Fastest Footballers to 300 Club Goals
The Norwegian superstar was the lone goalscorer in his side's 1-0 win over Coventry FC, completing the 300 club-goals mark in just 384 matches.
Over-reliance on foreign technology solutions and the hassle of switching providers has some IT leaders questioning their sovereignty ambitions
Akasa Air and BPCL operate commercial flight using 1% sustainable aviation fuel
As per the release, the flight departed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, at 13:05hrs IST and arrived at Manohar International Airport (GOX), Goa, at 14:30hrs IST
Abhishek Malhan on becoming a Roadies gang leader: My only goal is to make my contestant win
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) Abhishek Malhan, who will be seen as a Gang Leader in Roadies: Rebirth, said that while competition can get intense on a reality show, the bonds shared off camera with other mentors should remain unaffected. Abhishek spoke about his bond with Prince Narula and emphasised that a mentors priority is to ensure their contestant wins, but what happens as part of the show should stay within the show and not distort personal relationships. I think the bond that I share with him (Prince Narula) is much stronger than anything in this world. But honestly, when we get into a reality show and as a mentor, your only goal is to make your contestant win, Abhishek told IANS, when asked if he is worried about spoiling his bond with Prince due to competition. He added: And then at that moment, we can do anything to make sure that our contestant wins. I feel what happens in the moment for the show should always stay in that moment and for the show. And when the camera cuts, I think the bonds that we share off camera should always be intact. Abhishek concluded: They shouldn't be distorted or finished. That's how I feel. And we are hoping for the best. This season, the show gets six Gang Leaders, including Nikhil Chinapa, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula v/s Abhishek Malhan, Bani J and Baseer Ali. Abhishek is popularly known as Fukra Insaan. He gained fame through his YouTube content and later appeared as a contestant on reality shows such as Bigg Boss OTT, Playground Season 3, and Temptation Island India. Talking about the show, the first two seasons of Roadies had a daily budget cap for contestants, encouraging them to experience India's diversity while completing various tasks. However, after MTV took over in the third season, the show adopted a more competitive and aggressive format. From the fourth season, a new segment was introduced to select wild card contestants, Battleground and Graveyard. In the fifth season, advantage tasks were introduced, allowing winners to gain benefits during vote-outs. It was also the first season where Roadies traveled international during journeys. Each season follows a theme and includes various twists, vote-outs, and eliminations. The contestant who survives all challenges and vote-outs is ultimately crowned the Ultimate Roadie in the finale.
He isnt at his best, and he knows it: Mourinho backs Vinicius after Bernabeu boos
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Manager Jose Mourinho has backed Vinicius Junior to return to his best form after the Real Madrid forward was booed by sections of the home crowd during the clubs 2-1 Champions League win over Inter on Wednesday. Vinicius was substituted in the 87th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, prompting some supporters to express frustration with his performance. The Brazil international had struggled to make a decisive impact against Inters organised defence. However, Mourinho refused to criticise the winger and instead highlighted the effort he put in for the team. He isnt at his best, and he knows it, but hes working hard to be the Vinicius who decides games. Without being at his best, hes working harder than ever, Mourinho told reporters after the match. The Portuguese manager also pointed to fatigue as one of the reasons Vinicius was unable to maintain his defensive work late in the game. In the moments that he wasnt able to drop back and defend, it was because of fatigue. I have to value that a lot. I have a lot of respect for this Vinicius. The time will come when he decides games and wins us games, he said. Mourinho also defended Vinicius against criticism of his performance by explaining the difficulties Real Madrids attackers faced against Inters tactical setup. If he works, hell always have my support, he said. He worked very hard for the team. Its very hard for wingers to play against a side that uses three defenders at the back and wing-backs. The Real Madrid boss believes Vinicius could have made a much bigger difference had he been at his best, particularly in one-on-one situations. Mourinho stated, Clearly, if Vini had been at his best during the one-on-ones on the left wing, he would have dominated the game. Thats what we expect of him. But he gave everything. Real Madrid secured three points in their Champions League opener thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde, despite Inter managing to keep the hosts under pressure for long periods.
Novartis India Ltd leads gainers in 'B' group
Bal Pharma Ltd, Medi Caps Ltd, Anmol India Ltd and Goa Carbon Ltd are among the other gainers in the BSE's 'B' group today, 09 September 2026.
'Underprepared Pitches In Japan Might Aid Spin,' Says Chakaravarthy Ahead Of Asian Games Challenge
Korogi Sports Park: Expecting underprepared tracks in Japan, India wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy believes spinners could play a pivotal role in the team's upcoming Asian Games campaign, even as he cautioned that unpredictable weather conditions will ultimately dictate how the pitches behave during the tournament. Chakaravarthy has fully recovered from a Grade 2 left hamstring injury sustained during the T20I series against England, including doing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. In the Asian Games mens T20 event, India, the gold medal winners in the last edition in Hangzhou, will begin their campaign from the quarter-final stage in Aichi-Nagoya. That's how it has been scheduled, so I don't have any say in that. But definitely every match and every tournament needs preparation, and that we have to do. So it's just like every other tournament we will prepare well and whatever comes our way, we will take it, Chakaravarthy said in an exclusive interaction with IANS, facilitated by ASICS India. Assessing the playing conditions at the Korogi Sports Park ahead of the marquee event, Chakaravarthy, who will also be in action for Indias T20Is against Afghanistan and the historic one-off clash against Japan, noted that adaptability will be key for the bowling unit. What I've seen is that the pitches might be a little bit underprepared. So it might help spin, but I don't know how the weather in Japan will play a role in the way pitches behave. It can have a big impact as well. We are just preparing for facing all kinds of conditions, and let's see how it goes, he added. Reflecting on the year so far, which saw him finish as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps in India's T20 World Cup triumph on home soil, Chakaravarthy termed it as a rollercoaster. Its been lovely. I have no complaints at all. It's been a great journey till now and we won the World Cup this time, so everything is going well. I did have one hiccup with my injury, but I'm back. I feel fitter. I've done a lot of strength training and running. Credit goes to the CoE, where I trained a lot, he said. Chakaravarthy, who also picked up 11 wickets in IPL 2026 while battling through hairline fractures in his left hand and toe, takes pride in his unconventional rise through the ranks. I started cricket very late. I started bowling when I was 26 and I played for India when I was 28 and a half. I'm a very late bloomer. It's been seven to eight years in cricket right now and I would say I'm in the first half of my career. There is a long way to go ahead and it's been an unconventional journey till now and I think it's going to be more like that, he reflected. Speaking on evolving his craft, Chakaravarthy revealed that while he continuously works on adding fresh variations behind the scenes, polishing his existing skill set remains his primary objective. Well, it's a combination of both. Obviously, polishing and mastering the skill is always the primary thing and bringing in other variations is always on the back of my mind. I'm also working on certain new variations. When I will be able to master it is a different question, but it's a mix of both. Asked how he guards his mystery balls from high-tech cameras and tactical analytics, Chakaravarthy stressed that execution under pressure overrides technology. As you mentioned, there are no secrets anymore because there are so many video analysts everywhere, and everything that you do is being recorded. The only thing is the human touch in cricket, where the batter won't know what I'm going to bowl to them. That has to be decided by me and I don't think any AI or video analyst can predict that. So, that's what we have to play with. Rather than plotting long-term milestones in a highly volatile sport, the Chennai-based Chakaravarthy prefers setting incremental targets. I set more short-term goals rather than long-term goals because I don't think I'll be able to plan for five years down the line, but I'll be able to plan what I want to do in the next six months. I'm that sort of a guy, so I focus more on short-term goals. The only thing is the human touch in cricket, where the batter won't know what I'm going to bowl to them. That has to be decided by me and I don't think any AI or video analyst can predict that. So, that's what we have to play with. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories That's when I started wearing them, and they were among the best I've ever worn out of all the brands out there. So when ASICS approached me, I was ready to cling on to it. It is one of the best performance brands out there, so no complaints. Article Source: IANS
Hyderabad Police Nab Jewellery Theft Accused at Goa Casino
City cops cracked a major theft case at a prominent liquor businessman's residence in Banjara Hills, and traced the accused to Goa, where he was found gambling at a casino.
Anmol Ekka's six-goal blitz powers India men into AHF Junior Asia Cup semis
Digital Desk | Moqi, Sep 9 (IANS) Defending champions India stormed into the semi-finals of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 with a ruthless 15-0 demolition of Chinese Taipei in their final Pool A match here on Wednesday. Captain Anmol Ekka was the star of the show, scoring six goals all from penalty corners as India turned a goalless opening quarter into a one-sided contest. The victory took India to the top of Pool A with 10 points from three wins and a draw. South Korea claimed the second semi-final spot from the group with nine points after edging Japan 3-2. Japan, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei were eliminated from the title race and will now feature in the classification matches. India dominated possession and created several openings in the opening 15 minutes but were unable to breach a disciplined Chinese Taipei defence. The breakthrough finally came in the 17th minute when Aryan Xess opened the scoring, with Prabhdeep Singh doubling the lead a minute later. Gursewak Singh made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute before Ekka converted his first penalty corner three minutes later. Arjun Santosh Hargude added another in the 28th minute, and Ekka struck again moments later as India went into half-time with a 6-0 lead. The third quarter belonged almost entirely to India. Ekka converted two early penalty corners to complete his hat-trick and then added another to take his tally to four. Ajeet Yadav also got on the scoresheet in the 35th minute before Ekka converted again in the 45th minute to make it five for the evening and take India into double figures. There was no let-up in the final quarter. Harpal scored in the 48th minute before Ekka completed his remarkable six-goal haul three minutes later with another successful penalty corner. Harpal added his second soon after, while Aryan Xess rounded off the rout with his second goal of the match as India completed a 15-0 victory. The result underlined Indias attacking strength and set-piece efficiency, particularly after they found their rhythm following the first-quarter stalemate. The defending champions now head into the semi-finals with their confidence boosted by a dominant finish to the pool stage.
