Taking to his social media account, Rahul shared a carousel of photographs with the simple caption, "Summering."

The pictures capture Rahul strolling through picturesque streets with Athiya, and also relaxing in a lush green park, followed by enjoying meals at a quaint cafe.

Athiya is also seen posing for a cheerful selfie with brother Ahan Shetty and another friend along with Rahul.

Another picture also captures the couple enjoying a quiet meal together.

For the uninitiated, KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty, after dating for a few years, tied the knot on January 23, 2023, in an intimate ceremony at actor Suniel Shetty's farmhouse in Khandala.

The wedding was attended by close friends and family members.

Earlier last year, the couple embraced parenthood with the birth of their daughter, Evaarah, on March 24, 2025. The little one recently celebrated her first birthday in March 2026, with a private family celebration.

For the uninitiated, Athiya is the daughter of Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty and Mana Shetty. She made her acting debut opposite Sooraj Pancholi in "Hero" in 2015 and later appeared in films such as "Mubarakan" and "Motichoor Chaknachoor" alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Post marriage, the actress went on to embrace motherhood and has taken a sabbatical from the film industry.

Talking about Ahan Shetty, the actor made his Bollywood debut with "Tadap" in 2021, directed by Milan Luthria. The romantic action drama, co-starred Tara Sutaria.

He was last seen in "Border 2," where he was seen alongside Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh.

Prajapati Nautiyal, Special Officer on Duty (SOD) for the pilgrimage administration, told IANS, "In accordance with directives from the administration and the Garhwal Commissioner, the pilgrimage resumed smoothly at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday."

He further said that any fresh instructions or updates received from the administration or the state government would be communicated to pilgrims through the media so that they could make informed decisions regarding their journey.

Despite the resumption of the pilgrimage, minor road blockages continue to be reported at several locations across the state due to landslides, falling rocks, and debris triggered by the persistent rainfall.

The Pokhari-Rudraprayag motor road has been blocked approximately one kilometre ahead of Guniyala Khal after large rocks and substantial debris fell from a hillside, disrupting movement along the route.

Heavy rainfall has also continued to affect normal life in Chamoli district, where the Badrinath National Highway remains blocked near Bhanerpani in the Pipalkoti area, creating difficulties for pilgrims and other travellers using the route.

Earlier, authorities had suspended the Char Dham Yatra on July 28 and 29 in view of concerns over pilgrim safety. The decision was taken after landslides blocked roads at several locations and the weather department issued an alert for heavy rainfall across parts of Uttarakhand.

The effects of continuous rainfall, landslides, and repeated disruptions have been increasingly visible on this year's Char Dham pilgrimage, with a decline being witnessed in the number of devotees undertaking the journey each day. Despite the weather-related challenges, however, more than 4.5 million, or 45 lakh, pilgrims have completed the Char Dham Yatra so far this season.

According to government figures, a total of 4,523,412 pilgrims had visited the four major shrines in Uttarakhand by July 25. Badrinath recorded the highest footfall, with 15,53,525 pilgrims visiting the shrine since the beginning of the pilgrimage. It was followed by Kedarnath, which received 14,14,590 pilgrims, while 7,09,418 devotees visited Gangotri and 6,49,957 pilgrims travelled to Yamunotri.

The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most significant pilgrimages in Uttarakhand and covers four revered temples located in the high Himalayan region -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. According to religious tradition, devotees are expected to undertake the pilgrimage in a clockwise direction.

The traditional route therefore begins with Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and finally concludes at Badrinath. The four shrines hold immense religious significance and attract millions of devotees from across India and abroad every year.

The high-altitude temples remain inaccessible for roughly six months every year because of extreme winter conditions in the Himalayan region. They generally open to devotees during the summer months, usually in April or May, and close again with the arrival of winter around October or November.

With the pilgrimage now resumed, authorities continue to monitor weather conditions, road connectivity, and the movement of pilgrims across the routes leading to the four shrines. 

Pilgrims have also been advised to remain alert and follow instructions issued by the administration as rainfall and landslide risks continue in several parts of the state.

The Indian boxer was in complete control throughout the quarterfinal, impressing all five judges with his sharp combinations, effective footwork and superior ringcraft. Sachin won the opening two rounds 10-9 on all five scorecards before sealing the contest comfortably in the final round to register a comprehensive victory.

The judges scored the bout 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 in favour of the Indian pugilist, underlining his dominance against the Botswana boxer.

With the victory, Sachin advanced to the men’s 60kg semifinals and, under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, also assured India of at least a bronze medal.

Sachin will now aim to carry his impressive form into the semifinals as he looks to secure a place in the gold-medal bout and add another boxing medal to India’s tally in Glasgow.

Earlier in the day, compatriots Sakshi and Arundhati too made it past the quarterfinal stage in their respective weight categories.

Sakshi assured the country of another medal after registering a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision over Northern Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers in the women’s quarter-finals.

Sakshi was in complete control throughout the contest, winning all three rounds on the judges’ scorecards. Four judges awarded her 29-27, while one scored it 29-25, reflecting her dominance in the bout. She also benefited from a point deduction against her opponent.

The convincing victory takes Sakshi into the semifinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal under the Commonwealth Games boxing format, where both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals.

Arundhati Choudhary assured the country of another boxing medal after defeating Morgan Henderson (NZL) by a 3-1 split decision in the women’s 70kg quarterfinals.

