Gadkari vows record action against contractors, officials over delays
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari aims to blacklist numerous contractors and suspend officials. He will personally inspect the delayed Mumbai-Goa Highway in October. Roadside amenities reflecting Goan culture will be developed along the highway. Alternative fuel facilities will also be added to petrol and diesel pumps. Gadkari stressed infrastructure's role in attracting investment and creating jobs.
Duleep Trophy: Having played white-ball games for India, left-handed batter Tilak Varma on Wednesday expressed a strong desire to play Test cricket for the national side, calling the longest format as his favourite format to play the sport. Tilak has been in sparkling red-ball form for South Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, via making 116 not out, 51 not out, and now hitting 99 in the ongoing final against East Zone at Chepauk on Wednesday. Playing red-ball cricket for India is my biggest goal because I love red-ball cricket. I thought as a kid, I'll be playing Test cricket first and after that only white-ball cricket. I'm really keen to play red-ball cricket and let's see how it goes. I wouldn't necessarily say it cricket comes naturally. But I began my professional journey in red-ball cricket and played for many years with the red ball. Over the past few seasons, I've played a lot of white-ball cricket, but red ball remains my favourite format - it's my A game, Tilak told reporters at the end of day fours play. Tilak suffered a heartbreaking dismissal when he was caught and bowled on 99 off 211 balls, leading to him missing out on a well-deserved ninth first-class century as South Zone were bowled out for 336 in response to East Zone's massive first-innings total of 708. Despite the personal disappointment, Tilak remained pragmatic. The result has gone in their favour, so scoring a hundred or being not out doesnt matter to me. A hundred might have been something for working hard, but cricket is a funny game. You never know what is in the coming games. It's an important knock for me, but at the same point, I was only focused on what the team needed. I could have taken more chances before itself, but the plan was simply to take it session-by-session. Cricket is a funny game - if you can bat out a session and if some other batsman stays with me, I was confident we could take it session-by-session and push for a draw. Unfortunately, we lost wickets, and the result went in their favour, he added. Currently serving as South Zone captain after previously leading India A, Tilak noted that leadership responsibility has accelerated his growth as a cricketer. There has been a lot of learnings. If you see, there are youngsters and also India A, we're a young side as well. One game we lost there and again we got back. You have great talent in the team and when you have that talent and eagerness to win, then it's easier as a captain to win tournaments. So, captaining India A, domestic and again here, there are many and I'm growing as a captain and enjoying it. Sometimes, conditions won't always be in your favour, so it's about how you use your players as a captain. One of the lessons I've learned is the importance of understanding your players off the field. When you spend time with your team-mates and know how they think, you can know who can be your player under pressure, he elaborated. You have great talent in the team and when you have that talent and eagerness to win, then it's easier as a captain to win tournaments. So, captaining India A, domestic and again here, there are many and I'm growing as a captain and enjoying it. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I wouldnt say that easy, but we have got a couple of days to practice. When you have practiced enough, changing from domestic to international, red-ball to white-ball, you can change your mindset. Im confident that two days of practice is enough. Article Source: IANS
Indian investors may be overlooking a vast global opportunity by sticking only to domestic equities. A new report highlights what lies beyond India, from global technology leaders to foreign-currency goals, and explains how investors can access these markets.
SPL 2026: Mylliem push Lajong all the way in 6-goal thriller
Shillong, Sep 9: Feisty bottom side Mylliem and title challengers Shillong Lajong engaged in a rollicking 3-3 draw in the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today. Both sides held the lead but had to split points in the end. Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi (7), Lalmuansanga (65) and Deibormame Tongper (76) were Lajongs [] The post SPL 2026: Mylliem push Lajong all the way in 6-goal thriller first appeared on Highland Post .
