Rajasthan panchayat polls: Jaipur leads with 14.70% polling till 10 a.m. in first phase

Ajmer recorded a polling percentage of 13.63, followed by Alwar at 13.55% and Kota at 13.39% till 10 a.m.

Europe takes government websites offline over critical PHP security vulnerabilities

The vulnerabilities could expose online services to data theft, malware and breaches, prompting urgent action from governments and cybersecurity companies

Rajasthan Panchayat Elections 2026: EVM glitch delays polling at two booths in Alwar

The voting for 16 Zila Parishads and 104 Panchayat Samitis is underway in the first phase of Panchayat elections in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, voting delayed at two booths - booth numbers 76 and 77 of ward...

INDIA bloc leaders to hold virtual meeting, roadmap for 'vote chori' protests on agenda

New Delhi, Oct 22: An virtual meeting of the INDIA bloc will be held on Thursday evening to deliberate on the roadmap for protests over the vote chori issue and on ways to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, sources said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting, which will also review the preparations for the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi on November 1, they said. The INDIA bloc leaders would brainstorm on charting out the roadmap of protests, review the preparations for the November 1 rally and ways to corner the government over the 'vote chori' issue. The meeting also assumes significance as it comes at a time when there is speculation over the government convening Parliament for passing a Constitution amendment bill, involving delimitation, for the early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act. Last week, the protests over the vote theft charge reached the Supreme Court's doorstep. On October 12, opposition stalwarts, joined by activists and civil society members, took part in a March for Democracy along a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging poll irregularities, in a major show of strength in the national capital. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home on October 13. After the meeting, the opposition bloc vowed to continue resisting and take the vote chori fight to its logical conclusion.

INDIA bloc leaders to hold online meeting

New Delhi: An online meeting of the INDIA bloc will be held on Thursday evening to discuss the roadmap for protests regarding the vote chori issue and to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, sources said.Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting, which will also review the preparations for the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi on November 1, they said.Last week, the protests over the vote theft charge reached the Supreme Court's doorstep.On October 12, opposition stalwarts, joined by activists and civil society members, took part in a March for Democracy along a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging poll irregularities, in a major show of strength in the national capital.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home on October 13. After the meeting, the opposition bloc vowed to continue resisting and take the vote chori fight to its logical conclusion.

Chakaravarthy Will Be 'awkward' To Face On Bouncy New Zealand Pitches: Shane Bond

Former New Zealand: Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond believes wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will be an awkward proposition to deal with for New Zealand's batters when the T20I series starts in Christchurch on Thursday because of the extra bounce in early season pitches, despite conditions expected to favour pacers. Chakaravarthy, who has picked 75 wickets in 49 games, returned to Indias T20I squad for the five-game series in New Zealand after recovering from a side strain sustained after playing the first game of the T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi last month, following an earlier recovery from a hamstring issue. The side strain injury led to Chakaravarthy being sidelined for the one-off match against Japan and the Asian Games. It remains to be seen how India fit Chakaravarthy in the playing eleven, especially with other spin-bowling options- Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir- in the mix. It's good to see Chakravarthy back in. He's something that's completely different and unique. Quality bowler, I've seen so much of him in the IPL and he's been such a stalwart for KKR. He's just so different and because of the bounce here in New Zealand too, he'll be awkward to deal with. India have always just had great frontline spin bowlers. So the two teams have got quality across both sides and those spinners battles with Santner obviously for New Zealand and the likes of Chakravarthy for India are still important even in conditions that you think are going to favour fast bowling, Bond told IANS in an exclusive conversation. He also backed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whom Bond saw from the closest quarters as part of Rajasthan Royals (RR) coaching staff in the IPL, to get game time in New Zealand. Since the T20I series win over Zimbabwe in July, Vaibhav has played two games during the Asian Games gold medal-winning campaign in Japan, as India have largely preferred Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their first-choice opening pair. I'm looking forward to seeing Vaibhav. He's just such an incredible talent, and he's a great kid as well. It's awesome for him to be travelling with the Indian team and he deserves his spot in the side. He was the standout player in the IPL this year. He was just sensational, and it's hard to ignore that sort of talent, not only the talent, but the production of shots from him and what a devastating player he can be, added Bond. He also acknowledged the tough competition Sooryavanshi is facing to get into the playing eleven. He's earned his spot, but there are some quality players in that squad and for Vaibhav to be coming to play in a place like New Zealand, experiencing the training conditions, everything that goes with being here, I'd be hoping that he would come on a number of tours here and play some games. But even if he doesn't, he's better prepared for the next time, as he knows what he's walking into. He's such a good player. He's one of those players who puts fear into other teams and part of him is just, again, adapting to conditions that are slightly different. But he's so good, there's no doubt that he'll do that and the New Zealand public will be really excited to see him play and I hope he's playing on Thursday night. India are without injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whos been out of action since IPL 2026 due to recurring injuries, and Bond hoped to see him back on the field in the foreseeable future. Obviously it's a shame Hardik's not here. He's such a great player and adds such balance to a team. He's going to be a key figure for India in the couple of World Cups that are coming up. But there's not too much you can do about injury and I suppose from an Indian perspective, it gives you the opportunity to see what your team looks like, your balance looks like without a player like Hardik Pandya, and who could potentially fill the role if he is injured later on in the year. But you've got a great player to come back anyway. I suppose from an Indian perspective, you're just getting to see a different option. But New Zealand's probably in the same boat as well. They're stacked with spin bowling all-rounders and are looking for that seam bowling all-rounder the Jacob Oram or Scott Styris type of player in the top six while being involved with those seamers. So, it's not easy. As I said, both teams have been set up pretty similarly, and I'm looking forward to seeing Hardik back on the field soon because he is such a great player, he elaborated. Bond also went on to acknowledge the difficulty of adjusting quickly to New Zealand conditions after making the long trip from India, something which Samson mentioned. Looking forward to seeing Sanju actually. He's right - it's never easy to get off a plane. You're only in the country for a couple of days, got a little bit of jet lag going on because it's a long flight to get here and have limited training time, particularly on wickets at this time of the season that are generally a little bit spicy. So it's not easy to get into your flow and rhythm as a batsman, and that's let alone acclimatising to everything else. One thing for the Indian team is they're never short of practice and playing cricket. So even though the conditions may be different and you might not get as much practice as you want to, look, match fit and the guys are in form, and they're such good players that I'm expecting to still come out and blaze away. Bond further said hes eager to catch up with the tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav, whose raw speed has been critical in Indias T20I bowling plans. Looking forward to reconnecting with Mayank Yadav, who was here for his back surgery, and spend a bit of time with him. So, it'll be good to see him in action. Bond signed off by declining to assess Shreyas Iyer's captaincy tenure so far. I can't really comment on Shreyas in terms of his leadership because I just haven't seen those games to be honest. I haven't watched much of the T20 games from India because it's just been on a different time zone and I was on a holiday. So in terms of captaincy, look, it's never easy when the ball's flying around the park and big scores are being had and you're always under scrutiny as a captain based on decisions you make. Bond signed off by declining to assess Shreyas Iyer's captaincy tenure so far. I can't really comment on Shreyas in terms of his leadership because I just haven't seen those games to be honest. I haven't watched much of the T20 games from India because it's just been on a different time zone and I was on a holiday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

US bans DeepSeek from federal civilian agencies

The Department of Homeland Security cited security concerns including data protection and the risk of malware

Sara Ali Khan seeks blessings at the Golden Temple with Udta Teer co-star Ayushmann Khurrana

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 20 (IANS) Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan took blessings at the Golden Temple with her Udta Teer co-star Ayushmann Khurrana. Talking about his visit, Ayushmann shared that he is visiting the Golden Temple for the third time and whenever he comes here, it is always a great experience. On Tuesday, Sara took to her official Instagram handle and uploaded a picture of herself and Ayushmann posing in front of the Golden Temple. Twinning in white ethnic wear, the co-stars faced the camera with their hands folded in front of the temple. Wishing all on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, the 'Atrangi Re' actress wrote on the photo-sharing app, Happy Dussehra (Folded hands and Two heart emojis) Wishing everyone love, luck and laughter (Hug emoticon) (sic). Ayushmann and Sara are currently busy promoting their upcoming laughter ride, 'Udta Teer. Earlier this month, both of them were seen enjoying the rich culture of Punjab, imbibing the spirit of the place. Ayushmann, who is from Chandigarh, was seen savouring a big glass of traditional Punjabi lassi. Accompanying him, Sara was also enjoying her experience, exploring the Punjabi culture. She took to her Insta account and posted a clip of herself posing in a beautiful pink salwar Kameez, standing in the middle of a farm. The 'Kedarnath' actress said, Sat Sri Akal, viewers. This morning, I had a dream. I am in Chandigarh, in the heart of Punjab. With me is a man who is extremely amazing. Please put your hands together for Ayushmann Khurrana sahib. Directed by Aakash Kaushik, the promising cast of the movie also includes Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Mukul Dev, Suhail Nayyar, Raghubir Yadav, Brijendra Kala, Sandeep Anand, Supriya Pilgaonkar and Smita Tambe, along with others. Udta Teer, which was initially scheduled to be out in the cinema halls on October 9, is now slated to be released on October 23.

Kangana Ranaut performs hawan, Kanya Pujan on Mahanavami

On Monday, Kangana took to her official Instagram handle and dropped a couple of pictures from the festivities. She opted for a blue salwar Kameez with minimal makeup and open curly hair, as she was seen doing the Hawan, followed by an aarti.

Recently fixed Plex Media vulnerabilities are being exploited to install malware

A researcher says attacks chaining 4 vulnerabilities is hacking unpatched boxes.

Industry leaders optimistic after Rubio's remarks on India-US trade deal finalisation

Indian industry leaders have expressed optimism over the early conclusion of the India-US bilateral trade agreement following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks that the two countries are close to finalising a deal, while welcoming Washington's decision to waive new Russia-related tariffs and sanctions. Speaking to ANI, Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), said the proposed trade agreement was in its final stages and its conclusion would depend on political will. I look at it optimistically that our deal is going to happen. It is on the anvil. It should happen. And we are thankful that the Russia tariff is temporarily, at least not on our head. So this is good for us. And the deal hopefully should go through. Look, it is a matter of political will, Chadha said. He also agreed that negotiations had reached the final stage, expressing hope that an agreement would be concluded soon. Harjinder Talwar, President Designate of FICCI's Confeder...

I want a HomeView. I just need a reason to buy one

Macworld Apple is very good at first impressions. The MacBook Air emerging from the manila envelope; the iPhone in Steve Jobs pocket; the first Macintosh saying Hello. Apple knows instinctively how to communicate in an instant what a product stands for, and why you should be excited about it. Which makes it all the more mystifying that senior management decided not to hold a live-streamed event to hype up the HomeView and other new home products last week. If you ask me, in fact, Apple did a decent hype job even without the benefit of a full-dress keynote presentation. Not on the HomePod mini 2 and new Apple TVthe former is virtually an auto-buy and the latter an auto-ignore at that price but on the HomeView. A simple press release and a few animations on the website have ensured that I really, really want one. Even though the rational part of my brain keeps pointing out that I dont need one even slightly. I covered this ground ahead of the launch, in a column where I said the main question would be, What is it for? I hoped that the launch would see Apple succeed in explaining the purpose of its latest foray into the smart home, or rather how that purpose is relevant to a mainstream audience. Maybe a full event would have given the company more space to explore the broader societal changes which it thinks will make the HomeView relevant to the average U.S. homeowner, but I suspect the unavoidable truth is that this simply isnt a product with broad appeal. What can you do with a HomeView? You can monitor and control a smart home, of course, but I suspect that Apple knows this is a niche concern; the clue is how far down the press release you have to go before you reach any mention of smart lights, locks, and thermostats (the 17th paragraph, by my count). In the future its plausible that we will all have HomeKit-compatible smart homes, but for now most people dont. And those who do tend to control them with their phones, while using a HomePod or Apple TV as the hub. While Apple waits for the world to catch up with the smart-home revolutiona process which will be accelerated by the launch of the HomeView, but still needs timeit has to fall back on its other functions. You can FaceTime and read recipes, talk to Siri AI, or play music with onscreen lyrics. You can use it as electronic photo frame, or an alarm clock. With the exception of superior audio youre essentially getting an iPad which is locked in one place, has a smaller screen, and cant install third-party apps. The HomeView is not an iPhone, the sort of chameleonic device that will take over the world by being relevant and useful to virtually everyone. Its not even an iPad, less portable and caught in the middle ground between phone and laptop, but nevertheless deeply versatile. Unlike those two products the HomeView is a specialist: a product capable of delivering one specific experience for a handful of purposes. And in that sense its closer to the first iteration of the Apple Watch or even, Im sorry to say, the Vision Pro. Its a luxury; a want-to-have rather than a must-have. The HomeViews saving grace is that at $299 its relatively affordable for a luxury. Thats significantly cheaper than the cheapest iPad, a product which customers have historically been willing to buy for non-essential use. (Although I suspect they were a lot more willing when it was closer to the HomeViews price earlier this year.) Its significantly cheaper than an Apple Watch Series 12, and not much more expensive than an Apple Watch SE. You can scarcely call the HomeView a bargain or an impulse purchase, but this is a price point where customers are willing to be persuaded. And when its a completely new Apple product, and you can throw in the hype factor of that seductive first impression, you can bet it will sell just fine. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Welcome Home special HomeView quickly won a place in Britta OBoyles heart and her home. HomeView might look weird , but Apple was right to break the rectangular mold . The new HomePod mini 2 is a bigger upgrade than it looks . Pre-ordered the new Apple TV 4K ? Here are 5 reasons you should cancel ASAP. The new Siri Remote s best new feature wont work without a very new iPhone . Apple Home Collection is an expensive way to build your smart home. Trending: Top stories Apple just made Felipe Espositos decision to buy an iPhone Duo much easier . No, Metas Muse will not run on your Mac . We investigate how the new Apple Watch sensors affect battery life . Podcast of the week Apple held its Welcome Home event last week. On the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast, we recap Apples announcements. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube , Spotify , Soundcloud , the Podcasts app , or our own site . Reviews corner HomeView first look : Apples adorable new smart hub oozes personality. Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac : Still the best way to run Windows . Avira Prime for Mac : Strong malware protection and useful cleanup tools. Ugreen MagFlow Pro 3-in-1 25W : Fast charging with a cooling fan. The rumor mill Safari is getting ready for Apples first touchscreen MacBook . Is Siri AI coming to your big HomePod ? Maybe but probably not. Video of the week @macworld.com Are you buying an Apple HomeView? original sound Macworld Macworld Are you buying an Apple HomeView? Roman Loyola thinks an old iPad would do the same job just as well . For more short videos, follow us on TikTok and Instagram . And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters , including our new email from The Macalopean irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook , Threads , Bluesky , or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.

Western Disturbance brings rain, hail in Rajasthan; temperatures dip

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 19 (IANS) Rajasthan witnessed a change in weather conditions over the past two days, with rainfall in several districts and hailstorms in Jaipur and Ajmer bringing down temperatures, the weather department said on Monday. Sawai Madhopur received intermittent rain from around 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday under the influence of a Western Disturbance, raising concerns among farmers about potential crop damage. In the Khandar region of Sawai Madhopur, crops are nearing maturity, and farmers fear that further adverse weather could affect their produce. On Sunday, rainfall was reported in several districts, including Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Baran and Ajmer. Hail was also reported in Jaipur and Ajmer. Cloudy conditions and limited sunshine kept daytime temperatures below normal in several areas, while cooler nights brought a noticeable chill. The minimum temperature dropped below 20 degrees Celsius in more than 10 cities across Rajasthan on Sunday. Mount Abu recorded the lowest minimum temperature among the cities listed, at 15.3 degrees Celsius. According to the recorded figures, minimum temperatures were 19.4 degrees Celsius in Tonk, 19.5 degrees C in Alwar, 19.3 degrees C in Pilani, 18.8 degrees C in Sikar, 19 degrees Celsius in Pali, 19.7 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar, 18.6 degrees Celsius in Dungarpur, 16 degrees Celsius in Sirohi, 17 degrees C in Fatehpur and 19.7 degrees Celsius in Jhunjhunu. The rainfall, hail and reduced sunshine have contributed to a fall in temperatures in several parts of the state, making mornings, evenings and nights noticeably cooler. Several cities recorded relatively low maximum temperatures on Sunday. Alwar registered 31.8 degrees C, Hanumangarh 31.2, Karauli and Jhunjhunu 32.4 degrees Celsius each, and Sikar 32 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur has forecast dry weather across Rajasthan for the next three to four days, beginning Monday. Skies are expected to remain largely clear, with sunshine returning to most areas. However, another Western Disturbance is likely to become active around October 22-23, potentially triggering a fresh change in weather conditions.

BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani discharged from Delhi hospital after health improves

Former Deputy Prime Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani was discharged from a hospital in Delhi on Monday, days after he was hospitalised following a chest infection. 98-year-old Advani was admitted...

Alwar mom kills 2 minor children, dies by suicide

Talwar's PGTI Triumph: DP World Tour Awaits

Saptak Talwar has topped the PGTI Order of Merit, securing a DP World Tour card for next season. His consistent performances, including a victory and eight top-10 finishes, along with lessons from senior pros and Asian Games experience, contributed to this significant career step. Talwar aims to build on his learnings and believes a major international breakthrough is crucial for Indian golf.

'I Have A Wife And Daughter': Prince Narula Asks Fans To Stop Romanticising His Bond With Karishma Talwar

Prince Narula and Karishma Talwar's equation from Splitsvilla 8 came back into focus when Karishma appeared for the audition round of Roadies Rebirth

Prince Narula asks fans to stop romantic edits with Karishma Talwar

The News Mill

Prince Narula reacts to Karishma edits, makes a request to fans

Mumbai: A reality TV reunion has brought back old memories, but Prince Narula wants fans to be careful about the story they tell. The television personality has urged social media users to stop sharing romantic edits featuring him and Karishma Talwar, reminding them that he has a wife and daughter. The edits surfaced after their Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Tamil Music Legend Deva Passes Away at 75; Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Film Industry Stalwarts Pay Final Respects in Chennai - Zoom TV

India Championship: Indian golfers Chouhan, Talwar make confident start on rain-marred opening day

New Delhi On the rain-affected first day of the US$ 4 million India Championship, Denmarks Niklas Norgaard emerged clubhouse leader The post India Championship: Indian golfers Chouhan, Talwar make confident start on rain-marred opening day appeared first on Bilkul Online .

'No' Means No Balance? Hyderabad Police Chief Warns Of New WhatsApp Scam

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar has warned citizens about an alleged new WhatsApp scam in which cybercriminals trick users into replying NO to fake bank transaction alerts, potentially exposing them to malware and financial fraud.

Golf: Vishesh, Anshu, Manoj look to make a mark on their India Championship debut

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi, Veer Ahlawat and Rashid Khan are set to feature in PGTIs US$ 4 million India Championship 2026. However, the PGTI contingent also features an exciting crop of youngsters in the age group of 18 to 22the Gen Next of Indian golfwho will be looking to make a mark on their DP World India Championship debut when the event tees off on October 15 at the historic Delhi Golf Club (DGC). Young guns such as 19-year-old Vishesh Sharma, 18-year-old Manoj S., 21-year-old Anshul Kabthiyal, 16-year-old Kartik Singh and 22-year-old Shubham Jaglan have all earned their spots at the mega-event thanks to finishing inside the top 24 of the Race to India Championship at the end of the seasons penultimate event, the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship, last week at Greater Noida. Vishesh, Manoj and Anshul are currently ranked 16th, 17th and 18th respectively on the PGTI Order of Merit, while Kartik and Shubham are ranked 20th and 21st. Vishesh and Shubham won their maiden professional titles on the PGTI this season. Vishesh Sharma leads the charge for the youth brigade. The Hyderabad lad, who played his first season on the PGTI last year, is riding on the confidence of his breakthrough win at his home course last month. He also secured two other top-10s this season. Vishesh, who has been India No. 1 in the 13 to 15 age group category, said, Its an honour to be here, playing alongside the biggest golfing stars in the world and my fellow Indian players. Were all proud to represent India, and this is a huge opportunity to show what we can do and what Indian golf has to offer. Performing well here would mean a lot to me. Bengaluru-based Manoj S, also playing his second season as a professional, fought his way into the top-24 of the Race to India Championship with a late flourish in the season as he claimed tied fifth and tied second finishes in the two events preceding this weeks season-finale. Manoj jumped from 26th to 17th place in the PGTI Order of Merit following his joint runner-up finish at the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship. Manoj, who was India No. 2 in the junior category in 2023, said, Last week was really important because I was outside the top 24 and needed a good finish to qualify. I managed to do that, so now I want to stay focused, carry that momentum into this week and see how it goes. He added, Its going to be a great experience for me, and I cant wait to tee it up on Thursday. Its a tough course, and Im not hitting driver at all this week. Im looking forward to the challenge. Anshul Kabthiyal comes into the event with four top-10s under his belt this season, including a runner-up finish. Anshul, a winner of 10 junior titles and six amateur titles, has been a consistent performer since last season and is a name to watch out for this week at DGC. Sixteen-year-old Kartik Singh is the youngest player in the field at the India Championship. Hes already made an impression in his first season on the PGTI with two top-10s to his credit. Kartik has been the top-ranked junior and amateur golfer in India prior to turning professional. Kartik said, Ive watched the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood on television for years, and I still watch them regularly. To now have the chance to play alongside my idols feels really special. Im very grateful to the PGTI for giving me this opportunity. My main goal is to enjoy the week and make the most of this experience. Shubham Jaglan, former India No. 1 junior who played college golf in the United States prior to turning professional last year, has enjoyed a fruitful season on the PGTI in 2026. Shubham won his maiden title in Kolkata two months back and also claimed a third-place finish and another top-10 finish during the season. Shubham said, Im very excited to compete at the DGC where I have grown up playing. I would watch the Indian Open here as a kid and follow the likes of Anirban Lahiri on the course. Now, Im competing alongside him at the same event. So, its very special to be on the other side of the rope now. He added, Ive played well all year long, and now Im in a position where I can compete this week. These are the goals you set for yourself. These are the tournaments you want to play and win. On the presence of many talented Indian youngsters in the field, Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, said, The presence of so many talented young Indian golfers, including teenagers at the India Championship, is a testament to the growing strength and depth of the game in our country and our endeavour of creating maximum playing opportunities for our players. Competing alongside some of the worlds best players on home soil is an invaluable opportunity for these youngsters to test themselves at the highest level, gain confidence and accelerate their development. We hope this experience will inspire them to raise their ambitions and demonstrate that Indian golf has a bright future on the global stage, he added.

