MUMBAI: The Supreme Court while granting bail to a man who had been in the jail for more than four years in a 2021 murder case of Thane, came down heavily on the Maharashtra prison authorities for not producing the accused during the trial and directed to conduct a inquiry and fix responsibility and take action against the responsible official.The court also warned that the Director general of police (Prison) should personally look into and submit a report within two months when the matter comes for hearing. Shashi alias Chikna Vivekanand Jurmani had through his advocate Sana Raees Khan had moved the Supreme Court for bail. The bail plea was filed in connection with 2021 FIR registered at Vitthalwadi Police Station, Ulhasnagar, under IPC sections relating to rioting, attempt to murder and assault on a public servant. The FIR had initially alleged that the petitioner and co-accused Umesh @ Omi Bansilal Kishnani had stabbed the deceased and a police constable.However, the deceased, who succumbed two months after the incident, later clarified in his statement that the petitioner and Kishnani had only assaulted him with fists and kicks. He stated that co-accused Naresh had inflicted the knife injury on the police constable. The constable, Ganesh Ashok Damale, in his account, did not name any accused and only described their physical features.The petitioner’s counsel argued that he had no criminal antecedents and had remained behind bars for over four years, despite a co-accused in a similar position already being granted bail. The Court was also informed that out of 85 trial dates, the petitioner was not produced before the trial court on 55 dates.Sana Raees Khan argued that PM report shows that deceased died due to surgical wounds hence the role attributed to the Petitioner does not corrospond to the Injuries as per the Post Mortem Report and petitioner is incarcerated since 4 years, charge is not framed and he has not been produced for 55 dates in the Trial Court.Expressing strong displeasure, the bench said it was “shocked” at the conduct of the State authorities, observing that regular production of an accused before court is a fundamental safeguard to prevent custodial abuse and ensure a fair trial. Terming the lapse “appalling,” the Court ordered the Director General of Prisons, Maharashtra, to personally inquire into the non-production, fix responsibility, and take action. It warned that any attempt to shield officials would invite personal liability.The DG Prisons has been directed to file a personally affirmed affidavit with the inquiry report within two months. The matter will now be listed on February 3, 2026, for compliance.The Court then ordered the petitioner’s release on bail, subject to conditions set by the trial court. Pending applications were also disposed of.

Singer Jaysinh Gadhavi, whose soulful vocals in ‘Dwarka No Nath’ have taken over social media, is enjoying massive appreciation as the song from ‘Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate’ continues to trend on every playlist. With the film crossing the ₹100-crore mark, the track has gained even more love from listeners. Directed by Ankit Sakhiya, the film stars Reeva Rachh, Karan Joshi, and Shruhad Goswami. To know more about the making and magic of the song, ETimes spoke to Jaysinh Gadhvi, and here’s what he shared.

‘Dwarka No Naath’ receives love

Jaysinh revealed that the song is getting much praise and has hit the music chart. He said, “It feels absolutely incredible. Honestly, it’s a surreal moment for me because this is my first ever playback song in a Gujarati film, and for it to become such a massive viral hit is beyond anything I imagined. Seeing millions of people connect with ‘Dwarka No Naath,’ singing it, sharing it, and making it a part of their celebrations… It’s a blessing. I’m truly overwhelmed and extremely grateful for all the love.”

Jaysinh on his debut as playback singer

Adding about how he landed doing this song, “This track was the final song recorded for ‘Laalo,’ and I’m glad it waited for me. The director, Ankit Sakhiya, came across one of my earlier performance videos and instantly felt, ‘This voice has the fire we need.’ He wanted that energy, that attitude, that power for ‘Dwarka No Naath,’ and he was very clear that only Jaysinh Gadhavi could deliver it. He reached out, we connected, and the song became mine. Sometimes, the right opportunity finds you at the right moment—and that’s exactly what happened here.”“The brief was simple: keep the raw energy of my live performances. The team gave me full freedom to sing it in my signature style, and that freedom brought out the power you hear in the song,” the singer elaborated on the making of the song.