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 9 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials stated that search operations were conducted at the residences of Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi and those of his close associates under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. Officials are examining alleged illegal investments and financial transactions carried out abroad. The ED on Wednesday conducted searches at more than 15 locations across Bengaluru, Belagavi and Goa in connection with the investigation. The searches included Satish Jarkiholis private residence in Dollars Colony, Bengaluru, his residence in Belagavi and a government-allotted residence in Bengaluru. According to preliminary information, searches were conducted at five locations in Bengaluru, five locations in Belagavi and three locations in Gokak town in Belagavi district. According to officials, a team of more than 25 ED officers arrived in around 18 vehicles and began the searches at around 7 a.m. The premises were secured with the assistance of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The ED team also searched a flat associated with Jarkiholi in Bengaluru and properties linked to his daughter and MP Priyanka Jarkiholi. ED officials are questioning staff members at Minister Satish Jarkiholis government residence in his presence. Officials said the search was initiated after they learned that Jarkiholi was at the residence preparing to attend the Cabinet meeting scheduled for today. Sources said Satish Jarkiholi does not frequently use his private residence in Bengaluru. During the searches, ED officials reportedly took the housekeeper from Dollar's Colony private residence locality along with them for questioning. The searches are part of a FEMA investigation into alleged overseas investments and financial transactions in violation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines. The ED is reportedly examining whether funds were transferred or investments were made in foreign countries, including South Africa and Uganda, and whether such transactions violated FEMA provisions. Officials are also examining documents relating to foreign investments, fund transfers, properties and other financial transactions. Apart from Satish Jarkiholis properties, ED officials also conducted searches at the premises of three of his close associates. The residence of Dr. Girish Sonwalkar, a doctor and reportedly a close associate of the minister, in the Laxmi Tech area of Belagavi city was searched by the officials. Searches were also conducted at the residences of Raju Dharagashetti and Vitthal Parasannavar, two other associates of Jarkiholi, in Gokak. According to sources, the ED conducted searches at around five locations in Belagavi district as part of the operation. The ED is reportedly scrutinising financial records to determine whether there were any violations of FEMA provisions in connection with overseas investments and fund transfers. Sources said Y. Manjunath, a senior Excise Department official and relative of Satish Jarkiholi, had also come under the agencys scanner in connection with alleged irregularities in the Excise Department. Manjunath, who is the Additional Commissioner of Excise for the Belagavi Zone, is reportedly the ministers brother-in-law. The ED had earlier conducted searches at Manjunaths residence and other premises in June. Searches were also carried out at locations in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Mysuru and Athani. Officials had reportedly recovered a diary during an earlier search and gathered details relating to financial transactions. Manjunath is also understood to have properties in Goa. Sources further claimed that investments in Africa were made in the name of Manjunaths wife several years ago. The agency is examining the nature and source of such investments as part of its investigation. Rahul Jarkiholi, son of Satish Jarkiholi, is also reportedly a partner in a business entity linked to the investigation. The ED is examining the financial dealings and business links of persons associated with the case. The latest ED searches have also acquired a political dimension, coming at a time when the Karnataka government headed by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is completing 100 days in office. Satish Jarkiholi, a senior Congress leader from Belagavi, has in recent months figured prominently in discussions within the party, with sections of political circles projecting him as a potential future Chief Ministerial contender. There has also been speculation in some quarters about the possibility of a Dalit Chief Minister. The timing of the ED searches is therefore likely to trigger political reactions, with Opposition parties expected to question the alleged Excise Department irregularities and the financial dealings under investigation. However, the ED searches and investigation do not by themselves establish wrongdoing by Satish Jarkiholi or any of the individuals whose premises were searched. The agencys findings and any subsequent legal proceedings will determine the nature of the alleged violations. The searches were continuing on Wednesday, and further details are awaited from the ED.
India's gross manufacturing leasing posts 49 pc CAGR since 2021
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) India's gross manufacturing leasing has reached a cumulative 69 million sq ft, registering a compound annual growth rate of 49 per cent since 2021, a report said on Wednesday. Indias manufacturing sector is witnessing an unprecedented transformation, with leasing demand for industrial spaces projected to capture 40 per cent of the market by 2030, the report from commercial real estate services firm JLL said. Manufacturing has now emerged as the second-largest occupier segment after third-party logistics (3PL), signaling a fundamental restructuring of Indias industrial real estate hierarchy. Gross absorption touched 19.2 million sq. ft. in 2025, and H1 2026 recorded 10.2 million sq. ft.a 19 per cent year-over-year increase for the first half. With manufacturing leasing absorption forecast to reach approximately 46 million sq. ft. by 2030, the sector's trajectory underscores India's evolution toward becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse aligned with its Vision 2047 aspirations, the report noted. The growth in the manufacturing real estate asset class reflects two distinct yet complementary strategies shaping India's industrial landscape. Tier-I cities are witnessing aggressive leasing of Grade-A facilities as manufacturers prioritise speed-to-market and be capex-light due to paucity of affordable land, said Yogesh Shevade, Managing Director, Industrial & Logistics, India, JLL. Simultaneously, Tier-II markets are seeing manufacturers opt for land acquisition, seeking greater customisation and long-term operational control, Shevade said. Both approaches signal robust manufacturing commitment; whether through leasing or ownership, India is becoming the factory floor of choice, he added. Grade-A properties captured 90 per cent of manufacturing leasing in 2025 and the shift toward high-specification facilities reflects stringent adherence to enhanced building standards, hygiene protocols, and safety norms. Nearly 14 emerging markets including Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh tri-city, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Surat, Nagpur, Nashik, Goa, Indore, Sambhajinagar, Tuticorin, Coimbatore & Vizag are witnessing manufacturers prioritise land transactions over leasing, reflecting diverse regional strategies aligned with specific operational requirements.
Akasa Air, BPCL successfully operate commercial flight using 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Akasa Air and BPCL successfully operated a commercial flight using sustainable aviation fuel. This initiative builds on their July 2026 Memorandum of Understanding to explore decarbonisation. The flight provided valuable insights for future sustainable aviation fuel adoption. India aims for 5% SAF blending by 2030, supporting global emission reduction goals. Akasa Air's fleet and fuel management solutions enhance operational efficiency and environmental progress.
India Storms Into Junior Asia Cup Semis With 15-0 Win
Defending champions India secured their spot in the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament semifinals with a dominant 15-0 victory over Chinese Taipei. Skipper Anmol Ikka was the star of the match, scoring an incredible six goals, all from penalty corners, as India topped Pool A.
Meta launches Muse AI agent to handle everyday tasks for users
New york: Meta launched on Tuesday, September 9, a personal artificial intelligence agent, Muse, for people 18 and over who are looking for help with day-to-day tasks like schedules, shopping and, in the companys words, turning long-term goals into action plans. The parent company of Instagram and Facebook is stressing the safety and privacy features Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Karnataka: ED raids Minister Satish Jarkiholis residences in Bengaluru, Belagavi
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 9 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at around 15 locations across Bengaluru, Belagavi and Goa in connection with alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Excise Department. As part of the operation, ED officials raided the Bengaluru residence of Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi in Dollar's Colony. Searches were also conducted at his residence in Belagavi, as well as a government-allotted residence in Bengaluru. According to officials, a team of more than 25 ED officers arrived in around 18 vehicles and began the searches at around 7 a.m. The premises were secured with the assistance of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The ED team also reportedly searched a flat associated with Jarkiholi in Bengaluru and properties linked to his daughter and MP Priyanka Jarkiholi. Sources said Satish Jarkiholi does not frequently use his Bengaluru private residence. During the searches, ED officials reportedly took the housekeeper along with them for questioning. The searches are reportedly linked to Y. Manjunath, a senior Excise Department official and a relative of Satish Jarkiholi. Manjunath, who is the Additional Commissioner of Excise for the Belagavi Zone, is the minister's brother-in-law. The properties of Manjunath have also been raided in Bengaluru, Belagavi and Goa. The ED had earlier raided Manjunath's residence and other premises linked to his associates on June 24 as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the Excise Department. The agency is reportedly probing an alleged Rs 178-crore excise scam. Officials said the agency had recovered a diary during an earlier search of Manjunath's office and had gathered information from the material. The investigation is also reportedly examining alleged hawala transactions and possible foreign links. Manjunath had earlier approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the investigation. The latest searches have reportedly been carried out by teams from the ED offices in Bengaluru and Goa, with the operation extending to multiple locations. The raids have also acquired a political dimension, coming at a time when the Karnataka government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is marking 100 days in office. The timing of the searches has triggered discussions in political circles, with Opposition leaders likely to raise questions over the alleged excise irregularities and the involvement of officials and political figures. The searches were ongoing as of Wednesday morning, and further details are awaited from the ED.
Dembele, Kane, Mbappe lead Ballon d'Or race as Putellas leads womens field
Last year's winner Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are among the top contenders for the men's Ballon d'Or. The 30 men's and 30 women's nominees were revealed by France Football magazine on Tuesday, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London on Oct. 26. In the women's field, two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay are among the favorites. Aitana Bonmati, the winner of the past three awards, did not make the cut after missing most of the season through injury. She returned at the end of Barcelona's quadruple-winning season that included another Champions League title. Dembele and Mbappe both played for France at the World Cup, where their team lost to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals. Although it's difficult to win the accolade without a major trophy, Mbappe made history when he overtook Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals (22), in fewer games. After claiming a second straight Champions League title with Pari
Real Madrid, Man City off to winning starts in UEFA Champions League
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are off the mark in the Champions League as Real Madrid and Manchester City kicked off their campaigns with wins on Tuesday. Mbappe gave record 15-time champion Madrid an early lead en route to 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. Haaland scored both goals as 2023 winner City beat Porto 2-0. Madrid and City are expected to be among the main challengers to back-to-back defending champion Paris Saint-Germain this season and both will be relying on their star strikers. Mbappe's goal after 14 minutes was his 71st in European club soccer's top competition, while Haaland took his tally to 59 in 59 appearances in the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund beat Villarreal 3-2, and Real Betis won by the same score at Lille. Aston Villa also won 3-2 over Club Brugge and AEK Athens sealed a 1-0 win over LASK. PSG begin their campaign on Wednesday against Slovan Bratislava. Villa kicks off with a win =============== Aston Villa put its dome
Guirassy double lifts Dortmund as Real Madrid, Man City win openers
Digital Desk | Berlin, Sep 8 (IANS) Serhou Guirassy struck twice late on as Borussia Dortmund opened its UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Villarreal, while Real Madrid and Manchester City also made winning starts. Dortmund's victory was overshadowed by a health scare involving Konstantinos Karetsas, who went down without contact during the first half and required lengthy treatment. The 18-year-old Greece international was carried off on a stretcher in the 27th minute and taken to hospital after suffering what the club described as circulatory problems, reports Xinhua. Dortmund later said he was doing well as well as could be expected under the circumstances and would undergo further examinations. Ethan Nwaneri replaced Karetsas, and Dortmund gradually regained their attacking rhythm, although Guirassy was denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi shortly before halftime. The hosts increased the pressure after the restart and went close in the 52nd minute when Pape Gueye's attempted intervention sent the ball against his own post. Dortmund broke the deadlock a minute later when Renato Veiga diverted a dangerous low delivery into his own net. Villarreal responded strongly and equalized in the 66th minute, with Santiago Mourino powering a close-range header inside the near post following a corner. The visitors continued to threaten, but Dortmund's substitutes helped turn the contest back in the hosts' favor. Jobe Bellingham released Fabio Silva down the right in the 80th minute and the Portuguese squared for Guirassy to finish from close range. Guirassy was then fouled inside the penalty area and converted the resulting spot kick in the 85th minute to give Dortmund a 3-1 advantage. Villarreal pulled another goal back in the third minute of stoppage time when Guirassy inadvertently turned Nicolas Pepe's free kick into his own net, but Dortmund survived the late pressure to secure all three points. Elsewhere, Real Madrid punished two costly Inter Milan errors to claim a 2-1 home victory. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring before Federico Valverde capitalized on a mistake by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez to double the hosts' advantage. Carlos Augusto replied for Inter in the 76th minute, but Thibaut Courtois made a series of saves to preserve Real's lead. Erling Haaland scored twice after halftime as Manchester City won 2-0 away to Porto. The Norwegian headed home Enzo Fernandez's cross two minutes after the restart before adding his second from Rayan Ait-Nouri's pass in stoppage time. Real Betis twice came from behind to beat Lille 3-2 in France. Marc Bartra scored both equalizers before Troy Parrott completed the turnaround, while Lille's Ethan Mbappe was sent off following a VAR review. Aston Villa held off a second-half fightback to defeat Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium. John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia and Nicolas Jackson scored for Villa, while Hugo Vetlesen and Nicolo Tresoldi were on target for the hosts. In Tuesday's other match, Razvan Marin curled home a first-half free kick to earn AEK Athens a 1-0 victory over Austrian side LASK.
Ireland's Troy Parrott Strikes Again As Real Betis Seal Comeback Win On Champions League Return
Real Betis fought back from a goal down twice to beat Lille in their first Champions League match after 21 years.