'My goal now is to win the Afghanistan series...': Tilak Varma
Ahead of the series against Afghanistan, Tilak Varma has expressed confidence in his form and said that his goal is to win the Afghanistan series
AP Chambers Bats for Vijayawada As Regional Air Hub, Seeks More FLY91 Routes
Chamber seeks direct flights to Kochi, Goa, Coimbatore and Shirdi
JJ Gabriel, 15, could break Manchester United's 70-year-old youngest player record this week
Highlights: Manchester United are considering handing 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel his first competitive appearance in this week's EFL Cup third round. A debut would make him the youngest player in club history to feature in an official fixture, beating goalkeeper David Gaskell's record of 16 years and 19 days, set in 1956. Gabriel already holds an unofficial version of the record after appearing as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in August, aged 15 years and 299 days, though that match doesn't count toward the official mark. Manchester United are weighing up a decision that would put a 15-year-old into the club's history books ahead of players who spent decades earning their place there. JJ Gabriel, the academy forward who has been training with the first team on and off since last season, is being considered for a competitive debut in this week's EFL Cup third round, a move that would break a club record that has stood since 1956. What record is actually on the line? Manchester United's youngest ever competitive appearance currently belongs to David Gaskell, who was 16 years and 19 days old when he played in the 1956 Charity Shield against Manchester City. The record has survived nearly seven decades, through the club's most famous academy generations, including the Class of '92. Gabriel, born in October 2010, would beat it comfortably if selected this week. He's already broken an unofficial version of the same record. In August, he came off the bench during a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm at 15 years and 299 days old, becoming the youngest player to appear for United's first team in any capacity. Because that match wasn't competitive, it doesn't count toward Gaskell's official record, leaving the door open for Gabriel to break it properly this time. What has Gabriel actually done to earn this chance? A serious amount for a player who's still 15. He made his under-18s debut at just 14, scoring twice in a 13-1 win over Leeds United, and has kept up that scoring rate ever since, including a hat-trick against Liverpool in a 7-0 win, a goal against Manchester City, and a brace against Wolves. He scored 26 goals in 26 appearances for United's under-18s last season, was named the Premier League's Under-18s Player of the Year, and made his Premier League 2 debut with a moment good enough to catch head coach Michael Carrick's attention in person. Running onto a through ball against Ipswich, Gabriel took the pace off it with his left foot before scooping a finish over the advancing goalkeeper with his right, the kind of finish that suggested a level of composure well beyond his age. Carrick, who has watched Gabriel closely for over a year, has been careful in how he talks about him publicly. He's obviously got a really big talent, the United boss said, while being clear he alone will decide when the timing is right for senior involvement. Who is JJ Gabriel, and how did he end up at United? Full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, born in Enfield, London, on 6 October 2010, he wears the number 77 shirt and operates across the front line, equally comfortable as a centre-forward, a winger, or in the No. 10 role behind the striker. His route to Manchester United wasn't direct. Before signing for the club's Carrington academy in 2022, he passed through the youth setups at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham, each recognising his ability before United ultimately won the race for his signature. He was already a name outside academy football before any of that. Around age eight or nine, a video of Gabriel's dribbling and ball control went viral online under the title Kid Messi, a nickname that has followed him ever since and shaped expectations long before he'd played a single senior match. His father, Joe O'Cearuill, a former professional footballer who played for Arsenal, Barnet and St Patrick's Athletic and won two caps for the Republic of Ireland, has played a direct role in managing his development, including supplementing traditional academy coaching with futsal, which is often credited with sharpening the close control and improvisation that defines Gabriel's playing style. His background gives him an unusually wide net of international options. Through his English birth, Irish father, Greek Cypriot mother and a grandfather from Trinidad and Tobago, Gabriel is eligible to represent four different countries. For now, he's committed to England, with six caps at Under-15 level, two at Under-16, and two more so far at Under-17. JJ Gabriel, the record in context Full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel Born 6 October 2010, Enfield, London Position Forward, comfortable as centre-forward, winger or No. 10 Squad number 77 Previous academies Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham (before joining United in 2022) International eligibility England, Ireland, Cyprus, Trinidad and Tobago Current international team England (U15, U16 and U17 level) Current official record David Gaskell, 16 years 19 days (1956 Charity Shield) Gabriel's unofficial record 15 years 299 days (August friendly vs Atletico Madrid) U18s record last season 26 goals in 26 Premier League appearances Award won Premier League Under-18s Player of the Year Next opportunity EFL Cup third round, this week United's Premier League-era youngest Angel Gomes, 16 years 263 days (2017) Why does United's own history matter here? Because the club has a long tradition of trusting young players at the right moment, and getting it right more often than not. Ryan Giggs, United's record appearance holder, was 17 when Sir Alex Ferguson gave him his debut in 1991, having first spotted him as a schoolboy training at the Cliff. Giggs went on to make over 900 appearances across more than two decades. Nobody is suggesting Gabriel's path will mirror that exactly, but the pattern of trusting a generational talent earlier than convention allows is one United have leaned on before, successfully, when the player has been ready. What happens if he doesn't play this week? Nothing changes about how highly he's rated. Gabriel has been repeatedly invited into first-team training this season without yet making his senior competitive bow, and United have shown no urgency to rush him purely for the sake of a record. If the EFL Cup opportunity doesn't materialise this week, another will likely follow before long, given how directly Carrick has already spoken about the scale of his talent.
