IOA approves constitutional changes, EC strength unchanged
New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Tuesday, September 8, approved some changes in its constitution that would bring it in line with the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA) at its Special General Body Meeting here, a revamp that will allow longer tenures for its office-bearers. The IOAs executive committee, which met in New 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 .
Alleges conduct of Delhi police and political executive not only contrary to constitutional guarantees but also manifestly criminal in character
Delhi building collapse: Contractor held, CM announces aid
New Delhi: A labour contractor has been apprehended from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the collapse of a five-storey building in Delhis Satya Niketan that left seven people dead, as investigators scrutinised construction and repair work at the building and a rent agreement that reportedly disclaimed liability for tenant casualty, police said on 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 .
NHRC sends notice to Delhi govt, UGC seeks report on hostels
New Delhi: In the wake of the Satya Niketan building collapse, the NHRC has issued notices to the Delhi government and the UGC, directing them to furnish a comprehensive report related to hostels and other accommodation facilities for students, in consultation with the Delhi University officials, said on Tuesday, September 8. The exercise shall not 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 .
Rahul Gandhi's Air India flight performs go-around amid gusty winds at Lucknow airport
Air India flight AI-1717, travelling from Delhi to Lucknow, had to abort its landing just before touching down at Lucknow's Amausi Airport on Tuesday. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was among the passengers on...
Centre launches portal for data harmonisation across Ministries
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Centre on Tuesday launched a Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) portal on Data Harmonisation for use by all Union Ministries, departments and organisations with the aim of fostering greater coordination for data-driven governance and evidence-based policymaking across the government. The report was launched at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) with the objective of strengthening the National Data System, promoting effective use and harmonisation of administrative data. The QPR Portal is a technology-enabled platform for use by all Union Ministries, departments and organisations to report progress in identification and cataloguing of datasets made ready for dissemination, its metadata preparation, use of national and international standards, classifications and common unique identifiers in machine readable data, and performing quality checks as per Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (SQAF) by respective Ministries, departments and organisations of the Central government. The QPR portal has automated validation, dashboards, cross-verification with the National Metadata Structure (NMDS) web portal and will provide analytical insights across Ministries, Departments and Organisations. Launching the portal, Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasised that trusted, timely and interoperable data is essential for evidence-based policymaking and data-driven governance. He called for greater use of administrative data and statistical expertise across Ministries for policy formulation, monitoring and outcome assessment. Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S. Krishnan highlighted the importance of effective data sharing, harmonisation and interoperability across Ministries to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and improve governance. He emphasised that the availability of high-quality data is fundamental to the successful deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for governance. He also stressed upon optimal utilisation of government data in view of rapid digitisation and the increasing availability of administrative data. Efforts should focus on utilising such data effectively for improved welfare outcomes, policy formulation and delivery of government services. Whole-of-government approach should be adopted. Existing resources, including statistical officers, India AI Mission experts, NIC personnel and other data professionals working across Ministries and Departments, should be leveraged, he added. MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg, underscored the need to move from siloed departmental data systems towards an integrated, interoperable and government-wide data ecosystem. He emphasised harmonisation of concepts, definitions, classifications, identifiers, geographies, metadata and data structures for effective data utilisation. He highlighted the complementary roles of Statistical Advisers in statistical leadership and quality assurance and Chief Data Officers in data governance and interoperability, supported by the National Data Governance Committee and the QPR on Data Harmonisation.
A proposed bullet train corridor is set to help boost tourism, trade, and economic activity, according to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra condoles death of Manipuri singer, assures swift trial
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Minister of State and Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra on Tuesday met the family of Manipuri singer Chongtham Vikram Singh killed by some miscreants in south east Delhi and expressed grief over the incident. He said that all of Delhi stands with the bereaved family of the 54-year-old musician. Malhotra said that he had spoken with senior police authorities and expressed confidence that investigators, who have already arrested all the accused, will present chargesheet in trial court at the earliest. Delhi BJP President added that the killing of the Manipur singer is a horrifying incident but has no racist angle. I request opposition parties to not to indulge in dirty politics and trying to give it a racist colour, he said. He assured the victim's family that the Delhi government, on its part, will recommend speedy trial in a Special Court. A Manipuri musician died after a group of delivery workers and an eatery's staff allegedly assaulted him when he objected to their shouting and consuming alcohol outside his apartment in Kilokari village near Ashram in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The police have arrested seven men and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the case. The Sunlight Colony Police Station received a PCR call regarding the assault on Vikram Singh, a native of Manipur who had been living in Kilokari village for several years. A preliminary enquiry revealed that Singh had objected to a group of men allegedly creating nuisance outside his residence. Singh sustained injuries after the men allegedly assaulted him, police said. Singh's son, Yaiphaba, rushed him to Holy Family Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries, according to officials. The police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and Singh's death. The North East Students Society, Delhi University (NESSDU), condoled Singh's death and described him as a 'respected Manipuri musician' who had built his life in Delhi around music for the last 20 years.
Meta ran 300+ ads featuring AI-generated child sexual abuse material, investigation finds
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Metas Facebook and Instagram platforms carried more than 300 paid advertisements featuring child sexual abuse material (CSAM) this year, including AI-manipulated images of real children, according to an investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). The investigation found that many of the advertisements used photographs of real children that had been taken from social media posts and websites. The images were subsequently manipulated using artificial intelligence to make it appear as though the children were involved in explicit sexual acts. In one particularly disturbing case, a photograph of a minor member of a European royal family that had been publicly released last year appeared in an advertisement on Facebook and Instagram. The image was digitally transformed into a video depicting the child performing a graphic sex act. The advertisement promoted a Chinese AI application and was reportedly targeted at adult male users. According to TTP, the more than 300 advertisements identified in its investigation featured children ranging from toddlers and preteens to young teenagers. Most followed a similar format, beginning with a snippet of adult pornography before showing an image of a child that had been manipulated with AI. The advertisements also appeared to use recurring captions, voiceovers and background music. TTP said it was able to identify multiple photographs of actual children used in the advertisements, raising concerns that images publicly shared online can be appropriated and transformed into abusive material using generative AI tools. The investigation also found that several of the advertisements had been placed by Metas advertising partners in China, including a Chinese state-controlled company. The vast majority of the ads directed users toward AI applications developed in China, with many of the apps offering or enabling so-called nudification capabilities that digitally remove clothing or create sexually explicit versions of images. Meta did not initially respond to TTPs request for comment. However, after the organisation shared its findings with the company, Meta carried out a rapid cleanup of its advertising ecosystem. About 150 advertisements that were still available in Metas Ad Library were removed, according to TTP. Meta also updated records for more than 100 advertisements that had already been taken down, newly classifying them as violations of its child-exploitation policies. TTP said those advertisements had previously been categorised under Metas adult-oriented policies without explicitly identifying the involvement of children. The discrepancy has raised questions over whether Metas existing systems may be undercounting cases involving child sexual exploitation, particularly when AI-generated or manipulated imagery is involved. A Meta spokesperson said the company does not tolerate nudify apps or any kind of child exploitation, whether real or AI-generated. The spokesperson added that many of the advertisements identified by the investigation had already been removed and that Meta continues to strengthen its detection and enforcement systems.
Cricket contingent is fully prepared: BCCI VP Shukla confident of Team India completing Asiad double
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has backed both the Indian mens and womens cricket teams to successfully defend their Asian Games titles at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, expressing complete confidence in Indias chances of securing gold medals in both events. We are fully prepared for the Asian Games. The cricket continent is going there fully prepared. There will be a good show. We will win for sure and get the gold medal, both men and women. There is no doubt about it, Shukla told IANS at the Asian Games send-off ceremony here in Delhi. India head into the continental tournament as defending champions in both mens and womens cricket, having won gold in both events at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. The womens competition will get underway with India entering directly at the quarter-final stage on September 18. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 20, with the medal matches to be played on September 22. The mens team will also begin its campaign in the quarter-finals, with their match scheduled for September 28. The semi-finals will take place on October 1, followed by the medal matches on October 3. The BCCI has also finalised the coaching arrangements for the two teams. VVS Laxman, Head of the Centre of Excellence, will take charge of the mens side for the continental event. Regular head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to take a break ahead of Indias white-ball series against the West Indies, which begins on September 27. Laxman will be assisted by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh, while Amol Muzumdar will coach the womens team. The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. India will compete across multiple disciplines, with a strong contingent featuring several Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists. With cricket returning as one of the key team sports at the continental showpiece, India will look to retain its dominance in the discipline and build on the success achieved in Hangzhou.
PM Modi's Gen Z Push: 'Jhooth Ki Goonj' Attack, 'Naaraaz Fufaji' Jibe In Vadodara
Days after his headline-making address at Delhi's SRCC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his message to Vadodara, the Gujarat city central to his political journey since 2014. In a speech aimed heavily at young Indians, PM Modi invoked Vadodara's educational legacy and urged youngsters to stay focused on ruth amid what he called the Opposition's jhooth ki goonj.
National Film Awards In Gujarat: A Venue Change Or A Bigger Message?
For decades, the National Film Awards have largely been associated with New Delhi, with Vigyan Bhavan serving as the traditional venue. But this year, the 72nd National Film Awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, breaking a long-standing convention.
Manipur CM Expresses Grief Over Murder of Renowned Musician in Delhi
Manipurs Chief Minister condemns the murder of musician Chongtham Vikram in Delhi, calling for swift justice and enhanced community safety. Manipur CM Expresses Grief Over Murder of Renowned Musician in Delhi
Odisha steps up safety checks of unsafe buildings after Delhi hostel tragedy
Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Sep 8 (IANS) In the wake of a recent 5-storey students' hostel building collapse in Satya Niketan of New Delhi that claimed the lives of seven persons, the Odisha Government has intensified its drive to identify, assess and take action against buildings posing a threat to life and property across the State. The Odisha Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Tuesday said that the government has already undertaken an assessment of unsafe government buildings and notices have been issued wherever required. He said the department has undertaken a fresh review of the situation and directed officials to expedite necessary action against buildings found to be unsafe. Based on the assessment, all government buildings identified as unsafe have been examined, and notices have also been issued. I had called for another review with the Department yesterday. Very soon, notices will be issued for demolition of those buildings which have been found unsafe, Dr Mahapatra said. The Minister made it clear that the Government would take firm and timely action against unsafe structures falling under its jurisdiction. Buildings under the H&UD department will be dealt with by the department itself, while structures belonging to other government departments will be brought to the notice of the respective authorities for appropriate action. Importantly, the Government has also decided to bring unsafe private buildings under the ambit of the ongoing safety assessment. The Minister said that notices would be issued to owners of private buildings found to be in a dangerous or structurally vulnerable condition, as per applicable rules and statutory provisions. To ensure a comprehensive and time-bound assessment, a 15-day inquiry and inspection team has been constituted. The team will undertake detailed inspections of buildings identified as potentially unsafe, examine their structural condition and submit its findings within the stipulated period. The inquiry team will conduct a thorough inquiry and investigation into the matter. After inspection, whichever buildings are found to fall under the unsafe category will be demolished, the Minister stated. The officials stated that the initiative assumes particular significance in cities such as Kataka and Puri, where a number of old and privately owned structures require closer examination. The concerned Urban Local Bodies and other authorities will undertake necessary inspections and identify buildings that may pose risks to residents, pedestrians and the general public. The Government has emphasised that the exercise is essentially preventive and safety-oriented, aimed at identifying structural risks before they result in loss of life or property. The authorities will accordingly assess the condition of buildings and initiate action wherever structures are found to be beyond safe occupation or repair. The H&UD Department will coordinate with Urban Local Bodies and other concerned government departments to ensure that notices, inspections and subsequent action are undertaken in a systematic and time-bound manner.
