David Warner To Play In Nepal Premier League For Kathmandu Gorkhas
Nepal Premier League: Former Australian batter David Warner has joined Kathmandu Gorkhas to play in Nepal Premier League season 3, the franchise announced on Tuesday. Hi everyone, I am really excited to be coming to Nepal and joining the Kathmandu Gorkhas squad. I know it has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, and I hope that the NPL could bring some joy and give people something to come together, Warner said in the video posted by the NPL franchise. I have heard so much about the passion and the fans. I can't wait to experience it all. I can't wait to meet you and get out there and be with my team. Three cities, one soul, one team and one dream. Ayo Gorkhali! Warner concluded in his video address. The franchise is also pretty excited to have the 2021 T20 World Champion in their squad. 12th Warriors, you manifested this! Two-time ICC Mens Cricket World Cup champion. T20 World Cup champion and Player of the Tournament. World Test Championship winner. Triple centurion. And the only player to win three IPL Orange Caps, the franchise wrote on X. One of world crickets most explosive names is now coming to our Valley. This one is for our 12th Warriors. This one is for Nepal cricket. David Warner, welcome to the Valley, it added. Warner has been one of the most prolific batters in the IPL. He is the highest-scorer among overseas players in the Indian cash-rich league with 6565 runs in 184 matches and is one of the only four players to have scored over 6000 runs in the tournament's 19-year-long history. During his time, he played for the Delhi Capitals and is a 2016 IPL winner with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, he was not picked in the IPL 2025 mega auction and did not register for the 2026 edition after missing out on a bid. Apart from the IPL, Warner has been one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket and still continues to be a regular face in several franchise leagues, having recently featured in the BBL 2025/26 and the PSL 2026. Meanwhile, Anubhab Swar Sirohiya, executive director of Kathmandu Gorkhas, hailed the signing of the former Australian batter. This moment is deeply personal to me as well, said Sirohiya. Bringing David Warner to the Kathmandu Gorkhas was not something that happened overnight. It took months of conversations, persistence and belief from everyone involved. There were many moments when it felt difficult, but the possibility of seeing a player of his stature represent Kathmandu and play at the TU Cricket Ground made every effort worthwhile. Meanwhile, Anubhab Swar Sirohiya, executive director of Kathmandu Gorkhas, hailed the signing of the former Australian batter. This moment is deeply personal to me as well, said Sirohiya. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories This is for Nepali cricket. And above all, this is for every cricket fan in Nepal who has always believed that our country and our game deserve the biggest stage. Article Source: IANS
Sports Minister Mandaviya Directs Hockey India to Draft HIL Revival Plan
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has directed Hockey India and franchise owners of the Hockey India League (HIL) to prepare a comprehensive roadmap ensuring the leagues financial viability and sustainability. At a meeting attended by senior ministry officials, franchise representatives, and Hockey India executives, Mandaviya emphasised the need to prioritise the Governance Model, Financial Model, and [] The post Sports Minister Mandaviya Directs Hockey India to Draft HIL Revival Plan appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Shah Rukh Khan has THIS to say about Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar
Shah Rukh Khan has praised Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar franchise, revealing during a recent Ask SRK session that he watched both instalments. Calling them fantastic, SRK also lauded the entire team behind the action drama
Sohum Shahs Tumbbad gets themed Ganesh pandals across cities in India, watch videos
Sohum Shahs Tumbbad, when it was released, created a massive cult following. More than just a film, it became a phenomenon whose fanbase only grew stronger with time, with the 2024 re-release, emerging as one of the highest-grossing Indian re-releases. The films storyline, setting, and performances captured hearts, and the craze seems not to have slowed down. As the anticipation for Tumbbad 2 continues to rise, the craze for Tumbbad seems to have taken over the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities as well. Several cities across India witnessed Tumbbad-themed Ganesh pandals, with videos of different pandals making rounds online. From Hastar crawling out of the walls and eerie red walls to a goddess statue holding a pot-like object at the entrance and behind Ganesh idols, along with eerie hallways and pandals inspired by the world of Tumbbad, the celebrations showcased just how massive the craze for the film continues to be. View this post on Instagram A post shared by oumik Chakraborty ( som) (@__soumik_raj_chakraborty) Apart from Sohum Shah, Tumbbad also starred Mohammad Samad, Jyoti Malshe, Ronjini Chakraborty, Anita Dale Kelkar, among others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chocolate (@sukesh_purohit) The 2018 film, headlined by Sohum Shah, gradually built a strong fanbase with its unique visual aesthetic, folklore-driven narrative and atmospheric storytelling. The film found an even wider audience with its 2024 theatrical re-release, which went on to become a major success at the box office. View this post on Instagram A post shared by | (@itsvibewithpriya) The upcoming sequel has already created significant buzz, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui joining the cast, followed by Alia Bhatt coming on board in a pivotal role. Actor-producer Sohum Shah announced the casting in July, bringing Shah, Bhatt and Siddiqui together for the next chapter of the franchise. Also Read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui calls Tumbbad 2 a very amazing project; says I can feel proud of that project
Shah Rukh Khan BREAKS silence on Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar; says, Loved both the parts
Shah Rukh Khan has finally shared his thoughts on Dhurandhar, the Ranveer Singh starrer duology that has been among the major talking points in Hindi cinema. The superstar spoke about the film during a recent #AskSRK session on X (formerly Twitter), where he responded to a fans question about whether he had watched the two-part franchise. During the interactive session, a fan asked Shah Rukh Khan, Have you seen Dhurandhar? #AskSRK. Responding to the question, the actor revealed that he had watched both instalments of the film and praised the entire team. Shah Rukh Khan replied, Loved both the parts....fantastic by the whole team!!! The brief response marks his first direct reaction to Dhurandhar and comes as the franchise continues to remain a subject of discussion among audiences and the film industry. His appreciation also extends beyond the performances, as he specifically credited the entire team behind the project. Loved both the parts....fantastic by the whole team!!! Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) September 15, 2026 Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features Ranveer Singh in the lead, with the franchise presented as a two-part film. The project has generated considerable interest since its release, with its scale, cast and subject becoming key talking points. Shah Rukh Khans comments came as part of his latest #AskSRK interaction, a format through which the actor connects with fans and answers questions about his films, career and personal interests. With the superstar now having publicly expressed his appreciation for both parts of Dhurandhar, his simple yet enthusiastic reaction is likely to add another talking point around the franchise. Also Read: R Madhavan auditioned for Shah Rukh Khans role in Swades, reveals co-writer Amin Hajee: He absolutely killed it. He is a great actor
Rasika Dugal shares a pic of Mirzapur queens featuring Shriya Pilgaonkar
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS) Actress Rasika Dugal took a trip down memory lane as she shared a carousel of pictures offering glimpses of her life lately. She also included a frame featuring the women of the Mirzapur franchise, which she captioned as The Queens. The carousel opens with Rasika posing with a dog named Max. In the picture, the actress, dressed in a light blue saree, is seen affectionately holding the dog's face as she smiles for the camera. Another behind-the-scenes picture shows her seated for hair and makeup, with her hair styled in pigtails. The carousel also features quirky Hindi signs reading Meri Saheli and Meri Begum, a picture of Rasika holding a bouquet of flowers and a handwritten note that reads, Philaver hi toh hai. Laiph-time thodi hi rehta hai, signed by Tuku, Appu and Sid. Another picture shows the actress enjoying time with Max while dressed in a green saree. She also shared another group picture featuring women, including veteran actress Sheeba Chaddha and Shriya Pilgaonkar, with the text The Queens written across the picture. Rasika captioned the carousel, Inn Dinon. For the uninitiated, Rasika has been an integral part of the Mirzapur franchise since its first season, playing the character of Beena Tripathi, wife of Akhandanand Kaleen Tripathi, portrayed by Pankaj Tripathi. The actress has now reprised the role for Mirzapur: The Movie, which marks the franchise's transition from the streaming platform to the big screen. The film brings back many of the franchise's popular characters, including Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya, Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit, Divyenndu as Munna Tripathi, Rasika as Beena Tripathi, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Abhishek Banerjee. The film also features Ravi Kishan, Jitendra Kumar, Mohit Malik, Sheeba Chaddha and Sonal Chauhan, among others. Directed by Gurmmeet Singh and written and created by Puneet Krishna, Mirzapur: The Movie is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under Excel Entertainment. The movie was released in cinemas on September 4, 2026, and has been receiving great response. The original Mirzapur series premiered on OTT in 2018 and went on to become one of India's most popular crime dramas. Its second season arrived in 2020, followed by the third season in 2024.