India Secures Top Spot in Elite Pool After Goalless Draw with China in Junior Womens Asia Cup
India clinched the top position in the Elite Pool of the Junior Womens Asia Cup after a 0-0 draw against China, setting up a quarter-final clash with Pakistan. India Secures Top Spot in Elite Pool After Goalless Draw with China in Junior Womens Asia Cup
NCB Mumbai secures conviction in inter-state drug trafficking case, two get 10 years jail
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) In a significant blow to an inter-state drug trafficking network, the NDPS Special Court in Biloli, Maharashtra's Nanded district, has convicted two traffickers and sentenced them to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh each in a case involving the seizure of 1,127 kg of ganja, a statement of the NCB said on Wednesday. The convicts, identified as Gokul Narayan Rajput (32), a truck owner-driver from Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, and Sunil Yadav Mahajan (35), a co-driver from Jalgaon district, were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau's (NCB) Mumbai Zonal Unit on November 15, 2021, while transporting a large consignment of the contraband. Acting on specific intelligence, an NCB team intercepted an Ashok Leyland truck at Manjram village in Nanded district. During a search, officers recovered 49 polythene gunny bags concealed beneath a load of industrial iron rods. The bags contained 112 packets of ganja weighing a total of 1,127 kg. According to the NCB, the investigation revealed that the contraband had been loaded at Ankampalli in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam district and was being transported to Jalgaon district in Maharashtra. Probe findings also showed that Rajput had previously been booked in criminal cases related to attempted murder and kidnapping. The truck used for transporting the narcotics, which was owned by Rajput, had already been blacklisted by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), but continued to be used for illegal transportation activities, investigators said. During the trial, the prosecution established that both accused were in conscious possession of a commercial quantity of ganja and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for its possession. The Additional Sessions Judge, Biloli, found both accused guilty under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and sentenced them to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh each. The court also ordered confiscation of the seized truck. The NCB said the conviction underscores its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks through effective investigation and prosecution, contributing to the goal of a drug-free India.
India Junior Women's Hockey Tops Pool, Set For Pakistan Quarter-Final
The Indian junior women's hockey team played a goalless draw against China in their final elite pool match of the Junior Asia Cup. This result secured India the top spot in their pool due to a superior goal difference, setting up a quarter-final clash against Pakistan.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois To Put Belgium Career on Hold Until September 2027
Courtois made the last of his 115 international appearances at this year's World Cup but will only return to the Red Devils set-up for Euro 2028 qualifiers next year
Dhurandhar star Akshaye Khanna makes rare appearance amid Drishyam 3 buzz
Akshaye Khanna's rare appearance came around the time Drishyam 3's trailer was unveiled in Goa. Khanna, who played a cop in Drishyam 2, had opted out of the third instalment over creative and monetary differences, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had said.
Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran, Jaideep Ahlawat, Tabu, Rajat Kapoor, Mrunal Jadhav, producers Kumar Mangat Pathak, Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, director-writer-producer Abhishek Pathak and writer Aamil Keeyan Khan attended the trailer launch of Drishyam The Conclusion in Goa. Jaideep Ahlawat confirmed that his character doesn't replace Akshaye Khanna, who also played a law official in Drishyam 2 (2022). When asked if he's apprehensive that he would be compared to Akshaye Khanna, Jaideep said, No, I didn't think people would compare. When I heard the story, it was never envisioned that he's coming in place of Akshaye sir. That character's journey ended and the new character gets introduced. Hence, I didn't felt the need to take pressure. Also, as an actor, you don't think in terms of pressure as I knew the character will have his own journey and that he would have a distinct association with Meera Deshmukh (Tabu) and Salgaonkar family. Jaideep added, When Abhishek narrated, I didn't feel that he's here due to some other character. Abhishek has spent a huge time with this film and its characters. He had far more clarity on what my character should be like and also what sunglasses he wears. It makes the job of an actor easier. And of course, working with such a cast was also a great experience. I felt relaxed. Ajay Devgn remarked, Police couldn't solve the case. Hence, we made the threat bigger and introduced a Crime Branch official. It avoids repetition and changes the whole approach towards the investigation. That's what the film deserved. Drishyam The Conclusion releases in cinemas on October 2. Also Read: Drishyam The Conclusion trailer launch: I told Ajay Devgn, Haan koi dubbed film aa rahi hai called Baahubali!': Ajit Andhare recalls Drishyams release amid Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Baahubali
Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran, Jaideep Ahlawat, Tabu, Rajat Kapoor, Mrunal Jadhav, producers Kumar Mangat Pathak, Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, director-writer-producer Abhishek Pathak and writer Aamil Keeyan Khan attended the trailer launch of Drishyam The Conclusion in Goa. Kumar Mangat Pathak brought the house down with his comments about Ajay Devgns pet dog. Kumar Mangat Pathak said, I have been associated with Ajay even before he became an actor. Veeru ji (Ajay Devgns father Veeru Devgan) was like my brother. He kept me like family. In fact, I can even claim that he has adopted me! Ajay ji has maintained that association with me. Kumar Mangat Pathak continued, I dont have to ever ask before visiting Ajay ji at his house. I simply tell Ajay ji, Main aa raha hoon. The only thing I request is Khaali kutte ko sambhal ke rakhna (laughs)! I used to feed him as a puppy but one day, he bit me! At this point, there was laughter in the auditorium. Even Ajay Devgn couldnt control laughing. Kumar Mangat Pathak then said on a serious note, Hence, our journey has been adbhut. We believe and trust each other completely. Whenever I bring him a story, he only asks me, Abhishek ne suni?. I reply in the affirmative. He would then say, Lets do it. Besides making films, we are also making multiplexes. Drishyam The Conclusion releases in cinemas on October 2. Also Read: Drishyam The Conclusion trailer launch: Jaideep Ahlawat says hes NOT replacing Akshaye Khanna: Felt NO pressure; Ajay Devgn reveals why part 3 needed Crime Branch official: We made the threat bigger
Beast Haaland equals Agueros Man City UCL 36-goal mark
Haaland also reached another major City milestone. His two goals took his overall club tally to 167 goals in 203 appearances, moving him past Tommy Johnson into third place among City
Is 15-year-old Gabriel set to become Man Utd's youngest ever player?
Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel has scored two magnificent goals in two Premier League 2 appearances for Manchester United - is he ready to make his senior debut
India Rout Chinese Taipei 15-0, Enter Junior Asia Cup Hockey Semi-Finals
Skipper Anmol Ikka smashed a whopping six goals as defending champions India ended their pool engagements with a 15-0 rout of Chinese Taipei to enter the men's semifinals of the Junior Asia Cup hockey...
Meta Muse Launched as Personal AI Agent With WhatsApp Support
Meta has introduced Muse, a personal AI agent that can manage tasks across apps and continue working without constant user input. Available in the US across mobile and web, Muse can handle everything from emails and travel bookings to longer-term goals. It also uses previous conversations to inform future tasks and operates inside Metas dedicated Secure VM. Users can control its app permissions, while Sentinel manages internet access. Meta will later add Confidential VM, with support for AI glasses, Shop Pay and 1Password also planned.
Silicon Valley-backed Covenant unveils low-cost, mass-producible cruise missile
Covenant has launched a new heavy-payload cruise missile, Anthem, aimed at revolutionizing warfare strategies. This cutting-edge missile focuses on rapid and economical mass production for extensive use in battlegrounds. With an ambitious timeline to equip the U.S. Army by 2027, Covenant has garnered substantial financial backing and is ramping up its production resources to meet this goal.
Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta warns that constantly chasing higher-performing investments can undermine wealth creation. Investors may shift from goal-based investing to comparing returns, often chasing recent winners without considering risk, strategy or suitability. She advises focusing on financial objectives, consistency, time horizon and disciplined investing rather than short-term performance.
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.
Erling Haaland now one goal away from two of Lionel Messi
Both will be broken in no time. The post Erling Haaland now one goal away from two of Lionel Messis Champions League records appeared first on Planet Football .
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.
