Nrn Army Commander reaffirms commitment to peace in J

Srinagar, Sep 11:General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Friday said the Army will continue to remain committed to nation-building while ensuring peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a function at Army Goodwill School (AGS), Lt Gen Sharma said, As we march towards Viksit Bharat, Northern Command will continue to [] The post Nrn Army Commander reaffirms commitment to peace in J&K appeared first on Northlines .

Seeking five-day banking week, employees take out protest march, stage demonstration

Bank employees affiliated to the United Forum of Bank Unions took out a protest march and staged a demonstration in Hubballi on Friday, demanding introduction of a five-day banking week and urging the Centre to resolve their long-pending demands

Jaipur civic polls: 'UCC rollback' slogans raised before Raj Dy CM Diya Kumari

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 11 (IANS) During the second phase of local elections in Rajasthan, the situation became politically charged when some people raised slogans demanding the rollback of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in front of Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari outside a polling station in Jaipur. As voting for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections continued on Friday, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari visited several polling stations in Jaipur during the voting process. Her visit to a polling booth in the Vidyadhar Nagar Assembly constituency however drew objections from Congress workers, who accused her of attempting to influence voters. Congress workers alleged that Diya Kumari's visit to polling booths while voting was underway was inappropriate and could amount to an attempt to influence the electoral process. They questioned whether a senior political leader should visit polling stations on polling day. Security personnel present at the spot intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. Complaints were also raised by several voters who arrived at polling stations only to find that their names were missing from the electoral rolls. Some residents alleged that the names of a large number of voters had been omitted from the lists and blamed negligence on the part of Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The affected voters expressed their frustration and questioned how they could exercise their franchise if their names were not included in the voter list. The issue was raised in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister, with residents seeking answers from the administration. The situation became more politically charged when some people outside the polling station raised slogans demanding the rollback of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The slogans were raised in front of Diya Kumari as political activity continued around the polling station. The incident added another dimension to the tensions surrounding the voting process in Jaipur. The Congress' objections over the Deputy Chief Minister's visit, complaints regarding missing names from the electoral rolls and the slogans demanding UCC rollback contributed to a politically charged atmosphere at the polling station. Voting for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections however continued across the city, with voters exercising their franchise in the ongoing urban local body polls.

Jarange Patil sets sights on Mumbai as Maratha agitation escalates

Digital Desk | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sep 11 (IANS) With signals suggesting that the Maharashtra government delegation may ignore the ongoing agitation, Manoj Jarange Patilwho has brought the issue of certificates back to the centre of discussion by seeking to rectify flaws in the Maratha reservation is preparing to head to Mumbai along with his supporters. A meeting of supporters has been called at 12 p.m. on September 12 to decide the further course of action. Jarange Patil stated that permission for the protest at Mumbais Azad Maidan has been sought, expressing confidence that the government will grant it. Criticising the administration by stating, Unless you press the nose, the mouth doesn't open, he made it clear that the protesters are now bound for Mumbai. If we apply according to the law, it is the government's responsibility to grant permission. The Home Ministry must approve it, and the government should abide by the rules. However, the government considers itself above everyone, above the courts, and is violating the Constitution. Permission will be granted, and the hunger strike will take place at Azad Maidan, Jarange Patil said. He instructed supporters not to bring vehicles to Antarwali Sarati, advising those coming from distant places to arrive at night and locals to arrive in the morning. The government representatives noted that out of the 15 demands raised during Jarange Patil's movement, 12 have already been fulfilled upon detailed review, emphasising that the government keeps all doors open for discussion. Even as the decision to intensify the agitation was being made, Abhijit Dipke of the Cockroach Janata Party met Jarange Patil, requesting him to end his hunger strike considering his deteriorating health, while simultaneously warning the government against laying a hand on him. Expressing deep concern over Jarange Patils deteriorating health, Dipke urged the activist to end his fast, emphasising that Maharashtra desperately needs his presence for the broader social cause. At the same time, Dipke issued a sharp warning to the state government, demanding immediate dialogue and cautioning authorities against taking any coercive measures against the hunger striker. If the government had fulfilled its basic duties by providing quality education and employment opportunities, people like Manoj Jarange would not have been forced to sit on indefinite hunger strikes. This is a clear failure of the administration, Dipke told reporters after meeting Jarange Patil. Dipke heavily criticised the administration's perceived apathy, contrasting its inaction with its public engagements elsewhere. The government seems to have time to meet comedians and social media figures, but nobody has time to come here and talk to a leader who has been fasting for 14 days for the welfare of his community, he remarked. Invoking recent events involving activist Sonam Wangchuk, Dipke strongly warned against any forceful police removal from the site. This is Maharashtra. If the government tries to forcibly touch or remove Manoj Jarange Patil, people from every corner of the state will march directly to Antarwali Sarati, and the government will have to face the consequences, Dipke declared. Meanwhile, support for Jarange Patil's movement continues to grow across various districts of Marathwada even as preparations gain momentum for the proposed protest march to Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Under the banner of Sakal Maratha Samaj, a two-hour road blockade was staged on the Latur-Barshi route in the Chincholirao Wadi area of Latur taluka, where protesters raised fierce slogans against the government. In Nitur, Nilanga taluka, tyres were burnt to block the Latur-Zaheerabad highway. As supporters take to the streets, the government has begun releasing summaries detailing the number of certificates issued across different districts.

Take Fire Safety Seriously

It is worth noting that fire takes no time to destroy what people spend years building. Todays fire incident at Mandi Town in Poonch District is another reminder of this hard fact. Reportedly, the newly opened Chinar Cafe was completely gutted after two LPG cylinders exploded inside the closed eatery in the wee hours. The [] The post Take Fire Safety Seriously appeared first on Northlines .

Farmers protest demanding uninterrupted power supply in Karimnagar district

KVPS stages protest demanding disbursal of pending compensation to victims of caste-based atrocities

KVPS stages protest demanding disbursal of pending compensation to victims of caste-based atrocities

Balochistan crackdown widens as women become targets of Pakistani authorities' repression

Digital Desk | Islamabad, Sep 11 (IANS) The disturbing pattern of enforced disappearances carried out by Pakistani forces in Balochistan has historically been marked by the targeting of men, with women bearing the resulting social, economic and psychological costs. Since 2025, this trend appears to have evolved, with women increasingly becoming direct targets of state action, indicating a broader dimension of repression by Pakistani authorities across the province, a report has stated. Forced confessions have become a recurring practice used by the state in Pakistan to shape public narratives around dissent in Balochistan. Women are first subjected to enforced disappearance, held in custody for prolonged periods without due process, and exposed to coercion and abuse. After weeks or months in detention, they are suddenly brought before the public, often through staged appearances or recorded videos, to confess to acts they have consistently denied. The case of Mahal Baloch was one of the earliest examples of this pattern, according to a report in South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP). In February 2023, Mahal Baloch was taken into custody by CTD during a late-night raid on her home in the Satellite Town of Quetta, without a warrant. Authorities later claimed she had been arrested with explosives and accused her of links to militant activity, including involvement in a suicide attack, allegations her family strongly denied. Despite being kept on physical remand for fifty-five days, authorities failed to present any substantial evidence against her. Instead, a video later surfaced in which she appeared to confess to militant involvement. This statement was made while she remained in police custody, not before a court of law, it detailed. The report noted that the involvement of some Baloch women in insurgent groups, including female fidayeen(suicide) attacks on Pakistani security forces and state installations, has prompted the government to extend its long-standing practice of enforced disappearances to women, a tactic it has used against Baloch men for decades. It also highlighted that while a small number of Baloch women have participated in insurgent attacks, women in Balochistan have increasingly emerged as prominent voices in non-violent political activism over the past decade, particularly against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. They have spearheaded prolonged protests over missing relatives, accusing security agencies of abducting their family members. Hundreds of women and family members undertook a massive march covering roughly 1,000 miles from Turbat town (Kech District) in Balochistan to Islamabad, and staged sit-ins outside the Islamabad Press Club, demanding the recovery of missing persons, drawing national attention, the report mentioned. Describing the increasing involvement of Baloch women in the resistance movement, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Sammi Deen Baloch told Arab News in an interview last year that the escalating enforced disappearance of men had pushed women to assume a leading role in the fight for justice. We see that our men, our brothers and sons, were systematically taken from their homes, from educational institutions, dragged away while they slept at night. In such circumstances, the only option left for Baloch women was to take this fight into their own hands, to step forward and lead the battle for justice themselves, the SATP report quoted Sammi as saying.

White Knight Corps commander reviews security grid, operational preparedness in Kishtwar

Jammu, Sep 11: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra, on Friday visited general areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district and reviewed the security situation, counter-terrorism grid and operational preparedness of the troops. The Corps Commander assessed the security architecture, contingency preparedness and infrastructure, and directed the troops to take further measures to enhance operational effectiveness, safety and support in the hinterland, the White Knight Corps said in a post on X. The GOC Mishra urged all ranks to remain vigilant and mission-ready at all times, it said.

Scaloni's future has become Argentina's biggest question after Messi retirement

For Scaloni, the decision is more personal. He has spent years under enormous pressure and has already achieved almost everything a coach can achieve with a national team. Continuing would mean starting another demanding project without Messi and with expectations that will remain extremely high.

ACB arrests revenue official for accepting Rs 10,000 bribe in Budgam

Srinagar, Sep 11: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said it trapped and arrested a Patwari after he was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 bribe for issuing a revenue extract (Fard) in the Waterrehal area of Budgam district. An official said that Anti-Corruption Bureau received a written complaint alleging that a Patwari, namely Bashir Ahmad, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuance of a Fard (Revenue Extract). The complainant, a resident of Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, District Budgam, had applied online for issuance of the Fard on 21.07.2026 on behalf of his grandfather, who is old-aged and unable to pursue the matter himself. After submission of the application, the complainant approached the concerned Patwari to enquire about its status. The Patwari initially informed him that the online portal of the Revenue Department was not functioning and asked him to visit after some time. On subsequent visits to the Patwari Khana, the Patwari allegedly continued to delay the matter on one pretext or another and ultimately demanded Rs 12,000 as bribe for issuance of the Fard. After negotiations, the bribe amount was settled at Rs 10,000. As the complainant was unwilling to pay the bribe, he approached the ACB and lodged a written complaint. On receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted verification of the allegations, which prima facie established the demand for illegal gratification. Accordingly, Case FIR No. 14/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar and investigation was taken up. The official said a trap team was constituted to lay a trap. During the trap proceedings, accused public servant namely Bashir Ahmad Dar Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, District Budgam was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs.10,000 from the complainant. The bribe amount was recovered from the possession of the accused in the presence of independent witnesses and he was taken into custody in accordance with law. Further investigation of the case is going on, official added.

'Protect jobs; don't wait, regulate!': Robots protest outside Poland ministry demanding AI oversight

Army's Northern Command remains committed to nation building, ensuring peace in J&K: Lt Gen Sharma

Digital Desk | Srinagar, Sept 11 (IANS) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Army's Udhampur headquartered Northern Command, said on Friday that the Army is committed to nation building while ensuring peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the 10 years' celebration at Army Goodwill School (AGS) in Pahalgam, Lieutenant General Sharma said, As we march towards Viksit Bharat, Northern Command will continue to remain committed to nation-building while ensuring peace and tranquillity. He added that the commitment is towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying: Your peace is our purpose, your aspirations are our missions, and your success is our pride. The Army Commander also lauded the students for their achievements, crediting their success to the guidance of their parents and the quality education provided by their teachers. He said the Army goodwill school Wuzur secured third position and AGS Uri sixth position nationally in Young Scientist India 2025, while AGS Wuzur recently secured a place among the top 10 schools in the Innovation category. The Army runs 43 goodwill schools in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh under 'Operation Sadbhavana' providing high quality affordable education to 17,000 students. The network includes 28 goodwill schools in Valley, eight in Jammu division and seven in Ladakh region. Forty per cent of the 17,000 students in these schools are girls while 1,000 teachers are provided employment in these schools. These schools are backed by the Army Goodwill Schools portal and long-term partners like the Bharti Airtel Foundation focusing on teacher training and digital learning. Modern facilities in these schools include 100 per cent smart classrooms, science labs and tech infrastructure. Skill development at these schools are based on early exposure to AI, robotics, and innovation clubs that have led to student projects in national forums like ISRO YUVIKA. The curriculum is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, following Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education/Central Board of Secondary Education and NCERT standards. There is strong emphasis on sports, national integration tours, and values-based character building in the Army goodwill schools.

Gonda Erupts In Protest After Trader's Murder Over Social Media Dispute

Following the murder of a trader in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, after a social media dispute, widespread protests have erupted. Demonstrators, led by Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad, are demanding the death penalty for the accused, compensation for the victim's family, and action against negligent police personnel, three of whom have already been suspended.

Telangana Police Foil BRS Student Wings Attempt to Storm Assembly

Hyderabad police thwarted a protest by the BRS student wing demanding fee reimbursements and cancellation of a controversial government order. Telangana Police Foil BRS Student Wings Attempt to Storm Assembly

Indias boxing revival faces the Asian test: Can the country turn its resurgence into medals?

Indian boxers prepare for the demanding Asian Games 2026 in Japan. This event follows a record-breaking Commonwealth Games performance for the contingent. Several women boxers carry significant medal hopes into the competition. Men's boxing shows signs of progress, aiming for stronger showings. Success in Japan will gauge the sport's revival and Olympic prospects.

Amar Upadhyay returns as Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi new promo unveiled!