Delhi Police busts pan-India matrimonial cyber fraud call centre in Agra; mastermind arrested
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) The Central District Cyber Police have busted an organised pan-India matrimonial cyber fraud racket being operated from a call centre in Agra under the facade of a branded matrimonial portal, shaadipartner.com, and arrested its mastermind, a practising advocate. According to the police, the syndicate targeted men seeking matrimonial alliances and used fake profiles, photographs of women sourced from the internet and staged conversations to create an impression of genuine matchmaking services. The racket operated on the principle of 'cheat small, cheat many', with the accused deliberately limiting the amount extracted from an individual victim to a maximum of Rs 15,000. The investigation began following a complaint lodged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) by a man who alleged that he had been induced, deceived and defrauded on the false promise of being provided a matrimonial alliance through shaadipartner.com. Following the complaint, FIR No. 78/2025 was registered at Cyber Police Station, Central District, under Sections 318(4), 317(5), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the investigation, the syndicate had been operating the racket for around one year and systematically targeting matrimonial seekers across different parts of the country. To lure prospective victims, the fraudsters initially shared photographs of attractive women through WhatsApp. To establish trust and create the appearance of an authentic matchmaking process, they allegedly arranged telephonic conversations between the complainants and women posing as prospective brides. Once a victim developed an emotional connection or expressed genuine interest, the accused allegedly induced him to make payments at different stages. The victim was charged under various pretexts, including registration charges, profile access fees, profile activation charges and contact-unlocking fees. In the case under investigation, the complainant was allegedly defrauded of Rs 15,000. Subsequent technical investigation and analysis of the financial trail established that the entire amount allegedly defrauded from the complainant was credited directly into a current account with the Central Bank of India. The account, bearing the number 0512****190, was registered in the name of the commercial entity M/s Shaadi Partner Com. According to banking records and KYC details, Jaya Shakya alias Shashi was the sole proprietor and authorised signatory of the beneficiary account. Further analysis through the NCRP database revealed that the same bank account was linked to six complaints registered from different parts of the country. Police said the findings indicated an active and coordinated racket that primarily targeted male matrimonial seekers across India using a similar modus operandi. Acting on the information gathered during the investigation, a police team raided an illegal and fully functional tele-calling call centre operating from Property No. 25, Ramaji Dham Apartment, Sikandra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on September 4. Jaya Shakya, 44, who served as the operational manager and front face of the establishment, was arrested at the spot. Eight female tele-callers were also apprehended during the operation. During sustained custodial interrogation of Jaya Shakya after she was brought to Delhi, investigators uncovered the identity of the person behind the operation. Police said the call centre was financed, owned and masterminded by Amit Kumar, 29, an advocate and BA LLB graduate. According to investigators, Kumar used his knowledge of legal procedures and documentation to create a multi-layered structure aimed at shielding himself from direct scrutiny. Investigators said the banking channels and procurement of SIM cards were also structured in the name of the proprietorship firm. This ensured that any initial investigation into the financial transactions or communication channels would lead to Jaya Shakya rather than Kumar. Police alleged that Kumar presented himself as the firms 'Legal Advisor', thereby attempting to establish plausible deniability and avoid direct police scrutiny. Following the raid on September 4, Kumar switched off his mobile phones and went underground after learning that the Agra call centre had been raided by Delhi Police. The investigation team subsequently deployed technical surveillance to track his movements and zeroed in on his location in Agra. On September 8, police intercepted Kumar in the Kala Kunj area of Agra while he was travelling in a black Hyundai Creta bearing an 'Advocate' sticker on its windshields. According to the police, Kumar displayed his credentials issued by the Uttar Pradesh State Bar Council and claimed that he was merely acting as a legal counsel. However, investigators said that digital evidence gathered during the probe contradicted his claim. Police subsequently arrested Kumar on September 8. According to police, female tele-callers were recruited through vacancies advertised on recruitment platforms such as WorkIndia and Apna App, as well as through newspaper advertisements. The recruits were allegedly made to believe that they were joining a genuine matrimonial service. To establish the credibility of the operation, the accused used documents such as an MSME Udyam certificate, Uttar Pradesh Labour Department registration, a franchise agreement and Kumars Bar Council credentials. Police said these documents were shown to young employees during recruitment to convince them that the organisation was a legitimate and legally compliant matrimonial service. Investigators alleged that, over time, some of the female employees realised that they were participating in a fraudulent operation. However, the prospect of earning additional money allegedly kept them involved. According to the police, Jaya Shakya and Amit Kumar paid the tele-callers a 10 per cent incentive on every amount they successfully extracted from a victim. This was in addition to their monthly salaries of around Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000. To make the operation appear genuine, the accused created dummy client profiles on the matrimonial website and sent screenshots to victims. These screenshots were intended to convince them that they were receiving genuine matchmaking services. When a victim requested to speak with the woman whose photograph had been shown to him, another female employee from the call centre allegedly posed as the prospective bride during conference calls. The victim was then allowed to speak with the woman for several days, creating the impression that a genuine relationship was developing. After the victim had developed an emotional connection, the alliance was rejected on various false grounds. These included claims of Manglik Dosh, family disapproval or an assertion that the woman had become engaged elsewhere. If a victim insisted on receiving more options, the tele-callers provided details of other families whose profiles were already available on the portal. By using photographs downloaded from the internet, staging conversations with women posing as prospective brides and arranging calls with people pretending to be family members, the syndicate allegedly created a convincing illusion of genuine matchmaking. Each female tele-caller had a monthly target of bringing in at least Rs 15,000 in fraudulent collections. Failure to meet the target could reportedly result in salary deductions, while repeated failure led to termination. The accused also adopted measures to prevent victims from filing police complaints. According to investigators, whenever tele-callers sensed that a suspicious or angry victim was preparing to report the matter, they would refund the money to the victim to quietly settle the issue. Police further alleged that when a victim nevertheless filed a complaint through the NCRP, the complainants action could lead to the freezing of the proprietorship firm's bank account. At that stage, Amit Kumar stepped in and used his legal credentials to handle the situation. The alleged mastermind, Amit Kumar, a resident of Sikandra, Agra, is 29 years old and is a practising advocate. Police have described him as the alleged real owner and mastermind of the fake matrimonial matchmaking call centre. Jaya Shakya, a resident of West Arjun Nagar, Agra, is 44 years old. Police have identified her as the alleged operational manager and on-paper sole proprietor of the fraudulent entity. She supervised day-to-day tele-calling operations and managed the female staff. Other accused identified by the police include Jyoti Kumari, 27, a resident of Mohalla Bichpuri Road, Agra; Karishma Sharma, 24, a resident of Shastri Puram, Agra; Rashmi, 24, a resident of Shahganj, Agra; Anshu Kumari, 32, a resident of Radhe Garden, Agra, and originally from Bhagalpur, Bihar; Meghna Parashar, 23, a resident of Agra; Padma, 26, a resident of Bodla, Agra; and Aashika, 21, a resident of Agra.
Rakul Preet Singh has chosen characters that allow her to step outside the conventional mould, embracing roles that challenge her as an actor and offer something new to audiences. From playing a condom tester in Chhatriwali, playing Ayesha in De De Pyaar De franchise to portraying a medical professional navigating gender biases in Doctor G, the actor has built a diverse body of work across genres. Her latest choice, however, takes her into the world of Indian mythology as she portrays Shurpanakha in Nitesh Tiwaris much-awaited Ramayana. As her recent conversation with Brides Today magazine turned towards her favourite role, Rakul treated the question almost like a trick question. I cant pick one! she attempted to evade. Its been a long journey. Every film is special and teaches you something. Having spent nearly two decades in cinema, Rakul has never limited herself to one particular genre or character type. Her willingness to experiment is once again evident with her decision to take on the role of Shurpanakha, a character whose story is often remembered through a single pivotal incident in the epic. Theres not much we know about her, even though she triggered the incidents that finally led to the war, she shared. There was just so much to explore with this role. For Rakul, the appeal lies in the opportunity to explore a character beyond her familiar perception and discover the layers that make her story compelling. Her choice of Shurpanakha also falls in line with the actors inclination towards characters that challenge expectations and allow her to explore unfamiliar territory. With Ramayana, Rakul once again finds herself taking on a character vastly different from her previous roles, adding yet another unconventional chapter to her journey as an actor. Also Read: Rakul Preet Singh on exploring horror and period films; says, I would like to experiment with different genres
Hockey India Faces Internal Conflict, Key Meeting Called
Hockey India is embroiled in a significant internal dispute between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, primarily stemming from an unauthorised jersey colour change. An emergent Executive Board meeting has been called to address this conflict, discuss the restructuring of the Hockey India League (HIL) into a joint venture with franchises, finalise election dates, and deliberate on hosting Asian Champions Trophy events. The meeting also aims to address a show-cause notice issued to the Director General.
Bigg Boss 20: Aamrapali Dubey, Mahhi Vij say shut up to each other over cooking chicken
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS) The upcoming episode of Bigg Boss 20 will seen an ugly spat between housemates Aamrapali Dubey and Mahhi Vij over cooking chicken in the kitchen, which will soon escalate with both contestants telling each other to shut up. A new promo was shared on the channels Instagram page with the caption: @mahhivij aur @aamrapali1101 ki nok-jhok ne liya serious turn Dekhiye #BiggBoss20 ka naya episode, har roz raat 9 baje #JioHotstar par aur 10:30 baje #Colors par. The clip begins with, Mahhi entering the kitchen and asking the cooking team, which includes Aamrapali for adding potatoes to the chicken curry. A miffed Aamrapali is then heard telling Mahhi to let the cooking team make the food and that others, who are not a part of the team to exit the kitchen. The video then pans to Mahhi leaving the kitchen in anger and saying: You dont exist for me. To which, Aamrapali replies by saying: Dont come here and talk. Mahhi was also heard saying that: Iske mooh lagungi? Amma ke tarah bith gayi. (Why would I engage with her? She has started behaving like an old lady.) Aamrapali is heard saying she sits with four people and isnt one of them. The video ends with the two saying shut up to each other. The 20th edition of Bigg Boss which started on September 6. It has a diverse lineup of 16 celebrity contestants including names such as MC Mary Kom, Kanika Mann, Mahhi Vij, Kushal Tanwar, Aman Gandhi, Isha Rikhi, Arishfa Khan, Qazi Touqeer, Asif Khan, Aamrapali Dubey, Rhiti Tiwari, Uditi Singh, Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP, Rohed Khan, Yung DSA and Love Gill. The show airs on JioHotstar and Colors. Bigg Boss is an Indian Hindi-language reality television show of the Bigg Boss franchise in India that airs on Colors TV. It is based on the Dutch format of Big Brother. The 20th edition started on September 6.
Marizanne Kapp withdraws from WBBL to focus on international commitments
Digital Desk | Melbourne, Sep 15 (IANS) South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has withdrawn from the upcoming Womens Big Bash League (WBBL) season to focus on international duties, leaving Melbourne Stars without one of their key overseas players for WBBL 12. Kapp, who joined the Stars on a three-year contract ahead of WBBL 10, has decided against playing the final year of her deal as she shofted her focus on the South African schedule, which begins with a Test match against India on December 9, just four days after the conclusion of the WBBL. The Test will be part of a multi-format series that also includes three ODIs and three T20Is. South Africa will then feature in the inaugural Womens Champions Trophy in February before hosting Australia in a multi-format series from March to April. Kapp has been a regular presence in the WBBL, having featured in all 11 seasons of the competition across four teams. However, her 2026 campaign was affected by illness and injury. While the Stars will miss Kapps contributions, club's general manager James Rosengarten said they respect her decision. We are of course disappointed to be without someone of Marizannes calibre this season, Rosengarten said. She is one of the worlds finest all-round players but we understand her priorities at this stage and it will present another list opportunity for the Stars. The Stars have moved quickly to strengthen their squad, securing the services of England duo Dani Gibson and Amy Jones for the upcoming season. The English pair made an immediate impact during their debut seasons for the club last year, adding class to the Stars batting line-up. Jones cemented herself as a reliable number three option in 2025, scoring 234 runs from 11 matches, with a top score of 59. The 33-year-old was equally as valuable behind the stumps, proving herself as one of the best wicket keepers in the world. Gibson has also represented her country in 35 T20 matches and will be a threat with both bat and ball in hand. She is one of the leagues best power hitters, finding the boundary on 26 occasions last tournament, scoring 170 runs at a strike rate of 139.34. Jones will return to the Stars after finishing as the teams second-highest run-scorer in WBBL 11, while pace-bowling all-rounder Gibson will enter her third season with the Melbourne-based franchise. It was a priority for us to have both Dani and Amy return this season, so were really pleased with this outcome, Rosengarten said. They are both very talented cricketers in multiple ways, which is so valuable in this format. We are bolstering our batting line-up with two different skillsets, while also gaining a wicketkeeper and bowler, he added.
Bulldozers roll into Ranchi encroachment drive, hundreds protest evictions
Digital Desk | Ranchi, Sep 15 (IANS) The district administration on Tuesday launched a major anti-encroachment drive in Ranchi to clear illegal constructions on land belonging to the Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) and the Railways. The action triggered massive protests by hundreds of affected residents. Several JCB machines were deployed simultaneously to remove structures built on the disputed land, while a heavy police presence was stationed across the area to maintain law and order during the operation. Hundreds of residents, whose homes and structures are likely to be affected by the drive, took to the streets in protest. They alleged that the administration had initiated the eviction process without making adequate rehabilitation arrangements. Since early Tuesday morning, administrative officials have been making announcements through loudspeakers, urging people to voluntarily remove houses and other constructions built on Railway and HEC land. Authorities warned that structures not removed by occupants themselves would be demolished with the help of earthmovers. The operation led to scenes of panic in the locality, with many families seen shifting their belongings to safer places. The action also sparked resentment among residents, as large numbers of women, men and children gathered on roads to demonstrate against the drive. Protesters said they had been living in the area for years and that the sudden action had placed their homes and livelihoods at risk. Some residents alleged that they had not been given clear information regarding rehabilitation or alternative accommodation before being asked to vacate. The administration, however, maintained that the operation was being conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures to reclaim government land belonging to the Railways and HEC. Officials said adequate security arrangements had been made and that additional police personnel had been deployed at sensitive locations to prevent any untoward incident. According to the administration, the drive to remove illegal encroachments from Railway and HEC land will continue. Magistrates and sufficient police forces have been deployed to deal with any eventuality, officials said. However, tension prevailed in the area, with authorities closely monitoring the situation.
