Goa

US and Man Citys Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest international goalscorer

Sullivans goal came after teenager Julian Hall, 18, had given Mauricio Pochettino's side the lead in Mexico friendly. US and Man Citys Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest international goalscorer

Tripura govt preparing master plan to modernise urban local bodies: CM Saha

Digital Desk | Agartala, Oct 4 (IANS) Two months ahead of the elections to 21 urban local bodies in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said that the state government is preparing a master plan to modernise municipal bodies and civic infrastructure across the state. The Chief Minister, while inaugurating the newly constructed two-storey ward office of Ward at Pratapgarh under the Agartala Municipal Corporation, said that while the government is implementing the Smart City Mission in Agartala, it has also prepared a master plan to create state-of-the-art infrastructure in all Nagar Panchayat and Municipal Council areas of the state. The ward office was constructed at a cost of Rs 97.43 lakh. He said the main objective of the government is to ensure that every section of society benefits from development and improved civic services. That is why the government, rising above politics, is implementing various development programmes and delivering services to the doorsteps of the people, he said. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision is to accelerate development by ensuring that government facilities reach the last person in society. Keeping that goal in mind, the present state government is providing various government services to the last person in every part of the state, Saha said. The Chief Minister said substantial development work aimed at providing modern civic facilities has been undertaken in Agartala in recent years. Apart from providing safe drinking water to the doorsteps of the people, a lot of work has been done in various fields, including construction and repair of roads, improvement of the citys drainage system, provision of pucca houses, creation of alternative employment opportunities and expansion of healthcare services, he said. Saha said development would reach every citizen irrespective of political affiliation and that Agartala has witnessed a major push in urban infrastructure. He said safe drinking water projects worth Rs 112 crore have been implemented under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, while 48 flats have been constructed for economically weaker sections and construction of two more flats is underway. So far, 16,000 families have been provided with safe drinking water under the AMRUT 2.0 project, the Chief Minister said. A number of other programmes will be implemented under AMRUT 3.0. Sixty-five projects have been implemented across Agartala city under the Smart City Mission at a cost of Rs 581 crore, he said. Saha said the government is implementing various schemes with emphasis on infrastructure development in the Agartala Municipal Corporation area as well as the beautification of the city. Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, Deputy Mayor Monika Das Dutta, Municipal Corporation South Zone Chairman Abhijit Mallick and AMC Commissioner Saju Wahid were also present.

Iran tells U.S. there is no military solution to Middle East war

Ships anchored off the coast of Musandam governorate in Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (-) Iran's top diplomat insisted on Sunday that there would be no military solution to the United States' war against the Islamic republic, with talks on ending the conflict apparently at an impasse. A campaign of heavy bombardment failed to bring a decisive close to the war launched by the US and Israel in late February, and Washington in recent weeks has dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure. The main point of contention remains Iran's attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for Gulf oil and gas where a UK maritime agency reported on Sunday another tanker was struck by an unknown projectile. If our enemies again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even more force, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a gathering of foreign ambassadors. There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions, he continued, adding only negotiations based on justice and fairness could end the conflict. The two sides agreed a memorandum of understanding in June that spelled out a framework for a permanent resolution, but Iranian attacks on vessels in the Hormuz prompted a return to US military operations. Iran has sought to impose its control over the vital shipping lane since the start of the war, striking vessels that attempt to transit without its authorisation. The US has imposed its own counterblockade of Iranian ports, and has also struck vessels it accuses of violating it. On Sunday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said a tanker in the Hormuz reported being struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the engine room, though the crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was recorded. The agency did not specify the date of the incident, the vessel's origin or destination, or whether it was an oil tanker or LNG carrier. - Focused on Hormuz - Iranian and US officials last week held indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with Tehran saying it presented seven conditions for reopening the strait. Iran has demanded, among other things, a ceasefire across the Middle East, the unfreezing of its assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade. Trump, however, rejected the proposal, while leaving the door open both to further talks or renewed military operations. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Sunday that the US had expressed its views on the proposal and said they were being reviewed. The Americans, through intermediaries, have also conveyed their views on this proposal, and these views are currently being examined inside the country through the relevant channels and procedures, he told reporters, according to state news agency IRNA. Whenever the final position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready, appropriate steps will be taken accordingly. At the same time, the Islamic Republic of Iran is also preparing itself for any other possible scenario. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Sunday characterised the latest US counterproposal as being in line with their previous proposals concerning nuclear issues. We have clearly indicated that we are focusing on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, he said, adding that reopening the waterway required an end to the disruptions to Iranian commercial maritime traffic and the lifting of sanctions. The United States and Israel have said the war is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons -- a goal it has long denied pursuing -- though the focus soon shifted to reopening the Hormuz after its closure sent shockwaves through world energy markets. The United States has not struck Iran since September 1, but it has recently pursued a fresh military buildup in the region. US media outlet Axios reported that Washington hasdeployed additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help protect key energy facilities from possible Iranian retaliation. It also reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group were heading to the Middle East, where they could join two other US carrier strike groups already in the region. Axios reported that top Trump cabinet members met Friday to discuss the war in Iran, as well as the conflict in Yemen, where the Tehran-backed Houthis have been fighting government forces and attacking Saudi Arabia. ap-sbr/smw/axn/jfx/amj This article originally appeared on AFP at https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/iran-tells-us-no-military-094635228.html

No Pass, No Goal: Bhagwant Mann's Hockey Jab At Punjab Congress. New Chief Pargat Singh

I hope his team members also pass him the ball, because without a pass, no goal can be scored, Bhagant Mann said.

US tech entrepreneur with deep India ties seeks Raja Krishnamoorthi's Illinois seat (IANS Interview)

Digital Desk | Chicago, Oct 4 (IANS) Jennifer Davis was still in college when she and her husband started a technology company, and decades later, the business had hundreds of employees, substantial operations in India and had given the Wisconsin farm girl an intimate view of immigration, entrepreneurship, and the Indian American experience. Now, the Republican and first-time political candidate wants to take that experience to Congress. Davis is running for Illinois' 8th Congressional District seat being vacated by Indian American Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has represented it in the Congress for a decade. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Davis laid out an unusual political biography: the sixth of nine children, a mother of 10, a technology entrepreneur, a longtime employer in India and a political newcomer who says the Congress needs lawmakers who understand artificial intelligence, data centres, blockchain, and the rapidly changing technology economy. She also spoke about H-1B visas and immigration, President Donald Trump, government debt, online threats to families, and the Indian American community that has become an important part of the district. Davis grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. Her parents also owned an auto repair business, where she got her first paid job. She later went to university to study education, Russian history, and English. Politics existed at home, but across party lines. My dad was a Democrat, my mom was a Republican, she said, recalling a period when such political differences within a family seemed less consequential. Her original plan was to teach. Instead, she and her husband started a technology company while she was still in college. By graduation, the business was established enough that teaching no longer made financial sense. Davis remained in the company for her career. The business expanded to India in 2002, initially opening an office in Kolkata and later moving its operations to Hyderabad. Her husband had initially gone to India looking for consultants. Davis recalled that he soon reached a different conclusion. I know what the problem is, that we were trying to buy labour, but instead we need to invest in people, she quoted him as telling her. They established their own operation. By the time the company was sold to private equity in 2019, Davis said it had about 240 employees. She estimates that 300 to 400 people worked for the business over its history. Davis remained in an operating role until January 2023 and then served as a board member until April 2025. Her relationship with India, she said, consequently developed long before she entered politics. I really fell in love with the culture when we started to go to India, she said. Indians made up the majority of employees in her business, she said. Davis described personally helping Indian employees and their families move to the United States, meeting them at airports, and helping them find familiar grocery stores and settle into their communities. When we ask a lot of questions, and we become curious, we become -- it doesn't seem foreign anymore, she said. And you become a friend instead of a foe or an adversary. And we don't have to focus on what makes us different. We can focus on what makes us the same. Davis' personal story is also defined by a large family. She and her husband have 10 children, seven biological and three adopted, and seven grandchildren. Her youngest child is now 19. Davis said that gave her the time to contemplate something she had never seriously considered before running for public office. The decision began taking shape in January 2025. Eight of her 10 children have left Illinois, she said, and their departure sharpened her concerns about taxes, politics and the opportunities available to the next generation. You have two choices when you complain about something: you either need to be quiet or do something about it, Davis said. The opening created by Krishnamoorthi's departure presented that opportunity. Davis said a congressional seat also suited her professional background because of the growing importance of immigration and technologies including AI, data centres, and blockchain. We have people in Congress that don't have those skills, and Congress is supposed to represent the people, she said. 261004_0925 Her first campaign priority, she said, is economic. Davis talks about affordability but argues it cannot be separated from government debt and the role government plays in either encouraging or obstructing opportunity. Her second major emphasis is technology. She has written a white paper proposing what she calls a Digital Dome, based on the argument that while America has formidable military defences, ordinary families remain vulnerable to threats entering their homes through digital devices. Our bedrooms and our, you know, our phones are being invaded every single day by predators, Davis said. She said parents and grandparents often lack the expertise or tools to respond, creating a responsibility for government. Davis also contends that too few members of Congress possess substantial technology experience, something she believes becomes increasingly consequential as lawmakers confront AI and other emerging technologies. 261004_0925 Perhaps more striking for a Republican seeking a Democratic-held seat is Davis' assessment of the man she hopes to succeed. Raja's represented me for the last decade, and I feel like he's represented the district very well, she said. After deciding to run, Davis said she met mayors across the district and asked what Krishnamoorthi had done that they appreciated and what they wished he had done differently. Regardless of what the letter is behind his name, if he did a good job serving the people, then that's what I should, you know, that's the thing I should emulate, she said. Davis acknowledged that she has not studied Krishnamoorthi's voting record in detail. But based on conversations with local officials, she said, I think that he, they were happy with his performance. Krishnamoorthi's Indian heritage also makes the transition particularly significant in a district with an established Indian American population. Davis argues that her decades of professional and personal engagement with Indians give her an understanding of some of the community's concerns. Immigration is near the top. What's going on right now with the H-1Bs is really hard and not really fair, she said. She also raised the difficulty international students can face in moving from education to employment in the United States. There is not a good transition from a student visa to the work permits, Davis said. We have to create a really strong pathway to citizenship for people who want to create an American dream. Davis said Indian Americans have demonstrated how immigrants can become deeply invested in the country, and identified education, immigration and political representation among issues particularly important to the community. That's why Raja was so important to them because they felt like one of their own was there representing them, she said. I'm obviously not Indian, but I hope because of my background that I will, you know, serve them well and, you know, be able to represent them. Davis also rejects the idea that being the Republican candidate requires automatic agreement with Trump. Everybody always asks me, like, 'Are you gonna be a rubber stamp for Trump?' she said. Davis compared political agreement to marriage, saying that after decades with her husband she still does not agree with him on everything. To me, I think that the things that he does well, we should support, and the things that we disagree with, we should disagree with, she said. But we have to have a country where we can have civil discourse about the things we agree, agree and disagree on. She said she was very, very happy that the border is closed, while adding: I am very dissatisfied with what's gone on with immigration as a whole. Davis was also cautious in assessing Trump's actions involving Iran. I don't know if what Trump did was right or wrong, she said, arguing that the full consequences could only be judged over time. Was Trump's timing right, how he did it right, all of these things? I don't think any of us know, and history will only tell whether it was right. If she reaches Congress, Davis already has an idea of where she wants to work. Small business is her first choice. Indian Americans are such entrepreneurs, and that's another reason why they're near and dear to my heart, because I love the entrepreneur, she said. Her company had about 3,500 customers, she said, almost all entrepreneurs. Energy and commerce is another preferred assignment, particularly because of AI, data centres, technology and the pressure they place on America's energy infrastructure. Davis said financial services would be her third choice, citing her experience with blockchain and cryptocurrency. For now, her days are consumed by campaigning. Davis said she has personally knocked on thousands of doors and made thousands of calls. Her campaign set a goal of holding 100 small meet-and-greet events. She is also undertaking what she calls the Ride the Line Bike Tour, cycling along the boundaries of the district to make a point about gerrymandering. Davis said she is riding 211 miles around the district o demonstrate to people what gerrymandering looks like and how it really is stealing the vote of the people. The race pits Davis against Democrat Melissa Bean for an open seat that Krishnamoorthi has represented since 2017. Bean previously served in the US House from 2005 to 2011, representing an earlier configuration of Illinois' 8th Congressional District. Krishnamoorthi's departure leaves open a seat with a substantial Asian American and Indian American presence. For Davis, the contest is also an attempt to translate a career spent building a technology company, working with India and navigating immigration and entrepreneurship into a first term in elected office.

