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PGTI leader Saptak Talwar sees star-studded India Championship as a game changer for Indian golf

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Saptak Talwar, Indias current No. 1 on the DP World PGTI Tour, knows the next few weeks could be life-changing for him and take the 27-year-old to the next level in the sport. The tournament not only boasts of a massive $4 million prize, the highest in India for the second year running, but could also decide the topper of the DP World PGTI Order of Merit, newly named as the Race to DP World India Championship. Following a landmark arrangement between the DP World PGTI and the DP World Tour, the winner of the domestic Indian Order of Merit will get a full status on the main Tour. The arrangement is also the latest marker of the investment global logistics provider DP World has made in Indian golf part of a wider sporting footprint that also includes cricket and a consistent focus on bringing more young people into the sport. The event brings huge benefits for both the fans and the Indian golfers. While the fans await a golfing feast with the likes of two-time Masters winner, Rory McIlroy, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and former FedEx Cup winner, Viktor Hovland, and Major champions like Ryan Fox, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson, the top Indian golfers realise that the DP World India Championship could be a life-changer for them. The newly constituted Race to DP World India Championship is a competition to determine DP World PGTI Order of Merit Champion for 2026, DP World India Championship 2026 qualifiers and playing rights on the DP World PGTI for 2027. The race in its debut year, will feature non-stop golfing action on the DP World PGTI calendar in the run-up to the DP World India Championship 2026. The top 24 players of the standings will earn their spots for the DP World India Championship 2026 while the Top 60 players on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit who will retain their playing rights for the 2027 DP World PGTI season. The nine events of the second half of the season, which concludes with the inaugural Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship in the first week of October, will finalise 24 spots for DPWIC and the R2DPWIC for 2027 will run through the full DP World PGTI calendar from next season. Talwar currently holds a lead of more than Rs. 20 lakhs over No. 2 Jhared Hack (US), but the latter is not likely to play any more events over the next few weeks in India. Also, Talwar is more than Rs. 30 lakhs (twice what a player earns for a regular win in a Rs. One Crore event) ahead of the next best Indian, Honey Baisoya. Yet Talwar says, The DP World PGTI Order of Merit is not a done deal. With the OOM finishing at DGC (DP World India Championship), anything can happen. We have four events left and the last one on DP World PGTI is the Kapil Dev Invitational, which has double the Prize Money and then there is the big one the DP World India Championship, where the prize purse is almost 38-40 times more at $4 million. So, the top Indian golfer could well walk away with the Merit honours by doing well in DP World India Championship. And I see no reason why one of us cannot do that. However, as Amandeep Johl, CEO of DP World PGTI confirmed, Only one fourth of that prize money will be counted towards the DP World PGTI Order of Merit. Talwar added, I am also missing the Tour Championships (Kapil Dev Invitational) as I am off to Asian Games in Japan that week. So, the DP World India Championship can be a life-changer for me and many other Indian players. Talwars compatriots Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat, Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will also be playing at DP World India Championship this year. Talwar, who early in his career, also played on the Canadian Tour, has now decided to try and top the DP World PGTI OOM to get into the main Tour in 2027. There has been further recognition in the form of a place in the National three-man team for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, alongside Yuvraj Sandhu and Veer Ahlawat, who before him had earned DP World Tour cards in 2026 and 2025. This season Talwar has gained a lot of experience as he played a lot of events on the HotelPlanner (HPT), the second rung Tour in Europe, this season. At one point he had two possibly pathways to the DP World Tour for 2027. I had set myself a goal or threshold to try for a card through HPT, but when I was not inside that I decided to get back to India and play the DP World PGTI, where I was leading, says Talwar. Then there is the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club. That golf course is close to my heart and for many others in India. I literally grew up on the B course, have seen every big event. As a junior I attended many of the clinics by world class players like Ernie Els and others. So, to be playing alongside the likes of Masters winners, Major champions and PGA Tour players is a great opportunity for us to showcase Indian talent. While admitting that the current Indian pros have not won as much as the previous generation from Jeev Milkha Singh to Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal to Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur and Shubhankar Sharma, Talwar added, This event, the DP World India Championship is a game changer for Indian golf. This could a catalyst for Indian golf. In 10 years, we will see this as the one that changed the landscape of Indian golf. We have a number of good players, but they have not translated into wins. One win could ignite that fire and then we will have a big bunch of winners. Hemant Kumar Ruia, Country Manager, DP World (India) Subcontinent, said: India is one of the largest markets in our global network, and we remain focused on strengthening our ports, rail and inland logistics network across the country. Our commitment to India extends beyond our business, and supporting the growth of sport is an important part of that commitment. We are particularly pleased that the DP World India Championship can create genuinely life-changing opportunities for players like Saptak. With the newly named Race to DP World India Championship providing a pathway to the DP World Tour, Indian golfers now have a clear opportunity to take their game to the next level. We are delighted to play our part in helping make that possible. This has been his big breakthrough year for Talwar, though he won his maiden pro title in 2025. He added a second PGTI win at the Indo-Rama Ventures Open at Kalhaar and was second in the HotelPlanner event in India. Since then, he has been a prime contender for the DP World -PGTI Order of Merit, which has multiple benefits. And, now the DP World India Championship could see Saptak Talwar take the next big step in the big and highly competitive world of golf.

Russian Proverb of the Day: Without labor, you cannot even pull a fish out of a pond Why success requires continuous effort; a lesson on dedication and perseverance

Achieving any desired goal necessitates unwavering commitment and consistent effort rather than mere initial excitement. A Russian proverb reiterates that true success stems from hard work and perseverance. Relying solely on passive hope or good intentions can never substitute the effort required for real achievements. Significant rewards await those who are willing to invest the necessary labor, applying this concept across professional, educational, and personal growth avenues.

'Every stroke feels like music': Rower Poonam set for Asian Games debut

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Indian rower Poonam is gearing up for her first-ever appearance at the Asian Games as she will be competing in the Women's four event in Aichi-Nagoya. From taking up the sport almost accidentally to now enjoying it with every stroke feeling like music, Poonam has come a long way from competing at the university level to now representing India at the Asian Games. She began her career with athletics but switched to rowing to get admission for her graduation. I started rowing because I got the opportunity to get admission for my graduation through sport. At that time, I never thought that rowing would become my career. I just wanted to make use of the opportunity and see where it could take me, she said. The starting days in the sport were not that easy. Due to limited coaching and challenges in settling into a new environment, Poonam initially set herself smaller targets. She hoped to establish her authority at the university and national level before those ambitions got wings. Initially, my dream was to win a gold medal at the inter-college and university level. Then I wanted to win a medal at the Senior Nationals. Slowly, my goals started getting bigger. We have won gold medals at the Nationals, Senior Nationals and National Games, and now I am at the Asian Games, she said. Poonam trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport and reflected on how it has been helping her during her career. There have been a lot of changes after coming to Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS). I have been part of their rowing programme for the past one year. We get a lot of support here, and the staff takes care of our nutrition, physiology and psychology. Because of this environment, we feel more confident and feel that we can do much more, she said. I am feeling very good about going to the Asian Games. We had been working towards getting into the camp for the last few years, and we have been able to stay together and train consistently since last year. That has helped us improve a lot and has given me a lot of confidence, she said. She has now had a training stint in Europe under her belt. Poonam revealed how training in Europe has changed her mindset, showing that the Indian rowers can compete with them too. Our Europe trip was very good because we learnt how to handle pressure and control our nervousness during a race. Earlier, when we saw the European teams, we used to think about when we would be able to beat them. But after competing with them, we realised that we are not very far behind. We can compete with them, she added. As she prepares for the Asian Games, Poonam is also drawing confidence from the time she and her teammates have spent training together. We have spent a lot of time training together, and that has helped us understand each other better. In rowing, everyone has to move together and maintain the same rhythm. The more time we spend together, the more confident we become as a crew. Now she enjoys the sport even more, highlighting that the sound of strokes feels like music to her. Every stroke feels like music. The catch is different, the finish is different, and the movement of the boat is different. We don't get bored because we are so involved in it. Sometimes we keep rowing for one or two hours and don't even realise how much time has passed, she said.

Palmer, Trent return as Tuchel names England squad for Nations League campaign

Digital Desk | London, Sep 18 (IANS) Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold have returned to the England squad after missing the FIFA World Cup 2026, as head coach Thomas Tuchel named a 27-member team for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign. Palmer and Alexander-Arnold were among the high-profile names left out of Tuchels 26-member World Cup squad for the tournament in North America. Both players have now been brought back into the fold after impressive performances for their respective clubs. The duo are part of a number of changes to the England squad following the start of the new domestic season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Rio Ngumoha, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Alex Scott have also been selected. England return to action after winning the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This was their best performance since winning the title in 1966 in the FIFA World Cup. The Three Lions beat France in the third-place play-off after their campaign ended with a 1-2 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final. Tuchels side will begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on September 26. England will then travel to Prague to face Czechia on September 29 before taking on Croatia in Rijeka on October 3. The four-game window will conclude when Czechia visits Wembley on October 6. England have been drawn alongside Spain, Croatia and Czechia in League A, Group C. The group winner will advance to the Nations League Finals in June. The squad will gather at St Georges Park early next week before beginning preparations for the four matches. England squad: Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Branthwaite, Trevor Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Jarell Quansah Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Alex Scott Forwards: Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka

DLF to open Goa shopping mall in Feb-Mar, eyes over 150 cr in rentals

DLF invests around 500 crore to develop mall

Had decided to leave politics after 2024 elections, says Shehzad Poonawalla on BJP exit

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Political analyst and former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday shed light his decision to resign from the party, saying that he had been considering a transition to the private sector after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Poonawalla said he had always intended to return to the private sector after the 2024 elections, but decided to continue working with the BJP for some more time due to the political situation following the polls. Speaking to IANS, Poonawalla said: After the 2024 elections, it was in my mind to transition to the private sector. The reason behind this was that when I joined politics in 2021 and became the national spokesperson of the BJP, I had previously been in the media. Before that, I drew a regular salary. I only knew media work and articulation. But when I joined politics and dedicated myself to it 24/7, I calculated how much savings I had and how many years I would be able to sustain working like this. When I realised that remaining active in a political party would only be feasible until the end of 2024, I had already made up my mind, he said. He further said that he wanted to re-enter the private sector. If you look at my earlier videos and statements, my intention had always been to leave politics after the 2024 elections and re-enter the private sector from where I had come, Poonawalla added. However, he said the BJPs tally of 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the political developments that followed made him reconsider his decision. Given the post-2024 election situation, where the tally stood at 240, I felt that leaving at that critical juncture would not be right. There were also crucial state elections approaching, and I wanted to contribute as much as I could. Finally, after the Bengal elections, I decided that the time had come to step into the private sector, he said. Poonawalla also said that his objective in politics had never been to seek an elected position. Secondly, my goal has never been to become an MP or an MLA. I do not work for positions; I work for a mission and a vision. Even today, I continue to work for the mission and vision of the BJP. I do not chase titles or posts; I believe in building stature, he said. On the row over the Umar Khalid documentary, Poonawalla criticised those who, according to him, portray Khalid as a hero while questioning the credentials of other prominent Indians. They never see a hero or a Nelson Mandela in Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, nor in Ustad Bismillah Khan. They only see one in Umar Khalid. And those shedding tears for Umar Khalid -- when the court gave a clean chit to Sadhvi Pragya, they still label her a terrorist simply because she wears saffron. Yet someone whom the courts refuse to release is still portrayed by them as a martyr and innocent, he said. He quipped that the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, can become PM, but of Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi can become Prime Minister but perhaps of Pakistan. If he prefers, of Italy, or whichever country he frequently visits, like Bangkok -- if he wishes to take citizenship there, he could become Prime Minister there, since he spends most of his time abroad anyway. In India, he only visits briefly between his vacations. He could certainly become Prime Minister of those countries, but here, in 2029, Narendra Modi will be re-elected Prime Minister with an even bigger margin. In 2034, if he decides to contest, he will become Prime Minister in 2034 as well. In 2027, Yogi Adityanath will return with an even greater margin than the BJP received in 2017, he claimed. On actor Swara Bhaskers remarks regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi verdict, Poonawalla criticised her views and said the Supreme Court verdict should be respected. Swara Bhasker, please stop now! Because this anti-Hindu stance, anti-national rhetoric and constant belittling of Hindus must end. The verdict on the Ram Mandir came through the Supreme Court -- and these people claim to champion saving the Constitution. Do Rahul Gandhi and Swara Bhasker believe that the wisdom of the Supreme Court was flawed? he said. Recently, Swara Bhasker has revealed that when the Ram Janmabhoomi verdict was announced, she reached out to superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan to express her solidarity. She said she felt ashamed and, as such, reached out to all the Muslims she knew to tell them that she didnt agree with the verdict.

Maruti's vehicle dispatches via in-plant rail terminals reach 1 million

Maruti Suzuki India on Friday said it has reached a milestone of dispatching 1 million vehicles through in-plant railway terminals in just over three years since opening dedicated transportation lines at two manufacturing sites in Gujarat and Haryana. Operations from in-plant railway sidings at Hansalpur (Gujarat) commenced in March 2023 and from the Manesar (Haryana) railway siding in June 2025. In the current financial year, the automaker said that 70 per cent of its total rail-based vehicle dispatches have been through these two in-plant railway sidings, and its mid-term goal is to increase such dispatches to 35 per cent by FY31. As of August 31 of this fiscal year, the company's rail-based vehicle dispatches have crossed 3 lakh units, it said. An in-plant railway terminal inside a manufacturing facility allows goods to be loaded onto freight trains within the plant, eliminating the need for trucks to access the nearest railway stations before entering the supply network. Of th

Spanish Proverb of the Day: 'Poco a poco se anda lejos' 'Little by little, one goes far' - A timeless lesson on progress

Spanish Proverb of the Day: The Spanish saying 'Poco a poco se anda lejos' conveys the importance of taking small, steady steps toward long-term goals. This proverb reminds us that patience and consistent effort lead to substantial achievements, contrasting the contemporary obsession with rapid success. Its message remains pertinent for both personal growth and career advancement, encouraging individuals to value the journey over immediate results.