The return of Practical Magic brings back some of the franchise's most beloved characters while introducing a new generation of Owens women. For director Susanne Bier, bringing together returning stars and new talent was one of the most rewarding aspects of making Practical Magic 2. Speaking about Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing, who return as the iconic Aunts, Bier described the experience as an enormous privilege. Dianne and Stockard, it was the biggest honour ever. They are beautiful human beings and they are beautiful in the movie. I almost can't see them without those gorgeous costumes. And there is a kindness to both of them. A kindness and a sharpness. It's like they're incredibly kind, but they also have an edge, and that mixture is wonderful. There's something incredibly dignified, but also very poetic about both of them. The sequel also expands the Owens legacy through Kylie and Antonia, played by Maisie and Joey. Bier was looking for performers who could bring strength, confidence and individuality to the next generation. When we were talking about Kylie and Antonia, it was like, who are two real badass young women that can fill those shoes? Maisie and Joey had that in different ways. She adds, They both have a strong feminine side to them, but you also have a sense that you do not want to cross them. They will do what it takes, both of them. They have very fierce will and a confident sense of self. I think we were very much looking for that. They're very different and they are gorgeous and interesting and surprising. I don't really know where to stop with either of them! The two of them were great together. Bier also found a distinctive dynamic in the film's male characters. Lee Pace, who plays Professor Ian Wright, brings what she describes as a rare combination of confidence, humour and sex appeal. Lee has that balancewhich is quite rare in a way in a manof being quite comfortable in his own skin and being very, very handsome and maybe not really caring that much about it. She continues, There's a kind of generosity in Lee Pace where you think he's quite comfortable being the love interest, being Professor Ian Wright. He does play what could be thought of as a traditionally female part in a wayhes the leads love interest. And he does that with quite a lot of humor and quite a lot of sexiness. And he's enjoying it. And I think that that's why it works so wonderfully wellbecause he's actually having a lot of fun with it. Xolo Mariduea's Gideon, meanwhile, was cast for his ability to balance charm with emotional openness. With Xolo, it was that balance again of having a guy who is sexy, cute, but also kind and also, in some way, more audacious than Kylie is. Bier explains, Hes not scared of telling her he loves her, and he's not scared of any of that. But because of this ingrained thing that she can't even articulatethat I'm not really allowed to love anybodyshe is so much more reserved. And he's quite free with that. We wanted somebody who could play that without losing his integrity. And Xolo did that beautifully. With its returning icons and younger generation, Bier sees the ensemble as an important part of carrying the Practical Magic legacy forward. Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Susanne Bier on the theatrical experience of Practical Magic 2: Watching a movie with other people is an entirely different experience
Hockey India Board Meets Over Internal Strife, HIL Future
Hockey India is set to hold an emergent Executive Board meeting on September 18 to address a deepening internal controversy involving President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, stemming from a jersey colour change. The meeting will also focus on restructuring the Hockey India League (HIL) to create an independent Governing Council with franchise involvement, and discuss upcoming elections and Asian Champions Trophy hosting.
Sports Minister Mandaviya seeks roadmap for Hockey India League revival
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday asked Hockey India and Hockey India League franchise owners to work out a comprehensive roadmap to ensure financial viability and sustainability of the cash-strapped league and set up a five-member panel for that. Ministry sources told PTI that Mandaviya held a meeting with Hockey India officials and representatives of HIL franchises and was apprised of the concerns surrounding the competition. Sports minister met all the stakeholders and was apprised on the concerns around HIL. He directed the HI officials to work on a plan to ensure financial viability and sustainability of the league,said the source. The minister also told HI that a committee of five-member should be formed to chart out comprehensive plan on reviving the HIL. The committee will comprise two representatives each from Hockey India and the franchises, besides a senior Sports Ministry official. the source further said. The minister directed the stakeholders to work on
Jackie Shroff wishes Bahubalis Sivagami Devi aka Ramya Krishnan on her 56th birthday
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS) Bollywood star Jackie Shroff extended birthday wishes to actress Ramya Krishnan on her 56th birthday on Tuesday. Born on September 15, 1970, in Chennai, Ramya turned 56 on September 15, 2026. Jackie shared a birthday tribute for the actress on his social media account where the post features two pictures of Ramya, one in which she is seen dressed in a red saree with statement earrings, while the other shows her in an elegant black saree. Alongside the pictures, Jackie Shroff added a simple graphic that read Happiness Always! For the uninitiated, the two actors have, in fact, shared screen space in the 1997 Hindi action film Shapath. Directed by Rajiv Babbar, the film featured Mithun Chakraborty, Jackie Shroff and Ramya Krishnan in prominent roles. The actor played Inspector Kishan, while Ramya was credited as Ramya Krishna and played Kavita D. Kallu. Talking about Ramya Krishnans career in the entertainment industry, she has built a career spanning nearly four decades, predominantly working in the South Indian film industries. She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema, apart from her work in Hindi films. She began her acting career as a teenager and went on to establish herself as one of the prominent actresses of Telugu and Tamil cinema. Her Tamil filmography features mang memorable performances, but her portrayal of Neelambari in Rajinikanth-starrer Padayappa remains one of the defining roles of her career. She also showcased her versatility in films such as Kamal Haasan's Panchatanthiram and the critically acclaimed Super Deluxe. While Ramya had already established herself as a major name in South Indian cinema, her career reached another level of national recognition with SS Rajamouli's Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. As Sivagami Devi, the powerful matriarch of the Mahishmati kingdom, Ramya delivered a powerful performance that became one of the most celebrated aspects of the franchise. Ramya also explored Hindi cinema, although her career remained primarily rooted in the South. Her Hindi debut was Dayavan in 1988, after which she appeared in films including Khal Nayak, Parampara, Criminal, Chaahat, Banarasi Babu, Loha, Shapath, Wajood and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. After a break from Bollywood, she eventually returned to Hindi cinema with Liger in 2022, in which she played Vijay Deverakonda's mother, followed by her appearance in the 2025 Hindi film Jaat.
Govt committed to create inclusive sports ecosystem in J&K: Satish Sharma
Srinagar, Sep 14: Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Jammu & Kashmir, Satish Sharma Monday reaffirmed the government's commitment towards the promotion of para sports and empowerment of differently-abled sportspersons, stating that every athlete deserves equal opportunities to excel and bring laurels to the nation. The Minister, as per an official statement, made these remarks while interacting with a delegation of the JK Divyang Welfare Association (JKDWA), which called on him at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar. During the meeting, Satish Sharma formally launched the jersey of Hyderabad Hawks, a franchise participating in the upcoming Radiant World Para Cricket League, scheduled to be held from October 6 to 11, 2026, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The delegation was comprised of Sayed Shah Aziz, Captain of the Indian Differently-Abled Cricket Team and Hyderabad Hawks; General Secretary JK Divyang Welfare Association Pirzada Sayed Nissar Hussain Shah and association member Manmohan Singh. Congratulating Sayed Shah Aziz on his remarkable achievements, the Minister described him as a role model for the aspiring athletes and a source of pride for Jammu & Kashmir. He said that Aziz's journey from Poonch to leading the Indian Differently-Abled Cricket Team reflects the extraordinary determination, talent and resilience of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. Extending his best wishes to Hyderabad Hawks for the forthcoming tournament, Satish Sharma expressed confidence that the team would perform exceptionally well and continue to inspire countless sportspersons across the country. The Minister also held detailed discussions with the delegation regarding the development of disability sports in Jammu & Kashmir. Various issues related to the promotion of para cricket and para sports, including infrastructure, training facilities, sporting opportunities, recognition and institutional support for differently-abled athletes, were deliberated upon. Satish Sharma emphasized that the government is committed to create an inclusive sports ecosystem where athletes with disabilities receive the support and facilities necessary to realise their full potential. He said that sports serve as a powerful medium of empowerment, confidence-building and social inclusion. He reiterated that the aspirations of differently-abled athletes would be given due attention. The Minister said that the achievements of para athletes from Jammu & Kashmir have demonstrated that physical limitations can never become barriers to excellence when determination and dedication are coupled with opportunity and support. He stressed the need to further strengthen the initiatives aimed at encouraging greater participation of differently-abled youth in sports activities across Jammu and Kashmir. The JK Divyang Welfare Association appreciated the Minister's keen interest in the development of para sports and thanked him for his encouragement and support.
CID arrests 2 more in JSSC-CGL exam case
Undertrial prisoner dies in Rajmahal sub-jail
Ranchi celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi and Hartalika Teej with festive fervour
Husband booked for womans murder
Hazaribag doctor couple files police case against domestic help for alleged poisoning
Retired Tata Steel officer dies by suicide in Jamshedpur apartment
CBI court sentences two railway officers to 3 years in jail for bribery
Kabaddi Champions League expands to 10 teams with two new franchises
The News Mill
Fugitive Dhanbad gangsters brother arrested in Kolkata
Dhanbad MP-MLA court grants anticipatory bail to MLA Jairam Mahato
2 auto drivers held for robbing passenger of Rs 22,000
As SIR claims window closes, officials expect last-minute rush
Hockey India, franchises mull change in HIL governance structure
Even as some of the top brass of Hockey India was present in Chandigarh for the formal announcement of the mens Asian Champions Trophy, HI president Dilip Tirkey was meeting Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and other senior government officials along with HIL franchises in New Delhi
RMC reclaims 17 acres of encroached land in 1 year
Mandaviya Asks Hockey India, franchises To Draw Up HIL Revival Plan, Form 5-Member Panel
The HIL was revived last year after a seven-year gap but has since faced concerns over its financial sustainability and franchise participation, putting its long-term future under a cloud.