Delhi PG Horror: Seven Dead In Satya Niketan Collapse, Owner Arrested Amid Safety Questions
A deadly building collapse at a paying guest accommodation in Delhis Satya Niketan has killed at least seven people and injured several others. Twelve people were rescued, while the PG owner Hariram Gupta, his wife and son have been arrested. Police have also arrested labour contractor Sanoj over alleged construction activity at the building. The Delhi High Court has sought accountability, while MCD suspended five officials and began inspecting unsafe structures. The government has announced a proposed PG regulation policy. Meanwhile, an AAP allegation of a mobile jammer at the rescue site has been denied by Delhi Police.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Delhi Traffic Police on Tuesday urged citizens and cab service providers to go through the advisory issued for routes where movement will be restricted, in view of the upcoming BRICS Summit in the national capital. Speaking to IANS, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta said: The BRICS Summit will be held in India on September 11, 12 and 13. Delhi Traffic Police has its detailed traffic arrangements in place for this. We are conducting rehearsals under these arrangements. These rehearsals give our staff some practice, and our aim is to ensure that there are no difficulties during the movement of dignitaries during the summit, he added. Gupta said that the advisories are being shared with the public through the Delhi Police website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and print media so that the public does not face inconvenience during the movement. We have 22 diversion points in place, under which we will divert the public from designated points. We have also briefed our staff to guide people, wherever needed, regarding the diverted routes, he added. He noted that the closure of all schools and government offices on September 11, would make it easy for the police to manage traffic movement. The senior police officer also said that liaisons are being made with navigation maps and cab service providers so that they integrate the police advisories into their system so that the public are aware and do not face any difficulty while travelling. Urging citizens to go through the official advisory before travelling on the days of the Summit, Gupta said: The advisory contains details of all the routes that will be affected. Earlier on Tuesday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) advised candidates appearing for the UGC NET June 2026 re-examination in Delhi to plan their journeys well in advance, citing possible travel restrictions in the national capital on September 9 and 10 that could lead to longer road journeys and delays in reaching examination centres. In an advisory issued for candidates, the testing agency urged those appearing for the examination to check their travel routes beforehand, leave early, and keep sufficient additional time in hand to account for possible traffic restrictions, diversions or delays during their journey to the designated examination centres.
Ladakh LG Saxena gets additional charge of J&K
New Delhi, Sep 8: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena was on Tuesday given additional charge of Jammu and Kashmir during the absence, on leave of incumbent Manoj Sinha. Sinha, who took charge as the LG of Jammu and Kashmir on August 7, 2020, is currently in the US on an official visit, official sources said. The President of India is pleased to appoint Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lt. Governor of Ladakh to discharge the functions of the Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to his own duties, during the absence, on leave, of Shri Manoj Sinha, Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, a communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
Crude shock sends Nifty to three-month low; Rupee slips
Markets will track crude price movements, further developments in West Asia, and the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi on September 12-13
Mumbai, Bengaluru or Delhi: Which is Indias richest city? New study has a surprise
Mumbai, Bengaluru or Delhi: Which is Indias richest city? New study has a surprise
Want justice, not revenge: Family of Manipuri musician
The family of Chongtham Vikram Singh, a Manipuri musician beaten to death in south Delhi, has appealed for justice and an impartial probe, stating they seek accountability, not revenge, for his sudden loss.
Delhi Building Collapse: FIR Alleges Owners Knew Of Structural Risk
Seven people, including five students, were killed after a building collapsed in South Delhi's Satya Niketan on Sunday. NDTV has accessed the FIR registered against the building owner Hariram, his wife and their son Mahesh.
Realty firms must adopt scientific temperament, build sustainable housing projects: MoHUA Secy
A housing ministry spokesperson has encouraged real estate companies to implement sustainable development practices, including the incorporation of green spaces and effective water recycling systems. The spokesperson also recommended aligning future projects with the goals outlined in the Delhi Master Plan 2047. Emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship, the ministry reassured builders that it is receptive to industry feedback as they work through the master plan's guidelines.
Don't send your kids to Delhi: A distraught father's plea
The father of Arpit Jaj, who died in a Delhi building collapse, has made an emotional appeal to parents not to send their children to Delhi for studies, citing his own devastation and the difficulties faced in identifying his son. He also called for a thorough investigation and action against those responsible, highlighting the need for better building safety.
India Supports UN Push For Accurate Maps, Sets Boundary Rules For Its Territory
India has made it clear that any new world map proposed through the United Nations must show Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to Indias official map, even as New Delhi supported a resolution calling for more accurate global maps.
Kremlin says Putin, Modi to meet at upcoming Delhi BRICS Summit
New Delhi: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, September 8, confirmed that the delivery of Russias S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India in 2026 remains on the agenda of discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their upcoming meeting in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, on the sidelines 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 .
NE forum condemns Manipuri musician
Shillong, Sep 8: The North East India Citizens Forum, Delhi (NEICFD) has strongly condemned the brutal killing of renowned Manipuri musician, guitarist and music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh, allegedly assaulted by a group of men outside his residence in South Delhi. The forum has demanded a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation and called upon Delhi [] The post NE forum condemns Manipuri musicians killing in Delhi, demands probe first appeared on Highland Post .
Delhi Assembly Speaker Invites Youth to Engage in Politics
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta encourages youth to actively participate in politics for a developed India during a youth outreach program. Delhi Assembly Speaker Invites Youth to Engage in Politics
No rooms, Rs 2.3 lakh a night: BRICS Summit sends Delhi hotel rates soaring
Russia backs India's call for peace in Ukraine; says Moscow aligns with New Delhi's position
Russia welcomes India's peace efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. President Putin will attend the BRICS summit and meet Prime Minister Modi. Discussions will focus on trade, investment, energy, and technology cooperation. Russia is also working to identify and repatriate Indian nationals serving in its army. India and Russia are also discussing new nuclear plants and fighter jet sales.
Delhi HC to hear ANI's copyright appeal against OpenAI on September 14
News agency challenges single-judge decision declining interim protection in copyright infringement case against OpenAI; matter will be taken up on September 14
A five-story paying-guest facility collapsed in Delhi's Satya Niketan, killing seven students. Many victims were young students returning home after festive celebrations and aspiring for bright futures. Families searched through rubble and monitored hospitals to claim their deceased children. The collapse occurred after commercial greed and a lack of enforcement led to structural failure. This tragedy cut short the promising lives and aspirations of ambitious young individuals.
Delhi HC upholds builders' body's role in CCI cement cartel probe
Court says any person, entity or party with sufficient interest can participate in CCI proceedings if such participation aids the case or serves the public interest
Ballon dOr 2026: PSG, Arsenal, Bayern Munich among nominees for Mens Club of the Year
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sept 8 (IANS) Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt and Brazilian giants Flamengo have been nominated for the Mens Club of the Year award at the 2026 Ballon dOr. PSG enter the race as defending holders of the award after a remarkable season in which the French club claimed their second Champions League title. They also enjoyed a highly successful domestic and international campaign, adding the Ligue 1, French Super Cup, European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup to their trophy cabinet. The Parisian side will be hoping to retain the honour after establishing themselves as one of Europe's leading clubs. Arsenal are also among the five nominees after ending their long wait for the Premier League title. The Gunners secured the English championship after 22 years and capped a strong campaign with further progress in Europe. Bayer Munich make the shortlist after another trophy-laden season in Germany. The Bavarian giants won the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup, underscoring their continued dominance at home. Bodo/Glimt is the surprise name on the list. The Norwegian club earned recognition for an impressive campaign and also lifted the Norwegian Cup. Their nomination highlights the growing presence of clubs beyond Europes traditional powerhouses. Flamengo completes the shortlist after an outstanding season in Brazil and across South America. The Rio de Janeiro club won the Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian Championship and the Rio de Janeiro State Championship. The five clubs will now compete for the prestigious Club of the Year award, with the winner to be announced at the 2026 Ballon dOr ceremony on October 26 in London. PSGs impressive haul of major international and domestic trophies makes them one of the leading contenders, but Arsenal and Bayern Munich also arrive with strong cases following successful seasons.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) A labour contractor who was overseeing repairs in the ill-fated Satya Niketan PG buildings basement was arrested by Delhi Police from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh while three members of the family that owned the building were sent to judicial custody and police custody for varying periods, an official said on Tuesday. Labour contractor Sanoj was apprehended in Kasganj and is being brought to Delhi for examination, the police said. Initial questioning of Sanoj revealed that on the day of the building collapse, the basement floor was being repaired as the waste was getting accumulated during rainy season for the past eight to 10 days, said the police, adding that the Ground Floor of the building was being repaired for extension for commercial purpose. Meanwhile, the building owner Urmila, 75, and her retired husband Hariram, 81, were produced in court which sent them to 14 days of judicial custody. Their son Mahesh was sent to police custody for two days, said an official. The police said that during questioning, Mahesh told interrogators that he used to manage the maintenance of the building on behalf of his parents. They had given the building on lease to the PG Operators Hostel Daze in August 2025. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Tuesday that the civic agency will demolish a dilapidated building next to the site of the ill-fated paying guest (PG) building that collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people two days ago. Sharing information about the plan to pull down the unsafe structure, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on social media platform X on Tuesday said, On the instructions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been directed to demolish the dilapidated building adjoining the accident site in the interest of public safety. The belongings of students inside the building are being safely removed by Delhi Fire Service personnel in a systematic manner. All students and local residents are requested to cooperate with the authorities, the CMO added. The demolition order comes in the backdrop of the strict action of suspending five civic officials responsible for checking illegal construction in the colony located close to Delhi University's South Campus in Dhaula Kuan. The five-storey building, known as 'Hostel Daze', was operating as a boys' PG, and several students were staying there when the incident took place around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, in which seven people were killed, the police said.
Rising cancer burden calls for expansion of care: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Union MoS Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said that India could see around 20 lakh new cases annually by 2030 and the rising cancer burden in the country calls for a sustained expansion of cancer-care facilities. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), through Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), is working to take cancer-care capabilities to different parts of the country, with services ranging from cancer treatment and radiation to prevention, early detection, diagnosis and training of medical professionals, the minister said. Dr. Singh said that more cancer-care facilities at different levels are necessary for patients to access quality treatment closer to their homes, an official statement said. He also called for cooperation from citizens and society to check malpractices like food adulteration etc. that may add to the cancer burden, Department of Atomic Energy said in the statement. Dr. Singh was speaking at the inauguration of the Day-Care Cancer Facility at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. The facility is being developed with technical support from Tata Memorial Centre, Department of Atomic Energy, as part of a phased effort to strengthen cancer-care services at the medical college. The Vidisha programme began with a Cancer Gap Care Analysis undertaken by a multidisciplinary team of senior specialists from Tata Memorial Centre from June 5 to 7, 2026. Meanwhile, a large-scale cancer screening and awareness camp was organised in Vidisha, in which 586 cancer patients and 254 suspected cases were identified, with arrangements made for appropriate further treatment and referral. Dr. Singh said that radiotherapy is another important component of the Vidisha cancer-care plan, adding that the Madhya Pradesh government has announced construction of a radiotherapy facility at Government Medical College, Vidisha, with a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) facility expected to be commissioned within two to three years. This will provide patients from Vidisha and surrounding districts access to advanced radiation treatment closer to home. Tata Memorial Centre will also work with the medical college towards establishing a centre of excellence for cancer prevention and early detection through education and research. Healthcare workers will also be trained in evidence-based strategies for reducing the cancer burden, with TMC supporting implementation and periodic monitoring.