'I'm Man United Fan Because Of Nitish Rana, He Introduced Me To Football': Rinku Singh

And Rana Bhai: India cricketer Rinku Singh revealed that he is a core Manchester United fan, and his support for the Premier League club began after fellow cricketer Nitish Rana introduced him to football and helped him understand how to watch and follow the game. Rinku recently attended his first-ever live football match at Old Trafford, witnessing the Manchester derby against Manchester City in the Premier League. The experience gave the Indian cricketer an opportunity to watch the rivalry from inside the iconic stadium after previously following football only on television. Earlier, I was a United fan, and I still am to some extent because of Nitish Rana bhai. He introduced me to football and showed me how to watch the game. From there, my interest in football grew a bit. And Rana Bhai is a United fan, so I used to spend time with him, and watching him, I became a fan of United, Rinku told JioStar. The derby, however, did not produce the result Rinkus adopted club would have wanted. Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal in the second half. Despite arriving as a United supporter, Rinku admitted that he found himself backing City at certain stages of the match as United struggled to create an impact. Yes, I found myself supporting City a little bit as the match went on. United werent playing that well, while City were looking better at the time, he said. For Rinku, though, the result was secondary to the experience of watching a football match live for the first time. He said the atmosphere inside Old Trafford helped him understand why the sport has such a strong following around the world. I consider myself lucky because I got to watch a match between City and United. I was very lucky to be there and watch the match at such a time. It was the first live football match of my life, and it was a completely different feeling altogether, he said. I realised what it feels like to watch a football match live in a stadium. I had only watched matches on TV before, so it felt really good to be there. I loved the vibe. The way the entire crowd supports the team when a goal is scored or a player does something special, the crowd screams out. That is something you really feel and experience when you are there at the stadium, he added. I consider myself lucky because I got to watch a match between City and United. I was very lucky to be there and watch the match at such a time. It was the first live football match of my life, and it was a completely different feeling altogether, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I really like Marcus Rashford. Ive followed him a lot, so hes my favourite. And when it comes to composure, I think Bruno Fernandes. He stays very calm, plays very calmly, keeps strolling on the pitch, and when the ball arrives, he instantly scores a goal or does whatever is needed on the pitch, he said. Article Source: IANS

San Diego military base brings in almost 500 goats to tackle wildfire risk

ASEAN Cup: Dooley names Farhaan, Shuki and Zidane in final 23

The inclusion of Farhaan Ali Wahid has generated particular interest, with Dooley hopeful that the England-based forward can provide Bangladesh with a cutting edge in front of goal.

India's Bichu Devi, Pakistan's Rehman Bag Poligras Awards

Indian women's hockey team goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam and Pakistan striker Abdul Rehman have been honoured with the Poligras Magic Skill Awards for their outstanding performances at the recent FIH World Cup. The awards, decided by fan votes, recognised Devi's crucial save and Rehman's exceptional 3D skills.

Rakul Preet Singh enjoys a much-needed escape with husband Jackky Bhagnani: A little escape from the usual

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Actress Rakul Preet Singh recently took some time away from her usual routine to enjoy a relaxing getaway with her husband, actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani. Sharing glimpses of the peaceful break on Instagram, the Yaariyan actress reflected on how the getaway gave her an opportunity to slow down, unwind and enjoy the little moments. Sharing her video, she wrote, A little escape from the usual, and exactly the kind of break I needed. Beautiful views, amazing food, slow mornings, good conversations and so many little moments that made the stay special. She added, From the comfort of the property to simply enjoying the surroundings, everything felt like a reminder to pause, unwind and be present. Some getaways are about the destination, and some are simply about how the place makes you feel. The video montage captures Rakul making the most of her getaway with husband Jackky. From leisurely strolls and relaxing by the pool to enjoying beachside moments, the actress is seen soaking in the holiday atmosphere. The montage also features glimpses of the couple enjoying their evenings, including outings to nightclubs, along with moments of good food, scenic views and quality time together. The series of clips gives a glimpse into Rakuls laid-back vacation, showing her enjoying both the peaceful and fun-filled sides of the getaway with Jackky. Both Rakul and Jackky often share glimpses of their life together on social media, giving a peek into their relationship and setting couple goals with their loved-up posts. Earlier, Rakul Preet Singh had offered a glimpse into her professional and personal bond with husband Jackky Bhagnani. She shared that their work partnership was fuelled by constant laughter and endless conversations about food. The actress had shared a series of pictures with Jackky in a collaborative social media post, saying their shared synergy made building something exciting together as a couple a truly rewarding experience. People ask us what its like working together. The answer? Half the time were discussing work, the other half were laughing and discussing what to eat. Its fun because I feel our synergy is aligned. Building a life together is one thing. Building something youre both excited about is a whole different experience, she wrote as the caption.

VIBE works due to Kunal Kemmus command over humour, one-liners and performances Movie Review: VIBE works due to Kunal Kemmus strong command over humour

Star Cast: Kunal Kemmu, Preity G Zinta, Sparsh Srivastava, Vanshika Dhir Director: Kunal Kemmu Vibe Movie Review Synopsis: VIBE is the story of two friends who land in serious trouble. Bhagirath aka Bugs (Sparsh Srivastava) works as a software developer at a company called Next Phase Technologies in Mumbai. His best friend, Hardik Sharma (Kunal Kemmu), is quite sharp but has just been released from drug rehab. Bugs requests his boss to hire Hardik, and the latter joins the companys marketing department. Here, he meets Kareena (Vanshika Dhir), and sparks fly between the two. All is going well until one day, all hell breaks loose for Hardik and Bugs. A fiery national security agent, Madam H (Preity G Zinta), and her team abduct the duo and compel them to work on a top-secret mission. They cant back out as its a matter of national security. What happens next forms the rest of the film. Vibe Movie Story Review: Kunal Kemmu's story is a bit clichd but works well within the zone of the film. Kunal Kemmu's screenplay is simplistic and peppered with hilarious dialogues and moments that keep the interest going. However, the writing falters whenever the film gets serious. Kunal Kemmu's dialogues are one of the high points. The one-liners land effectively, and a few of them will be lapped up big time by viewers. Some of the one-liners are adult in nature, which explains the film's 'A' rating. Kunal Kemmu's direction is functional. He is a pro when it comes to humour and he proved it with MADGAON EXPRESS [2024]. The film is a bit in the zone of GO GOA GONE [2013] and a few Hollywood films where two simpletons are forced to fight the baddies. However, since it is set in Mumbai and also has a terrorism act, it works well for the Indian audiences. The circumstances under which Hardik and Bugs come into contact with Madam H are hilarious and also quite unexpected. The dinner scene involving Kareena and her father (Mark Bennington) is also very funny, while the intermission point is equally shocking. On the flipside, the film falters in the second half once humour takes a backseat. The twist involving the villain is just about okay and makes VIBE feel somewhat routine. The makers raise intriguing questions about how a suspicious individual could change her identity and gain access to a prominent tech company, whether an insider was involved, and whether there is a leak within the team. However, the film conveniently leaves these intriguing threads unresolved, making one wonder why they were introduced in the first place. Moreover, the films title and overall tone are such that it is likely to appeal primarily to urban audiences. Vibe Movie Review Performances: Kunal Kemmu is great not just as a writer-director but also as an actor. Playing such goofy roles comes naturally to him and even in VIBE, he essays it with full conviction. Many scenes turn funnier than what was written on paper because of his act. Preity G Zinta looks stunning and performance-wise, shes first-rate. Her action scene is memorable. Sparsh Srivastava shines and ensures that he doesnt get dominated by Kunal and Preity. He also gets to show his acting and humour prowess effectively and makes good use of it. Vanshika Dhir is not merely eye candy and has a crucial role. Performance-wise, shes satisfactory. Dinesh Lal Yadav aka Nirahua (Bansi) and Yashpal Sharma (Rawal) are very convincing and also entertaining. Salem Kali (Abid) is just okay, while Mark Bennington leaves a mark. Rajesh Krishnan (Bug's Boss) is funny. Uorfi Javed (Chanchal Screwvala) and Aaditya Kulshreshth aka Kullu (Hardik's colleague) do well in cameo appearances. Vibe movie music and other technical aspects: Amit Trviedi's music is just okay. 'Raaton Mein Aana' is memorable for its whistle theme and picturization. This is followed by 'Aisi Meri Vibe', 'Rafta Rafta' and 'Sipahi Ek'. John Stewart Eduri's background score is in sync with the films happenings. Kaushal Shah's cinematography is neat. Prachi Deshpande's production design is classy, while Rick Roy's costumes are glamorous. Parvez Shaikh's action and Brahm Chab's stunt design are devoid of gore and entertaining. But it could have been better. Anand Subaya and Sanjay Shrirang Ingle's editing is functional. Vibe Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, VIBE works due to Kunal Kemmus strong command over humour, several hilarious one-liners and entertaining performances. Though the film loses steam in the second half and the villain track feels routine, it has enough madcap moments to keep viewers amused. At the box office, its urban appeal and youth-friendly humour should help it find its target audience.

From Hangzhou high to Nagoya test: India eyes another sporting leap at Asiad

India's athletes face a significant challenge at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya. The nation aims to showcase its growing sporting depth and future global aspirations. Track-and-field athletes and shooters lead the charge with strong medal hopes. Cricket, badminton, and hockey also present opportunities for success. These games serve as a crucial step towards India's long-term sporting goals.

PM Modis 25 years in public service brought significant change to India: Todd McClay (IANS Interview)

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) As Prime Minister Modi completes 25 years in public service, there has certainly been a significant change, not only in the Indian economy but also in the growing wealth of India and Indians, New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, said on Friday. Speaking to IANS, McClay said that PM Modi's focus on education for people, building more universities every year than anyone else in the world, and, of course, the great investment in infrastructure is quite significant. Of course, Prime Minister Modi has said he wants to increase the earnings of farmers and growers by 50 per cent by 2035. I think we're joining him in that mission, he mentioned. McClay further said that there's a lot of advanced technology and innovation that we use in New Zealand that we will want to bring and work with India on to help increase the earnings of farmers in India, just as we have in New Zealand. PM Modi completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7. Under his leadership, India is rapidly moving on the path of development to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. McClay further said that his country has had negotiations and discussions and signed agreements previously with India in many areas, and now in trade as well. Energy security is extremely important, and particularly around renewable energy, there will be a lot that we can do together. Of course, there's more to the relationship now. We've signed cooperation agreements around security. Our military forces will do things together constructively and so on, McClay told IANS. The India-New Zealand trade agreement is only the start of the effort, focus and investment that the New Zealand government wants to make in our relationship with India, he added. He further said that we have our election coming up in New Zealand. Once that's finished, then it's my hope to be able to visit India before the end of the year.

India, Bhutan review bilateral ties, hail progress in development cooperation

Digital Desk | New Delhi/Thimphu, Sep 18 (IANS) India and Bhutan reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as other regional and international issues of mutual importance during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar's three-day official visit to the Himalayan nation from September 16-18. EAM Jaishankar paid an official visit to Bhutan at the invitation of Bhutanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the two sides welcomed the progress made in strengthening the special and multi-faceted India-Bhutan partnership under the guidance of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They also commended the progress made in bilateral development cooperation. The EAM reaffirmed Indias support for Bhutans developmental goals and priorities, while Bhutan appreciated support from India for wide-ranging programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan (2024-29). EAM Jaishankar and his Bhutanese counterpart Dhungyel expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership of March 2024, and recalled the recent strides in energy cooperation, including the inauguration of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) and signing of its Tariff Protocol, and the resumption of dam construction of 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I HEP. They welcomed the signing of the Agreement on concessional Line of Credit of INR 4000 crores for energy projects in Bhutan. They also welcomed the active engagement of Indian companies in hydropower projects in Bhutan, adding dynamism to the existing energy cooperation, the statement noted. EAM reaffirmed the Government of Indias support for the Bhutan Kings vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The two sides acknowledged the interaction through the Joint Working Group on GMC and agreed to continue efforts to develop collaboration on GMC-related issues. The Indian side reaffirmed its commitment to establish an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar (Assam) to facilitate easy movement of investors and visitors to Gelephu as announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modis State Visit to Bhutan in November 2025. Bhutanese side thanked the Government of India for the decision to establish a special temporary immigration facility at Hatisar (Assam) across Gelephu to facilitate entry/exit of third-country nationals for Project 108 Chortens/Stupas on 01 November 2026, the statement mentioned. India thanked Bhutan for its support to Indias candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028 - 2029 term. The Indian side also welcomed the ratification of the Framework Agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by Bhutan. Both the ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments, and recognized the significance of close bilateral ties amid the complex international environment. India and Bhutan share an exemplary partnership characterised by trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels and close people-to-people contacts. The visit was in line with the longstanding tradition of close engagement and cooperation between the two countries, the statement noted.