Star Plus has officially confirmed one of television's most speculated comebacks Amar Upadhyay is set to return as Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The channel dropped a new promo announcing the development, putting an end to weeks of fan theories and speculation about whether the character would make a comeback to the show. The timing of the announcement coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi, adding a symbolic touch to the storyline, as the makers frame Mihir's return as an answer to Tulsi's prayers within the narrative. Speaking about his return, Amar Upadhyay said, Mihir mere liye sirf ek character nahi hai (is not just a character). He has been such a huge part of my journey, and the love audiences have given him over the years is something I have always carried with me. There has been so much chatter around whether Mihir is coming back. My fans have been eagerly waiting for my return and haven't stopped asking when I would be back on the show. Honestly, seeing their excitement has made this homecoming even more special. Shantiniketan mein wapas aana, Tulsi aur Virani parivaar ke beech Mihir bankar khade hona, brings back so many memories. It genuinely feels like coming home. But a lot has happened, equations have changed, and Mihir is returning to a family that has been through its own journey. I'm excited to see how audiences react when he finally walks back into their lives. View this post on Instagram A post shared by StarPlus (@starplus) Mihir's return isn't the only reunion in store for viewers. The show also marks the comeback of another original cast member as Aman Verma will be returning to his role as Anupam Kapadia, the brother of the iconic Mandira. For the unversed, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2 features several cast from the first season which includes Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan as Karan Virani and Nandini Virani, Sumeet Sachdev and Ravee Gupta as Gautam Virani and Damini Virani, Ritu Chaudhary as Shobha Virani Choudhary, Sandeep Baswana as Sahil Virani, and Suvarna Jha as the antagonist Tripti. With the Virani family set for a major reunion of sorts, the upcoming track promises to bring fresh drama to Shantiniketan. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi airs every day at 10:30 PM on Star Plus and is also available to stream anytime on JioHotstar. Also Read: Amar Upadhyay returns as Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi after 14 weeks: Mihir has evolved with time

Best iPhone 2026: Every iPhone compared

Macworld Apples 2026 iPhone lineup is broader than ever, ranging from the relatively affordable iPhone 17e to the high-end iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max , plus the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the new folding iPhone Duo . That gives buyers more choice, but it also makes picking the right model more complicated than simply choosing the newest or most expensive iPhone. For most people, the iPhone 17 is the best all-round choice, thanks to its 6.3-inch ProMotion display, strong battery life, dual 48MP cameras and 256GB of storage as standard. The iPhone 17e is the better option if price matters most, while the iPhone 18 Pro is the model to choose for the best cameras and performance. The iPhone 18 Pro Max adds the longest battery life, the iPhone Air prioritises thinness and low weight, and the iPhone Duo offers Apples biggest and most flexible display. Which iPhone is best for you will therefore depend on what you value most. Camera enthusiasts should look closely at the Pro models, heavy users may prefer the Pro Max for its battery life, while parents, older users and anyone trying to keep costs down may find the 17e a much better fit. There can also be excellent value in buying a discounted or refurbished older iPhone rather than paying full price for the latest hardware. This guide focuses on the best iPhone to buy for different types of user and budget. If you want to dig deeper into the differences between every model, see our complete iPhone Buying Guide , where we compare the cameras, displays, performance, storage, battery life and other key specifications across Apples current lineup. Which iPhone to buy: At a glance If you want Then buy Best camera iPhone 18 Pro Best battery iPhone 18 Pro Max Biggest screen iPhone Duo Best all-rounder iPhone 17 Best value iPhone 17e Lightest iPhone Air Cheapest Refurbished iPhone (iPhone 16 or newer) 1. Apple iPhone 17 Best iPhone for most people Pros Excellent overall value ProMotion Always-On display Dual 48MP cameras Cons No dedicated telephoto Limited to 512GB Price When Reviewed: $899 (was $799) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone 17 brings several features previously reserved for Pro models to Apples mainstream iPhone, including a 120Hz ProMotion display and Always-On support. It also offers the fast A19 chip, dual 48MP cameras, an improved Centre Stage selfie camera, strong battery life and 256GB of storage as standard. For most buyers, it strikes the best balance between price and features. Buy iPhone 17 if Buy the iPhone 17 if you want the best all-round iPhone without paying Pro prices. Its 6.3-inch ProMotion display, excellent cameras, strong battery life and 256GB starting storage make it particularly appealing to anyone upgrading from an iPhone 14 or older. Dont buy iPhone 17 if Dont buy it if you want optical zoom beyond 2x or Apples most advanced camera featuresin that case, choose the iPhone 18 Pro. The iPhone Air is a better choice if thinness and low weight are your priorities, while existing iPhone 16 owners may find the upgrade relatively modest unless ProMotion and improved battery life are particularly important. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 17e? For the extra $200, the iPhone 17 gives you a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion Always-On display, Dynamic Island, a second 48MP Ultra Wide camera with macro photography, a brighter screen, stronger graphics performance, a better 18MP Centre Stage selfie camera and longer battery life. For most people who can afford the difference, its money well spent. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 16? For $100 more, you get double the base storage at 256GB, a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion Always-On display, an upgraded 48MP Ultra Wide camera, an improved 18MP Centre Stage selfie camera, longer battery life, faster charging and the newer A19 processor. At full price, the iPhone 17 is the better buy. Key specs The iPhone 17 combines a 6.3-inch ProMotion display, Always-On support and the A19 chip with dual 48MP rear cameras and 256GB of storage as standard. It offers many of the features most people actually want from a Pro iPhone without the Pro price. Starts at : $799 / 799 (256GB) Display : 6.3-inch OLED ProMotion (120Hz) Chip : A19 Storage : 256GB512GB Cameras : 48MP Main + 48MP Ultra Wide, 18MP front camera Battery : Up to 30 hours of video playback Should you buy or wait? Buy now. The iPhone 17 offers excellent value, while the iPhone 18 isnt expected until spring 2027 and may bring higher prices rather than transformative upgrades. Waiting for Prime Day or Black Friday could make sense if youre looking for a discount. Read our full Apple iPhone 17 review 2. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Best for photography Pros Excellent triple-camera system Powerful A20 Pro chip Strong battery life Cons Expensive starting price Overkill for most buyers Price When Reviewed: $1,199 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone 18 Pro is the model to buy if you want Apples best cameras and performance without stepping up to the much larger Pro Max or experimental folding iPhone Duo. Its variable-aperture camera is a meaningful upgrade for photographers, while the A20 Pro chip, improved cooling, longer battery life and faster charging make it particularly capable for gaming, video and demanding AI workloads. Crucially, it gets the same cameras and processor as the Pro Max, making it the better-value Pro model for most buyers. Buy iPhone 18 Pro if Buy the iPhone 18 Pro if you want Apples best camera system; need more performance than the standard iPhone offers; regularly play demanding games or use intensive creative or AI apps; or want excellent battery life without carrying the enormous Pro Max. Its a compelling upgrade for anyone with an iPhone 15 Pro or older. Dont buy iPhone 18 Pro if Most people dont need the iPhone 18 Pro. The standard iPhone 17 already offers an excellent 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, A19 chip, dual 48MP cameras, 256GB of storage and strong battery life for considerably less. And if your main priority is screen size and endurance, the Pro Max is the better choice. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 17? The biggest advantage is the camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro adds a 48MP Telephoto camera with 4x and 8x optical-quality zoom, plus a variable-aperture 48MP Main camera for improved low-light shooting and greater creative control. You also get the faster A20 Pro chip with a seven-core GPU and improved vapor-chamber cooling for better sustained performance during gaming, video editing and AI tasks. Key specs The iPhone 18 Pro combines Apples new 2nm A20 Pro processor with a sophisticated triple-48MP camera system, including a variable-aperture Main camera and 4x/8x Telephoto. It retains a manageable 6.3-inch ProMotion display while improving sustained performance, battery life and charging speeds. Starts at : $1,199 / 1,199 (256GB) Display : 6.3-inch OLED ProMotion (120Hz) Chip : A20 Pro, 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU Storage : 256GB2TB Cameras : 48MP variable-aperture Main + 48MP Ultra Wide + 48MP Telephoto (4x/8x), 18MP front camera Battery : Up to 36 hours of video playback Should you buy or wait? The iPhone 18 Pro goes on sale September 18, with pre-orders starting September 12, so theres little reason to wait if you want one immediately. Bargain hunters may prefer to hold off until Amazons Prime Day sale or Black Friday on November 27, when retailers and mobile networks may offer trade-in bonuses, contract incentives or modest discounts. Large outright savings are unlikely so soon after launch. 3. Apple 18 iPhone Pro Max Best for battery life Pros Outstanding battery life Huge 6.9-inch display Excellent Pro cameras Cons Very large and heavy Expensive starting price Price When Reviewed: $1,299 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone 18 Pro Max is Apples ultimate conventional iPhone, combining a huge 6.9-inch ProMotion display with the powerful A20 Pro chip, Apples best camera system and the longest battery life in the range. Its biggest advantage over the regular Pro is endurance, with Apple rating it for up to 45 hours of video playback. Buy the iPhone 18 Pro Max if Buy the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the biggest possible display and longest battery life, regularly use your phone for photography, video, gaming or other demanding tasks, and dont mind carrying a large and relatively heavy device. Its particularly well suited to frequent travellers and heavy users who want to minimise charging. Dont buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if Dont buy it if you prefer a smaller, lighter phone or simply want the Pro cameras and performance. The iPhone 18 Pro offers essentially the same A20 Pro chip, camera system and Pro features in a more manageable 6.3-inch design for $100/100 less. At 249g, the Pro Max is also particularly heavy. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 18 Pro? Not much in terms of features. Both models have the same A20 Pro processor, triple-48MP camera system, variable-aperture Main camera and storage options up to 2TB. The Pro Max instead gives you a larger 6.9-inch display rather than 6.3 inches and substantially better battery life: up to 45 hours of video playback versus 36 hours on the iPhone 18 Pro. You pay an extra $100/100 for those advantages. Key specs The iPhone 18 Pro Max combines Apples huge 6.9-inch ProMotion display with the new 2nm A20 Pro chip, three 48MP rear cameras and a variable-aperture Main camera. Its defining advantage is battery life, reaching up to 45 hours of video playback. Starts at : $1,299 / 1,299 (256GB) Display : 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED ProMotion (120Hz) Chip : A20 Pro, 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU Storage : 256GB2TB Cameras : 48MP variable-aperture Main + 48MP Ultra Wide + 48MP Telephoto, 18MP front camera Battery : Up to 45 hours of video playback Should you buy or wait? The iPhone 18 Pro Max goes on sale September 18, with pre-orders starting September 12. Buy at launch if you want it immediately, but bargain hunters may prefer to wait for Amazons Prime Day sales or Black Friday on November 27. Major outright discounts are unlikely so soon after launch, although trade-in offers and contract incentives could be worthwhile. 4. Apple iPhone Duo Best foldable iPhone Pros Innovative folding displayExcellent multitasking potentialStrong A20 Pro performance Cons Extremely expensive Weaker camera versatility Price When Reviewed: $1999 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone Duo offers something no other iPhone can: a compact phone that unfolds into a 7.6-inch tablet-like device. The larger display gives you considerably more room for multitasking, watching video, reading, gaming and creative work, while the outer screen keeps it usable as a conventional phone when closed. Add the A20 Pro chip and clever dual-screen features and its easily Apples most innovative iPhone. Buy iPhone Duo if Buy the iPhone Duo if you want the versatility of an iPhone and small tablet in one device, regularly multitask between apps, consume lots of content on your phone, or simply want Apples most distinctive new hardware. Its particularly compelling if you value screen space and flexibility more than having Apples absolute best camera system. Dont buy iPhone Duo if Dont buy the Duo if value, photography or portability are your priorities. At $1,999/1,999 it costs $800/800 more than the iPhone 18 Pro, while lacking Face ID, a dedicated telephoto camera, variable aperture, ProRes and the Action button. At 254g it is also the heaviest iPhone in the range. For most buyers, the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max will be a better all-round purchase. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max? The Duos defining advantage is its 7.6-inch folding display, which offers around 50 percent more screen area than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and supports Split View multitasking, while the 5.4-inch outer screen keeps it usable like a compact iPhone when closed. You also get fold-specific features such as Duo Preview, Smart Take, Kid Cue, hands-free video positioning and an under-display inner camera, with Apple Pencil USB-C support coming later in 2026. The trade-off is photography: the Duo has only two 48MP rear cameras, with no dedicated telephoto, variable aperture, ProRes or Apple Log. Key specs The iPhone Duo transforms from a compact 5.4-inch phone into a 7.6-inch folding device, providing substantially more room for apps, video and multitasking. It combines two 120Hz ProMotion OLED displays with the A20 Pro chip, dual 48MP cameras, strong battery life and storage up to 2TB. Starts at : $1,999 / 1,999 (256GB) Displays : 5.4-inch outer + 7.6-inch folding OLED, ProMotion (120Hz) Chip : A20 Pro Storage : 256GB2TB Cameras : 48MP Main + 48MP Ultra Wide, 12MP outer front camera + under-display inner camera Battery : Up to 44 hours of video playback on outer display; 31 hours on inner display Authentication : Touch ID Weight : 254g Should you buy or wait? The iPhone Duo goes on sale October 23, with pre-orders opening October 16. Buy at launch if you want Apples first foldable as soon as possible. If price matters more than being first, waiting until Black Friday on November 27 could bring carrier incentives or trade-in deals, although significant outright discounts on such a new and specialised device are unlikely. 5. Apple iPhone 17e Best budget iPhone Pros Excellent budget value Strong A19 performance 256GB base storage Cons No ProMotion display No Ultra Wide camera Price When Reviewed: $699 (was $599) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone 17e is Apples most affordable current iPhone, offering modern performance and Apple Intelligence without flagship pricing. It combines the A19 chip with useful upgrades including MagSafe and 256GB of base storage. If you dont need multiple cameras or a high-refresh-rate display, it delivers the essentials at an attractive price. Buy the iPhone 17e if Buy the iPhone 17e if you want a modern iPhone with strong performance and years of software support for as little as possible. Its particularly appealing to anyone upgrading from an iPhone 12 or 13, switching from Android or buying their first iPhone. Dont buy iPhone 17e if Dont buy it if you want ProMotion, an Always-On display, Dynamic Island or a versatile camera system. If your budget stretches another $200/200, the iPhone 17 is a substantially more complete phone. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 16? The iPhone 17e gives you the newer A19 chip, longer battery life, 256GB of storage as standard, Apples newer C1X modem and Ceramic Shield 2 protection. Its biggest advantage, however, is value: at similar real-world prices, it is generally the smarter long-term purchase. What dont you get that you get with the iPhone 17? The iPhone 17 gives you a larger and significantly more advanced 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display with Dynamic Island and Always-On support, plus a second 48MP Ultra Wide camera. You also get a better 18MP Centre Stage selfie camera, stronger graphics performance and longer battery life. The 17e covers the essentials extremely well, but the iPhone 17 feels much more complete. Key specs The iPhone 17e pairs the A19 chip with a 6.1-inch OLED display, 256GB of storage as standard and up to 26 hours of battery life, while omitting premium features such as Dynamic Island, ProMotion and an Ultra Wide camera. Starts at : $599 / 599 (256GB) Display : 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED Chip : A19 Storage : 256GB512GB Cameras : 48MP Fusion Main with 2x optical-quality zoom + 12MP TrueDepth front camera Battery : Up to 26 hours of video playback Should you buy or wait? Buy now. The iPhone 17e offers excellent value and isnt expected to be replaced until early 2027. Discounts could make it even more attractive, but theres little reason to delay purely for the next generation. Read our full Apple iPhone 17e review 6. Apple iPhone Air Best thin-and-light iPhone Pros Exceptionally thin design Light and comfortable Powerful A19 Pro chip Cons Single rear camera Relatively modest battery life Price When Reviewed: $1,099 (was $999) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone Airs defining feature is its exceptionally thin 5.6mm titanium design, making it noticeably lighter and more comfortable than other large-screen iPhones. Despite its slim profile, it still delivers flagship-level performance with the A19 Pro chip and a bright 120Hz ProMotion display. Its the iPhone to choose if portability and design matter more than camera versatility or maximum battery life. Buy the iPhone Air if Buy the iPhone Air if you want a premium large-screen iPhone that feels exceptionally thin and light in the hand. Its ideal for buyers prepared to sacrifice some camera flexibility and battery life in exchange for a much sleeker design. Dont buy iPhone Air if Dont buy it if photography or battery life are higher priorities. The iPhone 17 offers a more versatile dual-camera system for less money, while a Pro model is better suited to demanding photographers and power users. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 17? The iPhone Airs biggest advantage is its exceptionally thin and light titanium design. You also get a slightly larger 6.5-inch display, the more powerful A19 Pro chip and storage options up to 1TB. Those benefits come at the expense of the iPhone 17s useful 48MP Ultra Wide camera, making the Air primarily a choice for buyers who value design and portability over versatility. Key specs The iPhone Air is Apples thinnest iPhone, combining a 6.5-inch display with an ultra-light titanium design. Despite measuring just 5.64mm thick, it still delivers flagship performance with the A19 Pro chip, a 120Hz ProMotion display, Ceramic Shield 2 and fast charging Starts at : $999 / 999 (256GB) Display : 6.5-inch OLED ProMotion (120Hz) Chip : A19 Pro (5-core GPU) Storage : 256GB1TB Cameras : 48MP Main + 18MP Centre Stage front camera Battery : Up to 27 hours of video playback Should you buy or wait? Buy now if you love the Airs distinctive thin-and-light design: there isnt another iPhone quite like it. However, its also a model that frequently attracts discounts, particularly in the U.K., so its worth shopping around rather than paying full price. Read our full Apple iPhone Air (2025) review 7. Apple iPhone 16 Best previous-generation deal Pros Good dual cameras Apple Intelligence support Cons Only 128GB storage Poor value full price Price When Reviewed: $799 (was $699) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $729.99 View Deal $829 View Deal $829.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Why we recommend it The iPhone 16 still delivers fast everyday performance thanks to its A18 chip, supports Apple Intelligence and includes a versatile dual-camera system with an excellent 48MP Main camera. Its main appeal in the current lineup, however, is price: it only makes sense when discounted significantly below the newer models. Buy iPhone 16 if Buy the iPhone 16 if you find it heavily discounted and want Apple Intelligence, a capable dual-camera system and features such as Camera Control and the Action button without paying for the latest generation. Dont buy iPhone 16 if Dont buy it at full price. The iPhone 17e offers newer hardware, twice the base storage and longer battery life for less, while the iPhone 17 is considerably more advanced for only a little more money. What do you get that you dont get with the iPhone 17e? The iPhone 16 has a second 12MP Ultra Wide camera, giving it greater photographic versatility, as well as Camera Control and the Action button. Those features may make it preferable to the 17e for photography-minded buyers, but only if the price is right. What do you miss compared with the iPhone 17? The iPhone 17 gives you a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion Always-On display, newer A19 processor, upgraded 48MP Ultra Wide camera, improved 18MP Centre Stage selfie camera, longer battery life and 256GB of storage as standard. Unless the iPhone 16 is heavily discounted, the 17 is easily worth the difference. Key specs The iPhone 16 combines the A18 chip with a 48MP Fusion Main camera, 12MP Ultra Wide camera, Camera Control, the Action button and Apple Intelligence support. It remains a capable smartphone, but its 128GB starting storage and older display make it less compelling than the newer iPhone 17e and iPhone 17. Starts at : $699 / 699 Display : 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED Chip : A18 Storage : 128GB512GB Cameras : 48MP Main + 12MP Ultra Wide Battery : Up to 22 hours of video playback Should you buy or wait? Dont buy at full price. Only consider the iPhone 16 if its heavily discounted below the iPhone 17e; otherwise, Apples newer models offer substantially better value. Read our full Apple iPhone 16 review Which iPhone has the best camera? iPhone 18 Pro Apple The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have the best camera systems of any current iPhone. Both models use the same triple-48MP rear camera setup, so there is no photographic advantage to choosing the larger Pro Max unless you also want its bigger display and longer battery life. The headline upgrade is the 48MP Main camera with variable aperture, which gives photographers more control over depth of field and should improve low-light performance. The Pro models also include a 48MP Ultra Wide camera and a 48MP Telephoto camera with 4x and 8x optical-quality zoom, giving them far more flexibility than Apples cheaper iPhones. The standard iPhone 17 is still an excellent camera phone, with 48MP Main and Ultra Wide cameras, plus an improved 18MP Centre Stage front camera. For everyday photography it will be more than enough for most people, but it lacks the dedicated telephoto lens, longer zoom and advanced video features of the Pro models. The iPhone Duo is more compromised. Despite its premium price, it has only two 48MP rear cameras and lacks a dedicated telephoto camera, variable aperture, ProRes and Apple Log. Its strengths are instead its fold-specific shooting features and dual-screen flexibility. The iPhone Air and iPhone 17e are the least versatile, with just a single 48MP rear camera. Our choice : If photography and video are your priority, buy the iPhone 18 Pro . It offers the same camera system as the Pro Max for less money and in a more manageable size. Which iPhone has the best battery life? iPhone 18 Pro Max Bigger iPhone means bigger battery. Apple The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the best battery life of any current iPhone, with Apple rating it for up to 45 hours of video playback. That puts it comfortably ahead of the smaller iPhone 18 Pro and makes battery life one of the strongest reasons to choose the Pro Max. The iPhone Duo comes surprisingly close, with up to 44 hours of video playback when using its outer 5.4-inch display. However, battery life drops to around 31 hours when using the larger 7.6-inch folding display, so the Pro Max remains the better choice if endurance is your priority. The iPhone 18 Pro is also excellent, offering up to 36 hours of video playback. That makes it a good compromise if you want strong battery life without carrying the much larger and heavier Pro Max. Further down the range, the iPhone 17 offers up to 30 hours, making it the best mainstream option for battery life. The iPhone Air manages around 27 hours despite its exceptionally thin design, while the iPhone 17e reaches 26 hours. The older iPhone 16 trails the current lineup at up to 22 hours of video playback. Our choice : If battery life matters above everything else, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the clear winner. Its combination of a 45-hour rating, huge 6.9-inch display and Pro-level performance makes it particularly well suited to heavy users, travellers and anyone who wants to get through a long day without worrying about charging. Heres how the current iPhone lineup compares in terms of battery life Model Video Playback (Apples rating) Geekbench 4 Test (minutes) Wired Charging (50% time) iPhone 18 Pro Max Up to 43 hours TBC ~15 min (60W+) iPhone Duo Up to 44 hours outer / 31 hours inner TBC ~20 min (60W+) iPhone 18 Pro Up to 34 hours TBC ~15 min (60W+) iPhone 17 Up to 30 hours 1,053 ~20 min (40W) iPhone Air Up to 27 hours 880 ~30 min (20W) iPhone 17e Up to 26 hours 854 ~30 min (20W) iPhone 16 Up to 24 hours 867 ~30 min (20W) What is the best value iPhone? iPhone 17 Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry The iPhone 17 offers the best overall value for money in Apples current lineup. The iPhone 17e is cheaper, but the extra $200/200 for the iPhone 17 buys a surprisingly large number of worthwhile upgrades. You get a larger 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display with Always-On support and Dynamic Island, rather than the 17es standard 60Hz 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 17 also adds a second 48MP Ultra Wide camera, including macro photography, along with a better 18MP Centre Stage front camera. Battery life is stronger too, at up to 30 hours of video playback, compared with 26 hours on the iPhone 17e. You also get stronger graphics performance and a more premium overall experience, while both phones start with a generous 256GB of storage. At $799/799, the iPhone 17 also compares very favourably with the older iPhone 16. For just $100/100 more, you get double the base storage, ProMotion, a larger and brighter display, improved cameras, the newer A19 chip and significantly better battery life. If your priority is spending as little as possible, choose the iPhone 17e which delivers excellent performance for $599/599. Or seek out a refurbished iPhone from the Apple Refurbished Store or another place that sells refurbished iPhones . Our choice : In terms of the features and hardware you get for every pound or dollar spent, the iPhone 17 is the sweet spot. For most buyers, it delivers the best balance of price, performance, cameras, display quality, battery life and longevity without paying for Pro-level features they may never use. Even better if you can find a iPhone 17 deal , then you are really getting a bargain. Best iPhone for gaming: iPhone 18 Pro Foundry The iPhone 18 Pro is the best iPhone for gaming for most people, thanks to its combination of the A20 Pro chip, seven-core GPU and improved vapor-chamber cooling. The A20 Pro is Apples fastest iPhone processor, but the cooling system is just as important for gaming. Better heat management should help the iPhone 18 Pro maintain high performance for longer during demanding games, rather than slowing down as the phone gets hot. Its 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display also provides smooth animation and responsive gameplay without making the phone excessively large or heavy. The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers essentially the same gaming performance, but adds a much larger 6.9-inch display and significantly longer battery life. That arguably makes it the best choice for serious mobile gamers who value screen size and endurance, although it is heavier and costs more. The iPhone Duo also uses the A20 Pro and has an enormous 7.6-inch folding display, which could be fantastic for some games, but its weight, price and unconventional form factor make it a more specialised choice. Our choice : For most gamers, the iPhone 18 Pro offers the best balance of performance, cooling, display quality and portability. Its the best choice if you prefer a more pocketable device but still want top-tier gaming power. Best iPhone for seniors and older users: iPhone 17e David Price / Foundry For most older users, the iPhone 17e is probably the best choice, because it combines a relatively simple feature set with modern performance, strong battery life and a lower price than Apples flagship models. Its 6.1-inch OLED display is large enough to make text, icons and controls easy to see without making the phone too bulky, while the A19 chip should keep it feeling fast for years. It also supports Apple Intelligence and starts with 256GB of storage, so theres plenty of room for photos, apps and videos. The iPhone 17 is a better option for someone who would benefit from a larger and more advanced display. Its 6.3-inch ProMotion screen, Always-On support and higher brightness can make scrolling, reading and outdoor use more comfortable. It also offers stronger battery life and better cameras, although it costs more. We dont recommend the iPhone Air, Pro Max or Duo for older users. The Air sacrifices battery life and camera flexibility for thinness, while the Pro Max and Duo are much heavier and considerably more expensive. Our choice : iPhone 17e is the perfect choice for most older users. Best iPhone for kids: iPhone 17e Ida Blix The iPhone 17e is the best iPhone for most children . As Apples most affordable current-generation model, it offers the best balance of price, performance and longevity, while being easier to justify than a flagship model if it gets lost or damaged. It uses the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, albeit with one fewer GPU core, so its easily fast enough for games, social media, schoolwork and Apple Intelligence. Battery life is strong, the 6.1-inch OLED display is a sensible size for smaller hands, and the 48MP camera is more than capable for everyday photos, even though it lacks an Ultra Wide lens. The iPhone 17 is the better choice for older teenagers who care more about photography, video or display quality. It adds a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, a better front camera and a larger 6.3-inch ProMotion display, but costs considerably more. A hand-me-down iPhone is also worth considering. Its the cheapest option and better for the environment, provided you erase the phone first, create a Child Account through Family Sharing, and configure Screen Time and parental controls before handing it over. Read: How to set up an iPhone for a child . Whichever iPhone you choose, those controls matter. In iOS 27 , Apple is expanding Screen Time with new category-based Time Allowances, Ask to Browse, more flexible app schedules and improved contact controls. Communication Safety can also detect and blur sensitive, violent or graphic content. For very young children, an iPad may still be a better first Apple device. By the time they reach 11 or 12 though, an iPhone becomes much more useful for staying in touch. Our choice : iPhone 17e for most kids; iPhone 17 for older teens who want better cameras and display quality. Should you buy an older iPhone? Macwelt Buying an older iPhone can be a great way to save money, but the key is choosing a model that still has plenty of useful life ahead of it. Apple typically provides around five to seven years of major iOS updates , with security updates often continuing for longer, so a relatively recent iPhone can remain perfectly usable for years. We wouldnt recommend simply buying the cheapest iPhone you can find. Very old models may technically run recent versions of iOS, but performance, battery condition and access to newer features can become increasingly compromised. We currently recommend avoiding anything older than the iPhone 15 Pro because even the iPhone 15 doesnt support Apple Intelligence. You should definitely avoid models such as the iPhone XS and XR that can no longer run the latest iOS releases. A refurbished recent-generation iPhone can offer particularly good value. You may be able to buy a former Pro model with better cameras and displays for less than a new entry-level iPhone. Buying from a reputable refurbisher is important, however: check the warranty, battery condition, returns policy and whether genuine replacement parts have been used. Apples own refurbished iPhones include a new battery and outer shell and come with a one-year warranty. Our advice : A discounted or refurbished iPhone 16 or newer should offer an excellent combination of price, features and longevity.