UN chief expected to meet PM Modi during visit to BRICS summit: Spokesperson
Digital Desk | United Nations, Sep 9 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits India this week for the BRICS summit, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The spokesperson said at his briefing on Tuesday (local time) that although the visit has not been officially announced, he could say hat he (the UN chief) will be there at the BRICS summit. And I think you can expect him to meet with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, he added. This will be Guterres' second visit to India this year, and his fifth during his tenure as secretary-general. He had attended the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February. For Guterres, who is in his last four months in office, this may be among his last opportunities as secretary-general to meet PM Modi and Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping, formally or informally, because they will be skipping the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly later this month but attending the BRICS summit. The leaders of the ten-member BRICS are meeting under the dark clouds of two major conflicts, the Iran conflict and the Ukraine War, with far-reaching consequences, even eroding the UN's sustainable development goals and threatening food security in many parts of the world. Leaders of two Gulf adversaries, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, are expected to be there. India, as the chair, has set the summit's theme as 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', ideas that Guterres has promoted in his ten-year run as the UN's head. Additionally, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping of China, and Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran will be at the BRICS summit that starts on September 12. That may be Guterres' last chance as Secretary-General to meet Putin and Xi, formally or informally, because they will be skipping the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly later this month.
Brugge leveled in the 19th with a sweeping, low left-footed shot by Hugo Vetlesen.
Meta launches personal AI agent 'Muse' to help with everyday tasks
Meta launched on Tuesday a personal artificial intelligence agent, Muse, for people 18 and over who are looking for help with day-to-day tasks like schedules, shopping and, in the company's words, turning long-term goals into action plans. The parent company of Instagram and Facebook is stressing the safety and privacy features of the agent, which for now is only available in the US Muse, Meta said, runs on a dedicated, secure virtual machine that houses both the agent and the user's data. People can message the agent in a separate app, called Muse, or message it in WhatsApp. It can handle simple tasks like sending an email or booking travel, or bigger, long-term goals like creating a yearlong exercise plan or setting up a new business. Once a person shares a goal with Muse, it helps them develop a personalised plan and coordinate their time and resources, then advances the work on its own. It can open a browser, fill out forms, and negotiate on their behalf, Meta said in a blog
CA Nitin Kaushik says buying a car requires looking beyond the sticker price and EMI. Buyers should calculate the on-road cost, down payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance and total loan interest. He advises comparing loan and insurance options, protecting emergency savings and stress-testing affordability. A bank-approved car may still strain finances, so the right choice should not compromise other financial goals.
Aqua Avengers Kashmir beat Swift Strikers 3-1 in Kashmir Super League
Srinagar, Sep 8:Aqua Avengers Kashmir produced a commanding display of attacking football as they defeated Swift Strikers 3-1 in Match 5 of the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League on Tuesday. Playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd, Aqua Avengers Kashmir, as per a statement, showed greater attacking intent from the outset, combining movement, pressure and clinical finishing to take control of the contest. Their three-goal performance proved decisive as they maintained their advantage and closed out the match with a convincing victory. Swift Strikers fought back and found the net once, giving themselves an opportunity to make a contest of the game. Aqua Avengers, however, responded with composure and continued to dictate the tempo, eventually securing a 3-1 result. The scoreline reflected a match in which Aqua Avengers Kashmir made their attacking opportunities count. Their ability to maintain pressure across the game and finish key chances separated the two sides on the night. The fixture also carried a strong off-field presence, with noted personalities from the Indian film industry and media attending the match as special guests.
When Modern Medicine Cannot Cure, It Must Still Care
Every practising physician eventually encounters the difficult othing more we can do moment. A patient with advanced malignancy, end-stage renal disease, or progressive motor neuron disease is discharged from a tertiary centre because active curative interventions have reached their ceiling. They return home, many a time to a distant village, with uncontrolled pain, breathlessness, nausea, and an overwhelmed family watching helplessly. This phrasethere is nothing more we can dois fundamentally flawed. Modern medicine may run out of disease-modifying therapies, but it never runs out of ways to relieve suffering. That is the core of palliative care. Redefining the Scope: It Is Not Giving Up Palliative care is frequently confused with hospice or immediate end-of-life care. While terminal care is a part of it, palliative medicine is much broader: it is specialized medical care focused on symptom relief, psychological support, and quality of life for anyone living with a serious, life-limiting or terminal illness and their family. Ideally, palliative care should begin at the time of diagnosis, delivered alongside curative or life-prolonging treatmentsnot merely when they fail. It offers: Symptom Control: Managing refractory pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, and delirium using evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological protocols. Goal Setting & Communication: Helping patients and families make informed choices about difficult medical decisions, including invasive interventions, feeding tubes, and resuscitation before an acute crisis occurs. Caregiver Support: Addressing the emotional, physical, and financial burnout borne by family members managing prolonged illnesses at home. Why Jammu & Kashmir Needs a Robust Palliative Network The need for structured palliative medicine is universal across India, but the unique topography, climate, and healthcare delivery landscape of Jammu & Kashmir make it critical. 1. The Barrier of Geography and Climate For a bedridden patient residing in interiors of Dal Lake, Gurez, Kishtwar, or any other difficult-to-reach areas of Kashmir, travelling to a tertiary health care facility in Srinagar or Jammu for symptom control is not just inconvenientit is physically agonising and financially devastating. Winter roadblocks, difficult connectivity and logistics leave patients stranded with poorly managed symptoms. Palliative care must be decentralised down to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) and home-care level. 2. A Changing Disease Burden J&K is witnessing a notable rise in non-communicable diseases. Beyond high rates of specific malignancies (such as oesophagal, gastric, lung, and colorectal cancers), there is a growing population living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and stroke-related disability. These patients often suffer for years with heavy symptom burdens that fall outside traditional oncology-centric palliative discussions. 3. The Opioid Availability Gap Despite the 2014 amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act simplifying access to Essential Narcotic Drugs (ENDs), oral morphine and fentanyl remain difficult to procure outside a few tertiary institutions. Bureaucratic hesitation, unjustified fear of addiction (opiophobia) among prescribers, and a lack of Recognised Medical Institution (RMI) certifications mean thousands still endure severe, treatable cancer pain. 4. Sustaining the Family Care Model In our region, strong social and familial ties mean families prefer caring for their ailing elders at home. However, goodwill alone cannot manage severe neuropathic pain, malignant ascites, or complex wound care. Without professional home-based palliative support, family caregivers experience intense psychological trauma and financial distress. The Path Forward Building a functional palliative infrastructure in J&K does not require massive capital investment in new hospital towers. It requires sensitization, training, sensible drug policy, and community integration: Raising Awareness and Sensitisation: Public health campaigns must demystify palliative care as an active, supportive service that works in parallel with disease-directed treatments. Simultaneously, institutional sensitisation must target doctors, administrators, nursing staff and community elders to dismantle social stigma, alleviate irrational fears surrounding essential opioid analgesics, and normalize early goals-of-care conversations. Training Frontline Clinicians: Basic palliative care competenciespain assessment, opioid dosing, and difficult communicationshould be integrated into training for medical officers, postgraduates, and nursing staff under the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC). Empowering District Hospitals: Every district hospital should maintain an active RMI license, stock oral morphine, and run designated palliative outpatient and consultation services. Mobilizing Home-Care Teams: Utilizing Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ASHA workers to identify bedridden patients, assist with basic nursing needs (catheter care, pressure sore management), and coordinate with PHC doctors. Modern medicine cannot promise a cure for every condition. But it can- and it should- promise that no patient is left alone to suffer manageable symptoms associated with chronic, lifelong, or terminal illnesses. Palliative care is not a luxury or an afterthought; it is a basic clinical standard and a fundamental human right. Dr Mubashir Hussain Sofi is a Radiation Oncologist with Post-MD Fellowship in Palliative Medicine, focusing on cancer & supportive care in Jammu & Kashmir
GBHSS Zainakote wins National Youth for Earth honour for 2nd time
Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Zainakote, Srinagar, has secured second rank in the Junior Category of the Youth for Earth Award 2026, earning national recognition for the second time after its earlier success in 2024. The school received the award at the International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2026), held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The award carries a cash prize of 30,000. The recognition was conferred for the school's innovative project to develop a plant-based sustainable packaging material from Typha, locally known as Petch, a wetland plant found abundantly across Kashmir. The project was recognised for its potential to provide an environmentally sustainable alternative to plastic packaging while addressing concerns related to waste generation and ecological degradation. According to the organisers, the initiative stood out for its practical application and its integration of environmental conservation with community welfare. By using Typha as a raw material, the project seeks to reduce dependence on plastic-based packaging while also reviving traditional weaving practices associated with the plant and potentially creating livelihood opportunities for local artisans. The award-winning team, SABZ: The Green Guardians of Kashmir, represented the school under the mentorship of Nyla Ali, Eco Club Incharge at the institution. The International Conference on Sustainability Education brought together educators, researchers, policymakers and student innovators from India and abroad to deliberate on contemporary environmental challenges. The conference also provided a platform for young innovators to showcase projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Reacting to the achievement, Principal Tahira Manzoor said the recognition reflected the commitment of the school's students and teachers to innovation and environmental responsibility. Receiving this award for the second time is a matter of immense pride for our institution. It demonstrates the capacity of our students to develop meaningful solutions to real-world challenges and compete successfully at national forums, she said. Mentor teacher Nyla Ali said the award would encourage young innovators working on sustainability-related issues. The project demonstrates how locally available resources can be transformed into sustainable products that benefit both the environment and the community. We hope this recognition inspires more students to engage with environmental problem-solving and social innovation, she said.
Real Madrid beat Inter Milan as Mbappe goal sets Mourinhos men on way
Kylian Mbappe opens the scoring but Real Madrid fail to convince in 2-1 Champions League win against Inter Milan. Real Madrid beat Inter Milan as Mbappe goal sets Mourinhos men on way
From shot-shy to shoot on sight - Villa find a way to win
Aston Villa finally found their shooting boots with three goals at Club Brugge - but their win was not straightforward.
Goas literacy milestone must now translate into greater digital and civic empowerment Yesterday, the world celebrated the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day (ILD). UNESCO is marking it across two days September 8 and 9 in Mexico. Celebrated under the theme Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity, according to UNESCO, ILD 2026 []
Jyoti Bandekar talks to NT BUZZ about her latest book, Tai Smruti Sugandh, which shares memories of her elder sister, late Shashikala Kakodkar, the first woman Chief Minister of Goa RAMNATH N PAI RAIKAR French novelist George Sand had observed that Memory is the perfume of the soul. Memories, with their lingering presence in []
Goans have moved across continents for generations. In his new book, R. Benedito Ferro uses literary references to look at how this history of migration has affected ideas of identity and belonging CHRISTINE MACHADO For centuries, Goa was part of the Portuguese colonial empire, becoming part of India only in 1961. This colonial history connected []
Their half-centuries help Goa reach 174/4 in reply to Vidarbhas 393 Panaji: Goa skipper Snehal Kauthankars unbeaten 62 kept his sides hopes alive after Vidarbha posted 393 in their first innings on the second day of the Dr (Capt) Thimmappiah Memorial Cricket Tournament at the IAF Ground Bengaluruon Tuesday. Vidarbha, resuming at 310/4, were bowled []
Wesley, Urvi win Gaspar Dias Open TT
They emerge champions in the mens and womens category respectively Miramar: Wesley Do Rosario and Urvi Surlakar emerged Mens and Womens champions respectively at the Priority Gaspar Dias Open All Goa Major Ranking Table Tennis Tournament held at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Miramar, in association with the Goa Table Tennis Association. Wesley defeated Aaron []
Ethanol blending: India should consider temporary cut to 15% from 20% target, says ICRIER
India should consider temporarily lowering ethanol blending in petrol to 15% during severe feedstock shortages or sharp food-price pressures, while retaining the 20% target as a long-term goal, an ICRIER paper said. It also recommended greater sugar imports, flexibility in ethanol imports and faster adoption of non-food-based second-generation ethanol.