The Indian pugilist displayed composure and tactical discipline throughout the three-round contest to edge past Henderson in a closely fought bout. Three judges scored all three rounds in Arundhati’s favour (30-26), while one judge awarded the contest to the New Zealander 29-27. The fifth judge had the scores level at 28-28, but a one-point deduction against Henderson tilted the verdict in Arundhati’s favour.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that he is personally keeping a close watch on the flood situation across the state.

"The life and safety of every citizen of the state are our highest priority. My government and I have been closely monitoring the incessant rainfall and flood situation in some rivers at every moment," Chief Minister Majhi added.

The Chief Minister said that he had reviewed the flood situation with the Chief Secretary and the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and directed the entire administrative machinery to ensure the safety and well-being of people living in the affected areas.

"I appeal to all of you not to panic or be afraid. We stand firmly with you at every step. Please follow the advisories issued by the administration and remain safe," CM Majhi urged.

Highlighting the steps taken by the state government to tackle evolving situation, the Chief Minister told that to strengthen flood management, three senior IAS officers have been deputed to personally supervise evacuation, relief, and rescue operations in Baleswar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts, which are among the worst affected by the floods.

He said that the Special Relief Commissioner's Office and the State Emergency Operation Centre have been directed to function round the clock to closely monitor river water levels and the overall flood situation.

He added that personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services, and police have also been kept on full alert to evacuate people from vulnerable low-lying areas whenever required.

Chief Minister Majhi also said that adequate safe drinking water, cooked food, emergency healthcare services, anti-snake venom, and adequate fodder for livestock are available at all the relief shelters in the affected areas of the state.

Similarly, to prevent theft and protect the property of evacuated families, police had intensified night patrolling in vulnerable areas.

The officials have been directed to ensure the prompt assessment of flood damage and the speedy disbursement of compensation to people whose houses and agricultural land had been affected.

The Indian weightlifting icon was spotted training in Glasgow as she began preparations for the continental showpiece. With the Commonwealth Games title secured, Mirabai has wasted little time in turning her attention to the only major multi-sport prize that has so far eluded her.

The Manipur-born weightlifter opened India's gold-medal account at the Commonwealth Games 2026 by clinching the women's 48kg title in commanding fashion. Despite failing her opening 82kg snatch attempt, she recovered brilliantly to clear the weight on her second lift before raising the bar to 85kg, setting new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch.

She encountered another hurdle in the clean and jerk after dropping her first attempt, but responded with the composure of a seasoned champion by successfully lifting 105kg on her second attempt, sealing the gold medal well before the competition concluded.

The triumph completed a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games titles for Mirabai, who had earlier won gold at Gold Coast in 2018 and Birmingham in 2022. Her Commonwealth journey began with a silver medal at Glasgow 2014, making her one of the most decorated weightlifters in the history of the Games.

The Asian Games, however, remains unfinished business. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Mirabai finished fourth in the women's 49kg event with a total lift of 191kg, comprising 83kg in the snatch and 108kg in the clean and jerk. Her medal hopes ended painfully when she sustained a thigh injury while attempting 117kg in her final clean and jerk effort.

Now fully fit and carrying the confidence of another Commonwealth Games triumph, Mirabai has already begun laying the foundation for another medal bid. With the Asian Games fast approaching, India's most celebrated weightlifter will be hoping her latest chapter in Glasgow becomes the springboard for redemption on the continental stage.

He said this when John Britas raised the issue of Delhi Police personnel barging into the CPI(M) office in Delhi. 

The Rajya Sabha witnessed heated exchanges and sloganeering after members raised the issue of Delhi Police officials allegedly entering the national headquarters of the CPI(M) on Tuesday to arrest student leader Aishe Ghosh, a former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union.

After papers and reports were laid, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan permitted members to raise matters with permission.

John Brittas of the CPI(M) drew the House’s attention to the incident. He said police personnel “barged into a national political party office, CPI(M), to arrest a student leader, Aishe Ghosh”.

Brittas stated that her only alleged offence was participation in a student protest at Jantar Mantar. When questioned, the officers cited pending cases from 2020-21. “I have no problem with Delhi Police action as this is a bipartisan issue, but it is shocking that they came without prior information to you (C.P. Radhakrishnan. What do they want - to send fear? I want the Home Minister to tell us what happened,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge seconded the concern, calling it “very shameful that police barge into a national party office and try to arrest a leader.” He demanded that the officers involved be punished.

Opposition members continued sloganeering and pressed for action against the police personnel.

Responding to this, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said he himself had been a student leader and was arrested during the Emergency. “It is normal law and order activity which the police have to take,” he remarked and said, “Any student who wants to do activism should face police; even I faced many times during the Emergency."

His reply triggered further uproar, with opposition voices drowning out other speakers.

When Rajib Bhattacharjee of the BJP (Tripura) sought to make a statement, opposition members persisted with slogans and disruption.

The Chairman later adjourned the House till noon.

Earlier, when the House assembled at 11 a.m., papers were laid by Jayant Chaudhary for the Ministry of Education, Nityanand Rai for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, B.L. Verma for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Savitri Thakur for the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and M Nagaraja then laid on the Table a copy of the Twenty-Seventh Report (Eighteenth Lok Sabha) of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel (2025-26) on “Infrastructure Development to Augment Washed Coal Production” pertaining to the Ministry of Coal.