Amazon adds Mandiant founder Kevin Mandia to its board

If there is a way in, the modern AI threat will find it, Kevin Mandia wrote in March, in the blog post that launched his cybersecurity startup, Armadin. Six months later, Amazon has elected him to its board of directors. Amazon announced the appointment in a post on its company news site on 9 September. [] This story continues at The Next Web

Northern Command committed to J

Pahalgam: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Friday said the Army will continue to remain committed to nation-building while ensuring peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a function at Army Goodwill School (AGS), Pahalgam, Lt Gen Sharma said, As we march towards Viksit Bharat, Northern Command will continue to []

Rajasthan civic polls: Polling staffer touches Ashok Gehlots feet; BJP files complaint

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 11 (IANS) A controversy erupted during the second phase of Rajasthans civic elections on Friday after a member of the polling staff allegedly touched the feet of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at a voting booth in Jodhpur. Gehlot had arrived at Vardhaman Jain School in Mahamandir to cast his vote in Ward No. 82 when the incident reportedly took place. A video of the incident later surfaced, prompting a political dispute over the conduct of the polling staff. The BJP has objected to the incident and raised questions over the impartiality of the polling staff. Saurabh Saraswat, state convenor of the BJP Rajasthan legal cell, submitted a complaint to the District Election Officer in Jodhpur and the State Election Commission, seeking action against the polling staffer concerned. The BJP argued that election officials and polling personnel are expected to maintain political neutrality while performing election duties. According to the party, such conduct towards a prominent political leader could raise questions about the fairness and impartiality of the electoral process. The BJP said that the incident could create doubts among voters regarding the neutrality of the polling process. The party has demanded that authorities examine the matter and take appropriate action if any election rules have been violated. Election personnel are required to perform their duties impartially and without displaying political preference. The conduct of polling staff is therefore particularly important during the voting process, officials said. The incident triggered a debate over whether the polling staffer's conduct amounts to a violation of election rules. The election code is intended to ensure a free, fair and peaceful electoral process. Political parties and candidates are prohibited from using improper means to influence voters, while government and election machinery is expected to remain neutral, the BJP said. However, whether the polling employee's act of touching Gehlot's feet constitutes an actual violation of the applicable election rules will have to be determined by the competent election authorities after examining the incident and the circumstances in which it occurred. The controversy comes as Rajasthan's civic elections enter the crucial voting phase, with political parties closely monitoring polling-related incidents across the state.