India will continue to support relief and rescue efforts in Nepal: MEA
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) India on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to support Nepal in its ongoing relief and rescue operations following the devastating flash floods, saying it will continue to extend assistance based on requirements on ground. Addressing a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has so far sent 95 tonnes of relief material on seven aircraft and deployed forensic and tunnel rescue teams to support Nepals relief and rescue efforts. We have expressed solidarity and sympathy with the people and government of Nepal, and we are doing our best to help them in this particular disaster. As a close friend and neighbour, India has responded promptly and will continue to support Nepals relief, rescue, and reconstruction efforts. We have sent 95 tonnes of relief material on board seven aircraft, and some more material shall be sent there soon. Our forensic team and our tunnel rescue team, both the teams, are operating on the ground. They are giving a helping hand in the rescue and relief efforts, Jaiswal stated. The forensic team is currently working in two laboratories in Kathmandu, where they are working on 1200 DNA samples in these two laboratories. We will continue to support Nepal as per their requirement. As I told you last time, 275 Indian nationals are missing in this disaster. 169 Indian nationals have been rescued so far. And these 275 Indian nationals who are missing, that I mentioned, also include 49 people who went missing on the Chinese side, he mentioned. Jaiswal further said the government of India had been actively extending assistance to Indian nationals following the disaster, with 24x7 control rooms set up in India, Beijing and Kathmandu to assist and ensure their safety and welfare. When this disaster unfolded in Nepal, we have been very active, giving a helping hand to Indian nationals. We set up a control room here. We set up a control room in Beijing, in Kathmandu 24 X7, and we have been manning these control rooms and trying to do our best for our people. There may be occasional cases here and there .. We have tried our best, but still some elements would have been short of expectations. But let me tell you that it has been our desire to do our best for our people, and we remain committed to their welfare, safety, and their wellbeing, the MEA spokesperson asserted. The massive flood that struck Nepal's Rasuwa originated in the Tibetan region of China on August 26. It swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, leaving over a thousand dead, including foreign nationals, and caused widespread destruction in the Himalayan nation.
Benchmark I set for myself was high: Akash Madhwal on life after his IPL 5/5
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Akash Madhwal has acknowledged that his sensational 5/5 for Mumbai Indians against Lucknow Super Giants in the 2023 IPL brought both a career boost and heightened expectations, with the pacer admitting that the benchmark he set for himself became a demanding one to maintain. Madhwal's five-wicket haul in the IPL playoff remains the defining performance of his career, but he insists he has never viewed it as the end point of his journey. We cannot spend our entire cricket journey on just one performance. The best milestones come so we can set new records, break our own milestones, and raise our own benchmarks. I never took my 5/5 lightly. Even after that, I have prepared a lot so that I can do better, set a better record, and do something better. It is not that we take what has already happened. Our hard work is for our own betterment, Madhwal told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Tuesday. Looking back at the impact of that performance, Madhwal admitted that both the attention and the expectations that followed were significant. Both of these things happened to me, literally. The benchmark I set for myself was high, so people had very high expectations from me. Additionally, since I was playing in the IPL, I knew I had to perform better and improve. Both these factors were present with me, and I believe they both influenced me, Madhwal added. His route to the IPL was itself unconventional. Unlike many fast bowlers who enter the professional system at a young age, Madhwal first studied engineering and took up a job before pursuing cricket seriously. Sometimes I feel I should have started earlier, and then I feel it's God's plan. Whatever God has given is what you will get. But it is what it is. First, I studied engineering, then I took a job. After that, I started playing cricket. It was also because our state got an affiliation in 2019. Before that, we didn't have an affiliation. So, when I got an affiliation, I got a chance to play after a year. After that, I started playing professionally, he stated. Despite wondering at times about what his career could have looked like had he started earlier, Madhwal believes his journey unfolded according to a larger plan. But yeah, its God's plan. Whatever God wants happens, he said. That belief has also helped keep his focus on the game rather than on the years he may have lost by entering professional cricket late. Madhwal said the passion that drove him from tennis-ball cricket into professional cricket remains unchanged, and that his India ambition continues to motivate him. I just want to tell myself that. I never want to leave the thing I am very attached to. And the dream of playing for India is still inside me. Its just a matter of one good season that will lead me up to the top, he said.
Rajpal Yadav moves SC against Delhi HC order, court says deposit Rs 5 crore or go to jail
Actor Rajpal Yadav has approached the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court's order, shortly before the deadline for him to surrender was set to expire.
India in touch with Russia, Ukraine to see if ideas can contribute to cessation of conflict: MEA
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Reiterating India's longstanding stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict that a solution will not emerge from the battlefield, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that New Delhi remains in touch with Moscow and Kyiv to see if there are ideas and suggestions that can contribute to the cessation of the war. Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke about External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's recent visit to Poland and Ukraine, where he maintained that this is not an era of war and expressed India's readiness to help in any way to find an end to the conflict. When asked about a media report claiming that India is brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine, Jaiswal said, External Affairs Minister visited Ukraine and Poland recently. In both these countries, during his conversations, he noted that India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war and solution will not emerge from the battlefield. He also underlined Prime Minister Modis comments that endless war must now give way to the end of war. Noting that it is for the parties involved to find a way, he further added that if India can be of any help in any manner to bring the war to an end, it was ready to do so. India is in touch with both the Ukrainian and Russian sides and is trying to see if there are ideas and suggestions that can contribute to the cessation of the conflict, Jaiswal mentioned. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, India has called for pursuing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the war. During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan's Samarkand in 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi famously said, oday's era is not an era of war. During his recent visit to Poland, EAM Jaishankar said that India has been maintaining continuous engagement with both Ukraine and Russia, while exploring ideas and suggestions that could help de-escalate the ongoing conflict between the two countries and pave the way for its cessation. Addressing a joint press conference with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw on September 4, EAM Jaishankar also responded to questions on Indias role in diffusing tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. You will appreciate that beyond a point, I can't go into specifics. What I can tell you is that we've been in continuous touch with the Ukrainian side, also with the Russian side. I myself was in Moscow a few days ago. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and President (Vladimir) Putin met in Bishkek three days ago and then I went to Kyiv. So what we had were discussions, fairly detailed discussions with the Russian side. Yesterday, with the Ukrainian side. And, what we are trying to do is to see if, you know, there are ideas and suggestions that can be developed in some way in which they would contribute to the mitigation, ideally the cessation of the conflict, EAM Jaishankar said. In Ukraine, EAM Jaishankar recently stated that India stands ready to help in any way to find an end to the longstanding conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The EAM expressed India's readiness to help during his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv. Just two days ago in Bishkek, Prime Minister Modi declared that endless war must now give way to the end of war. Every passing day of conflict only means more deaths and more destruction. Understandably, it is for the parties involved to find a way. But if India can be of any help, in any manner, we are ready. And this was the core of my discussion today so far with Foreign Minister Sybiha, EAM Jaishankar said on September 3.
BJP, VHP welcome Bengal's Ashtami 'dry day' decision, Cong says attempt to divert attention
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday welcomed the West Bengal government's announcement of a complete ban on liquor sales across the state on 'Maha Ashtami' during the Durga Puja festival, while the Congress called it an attempt by the ruling government to divert attention from issues like lawlessness. Earlier, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that since the festival is the state's religious tradition, liquor will not be available even in the pubs and bars on October 19, Maha Ashtami. Speaking to IANS, Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar said: During the puja period, we need to exercise a bit of restraint because it is, after all, a sacred ritual. Therefore, the government has made a rule declaring a one-day 'dry day', especially on Ashtami as everyone offers floral tributes to the Goddess on that day. The Vishva Hindu Parishad National Spokesperson Shriraj Nair also welcomed the move, saying: This was the demand of the Hindu community. The previous Trinamool Congress and Left governments had crushed the Hindu sentiments. Moreover, he accused the previous Bengal governments of turning the Hindu festival of Durga Puja into a means of entertainment. Accusing former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to forcefully make Durga Puja a secular festival, he said: Crushing the Hindu sentiments and insulting traditions and seers were normal during the earlier regime. Last year, Banerjee drew criticism after a Trinamool Congress leader sang a song referencing the Kaaba and Medina inside a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal while she clapped along. Nair added: Now a government which respects religious sentiments and traditions has come to power...nobody should have a problem with closing of liquor shops for one day. Backing the decision, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said: Durga Puja is the soul of Bengal. People from across the country visit Bengal for Durga Puja. The dignity of the festival is not enhanced by alcohol and noise. West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh said: Just as the food should be pure, the environment should also be free from intoxicants. If people consume or use intoxicants, or drink alcohol during the time of worship, it could disrupt the arrangements. How will the police be able to manage such a large crowd? Therefore, some kind of restriction or regulation is necessary. However, Congress MP Imran Masood said that if such decisions are taken to target Muslims, he community comprises of only 14 per cent of the country's population while 82 per cent of the population are non-vegetarians. Congress leader Rakesh Sinha questioned, whether the move is only symbolic? Further, he accused BJP of diverting attention from real issues under the garb of religion. In Bengal, the Opposition MPs as well as their party offices are not safe. Despite this the administration is silent. This means there is prevalence of 'Jungle Raj' in Bengal...so in order to divert attention from such issues, these topics are being brought in, he told IANS.
AI Reconstruction: How An Unstable Pillar Led To Delhi Building Collapse
Preliminary information suggests the collapse is believed to have started in the basement, where repair work was underway.
At Least Seven people died after a boys PG collapsed, prompting Delhi to order wider safety audits.