Kareena & Saif to appear on 'The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show' after Saif's Insta debut

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 14 (IANS) Bollywood's beloved couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan garnered a lot of eyeballs as they were recently captured together on the sets of the popular show 'The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show'. IANS also has stunning photos of Kareena and Saif posing outside the sets of the chat show. Keeping it as elegant as always, Kareena and Saif perfectly complemented each other in contrasting ensembles. Bebo looked beautiful in a vibrant crimson-red traditional salwar suit with a bandhani pattern. Enhancing her long kurta was the delicate gold lattice embroidery around the neckline. Kareena kept her makeup light with open hair. She accessorised her ethnic look with heavy jhumkas and bangles. Keeping it chic, Saif opted for an all-black traditional ensemble with his sleeves rolled up, giving the whole attire a breezy feel. The 'Love Aaj Kal' actor also wore dark sunglasses and a classic wristwatch, making his look even more polished. It must be noted that while both Kareena and Saif have appeared on 'The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show' separately, this will be their first time on the show together. In another update, after staying away from social media for a long time, Saif finally made his Instagram debut on Monday with his verified account, @saifalikhanpataudi. As his first post on Instagram, Saif uploaded a few classy pictures of himself posing in what he described as the Pataudi Library. Pataudi Library.. Judging books by their cover, read the caption of the post. The netizens further went on to note that Saif is only following his wife Kareena on the platform. Previously, during an interaction with a media portal, Saif shared that he does not particularly enjoy browsing Instagram. However, the 'Omakara' actor admitted that he has a secret account that he uses to scroll through from time to time. Saif added that he keeps promising to himself that he would delete the account but ends up delaying it.

4 Indian Stalwarts Who Flopped in Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Opener

Golf: PGTI stars spearhead Indian challenge at India Championship 2026

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) As the spotlight of the golfing world moves to the US$ 4 million India Championship, some of the biggest names in international golf such as defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy will be descending on the hallowed turf of the Delhi Golf Club (DGC). The blue-riband event of Indian golf, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the DP World PGTI, is also set to witness a strong Indian challenge which will be spearheaded by several in-form PGTI stars. The top 24 ranked players from the Race to India Championship (the current PGTI Order of Merit) earned their spots at the India Championship this week. The Race to India Championship was introduced as a season-long competition this year that rewarded consistency and determined the season's top 24 performers in terms of prize money earnings, who now get the opportunity to tee it up at the India Championship, which also happens to be the season finale of the 2026 PGTI season. The names that have dominated the 2026 season include the top three from the rankings: Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi and Veer Ahlawat. Saptak Talwar notched up a win at the Indorama Ventures Open early in the season and has also been in contention at several events through the year with seven other top-10s. Talwar, who has also been a regular on the European Tour, had the distinction of representing India at the recent Asian Games too. The PGTI Order of Merit leader Saptak has seasons prize money earnings of INR 99,59,684, and a lead of over INR 22 lakh over nearest rival Khalin Joshi. The 27-year-old Talwar now has his sights set on the PGTI Order of Merit crown, which will be decided at the end of the DP World India Championship. This years PGTI Order of Merit champion will earn himself full playing rights on the DP World Tour for the 2026-27 season. Coming into the week, Saptak, the top favourite to win the Order of Merit title, said, Being the Order of Merit leader theres a sense of responsibility and a little bit of pressure. But I think it's also a place of privilege. I'm excited to be in this position. The DGC is very special to me. I've grown up playing on the B course here. It's important not to get ahead of myself. It's just a matter of staying in the present, and if I take care of the stuff that's in my control, I think I should be in a good spot. I certainly feel like I have the game to do well this week. Khalin Joshi has enjoyed the best season of his golfing career as he posted four wins that propelled him to second place in PGTIs money list. Khalins hot streak has been such that three of his four triumphs this year have come as a result of wire-to-wire victories. The 34-year-old, who won his only international title at the DGC in 2018 (an Asian Tour event), is still in the race to win the PGTI Order of Merit title if he performs well at the India Championship. Khalin, whose season earnings stand at INR 77,32,225, said, All of us here from the top 24 of the PGTI will look to put our best foot forward this week and show what we're all made of. I have great memories of DGC as Ive won here in the past. So, Im looking forward to having another positive week. Hopefully, I can replicate my form from the past few weeks and have a shot at the title. This season my mindset on the course has been much better. Im a lot calmer and more confident going into a tournament now, and thats been the big change in my game. Former PGTI Order of Merit champion Veer Ahlawat is currently placed third in the Order of Merit with season earnings of INR 65,97,400. Veer begins the week with the exposure and advantage of having played on the DP World Tour back in 2025. Veer, who recently represented India at the Asian Games, has been a picture of consistency this year, having secured nine top-10s, the most by any player, on the PGTI this season. He too is a contender for the Order of Merit title. The 30-year-old Veer said, It's the strongest field we play against the whole year, and were all (Indian players) really looking forward to this week. We all play on this course enough, so we know this course pretty well, and the Indian players will look to make the most of this opportunity. I've played a lot of big events as Ive played on the DP World Tour for a year. So, I know how to play with loads of people watching and all those things. On this course, it's a different kind of game that you have to play. You have to be very precise off the tee, on second shots, and especially chipping on the green. You also have to be very smart. You can't just hit drivers all the time. Im not keeping my driver in the bag this week. Yuvraj Sandhu will be the other prominent Indian name in the mix as he is the reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion and has been a winner at the DGC in the past. He also showed a glimpse of his good form with a top-5 finish at the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship last week. The likes of Honey Baisoya, Akshay Sharma, Rashid Khan and Om Prakash Chouhan have all enjoyed a fruitful season as theyre ranked from fourth to seventh in the Order of Merit and have a win each under their belt. Honey and Rashid have the added advantage of having grown up playing at the DGC. Rashid has won one of his two international titles at the DGC.

Bumrah over Muralitharan, McGrath: Buttler and Broad pick top 10 bowlers of 21st century

England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler and former pacer Stuart Broad chose the top 10 bowlers of the 21st century, putting Indian pace stalwart Jasprit Bumrah at number three over greats of the game, including Australian pacer Glenn McGrath and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. Buttler and Broad were speaking on the 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast, which they co-host. The leading wicket-taker in international cricket, Muralitharan (1,347), who won a Cricket World Cup (1996) and ICC Champions Trophy (2002) in a career spanning 20 years, was placed at sixth spot, while McGrath, a three-time World Cup winner and the leading wicket-taker in the tournament history (71 wickets), was placed at fourth spot. McGrath has taken 949 wickets in 376 matches and is the fifth-highest wicket-taker. At the top spot was leg-spin genius, the late Shane Warne of Australia, who ended his international career with 1,001 wickets and a World Cup title to his name. He is the only member of the 1,0...

CJP announces protest in Rajasthan against 'illegal detention' by police

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Monday said it would launch a major protest in Rajasthan in the next 10 days against the alleged detention, house arrest and assault of student activists and social workers by police. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, CJP spokesperson Deepak Baliyan alleged that police in Rajasthan prevented the party workers from joining protests in Delhi and harassed their families. Baliyan claimed that he was kept under house arrest for four days in the Kathumar area of Alwar district and personnel from four police stations were deployed outside his house. Party member Gigraj Jorli alleged that police detained him inside his vehicle on October 10 while he was headed to Delhi to participate in a protest. He alleged that his associate Surendra was also kept in illegal detention. Another CJP member, Shashikant, alleged that, on October 8, he and his associate Suraj Meena were detained and beaten at Jaipur's Gandhi Nagar Police Station. Their phones were .

Anti-CEC protests LIVE: Supreme Court registry points out 10 defects in Rahul Gandhi's plea in SIR case

Opposition stalwarts, joined by activists and civil society members, undertook a March for Democracy on a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against SIR and alleged poll irregularities in Delhi

Rahul Gandhi to host high tea for Oppn MPs, civil society members today

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has invited INDIA bloc MPs, civil society members and student organisations for a high tea at his residence on Tuesday, sources said. They said a joint press conference of INDIA leaders would also take place in the afternoon followed by tea at Gandhi's 5, Sunehri Bagh Road residence. Following today's March for Democracy and the submission of the petition ... a joint press conference of INDIA leaders will be held tomorrow afternoon, followed by tea. 'I invite you to join me at my residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, New Delhi, at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 13th October', the invite read. This comes a day after the raging protests over the vote theft charge reached the Supreme Court's doorstep. Opposition stalwarts, joined by activists and civil society members, undertook a March for Democracy on a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against SIR and alleged poll irregularities in a major show of strength in the nationa

Avira Prime for Mac review: Strong malware protection and useful cleanup tools

Macworld At a Glance Expert's Rating Pros Strong core malware protection Excellent scanning and scheduling interface Effective junk and application removal Good everyday VPN performance Cons Some malware components left behind Limited advanced VPN features Identity Assistant failed during testing Inconvenient cookie searching and scan logs Our Verdict Avira Prime offers strong Mac malware protection, excellent scanning and scheduling, and useful cleanup tools. However, its VPN lacks advanced features, Identity Assistant failed during testing, and some malware components were left behind. Despite these shortcomings, its a capable security suite worth trying during its 30-day trial. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Retailer Price Avira Prime (first year, 5 devices) $59.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Price When Reviewed From $59.99 for first year, then $109.99 a year. Best Prices Today: Avira Prime Retailer Price Avira Prime (first year, 5 devices) $59.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide What is it: Avira Prime is a comprehensive Mac security suite combining antivirus and malware protection with a VPN, password manager, privacy features, and useful cleanup and system-maintenance tools. Who is it best for: Mac users looking for a comprehensive security suite that combines antivirus protection with useful cleanup, application-removal, and system-maintenance tools. Who should skip it: Users who need advanced VPN capabilities, detailed security reporting, or dependable identity-monitoring features may find that Avira Prime doesnt go far enough. At a glance Protection: Performance: Features: Ease of use: Value: There are times when the focus seems right, the execution doesnt quite match, but theres still a good utility to be had anyway. Enter Avira Prime, the security and utility suite from longtime developer Avira, which now stands at version 2.3.10 and has been dubbed Avira Security at the application level. Available for macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later, the latest version combines antivirus and malware protection with a VPN, password manager, privacy features, and a range of cleanup tools. Testing on a MacBook Pro running macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 revealed strong core protection, an impressive scanning interface, and some genuinely useful utilities, alongside a few missed opportunities and one feature that failed to work properly. Features: What do you actually get? Avira Prime breaks down into Security, Privacy, and Performance categories from the home screen. The Security category offers Virus Scans, Protection Options, and Quarantine, while the Privacy and Performance sections offer VPN, Passwords, Cookie Cleaner, Identity Assistant, Junk Cleaner, Uninstaller, and Startup Apps tools. Other features include a Status indicator, Activity history, and a Scheduler. Theres a good set of genuinely focused tools here without going overboard, although their usefulness varies. Malware protection Avira Primes Full Scan shows the files being checked, elapsed time, and estimated time remaining, making it easier to follow a lengthy malware scan. Foundry Antivirus and malware removal remain Aviras bread and butter, and whats there is impressive. The application offers Quick, Full, and Custom Scans, with the latter allowing you to drag and drop volumes for scanning or locate specific volumes, folders, or files through the Finder. Its a flexible approach that makes it easy to check an external drive or investigate something suspicious without having to run a complete system scan. This combines with customizable settings for Real-time Protection, Download Protection, and USB Protection, the latter checking USB devices as theyre connected. Avira also integrates well with macOSs built-in XProtect and Gatekeeper protection features. The Quarantine tool displays the file paths where malware was discovered, allowing you to review the findings. Unfortunately, the lack of a convenient scan-log export function makes more detailed reporting tedious, particularly if youre considering Avira Prime as an office systems-administration tool. VPN and password management Avira Prime offers VPN functionality through its Avira Phantom VPN application, and the results are something of a mixed bag. The VPN itself performs well, offering good throughput speeds, reliable streaming, and an easy way to change geolocations as needed. The interface is straightforward, and the core functions should be enough for casual browsing and streaming. That said, its a bare-bones client compared with more advanced VPN applications. Features such as port forwarding and split tunneling are limited or unavailable, and performance through peer-to-peer applications can be substantially slower. Whats present works, but users who depend on these capabilities may want to look elsewhere. Unlimited VPN data is part of the Prime package, alongside password management and additional privacy tools, while the separate Phantom VPN application also offers a limited free allowance of 500MB per month, along with standalone subscription options. Like a number of its competitors, Avira is also chasing the password-management market. The Avira Password Manager extension supports Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, and has you create an Avira account and a master vault password. Once installed, it was easy enough to create a CSV file from my existing system passwords, which imported cleanly into the extension. From there, the manager activated as needed throughout my normal workday. Its a useful addition, although anyone already committed to a separate password manager may not find much reason to switch. Cookie Cleaner and Identity Assistant The Cookie Cleaner lets users select cookies for removal, although the lack of a search function makes navigating large lists harder than it should be. Foundry The Cookie Cleaner is an interesting addition and offers tight control over cookie files, but comes with some drawbacks. Once youve activated the feature and quit your open web browsers, the tool quickly scans your Macs cookie files. After a few minutes, it presents the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of cookies that may be present. The user interface is inviting, but it offers no search function for finding specific cookies, leaving you to scroll through websites and domain names displayed in a scattered, non-alphabetical order. What should be a straightforward process begins to feel like a chore, and a better way of navigating the results is needed. Aviras efforts towards an Identity Assistant and overall identity protection are nothing new in the current marketplace, and the feature feels more like an additional value-add than something genuinely unique. The feature offers dark-web monitoring and allows users to provide personal information they want to track. However, it requires an additional subscription for certain levels of coverage, and the lack of a free trial for these services makes it difficult to judge their value before committing. More importantly, the feature failed to work properly during testing. Attempts to load the initial scan and personal-information entry screen produced web-based error messages in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera rather than a functioning interface. That server-side error persisted throughout testing, making the Identity Assistants actual effectiveness impossible to gauge. Its disappointing to encounter such a basic problem in a paid security suite. Junk Cleaner, Uninstaller, and Startup Apps Avira Primes Uninstaller removes an older version of Blender and its associated support files. Foundry Where Avira Primes Identity Assistant proved a stumbling block, its Junk Cleaner helped redeem the suite. As seems to be the convention these days, the feature hunts down cache files, downloads, reports, logs, and Xcode files. On the test MacBook Pro, it offered to clean about 2.67GB of data without automatically going after everything in the Downloads folder, which would have cleared another 46.34GB. This is backed by an elegant interface that lets you click on specific files and choose exactly which items you want to remove, rather than inadvertently targeting a large swath of data that may be unrecoverable afterwards. Its a welcome level of control. Aviras Uninstaller and Startup Apps features may not be revolutionary, but theyre genuinely impressive in their simplicity. The Uninstaller allows you to drag and drop an application onto the tool or scan your installed applications, then cleanly removes the selected software and its associated support files. Its especially useful when you want to remove more than just the main application from the Applications folder. The Startup Apps tool offers much the same level of control as the corresponding settings in macOS, allowing you to toggle startup items on or off. Its a convenient addition, although it doesnt go much further than the tools already built into the operating system. Test results: How well does Avira Prime protect your Mac Virus scan settings allow users to customize Avira Primes protection behaviour and scanning preferences. Foundry Antivirus and malware removal remain the strongest parts of Avira Prime, and the new version performed well in hands-on testing against more than 130 malware samples from the Objective-See Mac malware archive. The application was able to eliminate all but a few of the samples, sometimes deleting chunks of malware as they were extracted from their archives. In these situations, it worked well alongside macOSs built-in XProtect and Gatekeeper protections, which add their own layers of defence. Avira Prime wasnt completely successful, however. Elements of DevilRobber, FlexibleFerret, Lamzev, MacKeeper, notnullOSX, and SentinelSneak remained after testing. While the software appeared to remove the executable components of some threats, it occasionally left other files behind, including developer-related files. This was worrying, although the presence of leftover files doesnt necessarily mean that the malware remained capable of executing or causing harm. These findings are worth bearing in mind. Aviras core protection is impressive, but it isnt invincible, and users should not assume that every component associated with a detected threat will necessarily be removed. The applications presentation of scan progress is another significant strength. A clear progress bar, elapsed time, filenames, ongoing updates, and an accurate estimated completion time make it easy to see whats happening. This is one of the better scanning interfaces Ive encountered in a malware utility in some time. Independent laboratory results Aviras performance is also supported by independent laboratory testing. In AV-TESTs June 2026 assessment of Avira Security 2.3 on macOS Tahoe 26.5.1, the software achieved 6 out of 6 for protection, 6 out of 6 for performance, and 6 out of 6 for usability, earning the maximum possible overall result of 18 out of 18. The laboratory recorded 100 percent detection of the widespread and prevalent malware in its reference set and no false positives in its reported usability tests. These results provide a useful independent counterpoint to the occasional leftover malware components observed during our hands-on testing. Performance: Will Avira Prime slow down your Mac? Avira Primes scan performance proved solid, particularly when running Quick and Custom Scans. A Quick Scan completed in just a few minutes, while a Full Scan of more than 633GB of data on the MacBook Pros SSD took just under three hours. Given the amount of data being scanned, the latter is the sort of task that might best be scheduled overnight or outside a busy workday. The Custom Scan option is particularly useful because it allows you to focus on particular files, folders, or volumes rather than committing to a complete system scan every time. USB Protection offers a similarly convenient way to check removable storage as its connected. The June 2026 AV-TEST results also awarded Avira Security 2.3 a maximum score for performance, suggesting that its effects on common activities, such as application launches and file copying, are generally well controlled. Ease of use: Is it Mac-friendly? Installation proved as easy as expected, with Avira Prime installing an endpoint security extension and requiring Full Disk Access. The application provided convenient access to macOSs System Settings to authorize the necessary permissions. Once configured, the main window offers easy access to the Security, Privacy, and Performance sections. The layout is inviting, with well-organized tools that are straightforward to locate and use. The settings themselves offer finer control over virus scans, protection options, exclusions or whitelists, and the cookie and junk cleaners. The Scheduler is particularly good, allowing you to quickly create a roster of recurring Smart Scans and Virus Scans that can be edited later. Theres no need to dig through obscure settings to create a recurring task, and the feature is impressive in its simplicity. Finally, the Activity section provides a useful reference point for seeing which tests were performed on particular dates, helping complete the picture of your history with Avira Prime. Not everything is quite as polished. The lack of a search function in the Cookie Cleaner makes navigating large lists unnecessarily difficult, while the limited Quarantine reporting and absence of a convenient scan-log export option become more frustrating when trying to investigate a particular threat. Overall, though, Avira Prime offers a clean and generally approachable experience that makes its extensive collection of tools relatively easy to manage. The Quarantine tool displays detected files and their locations, although more convenient log-export options would be welcome. Foundry Pricing and plans: Is Avira Prime worth the money? Avira Prime is available as a subscription covering multiple devices across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, with introductory pricing that makes the suite more attractive than its longer-term renewal cost. At the time of testing, the five-device plan was listed at $59.99/51.99 for the first year, increasing to $109.99/94.99 annually on renewal. A plan covering up to 25 devices was also listed at $134.99/116.99 for the first year, with the same figure quoted for subsequent years. A 30-day free trial is available after creating an account through Aviras website, with no credit or debit card information required during the sign-up process. Compared with using Avira Free Security for Mac , the appeal of Prime is therefore largely in the additional utilities and services. The core antivirus features remain strong, but Prime adds cleanup, application-removal, privacy, and VPN capabilities in one subscription. Whether thats good value depends on how many of these tools youll actually use. The Junk Cleaner and Uninstaller are useful additions, while the VPN is adequate for everyday purposes. The Identity Assistants failure to load, however, makes it difficult to recommend paying extra for its additional identity-monitoring coverage. Avira Prime offers a lot of functionality, but the longer-term cost becomes harder to justify if you only need its antivirus capabilities. How we tested Avira Prime 2.3.10 was tested in-house on a MacBook Pro running macOS Tahoe 26.6.2. Testing included more than 130 malware samples from the Objective-See Mac malware collection, with a focus on malware detection and removal, scanning behaviour, and the applications ability to manage infected files and volumes. Quick, Full, and Custom Scans were evaluated, including a Full Scan of more than 633GB of data. The suites additional features, including Phantom VPN, Password Manager, Cookie Cleaner, Identity Assistant, Junk Cleaner, Uninstaller, Startup Apps, and Scheduler, were also examined for functionality and ease of use. Results were compared with independent AV-TEST laboratory findings where applicable. Should you buy Avira Prime for Mac The new version of Avira Prime proves to be one of the better antivirus and anti-malware utilities Ive tested in some time, although there are still areas that need improvement. Its malware scanning interface, scheduler, junk removal, and application-removal tools are genuinely impressive, and the overall suite offers a useful set of features without becoming excessively complicated. The occasional malware components left behind during testing are a concern, while the Cookie Cleaners lack of search, limited scan-log exports, and the server-side error that made Identity Assistant impossible to evaluate all represent missed opportunities. The bare-bones VPN also wont suit everyone, particularly users who need more advanced networking features. These issues arent necessarily deal-breakers, but theyre worth considering alongside the subscription price, especially after the introductory offer expires. Despite these shortcomings, Avira Primes core security and maintenance functions remain strong. Its well worth evaluating during the advertised 30-day trial to determine whether its combination of protection and additional utilities is right for you. See how Avira Prime compares to other Mac antivirus solutions in our round up of the best.