Arjun Ram Meghwal moved a motion seeking the House’s concurrence with the Lok Sabha’s recommendation that the Rajya Sabha elect two of its members to the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit. The vacancies arose from the retirement of N.R. Elango (effective April 2, 2026) and Deepak Prakash (effective June 21, 2026). The House resolved to elect the members in the manner directed by the Chairman.

The vacancies have affected several prominent universities, including the University of Madras, Annamalai University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil University, Bharathidasan University, Periyar University, Thiruvalluvar University, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu Open University, and the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University.

The situation is expected to worsen next month, when the tenures of the Vice-Chancellors of Alagappa University in Karaikudi and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli come to an end, taking the total number of universities without permanent Vice-Chancellors to 17.

Academic circles say the problem extends beyond the absence of Vice-Chancellors. Many universities, including Madurai Kamaraj University, have also been functioning without Registrars, Controllers of Examinations, Principals, Directors and other senior administrators for more than a year.

The prolonged vacancies have disrupted routine administration and slowed important academic and research activities.

In the absence of permanent heads, the state government has entrusted the responsibility of overseeing university administration to IAS officers serving as convenors. However, many of them manage the institutions remotely from Chennai while handling multiple government responsibilities, leading to concerns over effective supervision and timely decision-making.

Senior professors have also been assigned additional administrative responsibilities, creating discontent within academic circles. Faculty members say the arrangement has led to seniority-related disputes and affected the overall academic environment.

Researchers have further alleged that several research initiatives and long-term academic projects have slowed significantly because of the lack of permanent leadership.

Educationists maintain that appointing Vice-Chancellors is the only lasting solution to the crisis.

During the previous DMK government, appointments remained stalled amid a prolonged dispute between the state government and the Governor over the Chancellor’s powers in state universities.

Although Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar are widely perceived to enjoy a more cordial working relationship, appointments are yet to be finalised.

Professors say there is little clarity on the Tamil Nadu government’s stand regarding the appointment process, resulting in uncertainty across universities. They are now closely watching the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the case relating to the powers of the Chancellor in university appointments on July 29, a hearing that could have significant implications for higher education governance in the state.

Harjinder, who added another medal to the country’s tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026, clinching the silver medal in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting competition, said she reaches out to her mother immediately after winning any major events. 

'I usually call my mother first whenever I win a medal, and today was no different—I spoke to her briefly right after my event as she was a little upset with me for being away at competitions for so long," Harjinder told IANS. 

The 29-year-old weightlifter finished with a combined lift of 227kg (101kg snatch + 126kg clean and jerk). She stayed in medal contention throughout the competition and sealed second place with a successful 126 kg lift in her final clean and jerk attempt to secure her second successive Commonwealth Games medal. 

Reflecting on her performance, the weightlifter admitted that while she had achieved higher numbers during training sessions, she was pleased with her consistency on the big stage.

"I am happy with my silver medal. I have achieved better clean and jerk lifts during my training, but I am satisfied that all six of my lifts were valid," she said.

Having set her sights on the top step of the podium, Harjinder, who upgraded her bronze from 2022 Birmingham Games to Commonwealth Games silver in Glasgow, revealed that upgrading her medal status was her main target entering the competition. "I came here with the goal of changing the colour of my medal," she added. 

Harjinder's sporting journey began late and unexpectedly. She was initially a passionate Kabaddi player, training as a raider and even cycling five kilometres daily just to practice. It was only in 2016, at the age of 20, that her life changed at Punjabi University in Patiala.

According to the weather department, the national capital is likely to experience very light to light rainfall at most places, with moderate rain expected at a few locations from early morning until noon. Another spell of rain is also likely during the evening and night hours.

The forecast comes as the monsoon trough, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over southwest Uttar Pradesh, and a western disturbance continue to influence weather conditions across northwest India and adjoining regions.

The IMD stated that Delhi is expected to receive one or two spells of very light to light rain at most places, while isolated areas may witness moderate rainfall during the early morning to noon period. Later in the day, another spell of very light to light rain is likely at many places, with moderate rainfall expected at isolated locations during the evening and night.

The department has predicted a maximum temperature between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius. Southeasterly winds with speeds ranging from 10 to 15 kmph are expected to prevail throughout the day.

The IMD’s seven-day forecast suggests that generally cloudy skies will continue over the national capital through the first week of August, accompanied by intermittent spells of rain.

On July 30, Delhi is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, followed by another spell of very light to light rain during the night. From July 31 to August 2, isolated spells of very light to light rain are expected. On August 3, the city may witness a few spells of light rain in many places, particularly during the early morning to noon hours.

Meanwhile, heavy monsoon showers brought Delhi to a standstill on Tuesday, causing widespread disruption across the city. Flooded roads, waterlogged markets, traffic congestion, fallen trees and power outages affected normal life in several areas.

The downpour made Tuesday the rainiest day of the year so far and also the coldest day recorded in July over the past three years, according to the IMD.

Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, recorded 57.6 mm of rainfall between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Several areas received even heavier showers, with Pusa recording the highest rainfall at 88.5 mm during the same period.

According to IMD data, Safdarjung, the city’s primary weather observatory, recorded 32.4 mm of rainfall until 8:30 a.m. Other monitoring stations also reported notable precipitation, with the Ridge receiving 37.6 mm, Lodhi Road 36.7 mm, Ayanagar 4 mm, and Palam 0.8 mm.

Several areas across Delhi, including the Kartavya Path vicinity, experienced continuous showers during the morning hours. The rainfall transformed the city’s weather conditions, offering respite from the oppressive humidity that had prevailed over the past few days.

