Women devotees preserve Dhunuchi dance tradition at Jamshedpur Durga Puja pandals
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 18 (IANS) Mighty Marathas were crowned champions of Archery Premier League Season 2 as they bounced back from a defeat earlier in the day against Kakatiya Knights in the first qualifier and defeated the same opponents in the grand final here on Sunday. Led by a sensational performance by their recurve star Dhiraj Bommadevara who finished the final off with an arrow into the inner X-ring as Marathas beat local franchise Knights 6-2. While Dhiraj shot an unbelievable 79 out of 80 in the title clash, leading the way for Marathas was 'Mr. Perfect' Mike Schloesser, who lived up to his nickname and finished with 80 out of the possible 80. The Knights entered the final riding high on a win over Marathas on Saturday in the last league match as well as another victory against the same opponents in the first qualifier. But Marathas had to take the scenic route, after losing to Knights but defeating Prithviraaj Yodhas in the second eliminator to earn their place in the finale. Believing in each other, keeping patience, and attack-attack-attack, Dhiraj said, when asked what the mantra was behind the Marathas' turnaround. To be honest, the truth is that we changed nothing after losing the first match (qualifier against Knights), and that I think is the beauty of this team. Fittingly, Dhiraj would be crowned the male recurve archer of the day as well as the entire tournament. Marathas were also rewarded for smart substitutions during the days play, ensuring they used their bench strength to good effect. Despite shooting pretty well in the first match, Aman Saini was replaced by the Dutch superstar Schloesser before the second eliminator and he would go on to score 79 in that match, followed by the perfect 80 in the final. Another tactical move was to replace the experienced international star Alejandra Valencia with Simranjeet Kaur in the middle of the second match, and the Indian would come through under pressure situations for the Marathas too. Knights and Marathas started the final with a split set of 75-75 as Neeraj Chauhans 8 with the final arrow would prove costly while Dhiraj hit a 10. The second set was even more thrilling as Dhiraj shot two inner-10s. Both Neeraj and Dhiraj stepped up in the third set, but Marathas were able to tie another set to stay ahead, despite a couple of low scores from the recurve archers. Knights now knew they had to win the final set to force a shootoff, but the pressure was felt on their initial arrows as all four archers Nico Wiener, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Elia Canales and Neeraj shot 9s. From there it was an uphill task, while Marathas scored a breathtaking 79 to close it out in style. Earlier in the day, in the Shortcut Decider between the first two teams, Mighty Marathas and Kakatiya Knights put on a sensational show, in a match that ebbed and flowed. Knights took the lead, then Marathas fought back to clinch the next two sets. The Knights took a fourth set when Dhiraj could have won the match with his final arrow, meaning a Hit-or-Miss Shootoff was required. Knights' foreign stars then stepped up in the tiebreaker as Wiener and Canales nailed the inner golden ring for a 2-0 win. Having to bounce back from the disappointment of the defeat, Marathas did admirably well against Prithviraaj Yodhas in the second Eliminator to win 5-3 and set up a rematch that witnessed the reversal of result, much to the joy of Marathas. The world's first franchise-based archery league, APL is initiated by the Archery Association of India and comprises six teams and a total of 48 archers, with 36 Indians and 12 elite international stars. The league, which took place at People's Plaza in Hyderabad, culminated on October 18 with the grand finale that crowned new champions.
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'I Was Dreaming For This Day': Niki Prasad On Journey From U19 Title To Strong India Debut
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: India youngster Niki Prasad called that she was dreaming of making her debut for India as she put up a stellar performance with the bat against Zimbabwe during the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here. Prasad spoke to the broadcasters ahead of the second T20I in Raipur on Sunday as she was asked about her journey from leading the India U19 side winning the T20 World Cup 2025 to making a strong debut for the senior side a couple of days ago. Prasad, who made an unbeaten 39 from 35 balls on her debut, was pleased with her performance in the opening match of the series. Definitely that innings has given me a lot of confidence, and going forward, whatever opportunity I am put under, I think I'm just going to stick to my basics and play to the merit of the ball, Prasad told broadcasters ahead of the second match. She was asked about her journey and how she is preparing herself mentally for the next stage of her career. You know, I was just dreaming for this day, and the preparation for this journey was quite hard, and I think that hard work has paid off, and I just want to grow from here, the 20-year-old added. Prasad has been part of the Delhi Capitals squad for two seasons and has shown glimpses of her talent. She credited the WPL and India A games helping her in dealing with tough match situations. I think these franchise games and also the India A games, whatever BCCI organised for us, I think that has given me more confidence because I was already put under pressure in those games. So I think it feels quite similar here. With India 1-0 up, the hosts have a chance to wrap the series up with one match to go. India were tested hard in the first match as they lost their top four batters for single-digit scores. Prasad stated that the team's batting group looks to keep things as simple as possible in the second game. I think it's pretty simple to just stick to our strengths and just execute our plans even better when we are batting, she stated. With India 1-0 up, the hosts have a chance to wrap the series up with one match to go. India were tested hard in the first match as they lost their top four batters for single-digit scores. Prasad stated that the team's batting group looks to keep things as simple as possible in the second game. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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CISF plans sector-specific functional reorganisation from Nov 1
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will reorganise its administrative and operational control structure from November 1 to enable sector-specific supervision, efficiency and coordination, an official said on Sunday. The functional reorganisation, approved by the Union Home Ministry, assumes significance as the CISF's mandate is expanding beyond conventional industrial security to encompass new and specialised security responsibilities, an official statement said. Under the reorganisation, the National Capital Region Sector has been reorganised into the Government Building Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector in New Delhi. The North Sector (New Delhi) and North Eastern Sector-II (Kolkata) have been restructured as the Power-I and Power-II Sectors, respectively, the statement said. The Eastern Sector (Ranchi) has been transitioned into the Coal Sector, while the Central Sector (Bhilai) is now the dedicated Steel Sector, it added. The North Eastern Sector (Guwahati) has been transformed into the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector, it said. To fortify India's maritime trade infrastructure, the Western Sector (Mumbai) and South Sector (Chennai) have been respectively transformed into the West Coast Port Sector and the East Coast Port Sector, it added. The existing Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Space (DoS) Sector in Bengaluru, and Airport Sector-I in New Delhi, and Airport Sector-II in Bengaluru, will continue under their respective functional arrangements, the statement said. The CISF has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The functional realignment of port-sector supervision is expected to support the development of specialised port-security expertise and coordination with port authorities and other stakeholders, the statement added. Under the earlier arrangement, administrative and operational supervision was largely organised on the basis of territorial jurisdiction. Over the past 25 years, the CISF adopted a functional approach in selected sectors, including aviation and strategic establishments under the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space. The experience gained from this approach highlighted the advantages of specialised supervision, focused training, sector-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), better utilisation of specialised personnel and closer coordination with the concerned organisations, the statement said. Building on this experience, the CISF has reviewed the supervisory structure of the remaining territorial sectors and undertaken their functional realignment after detailed deliberations with supervisory formations, branches at Force Headquarters and senior officers, followed by approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the statement added.
Dhanbad artist paints tribute to West Bengal stampede victims at Durga Puja pandal
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People Against SIR calls for Oct 23 marches, demands Parliament impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar
People Against SIR will conduct nationwide protests on October 23 to seek electoral reforms and restoration of voting rights. The platform accuses Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of violating constitutional obligations and changing electoral processes without parliamentary approval. Protesters aim to draw attention to the alleged disenfranchisement of 13.41 crore citizens through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
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CCL employee hacked to death at home in Jharkhand, wife tied up and jewellery looted
Political Figures Take Center Stage in Ranchis Durga Puja Celebrations
Ranchis Durga Puja showcases political figures alongside traditional themes, reflecting contemporary issues and social messages. Political Figures Take Center Stage in Ranchis Durga Puja Celebrations
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JioHotstar collaborates with DGO, launches streaming service in Nepal
JioHotstar has partnered with Nepals DGO to expand its streaming services in the country, adding Indian films, originals, television shows, reality franchises and childrens content to the local platform. The launch extends JioHotstars international presence across the UK, Canada, Singapore and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
N. Ramchander Rao stressed the need to ensure that every eligible graduate was registered as a voter and exercised their franchise
Ayan Lochab emerges as top buy at Rs 17.4 lakh in Kabaddi Champions League Season 2 auction
Ayan Lochab was the top buy at the KCL Season 2 auction, joining Jhajjar Jaguars for Rs 17.4 lakh. Bharat Hooda and Naveen Goyat also secured high-value contracts with Karnal Kings and Kurukshetra Knights, respectively. Other notable purchases included Rakesh Singroha by Faridabad Fighters and Sumit Sangwan by Sonipat Stars. The auction showcased the franchises' commitment to enhancing their teams with quality players.