Jharkhand high court orders pollution board to inspect Ramgarh industries
Caribbean Premier League: Before the chat with Pooja Vastrakar began, Shikha Pandey quizzed her on what the ongoing stint in the Womens Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) had taught her so far. The answer from Pooja, who also went on a cruise trip, had nothing to do with her bowling, batting, or anything she might carry into a match. I learnt to enjoy everything from Qiana (Joseph), because we Indians do a lot of overthinking when it comes to our games and other small things. Here in the Caribbean, I'm learning a lot. They enjoy their present moment and small things. So, I'm sure it'll be great if I go back to India, she said in a quick reply. For most cricketers, life about playing in a global franchise T20 league is mostly about showcasing your skills and then picking up lessons from other players and coaches. For Pooja, the seam-bowling all-rounder currently playing for Barbados Tridents in the WCPL, it is something else to live and follow the new-found philosophy acquired via a shoulder injury layoff. Pooja isnt a stranger to injuries needing surgeries -- she went through a right-knee ACL reconstruction in 2017, before she had played for India, and was followed by a second operation on the left knee the following year. But the shoulder surgery done after the 2024 Womens T20 World Cup has been a perspective-altering event for Pooja. The surgery was done on a torn supraspinatus tendon in her shoulder. Rehab at the CoE ran to almost nine months, before a hamstring injury delayed her return to competitive cricket. But once the fitness certificate came through she turned out for RCB in the fag end of the WPL, where the side won the title and has since played in whatever tournament has been available to her. Navigating loneliness despite being around a plethora of players and specialists was hard for Pooja, who picked up a few wise lessons. There's a lot to learn because you spend a lot of time alone while in CoE, Bengaluru and you don't want to go back to your old life because cricket is a team sport and we always do training or sessions with the team. But when you go to the rehab, the feeling of loneliness is very strong, and it eats you up from the inside. At the same time, it teaches you a lot and makes you stronger. You build a lot of knowledge - you learn about your body, training, physiotherapy and load management. So, there's a lot to learn because people like me say that I've had three surgeries and spent a lot of time alone, Pooja told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcaster of WCPL in India. Whenever a player has to face the rehab and recovery route, their go-to person is now Pooja. A lot of players don't even call their physios instead, they call me and say, 'I've had an injury. What should I do? They sometimes have fun with me. In CoE, the physios said that I have enough knowledge to deal with small injuries by myself. It's because you live in that atmosphere, you get that knowledge and learn a lot about yourself. Support also came from the people in her life close friends, family, CoE trainers, physios and the management at RCB consisting of coaches, trainer, physio and captain Smriti Mandhana. Theres a time when after an injury, there are a lot of biomechanical changes. In India, there is no awareness of it and people don't have knowledge. They compare the previous Pooja with the current Pooja. Like if someone has come from a knee surgery, even if they get a fitness certificate after nine months, the biomechanical changes in the ground will still be there. If someone is limping, it is very easy to judge in India that she is limping because he is injured. But she is not injured, as she is playing, and has got a certificate. If she is bowling, it means she is fit. Biomechanical changes will be there all the time in life. How the player manages to play is down to her talent. If any player is playing at a higher level, no one is 100 percent fit. There are a lot of matches like WPL, international, bilateral series and domestic games. Everyone manages to play well. I felt really good that RCB supported me a lot. At one time, the pace of bowling was going up and down. They told me to come and will take care of me and even said that my batting is enough for them. That helps a lot because at one time, I thought that I was not enough. When you have a lot of talent within you, we don't understand it at that time. When someone tells you that you can do this, that moment changes a lot, she explained. For all the changes the shoulder surgery brought to Poojas life view, one thing has been thankfully untouched: her bowling action. She watched bowlers who keep hurting long after the surgeon has called the healing complete and the strength coach has signed off the numbers, and who end up rebuilt at the crease because nobody can find another answer. That has never been her, and she says so with a touchwood attached. The one concession is at the start of a session - a body coming back to load does not simply accept it because you have turned up, so her warm-up runs longer than it used to. The rest is a matter of getting reacquainted with her skillsets. Actually, I don't think about the future. If the body responds at that time, and there is a little pain, then the coping mechanism of the body is such that it holds. Yes, when you bowl after 2-3 months of injury, the load is different. The body is not used to the load. Initially, you will feel pain for 2-3 days. But later on, you will feel that it is normal and the same is said by physios. You are not used to the load, but then you like it. Yes, you feel a little fear that when you fall, your fear that it shouldn't get worse. But when you keep doing it, you get used to all these things. Then there comes a moment when you go up in life, and then it doesn't matter. The RCB connection is hard to miss, considering Pooja had a setback in her hamstring while trying to become match fit and eventually came at the final phase of WPL phase in Vadodara, albeit as a specialist batter. They picked me during the rehab, and that was a very big thing for me. They showed so much faith that if Pooja gets fit, she can do batting, bowling or fielding for us in any department. But getting confidence from a franchise is the biggest thing. I joined the team very late. So, I didn't get a chance to work that much. But whatever small talks I had with Anya (Shrubsole, assistant coach), she focuses a lot on planning. Like, we put in the balls that we know and during the tournament, we can't work much on the technical side. So, the main thing I learnt from them is that they focus a lot on planning. Like, what should be your plan A, plan B, plan C. If you're sending down a bouncer, yorker, slower ball or a stock ball, then you need a specific field. If that field doesn't work, then what's your plan B? So, I got to learn a lot from them in terms of planning. Back home in the MP T20 League, where she captained Chambal Ghariyals to winning the title, she barely bowled not due to the injury, but because she counted the youngsters in the squad, who were waiting for a game to showcase their skills. Pooja also likes what is coming through behind her and thinks the coaching has sharpened since her own age-group days. When small kids come to my hometown and ask questions, my answer is that the game has become very advanced. It's important to bring those three skills and now they are also learning like WPL and different tournaments are happening. So, their coaches have become very smart as they are moulding the kids to be all-rounders. So, it's looking good. Though Pooja hasnt set the WCPL on fire, her mood is still cheerful. Yes, it's been great. We haven't had a lot of matches so far. But the atmosphere of the team and the practices we've been doing and the matches that are coming up, we're very positive about that. Actually, our first match didn't go so well. But the bond of our team is great. It's very important for us and even more important for women's cricket because the way women's cricket is developing, and when we play in public, we get to perform in front of a lot of fans. We then get to represent our country, and if we don't get a lot of opportunities, then it becomes a very good tournament to make a comeback into the team. Its going to be close to two years since Pooja donned an India jersey, and while the comeback may happen, she doesnt think too much about the future, as she now prefers to go with the flow. I have done a lot of things in my life and we tend to plan a lot for doing this and that in our respective lifetime. But I don't know how many things I have achieved in my life out of it. Most of the time, we are result-oriented. We think more about the result. Everyone's wish list and manifestations are about the result. My go with the flow philosophy is due to the fact that I don't have to think about or to manifest for the result. Its going to be close to two years since Pooja donned an India jersey, and while the comeback may happen, she doesnt think too much about the future, as she now prefers to go with the flow. I have done a lot of things in my life and we tend to plan a lot for doing this and that in our respective lifetime. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I should follow the process as we become result-oriented a lot and forget the process. If the result is not clear, we get a lot of disappointment. But now I don't want all of that - I want to live in the present and be in that moment. Article Source: IANS
Police rescue Ranchi man within hours of abduction; four arrested
KCL expands to 10 teams with entry of Jind Jaguars, Kurukshetra Knights
The Kabaddi Champions League will feature ten teams in its upcoming second season. Two new franchises, Jind Jaguars and Kurukshetra Knights, are joining the league. This expansion aims to create more high-level competition opportunities for players. The league's chairman highlighted the positive impact on the kabaddi ecosystem.
Panel Formed To Chart Future Of Hockey India League
The Sports Ministry has formed a five-member committee to address the financial viability and sustainability of the Hockey India League (HIL). Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Hockey India officials and franchise representatives, directing them to develop a comprehensive plan for the league's revival, which has faced challenges since its return last year.
JSPCBs teak plantation drive sequesters 16,180kg CO2 in a year, shows data
States normal monsoon hides a sharply uneven rain map
Ho group seeks railway signboards in Warang Chiti across Kolhan
Sports Minister asks Hockey India and franchises to draw up revival plan for HIL
Sports Minister asks Hockey India and franchises to draw up revival plan for HIL
Smith Casts Doubt Over Playing In 2027 Ashes, Sets Sight On Playing In 2028 LA Olympics
European T20 Premier League: Senior Australia batter Steve Smith has raised doubts over his participation in next year's Ashes tour of England, revealing he is managing his Test career on a series-by-series basis while targeting to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Smith, 37, is currently featuring for the Amsterdam Flames in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The right-handed batter has played 125 Tests and scored 37 centuries and is currently the second-ranked mens Test batter behind England's Harry Brook. I dont even know if Ill be there yet. Im kind of a series-by-series proposition, as Ive been for a while, and thats still a fair way away for me right now. So, yeah, Id love to win one there or to have won one there, but you wait and see if that comes to fruition. Right now probably its just the Olympics (as a goal) to try to be a part of that. One of the reasons why I wanted to play with Amsterdam here was just to continue playing as much T20 cricket as I can, Smith told The Telegraph on Monday. While Smith has not set a firm retirement date, he acknowledged that his remaining playing time will increasingly lean toward franchise T20 cricket. I still like to think I could play T20 cricket for a while. Whats next for me when I finish? Im not sure, but yeah, hopefully a bit more time left playing. Ive achieved a lot in the game. Its been a great ride for the last 15 years or thereabouts. Ive had a lot of fun. Im still enjoying it, so I dont have an end date, well wait and see. But its been a good ride. While Smith has not set a firm retirement date, he acknowledged that his remaining playing time will increasingly lean toward franchise T20 cricket. I still like to think I could play T20 cricket for a while. Whats next for me when I finish? Im not sure, but yeah, hopefully a bit more time left playing. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Oh, for me, its just another series. All that happened a long time ago, and weve played a lot of cricket weve been back to South Africa since then for one-dayers. Theyre a good side at the moment obviously beat us in the World Test Championship final. They have a really good pace attack as well, so should be a cracker of a series. Article Source: IANS
Mandaviya Forms Panel To Address HIL Financial Woes
The Sports Ministry, led by Mansukh Mandaviya, has formed a five-member committee to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the financial viability and sustainability of the cash-strapped Hockey India League (HIL). This initiative follows concerns about the league's long-term future, which was revived last year after a seven-year hiatus. The committee will include representatives from Hockey India, franchises, and the Sports Ministry, tasked with presenting a report on governance, financial models, and league structure.
Delhi Capitals intensify IPL 2027 preparations by organising a short camp and trials in New Delhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Delhi Capitals have stepped up their preparations for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season through a short camp and trials in the national capital. Sources have told IANS that the camps proceedings were taken care of by ex-India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra. Sri Lankas former pacer Chaminda Vaas, who played for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2010, also joined and may become the sides fast-bowling coach. The short camp took place at a ground in Aerocity, with a lot of players who did well in the previous camp in Bengaluru featuring here as well. It is understood that the camp will conclude on Monday, said a source to this news agency on Monday. The trio of Yuvraj, Mishra, who himself played for DC and finished as a prolific IPL wicket-taker, and Vaas were present to evaluate identified domestic talent and test them in various match situations, as the franchise looks to build a more competitive squad for the upcoming season. Before that, the team still has to pick players through the mini auction slated for later this year. Previously, DC held trials and an off-season camp at the Just Cricket Academy ground in Bengaluru last month, where Yuvraj and Sourav Ganguly, ex-India captain and DCs director of cricket in two stints, took charge. Under a formal operational agreement between co-owners JSW Group and GMR Group, management of the mens IPL team alternates between the two corporate entities every two years, with JSW taking charge of the cricket operations for the 2027 and 2028 cycles. DC are seeking to end their status as the tournaments perennial underachievers, especially after missing the playoffs in the IPL 2025 and 2026 seasons under Hemang Badani (head coach), Venugopal Rao (director of cricket) and Munaf Patel (fast bowling coach). The Delhi-based franchises solitary appearance in an IPL final came in the 2020 season.
Jharkhand HC cracks down on Ramgarh pollution, orders inspections of industrial units
Digital Desk | Ranchi, Sep 14 (IANS) Taking a stern view of allegations of air and water pollution caused by private industrial units in Ramgarh district, the Jharkhand High Court has issued a series of directions to the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) including mandatory regular and surprise inspections of the units. Disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ram Kishor, a division bench of Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar observed that the right to a clean environment forms an inseparable part of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The petition alleged that some Ramgarh-based industrial units were emitting smoke and dust from their chimneys and polluting the Damodar River and nearby water sources. The court directed the Hazaribagh Regional Officer of the JSPCB to inspect both industrial units at least twice every year. One of these inspections must be conducted without prior notice to assess the actual state of pollution-control measures in place. The bench further ordered that if a unit's Continuous Emission Monitoring System records emissions exceeding prescribed limits for more than 48 hours, the Pollution Control Board must issue a show-cause notice to the industry concerned within seven days. The court also laid down timelines for a fresh assessment of water pollution. It directed authorities to collect water samples within three months from locations near Viva International School and from upstream and downstream stretches of the Damodar River. The samples are to be tested at an accredited laboratory, and the findings submitted to the Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner. In addition, the division bench ordered a detailed review of the environmental clearances, Consent to Establish (CTE), and Consent to Operate (CTO) granted to both companies. Relevant documents will be scrutinised over the next two months and consolidated records prepared. Appropriate legal action will be initiated if any approval is found to have expired. To ensure compliance with its directions, the court instructed the concerned authorities to file compliance affidavits within four months. It also granted liberty to the petitioner to move an interlocutory application in the same matter in the event of any future violation of the court's directions or deterioration in pollution levels.