SLBC tunnel project moves beyond geological challenge: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 4 (IANS) Marking a decisive breakthrough in Telangana's Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project, the excavation has moved beyond a major geological challenge, paving the way for additional equipment deployment and improved operational efficiency while maintaining rigorous safety standards, state Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Sunday. The minister held a marathon review with elected representatives and senior officials from the three districts of erstwhile Nalgonda on the implementation of key irrigation projects, including the SLBC tunnel. The project is expected to deliver over 30 TMC of water to the regions parched upland areas, helping end the perennial scarcity they have faced. The minister commended the efforts of officials and the workforce engaged in the arduous task. Successful passage through the precarious shear zone marked a significant advance in the project, he said. Uttam Kumar Reddy pressed for the deployment of additional equipment, improved excavation cycles and close safety monitoring. He sought a credible, closely monitored programme to achieve the June 2028 water-delivery goal. He directed officials and the contractor to build on the progress through the difficult geological stretch while safeguarding crews working more than 20 km inside the tunnel. Eight workers were killed during the excavation of the tunnel in February, 2025. The project team reported an advancement of about 700 metres over the preceding five to six months, comprising approximately 450 metres from the outlet and 250 metres from the inlet. This included carefully negotiated passage through the major shear zone, overcoming formidable geological, technical, and logistical challenges. The 43.968-km main tunnel was reported to be approximately 79 per cent complete, with about 9.1 km of excavation remaining. Col. Parikshit Mehra, an Indian Army tunnel expert spearheading the tunnel operations, said that excavation at the inlet had deliberately been slowed during the initial months because of weak ground, rock bursts and the need to prevent another accident. The diversion around the point where the tunnel-boring machine had become stuck had taken the working face through particularly poor geological conditions. To negotiate the unstable stretch, the team installed 140-mm seamless pipes to form an umbrella canopy, providing protective support ahead of excavation. Reinforced ribs, staged excavation, probe drilling, and additional support measures helped control risks as work advanced. Improving rock conditions were enabling a return to normal working conditions deep inside the tunnel. Uttam Kumar Reddy pressed for sustained progress supported by timely equipment deployment. The project team reported a current combined advance of about eight metres a day, with a sustained rate of seven to seven-and-a-half metres daily. Progress had reached ten metres on one or two days. A three-arm drilling boomer was already operating at the outlet, where progress was reported to be close to the required pace. Another three-arm boomer was expected at the inlet in October. Electric loaders and advanced excavators were also supporting construction operations. A locomotive ordered from Germany is expected by the end of October. Its deployment is expected to improve the removal of excavated material and shorten the construction cycle. Hauling material over distances of up to 21 km remained a major constraint. When removal fell behind, excavated material accumulated inside the tunnel, eventually forcing work at the face to stop until the backlog was cleared. The team reported that a construction cycle previously taking about 48 hours had been reduced to 2024 hours. With improved equipment and faster material removal, it is anticipated to bring the cycle down to about ten hours and accelerate progress from late October or early November. MPs K. Raghuveer Reddy and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLAs Mandula Samel, K. Jaiveer Reddy, Vemula Veeresham and Anil Kumar Reddy, MLC Shankar Naik; Irrigation Secretary E. Sridhar; Engineer-in-Chief O. V. Ramesh Babu; and the Collectors of Suryapet, Nalgonda, Yadadri-Bhongir and Mahabubabad participated in the meeting.

Trump names Jay Clayton as AI czar: Where he stands on AI safety

President Trump on Sunday named Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as his new AI czar, adding a different category of intelligence, the artificial kind, to the U.S. spy chief's portfolio. In a post on Truth Social , Trump said Clayton will lead a newly formed Super Intelligence Force alongside Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. The group will report directly to Trump and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Its goal, Trump wrote, is to ensure that America continues to lead the World in Super Intelligence, which many say is bigger than the Industrial Revolution, and the Internet, and will protect the interests, and improve the lives, of all Americans. Clayton will keep his job as DNI, which oversees the nation's 18 intelligence agencies. Trump's announcement follows meeting last Tuesday at the White House where top AI executives signed what he called a morally binding agreement to police themselves in order to prevent their increasingly powerful models from going rogue and harming humanity . There's a belief that there should be tremendous self-regulation, the president said at the meeting. This is going to be all for the good, and we're going to have it be nice and safe. Despite new polls showing that 86% of Americans want AI companies to meet independent safety standards even if doing so slows development with 74% largely mistrusting the leaders of those companies Trump insisted in recent days that federal regulations are unnecessary and that those who say otherwise are Conspiracy Theorists, Treasonists, Traitors, and Leakers . The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades! he wrote on social media . Elsewhere, Trump has said that regulation would handicap the U.S. in its race to win AI. Whoever wins AI ... that's the group that wins, Trump told the United Nations General Assembly last month . We're leading now over China by a lot and everyone else, and we're going to keep it that way. According to the Guardian , Trump's previous AI and crypto czar, billionaire tech investor David Sacks, consistently counseled the president to give a soft touch to AI regulation, helping push executive orders and other measures aimed at loosening restrictions on the technology. Sacks also maintains direct financial stakes in multiple AI companies, the paper reported, though he took steps to divest some of his holdings last year while serving in the administration. He stepped down in March. Will Clayton follow Sacks's lead? Or will he chart a new course? Here's what we know so far. Who is Jay Clayton? Clayton, 60, is a registered independent with degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (engineering, law) and the University of Cambridge (economics). As a lawyer in private practice, he focused mostly on Wall Street: mergers and acquisitions, market offerings and regulatory proceedings. During Trump's first term, from 2017 to 2020, Clayton chaired the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. From March 2021 to April 2025, Clayton served as chair and lead independent director of the board of Apollo Global Management . (Apollo has owned a 90% majority stake in Yahoo since September 2021.) In late 2024, Trump nominated Clayton to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, his first prosecutorial job; Trump later appointed Clayton to serve in an acting capacity after New York Sen. Chuck Schumer blocked his appointment. Reports suggest Clayton was also considered for roles as secretary of the treasury, attorney general and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In November 2025, Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate Democrats associated with Jeffrey Epstein, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi assigned Clayton to lead the probe . After former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard resigned in May 2026, Trump tapped Clayton to replace her. He's very qualified, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said at the time . But Clayton sidestepped questions over who won the 2020 election during his July confirmation hearings, and he was confirmed without Democratic support. I'm not an election denier, Clayton told the Senate. He went through our processes, and Joe Biden became the president of the United States. What has Clayton said about AI? During his DNI confirmation hearings, Clayton described AI as a game changer , warning that it represents not only an opportunity but a threat. We should just all recognize that, he continued. When something is both an opportunity and a threat, you better get your arms around it. On Tuesday, Clayton attended Trump's White House meeting with top AI executives. Speaking afterward to CNBC, he used the president's new preferred term for AI i.e., superintelligence while pushing back against lawmakers who have called for regulating or pausing U.S. AI development. Super intelligence is a national security issue, and that was something that was recognized yesterday by not just the industry leaders but everybody in the room, Clayton said. But to, in some way, not try to drive forward inside the United States, with companies that are regulated in the United States ... to somehow say we should back away from this and let the rest of the world develop these models and implement these models? I don't think anybody in that room, and I don't think any American, should think that that's a good strategy. Asked to respond to criticism from Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts that Trump's current policy of letting AI companies police themselves will prove to be a recipe for disaster, Clayton suggested that the U.S. government's existing regulatory framework could also help keep AI in check. My response to the American people on that front is we have a Federal Trade Commission, we have a Department of Justice, Clayton said. I know the leaders of both those organizations, and they're committed to protecting the American people in this regard. What will Clayton do as AI czar? According to Trump's post, the Super Intelligence Force will coordinate the federal government's dealings with AI companies, infrastructure providers, consumers, public interest groups and religious organizations, CNN reported . Last month, Trump wrote on social media that he would be announcing, in the near future, the AI 'Czar.' Only High I.Q. individuals need apply! he added. In the same post, the president again dismissed concerns about AI safety as a hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Democrats. He also wrote that going forward, his administration would not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry, which he described as the next Industrial Revolution, or Internet only even larger and more impactful. Rather, we will cherish it, help it, and watch over it, as it grows! Trump explained. As for reining in bad actors, he wrote, we can do that, very easily, with our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System. Clayton, it seems, will now be in charge of cherishing, helping and watching over the AI industry as it grows. He's a good man, Trump told Axios when the outlet asked last week if Clayton was being considered for the job . He's right here. That's a good idea. It's unclear what happened to a separate idea Trump floated last month, which he called the AI Force. I am forming the AI Force, much like I did Space Force , which has been a tremendous SUCCESS, in my First Term, Trump wrote in his September social media post about naming an AI czar. According to Axios , Trump's AI Force idea caught advisers by surprise, setting off a mad dash within the administration to imagine what AI Force would look like. What did Trump's previous AI czar do? When Sacks served as AI czar, he repeatedly persuaded the president and his administration to resist new AI restrictions, including state laws to limit AI . Since leaving the White House, Sacks has maintained close ties with the president, according to the Guardian, and in May, he successfully urged Trump to scrap an executive order that would've subjected AI models to government review. The Wall Street Journal recently reported the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles were caught off guard and unhappy with Trump's decision after they spent months negotiating to increase oversight of AI and had consulted a range of industry executives on the order. According to the Journal's sources, Wiles told others that Sacks had persuaded Trump to back down in a last-minute call, leaving Bessent worried that AI-led cyberattacks could wreak havoc on the nation's banking system. This article originally appeared on Yahoo News at https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/article/trump-names-jay-clayton-as-ai-czar-who-is-americas-new-artificial-intelligence-chief--and-how-will-he-address-growing-safety-concerns-152448937.html

Punjab FC's IFA Shield run ends in penalty shootout

Punjab FC's IFA Shield campaign concluded after a narrow 3-4 defeat on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semi-final. The match remained goalless after 120 minutes of competitive play, with both teams creating chances before the shootout decided the winner.

Teachers play key role in shaping future of society, nation: Sakeena Itoo

Srinagar, Oct 4 : Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Sunday said teachers are the cornerstone of the education system and play an indispensable role in shaping the future of society and the nation. She was addressing a one-day Mega Teachers Conference on Roles, Rights and Responsibilities of Teachers, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum (JKReTTF) at SCERT Bemina here. The conference was attended by a large number of teachers and senior officers of the School Education Department. Appreciating the contribution of teachers towards nation-building, Itoo particularly acknowledged the services of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers who have served in remote, far-flung and difficult areas of Jammu and Kashmir. She said the Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme played an important role in extending education to areas where educational facilities were earlier inadequate or non-existent. The children educated in these schools have gone on to achieve their goals, and the credit for this transformation goes to our teachers, she said. Itoo said the government recognised the contribution of teachers and would continue to take steps to strengthen their dignity, professional standing and welfare. A teacher is not merely an employee of the Education Department; a teacher is the person who creates the future of our society, she said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir could not progress without respecting and empowering its teachers. The minister assured the teaching community that the genuine issues raised during the conference would be examined seriously and addressed within the applicable rules and procedures. Referring to the recent resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on issues concerning the teaching community, Itoo said it reflected the government's commitment towards teachers. She said she had personally taken up the matter after receiving representations from teachers and ensured that the issue was brought before the Assembly. The resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly was not an act of favour, it was an expression of our responsibility towards the teaching community, she said. On the demand for a comprehensive transfer policy for Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers, Itoo said the draft policy was at an advanced stage. She said the draft had been placed in the public domain to invite suggestions from stakeholders and the suggestions received were being examined for incorporation wherever feasible. The minister also urged teachers and their representatives to ensure that all required service records and supporting documents were properly compiled and submitted to the concerned authorities to avoid delays in processing service-related cases. Itoo stressed that teachers' rights must go hand in hand with professional accountability and commitment towards students. Rights and responsibilities go together. While the Government remains committed to protecting the legitimate rights and dignity of teachers, I also expect every teacher to continue discharging his or her responsibility towards students with dedication, compassion and professionalism, she said. Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani also addressed the conference and appreciated the contribution of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers in strengthening the education system across Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged the services of teachers working in challenging and far-flung areas and underscored their role in ensuring access to education for children in remote communities. On the occasion, the leadership of the Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers Forum presented a memorandum to the minister highlighting various issues concerning the welfare and professional advancement of teachers. Representatives of the teaching community also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo for the recent Assembly resolution concerning teachers' issues.(KNS) ,

SC to hear pleas seeking suspension of CEC on Monday

The Supreme Court is set to hear pleas challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's alleged unilateral decisions without the concurrence of other election commissioners. The petitions seek his suspension and question actions like altering voter registration forms and handling electoral roll revisions in Goa and West Bengal, highlighting concerns over the multi-member character of the Election Commission.

England's seven-goal spree sends message to Euro rivals: Kane

Harry Kane scored twice in England's impressive 7-0 victory against Croatia during the Nations League match. This win illustrated England's potential ahead of co-hosting Euro 2028 and demonstrated their attacking style. Manager Thomas Tuchel's approach emphasized relentless play, contrasting with previous defensive strategies in major tournaments. Kane is poised to equal Peter Shilton's record for caps, highlighting his ongoing contributions to the national team.

Viksit Bharat By 2047 Is Within Reach, Says Shaktikanta Das; Names 5 Key Priorities

India can sustain its growth momentum towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal by focusing on AI, a deeper financial ecosystem, strategic self-reliance, sustainable development and human capital, Shaktikanta Das said.