Congress chief Kharge dons Batman mask during march to SC

Opposition stalwarts, along with hundreds of supporters and activists, undertook their March for Democracy to the Supreme Court on Monday on a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against SIR and alleged poll irregularities, in another show of strength after a series of street protests over the vote chori charge.

Asian Games experience to bolster Indian trio at India Championship

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) Recent experience competing against Asias leading golfers at the Asian Games could prove valuable for Saptak Talwar, Veer Ahlawat and Yuvraj Sandhu as the Indian trio prepares for the India Championship at Delhi Golf Club from October 15 to 18. Although Indias mens team returned from Aichi-Nagoya without a medal, the competition offered the three golfers an opportunity to test themselves against a strong international field under pressure. Talwar and Ahlawat finished tied-sixth in the individual standings, while Sandhu placed tied-24th. India also finished sixth in the team competition. The Asian Games field included South Korean Tom Kim, the eventual winner, and Japans Keita Nakajima, a former Indian Open champion who is set to join the PGA Tour. The experience comes at an important juncture for the Indian golfers, who will now compete against an elite international line-up at the India Championship. Co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the tournament carries a USD 4 million prize fund, the largest for a DP World Tour event in India. The field includes Rory McIlroy, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2026 Open champion Ryan Fox, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Luke Donald and PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai. For Talwar, the tournament offers another opportunity to build on a consistent domestic season. The 27-year-old leads the PGTI Order of Merit after winning the Indorama Ventures Open and recording several strong finishes, including runner-up honours at the PGTI Open and third place at the Andhra Open. He has also registered top-10 finishes at the J&K Open, Kolar and Chennai, along with a shared third place with Ahlawat at the Bengaluru Open. Talwar carried that form into the Asian Games, opening with a four-under 66 to sit third before finishing tied-sixth after four rounds. His experience on the HotelPlanner Tour this year has also exposed him to a higher level of competition as he pursues a move to the DP World Tour next season. Ahlawat, the 2024 PGTI Order of Merit champion, has enjoyed a consistent campaign of his own. Although he is yet to win this season, he has recorded nine top-10 finishes, including seven top-five results in 12 starts. His performances included top-10 finishes at the Telangana Open, Telangana Golconda Masters, Chennai Open and Nava Raipur Open, before he shared third place with Talwar in Bengaluru. At the Asian Games, Ahlawat recovered from an opening-round 71 with a 68 before producing a five-under 65 in the third round. He closed with a 67 to finish tied-sixth at nine-under 271, matching Talwars overall position. Sandhu, meanwhile, arrives with experience gained through a full season on the DP World Tour after winning the 2025 PGTI Order of Merit. His transition to the European circuit has presented challenges, but he registered his best result of the season with a tied-13th finish at the FedEx Open de France shortly before the Asian Games. Rounds of 67, 68, 69 and 69 took Sandhu to 11-under 273 in France. He travelled directly to Nagoya afterwards, where adverse weather limited his preparation time before the Asian Games competition. The India Championship now offers Sandhu an opportunity to build on that performance while competing on familiar territory against many of the players he has encountered on the international circuit. The Indian challenge will extend beyond the trio, with Khalin Joshi, Shaurya Bhattacharya, Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri also adding to the home representation. With recent international exposure, strong domestic results and the advantage of competing at home, Talwar, Ahlawat and Sandhu will look to translate their experience into a competitive showing at one of the biggest DP World Tour events staged in India.

Rajasthan police crackdown on CJP's Delhi protest; 24 detained in Jaipur, 12 trains cancelled

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 10 (IANS) Police authorities in Rajasthan have detained 24 people preparing to travel to Delhi for the CJP stir. Allegations have also surfaced that police are taking similar action in Sikar and Alwar. The Railways has also cancelled 12 trains passing through Rajasthan and rescheduled two others, citing anticipated traffic disruptions in Delhi. By Friday night, police in Jaipur had taken preventive legal action against protesters planning to attend the demonstration. According to reports, eight people were bound over by the East District police, one by the North District police and eight by the South District police. The action was reportedly aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing any untoward incidents. In Sikar district, advocate Surendra, also known as Sanju Verma, was allegedly detained at his residence in the Reengus area on Friday as he prepared to travel to Delhi for the protest. CJP organisational co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan alleged that police personnel took him from his residence in Mankheda village late Thursday night and brought him to the Govindgarh police station area. He claimed that he was pressured not to participate in the protest, that a scuffle took place, and that his mobile phone was confiscated. Party co-in-charge Ashutosh Ranka also alleged that police personnel forcibly took him away and assaulted him. However, Kathumar Station House Officer Chandrashekhar Sharma rejected the allegations as baseless. He said Baliyan had been taken for counselling in connection with the imposition of Section 163 in Delhi and was dropped back at his home at around 2 a.m. Police have denied allegations of formal detention or assault. Meanwhile, the Railways has cancelled 12 trains operating to and from Rajasthan and rescheduled two others by five hours each ahead of the protest. The decision was reportedly taken in anticipation of heavy traffic and possible road blockages around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations on October 10. The cancellations affect services operating on the Sabarmati, Udaipur, Sri Ganganagar and Delhi routes. The changes are expected to inconvenience passengers travelling to and from the affected destinations. Travellers have been advised to check the latest train schedules before leaving for their journeys.

SC criticises Patna HC ruling that removing salwar does not constitute rape attempt

Shocking, says court and issues notice to accused who had been acquitted of the charges

Major police reshuffle : 100 IPS, JKPS officers transferred

Srinagar, Oct 09: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday ordered a major reshuffle in the Police Department, transferring and posting 100 Indian Police Service (IPS) and Jammu and Kashmir Police Service (JKPS) officers across the Union Territory with immediate effect. According to Government Order No. 499-Home of 2026, issued by the Home Department, the transfers have been made in the interest of administration and cover several senior positions, including Inspectors General of Police (IGPs), Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and officers heading specialised police units. Among the senior-level postings, Danesh Rana, IPS (AGMUT: 1996), has been appointed Managing Director of the J&K Police Housing Corporation, relieving S.J.M. Gillani, IPS, of the additional charge. Garib Dass, IPS, has been posted as Additional Director General of Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, while Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal, IPS, will take over as Director of the Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur, replacing Garib Dass. Abdul Jabbar, IPS, has been appointed Inspector General of Armed Police, Jammu, while Shahid Mehraj Rather, IPS, has been posted as Inspector General of Technical Services, J&K. Rather will also continue to hold the additional charge of Director, Police Telecommunications, until further orders. Rayees Mohammad Bhat, IPS, has been transferred as DIG CID Headquarters, J&K, while Shiv Kumar Sharma, IPS, has been posted as DIG Railways, J&K. Swarn Singh Kotwal, IPS, will assume charge as DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, replacing Shiv Kumar Sharma, while Zahid Naseem Manhas, IPS, has been appointed DIG Armed Police, Jammu. In other significant changes, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, IPS, has been posted as Commandant of 23 JKAP IR, while Mohd Yaseen Kichloo, IPS, has been appointed Principal of the State Training Centre, Talwara. Sanjay Kumar Kotwal, IPS, has been posted as Commandant of 18 JKAP IR, replacing Raj Singh Gouria. At the district level, Sudhanshu Dhama, IPS, has been appointed SSP Kupwara, replacing Syed Al Tahir Gillani, while Vaibhav Meena, IPS, has been posted as SSP Poonch, replacing Shafket Hussain. Neha Jain, IPS, has been appointed SSP Sopore, replacing Iftkhar Talib, while Anna Sinha, IPS, will take over as SSP Ramban, replacing Arun Gupta. Harshal Rajesh Mahajan, IPS, has been posted as SSP Ganderbal, replacing Sudhanshu Dhama. Ms Bisma Qazi, IPS, has been appointed SSP Traffic City, Srinagar, replacing Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, while H.P. Hareness, IPS, has been posted as Director of the Special Security Force (SSF), replacing Swarn Singh Kotwal. Vishnu Kumar, IPS, has been transferred as SSP Technical CID Headquarters, replacing Bisma Qazi, while Ms Arshi Aadil, IPS, has been appointed Commandant of 1 JKAP Women, replacing Ramesh Chander Kotwal. Rajeev Kumar Ambasta, IPS, has been posted as Commandant of 3 JKAP Security, while Deepak Yadav, IPS, has been assigned the post of SP Operations, JKAC. Anand Kumar Mishra, IPS, has been appointed SSP Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), J&K, while Satish Kumar, IPS, has been posted as SSP Railways, Jammu, replacing Shailender Singh. The government has also ordered extensive transfers among JKPS officers, affecting district policing, intelligence, traffic management, security, railway policing and armed police formations. Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, JKPS, has been posted as Director, CTC Letpora, replacing Shailender Singh, while Shailender Singh, JKPS, has been appointed Director, Civil Defence and SDRF, Kashmir, replacing Imtiyaz Hussain Mir. Shoket Hussain, JKPS, has been posted as AIG Welfare, Police Headquarters, replacing H.P. Hareness, while Wasim Qadri, JKPS, has been appointed SSP Security, Kashmir, replacing Sajad Khaliq Bhat. Arun Gupta has been posted as SSP Special Security Group (SSG), CID Headquarters, replacing Musadiq Majid Basu. Tahir Saleem Khan has been appointed SSP Bandipora, replacing Ajaz Ahmed Zargar, while Mohd Yousuf has been posted as SSP Railways, Kashmir, replacing Wasim Qadri. Khalil Ahmad Poswal has been appointed SSP Headquarters CID, replacing Girdhari Lal, while Girdhari Lal has been transferred as Commandant of 8 JKAP, replacing Suram Singh. Farooq Qesor Malik has been posted as Commandant of 22 JKAP IR, replacing Mushim Ahmad, while Mohd Anwar-ul-Haq has been appointed SSP ANTF, J&K. Zahoor Ahmed Wani has been posted as SP Traffic, Srinagar, while Ayaz Ahmad Sheikh has been appointed SP Special Crime Wing, Kashmir. Vivek Shekhar Sharma has been posted as Additional SP Bhaderwah, replacing Vinod Kumar, while Irshad Hussain Rather has been appointed SSP Awantipora, replacing Sajad Ahmad Shah. Among other postings, Iftkhar Talib has been transferred as SP Special Investigation Agency (SIA) Headquarters, while Mashkoor Ahmed Zargar has been appointed SP South Srinagar, replacing Shabir Ahmad Khan. Pardeep Singh has been posted as Deputy Commandant of 8 JKAP IR, Raj Paul Singh as Deputy Director, SSG, and Gawhar Ahmed Khan as Deputy Commandant of 20 JKAP IR. Shabir Ahmad Khan has been transferred as Deputy Commandant of 10 JKAP IR, while Naeem Ahmad Wani has been appointed SP Hazratbal. Syed Yasir Qadri has been posted as Vice Principal, CTC Letpora, while Sandeep Bhat has been appointed SP Headquarters, Jammu. Sajad Ahmad Sheikh has been posted as Deputy Commandant of 2 JKAP Border, while Vinod Kumar has been appointed Deputy Director, SKPA Udhampur. Pardeep Kumar has been transferred as Additional SP Samba, while Musadiq Majid Basu has been appointed SP East Srinagar. Arvinder Singh Kotwal has been posted as Staff Officer to DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, while Mohd Shafiq has been appointed Additional SP Kishtwar. Mohd Shafi Sheikh has been posted as Deputy Commandant of 4 JKAP IR, while Bikram Kumar has been appointed Vice Principal, Police Technical Training Institute (PTTI), Vijaypur. Garu Ram has been posted as Deputy Commandant of 1 JKAP Border, while Gh. Mustafa Bhat has been appointed SP Headquarters, Srinagar. Ab. Raqeeb Malik has been posted as Additional SP CID Headquarters (AWP), while Hamid Ali Banday has been appointed Additional SP Operations, Poonch. Abdul Maajid Magray has been transferred as Additional SP Shopian, while Mir Burhan-ul-Haq Kanth has been posted as Deputy Commandant of 12 JKAP Security. Sajad Sarwer has been appointed Additional SP CID CI Jammu, while Vaseem Mehmood has been posted as Additional SP Rajouri. Suresh Kumar Sharma has been appointed Additional SP SB CID Jammu, while Nissar Ahmad Darzi has been posted as Additional SP Ganderbal. Varun Jandial has been appointed SP South Jammu. The reshuffle covers key operational and administrative wings of the police establishment, including district policing, criminal investigation, intelligence, traffic, armed police, counter-narcotics, training institutions and specialised security formations. According to the government order, all transfers and postings will take effect immediately.

DarkSword and Coruna iOS exploits continue to attack crypto wallets

Macworld A new report by security researchers at Censys warns that the DarkSword exploit on iOS continues to be used in conjunction with Coruna malware to steal cryptocurrency wallets. Discovered earlier this year , DarkSword/Coruna is a dual-edged hacking toolkit. DarkSword attacks WebKit and JavaScriptCore to access iOSs SpringBoard that managing app launch and the Home screen. Coruna is the payload used to steal crypto wallet information. Censys research found several servers that had DarkSword/Coruna deployment directories. Wallet apps being targeted include Bitpie, Coinbase, Exodus, imToken, MetaMask, Phantom, Trust Wallet, Uniswap, and OKEx. According to the sites researchers, the exploits main purpose is wallet theft and also mines Photos and Notes for BIP39 recovery phrases. As we reported back in March, old versions of iOS are vulnerable to DarkSword. All of the security holes used by DarkSword have been fixed as of iOS 26.3 (the current version is iOS 27.0.1 ). Users of older versions of iOS 26, iOS 18, and earlier may be vulnerable. How to protect your iPhone from malware The easiest task to perform to secure your iPhone is to update the operating system. iOS can be updated in the Settings app by tapping General > Software Update . Apple also has a separate method for installing immediate security patches called Background Security Improvements. It is located in Settings > Privacy & Security , scroll to the bottom to find Background Security Improvements. Macworld has a list of tips for keeping your iPhone secure .

Gujarat-Delhi rail services revised ahead of Oct 10 protest

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 9 (IANS) Western Railway has cancelled the Sabarmati-New Delhi Swarn Jayanti Rajdhani Express scheduled to depart on Friday and announced a one-way special train to Delhi on October 10. Train No. 12957, the Sabarmati-New Delhi Swarn Jayanti Rajdhani Express, has been cancelled due to operational reasons, according to a railway announcement. Western Railway has also announced Train No. 04251, the Sabarmati-Delhi Junction Special Express, for one trip on October 10. The special train will depart from Sabarmati at 10.55 p.m. on Saturday and reach Delhi at 5.25 p.m. on Sunday, October 11. The train will halt at Mahesana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Falna, Marwar, Beawar, Ajmer, Jaipur, Bandikui, Alwar, Rewari and Gurugram. It will comprise AC two-tier, AC three-tier, AC three-tier Economy, Sleeper Class and General Class coaches. Bookings are available at passenger reservation centres and through the IRCTC website. Passengers can check timings, halts and coach composition on the official website. Western Railway has also announced changes to other Delhi-bound services. Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. on October 10 have been affected under the revised arrangements. Delhi Police has stepped up security measures, with additional personnel deployed, checks at the capital's borders intensified and preparations made to manage large gatherings. Police have also sought restrictions at 57 Metro stations, although the request does not itself confirm that all the proposed restrictions have been implemented. Retail liquor outlets in Delhi have been ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure. Passengers travelling to Delhi have been advised to check the latest train status through official railway channels before leaving for their stations.

AICWA condemns Tanushree Duttas evil dead remark against late Nana Patekar after his demise

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has strongly condemned actress Tanushree Duttas Evil Dead remark about late actor Nana Patekar following his demise on Thursday. In a statement, the association described her comments as insensitive, objectionable and shameful, urging her to exercise restraint while speaking about the deceased. In its statement, AICWA said, AICWA strongly condemns Tanushree Dutta's Evil Dead remark on the passing of legend Nana Patekar. The entire film industry and the whole country are in mourning at the passing of Nana Patekar, the Padma Shri awardee, the man who served the nation during the Kargil War, and the artist whose Naam Foundation stood by farmers' families in distress. We pay him our humble tributes and stand with his family in their hour of grief. It further read, At such a time, Tanushree Dutta's statement on social media, in which she used the words Evil Dead, is deeply objectionable, insensitive and shameful. AICWA strongly condemns it. To use such words for a person after his death goes against basic humanity. Until today, no one in our film industry has made such a statement after someone's passing. You are the first, and we pray you will be the last. People in this industry know what to say on such an occasion and when to stay silent. You should have kept a check on your tongue. It further read, You said that today is your work day, that you are going to Lucknow for a big event, and that your whole day is planned. Do your work; nobody asked you. Whether your event is in Lucknow or London, whether you focus or not, nobody is interested. On a day when the country is mourning the loss of a stalwart, speaking about your own event and your own plans reflects a very small mindset. We pray for the peace of Nana Patekar's soul. Er. Suresh Shyamlal GuptaPresident AICWA. For the uninitiated, in an exclusive interview with IANS, Tanushree Dutta spoke about Nana following his demise and made strong remarks against the veteran actor, calling him a Shaitaan. In a video shared on social media on Thursday, she referred to him as Evil Dead, drawing criticism from AICWA over the timing and nature of her comments. The controversy between the two dates back to 2018, when Tanushree Dutta accused Nana of sexually harassing her on the sets of the film Horn 'OK' Pleassss in 2008. The actor denied the allegations, and the controversy brought the #MeToo movement in India into the spotlight.

Alwar detention takes a twist: CJP claims Deepak Baliyan assaulted, brother injured; Rajasthan Police deny action

INS Trishul's PASSEX with Spanish Navy enhances interoperability and operational synergy

Digital Desk | Madrid, Oct 8 (IANS) Indian Navys guided-missile frigate INS Trishul undertook a PASSEX with Spanish naval ship ESPS Reina Sofia during its departure from Valencia. The exercise enhanced interoperability and operational synergy between the two Navies, the Indian Navy said on Thursday. Indian Navys guided-missile frigate INS Trishul undertook a PASSEX with Spanish Naval Ship ESPS Reina Sofia on departure from Valencia, Spain, on 04 Oct 26, the Indian Navy stated on X. The joint exercise featured coordinated manoevering, cross-deck landings, boarding operations and VBSS, along with communication drills. The exercise facilitated exchange of professional expertise and further enhanced interoperability and operational synergy between the two Navies, it added. INS Trishul's port call in Spain underscored the growing bilateral defence partnership, the Embassy of India in Madrid said as Ambassador Jayant Khobragade visited the vessel at the Port of Valencia and met its Commanding Officer, Captain Charit Kapil. The Ambassador visited INS Trishul at the Port of Valencia during its Port Call to Spain and met its Commanding Officer, Captain Charit Kapil. A frontline Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate commissioned in 2003, INS Trishul combines advanced weapons, sensors and a multi-role helicopter. Its service has included anti-piracy operations, protecting merchant vessels and supporting security, the Embassy stated on X. A highlight of the IndiaSpain Dual Year of 2026, the port call underscored the growing bilateral defence partnership. Professional interactions and a joint Passage Exercise between the Indian Navy and Spains Armada Espaola have contributed to enhancing interoperability and maritime cooperation, it added. Earlier, INS Trishul completed the sea phase of the 24th edition of Exercise 'Varuna' with the French Navy, drilling alongside two French frigates, a nuclear attack submarine, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft in the Mediterranean, the Ministry of Defence said. The ship sailed out from Toulon on September 25 for the sea phase of the annual bilateral maritime exercise, the Indian Navy said in a post on X. Anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, live firing exercises and cross-deck helicopter landing serials provided opportunities to enhance operational coordination and interoperability between the two Navies, reaffirming the strong and enduring India-France maritime partnership, the Indian Navy stated.