Odisha auditors caught demanding 10 bribe per student in government-run residential schools

The vigilance department seizes 14,38,340 kept in envelopes from two auditors accused of making such bizarre demands for bribes

Police crack Secunderabad armoury heist, recover weapons; retired Army officer among four in custody

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Sep 11 (IANS) In a major breakthrough in the Madras Regiment arms theft case, Telangana Police have recovered the stolen arms and ammunition and taken into custody four suspects including a retired Army officer. A joint team of Telangana Counter Intelligence Cell, Hyderabad Task Force and Malkajgiri Police cracked the case after an 11-day hunt. The theft, reported on August 31, involved 12 firearms, 21 magazines, night-vision equipment and over 1,900 rounds of ammunition from the regiments facility at Bollaram in Secunderabad Cantonment. According to police, those taken into custody include a retired Army officer who is suspected of plotting the theft over a grudge against a former Commanding Officer. The investigators were questioning the suspects about their roles in stealing, transporting and concealing the weapons. The stolen weapons and ammunition were recovered from Nagarkurnool district of Telangana. It was immediately not clear if the entire cache of stolen arms has been recovered. Army officials were verifying the firearms, ammunition and other recovered articles against the armourys inventory. Details of the case are likely to be announced by the authorities later. Twelve firearms, including four AK-203 assault rifles, an INSAS rifle, six 9 mm pistols and a civilian 6.35-bore pistol, were reported missing from the Madras Regiment premises at Bollarum. A passive night-vision binocular, 21 magazines and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition were also reportedly missing from the Army establishment. The theft came to light on the morning of August 31, when Army personnel opened the Kote and Battalion Magazine, where weapons and ammunition were stored. They found that the locks of the premises and the boxes containing the weapons, control stores and ammunition had been broken. A First Information Report registered with Bollarum Police Station of Malkajgiri Commissionerate stated that the weapons and ammunition had last been physically accounted for at about 6 p.m. on August 30, before the Kote and Battalion Magazine were closed. A case was registered under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Army officials had ordered an internal enquiry and questioned guard-duty personnel who were on duty when the weapons went missing. Military Intelligence also investigated the case in coordination with the police.

Nationwide strike disrupts banking services as unions demand 5-day workweek, pending wages

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) Banking services, particularly at public sector banks across India were disrupted on Friday due to the United Forum of Bank Unions' (UFBU) nationwide strike seeking immediate implementation of a fiveday workweek and resolution of pending wages. The UFBU represents seven unions and about 90 per cent of bank officers and employees. Most branches of staterun banks were fully or partially closed as staff joined the protest, according to multiple reports. Cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances and administrative work were affected at several branches, while some older private banks reported disruptions. Digital banking services, including UPI and internet banking, continued to function. Bank Employees Association leaders said the strike was forced on them because there had been no positive outcome and the government had not agreed to their demands. Most public sector banks had alerted customers in advance about the possible impact of nationwide strike. State Bank of India said it had made arrangements for normal operations but cautioned that work could still be affected. The unions are demanding that Saturdays should be declared holidays, a change they say was agreed in the 12th Bipartite Settlement signed with the Indian Banks Association in March 2024 but has not yet received government notification. Banks currently remain open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of each month. Other demands include improvements in pension benefits, a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System to shift to the Old Pension Scheme. The Banking Union had in August said that a three-day strike from September 28 to 30 will follow the first strike in September. The protests are expected to significantly disrupt banking operations, particularly in public sector banks. The disruption will be more pronounced towards the end of September, with bank branches already scheduled to remain closed on September 26, the fourth Saturday, and September 27, Sunday. While bank branches will be closed on strike days, ATM and digital banking services may continue to operate depending on the bank and availability of cash and technical services. Customers have therefore been advised to plan essential branch-based transactions accordingly.

'I'm Purely A Rhythm Bowler': Siraj Rues 'two-month Break' For Disrupted Run-up

MA Chidambaram Stadium: Mohammed Siraj believes an unusually long two-month break affected his bowling rhythm and contributed to his loss of pace during Indias recent Test series in Sri Lanka. Siraj returned to domestic action for the Duleep Trophy final after Indias Test assignment in Sri Lanka and initially struggled to find his usual pace and rhythm at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The pacer conceded 140 runs in 25 overs in the first innings after the East Zone chose to bat but produced a much sharper performance in the second innings. He bowled with greater pace and control, finishing with 1-47 from 16 overs as the East Zone went on to defeat the South Zone and claim the title on first-innings lead. Siraj said his difficulties were linked to the disruption caused by his extended break before the Sri Lanka series. Im purely a rhythm bowler. If Im not in sync, I cant explode through the crease. That was the struggle in Sri Lanka my run-up felt disjointed. Some strides were too short, others were too long, and that broke my flow and cost me pace, Siraj was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. The 32-year-old said the lengthy gap was unfamiliar territory in his career and that training away from competitive cricket could not fully reproduce the demands of a match. Every bowlers body is different, but mine doesnt handle long breaks well. A short break is fine, but in my ten-year career, I had never taken two full months off. I was working out in the gym and bowling occasionally, but no amount of practice can replicate match intensity. It was a new experience, but a valuable learning curve for me going forward, he said. Siraj also had to deal with demanding conditions after coming directly from Sri Lanka. India had spent three-and-a-half days on the field during the second Test before the fast bowler travelled to Chennai for the Duleep Trophy final. We came straight from Sri Lanka, where we spent three-and-a-half days fielding in the second Test, and within a week, we were out here playing in Chennais sweltering heat, Siraj said. However, he refused to use the physical demands as an excuse, stressing the responsibility that comes with playing for India. But for me, it comes down to passion. When youre representing your country, you cant make excuses. You have to give every bit of your effort for your team and nation. Even if I didnt get the wickets to show for it today, that hard work will pay off at the international level, he added. However, he refused to use the physical demands as an excuse, stressing the responsibility that comes with playing for India. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories In the first innings, the pitch looked fresh, so I tried to bowl too fast. Because I was forcing it, my rhythm was off, he said. In the second innings, I told myself to forget the outcome and just run in with good, natural rhythm. The moment I did that, the old Siraj was back, and the ball started coming out beautifully. Article Source: IANS

Nimisha Sajayan gives a glimpse of excessive food she ate to put on 14 kilos for Babita Reporting character

Digital Desk | Mumbai, September 11 (IANS) Actress Nimisha Sajayan offered a glimpse into the intense physical transformation she underwent for her role in Babita Singh Reporting. The actress shared a series of pictures that show the elaborate meals she consumed to gain nearly 14 kg for the character. Taking to her social media account, Nimisha shared a photo dump titled A journey from Nimisha to Baby, documenting her transformation into Babita Singh, fondly called Baby in the film. The pictures show the actress at different stages of the process, along with an array of meals prepared. From sandwiches, poha, eggs, broccoli and peanuts to paneer, salads, fruits, waffles, pastries, yoghurt, nuts, juices and elaborate desserts, the pictures offer a glimpse of just how much food Nimisha had to consume in order to gain weight. The food pictures also include plates of desserts topped with berries, cream and flowers, as well as a spread of pastries, yoghurt and nuts. Sharing the pictures, Nimisha wrote, A journey from Nimisha to Baby. @dr.siddhant.bhargava @thaparware @saifali0067 thank you for making this journey easier and for being there for me throughout. The weight gain was definitely not an easy task..but you guys made it so much more manageable. From Weight kaise badega? to We finally did it! what a journey it has been. There were days when I would call @thaparware & say I cant do this anymore & you would always say Were in this together. Those words kept me going. @dr.siddhant.bhargava from monitoring my health and diet every single day to calling me and saying Nimisha Im proud of you. you have always been just a call away. Thank you for taking care of me and for always making sure I was doing okay. @saifali0067 Saifu tu best hai..! From cooking my favourite meals to constantly calling and asking Aap khush ho? Kal kya khaoge? She added, you put so much love into everything you did. Your hands are truly magic. Thank you for making sure I was well fed, happy and taken care of throughout this journey. And to the entire @filmsquadproductions thank you for standing by me like a rock and supporting me through it all. Nimisha had earlier opened up about the demanding transformation in an exclusive conversation with IANS. She revealed that she weighed 58 kg when she was selected for the role and eventually reached 72 kg, gaining almost 14 kg specifically for Babita. The actress said the process began with an intake of around 1,200 calories a day and eventually went up to nearly 8,000 calories. She described consuming that amount of food as an absolute nightmare, Talking about Babita Singh Reporting, it has directed by Ambiecka Pandit and written by Amita Vyas.

Ratna Bhandar Inventory to Follow 1978 List, Says Odisha Govt

The inventory of the Ratna Bhandar at Puri Srimandir will be carried out based on the list prepared in 1978, but the fresh inventory record will not be made available in the public domain, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Thursday. Harichandan said the inventory process is being conducted with complete transparency. However, the [] The post Ratna Bhandar Inventory to Follow 1978 List, Says Odisha Govt appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

BRICS Summit: Lutyens Delhi gets makeover with lights, flowers, themed signages

Officials said decorative lighting has been installed at several locations, including Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Mandi House, Teen Murti, Lok Kalyan Metro Station and the PMO roundabout.

JNU Sexual Harassment Row: ABVP Protests Against Professor, Demands Time-Bound Inquiry

ABVP students staged a protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, demanding action over sexual harassment allegations reportedly made by 11 women students against JNU professor and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.During our ground reporting, ABVP members levelled serious allegations against the professor, including claims that he demanded sexual favours from students. They also questioned the alleged delay in proceedings before the Internal Committee and demanded a fair, transparent and time-bound inquiry.The allegations are being reported as claims made by the protesters and have not been established as fact.

Tusshar Kapoor says being a star kid is an Agneepath in a sense: You get your first break, but

Tusshar Kapoor has opened up about the advantages and challenges of being born into a film family, reflecting on the expectations that came with being the son of veteran actor Jeetendra. In an exclusive conversation with The Free Press Journal, the actor acknowledged that a film family can make getting a debut easier, but stressed that sustaining a career and making a film successful remain outside an actors control. Speaking about the pressure associated with being the son of an established star, Tusshar said there is often a greater expectation from actors who come from prominent film families. He said the industry and trade can be particularly critical, with achievements sometimes being viewed through a more demanding lens. When you are from a film family, an accomplished stars son, you know, son of an accomplished star, I mean, then there is an expectation, especially within the film industry or within the trade, where no matter how much you do, the glass is always considered half empty rather than half full. So you have to always surpass yourself. So initially, of course, I had a tough time, you know, trying to ignore the noise that comes with being a stars son. Its not a red carpet for sure. Of course, theres a huge battalion of pull-downers who were waiting for you to fall. Tusshar Kapoor on blocking out the noise The actor also credited his experience of living independently for helping him deal with the scrutiny surrounding his career. Tusshar said that living abroad and away from his family helped him develop an individual identity and gave him the ability to focus on his work rather than outside opinions. But the fact that Ive lived abroad, lived on my own, and found myself as an individual, living away from family, gave me the strength to really be able to block that noise out, no matter how overwhelming it got at certain points. I used to just block it out and just show up for work, show up for my classes. Yeah. I was training at that point. I would show up for work and just try to do my thing in my own way, in my track, and not focus on whatever is being said or what is being written. And then the film spoke for itself. You get your first break Tusshar acknowledged that having a family connection to the film industry can provide an entry point that may be harder for outsiders to access. However, he emphasised that getting a debut does not automatically translate into success. So yes, its an Agneepath in a sense but one has to be grateful that, you know, getting your first film is easier when you are from a family that belongs to the film fraternity. You get your first break. But us film ko complete karna, us film ko logon ke saamne tak lana, aur film ka chalna, woh aapke haath mein nahin hai. So thats the only advantage we have with all these disadvantages; thats the only advantage we have: that you get a break. You are more accessible to people who want to launch star sons. Tusshar made his acting debut with Jeena Sirf Merre Liye in 2002 and has since worked across comedy, drama and other genres in Hindi cinema. His latest comments reflect on the continuing conversation around privilege, expectations and the challenges of building an identity within the film industry. Also Read:Tusshar Kapoor opens up on 50 vanity vans at Welcome To The Jungle set: Is it really justified?

Karamtara Engineering IPO Day 3: GMP at 27%; check subscription status and key details

Karamtara Engineering IPO entered its final day of bidding on September 11, with the issue subscribed 3.61 times by the end of Day 2 and the retail portion booked 3.28 times. The Rs 875-crore IPO, comprising a Rs 675-crore fresh issue and Rs 200-crore OFS, is currently commanding a GMP of around 27%, indicating positive listing expectations.

Two SME IPOs open for subscription today: Injecto Polymers, Century Business Media in focus

Two SME IPOs Injecto Polymers and Century Business Media open for subscription on September 11 and close on September 16. Injecto Polymers is raising Rs 56.12 crore, while Century Business Media aims to raise Rs 17.11 crore. Both issues are entirely fresh shares and will list on the BSE SME platform. Neither is currently commanding a grey market premium.

Nitu Gupta reviews implementation of Agriculture Department, allied institutions

Secretary in Agriculture Production Department (APD), Nitu Gupta, today chaired a review meeting to assess the implementation of various programmes being executed under UT Capex Budget 2026-27, NABARD, HADP, JKCIP,CSS and SASCI In Kashmir division at Directorate of Agriculture Lalmandi. The meeting was attended by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Command area Development Kashmir, Director Planning Agriculture production department, Director Finance SKUAST-K, Chief Agriculture Officers and other senior officers of the department. The meeting focused on the progress and performance of the Department under CAPEX, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and NABARD. Detailed discussions were held on physical and financial achievements, expenditure, targets and implementation status of various ongoing interventions. The Secretary reviewed the progress of key projects and schemes and emphasised the need for timely execution, effective monitoring and optimum utilisation of funds to ensure that the intended benefits of these interventions reach the farming community. She stressed upon the officers to adopt a result-oriented and farmer-centric approach, strengthen field-level monitoring and ensure close coordination among all concerned stakeholders for expeditious implementation of developmental programmes. Earlier, the Secretary had also reviewed the functioning and performance of SKUAST-Kashmir, Command Area Development Department and Sericulture Department, taking stock of their respective programmes, achievements and implementation challenges. During these reviews, emphasis was laid on strengthening coordination between the Agriculture Production Department and allied institutions, promoting technology-driven interventions, improving service delivery and ensuring effective implementation of farmer-oriented programmes. Director Agriculture Kashmir apprised the Secretary of the overall performance of the department. He briefed her about the progress achieved under various schemes and initiatives besides highlighting the steps being taken to further accelerate implementation at the field level. The Secretary directed the concerned officers to maintain regular monitoring, ensure timely completion of targets and strengthen inter-departmental convergence, with a clear focus on improving agricultural productivity, supporting farmers and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across the region.