Yemen Presidency Announces Military Drive To Retake All Houthi Territory

The announcement sets an ambitious goal for the embattled government, which recently lost large swathes of the country's Red Sea coastline and areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait -- a chokepoint for international shipping -- after a lightning offensive by the Iran-backed Houthis

India U17 men share spoils with Myanmar in first friendly

Digital Desk | Thanylin (Mayanmar), Oct 4 (IANS) A spirited fightback saw a goal down India U17 mens national team restore parity and draw 1-1 with Myanmar in the first friendly match at the StarCity Sports Club in Thanlyin, Myanmar, on Sunday. The hosts opened the scoreline through Aung Myat Thar in the 42nd minute, before the Blue Colts drew level from Dallalmuon Gangte's penalty in the 73rd minute. After the initial enthusiasm and exuberance displayed by both sets of very eager boys, it was Myanmar who took the lead much against the run of play. Allowed a deep run from the top of the box, Aung Myat Thars first attempt was blocked by defender Abhishek Kumar Mondal. But the ball rolled onto his path and the Myanmar striker produced a firm, low right-footer which squeezed between the outstretched legs of goalkeeper Maroof Shafi. In fact, till then Shafi had ruled the 18-yard box effectively and never allowed the Myanmar strikers any liberties. Except for a couple of shots skimming the crossbar, they did little to trouble the goalkeeper. But just a minute after trailing, Mehrajuddin Wadoo's side almost restored parity when the tall striker Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi outjumped everyone and headed into the centre a lob from Maldino Singh Yumnam from the right but goalkeeper Wai Yan Htet did well to turn it over the bar as Myanmar kept their lead at the break. After resumption, the Blue Colts showed a lot of urgency and launched a series of attacks in search of the equaliser. But the deep-lying Myanmar defence stood firm. Skipper Gangte did a fine job in midfield. He controlled the pace of the game, switched attacks to either flanks and initiated a few good moves as well. With Lawmsangzuala and Kamgouhao Doungel providing super support, the Indians came close to scoring often. As the clock ticked away, the raiders intensified. Gangte had a couple of tries blocked. In the 72nd minute, he barged into the box on the left but was brought down by Htoo Lwin Han. Gangte took the award and placed firmly to substitute goalkeeper Shin Thant Htoos right to restore parity. Despite dominating the game thereafter, the Indians were denied the winner by the stubborn home team defence. The second friendly fixture between the two sides is scheduled to be played at the same venue on Wednesday.

Already Investing Through SIP? A Step-Up SIP Could Help You Build a Bigger Long-Term Corpus

Starting a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is an important step towards disciplined investing, but simply continuing with the same monthly contribution for decades may not always be enough to keep pace with rising income, inflation and changing financial goals.Many investors begin a SIP with an amo...

You cant play football like this: Modric ashamed of Croatias performance against England

Digital Desk | Rijeka, Oct 4 (IANS) Croatias most capped player Luka Modric has expressed disappointment over his teams performance against FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medallists England after the home side went down by 7-0 in their third match of the UEFA Nations League 2026. Modric, who was making his 205th appearance for his country, was left helpless against the Harry Kane-led side as Croatias defence was facing difficulty containing the Englands attackers. You cant play football like that we looked like we had four or five players less., It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, and togetherness. I've been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game, Modric said, as quoted by The BBC. You can lose or play against an opponent who is better and they are right now. But in any case, losing like this and squandering the reputation weve built over the years is unacceptable, he added. England produced a ruthless attacking display in Rijeka to register their second victory of the Nations League campaign and inflict Croatias heaviest defeat. Harry Kane opened the scoring in the eighth minute after Jude Bellingham released him through on goal. Bellingham then turned scorer in the 21st minute, finishing from close range after Anthony Gordon kept Bukayo Sakas cross alive. Gordon extended Englands advantage six minutes before half-time with a header at the back post, before Saka added a fourth on the stroke of the interval following a swift counter-attack. Kane completed his brace after the break when he converted Elliot Andersons cross, while Saka scored his second of the night to make it 6-0. Substitute Morgan Rogers completed the rout three minutes from time after latching onto a long ball from Bellingham and finishing past Dominik Livakovic. The result marked Englands second win over Croatia in 2026, following their victory in Dallas at the FIFA World Cup earlier this year. Croatia had begun Bilics second spell in charge with a 2-1 Nations League victory away to the Czech Republic, a result that initially put them above England in Group A3. However, they then suffered a 4-1 defeat away to world champions Spain before Saturdays heavy loss left them third in the group and facing a battle to retain their place in the top tier of the Nations League.

Can you name Germany

We're expecting strong scores. The post Can you name Germanys top 20 goalscorers of all time? appeared first on Planet Football .

High commands decision final on alliance, says new UP Cong chief amid seat-sharing concerns with SP

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Amid the ongoing seat-sharing deadlock between Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, newly appointed state Congress president Aradhana Mishra has said the decision regarding the alliance will be taken by the party's high command. Mishra stressed that the INDIA bloc was formed at the national level and decisions concerning the alliance, whether at the state or central level, would be taken by the national leadership. I would like to reiterate that the INDI Alliance does not form alliances at the state level; it is formed at the national level. The national leaders of all the parties that are part of the alliance came together on one platform to form this alliance. Whatever decisions are taken, whether for the states or at the Centre, regarding the alliance will be decided by the national leadership, she told IANS. Her remarks come amid uncertainty over seat-sharing arrangements between Congress and the SP in Uttar Pradesh, where both parties are part of the INDIA bloc and are expected to coordinate their strategy against the BJP in the 2027 Assembly polls. Mishra said the Congress remained committed to the alliance, Congress stands with everyone. We have upheld the principles of alliance politics, and we will continue to do so. I would like to say that our goal today is to remove the corrupt and unsuccessful Bharatiya Janata Party government in 2027 and form an alliance government, she said. The UP Congress chief also spoke about Congress leader Rahul Gandhis Satyagraha portal, drawing a parallel with Mahatma Gandhis Satyagraha against British rule. Satyagraha was started by Mahatma Gandhi against the British. It was a movement that united the country. Today, another Gandhi has started this movement, and the circumstances are the same. Today, the countrys democracy and Constitution are under threat. The way Rahul Gandhis Satyagraha movement is gaining popularity makes it clear that things Rahul Gandhi said earlier, which people did not accept at the time, are now being understood, and people are relating to his views... Mishra said. She also reiterated Congress demand concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise had led to the deletion of a large number of names from voter lists. A resolution to this effect was passed by our highest body, the CWC, and we demand that the process be stopped immediately. In the name of SIR, a large number of names have been deleted from the voter lists, affecting the election process. This happened when two members of the three-member Election Commission made serious allegations against their own Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, she said. Mishras comments come as Congress seeks to strengthen its organisation in Uttar Pradesh while maintaining the broader opposition alliance ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly elections.

3rd ODI: 'It Was Important For Me To Get Some Batting Time,' Says Rahul On His Century

Cricket World Cup: KL Rahul said his unbeaten 129 in the third ODI against the West Indies was as much about gaining valuable time in the middle as it was about the runs, with India using the bilateral series to sharpen their plans for the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup 2027. Speaking after Indias 2-1 series win, Rahul said the long innings was important as he continues to work on the demands of batting in the middle order ahead of next years global tournament. Rahuls century came in a match India eventually lost as the West Indies chased down 352, denying the visitors a series clean sweep. Despite that disappointment, the wicketkeeper-batter saw value in spending an extended period at the crease, particularly after limited opportunities to construct a long ODI innings from the middle order earlier this year. Happy to have scored 129 runs but disappointed that we couldnt clean sweep the series. Had we done that, then the happiness level would have been at the peak. Nonetheless, I wanted to spend more time with the bat out there in the middle and the last time I really got to bat for a long duration in ODI cricket, in the middle-order was in early January this year against New Zealand, and since then I havent really got a lot of time to play a long innings. And next year is a big one, with the World Cup starting in October, so its important for me to get valuable batting time because off the field Im trying a few things and I want to test that in the game. And only then will you know whether the work that youre putting behind the scenes is working or not, or what I need to do differently. So yeah, it was important for me to get some batting time, so Im happy about that, Rahul told JioStar. The innings also offered Rahul an opportunity to work on one of the more demanding aspects of his current role. Having spent much of his career at the top of the order, the batter has had to adapt to conditions that can become increasingly difficult for middle-order players as an ODI innings progresses. He pointed specifically to the behaviour of the older ball and the difficulties it can create for batters attempting to attack in the final overs. Its very different, but Ive been doing this role for the last 6-7 years. In the last year and a half, since the ball change rule has happened, its been very different. Its not been easy to get 80-90 in the last 10 overs. The balls been getting reverse swing, and even in this game, once the ball got old and soft, and started to reverse swing, as a batter you dont feel confident enough to take on the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielder if its a big boundary on that side. Ive always batted top of the order, and I like the hard ball coming onto me, I can use the pace. So thats something Ive been working on, trying to play with softer, older balls and being able to hit sixes with that. So, thats something Ive worked on. I constantly try to get better within my own game, understand my role, understand what a number five and number six batter has to do to consistently put up performances for the team, he added. The 2027 World Cup remains more than a year away, but Rahul said the current series are already providing the match situations needed to test Indias plans and personnel. All these series on the road to the World Cup are a good opportunity to get some game time in the middle. We dont want to go too far away from the plan but also experiment a little bit as a batting unit. The goal so far has been about can we score 330-340 while batting first, but were seeing that 340s and 350s get chased down very easily in one-day cricket. So how can batters, once set, keep pressing on and get 370s and 380s, or push for 400 on a given day. The 2027 World Cup remains more than a year away, but Rahul said the current series are already providing the match situations needed to test Indias plans and personnel. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

India played their part well and made it difficult for us: Ancelotti

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti carried genuine appreciation for the way India attempted to counter-attack and contributed to what he considered an entertaining and competitive contest at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. India made five-time world champions Brazil work hard before the Selecao showed their quality and pulled away to a 4-0 victory on Saturday with Estevao and Pedro scoring before half-time and substitute Samuel Lino striking twice after the break. India played their part well. They tried to play their game; they defended, they were organised, they tried to play counter-attack. I think that they played a good game. We had difficulty opening the score, but the moment we opened the score with Estevao, we had more opportunity to control the game better, Ancelotti was quoted by AIFF. Although Brazil kept a clean sheet, Ancelotti admitted that India managed to expose spaces during a few counter-attacks. The Italian also pointed out that Brazil fielded a defensive combination that had not previously played together. I think we defended well. We could have defended better if we had a couple of chances in the counter-attack, but I think for us it's important not to concede a goal, he said. Obviously we have to improve some mechanisms in defence, but we had a new defence that never played together, so maybe not everything was perfect. Again, the message is that we are happy to be here. We tried to do our best; we tried to show our best quality to all the people who love Brazil and love football, and I hope they enjoyed the night. India remained compact during the opening stages and attempted to threaten Brazil through quick transitions. While Morisco had little to do for much of the first half, India tested the Brazilian goalkeeper through Ryan Williams and Manvir Singh after the restart. Reflecting on the overall contest and the atmosphere created by 51,000-odd spectators, Ancelotti said, We feel good. It was a good experience. I think it was a good game, entertaining, with good intensity, and India did their part. The friendly also allowed Ancelotti to assess several members of Brazils emerging generation. He made extensive changes during the second half as the Selecao concluded a three-match international window that had begun with two fixtures against Australia.

US firm offers to supply Ukrainian drones to Pakistan triggering regional security concerns

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS) Powerus, an American defence company with close ties to the family of US President Donald Trump, shot into the limelight last week when it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistani Army and offered Islamabad access to Ukrainian drone technology which has serious implications for regional security. Within six months of being set up, in October last year, Powerus acquired three small firms and started manufacturing unmanned aerial and maritime systems. At the same time, Powerus signed a contract with G1 Exploration to commercialise autonomous defence systems developed in Ukraine. G1 Exploration owns the intellectual properties of seven fully developed drone models from Ukrainian manufacturers, as well as a number of systems at various stages of development. The collaboration between the two companies has also led to the launch of the Guardian line of drone interceptors, according to an article in India Narrative. The company has recently secured a number of contracts beating defence giants such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Boeing, which have a large share of the unmanned systems market. Powerus secured a contract with the U.S. Air Force to supply 3,000 interceptor drones, valued at $90 million, as well as a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to supply 1,500 FPV drones, control kits, and spare parts, valued at $2.5 million. Besides, it has bagged a key $22.3 million deal to develop a system to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East on behalf of the United States. At the same time, Powerus began re-exporting Ukrainian drone technology to the Indian subcontinent. It first struck a deal with Paras Defense and Space Technologies in Mumbai, which provided for the production and sale of Guardian-1 technology in India. However, on September 16, the company signed the MoU with the Pakistan Army, represented by Field Marshal Asim Munir. The drone deal sparked controversy over conflicts of interest and raised serious concerns regarding regional security, especially given Islamabads active efforts to build up its drone capabilities by exporting Ukrainian tactics and technologies after its defeat in Operation Sindoor, the article points out. Although exact details have not been disclosed, Poweruss co-founder Brett Velicovich stated that the MoU calls for an initial order of unmanned aerial vehicles. He added that the companys ultimate goal is to establish a joint technology partnership and set up manufacturing operations in Pakistan. Powerus CEO Andrew Fox said that Pakistans private defence sector is still in the early stages of development, but is of interest to American companies. These statements raise particular concerns about the resumption of US-Pakistan defence cooperation. Although Washington has ceased supplying Islamabad with weapons, only providing modernisation packages for previously delivered F-16 fighter jets, the Powerus deal is a cause for concern, the article added.