Villa end goal drought to beat Brugge in UCL opener
Aston Villa finally ended their goal drought as they kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win against Club Brugge on Tuesday.
PSG must leave its 'comfort zone' to win Champions League three-peat, Luis Enrique says
Everyone is excited and motivated to play against us, Luis Enrique said on Tuesday. We have to accept it and step out of our comfort zone. Im ready to show that you have to reinvent yourself every day. PSG is not in the best possible form, taking just two points from three games in Ligue 1 and conceding six goals already.
Dhirendra Shastri on Bengal politicians' radar for 'Pakhandi', 'Ganda Khana' comment
Controversy erupted in West Bengal over remarks by Bageshwar Dham priest Dhirendra Shastri, who allegedly called Bengalis pakhandis over non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Congress leaders filed police complaints seeking action, while BJP leaders defended Bengals tradition of eating fish and meat, particularly goat meat, during the festival.
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) In a major push to make Maharashtras public healthcare system more robust, accessible, high-quality, and technology-driven, the State Cabinet on Tuesday approved the ambitious state-level public health reform initiative titled PRAGATI (Primary Healthcare Reimagined with Advanced Governance and Accessible Technology Integration). Announcing the decision, Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare Prakash Abitkar stated that the project will be implemented over a five-year period from 2026 to 2031 with an overall outlay of Rs 4,250 crore. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will fund 70% of the project cost through a loan of Rs 2,975 crore, while the remaining 30% (Rs 1,275 crore) will be borne by the Government of Maharashtra. The PRAGATI project places a strong emphasis on the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Key priority areas include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), stroke, mental health, diabetic retinopathy, fatty liver disease, palliative care, and hospice services, said Minister Abitkar. Additionally, the initiative will strengthen early screening and diagnostic infrastructure for breast, cervical, and oral cancers. Substantial resources will also be directed toward capacity building for healthcare staff, community counselling, awareness campaigns, and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC). Under the newly introduced Maharashtra Health Technology Mission, the state aims to accelerate digital health transformation. The project will expand the footprint of Electronic health records and integrated health information systems, Telemedicine services, and Advanced digital health applications, the minister said. The objective is to leverage technology to bring healthcare closer to citizens, streamline coordination across primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels, and ensure a seamless continuum of care for patients. To reduce the overburdening of tertiary referral hospitals, the project allocates approximately Rs 1,500 crore in capital expenditure to enhance hospital infrastructure across five key districts, including Kolhapur, Nanded, Pune, Latur and Nagpur. This expansion will add a total of 1,600 hospital beds, allowing advanced diagnostic, treatment, and referral services to be addressed directly at the district level. Minister Abitkar highlighted that the PRAGATI project will transform the public health landscape in Maharashtra. By integrating health services, leveraging digital governance, and enhancing clinical capacity, the initiative is designed to significantly lower out-of-pocket medical expenditures for citizens while accelerating the state's progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
OU toppers look beyond medals, set sights on bigger goals
Russia Will Achieve Goals on Battlefield: Lavrov Warns After US Dialogues With Moscow & Kyiv
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused European governments of blocking Donald Trump from returning to the Ukraine proposals discussed with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage. Lavrov claimed Europe was scared to death of the framework and pressured Trump to abandon initiatives that Moscow had accepted. He also alleged that Emmanuel Macron later celebrated the agreements collapse by declaring that America had returned to the Western position against Russia. Lavrov said no substantive negotiations are currently taking place and warned that Russia will pursue its objectives on the battlefield if compromise diplomacy remains blocked.
Social Justice Ministry officials plan pledge against drug abuse by 10 crore citizens
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Officials of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Tuesday discussed the strategy to mobilise over 10 crore citizens through both physical and online participation to undertake the National Mass Pledge Against Drug Abuse later this month. The pledge has been planned to mark the 6th anniversary of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), said an official statement. As part of ongoing preparations, the third high-level coordination meeting chaired by Joint Secretary (Drug Prevention) Sandeep Rewaji Rathod discussed the plan and the comprehensive strategy to ensure the targeted participation. Rathod briefed the participants about the importance of adopting Whole of the Govt and Whole of the Society approach to mobilise all stakeholders in pursuit of sensitising the common people about the dangers and challenges posed by substance abuse, the meeting said. The meeting was also attended by Director, DoSJE (DP) Astik Kumar Pandey, Under Secretary Arun Kumar Karn, besides other officials of the Ministry. The meeting discussed organising pledge ceremonies across all affiliated offices, educational institutions, autonomous bodies, PSUs and field formations under respective Ministries and Departments, including Railways, Defence, Civil Defence, Youth Affairs and Sports, School and Higher Education, Post, Police, CAPF, NCC, AYUSH, Rural Development, Health and Family Welfare, Revenue, besides social, voluntary, spiritual organisations and social influencers. The Uniform Reporting Mechanism for submission of participation details and outreach was also discussed in the meeting. The NMBA Pledge is an initiative to volunteer for reaching out to the victims of substance abuse. The pledge aims to encourage responsible behaviour to instil a sense of responsibility among people to stay away from drugs, to promote and foster sense of Unity and Commitment for encouraging stakeholders to work together towards a common goal, the statement said. The Pledge further seeks to empower youth to contribute actively to developing a drug-free society. The meeting focused on the evolving spirit among citizens to act as volunteers by registering as Nasha Mukti Mitr through the Departments official website: https://nashamukt.dosje.gov.in/nasha-mukti-mitr. The Union Ministry launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on August 15, 2020, to combat drug demand in the country. Recognising the urgent need for collective action, the Ministry coordinates various initiatives including prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare, public information dissemination, and community awareness. The Ministry is implementing a comprehensive and evidence-based strategy under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The strategy is based on the findings of the first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS, New Delhi. Under NAPDDR, the Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments, Union Territories, NGOs and Government hospitals for preventive education, awareness generation, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation. As on date, the campaign has reached more than 34.42 crore citizens, including over 13.64 crore youth and 10.58 crore women, through nationwide awareness activities. More than 1.65 Lakh Nasha Mukti Mitras (NMM) have also joined the campaign to strengthen community participation.
Ballon d'Or 2026 Nominees: Lionel Messi In, Cristiano Ronaldo Out; Erling Haaland Included In Top 30
Ferran Torres, whose goal against Argentina won the World Cup for Spain in July, leads a 30-man list for the men's Ballon d'Or revealed on Tuesday.
Last Season Was Frustrating Because Injuries Kept Interrupting My Rhythm: Cole Palmer
Having scored 10 goals and provided one assist in 26 league appearances last season despite an injury-disrupted campaign, Cole Palmer will be looking to rediscover his best form for Chelsea
Quote of the Day by Humphrey Bogart: Humphrey Bogarts quote, Aint nothing a man cant do if he believes in himself explores the importance of self-belief, confidence, determination, and personal strength. The quote suggests that believing in your own abilities can give you the courage to face challenges, overcome obstacles, and pursue your goals without allowing fear, doubt, or difficult circumstances to limit your potential.
Ganeshotsav: Maharashtra govt announces toll-free travel to Konkan for devotees
The exemption will apply at toll plazas on Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway 48, Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66 and other roads leading towards Konkan, an official statement said
Consumers more worried about personal finances and jobs, New York Fed report shows
US consumers' inflation outlook remained stable in August, according to a New York Federal Reserve report. Households anticipate the unemployment rate to reach its highest point since the pandemic began. This data comes before a key Federal Reserve policy meeting next week. The upcoming Consumer Price Index report will heavily influence the Fed's interest rate decision. Officials are closely watching inflation progress towards the central bank's two percent goal.
Toxic Box Office Collection Day 14: Yash Starrer Keeps The Big-Screen Run Alive
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is an action thriller set in post-independence Goa.
Quote of the Day by Gary Cooper: Gary Coopers quote, You've got to have a fire under you, and when you're beginning, you've got one all the time. After you get established, you have to create your own fire, and it's never easy explores the importance of motivation, ambition, discipline, and self-drive. The quote suggests that while excitement and external pressure may naturally motivate people when they are starting out, long-term success requires creating your own inner motivation to keep improving, working toward goals, and staying committed even when the initial enthusiasm fades.
Realty firms must adopt scientific temperament, build sustainable housing projects: MoHUA Secy
A housing ministry spokesperson has encouraged real estate companies to implement sustainable development practices, including the incorporation of green spaces and effective water recycling systems. The spokesperson also recommended aligning future projects with the goals outlined in the Delhi Master Plan 2047. Emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship, the ministry reassured builders that it is receptive to industry feedback as they work through the master plan's guidelines.
Quote of the day by Ken Watanabe offers a practical view of career growth and life choices. Success rarely follows a perfect plan. Work, relationships and unexpected changes can shift our direction. His words explore why uncertainty is normal and why every setback does not mean failure. This life wisdom can help readers handle career decisions, self-doubt and changing goals with greater perspective.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai. He highlighted India's strong economic growth despite global challenges. The Prime Minister expressed increased confidence in achieving a Viksit Bharat goal. He noted expanding opportunities and growing risk-taking capabilities among youth. The event's theme focused on agentic AI and tokenisation for inclusive finance.
Bajaj Finance acquires 5% stake in TrueFan AI as part of Finserv Intelligence
Bajaj Finance has completed a five percent equity investment in TrueFan AI, a move that aligns with Bajaj Finserv's commitment to fostering applied research and driving innovation. This investment will focus on tech startups that demonstrate significant scalability. TrueFan's platform is already being utilized for enhancing customer engagement, with the goal of expanding efforts in personalized marketing and AI-enhanced communication.
Liverpool right-back signing offered for free, but a squad rule could block it
Highlights: Liverpool have been offered free agent Dani Carvajal, the former Real Madrid right-back, according to TEAMtalk, with Manchester City and Fulham also given the chance to sign him. Carvajal, 34, left Real Madrid this summer after 13 years and 29 trophies, including six Champions League titles, but Liverpool haven't made any firm commitment to a deal. Liverpool's non-homegrown squad quota is already full for this season, meaning even if they wanted him, registering Carvajal before January might not be possible. Liverpool 's right-back position has been unsettled for over a year, ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid. Now, in an odd twist, a route back to stability may be sitting with one of the players Alexander-Arnold used to line up against for club and country. Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid's captain until this summer, has been offered to Liverpool on a free transfer. Whether they can actually take him is a separate question entirely. Why does Liverpool even need this? Because nothing at right-back has settled since Alexander-Arnold's exit. Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen as his direct replacement, but Frimpong has struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Conor Bradley, the other recognised option, has been out injured for months. Last season, Arne Slot leaned on Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as makeshift right-backs, but Jones has since completed a 30m move to Inter Milan, closing off that option entirely. Into that gap stepped Ronald Araujo, a natural centre-back signed on loan from Barcelona, who played right-back against Ipswich Town and helped Liverpool to a comfortable 2-0 win alongside fellow summer arrival Jeremy Jacquet. It wasn't a spectacular performance. It was a solid one, and solid is exactly what the position has been missing. So why is Carvajal even being discussed? Because his resume makes it impossible not to. Across 13 years at Real Madrid, Carvajal won 29 trophies, six Champions Leagues and four LaLiga titles among them, plus Euro 2024 with Spain. Very few available free agents anywhere in Europe carry that level of pedigree. Transfermarkt lists his market value at just 7 million, reflecting his age rather than what he's actually won, and intermediaries have been sounding out Liverpool, Manchester City and Fulham on his behalf since his Real Madrid contract expired in July. The situation, as it stands Carvajal's status Free agent since July Clubs offered the deal Liverpool, Manchester City, Fulham Carvajal's age 34 Trophies won at Real Madrid 29, including 6 Champions Leagues Liverpool's stated position No firm commitment made Registration obstacle Non-homegrown quota already full What's actually stopping Liverpool from just signing him? Premier League squad rules. Clubs can register a maximum of 25 senior players, with no more than 17 of those non-homegrown, and Liverpool have already reached that non-homegrown limit for the current season. Even if Liverpool decided today that they wanted Carvajal, there's a real chance they couldn't officially register him until the January transfer window opens, turning what looks like a simple free transfer into a logistical puzzle before it's even a footballing decision. What's happening elsewhere in this window? Arsenal are keeping tabs on Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney as a potential backup option behind Kai Havertz, should Viktor Gykeres leave the club. Toney, 30, has started the Saudi Pro League season strongly, with six goals in five matches, but Arsenal's interest is described as monitoring rather than active pursuit for now, a much earlier stage than Liverpool's Carvajal situation.