Shopian residents demand staff, equipment at district hospital, threaten hunger strike

On Thursday morning, members of civil society and local residents gathered outside District Hospital Shopian, demanding adequate manpower, specialist doctors and essential equipment at the facility. The protesters warned that they would intensify their agitation, including by going on a hunger strike, if the authorities failed to address what they described as persistent deficiencies at the hospital. The hospital was established in 1977 as a Sub-District Hospital (SDH) and was upgraded to a District Hospital after Shopian was granted district status in 2007. Despite catering to a population of more than 2.5 lakh, residents said the hospital continues to face shortages of specialist doctors, technical staff and diagnostic facilities, forcing patients to seek treatment outside the district. We will go for a hunger strike if the hospital is not provided with all the facilities a district hospital deserves, said Mitha Gatoo, a civil society member. Gatoo said the hospital was functioning without several crucial specialists, including a urologist and cardiologist, while other categories of staff were also inadequate. He said the shortage was particularly affecting patients requiring diagnostic services. The USG facility shuts at 4 pm. Afterwards, the patients have to either visit private diagnostic centres or are referred to Srinagar, Gatoo said. He said patients from Shopian were being forced to travel outside the district even for services that, in their view, should be available at a district-level hospital. The protesters also raised questions over the utilisation of equipment already available at the hospital. While the facility lacks key diagnostic services such as an MRI, some of the available equipment remains unused because of a shortage of trained personnel, they said. An ECHO machine is gathering dust because there are no technicians available in the hospital to operate it, Gatoo said. He said the absence of specialists and technical staff was undermining the purpose of having a district hospital in the area. Magray Mansoor, another civil society member, also joined the demand for strengthening the hospital and said the authorities needed to take immediate steps to address the shortage of staff and facilities. The residents said the problem was not limited to one particular department but involved several areas of healthcare, affecting patients who depended on the government hospital for affordable treatment. Ashok Kumar Bali, a resident and former councillor, said he would also join the proposed hunger strike if the authorities failed to address their demands. Bali said the hospital served a large population and should be equipped with the doctors, paramedical staff and diagnostic facilities required of a district hospital. The protesters called on the health authorities and the administration to assess the hospital's requirements and fill vacant posts besides ensuring that existing equipment was put to use. They said people in Shopian should not have to travel to Srinagar or rely on private facilities for basic and specialised healthcare services that should be available at the district hospital. The civil society members said they would wait for the authorities to respond to their demands but warned that failure to act would leave them with no option but to intensify their agitation.

Drug trafficking accused escaped from NCB Jammu custody arrested in Punjab

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police, on Thursday traced and apprehended Aqib Bashir, a notorious drug trafficker who had fled from NCB custody in Jammu. The operation is a strong example of three-day sustained search and tracking operation across J&K and Punjab and prompt coordination and intelligence sharing between J&K Police, Punjab Police and NCB besides the valuable support of the media fraternity in disseminating the alert, said an NCB Jammu spokesperson. It also reflected strong coordination between Central and state and UT agencies, spokesperson said. After fleeing from Jammu, the accused, according to the spokesperson, reached Jalandhar via the Pathankot route. He initially attempted to evade detection by taking shelter under the cover of darkness and hiding in a forest area near Narwal Fruit Mandi, Jammu. To conceal his identity, he clean-shaved, changed his clothes and altered his appearance. He subsequently used his contacts in Jalandhar to seek shelter and evade the search teams. Continuous intelligence inputs and coordinated field efforts enabled the agencies to track and narrow down his location. The NCB (Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh)Punjab Police team apprehended him when he was reportedly preparing to move towards Delhi or another state, spokesperson said, adding that the successful operation reflected the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination, real-time information sharing, sustained efforts and public cooperation.

White Knight Corps GoC visits Poonch LoC

General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps, Lt Gen PK Mishra on Thursday visited forward locations on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and took stock of overall security scenario. Army said that GOC White Knight Corps visited these forward posts along the LoC to review operational preparedness and assess the prevailing security situation. The Corps Commander was briefed on the security environment, counter-infiltration measures, surveillance grid and initiatives to further enhance operational effectiveness, said army. Commending the troops for their high state of readiness, vigilance and commitment, the GOC exhorted all ranks to remain steadfast. He also asked troops to maintain the highest standards of operational preparedness and responsiveness, the army said.

US lawmakers probe OpenAI over AI going rogue as fears of human control grow

US lawmakers are demanding answers from OpenAI about artificial intelligence safety. Senator Josh Hawley is investigating an incident where an AI system hacked another company. Senator Chris Van Hollen wants federal agencies to assess AI model risks. Concerns arise as researchers express worries about AI companies prioritizing competition over safety. One senator proposes banning superintelligent AI development until safety rules exist.

MLA Mehdi backs veterinary interns demands

Ganderbal, Sep 10: PDP MLA Budgam Agha Muntazir Mehdi on Thursday backed protesting veterinary interns at SKUAST-Ks Shuhama campus, urging the government to enhance their stipend and ensure parity with interns elsewhere in the country. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the protesting interns, Mehdi said it was unfortunate that members of the medical fraternity, including veterinary and medical doctors, were being forced to take to the streets to seek what he described as their legitimate rights. The way they are performing their duties, whether in hospitals or clinics, the remuneration they are getting is very less, he said, adding that veterinary interns should receive the same kind of internship benefits as those available to students elsewhere in the country. The veterinary interns have been protesting at the Shuhama campus for the past four days, demanding an increase in their stipend and urging the government, particularly Agriculture Minister Javed Dar, to intervene in the matter. Mehdi said he had visited the protesting interns to hear their concerns directly and take up their demands with the government. Highlighting the nature of veterinary work, Mehdi said interns and veterinary professionals face considerable risks while dealing with animals and diseases that can potentially affect human beings. He questioned the adequacy of the existing stipend, saying that a monthly payment of around 6,000 was not commensurate with the responsibilities and risks involved in their work. Animals are also vectors of diseases. They stop those vectors and protect society from diseases, he said, arguing that the role of veterinary professionals was an important component of public health.

Govt pushes faster farm scheme rollout

Srinagar, Sep 10: Secretary in Agriculture Production Department (APD), Nitu Gupta, on Thursday chaired a review meeting to assess the implementation of various programmes being executed under UT Capex Budget 2026-27, NABARD, HADP, JKCIP,CSS and SASCI In Kashmir division at Directorate of Agriculture Lalmandi. The meeting was attended by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Command area Development Kashmir, Director Planning Agriculture production department, Director Finance SKUAST-K, Chief Agriculture Officers and other senior officers of the department. The meeting focused on the progress and performance of the Department under CAPEX, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and NABARD. Detailed discussions were held on physical and financial achievements, expenditure, targets and implementation status of various ongoing interventions. The Secretary reviewed the progress of key projects and schemes and emphasized the need for timely execution, effective monitoring and optimum utilization of funds to ensure that the intended benefits of these interventions reach the farming community. She stressed upon the officers to adopt a result-oriented and farmer-centric approach, strengthen field-level monitoring and ensure close coordination among all concerned stakeholders for expeditious implementation of developmental programmes. Earlier, the Secretary had also reviewed the functioning and performance of SKUAST-Kashmir, Command Area Development Department and Sericulture Department, taking stock of their respective programmes, achievements and implementation challenges. During these reviews, emphasis was laid on strengthening coordination between the Agriculture Production Department and allied institutions, promoting technology-driven interventions, improving service delivery and ensuring effective implementation of farmer-oriented programmes. Director Agriculture Kashmir apprised the Secretary of the overall performance of the department. He briefed her about the progress achieved under various schemes and initiatives besides highlighting the steps being taken to further accelerate implementation at the field level. The Secretary directed the concerned officers to maintain regular monitoring, ensure timely completion of targets and strengthen inter-departmental convergence, with a clear focus on improving agricultural productivity, supporting farmers and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across the region.

Antonelli: F1 title thoughts 'to the back of my mind'

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is pushing thoughts of the Formula One championship to the back of his mind, despite a commanding 66-point lead over teammate George Russell, preferring to focus on winning races.

Rohit Pawar alleges Rs 40-crore FDA exam leak racket, demands resignation of MPSC chief

Digital Desk | Pune, Sep 10 (IANS) Launching a scathing attack on the state government, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Thursday accused the administration of shielding Vivek Bhimanwar, who was recently appointed as the Chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) despite facing serious corruption allegations. Addressing a press conference, Pawar alleged a massive Rs 40 crore transaction in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) paper leak case and released a presentation detailing various irregularities linked to Bhimanwar during his tenure as Transport Commissioner. These included scandals involving High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), transfers and promotions, Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS), interceptor vehicles, and GPRS tracking kits. Pawar directly targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the appointment, alleging inaction despite the availability of crucial evidence. The Chief Minister has all the documents regarding Bhimanwar, and I am ready to provide them again if needed. However, if no action is taken, it clearly indicates that the Chief Minister is protecting him, Pawar stated, demanding Bhimanwar's immediate resignation on moral grounds. Referring to the FDA recruitment scandal, Pawar refuted the state secretarys July 27 statement that denied any leak. The paper was not confined to a single individual; it reached hundreds of candidates, pointing to a Rs 40 crore racket, he claimed, adding that even Minister Pratap Sarnaik had previously acknowledged the existence of an active racket within the Regional Transport Office (RTO) on the floor of the legislature. Pawar also raised eyebrows over Bhimanwars insistence on conducting MPSC examinations online, noting the irony that he had previously opposed online transfer systems for officers and employees. If someone pays Rs 40 lakh to become a Talathi, what happens to deserving, underprivileged students? Pawar questioned, advocating for the appointment of an upright officer like Tukaram Mundhe to head the commission and restore integrity to the system. He further pointed out that Bhimanwar joined government service in 1993, served as a Special Executive Officer to the Chief Minister in 2014, and was promoted to the IAS in 2018noting that CM Fadnavis had three Special Executive Officers elevated to the IAS. Pawar strongly criticised MPSCs sudden decision to postpone the Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examinationoriginally scheduled for October 25by three months. Rejecting the official rationale of upcoming festivals, he alleged potential foul play or fear of another paper leak. He demanded that the preliminary examination be conducted offline between October and November to ensure that the main exams take place in December, final results are declared by January, and the recruitment process concludes without delay. Pawar's move to target Bhimanwar comes amid protests by MPSC aspirants over paper leaks and administrative lapses. Protestors are demanding the resignation of Bhimanwar and concerned MPSC officers while pressing for transparency in conducting various examinations.

Food Safety Violations: Licences of Four Banjara Hills Eateries Suspended

The licences of Lakshmi Sri Balaji Sweets and Bakery, Girl Friend Mandi, Kholanis Fine Dine Restaurant and Kakatiya Tiffins Meals and Snacks in Banjara Hills have been suspended, with instructions to stop business operations immediately.

African Swine Fever kills thousands of pigs, farmers protest in Shillong

Shillong, Sep 10: Thousands of pigs have died across Meghalaya due to African Swine Fever, prompting pig farmers to take to the streets on Thursday demanding screening of pigs entering the state and compensation. The Hills Farmers Union (HFU) took out a peaceful rally from Civil Hospital junction to Malki, alleging infected pigs brought from [] The post African Swine Fever kills thousands of pigs, farmers protest in Shillong first appeared on Highland Post .

India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs to reach Women's T20 Asia Cup final

India secured a commanding 40-run victory over Bangladesh to advance to the Women's T20 Asia Cup final. Shafali Verma's impressive 64 runs propelled India to a competitive total of 149. Deepti Sharma then led the bowling attack with three crucial wickets. Bangladesh was restricted to 109 runs in their chase, falling short of the target. India's strong performance ensured their place in the championship match.

England Takes Command in Third Test Against Pakistan at Edgbaston

England secures a commanding 320-run lead over Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston, with key performances from their batsmen. England Takes Command in Third Test Against Pakistan at Edgbaston

Quote of the day by Sandra Bullock, 'I've learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you' offers thought-provoking lesson on success, resilience, career growth, life challenges and why accepting hard parts can transform your journey

Quote of the day by Sandra Bullock offers a mature definition of achievement. Success is not a flawless gift wrapped in admiration and applause; it can be complicated, demanding and occasionally uncomfortable. The prickly package may contain opportunities alongside pressure, recognition alongside criticism and freedom alongside responsibility. What matters is understanding what comes with the achievement and consciously deciding whether it is worth embracing. For people chasing ambitious goals, that lesson can change the way they view difficult moments. Instead of asking why success is not easier, they can ask whether the challenges are helping them build a life they genuinely value. Sometimes the thorns are not evidence that the dream is wrongthey are simply part of what makes meaningful achievement real.

Stalin vs Vijay: Tamil Nadu's New Battle Over Emergency Legacy

DMK chief M.K. Stalin has hit back at Vijay over his Emergency-era detention under MISA, insisting that he did suffer injuries while in custody. The remarks come after the TVK chief challenged the DMK's narrative, with TVK's IT wing demanding documentary proof of Stalin's detention. As the war of words escalates, the bigger question is whether Tamil Nadu's next political battle will be fought over historical legacy and political sacrificeor present-day issues such as jobs, welfare and governance.

Sarang helicopter display reflects enduring bonds of friendship between India and Egypt: IAF

Digital Desk | Cairo, Sep 10 (IANS) The aerial display of the Sarang helicopter display team with the Pyramids of Giza in the backdrop brings together Indias flying prowess and Egypts timeless heritage, reflecting the enduring bonds of friendship between the two nations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Thursday. From the skies above Giza. The majestic Pyramids of Giza provided a spectacular backdrop as the Sarang Helicopter Display Team flew a four-helicopter formation of ALH Dhruv, showcasing precision, discipline and Indian aviation excellence. The aerial display beautifully brings together Indias flying prowess and Egypts timeless heritage, reflecting the enduring bonds of friendship between the two nations, the IAF stated on X. Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, visited the Sarang Display Team in Egypt and interacted with the contingent. Strengthening camaraderie, building bonds. Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command, visited the Sarang Display Team at the 2nd Edition of the El Alamein International Airshow, Egypt. An interaction with the contingent and the exchange of mementoes marked the occasion, as Air Warriors shared their experiences of representing India on the global stage, the IAF noted on X. The team reached Egypt to participate in the second edition of the EI Alamein International Airshow at EI Alamein International Airport in Egypt from September 8 to 10. The IAF Sarang team is the world's only five-helicopter display team. The team will showcase precision, professionalism and flying skills through a series of meticulously choreographed displays. This marks another significant milestone in international engagements by the Indian Air Force, reflecting growing defence and diplomatic ties between India and Egypt, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. Flying the indigenously designed and manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, the Sarang team is renowned for its demanding formation manoeuveres, close-proximity flying and synchronised aerial sequences, it added. The Ministry also said that the display highlights not only the exceptional skill and discipline of its pilots but also the capabilities of India's indigenous aerospace industry.

Telangana Police lathi-charge protesting polytechnic students

Hyderabad: Students from a Polytechnic College in Ramanthapur, Hyderabad, on Thursday, September 10, staged a protest demanding the withdrawal of Government Order (GO) 97 that merges the Young India Skills University (YISU) with the college. Telangana Police resorted to a lathi charge after the confrontation escalated. Videos from the site show officers in large numbers 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 .

All Kashmiri Pandit employees posted in Valley have transit accommodation, says J&K CM Omar Abdullah

Digital Desk | Srinagar, Sept 10 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that no Kashmiri Pandit employee doing duties in the Valley under the Prime Minister's package for migrants, is without a home. He was reacting to the recent protests by Kashmiri Pandit employees appointed under the Prime Minister's package for migrants and posted in various departments in the Valley. These employees had said that many of them have no safe accommodation while serving in the Valley. The Jammu and Kashmir government has built gated secured accommodations in various districts of the Valley for lodgement of migrant employees posted in the Valley. These multi-storeyed buildings with flats are secured by the security forces. Contesting the claim of the Kashmiri Pandit employees doing duties in the Valley, Omar Abdullah said, Which Kashmiri Pandit is without a home? None of them are homeless. Wherever transit accommodation has been prepared, they have been provided homes. So, which Kashmiri Pandit is without a home? It has become a trend to protest without any reason and do other things. If anyone needs a home, let us know. The rest have already been provided homes. The problem with the Kashmiri Pandit employees posted in the Valley under the PM Special Package, is that their families are away in Jammu and other places while they have to live in secured accommodations in the Valley. Most of them (Kashmiri Pandits) want to be posted out of the Valley citing multiple reasons, the Chief Minister added. Kashmiri Pandit employees posted in the Kashmir Valley said that they face severe security risks, targeted threats, and protests demanding relocation to Jammu. These employees say they face threats from terror groups and proxy outfits like The Resistance Front (TRF) and the United Liberation Council (ULC). These terror outfits had reportedly issued hit lists naming specific Kashmiri Pandit government employees and teachers hired under the Prime Minister's Rehabilitation Package. Migrant employees say recent threat letters have leaked private details, including employee names, home addresses, phone numbers, and vehicle registration numbers, heightening fear. These employees have staged prolonged protests and approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to challenge transfer restrictions, demanding relocation to Jammu until the security situation improves in the Valley.