AAP mocks Congress over defections, Opposition friction grows in Goa

The Aam Aadmi Party has criticized the Congress in Goa over past defections of its MLAs. AAP used a mocking slogan to question Congress's credibility as it prepares for upcoming elections. The Congress is mobilizing support through its 'Goy Rakhon Yatra' campaign to unite the opposition. Sunil Kawthankar of Congress condemned AAP for not focusing on the ruling BJP's actions.

Deputy ECs to visit 5 states as poll body steps up preparedness to hold high stakes elections

Senior Election Commission officials will begin visiting five poll-bound states this week to assess election preparedness at the field level, starting with Goa and followed by Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur. Uttar Pradesh is yet to get a visit schedule. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh and Goa have started first-level checks of EVMs and VVPAT machines as part of preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections.

Bowie seizing Scotland shot after World Cup disappointment

BBC Scotland speaks to Kieron Bowie after he scores his first goal for his country against North Macedonia.

Target was clear: Harmanpreet leads India to Asian Games hockey gold, Olympic berth

India's men's hockey team secured the Asian Games gold medal by defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final. Captain Harmanpreet Singh highlighted their confidence to rebound from previous disappointments, emphasizing their dominance in Asia. The victory also qualified them for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, addressing their ambition for a medal. Goalkeeper Mohith Shashikumar expressed the team's strong desire to prepare diligently for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Man arrested in Kolkata hotel for molesting two women during celebrations with Brazilian football team members

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) A man has been arrested on the charge of molesting two women in the lobby of a five-star hotel in Kolkata, said the police on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday night, and based on the complaint, a case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Pragati Maidan police station. Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner (Detective Department) Kunal Agarwal said, CCTV footage of the hotel is being examined. Appropriate action will be taken after investigating the entire matter. According to the police, the woman, a resident of Dimapur, Nagaland, said in a written complaint that she and a companion were in the hotel lobby between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. There, while celebrating with members of the Brazilian football team, an unidentified person touched them in an obscene manner. They felt uncomfortable during the incident and were allegedly molested. The Brazilian football team was in Kolkata on Saturday to play a friendly match with India at Salt Lake Stadium. The Brazilian team won the match after scoring four goals. After the match, the team went to the five-star hotel to celebrate the victory. On receiving the complaint, the Pragati Maidan police station began the investigation. The CCTV footage in the hotel lobby was examined. The suspect was identified by analysing the footage and matching it with the description given by the complainant. Later, the complainant also identified the person by watching the CCTV footage, according to the police. After that, the police checked the accused's movements through the CCTV footage. Finally, he was nabbed from a room in the hotel. Police identified the arrested person as Palash Roy (56), a resident of Lotus Boulevard, Sector 100, Noida, in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district. The officials said that other information related to the incident and the movement of the accused was also being investigated. His presence in the hotel at the time of the incident and every aspect of the complaint are being verified on the basis of CCTV footage and other sources.

Thinking about upgrade, what will it cost me ?

current setup(build year 2020) -GPU ZotacGTX 1660ti -CPU Ryzen R5 3600x -RAM 16gb ddr4 -MOBO MSI B450 tomahawk -PSU Adata XPG Pylon 550W 80 Plus Bronze(bought it in 2022) GOAL : I am want to upgrade it enough to run modern games with RTX support in 1080p, for now also most of AAA games runs low/mid in 60 fps but no rtx support is there. Also how much i can expect when sell this setup or the part which i will replace?

Khalid Jamil press conference: Soft goals, individual errors cost us after India 0-4 Brazil

India's coach reflects on the team's performance against Brazil, highlighting the importance of self-belief, concentration and experience after the defeat. He also backs goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, stressing that the team must learn from its mistakes.

SPL: Nongkseh maintain title hopes after bruising battle with Laitkor

Shillong, Oct 3: Nongkseh are still in with a chance for the Shillong Premier League 2026 title after they defeated Laitkor 3-1 in a feisty match at the SSA Stadium here today. Hardy Cliff Nongbri (55), Dawanchwa Challam (81) and Shano Tariang (90+5) scored for Nongkseh while Laitkors goal was by Shelbilkstar Kharshilot (87). Nongkseh [] The post SPL: Nongkseh maintain title hopes after bruising battle with Laitkor first appeared on Highland Post .

Sullivan becomes youngest US goalscorer in 3-0 rout of Mexico

The teenager surpassed Mathis Albert

INDIA bloc victory matters more than individual party wins, says Akhilesh Yadav

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday stressed that the primary objective of the INDIA bloc should be victory rather than the number of seats won by individual parties, saying that a united effort is necessary to defeat communalism and protect democracy, the Constitution and reservations. In a post on X, Yadav said that when the goal is clear and the focus remains fixed on the destination, the journey becomes easier. When the goal is clear, hand in hand we stand, When the gaze is fixed on the destination, the journey becomes easy! The big thing isn't how many seats the alliance gets or which seat goes to whom - the big thing is that we all must ensure that the victory belongs to the alliance. Let us repeat again: It's not about the seats, it's about the victory, he added. Yadav expressed confidence saying, This victory will be greater than the parties in our alliance - it will be the victory of all of us, of that united effort that persists in struggle so that communalism may never raise its head again, so that BJP's influence may not touch democracy, the Constitution, or reservations, and so that the country's harmony may bloom once more, and the nation's progress and prosperity may smile again. Yadav's remarks come at a time when the Samajwadi Party and the Congress are preparing to begin deliberations over seat-sharing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The formula for a pre-poll alliance between the two parties is yet to be finalised, with seat allocation emerging as a potential point of contention. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Shiv Pal Singh Patel on Saturday questioned the Congress' reported demand for 150 seats in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He said the Congress should seek seats in proportion to its electoral strength and organisational presence in the state. Speaking to IANS, Patel said, I think if they are given 50 seats, they should look at their actual position and status before seeking anything more than 50 seats. They should look at their past record. The six seats we got in Madhya Pradesh were because of the Samajwadi Party. Therefore, if they do this, there will be our candidates as well as theirs on several seats. This will only lead to a loss, so they should agree to 50 seats. Earlier on Wednesday, Yadav had hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that its iggest sorrow was that the INDIA bloc was united. He made the remarks after BJP leaders criticised him for skipping the INDIA bloc's meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. However, the Samajwadi Party was represented by its other leaders at the meeting.

Khalid Jamil Sees Hope For India After Brazil Encounter

Khalid Jamil, head coach of the Indian football team, expressed optimism despite a 4-0 defeat against five-time world champions Brazil. He highlighted the high quality of the Brazilian team and the learning experience for India, emphasizing the need for more high-profile matches to improve. Jamil also defended goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and looked forward to the upcoming match against Uruguay.

The Talent Scarcity Myth: Why Strategy Churn Not Skills Gap Is The Top Drag On Business Goals

While a dearth in talent may have been an obstacle in the past for a firm's growth, it is no longer seen as such.

UEFA Nations League: Spain maintain perfect start with 3-1 win over Czech Republic

Spain maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Nations League campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Oviedo on Saturday, with Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino finding the net for the hosts. The victory kept Spain at the top of Group A3 and extended their remarkable unbeaten run inside 90 minutes to 41 matches, comprising 31 wins and 10 draws, according to the website of the UEFA Nations League. Returning to Oviedo for the first time in 11 years for a home international, Spain made an ideal start as Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute. The Barcelona winger collected the ball around 18 yards from goal before curling a superb effort into the far corner, scoring in a third consecutive match for La Roja. Spain dominated the opening exchanges and came close to extending their lead when Dani Olmo saw a close-range effort blocked, while Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky produced important saves to deny Alex Baena and Pedri. The pressure eventually told...

UEFA Nations League: England thrash Croatia 7-0 as Kane, Saka score twice

England produced a stunning attacking display to thrash Croatia 7-0 in the UEFA Nations League in Rijeka on Saturday (local time), with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scoring twice each as Thomas Tuchel's side strengthened their position in Group A3. Kane opened the scoring in the eighth minute after Jude Bellingham split the Croatia defence with a superb through ball. The England captain controlled the pass before firing emphatically past Dominik Livakovic, according to the website of the UEFA Nations League. Bellingham then turned provider into goalscorer in the 21st minute. Anthony Gordon collected Saka's cross and squared the ball into the six-yard box, where Bellingham arrived to prod it home and double England's advantage. Gordon continued to torment the Croatia defence and got his own name on the scoresheet in the 39th minute, heading in Jarell Quansah's inviting cross. England were four goals ahead before the break as Saka capped a dominant first half in stoppage time. Bellingham c...

Goat theft gang member arrested after police encounter in UP's Azamgarh

Digital Desk | Azamgarh, Oct 4 (IANS) A member of an alleged goat theft gang was arrested following a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh. The accused sustained a gunshot injury to his right leg, police said. The arrested accused has been identified as Asif, a resident of Ashrafpur under Jiyanpur police station. Police recovered a .315-bore pistol, cartridges, a two-wheeler and Rs 1,560 in cash from his possession, officials said. According to police, the encounter took place on Sunday during checking in the Shahgarh area, when the police team received information that two suspected members of a goat theft gang were travelling on a motorcycle. Acting on the information, police teams established a cordon near the Lohari Mod culvert on the Samenda-Pura Thakurai road. When the motorcycle was intercepted, Asif, who was riding pillion, opened fire at the police team, officials said. Police personnel retaliated, during which Asif suffered a bullet injury to his right leg. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted to the district hospital for treatment, police said. During interrogation, the accused confessed to his involvement in several goat theft incidents in the area. He admitted to stealing two goats from Daulatpur in the Sidhari area, one goat from Samenda and three goats from Bairiyadih under Jeyanpur police station, officials said. Police also recovered Rs 1,560 from Asif, which, according to investigators, was his share of the money received from the sale of the goat allegedly stolen from Samenda. Police said the main member of the gang, identified as Kaleem, a resident of Shahpur under Jiyanpur police station, managed to escape from the spot by taking advantage of the darkness. Following the incident, police teams have launched raids at suspected locations to trace and arrest Kaleem. Efforts are underway to apprehend him, police said. According to police records, six cases have been registered against the arrested accused Asif, while as many as 38 cases are registered against the absconding accused Kaleem. Police have registered a case against Asif under relevant sections of law, including provisions of the Arms Act, and further legal action has been initiated in the matter. Further investigation is underway.

Uttar Pradesh Police Arrests Member of Goat Theft Gang After Encounter

A member of a goat theft gang was arrested in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, following a police encounter, while another suspect remains at large. Uttar Pradesh Police Arrests Member of Goat Theft Gang After Encounter

We didnt take our chances to kill off the game: Zinedine Zidane

French fans got an exciting game at the Stade de France, but not the result they expected, mainly because of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarummas performance

'My goal is to have 3': Alex Albon wants Thailand to join his list of F1 home races

Argentina run riot at the Monumental, thrashing Burkina Faso 7-0

The victory followed Argentina's impressive 4-0 win over Bolivia, giving Lionel Scaloni's side back-to-back victories and 11 goals across the two matches without conceding.

Lamine Yamal On Target As Spain Hold Off Czech Republic

Lamine Yamal continued his superb goalscoring form as Spain secured a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday in the Nations League.

Yamal on target as Spain beat Czech Republic to go 41 games unbeaten

Lamine Yamal continued his superb goalscoring form as Spain secured a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday in the Nations League.

Fernandes hails Ronaldo as Portugal's 'greatest symbol' amid controversy

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ronaldo's future with the national team, for whom he is the leading goalscorer and most capped player, is in doubt after his walk out.

12 goals in 9 games: Yamal fires Spain to 3-1 win over Czech Republic

However Mikel Merino wrapped up Spain's win late on after Ladislav Krejci was sent off for the Czechs as Spain racked up a 41st consecutive unbeaten game, including the World Cup final win over Argentina in July.