ESIC makes Aadhaar linking mandatory for beneficiaries to access benefits
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) beneficiaries will now be required to link their Aadhaar with their ESIC Pehchan Card to ensure seamless and uninterrupted access to benefits under the social security scheme, the government said on Tuesday. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in a post on X, said that Aadhaar authentication has been made mandatory for ESIC beneficiaries under Section 142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The ESIC provides social security and healthcare benefits to eligible employees and their families working in factories and establishments covered under the scheme. Employees earning up to Rs 21,000 per month are generally covered under ESIC, while the wage ceiling is Rs 25,000 per month for persons with disabilities, subject to applicable rules. Beneficiaries can seed their Aadhaar with their ESIC records through the official ESIC website. After visiting the website, insured persons need to select the Insured Persons and Beneficiaries section and log in using their user ID and password. They can then choose the Aadhaar Seeding for IP option, find their name in the list and select the link to seed Aadhaar. The beneficiary is required to enter the Aadhaar number and complete the authentication process through a one-time password (OTP) sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar. Once the request is submitted, a reference number is generated. The Aadhaar is linked to the ESIC records after the verification process is completed. The ministry has advised beneficiaries to ensure that their mobile number registered with Aadhaar is active and accessible, as it is required for OTP-based authentication. The government has urged ESIC beneficiaries to complete Aadhaar seeding with their Pehchan Card to facilitate seamless access to services and benefits. Aadhaar-based authentication is also expected to help in establishing the identity of beneficiaries and streamlining access to ESIC services. The ESIC scheme provides a wide range of benefits, including medical treatment, hospitalisation and maternity care. Insured employees are also eligible for financial assistance during periods of sickness or temporary disablement. In cases of permanent disablement arising from employment injuries, the scheme provides disability benefits, while dependants may receive financial assistance if an insured employee dies due to an employment injury.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Closure of land routes, costly air freight, limited alternative routes are all adding to the woes of Afghan exporters struggling to send out their wares to the global markets, say reports from Kabul. Therefore, to ensure smooth import, a group of Indian traders who have travelled to Kandahar to purchase dried fruit now intend to export Afghan dried fruit to New Delhi through alternative routes, Tolo News reported. Kandahar's growers said that the province's well-known golden raisins were previously exported to India, but that route now remain closed, the report added on Sunday. The golden variety, locally known as Abjosh raisins, are made from a grape called Aita. Farmers dip the grapes in a special solution before spreading them out on prepared grounds for seven days to produce golden raisins. Much of Kandahar's fresh and dried fruit is exported to neighboring, Arab and European countries, but the recent increase in air freight costs has raised concerns among dried-fruit traders. One of the traders from India, identified as Anand, told the Afghan news website, We have been here for three or four days buying dried fruit, and then we send it to New Delhi through other Asian countries. This is our trade with Afghanistan. Official figures earlier suggested that the closure of the Pakistan border on one side and the geopolitical conflicts in West Asia on the other, are affecting Afghanistan's global trade. Separate reports quoted data showing that Afghan traders began relying on Iran's Chabahar Port, expanded rail corridors through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and air freight links to India, as alternative routes. These alternatives provide resilience but at higher costs and with geopolitical risks. India remains one of Afghanistan's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $907.85 million in 202526 despite Pakistan's route closures. India mainly imports dry fruits, saffron, and spices, while exporting pharmaceuticals, machinery, and food products. But now, with the war in West Asia and climbing costs in air freight have further affected traders. Even before the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict turned deadly last year, leading to the closure of trade routes at the Durand Line, Islamabad created blockages for goods coming from India, meant for Afghanistan. Thus, it was through the Chabahar Port and air corridors that kept commerce alive despite Pakistan's blockades. Despite Islamabad's strained relation with earlier governments in Kabul, container traffic increased from about 60,500 containers in 2016-2017 to nearly 89,000 containers in 2020-2021, just before the Taliban returned to power, reports said quoting Pakistan Customs data. Following the Taliban's return to power, transit cargo via Pakistan initially recovered, with container traffic reaching 102,886 and cargo valued at $6.7 billion in 2022-2023. However, this marked the peak before the volume declined to 42,959 containers worth $1.36 billion in 2024-2025, reports added. In October 2025, the Afghanistan-Pakistan border was closed following a fierce skirmish. According to the Customs figures, the number fell to just 11,592 containers worth $367 million in 2025-26. Afghanistan's exports via Pakistan to India and other countries dropped from $454 million in 2024-2025 to $7 million in 2025-2026, these reports added.
NHRC asks State, UGC to draw up plan to address Delhi University hostel shortage
In its notice, the NHRC says it took up the issue in 2025 following a complaint by a non-profit foundation, which said the university has inadequate hostels for its 72,000 undergraduate students, who rely on private rented premises, impacting their costs and well-being
Delhi High Court Resolves Contempt Petition Over Women
The Delhi High Court has resolved a contempt petition regarding the provision of separate toilets for women faculty at Jamia Millia Islamia. Delhi High Court Resolves Contempt Petition Over Womens Faculty Toilet at Jamia Millia Islamia
200 Private Hostels Marked Dangerous After Delhi Collapse Kills 7
The building, located within walking distance of the campus where lakhs of students study, is among several PG accommodations in the area, with listings for male tenants starting at Rs 5,700.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta invites youth to join politics
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday asked youth not to just watch politics from a distance but to step forward, participate and contribute to building a Viksit Bharat. While interacting with students from Delhi University colleges under the Delhi Assemblys Youth Outreach Programme, Gupta emphasised the importance of youths participation in democracy. He urged the students to move beyond being mere observers of political and democratic processes and actively contribute to public life, governance and nation-building, said a statement. Students from Rajdhani College, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Law Centre-I and Shivaji College visited the Delhi Legislative Assembly under the Youth Outreach Programme and interacted with the Speaker on parliamentary functioning, democratic participation and the role of the presiding officer in ensuring the smooth conduct of House proceedings. Responding to a question on his journey from Leader of Opposition to Speaker of the House, Gupta said that his experience as Leader of Opposition had been challenging, but it strengthened his resolve to ensure that, as Speaker, every member of the House gets a fair and meaningful opportunity to speak. The Speaker said that his experiences as Leader of Opposition have influenced the manner in which he conducts the proceedings of the House. He emphasised that every member, irrespective of their political affiliation, must be given an opportunity to put forward their views. He said that as Speaker, he makes every effort to ensure that members are heard within the framework of parliamentary rules and procedures. Explaining the measures adopted to ensure greater transparency and discipline during proceedings, Gupta highlighted the use of timers on the display screens inside the Assembly Chamber. He said that the time allotted to members is clearly displayed, enabling members to know the time available to them while also helping the House conduct its business in an organised and time-bound manner. During their visit, the students undertook a guided tour of the historic Delhi Legislative Assembly complex and were introduced to its rich architectural and institutional heritage. They learnt about the buildings historical association with the Central Legislative Assembly and the important parliamentary personalities and events connected with its legacy, the statement said. The students were also introduced to the Assemblys commemorative Coffee Table Book Ek Shatabdi Yatra, documenting the historic journey and rich legacy of the Assembly, said the statement. The visit concluded with a walkthrough of the main Assembly Chamber, where the students observed the setting in which legislative debates and proceedings take place and gained a first-hand understanding of the functioning of the House. Addressing the students at the conclusion of the programme, Speaker Vijender Gupta encouraged them to remain connected with democratic institutions and develop an informed understanding of public affairs. He urged the youth to actively participate in democratic life and contribute their knowledge, ideas and energy towards strengthening the institutions of democracy and building a Viksit Bharat.
India, Morocco Hold Inaugural Joint Defence Committee Meeting in New Delhi
India and Morocco held the inaugural meeting of their Joint Defence Committee (JDC) in New Delhi on September 8, 2026, marking a fresh institutional step in bilateral defence ties as the two countries head toward the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. The meeting covered a broad sweep of issues, with the two sides [] The post India, Morocco Hold Inaugural Joint Defence Committee Meeting in New Delhi appeared first on Tfipost.com .
Anarchy let loose in Punjab, alleges Congress
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party had let loose anarchy in Punjab and had surrendered to the gangsters, while failing to curb the problem of drugs. The party also demanded the resignation of the state Finance Minister Harpal Cheema for having been named by a Dalit in his dying declaration that he was responsible for his death. Addressing the media here, Congress Legislative Party leader in the Punjab assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, said AAP had already started applying the saam, daam, dhand, bed theory of its leader Manish Sisodia to win elections by hook or by crook. But he asserted that no matter what AAP does, it will never be able to win elections again in Punjab, as it was for the first and last time that it could win in 2022. Bajwa also took a dig at the Yudh Nashya Virudh campaign of AAP saying, when it could not reform its own Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to give up drinking, how can it claim success against drugs. He pointed out that Mann had even gone inside the Punjab Assembly in an inebriated condition and had refused to take the alcohol test. Referring to AAP inducting dreaded gangster Gurpreet Sekhon into the party, he said Sekhon was facing charges in 47 criminal cases, including the infamous Nabha Jailbreak that took place in November 2016 and several murders. Bajwa said he had been convicted and sentenced to 10 years jail term for the jailbreak, but his sentence had only been suspended by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He said AAP was planning to field him from the Zira Assembly segment, from where it already has a sitting MLA. Bajwa also referred to AAPs links with another dreaded gangster, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, who, though imprisoned in an Assam jail, was till calling shots in Punjab. He wondered how he was able to make phone calls to people from a jail in a BJP-ruled state. The Congress leader noted that the AAP-criminal nexus is being replayed. He said the gangster culture and drug addiction are the two existential threats Punjab was facing. While on drugs, AAP has failed completely; it has not only surrendered before the gangsters, but is now providing them with a political platform, Bajwa added.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, September 8 (IANS) The BRICS grouping is entering a critical phase in its evolution as its expanding membership and growing economic and geopolitical weight bring new opportunities and greater complexity, top analysts reckoned during a key dialogue organised on Tuesday ahead of this week's significant 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The BRICS Dialogue organised by the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) brought together diplomats, policymakers, scholars and experts to examine the evolving role of BRICS in the international order. During the discussions, the experts emphasised that India's fourth BRICS Presidency came at a particularly significant juncture, amid geopolitical contestation, economic fragmentation, technological disruption and growing demands for reform of global governance institutions. Indias presidency, they mentioned, sought to strengthen BRICS as a platform for practical, inclusive and sustainable cooperation under the theme of 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. BRICS is at the core of the Global South. Its relevance has grown amid a rapidly changing global order. Combining strengths is critical, and trilateral cooperation can be one of the most feasible ways to advance meaningful collaboration despite differences, said Ambassador Dammu Ravi, Former Secretary (Economic Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who represented India at several key BRICS meetings during his tenure. Emphasising the importance of multilateral organisations such as BRICS, he further noted: It is not about de-dollarisation, but about creating alternative avenues for trade and financial transactions. Given the diversity within BRICS, mechanisms such as the New Development Bank, with its capacity to facilitate transactions in local currencies, can play an important role. He added that India can take the lead in setting up a BRICS Secretariat. CRF President Shishir Priyadarshi also highlighted the importance of economic cooperation, noting that trade is one of the strongest pillars of geo-economic cooperation. The other three are financial cooperation, technology, and geopolitical integration. The challenge is building effective groupings despite geopolitical differences, mentioned the noted expert who is also a former Director of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). BRICS has evolved considerably since its emergence as an economic grouping. Its agenda today extends across global governance and institutional reform, trade and investment, development finance, technology and artificial intelligence, energy and climate, digital transformation and South-South cooperation. Following its recent expansion, BRICS now represents approximately 49.5 per cent of the worlds population and around 40 per cent of global GDP, significantly enhancing its potential influence on global economic and political debates. Former BRICS Sherpa, Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacharyya, reflected that BRICS was originally created with a focus on economic development, but it has evolved to engage with the multilateral system and integrate more closely with the global order. He stated that addressing the digital divide is an important part of this process and that BRICS needs to pursue issue-based multilateralism and play a much greater role in global rule-making. Bringing India's BRICS chairship into focus, Professor Srikanth Kondapalli said that, in an emerging multipolar world order, it is important to recognise