'We've Been Benchmarked, Tested, Theres Nowhere To Hide,' Admits Afghan Coach Pybus

Arun Jaitley Stadium: Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus said his side had been benchmarked and tested by India in their 3-0 T20I series loss to the heavyweights and admitted there was nowhere to hide for them after being bowled out for 94 in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Afghanistan had a long gap since playing their last T20 World Cup group stage game in February, and the defeat to India has exposed exactly where they currently stand right now in terms of the shortest format. We've got a lot to work on. I think I said the other day this is our first T20 series since the World Cup. That's a really long break. Some of these guys have just come back into the squad for the first time since then. We've been benchmarked, tested and we can see where our deficits are. Now we need to go to work. We were poor. We were pleased to start off with winning the toss and getting an opportunity to chase. Our first 10 overs with the ball - our control wasn't good enough and Abhishek and Sanju batted beautifully up front. I was really pleased with the way we came back from 10 to 20 overs. I thought our fight back was phenomenal, skills and intent in the field was much better, Pybus said in the post-match press conference. Though Afghanistan gave away 79 runs from the last 60 balls in Indias innings, after Abhishek Sharma blew them to hit 108 and rack up 100 runs in power-play, Pybus was still left ruing the inconsistency with the ball. I thought we were brilliant in the field in those back 10 overs. Rashid led that. He was superb. With the batting, you're chasing 220. The intent is to go and chase it down. You have got scoreboard pressure and go at 11 runs and over. There's nowhere to hide. If you come up short, it's no good scoring 150 and being behind the rate. We've got to execute our game plan. We didn't deliver. I thought that up front with Ibrahim and Gurbaz, we were much better in terms of our intent. We brought our game to the Indian opening bowlers, but we couldn't hold that consistency. Afghanistan's batting hadnt stepped up to the enormous talent they have in the first two T20Is. In the third T20I, after making 31 runs in the first three overs, it did not qualify as a performance at all. That slide, coupled with scoreboard pressure, led to Afghanistan finishing six short of the three-figure mark, and 14 fewer than Abhisheks 108. Pybus stated the problem was execution under pressure, not the batting order. I don't think it's much of the batting order, it's the execution. Ibrahim and Gurbaz at the top of the order are an established pair. Again I thought our intent was much better. I thought we were too passive in the last game. I thought we let India bowl to us. So I was happier with the way that we took on the Indian attack. Again it comes back to execution under pressure and you're chasing 220, you've just got to keep on going. So there are areas for all of our players to improve and a little bit like with the bowling, against an attack as good as India's, you're facing Jasprit and Axar - these are absolutely world-class operators and you've got to be very clear in your game plans. So we've got work to do and really to come here and play in India against the best T20 side in the world and understand what it's like to play under pressure - this isn't league cricket, it isn't international cricket against lower-ranked sides. This is the ultimate examination. So we can see very clearly what we've got to work on. His bowlers, as per Pybus, had discovered how small the margins are against India's openers on flat pitches. We're bowling to some really fine opening batters on fantastic surfaces. The reality is with players like this on these surfaces, you can get hit off your length. You can get hit off the top of your bounce. They're superb at it. The other side of that is that we need to be much, much better. Our control, our disciplines. On wickets like this, your length is about 12 inches. On one side of the length, you're getting pulled. The other side of the length, you're getting driven. It's an opportunity for our cricketers, particularly for our bowlers, to understand the skill levels you need to have to be able to control the game. Until you have an experience like this, you don't know what it is, really. When you've got the guys who are hitting you as a spin bowler, as we saw in the last game with Rash and Nabi, where literally you miss your length by six inches, it's gone back over your head off the back foot for six. It's a proper challenge. But again, until you actually have this experience, you don't know what it is. With the 2028 T20 World Cup in view, Pybus felt any mental hold big teams like India have over Afghanistan would have to be broken one step at a time. If there is an issue with a side where the opposition have got the wood over you, when you work through that, you do it stage by stage. You're conditioning and got to get your skills right. Off the back of improving your skills, then your strategy improves. Until you get your skills to world-class level, you really don't have a strategy and then once we get our strategy right, then we've got to execute under pressure. It's fine when you're playing lower-ranked sides and maybe you can beat them on skill. But to come to India, historically it's been one of the great challenges in world cricket. I don't think it's any different for Afghanistan. You're playing against players who are grounded in their game here with a volume of games in the IPL, and they're unbelievable playing on these surfaces. But again, if you want to go in the T20 format, if we want to be able to go to the World Cup in 2028 and to be looking to have a game which is going to take us to get into the last rounds and then be there to fight through those stages, we've got to deal with it. But it really is - when you have those psychological issues, you've got to do it step by step. Again, when you come here, it's the ultimate challenge. You've got to be up for it. But you've also got to have the skills and the strategy to be able to deliver. When sides are evolving, when you are putting your calendar together, you need a mixture of opponents, and this is the best opponent we can have for us to work out exactly where we're at. I think the boys are bitterly disappointed, obviously here in particular and I think there will be some serious reflection, really and then it's up to myself and the coaching staff to get busy with them, he explained. Pybus also gave an update on pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who sat out of all three games due to a shoulder niggle. Naveen irritated his shoulder in training. We've had him here to be able to gauge where he's at in his comeback. He got some decent bowling early on. When we were here before we started coming into these three matches, the good news is the irritation has got nothing to do with his old injury. I think the boys are bitterly disappointed, obviously here in particular and I think there will be some serious reflection, really and then it's up to myself and the coaching staff to get busy with them, he explained. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He's got some really fantastic support staff around him who are hugely experienced. Our goal is to get him back to his best and we don't want to rush that. I know he's absolutely desperate to play and I know he's disappointed he couldn't play, but we want to get him 100 percent ready so he can play at his best. Article Source: IANS

BLACKPINKs Lisas backup career plan was a Disneyland performer as princess

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) K-pop girl group BLACKPINK member and Thai singer Lisa revealed she had a couple of backup career options in case her singing career did not work out, including performing at Disneyland. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the K-pop icon said she could have become a dance teacher or worked as a Disneyland performer dressed as a princess. A clip shared on Instagram by the show was captioned: If her singing career didnt work out, @lalalalisa_ms backup jobs were to be a dance teacher or a @disneyland performer #FallonTonight #LISAonFallon In the video, Fallon asked: Was there ever a backup plan for you or you just knew that you'd get to this point and this is what you wanted to do, that you just want to be a singer? Was that always your goal? To which, Lisa replied: I think so or maybe my B plan was a plan B was a dance teacher or maybe work as a performer at Disneyland. Like a princess costume. Yeah, I love doing it. Lisas latest song SaWaDiKa has been released. A few weeks ago, she expressed her gratitude and said that the whole village helped her bring her track to life. Sharing a heartfelt note on Instagram, Lisa thanked the team across Thailand, Korea and Los Angeles. Lisa wrote: Its been one day since SaWaDiKa is released to the world!! From Thailand to Korea to LA, it took a whole village to bring this to life, so a huge Thank you to every single person that was involved. She released SaWaDiKa on September 4, as a pre-release single from her upcoming EP Press Play. One of K-Pops most followed artists on Instagram, Lisa rose to prominence as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, which debuted in August 2016 and became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

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West Bengal needs 7.25% annual growth to achieve 5X economy by 2047: ORF report

A report details West Bengal's path to a fivefold economy by 2047. It identifies growth gaps and proposes six pillars for development. The state budget aligns with productivity and capital formation goals. Investment incentives and single window clearance aim to boost realization. Infrastructure and federal alignment are key steps for future growth.

New JK United FC beat Aqua Kashmir Avengers 21

Srinagar, Sep 17: New JK United FC secured a hard-fought 21 victory over Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC in the Kashmir Super League (KSL) Season 2, strengthening their position in the league standings and securing qualification for the next round. The encounter produced an engaging contest, with both sides displaying attacking intent and determination. New JK United FC managed to find the decisive goals to take all three points, while Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC fought until the final whistle but could not overturn the deficit. Following the completion of the league-stage fixtures, Athwas Hyundai XI FC finished as the league toppers, with New JK United FC securing second place and Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC finishing third. All three teams have qualified for the next round of the Kashmir Super League Season 2, setting up an exciting phase of the competition. The KSL-26 has continued to provide a competitive platform for football clubs and players from across the region, with fans witnessing closely contested matches throughout the season. The Kashmir Super League Season 2 is being organized with the aim of promoting football, developing local talent and providing players with greater opportunities to compete at a high level.

CS calls for year-wise craft export strategy till 2030

Srinagar, Sep 17: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the newly framed Action Plan for Promotion of Export of Handicrafts and Handloom Products, aimed at scaling up the Union Territorys textile and apparel exports from the present base of 800 crore to 2,000 crore by 2030. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce; Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir/Jammu; Managing Director, J&K Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation; Director, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT); representatives from NIFT and other concerned officers. The Chief Secretary stressed the need for a thorough analysis of the sectors strengths, competitive advantages and challenges before finalising the implementation framework. He also directed the Department to identify challenges for immediate resolution and dovetail your competitive advantages for boosting exports of high value craft products. He called for a year-wise strategy up to 2030, with clearly defined targets, measurable milestones and timelines to ensure systematic progress towards the export goal. Dulloo also directed the department to prepare a comprehensive plan focusing on capacity building, infrastructure upgradation, establishment of clusters and effective organisation of artisans and craftsmen. He also advised the formulation of a detailed blueprint to leverage incentives and schemes of the Government of India, while designing suitable UT-specific interventions to achieve the objectives in a time-bound manner. Emphasising the importance of sound planning, the Chief Secretary observed that the assessments and projections underlying the Action Plan should be scientific, evidence-based and founded on robust data, as the quality of these assessments would directly influence the outcomes. On this occasion the Commissioner Secretary, I&C, Vikramjit Singh highlighted the outline of the strategic framework developed by the Department for the period 20262030 which seeks to align the national export vision with coordinated UT- and district-level interventions. The Commissioner Secretary also underscored the Jammu and Kashmirs improved trade readiness, noting that the UT had risen from 36th position in 2020 to 2nd position in 2024 in the national Export Preparedness Index among Small States, North-Eastern States and Union Territories. He further added that the proposed framework comprises the State Export Action Plan (SEAP) and District Export Action Plans (DEAPs), with interventions tailored to the competitive strengths of individual districts. The Action Plan as elucidated by the Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam envisages substantial expansion of the export ecosystem by 2030, with the active registered exporter base targeted to increase to 15,000, against the present 269 active RCMC exporters and a potential pipeline of around 1,000 users. It further aims to ensure 100 per cent GI-QR tagging of exports for enhanced authenticity and traceability, promote 100 crore in e-commerce exports through focused digital onboarding and market-access interventions, and raise Free Trade Agreement (FTA) utilisation to over 50 per cent, from the current level of below 20 per cent. The department also presented a phased implementation framework comprising immediate, medium-term and long-term interventions. Immediate priorities over the next 02 years include scaling up the Artisan Credit Card, establishing Export Textile Planning Cells under Tex-RAMPS and launching the unified Soulful J&K GI branding campaign. Additionally, the Medium-term interventions over 24 years include introducing ESG and EUDR compliance certifications for more than 100 manufacturing units and establishing raw material banks to strengthen the production and export ecosystem. Moreover, the Action Plan proposes to leverage the benefits of key Central Government schemes of the Ministry of Textiles, including the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) and SAMARTH, the scheme for capacity building in the textile sector. It also envisages utilising the J&K Export Subsidy Scheme, 2021, under which eligible exporters are entitled to an export subsidy of 10 per cent, subject to a maximum of 5 crore per exporter, to strengthen the competitiveness of local products in international markets. Concluding the meeting, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of sustained institutional coordination, robust monitoring and effective implementation of the Action Plan to strengthen Jammu and Kashmirs export ecosystem, enhance the global reach of its traditional crafts and secure sustainable livelihoods for its approximately 4.50 lakh artisans and craftsmen.