'Medium Pacers Are Alive Because Of Ice Baths': The Method Behind Shikha Pandey's Longevity
Ask Shikha Pandey: Ask Shikha Pandey how she is still running in and bowling fast at this stage of her career, and she does not talk about desire, or hunger, or any of the usual words. Instead, Shikha, 37, talks about recovery protocols and carrying her own tools wherever she gets to play in leagues worldwide, including in the ongoing Womens Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) and before she starts, she issues a warning. Okay. I'll be a science geek now! I have my own compression boots that I travel with and spend a lot of time on mobility and stretches. We've been very fortunate. We have the ice baths that are available. Medium pacers literally thrive on ice baths and are alive because of ice baths. So, that as well and we have a huge recovery protocol and massages and things like that. I have been very lucky to be in a franchise like TKR. Yes, we are really taken care of in that regard, Shikha told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcaster of WCPL in India. Her own interest in the science behind an athlete's life in the later years has been crucial to a career that is still going strong despite last playing for India in 2023 Womens T20 World Cup. Its this reason why the subject of ageing fast bowlers, when it came up in the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) dugout, did not trouble her much. Marizanne Kapp was padded up and waiting to bat. Biju George, the former India womens fielding coach currently in the TKR set-up, raised it, and the bench laughed. We said, it's difficult as you get older as a pacer to be bowling with the same intensity. But I guess with us, we are mature enough and we have a really good understanding of our body and how it works. So, that has helped a lot. Also, the skill isn't going to go anywhere. It's just about keeping fit. I mean, probably till the time I score runs, and take wickets, I will be playing cricket and I'm really enjoying my cricket right now. I've been very fortunate and lucky that I have my own recovery equipment which I travel with here in TKR. We have some amazing people, our physio, TJ, and our trainer, Jamie, who also doubles up as the massage therapist. Both of them are amazing. So, being really taken good care of, have to see to our own. So, yes, it's really good - probably it's also about the stress part of it. The lesser stressed you are, the better you do, she added. The same instinct governs how Shikha, who has picked five wickets so far in 2026 WCPL, prepares to bowl. A slow surface in the Caribbean is not something she discovers on arrival instead, she has already studied about its nature, with the answers worked out before the first net session. I guess I'm someone who likes to meticulously prep for any tournament that I'm going to be playing at. So, on pitches that are going to be slightly on the slower side, which is what happens here in West Indies, you work on a lot of slower balls and probably deliveries that do not depend on the pitch, yorkers, and things like that. Every league that you play in challenges you with respect to the surfaces that you are going to be bowling on, predominantly me being a pace bowler. So, I like to go ahead and do a little bit of research on that part or to see a little vision videos to prepare and to get ready for the tournament, she said. The mental side gets the same treatment from Shikha, a retired squadron leader of the Indian Air Force. Be it featuring in the Womens Big Bash League in Australia, the Super Smash in New Zealand and now plying her trade in WCPL, an association which began in 2024, she relishes the challenges of being a globe-trotting cricketer. I really love being challenged. In WBBL, it was about probably bowling the surge overs and over here as well, to be bowling in the difficult phases of the tournament. I somehow still enjoy doing it and helps me in terms of, I've always harped upon the more challenging situation that you put yourself in. You have this memory bank and which keeps you then really in a good state for if you have to be in the same situation again. I firmly believe that if you've played these high intensity pressure games, that really helps you in situations when you're put up again in them. So, that's why experience probably matters, and I'm really happy to be playing cricket, honestly. Just to add, also the environment and the people - it's entirely different the way people are here in Caribbean and probably in New Zealand or Australia. So, I've really enjoyed to be able to understand and have memories and friendships with everyone that I've played cricket with, she elaborated. The memory bank is a useful idea precisely because there is nothing mystical about it, even as Shikhas analytical streak found another outlet via a commentary assignment for JioStar in their studio during the 2026 Womens T20 World Cup. I had been asked before and it's been three years since I was being asked if I wanted to do it. I just kind of did it because it was in the offseason and thought I still had a lot of time. Playing career is still on the mind, but it was just about I wanted to have a feel of how that environment is. I love talking cricket and I love cricket on the whole. So it was really nice to be doing it alongside some really great people who also have the same interest. Shikha has strong views on how attacks should be built, too, and they are not the conventional ones. Around her in the TKR bowling group is a set of young Caribbean seamers, two of whom she singled out for praise before pushing back on the idea that conditions should dictate selection. They have really good medium paces in our team. It's like we have (Jannillea) Glasgow and (Jahzara) Claxton, who's another U19 superstar, and can hit the long ball. It's the same thing with Glasgow to be a lefty. Both of them being lefty and right-arm medium pacers - it's gold dust. I would say that in any country, the pace bowling resources are always available. It's just about being able to use it properly and I am not a firm believer of the fact that you choose a team depending upon conditions. I think if your main bowlers are pacers, they'll probably be able to bowl anywhere. The Indian contingent in the league has grown considerably since her first season with the franchise, when she and Jemimah Rodrigues were the only two players from the country. Apart from Pandey, Yastika Bhatia is with her at TKR, while Barbados Tridents have Pooja Vastrakar, Harleen Deol and Kiran Navgire, which means theres ample room for chit-chats in Hindi. Actually, Pooja is a superstar and doesn't really require any input from me. The other day, I was talking to Pooja when we met and then she goes about how the foreign players start hitting you from ball one, which is probably something that differs from how we traditionally play as Indians. So, that's really nice and keeps people in a good state. I mean, I'm pretty sure Pooja has been challenged in that way and when she comes in next to bowl, she'll be ready for it. Firstly, I'm really happy that so many of the Indians have come down here to play. It used to be the first year that I played for TKR, it was just me and Jemi. But now we can probably just get to the lobby and speak to someone who speaks Hindi. It's really nice because we Indians on the whole are known to be really hardworking and people who are really good at crafting the skills. I'm really excited for everyone who's here from India to be doing well, because then it opens up another opportunity for you to be playing competitive cricket just outside of the domestic cricket and in case someone wants to make a comeback, it really helps. Hopefully, it really helps them to put up good performances and get noticed. All of this method, she said, comes from a conclusion she reached about herself a long time ago. Asked how she would like to be remembered, Shikha did not reach out for a statistic. I guess I would have said to be remembered as a good teammate, not a good athlete. I was never very talented. I have had to put in a lot of hard work and probably if you're ready to struggle, which I was, I think you can go ahead and do things in life. It's really nice because we Indians on the whole are known to be really hardworking and people who are really good at crafting the skills. I'm really excited for everyone who's here from India to be doing well, because then it opens up another opportunity for you to be playing competitive cricket just outside of the domestic cricket and in case someone wants to make a comeback, it really helps. Hopefully, it really helps them to put up good performances and get noticed. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I look for if even a single girl who would come out to watch the game yesterday or day before got inspired by watching us and me play, that is what I take cricket for. So, just to be able to inspire someone new to take up the sport would be a really huge achievement for me, she concluded. Article Source: IANS
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The Congress party has emerged as the largest party in the Ajmer Municipal Corporation election, winning 37 of the 80 wards. The BJP secured 32 seats, while Independent candidates won 11. With neither major party reaching the 41-seat majority mark, Independents are set to play a crucial role in determining the next municipal board. The results mark a significant setback for the BJP, which had controlled Ajmer's municipal board for the past 36 years. In the previous election, the BJP won 48 seats, compared with 18 for Congress, one for the RLP and 13 for Independents. This time, the BJP has slipped behind the Congress party. One of the biggest upsets came in Ward 59, where Congress candidate Babita Chauhan defeated the BJP's Madhu Shekhawat. Madhu, wife of former chairman Surendra Singh Shekhawat, was considered a strong contender for the mayor's post. Another closely watched result came from Ward 4, where Monica Jain, who had switched from Congress to the BJP, defeated her rival. The ward is considered a stronghold of Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. Hema Gehlot, wife of former mayor Dharmendra Gehlot, who had left the BJP, also faced defeat. The 80 wards saw a total of 360 candidates in the contest. According to the election figures, 77 Congress candidates, 79 BJP candidates and 204 Independents and candidates from other parties were in the fray. Ajmer Municipal Corporation has 4,38,039 registered voters, of whom 2,86,823 exercised their franchise. The overall voter turnout was 65.48 per cent. With 11 Independent councillors holding the balance, both Congress and BJP may now have to negotiate to secure the numbers needed to form the board. In Ward 80, 21-year-old Kashyapi Sankhla, daughter of BJP leader Chandresh Sankhla, won the election. She is among the youngest councillors to win in the current round of urban local body elections. Following her victory, her father thanked the residents of the ward. Meanwhile, former BJP councillor Ruby Jain, who rebelled against the party and contested as an Independent from Ward 74, also secured a victory. After her win, Ruby said the people themselves had ensured that her nomination was filed and described the victory as one of the public. The Ajmer results have altered the political equation in the city, with the BJP losing its long-standing dominance and Independent councillors emerging as the potential kingmakers in the formation of the next municipal board.
Director Susanne Bier is stepping into the world of Practical Magic 2 with a clear understanding of what makes the franchise special. For Bier, the opportunity was not simply about revisiting a beloved property, but about creating a big-screen experience rooted in relationships, female themes and emotion. Recalling how she came on board, Bier revealed that the conversation began around Christmas 2024, when she received a call and spoke with stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. I got a call around Christmas of 24. I spoke both to Sandy and to Nicole. We have this project; it can be really fun. Do you want to read? And I was like, Sure, I'd love to read. I mean, I'd love to work with both of you again. And doing a big, cinematic release that is female-driven and is about something that actually is very close to my heart just sounded incredibly tempting. What intrigued me in the first place was actually making a movie with substantial female themes while making something that is fun and sexy and evocative and sad and moving. I don't even need to question that. That's an obvious yes for me. The director was also conscious of the legacy of the 1998 original and the passionate following it developed over the years. Rather than attempting to simply recreate what worked nearly three decades ago, Bier wanted to understand how the story could resonate with audiences today. For me, the main thing is how do you take a story which became incredibly relevant 28 years ago? Because the first movie had an interesting trajectory. When it came out, it was a mystifying movie. And then it gained a huge following and fan base that was really adamant and really devoted. For Bier, the challenge was to bring magic into a contemporary cinematic landscape without allowing it to overshadow the people at the heart of the story. And so, I think what was tricky was how do you merge? There have been a number of movies dealing with magical entities, and you have a whole generation of young women and men who have grown up seeing movies like Harry Potter. How do you tell a story today which has magic, but still stays true to being about human beings? She believes that distinction is central to what makes Practical Magic unique. I mean, Practical Magic is much more about human relation than it actually is about magic. But magic is a fundamental core of it, and the magic serves the human purpose. For Bier, that combination made returning to the franchise an opportunity she could not resist.
Nayanthara-starrer 'Mookuthi Amman 2' to hit screens on November 6; gripping teaser released!