that major partners have different perspectives on multipolarity. BRICS is important because it enables a bottom-up approach to cooperation, allowing countries to build resilience, diversify risks and strengthen alternative economic and strategic partnerships, rather than pursuing complete decoupling from existing systems, he said. Heena Makhija highlighted that BRICS is not a charter-based organisation and has witnessed both vertical and horizontal expansion, resulting in power asymmetry. Given this evolving and diverse membership, building consensus on establishing a BRICS Secretariat in New Delhi could be challenging, observed Makhija. Professor Harsh V Pant from the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) noted that BRICS was originally conceived as a geoeconomic platform, but divergences among member countries on the geopolitical front have made geopolitics an increasingly important dimension of the grouping. He also raised the question of whether BRICS can effectively serve as a platform for advancing India's multilateral agenda. Highlighting the idea of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' propagated by India, Sabyasachi Saha from the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) said that BRICS must focus on delivering tangible collective value beyond bilateral relationships among its members. Re-emphasising Ambassador Dammus remarks, Pritam Banerjee called for innovative financial instruments within the NDBs mandate to strengthen financial cooperation among BRICS members. The discussion also examined several areas where cooperation could deliver tangible results, including a BRICS Grain Exchange, interoperable paperless trade systems, reduction of non-tariff barriers and greater local-currency trade where commercially viable. Such initiatives could strengthen economic resilience while demonstrating the practical value of BRICS cooperation. A key takeaway from the dialogue was that BRICS' future credibility will increasingly depend on its ability to move from declarations to implementation. Its growing membership provides greater representation and collective weight, but also makes consensus-building and institutional continuity more important. Analysts reckoned that there is a need for India's 2026 presidency to leave behind mechanisms and initiatives capable of sustaining momentum beyond the year. They mentioned that, with the presidency moving to China next year, continuity will be critical to ensuring that priorities advanced during India's chairship contribute to the longer-term evolution of BRICS. BRICS, the participants agreed, is at an important turning point and its ability to turn diversity into complementarity, political intent into practical outcomes and greater representation into more effective multilateralism will determine the extent to which it can shape the evolving global order. /as
Dream of playing for India is still alive: Akash Madhwal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Akash Madhwal has made it clear that the dream of representing India remains firmly alive, with the Uttarakhand pacer believing that one strong season could propel him towards an international debut. Madhwal, who has already produced one of the most memorable playoff bowling performances in IPL history with his 5/5 against Lucknow Super Giants in 2023, said an India five-wicket haul would carry far greater significance for him. Obviously, a fifer for India! Everyone who plays cricket dreams of playing for India. To represent India. It's the same for us tooTo do something for India. To make a name for ourselves. It's the same, Madhwal told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Tuesday. He said the hard work that began during his days of playing tennis-ball cricket has ultimately been driven by the ambition of representing the country. Whatever hard work is going on, whether it's tennis balls or whatever we started professionally, it's all so that we can play for India once. And we can represent India, he said. Madhwal added that he hopes to replicate his famous IPL performance on the international stage. And the 5/5 that I picked in IPL for MI, I will do that for India too, he said. The fast bowler also believes he has more to offer than simply his reputation as a death-overs specialist and yorker bowler. As a cricketer, I have represented Uttarakhand. In Uttarakhand, I started as a strike bowler. And I used to rely on my strength for Yorkers and the death overs. So, I was a complete pace bowler, he said. Madhwal said playing alongside some of the world's leading bowlers in the IPL exposed him to different conditions and showed him how captains could utilise his abilities. When we went to the IPL, the conditions were different. The world's number one bowlers were playing with you. So, the captain used you according to your capability. But I think I am a pace bowler. Because I have been a strike bowler for Uttarakhand. I have been a strike bowler. I have been a death-over bowler. And whenever you see super overs, I have bowled for my team. And I have won a couple of times. So, I consider myself a pace bowler. It's not like I can only bowl at a certain limit. It's not like that, he said. Madhwal also acknowledged the intense competition for places in India's pace-bowling unit and said adapting to modern cricket would be crucial to his progress. As cricketers, we believe we have to represent India. So, we practise the same way in the off-season. In the previous season, what mistakes did we make? What did we learn? How did we move forward? What can we do better? As you said, there is a lot of competition for the bowling unit. We want to see how much we can improve. What variations can we bring? Because it is modern cricket. The sooner we adapt, the sooner we read the conditions, and the more chances we have to grow as a bowler, Madhwal said. He said the focus is now on making the most of every competitive opportunity. So, we do the same in the off-season. We are executing the platform that we are getting. We are taking it to perfection, he added. For Madhwal, however, the India ambition ultimately comes down to staying connected with the passion that took him into professional cricket in the first place. First of all, I started playing cricket out of passion. I asked my family for just one year. I told them I wanted to play cricket. I used to play with a tennis ball, and I had a love for cricket. So I asked my family for a years time to play cricket. That passion for cricket is different. If I still get into the field, I don't know anything about the rest of the world. What is going on and whats not. Cricket is very different. I just want to tell myself that. I never want to leave the thing I am very attached to. And the dream of playing for India is still inside me. Its just a matter of one good season that will lead me up to the top, Madhwal stated.
Srinagar, Sep 8: The 2nd UT Level Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) Meeting on Narcotics Control for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh was held at Police Control Room, Srinagar, under the chairpersonship of DDG (NWR), NCB and IG Crime/ANTF Head of J&K Police. Senior officers from various enforcement and stakeholder agencies including ED, BSF, State Drug Controller, IB, Customs, DRI, Income Tax, NIA along with District SSPs from Jammu, Srinagar and Ganderbal participated in the meeting. The participating agencies shared their experiences and enforcement initiatives and deliberated upon emerging trends in drug trafficking, inter-State linkages, illicit cultivation, information sharing, joint investigation, financial investigation and effective prosecution. Discussion was also held on making sincere efforts for implementation of Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029) by the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah in the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi on 26th June 2026. It was highlighted that the emphasis shall be on a network-centric approach to combat the drug menace. Further, emphasis was laid upon the need for strengthened inter-agency coordination, joint interrogation, effective financial investigation and greater utilization of available information-sharing mechanisms. The meeting concluded with a call for sustained cooperation among all stakeholder agencies and adoption of a Whole-of-Government approach to detect, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks in J&K and Ladakh.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia has filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and its leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, according to a court filing posted by Bhatia on X. The case is scheduled for hearing Wednesday.
Centre pushing Delhi land records digitisation for development: D Thara
Delhi needs a virtual database to consolidate land records, while transit-oriented development norms under MPD 2047 aim to simplify development near transport corridors
This October, A Young Couple Is Bringing Their Gen Z Marathi Film to the Big Screen
New Delhi [India], September 8: ForShubham Sanjay Shevadeand Aparna Kulkarni, making a Marathi feature film was never a matter of leaving their careers behind and moving into cinema. They made
Riyansh Multitrade Celebrates Seventh Anniversary in Delhi with Thousands of Direct Sellers
Focus on Wellness, Chemical-Free Farming and Entrepreneurship New Delhi [India], September 8: RiyanshMultitradePvt.Ltd., a leading company in the direct selling sector headquartered inSangamner, Maharashtra, celebrated its seventh anniversary with enthusiasm
National Film Awards to move to Gujarat's Kevadia for first time in 72 years
The National Film Awards ceremony is set to move out of Delhi for the first time in 72 years, with the 72nd edition scheduled to be held at Ekta Nagar, formerly Kevadia, in Gujarat on September 22. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards to the winners.
'Metro Man' Sreedharan meets CM Satheesan, discusses key development projects
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 8 (IANS) 'Metro Man' E. Sreedharan met Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Tuesday for discussions on major connectivity and development projects in the state. The meeting was held at the Chief Ministers office, and the discussions focused on improving connectivity. They also covered long-term development projects. Satheesan later described the discussions as fruitful. Met with Dr E. Sreedharan today. Held fruitful discussions on advancing key connectivity and state development projects to ensure sustainable, long-term growth, the Chief Minister said on his social media accounts. The meeting assumes significance given Sreedharans experience in executing major infrastructure projects in the country. Sreedharan is widely known for his role in the construction of the Delhi Metro, and was also closely associated with the development of the Konkan Railway. His expertise has also been sought for major transport projects in Kerala. Sreedharan had earlier held discussions with Satheesan on his proposal for a high-speed rail corridor in Kerala. He had submitted an interim report on the proposal to the Chief Minister. The UDF government later appointed an expert panel to examine the proposal and look into its technical and financial feasibility. Environmental and other aspects were also to be examined. The government has not taken a final decision on the project. Tuesdays meeting, however, was not described as being limited to the high-speed rail proposal. The Chief Minister referred to key connectivity and state development projects, suggesting that the discussions covered a broader development agenda. Sreedharans meeting with Satheesan comes at a time when the government is looking at ways to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the state. The government has been stressing the need for projects that are financially viable and sustainable. Sreedharans inputs could be significant in this context. The meeting also indicates that the government continues to engage with the veteran infrastructure expert on Keralas development priorities. No details of specific projects discussed at the meeting were officially disclosed. The meeting is expected to keep Sreedharans infrastructure proposals and his views on Keralas development agenda in focus.
Bi-layered single-piece dental implant reduces the need for surgical interventions
New Delhi, Sep 8: Researchers have developed a bi-layered structure integrating titanium alloy and zirconia components for dental applications that enhances durability, interfacial stability, and biocompatibility while reducing surgical complexity. Traditional dental implants consist of three components: a fixture embedded in the jawbone, an abutment connecting the fixture and crown, and the crown itself. These multi-component assemblies are susceptible to micromovements at the abutment interface, which can compromise osseointegration and lead to implant loosening. Furthermore, such systems typically require two to three surgical procedures, increasing patient discomfort and clinical complexity. Although titanium alloys and zirconia are widely used due to their biocompatibility and mechanical strength, each material has inherent limitations. Ti6Al4V can be susceptible to corrosion and gum recession in the moist environment of the mouth, while zirconia, although aesthetically appealing and corrosion-resistant, may degrade over time due to hydrolysis, affecting its long-term stability. To overcome these challenges, scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have designed a functionally integrated bi-layered structure that integrates titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) into a unified structure to address persistent limitations of conventional implants. In the structure, the Ti6Al4V serves as the load-bearing fixture for strong jawbone integration, and YSZ forms the crown region to provide superior wear resistance and aesthetics. The implant was fabricated using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), an advanced powder metallurgy technique. A custom-designed tapered graphite die enabled precise temperature control during sintering, allowing simultaneous densification of Ti6Al4V and YSZ, despite their widely differing sintering temperatures. This approach achieved a density of 99.5% in the material, producing a strong, defect-free bi-layered structure in a single processing step. After sintering, machining trials were conducted using a 5-axis CNC machine to produce the threaded implant shape. Some challenges related to tool movement along curved surfaces were observed, and process optimization is currently underway. The overall fabrication approach remains highly reproducible and suitable for scaling up to industrial production. Tests confirmed a distinct, well-bonded interface without cracks, delamination, pores, or secondary phases. Analysis revealed fine YSZ grains (~0.3 m), while Ti6Al4V grains near the interface were refined to 0.31 m compared to the bulk. No noticeable elemental diffusion was observed across the interface, indicating a stable ceramicmetal transition zone. The fabrication route demonstrates high reproducibility, making the process scalable for industrial production. Mechanical evaluation of the dense, bi-layered structure showed hardness values up to 1350 HV, compressive strength of approximately 1550 MPa, and flexural strength of approximately 310 MPa, comparable to or exceeding those of commercial implant materials. In vitro biological studies confirmed non-cytotoxic behavior and excellent biocompatibility. MTT assays (colorimetric test used to measure cellular metabolic activity) using L929 mouse fibroblast cells showed metabolic activity exceeding 90% across all tested concentrations, surpassing the minimum threshold for biomaterials. Hemolysis tests indicated negligible red blood cell damage, validating suitability for dental applications. By integrating mechanical robustness, corrosion resistance, aesthetic performance, and biological safety into a single-piece architecture, ARCIs bi-layered implant reduces the need for surgical interventions while improving long-term stability and patient outcomes. The innovation aligns with Indias growing demand for affordable, high-performance dental implants and strengthens indigenous biomedical device development. This work has been published in the journal Materials Letters on ScienceDirect.