However, civic authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, as intense spells of rain could result in waterlogging in low-lying areas and slow-moving traffic on major roads. Commuters may face delays due to reduced visibility and accumulation of rainwater at vulnerable locations.

The weather department has predicted generally cloudy conditions throughout the day. Light rainfall is expected at most places, while a few locations may witness moderate showers during the morning and afternoon. Another round of rainfall is likely during the evening or night, according to the forecast.

Meteorologists expect wet weather conditions to persist through the week. Moderate rainfall has been forecast for Wednesday, while intermittent showers, thunderstorms, and overcast skies are likely to continue over the coming days.

The increased monsoon activity is expected to bring down daytime temperatures. On Monday, Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 38.1 degrees Celsius, but weather experts anticipate a drop of around 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next several days as rainfall intensifies.

Delhi’s air quality also remained favourable amid the rainy conditions. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 77 at 9 a.m., placing it in the “satisfactory” category.

Weather experts attributed the ongoing rainfall to a deep depression that developed near the West Bengal coast and crossed the West Bengal–North Odisha coastline near Digha and west of Haldia on Tuesday morning, strengthening monsoon activity across northern India.

The impact of the weather system was also felt in neighbouring states. Several districts in Punjab and Haryana received rainfall, bringing relief from warm conditions but also causing waterlogging and traffic disruptions in some areas in the two states.

Various locations in Punjab, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, and Mohali, recorded measurable rainfall.

In Haryana, districts such as Bhiwani, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Sonipat, and Ambala also received showers.

On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, producer Mahaveer Jain said: “At a time when the world is seeking solutions to wars and conflicts, White comes at the right moment. Through its powerful narrative, it shows the way forward and is a precious gift from India to the world.”

He added, “Vikrant has outdone himself in the film. I am sure that his powerful portrayal of global spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, coupled with the film’s profound impact, will mesmerize audiences worldwide.”

“White” is a thriller with human drama set against a political background. It is inspired by the world’s longest and deadliest conflict, the internal war of Colombia, that was resolved by an Indian spiritual master by ancient Indian philosophies and wisdom.

Juan Carlos Gil of Narcos fame serves as the cinematographer, while the cast includes Mexican actor Darío Yazbek Bernal and Panamanian actor Jaime Newball, among others.

The film is directed by ace ad filmmaker Montoo Bassi and backed by leading filmmaker Siddharth Anand, PeaceCraft Pictures and Mahaveer Jain.

Vikrant’s most recent release is Musafir Cafe, a Netflix original Hindi-language series written by Divya Prakash Dubey. The series Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto, Mahima Makwana, Adil Hussain, Sadiya Siddiqui, Rajeev Siddhartha, Anubha Fatehpuria and others

It follows three travelers whose lives unexpectedly intertwine. Chander and Sudha share an instant spark. With Preeti, Chander finds steady companionship built on quiet understanding and ease.

Vikrant made his acting debut with the series Dhoom Machaao Dhoom in 2007. He followed it up with notable roles in TV serials such as Dharam Veer, Balika Vadhu and Qubool Hai.

He progressed to Hindi cinema with supporting roles in Lootera and Dil Dhadakne Do, but got his breakthrough with the independent drama A Death in the Gunj.

Massey further starred in streaming series such as Mirzapur, Broken But Beautiful and Criminal Justice. He shot to stardom with 12th Fail, Haseen Dillruba and Love Hostel.

Neeta shared a video of herself talking about making the outfit for the 1991 Yash Chopra directorial, which had the actress in a dual role as both mother and daughter, and Anil Kapoor. The film also had Waheeda Rehman, Anupam Kher, Deepak Malhotra, and Dippy Sagoo.

“Sometimes the simplest outfits require the maximum amount of work. There were two scenes in the film where Sridevi wanted a bandhani skirt with a crop top. One was in a shopping sequence, and the other was when she was narrating her story in front of a palace,” Neeta said in the video.

She added: “The colors required were a blue bandhani and a maroon bandhani. How difficult is it to get a blue or a maroon bandhani? Not difficult, right? But here was the catch. Sridevi said, "Can I get a white bandhani on maroon and a yellow bandhani on blue?" That was absolutely difficult to find.”

“So, what do we do? I asked the master to make the outfits, took them home with fabric paints, and actually painted white bandhani on the maroon fabric and yellow bandhani on the blue fabric. When I took them back and we did the fittings with her, she said, ‘It feels slightly stiff. What is it?’ Because bandhani doesn't usually feel stiff. I said, ‘I painted the bandhani.’ She had such a laugh about it.”

“We don't give up. We just do whatever it takes—whether it's painting, stitching, embroidering, or anything else. But that is the beauty and the fun of creating film costumes.”

She wrote in the caption: “..The best creative decisions are often made when difficulty arises. No hesitation. No compromise.
Just instinct, and the determination to bring a vision to life, exactly when it was needed on the film sets of Lamhe for Sridevi..”

Officials said the pilgrims were injured when a bus carrying nearly 40 pilgrims skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge near the S-Mode area of Hariganiwan in the Gund area of Ganderbal district.

“The accident occurred when the driver of the Yatri bus bearing registration number AR11 D5655 lost control of the wheel near Hariganiwan, after which the vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge," the officials said.

The rescue teams, police, SDRF, and local volunteers immediately rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.