Jarkiholi ED raids politically motivated as BJP targeting Dalit leader, says Karnataka CM
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 9 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, on Wednesday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and his associates were politically motivated and aimed at targeting an influential Dalit leader and disrupting the state governments 100-day celebrations. The Congress also questioned why the central agency had not searched the properties of BJP legislators related to Excise Department official Y. Manjunath and only raided Jarkiholi's home. The minister is Manjunath's brother-in-law and the Excise Department official's house was also raided on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, CM Shivakumar said the BJP was unable to tolerate Jarkiholis stature and growth and alleged that central investigative agencies were being misused to target Congress leaders. Satish Jarkiholi is an influential Dalit leader. The BJP is not able to tolerate his stature and growth. Earlier, they conducted raids against me and sent me to jail. Now, Congress leaders are being targeted and central investigating agencies are being misused, he said. The Chief Minister asserted that Jarkiholi had committed no wrongdoing and said the state government and the party would stand firmly by him. Satish Jarkiholi has not committed any mistake. The government and the party will stand with him strongly, 100 per cent, CM Shivakumar said. Responding to questions about the EDs focus on alleged overseas investments, CM Shivakumar questioned whether conducting business abroad was itself an offence. Wont people carry out business overseas? Is there no provision in law for that? Is it an offence for family members to carry out business overseas? he asked. CM Shivakumar described Jarkiholi as a senior minister and industrialist who was involved in social service and said there was no reason for panic over the investigation. He is a senior minister and also an industrialist. He is carrying out social service without any hidden agenda. He is ready to face any investigation and there is no need for anyone to panic, he said. The Chief Minister also alleged that the timing of the raids was intended to divert public attention from the state governments 100-day milestone. Tomorrow my government is completing 100 days. To derail the celebrations and divert the attention of the people, the BJP has planned this, CM Shivakumar alleged. He referred to previous ED action against former minister B. Nagendra and alleged that central agencies were now being used to target Home Minister Priyank Kharge and in connection with issues involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). CM Shivakumar also questioned why similar action was not being taken against BJP leaders. Why are raids not being conducted on BJP leaders? They file FIRs against Rahul Gandhi and purify places visited by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. In which age are we living? he asked. The Chief Minister said the Congress government would not be intimidated by such actions and added that he had advised party legislators to remain cautious. Karnataka Congress President B.K. Hariprasad also alleged that the ED, Income Tax Department and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were being used by the BJP-led NDA government to threaten Opposition leaders. Jarkiholi is a senior leader of the Congress party and a minister in the Karnataka government. The raids against him do not surprise us. The BJP and NDA government are using the ED, IT and CBI to threaten Opposition leaders and are using them as washing machines, Hariprasad said. He alleged that the agencies had failed to learn lessons despite criticism and observations from the Supreme Court. Hariprasad also questioned the searches involving Jarkiholi, his brother-in-law and Excise Department official Y. Manjunath, as well as MP Priyanka Jarkiholi. When the ED is conducting raids on Satish Jarkiholi and his daughter, Congress MP Priyanka Jarkiholi, I will have to ask whether they have taken permission from the Speaker, he said. Hariprasad also raised questions about why the agency had not searched the properties of other relatives connected to Manjunath. Manjunath is not only the brother-in-law of Satish Jarkiholi. His father Devendrappa was a BJP MP. Why has his residence not been raided? Hariprasad asked. He further questioned why the residences of Satish Jarkiholis brothers Ramesh Jarkiholi and Lakhan Jarkiholi, both legislators from the BJP, had not been searched despite the fact that they are also brother-in-laws to Manjunath. The remarks came as the ED continued searches at multiple locations in Karnataka and Goa as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities and possible violations of FEMA provisions.
'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.
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 .