Brisbane Heat sign England all-rounder Tom Curran for BBL 16
Digital Desk | Brisbane, Sep 8 (IANS) English all-rounder Tom Curran has joined the Brisbane Heat for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL 16), with the 31-year-old set to bring valuable pace-bowling experience and lower-order batting prowess to the side. The Heat confirmed this week that Curran will be the franchises first overseas signing for BBL 16 after the contracting embargo was lifted 10 days ago. The England international will join his third BBL club after previous stints with the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars. Curran has played 52 BBL matches, taking 72 wickets at an average of 20.61, including a career-best 4-10 for the Melbourne Stars last season. Curran is a three-format England international and Surrey stalwart and is approaching 300 career T20 appearances, having played 290 to date. In T20 cricket, he has scored 2,705 runs at a strike rate of 145.89 and a highest score of 67 not out, while his 297 wickets have come at an economy rate of 8.83. Heat coach James Hopes welcomed the opportunity to bring Curran into his squad, having previously worked with the all-rounder during his time with Delhi in the IPL. Were very pleased to sign a player with Toms skill level and experience, Hopes said. Hes fiercely competitive and from my experience coaching him at Delhi in the IPL, he lifts the other players around him through his energy, drive and focus. Hopes has also been impressed by Currans recent form, having watched him turn out for Edinburgh in the new Euro League, where he has taken 10 wickets in four games. Ive been watching him in action last week for the Edinburgh team in the new Euro League where he has taken 10 wickets in four games so far, and I am sure he will enjoy bowling for us at the Gabba, he said. While Currans bowling will be a key asset for Brisbane, Hopes believes his batting could have an equally significant impact, comparing his role in the lower order to that of Michael Neser. Batting wise, he is very similar to Mchael Neser in the way he can influence a game by managing the innings, either counter-attacking himself or getting the best out of his partner, Hopes said. Currans familiarity with Australian cricket conditions is another factor Brisbane believe will work in their favour, with his previous BBL experience giving him an understanding of the venues and conditions he is likely to encounter. Toms BBL experience with the Sixers and Stars is a bonus as he knows the Australian venues and conditions very well which will undoubtedly benefit our playing group, Hopes said.
A new weather advisory has been released, predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in various regions. Bihar and Odisha are set to face considerable downpours accompanied by lightning. Meanwhile, Delhi and Haryana will experience warmer temperatures with a possibility of light rain. In contrast, Rajasthan and Punjab are likely to enjoy hot and sunny weather, with no severe conditions expected. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand might witness scattered showers and sporadic thunderstorms.
Proposals in pipeline to connect Kangra Airport with Jammu, Jaipur, Dehradun
Shimla, Sep 8: The Kangra district, which is being developed as the tourist capital of Himachal Pradesh, could soon be aerially connected with Jammu while proposals to connect it with Jaipur and Dehradun are in the pipeline, officials said on Tuesday. IndiGo Airlines has proposed connecting Jammu to Kangra (Gaggal) Airport. The plan involves establishing connectivity between Jammu and Dharamshala as well as between Dharamshala and Delhi in the coming period, said Amit Saklani, Acting Director of Kangra Airport. He said the service could launch around the New Year, potentially on January 1. However, official confirmation is still pending. The move is expected to provide significant convenience to tourists visiting the Kangra Valley, including Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj. He added that travellers heading towards Leh could find relief from the current hassle of catching flights from Jammu or Delhi. Saklani said the airport currently faces some limitations regarding parking bay facilities. The goal is to complete the necessary upgrades within the next four to five months, after which the prospects for expanding air connectivity will strengthen significantly. He clarified that since the airline has only submitted a proposal so far, flight fares and final schedules have not yet been determined. About one lakh passengers have travelled through the airport between January and July this year and if this trend continues, the annual passenger volume is likely to reach around two lakh. Regarding the potential to connect Kangra Airport with other cities, Saklani said proposals have been received from airlines to establish connectivity with Jaipur and Dehradun as well. However, launching these services would require expanding the airport and enhancing existing facilities. A SpiceJet flight service to Jaipur had previously operated for about four to five months before it was discontinued. Now, we expect IndiGo will connect Kangra with Jaipur and Dehradun, he said.
Indian kabaddi player Brijendra Singh Choudhary sanctioned for anti-doping violation
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Indian kabaddi player Brijendra Singh Choudhary has been sanctioned for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for brinzolamide at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Tuesday. Choudharys urine sample was collected during an in-competition doping control on April 27, 2026, at the Asian Beach Games. The sample returned an adverse analytical finding for brinzolamide, a substance prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list. Brinzolamide is classified as a specified substance under the WADA Prohibited List and falls under the S5 category of diuretics and masking agents. It is prohibited both in and out of competition. The athlete accepted the anti-doping rule violation and the consequences imposed under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) anti-doping rules. As a result, his individual results at the Asian Beach Games have been disqualified, including his second-place finish in the mens Beach Kabaddi event. Choudhary was part of Indias six-member mens kabaddi team at the Sanya Games. The team also included Jitendra Yadav, Yatharth Deshwal, Neeraj, Jai Bhagwan and Bhanu Pratap Tomar. India reached the mens final after beating Pakistan 50-27 in the semi-final. However, the team could not overcome Iran in the gold-medal clash, losing 44-31. India trailed 11-23 at half-time and could not recover in the second half as Iran secured the gold medal. The silver was Indias second consecutive silver in mens Beach Kabaddi at the Asian Beach Games, following the teams runner-up finish in the previous edition. The ITA imposed the sanction on the OCAs behalf in accordance with the applicable anti-doping rules. The case will now be transferred to the International Kabaddi Federation for a decision on any further consequences under its rules. The ITA said the matter has been resolved from the OCAs perspective. Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) under the OCA anti-doping rules. Meanwhile, Indias womens kabaddi team won the gold medal in Sanya, defeating Sri Lanka 47-31 in the final. The victory extended Indias run of six consecutive Asian Beach Games titles in womens kabaddi.
One crore youngsters in race for Viksit Bharat dialogue
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 8 (IANS) Nearly one crore youngsters are expected to take part in a nationwide talent hunt that will select young representatives for the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2027, with Kerala's participants being challenged to come up with ideas on the blue economy, human capital and global competitiveness. Registration for the programme has begun through the MY Bharat platform, with youngsters aged 15 to 29 eligible to take part in the Viksit Bharat quiz. The last date for participation is September 30. The quiz set a Guinness World Record last year for attracting the highest number of participants in a quiz competition within a week. MY Bharat State Director S.R. Abhay Shankar on Tuesday announced the programme here. He said the initiative was aimed at harnessing the creativity, ideas and innovative potential of young people and bringing them into the country's development process. The selected youngsters will participate in the national-level Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi from January 10 to 12, 2027. The programme is being organised in connection with National Youth Day, which is observed on January 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Kerala has been assigned Blue Economy, Human Capital & Global Competitiveness as the theme for the Viksit Bharat Challenge. Around 45 participants will be selected from the State, with the top three getting an opportunity to make presentations at the national level. The Viksit Bharat Challenge will be held in three stages: quiz, essay and PowerPoint presentation. The national initiative will have six tracks, covering the Viksit Bharat Challenge, culture, design, technology, entrepreneurship and youth parliament. The winners will also get an opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister. The Cultural Track will provide 24 youngsters from Kerala an opportunity to represent the State at the national level. They will be selected from the winners of Kerala Utsavam competitions organised by the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board. The Design for Bharat competition will invite young people to develop solutions to local development challenges. NIT Calicut is the nodal agency for Kerala. The Hack for Social Cause competition, with IIT Bombay as knowledge partner, will focus on digital solutions to social problems, with IIT Palakkad as the State nodal agency. A new Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, with IIT Kanpur as knowledge partner, will provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to present startup ideas and business plans. The age limit for this track is 35 years. The Youth Parliament finalists will get an opportunity to participate in the national-level programme at Samvidhan Sadan, the old Parliament building, in New Delhi. Kerala will have three representatives. Kerala State Youth Welfare Board Member Secretary M. Swapna was also present. The organisers said the initiative would give young people an opportunity not merely to participate in competitions but also to put forward ideas and solutions relating to India's development. Interested youngsters can register by participating in the Viksit Bharat quiz through the MY Bharat portal.
BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi luxury hotels face room crunch, tariffs surge around event dates
Delhi's luxury hotels are experiencing a severe room shortage and increased prices. This situation is occurring just before the upcoming BRICS Summit event. Many top properties show no availability for the summit dates. High tariffs are being quoted for the few remaining rooms. This surge impacts regular tourists and business travelers.
DFPD, FCI sign MoU to modernise India's foodgrain management
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Department of Food & Public Distribution and the Food Corporation of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for FY27 that sets defined targets to cut storage losses, optimise capacity use and accelerate modernisation of the countrys foodgrain management, an official statement said on Tuesday. The MoU also establishes a comprehensive performance framework for FCI, to improve operational efficiency, strengthen accountability, the statement from the Department of Food & Public Distribution said. The agreement introduces a measurable and outcome-oriented approach to FCIs functioning by linking its performance with clearly defined annual parameters. The framework aims to promote greater efficiency in the utilisation of resources, strengthen transparency in operations and encourage adoption of technology-driven solutions across the organisation. The MoU focuses on improvement in logistics and supply chain management, and strengthening of quality control mechanisms. It also places emphasis on greater digitisation of business processes and adoption of modern Information Technology solutions to enhance efficiency, transparency and monitoring of FCIs operations. As part of the modernisation agenda, the MoU provides for capacity building and skill development initiatives for FCI employees, enabling the organisation to effectively adopt emerging technologies and contemporary systems of foodgrain management. A proportion of the MoU targets has been linked to the performance of FCIs depots through the Depot Darpan Portal, a web-based platform for assessing depot infrastructure and operational efficiency. Outcome- and target-based benchmarks have been incorporated to strengthen physical infrastructure, improve operational performance and promote continuous improvement across FCI depots. FCI plays a pivotal role in maintaining the countrys food security by undertaking procurement, storage, movement and distribution of foodgrains on behalf of Central government. Due to large scale of public resources involved in its operations, efficient utilisation of food subsidy and continuous improvement in operational processes remain key priorities, the statement noted.