Around 30 pilgrims sustained injuries in the mishap and were shifted to nearby Kangan hospital for treatment. Two injured Yatris suffered head trauma, but are currently stable. All other injured passengers are also stated to be in stable condition, the officials said.

“Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the officials said.

Nearly 12,000 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3880 metres in South Kashmir district of Anantnag on Monday.

Officials said 11,996 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy cave from the Baltal track by Monday evening.

With this, a total number of 4,26,339 pilgrims have had darshan at the holy cave during the last 25 days since the 57-day-long Yatra started on July 3.

The Bhoomi Pujan, the Navgrah Puja and Dawajarohan of Chhari Mubarak will be traditionally performed in Pahalgam on Ashad Purnima on July 29 by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, the custodian of the holy mace of Shri Amarnath Ji.

On the return journey, the Chhari Mubarak will visit the holy Sun temple of Martand (Mattan), perform puja there and take a dip in the holy spring.

It will also perform puja at the Ganeshbal temple near Pahalgam in a traditional way.

Another batch of 3029 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for Baltal base camp in an escorted convoy this morning. Yatra through the South Kashmir Pahalgam route remained suspended for the day due to track maintenance.

According to the weather department, light rain is expected at many locations across the National Capital Region, while a few areas may experience moderate showers. Rainfall activity is also likely to continue on Thursday, although no official weather alert has been issued for that day.

Meteorologists said the fresh spell of rain is expected to bring significant relief from the prevailing heat and humidity. Daytime temperatures are likely to decline by 5-6 degrees Celsius, making weather conditions considerably more comfortable across Delhi and adjoining areas.

The change in weather follows rainfall recorded in several parts of Delhi on Monday evening. The showers provided respite from the oppressive humidity that had gripped the city for the past few days. In response to the changing weather, the IMD had issued a yellow alert warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds across various districts of the national capital.

Delhi has received 164.7 mm of rainfall so far this month, slightly below the normal July average of 173.7 mm for the corresponding period. However, weather experts believe the shortfall could reduce in the remaining days of the month as monsoon conditions become more favourable. The monsoon trough is currently positioned close to Delhi, creating an environment conducive to increased rainfall activity throughout the week.

The IMD has extended its yellow alert to neighbouring NCR cities, including Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad, where light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is also expected.

Despite isolated rain spells on Monday, the city continued to experience uncomfortable weather conditions. The heat index climbed to nearly 49 degrees Celsius due to extremely high humidity, making it feel much hotter than the actual temperature. The maximum temperature settled at 38.1 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 28.6 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above average. Humidity levels fluctuated between 76 and 100 per cent, contributing to the lingering discomfort.

The ‘Jaat’ actor expressed hope that the story resonates with audiences across cultures and borders. Speaking about the selection, Viineet said, “It’s always special when a film begins its journey on an international platform. ‘Pal Bhar Ke Liye’ is a story that is extremely important to all of us, to the society and I’m grateful that its first interaction with audiences will happen at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. I hope the film resonates with people across cultures and borders.”

Directed by filmmaker and designer Vikram Phadnis, the film also stars Saiyami Kher and Tahir Raj Bhasin. The movie has been officially selected for its World Premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), Australia. ‘Pal Bhar Ke Liye’ will make its first-ever public screening at one of the most respected platforms celebrating Indian cinema on the global stage.

Meanwhile, Vineet Kumar Singh was recently featured in films like “Chhaava,” “Superboys of Malegaon,” and “Jaat,” where his performances received appreciation.

In March, Vineet had opened up about the practice of writing Bollywood scripts in Roman despite films being made in Hindi. During an exclusive conversation with IANS, the ‘Chhaava’ actor had revealed that he preferred receiving his dialogues in the Devanagari script. He had pointed out that while Bollywood continues to make Hindi films, much of the work process is still carried out in English.

Vineet shared, “I always tell them to give the dialogues to me in the Devanagari script as I am well-versed in it. Since our dialogues are in Hindi, I feel it is better if the work is also done in the same language. "However, it depends on who prefers what. Everyone is free to make their choices. But if you ask me, it happens for sure that we make movies in Hindi, but most of the work is done in English.”

“Their ideals promote humanity, selfless service, social harmony and nation-building. It is imperative to connect the younger generation with these values so that the spirit of harmony, moral conduct and cultural ethos is further strengthened in society,” he said.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Murti Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the newly constructed Samadhi shrine of Shri Shri 1008 Siddh Baba Khak Nath-ji Maharaj in Ujhana village in Jind district. Mahant Balak Nath, Head of Math Asthal Bohar in Rohtak, attended the ceremony.

Responding to the demands of residents, the Chief Minister announced Rs 1 crore for the construction of a community centre in Ujhana and Rs 51 lakh for other development works in the village.

He also announced that road construction, renovation of the village pond, a permanent solution for water drainage and the introduction of the science stream in the village school would be undertaken as per the villagers’ demands.

CM Saini said the consecration of a great spiritual personality’s idol is not merely a religious ritual but a commitment to establish devotion in one’s life, embrace truth in one’s conduct, cultivate compassion in one’s behaviour and uphold the values of service and social harmony.

He expressed happiness that the sacred Ujhana Math has remained a centre of faith for millions of devotees for nearly 600 years, adding that India’s greatest strength lies in its rich spiritual tradition.