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 14 (IANS) The makers of director Sundar C's upcoming devotional thriller 'Mookuthi Amman 2', featuring actress Nayanthara in the lead, on Monday announced that their film would hit screens on November 6 for Deepavali this year. They also released a gripping teaser of the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs on the occasion. Taking to its social media timelines, production house Vels Film International wrote, Presenting the #RiseOfMahasakthi (Teaser) in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada & Malayalam. Releasing on Nov 6th, 2026. A @sundarcoffl Mega Divine Entertainer. #MookuthiAmman2FromNov6 #MahasakthiFromNov6. The teaser, titled Rise of Mahasakthi, begins with a rider entering a cave covered by a waterfall to warn his queen of impending danger. Enemy soldiers are on their way here, after getting to know that the child is here, he announces. The child, we learn, is the prince after whom the enemy troops are after. Unable to find a way to save the child from the impending danger, the queen prays to the presiding deity of Mookuthi Amman, asking her to save the child and gives her life as an offering to the deity. Meanwhile, a woman's voice is heard saying, I want it. Dead or alive. We also see a man who has the ability to burn others to ashes at work. Soon, the story shifts to the present day and age with actress Oorvasi praying to the Goddess, urging her to save them. She expresses regret that they did not realise her significance at an earlier point in time and that they had understood her value only now. We then see the Goddess return to save the child. The teaser gives the impression that that film will be an edge of the seat thriller and that story will have a portion of it taking place in two different time periods. For the unaware, the makers of the film had announced on December 30 last year that the shooting for the film had bee completed. Taking to its X timeline, Vels Film International, the production house that is producing the film, had shared a BTS video that featured clips of all the stars who had worked in the film and their brief opinion about the project. The BTS clip ended with director of the film, Sundar C, confirming that shooting for the film had come to a close. Sharing the BTS clip, Vels Film International wrote, Capturing the magic and dedication behind the scenes of Sundar Cs #MookuthiAmman2. A #SundarC Mega Divine Entertainer. In the BTS video dropped, actress Urvasi confirmed that the second part of the franchise would have no connection with the first part, which had gone on to emerge as a huge blockbuster. The actress also said that it felt like as the shooting had ended very quickly. Director Sundar C, on the day of completing the shooting of the film, had said that over 2000 technicians had worked non stop on the film for over six months and that they were completing the film successfully. Several other actors too including Regina Cassandra, Kannada actor Duniya Vijay, Singam Puli, Yogi Babu were seen expressing their thoughts on the film. The BTS clip ended with a cake cutting ceremony that was held to mark the wrapping up of shooting of the film. The film has triggered huge excitement among fans ever since it was first announced. It may be recalled that the producer of the film, Ishari K Ganesh, had earlier disclosed that actress Nayanthara, who plays the titular role in the film, had been fasting for a month to play the role of the goddess in the film. At a pooja function organised to mark the official launch of the film in March last year, producer Ishari K Ganesh had said, I should tell about Nayanthara madam. She has been on a fast for almost a month now. She also fasted for a month before playing the character of Amman in Mookuthi Amman part 1 as well. She is excited about this character and the story. Ishari Ganesh said that five years ago, when actor R J Balaji approached him to make the first part of the franchise 'Mookuthi Amman', he immediately agreed as 'Mookuthi Amman' was their family deity. When we were deciding on who should play the titular role of the Mookuthi Amman, the one and only choice was Nayanthara. We approached her and she readily agreed. The film met the expectations of the audience, Ishari K Ganesh said. After that film, I was waiting for a film on Goddess Amman to come but nothing was made. I wanted a pan Indian film on Goddess Mookuthi Amman and therefore wondered why not make a second instalment of Mookuthi Amman. When I discussed this with my team, we arrived at the conclusion that the best person to direct this second part would be Sundar C, who is also hailed as the Frachise King, producer Ishari K Ganesh had said.
Uttarakhand Premier League Announces Icon Players Ahead Of Sep 16 Players Draft
The Uttarakhand Premier League: As the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) is set to enter its third season, it has announced seven Icon Players ahead of the Players Draft, scheduled for September 16. The seven players named as Icon Players for UPL 2026 are Akash Madhwal, Jagadeesha Suchith, Kunal Chandela, Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra. The presence of established performers alongside emerging talent from Uttarakhand is expected to add further competitiveness and experience to the league's third season. With the Players Draft, franchises will look to build their squads around the Icon Players while identifying the next generation of talent from across the state. The seven Icon Players bring a blend of experience and emerging talent to UPL 2026. Madhwal, who has represented Uttarakhand and made his mark at the highest level of domestic and franchise cricket, adds considerable experience to the competition. Suchith brings extensive domestic and T20 experience, while Chandela has been a consistent presence in Uttarakhand cricket. Young talents Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra further underline the leagues emphasis on providing opportunities to the next generation of cricketers from Uttarakhand. Speaking ahead of the draft, Kiran Verma, Secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said, The Uttarakhand Premier League has grown significantly over the first two seasons and has become an important platform for players from the state. The announcement of the Icon Players ahead of the third season adds further excitement and experience to the competition. We are confident that the Players Draft will provide another opportunity for talented cricketers to earn recognition and take the next step in their careers. Mahim Verma, Former Vice-President, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Former Secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said,The third season comes at an exciting time, and the inclusion of these Icon Players will bring valuable experience and inspiration for young cricketers. The Players Draft on September 16 will be a crucial moment as teams begin shaping their squads for another competitive season. Speaking ahead of the draft, Kiran Verma, Secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said, The Uttarakhand Premier League has grown significantly over the first two seasons and has become an important platform for players from the state. The announcement of the Icon Players ahead of the third season adds further excitement and experience to the competition. We are confident that the Players Draft will provide another opportunity for talented cricketers to earn recognition and take the next step in their careers. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Navneet Mishra, COO, Uttarakhand Premier League 2026, said, The announcement of the Icon Players marks the beginning of an exciting phase leading into the Players Draft. We are working towards making UPL 2026 bigger and more competitive while keeping the development of Uttarakhands cricketing talent at the heart of the tournament. Article Source: IANS
NHAI Approves Pokhraha, Jore Underpasses On Ranchi-Varanasi Greenfield Corridor
Bigg Boss 20: Arishfa Khan says she will fight back if Aamrapali Dubey goes against her
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) In the upcoming episode of Bigg Boss 20, Arishfa Khan will be seen opening up about her differences with co-housemate Aamrapali Dubey, saying the latter has crossed all limits with her and that she has no intention of speaking to her even if she apologises. In the episode, Arishfa will be seen labelling Aamrapali as rude and disrespectful. She will also be seen saying that she does not believe in holding a grudge but will always fight back if someone goes against or disrespects her, irrespective of who is standing in front of her. In the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode, no housemate was eliminated. Names that were nominated for eviction Kanika Mann, Uditi Singh, Love Gill and Arishfa. However, Uditi lost one life as she received very less votes as compared to other contenders. Meanwhile, Uditi started her career as a model. Her music video debut came in 2021 in the song titled 'Suroor' sung by Himesh Reshammiya. She appeared in various other music videos such as 'Bewafai Nu Salaam', 'Yaadein Teriyan Meriyan', 'Yeh Dil Deewana, 'Aaoge Tum' , and 'Karizma. Uditi made her film debut in 2023 in the Netflix film 'Jaane Jaan', where she played the young Maya D'Souza. Uditi also performed in a pole dance scene in the film, for which her training in pole dancing became relevant. In 2025, she appeared in the comedy film 'Jassi Weds Jassi' directed by Paran Bawa. The 20th edition of Bigg Boss which started on September 6. It has a diverse lineup of 16 celebrity contestants including names such as MC Mary Kom, Kanika Mann, Mahhi Vij, Kushal Tanwar, Aman Gandhi, Isha Rikhi, Arishfa Khan, Qazi Touqeer, Asif Khan, Aamrapali Dubey, Rhiti Tiwari, Uditi Singh, Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP, Rohed Khan, Yung DSA and Love Gill. The show airs on JioHotstar and Colors. Bigg Boss is an Indian Hindi-language reality television show of the Bigg Boss franchise in India that airs on Colors TV. It is based on the Dutch format of Big Brother. The 20th edition started on September 6.
Mirzapur Movie: 5 Popular Actors From the Web Series Who Are Missing From the Film
The world of Mirzapur has expanded from streaming screens to cinema, bringing its familiar mix of crime, power struggles, revenge and memorable characters to a larger format. The recently released Mirzapur film has generated considerable attention among fans of the franchise, with the report claimin...
'Wish I was a part of Dhurandhar': Sonali Kulkarni | Exclusive
In an exclusive conversation with Mid-Day, Sonali Kulkarni praised Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, while expressing admiration for Ranveer Singh's performance. The actress revealed why she feels deeply connected to the franchise despite not being part of it.
Jaipur Municipal Corporation Election 2026: Complete list of ward and party-wise winners
Voting for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections began on Monday, with counting underway after 63.55% of voters exercised their franchise across all 150 wards on September 11. Shri Bhawani Niketan College of Pharmacy on Sikar...
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) The upcoming live-action series Scooby-Doo: Origins, starring Mckenna Grace, Tanner Hagen, Maxwell Jenkins and Abby Ryder Fortson, has officially wrapped production and is set to release in 2027. The offiicial Instagram handle of Netflix US shared a string of images featuring Grace and Jenkins as Daphne & Fred. Hagen will be see as Norville Shaggy Rogers. While Abby Ryder Fosrton stars as Velma Dinkley. The caption read: Our Great Dane pup and his gang of meddling kids have officially wrapped production on SCOOBY-DOO: ORIGINS, coming 2027! The first season of Scooby-Doo: Origins will feature eight episodes and is reportedly set for a global 2027 premiere. The story follows the teenage group as they solve a mystery at camp before officially forming Mystery Inc. Scooby-Doo was first created in 1969 by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears through their animated series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, for Hanna-Barbera. The series features four teenagers: Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, and Shaggy Rogers, and their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, who solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures through a series of antics and missteps, while traveling in a brightly colored van called the Mystery Machine. The franchise has numerous shows, films, and specials. Two Scooby-Doo reboots aired as part of Kids' WB on The WB and its successor, The CW, from 2002 to 2008. Further reboots aired on Cartoon Network from 2010 to 2018. In 2013, TV Guide ranked Scooby-Doo as the fifth-greatest TV cartoon of all time. Over the years, there have been 45 official Scooby-Doo films made, including theatrical releases, direct-to-video animated movies, and live-action features. Talking about the upcoming series, Scooby-Doo: Origins will be seen following four teenagers Daphne Blake, Shaggy Rogers, Velma Dinkley, and Fred Jones, who, during their final summer at Camp Ruby-Spears, become embroiled in a mystery revolving around a supernatural murder that may have been witnessed by a Great Dane puppy. Together, they set out to solve this mystery that threatens to expose all their hometown's personal secrets.
Have you heard? Ahan Shetty to begin work on 1920 Cold Winter in November
Ahan Shetty is set to headline 1920 Cold Winter, the sixth instalment of Vikram Bhatts supernatural franchise. Production is expected to begin in November, with the film planned to be shot across Scotland and Shimla
Gunfire Erupts in Ranchis Doranda, Police Launch Manhunt for Suspects
In Ranchis Doranda area, gunfire caused panic as police identify suspects and intensify search efforts. Gunfire Erupts in Ranchis Doranda, Police Launch Manhunt for Suspects
Bokaro police arrest man for murder after womans body found
Ranchi ready for Ganesh Puja and Hartalika Teej with festive preparations
2,500 teachers honoured for contribution to education
Insidious: Out of the Further is the sixth instalment in the popular horror franchise and follows Gemma, a young mother who discovers that she can enter the terrifying realm known as The Further. The film, which released in theatres on August 21, 2026, has also been performing strongly at the box office. Heres everything to know about its expected Netflix OTT release date, cast, story and streaming details.
Haldipokhar residents launch signature campaign against railway siding pollution
NHAI agrees to build two underpasses in Palamu
Dhanbad MLA gives BCCL 3-day ultimatum to repair key road
Four held for abducting Chatra MLAs son
Villagers allege elderly woman assaulted during coal theft raid
3 killed, several feared trapped after illegal mine in Dhanbad caves in
HIL Future In Balance: Sports Minister Steps In
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to meet Hockey India League (HIL) franchise owners and federation officials to address the league's financial and administrative crisis. The HIL is struggling with unpaid player dues, rising costs, and franchise withdrawals, prompting the ministry to seek solutions for its survival, especially given its importance for Indian hockey development.