Dehradun T20 League providing important platform for Uttarakhand cricketers: Madhwal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Uttarakahand pacer Akash Madhwal believes tournaments such as the ongoing Dehradun T20 League are providing local cricketers with valuable opportunities to showcase their abilities as they prepare for the demanding domestic season ahead. Madhwal, who is leading Mussoorie Thunders in the competition, said players from the state are approaching the tournament with the same intensity they would bring to an IPL or an India game. First of all, as players, we have to prove ourselves in every game. We do not approach the game lightly. Whenever we go to play, we enter the ground. For us, every game is like an Indian game, like an IPL game, whatever cricket we are playing, Madhwal told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Tuesday. The Uttarakhand pacer also underlined the growth of cricket infrastructure and opportunities in the state, pointing to the increasing number of tournaments being organised for players. And secondly, the cricket happening here in Uttarakhand used to be very limited before. Now, there are very good platforms. For example, this is our third district tournament, and it is being held at such a high level. And thanks to CAU, our association, which is giving us so much cricket, he said. Madhwal believes the increased exposure is particularly important for young cricketers looking to make their way into professional cricket. After this, our major tournament is coming up, the UPL, the Uttarakhand Premier League. So, all these platforms are very important for us as senior players and for all the youngsters who want to play. Because all this is happening live and someone is watching us from somewhere, he said. Whatever is happening, thanks to CAU and thanks to Uttarakhand Cricket, we are getting very good cricket. And we are trying to encourage more players like me to come forward, make Uttarakhand proud, and do well in their cricket journey, Madhwal added. The 32-year-old said the Dehradun T20 League is also helping players carry the work done during the off-season into competitive matches. As I told you earlier, as cricketers, we approach every game in the same way as the big games. So, the off-season practice we have done, we apply it in our games, he said. Madhwal also pointed to the difficult weather conditions in Uttarakhand, particularly during the monsoon, which can restrict the amount of competitive cricket available to players. As you know, for all the tournaments we have, the conditions are not that good here in Uttarakhand. The monsoon arrives very early and lasts a long time. So, in all the cricket we play, we have the same mindset: we want to stick to our game plan and play for our state in the IPL or the Syed Mushtaq Ali. So, we have the same approach here, he said. With Uttarakhand set to enter the Ranji Trophy season, Madhwal feels the current competition can also serve as useful preparation for the domestic campaign, particularly with home matches scheduled to be played in familiar conditions. Yes, definitely. We have the Ranji Trophy season next. We have a home-and-away season. So, all the home matches will be played here, he said. The conditions here, including the pitch and the weather, will help us in the tournament we are playing here. It will help us in our season. We will get to know the overall condition of the pitch. It will help us in some way, Madhwal added.
India and China Corps Commanders held talks in Arunachal Pradesh, confirms MEA
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Following the several rounds of discussions held India and China under various mechanisms in the recent times, the first senior highest military commander-level flag meeting was held along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Vacha on the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh on September 6 and at Damai on the Chinese side on September 7, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Tuesday. Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the meetings were held following the understandings reached between the representatives of India and China and subsequent discussions at the Working Mechanisms for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meeting. Pursuant to the understandings reached between the special representatives of India and China in August 2025 and August 2026 and subsequent discussions at the Working Mechanisms for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) mechanisms that we have, meetings of which were held in Beijing and in New Delhi in May and August 2026 respectively, the first senior highest military commander-level flag Meeting was held at Wacha on the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh on September 6 and in Damai on the Chinese side on September 7. A similar mechanism also exists in the Western sector, said Jaiswal. On August 25, National Security Advisor (NSA) and Special Representative of India on India-China Boundary Question, Ajit Doval, highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas for the continued development and progress of the bilateral relationship during the 25th Round of the Special Representatives Talks on the India-China Boundary Question held in Beijing. NSA Doval and Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister and also the Chinese Special Representative and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission - held comprehensive, in-depth, friendly, and candid discussions on the China-India boundary issue and bilateral relations during the meeting. According to the MEA, the two sides noted the progress made in implementing the important consensus reached between their leaders - Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping - in Kazan in October 2024 and Tianjin in August 2025. They also expressed satisfaction at the steady resumption of people-to-people and cross-border exchanges, including the ongoing Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and border trade through the three designated border trading passes. Under the strategic guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, and in a constructive and forward-looking spirit, the two Special Representatives had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the India-China Boundary Question, and agreed to continue their work in seeking a political settlement of the boundary question in the context of their overall and long-term interests, read a statement issued by the MEA after the meeting. The Indian side highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas for the continued development and progress of the bilateral relationship, it added. On August 6, India and China held discussions on issues related to boundary delimitation, border management, mechanismbuilding and transborder cooperation. The discussions were held during the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on IndiaChina Border Affairs (WMCC) in New Delhi, the MEA said in a statement. The two sides engaged in frank discussions and reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Further, it was underlined that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations, said the MEA. During the meeting, the officials of the two nations agreed to continue to use existing diplomatic and military channels, including the WMCC, local commanderlevel meetings and other agreed mechanisms, to resolve outstanding issues and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation along the LAC. The Indian side reiterated the need for early convening of the next meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on transborder rivers and stressed the importance of sharing technical details on upstream projects.
Journalist details what went on behind the Delhi Police assault
New Delhi: Journalist Shaheen Khan said she could not breathe while the Delhi Police assaulted and brutally dragged her up the stairs after she, along with her sister and colleague Nafisa Khan, were detained at Saket Police Station in Delhi on September 3. Speaking to AltNews, Shaheen described how she endured the alleged assault and 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 .
Sonu Sood demands affordable student hostels after Delhi building collapse
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has demanded the construction of affordable hostels for students in the wake of a tragic building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan area.
AIIMS Delhi Project Coordinator Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS Delhi) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for Project Coordinator posts. A total of 1 vacancy has been announced under this recruitment drive. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through email up to 15-09-2026. The detailed notification and application details are available on the official website.
It feels good to be one of the six girls going: Antim Panghal eyes Asian Games gold
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) As Antim Panghal prepares to return to the Asian Games, the wrestler is approaching the competition with the experience of Hangzhou 2022 behind her and a clear focus on what lies ahead. With the Indian wrestling team currently training together, Antim says the atmosphere in camp has been driven by a common ambition - to bring home a medal for the country. Our camp is going well. We are all training together with the same mindset of getting a medal for our country. It feels good to be one of the six girls going. The Asian Games are a big deal because they happen only once every four years. Once they are gone, you have to wait another four years, said Antim. For now, her attention is firmly on the Asian Games, with technique forming a major part of her preparation. The presence of Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi at the camp, who also is the disciplines head coach at Inspire Institute of Sport, has also given the wrestlers an opportunity to learn and add to their game, while the team environment has helped push everyone to improve together. We are mainly working on technique right now. We also have coach (Kosei) Akaishi from Japan who has been helping and teaching us a lot. The Indian team camps are very useful because we all learn a lot from each other. When we work together, it brings out the best in all of us, she added. The significance of representing India is not lost on Antim, who has already experienced the pressure and pride that comes with competing at the highest level. Her journey in wrestling began because of her elder sister, a kabaddi player who introduced her to the sport. Years later, one of her biggest early milestones came when she won the Junior World Championship - without even knowing at the time that she had become the first Indian to win the title. My elder sister was a kabaddi player and she got me into wrestling. When I won the Junior World Championship, I didn't even know that no Indian had won it before. I only found out when I was leaving and my coach told me at the airport that no Indian had ever come first. That was when I realised how special it was, Antim recalled. That same journey has been supported by IIS since the 2022 Commonwealth trials, when the institute first sponsored her. From physiotherapy and equipment to the wider demands of training as a high-performance athlete, Antim says the support has allowed her to stay focused on the work. In 2022, during the Commonwealth trials, IIS sponsored me and they have been supporting me ever since. Whether it is physio, equipment or anything else, they have always supported me. They have helped me in every aspect, she said. With the World Championships following the Asian Games, Antim is already looking towards the next stage of her journey and the opportunity to move closer to her Olympic ambitions. But for now, her focus remains on the competition in front of her and making the most of another chance to represent India. Mehnat karne se sab ho jaata hai (Hard work is the key to everything). I will give my all in the World Championship trials after the Asian Games and hopefully, through those trials, qualify for the Olympics, Antim said.
Lift stay on CBI probe against former Kerala Chief Secy Abraham: Petitioner tells SC
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 8 (IANS) Petitioner Jomon Puthenpurackal on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court seeking removal of the interim stay on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into alleged disproportionate assets of retired former Kerala Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham. In a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Jomon contended that there was no legal basis to halt the CBI probe and urged the court to allow the investigation to proceed. The CBI has also opposed Abraham's petition seeking to stop the investigation. In its affidavit, CBI Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Renuka Devi, who is also the Investigating Officer of the agency's Kochi Anti-Corruption unit, said that Abraham's plea was not maintainable and should be dismissed. The case relates to alleged possession of assets disproportionate to Abraham's known sources of income during the period from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2015. The Kerala High Court had ordered registration of an FIR and a CBI investigation on April 11, 2025. The CBI registered the case on April 25. Abraham subsequently approached the Supreme Court, which granted an interim stay on the probe. A key issue before the Supreme Court is whether prior government sanction was required before investigating Abraham. Jomon has said that no such sanction was necessary, relying on the 1984 Constitution Bench judgment in the R.S. Nayak-A.R. Antulay case. He has also contended that Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, introduced through an amendment in 2018, cannot be applied retrospectively to alleged offences committed much earlier. Jomon also alleged that an earlier Vigilance inquiry into Abraham's assets had been curtailed, with the period of investigation allegedly reduced from 2000-2015 to 2000-2009. He claimed that the Kerala High Court had taken note of the issue. The petitioner has also raised allegations regarding the non-disclosure of property details in mandatory statements submitted by government officials. He referred to properties allegedly held in Kollam, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram, including a shopping complex, a flat in Mumbai and an apartment in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Jomon said Abraham's allegation that the High Court proceedings amounted to forum shopping could not be accepted. He also added that Abraham had since resigned as CEO of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board and as Chief Principal Secretary to the former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after the change of government in Kerala. Jomon said that allowing the CBI investigation to continue was in the larger public interest and that the stay, if continued at the initial stage of the probe, could impede efforts to establish the truth. Following his retirement, Abraham occupied key posts in the Pinarayi Vijayan administration and was the trusted aide of Vijayan.
Indias energy imports from Russia at record high: Kremlin spokesperson
Digital Desk | Moscow, Sep 8 (IANS) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that there is no slowdown in Indias Russian energy imports which continue to set records. I dont want to give you any figures for understandable reasons, but every month we have a new record, Peskov said in a virtual briefing with Indian journalists, ahead of the BRICS Summit to be held in the national capital this week. He also said the issue of accumulated rupee payments in the India-Russia bilateral trade was gradually being resolved. Peskov further stated that Russia and India are holding discussions for closer cooperation in the exploration of rare earths, while the issue of Russia selling its Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet to India is on the bilateral agenda. Peskov said that the BRICS currency shift was driven by Western pressure, not desire to abandon the dollar. He pointed out that the use of national currencies is not a de-dollarisation policy. We do not want to claim any de-dollarisation policy. We're simply doing what better corresponds with our national interests, Peskov told the media. He further stated that certain countries are using some national currencies as a tool for political pressure. If they don't let us use their money, we use our own money, Peskov said. Russia turned to national currencies after being denied right to use the dollar and euro. Russia does not seek de-dollarisation and is open to every acceptable method of payment, he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, where he will promote security, the economy, finance and culture. Putin will also hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, with trade and economy forming a large part of the agenda, he added. Indias BRICS Presidency in 2026, under the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, comes at a pivotal moment. With an expanded membership comprising Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with 10 partner countries, BRICS@21 now has a significantly broader geographic and economic footprint. For India, this expansion presents a major opportunity to strengthen exports, attract investment, diversify supply chains, promote technology partnerships and contribute to a more inclusive and multipolar global economic order. The partner countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, further broaden the outreach.