Appreciating the gaushala being managed by the Ujhana Dham, the Chief Minister said that a gaushala is a living symbol of compassion and sensitivity embedded in Indian culture. “In Indian tradition, service to cows is not only a matter of religious faith but also a cultural responsibility.”

The Chief Minister said the culture of protecting and respecting nature and Gau Mata would help India realise its vision of becoming a Vishwa Guru.

Its objective is to take the saint’s message of social harmony, equality and public awakening to every village across the country, BJP National General Secretaries Tarun Chugh and Dushyant Kumar Gautam told media persons at the party’s central office in New Delhi on Monday.

Gautam said the BJP consistently honours great personalities who enriched India’s cultural and social values. He recalled that Sant Guru Ravidas was born in Seer Govardhan village in Varanasi and attained spiritual liberation at Chittorgarh Fort. Living in a period of forced religious conversions and widespread distress, the saint, along with other Bhakti movement luminaries, spread cultural values through regional languages and guided society towards awakening. Kabir Das conferred upon him the title of ‘Sant Shiromani’.

Gautam highlighted Guru Ravidas’s teachings, including the renowned saying “Man changa toh kathauti mein Ganga” (If the mind is pure, the Ganga resides in the humble water-trough), and his vision of Begumpura, a casteless society free from sorrow where high and low live together. His disciples included Mirabai and several rulers, while 41 of his hymns are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib.

He also listed initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the naming of Adampur Airport after the saint, a special train, temple developments at multiple sites, a research centre in Sagar, and reconstruction of the Tughlaqabad temple in Delhi.

Chugh announced that the campaign will begin on Guru Purnima (July 29) with the flagging-off of 131 sacred kalash containing soil from the saint’s birthplace in Varanasi. These will travel to 21,000 locations nationwide by September 10, accompanied by processions, aarti and puja (worship). A Deepotsav (lighting of earthen lamps) will be held at 51,000 temples, including a grand lamp display at Varanasi’s Ganga Ghat.

Further phases will include outreach to saints, a major yatra (religious procession) from Jalandhar to Varanasi (October 5–November 5), programmes in schools and hostels, and development of five key sites associated with the saint’s life. The campaign aims to spread the message of unity and harmony throughout the year leading up to the 650th birth anniversary.

The third phase will involve outreach to the youth to disseminate Sant Guru Ravidas Ji’s principles among the masses. In the fourth phase, processions will be organised from every village in the country to encourage devotees to visit the birthplace of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji.

On Monday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a picture with his mother. He wrote in the caption, “Meri Maa hi mera Rab hain. Mera pyaar, mera hausla, meri taaqat. Batwara 1947 main apni Maa aur duniya ki har Maa ko samarpit karta hoon (My mother is my God. My love, my courage, my strength. I dedicate the partition of 1947 to my mother and every mother in the world). Trailer out tomorrow”.

The film is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. It also stars Shabana Azmi, Sunny Deol, Preity G Zinta, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal and Abhimanyu Singh. ‘Batwara 1947’ promises an emotional and deeply moving story that explores the human cost of the tragedy while celebrating love, courage, sacrifice and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

The film is set against the backdrop of one of the most defining chapters in India's history, the film revisits the turbulent 1940s, when the Partition changed the lives of millions forever. Amidst fear, loss, and displacement, it tells the inspiring story of a man who chose courage and humanity over hatred.

The film captures hope and resilience that emerged during one of history’s most turbulent chapters. The story has reportedly remained banned in Pakistan, and it adds another layer to the film, making it one of the most intriguing historical releases to look forward to. The film also reunites the dream team of Aamir Khan, A. R. Rahman, and Javed Akhtar, who have worked on the cult-classic ‘Lagaan’. It also marks the much-awaited reunion of Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol after nearly three decades.

The film is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit and is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026.

The flight, 6E 1452, was carrying 194 passengers when the crew reportedly noticed smoke in the cargo hold area and alerted air traffic control.

Following the alert, Rajkot airport declared a full emergency to facilitate a safe landing.

The aircraft landed safely at Rajkot airport, and all 194 passengers disembarked without any injuries.

Rajkot Airport Director Diganta Borah reportedly said an IndiGo flight operating from Mumbai to Dubai made an emergency landing after smoke was detected in the cargo hold area. He added that the aircraft landed safely and all passengers were safe.

Airport emergency services were placed on standby as part of standard operating procedures after the full emergency was declared.

The cause of the smoke was not immediately known, and further investigation is expected to determine what triggered the incident. The airline did not issue any statement yet.

IndiGo is India's largest airline by market share and operates flights to more than 80 domestic destinations and over 30 international destinations.

Its fleet primarily comprises Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft, along with ATR 72-600 turboprop planes used on regional routes.

Meanwhile, last week, the low-cost airline parent InterGlobe Aviation reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 238 crore for the first quarter of FY27, compared with the corresponding period last year.

The airline's earnings reversed sharply in the June quarter, with InterGlobe Aviation swinging to a consolidated net loss of Rs 238 crore from a net profit of Rs 2,176.3 crore in the corresponding period last year, reflecting a deterioration of over Rs 2,400 crore in its bottom line.

The June quarter loss of Rs 238 crore erased nearly 90 per cent of the previous year's quarterly profit before pushing the company into the red.

The amount was transferred through a single-click system at the state-level programme organised at the new Agricultural Produce Market (Mandi) complex in Khandwa.

Addressing farmers from across the state, CM Yadav said the state government is committed to strengthening the agriculture sector and ensuring the welfare of farmers through various schemes and financial assistance.