Two Years of Omar Abdullahs Government
From the promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmirs political dignity to the everyday failures of governance, the National Conference (NC) government sits on a question, it keeps running away from: what was the mandate for if it was not meant to be used? Two years into the NC government, the burgeoning gap between the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the politics pursued after a resounding mandate has become increasingly difficult to ignore. The popular government has often taken refuge in the limitations that the Union Territory (UT) framework offers as an excuse for its failures. Yet the question remains: if the absence of statehood is the principal obstacle to delivering on the manifesto, why has the government failed to utilise the political leverage of its mandate more forcefully to demand it? The NC did not assume power in an ordinary political setting. The emergence of mandate was rooted in the political disenchantment following the unilateral abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent loss of statehood. The vote of 2024 did not reflect endorsement of NCs political legacy, rather for many, it was expression of anger against the BJP and the political will imposed on Jammu and Kashmir. That distinction matters. The mandate was an opportunity to articulate the political aspirations of the people and to negotiate from a position of relative strength. Instead, the government increasingly appears to have been co-opted into the larger project of disenfranchisement that ensued on 5th Aug 2019. It appears the govt of J&K and the one in Delhi have made peace with each other, and the latter being particularly happy the way it's unfolding. This is not to deny the constraints of the UT setup. But constitutional limitations cannot become an all-purpose explanation for political timidity, nor can the absence of statehood explain every failure in welfare delivery or the treatment of public dissent. Therefore, the moot point is not whether Omar Abdullah has all the powers of a state Chief Minister. He does not. It is whether he has used the political mandate he was given, to challenge the arrangement that limits him. Political promises reduced to statehood The NC manifesto promised the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, alongside the implementation of the Autonomy Resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in June 2000. These were not incidental electoral commitments. They spoke to the political question at the heart of Jammu and Kashmirs relationship with the Union. Yet, after coming to power, the NCs public posture increasingly appears concomitant with the mere restoration of statehood. Statehood may be part of a larger pie, but it is not an entire pie itself and therefore cannot replace the commitments concerning special status, autonomy and the political consequences of August 2019. The danger is that a promise to challenge the post-2019 political settlement has been reduced to a demand for administrative restoration within that very settlement. In principal the handling of the Assemblys statehood resolution also raised questions about the governments willingness to make its position unambiguous. Legislators sought amendments intended to strengthen the resolution, but those amendments were withdrawn. Whatever the procedural circumstances, the episode reinforced the impression that the government was unwilling to push its political demands to their logical conclusion. The subsequent September 2 march towards the BJP office in Srinagar, followed by a counter-protest by the BJP, did little to dispel the perception of political theatre. The later plan for a protest at Jantar Mantar, which shifted to the Constitution Club, similarly invited questions about whether these actions were designed to exert pressure or merely an exhibition that pressure was being exerted. Omar Abdullahs conduct towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi has further sharpened this contradiction. At the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg on January 13, 2025, Omar praised Modi for visiting despite the harsh weather, saying that not a single cloud was in the sky, the sun was shining brightly and there was no lack of warmth in peoples hearts. Praise for a Prime Minister in itself, is not an evidence of surrender. Nor is engagement with New Delhi inherently objectionable. But political language acquires meaning from its context. The concern is not courtesy. It is the apparent absence of a corresponding assertion of political interests. Jobs: from a promise of one lakh to the uncertainty of recruitment For Jammu and Kashmirs young people, employment was among the most tangible promises in the NC manifesto: a comprehensive job package for one lakh youth and the filling of government vacancies within 180 days. The scale of unemployment makes this commitment particularly consequential. However, the recruitment figures raise serious questions about the governments progress in fulfilling this promise. Figures placed before the Assembly show that JKPSC advertised 2,586 posts in 2023-24, 1,400 in 2024-25 and only 357 in 2025-2026. JKSSB, meanwhile, advertised 4,228 posts in 2023-24, 5,044 in 2024-25 and 1,731 in 2025-26. This sharp decline in advertised posts is alarming, particularly when viewed against the promise of filling vacancies within 180 days. More concerningly, during the same period, JKPSC and JKSSB collected 113.91 cr in application fees. Taken together, these figures raise an important question: if the government promised to create employment opportunities on such a scale, why has the number of advertised posts declined so sharply, even as aspiring candidates continue to pay substantial sums to participate in the recruitment process? Why should applicants continue investing in a system that offers neither predictable recruitment nor clarity over when vacancies will be filled? The concerns are compounded by allegations of irregularities involving outsourced recruitment, including claims that application links were circulated without formal notifications from the relevant government agencies. These allegations warrant a transparent inquiry and should not be allowed to remain unanswered. Electricity relief and the everyday economics of governance The promise of 200 free units of electricity to every household, relief from the electricity and water crisis, and the transfer of hydropower projects to Jammu and Kashmir was another commitment with direct consequences for household budgets. The government has pointed to the constraints of the UT arrangement and the regions historical power deficit. Yet the question of free electricity cannot be separated from the governments own policy choices. In October 2025, Omar Abdullah said the promised 200 free units would be implemented after the comprehensive rollout of smart meters, arguing that precise measurement was necessary to deliver the benefit. That explanation does not settle the matter. It raises further questions about sequencing, affordability and whether the people who were promised relief should have to wait indefinitely for the governments chosen mechanism to be completed. The governments defence of smart meters has also exposed a communication problem. In October 2025, criticism of Omars position included the contrast between his earlier objections to smart meters as a burden on poor and middle-class households and his subsequent defence of their installation. In the bizarre defence, Omar drew parallels between his relatives and the poor people of J&K. He cited his own relatives, including his aunties, as examples of people who had installed smart meters. A similar dismissiveness was evident in the Chief Ministers response to questions about liquor shops. In May 2026, Omar asked whether anyone was forcing people to drink, saying that people visited liquor shops by choice and that his government had not increased their number. The issue was not simply whether anyone was being physically forced to drink. Answering a broader policy question by pointing out that consumption is voluntary risks trivialising the concerns being raised. Taken together, these episodes reveal a troubling pattern in political communication: citizens raise questions about policies affecting their daily lives, while the Chief Ministers responses can sound less like an attempt to engage with those concerns and more like an attempt to dismiss them. Welfare promises and the gap between announcement and delivery The manifesto also promised 12 LPG cylinders annually for economically weaker sections. The governments approval of six free cylinders a year for Antyodaya Anna Yojana families after a year or two appears to be a meaningful step for eligible households, but it does not amount to the full promise as presented in the manifesto. The government must explain the criteria, coverage and implementation, rather than allowing a partial measure to stand in for a broader commitment. The promise to raise widow pensions to 3,000 also remains a point of concern. The Social Welfare Department told the Assembly there was no proposal to raise the pension further. Why was a specific commitment made if the government did not have a credible plan to fund it? These are not minor administrative discrepancies. For a widow, an elderly person or a household struggling to afford fuel and transport, the difference between a promise and an implemented benefit is material. Welfare policy must be judged by what reaches people, not by what appears in a manifesto or a press release. The details of each dispute differ, but the larger question is the same: are the governments welfare commitments being translated into reliable public services, or are they being treated as electoral promises whose implementation can be deferred? Waqf, reservation and the limits of political symbolism The Waqf Amendment Act controversy exposed another contradiction between the NC governments political messaging and its conduct in office. The Act was passed by Parliament in early April 2025. On April 7, Omar Abdullah and his father, Farooq Abdullah, were photographed with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at Srinagars Tulip Garden. The image became controversial because Rijiju was associated with the legislation and the photograph emerged amid strong opposition to the Act among sections of the Muslim community. Omar explained that the meeting was a coincidence during a visit to the garden with his father and asked whether he should have been rude and refused a photograph. The controversy was about what the image symbolised at a moment when many people expected a stronger political response to legislation they regarded as deeply consequential. Ironically the Assembly Speaker disallowed a debate on the Centres Waqf law, citing procedural and sub judice concerns. The question is whether the government used its institutional position to facilitate a meaningful discussion of the concerns raised, and whether its opposition to the law translated into a clear legislative and political strategy. Reservation policy is another issue where the governments response must be judged against its promise to review the existing arrangements. The lopsidedness in the reservation system which stands close to 70% has fuelled discontent among sections of the open-merit student community and unemployed aspirants. The government has a responsibility to rationalise scheme of reservation proportional to the existing population structures. But there appears no resolution whatsoever in sight, and unfortunately, NC led govt has exhibited no intent to initiate a process of dialogue with aggrieved students, leave alone the resolution itself. The file according to them is swinging between offices, while recruitment persists with the existing scheme of reservation. A review promised in a manifesto must mean a review that is transparent, evidence-based and open to public scrutiny. Workers, local livelihoods and the question of priorities The manifesto promised regularisation for daily wagers, CIC operators, contractual employees, Rehbar-e-Khel workers, home guards and other categories of temporary employees. These workers have spent years providing services under insecure conditions. Their demand for regularisation is not merely a demand for higher wages; it is a demand for recognition, dignity and a predictable future. The government has cited budgetary constraints in responding to such demands. Fiscal limits are real, and regularisation cannot be responsibly promised without a plan for costs, eligibility and implementation. But the governments priorities become harder to defend when workers are told that the budget cannot accommodate their claims while legislation is introduced to enhance the salaries or allowances of legislators. The comparison does not automatically establish that the two expenditures are equivalent or could be directly substituted for one another. It does, however, raise a legitimate question of political priorities. If the government can find room to improve the position of elected representatives, it must explain why long-serving temporary workers remain without a credible, time-bound roadmap. The promise to protect land, jobs and contracts for the natives raises similar concerns. The outsourcing and the entry of larger external firms risk weakening local employment and contractors. It also points to mining restrictions and shortages of construction material that can disadvantage local businesses. Nevertheless, the broader policy question is important. Inviting investment is not inherently at odds with protecting local interests. Jammu and Kashmir needs capital, expertise and employment opportunities. But investment policy must ensure that local workers and enterprises are not pushed to the margins by firms with greater access to finance, supply chains and institutional networks. The government should publish clear figures on local hiring, procurement, contracts and the outcomes of major investment initiatives. Otherwise, the language of development risks concealing a familiar imbalance: the public bears the disruption, while the benefits accrue elsewhere. The politics of political prisoners and the PSA The promise to release political prisoners and youth detained unjustly, and to repeal the Public Safety Act (PSA), was another major commitment. Omar Abdullah had pledged that the law would be repealed on the first day his party assumed power. The promise carries a historical irony. The PSA was enacted in 1978 under Sheikh Mohammad Abdullahs government, ostensibly to curb timber smuggling. Decades later, the same party promised to repeal it, recognising the laws significance in the political and human rights landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. But the government has since linked repeal to the restoration of full statehood. Omar Abdullah and members of his government have argued that policing, public order and prison administration remain under the control of the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor in the UT arrangement. These constraints are real. Yet they do not absolve the elected government of the responsibility to pursue the issue with urgency. If the government considers the PSA a serious instrument of injustice, it must do more than explain why it cannot repeal it immediately. It must publish a clear position, press for the release of those it believes are unjustly detained, seek reviews of cases and use every available institutional and political avenue. A government cannot campaign on a promise as though it were an immediate priority and then turn it into a conditional objective after taking office. The people are entitled to ask what changed between the campaign and the governments first two years. The same principle applies to the repeated invocation of the Lieutenant Governors authority. The division of powers may explain why a decision cannot be taken unilaterally. It does not explain why the issue should lose its urgency, nor why the elected government should not use its mandate to create sustained political pressure. Beyond the excuse of statehood The central weakness of Omar Abdullahs government is not simply that it has failed to fulfil every promise. Governments routinely encounter constraints, and Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional arrangement makes governance unusually complicated. The problem is the growing tendency to invoke those constraints without demonstrating a sustained political effort to overcome them. The government cannot be held solely responsible for powers it does not possess. But it can be held responsible for its political choices, its priorities, the clarity of its commitments and the manner in which it responds to criticism. The contrast between deference towards New Delhi and impatience towards ordinary citizens has become particularly damaging. Whether it is the response to concerns over smart meters, the remarks on liquor shops, the handling of the Waqf controversy or the repeated invocation of the Lieutenant Governors powers, the government too often appears to expect patience from the people while offering explanations in place of results. The NC must also recognise that its mandate was not a blank cheque. Voters who rejected the BJPs political project did not necessarily give the NC permission to accommodate that project in practice. They expected the party to use its electoral strength to defend Jammu and Kashmirs interests, even within a constrained constitutional framework. The governments own record on jobs, electricity relief, pensions, temporary workers and recruitment must be assessed through verifiable outcomes, not simply through announcements. Where promises have been only partially fulfilled, it should say so. Where the Centre has obstructed a decision, it should identify the obstruction and explain what steps it took in response. Where the government itself has failed to act, it should accept responsibility. The absence of statehood is a genuine political problem. But if it is invoked to explain every failure, it risks becoming an all-purpose shield behind which accountability disappears. The people of Jammu and Kashmir did not vote merely for a change of administration. They voted in the expectation that an elected government would restore political agency, defend public interests and make the machinery of government answerable to them. Two years on, the question is not whether Omar Abdullah has all the powers he wants. It is whether he has used the powers, mandate and political credibility he already has. That is the test the government must now face. Zuhaib Yousf Mir is a PDP youth leader. He holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Edinburgh and writes regularly on politics, economics, ecology and youth affairs.