Notices to 38-member Iranian-origin family over draft roll entry in Garhwa
Speeding truck runs over couple from Bengal in Ranchi
Travel rush grips Ranchi routes, train tickets scarce & airfares surge
Puja organisers flag civic gaps, seek road repairs and traffic measures
85-year-old man dies in bee attack in Giridih village
Former Bond girl says next 007 should be
Alison Papworth weighed in on who should play James Bond in the iconic film franchise. The actress appeared in
Dhalbhumgarh airport stuck in forest land diversion clearance limbo
Ramgarh activists Janta Darbar becomes hope for common people
Hazaribag police arrest two more in Sept 6 murder case
Five Arrested in Kidnapping and Assault Case Involving Jharkhand MLAs Son
Five suspects have been arrested in Ranchi for the kidnapping and assault of Saurabh Kumar, son of MLA Janardan Paswan. Five Arrested in Kidnapping and Assault Case Involving Jharkhand MLAs Son
'I Had To Sit While Sleeping': Naveen-ul-Haq Opens Up On Injury Layoff Ahead Of Return
Arun Jaitley Stadium: Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has opened up about his difficult recovery ahead of his return to international cricket in the national colours after almost two years, with the 26-year-old eager to make the most of his comeback in the T20I series against India, which will commence on Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Naveen has endured a difficult period on the sidelines due to successive injuries, including a stress fracture of his right shoulder, which ruled him out of Afghanistans squad for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. Reflecting on his lengthy rehabilitation, Naveen admitted that the time away from cricket was mentally challenging. It is lonely. Its a very tough time for a person. The stress fracture healed itself within eight to ten weeks. But I had a second surgery for labrum repair. For the first six weeks of rehab in the UK, I had to sit while sleeping, Naveen told Cricinfo. Naveen, who made his Afghanistan debut in an ODI against Bangladesh in 2016 at 17, has since established himself as one of the countrys leading T20 bowlers, particularly in the death overs. He played a key role in Afghanistans notable journey to the semi-finals of the 2024 Mens T20 World Cup, taking 13 wickets with an average of 12.30 and an economy rate of 6.00. The pacer also shared how tough it was to witness Afghanistans intense double Super Over loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad during the 2026 T20 World Cup, all while being unable to assist. I had the feeling that if I was there for the team, maybe I could have done something different in the death overs, he said. Naveen announced his retirement from ODI cricket in 2023, with injuries playing a major role in his decision. However, his focus is now firmly on returning to the field and contributing to Afghanistans T20 side. He also highlighted the strong bond within the current Afghanistan team, noting that several players have grown together through the Under-19 system since 2018. In this generation, you will see nine or ten players who have been playing for Afghanistan since the Under-19s together, since 2018. Those players are now in the national team, playing franchise cricket all over, Naveen said. He also highlighted the strong bond within the current Afghanistan team, noting that several players have grown together through the Under-19 system since 2018. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We have to play as much cricket as we can, but one day, its all going to end. Everyone has to leave, and were going to miss it as cricketers. We have to play, get on the ground, and feel the pressure, he said. Article Source: IANS
Diablo Is Coming to Netflix! Blizzard Announces Animated Series
The world of Diablo is heading to Netflix, with Blizzard Entertainment developing an animated series based on the popular video game franchise. Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries announced the project during BlizzCon in Anaheim on Saturday. The upcoming series will expand the Diablo universe beyond video games, although Netflix and Blizzard have not yet revealed details about its storyline, cast or release date. Blizzard said the partnership with Netflix is part of its broader effort to explore new ways of telling stories from its gaming universes. The company noted that the Diablo animated project is still in development and that further details will be announced at a later stage. BlizzCon is Blizzard Entertainments major fan event, bringing together players and followers of franchises including Diablo, World of Warcraft, Overwatch and StarCraft. The Diablo franchise began in 1996 with the release of the original game. It was followed by Diablo II in 2000, Diablo III in 2012 and Diablo IV in 2023. We are thrilled to share that we are in development on a new animated series for Diablo with Netflix. pic.twitter.com/F7dKh73f12 Diablo (@Diablo) September 12, 2026 Blizzard has also announced Diablo V, which is scheduled to be released in spring 2029. The Netflix adaptation marks another expansion of the franchise, bringing the dark fantasy world of Diablo to a new audience through animated storytelling. ALSO READ: Zootopia 3 Confirmed: Disney Announces Third Film After Zootopia 2 Success
Shashwat Sachdev is reportedly working on a new global live music IP that will mark his first venture into the live entertainment space. The composer and producer is said to be developing a large-scale musical experience that will bring together his work from Indian cinema in a live format. According to sources, the project will feature reimagined versions of film scores from Phillauri, Uri: The Surgical Strike, The Ba***Ds Of Bollywood and Dhurandhar. The music is expected to be presented as a theatrical musical, combining live performances with visual elements. The project is reportedly scheduled to premiere at an international venue before making its way to India. The Jaipur-born composer is also set to perform in China later this year at the Wuxi Arts Music Festival, where he will reportedly present a special set. A production insider close to the project said, This isn't just a concert; it is a complete re-engineering of how live Indian music is presented on the world stage. He will be bringing together a massive ensemble of over 100 musicians, orchestra players, and a powerhouse choir to build these wall-of-sound arrangements entirely live. He is building a first-of-its-kind hybrid environment that fuses the intense, emotional storytelling of a theatrical musical with the massive, kinetic visual adrenaline of an international EDM festival. It is going to be a complete sensory overload. The development comes as Sachdev continues to work on several high-profile projects. His empanelment for Mohanlals Operation Ganga was recently announced. He has also been associated with the Dhurandhar duology, directed by Aditya Dhar. According to the information provided, the Dhurandhar soundtrack generated 325 crore ($39 million USD) in streaming ecosystem value. The film was also reported to become the first Indian film to have its entire album chart simultaneously on Spotifys Global Top 200. The album reportedly reached No. 1 on Billboard India and No. 2 on Spotifys Top Global Debut chart. Within six months, the franchise was said to have recorded 93 billion views on YouTube and more than 1.3 billion streams on Spotify, placing Sachdev among the top five artists in India on Spotify. Sachdev has also received recognition for his work in film music. He recently won his second National Film Award for his score in Article 370, following his earlier win for Uri: The Surgical Strike. He has also co-composed music with Hans Zimmer and James Everingham for the British drama series Virdee and received an international honour at the ASCAP Screen Awards. Representatives for Sachdev have not commented on the reported live music project so far. If confirmed, the IP would mark a new live presentation of his cinematic compositions, combining orchestral and electronic elements for audiences in international and Indian markets. Also Read : Shashwat Sachdev reveals why he initially turned down Uri: Lets get a really good musician to do Uri
Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Couple in Ranchi, Villagers Protest by Blocking Road
A couple dies after being hit by a speeding truck in Ranchi, leading to protests by locals demanding justice and compensation. Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Couple in Ranchi, Villagers Protest by Blocking Road
Beyond the Hospital: How Paras Health Is Reimagining Indias Healthcare Story
There are places in India that are defined by their geography, and then there are places that seem to transcend it. Kashmir is one such place. Its beauty has been immortalised in poetry for centuries. The timeless Kashmiri verse Agar firdaus bar r-ye zamn ast, hamn ast-o hamn ast-o hamn ast reminds us that if paradise exists on earth, it is here. But Kashmirs story is not only one of beauty. It is also a story of resilience, aspiration and an enduring belief in the power of human connection. It is against this backdrop that Paras Health Srinagar completed three years a milestone that is about much more than the passage of time. It is about trust earned, lives touched, families supported and a healthcare institution becoming part of the social fabric of the community it serves. That journey also reflects a much larger story unfolding across India: the transformation of healthcare from a predominantly metropolitan privilege into a more accessible, decentralised and community-oriented service. From a Vision to a Healthcare Movement When Paras Health began its journey in Gurugram in 2006, the proposition was both ambitious and deeply relevant: quality healthcare should not be restricted by geography or income. Nearly two decades later, that proposition has grown into a healthcare network spanning cities including Gurugram, Patna, Ranchi, Panchkula, Udaipur, Kanpur, Darbhanga and Srinagar. The geography matters. For years, Indias most sophisticated medical capabilities were concentrated in a handful of metropolitan centres. Patients from smaller cities and towns often had to travel long distances, leaving behind their families, livelihoods and familiar surroundings simply to access specialised treatment. The emergence of healthcare institutions in newer geographies is changing that equation. Paras Healths expansion represents this broader shift bringing specialised medical expertise, modern infrastructure and clinical capabilities closer to the people who need them. The result is not merely greater convenience. It is greater confidence. A family that once had to look hundreds of kilometres away for advanced medical care can increasingly find that care closer to home. That is what makes healthcare infrastructure meaningful: not the size of a building, but the distance it removes between a patient and hope. Healthcare Is Ultimately About Trust Indias healthcare aspirations are changing rapidly. Patients today are more informed. They expect clinical excellence, but they also expect something equally fundamental dignity. They want to be heard. They want transparency. They want accessibility. They want compassion. Technology can make diagnosis faster. Infrastructure can make treatment more sophisticated. But neither can replace the human relationship at the centre of medicine. A hospital, therefore, is not simply an institution where procedures are performed. It is where families arrive carrying anxiety, uncertainty and, often, their deepest fears. The true measure of a healthcare institution lies in what happens next. Does the patient feel cared for? Does the family feel supported? Does the institution remain compassionate when the situation becomes difficult? This is where Paras Healths philosophy of Care Beyond Medicine acquires significance. The phrase is not merely about clinical treatment. It speaks to the larger responsibility of healthcare to make people feel that they are not alone. The Courage to Go Beyond the Metros There is an important lesson in Paras Healths journey. Healthcare transformation cannot happen if excellence remains concentrated in Indias largest cities. The countrys healthcare ecosystem can grow sustainably only when capacity expands outward into emerging cities, regional centres and communities that have historically depended on metropolitan hospitals. This is where institutions such as Paras Health can play a catalytic role. Every new hospital creates more than beds and operating rooms. It creates employment, develops clinical talent, strengthens allied healthcare services, encourages local medical ecosystems and gives patients a reason to seek advanced treatment closer to home. It can also reduce the enormous economic and emotional cost of medical travel. In that sense, the expansion of a healthcare network becomes part of the larger story of nation-building. India does not merely need more hospitals. It needs stronger healthcare ecosystems. And ecosystems are built through connectivity between doctors and institutions, technology and patients, expertise and geography, and most importantly, between healthcare and the communities it serves. The Leadership Behind the Journey At the centre of this journey stands Managing Director Dr. Dharminder Nagar, whose leadership has been shaped by a belief that hospitals are ultimately built on values. Infrastructure can be constructed. Technology can be acquired. Systems can be replicated. Trust cannot. Trust has to be earned, often slowly and one patient at a time. The decision to expand beyond established metropolitan markets requires a different kind of leadership one willing to accept uncertainty, understand local needs and remain committed long enough for an institution to become part of the community. The Paras Health story has been built in that spirit: patiently, persistently and with a long-term view. Brick by brick. Life by life. Trust by trust. PARAS Health Srinagar: More Than a Hospital Three years in Srinagar have given this philosophy a particularly meaningful context. Kashmir is a region where healthcare is intertwined with geography, accessibility and community confidence. Establishing advanced healthcare infrastructure here is therefore not simply a business decision; it carries a wider social significance. Over these three years, Paras Health Srinagar has sought to establish itself not merely as a hospital, but as a dependable healthcare destination for patients and families. Every doctor who chooses service over convenience, every nurse who offers reassurance during a difficult moment, and every member of the support team who keeps the institution functioning contributes to that larger mission. The visible story of a hospital is often told through its buildings, technology and medical departments. The invisible story is told through the people. Through the late-night calls. The anxious families. The difficult diagnoses. The small victories. The moments when a patient's recovery brings an entire household back to hope. That is the real architecture of healthcare. There is another, less discussed dimension to building healthcare ecosystems in India: institutions