Quote of the day by Henry Ford, If you don't think of the future, you won't have one, explains why planning, goal setting and preparation matter. The quote connects future thinking with action, adaptability and decision-making. Henry Fords life also shows how planning and innovation can shape business, production, workers, markets and society while failure can follow when leaders stop adapting.
No villages in India achieved SDGs as of 2021, study estimates
As of 2021, Indian villages faced significant challenges in meeting multiple sustainable development goals, with gaps in access to essential services and health insurance coverage. Interestingly, nearly all villages reached targets regarding adolescent pregnancies. These findings underscore the importance of tailored strategies for different communities, indicating that stronger local data systems are essential for achieving future progress.
India has built an exponentially large digital payments ecosystem, claiming 49% of the global share in digital transactions. As scale moves down the priority list, the next important goal to achieve is trust. At the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai Suresh Sethi, Group Country Manager, India and South Asia, Visa, will discuss why trust should be a part of the system by default and what Visa is doing to build the trust infrastructure through identity, authentication, tokenisation, risk intelligence, cyber resilience, and interoperability.
Who is UK-raised goalkeeper George Kamurasi, set to become a king in Uganda?
US seeks more access to Venezuela's mineral wealth after tapping its oil, sources say
The Trump administration seeks increased access to Venezuela's mineral wealth. This effort aims to secure critical minerals for national security interests. US companies are being consulted about potential investments in the mining sector. Previous authorizations have already opened pathways for Venezuelan mineral transactions. This strategy aligns with broader US goals in Latin America.
I want to prove a point at Chelsea: Palmer ready to put injury struggles behind him
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is determined to make his mark in the 2026-27 Premier League season after an injury-hit campaign last year, with the England international saying he has regained both his fitness and confidence and is ready to express himself under new manager Xabi Alonso. Palmer scored 10 goals and registered one assist in 26 league appearances last season, but injuries repeatedly disrupted his campaign. The 24-year-old believes the physical setbacks also affected him mentally, making it difficult to regain his natural rhythm on the pitch. Last season was frustrating because injuries kept interrupting my rhythm. When you go out injured, doubts start to creep in. You second-guess every movement; you hesitate because you remember how it felt when it hurt. That kind of mental block can be harder to overcome than the injury itself. But I've moved past that now. I'm fully fit, and my head is clear. I know what I can do on the pitch, and I'm determined to show it this season. I want to prove a point at Chelsea, Palmer said speaking in an interview shared by JioStar. Alonso's arrival has also given Palmer a clear idea of what is expected of him. Rather than restricting his attacking instincts, the Chelsea manager has encouraged him to play freely and use his movement to exploit space in the final third. Before the season started, Xabi Alonso told me to just be free on the pitch. He knows what I'm capable of when I'm confident. He wants me to find spaces, move into dangerous areas, and make things happen. That kind of trust from a manager gives you a lot of belief. I feel like I can express myself without fear. I know where I can hurt the opposition, and he wants me to go out and do that. That's what he told me. Palmer will also have a new attacking partnership to develop this season following the arrival of Morgan Rogers. The Chelsea forward revealed that he had spoken to Rogers before the move and believes their contrasting qualities could make them effective together. I spoke to Morgan Rogers before he arrived at Chelsea and told him he'll make a big difference here. We're bringing in other players too, so the squad is looking strong. I genuinely believe we can achieve something special together. Morgan and I are different kinds of players, he brings more physicality and power, while I'm more technical and creative. That balance should work well for us on the pitch. I think we can complement each other and help the team move forward. The pair have already shared a memorable celebration, with Rogers' trademark cold celebration making an appearance after Chelsea's game against Fulham. Palmer suggested supporters may see the two teammates recreate the moment together. We haven't really talked about the cold celebration after scoring. I knew Morgan would do it anyway because it's his style, but we've never actually discussed whether we'll do it together or not. It happened in the Fulham game, and we're going to do it again together soon. I guess we'll figure it out when the moment comes. With fitness no longer dominating his preparations, Palmer's focus is now on translating his confidence into performances for Chelsea as the new Premier League campaign unfolds.
Your investments need a glide path as the goal gets closer. Heres how it works
Sebis new life cycle funds automatically shift money from equity to debt as maturity nears, reducing the need for investors to rebalance or time the market.
Government should adopt flexible approach to ethanol-blended petrol programme: ICRIER paper
A research paper recommends flexibility in India's ethanol blending program targets. It suggests maintaining E20 as a long-term goal while allowing temporary E15 reductions. This approach would respond to agricultural shocks and manage economic costs effectively. The paper advocates for a flexible feedstock strategy to avoid food market pressure.
Can you name every English player to score 5+ Champions League goals?
You've got 15 minutes to get them all. The post Can you name every English player to score 5+ Champions League goals? appeared first on Planet Football .
Govt should adopt flexible approach to ethanol-blending programme: ICRIER
The government should be flexible with its Ethanol Blended Petrol programme, maintaining the E20 target as a long-term goal while allowing for a temporary reduction to E15 when domestic ethanol availability is insufficient, according to a research paper from ICRIER. The paper, titled Food vs Fuel: Recalibrating India's Ethanol Blending Strategy, said the choice between maintaining E20, importing ethanol and temporarily reducing blending should ultimately depend on their relative economic costs under prevailing conditions. Such a mechanism would allow the programme to respond to temporary agricultural shocks without compromising the longer-term objective, the paper co-authored by agricultural economist Ashok Gulati said. India has rapidly expanded its Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. Ethanol is produced from agricultural commodities such as sugarcane, maize and surplus rice. The final safeguard should be flexibility in the blending rate itself. The 20 per cent target can
Eating meat here is...: WB Min on Bageshwar Baba's diktat
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh asserted that eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja is not controversial, countering Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri's call for vegetarianism. Ghosh highlighted Bengal's traditions, including goat sacrifice as prasad, and criticised attempts to dictate food choices or government involvement in community pujas. He also touched upon a controversy regarding an 11-handed Durga idol.
LIC expects no immediate govt stake sale
Mumbai: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) does not expect any further government stake sale in the insurer in the immediate future, LIC Chief Executive Officer R Doraiswamy said on Tuesday, while underlining the company's focus on long-term investment and expansion.Speaking exclusively to in Mumbai, Doraiswamy said the government has sufficient time to meet the mandated public shareholding requirement and that any further stake sale would be undertaken as per the government's decision.We do not expect any further offloading in the immediate future. But the government will follow the course as per the mandate given, Doraiswamy said.LIC was listed on the stock exchanges in May 2022 after the government sold a 3.5 per cent stake through an initial public offering. The government currently remains the majority shareholder.On LIC's equity investment strategy and its plans to increase its stake in ICICI Bank, Doraiswamy said the insurer continuously reviews its holdings depending on market opportunities and its cash-flow requirements.We keep increasing and decreasing our stake in companies based on the opportunities available and the requirement of cash flow to manage our liabilities, he said.He added that LIC's investment decisions are guided by the regulatory framework and the need to create long-term value.Whether it is an institution or an individual company, that is something which we look at if we have to keep on creating long-term value. We are governed by a regulatory framework in respect of how much we can hold in a company, Doraiswamy said.On asset allocation and the possibility of investing in alternative asset classes such as private equity and credit, the LIC chief said policyholder interest and capital safety would remain the key considerations.We look at all possible investment opportunities based on the regulatory framework governing insurance and the safety of the policyholder funds. Having a very long-term liability, safety of this capital, providing a predictable return which should be in the interest of all stakeholders is important, he said.Doraiswamy also expressed a positive view of the Indian equity market, saying LIC looks at investments from a long-term perspective rather than reacting to short-term market movements.We are looking at the market not for short-term mortality; we are looking at long-term prospects. The current situation has resulted in a range of interest rates that provides an opportunity for investing and locking in our long-term returns, he said.On insurance penetration, Doraiswamy said India continues to have significant untapped potential, particularly among sections of the population that remain underserved.The market is very big with potential for growing insurance protection in India. We are looking at reaching every reachable person in the country by insurance protection, both offline and online, as part of the government initiative, he said.He said LIC is also working to simplify the claims process and reduce paperwork for policyholders. For maturity claims, the corporation is moving towards a system where eligible customers would not need to undertake additional formalities.For maturity claims, we are taking steps in such a way that our policyholders do not have to do anything. We check whether they are still connected and we disburse directly, Doraiswamy said.Outlining LIC's strategy for the next three to five years, he said technology, customer focus and a greater contribution from protection and retirement-oriented products would be central to the company's growth.Our strategy relies on remaining technology-enabled and customer-focused, with contributions from protection and retirement savings funds driving our growth momentum, he said.On product innovation and the government's goal of Insurance for All by 2047, Doraiswamy said LIC is expanding its product offerings, including Platinum plans and term insurance products.He said rising financial awareness, India's economic growth and an expanding distribution network would support wider insurance coverage and make the goal of achieving insurance for all by 2047 realistic.
Comparing how long it took Erling Haaland to reach 300 club career goals with Messi, Ronaldo
How does Haaland compare to three greats? The post Comparing how long it took Erling Haaland to reach 300 club career goals with Messi, Ronaldo & Mbappe appeared first on Planet Football .
'My Best Game Comes Under Pressure': Ishan On Record-breaking 270 In Duleep Trophy Final
Duleep Trophy Final: India batter and East Zone captain Ishan Kishan believes the pressure of big matches brings out the best in him, as he reflected on his monumental 270 in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Kishan produced one of the finest knocks in Duleep Trophy history, smashing 270 off 334 balls with 30 fours and seven sixes to help East Zone post a mammoth 708 in their first innings. His knock is the eighth-highest individual score in the history of the competition. Speaking in a BCCI video ahead of the start of Day 3, Kishan said he thrives in situations where the stakes are high and pressure is mounting. I think when its a big match, theres a kind of pressure. And I feel that in that pressure, my best game comes, because when youre batting, youre a little nervous, but at the same time, youre aggressive too. Youre watching; if you get the ball, youll hit it. So I think its a very good mixture of calm and being aggressive. So it works a lot for me when there are such stages, where either the wickets have fallen early. Whenever Im in such situations, I enjoy it a lot, Kishan said. Kishans approach during the marathon innings was built around patience and playing according to the situation rather than chasing personal milestones. He said he constantly broke the teams target into smaller goals while batting. Rather than thinking about your own batting, you have your team goal. What will benefit the team? So when you move forward according to that, your batting becomes very good. If the total has reached 400 now, lets do 450 first. Then lets do 450 to 500. So, you know, this is a process that you go through, Kishan said. The left-hander also explained how he dealt with the challenging conditions and a softening ball at Chepauk, where the large boundaries demanded considerable effort from the batters. Its very difficult. You have to put in a lot of effort to hit shots. The boundary on one side was very big. The ball was getting soft in between. So you had to put in a lot of effort for the boundary, Kishan said. Kishan also revealed how he adjusted his technique against Mohammad Siraj, particularly when the pacer attempted to unsettle him with short deliveries. When Siraj was putting in, I was batting more bent down. It wasnt to tackle the bouncer. But it was to avoid throwing the wicket. If I go to hit it and get out somewhere, he said. Kishan initially shared a major partnership with Kumar Kushagra, who scored 101 off 132 balls, before continuing his assault against a tiring South Zone attack. Kushagras dismissal for 101 came shortly before lunch, but Kishan continued to dominate, reaching his double century off 270 balls. He then accelerated further and moved beyond 250 before briefly retiring due to fatigue. He returned to the crease after Mohammed Shamis quickfire 28 and attempted to push towards a rare triple century. However, with wickets falling at the other end, Kishan was eventually caught near the long-on boundary for 270, leaving him 30 runs short of the landmark. Reflecting on the innings, Kishan said the quality of his strokeplay gave him confidence throughout the long stay at the crease. He returned to the crease after Mohammed Shamis quickfire 28 and attempted to push towards a rare triple century. However, with wickets falling at the other end, Kishan was eventually caught near the long-on boundary for 270, leaving him 30 runs short of the landmark. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories East Zones mammoth total has also put them in a commanding position in the final, with South Zone facing a daunting task against the side led by their inspirational captain. Article Source: IANS
Bengal BJP minister backs non-veg during Durga Puja, pushes back against Bageshwar Baba
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh stated non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja is not controversial. He referenced Bageshwar Baba's appeal for vegetarianism, noting saints advocate for health. Ghosh defended Bengal's tradition of consuming goat meat as prasad. He criticized past governments for dictating people's food choices. The minister also questioned government funding for community pujas.