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 17 (IANS) After coming through a must-win last league phase match, Prithviraaj Yodhas defeated Chero Archers in Eliminator 1 to stay alive in Season 2 of the Archery Premier League (APL) in Hyderabad on Saturday. With their chances of qualifying for the playoffs coming down to the wire, Yodhas first had to defeat defending champions Rajputana Royals, and they did just that in fine fashion, 6-0. And stepping back into the field immediately for the first knockout match, Yodhas made it back-to-back wins as they defeated Chero Archers 5-1. The women led the way for Yodhas as young recurve sensation Gatha Khadake, 16, shot an impressive 56 out of 60 while compound star Andrea Becerra shot a perfect 60. Gatha had also shot 56 in the must-win clash against Royals and walked away with the award for best recurve female archer of the day. Becerra, across both matches, didnt miss the 10-ring to finish the day with 120 out of 120. Both Chero and Yodhas began the day aware of the fact that they had to win their respective last league matches to progress to the playoffs. Chero beat Chola Chiefs in a thrilling shootoff after the match was tied 4-4. Compound World No. 1 Mathias Fullerton was the only archer to hit the inner yellow ring in the Hit-or-Miss shootoff. In the first match of the day, between the top two teams, Kakatiya Knights outplayed Mighty Marathas 6-0 to emerge as the table-toppers. On Sunday, action will begin with a rematch between Mighty Marathas and Kakatiya Knights in a contest that will decide the first finalist of the season. The loser of that match will shoot in the second contest against Prithviraaj Yodhas. And then to conclude the exciting season, itll be time for the grand finale. Archery Premier League, the world's first franchise-based archery league, is initiated by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and comprises six teams and a total of 48 archers, with 36 Indians and 12 elite international stars. The league, taking place at People's Plaza in Hyderabad, will culminate on October 18 with the grand finale. In Eliminator 1, on what was perhaps the toughest day to shoot during this season because of the gusty conditions, Yodhas and Chero split the first set 75-75. Gatha, in fact, started with an 8 before recovering superbly during the rest of the contest. Atanu Das, who had been in good form right through the tournament, struggled with his rhythm here as an 8 from him proved costly. Hed start the second set with a 7, and that would again cost Chero as they managed a 74 while Yodhas, led by their compound archers Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru and Becerra, scored 77. The third set would turn out to be even better for Yodhas as Ganesh, Becerra, Gatha and Matias Grande combined for a sensational 79 while Chero, despite starting the set well, fell off and finished with 75. BEST ARCHERS OF THE DAY (Rs 1 lakh reward each): Recurve male: Marcus DAlmeida (Chiefs) Recurve female: Gatha Anandrao Khadake (Yodhas) Compound male: Nico Wiener (Knights) Compound female: Jyothi Surekha Vennam (Knights) and Andrea Becerra (Yodhas) SCORES - DAY 10: Match 1: Kakatiya Knights 6-0 (77-69, 72-64, 78-74) Mighty Marathas Match 2: Chero Archers 4-4 (70-74, 73-68, 74-69, 73-76) Chola Chiefs; Chero won the shootout 1-0 Match 3: Prithviraaj Yodhas 6-0 (76-73, 74-72, 78-73) Rajputana Royals Eliminator 1: Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-1 (75-75, 77-74, 79-75) Chero Archers
IMD forecasts isolated rain, thunderstorms in southern Jharkhand
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Hyderabad, Oct 17 (IANS) Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy has connected India's long-unresolved border enclaves with Bangladesh to the ongoing protests in Delhi against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, adding that the past territorial anomalies enabled illegal migration that still affects voter lists today. In a video explanation circulating widely, Reddy described the pre-2015 situation as one of the most bizarre international borders in existence. India had 111 enclaves inside Bangladesh while Bangladesh had 51 enclaves inside India. In some places the complexity ran deeper: second-order enclaves existed where a Bangladeshi pocket lay inside an Indian enclave that itself sat inside Bangladesh, and vice versa. These territories, left over from the Partition era, created service-less zones in which residents lacked reliable access to administration, identity documents and clear citizenship pathways for decades. The anomalies were finally settled through the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement, negotiated and passed by the Parliament under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the swap, residents were given the choice of citizenship and the last remaining pockets of foreign territory on either side of the border were eliminated. Reddy presented this resolution as the closure of a long-standing irregularity that had facilitated unchecked movement across the frontier. Such stupid borders were designed for political interests... and they continued from the day of Partition till recently, till 2015 until the Narendra Modi government came, the Telangana BJP MP said. He then linked that history directly to the current protests in the national capital. Demonstrators have opposed the Election Commission's SIR exercise, which critics claim has removed more than 130 million names from the electoral rolls, Reddy added. Supporters of the BJP MP's video said that the voter revision is a necessary housekeeping measure to identify and delete illegal or ineligible entries. Protesters, by contrast, said that large numbers of genuine eligible voters have been wrongly struck off and have demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Reddy framed the voter revision exercise as a logical continuation of earlier efforts to regularise citizenship and prevent infiltration from distorting democratic processes. He contended that porous borders and political patronage in certain states had previously allowed illegal migration to continue as a form of vote-bank politics, naming the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Congress in Assam and elsewhere, with effects felt as far as Hyderabad, Delhi, Bihar and Odisha. In related remarks, the Telangana BJP MP broadened the charge. He alleged that recent protests and digital campaigns form part of a coordinated international effort aimed at regime change against Prime Minister Modi. According to Reddy, a diverse coalition of opposition parties and fringe groupsincluding the Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK and extreme organisations, together with external actorsshare a single objective: to unseat the government. They (Opposition) do not have a common cause. The common cause is not NEET, not the UPI payment system, not the Election Commission... The common cause is to defeat PM Modi, regime change, he said, insisting that leadership change in a democracy must occur only through elections, not through orchestrated street agitation. Reddy also claimed large-scale manipulation of social-media metrics. Referring to an independent political figure associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, the Telangana BJP MP described a sudden surge of millions of Instagram followers as 100 per cent fake, 100 per cent paid, contrasting the online numbers with the modest physical turnout at the early stages of the protests. He also warned of multifaceted external pressures targeting India's economic stabilitycurrency volatility, disruptions in oil trade, and potential impacts on the information-technology and pharmaceutical sectors. In his view, strong leadership under PM Modi has so far enabled India to navigate these challenges while preserving strategic and economic autonomy. The discussion has added a historical dimension to an already polarised debate over electoral integrity, citizenship verification and the legacy of Partition-era borders. While the 2015 agreement resolved the enclave problem on paper, questions about migration, documentation and the accuracy of voter lists continue to surface. As protests persist in Delhi, interpretations of the SIR remain sharply divided; one side sees it as a safeguard against illegal entries, the other as an overreach that disenfranchises citizens. Reddy's intervention has injected the story of the old enclaves into that contemporary argument, presenting the current clean-up of electoral rolls as the unfinished business of regularising who belongs on India's voter lists.
APL Season 2: Kakatiya Knights cap off round-robin campaign as table-toppers
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 17 (IANS) Telangana franchise Kakatiya Knights capped off a memorable round-robin campaign at home with a thumping 6-0 win against Mighty Marathas in Season 2 of the Archery Premier League (APL) in Hyderabad on Saturday. Both teams are already assured of a place in the top two coming into the match, which meant this was just a dress rehearsal for their clash in the first qualifier on Sunday. But the Knights ensured they would go into that match high on confidence. For Knights, their lead compound archers Nico Wiener and Jyothi Surekha Vennam were flawless during the match, shooting 60 out of 60 despite gusty conditions at the Peoples Plaza on Necklace Road. Marathas, who opted to rest their recurve star Dhiraj Bommadevara at the start, never quite found their rhythm and registered sub-70 scores in the first two sets. They managed to improve in the third set to score 74 as Dhiraj and Alejandra Valencia came on, but Knights hit a superb 78 and brought out the celebrations. Knights had also rested their in-form recurve star Neeraj Chauhan. The win augurs well for them on Sunday, when they face Marathas again to decide who the first finalist will be. Archery Premier League (APL), the world's first franchise-based archery league, is initiated by the Archery Association of India and comprises six teams and a total of 48 archers, with 36 Indians and 12 elite international stars. Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Holgado, 1992 Olympic gold medallist for Spain and World Archery Executive Director, acknowledged AAIs efforts in making this league a success and said other countries should use the APL as a case study in bringing compound and recurve archers together in an entertaining format that is broadcast-friendly. There are not many federations that have the power, the muscle, the financial resources to put this in place, Holgado said. World Archery is happy to support this. Hopefully, some of the countries take a similar model, but I don't see this happening in the short term. I'm sure that other countries, Korea, for example, and the United States, are watching what is happening and start thinking what we could do in our events to make it more interesting for spectators. This mix of compound recurve, this team spirit, this identity with the culture of the country is a very good concept. I'm sure someone will start talking and thinking about how to implement some part of it, and we will see what will come next, he said. On Sunday, action will begin with a rematch between Mighty Marathas and Kakatiya Knights in a contest that will decide the first finalist of the season. The loser of that match will shoot in the second contest against the winner of Eliminator 1, which takes place on Saturday night. And then to conclude the exciting season, itll be time for the grand finale. SCORES -- DAY 10: Match 1: Kakatiya Knights 6-0 (77-69, 72-64, 78-74) Mighty Marathas
The IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa on December 16, according to a communication from the BCCI to the 10 franchises. The auction briefing is scheduled for December 15. The event will mark the auction's return to India after three consecutive editions were held overseas in Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi.
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He said all departments concerned must work in coordination to ensure a level playing field for candidates to file nominations and allow voters to exercise their franchise freely.
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IPL 2027 auction to be held on December 16, franchises told to prepare for event in Goa: Report
In a major development, a recent report from Cricbuzz has suggested that the highly anticipated IPL (Indian Premier League) 2027 auction is slated to be held on December 16th in Goa. It is worth noting...
Not custodian of pending files: Jharkhand LoPs sharp message to CM Soren over stalled projects
Digital Desk | Ranchi, Oct 17 (IANS) Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned Chief Minister Hemant Soren over the functioning of the state government, flagging the closure of 288 sand ghats despite their auction, suspension of holding tax collection and delays in road construction projects worth Rs 1,410 crore in Ranchi. In a post on X, Marandi sought answers from the Chief Minister on the three issues and demanded time-bound action, transparency and public disclosure of the progress made. Government can run on the assurances of bureaucrats, but that does not absolve it of accountability, Marandi said, questioning why 288 out of 302 auctioned sand ghats in the state remained closed. He alleged that despite the completion of auctions, files related to mandatory approvals were still pending, creating conditions that encouraged illegal sand mining. He questioned who was responsible for completing environmental clearances, Gram Sabha permissions and other statutory formalities. Marandi also sought public disclosure of the role of Rajiv Lochan Bakshi, Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, and details of work pending at his level. People cannot build houses merely by auctioning sand ghats. They need sand to be made available, he said, demanding regular supplies from authorised ghats at reasonable prices and transparent transportation arrangements. Raising the issue of holding tax collection, the BJP leader questioned why the process had remained suspended since August 21. He pointed out that the agreement with the previous agency had been terminated without putting an alternative arrangement in place. He demanded that the government disclose the period of suspension, the resulting revenue loss and the proposed alternative mechanism for collection. He also called for immediate restoration of collection and a clear timeline for introducing the new system. Former Jharkhand CM Marandi further flagged the delay in Ranchi's road infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,410 crore, saying residents were facing daily inconvenience because of the stalled works. Referring to Sunil Kumar, who is handling the important Road Construction and Urban Development departments, Marandi questioned the pace of implementation and accountability. He also alleged that certain officials had attempted to suppress reports about their irregularities by threatening to stop advertisements. The public is watching and understanding everything, he said, adding that those responsible would eventually have to answer for their actions. Listing eight demands, Marandi called for the publication of reasons behind the closure of 288 sand ghats and a list of pending approvals; fixed deadlines for environmental clearances, Gram Sabha permissions and other statutory procedures; regular sand supplies at reasonable rates; immediate restoration of holding tax collection; and disclosure of revenue losses and details of their recovery. He also demanded a review and progress report of the Rs 1,410 crore road projects, monthly updates on sand ghats, holding tax and road construction on a public portal, and action against responsible officials and contractors after reviewing pending cases. Issuing a pointed warning to the Chief Minister, Marandi said, An officer will simply write a remark on a file and move ahead, but the people will write the verdict on your tenure. He cautioned that if the government continued shielding officials over incomplete projects, the political consequences of their failures would also fall on the Chief Minister. People have elected a Chief Minister, not a custodian of pending files. Give answers, not excuses, Marandi said, asserting that the BJP would not compromise on issues concerning public interest.