Recording Experience

He further shared about the recording experience, “The recording process was incredibly smooth, we finished the main vocals very quickly. The most fun part actually came after that. Director Ankit played the track again and said, ‘Now just enjoy… say whatever comes naturally, like ‘Haalo Haalo’, ‘Bhai Bhai’, ‘Ramo Ramo’, anything with your vibe.’ It was completely spontaneous and full of energy. And today, those very phrases have become a signature hook that audiences love. That was Ankit’s brilliant idea, and it worked perfectly.”As the film reached the heights overseas and is still in fame, Gadhavi stated, “I feel extremely proud and deeply grateful. A singer’s first playback song is always special, but when that debut becomes part of a Rs. 100-crore blockbuster, it feels like a dream coming true even faster than imagined. To see my song trending everywhere and becoming such a big part of this success… I couldn’t have asked for a better beginning. Laalo has created history that people will remember for years, and I’m honored to have my voice woven into that legacy.Fans say this song has become the soul of the film, the singer overwhelmingly shared, “The love I’m receiving for this song is overwhelming. When I see little kids dancing to it, their parents sending videos, and even elders singing it with such devotion… it truly touches my heart. To have my voice become such an important part of a film that has transformed Gujarati cinema, that’s a huge honor.”But at the end the true credit goes to the entire ‘Laalo’ team. They created a film so powerful and impactful that the music naturally reached deeper into people’s hearts. I’m just grateful to be the voice that carried that emotion to the audience,” the proud singer signed off with gratitude.

NEW DELHI: The results of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-elections were declared on Tuesday, with the BJP winning 7 of the 12 seats, AAP securing 3, Congress 1 and the All India Forward Bloc opening its account with a victory in Chandni Mahal.With this outcome, the BJP now holds 122 seats in the 250-member House, remaining four short of the majority mark. AAP’s tally stands at 102, Congress at 9, while the All India Forward Bloc has 1. The Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP), which did not contest the bypolls, continues to have 16 councillors.A major upset for AAP came from Chandni Mahal, a seat the party had won with the highest margin in the 2022 MCD polls but where it slipped to third position this time. Mohammad Imran, backed by former MLA and ex-AAP leader Shoaib Iqbal, won the seat by 4,592 votes, marking Forward Bloc’s entry into the MCD. The seat had fallen vacant after AAP’s Aaley Iqbal Mohammad won the Matia Mahal Assembly seat in February. AAP fielded Muddasir Usman Qureshi, while BJP nominated Sunil Sharma. Shoaib Iqbal, who quit AAP on November 9 after being denied a ticket for his preferred candidate, campaigned actively for Imran.The BJP, which previously held 9 of the 12 seats, managed to retain only 7—seen as a setback for the party. It lost Sangam Vihar-A and Mundka, both attributed to public resentment against local BJP MLAs. In Sangam Vihar-A, the seat vacated by BJP’s Chandan Choudhary after her election to the Assembly, Congress candidate Suresh Chaudhary won by 3,268 votes. AAP secured the Mundka seat amid discontent over BJP MLA Gajendra Daral. The party also won Naraina, where it campaigned against the BJP for fielding an “outsider.”Meanwhile, BJP candidate Anita Jain registered the largest victory margin of the bypolls—10,101 votes—from Shalimar Bagh-B. The seat was earlier held by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who resigned after winning the Assembly polls. In Greater Kailash, BJP’s Anjum Mandal won by 365 votes.The BJP also reclaimed the Chandni Chowk seat from AAP, winning by 1,182 votes.In the 2022 civic elections, AAP had emerged as the single largest party with 134 seats, but the political landscape shifted ahead of the April 2025 mayoral polls when 16 AAP councillors defected to form the Indraprastha Vikas Party, giving the BJP a crucial numerical advantage in the House.