Urban Expansion Cost : Srinagars green cover shrinks, temperature rises 4C

Srinagar, Oct 03: Srinagars rapid urban expansion over the past two decades has been accompanied by rising surface temperatures, declining vegetation cover and deteriorating air quality, highlighting the growing environmental cost of the citys transformation, a new study published in GeoJournal has found. The study, Quantifying the environmental impacts of urban expansion in Srinagar City, Jammu & Kashmir, India through remote sensing and geostatistical analysis, examines environmental changes in Srinagar between 2001 and 2021 using satellite-based observations and geostatistical techniques. Researchers Amjed Ali, Kheraj and Arshad Ahmed of the Department of Geography,Central University Haryana found that land surface temperature (LST) increased by up to 4C during the period, while vegetation cover showed a significant decline. PM2.5 concentrations also increased by up to 3.9 micrograms per cubic metre, with the changes particularly pronounced in central and south-western parts of the city, reads the study, accessed by Rising Kashmir. The researchers used satellite-derived LST, vegetation cover derived from the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and PM2.5 estimates from AOD-GEOS-Chem datasets. They combined these indicators through a grid-based analytical framework and applied Mann-Kendall trend analysis and multiple linear regression to examine their spatial and temporal relationships. The study found a significant relationship between vegetation loss, PM2.5 and surface warming. Its regression analysis indicated that vegetation loss and PM2.5 significantly contributed to surface temperature variation, with the model recording an R value of 0.46. However, the researchers also caution that PM2.5 variability cannot be explained solely by surface temperature and vegetation cover, pointing to the influence of additional factors on Srinagars air-quality conditions. The Environmental Quality Index developed as part of the study paints a broader picture of the citys environmental health. More than half of Srinagar was found to fall within moderate-to-poor environmental quality categories. The researchers attribute the changing environmental conditions to the rapid expansion of built-up areas and the replacement of natural land surfaces with impervious urban materials. Such changes alter surface energy processes and can intensify urban heating, while the loss of vegetation reduces the natural cooling and pollution-filtering functions of green spaces, the study reads. Vegetation plays a key role in regulating urban temperatures through evapotranspiration and can also help improve air quality by filtering pollutants. Its decline therefore has implications beyond the loss of green cover alone, the study notes. The spatial analysis showed that central and south-western areas of Srinagar experienced particularly notable changes, with increases in surface temperature and PM2.5 occurring alongside declining vegetation cover. The researchers argue that these trends demonstrate the need to view Srinagars urban growth and environmental management as interconnected challenges. They call for integrated urban planning, greater emphasis on green infrastructure and stronger pollution-control strategies. The study also places Srinagars experience within the wider environmental challenges faced by rapidly urbanising cities, where the pace of development can exceed the capacity of infrastructure and environmental management systems. Rather than examining temperature, vegetation and air pollution separately, the research brings the three indicators together to quantify the cumulative environmental changes associated with Srinagars urban expansion. Managing the citys future growth will require greater attention to environmental sustainability, including the protection and development of green infrastructure and measures to address pollution, in line with the broader objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, the study states.

Scorpio Daily Horoscope for October 04, 2026

You are likely to be in a more serious frame of mind. The practical issues of life are going to demand your attention today. But you are full of faith and optimism and are ready to take chances at the deepest emotional levels. Someone near to you will exhibit concerns regarding your aims and goals. Take the time to explain the situation to them. Read full Scorpio horoscope

Asian Games: HI Prez Dilip Tirkey hails historic hockey double, promises full support for LA 2028

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey hailed the historic Asian Games campaign after both the Indian mens and womens teams won gold medals and secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying the achievement reflected the hard work of the players, coaches and support staff. The mens team retained its Asian Games title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, a day after the womens team defeated defending champions and Paris Olympics silver medallists China 1-0 to reclaim the gold medal. Both teams had the same aim: to win the Asian Games and then qualify for LA. Both teams have done it. It is a very proud moment for us, Tirkey told IANS after the mens final. The double gold also created history for Indian hockey, with the mens and womens teams winning the Asian Games title at the same edition for the first time. Tirkey also pointed out the striking similarity between Indias last two mens Asian Games final victories. India had defeated Japan 5-1 in the Hangzhou final and repeated the same scoreline against Malaysia in Kakamigahara. Both teams have performed very well. The womens team played a very good game against China, who are a tough team, Olympic silver medallists and the last Asian Games champions. We beat them 1-0, and today we beat Malaysia 5-1, he said. Tirkey praised the entire mens squad and coaching staff, with special mention for captain Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh and Manpreet Singh. The chief coach, supporting staff, captain Harman, Abhishek, Dilpreet, Manpreet and all the players performed very well. From the beginning, everyone played together, and everyone had the same aim, he said. With both teams now assured of Olympic qualification, Tirkey promised Hockey India would provide all necessary support in the build-up to Los Angeles. The coach is very experienced, and everything happens according to his plan and programme. Whatever the team needs in the future, we will try to provide everything. Whether it is an exposure tour, a tournament in Europe or a coaching programme, Hockey India will try to provide all the facilities, he said. Hockey India has also announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh each for the players of both gold-winning teams, while members of the respective support staff will receive Rs 5.5 lakh each. Tirkey stressed that Olympic selection would ultimately depend on performance and fitness, while urging players from Odisha and other states to continue working hard as competition for places increases. Those who play well will come into the team. Maintaining fitness and their game is the responsibility of the players. Olympic Games are the Olympics, and the competition in modern hockey has increased a lot, he said. He also highlighted Hockey Indias grassroots efforts in Odisha, particularly in Sundargarh, where turf facilities, academies and hostels have been developed across blocks. Every block in Sundargarh has a turf, academies and hostels. We are also organising grassroots programmes, and the government is doing a lot in other districts. But proper training programmes need to be organised on these grounds, Tirkey said. Tirkey said that greater emphasis is needed on fitness, technical skills, drag-flickers and goalkeepers to strengthen Indias hockey pipeline. Now we have to make this performance even better. We have to prepare the team in terms of confidence, fitness and future events, Tirkey said.

Ancelotti Impressed By India's Defensive Play

Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's organised defence and counter-attacking efforts despite Brazil's 4-0 victory in a friendly match. Ancelotti noted the game became easier for Brazil after their first goal and highlighted the match as a test for younger players in Brazil's rebuilding phase. India's coach Khalid Jamil defended goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and stressed the importance of high-level matches for the Indian team.

Inclusive growth at heart of India's development goal: Radhakrishnan

India's Vice President CP Radhakrishnan emphasized the necessity for inclusive growth in the country's development journey. He highlighted that both economic and social resilience are critical for future progress. The vice president noted India's impressive GDP growth and its improved sovereign rating as indicators of economic strength.

Tourism key driver of Odisha's $1.5tn-economy goal

Brazil tame India in 4-0 friendly win

Chelsea winger Estevao scored Brazils first goal and assisted Pedro before Lino netted a second-half brace, helping Carlo Ancelottis side conclude their tour of Australia and India with two wins and a draw

Brazil's Clinical Finishers Overcome Gallant India In Friendly

India's national football team faced five-time champions Brazil in a FIFA international friendly in Kolkata, losing 4-0. Despite a spirited start for the first 25 minutes, Brazil's superior skill and clinical finishing secured a comfortable victory with goals from Estevao, Pedro, and Samuel Lino.

Quantum computing will start in Amaravati on February 3, 2027, says Andhra CM Naidu

Pan-IIT World Council will be formed in Amaravati to guide curriculum reforms, foster startups and mentorship and support the States goal to become a global knowledge hub, says Naidu

India impress on counters, but even lacklustre Brazil too hot to handle; beat hosts 4-0 in Kolkata

Heading to the match, the general expectations was Brazil to create a flurry of chances and test Indias defence. Multiple goals were expected and even though that assumption turned true, but Brazil were far from producing their best brand of football . They lacked character and some may argue that it saved India from a humiliation. However, the other side of the coin can read that India were very well organsied defensively and threatened Brazil on multiple occasions, which no one expected.

Ranking 12 of Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan's goals measured by ridiculousness. The post Ranking 12 of Zlatan Ibrahimovics best goals in order of ridiculousness appeared first on Planet Football .

We created our own piece of history: Craig Fulton hails Indias back-to-back Asian Games Hockey golds

As the Indian men's hockey team clinched the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final on Saturday, head coach Craig Fulton praised the team for achieving their goal of winning back-to-back Asian Games gold medals and creating a piece of Indian hockey history. He said the team overcame the challenges following a difficult World Cup campaign, regrouped effectively before arriving in Japan, and maintained consistency throughout the seven-match tournament before producing a strong performance in the final. The Indian men

Goal is to transform Bihar into hub for skilled manpower: CM Chaudhary as Jamui prepares to house Asia's largest grain-based ethanol plants

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inspected the Ankur Biochem Private Limited ethanol plant, currently under construction in the Chakai block of Jamui district on Saturday. During the inspection, officials briefed the Chief Minister i about the plant's construction work and the project's progress. Officials stated that production at the plant would commence by March 2027. Following the inspection, a review meeting was held at the ethanol plant premises, chaired by the Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary. According to a press release, during the meeting, Jamui District Magistrate Naveen gave a presentation providing detailed information about the Ankur Biochem Private Limited ethanol plant, noting that this project is one of Asia's largest grain-based ethanol plants. It is being developed on a 105-acre site. The plant will have a production capacity of 1,000 kilolitres per day, enabling the daily production of approximately 10 lakh litres of ethanol. A 20-megawatt captive power generat...

Football friendly: Brazil take 2-0 lead at half-time

Brazil's star-studded line-up, including Vinicius Jr and Marquinhos, is set to face India in a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu captaining the Indian side.

Amit Shah Sets Ambitious Goal for a Drug-Free India by 2029

Amit Shah announces a target for a drug-free India by 2029 during a conference in Bhopal, emphasizing collaborative efforts for the initiative. Amit Shah Sets Ambitious Goal for a Drug-Free India by 2029

Willem Dafoe Opens Up About Lifes Biggest Ambition, Says The Targets Always Moving

Willem Dafoe opens up about his approach to life, ambition and changing goals, saying he focuses on taking things one step at a time. The actor says his biggest ambition is to beat fear, have fun, stay useful and remain engaged while embracing lifes unpredictable path.

CRICKET | Smarans goal: 1000-plus runs in the Ranji season

Nivin Pauly, Raghava Lawrence-starrer Benz's fourth schedule begins

Digital Desk | Chennai, Oct 3 (IANS) The makers of director Bakkiyaraj Kannan's eagerly-awaited action thriller 'Benz', featuring actor Raghava Lawrence in the lead, on Saturday announced that the unit of the film had now commenced its fourth schedule of filming. Taking to its social media timelines, Passion Studios, one of the production houses producing the film, wrote, Heres the update youve been waiting on. #Benz Fourth Schedule Begins. The production house also shared some BTS pictures from the sets on the occasion. The film has triggered huge interest among fans as it features actor Nivin Pauly in not one but two roles in the film. More significantly, Nivin Pauly plays the antagonist in the film. It may be recalled that Nivin Pauly, had in November last year, dropped a hint to suggest that the film's third schedule had been wrapped. Taking to his social media timelines, Nivin Pauly had posted a series of pictures of himself from the film and written, Darkness Loading....... He then tagged all the cast and crew members associated with the film and then went on to add #ScheduleWrap #BenzMovie #Walter as the hashtags. Ace director Lokesh Kanakaraj, who is one of the producers of the film, had in July last year confirmed that the unit had completed the second schedule of the film and had expressed hope that the unit would complete the film in the next three to four months. In a video interview to a media house, Lokesh Kanakaraj, who is producing the film along with Sudhan Sundaram, and Jagadish Palanisamy, had said, Our next film is Benz. They have finished the second schedule if I am not wrong. Two schedules are done. Philo is the editor. I will check with him as to how the film is looking. He will give me some updates. Probably, they will finish it in another three or four months. We have other films in the pipeline. The film has triggered huge interest for a number of reasons but the most important reason is that the film will feature actor Nivin Pauly as a villain for the first time. While introducing his character in the film, director Bakkiyaraj Kannan, on his X timeline, had said, Soft boy? That was yesterday. Nivin Pauly 2.0our certified Baddie, Breaking hearts and Breaking rules & Breaking bad. Meet #Walter, @nivinofficial. The character promo for Nivin Pauly's character which the makers released begins with sounds emanating from a room as if somebody is getting bludgeoned there. Soon, Nivin Pauly, with his body decked in gold ornaments and carrying a huge metal hammer from which blood seems to be dripping, walks out. He sports a smile only to reveal golden teeth. He turns around to ask another character (also played by Nivin Pauly) the name of a person. The other character, which is busy eating and which comes across as a naive, uneducated individual, tells the villain it is 'Bens' and then after a while, corrects the spelling to say, 'Benz'. We then get to know that the antagonist's name is Walter. Walter says, When a head inside a helmet itself is cut like the head of a goat, who... and laughs suggestively. The character promo ends with Walter describing himself. He says, A dirty mind, a beautiful heart deadly combination. Love you Walter! Written and directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, the film has music by young music sensation Sai Abhyankkar. Cinematography for the film is by Goutham George and editing is by Philomin Raj. Art direction for the film has been done by Jacki while Pradeep Boopathi is serving as the creative producer.

India Vs Brazil Friendly: Vinicius, Marquinhos To Start For 5-time World Champions

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30 liquor bottles from Goa seized in Nalgonda

Can you name every Croatian to score 5+ Premier League goals?