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In-form Hope Doesnt Throw His Bat Away, Plays Proper Cricket Shots, Says Chanderpaul
West Indies T20I: West Indies skipper Shai Hope's recent run of big scores in the ongoing white-ball series against India has come without him sacrificing the orthodox method that defines his batting, said legendary batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Saturday. Chanderpaul, currently playing and coaching the West Indies champions in the World Championship of Legends, described Hope as a more mature and confident player who finds the gaps rather than swinging wildly. Hope has been in stellar form, scoring four centuries across three ODIs and four T20Is against India. With the T20I series locked at 2-2 ahead of Saturday's decider in Bengaluru, it will be critical for India to dismiss Hope quickly. Look, his all-round cricket has developed. You can see, he is scoring much freer. He is more confident now. He can go out and express himself early on. Yes, he is not going to go as a crazy guy out there and throw his bat away. He played proper cricket shots, and he hit proper boundaries. He hit them in the good areas. What you call proper cricket shots is that he just doesn't go out there and swipe - he hits it well. He hits it into the gaps and finds his boundaries. Whenever it is pitched up and he can hit it over the top, he hits it over the fielders. But he has developed over the years. He is much more mature now. He is more confident in going out and playing his game, Chanderpaul said to IANS in a virtual interaction facilitated by Cricketaaa on Saturday. According to Chanderpaul, much of the evolution of Hopes batting, especially in the shortest format, was shaped by honing his skills on the slow, spin-friendly pitches of Providence Stadium, where Hope turned out for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League. Look, Shai Hope has played a lot of cricket in Guyana. He played for Guyana Amazon Warriors. He has learned how to bat on those wickets. If anybody could score runs in Providence, Guyana, they could score runs anywhere. He learned how to play spinners there, how to score and bat really, really well. Mostly against any bowlers, right? Because if you can score runs in Guyana, you can score runs anywhere. He developed his cricket really well. There are a few other guys who came from Guyana Hetmyer, Rutherford, Shepherd, Motie and Shamar Joseph are there. All of them are from Guyana, right? So, these guys know how to play on those sorts of wickets. The pacer will bowl one over, and then the spinner will take over. So, you learn to bat against spin from those sorts of wickets. Even as he praised Hope, Chanderpaul stressed that the West Indies could not afford to lean on one or two players, and pointed to the depth of match-winners in the current side. But then, the West Indies team also have other players there. You have Rovman Powell, and all the other guys who are in the team right now who also are match winners. So, at any given point, these guys can win you matches. As much as you call on two names, yes, who's performing now, yes, Shai Hope is doing well and helping his team to get over the line, which is really good. But you have other guys in the team also who are match winners. So, we can't overlook those guys either. They are there, and they will contribute, and they can win matches by themselves anytime also. On the spread of franchise T20 leagues around the world and the future of the all-format cricketer looking bleak, Chanderpaul said the leagues had become a valuable platform for spotting talent. It's good that we have T20 formats all around the world because this is how you get a chance to see all the cricketers. Like in the past, we didn't need our country to put us out there. Now we have so many different leagues opening in every part of the world. So, now you get a chance to see more players. Players are still active, playing cricket, and that's what you want to see. You want them out there being active, playing cricket, and then you can pick up your players to play for your country. If you think they are good enough to play and represent their country, yes, definitely, you will get a chance to grab them. But if you don't have all these leagues out there, then it's difficult to see all these players. I mean, everybody around the world is watching cricket, and there are a lot of teams who are keeping their eyes on talented players that they can grab for their teams also, and these leagues are also helping to do these things, he elaborated. Chanderpaul, who played in the early seasons of the IPL and in three T20 World Cups, said the format had changed beyond recognition since the days when teams had little data to work with. Look, T20 cricket has definitely gone a long way from when I first started in the IPL. At that time, we were just trying to figure out what would have been a normal score, what could be a par score, or a winning score. You're trying to work out everything here and there. There's not much stats out there to tell you that this is a par score on this or that ground. There are no stats from that time there. Yes, I played three T20 World Cups. But there were not many stats that tell you what would be a winning score on whichever ground you play on. But now there's a lot of information out there, and players are now developing way more shots than we played back then, and they've been successful doing it. Scores have been changing from 150 as a winning score to 250 sometimes. Still, people try to knock off those big scores also. So, it shows that the game definitely for batters has gone a long way. T20 cricket is all about playing shots and making big scores. Players have really been doing well playing this format. So, look, it's gone a long way. It's changed a long way, and it's really exciting for everyone, all the fans out there and everyone who's watching. In Sharjah, Chanderpaul himself had a vintage batting display when his unbeaten 41 off 27 balls, with three sixes, carried West Indies Champions past Australia Champions in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends and will face England in the final on Sunday. Chanderpaul, who has been doubling up as player and coach, said he had not planned on batting, but injuries left the side short. I came in, and we didn't have much batting. So, we have a few guys who are injured and end up playing the rest of the guys who are on the bench. I made up the numbers, and I didn't expect much from myself out there. But I am thankful that I was able to give the team what they needed at that point of time when in a crucial game like this one. West Indies Champions franchise owner Ajay Sethi said the team's progress over three seasons reflected the hunger of its veterans, and compared Chanderpaul's strokeplay against Australia to that of a young Sachin Tendulkar. I came in, and we didn't have much batting. So, we have a few guys who are injured and end up playing the rest of the guys who are on the bench. I made up the numbers, and I didn't expect much from myself out there. But I am thankful that I was able to give the team what they needed at that point of time when in a crucial game like this one. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Rajdhani Royals to face Nyayadhani Knights in landmark first Chhattisgarh Hockey League
Digital Desk | Raipur, Oct 17 (IANS) Rajdhani Royals will be taking on Nyayadhani Knights in the first Chhattisgarh Hockey League as the tournament kicks off on October 22 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium here. The league is India's first official state hockey league and will feature a total of 18 matches with six teams playing in the tournament. The final is set to take place on November 1 to crown the inaugural champion of the league. League Ambassador, Sardar Singh, highlighted that the league will help players from Chhattisgarh get a platform to prove themselves. The inception of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League is an initiative that sets the benchmark for everyone to follow, and Im confident that the hockey players from Chhattisgarh will benefit from this greatly, Singh said. He also emphasised that his role gives him the chance to nurture talent in Chhattisgarh. Becoming CHLs League Ambassador is a great opportunity for me to help Chhattisgarhs talented players develop into potential national and international stars. The eyes of the entire hockey fraternity is going to be on this league. All the squads are well balanced with the perfect mix of experience and raw talent. Im confident that the level of hockey on display in the inaugural season is going to be special, he added. The league is organised by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh. The tournament will see 132 aspiring and marquee players participating. The selection was held over extensive trials. The marquee players include India's Olympians Surender Kumar, Pradeep Mor, SV Sunil, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Shamsher and Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, headlining the six franchises. Apart from Rajdhani Royals and Nyayadhani Knights, the other franchises that will participate are Bailadila Bulls, Sanskardhani Strikers, Chakradhar Champions and Mainpat Titans. The squads were recently finalised and have covered representation from different regions of the state. The coaches and the assistant coaches were also announced recently. Check the support staff of the franchises: Nyayadhani Knights: Rajnish Mishra (Head Coach) Mrinal Choubey (Assistant Head Coach) Gopeshwar Kahara (Team Manager) Mainpat Titans: Rajinder Singh Jr. (Head Coach) Amitabh Manikpuri (Assistant Head Coach) Deepesh Choubey (Team Manager) Chakradhar Champions: Devesh Chauhan (Head Coach) Ravi Pareek (Assistant Head Coach) Dhaniram Yadav (Team Manager) Rajdhani Royals: Ajitesh Roy (Head Coach) Rashmi Sandhya Ekka (Assistant Head Coach) Anis Ahmed (Team Manager) Sanskardhani Strikers: Ajay Kumar (Head Coach) Anuraj Shrivastava (Assistant Head Coach) Yogesh Dwivedi (Team Manager) Bailadila Bulls: Md. Riyaz (Head Coach) Rakesh Toppo (Assistant Head Coach) Jahangir Khan (Team Manager) Check the complete fixtures: 22nd October: 5:30 pm: Womens Exhibition Match 7:30 pm: Rajdhani Royals vs Nyayadhani Knights 23rd October: 5:30 pm: Mainpat Titans vs Bailadila Bulls 7:30 pm: Chakradhar Champions vs Sanskardhani Strikers 24th October: 5:30 pm: Rajdhani Royals vs Chakradhar Champions 7:30 pm: Nyayadhani Knights vs Sanskardhani Strikers 25th October: 5:30 pm: Nyayadhani Knights vs Bailadila Bulls 7:30 pm: Rajdhani Royals vs Mainpat Titans 26th October: 5:30 pm: Sanskardhani Strikers vs Bailadila Bulls 7:30 pm: Chakradhar Champions vs Mainpat Titans 27th October: 5:30 pm: Nyayadhani Knights vs Chakradhar Champions 7:30 pm: Rajdhani Royals vs Sanskardhani Strikers 28th October: 5:30 pm: Nyayadhani Knights vs Mainpat Titans 7:30 pm: Rajdhani Royals vs Bailadila Bulls 29th October 5:30 pm: Sanskardhani Strikers vs Mainpat Titans 7:30 pm: Chakradhar Champions vs Bailadila Bulls 30th October: Rest day 31st October: 5:30 pm: Semi-final 1 League 1st vs League 4th 7:30 pm: Semi-final 2 League 2nd vs League 3rd 1st November: 7 pm: Finals
Online forum controlled by Nevada GOP House candidate contains slurs and Nazi talk
WASHINGTON (AP) Long before running for Congress , Marty ODonnell was an award-winning music composer for the popular Halo video game franchise. His work drew legions of fans to an online forum, which the Nevada Republican has tried to turn into a galvanizing force as he tries to unseat a Democrat in a Las Vegas area district that could help decide House control . ODonnell has served as the groups de facto leader, referring to himself as its benevolent dictator while tapping its members for campaign cash and harnessing their enthusiasm in his bid. The campaign held a two-day event for forum members this month at a casino that included a video game tournament, panel discussions and speeches. There is another side, however, to what is known as The Marty Army. An Associated Press review of thousands of posts made on the forum between 2022 and 2026 found racial slurs, minimizations of Nazi Germany and defenses of white nationalist conspiracy theories. It wasnt a couple of crazies. The popular sentiment was, Yes, slavery should be legal, said Deacon Dameron, a former group member who said ODonnell banned him for calling another user a dork. Many views espoused in the forum, which is controlled by ODonnell and his handpicked moderators, are at odds with some of the values articulated by the candidate and his campaign. For example, ODonnell has staunchly defended Israel and condemned bigotry. In a statement, campaign spokesman Keith Schipper said ODonnell has zero tolerance for hate in his forum. Since becoming aware of the issue in the spring, the campaign dedicated a staffer to monitor and remove people that spew racist and antisemitic vitriol, Schipper said. Unfortunately, some posts have been missed over the years. Schipper said nearly 200 users have been banned because of hateful rhetoric, including many of the people flagged by the Associated Press. Martys support of Israel is unequivocal and, as seen in various interviews and online posts, he will not tolerate the rise of antisemitism in our country. Marty will continue to fight bigotry, misinformation, and hate toward Israel because it is the right and moral thing to do. ODonnell, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, is running against four-term Rep. Susie Lee in the Nov. 3 election as Republicans look to hang onto their razor-thin majority. In a sign of how Republicans are triaging their chances in a tough environment, they pulled back spending this week in a handful of congressional races, including ODonnells. From Halo to emoji slurs Most of the chat groups comments concern video games and gaming strategies. A section is reserved for questions about ODonnells work on