James Anderson has stirred up the Ashes debate by naming Joe Root at No. 4 in his combined all-time Ashes XI while leaving out modern great Steve Smith, the third-highest run-scorer in Ashes history. The former England seamer’s picks have immediately divided opinion, given Smith’s towering record against England and his status as one of the most dominant Ashes batters of the modern era.​

James Anderson’s big Steve Smith omission from his all-time Ashes XI

Speaking on a broadcast segment, Anderson unveiled an XI packed with legends from both England and Australia but made the headline call of preferring his longtime teammate Root over Smith at No. 4. Notably, Ricky Ponting was bizarrely listed as wicketkeeper despite never taking the gloves in professional cricket, underlining that the exercise was more about personnel than strict roles.​

Anderson’s top order is anchored by Don Bradman and Alastair Cook, a pairing that blends the most prolific Ashes batter of all time with England’s most successful modern opener. Bradman sits miles clear at the top of the Ashes run charts with 5,028 runs at an average of 89.78, while Cook amassed 2,493 Ashes runs, including his iconic 766-run series in 2010–11 that powered England to their only Ashes win in Australia this century. At No. 3, he has gone for Ponting, who piled up 2,476 Ashes runs and captained some of Australia’s most dominant sides, further strengthening the top order before Root slots in at four.​

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: James Anderson reveals roadmap for English bowlers to sizzle in Australia

Joe Root over Smith and a star-studded bowling attack

The flashpoint is Anderson’s decision to squeeze Root into the middle order at the expense of Smith, whose Ashes record is the benchmark for modern batters. Smith has 3,417 Ashes runs at an average of around 56 with 12 centuries, placing him behind only Bradman and Jack Hobbs on the all-time run tally, yet Anderson opted for Root’s all-format influence and long-term role as England’s batting fulcrum. Root himself has crossed 2,400 runs in Ashes contests and sits among the top active scorers, though his average and conversion rate lag behind Smith’s staggering numbers.​

Behind Root, Anderson doubled down on English middle-order firepower by picking Kevin Pietersen at No. 5, highlighting his pivotal role in the 2005 Ashes and his tally of over 2,100 runs in the rivalry. The all-round department features Ian Botham and Ben Stokes, two men synonymous with era-defining Ashes spells – from Botham’s 1981 heroics to Stokes’ miracle at Headingley in 2019 – giving the XI depth with bat and ball. The bowling group is a who’s who of Ashes greats: Shane Warne, the leading wicket-taker in Ashes history with 195 scalps, backed by Glenn McGrath (157 wickets), Stuart Broad (153) and Bob Willis (123), a quartet that dominates the all-time wicket charts.​

Anderson’s selections, especially the omission of Smith and the inclusion of Root and multiple English greats, ensure this all-time Ashes XI will remain a hot talking point as the current Ashes cycle continues.

James Anderson’s all time combined Ashes XI

Donald Bradman, Alastair Cook, Ricky Ponting (wk), Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Botham, Ben Stokes (c), Shane Warne, Bob Willis, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Broad

Also READ: No James Anderson! Stuart Broad and Ricky Ponting pick combined Ashes XI of the 21st century

NEW DELHI: India has recorded a sharp rise in seasonal influenza A (H1N1) cases this year even as deaths have dropped to a four-year low, according to data from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). As of September 30, 2025, the country reported 3,320 cases and just 14 deaths — a striking contrast to previous years where fewer infections caused significantly higher mortality.In comparison, 2024 saw 2,041 cases and 347 deaths, 2023 recorded 8,125 cases and 129 deaths, and 2022 logged 1,320 cases and 410 deaths, NCDC’s influenza surveillance shows.Kerala reported the highest deaths in 2025 (8), followed by Maharashtra (3) and one each in Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.Amid rising case numbers, the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday reviewed national preparedness for the winter influenza season. Officials from NCDC, IDSP and the Health Ministry informed him that surveillance systems show no unusual rise in influenza activity so far and that circulating strains remain the usual seasonal variants — H3N2, Influenza B (Victoria) and a small proportion of H1N1.Nadda directed all states and district hospitals to complete readiness checks within two weeks, asked central hospitals to ensure full preparedness, and instructed that advisories and regular mock drills be conducted as the January–March influenza peak approaches.Experts say the unusual trend of more cases but sharply fewer deaths reflects stronger population immunity, faster diagnosis and improved clinical management since COVID-19.“When the respiratory lining is inflamed due to poor air quality, viruses attach and multiply more easily. Falling temperatures and mucosal irritation are amplifying infection rates,” said Dr Ekta Gupta, Professor of Virology at ILBS, explaining that the post-monsoon rise is expected, but airway irritation increases vulnerability.She attributed the fall in deaths to better diagnostics and treatment readiness. “PCR testing is now widely available, clinicians are more confident in managing respiratory infections, and vaccination uptake among high-risk groups has improved — all of which prevent severe outcomes.”Dr Gupta said the influenza strain in circulation has not changed, and that repeated exposure over years has built population-level immunity, reducing severity.Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said the mismatch between high case numbers and low mortality also reflects better awareness. “People are seeking help earlier, more labs are testing for influenza, and improved treatment facilities and vaccinations in vulnerable groups are preventing deaths,” he said.As winter approaches, public-health experts warn that timely diagnosis and vaccination remain critical, especially for the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