become part of the everyday life of the communities around them. A hospital does not exist in isolation. It supports doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, ambulance services, diagnostic networks, hospitality teams, food and nutrition services, maintenance staff, local vendors and countless other allied sectors. Even something as simple as a patient's meal carries a larger message. Hospital food is not merely about calories. It is about nutrition, recovery, cultural familiarity and dignity. A thoughtfully prepared meal can become a small but powerful expression of care at a time when a patient may feel most vulnerable. From clinical expertise to nutrition, from technology to housekeeping, from emergency care to the cup of tea offered to an anxious attendant healthcare is an ecosystem of thousands of human interactions. That ecosystem is precisely what India must continue to strengthen. And organisations such as Paras Health can contribute to that evolution not only by adding hospitals, but by creating platforms where medical talent, technology, employment, training and community healthcare can grow together. The Next Frontier Is Human Indias healthcare story is entering an exciting phase. Artificial intelligence, robotics, telemedicine, advanced diagnostics and digital health will undoubtedly reshape medicine. But the more healthcare becomes technologically sophisticated, the more important the human element may become. Because patients do not experience healthcare as data. They experience it as people. A doctor explaining a diagnosis. A nurse holding a hand. A family waiting outside an operating theatre. A reassuring voice at the other end of a phone. A meal served when someone is too tired to think about food. A hospital that makes a difficult day feel slightly less frightening. These moments rarely appear in annual reports, but they define healthcare more profoundly than statistics ever can. As Allama Iqbal wrote, Sitaron se aage jahaan aur bhi hain there are worlds beyond the stars. The thought is fitting for an institution that continues to look beyond the conventional boundaries of healthcare. The future is not simply about building more hospitals. It is about building greater trust. It is about making excellence accessible. It is about developing healthcare talent beyond the traditional centres of medicine. And it is about ensuring that geography does not determine the quality of care a person can receive. From Paradise to Partnership Kashmir has long been described as paradise. But paradise, in the modern sense, cannot be measured only by mountains, lakes and gardens. A truly healthy society is one in which people can access quality healthcare with dignity and confidence. That is the larger promise of healthcare institutions that choose to invest beyond the metros. Three years of Paras Health Srinagar is therefore one chapter in a much bigger Indian story a story about decentralising excellence, strengthening regional healthcare and bringing the promise of modern medicine closer to ordinary families. Perhaps the most appropriate way to describe that journey is not as a destination, but as a partnership. A partnership between doctors and patients. Between institutions and communities. Between technology and humanity. And between healthcare and the India that is steadily building a healthier future. The journey is far from over. But if the first three years of Paras Health Srinagar are any indication, the next chapter can be measured not simply in infrastructure created or services delivered, but in something much more enduring; the number of lives that leave the hospital carrying not just treatment, but hope. And perhaps that is the finest definition of Care Beyond Medicine. Seema Vig is a Senior Vice President and Regional Director, PARAS Health. She could be reached at seemavig@parashospitals.com
Illegal coal mine collapses in Jharkhand's Dhanbad; 3 killed, says labour union leader
Digital Desk | Ranchi, Sep 13 (IANS) Three people were killed, and several others are feared trapped under debris after an illegal coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Sunday morning, Vimalesh Chaubey, Regional President of the National Colliery Mazdoor Union, said. The accident took place at around 7 a.m. in Keshalpur Kumharpatti, located in the Ramkanali OP area of Katras in Dhanbad district. According to Chaubey, a number of men and women had entered the illegal mine tunnel to cut and collect coal when the upper portion of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, trapping several people beneath the debris. Some men and women had gone into the illegal tunnel to cut and pick coal. The upper part of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, burying several people under the debris. Following the accident, nearby villagers rushed to the scene and began removing the debris using spades, pickaxes, and other tools. We know that three people are confirmed dead, Chaubey said. He said that three injured people were also rescued from the site and subsequently admitted to a local nursing home for treatment. Chaubey added that locals fear that several more people could still be trapped beneath the debris following the collapse. The possibility of additional people being buried under the rubble has led to intensified rescue efforts at the site. According to reports, illegal coal extraction has been taking place through tunnels in the area, with coal extracted from these unauthorised mines reportedly being transported and sold in nearby markets using motorcycles. At the time of the accident, people had reportedly entered the tunnel to cut and collect coal in a similar manner when the structure suddenly gave way, resulting in the collapse and trapping those inside. Following the incident, police reached the spot and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the mine collapse. Authorities are also monitoring the rescue operation as efforts continue to determine whether more people remain trapped under the debris.
Defending champions Kataka Panthers unveil squad ahead of Odisha T20 League 2026
Digital Desk | Cuttack, Sep 13 (IANS) Defending champions Kataka Panthers are fully geared up to conquer the upcoming Odisha T20 League 2026 once again as they unveiled their squad and official team song here at their Ramdaspur facility in Barang. The Panthers begin their title defense in the tournament opener on September 20 against Sambalpur Warriors and are looking ahead with sheer grit and conviction to tackle state-wide challenges head-on and script back-to-back championship triumphs. Organised under the aegis of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), the 10-day tournament will run from September 20 to September 29, 2026, at the historic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Kataka Panthers represents one of the oldest cities of Odisha, which boasts a glorious history of more than 1,000 years, carrying the deep-rooted emotions of thousands of passionate cricket enthusiasts across the state. Anchoring this legacy is the exuberant pedigree and experience of skipper Biplab Samantaray, who has represented Deccan Chargers Hyderabad (2012) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013), and notably has a half-century to his credit in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Leading from the front, Kataka Panthers Captain Biplab Samantaray underlined the squad's synergy, focus on tournament dynamics and relentless hunger: Walking onto the ground as defending champions is a tremendous badge of honor, but it also demands utter responsibility and zero room for complacency. The incredible love and reception from the Bharat Masala family has supercharged our dressing room. In a compact 17-match tournament featuring quality outfits like Sambalpur Warriors, Bhubaneswar Tigers, Puri Titans, Keonjhar Miners, and Rourkela Steelers, every single league game carries massive weight. Our goal is to dominate early, stay consistent, and aim straight for that top spot on the table to secure a direct berth in the final on September 29. We have built an electrifying squad that blends fearless power-hitters, versatile all-rounders, and sharp bowlers. Every player is hungry, locked in on our processes, and prepared to give 200% on the field to bring back-to-back championship trophies home for Cuttack. Echoing the captain's confidence while emphasizing squad readiness, tournament strategy and player progression, head coach Pravanjan Mullick stated, Bharat Masala has demonstrated exemplary trust in this squad, and having lifted the trophy together last season with Biplab steering the ship on the field and myself coaching from the dugout, our winning chemistry is rock solid. With only 17 matches deciding the destiny of the championship, every fixture is virtually a knockout. Beyond defending our title, this league is an extraordinary showcase for our players, with national spotters and IPL scouts analyzing every game. Its been a couple of seasons since Odisha players broke into IPL franchises, and our boys have the raw talent, mental fortitude, and firepower to bridge that gap. We are fully prepared to dictate terms from match one on September 20 right through to the final on September 29. Franchise owner Sri Susanta Kumar Panda, Managing Director of Jay Bharat Spices Pvt. Ltd. (Bharat Masala), lauded the teams fearless spirit and highlighted their long-term vision: As defending champions, we want the boys to pour all their heart and energy into the tournament, working towards our ultimate dream of an Odisha IPL franchise. Final Squad: Biplab Samantaray (Captain), Piyush Mantri, Sibun Nanda, Sourav Gouda, Priyanshu Mohanty, Soumyaranjan Biswal, Subham Satrujit, Raaz Yadav, M Goutam Gopal, Kartik Biswal, Subhasis Mallick, D Ayush, Prasant Rana, Abhiroop Das, Abhishek Singh, Sarthak S Prakash.
Delivering a thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats is a challenge; outsmarting a fanbase that has spent years studying every detail of a beloved franchise is almost impossible. Yet, as anticipation reaches its peak for Drishyam The Conclusion, director Abhishek Pathak believes he and his writing team have pulled off the ultimate cinematic sleight of hand. The Drishyam series has built its reputation on the razor-sharp intellect of its central character, Vijay Salgaonkar - a simple family man whose ability to stay steps ahead of the law has captivated millions. For the third chapter, Pathak knew that standard suspense mechanics wouldnt cut it. To truly shock the audience, the creative team had to immerse themselves completely inside the calculated mind of Vijay Salgaonkar himself. Reflecting on the gruelling, mind-bending writing process, Pathak shared a pivotal moment from the films development. He said, When we were writing, we were thinking like Salgaonkar. Even when I was narrating the script to Ajay Devgn, there came a point when we brought it to a halt and I kept asking people, Now, what do you think is going to happen? No one could really guess it, and that was a victory in itself. By turning the script room and even early narrations with leading man Ajay Devgn, into an interactive litmus test, Pathak ensured that every potential fan theory was systematically dismantled. With early listeners left stumped by the film's trajectory, Pathak enters the release confident that Drishyam The Conclusion will give thriller enthusiasts the ultimate test of wits. The film releases on October 2, 2026. Also Read: Abhishek Pathak opens up on 12-year Drishyam journey: Filmmaking is intense, and my wife kept me sane
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress founder Mamata Banerjees possible return as a member of the West Bengal Assembly has continued to dominate discussions, even as the jury has yet to decide which of the two current factions is the real party. The Election Commission on Saturday gave time to both groups, one under Mamata Banerjee -- often referred to as the Kalighat Trinamool from her home address and the other, led by former Left leader Ritabrata Banerjee, to put forward their respective claims for the original name and party symbol. Both are seeking the poll bodys recognition before by-elections to two Assembly seats in West Bengal -- left vacant after the respective winning candidates resigned -- are held next month. As per a recent Election Commission communique, the repoll will be held on October 6, with the last date for making nominations being Wednesday, just four days hence. While the Rejinagar Assembly Constituency was left vacant after the controversial Babri Mosque replica maker Humayun Kabir resigned, retaining his Naoda seat, Nandigram was vacated by current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for Bhabanipur, where he defeated his predecessor and once-mentor Mamata Banerjee. Incidentally, Mamata Banerjee lost to him from Nandigram in 2021 and had to subsequently seek re-election from Bhabanipur to become Chief Minister for the third successive term. Kabir has already extended an invitation to her to contest from Rejinagar, asserting that he can ensure her victory from the seat. He was earlier with the Trinamool Congress, but was suspended following his contentious decision to build a mosque modelled on Ayodhya's Babri Masjid at Rejinagar in West Bengals Murshidabad district. He went on to launch the Aam Janata Unnayan Party and contested from two seats simultaneously. In December last year, four months before the Assembly elections, he laid the foundation stone for the replica. Meanwhile, members of the Ritabrata faction have insisted that they would not field a candidate in Nandigram if Mamata Banerjee chose to contest herself. Ritabrata Banerjee, now the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, himself endorsed this, though quipping that a win would mean that she could enter the state legislature only through repolls. He was referring to her two successive losses, with a repoll ensuring her entry in the earlier case. Mamata Banerjee, or her camp, has yet to conclusively issue a statement on her contesting the upcoming by-elections. It is, however, almost certain that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold an edge in Nandigram in the absence of a candidate from the Ritabrata faction. His faction can split anti-Mamata Banerjee votes, where those still not supporting the BJP would have an option to exercise their franchise against the previous Trinamool regime. As of now, the faction under the feisty former Chief Minister stands reportedly somewhat jaded following this years election loss, subsequent crossing over by several leaders, MPs, and MLAs, and arrests or legal proceedings initiated against many, including Mamata Banerjees nephew and her partys General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The Blue Collar Uniform Hub of Chennai aligns with the times and grows bigger
Shops at Sydenhams Road in Periamet that offer uniforms and accessories for frontline workers in a variety of fields report certain shifts, many of which have worked to their advantage: a greater focus on safety gear, an increase in bulk orders of uniforms for conservancy workers and housekeeping staff. Orders are also known to come in from cricket leagues and franchises