Good luck with this one. The post Can you name every Croatian to score 5+ Premier League goals? appeared first on Planet Football .

Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More

Things are getting crazy in the Apple rumor world, as even though the iPhone 18 Pro and several other products have only just launched and the iPhone Duo is right around the corner, there's even more to come imminently. October 13 looks to be the date for an introduction of Apple's revamped smart home portfolio, including the home hub device we've been hearing about for ages. This week also saw word that Apple's supply chain is struggling to meet production yield goals for the iPhone Duo ahead of its launch, while iPhone 18 Pro owners are now getting a chance to put the devices through their paces, so read on below for all of the details! Top Stories Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13 A couple of those leaked products above could be arriving very shortly, as Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman says Apple will be introducing a trio of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13 . Apple will reportedly debut its long-rumored smart home hub product, as well as the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models, and while he didn't specify how Apple will introduce them, signs are pointing to some sort of event . Apple retail stores have reportedly also received confidential boxes that are marked Do Not Open Until October 8 and which are likely to contain merchandising materials. It's unclear, however, if they are for the upcoming iPhone Duo launch or something related to the smart home product introduction. Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will have an iMac G4-style design and a host of unique features, Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman reports. The smart home hub is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with variants that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. It features a single FaceTime camera on the front, with microphones and speakers in its connected base. Leaks suggest the hub may be available in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink colors , and will be able to display user-customizable Photo Faces pulled from your photos library, memories, and shared albums, a feature that appears similar to what will be available for StandBy mode on the iPhone Duo. iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch The iPhone Duo is reportedly facing production difficulties ahead of its October launch , with early output expected to be limited. A person said to be close to Foxconn's supply chain told China's Jiemian News that final assembly yields for Apple's first foldable iPhone were only slightly above 60% as of September 17. The source said that, under Apple's current quality standards, it could take another six months to a year for the assembly line to reach a mature yield. According to the source, Foxconn is repeatedly adjusting equipment, assembly processes, and production settings as it makes the iPhone Duo at scale. The source also said suppliers were waiting to see whether Apple would ease any quality requirements to accelerate production. iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far? It's been almost two weeks since the iPhone 18 Pro models launched, and we want to hear from MacRumors readers. What do you think of Apple's newest iPhones? If you upgraded from an older phone, was it worth it? What about upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro? What problems are you running into? Anything you love so far? MacRumors readers have already been sharing early opinions on the MacRumors forums, and there are interesting discussion threads to read through. For early reviews and hands-on images, make sure to check out the first impressions and photos thread . Not everything has been perfect, however, as some users have been experiencing issues such as speaker crackling or popping while some iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T in the U.S. have been having issues with cellular connectivity or eSIM provisioning . Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often John Ternus is marking one month as Apple CEO, and he is apparently undertaking efforts to restructure the company to accelerate product development and introduce new products more frequently , according to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman. Ternus apparently wants Apple to roaden its range of devices and create a leaner organization with a greater focus on engineering. One proposal under consideration is to rely less on Apple's traditional spring and fall product release cycles, and introduce new devices more quickly and throughout the year. Ternus has also purportedly indicated that Apple must become more experimental to remain competitive in the era of artificial intelligence. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter ! Tag: Top Stories This article, Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Asian Games: India men defend hockey gold for first time with stellar 5-1 win, qualify for LA 2028

Digital Desk | Kakamigahara (Japan), Oct 3 (IANS) India defended the gold medal in men's hockey after a strong 4-1 win over Malaysia in the Asian Games 2026 final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara on Saturday. Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace, while Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra also found the back of the net for India as the Men in Blue celebrated their first-ever gold defence at the Asian Games. Meanwhile, India have also clinched a direct berth for the Los Angeles Olympics with this win. Harmanpreet Singh's team came into the final without breaking a sweat. They topped their group stage with five wins in five matches. The Men in Blue defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinal by 4-3. That game tested India as Pakistan levelled from 0-3 down to 3-3. However, Abhishek nailed a strike in the final minute to take India home. Meanwhile, this is also the first time that India men and women have both won the gold medal at the same edition of the Asian Games. The women's team won the yellow metal in the final after defeating Paris Olympics silver medallists China in the gold clash. India men began the gold medal clash with strong intent as they made circle entries in the first quarter and then found the opening through captain Harmanpreet when he fired a dragflick on a penalty corner to put India 1-0 up in the 11th minute. Malaysia, however, responded as they levelled things back a few minutes later with Shello Silverius smashing a brilliant goal from the left flank as Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera was blindsided by a layer of players in front of him. The two teams were 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. Malaysia attacked more in the second half as they secured a few penalty corners and tested the Indian defence. India later earned a PC, and Jugraj put India ahead in the 23rd minute, giving India a 2-1 lead at the end of the first half. India began the second half with strong possession and also kept putting pressure on the Malaysians. They earned a couple of penalty corners and then a penalty stroke when the ball hit the body of the Malaysian post defender. Hardik turned up and scored from the spot for a 3-1 India lead at the end of the third quarter. India kept Malaysia in check with a counterattack, and then Sanjay found Rajinder in the circle, but his shot went wide. India found their fourth goal in the 54th minute when Shilanand put one into the goal after a deflection to make it 4-1 for India. Captain Harmanpreet then got his brace when he converted a penalty corner for a 5-1 lead, which the Men in Blue held for a huge win. This is the fifth time that India have won a gold medal in the Asian Games, bagging the top spot on the podium in 1966, 1998, 2014, 2022 and 2026. The Indian men's hockey team finished runners-up on nine occasions -- in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982*, 1990, 1994 and i002. The country has claimed bronze medals in 1986, 2010, and 2018.

If serious Oppn parties come together, BJP will get just 5 seats in 2027 Goa polls: Chodankar

Girish Chodankar of Congress expressed confidence that BJP could be reduced to five seats in the assembly elections. He emphasized the importance of opposition parties uniting to effectively challenge the ruling party. Chodankar criticized the alliance between Goa Forward Party and Aam Aadmi Party for their misleading campaigns against Congress. He mentioned that Congress is working towards bringing other opposition parties together.

Tamannaah Bhatia calls Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani 'couple goals' on The Great Indian Kapil Show

Netflixs The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 5 is keeping its festive run going with the cast of The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest. Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shweta Tiwari, Anup Soni and Maniesh Paul will join Kapil Sharma in the second episode, which premieres on Saturday, October 3 at 8 pm.

Teen Archer Kumkum Mohod Secures Historic Asian Games Gold And Olympic Quota

Teenaged Indian archer Kumkum Mohod made history at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by winning India's first-ever women's individual recurve archery gold medal and securing an Olympic quota place. Her coach and association secretary highlight her dedication, academic inclination, and long-term goal of winning an Olympic medal, despite financial challenges.

Insurance to retirement: How to build financial goals that fit your income

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Kumkum Mohod Reflects on Historic Gold Win at Asian Games

Kumkum Mohod, Indias first woman archer to win an individual gold at the Asian Games, shares her emotions and future goals post-victory. Kumkum Mohod Reflects on Historic Gold Win at Asian Games

30 NDPL Bottles Smuggled from Goa Seized at Narketpalle; 1 Held

The Special Task Force (STF) conducted a route watch at Cherughat between Narketpalle and Nalgonda Road and detected a case of illegal transportation of NDPL liquor in a car from Goa

Will dedicate body, mind, resources to fulfil expectations: UPCC Working President Imran Masood vows to strengthen Congress party in Uttar Pradesh

Newly appointed Working President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) and Saharanpur MP Imran Masood on Saturday vowed to dedicate his ody, mind, and resources entirely to strengthening the party's organisational base across the state. Speaking to ANI, Masood emphasised his complete commitment to whatever duties the leadership assigns him following his appointment as part of the Congress high command's major organisational reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh. I will work wherever the party assigns me. If it is the party's wish that I work here, then I will work here; our sole objective and goal is our party, to keep it standing strong and to build it up. I will dedicate my body, mind, and resources entirely to fulfilling the expectations with which the party has sent me here, he said. Further, he revealed that booth-level committee formations are nearly complete and will be finalised within a few days. Our organisational rebuilding program is underway and is nearly complete; ev...

Wamiqa Gabbi urges kindness towards animals: Lets make this world a little safer

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 3 (IANS) Actress Wamiqa Gabbi has urged everyone to show greater compassion towards animals, stressing that while they may not speak the same language, they experience emotions such as love, fear and pain. Wamiqa took to Instagram to share a string of videos featuring her with hens, puppies and goats, before wrapping up the post with a childhood picture of herself surrounded by pigeons. They may not speak our language, but they feel everything we do love, fear, pain, and kindness. Too often, animals are treated like they dont matter, when all they ask from us is a little compassion, care and a safe place to exist, she wrote as the caption. Wamiqa added: This Gandhi Jayanti, lets make a small promise. To be kinder, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and to make this world a little safer for every living being. Talking about the actress, who turned 33 last month, made her screen debut as a child with a brief role in the Hindi film Jab We Met in 2007. She later established herself as a leading lady in Punjabi cinema with roles in comedy films, such as Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22, Nikka Zaildar 2 and its sequel Nikka Zaildar 3 as well as the crime drama Kali Jotta. Gabbi expanded into other languages with the Tamil romance Maalai Naerathu Mayakkam and the Malayalam sports drama Godha. She then transitioned into a period focused on Hindi streaming ventures such as the period drama series Jubilee, followed by her role as a spy's wife in Vishal Bhardwaj's thriller film Khufiya. She has also worked in films such as Bhool Chuk Maaf, Bhooth Bangla and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. Wamiqa will next be seen in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, an upcoming Hindi-language film directed by Avinash Arun. It stars Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher. The film is a biopic of Ujjwal Nikam who appeared against Ajmal Kasab in the trial of the 26/11 Mumbai attack case.

Women's Hockey Gold: Direct Path To LA Olympics

The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic Asian Games gold medal, defeating China 1-0, which also guaranteed direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Goalkeeper Savita Punia highlighted the team's focus on Olympic qualification and credited the new coaching staff for fostering unity and belief, transforming the team's performance and mindset over the past 10 months.

Analysis | Punjab Congress' New Captain. Can Pargat Singh Change The Game?

Can Pargat Singh score the winning goal, or will the faction-ridden Congress end up conceding one?

Freer, Grateful Kohli No Longer 'overly Intense' About Achievements, Says De Villiers