Shubhankar Sharma opens four-shot lead in Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship

Digital Desk | Greater Noida, Oct 8 (IANS) Shubhankar Sharma fired a seven-under 65 to establish a four-shot lead after the second round of the INR 2 crore Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida on Thursday. The 30-year-old Chandigarh golfer (68-65), who began the day two strokes behind overnight leader Shaurya Bhattacharya, made an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys to reach 11-under 133. A two-time winner on the DP World Tour, Shubhankar returned to the winners circle at the Boulders Classic on the PGTI in April, ending an eight-year wait for a professional title. Chandigarhs Brashwarpal Singh (72-65) matched Shubhankar for the lowest score of the day. His seven-under 65 featured eight birdies and a solitary bogey as he surged from tied 11th overnight to second place at seven-under 137. Overnight leader Shaurya Bhattacharya (66-72) of Delhi slipped to third at six-under 138 after an even-par 72 containing three birdies and three bogeys. Bengalurus Khalin Joshi (72-67), a four-time winner on the DP World PGTI this season, climbed from tied 11th to fourth at five-under 139. His 67 featured an eagle on the par-five fourth, five birdies and two bogeys. Joshi entered the week second in the Race to DP World India Championship. Shubhankar was particularly encouraged by the control he displayed with his ball-striking after struggling to bring the different parts of his game together in recent weeks. I played really well and felt very solid throughout the round, he said. My ball-striking had not been at its best over the past few weeks, even though there was not much wrong with my game. Today, everything came together. I hit the ball exactly where I wanted, shaped shots both ways and felt in complete control. I could have holed a few more putts, but Im very pleased with the day, he said. The highlight of Shubhankars round came on the par-five fourth. After finding the left half of the fairway with his drive, he struck a six-iron from approximately 212 yards to 18 feet and converted the eagle putt. The putt just caught the left edge, he said. Most of my shots came off exactly as I had visualised them, and that was the most encouraging part. Shubhankar continued creating opportunities throughout the round, including on the final hole, where he struck his approach to about five feet but missed the birdie putt. There were several shots like that today, he said. Those are positive signs for this tournament and also for my preparations for next week. Shubhankar also praised DP World PGTI President Kapil Dev for his contribution to the growth of the DP World PGTI. Since Kapil Dev became President, more sponsors have come on board, while the organisation, social media and player facilities have continued to improve, Shubhankar said. The introduction of a players lounge is one example of the many positive changes on tour. Shubhankar, who played alongside Kapil in a Pro-Am in Hyderabad recently, said their shared Chandigarh connection made their interactions particularly easy. Despite being one of Indias biggest sporting icons, he constantly looks for ways to promote golf and move the sport forward, he said. Everyone in Chandigarh calls him Paaji, so speaking with him feels very easy. I have tremendous respect for everything he is doing for the game. Last seasons PGTI Order of Merit winner Yuvraj Sandhu (71-69) occupied fifth place at four-under 140. Current Race to DP World India Championship leader Saptak Talwar (75-72) climbed from tied 36th to tied 31st at three-over 147. The Pro-Am on Thursday was won by the team consisting of professional Shubhankar Sharma and amateur Rajeev Gupta. Their score was 48 stableford points.

Intego ONE Review: Top-tier Mac malware protection with powerful Firewall controls

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Malware detection that caught nearly every threat Fast scan speeds, processing 700GB+ and millions of files in under 10 minutes Strong, granular firewall controls with easy allow/deny/edit rule management Easy-to-use iPhone VPN with useful security checks Cons Lacks web/phishing protection and parental controls Slow quarantine cleanup iPhone app lacks advanced VPN features Our Verdict Intego ONE offers superb malware detection, excellent firewall controls, and impressively fast scan times, even across millions of files. Recent updates have improved performance during cleanup and resolved several frustrating bugs. It still lacks features such as spam and phishing prevention, and a few interface limitations remain, but its a strong choice for Mac users who want reliable malware protection and excellent network control at a good price. The Complete plan also includes an iPhone app with a straightforward VPN and useful security checks, although it lacks some advanced features found in dedicated VPN apps. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed Intego ONE Essential from $2.50 a month/one device/first year, then $3.33 a month or $29.99 for the first year and then $39.99 a year. Best Prices Today: Intego ONE Retailer Price Intego (annual) $29.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Who its best for: Mac users who want strong, reliable malware protection with advanced control over network activity should seriously consider Intego ONE Complete. Its especially suited to users who prioritize security performance over having an all-in-one feature set. Who its not for: Its missing key features youd expect at this price, like phishing protection and parental controls, so if you need those features look elsewhere. At a glance Protection: Performance: Features: Ease of use: Value: Intego ONE is Integos new antivirus and anti-malware package, replacing Internet Security X9. We have long recommended its predecessor as the best antivirus utility for Mac users , thanks to its excellent malware detection, strong ransomware protection, and tools designed specifically for macOS. Intego ONE improves on it in several respects. There are three plans available, with options covering one, three, or five Macs. Intego ONE Complete also includes an iPhone for each Mac covered by the subscription. Intego ONE Essential: Antivirus protection and a firewall. Intego ONE Advanced: Adds SmartClean to free up disk space and remove junk files. Intego ONE Complete: Adds Intego VPN and an iPhone app with VPN access, network speed tests, and security checks. We tested Intego ONE Complete, including its Antivirus, Firewall, VPN, and SmartClean modules, as well as the companion iPhone app. Each Mac module has its own features and customization options, while the iPhone app provides additional VPN and security tools. Intego ONE requires macOS 12.4 Monterey or later and is easy to set up. Like previous versions, it asks for full disk access and permission to create a network extension for firewall and filtering functions. Antivirus: How good is Intego ONE Complete at detecting malware? An Intego ONE Complete Quick Scan in progress . Foundry Perhaps the strongest feature of the package, Intego ONEs antivirus module took just about everything I threw at it from over 130 viral samples from the Objective-See malware collection and came out smiling. Scan performance improved dramatically with version 1.2.3 (compared to our initial tests of the Release Candidate), with the software processing more than two million files in roughly eight minutes in testing placing it among the fastest options currently available for macOS. The software, which offers Full Scan, Quick Scan, and Custom Scan options, dovetailed in perfectly with the Xprotect/Gatekeeper tools found in macOS Tahoe 26.4, issued warnings, and prevented malware and ransomware from being installed on all fronts. Intego ONE quickly plowed through and removed more than 200 quarantined files, but left three behind. Foundry What few exceptions did get through via developer tools such as Xcode or Visual Code were caught moments later, and where I thought a fake copy of the Transmission BitTorrent client had gotten through, Intego ONE flagged it and quickly removed it via quarantine. Even fake Flash Player applications, which have long been the bane of antivirus utilities, were stopped immediately, and the software came through with flying colors while also scanning my MacBook Pros SSD, complete with more than 877GB of data, in under 10 minutes. Other nifty features from the Antivirus module included a Custom Scan feature, which was well-implemented and included targeted scanning as well as an excellent auto-scan feature in which a test flash drive with malware on it was quickly scanned and its suspect files quarantined. A handy scheduling feature worked like a charm, and its easy to configure a set daily, weekly, or monthly scan as needed. Firewall: How much control does the firewall actually give you? Quickly editing a Firewall function and assigning an application to a function . Foundry Intego ONEs firewall feature may not be as customizable as a systems administrator might like, but whats present is on point, complete with readily accessible configuration options that allow for a network connection and allow it to be denied or edited on the fly. One of the first things youll notice after installing the software is how active the firewall itself is, reminding you of network connections as they emerge and asking whether you approve them or if they might be suspicious. New rules can be created on the fly, and easy scripting allows you to activate applications on your Mac to deal with them as well as add a network port. A list of currently approved networks is available, and you can see which servers your Mac is trying to talk to and get a bead on your overall network traffic. VPN: Is the built-in VPN good enough to use daily? With the Intego ONE Complete plan you can take advantage of a VPN. This VPN may not be as robust as a dedicated VPN app, but whats present is robust and has a good level of customization. Just click into the module from the home screen, activate the VPN, and its easy to geolocate to one of 51 servers around the world, as well as choose favorites. Interestingly, the VPN module offers a choice between your preferred VPN module, wherein you can choose between Lightway UPD, which is optimized for speed, and Lightway TCP, which is optimized for reliability. Where performance itself was concerned, the bandwidth proved excellent, and the frame rates and audio sync on streaming content proved excellent. Intego ONE Complete also extends VPN protection to the iPhone, although the iOS app has fewer configuration options than its Mac counterpart. Heres how it performed in our tests. What does Intego ONE for iPhone do? VPN location selection and Security assessment Foundry Intego ONE for iOS is a mobile companion to Intego ONE Complete for Mac, combining a VPN with a selection of security and privacy checks. It doesnt offer the full antivirus and firewall protection found in the Mac version, but it provides useful tools for keeping your iPhones internet connection private and checking important security settings. The app requires iOS 18.2 or later and is available through the App Store. Installation is straightforward: download the app, sign in to your Intego account, and allow it to create a VPN configuration. Once thats done, youre ready to use the VPN and security tools. Is the VPN any good on iPhone? The VPN client makes it easy to switch between international servers and create a favorites list for locations you use regularly. Connections and disconnections are quick, and the app performed well in our tests over both Wi-Fi and cellular connections. One limitation is that the iPhone app currently supports only the WireGuard VPN protocol. This gives users fewer configuration options than the Mac version, although it shouldnt be an issue for most people who just want a simple VPN connection. We tested Intego ONE on an iPhone 17 running iOS 27.0.1, using both Wi-Fi and AT&Ts 5G network. Tests were conducted with Ooklas Speedtest.net app and Integos built-in speed test tool. On Wi-Fi, our download speed averaged 84.1Mbps without a VPN, dropping to 71.9Mbps when connected to a Canadian server and 71.3Mbps with a New York server. Thats a reduction of around 15%, leaving plenty of bandwidth for streaming and other everyday activities. The impact was greater over cellular. Our average download speed fell from 289.4Mbps without a VPN to 179.2Mbps through Canada and 174.8Mbps through New York, a reduction of approximately 38% to 40%. Nevertheless, these speeds remained more than adequate for streaming and large file transfers. Integos built-in speed test reported average download speeds of 70.3Mbps over Wi-Fi and 139Mbps over cellular. Streaming worked smoothly during testing, with good video quality, and the iPhone maintained a reasonable temperature even when streaming on battery power. What security features does Intego ONE offer on iPhone? Beyond its VPN, Intego ONE provides a useful security checkup. It can remind you to review whether important iPhone protections are enabled, including Face ID, your passcode, and the latest iOS updates. The app also checks settings relating to ad tracking, detects whether screen recording is active, and looks for signs of jailbreaking, which can weaken Apples built-in security protections. Intego ONE can also check the security of the Wi-Fi network your iPhone is connected to. The check takes around 10 seconds and identifies potential security issues, including whether the network uses strong encryption. It also reports connection speed, which can be useful when connecting to unfamiliar networks in hotels, cafs, or airports. These tools are helpful reminders, particularly if you dont regularly review your iPhones security and privacy settings. However, they dont replace active threat protection. Intego ONE for iOS wont prevent you from visiting a malicious website or clicking a phishing link, and it doesnt provide the traditional antivirus and malware-scanning capabilities found in Intego ONE for Mac. Is Intego ONE for iPhone worth using? Intego ONE for iPhone is a useful addition to the Complete package. Its VPN is easy to configure, switching servers is straightforward, and performance was good enough for everyday use, including streaming. Its less suitable for users who want the extensive customization offered by dedicated VPN services, including more protocol choices and an internet kill switch. The security checks are useful, but theyre reminders to review your settings rather than comprehensive protection against online threats. If youre already subscribing to Intego ONE Complete for your Mac, the iPhone app is a worthwhile extra. It provides an easy way to use a VPN on the go while encouraging better security habits, without needing to learn another complicated security app. For more on VPNs read our group test of the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad . SmartClean: Is SmartClean a good Mac cleaner? The SmartClean module is included with the Intego ONE Advanced and Intego ONE Complete plans. Its a tool for disk optimization and offers several functions to manage CPU usage, RAM usage, a Disk Space Monitor, an App Uninstaller, and Optimization history. Each function works well, and the overall SmartClean Optimization Scan was able to locate 111GB of large files on my Mac that could be removed, as well as 500MB of cache and log files. It is a good way to claw back some drive space without decimating your larger work files. This disk cleanup can be extended in the settings to also include old downloads and old trash files, which is a nice option. The Uninstaller function worked well and cleanly removed several extraneous applications I had on my SSD, but an attempt to remove a copy of DaVinci Resolve during a test run had to be repeated. This is one of a few bugs that cropped up in our testing of the Release Candidate, so we raised these issue with Intego and will be verifying that it has been addressed in the final version of the software. What is missing? Parental controls and spam/phishing protection would be good to see in a future update. What issues and bugs did we encounter? Quarantining suspect files in Intego ONE . Foundry While Intego ONE Complete is generally excellent and its component functions shine, there are still a few quirks and interface limitations to note, though several earlier issues identified in our initial review have been resolved. The application no longer repeatedly prompts for the system password during quarantine or malware removal, which was a major annoyance in earlier builds. Performance during large-scale cleanup has also improved considerably, with better system load distribution preventing the Mac from slowing to a crawl. During testing, the software successfully processed and removed more than 200 quarantined files quickly, though a small number of files (three in our case) remained and required additional attention. The user interface, while generally friendly, still lacks the ability to resize or expand to full screen, which feels like an unnecessary limitation. A previous issue involving the application resetting permissions and requiring reinstallation did not reoccur in this version, suggesting it may have been resolved. Pricing: Is Intego ONE good value? Intego ONE Essential starts $2.50/1.87 a month for one device for the first year, after that first year it will default to the full price of $3.33/2.50 a month. Thats $29.99/22.49 for the first year and then $39.99/29.99 a year. You can choose a two year plan to keep paying the lower price for longer. Get the best Intego ONE deal here Intego ONE Advanced (with the Mac cleaner) is currently $52.49/38.49 for the first year, and Intego ONE Complete (with the VPN) is $67.49/45.49 for the first year. There are plans for one, three or five devices. Intego ONE Complete also includes the iPhone app, with plans covering one Mac and one iPhone, three Macs and three iPhones, or five Macs and five iPhones. The iPhone app includes VPN access, network speed tests, and security checks, but not the Mac versions antivirus and firewall features. In comparison to Integos Mac Internet Security X9, which though available for $24.99/20.99 for the first year, rose to $49.99/49.99 a year afterwards, the new pricing structure is better for the long-term. The price is also very favourable compared to alternatives we include in our round up of the Best Antivirus software for Mac users . Foundry Should you buy Intego ONE? Intego ONE proves to be an easy recommendation if youre looking for strong malware protection and advanced firewall control on your Mac, and this is where the application shines. Recent updates have addressed several early bugs and significantly improved performance, making Intego ONE a more compelling option than at launch. The addition of an iPhone app makes the Complete package more appealing if you want protection for both your Mac and iPhone. While the iOS app doesnt offer the same antivirus capabilities as the Mac version, its straightforward VPN delivered good performance in our tests, and the security checks provide useful reminders. Its a worthwhile addition rather than a reason to subscribe on its own. Where core protection is concerned, this is one of the best options available for your Mac, and this, combined with Integos 30-day money-back guarantee, makes it well worth a trial run.

Harmanjot, Lili Das headline strong Indian elite field for Delhi Half Marathon

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Reigning World 10K Bengaluru Indian Elite champion Harmanjot Singh and former winner Lili Das will headline a strong Indian contingent for the 21st edition of the Delhi Half Marathon, with 22 men and 20 women set to compete in the Indian Elite category here on October 18. Harmanjot will make his debut at the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race carrying the distinction of being the fastest runner in the Indian Elite field. The 2026 Asian Cross Country Championships silver medallist has a personal best of 1:01:46, recorded at the Alwar Tiger International Half Marathon. The 2026 season has already provided Harmanjot with significant confidence, having won the Indian Elite race at the World 10K Bengaluru before securing silver at the Asian Cross Country Championships. Winning in Bengaluru and taking silver at the Asian Cross Country this year has given me a lot of confidence going into Delhi. The Delhi Half Marathon is one of the toughest races in the country, with a field that pushes you to your limit, and I am looking forward to testing myself against the best elite runners over the half marathon distance. I will give it everything on race day, said Harmanjot Singh. Kiran Matre, meanwhile, will return to a familiar setting after finishing second among the Indian elite men at last years Delhi Half Marathon. That performance also produced his half marathon personal best of 1:04:57. Matre, the 2024 World 10K Bengaluru Indian Elite champion, will have to contend with Kartik Karkera, who enters the race after winning the Indian Elite mens title at the 2026 Mumbai Marathon and finishing third among the Indian elite runners in Delhi last year. The field will also feature Uttar Pradeshs Prince Kumar, who is returning to the half marathon circuit after an extended break. Prince won the 5,000m and 10,000m titles at the 2025 Open National Athletics Championships before adding the 5,000m gold at the South Asian Athletics Championships. In the womens race, two former Delhi Half Marathon Indian Elite champions, Lili Das and Kavita Yadav, will spearhead the challenge. Das claimed the Indian Elite Women's title in 2024, while Yadav emerged victorious in 2023. Their return adds experience to a field that also includes Olympic and World Championship steeplechaser Ankita Dhyani. Dhyani made an encouraging transition to the half marathon last year, finishing fifth among the Indian Elite women in her debut over the distance. Asian Games 2023 steeplechase bronze medallist Priti Lamba will further strengthen the womens field, having previously finished on the Indian Elite podium in Delhi. The Indian Elite race also carries a substantial financial incentive, with the top three finishers in both the mens and womens categories set to receive Rs 3.5 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively. An additional Rs 1 lakh will be awarded for breaking the Indian Elite event record. The mens mark stands at 60:30, set by Avinash Sable in 2020, while L. Suriya holds the womens record of 70:31, established in 2017.

Woman found burnt in Yadgir forest, lover arrested for murder

Yadgir: Yadgir police have solved the murder of a 48-year-old jogathi woman whose charred body was found in a dense forest area last month, with investigators arresting her alleged lover in Bengaluru. The deceased has been identified as Shantamma, a resident of Nalwar village in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district. The accused, Suresh, is a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Shaurya Bhattacharya opens with a two-shot lead in Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship

Digital Desk | Greater Noida, Oct 7 (IANS) Shaurya Bhattacharya opened with a six-under-66 to establish a two-shot lead after the first round of the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida on Wednesday. The 23-year-old Bhattacharya, a three-time winner on the DP World PGTI, made seven birdies and dropped his only shot of the day on the par-four eighth. Bhattacharya began the week ranked 14th in the Race to DP World India Championship. He has come close to adding another title this season, recording joint runner-up finishes at the Players Championship 2026 in February and the Kolar Open 2026 in August. Chandigarhs Shubhankar Sharma, a two-time PGTI Tour winner, occupied second place at four-under 68. His round featured an eagle on the par-five 12th, three birdies and one bogey. Shubhankar won the Boulders Classic on the PGTI in April, ending an eight-year wait for a professional title. Bangladeshs Jamal Hossain, Gurugrams Dhruv Sheoran and Bengalurus Manoj S returned matching two-under 70s to share third place. Jamal made three birdies against a solitary bogey, while Sheoran mixed six birdies with four bogeys. Manoj registered five birdies and three bogeys. Shaurya settled quickly with birdies on his opening two holes before relying on accurate approach play and patient course management to maintain his momentum. I got off to a strong start with birdies on the first two holes, which helped me settle into the round, Shaurya said. From there, I continued finding greens and stayed patient. The lone bogey was disappointing, but I holed some important putts. A long birdie putt on the final hole provided the finishing touch to his 66 and extended his advantage to two strokes. The putt on the last felt like a bonus, he said. I knew it would be a long day, so the key was to remain calm, keep my thoughts together and focus on one shot at a time. The tournament features a distinctive Pro-Am format, with amateurs competing alongside professionals in all four rounds. The extended playing schedule also took part of the field into floodlit conditions. The format is quite interesting because we are playing alongside amateurs, and the number of groups makes it a long day, Shaurya said. Playing under floodlights also requires some adjustment, but I competed in an event here in similar conditions a few weeks ago, so that experience helped me adapt quickly. The conditions were the same for everyone. I concentrated on hitting greens, creating opportunities and maintaining a steady rhythm throughout the round. Current Race to India Championship leader Saptak Talwar opened with a three-over 75 to share 36th place. The Pro-Am on Wednesday was won by the team consisting of professional Shaurya Bhattacharya and amateur Dr. Hamidi. Their score was 44 stableford points, and they won on a countback.