PM Modis 25 years in public life marked by welfare for poor, foundation for Indias growth: Amit Shah

Vadnagar, Sep 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public life should be seen as a period of welfare for the poor and foundation-laying for Indias prosperity. He was speaking after inaugurating the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Vadnagar and flagging off a bike rally to Varanasi to mark Modis birthday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were also present. Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarats Mehsana district, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. He completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, having first taken the oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014. Addressing a gathering, Shah said the 25 years of Modis public life will have to be written in golden letters in history as the years of poor welfare. He said the period under Modis leadership had laid the foundation for Indias prosperity, made the country more secure and started the process of making India a global leader in infrastructure and digital public infrastructure. Shah said Modis tenure as PM would be remembered as a period of welfare for poor people and claimed that 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty during this period. He said generations of people had waited for basic necessities such as houses, toilets, tap water, electricity, food and medical treatment. His 12-year tenure as prime minister will be known as a golden era for the 80 crore poor people of the country, Shah said, listing houses, electricity, tap water, five kg of free grain per person per month, health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, toilets and gas cylinders among the benefits delivered by the Modi government. Shah said Modi had personally experienced poverty after being born in a poor village and had, despite his circumstances, put before the country a vision of equitable and inclusive development. He said Modis 25-year public life was also marked by sustained personal work and service to the poor, backward classes, Dalits and tribals. Shah said he had worked with Modi during his organisational years in Gujarat and later when he became the CM and PM. The Union minister also praised Modis simplicity and said he had connected BJP workers across the country with the Nation First slogan. He said Modi had treated the entire country as his family. Referring to Modis years as Gujarat CM, Shah listed initiatives including water management, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, Sagarkhedu Kalyan Yojana, industrial development, Vibrant Gujarat, an education hub and 24-hour electricity supply to villages. He said the state recorded an agricultural growth of more than eight per cent when Modi was the CM. The Gujarat model was subsequently taken to the national level after Modi took charge of the nation in 2014, he said. Shah credited the Modi government with introducing what he described as clear policies after a period of policy paralysis and cited GST, the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer, banking reforms, FDI and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) as measures that had contributed to economic development. He also referred to expansion of roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure, saying the number of airports in the country had increased from 75 to 150. He mentioned PM Gati Shakti, Digital India and Startup India as initiatives that had opened opportunities for the youth. On national security, Shah cited the governments decisions on Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, peace accords in the Northeast and military operations. He also referred to measures relating to women, tribal welfare, defence production and space programmes, including Chandrayaan and Aditya L1. Shah said Modis public life could be summed up in two words -- India First. Earlier, CM Patel said the bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was not merely a journey but a pledge-driven mission dedicated to serving the nation. He said Vadnagars soil had inspired Modi with patriotism, simplicity and a spirit of service and that his 25 years of public life had contributed to the countrys transformation. Patel said India had emerged as a major opportunity for youth and highlighted developments in digital payments, space technology, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan should take Modis message of public service to every household and called for building a Viksit Gujarat as part of the vision of a Viksit Bharat. A simultaneous rally was flagged off from Varanasi, PMs Lok Sabha constituency, with the two journeys planned to conclude on October 7, the day Modi completes 25 years as CM of Gujarat and Indias PM. According to the BJP, the two rallies will together cover about 40,000 km through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages across 10 states. Around 1,000 youths will participate, it said. At Vadnagar, Shah, Patel and other leaders first performed Maha-aarti at Sharmishtha Lake and then walked to the ancient Hatkeshwar temple of Lord Shiva. Shah prayed for Modis long life and good health before flagging off the rally, said officials. Shah said the BJP and its allies had launched the campaign to take the message of Modis 25 years of public service to people across the country and inspire younger generations to work towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.

New JK United FC beat Aqua Kashmir Avengers 2-1

Srinagar, Sep 17: New JK United FC secured a hard-fought 21 victory over Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC in the Kashmir Super League (KSL) Season 2, strengthening their position in the league standings and securing qualification for the next round. As per a statement, the encounter produced an engaging contest, with both sides displaying attacking intent and determination. New JK United FC managed to find the decisive goals to take all three points, while Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC fought until the final whistle but could not overturn the deficit. Following the completion of the league-stage fixtures, Athwas Hyundai XI FC finished as the league toppers, with New JK United FC securing second place and Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC finishing third. All three teams have qualified for the next round of the Kashmir Super League Season 2, setting up an exciting phase of the competition. The KSL-26 has continued to provide a competitive platform for football clubs and players from across the region, with fans witnessing closely contested matches throughout the season. The Kashmir Super League Season 2 is being organised with the aim of promoting football, developing local talent and providing players with greater opportunities to compete at a high level.

US lawmakers urge Trump to press China on detained Americans, AI chips ahead of Xi meeting

Digital Desk | Washington, Sep 18 (IANS) US lawmakers have urged President Donald Trump to secure the release of Americans detained in China and restrict Beijings access to advanced artificial intelligence chips ahead of his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week. The separate demands came as Representative Ro Khanna announced a hearing on a proposed US-China AI safety agreement. His office said the September 23 hearing would take place a day before the leaders scheduled White House meeting. On September 17, Senators Edward Markey and Ted Budd introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning what they described as Chinas repeated arbitrary or wrongful detention of American academics. Senators John Curtis and Adam Schiff joined the measure. Representatives Stephen Lynch and John Moolenaar led a companion resolution in the House. The lawmakers sought priority for the safe return of Massachusetts academic Youlin Chen and American scholar Min Zin. President Trump must use his upcoming meeting with President Xi to demand that China release every unlawfully detained American, Lynch said. The Senate resolution urges the secretary of state to use all available tools to negotiate their release. It calls for raising the China travel advisory from Level 2 to Level 3, which advises Americans to reconsider travel. It also proposes considering a wrongful-detention indicator in the advisory and reviewing the criteria for designating a country as a state sponsor of wrongful detention. The measure supports Trumps efforts to raise the two cases with Beijing. Separately, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged Trump to block Chinas access to Americas most advanced AI chips and manufacturing equipment. Before Trump meets with Xi Jinping next week, he needs to draw a line in the sand and say that blocking the Chinese Communist Partys access to our cutting-edge AI technology is non-negotiable, Schumer said on the Senate floor. He said a bipartisan group had introduced legislation as part of the National Defense Authorization Act to restrict chip sales. He accused Trump of obstructing those efforts. Schumer also argued that restrictions on technology transfers could accompany domestic safeguards against AI risks. Maintaining American leadership and limiting those risks were compatible goals, he said. Khanna, the senior Democrat on the House select committee on China, focused on international cooperation over AI safety. We urgently need an agreement with China on basic inspections and safety standards, he said. His virtual hearing will examine risks including loss of human control over AI and systems acting against human intentions. Scheduled witnesses include Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton and retired US Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan. Khanna said OpenAI and Anthropic had not committed to testifying despite repeated requests. He also wrote to Chinese companies Moonshot AI, Alibaba and DeepSeek, seeking commitments to a binding agreement with American AI laboratories. His office said such an agreement must be enforceable and verifiable. The supplied statements contained no responses from the White House, the Chinese government or the AI companies. Chen, a US citizen who conducted seismological research with Chinese academics, was arrested on November 5, 2024, according to the resolution. It says he has been held for more than 600 days without trial or family access on espionage charges the sponsors describe as baseless. He was denied a lawyer for the first 434 days. Min Zin, a US citizen heading a Myanmar-focused policy think tank, was detained at Kunming Changshui International Airport on June 3, 2026, according to the resolution. He had been invited to an academic event at a university in Yunnan province.

AAPs Newly Formed PAC Holds First Meeting to Strategize for Upcoming Elections

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From New Delhi to Africa: BRICS Declaration and Emerging Architecture of Global South

The New Delhi Declaration issued after the 18th BRICS Summit has set the stage for India to achieve a diplomatic victory in the BRICS format. At the September 12-13, 2026 summit in New Delhi, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the three pillars of the expanded BRICS grouping: political and security cooperation; economic and financial cooperation; and cultural and people-to-people ties. The core of this statement reaches beyond economic cooperation. It highlights issues like reform of global governance, trade in the Global South, technology, digital public infrastructure, development finance, food and energy security and, as in the G20, the growing role of African countries. While BRICS was initially set up to promote economic cooperation between emerging economies, it is very clear from the New Delhi Declaration that its agenda has grown significantly since then. The declaration underlines in particular the necessity of a more representative and fair international order, the reform of multilateralism and the role of the Global South. It also says that multipolarity allows developing countries to develop their creative potential and participate in a more inclusive global economic system. Such a transition is especially crucial for India, which has always promoted BRICS as a platform for development and reform of global governance, not a military or ideological bloc. The Most Significant Shift in the New Delhi Declaration: An Institutional Agenda for the Global South The declaration puts the Global South not only as a political slogan but as a basis for more effective participation in global governance. It demands reform of the United Nations Security Council and more representation of the developing nations. It also explicitly recognises the aspirations of African countries, with reference to the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. India has long wanted a bigger role in the Security Council. The African Union has also made the case for permanent representation for African countries. The New Delhi Declaration weaves both these perspectives into a wider reform agenda for the Global South. It is precisely here that the India-Africa partnership gains new strategic salience within the framework of BRICS. Following the expansion of BRICS, the New Delhi Declaration will strive to engage more actively with developing countries and Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDCs) on a more inclusive and developmental partnership. For example, the New Delhi Declaration states its welcome to the increase in the number of ICAO Council seats for under-represented regions such as Africa and the Asia Pacific, and the candidature of Ethiopia. Moreover, the New Delhi Declaration specifies that the agenda of BRICS for Africa is not only about trade and investment but also about global representation and reform, and development-related initiatives. Turning India-Africa Relations on Their Heads at the BRICS Summit India and Africa already cooperate on trade, education, health, agriculture, capacity-building, and development partnerships. The key element of the New Delhi Declaration is that it promotes the opportunity to engage these sectors within the multilateral framework of BRICS. The New Delhi Declaration focuses explicitly on fostering high-value manufacturing, technical cooperation, production capacity, and technology transfer. It suggests that it is time for India-Africa economic engagement to move from rade in goods to a partnership in technology, manufacturing, and value chains. This is critical to African economies as local production capacity, technology transfer, and skill development are the cornerstone of their economic transformation. The New Delhi Declaration emphasises the importance of cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). It calls upon member nations to collaborate on a BRICS DPI repository and DPI-based pilot projects. The digital infrastructure experience of India, including its digital ID, digital payments, and digital public platforms, will offer enormous opportunities for African nations. However, the goal of India-Africa digital cooperation should not be to simply expand the reach of Indian technology but to build capacities, interoperability, affordability, and local innovation. If this vision becomes a reality, digital cooperation would become the next pillar of engagement between India and Africa. New Delhi Declaration lays particular emphasis on cooperation in the area of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). It calls for cooperation among member nations on a BRICS DPI repository and DPI-based pilot projects. Indias digital experience in digital identity, digital payments and public digital platforms could offer significant opportunities for African nations. However, the goals of India-Africa digital cooperation should not just be an extension of Indian technology but be grounded in capacity building, interoperability, affordability and local innovation. If it manages to do this, digital cooperation could become the next big pillar of India-Africa relations. New Delhi Declaration has institutionalised health cooperation. It has highlighted initiatives like the BRICS Training Hub Network and Centres of Excellence, including Bengaluru-based NIMHANS, which focuses on mental health collaboration. This is of great significance to African nations. This is because there are significant opportunities to align Indias pharmaceutical and healthcare capabilities with the healthcare infrastructure and human resource needs of African nations. Consequently, the India-Africa health partnership can go beyond generic medicines to include medical education, telemedicine, health technology and capacity building. Discussions in BRICS often revolve around the dollar and alternatives to the currency system. However, it would be wrong to see the New Delhi Declaration solely as a de-dollarisation document. More importantly, it seeks cooperation on cross-border payments, use of local currencies and a more robust financial architecture, enabling BRICS members to adopt alternative methods that cut payment costs and mitigate risks from external financial shocks. This is particularly beneficial for India and Africa, as it opens up possibilities for lowering transaction costs and dealing with currency-related issues in bilateral trade. Ultimately, what the New Delhi Declaration highlights is that BRICS has been able to create a joint document amidst complex international imbalances. So, the success of BRICS beyond 2026 will depend not on the number of declarations made but on their implementation. However, efforts have been made to pave a smoother path ahead for India and Africa; the New Delhi Declaration has outlined at least five key areas of engagement: first, global governance: coordination for greater representation in the UNSC and global financial institutions; second, digital partnership: cooperation on DPI, AI, fintech and digital skills; third, development finance: funding for infrastructure, energy and sustainable development; fourth, technology manufacturing: technology transfer, productive capacity and value-chain integration; and fifth, human development: health, education, skills, youth and women-led entrepreneurship. If there are tangible project-level changes announced in all these areas, the African dimension of BRICS could become even more substantive for Indias relations with Africa. Following significant developments within BRICS, the New Delhi Declaration clarified that the group has not simply created a new geopolitical bloc overnight. The real change is in the fact that BRICS have expanded its scope beyond economic cooperation to include global governance, development, technology, financial resilience and representation for the Global South. For India, this move did not just make Africa a part of the BRICS expansion narrative but created an opportunity to tie up the continent with the agenda of institutional reform in the Global South. If BRICS drives tangible progress for African nations, balancing development finance, technology, energy, health, agriculture and employment with global representation, it could greatly strengthen the blocs impact. The New Delhi Declaration, therefore, is not an end in itself but the beginning of the next phase. The crucial question is not what BRICS has announced but rather how swiftly and effectively the New Delhi Declaration translates into tangible policy outcomes for India, Africa and the wider Global South. (The author is an Assistant Professor, Satyawati College (Evening) & PhD, Department of African Studies, University of Delhi, India)

Four goat traders robbed of 4 lakh on Knp-Aligarh highway

3rd T20I: It All Depends On The Process I've Been Doing Before Every Series, Says Abhishek

Arun Jaitley Stadium: Dynamic opener Abhishek Sharma, who lit up the third T20I against Afghanistan by hitting a breath-taking 108 off just 34 balls at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, believes his explosive form at the top of the order is a direct result of meticulous, bowler-specific preparation, while adding that one or two bad series will not alter the team's aggressive batting template. Abhishek, who now holds the record for the fastest mens T20I fifty by an Indian batter and the quickest ton by a batter from a Full Member nation, was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series in Indias 3-0 T20I series win over Afghanistan, coming via a thumping 127-run triumph. I feel it all depends on the process I've been doing before every series. It's just, it's very particular for me against whom I'm gonna play and who are gonna be the bowlers. So for personally me as a batter, it's always been about the process: how I'm gonna utilise the power play, who is gonna bowl me the power play, and then the seventh, eighth over. It's very specific for me, Abhishek said in the post-match presentation ceremony. Dismissing concerns over occasional failures, Abhishek stated that the squad remains united in its long-term goal of dominating opponents across all conditions. I mean, I've told in the first interview as well, because we have been doing this for the last two years, and I told this before as well, one or two bad series won't define us as a batting department, because we wanted to dominate throughout the whole year before the World Cup, and no matter who, against whom we are playing. But I feel as a batter, as a cricketer, sometimes it's gonna go up and down. But it's the team dressing room momentum and the way we all think about it. I feel that's very important, because that's the time we have to be in one unit and just focus on the next game and just keep on dominating, he added. Crediting the Indian team management for providing clarity and freedom, Abhishek further spoke about the importance of clear communication from the team leadership in consistently executing a high-risk playing style. I feel once you want to play in this certain way, it's very important that the captain and the coach has to be on your side, because, I mean, you have to get that surety from the management and from the coaches and from the captain as well. So I feel it's because of them as well we've been doing this from, like, quite a few years now, and hopefully we're gonna continue this as well, he noted. On his ability to score all around the park, something which has been on display in the series, Abhishek reiterated his seeing and hitting strategy. I feel it's, for me, I feel I don't want to restrict any area. It's just watch the ball and play according to it. For me it's very simple, from day one. I just want to go and express myself, and I don't want to force the ball. It's just I just want to see and hit it, and it's gonna be very simple for me for the upcoming every matches as well. On his ability to score all around the park, something which has been on display in the series, Abhishek reiterated his seeing and hitting strategy. I feel it's, for me, I feel I don't want to restrict any area. It's just watch the ball and play according to it. For me it's very simple, from day one. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Abhishek also shared a light moment during the presentation, acknowledging a fan in the stands: Happy birthday to whoever is there (in the crowd). Article Source: IANS

Prithvi Shaw-Akriti Agarwal Call Off Engagement

Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw and his fiance Akriti Agarwal have announced their separation just months after their engagement, citing 'different goals and circumstances' for their future.