AI & Automation - the Future of Citizen-Centric Manufacturing MSMEs
New Delhi [India], September 8: India's manufacturing MSMEs are not merely business enterprises; they are engines of employment, innovation, exports and inclusive economic growth. They supply critical components to large industries, support domestic value chains, and provide livelihoods to millions of families across urban and rural India. Their success is therefore inseparable from the nation's broader development goals.
Most large organisations think full digital sovereignty is unrealistic, Capgemini finds
Digital sovereignty has arrived in the boardroom and has immediately been downgraded. Some 93% of large organisations have now discussed it at the board level, and 59% say full digital sovereignty is not a realistic goal, according to a Capgemini Research Institute surveyof 1,300 business and technology executives published on Tuesday. What has replaced the [] This story continues at The Next Web
BITS Pilani Jr. Officer Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani (BITS Pilani) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for 1 Jr. Officer post. Eligible candidates can apply online on or before 12 September 2026 through the official website, bits-pilani.ac.in/goa.
Hockey: India men beat South Korea 7-3, inch closer to Jr Asia Cup SF
Digital Desk | Moqi, Sep 9 (IANS) India rout South Korea 7-3 on Tuesday to strengthen their position at the top of Pool A of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026. The victory took Indias tally to seven points from three matches, comprising two wins and a draw, and left them within touching distance of a semi-final berth. The defeat, meanwhile, left South Korea at six points, with a difficult final Pool A fixture against Japan, who take on Indonesia later on Tuesday and remain in the race to semis at four points. India will face Chinese Taipei in their last pool match on Wednesday, knowing that a victory will seal their place in the semi-finals. The contest remained finely balanced for much of the match, with South Korea matching India goal for goal, but the defending champions raised the intensity in the closing stages of the third quarter before producing a decisive three-goal burst in the final quarter. Captain and star dragflicker Anmol Ekka once again led Indias scoring effort, netting twice to take his tournament tally to eight goals. The match was played on a knifes edge in the opening three quarters, with neither side willing to concede an inch. India made the brighter start and took the lead in the fifth minute when Anmol converted a penalty corner. However, South Korea responded almost immediately, with Dohyeon Choi finding the back of the net from a penalty corner in the very next minute to restore parity at 1-1 The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Lovenoor Singh put India back in front with a field goal in the 18th minute, but South Korea once again found a quick response. Hyoguk Yoo scored from a penalty corner within the next 60 seconds to make it 2-2. India, however, ensured they carried the advantage into the half-time interval. Ajeet Yadav struck in the 20th minute to restore Indias one-goal cushion and give them a 3-2 lead at the break. South Korea refused to relent after the restart and continued to test the Indian defence. Yoo was once again at the heart of their attacking effort, scoring his second goal of the match just six minutes into the third quarter, which brought the Koreans level for the third time at 3-3. With the match seemingly heading into the final quarter all square, India produced an important response. Prabhdeep Singh found the breakthrough towards the end of the third quarter, restoring Indias lead at 4-3 in the 42nd minute, giving his side the momentum heading into the final 15 minutes. The two teams continued to trade attacks during the early stages of the fourth quarter, but India eventually broke the game open with a remarkable three-goal burst in the space of just three minutes. Gursewak Singh extended Indias advantage in the 55th minute before Anmol struck again a minute later off a penalty corner to make it 6-3. Aryan Xess then completed the decisive spell in the 58th minute as Indias relentless pressure produced a seventh goal for a 7-3 win.
Junior Hockey Team Nears Semifinals After Thrashing South Korea
The Indian junior men's hockey team defeated South Korea 7-3 in a thrilling Asia Cup match, with Captain Anmol Ekka scoring twice. The victory puts India within reach of a semifinal berth, needing a win against Chinese Taipei in their final pool match. India's decisive three-goal burst in the final quarter secured the win after a closely contested game.
Rs 10 Lakh Goal: How Much Should Be In Stocks, Gold And Fixed Income?
Building a Rs 10 lakh portfolio is an important milestone. It is the first step towards building long-term wealth through the power of compounding.
India, Sweden aim to leverage AI and emerging tech to foster innovation
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) India and Sweden aim to leverage AI and emerging technologies to strengthen innovation, enterprise adoption and technology-led growth, while fostering responsible and trusted AI ecosystems, according to the government. Sweden brings deep industrial, research, and advanced manufacturing expertise, while India offers unmatched scale, digital public infrastructure, and a vast pool of AI talent and testing environments, said Saurabh Vijay IAS, CEO, IndiaAI Mission. Agnes Julin, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden in India, said that with a clear roadmap focused on trade, regulation, and bridging innovative startups, our shared goal is to keep the doors wide open for business opportunities in AI and electronics between India and Sweden as we navigate this tech revolution together. The IndiaAI Mission held a bilateral dialogue here with a delegation from Sweden under the Sweden-India Technology and AI Corridor (SITAC). It brought together senior representatives from MeitY, IndiaAI Mission, the Embassy of Sweden in India, Business Sweden and leading Swedish companies to discuss Indias evolving AI ecosystem, digitalisation priorities and opportunities for deeper bilateral engagement in AI. IndiaAI also presented an overview of Indias AI ecosystem and digital roadmap, highlighting the opportunities emerging for Swedish companies across Indias rapidly expanding AI landscape. The presentation outlined the key priorities of the IndiaAI Mission, including compute capacity, datasets and models, indigenous and domain-specific AI, application development, future skills, start-up financing and Safe and Trusted AI, according to an official statement. The discussions further focused on the policy, infrastructure and governance conditions shaping enterprise AI adoption in India, including data governance, localisation, responsible AI and market access. The meeting brought together leading Swedish companies and representatives from Indias AI and technology ecosystem, including Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Zenteiq, Avataar AI, Innefu, CoRover.ai, Gnani and Globals ITES. The participation of Indian AI and technology companies provided the Swedish delegation with an opportunity to gain insights into Indias enterprise AI capabilities, technology solutions and deployment-ready innovations, said the statement.
Pochettino calls for change in US mindset after Pulisic's Gold Cup snub
US coach Mauricio Pochettino vowed to change the attitude and habits of the American national team as he starts a second term, appearing to refer to star Christian Pulisic's decision to skip the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. It was difficult to make the roster for the Gold Cup one year before because the mindset was different, Pochettino said Monday during an online question-and-answer session with reporters. You say, 'If I play, I have not holidays. I cannot arrive fresh for the World Cup.' ... You know now that is bull----. Pochettino said his goal is to change this type of idea that are not right. Pulisic, the top American player, took himself out of consideration for the 2025 Gold Cup citing the need to rest after his season with AC Milan and the hope to be fresh for the 2026 World Cup. He didn't score in four World Cup appearances this year, missing one group-stage match because of a calf injury and leaving the Americans' round of 16 loss to Belgium on July 6 after fracturing h
Rybakina downs Osaka in US Open 2026; set to meet Zheng in quarterfinal
Elena Rybakina overpowered Naomi Osaka at the U.S. Open and is a win away from the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis. She just has to beat Zheng Qinwen, which won't be easy. Even when Zheng goes down - way, way down - she refuses to stay there. Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinals Monday with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Osaka in a matchup of power-hitting Grand Slam champions. The No. 2-seeded Rybakina is guaranteed to replace Aryna Sabalenka atop the WTA rankings if she reaches the semifinals in Flushing Meadows. Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who wouldn't wish this, but definitely that's one of my goals, Rybakina said. I try to approach the same way, try to do everything I can, fight until the end my next match and let's see what's going to happen. Trying to stop her will be Zheng, who made a daring escape from a 5-0 deficit for the second straight match. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist from China beat No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 to become the first qualifier to reac
Dr Imran Majid awarded prestigious Dr Mulekar Oration at National ACSI conference in Goa
Dr Imran Majid, Director of the Cutis Institute of Dermatology, Srinagar, has been conferred the prestigious Dr Mulekar Oration at the National Conference of the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India (ACSI) held in Goa on September 5, 2026. The distinguished academic honour recognises Dr Majids longstanding and significant contributions to the field of vitiligo research and vitiligo surgery. Dr Majid delivered the oration titled 'My Journey in Vitiligo Research and Vitiligo Surgery,' in which he shared his several-decade journey in the field, encompassing clinical research, innovations in vitiligo treatment, targeted phototherapy and surgical techniques for repigmentation. Dr Majid is regarded as one of the prominent dermatologists in India working in the field of vitiligo. His academic and clinical work has focused extensively on improving outcomes for patients with vitiligo, including the use of targeted phototherapy, medical therapies and surgical repigmentation procedures. With more than 100 research publications and around 2000 citations, Dr Majid has made notable contributions to academic dermatology and is recognised for his work in vitiligo and dermatosurgery. The honour marks a significant milestone in his career and brings national recognition to the contributions from J&K in the field of dermatology and vitiligo care.
Lazio Fight Back At Udinese To Stay Perfect In Serie A
Lazio fought back in the second half to score more than one goal for the first time this season and win 2-1 at Udinese on Monday and remain perfect in Serie A.