Kaun hai yeah log, kahan se aate hai yeah log: Mohit Sharma's filmy one-liner response to Rohit-Virat critics

By Utkarsh Rathour Former Indian cricketer Mohit Sharma took a hilarious dig at critics doubting the place of ODI-exclusive stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI set-up ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, saying that there is no point in talking about the issue. Mohit was speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) season 3, where he is playing for the India Champions side. Questioned about constant chatter around Rohit and Virat's spots in the ODI set-up that rises with every series due to lack of ODIs being played, he replied while referencing to a dialogue by actor Arshad Warsi in movie Jolly LLB, which has turned into a meme. I remember a meme, 'Kaun hai log, kahan se aate hai yeah log'. There is no point in talking about this, said Mohit, shutting down the noise from his side with a brutal one-liner. This year in nine ODIs, Virat has scored 552 runs in nine innings at an average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 117.94, with two centuries...

Zeeshan Ansari set to return to UP Ranji squad after six-year gap

Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 7 (IANS) After years of being on the fringes of Uttar Pradesh cricket, Zeeshan Ansari is set to make his return to the Ranji Trophy squad after a gap of six years, marking another significant chapter in the leg-spinners remarkable resurgence. The 26-year-old, who last played a Ranji Trophy match for Uttar Pradesh in 2020, has been named in the state squad for the upcoming season after forcing his way back into the reckoning with a standout domestic campaign. IANS has learned that the selectors have shown faith in him and the squad will be officially announced soon. The squad, led by Karan Sharma, includes Rinku Singh, Aradhya Yadav, Aryan Juyal (WK), Madhav Kaushik, Adarsh Singh, Sidharth Yadav, Prashantveer, Kartik Yadav, Ansari, Vansh Choudhary, Yash Dayal, Kunal Tyagi, Priyam Garg, Abhinandan Singh and Kartik Tyagi. Abhishek Goswami and Chikara have been named as stand-by players. It makes Ansaris return even more remarkable considering the way his career seemed to drift following his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh against Railways on October 6, 2017. Ansari was considered a promising young leg-spinner, as he was part of Indias squad for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup along with Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan. State-level opportunities were few, his progress stagnated, and he had to look elsewhere. Beyond regular play in local tournaments in Lucknow, Ansari also played league cricket in Kolkata and was often seen around the Uttar Pradesh dressing room as a net bowler. Until the beginning of 2025, his proximity to the state team rarely translated into opportunities on the field. Ansari's big breakthrough came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he proved to be one of the most effective bowlers for Uttar Pradesh. A leg-break and googly bowler, he took 21 wickets in eight matches at a stunning 16.52 apiece, always the man to break partnerships and come through in pressure situations. He was a constant threat with his ability to change pace and flight and bowl the googly at opportune moments, especially on surfaces that were becoming more batsman-friendly. Interestingly, despite making his state debut in the 2017-18 season, the last Vijay Hazare Trophy was Ansaris first domestic 50-over competition. His white-ball emergence therefore came relatively late in a career that had begun nearly a decade earlier. The 21-wicket campaign not only revived his Uttar Pradesh career but also pushed him into the national selectors vision. He was subsequently fast-tracked into the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A later this month. That call-up highlighted the unusual trajectory of Ansaris career. While he has attracted significant attention through white-ball cricket in the last three years, his red-ball credentials remain relatively limited. Ansari has played only five first-class matches, including Ranji Trophy appearances for Uttar Pradesh, and has taken 17 wickets. His best figures are 3/33, which came against Tripura. His return also comes at a time when the pool of specialist wrist-spinners available for red-ball cricket has become relatively thin. A look at the leading wicket-takers from the last Ranji Trophy season underlines the selectors dilemma. Mayank Mishra, Siddharth Desai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kumar Kartikeya, Arjun Sharma, Vishal Jayswal and Saurabh Kumar - all slow left-arm orthodox bowlers - featured among the top 10 wicket-takers, with J&K seamer Auqib Nabi leading the charts with 60 wickets. There was only one leg-break bowler among the top 10: Karnataka veteran Shreyas Gopal, who finished third with 48 wickets. The scarcity of wrist-spinners becomes even more evident when the next group of leading wicket-takers are considered. Between 11 and 20, there were two off-spinners - 33-year-old Saransh Jain, who is with India A, and domestic stalwart Jalaj Saxena - alongside pace bowlers Mohammed Nidheesh of Kerala and Sunil Kumar of J&K. The remaining names in that bracket were left-arm orthodox spinners Sagar Udeshi, Shams Mulani, Amit Shukla, Nachiket Bhute, Parth Rekhade and Anukul Roy. In all, 13 of the 20 bowlers in that broader group were left-arm spinners, while the only leg-break bowler in the top 10 was no longer in contention for India. That shortage has created an opening for a bowler like Ansari, whose ability to turn the ball both ways and operate as an attacking wrist-spinner offers a different dimension. For Ansari, however, the journey back to the Ranji setup is about much more than filling a statistical gap. His career appeared to be losing momentum after his early promise with Indias Under-19 team, but his persistence through local cricket, league cricket, net-bowling opportunities and limited state chances eventually brought him back into the spotlight. The 21 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy became the catalyst. Now, after six years away from the Ranji fold, Ansari has another opportunity to establish himself in the red-ball format that once provided his first platform in senior cricket. His inclusion in the Uttar Pradesh squad, followed by the India A call-up, represents a rapid rise for a player who only recently found himself outside the states immediate plans. From an India Under-19 prospect in 2016 to a net bowler struggling for a state opportunity, and now an India A-bound leg-spinner preparing for a Ranji return, Ansaris career has taken an unexpected turn. The next challenge will be to translate his white-ball resurgence into sustained success with the red ball -beginning with Uttar Pradesh, where his first-class journey started on October 6, 2017.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen Unveils Adobe Was My MBA, Authored by Abhishek Talwar, CEO Of Hexaview Technologies

New York [US], October 6: In a significant moment that underscores the lasting influence of corporate leadership on entrepreneurship, Adobe Chairman and CEO Shantanu Narayen recently met with Abhishek Talwar, Founder and CEO of Hexaview Technologies, and unveiled his newly released book, Adobe Was My MBA.

Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi Police organise cyber safety programme

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The Cyber Club of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in association with Delhi Police, organised a cyber safety and awareness programme to address existing and emerging concerns related to digital arrests and deepfakes, an official said on Tuesday. The programme, titled Beyond the Screen: Cyber Fraud, Digital Harassment and Deepfakes in the AI Era, was organised on October 1 under the aegis of the Office of the Dean Students' Welfare, JMI Chief Public Relations Officer Saima Saeed said in a statement. Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range), Vijay Kumar, was the Chief Guest at the occasion, and the keynote address was delivered by Assidstant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manoj Kumar, who also serves as an external member of the JMI Cyber Club, the statement said. The programme was also attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Licensing Aishwarya Sharma and JMI Registrar Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi. The proceedings were presided over by Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif. Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif, in his presidential address, said that individuals who engage in financial crimes within the cyber realm exploit the greed of their victims and that it is important to remain guarded and educated. He stressed that the presence of high-ranking officials among the university community was inspirational in itself and sent a strong message of awareness and education. He exhorted the students to be careful in their use of technologies such as mobile phones and not let these technologies control them. Neelofer Afzal, JMI Dean Students' Welfare and Advisor of the Cyber Club, hailed knowledge as the greatest source of empowerment but also drew the attention of the audience to the darkness of deception, which could be countered through responsible use of technology and AI. Her three-step rule while interacting with the cyber world pause before you click, verify before you believe and speak up if something goes wrong -- set the tone for the event. DCP Aishwarya Sharma discussed three important ways in which the digital trust of users is exploited by fraudsters, namely cyber fraud, digital harassment, and deepfakes. She cautioned the audience to be careful about leaving digital footprints, as once created, they are difficult to remove. Her colleague elaborated on some important aspects that need to be taken care of in order to remain cyber-safe. She emphasised the importance of guarding against being overwhelmed by feelings of fear and anxiety. She also elaborated on some of the common ways used by scammers to dupe innocent civilians, such as digital arrest, financial cyber fraud, deepfakes, password hacking, cyberbullying, and identity theft. ACP Manoj Kumar talked about common AI-enabled threats brought about by increasing digital penetration. In particular, he talked about digital slavery as a cause for urgent concern. He offered some useful and practical preventive measures to stay safe, such as keeping mobile software updated, preserving evidence in case of fraud and calling '1930' for immediate reporting and intervention. He warned the attendees to remain alert and aware and to educate themselves, as claiming innocence cannot grant immunity from the law. He told the attendees about important initiatives for promoting cyber well-being, such as Sanchar Saathi, M-Kavach 2, and Digi Kavach, explaining the dangerous repercussions of visiting dubious websites and downloading malware, such as APK files.

Top stars in fray in Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship in Greater Noida

Digital Desk | Greater Noida, Oct 6 (IANS) A top-class field featuring leading Indian stars like Shubhankar Sharma, reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion Yuvraj Sandhu, current PGTI Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, Khalin Joshi, Veer Ahlawat and Honey Baisoya will be among the top contenders in the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship to be played at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Greater Noida, from October 7 to 10. The Kapil Dev Invitational, which carries a prize purse of INR 2 crore, returns for its fourth edition this year but will be held as the Tour Championship for the first time. The event will witness participation by 64 professionals, including the current Top-60 on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit. This is the last event before the Top-24 in the Race to India Championship are sealed for the season finale the following week. The other leading Indian professionals in the field are Akshay Sharma and Rashid Khan. Besides Saptak Talwar, the other leading Greater Noida-based professionals in the field are Amardeep Malik and Arjun Sharma. There are 10 foreign professionals competing from eight different countries. The foreign names in the field include Sri Lankas N. Thangaraja, Italys Michele Ortolani, Bangladeshs Jamal Hossain, Badal Hossain and Md Akbar Hossain, Nepals Subash Tamang, Czech Republics Stepan Danek, Ugandas Joshua Seale, Thailands Tanapat Pichaikool and Japans Koichiro Ishika. The tournament combines the Professional Championship with a thrilling Pro-Am component, bringing together professionals and amateurs in a dynamic and engaging way. All four rounds of the tournament will feature a separate set of amateurs, with a different Pro-Am competition being held in every round alongside the professional rounds. Each Pro-Am team will consist of one professional and one amateur. The amateurs will play in the modified scramble format, while the professionals will play in stroke play like all other PGTI events. The professionals score will be counted towards both the professional leaderboard and the Pro-Am championship. The top three Pro-Am teams stand to win prizes at the end of each round. Kapil Dev. President, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), said, I am delighted to see the Kapil Dev Invitational return for its fourth edition as the Tour Championship. It is particularly gratifying that the tournament brings together the best professionals on the Tour while also creating an opportunity for amateurs to experience the competitive environment of professional golf. The tournament promises intense competition as the PGTIs top-60 professionals will not only be competing for the trophy this week, but also for the final opportunity to secure their place among the top-24 of the Race to DP World India Championship. The participation of amateurs across all four rounds adds more excitement and makes this a truly unique format. I am confident that the Kapil Dev Invitational 2026 will provide a memorable experience for the players, amateurs, partners and golf fans, and I wish all the participants the very best for the tournament. C. Sasidhar, Chairman, Vishwa Samudra Engineering, said, This will be our third tournament with the DP World PGTI, but our first Tour Championship, making the occasion particularly special for us. It is also our first association with the Kapil Dev Invitational, a name synonymous with sporting excellence and a strong commitment to nurturing talent in India. Amandeep Johl, CEO, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), said, After the extremely successful first three editions, the eagerly awaited Kapil Dev Invitational returns on the PGTI this year as the Tour Championship. The tournament promises to be a visual spectacle for golf fans as the PGTIs elite field of top-60 competes for the prestigious trophy and the last opportunity to seal their spots in the top-24 of the Race to India Championship. The participation of amateur golfers alongside the professionals in all four rounds also adds an exciting dimension to the event. The tournaments impressive field, prize purse and different format are set to offer a unique and memorable experience to the professionals, participating amateurs and golf fans alike. We wish the players all the best, he added.

Odisha CM Congratulates Amit Rohidas

A wave of immense pride has swept across Odisha as the Indian Mens and Womens Hockey teams clinched Gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Sharing in this momentous national triumph, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reached out to congratulate the Odia stalwarts of the national mens team, Amit Rohidas and Shilanand [] The post Odisha CM Congratulates Amit Rohidas & Shilanand Lakra on Asian Games Hockey Gold appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Hindi on TN State Highway Signboard Sparks Controversy, Two Officers Suspended

The signboard displays arrows indicating the routes to Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Alwarthirunagari and Tirunelveli

G.P. Talwar at 100: scientist, institution builder, lifelong researcher

Since joining the founding faculty of AIIMS New Delhi, he has never stopped working at the bench. Along the way, he developed the worlds first leprosy vaccine, a hormonal birth control vaccine, founded Indias first immunology institution, mentored hundreds of students, and continues his research as he begins his second century

Pranavi Urs Maintains Second Place at Asian Games; Saptak Talwar Slips to Joint Seventh

Pranavi Urs holds second place in womens golf at the Asian Games, while Saptak Talwar drops to seventh after day two. Pranavi Urs Maintains Second Place at Asian Games; Saptak Talwar Slips to Joint Seventh

Stealth frigate INS Trishul takes part in bilateral naval exercise 'Varuna' in France

The Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Trishul has taken part in the flagship bilateral naval exercise 'Varuna' in France. The move aims to strengthen maritime and professional ties between the two countries. INS Trishul is the second ship of the Talwar-class stealth frigates and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 2003. The exercise conducted professional, sporting and cultural engagements as well as joint operations with French warships at sea.

Saptaak Talwar Shines with Four-Under 66 at Asian Games 2026

Indian golfer Saptaak Talwar scores four-under 66, tying for third in the mens individual event at the Asian Games 2026. Saptaak Talwar Shines with Four-Under 66 at Asian Games 2026

Asian Games: Saptak Talwar makes strong start with four-under 66 to be tied third

Digital Desk | Aichi-Nagoya, Sep 30 (IANS) Indias Saptak Talwar made a promising start to his campaign at the Asian Games 2026 as he finished Round 1 tied third in the mens individual event after shooting a four-under 66 at the Par-70 Kasugai Country Club East Course in Aichi-Nagoya. Veer Ahlawat and Yuvraj Sandhu, the other two Indians in the fray, carded scores of one-over 71 to be placed tied 23rd. After round one, the leaders in the individual event were Chinese Taipeis Wei-hsuan Wang and Japans Kazuki Higa as both fired scores of five-under 65. In the mens team event, the Indians were placed tied fifth with a total of three-under 137 as the scores of the top two players counted toward the team score. Japan were the leaders in the team event with a score of nine-under 131. Saptak Talwar, currently leading the PGTI Order of Merit, made five birdies and a bogey during his opening round. Former PGTI Order of Merit champion Veer Ahlawat made an eagle, three birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey in his first round. Yuvraj Sandhu, the 2025 PGTI Order of Merit winner, made four birdies and five bogeys in his first round. The mens golf competition features 66 players and will be played over 72 holes from September 30 to October 3. The team medals will be decided on the aggregate scores of the best two players from each country in each round. The Indian mens trio brings considerable experience and strong recent form into the competition. Talwar and Ahlawat finished tied third at the Bengaluru Open 2026 immediately before the Asian Games, while Sandhu recently recorded a notable tied 13th finish at the DP World Tours FedEx Open de France. In the womens individual event, Pranavi Urs was placed second at four-under 66, three shots behind the lead. Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok were tied 18th with scores of one-over 71. In the womens team event, the Indian team was tied sixth at three-under 137, five shots off the lead.

Rajasthan panchayat polls: BJP, Congress recalibrating strategies after civic election lessons

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 30 (IANS) After the civic body elections, the BJP and Congress are now recalibrating their strategies for the upcoming Panchayat polls in Rajasthan. For the BJP, the focus is on improving vote share and plugging organisational gaps, despite the party forming boards in around two-thirds of the state's civic bodies. The party organisation has intensified its grassroots preparations, with a focus on booth management, local caste equations, candidate selection and coordination between the government and the organisation. For the Congress, the challenge extends beyond winning seats to converting electoral gains into control of Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads. The party is reviewing the factionalism, ticket disputes and floor-management issues that affected board formation in several civic bodies. It is now weighing greater state-level intervention in candidate selection and post-election management, along with a wider network of observers, to keep its elected members together and prevent internal divisions from undermining its prospects in the Panchayat polls. For the BJP, the immediate focus is not just on the number of urban local bodies where it managed to form boards, but also on its vote share and the organisational gaps exposed during the civic elections. Despite securing boards in around two-thirds of the state's civic bodies, the party's central leadership is reviewing areas where its electoral performance fell short of expectations. The BJP has consequently intensified preparations at the grassroots level, with particular attention to booth management, local caste equations, candidate selection and coordination between the government and the party organisation. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has emerged as an active part of this organisational exercise. During his recent district tours, Sharma has combined government programmes with meetings involving party workers and local leaders. Feedback on Panchayat election preparations, possible candidates and booth-level mobilisation is being gathered during these interactions. State BJP president Madan Rathore has also increased his organisational outreach, including engagement with younger sections of the electorate. The Panchayat elections are expected to put the BJP's rural organisational network to another test. The party's strategy involves leveraging the government's development and welfare initiatives while simultaneously strengthening its booth-level machinery. Recently, BJP National General Secretary and Rajasthan State In-charge Sanjay Bhatia held an organisational meeting at the party's state office with state office-bearers, district presidents and in-charges of various organisational wings and departments. The meeting was Bhatia's first organisational review since taking charge as the party's Rajasthan in-charge. Addressing party leaders, he attributed the results of the recent local body elections to the hard work of BJP workers and the performance of the party-led government. Bhatia said the party's strategy for the upcoming Panchayat elections should build on the coordination between the government and the organisation demonstrated during the local body polls. He stressed the need to replicate this organisational synergy at the grassroots level. Now, the challenge is to translate government schemes and the party's organisational presence into support at the grassroots, where local issues, caste combinations and candidate equations can significantly influence electoral outcomes. Sharma's recent tour schedule reflects the BJP's effort to intensify organisational engagement. He visited Pratapgarh and Udaipur on September 26, Sri Ganganagar and Suratgarh on September 27, followed by Alwar-Khairthal Tijara, Kota-Jhalawar and Kishangarh. His upcoming visits to Barmer, Jodhpur and Pali are also expected to include organisational meetings. The Congress, meanwhile, is drawing lessons from the difficulties it faced while forming boards in several urban local bodies. Although the party had a substantial number of councillors in several civic bodies, it was unable to translate that strength into board formation everywhere. The issue of floor management has therefore emerged as a key concern for the party ahead of the Panchayat elections. The Congress is now considering greater involvement of the state organisation in the electoral process, including ticket distribution and the subsequent formation of Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads. The debate within the party centres on how much control should remain with district-level leadership and how much coordination should come from the state organisation. The Congress's experience in the civic elections has also raised concerns over factionalism and coordination among local leaders. Ticket-related disputes surfaced in several districts, while cross-voting was reported during the formation of some boards. Against this backdrop, the party is examining whether greater state-level supervision could help prevent similar problems during the Panchayat elections. The political challenge for the Congress will extend beyond winning individual seats. The party will also need to maintain cohesion among its elected members to secure control of Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads. As part of its preparations, the Congress is considering deploying observers not only at the Assembly constituency level but also at the Panchayat Samiti level. The proposal is aimed at strengthening coordination between the state organisation and local units, particularly during candidate selection and the post-election process of forming Panchayat bodies. Swarnim Chaturvedi, Media Chairperson of the Rajasthan Congress, said the party is considering appointing observers at the Panchayat Samiti level in addition to Assembly constituencies. With both parties now recalibrating their organisational strategies, the Panchayat elections are set to become a test of their grassroots networks, candidate management and ability to keep local factions aligned through the electoral and board-formation processes.