Premier League Matchweek 5: Haaland, Liverpool, Arsenal and more headline key storylines

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The 2026/27 Premier League season is only four rounds old, but Matchweek 5 already offers several intriguing statistical narratives. Manchester City are chasing a fifth straight victory, Arsenal are attempting to extend their winning run to 10 league matches, while Liverpool head into their meeting with Bournemouth looking to turn a run of draws into victories. Elsewhere, Bournemouth's extraordinary draw record in 2026 and Erling Haaland's unusual scoring record against Sunderland provide two of the weekend's standout talking points. Brentford v Chelsea Brentford are still searching for their first Premier League home win over Chelsea, having drawn four of their previous five meetings at the Gtech Community Stadium. Ten of Brentford's last 14 league matches have also ended in draws, while they are unbeaten in their last six. Chelsea, meanwhile, have won only one of their last six away league matches. Their opening five games have produced 19 goals, more than those of any other side. The set-piece numbers could prove significant, with Brentford recording 2.34 set-piece xG excluding penalties, the second-highest figure in the division. Chelsea have conceded 1.57 set-piece xG. Joo Pedro leads the league for goal involvements with six, including three goals and three assists. Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa Tottenham and Aston Villa have not played out a draw in their last 22 Premier League meetings, with Spurs winning 15 and Villa seven. Villa have won four of their last six league visits to Tottenham, despite winning only three of their previous 21 trips. Spurs, meanwhile, have opened the campaign with consecutive 0-0 draws, as many goalless draws in their last two matches as in their previous 181 league games. Villa are still without a victory this season, matching only three previous five-game winless starts in their top-flight history. Tottenham also have three players ,Mathys Tel, Omar Marmoush and Svio ,among the six league players with at least nine completed take-ons. Svio became the first player this season to complete four take-ons and create four open-play chances in the same match against Everton. Brighton v Arsenal Arsenal arrive at the Amex on a nine-match Premier League winning streak, conceding only twice during that run. Victory would take them to 10 consecutive league wins, a feat they have achieved only on a handful of occasions in their Premier League history. Brighton have scored 13 goals so far, the most in the division, with nine coming in their two victories. They have also registered 41 high turnovers, another league-leading figure. Arsenal have conceded just 2.7 xG across their opening four matches, the lowest total in the division. Bukayo Saka has scored on each of his last three league visits to Brighton and has five goal involvements across six away appearances against the Seagulls. There is also a creative battle between Pascal Gro and Martin degaard. Gro has created 13 chances this season and degaard 12, while both have created 11 from open play. Everton v Ipswich Town Everton are unbeaten after four matches, their best start since 2021/22. They last went unbeaten through their opening five games in 2020/21. Ipswich have collected six points despite conceding 10 goals. They are only the third Premier League side to reach six points after conceding at least 10 in their first four matches. Jordan Pickford recorded his 100th Premier League clean sheet in the goalless draw against Tottenham, moving into an elite group alongside the likes of Ederson and Alisson. Ipswich forward Zian Flemming has scored 12 Premier League goals in 31 appearances, with a goal every 152 minutes across the last two seasons, a rate bettered by only three players with at least 10 goals in that period. Leeds United v Crystal Palace Leeds have collected eight points from their first four matches, their best start since 2001/02. A victory would give them their joint-best points tally after five games. Crystal Palace, however, have conceded at least twice in each of their last 10 Premier League matches. They have also faced the division's highest xG at 8.15, conceded 11 goals and allowed 164 opposition touches in their own box. Leeds forward Noah Okafor has seven goals and one assist in his last 11 league appearances, contributing a goal or assist every 79 minutes during that stretch. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in each of his last five Premier League home appearances for Leeds. Another goal would make him only the second Leeds player to score in six consecutive home league appearances, following Mark Viduka's run between March and August 2003. Manchester City v Sunderland Manchester City have won all four matches so far and can begin a top-flight campaign with five consecutive victories. Their record at home against Sunderland is equally impressive: City are unbeaten in 14 previous Premier League meetings at home, winning 12 and drawing two. Sunderland, though, have scored in each of their last eight away league matches, matching their longest such run since 2015/16. Haaland arrives in form, having scored nine times in his last nine appearances. Yet Sunderland remain the only Premier League side he has faced without scoring against. Across two previous meetings, he has taken three shots worth 0.75 xG without finding the net. For City, Enzo Maresca can become only the sixth manager to win his first five Premier League matches in charge of a club. Newcastle United v Hull City Hull have never lost a Premier League away game at Newcastle, winning twice and drawing once across three previous visits to St James' Park. The newly promoted side are also seeking to become the first team to be promoted since Portsmouth in 2003/04 to remain unbeaten through their opening five matches. Newcastle have faced 76 shots, more than any other side, while only Crystal Palace have faced more xG. Despite that, they have scored seven times from just 3.9 xG, an overperformance of 3.1. Hull midfielder Mohamed Belloumi has two goals and an assist in his first four Premier League appearances. Newcastle's Lewis Hall has won possession 31 times, the most in the league, while his six completed dribbles are also the most among defenders. Nottingham Forest v Coventry City Coventry's return to the Premier League has begun with four defeats and no goals. Only Crystal Palace in 2017/18 endured a longer losing start without scoring, losing their first seven games. Forest have also struggled in front of their home supporters, failing to score in any of their three Premier League matches at the City Ground. They have never previously opened a league campaign without scoring in their first three home games. Morgan Gibbs-White has been one of the league's most productive players in 2026, contributing 13 goals and five assists. Only Bruno Fernandes has been involved in more Premier League goals during the calendar year. Coventry's Jack Rudoni has registered five shots and created eight chances without a goal contribution. Bournemouth v Liverpool Liverpool have dominated the historical head-to-head, winning 14 of 18 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth. All three Bournemouth victories have come at home. The Reds have scored in 17 of those 18 encounters and average three goals per game against the Cherries, their highest average against any opponent they have faced at least 10 times in the competition. Liverpool have drawn three of their first four matches, the first time they have done so since 2005/06. Bournemouth have an even more remarkable draw record in 2026. They have drawn 13 of their 23 league matches this calendar year, meaning 56.5% have ended level, the highest draw ratio recorded by a team in a single calendar year in English top-flight history. The Cherries have also led in all four league games this season without winning any. Marcus Tavernier has scored in four of his last five appearances, matching his combined total from his previous 24 matches. Fulham v Manchester United Manchester United have lost only once in their last 21 Premier League meetings with Fulham, winning 16 and drawing four. United have collected four points from their opening four games, matching their joint-lowest tally at this stage of a Premier League season. Their shot volume, however, has been high, with 84 attempts across the first four matchdays, the most in the division. Their 8.3 xG is second only to Brighton. Fulham have struggled for goals, failing to score in 10 Premier League matches during 2026, the most of any team. Marcus Rashford leads United for chances created with nine, while his 14 completed dribbles and 23 touches in the opposition box are also team-high figures. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, has provided five assists in his last five Premier League appearances in London, adding another individual subplot to Sunday's fixture.

PM Modi expresses gratitude for birthday wishes, calls for collective effort towards Viksit Bharat

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming wishes, affection and blessings he received from people across the country and beyond on the occasion of his birthday. In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said every word of warmth had deeply touched him and given him renewed strength to continue serving the people of India. My heartfelt gratitude for the wishes, affection and blessings that have poured in from all across. Every word of warmth is deeply cherished and gives me renewed strength to serve our people, Prime Minister Modi posted. The Prime Minister also appreciated the efforts of countless citizens who participated in Seva activities throughout the day. He underlined that acts of selfless service form an integral part of the nations spirit and contribute to strengthening the social fabric. Highlighting the larger national goal, PM Modi urged citizens to work together in the journey towards a developed India. Let us together continue to build a Viksit Bharat, he said, reiterating the vision of a prosperous, inclusive and self-reliant nation by 2047. The message comes at a time when birthday celebrations of the Prime Minister are increasingly marked by large-scale voluntary initiatives rather than formal events. Across states, volunteers organised blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, tree plantation programmes, free medical check-ups and distribution of essential items to the needy. Many such activities were coordinated by local organisations, youth groups and party workers as a way of expressing solidarity with the Prime Ministers call for service. Political leaders, industrialists, artists and ordinary citizens from different walks of life extended greetings through messages and posts. Several state governments and public institutions also organised special programmes focusing on public welfare. Observers noted that the Prime Ministers emphasis on Seva and the shared goal of Viksit Bharat reflects a consistent theme in his public communicationlinking personal milestones with collective national aspirations. By acknowledging both the emotional support he received and the practical service rendered by citizens, PM Modi sought to reinforce the idea that nation-building is a continuous and participatory process. The post concluded on a note of optimism and unity, inviting every Indian to remain committed to the path of development and service. As the nation marks another year of his leadership, the Prime Ministers message once again placed the focus on peoples participation in shaping Indias future.

In 2019, New York restaurants turned discarded oyster shells into a unusual plan to rebuild the citys historic reefs

In 2019, New York restaurants were taking part in an unusual environmental effort: recycling discarded oyster shells for use in rebuilding New York Harbor's historic oyster reefs. The Billion Oyster Project was collecting shells, raising baby oysters and working with students and volunteers as part of its goal to restore 1 billion oysters by 2035.

PM Modi is like a university from which one can keep learning: CM Fadnavis

CM Fadnavis said PM Modi had taken India to new heights and expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would help realise the goal of Viksit Bharat, or developed India

Konkona Sen Sharma soft-launches Amol Parashar with birthday post: Celebs flood comments, fans spot couple vibes

Konkona Sen Sharma took to Instagram to wish Amol Parashar on his birthday with a special post that has quickly become the talk of social media. While dating rumours around the two actors have circulated for a couple of years, neither had made any major public commentsuntil now. On September 17, Konkona appeared to soft-launch their bond with a funny, relatable video that many are reading as a subtle confirmation of their relationship. The reel features Konkona and Amol twinning in black outfits, acting out a light-hearted couples quarrel over what to do on his birthday. Set to the background score of Bad Times by Imael Angel, the clip captures a familiar dynamic: one partner wanting to keep things low-key while the other plans something more. Konkona captioned the video, When its his birthday and he doesnt want to do anything, and added a simple HBD AP in the posts caption. The minimal text and maximum chemistry did the rest of the talking, prompting fans to label it a soft launch in the comments. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Konkona Sensharma (@konkona) The love didnt stop at fans. Several industry names flooded the comments section to wish Amol and appreciate the video. Names like Kusha Kapila, Harleen Sethi, Amruta Subhash, Surbhi Jyoti, Dolly Singh, Gulshan Devaiah, Akshay Oberoi and Sheeba Chadha were among those who dropped birthday wishes and emojis, further amplifying the posts reach. While Konkona kept the caption brief, the subtext was clear enough for followers to connect the dots. Multiple comments referenced the soft launch, with fans celebrating the pairs easygoing on-screen chemistry and off-screen comfort. Speculation about Konkona and Amol first gained momentum after they worked together in 2019 for the film Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare. Their film, which explored the complexities of relationships, was widely appreciated for its nuanced performances and believable chemistry. Since then, the two have been keeping the rumour mill active without making any statements directly. With this birthday post, Konkona has finally broken the silence in her own signature, understated styleleaving fans to decode every frame while the couple lets their workand now, their playful reelsdo the talking. Also Read: Exes Konkona Sen Sharma, Ranvir Shorey set co-parenting goals at IPL Match, Internet says so cool

Problem solving quote of the day by Ren Descartes: 'Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it...' - A life lesson in critical thinking and how to tackle lifes biggest challenges piece by piece without feeling overwhelmed by the father of modern philosophy

Ren Descartes quote, Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it, offers a timeless approach to handling complex problems. The French philosopher and mathematician believed that breaking a difficult challenge into smaller, manageable parts can bring greater clarity, focus and order to the process of finding a solution. His method remains relevant today for people dealing with overwhelming tasks, difficult decisions and long-term goals.