De Zerbi urges patience as Tottenham struggle for goals
Nottingham, Sep 7: Roberto De Zerbi has urged Tottenham supporters to remain patient after his expensively assembled side endured another frustrating Premier League outing, drawing 0-0 at Nottingham Forest to remain without a league goal after three matches. The stalemate at the City Ground ended Tottenhams losing start to the campaign, following defeats against Brentford []
Ganderbal, Sep 7: Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) on Monday started its LEAD Lecture Series with the first Luminary Lecture on Geopolitics and International Relations, delivered by Lt General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, Governor of Bihar and Chancellor, CUKashmir, at Tulmulla Campus. Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Hasnain lauded the Universitys achievements and appreciated its lecture initiatives stating that the Universitys presence had added vibrancy to Ganderbal and was contributing to its economic development. Reflecting on Ganderbals strategic significance, Lt Gen Hasnain observed that the district occupies an important position in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly as a vital axis towards Ladakh. He noted that the Srinagar-Leh axis had played a crucial role during the Kargil conflict and remained strategically important, with the Zojila Tunnel further strengthening connectivity. He said the expansion of businesses, showrooms and cafeterias indicated economic progress. Emphasising the transformative power of knowledge, Lt Gen Hasnain said the universitys contribution to society extended far beyond conventional teaching and learning. Deliberating upon Bihars intellectual heritage, he said that knowledge had historically travelled from ancient centres such as Pataliputra and Nalanda across India and beyond, and said CUKashmir was bringing knowledge and new possibilities to Ganderbal. He called upon students to develop into scholar warriors by cultivating multidisciplinary knowledge and intellectual curiosity. In todays world, knowledge is everything, he said, stressing that students should acquire familiarity with political science, history, geography and economics alongside their core disciplines. Lt Gen Hasnain highlighted dialogue, debate and accepting differing viewpoints. He said the younger generation was questioning established ideas and educators should encourage students to examine assumptions, seek evidence and recognise when they were wrong. The ability to discuss differences and arrive at compromise, he maintained, was essential for managing conflict and building a harmonious society. Dwelling on Jammu and Kashmirs changing environment, he said the return of peace had created an opportunity for youth to reclaim lost time and realise their potential. He urged students to develop skills, nurture positive ideas and use available opportunities. Lt Gen Hasnain called for greater academic focus on disaster management, particularly in disaster-prone Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to earthquakes, floods, climate-related hazards, glacier-related risks and debris flows, in the context of recent tragedy in Nepal, he said universities had an important role in awareness, research and preparing communities to respond effectively. He suggested that disaster management should be pursued regularly as an academic and research area. On Indias global position, Lt Gen Hasnain said the country was making significant economic progress and enhancing its standing internationally. He emphasised geo-economics alongside geopolitics and said Indias diversity and ability to function cohesively constituted a major strength. He also underscored academic exchange, welcoming students from different parts of India to CUKashmir and encouraging students from Kashmir to pursue learning opportunities elsewhere. Welcoming the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath said the University was privileged to host Lt Gen Hasnain and described his presence as a source of motivation and inspiration. He said CUKashmir was expanding its academic and infrastructural footprint and was committed to create a campus that would emerge among the best in the country. He informed that CUKashmir currently has 21 departments and nine schools, with four additional departments and two more schools proposed for the next academic year. He said the University had introduced more than seven new programmes during the last three years across general, professional, technical, vocational and emerging domains. Prof. A Ravinder Nath highlighted CUKashmirs growing diversity, noting that students from several States constituted nearly 20 percent of enrolment, while faculty members represented many States. He said the University was redesigning curricula in line with NEP 2020, incorporating the Indian Knowledge System, design thinking, innovation and Sustainable Development Goals. He also announced plans for specialised centres, including a Centre for Geopolitics and International Relations, public policy and economics, and comparative religion and social sciences. In her speech, Dean International Affairs and member of the LEAD Lecture Series committee, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, presented the framework of the initiative. She said the LEAD Lecture Series was designed to develop life-coping skills, professionalism and ethical practices, inspire innovation, promote knowledge creation and contribute to a strong nation. Aligned with UGC benchmarks, NAAC criteria and NEP 2020, the framework comprises Luminary, Expert and Distinguished Lecture Series. The Luminary component will feature transformational lectures by leaders and visionaries; the Expert series will connect students with subject experts, industry leaders and researchers; while the Distinguished series will focus on advanced discussions on research, policy and global trends. Dean Academic Affairs, and Organising Committee Chairman, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of Departments, senior administrative functionaries, faculty members, research scholars and students were present. Workshop inaugurated Earlier, the CUKashmir Chancellor, inaugurated the newly established Central Workshop of the Department of Civil Engineering at the Tulmulla Campus. The state-of-the-art facility brings together specialised trade shops under one roof, providing a workspace with 58 training stations per batch. Equipped with modern facilities for carpentry, welding, woodworking and pattern making, machining, fitting and bench work, sheet-metal work, engineering testing, and electrical and electronics training, the Central Workshop is designed to provide students with valuable hands-on learning and practical exposure, Dr. Asif Hussain Shah, Coordinator, Central Workshop, said in his presentation to the dignitaries. Lt General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain complimented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, faculty and administration for the setting up of the workshop, describing it as an impressive facility and underscoring its significance for civil engineering in a region exposed to diverse weather and climatic conditions.
Amid global turmoil, India maintained momentum of its economic growth: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said India had maintained the momentum of its economic growth despite global geopolitical turmoil as it engaged with other countries and built strategic partnerships in key areas. He asserted Indias reach in the diplomatic world was increasing and it had concluded nine free trade agreements (FTAs) by 2026, noting wider economic engagement helped the country record GDP growth rate of 7.8 per cent for the first quarter (April-June) of the financial year 2026-27. Addressing a function organised in Panaji to confer the Presidents Colour on the Goa Police, Shah said the global diplomatic landscape had remained turbulent over the past years due to the Russia-Ukraine war and now the conflict involving the US, Iran and Gulf countries. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to 22 countries over the past year, while heads of state from around 15 countries visited India during the same period. At a time when the whole world was grappling with uncertainty over its economic growth because of this (geopolitical) turmoil, we engaged with other countries, presented strategic partnerships and maintained the momentum of our economic growth, Shah stressed. India has entered into concrete agreements in areas such as defence, technology, energy, investment and trade, he noted. Shah said India had concluded nine free trade agreements by 2026, while FTAs had been proposed with 38 countries as effective trade arrangements. India was pursuing FTAs with the UAE, Australia, the UK, Oman, New Zealand and the European Union with the objective of increasing trade, stated the Union minister. This is also one of the reasons why, in the first quarter of this (fiscal) year, our GDP recorded a robust growth of 7.8 per cent, Shah said. Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant was also present for the function.
Sanctorum North United FC beat United Elegant FC 3-2
Srinagar, Sep 7: Sanctorum North United FC defeated United Elegant FC 3-2 in a thrilling encounter in the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League (KSL) Season 2 at the TRC Ground here on Monday. The five-goal contest, as per a statement, produced an intense battle between the two sides, with both teams showing attacking intent throughout the match. Sanctorum North United FC eventually held their nerve to secure all three points. For United Elegant FC, Fredrick Marshal and Aakif Reshi found the net, scoring one goal each. Sanctorum North United FC's goals came from Ifham Tariq, Raha Musharraf and Farhan Magray, with the trio helping their side edge the contest 3-2. The victory gives Sanctorum North United FC a valuable points in their KSL Season 2 campaign, while United Elegant FC will look to bounce back in their next fixture. Meanwhile, the KSL Season 2 action will continue on Tuesday when Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC take on Swift Strikers FC Rainawari at the TRC Ground. The fixture will provide both teams with another opportunity to strengthen their position in the competition as the six franchises battle for the KSL crown. The second edition of the league features United Elegant FC, Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC, Athwas India XI FC, Sanctorum North United FC, New JK United FC and Swift Strikers FC Rainawari.
Central University of Kashmir launches LEAD series with Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnains lecture
Central University of Kashmir (CU Kashmir) on Monday started its LEAD Lecture Series with the first Luminary Lecture on Geopolitics and International Relations, delivered by Lt General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, Honble Governor of Bihar and Chancellor, CU Kashmir, at the Tulmulla Campus. Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Hasnain lauded the Universitys achievements and appreciated its lecture initiatives, stating that the Universitys presence had added vibrancy to Ganderbal and was contributing to its economic development. Reflecting on Ganderbals strategic significance, Lt Gen Hasnain observed that the district occupies an important position in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly as a vital axis towards Ladakh. He noted that the Srinagar-Leh axis had played a crucial role during the Kargil conflict and remained strategically important, with the Zojila Tunnel further strengthening connectivity. He said the expansion of businesses, showrooms and cafeterias indicated economic progress. Emphasising the transformative power of knowledge, Lt Gen Hasnain said CU Kashmirs contribution to society extended far beyond conventional teaching and learning. Deliberating upon Bihars intellectual heritage, he said knowledge had historically travelled from ancient centres such as Pataliputra and Nalanda across India and beyond, and that CU Kashmir was bringing knowledge and new possibilities to Ganderbal. He called upon students to develop into scholar warriors by cultivating multidisciplinary knowledge and intellectual curiosity. In todays world, knowledge is everything, he said, stressing that students should acquire familiarity with political science, history, geography and economics alongside their core disciplines. Lt Gen Hasnain highlighted the importance of dialogue, debate and accepting differing viewpoints. He said the younger generation was questioning established ideas and educators should encourage students to examine assumptions, seek evidence and recognise when they were wrong. The ability to discuss differences and arrive at a compromise, he maintained, was essential for managing conflict and building a harmonious society. Dwelling on Jammu and Kashmirs changing environment, he said the return of peace had created an opportunity for youth to reclaim lost time and realise their potential. He urged students to develop skills, nurture positive ideas and use available opportunities. Lt Gen Hasnain called for greater academic focus on disaster management, particularly in disaster-prone Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to earthquakes, floods, climate-related hazards, glacier-related risks and debris flows in the context of the recent tragedy in Nepal, he said universities had an important role in awareness, research and preparing communities to respond effectively. He suggested that disaster management should be pursued regularly as an academic and research area. On Indias global position, Lt Gen Hasnain said the country was making significant economic progress and enhancing its standing internationally. He emphasised geo-economics alongside geopolitics and said Indias diversity and ability to function cohesively constituted a major strength. He also underscored academic exchange, welcoming students from different parts of India to CU Kashmir and encouraging students from Kashmir to pursue learning opportunities elsewhere. Welcoming the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath said the University was privileged to host Lt Gen Hasnain and described his presence as a source of motivation and inspiration. He said CU Kashmir was expanding its academic and infrastructural footprint and was committed to creating a campus that would emerge among the best in the country. He informed that CU Kashmir currently has 21 departments and nine schools, with four additional departments and two more schools proposed for the next academic year. He said the University had introduced more than seven new programmes during the last three years across general, professional, technical, vocational and emerging domains. Prof. A. Ravinder Nath highlighted CU Kashmirs growing diversity, noting that students from several States constituted nearly 20 percent of enrolment, while faculty members represented many States. He said the University was redesigning curricula in line with NEP 2020, incorporating the Indian Knowledge System, design thinking, innovation and Sustainable Development Goals. He also announced plans for specialised centres, including a Centre for Geopolitics and International Relations, public policy and economics, and comparative religion and social sciences. In her speech, Dean International Affairs and member of the LEAD Lecture Series committee, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, presented the framework of the initiative. She said the LEAD Lecture Series was designed to develop life-coping skills, professionalism and ethical practices, inspire innovation, promote knowledge creation and contribute to a strong nation. Aligned with UGC benchmarks, NAAC criteria and NEP 2020, the framework comprises Luminary, Expert and Distinguished Lecture Series. The Luminary component will feature transformational lectures by leaders and visionaries; the Expert series will connect students with subject experts, industry leaders and researchers; while the Distinguished series will focus on advanced discussions on research, policy and global trends. Dean Academic Affairs and Organising Committee Chairman Prof. Shahid Rasool, Registrar Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of Departments, senior administrative functionaries, faculty members, research scholars and students were present.