"Heartiest congratulations to all the farmers of the state. Our government stands firmly with you in every situation," he said.

The chief minister also felicitated progressive farmers from Khandwa district for their innovations, hard work and outstanding contribution to agriculture.

Before the programme, CM Yadav inspected an exhibition showcasing modern agricultural technologies, farm machinery and stalls put up by different government departments.

He interacted with exhibitors and gathered information on the latest farming practices and innovations.

The chief minister said the financial assistance provided under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana would help farmers meet agricultural expenses and encourage them to adopt modern farming techniques.

He also highlighted the state's initiatives related to irrigation, crop productivity and farmer welfare.

CM Yadav interacted with farmers during the event and urged them to make use of government schemes aimed at improving agricultural productivity and increasing farm incomes.

The programme was attended by public representatives, senior government officials and a large number of farmers from different parts of the state.

After the event, the chief minister was scheduled to visit the Dadaji Darbar in Khandwa to offer prayers.

Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a protest in Khandwa over various demands during the chief minister's visit. Police tightened security arrangements across the city and detained several protesters from different locations to prevent disruption of the programme.

Heavy police deployment was made at the event venue and surrounding areas to maintain law and order during the chief minister's visit.

Esha produced a composed and commanding performance in the eight-woman final, registering 40 hits to finish atop the podium. Paris 2024 double Olympic medallist Manu, meanwhile, battled through a fiercely contested final, surviving a crucial shoot-off before ending with 28 hits to claim the bronze medal.

The Indian duo had laid the foundation with outstanding performances in qualification. Manu topped the standings with 586-20x, while Esha followed closely with 585-18x as both comfortably progressed to the medal round. Former Asian Games gold medallist Rahi Sarnobat narrowly missed out on the final after shooting 582-16x, while Simranpreet Kaur Brar (576-20x) and Abhidnya Ashok Patil (573-16x) competed under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status.

Speaking after her victory, Esha admitted the expectations following her record-breaking triumph at the ISSF World Cup in Munich earlier this season had added to the challenge.

“This match was very pressure-riding for me because of the previous medal I had. The better you get in your event, the more you feel that weight of prestige you have to conquer. I'm happy that I was able to get past it today and grateful that I had the ability to endure it. I really love competing here in Hangzhou. Recalling how the competition went during the Asian Games, where I won four medals, I was really excited to come back. Being familiar with the range, the lighting, and the atmosphere in the final hall definitely counted in my favour,” Esha said.

The victory marks another significant milestone for the 21-year-old from Hyderabad, who earlier this year created history in Munich by setting both the senior and junior world records with 43 hits in the final. A Paris 2024 Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, Esha has continued her rapid rise among the world's leading pistol shooters.

Manu, meanwhile, said the bronze medal was an important marker as she builds towards the major events on the international calendar.

“This medal is very important because it acts as a stepping stone. It gives me clarity on what is working and the direction I want to head in. While the medal surely boosts my confidence, the experience I gained from this competitive match will help even more as we look ahead to major assignments like the World Championships and Asian Games,” Manu said.

The gold medal further cements Hyderabad’s 21-year-old Esha’s impressive career. Earlier this season at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Esha made history by breaking both senior and junior world records with 43 hits in the final. As a Paris 2024 Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient, Esha continues to rise among the world's top shooters.

For Manu, the bronze medal highlights her exceptional consistency on the world stage, building on her historic Paris 2024 Olympic run, where she made history as the first athlete from independent India to earn two medals at a single Games.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI), Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, hearing a batch of petitions arising out of the recent nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, said that merely because there is an agitation cannot justify the use of excessive force by police, while at the same time stressing that attacks on police personnel also cannot be overlooked.

"The right to peaceful, lawful protest is absolutely guaranteed under the Constitution. So long as it is peaceful agitation, merely because there is agitation, there can't be (police excess)," the CJI-led Bench observed.

The apex court added that if any excess has been committed, it should be independently examined and clarified that the issue was not confined to Delhi alone.

"If there is excess committed, it should be independently examined. It's not only a case of Delhi. Uniformity in protocol is required. Merely because there is agitation, doesn't mean lathi-charge. Discipline is integral to the democratic process," the CJI Kant-led Bench observed.

During the hearing, Justice Bagchi remarked that injuries suffered by both protesters and police personnel were matters of equal concern.

"Injury to an individual, be it to policemen or protesters, is of equal concern. We may call upon the State to explain why adequate protective gear was not provided to police to handle such situations," Justice Bagchi observed.

The top court also said there should be a protocol to facilitate peaceful demonstrations while enabling authorities to deal with anti-social elements, if any.

"There should be a protocol in place. There should be proper space and no restriction. But if there are some anti-social elements, that can be taken care of. This is not a question of Delhi only. Uniformity of protocol is needed. Just because there is agitation does not mean there is lathi-charge. Self-evolved discipline is essential to the democratic process," the Bench said.

Appearing for one of the petitioners, advocate-on-record Fauzia Shakil informed the CJI Kant-led Bench that a fresh writ petition had been filed on behalf of Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha containing comprehensive material, including allegations relating to the recent police firing in Bihar.

"There are two petitions dealing with the violence that took place across the country on the students' protest," senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted, urging that all matters be heard together as allegations of police excesses were continuing.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh also pressed for pan-India directions, contending that incidents were not confined to Delhi and that an all-India framework was required.