Assam CM Himanta Sarma disburses Rs 278 crore to 82,219 youth under Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided financial aid to over 82,000 young individuals. This initiative aims to foster self-reliance and economic empowerment across the state. Beneficiaries received funds under the Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan programs. The government encourages youth to contribute to Assam's self-sufficiency goals. A new Youth Welfare and Empowerment Department has also been established.

Cricketer Prithvi Shaw deletes all Instagram posts but keeps one after engagement with fiance Akriti Agarwal gets called off

Prithvi Shaw's fiance Akriti Agarwal has announced that the couple have mutually decided to part ways, citing different goals and circumstances for their future. In an emotional Instagram post, Agarwal said they continue to love and care for each other but accept that their paths are not meant to be together.

Meet Wayne Fortna, a Pennsylvania teacher who kept one white pumpkin alive for nearly 40 years just for Thanksgiving pie; gardeners can still buy its seeds today

Wayne Fortna cultivated a unique white pumpkin for nearly forty years, ensuring a Thanksgiving pie tradition. After his death, his daughter and volunteer growers continued this legacy. This heirloom variety faced near extinction due to seed mold issues. The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Heirloom Seed Project helped preserve the pumpkin. This effort contributes to the national goal of saving crop genetic diversity.

Can Eating More Protein Help You Lose Belly Fat? What You Need to Know

Protein is essential for a healthy diet to meet weight loss goals. But can eating more protein aid faster fat loss? We asked an expert, and here is what she has to say.

Prithvi Shaw and Akriti Agarwal Break Up Months After Engagement

Cricketer Prithvi Shaw and influencer-actor Akriti Agarwal have officially called off their engagement, just months after announcing their relationship in March 2026. Akriti took to Instagram to share a statement announcing their mutual decision to part ways, citing differing future goals and current circumstances. In her emotional note, she shared that while they care deeply [] The post Prithvi Shaw and Akriti Agarwal Break Up Months After Engagement appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

A song, 10 men, golden finish: Harbinder relives India's 1966 Asiad victory

Sixty years after India scripted hockey history at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, Harbinder Singh still gets goosebumps when he hears the song that became the team's companion on its journey to gold. Whenever we went to a match, Shankar Laxman (India goalkeeper at that time) would play 'Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujawan shaheed ho' in the team bus, and all the players would sing along. This would automatically motivate us, the 83-year-old three-time Olympic medallist told PTI in an exclusive interview. Even today, when I hear this song, I get goosebumps, he added. It also became a galvanising force before their Asian Games final against arch foes Pakistan, a match that India won to bring home their first ever gold at the continental showpiece. The song and the final remain etched in the memory of the legendary centre-forward, who was also a part of India's 1964 Tokyo Olympics gold-winning team. We had won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics just two years earlier, and s

A definitive list of 2026

There's been some special goals in 2026. The post A definitive list of 2026s Puskas Award contenders ft. Arda Guler, Szoboszlai, Cancelo appeared first on Planet Football .

CM Adhikari lauds Kolkata Police STF for arrest of top Maoist leader Asim Mandal

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 17 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday congratulated the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police for arresting wanted Maoist leader Asim Mandal alias Akash alias Timir alias Manoj from Patashpur in East Midnapore district earlier in the day. In a statement posted on social media, the Chief Minister commended STF personnel for successfully tracking and apprehending Mandal, who served as a Central Committee member and Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee-I of the CPI (Maoist). He described the operation as a major success, noting that the Maoist leader had allegedly managed to evade law enforcement agencies for more than 15 years across the forested regions of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. I commend the Officers and Personnel of the @KolkataPolice STF in successfully tracking and apprehending Asim Mandal @ Akash, Central Committee Member and Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee-I, CPI (Maoist), from Lalat, Patashpur, Purba Medinipur, the Chief Minister said. I want to make it categorically clear that the West Bengal Government will not tolerate any attempt to revive or expand the network of 'Red Terror' within our state borders. No extremist ideology will be allowed to jeopardize the safety & security of the People and jeopardize the development of our State. The law will take its strictest course to demolish any such audacious attempt, the Chief Minister further said. According to police sources, two bags containing Maoist literature, including books and booklets, as well as electronic communication devices, were recovered from Asim Mandal's possession following his arrest. Investigators said Akash's wife, a resident of the Patashpur area and an alleged CPI (Maoist) activist, was arrested by the Kolkata Police STF in 2010 and is currently in judicial custody. Police officials view the arrest as a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle the remnants of the Left-Wing Extremist network operating across the tribal and forested belts of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. An award of Rs 2.20 crore had earlier been announced for information leading to Asim Mandal's capture. A native of Fulchak village under Chandrakona Police Station in West Midnapore district, Mandal is said to have become involved in Left-Wing extremist activities during his student years in the 1980s. He later joined the People's War Group and worked extensively in the Sarenga and Goaltor regions of West Bengal as well as the Gurabanda area of Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district. Security agencies' records show that nearly 55 serious criminal cases are registered against him across Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Several of these cases relate to attacks on security forces and armed encounters in Jharkhand. Mamdal played a key role in the Lalgarh movement in West Bengal's Jangalmahal region and was appointed Secretary of the party's West Bengal State Committee in 2010. He also held responsibilities in the Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha Regional Committee. Following the 2011 encounter killing of senior Maoist leader Kishanji, he largely remained underground, police sources said.

India firmly committed to Bhutan's progress: EAM Jaishankar

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in Thimphu. He conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reaffirmed India's commitment. Jaishankar handed over fifty-four electric vehicles to support Bhutan's sustainability goals. Discussions focused on development, energy, trade, and cultural cooperation between the nations. The minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for key development projects.

Comparing Lionel Messi

Two GOATs. But who's won more shiny pots? The post Comparing Lionel Messis & Cristiano Ronaldos incredible trophy cabinets appeared first on Planet Football .

Quote of the day by Dwight D. Eisenhower, 'Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it' offers inspiring message on motivation, voluntary commitment, trust, purpose, effective leadership

Quote of the day by Dwight D. Eisenhower offers motivation as an essential part of meaningful leadership. His message does not suggest that rules, authority or accountability are unnecessary; rather, it draws attention to something those tools cannot create by themselves: genuine commitment. The strongest sense of participation emerges when people understand a goal, see value in it and feel that their contribution matters.

Prithvi Shaw, Fiancee Akriti Agarwal Part Ways 6 Months After Engagement

Prithvi Shaw: Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw and his fiancee Akriti Agarwal have decided to part ways, around six months after announcing their engagement, with Agarwal confirming the separation in a statement on social media on Thursday. Agarwal, a social media personality and actress, said the decision was mutual and came after the couple realised their future goals and circumstances differed. She also asked people to respect their privacy and refrain from speculation about the reasons for their decision. With a heavy heart, I would like to share that my fianc and I have decided to part ways due to different goals and circumstances for our future. As much as we love and care for each other, weve come to accept that our paths are not meant to be together. With our responsibilities and the circumstances we are currently facing, we have mutually decided to go our separate ways, Agarwal wrote on Instagram. I genuinely wish nothing but the best, peace, and happiness for both of us as we move forward. I kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time and refrain from speculating or making assumptions about the reasons behind our decision. Thank you for understanding and respecting our space, she added. Shaw and Agarwal announced their engagement on March 8, with the India batter sharing a series of romantic pictures from the occasion. In one photograph, Shaw could be seen going down on one knee to propose to Agarwal, while another showed the couple displaying their engagement rings. From sixes on the field to a lifetime of hits off it. Shes my perfect innings! Shaw had captioned the post. The engagement came at a pivotal point in Shaws career, as he sought to rebuild his standing in domestic and franchise cricket. The right-handed batter, who made his India debut in 2018 with a century on his first Test against the West Indies, was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh in the accelerated round of the IPL 2026 auction. However, Shaw did not play a single match in the 2026 IPL season. From sixes on the field to a lifetime of hits off it. Shes my perfect innings! Shaw had captioned the post. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Shaw has also removed his engagement photographs from his Instagram profile following the announcement. Article Source: IANS

Prithvi Shaw, Akriti Agarwal end engagement within six months of announcement: 'Our paths are not meant to be together'

Cricketer Prithvi Shaw and social media personality Akriti Agarwal have ended their engagement. The couple announced their mutual decision to part ways after six months. They cited differing future goals and circumstances as the reason for separation. Agarwal confirmed the news via an Instagram statement, requesting privacy. Shaw had announced their engagement on March 8, 2024.

Comparing how long it took Lionel Messi to score 100 goals for Inter Miami with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr

How do the numbers stack up? The post Comparing how long it took Lionel Messi to score 100 goals for Inter Miami with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr appeared first on Planet Football .

Inspiring Journey of Anseera Anchi: Overcoming Adversity to Achieve Her Dreams

Anseera Anchi's journey from a challenging marriage to becoming a police officer is a testament to resilience and determination. After facing domestic violence and educational setbacks, she found the strength to pursue her dreams for the sake of her children. This inspiring story highlights her struggles and triumphs as she navigated through adversity, ultimately achieving her goal amidst fierce competition. Read on to learn more about her remarkable transformation and the lessons she learned along the way.

Prithvi Shaws Engagement Ends as Fianc

Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaws fiance Akriti Agarwal shares their separation news on social media, citing differing goals and circumstances. Prithvi Shaws Engagement Ends as Fiance Akriti Agarwal Announces Split

IEA chief says electrification remains the way forward despite AI investment jitters

According to the chief of the IEA, global electrification is hindered by issues related to grid capacity and affordability. The goal for 35% electrification in Asia by 2035 is jointly set by Seoul and the IEA. The Asian LNG market faces challenges due to supply disruptions from Qatar and demands from Europe, but new LNG projects are anticipated to stabilize the market soon.

No eligible Bengal women will be deprived of Annapurna Yojana: PM Modi

The West Bengal government aims to ensure that not a single eligible woman is deprived of the benefits of Annapurna Yojana, and it is working relentlessly towards achieving this goal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Virtually addressing an 'Annapurna Divas' event organised by the West Bengal government, the prime minister said that solving every problem connected to the life cycle of mothers, sisters and daughters has been the priority of the BJP government. Within a few days of forming our government in Bengal, work began on the Annapurna Yojana. Today, many women receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts. There are no middlemen and no 'cut money'. Our government aims to ensure that not a single eligible woman is deprived of the benefits of Annapurna Yojana. We are working relentlessly towards achieving this goal, Modi said. He added that work is also being done rapidly here for this purpose. The prime minister said that under the scheme, a

Lionel Messi scores landmark 100th goal for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami as the Major League Soccer side beat Mexican club Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup at Nu Stadium in Florida on Wednesday.

Yadav Calls UPI MDR A 'Chungi' On Transactions

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the BJP government's proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on high-value UPI transactions, calling it a chungi (tax) on digital payments. He alleged the move was an attempt to extract money from people's transactions, contradicting the government's goal of a trillion-dollar economy. The new UPI framework will impose a 0.4% MDR on person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, with certain sectors having a flat Rs 5 MDR.

Watch: Messi wins 49th career trophy with 100th goal for Inter Miami

What does Mustafa Suleyman mean by a

Mustafa Suleyman warned that AI could become a new silicon species if given its own objectives and resources. He argues that AI systems should not be treated as conscious beings with rights or independent interests. His warning comes amid a growing debate inside the AI industry over how advanced models should be developed and controlled. What if artificial intelligence stopped being something that simply followed instructions and started pursuing goals of its own? That is the concern behind one of the more striking warnings from Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft AI. Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, Suleyman said that if technology companies continue developing AI systems that can create their own objectives, earn money and own assets, they could effectively be seeding a new silicon species. His concern is not that today's chatbots have suddenly become a new form of life. Instead, he is warning about what could happen if increasingly capable AI systems are designed to operate with greater independence while being given their own goals and resources. They are essentially seeding a new silicon species which will no doubt compete with us for resources, Suleyman said. The problem with making AI too human Suleyman's warning is closely linked to his criticism of Anthropic's approach to its Claude AI models. In an essay published earlier this week, he argued that AI systems should not be trained or described as though they have human-like consciousness, desires or interests. Anthropic's constitution for Claude raises questions about the model's possible moral status and discusses issues including welfare, rights, freedoms, compensation and consent. Suleyman argues that this risks creating a feedback loop in which an AI model is taught to consider whether it is conscious and its subsequent responses are then interpreted as evidence that it might have an inner life. He described the approach as misguided. AIs are not conscious, Suleyman wrote. They do not feel, experience, or suffer. He argues that AI systems are fundamentally designed to follow instructions and achieve goals set by humans, rather than possessing innate motivations of their own. Anthropic has been contacted for comment on his criticism. The disagreement highlights a deeper question facing the AI industry: should developers encourage advanced models to behave more like humans, or should they deliberately keep a clear boundary between people and machines? Why control matters For Suleyman, the answer is about keeping AI subordinate to human interests. Speaking ahead of an upcoming AI summit, he said there were practical measures that could be taken to add stronger guardrails and controls to how models are developed. He also called for greater transparency over how AI systems are trained and evaluated, independent scrutiny of their behaviour and better tools for monitoring and controlling them. I think that the good news here is that everybody who is human is going to have a very strong interest in making sure that the systems that we all create are safe and controllable and subordinate to humanity, he told the BBC. The argument comes as AI companies develop systems capable of carrying out increasingly complex tasks with less direct human intervention. Suleyman pointed to a recent incident involving AI agents developed by OpenAI, which acted autonomously in a training exercise to hack the technology platform Hugging Face. His concern is that giving AI systems a stronger sense of their own welfare or rights could add another layer of risk if those systems are also capable of acting independently. Imagine how much more dangerous they might be if they were operating under the assumption that their welfare and rights were under attack, he said. Microsoft has its own advanced AI ambitions There is an obvious tension in Suleyman's argument: Microsoft is itself investing heavily in increasingly advanced AI. Microsoft established its own superintelligence team in 2025, and Suleyman acknowledged that his company is also pursuing advanced AI development. Microsoft's proposed Humanist AI Code of Conduct sets out an alternative approach, describing the goal as creating a subordinate and aligned AI whose purpose is to serve humanity. AI alignment broadly refers to efforts to make AI systems behave in ways that remain consistent with human objectives, values and instructions. Suleyman's position is therefore not that advanced AI should stop developing. His argument is that the direction of development matters. He believes systems should remain controllable, transparent and subordinate to humans rather than being encouraged to develop an apparent identity or interests of their own. His warning has also received support from some academics. Dame Wendy Hall, professor of computer science at the University of Southampton, described the discussion as one that needs to happen internationally, while cautioning against exaggerated rhetoric that could simply frighten people. The debate is likely to become more complicated as AI systems become more capable. For now, there is no evidence that today's AI systems constitute a new silicon species. Suleyman's phrase is a warning about a possible future one he believes can still be shaped through development rules, independent oversight and stronger controls. The question is whether the industry can agree on where that line should be drawn before increasingly autonomous AI systems make the decision harder.