Halo games. After ODonnell announced his first run for Congress in 2024, when he finished fourth in the party primary, some discussions centered around news and policy. Many of the offensive and controversial remarks came in freewheeling replies to otherwise anodyne comments about current events, politics or games. In May 2022, for example, a member wrote, WE STAND WITH MARTY. Others reacted to the post using letter emoji to spell out incorrectly a racial slur for Black people. More soon chimed in, using emoji letters to invoke another anti-Black slur. Users were likely restricted from properly spelling out such words because, by design, the platform prevents emoji from being used more than once in reaction to a post. During a January 2025 discussion concerning free speech, a forum member expressed a desire to use a racial slur but refrained because thats not the attention Marty wants. Dameron, the former group member, and another former user said posters relied on coded language because more overt racist comments were likely to draw scrutiny from moderators. The other user spoke on condition of anonymity over fears of retaliation. The Marty Army began as a fan forum The Marty Army began as an inside joke. Developers of Halo created the chat room in 2001 on a website devoted to the game. The name they chose was meant to invoke a club for rabid fans of the glam rock band Kiss. ODonnell joined the chat group and assumed control of the forum. He relocated it to Discord, a popular online platform. His candidate website contains a link to the Discord chat group, which he has also publicized from his account on the social media platform X. Hey all! If youd like to be part of my run for Congress, you can be part of Martys Army, ODonnell said in an X post after he launched his 2024 campaign. ODonnell has stated repeatedly that users who espouse racist or antisemitic views will be banned. He also threatened, at times, to delete posts. The AP found some users who espoused Nazi sympathies were kicked off the forum, but many of their posts remain. A user suggested in March 2024 that the Nazis did some good things that were completely overshadowed by the terrible things they did. Another that month asked, Was Hitler really an evil guy? Like aside from the Holocaust, the user added, did he really even do anything wrong? In February, a third member posted, Heil Hitler. O'Donnell said he wore a Mussolini mask Current and historical fascist figures have also drawn approval. ODonnell wrote on the forum that he rejects fascism. But he also shared a photo of himself wearing what he said was a mask of Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator and key Hitler ally, that he wore to a Halloween party. O'Donnell's campaign denied he dressed up as Mussolini. This mask was part of a scary Halloween costume nearly two decades ago. It was not labeled a Mussolini mask when he bought it nor was he dressed up as Mussolini for the holiday, Schipper said. He purchased it because it was the ugliest, creepy mask on the shelf. He jokingly referred to it as a Mussolini mask years later because he realized it vaguely looked like Mussolini. ODonnell stated this year that he had been unaware of the resurgence of antisemitism. He told a conservative news outlet in September that he thought that antisemitism is something we dont have to worry about anymore. I guess it just went under the surface and it has been percolating there, he added in the interview with the Washington Reporter, which was founded by Republican political strategists. ODonnell made the comment after the news site Jewish Insider reported that he hosted Charles Cornish-Dale, a far-right influencer with Nazi sympathies, on his own podcast, The Marty ODonnell Show. ODonnell pledged to ban those who espouse antisemitism In the spring, ODonnell warned users on the forum that if there was even a hint of antisemitism the offending member would be instantly banned. Users responded to his post with an emoji of an exaggerated nose and GOY, a sometimes disparaging Yiddish term for non-Jews. Some anti-hate groups view the use of the nose emoji as antisemitic, while goy is a term that has been appropriated by those who espouse antisemitic views. Wendy Melillo, an associate professor of journalism at American University who researches extremist chat rooms, said such comments were clearly coded antisemitic hate speech. Melillo said other posts she reviewed were more explicit. There is nothing coded, she said, about Heil Hitler. Some members of The Marty Army are aware the forum could pose a liability. In 2024, a user wrote that ODonnells political career could face trouble if someone does a vulnerability study and they find this server. This article originally appeared on Associated Press at https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/online-forum-controlled-nevada-gop-123530042.html
Actor Yash shared a personal moment at the trailer launch of Ramayana: Part One in Bengaluru, where he spoke about the support he receives from his wife, Radhika Pandit. Addressing the gathering, the actor used humour to acknowledge her presence in his life and spoke about the importance of having a supportive partner while taking creative risks. Radhika was present at the event to support Yash, who is set to portray Ravana in the upcoming film. Referring to the different characters he has played, including Rocky from the KGF franchise, Yash acknowledged his wife before drawing a playful comparison with the term Sitapati. And our Sita is right here, Radhika! Be it Ravana, be it Raya, be it Rocky, be it Raja Huli... whatever it is, when coming home... he said. Yash then joked about the way surnames are used, saying, Nowadays we put our surnames on women, but in that era it was the reverse, Sitapati! Isn't it? Just like that, we are Radhikapati! Yash on the importance of support at home Moving beyond the light-hearted remark, Yash spoke about how support at home helps him explore unconventional ideas and take on challenging roles. Reflecting on his decision to play Ravana in Ramayana, he said, Wherever you go, I think if you don't have that strength at home, if you don't have that support... because of our crazy ideas, the experiments we do... now, after all this, I'm going and playing Ravana! His comments offered a glimpse into the personal support system behind his work, as he prepares to take on a character that differs from some of his best-known roles. Yash has previously gained recognition for playing Rocky in KGF and Raja Huli in the Kannada film of the same name. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part One is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash under Monster Mind Creations. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas worldwide on November 5, 2026. Also Read:GV Prakash Kumar joins Ramayana as a singer: I got a call from AR Rahman
IIM Ranchi Doctor Recruitment 2026
Indian Institute of Management Ranchi (IIM Ranchi) is conducting a Walk-in Interview for the post of Doctor. Candidates meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria can attend the interview on 02 November 2026 at Birsa Munda Block, IIM Ranchi, Prabandhan Nagar, Nayasarai Road, Ranchi. Candidates should report at 4:00 PM. Further details are available at iimranchi.ac.in.
Rs 21.4 lakh for replenishing ATMs looted from cash firm staffer in Bokaro
Royal Desert Champions: Royal Desert Champions owner Amit Narang believes the Abu Dhabi T10 can broaden its appeal by offering spectators a compact, high-intensity cricket experience while bringing together leading international players in a single tournament. As the franchise prepares to enter the competition, Narang said the formats short duration, the presence of cricket-following communities in the UAE, and the prospect of attracting more Indian players could strengthen the leagues connection with audiences. Narang, a UAE-based entrepreneur and former international banker, said the T10 format can offer spectators a full evening of cricket within a limited time, with two matches scheduled on a typical day. He drew a comparison with football to explain why a shorter contest need not come at the expense of the live viewing experience. It is based on the soccer format. Soccer is 90 minutes. This is 90 minutes. Soccer is a very popular game as well, right, and there are two matches a day. So actually the crowd is coming in, and people are watching this for exactly 40 overs a day, and some days therell be three. So, you know, its that kind of a format where you can have two matches in the same time, and the crowd is excited as well and watching 44 great players coming in the field and playing instead of 22, Narang told IANS in an exclusive interaction. The franchises immediate task, according to Narang, is to establish a competitive team and develop a clear identity before expanding its commercial activities. He said Royal Desert Champions had prioritised its sporting structure in its debut season, bringing in experienced leadership and an international group of players. So you know we have milestones. Theres a year one milestone, theres a year two milestone, and so on. Weve done extremely well on our year one milestone. We have Robin Singh, whos come in as our team director. Hes also been a head coach and a team director for the T10 league for four years in the past, and he won it three times. If you look at our plan for year one, we have the best team director that anybody could have had. We have a great set of people under him as coaching staff. We have the best T10 player whos played T10 over the last few years, Nicholas Pooran, as our captain. We have some very good players in Phil Salt, in Rutherford, and so on and so forth. So were building a very nice competitive team. Whats also interesting is that the other teams have also gotten very, very competitive players because a league is as good as how many competitive matches happen. People come and watch good matches and close matches. So year one milestone for us is to have a smooth tournament and build our basic hygiene in terms of the quality of players and the quality of staff that comes in for us and delivers for us. Obviously, this is a very fast-tracked year, like I said earlier. So going forward, we build our brand. Weve started the journey this year, but the focus this year is to have a smooth tournament. Next year will be a year when we start getting into more digital assets, into building the brand. Our journey over the next few years is to build a good, sound franchise with great players and good competitive games and start building on that as we go along in terms of our basic ethos that we want to bring in. We want to play fearless cricket. We want to play fair cricket. We want to play fast cricket. Thats really what we stand for, he explained. Narang also sees the UAEs diverse population as an important factor in the leagues audience potential. With cricket followed across several South Asian communities in the country, he believes the tournament can draw support from beyond a single national fan base. The leagues broadcast presence in India is another avenue through which it expects to reach viewers familiar with its international players. India continues to be the largest cricketing market. Couple it with the fact that we are in the UAE and this league is in Abu Dhabi. And the largest population in the United Arab Emirates is of Indians. There are more Indians than UAE nationals. Therefore, its not only the attractiveness back home in India, but also within the UAE; the largest attraction is for Indians. But as the demographics allow, there are Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans- all kinds of nationalities that are available in the UAE. And cricket is attractive for all Asian countries. So thats one part where, you know, the crowds come in because the players come from all these countries and are very excited about it. As far as back home in India is concerned, the tournament is going live on Geostar this year for the first time and also on Star Sports. So there will be; there was always an audience in India, and it will continue to be a large audience in India. Right. Because the quality of players are such that theyre all players who are watched across IPL, other leagues, and people who watch them. People like watching them. On the possibility of more Indian cricketers featuring in the competition, Narang acknowledged the appeal such participation could have for fans, particularly in the UAE. He noted that Indian players who have represented the country in the past, including those who have retired or play only in leagues, have featured in the tournament over the years, Narang mentioned. With its initial focus on assembling a strong squad and establishing its identity, Royal Desert Champions will look to build its presence in the competition before setting more ambitious targets. Narangs stated priorities are to deliver competitive cricket, develop the franchises brand and explore opportunities to bring more established international talent into the tournament in future seasons. This league has been very successful in terms of what it has attracted over the years. Including Indian fans. That speaks highly of the calibre of people whove played here or the cricketers whove played here. Indian players have also played here. But clearly, like you rightly said, Indian players whove either retired or who are playing league cricket have only come in and played. And theyre obviously welcome, and there is attraction towards Indian players. Theres no running away from that. And we hope to have more players come and play. There are players available, very good players available, and have played the league as well. If you look at all the large big names over the last 10 years whove played for India in the past, they have also come and played the league. So we look forward to obviously playing and working with some of them as well, Narang stated. Asked whether he had any particular Indian players in mind for future editions, Narang said the franchise had not had sufficient time to consider specific names for its inaugural campaign. He added that player selection would depend on the team managements assessment of the roles required within the squad. There are players available, very good players available, and have played the league as well. If you look at all the large big names over the last 10 years whove played for India in the past, they have also come and played the league. So we look forward to obviously playing and working with some of them as well, Narang stated. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