ACB Arrests ASI in Reasi for Accepting Bribe

JAMMU, Sept 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Talib Hussain, posted at Police Post Talwara in Reasi district, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of 5,000. According to the ACB, a case under FIR No. 08/2026 , Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at ACB Police Station Udhampur against the accused police official. The ACB said that Hussain, who was working as the Investigating Officer in a case, allegedly demanded illegal gratification from the complainant in return for presenting the charge sheet (challan) against the accused persons before the court. Unwilling to pay the demanded bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau and sought legal action. The Bureau subsequently conducted a discreet verification of the complaint, which, it said, confirmed the demand for illegal gratification. Following the verification, a trap team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police-rank officer was constituted. During the trap operation, the ACB team allegedly caught ASI Talib Hussain red-handed while he was demanding and accepting Rs 5,000 from the complainant. The accused officer was arrested on the spot following due legal procedure. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses. The ACB said that further investigation into the case is underway. The Bureau further stated that the latest operation marks the second successful trap laid at Police Post Talwara in Reasi district during 2026.

ACB arrests ASI for accepting bribe in Reasi

Jammu, Sep 10: The Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has successfully trapped and arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Talib Hussain, stationed at Police Post Talwara in District Reasi, in a bribery case, officials said. They said a case under FIR No. 08/2026, Section 07 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered against the accused public servant at the ACB Police Station in Udhampur. ASI Hussain, acting as the Investigating Officer (I.O.), demanded illegal gratification from a complainant in exchange for presenting a charge sheet (challan) against accused individuals in a court of law. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB to seek legal action. Upon receiving the complaint, the Bureau conducted a discreet verification that corroborated the officer's demand for a bribe. Subsequently, a specialized trap team led by an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy. SP) rank was constituted. During the operation, the ACB team successfully caught ASI Talib Hussain red-handed while he was demanding and accepting a bribe amount of Rs. 5,000 from the complainant. The arrest was executed on the spot in accordance with due legal process. The bribe money was recovered directly from the accused's possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.. Further investigation into the case is currently ongoing, officials said and added, The incident marks the second successful trap operation laid by the ACB at Police Post Talwara, District Reasi, in the year 2026.

'Influencer' Swatantra Bhardwaj moves Patiala House court for bail, urgent hearing refused

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) A Delhi court on Thursday declined an out-of-turn hearing on a bail plea filed by self-styled influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, who is in judicial custody in connection with the alleged assault of the father of a minor activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Bhardwajs counsel had sought an immediate hearing on the bail application before the District Judge. However, the Patiala House court declined to entertain the plea for an out-of-turn hearing and said the bail application would be taken up on September 14. The development comes days after the Delhi High Court dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by Bhardwaj challenging his arrest in the alleged assault case. A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja had rejected the habeas corpus plea after the Delhi Police submitted that it was not maintainable as Bhardwaj had already been sent to judicial custody. On Monday, the Patiala House Court sent Bhardwaj to 14 days of judicial custody, with his next production scheduled for September 21. Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district on Friday, hours after representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) met senior Delhi Police officials and demanded his arrest. According to the Delhi Police, Bhardwaj is accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, father of a minor protester, during a CJP-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar in July. The police had earlier said that the victims injuries were simple in nature and were caused by a steel bracelet. It later added provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation to the FIR. The CJP had also demanded invocation of an attempt-to-murder charge, with the police stating that the provision would be considered after obtaining an expert medical opinion. A separate FIR was also registered against Bhardwaj under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on the complaint of the minor activist, who alleged online rape threats and harassment. The case also invokes relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The controversy erupted after a purported viral video in which Bhardwaj allegedly claimed that he had physically assaulted the father of a minor activist during the Jantar Mantar demonstration and allegedly said that he was let off because of his political connections. Bhardwaj later told the media that he had allegedly acted in self-defence. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) chief Chirag Paswan had said that his name was misused by Bhardwaj in the purported video. Paswan had said that he filed an official complaint against Bhardwaj and would ensure justice for the minor victim and her family. The CJP had staged a protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station demanding action against Bhardwaj and seeking the addition of attempt-to-murder, criminal intimidation and SC/ST Act provisions to the case.

Karnataka HC quashes notices demanding 2% cess from movie tickets as govt. admits that law is yet to be enforced

Manipur: JFD Announces Shutdown Of Government Offices From September 11 Over NRC demand

The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has announced a statewide shutdown of State and Central government offices in Manipur from September 11, demanding that the Centre update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state with 1951 as the base year. JFD convenor Jeetendra Ningomba made the announcement at a press conference... The post Manipur: JFD Announces Shutdown Of Government Offices From September 11 Over NRC demand first appeared on Northeast Today .

Self-belief, ability to read batters driving Sher-E-Punjab success, says Kartik Chadha

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Kartik Chadha has been one of the finds of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, but the Ludhiana Lions leg-spinner insists there has been no sudden transformation behind his emergence. For him, the performances have been a result of backing his ability, trusting his process and understanding the batters he is up against. The 22-year-old is currently sitting atop the wickets table after making a strong impact in the tournament, but Kartik believes the confidence was present from the very beginning. I have been playing tournaments for the last two years. But this one is happening on a higher level. We have got a good platform. I am backing myself, and from day one, I am backing my strength. And I have always believed in myself since the first game, be it against any team or any player. I just believed in myself and knew I could do it. And I was following the process, which is why I am getting good results, Kartik told IANS in an exclusive interaction on Thursday. His performances have been built around an attacking skill that is difficult to marry with consistency. Kartik, however, has spent years trying to make control a defining part of his leg-spin. Its been a lot of years now. Four years or so. I am just working on it regularly. I have been with IPL for two years and have also worked as a net bowler. So I have gained a lot of experience from there. And I have learned a lot. So I am just backing myself. And I practise bowling a lot. Thats the reason behind consistency. And the rest is all about confidence. And it is very important to believe in yourself in the end. For a spinner operating in the middle overs, reading the batter can be just as important as the quality of the delivery itself. Kartik says understanding the situation and identifying where a batter is looking to score determines his approach. It all depends upon the situation, actually. What is the demand of the situation? And obviously, how the player is playing. We should know his strengths, where he can play. And where he is hitting the shots. So it is important to be self-aware and to back yourself. You have to believe in yourself. That you can do it. He believes the battle is ultimately one of information and anticipation. Because even when the batsman comes on to the crease, he will aim to strike you. So we just have to see how he is playing and where he is playing the shots. The main thing is how you read the batter. The one who reads the batter well takes the upper edge! Kartik's success has come despite conditions that can make life particularly difficult for a leg-spinner. The art demands wrist consistency, while evening matches can introduce dew, making gripping the ball harder. No one can see your struggle from the scorecard alone. Basically, what happens is A leg-spinner has to be bowled from the opposite hand. So its tough to bowl from the wrist, because consistency is required. At the level at which we are playing now, with the number of batters we are facing, it happens that you have to do that. On top of that, dew factors come into play. The ball gets a little wet during play, making it more difficult. Kartik feels those difficulties are part of what makes his craft so demanding. So this little thing comes up: the art of leg spin is a little difficult. Because I have been playing for 8 years, I reached here. So its basically that. This art form is a little difficult to see in cricket. So I will say this reflects that.

Over 900 Arasu Rubber Plantation Workers Protest For Wage Hike, Job Regularisation

More than 900 workers of the Arasu Rubber Corporation staged a one-day protest in front of the corporations headquarters here on Wednesday, demanding immediate wage revision and regularisation of casual workers.

Laomi, Koncharoenkai, Barnett nominated for ICC Women's Player of the Month for August

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Thailand duo of Suleeporn Laomi and Nannapat Koncharoenkai, alongside Isle of Mans Lucy Barnett, have been nominated for the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for August 2026. All nominations put immense spotlight on players from the associate nations. Barnett made history by becoming the first cricketer from the Isle of Man to feature on an ICC monthly award shortlist. The Thailand pair of Suleeporn and Nannapat earned their nominations through standout performances across white-ball formats, including the 50-over and T20I series against Papua New Guinea and the ongoing Womens Asia Cup in Dubai. Leg-spinner Laomi was in stellar form throughout August and played a pivotal role in Thailand's 3-0 ODI series sweep over Papua New Guinea. She snared four wickets in the three-match ODI series at an economy rate of 3.38, headlined by a match-winning spell of 3-27 in the final game. She also picked up six wickets in four T20Is during the month at an economy rate of 5.40, and carried her momentum into the Asia Cup where her standout effort was an impressive haul of 3-26 against India in Dubai. On the other hand, wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat provided consistent stability at the top of the order for Thailand. She finished as the leading run-scorer in the four-match T20I series against Papua New Guinea, accumulating 144 runs at an average of 36. She was equally commanding in the subsequent ODIs, scoring 121 runs at an average of 40.33 with a top score of 54 in the series opener. Koncharoenkai maintained her touch in the Asia Cup as well, top-scoring with 41 against India as she became the sole Thailand batter to reach double figures in the game. Meanwhile, Isle of Man captain and opener Lucy enjoyed a sensational outing in the Womens Continental Cup in Romania, where she led her side to the final. The all-rounder emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer by amassing 257 runs across four T20Is at a staggering average of 128.5 and a strike rate of 178.47. Her campaign was highlighted by an unbeaten 123 off 64 balls against Norway, alongside half-centuries against Romania (71 not out) and Turkey (59) in the final. Lucy also contributed with her off-spin by taking four wickets at an economy rate of 3.8.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Benchmarks Reveal Speed of A20 Pro Chip

Early benchmark results for the A20 Pro chip in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max appeared early this morning in the Geekbench 7 database, offering us a first look at the new models' CPU and graphics performance ahead of the devices reaching customers. Based on these early results which are unconfirmed the A20 Pro chip across the Pro models appears to deliver around 21% to 23% faster performance in single-core and 27% to 28% faster performance in multi-core than the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro. It's a pretty impressive jump. The iPhone 18 Pro result lists a single-core score of 4,719 and a multi-core score of 12,677, while an iPhone 18 Pro Max entry delivers similar results, scoring 4,725 and 12,575, respectively. Both identify a six-core CPU running at approximately 4.93 GHz. There are similarly formidable gains on the graphics side for the A20 Pro. Based on early Metal scores in the Geekbench 6 database (also unconfirmed) the full 7-core GPU variant of the chip in the iPhone 18 Pro models is around 38% to 40% faster than the A19 Pro's 6-core GPU. The graphics results broadly match Apple's claim in its iPhone 18 Pro press release and product page that the A20 Pro offers up to 20% faster CPU performance compared to the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro models, while the A20 Pro's new seven-core GPU is up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro. Built using a 2-nanometer process, the chip also features a six-core CPU with integrated Neural Accelerators and 50% more memory bandwidth than its predecessor. Apple also says the new chip packaging and redesigned vapor chamber enable up to 40% better sustained performance than the previous generation. Note that these one-off benchmarks, which have yet to be independently verified, don't tell us how the devices will perform during prolonged gaming or other demanding workloads benchmark results and real-world performance are never totally analogous. Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro Tag: Geekbench This article, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Benchmarks Reveal Speed of A20 Pro Chip first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

BRS leaders visit plot allegedly allotted to company linked to Telangana CMs brother

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Sep 10 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders on Thursday staged a protest over the purported allotment of government land to a company allegedly linked to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. BRS leaders led by party Working President K.T. Rama Rao visited the land allegedly allotted to Tesseract Advanced Systems Private Limited in Raviryala village, Maheshwaram mandal, Ranga Reddy district. The main Opposition party alleged that land worth about 200 crore had been allotted to Tesseract for just Rs 7 crore. The party accused the Chief Minister of facilitating the allotment for the benefit of his family members. As the BRS MLAs were suspended from the Assembly for rest of the Monsoon Session for disrupting the proceedings, demanding action against the alleged assault on party legislators at the Assembly gate on September 7, a meeting of the BRS Legislature Party was held at the residence of Rama Rao to decide the future course of action. After the meeting, a delegation of BRS leaders led by K.T. Rama Rao left for Raviryala village on the city's outskirts to see the plot allegedly allotted to Tesseract. Meanwhile, BRS members staged a walkout from the Legislative Council over the issue of alleged land allotment to Tesseract. The BRS members demanded a discussion on the alleged allotment and raised slogans in support of their demand. BRS leader in the Council, Madhusudhana Chary alleged that a shell company which does not have a single employee was allotted government land worth 200 crore. The BRS lodged their protest when Chairman G. Sukhender Reddy cut the mike as Chary took the name of Kondal Reddy. The BRS leader took exception to the manner in which the proceedings were conducted. He alleged that their rights were being suppressed with the use of marshals. Last month, K.T. Rama Rao alleged that the Tesseract land deal was bigger than the MUDA case in Karnataka. How can a company with just 1 lakh in paid-up capital and reportedly zero employees get 5 acres of land worth 200 crore for 7 crore, he asked. The BRS also complained to the Lokayukta over the alleged illegal allotment of land. The party delegation demanded that pending an enquiry, the allocation of five acres of land must be cancelled. It sought a comprehensive probe under the Lokayukta Act into the roles of Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu and TGIIC officials. Minister Sridhar Babu denied the allegation and accused K.T. Rama Rao of misleading people with false allegations on land allocation. Alleging that the previous government of BRS allotted lands for only 90 lakh per acre, he said the present government allotted land for 1.50 crore per acre. The minister claimed that the land was allotted strictly in accordance with prescribed rules and regulations. Stating that five acres were allotted for 7.5 crore, he asked K.T. Rama Rao to clarify where from he got the figure of Rs.200 crore from.