Russia fulfilling obligations: Kremlin on remaining S-400 deliveries
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday confirmed that the delivery of Russia's S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India in 2026 remains on the agenda of discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their upcoming meeting in New Delhi on Friday, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. Russia is capable of fulfilling its obligations, and they will be fulfilled. This issue is being mentioned during the conversations of our two leaders, said Peskov while speaking to Indian media during a virtual briefing hosted by Sputnik India. In 2018, New Delhi signed a $5.43 billion agreement with Russia to purchase five S-400 air defence systems. The delivery of the two systems remaining under the contract is expected to be completed this year. On March 27, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the acquisition of additional Russian S-400 air defence missile systems, further underscoring the growing defence cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow. The Ministry of Defence stated that, for the Indian Air Force, proposals were cleared for the procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft, S-400 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System, Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft and overhaul of Su-30 Aero engine Aggregates. The induction of Medium Transport Aircraft by replacing the transport fleet of AN32 and IL76 will meet the strategic, tactical and operational airlift requirements of the Services, it said. The S-400 system will counter enemy long-range air vectors targeting vital areas, while the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft will enable undertaking Offensive Counter and Coordinated Air Operations, also providing stealth Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance activities. The overhaul of Su-30 aero engine and its aggregates will increase the service life of the aircraft and fulfil the operational requirement of the Air Force, the Ministry of Defence had stated on March 27. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Peskov further stressed the need to advance the long-standing defence cooperation between the two countries and expressed Russia's readiness to share its advanced military equipment with India. Referring to the BrahMos missile programme, he said the two countries should now explore ways to upgrade the system by adding new capabilities and improving its effectiveness and competitiveness. We are satisfied with our cooperation in the military field and in the technical-military field with India. It has very rich traditions, and it is a deeply rooted cooperation. We have very good military equipmentsome of which is the best in the worldand we are ready to share this equipment with our Indian partners. We have even gone further in this cooperation than just buying and selling: we are producing jointly. As you know, with BrahMos, we are producing missiles jointly. It is now time to think about improving those missiles, adding additional capabilities, and making them more competitive on the market and more effective... the Kremlin spokesperson mentioned. Peskov said that military cooperation would be an important area of discussion during Putin's visit to New Delhi, while noting that the details could not be discussed publicly. Cooperation in the military field is a very sensitive sphere and, of course, no one would discuss it publicly and openly. But, I would like to assure you that we have lots of issues to be discussed in this context, and all these issues will also be on the agenda during the visit, he noted.
J&K, Ladakh agencies step up coordination to combat narcotics trafficking
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Sep 8 (IANS) The second Union Territory-level Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting on Narcotics Control for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was held in Srinagar on Tuesday, with senior officials from multiple enforcement and intelligence agencies reviewing strategies to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking. Officials said the meeting was held at the Police Control Room, Srinagar, under the chairmanship of DDG (NWR), NCB, and IG Crime/ANTF Head of J&K Police. Senior officers from various enforcement and stakeholder agencies, including ED, BSF, State Drug Controller, IB, Customs, DRI, Income Tax, and NIA, along with District SSPs from Jammu, Srinagar and Ganderbal participated in the meeting. The participating agencies shared their experiences and enforcement initiatives and deliberated upon emerging trends in drug trafficking, inter-State linkages, illicit cultivation, information sharing, joint investigation, financial investigation and effective prosecution. Discussion was also held on making sincere efforts for implementation of Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029) by the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, in the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi on June 26. It was highlighted that the emphasis shall be on a network-centric approach to combat the drug menace. Further, emphasis was laid upon the need for strengthened inter-agency coordination, joint interrogation, effective financial investigation and greater utilization of available information-sharing mechanisms. The meeting concluded with a call for sustained cooperation among all stakeholder agencies and adoption of a Whole-of-Government approach to detect, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks in J&K and Ladakh. Narcotics control is a major challenge faced by the country, and is more serious in border states like Punjab, J&K, Ladakh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and the northeast. In recent months, the Narcotics Control Bureau has seized heroin and other narcotic substances in huge quantities costing tens of millions. The control of narcotics assumes national significance not just for its danger of running a parallel economy, but more so for destroying future generations through addiction.
Sonu Sood Urges Government To Build Safe, Affordable Hostels After Delhi PG Collapse Kills 7
Sonu Sood has urged the government to build safe, affordable hostels for students after a five-storey PG building collapsed in Delhi, killing seven people. Sood suggested using vacant government land around universities and expanding on-campus accommodation. His appeal comes amid renewed questions over student safety and housing in major cities. The actor has also been extending relief support to people affected by the crisis in Nepal.
Delhi to introduce new PG policy within 1-2 months: says Minister Ashish Sood
NEW DELHI: Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday said the government will introduce a comprehensive policy to regulate paying guest (PG) accommodations within the next one to two months, following the recent building collapse in Satya Niketan. Sood made the announcement after interacting with university students, including NSS volunteers, living in PGs and []
BRICS India 2026: The BRICS India 2026 visual identity has been unveiled by Indias Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Featuring a Namaste gesture, the logo embodies warmth, mutual respect and harmonious collaboration among the nations. Its vibrant petals symbolise the unity and collective strength of BRICS member countries, while subtly representing the three key pillars of cooperation. The grand event is set to take place in New Delhi on September 1213, 2026.
DoT prevents over Rs 5,000 crore in suspected cyber fraud losses in 15 months
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Tuesday helped prevent suspected cyber fraud losses of more than Rs 5,000 crore through its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), within 15 months of its launch on May 22, 2025. According to the DoT, cumulative savings through the use of FRI rose from Rs 139.16 crore in August 2025 to Rs 5,043.73 crore by August 2026. More than Rs 2,000 crore in suspected losses were prevented in the four months from April 2026 alone, the Ministry of Communications said. The department said the amount represents money that did not have to be traced, frozen or recovered because it was prevented from leaving citizens' accounts in the first place. The FRI is a risk-assessment framework developed by the DoT to help financial institutions assess in real time whether a mobile number is potentially linked to cybercrime or financial fraud. It operates through the DoT's Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which classifies mobile numbers as medium, high or very high risk based on the likelihood of their involvement in financial fraud. The risk classification draws intelligence from several sources, including citizen reports submitted through the Sanchar Saathi platform, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre's National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, and information shared by telecom operators, banks, financial institutions and other telecom-related parameters. The intelligence generated through the DIP is securely shared with banks, payment service providers, insurers, securities intermediaries and pension-sector entities. These institutions can incorporate the risk signals into customer onboarding, transaction monitoring and fraud detection systems, allowing them to identify potentially fraudulent transactions before the money is transferred. The DoT said the approach represents a shift from reactive fraud management to a preventive model, where suspicious transactions can be identified at the point of initiation. The department highlighted that prevention can significantly reduce the burden associated with recovering money after a cyber fraud has taken place. Fraud proceeds can move rapidly through multiple mule accounts, making recovery a race against time. In contrast, an FRI check can be completed in a fraction of a second when a payment is initiated.
Sachin Pilot Meets Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Following Punjab Appointment
Sachin Pilot met Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in Delhi after his appointment as Punjab in-charge, discussing strategies for upcoming elections. Sachin Pilot Meets Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Following Punjab Appointment
PM Modi and Russian President Putin to hold talks in New Delhi on Friday: Kremlin spokesperson
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India later this week to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Tuesday. Speaking to Indian mediapersons ahead of Putins visit, Peskov said that the two leaders will discuss bilateral ties and []
Delhi High Court JJA Revised Result 2026 Out - Check Revised List
Delhi High Court JJA Revised Result 2026 OUT (Notice No. 82/Exams-NJ/DHC, 08/09/2026): Check PwBD category-wise cut-off marks, 83 shortlisted candidates, revised EWS cut-off (93.333), and direct result/scorecard login link here.
New Delhi, Sep 8: IAF is organising Dronathon-2026 with an aim to offer domestic manufacturers to exhibit their capabilities and advancements in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS). The event is designed to help stakeholders to witness emerging drone and counter drone technologies along with their operational demonstration and foster mutual learning. The event is scheduled to take place at Pokhran range, Jaisalmer from 14 to 16 Sep 2026. The event comprises of static display and live demonstrations. It will help to identify contemporary solutions and evaluate their combat effectiveness. Key areas of focus include surveillance and reconnaissance, autonomous operations, swarm technologies, and electronic warfare. Aligning with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Dronathon-2026 aims to bolster the indigenous defence ecosystem by integrating industry experts, start-ups, and innovators. Through such initiatives, the IAF remains committed to building a technologically advanced, indigenous and future ready force capable of meeting security challenges in the rapidly changing operational environment.
I want to prove a point at Chelsea: Palmer ready to put injury struggles behind him
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is determined to make his mark in the 2026-27 Premier League season after an injury-hit campaign last year, with the England international saying he has regained both his fitness and confidence and is ready to express himself under new manager Xabi Alonso. Palmer scored 10 goals and registered one assist in 26 league appearances last season, but injuries repeatedly disrupted his campaign. The 24-year-old believes the physical setbacks also affected him mentally, making it difficult to regain his natural rhythm on the pitch. Last season was frustrating because injuries kept interrupting my rhythm. When you go out injured, doubts start to creep in. You second-guess every movement; you hesitate because you remember how it felt when it hurt. That kind of mental block can be harder to overcome than the injury itself. But I've moved past that now. I'm fully fit, and my head is clear. I know what I can do on the pitch, and I'm determined to show it this season. I want to prove a point at Chelsea, Palmer said speaking in an interview shared by JioStar. Alonso's arrival has also given Palmer a clear idea of what is expected of him. Rather than restricting his attacking instincts, the Chelsea manager has encouraged him to play freely and use his movement to exploit space in the final third. Before the season started, Xabi Alonso told me to just be free on the pitch. He knows what I'm capable of when I'm confident. He wants me to find spaces, move into dangerous areas, and make things happen. That kind of trust from a manager gives you a lot of belief. I feel like I can express myself without fear. I know where I can hurt the opposition, and he wants me to go out and do that. That's what he told me. Palmer will also have a new attacking partnership to develop this season following the arrival of Morgan Rogers. The Chelsea forward revealed that he had spoken to Rogers before the move and believes their contrasting qualities could make them effective together. I spoke to Morgan Rogers before he arrived at Chelsea and told him he'll make a big difference here. We're bringing in other players too, so the squad is looking strong. I genuinely believe we can achieve something special together. Morgan and I are different kinds of players, he brings more physicality and power, while I'm more technical and creative. That balance should work well for us on the pitch. I think we can complement each other and help the team move forward. The pair have already shared a memorable celebration, with Rogers' trademark cold celebration making an appearance after Chelsea's game against Fulham. Palmer suggested supporters may see the two teammates recreate the moment together. We haven't really talked about the cold celebration after scoring. I knew Morgan would do it anyway because it's his style, but we've never actually discussed whether we'll do it together or not. It happened in the Fulham game, and we're going to do it again together soon. I guess we'll figure it out when the moment comes. With fitness no longer dominating his preparations, Palmer's focus is now on translating his confidence into performances for Chelsea as the new Premier League campaign unfolds.
7 arrested in death of Manipur-origin musician C Vikram Singh in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Seven people and a juvenile have been arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the death of 54-year-old Manipur-origin musician C Vikram Singh following an alleged physical assault in South Delhi. The incident took place after a late-night altercation involving Singh and some delivery boys and dhaba workers. The Delhi Police arrested []
The PM-SETU initiative highlights the approved development of ITI clusters in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police is set to submit a chargesheet regarding the tragic death of a Manipuri musician. In international news, China expresses its support for India's leadership at the upcoming BRICS Summit, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarks on a visit to Sri Lanka.
PM Modi, Putin to hold bilateral talks on September 11; Su-57 fighter jet sale on agenda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. Speaking during a virtual briefing from Moscow, Peskov confirmed that the two leaders would hold another bilateral [] The post PM Modi, Putin to hold bilateral talks on September 11; Su-57 fighter jet sale on agenda appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