Foldable iPhone Duo Will Start at
Following some recent speculation that Apple could release its foldable phone under the iPhone Duo name, it appears that will indeed be the case, according to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman . For months now, the foldable iPhone has generally been referred to as the iPhone Ultra , even internally, but Apple is apparently going in a different direction for the official name, emphasizing the dual-screen nature of the device. Gurman says the iPhone Duo will start at $2,000 for 256 GB of storage and max out at around $3,000. Rumors had suggested the phone would likely start at above $2,000, perhaps as high as $2,500, so a $2,000 entry-level price could help bolster customer demand. The entry-level version will include 256 gigabytes of storage, with Apple offering higher-capacity versions that will take the price all the way up to roughly $3,000. Apple blew through its cost goals due to the recent memory shortage, so it's eating some of the expense to keep within reach of $2,000. It's also passing the costs along to consumers who buy higher capacities. As for availability, the device will reportedly come in white and dark blue and go on sale as early as October. Rumors have long suggested the foldable iPhone could launch later than the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max due to production difficulties, although Gurman previously stressed that the gap in launch timing would be minimal. Other iPhone Duo details in Gurman's report include the use of a new A20 Pro chip, Apple's C2 modem, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras, a 12-megapixel front camera, a magnetic hinge system and support for the Apple Pencil stylus. Gurman said last week that Apple had tested a smaller version of the Apple Pencil for use with the foldable iPhone, but said that a launch was unlikely. Today's last-minute report includes a few other details on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, as well as Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models and AirPods 5 models. While most of the details on those products had previously been rumored, Gurman notably says that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will see $100 price increases compared to their current equivalents, a smaller increase than some had feared. Apple's Surprise and Shine event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time tomorrow, and we'll have full coverage throughout our MacRumors channels. Related Roundup: iPhone Fold Tags: Bloomberg , Foldable iPhone , Mark Gurman This article, Foldable iPhone Duo Will Start at $2,000, Won't Launch Until at Least October first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
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
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
2 Goals, Then A Heated Altercation: Erling Haaland's Drama-Filled Start To Champions League Season
Erling Haaland scored twice and clashed with Porto's Pablo Rosario in a heated moment during Manchester City's Champions League win.
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
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 []
Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), Porvorim recently organised a national symposium, in collaboration with St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangalore on the topic Rediscovering Sixteenth Century Local Language Literature in Goa: Texts, Traditions, and Historical Narratives. The objective of this symposium was to re-examine the emergence of local language literary traditions in the 16th []
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 []
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).
Andhra Pradesh clears decks for new defence, warship building unit
Andhra Pradesh has approved a new defense and warship facility at Machilipatnam. Goa Shipyard Limited will invest 8,000 crore in this significant expansion project. This new facility will be the PSU's first venture outside its home base in Goa. Preparatory work begins next month, with trial production expected by January 2028. Commercial production for the first phase is slated to commence in May 2028.
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.
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.
India has joined a global coalition spearheaded by the United States to advance the development of 6G wireless technology. The partnership, which includes 25 nations, aims to align national strategies for 6G and ensure that next-generation networks reflect shared security interests. The initiative was discussed during the G20 Innovation Ministerial, while India has set an ambitious goal of becoming a leading contributor to 6G design, development and deployment by 2030.
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.
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.
Proposals in pipeline to connect Kangra Airport with Jammu, Jaipur, Dehradun
Shimla, Sep 8: The Kangra district, which is being developed as the tourist capital of Himachal Pradesh, could soon be aerially connected with Jammu while proposals to connect it with Jaipur and Dehradun are in the pipeline, officials said on Tuesday. IndiGo Airlines has proposed connecting Jammu to Kangra (Gaggal) Airport. The plan involves establishing connectivity between Jammu and Dharamshala as well as between Dharamshala and Delhi in the coming period, said Amit Saklani, Acting Director of Kangra Airport. He said the service could launch around the New Year, potentially on January 1. However, official confirmation is still pending. The move is expected to provide significant convenience to tourists visiting the Kangra Valley, including Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj. He added that travellers heading towards Leh could find relief from the current hassle of catching flights from Jammu or Delhi. Saklani said the airport currently faces some limitations regarding parking bay facilities. The goal is to complete the necessary upgrades within the next four to five months, after which the prospects for expanding air connectivity will strengthen significantly. He clarified that since the airline has only submitted a proposal so far, flight fares and final schedules have not yet been determined. About one lakh passengers have travelled through the airport between January and July this year and if this trend continues, the annual passenger volume is likely to reach around two lakh. Regarding the potential to connect Kangra Airport with other cities, Saklani said proposals have been received from airlines to establish connectivity with Jaipur and Dehradun as well. However, launching these services would require expanding the airport and enhancing existing facilities. A SpiceJet flight service to Jaipur had previously operated for about four to five months before it was discontinued. Now, we expect IndiGo will connect Kangra with Jaipur and Dehradun, he said.
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?
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 .
Opinion: Blog | Every Tech Bro Loves His Movable AGI Goalpost
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.