Asian Games: PGTI prez Kapil Dev backs Indian golfers to make their mark

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 28 (IANS) Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) President and legendary Indian sportsman Kapil Dev has extended his best wishes to Indian mens and womens golf teams ahead of the golf competition at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. The Indian contingent comprises Yuvraj Sandhu, Saptak Talwar and Veer Ahlawat in the mens section, and Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs in the womens section. Kapil Dev, President, PGTI, said, Representing India at the Asian Games is the highest honour. I extend my best wishes to Veer, Saptak, Yuvraj, Aditi, Diksha and Pranavi as they prepare to compete for the country in Japan. Each of them has earned this opportunity through determination, discipline and consistently strong performances. They possess the talent, experience and temperament to perform successfully on this major international stage. Exhorting the Indian golfers to approach the competition with confidence, Kapil Dev added, My message to them is simple: believe in yourselves, play fearlessly and give it everything you have. The responsibility of representing the country should inspire you to raise your game. Stay focused, trust your preparation and play every shot with pride. The entire Indian golfing fraternity is behind you. Go out there, compete hard and make India proud. Amandeep Johl, CEO, PGTI, said, Yuvraj, Veer and Saptak have earned this opportunity through consistent performances, resilience and a strong competitive temperament. Their place in the Indian contingent is a proud moment for us and reflects the strength of our tour and the international pathway provided by the PGTI. All three possess the experience and ability to mount a strong medal challenge. We wish them, along with Aditi, Diksha and Pranavi, every success at the Asian Games. The Indian mens trio will make its Asian Games debut with strong credentials and considerable experience of competing on the international stage. Yuvraj Sandhu has been a regular on the Asian Tour and has been playing on the DP World Tour this season as a result of securing his DP World Tour card after winning the PGTI Order of Merit in 2025. The 29-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking streak on the PGTI in 2025 as he became the first player to win seven titles in a single season. He also set a new record for season earnings, having accumulated INR 1,91,67,100 on the PGTI in 2025. Yuvraj is a winner of 16 professional titles, including one international title on the Asian Development Tour. Yuvraj said, I played in Japan last year, so I have a very fair idea of how the golf courses are. We already have the course mapped out in detail, and the yardages. I think playing on the DP World Tour has polished my game, so I feel ready to tackle the course. Its rained a lot there recently, so the course will definitely be softer. We are expecting ideal weather. Besides, Im pretty much accustomed to playing in such conditions; Ive been playing in the rain four weeks out of the past eight. The 30-year-old Veer Ahlawat has been a regular on the Asian Tour and also competed on the DP World Tour in 2025 after earning his card as a result of emerging as the 2024 PGTI Order of Merit champion. He is a six-time winner on the PGTI, besides a joint runner-up at the Indian Open in 2024. Veer, who had a first-hand look at the course in Japan last month, said, The course was short, and mostly those are the courses we play here in India. I think the main challenge in Japan is to get your wedges tuned in, and spin control will play a major role. In short courses, we have to be very precise on the tee, and most of the time, you do not even have to hit your driver off the tee. You have to manage the course well, make sure that even if you have a few hundred-yard shot, you are there in the game. Saptak Talwar, currently ranked No. 1 on the PGTI Order of Merit, has strengthened his game by dividing his competitive schedule between the European Tour and the PGTI. The 27-year-old Talwar is a two-time winner on the PGTI. Talwar said, The goal was to improve my ranking and qualify, and I am proud that one box has been ticked. The next aim is to make the cut for the LA Olympics. I think I have played enough in Europe, and Europe is about rain, wind, and other elements. I think we like our chances of battling the elements, as Japan is expected to have similar weather at this time. Having the experience under my belt of playing in not-so-pretty weather is definitely an advantage. The six-member contingent reflects the growing strength and competitiveness of Indian golf. The players progress across domestic and international tours underlines the increasing depth of the sport in the country and Indias ability to produce golfers capable of succeeding at the highest level.

Firm in conviction, remarkable in his simplicity: PM Modi pens tribute to Ashok Singhal on his birth centenary

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international working president Ashok Singhal on his birth centenary, describing him as a formidable personality who was firm in his convictions and remarkable in his simplicity. The Prime Minister said Singhal combined spiritual commitment with tireless organisational work and remained unwavering in his dedication to social unity. PM Modi took to social media 'X' and said, Shri Ashok Singhal was formidablefirm in conviction and remarkable in his simplicity. He combined spiritual commitment with tireless organisational work and an unwavering dedication to social unity. The Prime Minister also penned a detailed tribute to Singhal under the headline, A great personality, committed to nation-building. In the tribute, PM Modi began by quoting a well-known couplet highlighting the importance of living for the welfare of others. There is a beautiful saying, Vriksh kabahun nahin phal bhakhai, Nadi na sanchai neer. Parmarath ke karane, sadhun dhara sarir. It means the tree does not consume its own fruit, nor does the river retain its waters. Both exist for the benefit of others, he wrote. Our saints and seers have long taught us that a life devoted to the welfare of those around us acquires a meaning far greater than individual achievement. If there is one person in whom this spirit was constantly reflected, it was Shri Ashok Singhal Ji, PM Modi said. Starting 27th September, we mark his birth centenary to celebrate an outstanding personality who brought together spiritual pursuit, cultural awakening and decades of dedicated organisational work, he added. PM Modi recalled his personal interactions with Singhal and said he considered it a privilege to have had numerous opportunities to meet him and receive his affection. I consider it a privilege that I had innumerable opportunities to interact with Ashok Ji and receive his affection. One of the earliest instances dates back to 1981, when I was a young Karyakarta going about the organisational duties given to me. I received a handwritten letter from him. Naturally, it was a noteworthy moment for me. He talked about an important upcoming programme and gave a few tasks to be done, he said. The Prime Minister also shared the letter written by Singhal. Recalling Singhals extensive travels and organisational work, PM Modi said he had seen him work day and night and travel to remote and difficult areas. Over several decades, I saw him work day and night. He would undertake long and often difficult travels to the remotest of areas. He was particularly passionate about travelling across tribal areas of Gujarat. His mind was constantly running, thinking about what more one can do for those on the margins of society, he said. PM Modi also recalled Singhals contribution to relief efforts during natural disasters. Whenever any part of the nation was affected by a natural disaster, Ashok Ji was either among the first to reach there himself or among those guiding Karyakartas to help those affected. My own experience with him in the aftermath of the 2001 Kutch earthquake was unforgettable, he said. The Prime Minister said Singhals compassion and concern for others had taken shape early in his life despite his coming from a prosperous and distinguished family. This spirit of compassion and care for others is something that came to Ashok Ji very early in his life. He hailed from a very illustrious and prosperous family. His father, Shri Mahavir Ji, was a distinguished administrator. One of his brothers, Shri BP Singhal Ji, went on to become a police officer and later a Member of Parliament. Another brother, Shri VP Singhal Ji, was the Chief Secretary of Tripura when the state was just formed, he said. Other family members succeeded in the world of commerce and agriculture. But from a young age, Ashok Ji was attracted to something else altogetherthe revival of Bharat and bringing glory to Maa Bhartis children, PM Modi added. Recalling Singhals childhood in Prayagraj, the Prime Minister said his association with the Sangam and the people who visited the holy site helped nurture his understanding of Indias cultural ethos. Growing up in Prayagraj, Ashok Ji would sit for hours on the banks of the Sangam. The river naturally interested him, but so did the people who came, such as saints, seers and devotees. It nurtured an understanding of Indias cultural ethos and strengthened his intention to do something for society, he said. This desire to live for others drew him to the RSS. He embraced every responsibility that came his way with enthusiasm, discipline and a sense of duty, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister highlighted Singhals organisational abilities, oratory skills and his close association with fellow workers and religious leaders. Shri Ashok Singhal Ji nurtured institutions and movements through persistence and hard work. He was blessed with a formidable voice and an oratory that could hold an entire gathering in its spell. Equally noteworthy was his care for fellow Karyakartas, he said. Anyone who came into contact with him could not help but marvel at his remarkable simplicity. He shared a deep bond with the Sant Samaj and commanded immense respect among saints and seers across the country. They valued his counsel and listened to him with great regard, PM Modi said. He also recalled two incidents that, according to him, reflected Singhals organisational abilities and influence. My mind goes back to two instances which brought out the legendary persona of Shri Ashok Singhal Ji. The first was in 1993, when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a convention in the USA to mark 100 years since Swami Vivekanandas Chicago address, PM Modi said. The vision to host such a conference overseas, the planning and the bringing together of diverse stakeholders revealed the organisational genius of Ashok Ji, he added. The Prime Minister then recalled the World Hindu Conference held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 2000. The second instance is from the year 2000. The World Hindu Conference was organised in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. I could see how his presence ignited so much enthusiasm among other delegates, he said. After my address, his words of appreciation were a very moving experience for me. I saw yet again how his encouragement filled every Karyakarta with so much energy, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister also recalled Singhals prominent role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. No mention of Shri Ashok Singhal Ji is complete without recalling his pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. Who can forget his address at the Boat Club Rally in 1991? Or the defining image of an injured and bleeding Ashok Ji at the peak of the movement, he said. Today, if there is a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, it is because of stalwarts like him who selflessly immersed themselves in the effort to make it possible. He would have been the happiest person on seeing the Ram Mandir take shape in Ayodhya, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister further highlighted Singhals emphasis on social harmony, equality and dignity. Shri Ashok Singhal Ji was blessed with remarkable clarity of thought, and one area where it was clearly seen was his belief that our society needs to be harmonious, that the message of brotherhood has to be reaffirmed. He worked towards strengthening social unity and equality, he said. He firmly believed that there could be no distinction of any kind in society and that every individual deserved equal dignity and respect, PM Modi added. He also referred to Singhals role in promoting social inclusion during activities associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and other community initiatives. It was his thought that the first brick of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would be laid by Shri Kameshwar Choupal Ji, a grassroots VHP Karyakarta from Bihar who hailed from the marginalised sections of society. At a Dharm Sansad in Kashi, he decided that the Dom Raja would be honoured and went on to work with him as part of various community efforts, PM Modi said. Beyond organisational and nation-building activities, PM Modi said Singhal had a deep interest in education, particularly Vedic education, as well as music. Beyond nation-building, Shri Ashok Singhal Ji had two areas that were very close to his heart: education (especially Vedic education) and music. As the MP from Varanasi, I feel very proud that the city I represent, the eternal Kashi, has played its part in Shri Ashok Singhal Jis life, he said. He was educated at BHU and was also known to be a good student. He was closely associated with the Ekal Vidyalaya initiative, which worked to extend basic education to remote villages, especially among tribal communities, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister also described Singhal as a voracious reader and a good listener who encouraged younger organisational workers to read extensively. Those who knew Ashok Ji closely knew how well he sang! I recall meetings in Nagpur, where he would sing the Ekal Geet, leaving everyone mesmerised and setting the tone for the meeting, he said. PM Modi also recalled Singhals performance of Yeh matru-bhoomi meri, yeh pitru-bhoomi meri during his 90th birthday celebrations in 2015, which he said went viral. Concluding his tribute, PM Modi called upon the younger generation to learn about Singhals life and contributions. On his birth centenary, let us ensure that more youngsters know about his greatness. And let us renew our pledge to realise his dreams for our nation and our people, the Prime Minister said.

Ashok Singhal: A life devoted to the service of Bharat

No mention of Ashok-ji is complete without recalling his pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Who can forget his address at VHP's Boat Club rally in New Delhi in April 1991? Or the defining image of an injured and bleeding Ashok-ji after a police lathi blow in October 1990 in Ayodhya? Today, if there is a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, it's because of stalwarts like him, says PM Modi.

Outrage Over Brutal Killing of Muslim Man in Rajasthan Sparks Calls for Investigation

The brutal murder of Sakeen Khan in Alwar has drawn condemnation from leaders and calls for a thorough investigation into the incident. Outrage Over Brutal Killing of Muslim Man in Rajasthan Sparks Calls for Investigation

Experience of Rohit, Virat invaluable to youngsters for ODI World Cup prep, says Kotak

Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 26 (IANS) India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted the indispensable role played by senior batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in mentoring the next generation of players, adding that their vast knowledge pool is invaluable to youngsters in preparation for next years ODI World Cup. Shubman Gill-led India are embarking on an extensive 50-over workload leading up to the global showpiece event, starting with the three-match series against the West Indies, with the first game to happen at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday. See, it is all about sharing experience. They always do that. Whenever I have seen all the experienced players, even Gautam, because he has played at that level, whatever they have experienced, when they see that some player is going in a similar condition or similar situation, they always talk to them. I think sharing experience or whatever you have learnt is a great thing to do because it's adding knowledge or refreshing your knowledge as well. So, I think it is for anyone - a lot of youngsters are there. I always see them talking to senior players or Gautam. They do talk to me, and also to Morne (Morkel) and Sairaj (Bahutule). Actually, the team environment from the inside is feeling brilliant because everyone knows there is one year to the World Cup. Everyone knows each series is important. Everyone wants to settle in the Indian team; the youngsters are coming, and they have been performing outstandingly; they are not just coming, they have been performing so well. So, it is a process where, obviously, with Indians being an emotional people, I always see that our players, senior players, they always share what they feel like. So, that's a great thing to have. I know that the outside public or social media sometimes may not see that. But as part of the team and support staff, I always see that, Kotak told reporters in the pre-match press conference. Delving into Indias tactical planning and preparation strategy for the mega event, Kotak detailed that they are aware of conditions and the immediate challenge presented by the West Indies. See, I think West Indies is a team which has skills. They have some very good batters and bowlers. So, it is a good series for us. For us, looking one year ahead, we approximately have about 30-31 one-dayers, as far as I am aware. There may be 25-30 games, but yes. So, what we discuss and try to do, obviously Gautam is there, and Virat, Rohit, Shubman, obviously are there. In our preparation, mainly I am talking from a batting point of view; we take advice, and everybody is thinking about how we will go about it, how we need to start preparing if we bat or bowl first. For example, it is South Africa, so what kind of wickets can we get? Here, with overcast skies, what can be the challenges and like that; we prepare in that way and with one new ball after 33 overs. So, the last 10 overs may not be as many runs as we used to get in all that we plan, and then obviously all the senior players or anyone else also have some opinions. Throwing further light on the team processes, Kotak explained, We discuss it, and we plan. So, from now on, that is what our plan is: to go series by series. Luckily, we have the New Zealand series, where obviously it is outside Asia, and there will be some different conditions. There might be moisture and grass. In South Africa, again, there will be some wickets which will be similar to ours also, and there will be some wickets that will be challenging also. So, we have to plan both ways, and we do all that anyway, and that is the process we do, and we are quite looking forward to that. Every series, whether it is West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe or New Zealand, all games are important for us because we want to execute things. So, forget the opposition and if we can successfully do that, within a year, we should be ready for any challenges, any different wickets or any different bowling attacks. Addressing the delicate act of balancing squad rotation with match outcomes, a struggle evident during the recent series loss in England, Kotak admitted, It is very difficult. There is a very thin line between trying new players and trying to get the results also. So, somewhere you see that the result may get affected sometimes. But again, whoever plays for India, they all have been performing. But it does make a difference when a new guy is coming in, trying to settle in the team, and the experienced guy is playing. Like in England also, the Lords game we have seen, they got a lot of runs, and we had a lot of young fast bowlers playing. So, sometimes you do suffer setbacks like that. But eventually, again, it's obviously the captain and head coach; they plan, and they try to give opportunities. But I think we have to do that also. At the same time, we have to see that we get the desired results also. Kotak also welcomed new fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh, who has taken over the role from T Dilip and the interesting drills hes brought on board. See, he has been working for a long time. He was part of CoE also, and he is a very quiet but very hardworking guy. We are all fortunate to get this opportunity to work for the Indian team as support staff, and he is also fortunate to get this job now. Dilip was also very good and has done a wonderful job. All of us know someday, there will be a change. So, there is nothing like it, but I think Subhadeep is also very good. He comes with his ideas. Every coach has their own ideas, drills, and plans. Obviously, when the new guy comes, there is a variety for players also. I also thought it was quite a busy and good session yesterday. Reflecting on the team's workload management during tight international schedules, Kotak pointed out that every available training session is critical. In all the practice sessions, we try to make sure that whether it is batting, bowling, or fielding, it has to be more interesting. Most of the time, you see batters don't get so much time to have an off-season. I mean, players don't have an off-season. IPL, they play. So, we don't get too many long camps. Whenever we have like 3 days, 4 days in practice, we try to utilise it like a camp. We try to give a lot of volume to fielding practice. It's like that is part of planning anyway. So, we try to utilise the maximum time. Even for today, it's been hot, and people, like all the players, wanted to rest, and it was an optional session. Still, (Auqib) Nabi felt that he, obviously, had his bowling loads done; he wanted to bat. He just came to bat, and why not when there are good practice bowlers and good facilities. So, we just try and utilise as much as we can.

Rajasthan: Man killed with stone, police say attacker

Alwar: A 40-year-old man was allegedly struck on his head with a stone outside a police station in Rajasthans Alwar district on Thursday, September 24, with police saying the accused was mentally challenged. Authorities have detained the accused, identified as Harsh Murtikar, following the alleged assault outside Barodameo police station. The deceased, Sekoon Khan, a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Delhi SIR: Advani, Jaishankar among VVIPs cleared for final electoral roll

The details of most of the prominent voters who received notices as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Delhi have been validated through field verification and their names reserved for inclusion in the final electoral roll, poll officials said on Thursday. BJP stalwart LK Advani, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and several other prominent figures from across various fields, were issued notices over 'discrepancies' in their enumeration forms. Most of them were issued notices for being unmapped with last SIR in Delhi in 2002. Most such prominent persons were voters in New Delhi Assembly constituency. In past few days, teams of poll officials including booth-level officers (BLOs) visited such voters to validate their details through the supporting documents stipulated by the Election Commission (EC), officials said. After verification

ESIC Alwar Recruitment 2026 - Walkin for 18 Junior Resident, Tutor Posts

Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College & Hospital Alwar has announced the Recruitment 2026 notification for 18 Junior Resident , Tutor vacancies. Eligible candidates can attend the walk-in interview on 08-10-2026 at the designated venue. The detailed notification and walk-in interview details are available on the official website.

Rajasthan civil poll results: BJP wrests stronghold seats from Congress

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) The results of the Rajasthan civic elections have highlighted varying levels of regional influence among Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress Ministers and senior leaders. The BJP retained control in several Assembly constituencies of its Ministers, securing Chairman and Vice-Chairman posts in multiple urban local bodies. In some Assembly constituencies, however, the Congress mounted a challenge and managed to secure key positions. The results have also provided a picture of the regional influence of several Congress leaders who have been active in Rajasthan politics for years. The BJP won 20 seats in the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation, which is the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's home city, and relied on the support of Independents to strengthen its position. The BJP also succeeded in electing Mayors in all seven municipal bodies. While the Mayoral election for the Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota Municipal Corporations is scheduled for September 25. The BJP formed boards in two of the three municipalities in the Assembly constituency. However, the BJP lost the Jhalawar Municipal Council, where both the President and Vice-President posts went to the Congress. In the Dudu Assembly constituency, the BJP failed to form boards in either municipality. In the Phagi and Dudu municipalities, both the President and Vice-President posts went to Congress and Congress-supported candidates. Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, however, is also associated with the Sanganer Assembly constituency. In the Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency, elections were held in the municipalities of Phalodi, Bap, Balesar and Pokaran. The BJP won in Phalodi, Bap and Balesar, while the Congress won in Pokaran. The Jodhpur Municipal Corporation election results are scheduled to be announced on September 25. There are two municipalities in the Srimadhopur Assembly constituency. The BJP won in Srimadhopur, while the Congress won in Ajitgarh. In the Sangod Assembly constituency, BJP candidates won both the President and Vice-President posts in the Sangod municipality. The BJP won both the President and Vice-President posts in the Sawai Madhopur Municipal Council, located in the Sawai Madhopur Assembly constituency. The BJP won both posts in Ramganj Mandi which is constituency of Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar. The BJP captured all four municipalities in the Malpura-Todaraisingh Assembly constituency: Malpura, Diggi, Lambaharisingh and Todaraisingh. The BJP led in nine of the 12 urban local bodies in the Alwar Parliamentary constituency. The BJP also performed successfully in the constituencies associated with Jawahar Singh Bedham, Minister of State for Home Affairs; Sumit Godara, Food Minister; Avinash Gehlot, Social Justice Minister; Suresh Rawat, Water Resources Minister; Jogaram Patel, Parliamentary Affairs Minister; and Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Health Minister. The BJP did not secure the top positions in the constituencies associated with Ministers of State Vijay Singh Chaudhary, Manju Baghmar and Otaram Dewasi, Cooperation Minister Gautam Kumar Dak, Revenue Minister Hemant Meena and Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg. Of the seven urban local bodies in Bikaner, which falls within Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal's Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP secured the President's post in four, while the Congress won two and the CPI-M one. However, the BJP did not secure the Mayoral post in the Bikaner Municipal Corporation, one of the most prominent urban local bodies in the region. The Congress won the Mayoral post, while the BJP secured the Deputy Mayor's position. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is the Congress MLA from Sardarpura, which falls within the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation area. Of the 100 wards, the BJP won 45 and the Congress 44. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot is the Congress MLA from Tonk. The Congress secured a majority in the civic body and elected its candidates as Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Elections were held in 59 of the 60 wards, with the Congress winning 32 and the BJP 19. Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra is the Congress MLA from Laxmangarh. Of the 45 wards in the Municipal Council, the Congress won 20, the BJP 15 and Independents 10. The Congress subsequently took control of the municipality. Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully is the Congress MLA from Alwar Rural. In Malakhera Municipality, of the 20 wards, the Congress won nine, the BJP two and independents nine.