ON OCTOBER 16 AROUND two thousand people succeeded in gathering in Delhis Connaught Circus holding national flag to participate in the Lehra Do Tiranga (wave the tricolour) march in spite of the Modi regime unleashing coercive power of Delhi police in an unabashed manner to prevent them and Cockroach Janata Party leader Abhijit Dipke and feisty Neha Vora of All India Students Organisation (AISA) for leading the march. Such blatant use of force and intimidation for crushing dissent did not deter them to hit the streets and exercise their right to wave tricolour and interrogate the political regime at the centre which has emerged as spokesperson of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to defend his acts of commission and omission in implementing SIR in a flawed manner and causing disenfranchisement of millions of voters across India. Such struggles of people in defence of right to vote and universal adult franchise by waving tricolour in face of massive police crackdown and threat of attack is unprecedented in the annals of independent India. Both Abhijit and Neha were detained by police and their lawyers had to struggle through the night of 16 th October to trace them. It is now reported that Neha was released in the morning of October 17 and Dipke is set to be produced before the magistrate. Firing at People in 1938 for Hoisting National Flag Such severe repressive police measures against those waving tricolour agonisingly remind the sinister and brutal police firing in Mysore princely State's Vidurashwatha village, close to the now Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border, on 25 th April 1938 against people who joined Dhwaja Satyagraha, (Flag Satyagraha) for hoisting national flag. Sadly 32 of them succumbed to police bullets, laying down their lives. Massacre of people who gathered in that village defying prohibitory orders to hoist national flag prompted historians to draw parallel with the cold-blooded killing at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919 on account of firing ordered by General Dyer. Therefore, Vidurashwatha village where people were killed by police firing in 1938 for the cause of national flag has been described as Jallianwala Bagh of south. It is significant to recall that tragic episode concerning bravery of people in facing police bullets for proudly holding national flag and their intent to hoist it . Gandhis on Linking Struggle for National Flag With Representative Government Four days after that massacre, on 29 th April 1938, Mahatma Gandhi in a press statement poignantly stated that, 'There has been firing upon an unarmed crowd, resulting in several deaths and many more being injured. The demonstration that is going on in Mysore about the national flag he proceeded to assert is a symptom of the time. Those words of Gandhi that The demonstration that is going on in Mysore about the national flag is a symptom of the time resonate in the attempts of youth of India, led by Abhijit Dipke and Neha Vora, for waving national flag to hold the Modi regime and Chief Election Commissioner to account for dealing a fatal blow to the Constitution and parliamentary democracy through the operation of SIR in transgression of Article 325. It mandates, among others, that ..no person shall be ineligible for inclusion in any such roll (general electoral roll) or claim to be included in any special electoral roll for any such constituency(for every territorial constituency) on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them. The flawed electoral roll generated by SIR process has removed names of millions of voters on grounds of so called logical discrepancies and other curated algorithms targeting Muslims, women and underprivileged sections for erasing their constitutional right to vote. When vast masses of Muslims and women are removed from electoral roll then the mandate of Article 325 that ..no person shall be ineligible for inclusion in any such roll (general electoral roll) or claim to be included in any special electoral roll for any such constituency(for every territorial constituency) on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them stand violated. Such a provision in the Constitution was enshrined to establish representative Government in India so that peoples will and authority is reflected emphatically and in full measure. Kudos to youth of India that they by their actions to wave national flag are engaged in an arduous struggle in defence of an authentic representative Government which during Modi regime is persuasively accused of vote chori (vote theft) against which there is now country wide outrage and protests. It is heartening to note that there is an echo of what Mahatma Gandhi stated about representative Government after the massacre of people for the cause of national flag in Mysore. He said in the aforementioned Statement to the Press in 1938 that the Maharaj of Mysore in response to the tragic killing of people for waving national flag was to divest the Government of its autocracy and to make popular representatives responsible for the administration of Mysore. Those words of Mahatma resonate in the Lehra Do Tiranga (waving of national flag) march in defence of a representative Government based on purity of electoral roll legitimately reflecting mandate of the people. Gandhi went on to say that people sacrificing their lives for national flag in Mysore constituted, in his words, ..small price paid for the liberty of the people. I would, he remarked forcefully, use these sacrifices for gaining the liberty for which they had been made voluntarily or involuntarily. I have been told that the people have been behaving with exemplary non-violence and that the crowd bravely suffered the firing. If that is proved to be the case, I for one will rejoice over the loss of life. It is the necessary price paid for gaining liberty, he very boldly remarked. The sacrifices of people in Mysore did not go in vain. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was sent to bring about a settlement with Mysore Maharaja who assured to initiate constitutional reforms, release political prisoners and withdraw prohibitory orders. In his article, Resolution on Mysore Settlement published in the Harijan on May 21, 1938, Gandhi reiterated that .Mysore ruler should establish responsible government in his State so that the responsibility for law and order including firing, whenever it is deemed necessary, will be shouldered by a government answerable to the people. In that context he thoughtfully remarked, It should further be borne in mind that the national flag is the symbol of non-violence and national unity to be brought about by means strictly truthful and non-violent. Exemplary Nono-Violence of Defenders of Flag People of Mysore in 1938 displayed, in the words of Gandhi, exemplary non-violence in upholding national flag, while laying down their lives facing police bullets. Eighty eight years later in 2026 youth are remaining totally non-violent and peaceful for waving national flag and yet Modi regime, tragically, is deploying massive police force to quell the peaceful youth intending to take forward their Lehra Do Tiranga march. Gandhi had warned Maharaja of Mysore in his aforementioned article published in the Harijan that he should .recognise the signs of the times and establish responsible government within their borders and otherwise extend and guard the liberty of the people under their jurisdiction. Gandhis Warnings Resonate Those warnings for autocratic Maharaja of Mysore are more relevant for Modi regime which has been described as elected autocracy. The signs of our time in India are that people specially the youth are in forefront of non-violent struggle to save the Constitution and defend their right to vote. This struggle cannot be suppressed by police repression contrary to the constitutionally enshrined fundamental right to protest and express dissent.
Dhanbad Durga Puja pandals highlight tribal culture and sustainability
A 56-year-old Durga Puja tradition that brings Chatra family together
Man loses both legs after being hit by train near Haidernagar station
Body of man found in Dumka pond, family alleges murder over land dispute
Woman killed as concrete mixer breaks loose from pickup and hits her
Chatra administration fines tobacco law violators, tightens puja rules
DMK MPs meet demands for CEC's removal over SIR row
The DMK parliamentary party meeting under M K Stalin adopted resolutions against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party claims the Special Intensive Revision process disenfranchised genuine voters and demanded a thorough inquiry. MPs will submit a memorandum to the President of India for scrapping the SIR process. They support ongoing youth movements protesting election discrepancies and criticize Congress and TVK for their double standards.
Asked uncle for chocolates, got pistol instead: 3-year-old dies after gun goes off
US Tech Entrepreneur Sanjay Govil Interested In Buying BBL Franchise
Big Bash League: US tech entrepreneur Sanjay Govil is looking to expand his ownership from the MLC and the Hundred as he is interested in purchasing a team in the Big Bash League. Cricket Australia last month approved the privatisation of the BBL and opened the first phase of the sales process for the Melbourne Renegades. The CA and Cricket Victoria invited expressions of interest from potential buyers for a 100% purchase of the Renegades. Govil, who co-owns the Welsh Fire in the Hundred and owns the Washington Freedom in the MLC, stated that he is following the process and remains interested in the Renegades; it's on the radar. But I think there are going to be a lot of big players who will be interested, Govil told Cricinfo. I need to focus on what I am capable of doing. I don't want to get into a bidding war. Meanwhile, he also has Hobart Hurricanes in his sights, a franchise where Ricky Ponting is head of strategy and is also Freedom's head coach for the last three seasons. (Hurricanes)... that's our size of team. If you look at the Welsh Fire and Freedom, we have sort of smaller franchises compared to others, said Govil. There are the big boys who want to go after the big teams. I love Hobart; they are a winning team. We can make more impact in those teams. Cricket Tasmania are also hoping that a planned closed-roof stadium could leverage a deal with an investor, and Govil remains interested in investing for the new venue. I absolutely would be interested. Would have to look at the economics and all that stuff, but I'm all for making sure that we have the best facilities, he said. However, sections in Australian cricket remain against BBL privatisation, stating that such a move can threaten the game and the competition. This was also seen in the Hundred, which underwent privatisation and saw a few changes, including the rebranding of Oval Invincibles to MI London. However, the Montreal-born Govil, who has spent his time in India and then moved to the US, stated that he does not want a change of identity himself. I don't believe in change for the sake of it, Govil said. I always believe that local identity and local culture are very important. I strongly believe that the traditions need to continue. I think we need to keep building on the history and the tradition. That's how I see it. He looks to build his portfolio in franchise cricket as he states that AI cannot replace sports in the future. Sport is something that AI cannot replace in the future, Govil said. It's a great asset. It's a great diversification asset. It's fun. It's sports. It's teamwork. It encompasses everything that people enjoy. I think we need to keep building on the history and the tradition. That's how I see it. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Bombay Sport Exchange: Mustafa Ghouse on ISL, India's sporting ecosystem and grassroots problem
Why has the IPL become Indian sport's standout commercial success, while so many other franchise leagues have struggled to achieve the same staying power? And what will it take for India's wider sporting ecosystem to grow?On Bombay Sport Exchange, host K. Shriniwas Rao speaks to Mustafa Ghouse, Founder & General Partner of Centre Court Capital, about the business of Indian sport, the economics of sports leagues and the structural challenges holding back sporting development.Ghouse, a former Indian tennis player and the founding CEO of JSW Sports, brings an operator's and investor's perspective to the conversation. He explains why copying the IPL model is not enough, why grassroots development matters as much as a successful league, and how the right investment, infrastructure and governance can create more sustainable sporting businesses.IN THIS EPISODE: Why the IPL's success is difficult to replicate in football, hockey, badminton and other sports. What the Indian Super League has achieved and why professionalisation has not automatically translated into national-team progress. Why junior tennis is so expensive and how limited international tournament opportunities affect player development. How sports infrastructure, grassroots participation and long-term investment can strengthen India's talent pipeline. Why Indian sport needs clearer goals, better execution, transparency and accountability. How Centre Court Capital approaches investment in India's evolving sports industry.