ODI World Cup: Virat Kohli has reached a stage in his illustrious career where he is no longer overly intense about milestones, according to former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, who sees his long-time friend playing with a newfound sense of gratitude and freedom as he navigates the final stretch of his journey in international cricket. In eight ODI innings in 2026, Kohli has amassed 552 runs at an astonishing average of 78.85 and strike-rate of 118.20 making him the third leading run-getter after India captain Shubman Gill and Englands premier batter Joe Root. That's a natural thing to happen at the back end of your career, where you realise my days are numbered, whether it's one year or two or three years. Who knows how long Virat will go for. Only he will know what his goals are, if it's maybe his last ODI World Cup, he will try and win it. I don't know how many IPLs he has left in him, but that's obviously a completely personal decision. I think towards the back end of a person's career, you realise how grateful you must be and how lucky you have been to have had such a long career after where you come from. You think back to your early days as a five-year-old boy running around the cricket field and just enjoying the game. It almost does the full cycle. In the middle of your career, we're always, as athletes, very driven, very emotional, and want to win every trophy and be the best in the world. I think this is a phase where Virat is sort of just letting go a bit and looking around him and realising how lucky he has been and how grateful he must be for everything that has come his way. He's achieved everything in cricket. That's also maybe something that pops in the back of his mind I've achieved everything. I don't have to be so intense about achievements anymore, de Villiers told IANS in a select chat facilitated by FanCode, the official broadcaster of World Championship of Legends. In Thiruvananthapuram, the venue for India's ODI series opener against West Indies, Kohli became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to score 15,000 ODI runs via smashing his 55th ODI century an unbeaten 139. In a career packed with records, titles and accolades, Kohli now speaks with a sense of gratitude for the journey and a desire to keep improving. From the fiery teenager who debuted for India to the seasoned veteran whos full of gratitude and oozes humility in his words, Kohlis transformation in demeanour has been striking. Just enjoy the journey, enjoy my teammates, have a great influence in other people's careers and lives. Whatever comes my way at the back end of my career, I'm happy and grateful for it and it's really good to see. I've spoken to Virat and he will recall me speaking to him at the age of 28 to 32 about being too overly intense, to sort of just sit back a bit, work hard on your game and have an impact in other people's lives. That is definitely shining through now more than ever and very happy for him. It's an incredible run of form. We've seen this kind of form in 2012 to 2014 and then again 2016 to 2019 and now this is like a third peak for him in really taking his game to the next level. We've often heard him speak about taking his game to the next level, thinking about the game a little bit differently and you can see that in that positive approach and that aggressive approach he's taking on. So it makes me very happy to see him perform like he is, added de Villiers. This mental shift and relaxed approach have translated directly into a tactical evolution for ODIs, where he has abandoned his traditional anchor role for outright aggression right from the start of his innings. According to data from CricViz, Kohli has been striking at an unprecedented 119 across his first 20 deliveries in ODIs this year - far exceeding his previous best of 89 in both 2016 and 2018. The shift is further illustrated by an early attacking shot rate of 58.7 percent and a boundary percentage of 17.9 percent during Kohlis first 20 balls in ODIs in 2026. The metrics also reflect a sharp increase in his power-hitting, with Kohli hitting a six every 27.4 balls in 2026, which is miles ahead as compared to 2025 (52.1) and 2014 (52.9). Asked whether this six-hitting version of Kohli in ODIs represents a better iteration of the batter, de Villiers opined, It's difficult to say. I think it is a better version because of the way he's so relaxed and out there in the middle, you can almost see he's completely free. He showed signs of that at the ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE in 2025. I started seeing him play a different role and then he got stuck a little bit again, going back to old habits, and then just sort of let go completely again. But that's the way I love Virat and I've always said that there's a side of him that people don't know. I think we're seeing that side more than ever now, where he's just completely focused almost on other people and he realises that all he can do is just go out there and express his talent and let the fans and the people around the world enjoy that for one last time or for the next two years or three or five years. I don't know for how long, but I love seeing this side of him. I think it must be an incredible experience to share a dressing room with him as a youngster now. I think they are learning from him more than ever being in this state of mind. But yes, I think because he's so free, he's making sound decisions out there. He's not so intense and not overthinking the game. He's going a lot on gut feel, it seems. Generally, the gut feel is right as your instinct takes over. He's played this game all his life. When Virat plays with his instinct, he's pretty much unstoppable. It's quite scary to think of where this will go and how good and how big of an impact he's going to play for Team India in the 2027 World Cup. De Villiers signed off by strongly cautioning the Indian selectors against moving on from both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, adding that their wealth of experience remain essential to the national setup in their quest to win their third mens ODI World Cup. That's a personal call that the Indian selectors will have to make. From my point of view, I wouldn't go without Rohit. I think he comes with incredible experience, him and Virat, and the combination, and belief the rest of the squad gets because of the two of them being there is just immeasurable. So I wouldn't go without him - whether he's in great form now or not is irrelevant, in my opinion. Just the kind of leadership qualities and the belief he instils in the rest of the team is great for the side. Form-wise, it's always something you can work on. Fitness-wise, I think he'll still be fine. I've played in most of the squads I was part of throughout my career. There were always a couple of more experienced players or older guys who are not as agile in the field anymore. That's a personal call that the Indian selectors will have to make. From my point of view, I wouldn't go without Rohit. I think he comes with incredible experience, him and Virat, and the combination, and belief the rest of the squad gets because of the two of them being there is just immeasurable. So I wouldn't go without him - whether he's in great form now or not is irrelevant, in my opinion. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

2027 Mens ODI WC Will Inspire Next Generation, SA Will Be Good Hosts, Says De Villiers

Former South Africa: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers expects the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup to inspire a new generation of cricketers from the country, and drew parallels to how the 2003 edition being hosted in the country shaped his own early journey as a 19-year-old aspiring to play international cricket. South Africa will co-host the 50-over mega event alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21, 2027 and mark the tournament's return to the region for the first time in 24 years. While South Africa and Zimbabwe were co-hosts for the 2003 Mens ODI World Cup alongside Kenya, Namibia will be hosting its maiden senior ICC tournament as a host nation. Yes, the ODI World Cup in 2027 is coming back to South Africa for the first time since 2003. The 2003 World Cup played a huge part in my career. It had a big influence and impact on me. I clearly remember a cricketing clinic Australian had at the University of Pretoria. That's where I played my cricket at that time, at the age of 19. I got to know Adam Gilchrist a bit better. He worked with my wicketkeeping skills that day. Obviously, he had no idea who I was at that time. But I very clearly recall having a very good moment with him. He told me to work on my left hand and said, All the best, youngster. Three years later, I played cricket against him in Test matches and ODIs. It had a huge impact on me and I'm pretty sure the 2027 World Cup will have the same impact on the youngsters of South Africa, hoping to represent their country one day. Obviously, from an economical point of view, great to have the World Cup here in South Africa, also co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe and I'm looking forward to the rest of the world to come and enjoy the great parts of South Africa and how welcoming we can be and we are really good hosts, de Villiers told IANS in a select chat facilitated by FanCode, the official broadcaster of the World Championship of Legends. All focus will also be on South Africa, who are yet to win the Mens ODI World Cup title and de Villiers backed the side to have a good time in the competition on home soil. So looking forward to that and I think the cricket is going to be magnificent, as it was in 2003 and hopefully the Proteas will perform better this time. As for 2003, from a performance point of view, it doesn't bring back great memories. But the team really looks strong now. Most of the team is still relatively unknown globally. But I know they have a lot of chemistry. There's a great culture there and lots of individuals who can win you games of cricket and we showcased it now against Australia, winning our sixth consecutive ODI series win against the Aussies. So really looking good for the guys and once the World Cup starts, there will be a lot of hype, a lot of attention from the media and the public and my message to the Proteas will be just to keep it in now, stay focused on what the goal is, and hopefully they'll have a really good World Cup, he added. Turning his attention to two-time champions India, de Villiers highlighted the role of Indian Premier League (IPL) in creating an unmatched pipeline of talent. Yes, the Indian youngsters are coming through and I think the IPL is an incredible platform and laid the foundation for Indian cricket to just have such a large depth of talent. That's also not going to change anytime soon. They have the ability to play around with different combinations in the batting and bowling departments, and from a leadership point of view. They can just really play around with a deep pool of talent, which is fantastic. Plenty of youngsters have impressed me and I'm very happy. I consider myself lucky that I'm not an Indian selector. It's a tough job with the amount of talent they have. There's just too many to mention, to be honest. Lots of individuals stand out. They're obviously still playing around with the balance of their squad going into that World Cup. India always comes with a strong spin contingent, so it will be interesting to see who they go for. Theres Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washi - so many spinners and players to pick from and plenty of talent in the batting department. That's probably the biggest headache - they really have about a group of 10 batters to pick from who are all match winners. It's really, really difficult and good luck to the Indian selectors, he added. Among India's emerging prodigies, young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has captured widespread attention with his fearless hitting and has found himself in the India T20I team since his debut against England at Manchester in July. De Villiers expressed admiration for Sooryavanshis strokeplay and urged him to work on his game continuously to play across all formats and conditions. He's absolutely phenomenal to watch. I'm not surprised, to be honest. The next phase for him is to find a blueprint in different formats, in different conditions, realising that every game poses a different challenge, and playing the situation instead of just playing one way or being one-dimensional with his game. I would urge him to keep developing his game. I think he picked up a little bit on when he toured England, and realising that it's not always as easy. You can't just rock up and always hit through the line. Every game is a different situation. My message to him would be to assess every single match he plays, get a feel for what he's confronted with on the particular day, and to respect that whatever his decision is, whether it's a flat wicket and let's go for 60 of 20 balls, or realising, hold on, today is a day where maybe 30 of 20 balls will be okay and set it up for a bit later. He's absolutely phenomenal to watch. I'm not surprised, to be honest. The next phase for him is to find a blueprint in different formats, in different conditions, realising that every game poses a different challenge, and playing the situation instead of just playing one way or being one-dimensional with his game. I would urge him to keep developing his game. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

France held by Italy in Zidane's homecoming after Olise stunner

Michael Olise scored another superb goal but France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday in Zinedine Zidane's first home game since being appointed coach of Les Bleus.

India, Canada to resume trade talks on Oct 5

Digital Desk | Milwaukee, Oct 3 (IANS) India and Canada will begin the next round of trade negotiations on October 5 as the two countries push to conclude a deal before the end of the year, Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said a day after meeting Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting here. The meeting followed the fourth round of negotiations in Mumbai and came as Ottawa prepares to send a large business delegation to India this month. After wrapping up the fourth round of negotiations in Mumbai, I met again with Minister Piyush Goyal at the G20 ahead of the next round beginning October 5 to advance negotiations to conclude towards a deal before the end of this year, Sidhu said in a social media post. The disclosure provides a specific timetable for the next stage of negotiations and underscores efforts by both governments to accelerate economic engagement. India and Canada are seeking to expand bilateral trade significantly, with a shared target of reaching $70 billion by 2030. With more than $30 billion in two-way trade today and a shared goal of reaching $70 billion by 2030, there is significant room to grow the trade and investment relationship between our two countries, Sidhu said. The Canadian minister had earlier told reporters in Milwaukee that negotiations were moving forward and that both sides were focused on reaching an agreement. Sidhu said the discussions were not simply about concluding an agreement, but about securing one that worked for businesses and workers in both countries. The latest meeting between Goyal and Sidhu came during an intensive period of trade diplomacy surrounding the G20 ministerial hosted by the United States. Goyal held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the gathering as India sought to deepen commercial relationships with major partners while addressing broader questions confronting the international trading system. Canada is also planning a significant commercial push into India. Sidhu said he would lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India this month with nearly 300 Canadian participants. Thats why this month I am leading a Team Canada Trade Mission to India, bringing close to 300 Canadian delegates from businesses across key sectors to make connections, find new customers and pursue opportunities in one of the worlds fastest-growing markets, Sidhu said. The size of the delegation points to growing Canadian business interest in India alongside the government-to-government trade negotiations. Sidhu identified critical minerals, energy, agriculture and technology among the sectors in which Canadian companies are looking for opportunities. From critical minerals and energy to agriculture, technology and other sectors where Canada is a global leader, we are helping Canadian companies build partnerships and grow in India, he said. The trade mission will therefore run alongside a renewed negotiating process as Ottawa seeks greater access to the Indian market and both countries try to increase investment flows. India and Canada have been rebuilding their economic engagement after a period of strained diplomatic relations disrupted high-level contacts and trade negotiations. The renewed talks have put commerce back near the centre of the bilateral relationship, with the two governments setting a target of $70 billion in two-way trade by 2030 and pursuing an agreement intended to provide businesses in both countries greater opportunities in each other's markets.

Gandhi Jayanti : Verify facts before reacting, LG urges youth

Srinagar, Oct 02: Satyameva Jayatetruth alone triumphsmust remain a guiding principle for democracy, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday, as he cautioned against misinformation and urged the youth to adopt Mahatma Gandhi's discipline of verifying facts and engaging in dialogue before reacting. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the Gandhi Jayanti Celebration organised by the School Education Department in collaboration with the Department of Culture. He extended heartfelt wishes to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir on the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and congratulated children participating in cultural programmes as well as the toppers of the district-level symposium on truth and non-violence. The LG also commended the Kashmiri rendition of Bapu's bhajan by Gulzar Ahmed, the Hindi performance by students of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, and the skit presented by the Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibag. Highlighting the significance of October 2, Sinha said it is an occasion to reflect on the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, who gave India a new way of thinking, standing against injustice and living with dignity. He said Gandhi ji's legacy of truth and non-violence continues to hold relevance in today's fast-changing, technology-driven world. I believe that revered Bapu has left behind many priceless legacies for us. He gave us a new method, new principles, a new approach to life and a new system that remains alive in the hands of every generation, he said. The Lieutenant Governor noted that while technology has connected people globally, it also raises questions of inclusivity and truth. Bapu understood the relationship between truth and power very deeply. He called his life an experiment with the search for truth. I believe Truth is a spiritual discipline. Truth is the habit of looking within oneself. Truth is the habit of verifying before believing any fact or information, and truth is the habit of listening and understanding before responding immediately to anything, he said. The LG stressed that technology should remain under human control and serve as an instrument for progress, not a substitute for conscience. I want all children and youth to remember that technology is only an instrument and the decision must remain ours. However powerful the instrument may be, its direction is ultimately determined by the hand that wields it, he said. Underscoring India's strength in diversity, Sinha said unity must be strengthened through everyday actions of justice, respect and compassion. He recalled Gandhi ji's concern for the weakest person in society and urged citizens to measure progress by inclusivity and welfare. Since ancient times, India has been a land of diversities. Our languages are different, our modes of worship are different, our attire and our customs are different. However, our great tradition has taught us that walking together with diversity is India's strength. I believe this philosophy is needed today more than ever, he said. The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that Gandhi ji's philosophy will guide India towards the goal of becoming a Developed Nation by 2047. He emphasised the importance of trusteeship, people's participation and character-building in children. To build a Developed India, we must prepare our fields, schools, villages, cities and industries, and above all, we must place special emphasis on character-building in children. Bapu firmly believed that a nation's character is its most permanent infrastructure, he said. We often ask what others are doing? Today, on revered Bapu's birth anniversary, let us also askwhat am I doing to build a developed India? Am I advancing truth or rumour? Am I engaging in dialogue or merely reacting? Am I uniting my country, or unknowingly dividing it? This alone will be a true tribute to the life-philosophy of Pujya Bapu, the Lieutenant Governor said. Sakeena Masood Itoo, Minister for Health & Medical Education, School & Higher Education and Social Welfare Departments; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Padma Bhushan Rajeev Sethi; Padma Shri Dr S.P. Varma, President Gandhi Global Family, J&K; Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department; senior officials, prominent citizens, heads of educational institutions, teachers and students attended the celebration.