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IIT Kanpur’s 2025-26 placement season kicked off with a historic first day, securing 672 job offers.

MUMBAI: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur opened its 2025–26 campus placement season on 1 December with a record start, clocking 672 job offers on Day 1 — the highest first-day tally in the institute’s history. The number marks a 16% increase over last year’s Day-1 figures, underscoring IIT Kanpur’s rising industry traction and sustained demand for its talent pool. With some recruiter data still awaited, the total is likely to edge higher.By the close of Day 1, 627 students had secured roles, including Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs), translating into a 20% jump over the previous season. PPOs formed a substantial share of the tally, with 253 offers, reflecting a 27% rise from last year. Nine students received international offers, signalling the institute’s expanding global footprint.Top global and domestic firms participated across sectors, reinforcing IIT Kanpur’s position as a preferred hiring destination. More than 250 companies have expressed interest in recruiting from the institute this year. Major recruiters include Accenture, BlackRock, HSBC, SAP, Airbus, PwC, Navi, Qualcomm, Deutsche Bank, and others.The Students’ Placement Office and institute leadership acknowledged the support of hiring partners, and noted that the record Day 1 performance reflects “the students’ dedication, the faculty’s mentorship, and the continued trust of the industry in IIT Kanpur.”With multiple recruiting rounds scheduled over the coming weeks and several students yet to receive offers, the 2025–26 “placement season is expected to build further momentum.”

Asian equities traded mixed on Wednesday as global traders took their cue from another rally on Wall Street, although the enthusiasm remained limited ahead of crucial US economic data and next week’s Federal Reserve meeting.Hong Kong’s HSI was down 252 points or 0.97% to reach 25,842. Shenzhen and Shanghai also traded in red, down 0.09% and 0.05% respectively. Nikkei, meanwhile, jumped 817 points to trade at 50,120 at 11:05 AM IST. The prospect of a third straight US interest rate cut has been absorbed into pricing for days, leaving investors reluctant to place fresh bets until the final economic updates arrive. The two figures now commanding the most attention are the private-sector jobs reading from payrolls group ADP, scheduled for release later on Wednesday, and the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index coming on Friday, the inflation measure the Fed relies on most heavily. Money markets currently assign around a 90% likelihood to a December 10 rate cut and anticipate three more reductions during the course of the next year. Adding to the broader market mood are reports that President Donald Trump’s senior economic adviser Kevin Hassett, known for advocating deeper rate cuts, is now the frontrunner to succeed Jerome Powell when the Fed chair’s term expires in May. Still, analysts pointed out that the policy board does not appear aligned on whether monetary decisions should be driven more by persistent inflation pressures or weakening employment conditions. One area offering relief came from the American retail sector, where the National Retail Federation reported a record turnout for the “Black Friday” shopping period. According to the industry group, 202.9 million consumers made purchases across the five-day stretch, beating projections and reflecting what the NRF described as a “highly engaged consumer”. Following the latest gains on Wall Street, most Asian markets also registered advances. Tokyo climbed by more than one per cent, while Seoul, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta all traded higher. Losses were recorded in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Manila. Meanwhile, Bitcoin pushed back above the $90,000 mark after almost 10% was wiped from its value earlier in the week during a broad shift away from risk assets. Even with the rebound, sentiment within the crypto space remains cautious after the token fell as low as $80,550 last month, having previously touched an all-time high above $126,250 in October.