PGTI Tour: Khalin Joshi extends lead to six shots at Bengaluru Open 2026

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 23 (IANS) Khalin Joshi followed his career-low opening round with a four-under 68 to extend his lead to six shots at the halfway stage of the INR 1 crore Bengaluru Open 2026 at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer (61-68), who began the day four strokes ahead after firing an 11-under 61 in round one, made five birdies and a solitary bogey to reach 15-under 129 at his home course on a cloudy, cool and windy day. Joshi remained bogey-free until his 16th hole of the day, the par-four seventh, where he dropped his only shot of the round. The three-time PGTI winner this season arrived in Bengaluru after claiming last weeks Nava Raipur Open. He began the week in seventh place in the Race to India Championship. Local teenager Manoj S. (65-70) retained second place at nine-under 135 after returning a two-under 70. The 18-year-olds eventful round featured five birdies, one bogey and a double bogey. Four players shared third place at seven-under 137: Gurugrams Manu Gandas (69-68), Greater Noidas Saptak Talwar (67-70), Delhis Shaurya Bhattacharya (66-71) and Gurugrams Veer Ahlawat (68-69). Gandas was the 2023 DP World PGTI Rankings champion, while Talwar is the current Race to India Championship leader. Ahlawat topped the DP World PGTI Rankings in 2024. Bengalurus Mari Muthu R. (67-71) slipped from a share of fourth overnight to seventh at six-under 138. Joshi was satisfied with another assured performance and his commanding position at the halfway stage. It was another solid day, Joshi said. Im pleased with the way Ive played over the first two rounds and satisfied with where I am. Im now looking forward to the final two days. Joshi began his second round with consecutive birdies and added three more before his only blemish on the seventh. I started strongly with birdies on my first two holes, he said. I would have liked to finish a little better, especially after making my first bogey of the week, but my game still feels good. Gusty winds and more demanding flag positions provided a different examination from the opening round, although Joshi felt the conditions allowed the players to appreciate KGA at its best. We were blessed with excellent weather, although the gusty wind and tougher flag positions made the course interesting, he said. KGA is my home course, and it is wonderful for the entire field to experience such a great venue in these conditions. With a six-shot cushion heading into the last two rounds, Joshi intends to retain the approach that carried him to 15-under through 36 holes. I want to continue finding fairways and greens, create birdie opportunities and keep applying pressure at the top of the leaderboard, added Joshi, who has his Thai girlfriend caddying for him this week. The halfway cut fell at one-over 145, with 52 players from the field of 132 advancing to the final two rounds. The Bengaluru Open is the final tournament before the top-60 on the 2026 PGTI Order of Merit are confirmed. The players finishing inside the top-60 at the end of this event will retain their playing rights for the 2026-27 season.

Baba Ramdev, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh bury the hatchet after meeting

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) A long-standing feud between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and yoga guru Baba Ramdev appears to have ended with the latter announcing their meeting here on Wednesday, having resolved differences. Baba Ramdev claimed later that based on hearsay and video clips, Singh had developed some misgivings that were subsequently cleared during the meeting. Thanking Singh, he further said that the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) offered his respects, adding that he also expressed high regard for sants and Sanatana and that he held Ramdevs work for the country in high esteem. Their feud goes back four years, with the six-term MP having alleged that Ramdev or his organisation had done nothing for the birthplace of ancient Indian sage and philosopher Maharishi Patanjali, which Singh said was in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda. The sage is widely regarded as the father of classical yoga and the author of the Yoga Sutras. The BJP leader, who himself was born in Bishnoharpur village of Gonda district, had demanded that Ramdev and Patanjali managing director Balakrishna stop using the sages name for their brand. Patanjali Foods Limited has also filed a Rs 50-crore defamation suit against the BJP leader in the Madhya Pradesh High Court for criticising its ghee as fake, urging people to instead make their own. Saying that milk is easily available in a village and that he also used to go to graze buffaloes, he advised people to rear buffaloes and cows at home for making pure milk and ghee. In response to the case, Singh had publicly alleged that Ramdev is the emperor of adulterators, claiming that several of his products have been banned in other countries. In 2023, when Singh was involved in a controversy involving female wrestlers who accused him of sexual harassment as the WFI head, seeking his arrest, Ramdev reportedly stood with the complainants. Last month, Singh charged Ramdev with introducing spurious products and foreign goods in the name of Swadeshi. Referring to an earlier agitation, he had also said that instead of putting on sindoor and salwar, the yoga guru should fight a decisive battle now like a man. The long diatribe appears to have ended on Wednesday, with the two sitting together to end the feud.

Rajasthan urban body polls: Elections for deputy mayors, deputy chairpersons and vice-chairpersons today

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) After the completion of elections for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents, attention has now shifted to the second-tier leadership posts in Rajasthan's Urban Local Bodies. Elections for Deputy Mayors, Deputy Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are being held on Tuesday across 309 urban bodies, including 10 Municipal Corporations. Of the state's 309 urban bodies, 10 are Municipal Corporations, 51 are Municipal Councils and 248 are Municipalities. Deputy Mayors will be elected in the Municipal Corporations, Deputy Chairpersons in the Municipal Councils, and Vice-Chairpersons in the Municipalities. Elected councilors of the respective urban bodies will participate in the elections. Where necessary, voting will be followed by counting and declaration of results. Elections for the post of Deputy Mayor are being held today in Rajasthan's 10 Municipal Corporations. At the same time, elections are taking place for Deputy Chairpersons in 51 Municipal Councils and Vice-Chairpersons in 248 Municipalities. The local councilor arithmetic is expected to play an important role, particularly in bodies where no party has a clear majority. Independent councilors could also be significant in closely contested elections. Following the completion of polling, votes will be counted and the results declared according to the election schedule. With the results for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents already being declared, political activity has now shifted toward the elections for the corresponding deputy posts. The elections will complete the leadership structure of the state's Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities. In bodies where the councilor numbers are closely divided, parties and local leaders have been focussing on securing the required support. The election for Deputy Mayor of the Alwar Municipal Corporation is scheduled for today. The BJP and Congress finalised their respective strategies late on Monday night. Following the mayoral election, councilors from both parties had stayed at their respective camps. They are expected to arrive at the Municipal Corporation today to participate in the Deputy Mayor election. The BJP won the Mayor's post but is also working to secure the Deputy Mayor position. Political activity has increased at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the election. The Deputy Mayor election process in the Udaipur Municipal Corporation begins on Tuesday. BJP leaders continued discussions over the party's candidate late on Monday night. Dinesh Bhatt's name has reportedly been under consideration, although an official announcement had not been made as of the latest update. The nomination process is scheduled to begin at 10 AM, followed by the remaining stages of the election process. Political activity has intensified at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the vote. Elections for Deputy Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson posts are being held today in five Urban Local Bodies in Karauli district. The Deputy Chairperson election will be held in the Karauli Municipal Council, while Vice-Chairperson elections are scheduled in the municipalities of Todabhim, Sapotra, Mandrayal and Suroth. The nomination process will be completed first, with voting taking place if required. Elected councilors will cast their votes to choose the Deputy Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson. After the completion of the Chairperson and Municipal President elections, political activity has now shifted to the elections for these deputy posts.

BJP wins six of seven mayoral polls in Rajasthan; Congress cries foul

The BJP defeated the Congress in Alwar, Udaipur, Pali and Ajmer, while its candidates were elected unopposed in Bharatpur and Bhilwara; the only consolation for Congress came in Bikaner

Rajasthan civic polls: BJP converts narrow vote edge into board control

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Rajasthan urban local body elections have produced a political paradox: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress remained separated by less than one percentage point in overall vote share, yet the BJP emerged with a substantially larger number of elected councillors and subsequently converted that advantage into control of several urban bodies. The numbers raise a bigger question: was the difference created at the ballot box or after? The answer appears to lie in a mix of electoral arithmetic, organisational mobilisation, the fragmented independent vote, and parties' ability to negotiate support during the crucial process of forming municipal boards. The Congress, meanwhile, faces questions over internal coordination and its ability to retain the support of its own councillors. The BJP and Congress were separated by only around 0.94 percentage points in vote share. The BJP polled about 35.18 per cent of the vote, compared with 34.24 per cent for the Congress. Yet the BJP won 4,179 wards, compared with 3,613 for the Congress, while independents won 2,273 wards. That gap shows how vote distribution across individual wards can produce a very different result from the statewide vote-share comparison. Ward delimitation in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota showed that Congress received a slightly higher combined vote count than the BJP in those three corporations but won fewer wards. Analysts attributed this partly to the concentration of Congress votes in fewer wards, while BJP votes were more evenly distributed. Congress leaders, however, alleged that the delimitation process disadvantaged the party. The real political battle began after the ward results. The BJPs advantage became more significant in municipal board formation. In several urban bodies, neither major party secured an outright majority, leaving independent councillors in a pivotal position. The BJP was the largest party in several such bodies, while Congress led in places including Ajmer and Pali but remained short of a majority. This is where post-election political management became central. The contest was no longer simply about how many councillors each party had won. Parties had to secure the support of independents and maintain cohesion among their own councillors before the mayoral and chairperson elections. The outcome in Pali provides perhaps the clearest illustration. In Pali, Congress had 29 councillors, but BJP got the mayor. Pali Municipal Corporation has 65 councillors. Congress emerged as the largest group with 29 seats, followed by the BJP with 21 and independents with 15. The majority mark was 33. Yet in Monday's mayoral election, BJPs Namita Bubakia won with 33 votes. Congresss official candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes, while Congress rebel Rajbala Hingad, contesting as an independent, received 29 votes. All 65 councillors voted. The result dramatically changed the political picture created by the ward election. The BJP entered the mayoral contest with 21 councillors and needed 12 additional votes to reach a majority. The final tally indicates that the party succeeded in attracting sufficient support from outside its elected bloc. Because the mayoral ballot was secret, however, the result alone cannot establish the individual identity of every councillor who supported each candidate. The Pali result therefore raises a pointed political question for Congress: how did a party with 29 elected councillors end up with its official mayoral candidate receiving just three votes? Across the 309 urban local bodies, independents won 2,273 wards, making them a significant force in board formation. In Bharatpur, independents won 36 of 65 wards and crossed the majority mark on their own. In cities such as Pali, Ajmer, Alwar and Jodhpur, their numbers were crucial to determining who would control the civic administration. This changed the traditional BJP-versus-Congress equation. Where neither party had the numbers, the ability to communicate with, negotiate with and retain the support of independent councillors became decisive. Congress raised allegations that the BJP used government power and resources to influence board formation in some places. Those allegations are political claims and should be distinguished from the confirmed election results. At the same time, Congress leaders pointed to other explanations, including delimitation. Rajasthan PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra argued that the delimitation process contributed to the partys losses, despite the narrow vote-share difference. The available numbers also support another explanation: the BJP was more successful in converting its councillor strength and outside support into control of municipal leadership posts in several closely contested bodies. The sequence of events shows that the political environment surrounding board formation mattered greatly, particularly where independents held the balance. The civic election results expose a distinction between electoral support and organisational conversion. Congress secured 34.24 per cent of the overall vote, almost matching the BJPs 35.18 per cent. Yet the BJP won substantially more wards and subsequently secured key mayoral and chairperson posts in several places. For Congress, therefore, the issue is not simply whether it retains its voter base. It is also whether it can maintain unity among elected councillors, manage competing local factions, prevent internal rebellions, build relationships with independents, and convert ward-level victories into control of municipal boards. Pali demonstrates the scale of that challenge in particularly stark terms. The BJPs success in securing municipal leadership positions gives the party an organisational advantage at the local-government level. But winning the mayoral post is only the beginning of the political test. BJP leader Madan Rathore said, Regarding organisational strength, consider that Dotasras candidate received zero votes in Sadri (Pali), while the official Congress candidate in Pali secured only three votes; how, then, can I possibly match him? We believe in the organisation. The new municipal boards will now be judged on issues that directly affect everyday life: roads, drainage, sanitation, street lighting, water supply, waste management and other civic services. The political story of Rajasthans 2026 urban elections, therefore, is not simply BJP versus Congress. It is a story of three layers of electoral politics, moving from vote share to ward strength to board formation. The first two stages produced a closely contested picture. The third stage demonstrated the importance of alliances, independent councillors, internal cohesion and post-election political management. And that is perhaps the most important lesson from Pali: winning the most wards and controlling the board are not necessarily the same thing.

PGTI: Bengaluru Open 2026 set to tee-off at KGA from Tuesday

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 21 (IANS) The Bengaluru Open 2026 will be played at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) from September 22 to 25. The tournament carries a prize purse of INR 1 crore. The event will witness participation by 132 golfers including 131 professionals and one amateur. The leading Indian professionals in the field include DP World PGTI Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, Honey Baisoya, Veer Ahlawat, Akshay Sharma, Rashid Khan and Khalin Joshi, to name a few. Saptak Talwar and Veer Ahlawat, both of whom are participating at the Bengaluru Open 2026 powered by IndianOil, will be representing India at the Asian Games in Japan next week along with last years DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion Yuvraj Sandhu. Besides local lad Khalin Joshi, the leading Bengaluru-based professionals in the field are Chikkarangappa S, Akshay Neranjen, Manoj S, Mari Muthu R and Varun Muthappa, to name a few. The local amateur in the field is Tanish R Gowda. The prominent foreign names competing include Sri Lankans N Thangaraja and Mithun Perera, Thailands Tanapat Pichaikool, Czech Republics Stepan Danek, Nepals Subash Tamang, Bangladeshs Md Akbar Hossain, Ugandas Joshua Seale, Japans Koichiro Ishika and Taiga Tanaka, Americans Koichiro Sato and Dominic Piccirillo, South African Gerhardus Jacobus Pepler, Irelands Declan Kenny and Canadas Sukhraj Singh Gill. Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, said, The Bengaluru Open has established itself as an important tournament on the DP World PGTI calendar, providing a strong platform for our professionals to compete at one of the countrys finest golf courses. We are delighted to return to Bengaluru and grateful to IndianOil for its continued support of the tournament and its longstanding commitment to the growth of professional golf in India. The city has a passionate golfing community, and with a strong field of professionals set to compete, we look forward to another exciting week of top-tier golf at the Karnataka Golf Association. We are confident that the Bengaluru Open 2026 Powered by IndianOil will once again showcase the depth of talent on the DP World PGTI and create memorable moments for players and fans alike.

Local poll results show peoples confidence in BJP: Madan Rathore

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) BJP Rajasthan president Madan Rathore on Monday said the local body election results reflected people's support and confidence in the BJP, crediting the partys performance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda and the work of the Bhajanlal Sharma government in Rajasthan. Addressing a press conference after the results, Rathore thanked voters across the state and said the BJP had received widespread support in municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipalities. He said the mandate demonstrated public confidence in the partys leadership and its development-oriented approach. Rathore also said the state governments One State, One Election initiative had reduced election-related expenditure and would provide the government with more time to focus on development and public welfare. He noted that of the 10 municipal corporations in Rajasthan, results for seven were declared on Monday, with the BJP securing a majority in six. According to Rathore, BJP mayors were elected in Alwar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Pali, Udaipur and Bharatpur. He said the people had endorsed the partys Sankalp Patra (manifesto) and that newly elected BJP representatives would work to fulfil its promises. Rathore added that BJP workers would approach voters with the same commitment during the upcoming Panchayat elections. He attributed the BJPs electoral performance to public faith in Prime Minister Modis development agenda and the work undertaken by the Bhajanlal Sharma government in Rajasthan. Rathore highlighted central government initiatives related to housing, sanitation, and infrastructure, including railway modernisation, doubling and electrification, road development, irrigation projects, and the construction and strengthening of dams. He also cited measures to support farmers, including increases in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Rathore said the Make in India initiative had promoted industrial development and investment, while efforts to attract investors aimed to create employment opportunities. In Rajasthan, he highlighted the state governments work on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), the Yamuna Water Agreement, water supply arrangements from Punjab and efforts to ensure the availability of Narmada water. He said the state government was providing additional financial assistance to farmers and focusing on expanding crop insurance benefits. Rathore also pointed to the Rising Rajasthan initiative, saying it had helped promote investment and industries in the state and contributed to employment generation. He said the government was undertaking recruitment drives to provide employment opportunities to young people. He further said the government had taken strict action against criminals and was working to strengthen healthcare, roads, electricity and other basic amenities. Responding to a question about Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra, Rathore launched a personal political attack on his Congress counterpart. Dotasra is a big man; I cannot match him. He can secure benefits for his family, get jobs for family members and avail benefits despite falling under the OBC creamy layer category; I cannot compete with that, Rathore said. He also referred to the Congresss performance in the civic elections, saying the partys candidate in Sadri in Pali received zero votes. In contrast, the official Congress candidate in Pali received only three votes. How can I compare myself to him? We believe in the organisation, he said.

BJP wins 197 Rajasthan civic body posts, Congress bags 94; AAP springs surprise

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Results for 301 civic bodies in Rajasthan have been declared so far, with the BJP emerging as the dominant force in the mayoral and chairperson elections. BJP candidates have secured 197 posts, while Congress has won 94. Independents have bagged seven posts, while AAP, CPM and RLP have won one post each. The BJP has also secured mayoral posts in six of Rajasthan's seven municipal corporations whose results have been declared. Congress managed to retain the mayor's post in Bikaner. The results have produced several reversals for Congress, including in Ajmer and Pali, where the party initially appeared to have an advantage based on its councillor numbers. In Ajmer, BJP's Anamika Sharma was elected mayor after securing 43 votes, despite the BJP having won 32 councillor seats in the corporation. In Pali, BJP candidate Namita Bubakia won the mayoral election with 33 votes. The BJP secured 21 councillor seats, while Congress won 29. However, Congress candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes. The BJP also secured the mayoral posts in Udaipur and Alwar. Paras Singhvi won in Udaipur, while Sumanlata Agarwal emerged victorious in Alwar. Agarwal secured 42 votes against Congress candidate Kamlesh Sharma, who received 23 votes. In Bikaner, Congress candidate Anil Kalla was elected mayor. Kalla is the nephew of former minister BD Kalla. Another notable result came from Atru municipality in Baran, where Congress candidate Nisha Nainwal defeated Krishna Murari Dilawar, brother of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, by three votes in the chairperson election. The results also saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) make a surprise entry by winning a civic body chairperson post. CPM and RLP also secured one post each, while independents won seven posts. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations. The electoral process is not yet complete. Elections for mayoral posts in three municipal corporations, including Jaipur, and one municipality are scheduled for September 25. With the remaining mayoral contests still to be decided, the final political picture of Rajasthan's urban local bodies will emerge only after the September 25 elections.

Stepping into leadership role in absence of senior pacers is an exciting challenge: Jansen

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Set to spearhead South Africas fast-bowling unit in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, lanky left-arm fast bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen said he is eager to take on the added responsibility in the absence of injured stalwarts Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Obviously those two (Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada) not being a part of the squad is a bit of a loss, I'd say. They are two obviously world-class bowlers and they know how to bowl especially in South African conditions. When things go tough, especially on the field, they have a way of calming things down. That's probably what I'll be trying to do. Personally it feels like I am going to have to take that leadership role, it is probably going to be my first time taking up such a role and I am actually looking forward to see what I can also do if put in such a role, Jansen told reporters on Monday. The three-match ODI series against Australia gets underway on September 24. Obviously they're a squad full of very experienced guys who play around the world in various leagues and stuff like that. So they know how they want to play, they know their brand, and their mentality is to be on you from the first ball and they try and impose themselves onto the opposition, whether it's with a bat or with a ball. I think how to counter that is to match their intensity or match their mentality or their body language, if I can say it like that. Because if you back down or if you shy away, then it's very easy for them to get more on top of you or even get further ahead in the game, if that makes sense. So sort of like matching their intensity or sort of having a similar or a similar mindset or mental approach as them, added Jansen. Following the white-ball leg, South Africa will host Australia for a crucial three-match Test series, which is a part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). It is a nice structure. It makes you feel like every Test match actually means something and there is a bigger role to a Test match. We have ten Test matches left until the final and then you are trying to work out on how much do you need to win, if you lose what needs to happen, said Jansen. He further pointed out how the point system alters match preparation when qualification scenario demands victories. If you need to win two out of two Test matches, your preparation is always going to be a lot more intense than usual because you know what's at stake. It is almost like an extended version of a World Cup, which is quite nice, he said. Quizzed about the possibility of a rematch of the 2025 WTC Final against Australia in 2027, given both teams currently occupy the top spots in the cycle standings, Jansen insisted the squad remains focused on immediate assignments. World Test Championship is almost like an extended version of a World Cup. For now, we are just focussed on winning every Test match and then closer to the time, we will know exactly what we have to do and need to do to get into that final again, he concluded.