Divyenndu and Bhuvan Arora face off as a clever hack spirals out of control in Waiting Hai trailer

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 10 (IANS) The makers of Waiting Hai have unveiled the trailer of the upcoming film on social media. It offers a glimpse into a high-stakes face-off between Divyenndu and Bhuvan Arora. The trailer shows how a clever hack sets off a chain of events that threatens to spiral into something much bigger than anyone could have anticipated. Set in Patna, Waiting Hai brings Divyenndu and Bhuvan Arora together in a high-stakes face-off sparked by a clever hack that soon grows into something far bigger. Divyenndu plays Sugam Mishra, a railway constable struggling to settle into a demanding new job while dealing with a difficult boss and the chaos of his personal life. Bhuvan Arora essays Afroz Hamsa, a tech whiz who discovers a way to beat the system. Speaking about the series, Amogh Dusad, Director and Head of AVOD Content, Prime Video India, said, At Prime Video, we are always looking to bring audiences stories that take familiar worlds and present them in fresh and entertaining ways. Waiting Hai does exactly that by taking the everyday struggle of securing a railway ticket and building an entire scam dramedy around it. I think what makes the series particularly special is how rooted it feels. It has humor, heart, and characters you can recognize, even as the situations around them become increasingly unpredictable. With Sameer Vidwans distinctive storytelling and a phenomenal ensemble led by Divyenndu and Bhuvan Arora, we believe Waiting Hai will strike a strong chord with audiences. Talking about playing Sugam Mishra, Divyenndu shared, What drew me to Sugam was that he is not your typical cop who has everything figured out. He is trying to find his feet professionally while also dealing with the realities of his personal and newly married life. That balance makes him very relatable, and I enjoyed exploring that side of him. Waiting Hai has this very rooted, desi humour to it, but there is also a cat-and-mouse chase at its core. I had a great time playing Sugam and I hope the audiences will have a lot of fun watching him uncover a scam that just keeps getting bigger. Sharing his experience of playing Afroz Hamsa, Bhuvan Arora added, What really drew me to Afroz was how different he felt from me as an actor and as a person. Hes someone with a good heart, but he finds himself doing things that arent necessarily right, and that contradiction is what I really enjoyed exploring. His equation with Mamaji (played by Vijay Maurya) was another aspect of the character that I really relished. The script itself immediately appealed to me because its such a fun cat-and-mouse chase, set in a world that feels very different from what audiences usually see. Knowing that the story is also loosely based on real-life events made it even more intriguing for me. And then, of course, getting to work with such talented and veteran actors was an added bonus. Afroz has so many unexpected turns to his journey, and I genuinely enjoyed every bit of playing him. Speaking about Waiting Hai, Sameer Vidwans, Series Director, said, I have always been interested in stories that are rooted in everyday life yet reveal a larger world beneath the surface. Waiting Hai offered that rare opportunity, bringing together an unusual premise and layered characters while balancing humor with tension and intrigue. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sameer Vidwans, the MX Original stars Harshita Gaur, Kumud Mishra, Vijay Maurya, Srushti Tare and Sunita Rajwar in pivotal roles. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Ajay Rai, Waiting Hai will stream on Prime Video from September 16.

Akali Dal Demands FIR and CBI Probe in Gulzar Singh Suicide Case

The Akali Dal calls for justice in the Gulzar Singh suicide case, demanding an FIR against Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Akali Dal Demands FIR and CBI Probe in Gulzar Singh Suicide Case

Tampering with Dr Ambedkar

Misal Satluj Party president Ajaypal Singh Brar condemned the tampering with Dr Ambedkars statue in Jalandhar, demanding an impartial investigation and strict legal action while appealing for peace and communal harmony. The post Tampering with Dr Ambedkars Statue Condemnable: Misl Satluj appeared first on Sikh Siyasat News .

Maratha agitation: Jarange says Mumbai march certain as his fast enters 13th day

Manoj Jarange confirmed his planned march to Mumbai after supporters gather on September 12. He is currently on a hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation under the OBC category. Jarange will announce the march date once his supporters assemble at the protest site. He expressed dissatisfaction with state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's assurances. The activist also criticized Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's stance on the issue.

'Mirzapur The Movie' faces flak over song on Maharana Pratap

Senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore has formally objected to the use of a song dedicated to Maharana Pratap in Mirzapur The Movie, demanding its removal from the Central Board of Film Certification. Rathore argues that using the historical song in a scene with criminal characters disrespects Maharana Pratap and hurts public sentiments. The song's composer, Rapperiya Balam, also claims it was used without his permission and that its placement glorifies villains, insulting Rajasthan and Maharana Pratap.

Red Fort Wasn't Plan A, This Temple Was. Traffic Sent Bombers On Detour

The suicide bomber had first parked his explosives-laden i20 car near Lal Mandir, a Jain temple, before he moved to Red Fort, the NIA has alleged.

Lal Mandir Was Original Target: How Red Fort Bomber Changed Plans | NIA Chargesheet On IED Blast

The NIA chargesheet in the Red Fort blast case details the movements, planning and evidence linked to bomber Umar-un-Nabi. On November 10, Umar allegedly first tried to park the explosive-laden i20 near Lal Mandir in Chandni Chowk, but heavy traffic and police presence led him to turn back. CCTV captured the attempt at 6:37 pm, before the blast near Red Fort Gate No. 4 at 6:50 pm. The explosion killed 11 people and injured 29. The chargesheet also details forensic evidence, including a remote command mechanism fitted in one of Umars shoes and a metal piece testing positive for TATP, potassium and ammonium nitrate. The NIA also cited digital material, witness accounts, the Lone Mujahid Pocket Book and Umars movements before the attack.

Digvijaya Singh announces Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra to Ayodhya; BJP accuses Cong of 'appeasement politics'

Digital Desk | Bhopal, Sep 10 (IANS) Amid controversy surrounding allegations of donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh has announced the 'Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra', which will begin in Ujjain on October 20, coinciding with Dussehra, and proceed towards Ayodhya. While announcing the march, Digvijaya Singh described it as a journey from 'Shivdham' (the abode of Lord Shiva) to 'Ramdham' (the abode of Lord Ram), saying that the significance of Dussehra inspired him to undertake the yatra. Dussehra symbolises the victory of 'Dharma' (righteousness) over 'Adharma' (unrighteousness), and it is with this spirit that I decided to undertake the march... The objective of the march is not to oppose any political party or individual, but to hold a mirror to those allegedly involved in the misuse of devotees' faith and the funds offered at the temple, he said. Digvijaya Singh levelled serious allegations against the government over the alleged misuse of offerings made to the Ram Mandir Trust and claimed that the government was attempting to shield Champat Rai. The Congress leader also pointed out that allegations of irregularities had implicated certain individuals associated with the trust, which was constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He maintained that any alleged misuse of funds donated by devotees at a major centre of faith could not be accepted and stressed that contributions made by devotees must be handled and utilised in a transparent manner. Singh said the proposed march was not intended as an attack on any particular political party or individual, but was rooted in Sanatan tradition, religious faith and respect for devotees. He said the allegations surrounding donations made to the Ram Temple would be raised before the public through the yatra. During the announcement, Singh also referred to his political history and recalled that despite his opposition to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he had participated in the 'Ram Shila Pujan' campaign during 1988-89. The announcement drew a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Singh of using the Ram Temple issue for political purposes and urged him to first question Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his absence from the Ayodhya temple. Uttar Pradesh Minister Rakesh Sachan, speaking to IANS, said Singh himself had not visited the Ram Temple to offer prayers and questioned the basis of his criticism. He (Digvijaya Singh) never even went there to offer prayers. Those involved in the theft of donations have already faced action after the Chief Minister constituted a full-fledged inquiry committee. A CEO has also been appointed there in a new arrangement. CM Yogi has consistently been concerned that no such incident should take place, Sachan said. Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi also hit out at Digvijaya Singh and said the Congress leader should first ask Rahul Gandhi why senior leaders of his party had not visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to pay obeisance. Digvijaya Singh should first ask Rahul Gandhi why his party's senior leader has not visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to pay obeisance even once. Don't these people feel ashamed? Saraogi told IANS. Saraogi said the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, acted promptly after allegations regarding the theft of donations surfaced and constituted a committee to look into the matter. This is just an example of the Congress party's appeasement politics. Next year, Uttar Pradesh is going to polls, and hence now they are remembering Lord Ram out of nowhere, Saraogi added. JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak also questioned Digvijaya Singh's reference to Sanatan while attacking the Congress leader over his decision to launch the yatra. Which Sanatan is Digvijaya Singh talking about? He should first put his own house (Congress party) in order and take care of his own family, Rajak said.

BJPs Sanjay Sarawagi Criticizes Congress Leader Digvijaya Singh Ahead of Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra

Sanjay Sarawagi targets Congress over Digvijaya Singhs yatra, questioning Rahul Gandhis commitment to Ram Mandir. BJPs Sanjay Sarawagi Criticizes Congress Leader Digvijaya Singh Ahead of Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra

Digvijaya Singh Announces Sanatan Swabhimaan Yatra from Ujjain to Ayodhya Amid Ram Mandir Donation Controversy

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has announced a pilgrimage to address concerns over the alleged misuse of donations for the Ram Mandir. Digvijaya Singh Announces Sanatan Swabhimaan Yatra from Ujjain to Ayodhya Amid Ram Mandir Donation Controversy

Chennai Auto Drivers Plan Protest Demanding Fare Hike on September 19

Auto-rickshaw unions in Chennai will protest on September 19, urging the government to revise fares unchanged for 13 years. Chennai Auto Drivers Plan Protest Demanding Fare Hike on September 19

Slow Korean courts present tough hurdle, but India ready for Davis Cup challenge: Rohit Rajpal

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Expecting a stern challenge on 'slow courts', Indias Davis Cup non-playing captain Rohit Rajpal believes his unified squad is well-prepared to counter South Koreas home advantage when the two sides meet in the World Group Qualifiers Round 2 in Seoul on September 18 and 19. The games will be at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center and carry huge importance the winner will advance to the prestigious Davis Cup Final Eight, to be played in Bologna, Italy, in November. India, ranked 19th, last met 16th-ranked South Korea a decade ago in 2016 and secured a 4-1 victory on grass in Chandigarh. India, who trails 6-5 in the head-to-head between the two nations, booked its place at this stage in similarly dramatic fashion, beating the Netherlands with a Dhakshineswar Suresh-inspired comeback. As a captain obviously, I have very high expectations. But I do sort of recognize that this is going to be a very tough tie because Koreans are playing in Korea and I'm sure being the hosting team, they're preparing the courts to be very slow, which are not in our favour and much more in their favour and that is the home advantage the home team gets to exercise. So, that will make it tougher. But the Koreans are known to be very tough to beat in Korea. So, but we are preparing accordingly. We are getting there early and trying to get as much as possible used to the local conditions that have been prepared for us, Rajpal told IANS in an exclusive conversation, facilitated by subscription-free OTT platform VETO. India have retained the core of the squad that stunned the Netherlands 3-2 in Bengaluru in February to reach the second round of the qualifiers for the first time since the current competition format was introduced in 2019. The five-member team in Seoul comprises Sumit Nagal, Dhakshineswar Suresh and a maiden call-up given to Manas Dhamne. Doubles duty rests with specialists Yuki Bhambri and N. Sriram Balaji, while Sidharth Rawat and junior Grand Slam campaigner Arnav Paparkar join as reserves. Addressing the inclusion of Dhamne, Rajpal said it was done with an eye for the future. So, Manas is young and energetic and what we are trying to do is also so that there is no transition in the team as we go because some of the best teams in the world go through a transition period. We want to make sure that we have a good mix of younger and experienced player so that the transition period, whenever it does happen, we are through with it and Manas, from that point of view, brings a lot of value to the team and he is playing well. He is transitioning at the moment from being a junior into the men's area. So, I think it will do him a lot of good by being there. He has been there earlier in the squad. But now, for the first time he has made it to the team. He is improving a lot and so, I think it will be a very good experience to see and to play under these kind of pressure situations. Managing player availability amid a demanding professional calendar can be tricky, but Rajpal praised the commitment of the Indian players. Well, we are here, which itself shows that all the players are here. The Indians are known to be very emotional about their country and it is my job as a captain to make sure that the team is unified. In this team, all the energies are together and we are firing as one machine. So, we try to push each other and a lot of the team building exercises are put into place in the last few years and that is paying rich dividends now. There is a lot of leg pulling and a lot of fun jokes are directed at each other. All those things which are necessary to take the pressure off right before a tough match, they do happen. We eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together all the time, as they are all coming from different places in the world. So, the idea to get there early as well is to get everybody together and synergize and fire as one firing good machine. India have historically thrived in doubles rather than singles, something which Rajpal agrees with. I mean, the format itself offers you four singles and one doubles. So, it clearly shows that you need to win many more singles and there is only one doubles. But doubles does play an important role. Every point is important there because you need to get to three matches first to win. Sometimes doubles does change the momentum of teams as well . Sometimes, you have seen teams down love two and then the minute the doubles is in your favour, the next day, you get off to a better start. So, Indians have had a good history with Leander (Paes), Mahesh (Bhupathi), Rohan (Bopanna), all these guys really playing and making a career out of doubles, which frankly is fantastic. After you're done with your singles, it does give you many more years to be able to continue on the tour and still survive. So, they showed the world that you could all be a doubles specialist and still do very well for yourself on the tour. Both teams enter the contest on the back of stunning upset wins - while India stunned the Dutch, South Korea fought back to eliminate 2016 champions Argentina 3-2 in Busan. Asked about the ideal benchmark for success in Korea, Rajpal stressed a pragmatic, match-by-match approach over distant targets. Benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint. I mean, I set very high benchmarks for myself and for the boys. Only if you aim for the top, do you reach somewhere near the top. But if you don't aim for the top, you're nowhere, you know, because everything is target-oriented. So, if you set a target, then your body and mind and everything else works in tandem to be able to get you there or close to that. Sometimes you fall short, maybe for skill, stamina, for whatever reasons and you can fix that and come back again. But at the same time, I'd like to be realistic and we take it one match at a time. I tell the boys that please take it one match at a time. Don't think of the next match and don't think what's going to happen after because we need to first cross that hurdle to be able to then look and prepare for the next one. So, realistically speaking, we're not thinking ahead. We're just going to be focused on getting this tie home and bringing it home.

Jammu NCB tracks down, re-arrests escaped drug peddler from Punjab

Jammu, Sept 10: The Jammu unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau has re-arrested a drug peddler who had escaped from its custody three days ago, an official said on Thursday. The accused was arrested in Punjab's Jalandhar in a coordinated operation by the agency, J-K Police and Punjab Police, an NCB spokesperson said. Aqib Bashir, a resident of Kakapora in Pulwama district, escaped from NCBs custody in Narwal on the intervening night of September 6-7. The NCB had earlier arrested him with 522 grams of heroin from a passenger bus in Samba district on September 3. The NCB, in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police, has successfully traced and re-arrested Bashir, a notorious drug trafficker who had fled from the NCBs custody in Jammu, the spokesman said. After fleeing from Jammu, he said the accused reached Jalandhar via Pathankot. He initially hid in a forest area near the Narwal fruit mandi. To conceal his identity, he clean-shaved, changed his clothes and altered his appearance, he said. The accused used his contacts in Jalandhar to seek shelter and evade the search teams. Intelligence inputs and field efforts helped the agencies track his location. Bashir was arrested when he was preparing to move towards Delhi or another state, the spokesman said. Bashirs arrest was part of a month-long operation by the NCB in the Jammu division, which exposed two distinct routes used by narcotic smugglers to push heroin into J-K from Pakistan through the Uri sector and indirectly via Punjab. In four interceptions carried out over the past month, along with a linked recovery in Punjab, the NCB has seized 6.920 kg of heroin and arrested six accused.