Preethi Munde Felicitated For Winning Miss Earth Water India-2026 Title

Speakers said the achievement was significant for Preethi Munde, who hails from Heerapur village in Indravelli mandal, and appreciated her confidence and commitment towards her goals.

India Aims to Become a Top-5 Shipbuilding Nation by 2047, Says Sonowal

Union Minister Sonowal emphasizes Indias goal to boost shipbuilding and maritime self-reliance by 2047 during a shipping event in Mumbai. India Aims to Become a Top-5 Shipbuilding Nation by 2047, Says Sonowal

Adani Group committed to investment plans of over 6 lakh crore in Maharashtra across energy, airports and infra

Adani Group has announced plans to invest over 6 lakh crore in Maharashtra across multiple sectors. The investments are aimed at aiding Maharashtra's goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030. The group has committed to significant infrastructure projects, including the management of Mumbai's airports and renewable power sourcing. Additionally, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project will transform the area with modern housing and economic opportunities.

Asian Games: 'It was a perfect game', says HI prez Dilip Tirkey after India women's historic gold win

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey described India's women's hockey gold at the Asian Games as a 'perfect game' and praised the team's defensive resilience in their 1-0 victory over China, which ended a 44-year wait for the continental title and secured qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India last won the women's hockey gold at the Asian Games in 1982 in New Delhi. Lalremsiami's 10th-minute goal proved decisive in Friday's final, while Savita Punia produced a crucial penalty-stroke save to preserve India's lead against a relentless Chinese attack. As you said, after 44 years, the women's hockey team has won a gold medal. For the first time in 1982, the women's team won a gold medal in New Delhi. Since then, the women's hockey team has created a great history, Tirkey told IANS. Tirkey said the women's team has continued to raise its level despite traditionally attracting less attention than the men's side. Normally, we expect a lot from men's hockey. All our hockey lovers and sports lovers. But we don't expect a lot from women. The women's team is playing very well. They have played in the Asian Games. Before that, they have played in the World Cup. Excellent game, he said. India's final against China was particularly demanding, with the defending champions controlling large periods of possession and creating repeated opportunities. Tirkey said India showed composure against one of the strongest teams in the world. I have also seen the final match. It was a perfect game. China is one of the best teams in the world. They have also been the champion team of the Asian Games. In 2024, they were the silver medalists in the Paris Olympics, and we scored against them in just 10 minutes and then defended for 50 minutes, he said. They have strengthened the defence until the end and were in a very strong position in defence. India was playing as a team, he added. Savita's penalty-stroke save came at a critical stage of the match and allowed India to retain their one-goal cushion. Tirkey felt the goalkeeper's intervention gave the team further belief to see out the contest. I have also seen that China got a stroke. Savita Punia has stopped it by diving to the left side. She has put confidence in the team. It was a very interesting match, he said. India's gold also came after a challenging period for the squad, with Tirkey revealing that injuries had affected a large number of players earlier this year. I am happy that the women's team's performance is improving day by day. Especially the young girls have shown excellent hockey, he said. In the last 6-7 months, the team's performance has improved a lot. We were very worried. 13-14 players were injured 6-7 months ago. They were suffering from injuries. We recovered very fast, Tirkey added. Tirkey also credited the Hockey India League with helping players develop through high-level competition. The women's competition returned alongside the men's tournament, giving Indian players another platform to compete and gain experience. HIL has been organising the Hockey India League for two years. We have seen the impact of it. HIL is one of the best leagues in the world. Men's or women's. They have also benefited from the Hockey India League, he said. India's Olympic qualification was another major takeaway from the victory, and Tirkey said Hockey India would use the extended preparation period to support the team. Most importantly, they have qualified for the Olympics. They will get a lot of time for practice. We will try to provide what is needed from Hockey India, he said. Tirkey also praised the coaching and support staff behind the campaign. I would like to congratulate the coaching team. They have been performing very well since they took charge. I would like to congratulate all the supporting staff. I would like to thank them personally. All of them are working very hard for the team. I would like to congratulate the players as well, he said. Hockey India has also decided to reward the women's team for their gold-medal-winning performance. We decided to award 11 lakh rupees to each player of the women's team. We decided to award 5.5 lakh rupees to the supporting staff, Tirkey said. Tirkey said he had spoken to Savita after the match and praised the goalkeeper for her decisive intervention. I talked to Savita. She was very happy. Her stroke was a big save. I think she deserved the win. She deserved it. It was an excellent game, he said. The men's team will now look to complete a hockey double when they face Malaysia in the Asian Games final on Saturday. The men's gold-medal match also carries Olympic significance, with the Asian Games champions earning direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Tirkey said the women's triumph could provide an additional boost to the men's side ahead of their title clash. I have expectations for the country. I think our men's team will be inspired by today's game. I am confident that we will win tomorrow's game. We will qualify for the Olympics, he said

Vizag Youth Divided Over Mandatory Military Training

Academics say although discipline and national preparedness are desirable goals, any compulsory military training would require extensive public consultation: Reports

Former GOP Rep. David Rivera gets 10 years for secret Venezuela lobbying

MIAMI (AP) A former Miami congressman and longtime friend of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison in connection with a secret $50 million lobbying campaign on Venezuelas behalf during the first Trump administration. Republican David Rivera has been jailed since jurors found him guilty in May on all counts, including failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of his work for former Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro s government. Rivera, 61, appeared stone-faced as Judge Melissa Damian denounced him for betraying his lifes mission, saying he would surely have been judged harshly his many friends had the millions of dollars come from the Cuban regime instead of its allies in Caracas. Nobody would accept thats ok and I dont think this is different, the judge said. Theres no dispute this money came from the Maduro regime. The seven-week trial offered a rare glimpse into Miamis role as a crossroads for foreign influence campaigns aimed at shaping U.S. policy toward Latin America, highlighting the citys reputation as a magnet for both anti-communist crusaders and corruption among its sizable exile population. It included testimony from President Donald Trumps secretary of state, Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas and a top Washington lobbyist all of whom testified they felt betrayed when learning of Riveras mammoth consulting contract with a U.S.-based affiliate of Venezuelas state oil company, PDVSA. Attorneys for Rivera plan to appeal and in June applied for a presidential pardon. Rivera faces additional federal charges in Washington, D.C., in a related foreign lobbying case. Prosecutors said betrayal featured coded figures Sombrero and Miss Clairol In an indictment unsealed in 2022 , prosecutors alleged that Rivera was tapped by then Foreign Minister Delcy Rodrguez now Venezuelas acting president to work Republican connections to get the first Trump administration to abandon its hard line and crippling sanctions on Venezuela. As part of the charm offensive, Rivera and a co-defendant, political consultant Esther Nuhfer, sought to manipulate influential friends, including Rubio and Sessions . Their goal was to normalize relations with the new Trump administration even as the Maduro government faced sanctions over serious accusations of human rights violations. But Rivera and Nuhfer didnt disclose their lobbying work as required, for fear it would have ended Riveras political career as an anti-communist stalwart, prosecutors argued at trial. The United States and the public were the true victims of this fraud, Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz said in urging a stiff sentence. He used his position of trust and betrayed it consistently and repeatedly. To hide his work, prosecutors allege, Rivera also set up an encrypted chat group called MIA for Miami with his main conduit to the Maduro government: Venezuelan media tycoon Ral Gorrn, who was subsequently charged in the U.S. with bribing top Venezuelan officials. Members of the group used playful code words to discuss their activities: Maduro was the bus driver, Sessions Sombrero, Rodrguez The Lady in Red, and their windfall payments La Luz, Spanish for The Light, according to copies of text messages presented to the jury. Rubio was known as Miss Clairol, because rubio means blond in Spanish. Defense said only missing paperwork made the $50 million contract illegal At Fridays sentencing, attorneys for Rivera repeated their trial argument that the former congressman believed he was under no requirement to disclose the work. The three-month, $50 million contract with Riveras one-man consulting firm, they said, was focused on luring oil giant ExxonMobil back to Venezuela commercial work that is generally exempt from the Foreign Agents Registration Act. David Rivera does not deserve to die in prison because he failed to file a FARA registration, defense attorney Ed Shohat said at Fridays hearing. If he had filed that paper, that form, everything he did, including the $50 million contract, which totally distorted this case, is perfectly legal. Wholly distinct from that consulting work, they say, were Riveras meetings with Rubio and Sessions, which were focused on ushering in leadership in Venezuela that would be less hostile to the U.S. not supporting Maduro in normalizing relations with the U.S. Theres not one word in any chat, not one document, not one thing he did to help Nicols Maduro, said Shohat. Prosecutors said Rivera used the contract with the affiliate, New York-based PDV USA, as cover for illegal lobbying. This is a classic money laundering case, the judge said Friday in rejecting Riveras motion to lower the federal guidelines range. Where did the money go? A luxury yacht, among other things The partners tried to hide the work backdating documents and coming up with sham agreements, like one to justify a wire transfer of $3.75 million to a South Florida company that maintained Gorrns luxury yacht, prosecutors said. The political activity included setting up meetings for Rodrguez in New York, Caracas, Washington and Dallas. As part of the effort, Rivera roped in Sessions, who later tried to broker a meeting for Rodrguez with the ExxonMobil executive who took over as CEO when Rex Tillerson became Trumps first-term secretary of state . After a secret meeting in Caracas with Maduro, Sessions also agreed to deliver a letter from the Venezuelan president to Trump. The outreach quickly unraveled, however. Within six months of taking office, Trump sanctioned Maduro and labeled him a dictator, launching a maximum pressure campaign to unseat the president. And now, nearly a decade later, Rodrguez has emerged as the second Trump administrations trusted partner after the U.S. militarys ousting of Maduro. Rubio's former housemate faced scandal before, but Cuban Americans support him Before being elected to Congress in 2010, Rivera was a high-ranking Florida legislator and shared a Tallahassee home with Rubio, who eventually became the Florida House speaker. Rivera faced earlier controversy, including allegations that he secretly funded a Democratic spoiler candidate in a 2012 congressional race. Last year, federal prosecutors dropped that case after an appeals court threw out a sizable fine imposed by a lower court. Rivera was also investigated but never charged for alleged campaign finance violations and a $1 million contract with a gambling company while serving in the Florida Legislature. Despite all that, Rivera remains popular among Miamis Cuban American establishment. Friends of the former congressman, including the former president of Florida International University and Miami-Dade Countys supervisor of elections, packed the courtroom to show their support. Sessions, in a letter seeking leniency that was read into the record by his chief of staff, said his former congressional colleague devoted decades to public service, much of it focused on defending liberty and democracy. I dont think its productive for society by sending David away for a long, long time, testified Liliana Ros, a longtime Miami GOP committee member. This article originally appeared on Associated Press at https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/former-gop-rep-david-rivera-182044649.html

Asian Games: 'Proud Moment For Indian Sports', Says Harmanpreet Kaur After Women's Hockey Gold

Los Angeles Olympics: India women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur congratulated the Indian women's hockey team on its gold medal in Asian Games 2026 and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, describing the triumph as a proud moment for Indian sports. The Indian hockey team ended a 44-year wait for the Asian Games women's title after defeating defending champions China 1-0 in the final on Friday. Lalremsiami scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute, while captain Savita Punia produced a crucial penalty-stroke save as India held on to secure the gold and the LA 2028 berth. Proud moment for Indian sports! Heartiest congratulations to our Indian Womens Hockey Team on winning Gold at the Asian Games and qualifying for the LA Olympics! Mazaaaa aa gaya kudiyo, Harmanpreet wrote in a post on Instagram. Your hard work, resilience, and determination continue to inspire millions. Wishing you all the very best for the journey ahead. Keep making India proud! Chak De India! she added. Harmanpreet's message came after the Indian women's cricket team themselves won gold at the ongoing Asian Games, adding another women's team title to India's campaign in Aichi-Nagoya. The cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final to claim the gold medal, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 79 as India posted 216/3 before restricting Sri Lanka to 69/8. For the hockey team, the victory marked only their second Asian Games gold and their first since 1982, when the women's competition made its continental debut in New Delhi. India had topped Pool A with four wins before defeating Japan 7-2 in the semi-finals. They then produced a disciplined defensive display against China, with Lalremsiami's early strike proving decisive. Savita's penalty-stroke save emerged as another defining moment as India protected their narrow lead against sustained Chinese pressure. India had topped Pool A with four wins before defeating Japan 7-2 in the semi-finals. They then produced a disciplined defensive display against China, with Lalremsiami's early strike proving decisive. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Sachin Pilot Criticizes Goa Government for Exploiting Residents

Sachin Pilot criticizes Goas BJP government for failing to support citizens and highlights issues ahead of upcoming elections. Sachin Pilot Criticizes Goa Government for Exploiting Residents