done, and the accused were allowed to go home despite causing such serious injuries. They must be punished strictly so that they think twice before hurting anyone again,” she said.