'Good In All Skills Makes Kerr Lethal': Aussie Cricketers Ahead Of New Zealand Series
Veterans Sophie Devine: Australian women cricketers Georgia Voll and Grace Harris discussed about the lethal New Zealand skipper Melie Kerr, highlighting that being good at all skill sets makes her dangerous. Australia are set to host a new-look New Zealand women's side in a home T20I series from Sunday onwards in North Sydney, and they are aware of the threat Kerr brings to the table. Obviously, Melie's burst on the scene as a young kid, the way that she's gone around the world and dominated for years, Australian batter Voll said in a video shared by cricket.com.au ahead of the series opener. They discussed how she can turn the ball in both ways, keeping the batters always guessing what is to come. With her bowling, she can turn it both ways, which is always a good threat to have, Aussie all-rounder Harris said before Voll added, Her leg spinner and then her wrong-un has obviously been her danger ball for a long period of time. Harris then called that Kerr is habitual of varying her leg-spins with those turning the other way. As a right-handed batter, if it's going to turn away from you, you can set up for a particular delivery, but then she can negate that with the fact that she can turn it the other way and she's quite consistent in doing that, Harris said. Harris also highlighted how the Kiwi all-rounder turns up for tough overs in international and franchise cricket over the years and possesses all the skill sets. She comes in with some key overs for New Zealand and for any franchise that she plays for, and she can often take that wicket that changes that momentum a bit in the game and given she is pretty good at all skill sets or all facets of the game, makes her pretty lethal, she said. Meanwhile, New Zealand arrive in Australia with a fresh-looking team. Veterans Sophie Devine, Lea Tahuhu and Suzie Bates have retired, and the White-Ferns are now in a transition phase. Speaking to media on Friday, Kerr highlighted that a new-look New Zealand side will not have the trauma of facing the mighty Aussies. Everyone knows that Australia have been extremely successful in the women's game for a long time now, and they have paved the way in women's cricket, Kerr said. But in saying that, we all know cricket's a very fickle game and we've got a group that probably hasn't played Australia too much, which I think is a good thing (because) you don't have that trauma of playing Australia. Meanwhile, New Zealand arrive in Australia with a fresh-looking team. Veterans Sophie Devine, Lea Tahuhu and Suzie Bates have retired, and the White-Ferns are now in a transition phase. Speaking to media on Friday, Kerr highlighted that a new-look New Zealand side will not have the trauma of facing the mighty Aussies. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Gyanesh Kumar must be removede: DMK passes resolution demanding CEC's ouster, backs student protests
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Parliamentary Party on Saturday adopted a resolution demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from office and an inquiry into his conduct, accusing him of spearheading the systematic disenfranchisement of legitimate voters through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The resolution was among four adopted at a meeting of DMK Members of Parliament held at the Murasoli Maran Meeting Hall at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, under the leadership of DMK President and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. According to the resolution, when reports emerged that large numbers of voters were being systematically deleted from electoral rolls in Bihar, the first state where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was introduced, DMK President M.K. Stalin raised his voice in protest in July 2025, even before the Assembly elections. Stalin also participated in the Voter Adhikar Yatra organised in Bihar...
Mahela Jayawardene steps down as Mumbai Indians head coach ahead of IPL 2027
Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the 2027 season. Jayawardene served in the role for the past two seasons during his second stint with the team, having previously coached MI from 2017 to 2022.
IPL 2027: Chaminda Vaas named Delhi Capitals' bowling coach
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) have roped in Sri Lankan legend Chaminda Vaas as their bowling coach ahead of the 2027 season. Delhi Capitals announced the development through a social media post.
Mumbai Indians Part Ways With Jayawardene
Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians and Mahela Jayawardene have mutually agreed to end their association as head coach, with the five-time Indian Premier League champions preparing for a change in leadership ahead of the next season. The decision follows a disappointing 2026 campaign in which the franchise managed just four victories, with injuries, player availability issues and reported dressing-room unrest contributing to a difficult season. According to reports, the franchise has already shortlisted multiple candidates for the position, with interviews expected to take place in the coming week. Jayawardene is unlikely to continue with the Mumbai Indians in another capacity. The departure brings the curtain down on a coaching tenure that delivered three IPL titles and established Jayawardene as one of the most successful figures in the franchises history. He first took charge in 2017, guiding Mumbai to championships in 2017, 2019 and 2020, including consecutive titles in the latter two seasons. After stepping away from the head coachs role, the former Sri Lanka captain served as Mumbai Indians global head of performance from 2022 to 2024, overseeing coaching, scouting and strategic planning across the franchises international teams. He returned as head coach in 2024 under a two-plus-one-year arrangement. Mumbai reached the playoffs in 2025 before slipping to ninth place in 2026. Reflecting on his association with the franchise, Jayawardene highlighted the relationships and achievements that defined his time with the organisation. Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now. The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure. Together, we have shared some unforgettable moments, overcome challenges and built something we can all be proud of. I want to sincerely thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years. I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together and will always carry a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team every success in the years ahead, he said. Mumbai Indians owner Nita M. Ambani also acknowledged Jayawardenes contribution, expressing gratitude for his leadership and long-standing association with the franchise. Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years. His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want to thank Mahela for his immense contribution and unwavering commitment over the years. We will always cherish the journey we have shared and the memories we have created together. Mahela will always be a part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead, she said. Mumbai Indians owner Nita M. Ambani also acknowledged Jayawardenes contribution, expressing gratitude for his leadership and long-standing association with the franchise. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Mumbai Indians, Jayawardene agree to part ways; new head coach likely
Mumbai Indians and head coach Mahela Jayawardene have mutually decided to part ways before the upcoming IPL season. The team management aims to bring in a new head coach for fresh perspectives. Candidates for the position are being interviewed with a decision expected soon. After a disappointing season, the franchise aims to improve performance going into the new cycle.
JSSC Assistant Jailor PET Schedule 2026 Out - Check JAJCE Physical Test Dates and Notice PDF
JSSC Assistant Jailor PET Schedule 2026 has been released for 45 Assistant Jailor (Sahayak Karapal) posts under JAJCE-2025. The Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) begin on 28 October 2026. Check the candidate-wise test dates, reporting time, examination centres in Ranchi, Hazaribagh and Godda, and official schedule PDF at jssc.jharkhand.gov.in.
IPL 2027: Delhi Capitals appoints ex-Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas as fast-bowling coach
Delhi Capitals has appointed Chaminda Vaas as their new fast-bowling coach for the upcoming IPL season. This decision comes as the franchise overhauls its support staff aiming for improved performance. Vaas, known for his successful international career, will work alongside head coach Sourav Ganguly and batting coach Yuvraj Singh. The team looks to overcome recent disappointments and secure their first IPL title.
Ending months of intense media speculation, acclaimed music composer Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran, Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, are officially set to tie the knot in November. Confirmation of the high-profile union came unexpectedly from Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who shared details following a courtesy [] The post Anirudh Ravichander to Marry Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran; Telangana CM Confirms Chennai Reception appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
It's Done Bro: Delhi Capitals Appoint Chaminda Vaas As Fast Bowling Coach
Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas is set to take over as Delhi Capitals' fast bowling coach as the franchise reshapes its coaching staff ahead of the next IPL season.
Anirudh to wed Kavya Maran; Reception to be held in Chennai on November 21
Digital Desk | Chennai, Oct 17 (IANS) It's official! One of India's top music directors Anirudh Ravichander is to wed Kavya Maran, the daughter of Sun Group Chairman Kalanidhi Maran and the owner of the IPL franchise SunRisers Hyderabad in November this year. The news of the music director's wedding was confirmed after the Telangana Chief Minister's office put out a post on its X timeline saying that Sun Group Chairman Kalanidhi Maran and his wife Kavery Maran had called on the Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at his residence in Jubilee hills to invite him to the wedding reception of his daughter Kavya Maran, which was to be held in Chennai on November 21. The post put out by the Telangana CM's office read, Sun Group Chairman Shri Kalanithi Maran and his wife, Smt. Kavery Maran, met Honble Chief Minister Shri A. Revanth Reddy at his residence in Jubilee Hills and invited him to the wedding reception of their daughter, Kavya Maran. It further said, The wedding reception of Kavya Maran and Anirudh Ravichander is scheduled to be held in Chennai on November 21. #KalanithiMaran #KavyaMaran. Unconfirmed reports claim the wedding is scheduled to be held in Greece on November 11. News reports about Anirudh planning to wed Kavya Maran first began in 2025. In June last year, the music director had trashed rumours doing the rounds on the Internet claiming that he was to wed Kavya Maran. Taking to his timeline on X, the ace music director had then said, Marriage ah? lol .. Chill out guys. Please stop spreading rumours. The rumour mills started working overtime after a post on Reddit claimed that the duo were seeing each other for over a year and that they were considering marriage. The news of their wedding comes at a time when director Nelson Dilipkumar's 'Jailer 2', featuring Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead and having music by Anirudh Ravichander, has gone on to emerge a superhit worldwide. It may be recalled that Jailer, which was produced by Kalanidhi Maran's Sun Pictures, had raked in a whopping 650 crores worldwide. In fact, the film was such a phenomenal success that the producers of the film, Sun Pictures, overjoyed with the collections, not only gifted Superstar Rajinikanth a BMW X7 car, they also gifted director Nelson Dilipkumar and Anirudh Ravichander brand new Porsche cars and cheques for undisclosed amounts.