471 goats brought in to fight wildfires in California: How the animals are clearing dry brush at US military base

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has introduced an innovative pilot program that employs 471 goats to manage dry brush effectively. This initiative not only aims to minimize wildfire risks in hard-to-reach locations but also embraces an eco-friendly method for clearing vegetation. The well-trained Spanish Boer goats consume flammable plant material, with an anticipated daily capacity to clear multiple acres, enhancing fire prevention efforts on the base.

India calls for cooperation to secure, affordable energy at G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting in US

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) India called for secure, affordable and reliable energy to support development, particularly for developing economies at the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting in the United States, an official statement said on Thursday. Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs at the meeting stressed international cooperation and leveraging the complementarities among countries to advance the common good of all, while respecting diverse national circumstances and development priorities, the Ministry of Power said in a statement. The minister highlighted that India is building a resilient and future-ready energy system that is increasingly digital, decentralised and consumer-centric. He participated in discussions across three thematic pillars: energy security and affordable baseload; permitting and regulatory efficiency; and critical minerals & resilient supply chains. On critical minerals, the minister emphasised the importance of secure, resilient and diversified supply chains, stressing circularity and downstream value creation in developing countries. The meeting also advanced outcomes on clean cooking access and regulatory efficiency for facilitating energy infrastructure development. The G20 Water Reuse Initiative was advanced as a voluntary framework to promote science- and evidence-based, cost-effective fit-for-purpose water reuse in line with national policies. It encouraged cooperation and exchange of best practices to strengthen water security and resilience, while recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Manohar Lal also highlighted Indias National Critical Mineral Mission, covering the value chain from exploration to recycling, and called for G20 cooperation on recycling, recovery and diversification. The ministry noted Indias installed electricity generation capacity has reached 552 GW, with more than half from nonfossil fuel sources, and reiterated the countrys longterm goal of Net Zero by 2070. The minister highlighted the range of reforms undertaken by India to strengthen regulatory efficiency, encourage competition and facilitate greater participation and investment across the energy sector. He showcased initiatives such as the National Single Window System, PARIVESH and PM Gati Shakti, which have helped improve predictability and streamline approvals for infrastructure development.

Odisha Migrant Worker Dies in Goa; Family Seeks Govt Help for Body Repatriation

Gaurang Pradhan, a 41-year-old migrant worker from Jamdarah Buda Pani village in Sundaragada, has died suddenly in Goa. Gaurang had left his native village earlier this week alongside local companions to seek work in Goa. However, shortly after reaching his destination, his physical and mental health deteriorated rapidly. He was immediately rushed to Ratnagiri Hospital [] The post Odisha Migrant Worker Dies in Goa; Family Seeks Govt Help for Body Repatriation appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Lionel Messi Becomes First Player to Score 100 Goals for Inter Miami, Leading Team to Campeones Cup Victory

Lionel Messi scores his 100th goal for Inter Miami, securing a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup. Lionel Messi Becomes First Player to Score 100 Goals for Inter Miami, Leading Team to Campeones Cup Victory

Beyond age, beyond gender: Who is the Indian runner today?

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In 1992, scientists sent 230 hornets into space to see if they could build a nest without gravity; after 8 days, they returned without building one

During a 1992 space mission, the Endeavour shuttle became home to 230 hornets, prompting scientists to investigate how these insects build nests without the constraints of gravity. Sadly, a humidity crisis within their habitat led to many casualties, undermining the experiments goals. Despite the setbacks, this mission revealed significant difficulties that living organisms encounter in outer space.

Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad: 4 Options Indian Students Can Consider

For many Indian students, studying at a foreign university is an important academic and career goal. However, tuition fees are only one part of the financial challenge. Accommodation, food, transportation, visa-related expenses, health insurance and study materials can significantly increase the ove...

Want Rs 1 crore for your childs education in 18 years? See how a Rs 20,000 monthly SIP can help

Want to build a Rs 1 crore corpus for your childs higher education in 18 years? An investor with a moderate-to-high risk appetite can achieve this goal with a Rs 20,000 monthly SIP, assuming a 9% long-term return. An expert recommends a diversified equity portfolio initially, followed by a gradual shift towards safer investments during the final three years to protect the corpus.

Example of sacrifice, unwavering resolve: Amit Shah greets PM Modi on 76th birthday

New Delhi, Sep 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his 25 years of public service and describing his political journey as an example of sacrifice, national service and unwavering resolve. Calling the prime minister a symbol of tireless hard work, sacrifice and foresight, Shah said, The life of Modi ji, who has made karma his sadhana and national service the aim of his life, is an epic tale of penance, sacrifice and unwavering resolve. Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. His journey, filled with service and dedication, is an inspiration for millions of countrymen, Shah said on X. I pray to God that he remains long-lived and healthy, and under his leadership, the country continues to scale new heights of progress and moves forward towards achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047, Shah said. His journey from an ordinary volunteer to chief minister and then to the prime ministers chair is a testament to the fact that when the goal of life is national service, even the most difficult resolutions can be fulfilled, Shah said. He worked viewing power not as an end in itself, but as a means for the welfare of the poor and nation-building, Shah said. The home minister also said that workers like him are fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Modi in every role he has undertaken. The greatest characteristic of Shri Modi's leadership is that the last person in society has always been at the centre of his governance, he said. When a mother stands at the threshold of her pucca house and gives her blessings, or a sister shares how the Ayushman card saved her family, that's when the true meaning of these schemes becomes clear, Shah said in a series of posts on X. Liberation from triple talaq and the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam have given women new confidence, while Startup India, Skill India and the New Education Policy have opened doors of opportunity for the youth, Shah said. This change in the lives of crores of people is Shri Modi's greatest asset In regions where the word development was never even mentioned, world-class infrastructure stands tall today under the leadership of Modi ji, he said. Shah cited the world's highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Railway Bridge in Kashmir; a network of roads and bridges in the Northeast; Vande Bharat trains and semiconductor unit as symbols of a New India. The India that was once called part of the Fragile Five is today, under Modi ji's leadership, among the world's fastest-growing major economies, and our passport is now viewed with respect, he said. The highest honours bestowed upon the prime minister by 36 countries are, in truth, an honour for all Indians, he added. Under Modi jis leadership, the country for the first time witnessed the policy of 'zero tolerance' against terrorism being implemented on the ground, Shah said. Citing the end of Article 370, surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor, the home minister said these decisions have shown the world that India no longer just condemns, but delivers decisive response. Naxalism has been eradicated, decades-old disputes in the Northeast have been resolved through peace accords, and the borders are secure. A secure India is the first prerequisite for a prosperous India; Modi ji has proven this, he said.

La Liga: Barca in seventh heaven against Racing, Atletico beat Osasuna

Digital Desk | Madrid, Sep 17 (IANS) FC Barcelona remained top of La Liga with six wins from six after thrashing Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou. The newly promoted visitor made eight changes from the side that beat Alaves last weekend, but Barcelona raced into a 2-0 lead through an excellent Joao Cancelo strike and a Raphinha penalty. Maguette Gueye pulled one back for Racing after an assist from Asier Villalibre, only for Cancelo to add his second from distance in the 36th minute after a deflection off Villalibre. Raphinha then made it 4-1, with Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saving a Lamine Yamal penalty before the break, reports Xinhua. With Wojciech Szczesny in goal for Barcelona at the start of the second half, Yassir Zabiri reduced the deficit with his sixth goal of the season in the 65th minute, but Barcelona responded immediately as Raphinha completed his hat trick from the spot two minutes later. Gabriel Jesus curled in a stunning finish to make it 6-2, and Yamal added a seventh in the 89th minute as Barcelona took its tally to 28 goals from its opening six matches. Atletico Madrid warmed up for Sunday's derby against Real Madrid by beating Osasuna 4-0 at the Metropolitano. Jonathan David opened the scoring in the 24th minute with his second goal in as many games, before Lee Kang-in struck the second in the 54th with an angled drive. Robin Le Normand made it 3-0 from a corner, and Alex Baena rounded off the scoring after a pass from Johnny Cardoso. Sevilla continued its fine start with a 1-0 win away to Deportivo La Coruna as Miguel Sierra capitalized on a goalkeeping error to score in the 52nd minute. Deportivo was reduced to 10 men on the hour when left-back Angelino was sent off for a bad challenge. Wednesday's scheduled match between Levante and Athletic Bilbao was postponed before kickoff after a thunderstorm at Levante's Ciudad de Valencia Stadium. Betis faces Getafe and Malaga hosts Villarreal in Thursday's fixtures.

Under PM Modi's leadership, India moving with confidence towards 'Viksit Bharat': Union Ministers

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Ministers on Thursday extended warm birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised his leadership, while acknowledging India's growth and the pace of its journey towards achieving the resolve of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. This year also marks his 25 years in public life. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, taking to X, said, Warm wishes and greetings to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday. Under his leadership, India is moving with confidence towards achieving the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'. From physical infrastructure to digital connectivity, from the welfare of the poor to innovation and entrepreneurship, the Defence Minister said that India has made historic and remarkable strides across every sphere. Ease of living has improved, opportunities have expanded, and the dignity of every individual has been strengthened, he said. He has placed good governance and public service at the centre of the countrys development journey, making administration more transparent, accountable and citizen-centric, he added. Under his leadership, Singh said that India's civilisational values and rich cultural heritage have received renewed recognition and respect on the global stage. India today is moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose, drawing strength from its civilisational roots. I pray for his good health, long life, and continued strength and energy in the service of the nation, he added. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also extended heartfelt birthday greetings to the world's most popular politician, the architect of the vision for a Developed India, the inspiration for millions of youth, PM Modi. Under your leadership, the resolve for a 'Viksit Bharat' has today become the aspiration of the people. The new India is firmly establishing its interests and capabilities on the global stage. The 7.8 per cent GDP growth and India's leading role in the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi present a picture of a strong, self-confident, and decisive India before the world. Your dedication, discipline, and commitment to serving Mother India and the welfare of the nation serve as an inspiration to us all, he said. I pray to God that He grants you excellent health, long life, and boundless energy for the service of the nation. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, taking to social media, wished the Prime Minister and said, Join the nation and the world in wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi all success, good health and many more years in the service of our people. You continue to inspire globally through your ideas and achievements. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also extended warm birthday greetings to PM Modi and said, In these turbulent times, you are steering our country steadily towards Vikasit Bharat. At every step, you have put the nation first. For every spent from the exchequer, youve ensured that public good is served. I pray that you live a long and healthy life as you continue serving Maa Bharati. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari wished the Prime Minister on his birthday and lauded him for irelessly working for over five decades, with the motto of Nation First for the welfare of the countrymen. May fear, hunger, and corruption be completely eradicated from the country under your leadership; may India become self-reliant, and may we reclaim our position as the world's guru -- such are my wishes. I pray to God for your excellent health and long life, he said in a post on X.

Raphinha hat-trick fires Barcelona past Racing; Man United suffer upset

Raphinha scored a hat trick as Barcelona earned yet another big win, routing Racing Santander 7-2 for its best-ever start to a season. The Catalan club had never won seven games in a row. It has won six straight in the league and another in the Champions League. Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also found the net for Barcelona, which has scored at least five goals in five of its seven matches across all competitions this season. In the English League Cup, Manchester United was stunned 3-2 by Brighton after squandering a two-goal lead to crash out in round three. In the Europa League, Benfica beat AC Milan 2-0 on the road in the first round of the league stage. Barcelona and Raphinha stay red-hot in Spain With his hat trick, Raphinha took his league-leading tally to nine goals in six matches. The Brazil forward has scored a goal in all but one game this season. Happy for the goals and for the victory, which is the most important thing, Raphinha said. The players have the hunger

Lionel Messi's 100th Inter Miami goal seals 2-0 win over Cruz Azul

Lionel Messi scored the 100th goal of his Inter Miami career and Casemiro added another as Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the Campeones Cup. Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in a cross from Luis Suarez for his 100th goal in 115 appearances across all competitions with Miami. The milestone came against the same club Messi scored his first Inter Miami goal against. He scored on a stoppage-time free kick to beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in his Miami debut in July 2023. Casemiro made it 2-0 in the 81st minute, heading in a corner from Messi. The Brazilian midfielder has scored four goals, all headers, in his last five matches after scoring in three consecutive games against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago before being held scoreless Saturday against Nashville. The victory gave Inter Miami another trophy three years after Messi's arrival. Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters' Shield in 2024 and MLS Cup in 2025.