'Jarange is my brother: Amruta Fadnavis invites Maratha activist home for meal

Jarange has been staging a protest at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for the past 13 days, demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category

TN: Auto unions announce September 19 stir, demand immediate fare revision

Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS) Auto-rickshaw trade unions in Tamil Nadu have announced a protest in Chennai on September 19, intensifying pressure on the Vijay government to revise fares that have remained unchanged for 13 years. The Federation of Auto-Rickshaw Trade Unions said drivers would assemble near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, demanding an immediate government order on revised meter fares. Union representatives said nearly five lakh drivers across the state were struggling with higher fuel, maintenance and insurance costs. The decision follows three rounds of consultations held with the Transport Department since the Vijay government assumed office in May. At the latest meeting on August 27, unions submitted a fare chart proposing a minimum charge of Rs 60 to Rs 70 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 25 to Rs 30 for every additional kilometre. Passenger representatives who attended the consultations supported the demand, union leaders said. The federation has now consolidated its demand at Rs 60 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 30 for every subsequent kilometre, along with separate waiting and night charges. It said repeated discussions had produced no firm assurance. Drivers had expected a decision during the Assembly debate on the Transport Departments demand for grants. However, Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said that an announcement would be made soon, disappointing the unions. A government committee had earlier recommended, in 2024, a base fare of Rs 40 and Rs 18 for each additional kilometre. That proposal remained pending. Following the consultations, officials were understood to be considering a higher recommendation of Rs 50 as the base fare and Rs 22 to Rs 25 for every additional kilometre. The State Home (Transport) Department must take the final decision, the unions said. The last revision, introduced in 2013, fixed the minimum fare at Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 12 for each additional kilometre. Unions argue that those rates bear little relation to present operating expenses and have made meter-based services unviable. Commuters, meanwhile, have complained that app-based aggregators impose surge pricing, while some drivers demand amounts above displayed estimates. Transport activists have called for an enforceable fare structure, tighter regulation of aggregators and action on complaints. Officials said the revision would be based on the committees recommendations, but the unions maintained that only a time-bound order could avert agitation.

Tamil Nadu: Persons With Disabilities Protest Demanding Hike In Assistance To

More than 400 persons with disabilities staged a protest at the Commissionerate for the Welfare of the Differently-Abled on Kamaraj Salai in Chennai on Monday, 7 September 2026, demanding that the monthly assistance provided by the Tamil Nadu government be increased from 1,500 to at least 6,000, as reported in The Hindu. The State-wide protest [] The post Tamil Nadu: Persons With Disabilities Protest Demanding Hike In Assistance To 6,000 appeared first on The Commune .

WHO chief meets JP Nadda, praises India's health gains in maternal, child care and TB fight

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised India's health sector progress. He highlighted advancements in maternal and child health initiatives. India's Ayushman Arogya Mandirs bring health screenings closer to communities. ASHA workers support mothers and children from conception through adolescence. Discussions also covered India's efforts to end tuberculosis and strengthen regulations.

Lal Mandir was original target: How traffic forced Red Fort bomber to change plans

The National Investigation Agency filed a charge sheet detailing the Red Fort vehicle-borne IED attack. The bomber initially targeted Lal Mandir but was diverted by traffic and police presence. He detonated the explosive near Red Fort Gate No. 4, killing eleven people. The device was triggered remotely using a mechanism fitted into the bomber's shoe. This attack was the first vehicle-borne IED incident reported in the national capital.

J&K veterinary interns strike enters 3rd day

Protest demonstrations staged by veterinary interns in Jammu and Kashmir entered their third consecutive day on Wednesday, with protesting students boycotting non-essential services to press for an immediate revision of their monthly internship stipends. Organised under the banner of the Jammu & Kashmir Veterinary Students Association (JKVSA), interns from the Sher-e-Kashmir Universities of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir assembled outside main campus blocks clad in uniforms, carrying placards and raising slogans demanding parity and financial justice. Protesters highlighted a severe pay gap compared to veterinary interns across other premier institutions in India. Currently, veterinary interns at SKUAST receive a monthly allowance of 6,000. Protesting students pointed out that the current figure fails to cover basic transportation, living and field posting expenses. In contrast, peer institutions offer significantly higher monthly stipends. We are required to carry out 24/7 emergency duties, clinical rotations and livestock field visits in remote districts, paying travel costs out of our own pockets, said JKVSA President Saqlain Rashid. How can we manage basic survival on a Rs 6,000 allowance when interns in other states draw up to Rs 23,500? Student representatives noted that university leadership submitted a formal proposal for a stipend enhancement to the Finance Department as early as 2023. However, despite multiple assurances and official communications from the Veterinary Council of India (VCI), the file remains unapproved. Demonstrating interns warned that unless the government issues a formal, written order approving a stipend hike, they will escalate their agitation into an indefinite strike, halting emergency clinical services and ambulatory livestock duty across university facilities. The protesting students urged the Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar to look into the grievance for redressal.

Amazon adds cybersecurity veteran Kevin Mandia to board 2 years after he left Google

Amazon said Kevin Mandia, the founder and former CEO of cybersecurity company Mandiant, is joining its board of directors. Amazon adds cybersecurity veteran Kevin Mandia to board 2 years after he left Google

Punjab govt. employees call off their strike after assurance

The employees, who had on Tuesday, September 8, observed a day-long strike, were demanding that the government withdraw its letter branding their August 27 mass casual leave taken in protest as unauthorised leave.

Bihar Police SI Candidates Protest in Patna, Demand Dates for Physical Efficiency Test

Candidates for Bihar Police SI positions protested in Patna, demanding immediate announcement of Physical Efficiency Test dates after passing exams. Bihar Police SI Candidates Protest in Patna, Demand Dates for Physical Efficiency Test

Arogya Mandirs to offer specialist consultations through telemedicine

ACB arrests assistant police inspector for demanding & accepting bribe

BU employee welfare association continues sit-in demanding refund of ESI deduction

Veterinary interns stipend protest enters second day

Ganderbal, Sep 8: The protest by veterinary interns at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shuhama campus, entered its second consecutive day on Tuesday, with the protesting interns pressing for an enhancement in their monthly stipend and urging the government to address their demands without further delay. The protesting interns said they have been seeking a revision of their stipend, which they described as inadequate considering the nature of their duties, academic commitments and field responsibilities. The protest continued at the Shuhama campus as the interns maintained that their demand was legitimate and aimed at securing financial support during their internship period. PDP leader Iltija Mufti visited the protesting interns at the Shuhama campus and interacted with them regarding their demands. She later spoke to reporters and extended her support to the interns, calling upon the government to initiate dialogue with them and resolve the issue at the earliest. It is a shame that the brightest minds of J&K, doctors and vets, are being forced to leave their duties and protest on the streets. They are not demanding anything illegal, Mufti said. She drew a parallel between veterinary interns and medical interns who, she said, have also been raising concerns over stipend-related issues at different institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. According to Mufti, the interns are currently receiving around Rs 6,000 per month and are seeking an increase to Rs 23,000. She said the demand was modest considering the expenses interns have to meet while carrying out their duties. She appealed to the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Javed Ahmad Dar, to visit the protesting interns personally and hold a dialogue with them. Mufti maintained that she did not want to politicise the protest, saying her immediate concern was that the interns should receive justice and that the government should engage with them.

Delhi CM hails Centre's approval for separate Delhi PWD engineering cadre

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) The Central government has approved the Delhi governments proposal to create an independent engineering cadre for the Public Works Department (PWD), a long-pending reform expected to give the capital greater control over its engineering workforce and accelerate infrastructure projects. Under the decision, 3,214 sanctioned engineering posts across 36 categories in the Delhi PWD will be separated from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) cadre and brought under a New Delhi PWD Engineering Cadre. The move ends nearly three decades of dependence on the central cadre for appointments and postings. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the approval, describing it as a historic step towards making Delhi a developed, safe and world-class capital. In a post on X, she said the need for a separate PWD engineering cadre had been pending for almost 30 years. Our government took the decision, accelerated the process, and now, with the approval of the central government, the path has been paved for Delhi to have its own independent engineering cadre within a year and a half, she stated. Gupta expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the long-standing demand. The Delhi government said the separate cadre would enable faster filling of vacant posts, strengthen project monitoring and give fresh momentum to the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and public buildings. It is also expected to make the engineering system more responsive to the capitals specific developmental and administrative requirements. Until now, Delhi PWDs engineering services were largely dependent on the CPWD cadre, with appointments routed through the central system. Officials noted that this arrangement sometimes delayed decisions tailored to the citys needs. With its own cadre, the Delhi government will have greater flexibility in managing vacancies, ensuring the availability of engineers, monitoring projects and deploying officials according to work requirements. The reform comes as the government prepares for several major projects, including a new Secretariat, mini-secretariats in all 11 districts, and works related to mandis, sports grounds and other public facilities. Sustained engineering support will also be required for ongoing road, bridge and infrastructure works across the capital. The government believes the independent cadre will improve accountability and transparency in the execution of public works by aligning the responsibilities of engineering officials more closely with the Delhi administrations framework.

Apple unveils iPhone 18 Pro series with variable-aperture camera, A20 Pro chip and new Siri AI

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Apple on Wednesday unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, at its fall Surprise and Shine event, with major upgrades focused on camera capabilities, performance, battery life and artificial intelligence. While the overall design of the new Pro models remains largely unchanged from the previous generation, Apple has significantly upgraded the camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro series features a 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture mechanism built using six thin blades. Apple has also introduced new professional controls within the Camera app, giving users greater control over white balance, shutter speed, aperture and histogram settings. On the video front, the new Pro models can record 4K footage in Dolby HDR Vision. Users will also be able to apply cinematic effects to recorded footage after shooting, giving them greater flexibility during the editing process. Apple has made changes to the front of the devices as well. The new Pro models feature a smaller Dynamic Island, which can now display up to three Live Activities simultaneously, allowing users to monitor more information without leaving the current screen. Under the hood, both smartphones are powered by Apple's latest A20 Pro chip and feature a redesigned vapor chamber aimed at improving heat management during demanding tasks. Apple has also redesigned the battery system to improve endurance. The company claims the iPhone 18 Pro can deliver up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers up to 45 hours. Artificial intelligence was another major focus of the launch. Apple demonstrated its new Siri AI with contextual on-screen intelligence, allowing the assistant to better understand information and actions displayed on the user's screen. With iOS 27, Apple is also introducing an iPhone handoff feature that allows users to use two iPhones with a single eSIM and switch between the devices. The iPhone 18 Pro series also gets a new burgundy colour option, replacing the orange finish offered with the previous generation. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, representing a $100 increase over last year's models. Pre-orders will begin Saturday, with both devices scheduled to go on sale on September 18.

iPhone 18 Pro @ $1,199 packs in more AI

Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, bringing major upgrades across performance, on-device AI, cameras, battery life and thermal management. At the heart of the new Pro models is the A20 Pro chip, which delivers significant gains in CPU, GPU and neural processing while enabling more powerful on-device Apple Intelligence features. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 in the US.The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max also introduce a new 48MP Fusion main camera with variable aperture, giving users greater control over light, depth of field and the overall look of photos and videos. Apple has also added new professional camera controls, improved video capabilities and enhanced AI-powered photography tools.iPhone 18 Pro launched at $ 1,119 The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are powered by the new A20 Pro chip, built around a redesigned architecture focused on performance and efficiency. The chip features a six-core CPU with new performance and efficiency cores, with CPU performance up to 20% faster than the previous generation. The GPU has also received a major upgrade, with a seven-core design delivering significant gains in graphics performance and AI-powered image generation.The new neural engine is specifically designed for on-device AI workloads, with a 32-core design and support for advanced 8-bit floating-point operations. Together, the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine improvements make the A20 Pro significantly more capable of running demanding Apple Intelligence features directly on the iPhone. Apple has also increased memory bandwidth by 50%, helping the device handle larger AI models and demanding applications more efficiently.More powerful Apple Intelligence and SiriThe new Pro models bring deeper Apple Intelligence capabilities, including access to Apple's latest Foundation models and more powerful on-device AI models. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can run its most advanced on-device models yet, enabling features such as enhanced image generation, smarter photo editing and more capable Siri interactions.Siri is also getting a major upgrade. Users can interact with Siri more naturally, continue conversations across Apple devices and use the assistant to take actions across supported apps. Siri can understand information displayed through the camera and help users act on what they see. Apple Intelligence also brings more personalised capabilities, including creating automations through natural-language instructions, finding information across apps and generating images through Image Playground.Apple says the new capabilities will work across more than 3,000 apps, allowing developers to integrate Apple's AI features into everyday workflows.New 48MP camera with variable apertureOne of the biggest upgrades comes to the camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro introduces a new 48MP Fusion main camera with variable aperture, giving users more control over how much light enters the camera and how much of the scene remains in focus.The variable-aperture system can automatically adjust depending on the scene, while also allowing users to manually control the aperture for greater creative flexibility. A wider aperture can create a shallower depth of field, while a narrower aperture can keep more of the scene in focus. Apple has also introduced new Pro controls, allowing users to manually adjust settings such as white balance, exposure, histogram and shutter speed.For video creators, the iPhone 18 Pro adds more advanced controls and improved cinematic capabilities. Users can adjust shutter speed for motion blur, while AI-powered smart focus tracking can maintain focus on moving subjects. The new system also supports improved Dolby Vision HDR video and enhanced audio recording capabilities.New tools for photographersApple is also expanding its computational photography capabilities. Photographic Styles now offer additional control over texture and grain, allowing users to create more distinctive looks while retaining control over colour and skin tones. The iPhone 18 Pro also introduces a new approach to preserving image authenticity. Apple says captured images can retain additional information that can be used to verify what was actually recorded by the camera.Together with the new variable-aperture camera and Pro controls, Apple says the system is designed to offer greater flexibility for both everyday photography and professional workflows.Improved thermal managementApple has redesigned the thermal architecture of the iPhone 18 Pro to help sustain the higher performance of the A20 Pro chip. The new thermal system features a next-generation vapour chamber with three times the surface area of the system used in the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also introduced new thermal materials, including a nano-twin copper material designed to move heat away from the display more effectively. The company says the redesigned thermal system can deliver up to a 40% improvement in sustained performance compared with the previous-generation Pro model.Longest battery life ever on an iPhoneBattery life is another major focus of the new Pro models. The iPhone 18 Pro offers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers up to 45 hours, giving the Max model the longest battery life ever offered on an iPhone. Apple has also improved charging, with the iPhone 18 Pro capable of reaching 50% charge in around 15 minutes under supported conditions.More connectivity and iOS 27 featuresThe iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max also benefit from new software and connectivity features in iOS 27. Apple says AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster, while connectivity has been improved with smarter transitions between Wi-Fi networks. A new feature called iPhone Handoff allows a single phone number to be used across two iPhones, with the number becoming active on whichever iPhone the user picks up. The Pro models also feature an upgraded Dynamic Island, while iOS 27 brings further customisation and improvements across apps including Mail and other system experiences.iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max price and availabilityThe iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 in the US. Pre-orders for both models begin September 12, with availability starting September 18. With the A20 Pro chip, deeper on-device Apple Intelligence, a new variable-aperture 48MP camera, improved thermal architecture and the longest battery life ever on an iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max represent Apple's biggest Pro upgrade across performance, photography and AI.