Sri Lankan Legend Chaminda Vaas Joins DC As Fast Bowling Coach For IPL 2027
Former Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas is set to take over as Delhi Capitals fast bowling coach as the franchise reshapes its coaching staff ahead of the next IPL season. Earlier this month, the franchise officially parted ways with their existing coaching group ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by making an announcement through their social media accounts. Vaas, the Sri Lankan fast bowling legend, has worked in a coaching capacity with the Sri Lanka mens team many times and with the SLC academy. He also worked with New Zealand and Ireland teams in a consulting capacity, as well as held coaching roles in various franchise leagues. Moreover, it is also expected that former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who was a prolific wicket-taker in the IPL, is set to join the franchise as their spin-bowling coach. For Mishra, it will be his first coaching stint after announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket last year. Ganguly, Yuvraj and Mishra were present at DCs trials and off-season camp at the Just Cricket Ground in Bengaluru in August. In September, Yuvraj, Mishra and Vaas were present at another camp and trials held at a ground in Aerocity, New Delhi. DC are now building an entirely fresh coaching setup, with former India captain Sourav Ganguly, currently serving as JSW's Director of Cricket, taking over as head coach. Ganguly worked as head coach of Pretoria Capitals in SA20 earlier this year, which marked his maiden foray as a coach, and was also involved with the DC side in the Womens Premier League (WPL) The franchise also announced the appointment of former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as their batting coach. Yuvraj, whos won World Cups for India in ODIs and T20Is, has been a hands-on mentor to Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh, as well as worked with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson intermittently. DC are now building an entirely fresh coaching setup, with former India captain Sourav Ganguly, currently serving as JSW's Director of Cricket, taking over as head coach. Ganguly worked as head coach of Pretoria Capitals in SA20 earlier this year, which marked his maiden foray as a coach, and was also involved with the DC side in the Womens Premier League (WPL) Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
India vs West Indies second T20I: Men in Blue hope to extend winning run at Ranchi
Shreyas & Co. cant take things lightly against a power-packed West Indies batting line-up; the bowling, though, remains a big worry for the visiting side
Match Deepti Sharma: Player of the Match Deepti Sharma said she was used to batting under pressure and had walked in with the sole aim of finishing the game alongside Niki Prasad after India slipped to 19/4 against Zimbabwe in the first T20I here on Friday. Deepti struck 49 off 37 balls, laced with eight fours, and added 82 runs for the fifth wicket with Niki, who hit an unbeaten 39 and showed immense composure under pressure as India chased down 115 with four wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare. India lead the three-match series 1-0, with the second T20I to be played here on Sunday. I'm really pleased because I am used to these kinds of situations, and I'm glad that I could bat a little early in the powerplay. My mindset was that I had to finish the game, and that's how me and Niki were playing. I had a clear (plan) that I had to play a few shots early when it's on my radar. So I calculated according to that, and my mindset is pretty simple: I have to play in my areas, Deepti said after the match ended. Deepti credited her stints in franchise cricket for helping her read match situations better. Pretty much helped me. WPL, the Hundred and all that stuff helped me to bat a little early and assess the condition well while chasing. And when you are mentally ready, you can adapt (to) the situations, and that's how I do it. Niki, who struck the winning boundary on her international debut and hit six boundaries in all, said she was clear about her role from the moment she walked in to bat. I think I was well-prepared. I knew that when I walked in, my job was simply to take the game deep and see it through, and that's exactly what I focused on out in the middle. Recalling her conversations with Deepti during the partnership, Niki said the initial focus was on steadying the innings. We were just focused on building a partnership. Once we got going and stabilised the innings, we started discussing which bowlers to target and where we could take calculated risks. Asked about the secret behind her calmness under pressure, Niki kept it simple. Nothing special, really, just staying calm and playing each ball on its merit. She noted that the dew made batting easier in some respects, though the pitch posed its own challenges. There was definitely a lot of dew, which made the ball travel much faster off the bat. At the same time, the pitch started slowing down a bit and keeping slightly low, but Deepti and I adapted well to the conditions. Asked about the secret behind her calmness under pressure, Niki kept it simple. Nothing special, really, just staying calm and playing each ball on its merit. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
NGT seeks Pakur DCs response on deaths linked to illegal mining
Missing girl found hanging from tree in Chatra, probe on
Jamshedpur traders launch market campaign to counter online shopping
Ramgarh restricts heavy vehicles during Durga Puja
Street Fighter X reviews are out now as Vidyut Jammwal makes Hollywood debut alongside Jason Momoa
The much-awaited action film Street Fighter has arrived in theatres, bringing the popular video game franchise to the big screen. The film has drawn attention in India for another reason: it marks Bollywood actor Vidyut Jammwal's Hollywood debut. With its high-energy fights, familiar characters and a global ensemble cast, the live-action adaptation is now open to audiences, and early reactions from viewers and critics are beginning to emerge on X.
Manpower crunch affects fire services in Hazaribag
Ramgarh tops state in September district education rankings
Razer has unveiled a brand-new line of gaming peripherals inspired by Pokmon , expanding the ongoing celebrations for the franchises 30th anniversary . Announced on Thursday , the collection embraces a nostalgic pixel art aesthetic reminiscent of the early retro video games, featuring themed designs across a mouse , keyboard , mousepad , and gaming chair to complete a cohesive desktop setup. Initial details indicate that the launch focuses on Razers regional channels, featuring a special edition of the Viper V4 Pro mouse . The design incorporates a distinct color palette of gray, yellow, and green alongside classic franchise graphics, separating it visually from previous hardware partnerships. While the initial rollout centers on international markets, U.S. availability remains unconfirmed as regional pricing and distribution details are still pending clarification from the manufacturer. This announcement follows a series of high-profile Pokmon collaborations from the brand. Earlier in October, Razer introduced licensed headsets featuring Charizard and Lucario on the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed , as well as a wired Sylveon edition of the Kraken V4 X . Previous hardware lines have successfully brought fan-favorite characters like Pikachu , Eevee , Espeon , Umbreon , and Gengar to life through custom mice, keyboards, and mousepads distributed across global markets, including North America and Europe. Razer 30 Pixel Art pic.twitter.com/dIVR6mD9bD NAKAYAMA (@pikachu_pcn) October 15, 2026 Whether this exclusive pixel art collection will eventually make its way to the United States and other Western regions remains unconfirmed. Fans and collectors hoping to complete their themed desktop setups will need to monitor official announcements for potential international release updates as the anniversary celebration continues. Razer Announces New Pokmon Pixel Art Gaming Peripherals Collection , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
Microsoft Celebrates Xbox 25th Anniversary With Free Game Bundle
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Xbox division, Microsoft has announced a special promotion for Windows 11 PC buyers. Starting in November , customers who purchase eligible hardware (like the new Surface Laptop Ultra ) from participating U.S. retailers between November 2 and December 31 , 2026 , will be able to redeem a generous bundle of 25 free games. At present , the promotion is restricted exclusively to users within the United States . Redemption will be handled directly through the Microsoft Store application on the new device, permanently linking the titles to the users account for access across any compatible PC . The final deadline to claim the bundle is February 12 , 2027 . While the full list of titles remains under wraps, several major franchises have already been confirmed for the collection, including The Elder Scrolls V : Skyrim Special Edition , Halo : Combat Evolved Anniversary , Age of Empires II : Definitive Edition , Minecraft Dungeons , and Gears of War : Reloaded . Thanks to the Xbox Play Anywhere program, many of these games will also be playable on Xbox Series X and S consoles at no extra cost. Alongside the bundle announcement, the tech giant highlighted several technical advancements designed to improve the Windows gaming experience, such as Advanced Shader Delivery to reduce loading times and the dedicated Xbox Mode . Microsoft Celebrates Xbox 25th Anniversary With Free Game Bundle , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
108 ambulance workers to ground fleet from Oct 21 after talks fail
KCL Season 2 Auction: Goyat, Malik Among Key Players
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Season 2 auction is set to take place on Saturday in New Delhi, featuring over 300 players and a total player purse of Rs 5 crore. Prominent players like Naveen Goyat, Sunil Malik, and Ayan Lochab, along with other Asian Games squad members, are expected to be key attractions for the 10 franchises, including new additions Kurukshetra Knights and Jhajjar Jaguars.
Expired buns, poor-quality noodles and sweets destroyed in Palamu
Koffee With Karan Season 9 trends at No. 1 in India, UK, Canada and Singapore on JioHotstar
Hotstar Specials Koffee with Karan Season 9, the chat shows final season, has opened to a strong response, trending at No. 1 on JioHotstar across India, the UK, Canada and Singapore. The premiere also generated conversations on social media, with discussions trending in the entertainment category on X and Instagram seeing reaction reels, reviews and audience responses to the episode. The season opened with Salman Khan as the sole guest on the couch, marking a departure from the shows usual format. During the conversation, the actor spoke candidly about his personal life, revealing that he hopes to have children someday and explaining why he prefers to keep certain aspects of his life private. He also spoke about sharing his bedroom with a mysterious, other-worldly presence. Salman further recalled offering to appear in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai without charging a fee because of his affection for Yash Johar, who treated him like a son. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioHotstar Reality (@jiohotstarreality) One of the episodes key moments came with the surprise appearance of Karisma Kapoor, Salmans friend and co-star in more than 10 films. She joined the show to host the rapid-fire round, prompting a series of light-hearted exchanges between the two. Salman jokingly referred to Karisma as his longest living affair and recalled a prank from their shooting days that had once left her in tears. Their on-screen interaction also prompted viewers to call for a reunion between the two actors, while the episode brought back memories of their films from the 1990s. Alok Jain, Head, Hindi & English Entertainment Business (Streaming, TV & Studios), JioStar, said, Koffee with Karan is a powerful example of what a homegrown IP can achieve when it stays true to its voice. Built in India with an unmistakably Indian sensibility, the show has earned a loyal audience at home and is finding resonance with viewers across markets. Its opening performance reaffirms our belief that strong, culturally rooted franchises travel, and that investing in iconic Indian IPs is central to how we build lasting engagement on JioHotstar. Season 9 also marks a first for the streaming platforms partnership with NBCUniversal. The show is The Peacock Hubs first Indian collaboration and the first time NBCUniversal and JioHotstar have partnered on a homegrown show. Karan Johar, host and creator of Koffee with Karan, said, Koffee with Karan has always been about nostalgia for me. It is a show that has grown up alongside its audience, and opening the final season with Salman, and Lolo walking in as a surprise, felt like flipping through an old family album. What has truly thrilled me is seeing the love pour in from beyond India. Knowing that viewers in the UK, Canada and Singapore have taken the show to No. 1, and are tuning in, laughing and sharing reels with us, makes this last chapter even more special. Theres plenty more brewing this season, so keep your cups ready! Hotstar Specials Koffee with Karan Season 9 is streaming exclusively on The Peacock Hub on JioHotstar. New episodes are released every Wednesday at 7 PM. Also Read : Koffee With Karan 9: Salman Khan takes a dig at Karan Johar over Shah Rukh Khan feud; says, You were scared of me because of Shah Rukh Khan
Shanaya Kapoor took on showstopper duties for OBLIQUE, bringing the collections theme of alter egos to the runway. The actress appeared in a champagne-and-silver embellished ensemble that combined a contemporary silhouette with Art Deco-inspired detailing. The showcase explored ideas of identity and hidden personas through reflective elements, fluid silhouettes and structured designs. Kapoors outfit featured a cropped bustier with a plunging sweetheart neckline, wide straps and a cut-out at the midriff. Paired with a fitted column skirt, the ensemble stood out for its metallic embellishments and geometric embroidery. The skirt featured a chevron-patterned waistband, with detailing extending into geometric motifs and vertical beadwork. She completed the look with diamond cluster earrings, dewy makeup and her shoulder-length brunette bob styled in loose, windswept waves. The appearance added another fashion outing to Kapoors growing public profile. Her association with OBLIQUE also brought her into a collection centred on contrasts, using reflective textures and structured silhouettes to interpret the idea of an alter ego. Rather than relying on elaborate accessories, the look kept the focus on the ensemble, with its champagne-and-silver palette tying the different elements together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pernia's Pop-Up Shop (@perniaspopupshop) Away from the runway, Kapoor has been building her screen career through projects across Hindi and regional cinema. She headlined Bejoy Nambiars romantic thriller Tu Yaa Main, which released in theatres in February 2026, and starred opposite Vikrant Massey in Santosh Singhs romantic musical drama Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. She was also associated with Vrushabha, the multilingual fantasy action drama headlined by Mohanlal and directed by Nanda Kishore, which marked her entry into a pan-Indian project. On the upcoming front, Kapoor is associated with Student of the Year 3, which is expected to take the franchise into the streaming space under Karan Johars Dharmatic Entertainment. She has also been linked to Zombie Reddy 2 (NXT LVL), the Telugu horror-comedy sequel directed by Suparn Varma. As Kapoor continues to explore opportunities across screen projects and fashion appearances, her turn as OBLIQUEs showstopper places her within a showcase that draws on contemporary design and personal expression. The runway appearance comes alongside her ongoing efforts to establish a presence across different film industries. Also Read: Shanaya Kapoor on adapting to South Cinema with Zombie Reddy 2 NXT LVL: Its all very larger than life
Illicit liquor factory busted in Deoghar, 2 arrested