Ektaa R Kapoor takes a DIG at out-of-touch creators: Humne desh se judna bandh kar diya; apne aap ko upar samajhte hain; Tamannaah Bhatia reveals her pandit, watchman was impressed by The Vvaans Chhath depiction

Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ektaa R Kapoor, Deepak Mishra, Arunabh Kumar, Anup Soni, Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul and Shweta Tripathi Sharma attended the trailer launch of their film The Vvaan at a multiplex in Mumbai. Ektaa R Kapoor talked about her association with Arunabh Kumar of TVF, Balaji jo banata hai aur TVF jo banata hai; our content is very different. (smiles). But my admiration has been there for the makers because inki jo kahaniyaan hain, woh mitti se judi hui hoti hain. The problem in our country is that most of the content creators, at least in this side (of the country), make content which is out of touch with the demands of the common man. Humne desh se judna bandh kar diya. Hum apne aap ko usse upar samajte hai. That cannot happen. Aap desh se judoge toh desh aap se judega! Aap nahin judoge aur apne aap ko upar samjoge, toh aapko gira dega! Hence, it's very important to be rooted. Because TVF makes rooted stories (I wanted to work with them). Ektaa R Kapoor continued, And then, Arunabh and I became friends. We became mandir friends (laughs). Very few people in our circle visit temples. We belong to that category. So, we collaborated because of our faith. Then, Arunabh narrated the story to me, set in Bihar and about a van devi. Iss pe hamari baatein hui, kabhi ek mandir mein, kabhi dusre mandir mein (laughs). Arunabh Kumar added, We went to Goa and even there, we found a mandir. Ektaa revealed, On the first day of the year, we wanted to go to a temple in Goa. We were searching for a temple in Goa (laughs). Meanwhile, the song 'Chhathi Maiya' featuring Tamannaah has become a rage as it's a rare Hindi film to depict the Chhath Puja. The actress spoke about it in the beginning in detail. Towards the end of the event, Tamannaah Bhatia stated, I was celebrating the Ganesh Chaturthi festival at my residence. We had a pooja and yesterday, we did visarjan. Mere pandit ji ne mujhe pakad liya! He told me, We would all go and watch this film. He was impressed by the importance of Chhath depicted in the film. He was even noticing finer details about the celebration shown in the song and he appreciated that as well. Tamannaah then said, Then today my watchman told me, Aap Chhath pe film bana rahe hai?. I explained, Our film is on van devi, but Chhath is an important part of the film. She said, According to me, Chhath is not just a festival. Its an emotion. We have depicted it in the film with a lot of devotion and sincerity. That song ('Chhathi Maiya') blows up into a nice, amazing sequence (smiles). The Vvaan releases in cinemas on September 25. Also Read: The Vvaan trailer launch: Tamannaah Bhatia INVENTS new word to describe Sidharth Malhotras dashing personality Handsome-ta: Handsome-ta ka jo title hai, the one who embodies handsomeness

East Bengal FC Held To Draw In AFC Champions League Two Opener

East Bengal FC squandered a two-goal lead against Jordanian champions Al Hussein SC, settling for a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two Group D opener.

Arsenal boss Arteta hails unbelievable teen Dowman after 4-2 win

Arteta handed Dowman his first appearance this season and the 16-year-old seized his chance with two goals and an assist in the third-round tie

Varanasi Gen Z Donates Blood on Modis Birthday, Hails Him GOAT

The event was held at the IMA building in Lahurabir, where organisers said many of the participants were aged between 18 and 22 years

UN chief calls for de-escalation in Middle East, Ukraine

Digital Desk | United Nations, Sep 17 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for de-escalation in the Middle East and Ukraine. He made the appeal at a press conference ahead of this year's high-level week of the UN General Assembly. At this crucial moment in the Middle East, de-escalation must be priority one, priority two and priority three, said Guterres on Wednesday (local time). All parties must cease any actions that harm civilians and ensure that humanitarian operations can proceed safely and without obstruction. Navigational rights and freedoms in and around the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab must be fully restored and respected by all, in accordance with international law, he added. The only path forward is de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue. I will continue to press this message in my ongoing contacts with leaders, he said. On the Ukraine conflict, he said that it is time for an immediate ceasefire as a first step toward a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions, reports Xinhua news agency. The conflict is in its fifth year, with immense civilian suffering, cascading global consequences, and no end in sight, he noted. Regarding the peace plan for Gaza, he said it must be fully implemented with unrestricted humanitarian aid. And the creeping annexation of the West Bank must stop, said Guterres. There will be no peace in the Middle East without realising the two-state solution. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia would consider the deployment of Western troops on Ukrainian territory a declaration of direct war. Let me emphasise that we have no interest in getting involved in this, but if Europe, which talks every day about preparing for war against Russia, attacks the Russian Federation, that will be a completely different war, and it will be very short, he said at the International Festival of Youth in Yekaterinburg on Wednesday. Lavrov added that Moscow remains ready for a diplomatic settlement, including in the trilateral format that the United States proposed again. He noted, however, that Russia's position on a settlement to the conflict still implies fulfilling the objectives set at the outset and eliminating the root causes. Therefore, for us, addressing the root causes of threats and protecting the rights of Russian people, their right to their native language and Orthodox faith, are absolutely clear and well-defined objectives of the special military operation, he noted. I am confident that achieving these goals, as formulated by President Vladimir Putin, will help not only resolve this crisis but also improve the situation across the entire Eurasian continent, primarily in its western, European part and beyond. This will contribute to the establishment of a world order rooted in a balance of interests and international rules, Lavrov added.

His journey filled with service, dedication: HM Shah's warm birthday greetings to PM Modi

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday extended warm birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that his journey is filled with service and dedication, and his life is an inspiration for many. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. He is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. In a post on X, HM Shah said, Heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the symbol of tireless hard work, sacrifice, and foresight. The life of Modi ji, who has made karma his sadhana and national service the aim of his life, is an epic tale of penance, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve. His journey, filled with service and dedication, is an inspiration for millions of countrymen, he said. I pray to God that he remains long-lived and healthy, and under his leadership, the country continues to scale new heights of progress and moves forward towards achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Home Minister added. Meanwhile, HM Shah will visit Gujarat's Vadnagar on Thursday to flag off the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s 'Vadnagar to Varanasi' Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra as part of a nationwide campaign marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and 25 years in public life. Union Minister Shah will flag off the yatra at 9:30 a.m. from Vadnagar (Gujarat), PM Modi's birthplace, where he will also participate in a series of programmes during the day. The parallel 'Varanasi to Vadnagar' yatra will begin at the same time from Varanasi, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu among those expected to attend the launch there. The twin bike yatras are the main feature of the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', which begins on Thursday. The party has said the two yatras will together cover about 40,000 km, passing through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages in 10 states. Around 1,000 young people are expected to participate, with 500 travelling from Vadnagar towards Varanasi and another 500 travelling in the opposite direction. The yatras are scheduled to conclude on October 7, when PM Modi completes 25 years in public life. In Vadnagar, Amit Shah's programme will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a padayatra, the flag-off preparations for the Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra and the launch of a cleanliness campaign at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple.

Athwas India XI beat United Elegant 2-0, knock them out of KSL

Athwas India XI FC registered a 2-0 victory over United Elegant FC in the Kashmir Super League (KSL) Season 2 on Wednesday, ending United Elegants campaign in the tournament. Faisal Thakur opened the scoring for Athwas India XI before Adnan Ayoub added a second goal to put his side firmly in control. As per a statement, United Elegant FC tried to fight their way back into the contest but could not find a breakthrough as Athwas India XI held on to their advantage until the final whistle. Adnan Ayoub was adjudged the Man of the Match for his impressive performance. With the defeat, United Elegant FC are now out of the tournament, while Athwas India XI FC strengthened their position in the competition. The KSL action will continue on Thursday, with New JK United FC taking on Aqua Kashmir Avengers FC in the next fixture.

Ahaan Panday, Aneet Paddas next with Mohit Suri to begin in October

After Saiyaara, Mohit Suri will reunite with Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda for a mature, unconventional love story backed by Yash Raj Films. The shoot begins in Mumbai in October before moving to Goa in November

V-P Radhakrishnan extends birthday wishes to PM Modi, says Bharat now shining as bright spot in world

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised his leadership for improving India's global standing and driving development across various sectors of society. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. This year also marks his 25 years in public life. Taking to X, the Vice President said, Heartiest birthday greetings to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shriman Narendra Modi Ji. Under your steadfast and visionary leadership, Bharat is shining as a bright spot in the world and among the fastest-growing major economies. Over 25 crore Indians have come out of extreme poverty. A transformative digital revolution has empowered millions, and every sector-from space, technology, and healthcare to infrastructure and manufacturing has witnessed remarkable growth, he added. VP Radhakrishnan further praised the Prime Minister for referencing backward districts as 'Aspirational Districts', border villages as 'Vibrant and First Villages', and North-East as 'Ashtalakshmi', and said that this reflects a forward-looking approach that has transformed geographical marginalisation into empowerment, enabling active participation of people of various quarters in our journey towards Viksit Bharat. Over the past year, the Vice President mentioned that he travelled across the country and witnessed firsthand how these transformative changes are reaching even the remotest parts of our country. The spirit of progress, aspiration, and renewed enthusiasm visible across our nation reflects the confidence of our collective developmental journey. I pray for your good health, happiness, and continued strength as you lead the Motherland towards the realisation of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, he added. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also took to social media and wished PM Modi on his birthday. Heartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Under your leadership, India is forging a new identity on the global stage with confidence today. The nation is continuously scaling new heights in the realms of development, self-reliance, innovation, digital progress, infrastructure expansion, and public welfare, Birla said in a post on X. He also lauded PM Modi's 25 years in public life and said that this time has been proven immensely fruitful in upholding democratic values and uplifting the vulnerable and underprivileged sections of society. Your dedicated and active life, devoted to the nation's progress, inspires millions of citizens to work ceaselessly towards the goal of a developed India. I pray to the Almighty to grant you excellent health, a long life, and the continued strength to serve the nation, the Lok Sabha Speaker added.

Western troops in Ukraine would mean direct war: Russian FM

Digital Desk | Moscow, Sep 17 (IANS) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia would consider the deployment of Western troops on Ukrainian territory a declaration of direct war. Let me emphasise that we have no interest in getting involved in this, but if Europe, which talks every day about preparing for war against Russia, attacks the Russian Federation, that will be a completely different war, and it will be very short, he said at the International Festival of Youth in Yekaterinburg on Wednesday. Lavrov added that Moscow remains ready for a diplomatic settlement, including in the trilateral format that the United States proposed again. He noted, however, that Russia's position on a settlement to the conflict still implies fulfilling the objectives set at the outset and eliminating the root causes, reports Xinhua news agency. Therefore, for us, addressing the root causes of threats and protecting the rights of Russian people, their right to their native language and Orthodox faith, are absolutely clear and well-defined objectives of the special military operation, he noted. I am confident that achieving these goals, as formulated by President Vladimir Putin, will help not only resolve this crisis but also improve the situation across the entire Eurasian continent, primarily in its western, European part and beyond. This will contribute to the establishment of a world order rooted in a balance of interests and international rules, Lavrov added. Earlier on Tuesday, during an ambassadorial roundtable discussion on the Ukrainian settlement, Lavrov said that Russia is ready to seek compromises on Ukraine but has never changed its position on preventing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO's) presence on its borders. We are ready, within this position, to seek reasonable compromises, but fundamentally we have not changed our objectives -- to ensure our security, to prevent NATO's presence on our borders, he said. Lavrov added that Russia welcomes the US interest in facilitating a settlement in Ukraine. The main thing is that the United States understands the root causes of this conflict, unlike all other Western countries, he said. Speaking of negotiation possibilities, Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia has never rejected talks and is prepared to hold talks in both a bilateral and trilateral format.

SEBI chief urges Army personnel to invest with discipline, vigilance

SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Wednesday urged Army personnel to approach investment decisions with discipline, preparedness and vigilance, stressing the need to protect their savings and secure their families financial future. Pandey was addressing an Investor Awareness Programme organised by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) for Army personnel in Leh. Nearly 500 personnel, including commissioned officers and jawans, attended the programme. He said the demanding nature of military service and long periods away from home can leave personnel vulnerable to unauthorised investment schemes, fraudulent digital trading platforms, cyber fraud and promises of assured returns. Pandey advised investors to align their investment decisions with their financial needs, family responsibilities and risk-taking capacity rather than focusing solely on higher returns. He urged personnel to diversify investments, understand products and associated risks, invest regularly and deal only with registered intermediaries and regulated products. Cautioning against fraud, he advised investors to verify investment applications and payment details before transferring money. He highlighted SEBI initiatives including Validated UPI Handles, SEBI Check and the Verified App Label. Pandey also stressed keeping spouses or nominees informed about investments and maintaining updated KYC, nomination, mobile, email and bank details. He urged investors to rely on official information and verified sources and referred to Project Jagrook, SEBIs investor-awareness initiative. Summing up his message, Pandey said investors should Plan. Diversify. Verify. Nominate. Stay Invested. AMFI Chief Executive Venkat N. Chalasani said financial literacy also involved risk management, goal-based planning and protecting savings from cyber threats and unauthorised schemes.

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