Gill not a man of many words, but is clear and very authoritative in speaking: Holder

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Describing India ODI skipper Shubman Gill as a leader who may not speak much but commands total clarity and authority in demanding what he wants from his team, West Indies seam-bowling all-rounder Jason Holder praised the young captain's calm demeanour while also rating Virat Kohli as arguably the best one-day batsman to ever play the game. West Indies are scheduled to arrive in India for playing a three-match ODI series starting on September 27. Though Holder has been rested from the trip, he shared some insights on Gills leadership style, based on playing under him for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. I've played under Shubman. He's a leader. He's not a man of many words, but when he does speak, he's very clear, he's very authoritative as to what he's demanding of the team. He brings a level of calmness and poise, which is always a good trait to have as a leader. Those are things that I really respect about him and loved when I played under him. He's obviously new into his tenure as captain too, so he'll be learning on the job, and no doubt he'll be asking a lot of his players. His senior players have to come up to him and help him out. It's a similar situation with us, too, where Shai has been in the role for a while, but he's still learning on the job, too. It's a never-ending learning curve where, as a leader, as a player, there's never enough information. You're always trying to grab as much as you possibly can to get better. So, Shubman is no different, and I'm looking forward to seeing him, looking forward to playing against him, and I'm expecting a really good contest between both teams, Holder said to JioStar. Highlighting Gills tactical trust in his bowling unit, Holder revealed that the right-handed batter gives bowlers complete ownership over their field settings and plans. I don't know how to differentiate a bowler's captain from a batter's captain, but I could say that he's equally as soft and as giving with both bowlers and batters. I would just tell him what I wanted, we would have a conversation about it. That's primarily when it comes to field setting. He gave me the ownership and leadership to do it the way I wanted to, which is a strong asset for a captain. I never had any issues with Shubman, and he pretty much gave me free rein to set my fields and execute the plans I was looking to execute. It was always real open communication, and one where we shared enough and had that understanding. I really enjoyed playing with him, and hopefully, in years to come, we could continue to play together, he observed. Turning his focus to Indias seasoned duo of veteran batter Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Holder noted that the two stalwarts present a formidable challenge for any opposition in the 50-over format. When you look at Virat, he is arguably the best player, the best one-day batsman to ever play the game, and one of the best batters to ever play the game. Rohit, when you look at his outstanding one-day record, particularly against West Indies as well, he's done really well. So, the two stalwarts of Indian cricket and world cricket pack a heavy punch. I don't think we have anything in comparison to what they have. Our best batsman and greatest player is Shai Hope, who's done extremely well for himself as well. So, I would put him in that category as well. Three world-class players who've got world-class records, and I'm looking forward to seeing all three of them do battle. It's obviously a keen contest every time I match up against Virat, for example, and I like playing against Rohit because I see them as big players, and I like to get in a contest with big players, he said. Holder was also effusive in his praise for tall India speedster Gurnoor Brar, and recalled his initial thoughts upon watching the youngster bowl during their IPL 2026 stint at GT. He's got a lot of great attributes. When I first saw him run in and bowl, I actually had a quiet chat with Ashish (Nehra, head coach) as to how this guy wasn't playing. But, it's good to see his progress. Good to see him get an opportunity to play for India. He's got a lot of great attributes. Obviously, height is one with which he will be able to extract a bit more bounce; he's got pace, he does a bit with the ball, which I think is important in this day and age. Pace is still obviously in the game and is a massive asset, but skill has to go along with the pace, and he possesses skill as well as the pace. Those are solid attributes to have as a fast bowler, so I would expect him to be a challenge for us. Facing him in the nets and seeing him go about his business in the nets was quite entertaining. I look forward to seeing him not only play against us but have a pretty healthy career, he concluded.

Annamalai rejects Periyar's atheistic policies, anti-Brahmin ideologies

Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said he rejects Periyars atheistic and anti-Brahmin ideologies while acknowledging the Dravidian stalwarts contributions to womens empowerment and caste eradication. Pointing to what he called numerous contradictions in Periyars history, Annamalai also reiterated that statues carrying atheistic inscriptions outside Hindu temples would be respectfully relocated if the BJP comes to power in Tamil Nadu.

Only expectation from Rohit and Kohli is to keep scoring runs: Aakash Chopra

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes the only expectation from Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies is for the two experienced campaigners to keep scoring runs, with the 2027 ODI World Cup now less than a year away. Speaking ahead of the three-match series, Chopra said Rohit and Kohlis experience could be crucial for India as they build towards the next World Cup in South Africa. The World Cup is just one year away now, and I know that if Rohit and Kohli get in, theyll score runs, win you matches, and possibly win you trophies. So, looking at it from this perspective, the only expectation from Rohit and Kohli is just this: keep scoring runs, Chopra told Jio Star. Rohit and Kohli have both been named in Indias 15-member ODI squad for the three-match home series against the West Indies, with Shubman Gill set to lead the side. KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain, replacing Shreyas Iyer, who will be part of Indias Asian Games campaign. Chopra also backed the overall composition of the ODI squad, pointing to the changes made due to player availability and the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel as second wicket-keeper. With the available players, you try and make the most of what you have. The biggest change you notice is that KL Rahul has been made vice-captain in place of Shreyas Iyer because Shreyas Iyer will be at the Asian Games. There was certainly a question mark over Rishabh Pant, but I also liked Dhruv Jurels selection. So, considering all of that, a very good team has been picked, and full marks to the Indian team selectors, he said. Ravindra Jadeja has also returned to the ODI setup, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been brought into the ODI squad after being withdrawn from Indias Asian Games contingent. Chopra feels the all-rounders position will be another area to watch closely as India continue to assess their options ahead of the 2027 World Cup. One big highlight, in my opinion, was pulling Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the Asian Games and playing him here. So, if Hardik Pandya isnt available someday, they really want somebody who can bowl pace and bat as well. Ravindra Jadeja will have to, of course, take wickets and score runs. Fielding has always been his strong suit. But from a World Cup point of view, you have Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, and not all of them will go to South Africa. So, someone will be left out, and therefore, every time you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands, he said. The ODI series will begin in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, with the second match in Guwahati on September 30 and the third in Chandigarh on October 3.

Rajasthan tense as Cong warns of deteriorating situation over police baadebandi, alleges councillor harassment

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 (IANS) Political manoeuvring and the practice of baadebandi have intensified in Rajasthan ahead of elections for mayor, municipal council president and chairperson posts, triggering tensions across the state after the conclusion of the urban local body polls. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra has alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept together and attempted to exert pressure on them. He urged the state Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately stop such actions, warning that the situation could deteriorate if the alleged police intervention continues. The government and the police are yet to publicly respond to Dotasra's allegations. Following the civic election results and withdrawal of nominations, the equations for board formation in 305 local bodies have become clearer. Chairpersons have already been elected unopposed in 32 civic bodies. Of these, BJP candidates secured 28 posts, Congress candidates two, and independents two. The BJP is also in a position to form boards in 18 civic bodies where it does not have a clear majority but can potentially secure the required numbers with the support of independent councillors. Among the 32 unopposed elections, BJP candidates were elected to two mayoral posts in municipal corporations, five president posts in municipal councils and 21 chairperson posts in municipalities. Congress candidates were elected unopposed in two bodies, while independents secured two posts. In four other civic bodies, Congress candidates hold the chairperson's post in two municipalities, while independents hold one municipal council and one municipality post. A significant development took place in Bharatpur on the final day for withdrawal of nominations for the mayoral election. Independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, paving the way for BJP candidate Anuradha Singh to be elected unopposed as mayor. Singh reached the municipal corporation office with her husband, former Bharatpur mayor Shivmangal Singh, and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedam to withdraw her nomination. Meanwhile, political activity has intensified in Ajmer and Alwar, with independent councillors reportedly being approached by both major parties. The BJP is yet to officially announce its candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral election. Sunil Kothari is being discussed as a possible frontrunner, while the names of Rajendra Saini and Deepa Nathawat are being considered for the deputy mayor's post. The nomination process for the Jaipur mayoral election is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, followed by scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations. Voting will be held on September 25 if required. Dotasra has alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept as part of the party's baadebandi arrangements. He alleged that police action was reported at several places, including Kuchera and Barmer. Dotasra also claimed that Congress councillors from Bikaner were staying at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, where, he alleged, attempts were being made to exert pressure on them. Appealing to the DGP to intervene, Dotasra warned that the government and Rajasthan Police would be held responsible if any councillor came to harm or if the situation escalated into violence. Political tensions have also risen in Kuchera municipality in Nagaur ahead of the September 21 chairperson election. BJP candidate Rishi Pal Mirdha and Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha, who are uncle and nephew, are contesting for the post. Late Thursday night, Mehad, the brother-in-law of independent councillor Nirvaram of Ward 9, lodged a complaint at Kuchera police station alleging that the councillor had been abducted. Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha was accused in the complaint. Later, a video of Nirvaram surfaced, in which he reportedly gave a different account of the incident. The developments have added another layer of political tension to the ongoing efforts by parties to secure the numbers required for control of municipal boards. Elections for municipal chairperson and president posts are scheduled to begin on September 21. With several bodies witnessing fractured mandates, independent councillors are expected to play a significant role in determining board formation in several municipalities and municipal councils.

Finland: Indian envoy discusses opportunities for closer cooperation with Kuopio Mayor

Digital Desk | Helsinki, Sep 18 (IANS) Ambassador of India to Finland, Hemant Kotalwar, on Friday met Soile Lahti, Mayor of Kuopio and discussed India-Finland bilateral relations and opportunities for closer cooperation. During his visit to Kuopio, Ambassador Hemant Kotalwar met Mayor Soile Lahti and discussed India-Finland bilateral relations and opportunities for closer cooperation. The Mayor briefed the Ambassador on Kuopios strengths in health, education and research, Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, its growing ICT sector, and the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the city, the Embassy of India in Finland stated on X. The Ambassador also met Kaija Savolainen, Managing Director, and representatives of the Kuopio Chamber of Commerce to discuss opportunities for expanding India-Finland trade and investment. Ambassador Hemant Kotalwar met Kaija Savolainen, Managing Director, and representatives of the Kuopio Chamber of Commerce to discuss opportunities for expanding India-Finland trade and investment, particularly in the context of the finalisation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, the Embassy stated on X. He also visited the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), where he met Minna Hendolin, Director of Impact, and her team. They discussed UEFs ongoing cooperation with Indian institutions and opportunities to further deepen academic and research collaboration between India and Finland. In June, Finnish President Alexander Stubb described India as an influential actor on the global stage and underscored the importance of hearing New Delhis perspective during a meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Kultaranta Talks in Helsinki. Following the meeting, Stubb took to X and posted, We met today at Kultaranta with India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. We discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, efforts to end Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, and the upcoming G7 summit. India is an influential actor whose views are important to hear. The two leaders exchanged perspectives on the evolving geopolitical situation and underscored the importance of diplomacy in navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment. Sharing the details of the meeting, EAM took to X and said, Pleased to meet President Alexander Stubb of Finland on the sidelines of the Kultaranta Talks. We exchanged views on the evolving geopolitical situation and underscored the importance of diplomacy in navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment. India and Finland remain committed to advancing our Strategic Partnership in Digitalisation and Sustainability while strengthening coordination in multilateral fora on issues of shared interest, he added.

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh visit temple ahead of second baby

The couple visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple on Friday, dressed in matching purple, as they prepare to welcome their second child. It's the same temple, the same kind of visit, they made in September 2024, weeks before their daughter Dua was born right down to Ranveer's parents, Jagjit Singh Bhavnani and Anju Bhavnani, joining them both times. What they wore Deepika had worn a green saree on that earlier visit. This time she chose a heavily embroidered salwar kameez, while Ranveer wore a purple kurta with white pyjamas. A crowd had gathered by the time they arrived, and security was tight, but both actors stopped to smile and wave rather than rush past. Filmfare captured the moment and posted it on X, and within hours fans were pulling up side-by-side clips from 2024 and 2026, pointing out how closely the two visits mirrored each other. #Watch | Bollywood couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone visited Mumbais iconic Lalbaugcha Raja, offering prayers and seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha during the festive celebrations. #RanveerSingh #DeepikaPadukone #LalbaugchaRaja #GanpatiBappa #GaneshChaturthi pic.twitter.com/T7bmju93KF The Daily Jagran (@TheDailyJagran) September 18, 2026 Ranveer's solo visit to Lalbaugcha Raja Ranveer had already made one temple stop this week. A day earlier, he'd visited the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal alone, in a white chikankari kurta, greeting fans as he made his way through the crowd. The pregnancy announcement The couple confirmed the second pregnancy recently with a set of photographs, both dressed in white, Dua visible in some of the frames with them. Deepika's caption read: Baby Dua and our hearts are getting bigger! Thank you for your blessings! Dua, born in September 2024, has stayed almost entirely out of public view since; the family shares glimpses of her only occasionally, on their own terms. The couple confirmed the second pregnancy recently X/ @TeamDeepikaMY_ What's next for Deepika and Ranveer Work hasn't paused around the pregnancy. Deepika has King with Shah Rukh Khan ahead, directed by Siddharth Anand, along with Atlee's sci-fi film Raaka opposite Allu Arjun. Ranveer was last seen in Dhurandhar: The Revenge and is now preparing for Pralay, a post-apocalyptic thriller currently in production.

PGTI leader Saptak Talwar sees star-studded India Championship as a game changer for Indian golf

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Saptak Talwar, Indias current No. 1 on the DP World PGTI Tour, knows the next few weeks could be life-changing for him and take the 27-year-old to the next level in the sport. The tournament not only boasts of a massive $4 million prize, the highest in India for the second year running, but could also decide the topper of the DP World PGTI Order of Merit, newly named as the Race to DP World India Championship. Following a landmark arrangement between the DP World PGTI and the DP World Tour, the winner of the domestic Indian Order of Merit will get a full status on the main Tour. The arrangement is also the latest marker of the investment global logistics provider DP World has made in Indian golf part of a wider sporting footprint that also includes cricket and a consistent focus on bringing more young people into the sport. The event brings huge benefits for both the fans and the Indian golfers. While the fans await a golfing feast with the likes of two-time Masters winner, Rory McIlroy, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and former FedEx Cup winner, Viktor Hovland, and Major champions like Ryan Fox, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson, the top Indian golfers realise that the DP World India Championship could be a life-changer for them. The newly constituted Race to DP World India Championship is a competition to determine DP World PGTI Order of Merit Champion for 2026, DP World India Championship 2026 qualifiers and playing rights on the DP World PGTI for 2027. The race in its debut year, will feature non-stop golfing action on the DP World PGTI calendar in the run-up to the DP World India Championship 2026. The top 24 players of the standings will earn their spots for the DP World India Championship 2026 while the Top 60 players on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit who will retain their playing rights for the 2027 DP World PGTI season. The nine events of the second half of the season, which concludes with the inaugural Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship in the first week of October, will finalise 24 spots for DPWIC and the R2DPWIC for 2027 will run through the full DP World PGTI calendar from next season. Talwar currently holds a lead of more than Rs. 20 lakhs over No. 2 Jhared Hack (US), but the latter is not likely to play any more events over the next few weeks in India. Also, Talwar is more than Rs. 30 lakhs (twice what a player earns for a regular win in a Rs. One Crore event) ahead of the next best Indian, Honey Baisoya. Yet Talwar says, The DP World PGTI Order of Merit is not a done deal. With the OOM finishing at DGC (DP World India Championship), anything can happen. We have four events left and the last one on DP World PGTI is the Kapil Dev Invitational, which has double the Prize Money and then there is the big one the DP World India Championship, where the prize purse is almost 38-40 times more at $4 million. So, the top Indian golfer could well walk away with the Merit honours by doing well in DP World India Championship. And I see no reason why one of us cannot do that. However, as Amandeep Johl, CEO of DP World PGTI confirmed, Only one fourth of that prize money will be counted towards the DP World PGTI Order of Merit. Talwar added, I am also missing the Tour Championships (Kapil Dev Invitational) as I am off to Asian Games in Japan that week. So, the DP World India Championship can be a life-changer for me and many other Indian players. Talwars compatriots Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat, Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will also be playing at DP World India Championship this year. Talwar, who early in his career, also played on the Canadian Tour, has now decided to try and top the DP World PGTI OOM to get into the main Tour in 2027. There has been further recognition in the form of a place in the National three-man team for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, alongside Yuvraj Sandhu and Veer Ahlawat, who before him had earned DP World Tour cards in 2026 and 2025. This season Talwar has gained a lot of experience as he played a lot of events on the HotelPlanner (HPT), the second rung Tour in Europe, this season. At one point he had two possibly pathways to the DP World Tour for 2027. I had set myself a goal or threshold to try for a card through HPT, but when I was not inside that I decided to get back to India and play the DP World PGTI, where I was leading, says Talwar. Then there is the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club. That golf course is close to my heart and for many others in India. I literally grew up on the B course, have seen every big event. As a junior I attended many of the clinics by world class players like Ernie Els and others. So, to be playing alongside the likes of Masters winners, Major champions and PGA Tour players is a great opportunity for us to showcase Indian talent. While admitting that the current Indian pros have not won as much as the previous generation from Jeev Milkha Singh to Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal to Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur and Shubhankar Sharma, Talwar added, This event, the DP World India Championship is a game changer for Indian golf. This could a catalyst for Indian golf. In 10 years, we will see this as the one that changed the landscape of Indian golf. We have a number of good players, but they have not translated into wins. One win could ignite that fire and then we will have a big bunch of winners. Hemant Kumar Ruia, Country Manager, DP World (India) Subcontinent, said: India is one of the largest markets in our global network, and we remain focused on strengthening our ports, rail and inland logistics network across the country. Our commitment to India extends beyond our business, and supporting the growth of sport is an important part of that commitment. We are particularly pleased that the DP World India Championship can create genuinely life-changing opportunities for players like Saptak. With the newly named Race to DP World India Championship providing a pathway to the DP World Tour, Indian golfers now have a clear opportunity to take their game to the next level. We are delighted to play our part in helping make that possible. This has been his big breakthrough year for Talwar, though he won his maiden pro title in 2025. He added a second PGTI win at the Indo-Rama Ventures Open at Kalhaar and was second in the HotelPlanner event in India. Since then, he has been a prime contender for the DP World -PGTI Order of Merit, which has multiple benefits. And, now the DP World India Championship could see Saptak Talwar take the next big step in the big and highly competitive world of golf.

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Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Former India captain and batting stalwart Virat Kohli joined several prominent personalities in extending birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, as the iconic leader turned 76. Kohli took to social media to convey his wishes, keeping his message short while wishing PM Modi good health, happiness and a fulfilling life. Warm birthday wishes to Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. Wishing you good health, happiness, and a long fulfilling life, Kohli wrote on X. Kohlis message came as birthday greetings poured in for PM Modi from political leaders, sporting personalities and other public figures across the country. The 37-year-old is all set to return to the Indian setup as India take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series starting September 27. The 50-over series will be played across Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and New Chandigarh. PM Modi is celebrating his 76th birthday on Thursday, and the occasion has prompted messages from leaders and personalities across different fields. The sporting fraternity has also joined the celebrations, with several prominent names conveying their wishes to PM Modi on social media. PM Modis birthday has also drawn greetings from across the political spectrum. President Droupadi Murmu, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, among several others, have conveyed their birthday wishes to PM Modi. Messages have also come from international leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those who extended birthday greetings to PM Modi, while leaders from other countries also marked the occasion. PM Modi was born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, in 1950, three years after India gained independence, making him the first prime minister of the country to have been born in independent India. He is also the longest-serving prime minister from a non-Congress party. October will mark 25 years of PM Modis public service. He began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has led the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in three consecutive general elections.

Meghna Gulzar credits Irrfan's performance in 'Talvar' for convincing audience in favour of Aarushi Talwar's parents

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Daayra starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, has credited the late actor Irrfan's powerful performance in 'Talvar' for convincing audience that Aarushi Talwar's parents weren't at fault. The filmmaker spoke with IANS during the promotions of Daayra in the Andheri West area of Mumbai. She said that Irrfan's portrayal of Ashwin Kumar, Joint-Director of CBI in Talvar strongly worked in the favour of the audience empathising with the parents of Aarushi Talwar. The film was based on the 2008 Noida double murder case, the unsolved murders of 13-year-old girl Aarushi Talwar and her house help, Hemraj. The two were killed on the night of 1516 May 2008 at Aarushi's home in Noida, India. When Aarushi's body was discovered in her bedroom on May 16, Hemraj was missing at the time, and was considered the main suspect. The next day, Hemraj's partially decomposed body was discovered on the terrace. Meghna said that the film is purely based on facts, and presents the events as is without taking sides. She told IANS, Irrfan sir's performance has convinced you. But the facts are the facts and the facts are what have been depicted in the film. So, the facts look like they are veering more in favour of the parents, that was the reality. It's just that Irrfan sir as an actor and a performer convinced you a little more. But he convinced you with what? With the facts that he had. And the facts were as they were in life, which is why the Talvar family then got exonerated in the high court. Talvar didn't create that fiction, she added. After ruling out former domestic servants of the family, Aarushi's parents, Dr. Rajesh Talwar and Dr. Nupur Talwar were treated as the prime suspects by the police. The police suspected that Rajesh had murdered the victims after finding them in an objectionable position, or because Rajesh's alleged extra-marital affair had led to his blackmail by Hemraj and a confrontation with Aarushi. The Talwars' family and friends accused the police of framing them in order to cover up the botched-up investigation. The couple was acquitted of all charges by the Allahabad High Court in 2017. On March 8, 2018, the CBI challenged the acquittal in the Supreme Court.

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