The Changing Role of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is often understood in the narrow context of treating pain or helping someone recover after an injury or surgery. But the profession has evolved far beyond that. Today, physiotherapy is about movement, prevention, rehabilitation and, most importantly, helping people remain independent and participate fully in their everyday lives. On World Physiotherapy Day, observed every year on September 8, it is important to look at physiotherapy not merely as a treatment option after something has gone wrong, but as an important part of maintaining physical health throughout life. Movement is one of the most basic requirements of the human body. We walk, sit, stand, bend, lift, climb stairs, run, work and sleep without thinking much about the complex coordination involved. We begin to appreciate the importance of movement only when pain, injury, weakness or illness takes that ability away. That is where physiotherapy becomes important. A physiotherapist does not simply treat a painful joint or a stiff muscle. The larger responsibility is to understand why the problem has occurred, identify the limitations in movement and strength, and help the individual regain confidence in their body. OUR LIFESTYLE IS CHANGING AND SO ARE OUR PROBLEMS One of the biggest challenges before us today is our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Long working hours, prolonged sitting, excessive screen time, inadequate physical activity and poor posture have made neck pain, back pain, shoulder problems and other musculoskeletal complaints increasingly common. There was a time when back pain was largely associated with physically demanding work. Today, it is equally common among people who spend most of their working day sitting at a desk. The same applies to neck and shoulder problems. Hours spent looking down at mobile phones and laptops can place considerable stress on the neck and upper back. What begins as occasional discomfort can gradually become a persistent problem. The common response is often to take a painkiller, apply a balm or simply wait for the pain to disappear. But pain is not always the problem itself. It can be a warning that something in the way we move, work or use our body needs attention. This is where proper assessment becomes important. PHYSIOTHERAPY SHOULD NOT BEGIN ONLY AFTER INJURY One of the misconceptions that needs to change is that physiotherapy is meant only for people who have suffered an injury or undergone surgery. Prevention is an equally important part of physiotherapy. A person who spends eight hours at a desk can benefit from understanding correct posture, strengthening the muscles that support the spine and incorporating appropriate movement into the working day. Similarly, a sportsperson can benefit from physiotherapy not only after an injury but also as part of injury prevention and performance preparation. For older adults, physiotherapy can help maintain strength, balance, flexibility and mobility. These are particularly important because a loss of balance or muscle strength can increase the risk of falls and dependence on others. For women, physiotherapy has an important role during pregnancy and after childbirth, particularly in helping restore strength, mobility and overall physical function. The principle is simple. We should not wait for movement to become difficult before we start taking care of it. THE GOAL IS NOT SIMPLY TO REDUCE PAIN A patient often comes to a physiotherapist with one immediate question: When will my pain go? That is understandable. Anyone living with pain wants relief. But successful physiotherapy is about more than temporary relief. The objective is to address the underlying problem and help the patient return to normal activity. If someone has recurrent back pain, for example, simply reducing the pain may not be enough. We need to understand whether there is weakness, stiffness, poor movement mechanics, an unsuitable working position or another contributing factor. Similarly, after an operation, rehabilitation is not complete merely because the surgical wound has healed. The patient needs to regain strength, mobility, confidence and the ability to perform daily activities. The real measure of recovery is not only whether a patient feels better inside the clinic. It is whether they can walk better, work better, climb stairs, sleep comfortably, return to their sport or carry out everyday activities without unnecessary limitations. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING Physical health and mental wellbeing are closely connected. Anyone who has experienced prolonged pain knows that it can affect much more than the body. Persistent pain can disturb sleep, affect mood, reduce confidence and restrict social and professional life. A person may gradually stop exercising because movement hurts. They may avoid going out, playing with their children or participating in activities they once enjoyed. Reduced activity can then lead to further weakness and stiffness, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break. Physiotherapy can help break that cycle. Good rehabilitation gives patients not only exercises but also knowledge and confidence. When patients understand their condition and learn what their body is capable of doing, they begin to take ownership of their recovery. That is an important shift. The patient should not remain dependent on treatment forever. The ultimate objective should be to make the patient stronger, more confident and capable of managing their physical health independently. AGE SHOULD NOT BECOME AN EXCUSE FOR INACTIVITY Another area where we need to change our thinking is ageing. Growing older is a natural process. Losing independence does not have to be an inevitable part of it. Strength, balance, flexibility and endurance can be maintained through appropriate physical activity and exercise. Physiotherapy can play an important role in helping older people remain mobile and independent. The aim is not to make an elderly person perform like a young athlete. The aim is much more practical and meaningful. Can they get out of a chair without assistance? Can they climb the stairs? Can they walk to the market? Can they travel, meet friends and participate in family life? These may appear to be ordinary things, but for someone struggling with mobility, they represent independence and dignity. Technology will help, but the human connection will remain important Physiotherapy is also changing with technology. Digital rehabilitation, wearable devices, movement analysis and teleconsultation are opening new possibilities for patients and therapists. These developments can make rehabilitation more accessible and help monitor progress. But technology cannot replace the importance of clinical assessment, communication and understanding the individual patient. Every patient is different. Two people may have the same diagnosis but completely different physical requirements, lifestyles and recovery patterns. A good rehabilitation programme therefore has to be personalised. Physiotherapy is ultimately about people, not just conditions. A CULTURE OF MOVEMENT IS WHAT WE NEED Perhaps the most important message on World Physiotherapy Day is that movement should become a part of our daily routine rather than something we turn to only when a doctor tells us to exercise. Take regular breaks from prolonged sitting. Walk whenever possible. Strengthen the body. Work on flexibility and balance. Pay attention to posture. Give the body adequate recovery. Most importantly, do not ignore persistent pain or limitations in movement. At the same time, exercise should be appropriate to an individuals age, physical condition and medical history. More exercise is not always better. The right exercise, performed correctly and consistently, is what matters. Physiotherapy has a role to play at every stage of this journey. From a child learning to move confidently, to an athlete returning to competition, from a professional dealing with work related pain to an older person trying to preserve independence, physiotherapy can make a meaningful difference. MOVING TOWARDS A HEALTHIER FUTURE World Physiotherapy Day is therefore not simply a day to recognise physiotherapists. It is an opportunity to recognise the importance of movement itself. We often take the ability to walk, bend, stretch, lift and move for granted. Yet these simple abilities determine how independently we live our lives. As physiotherapists, our responsibility is not only to treat illness and injury but also to educate people, prevent avoidable problems and help them understand that their physical health deserves attention long before a serious problem develops. A healthy body is not one that never experiences pain or injury. It is one that is cared for, strengthened and given the opportunity to recover. This World Physiotherapy Day, let us remember that movement is not merely a function of the body. It is freedom, confidence, independence and quality of life. And sometimes, helping a person move again means helping them reclaim a part of their life that they thought they had lost. Dr Manasi Pawar is a Pune based physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience in the field.
Where is the Omar Abdullah led NC Government?
Between governmentality, governance and politics, where does the Omar Abdullah led government stand? This is a question that befuddles the mind of every Kashmiri. To the common Kashmiri, the government is missing in action, except for photo ops, self-congratulatory media rants by its MLAs and other unelected honchos. In other words, the Omar Abdullah led government jogs its way by trying to hog the media headlines. But this is what National Conference was not voted for into power. A massive mandate that was given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir was meant to address long standing political grievances, the status of J&K with respect to the broader federal framework of India after 2019, and resolving the day to day but pressing issues of the people. Instead of that what the people of J&K have gotten is a nonfunctional government which neither is into governmentality nor governance, and a party that has lost its way and some would say even soul. The real victims and sufferers of the Omar Abdullah led government are the hapless people of J&K. Beyond rhetorical and mostly unkept promises in the partys pre-election manifesto, the common people of J&K only see dazzling displays of authority in the form or security cavalcades, irrelevant media sound bytes by NC members and loyalists, and irrelevant governance if at all it can be called that. This is justified by the NC government by blaming the diarchic mode of hybrid governance in J&K defined my dual modes of authority, power and centralized control. This is correct but only up to a point. There are domains of government and governance that are in the Chief Ministers ambit and that of the elected government. Why is not authority exercised in these domains for the overall welfare and wellbeing of the people of J&K? This is because the NC government has given up on governance, let alone politics. In the realm of politics, the aspirations of J&Ks people have been reduced to a mere demand for statehood. Even if it is conceded that statehood is only what people of J&K want, what is the shape and form of that? What does statehood mean in the absence of control over the policing functions of the state? What does going to Delhi and meeting ministers and then doing photo ops over that add up to? Nothing but empty symbolism aimed at playing to the gallery. But beyond and behind this empty symbolism, and shifting blame to the diarchic mode of power and authority in J&K lies a game played by the NC government. This behind the scenes game is about money, corruption and patronage. The NC has reduced its massive and historical mandate to enrich itself and its cronies by disbursal of patronage. This is in the form of corrupt practices over transfers in areas that the government has remit over, lording over a bureaucracy that is increasingly working at cross purposes and a government that has lost its sense of purpose and direction. Its sole goal appears to be making the government a patronage machine for its loyalists and supporters at the expense of the wider public. If the NC government was a little serious about governance and welfare of the people of J&K, it could have easily extracted efficiencies within the existing framework and systems and passed the benefits to people. But it has chosen not to. What it does instead is to encourage and promote inertia in the government structures, and then pass on the systems inefficiencies to the people. The recent increase in power tariff rates to people is a case in point here. Blaming these to peaks and troughs in demand for electricity, T & D losses and other technical matters is obfuscation at best and lying at worst. Instead of making the system more efficient which is possible, the NC government paralyses it by various means and methods. Governance is not about commanding vast resources and then disbursing these at whim. It is about making use of available resources to create more and ensuring that these are disbursed and used in the interests of equity, and fairness to all, with prejudice to none. This principle of governance has been hollowed out by the NC and its honchos. The sufferers are the people of J&K who have neither voice to address deliberate governance failures nor means to redress these. But the NC government plays the chor aaya, chor aaya, trick little realizing that in this day and age of technology induced transparency it cannot fool people all the time. If it is really serious about the hurdles and burdens it faces, the choice of giving up on governmental power is before it. But no, it will not abdicate and give up on the perks and privileges of power and only play the blame game. By riding on the sentiments of people in 2024 and then running roughshod over these, the so called grand old party has betrayed its own people. The hollowed-out party which was given a new lease of life by people of J&K in 2024 has also dug its own grave. But the series of its inconsistencies, lies and deceptions which will bury the party in these would not have mattered but for the faith that people of J&K reposed in it. Everything is in the court of people now. When time comes, the people of J&K must exercise their choices with great care and attention and show the door to those that have consistently betrayed their genuine expectations. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari is the President, Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party.
Quote of the day by Denis Waitley offers a timeless blueprint for living with greater purpose: respect the lessons of the past, create a compelling picture of the future, and concentrate on the present moment where personal control actually exists. The past should inform us without imprisoning us. The future should inspire us without overwhelming us. And the present should become the place where dreams are transformed into deliberate action. Success, happiness, and personal fulfillment rarely arrive through one dramatic decision. They are more often built through countless choices made today, informed by yesterday and guided by tomorrow. By learning, planning, and living consciously in the present, anyone can turn time from something that simply passes into an opportunity for meaningful growth.
Ballon D'Or: Mbapp says he would vote for himself; cites World Cup record
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbapp believes he has a genuine chance of winning the Ballon dOr, despite lacking major team silverware. He says his individual achievements, including his World Cup Golden Boot and goalscoring record, strengthen his case. Asked who he would vote for, Mbapp confidently chose himself while acknowledging other voters may disagree.
Game Point Win Football Tourney
Ganesh scored the all-important goal for Game Point, cashing in on a fine pass by Balachandra. St Patricks finished third after defeating Tony Football Club 2-1.
Putin Meets Trump Envoys For 3 Hours As Russia Details Ukraine War Gains And Future Plans
Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. President Donald Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow. Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as substantive, constructive and extremely frank. Russia outlined its assessment of the Ukraine war, highlighted what it called significant advances by Russian forces and expressed confidence in achieving its goals. The talks also covered economic cooperation and potential large-scale Russian-American projects. The meeting came amid escalating aerial attacks, while Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to pause strikes on each others capitals during the talks. Witkoff thanked Putin for endorsing the temporary no-shoot policy, which allowed the U.S. delegation to travel safely to Moscow.