Another counsel, appearing for families of injured police personnel, sought permission to participate in the proceedings, alleging that several policemen had been brutally assaulted during the protests.

Responding to the rival submissions, the CJI Kant-led Bench said that while peaceful protest is a Constitutional right, allegations of violence by protesters also required scrutiny.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, submitted that the Centre would assist the apex court "dispassionately" and suggested that all connected petitions be heard together.

Accepting the suggestion, the CJI-led Bench directed that all pending petitions be listed together on Tuesday for further hearing.

The matter relates to allegations of excessive use of force against students participating in protests across the country over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and related examination issues.

Earlier, CJI Kant had clarified that the Supreme Court had never declined to hear the issue but had merely refused to entertain a one-page representation that had not been instituted as a proper writ petition.

Refuting media reports, the CJI had explained that only a one-page representation had been submitted at the time and not a duly filed petition.

"The Supreme Court can never deny hearing of any case," he had said, adding that once properly instituted petitions were filed, the top court agreed to list them.

Last week, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Centre and the Delhi Police on a batch of PILs claiming excessive use of force by police during the protest and directed preservation of CCTV footage, videography and other relevant records connected with the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march organised over the NEET paper leak.

Observing that the allegations did not relate to isolated incidents for which individual victims could simply be relegated to filing separate complaints, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought responses from the authorities within four weeks and directed preservation of all relevant electronic records, including CCTV footage and videography, in accordance with the standard operating procedures issued by the police.

During the hearing before the Delhi High Court, senior advocates N. Hariharan, Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Vikas Singh, appearing for different petitioners, alleged that students exercising their Constitutional right to protest were subjected to disproportionate force, including lathi-charge, use of tear gas and other coercive measures, and sought registration of FIRs, preservation of electronic evidence and an independent probe.

On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Centre and Delhi Police, opposed the PILs, contending that prohibitory orders were in force, the crowd had turned violent, police personnel were injured and public property was damaged.

The Centre’s law officer argued that the petitions were based largely on social media videos and that those alleging assault could avail statutory remedies instead of invoking the High Court's writ jurisdiction.

Rejecting the contention that every affected individual should be relegated to filing separate complaints, the Delhi High Court had observed that if the allegations pertained to a larger incident involving police action during a public protest, they could not be brushed aside merely on that ground. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on September 11.

After suffering series defeats in Ireland (2-0) and England (4-0), Iyer got his maiden series victory as India's T20I captain when the visitors sealed a clinical 35-run win in the third and final T20I over Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

“I think we were flawless, honestly speaking, throughout the series, barring the catches that we dropped. But phenomenal effort by each and every individual, including the support staff and whatever we mentioned in the team meeting, executing it to the best of the abilities was something that we always looked up to. 

“The approach was a notch above the others. So congratulations to each and every individual who have been part of this victory and thank you to VVS sir as well for motivating us and inspiring each and every day when we stepped onto the field. I think everything that you mentioned was apt and we could relate to it. So thank you so much and thank you to each and every individual,” said Iyer in a video posted on BCCI’s social media accounts on Monday.

VVS Laxman, who stepped in as India’s head coach for the series, lauded Iyer’s leadership and pointed out how the skipper bounced back after a tough start to his captaincy tenure to unite a largely fresh squad.

“Firstly, a big round of applause to everybody. We set out to win the series and that was what we aspired to do. I would like to congratulate Shreyas because he had a rough start to his captaincy career, but the way he came back and right from the first day when he joined us, one day before the first game, he was very optimistic.

“He was in fact looking forward to play with all of you. It's a new group of players. We know that only four or five were there in England, joined us on this tour. But he was so confident and I think a lot of credit for this victory should be given to the captain. The way he encouraged each one of us. It was again a very collective effort.”

Laxman further spoke on how the squad embraced a winning mentality from day one of assembling in Zimbabwe. “We had one thing which we wanted to achieve. We wanted to exhibit the winner's mindset. If you remember the first meeting we had before the first match, we said that as a team we can display the winner's mindset and I think through the three matches, each one of you have displayed that. 

“So congratulations on that. I would like to thank all the coaches, all the support staff and Amit and the manager for your efforts through the series. Sometimes we don't realise how important a role you all play. So thank you very much for your commitment towards making sure that our players were ready for this series and through the series. All of you have made sure that they are best prepared for each and every match. So thank you to each one of you.”

Mihir told IANS: “Working with Prajakta was genuinely a lovely experience. She brings a lot of honesty and warmth to every scene, which made it very easy to build the relationship our characters share.”

He added: “Since this was our first project together, there was a certain freshness that naturally found its way on screen. Amidst a story that’s rooted in war, courage and sacrifice, I think the emotional connections between the characters become just as important, and I hope audiences connect with that journey as much as we did while filming.”

Operation Safed Sagar is a military drama inspired by real events.

A source close to the production shared: "Mihir and Prajakta have brought a very natural warmth to their characters. Since this is the first time they are working together, there was a freshness that translated beautifully on screen.

“Their chemistry never feels forced, it grows organically within the story and offers audiences an emotional anchor amidst the larger war narrative. The makers were delighted with how effortlessly they complemented each other."

Directed by Oni Sen, the series is set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War, Operation Safed Sagar tells an untold story of the Golden Arrows Squadron who defied impossible odds. Focusing on the people behind the operation, the series shines a light on their courage, sacrifice and spirit in defining this significant chapter of modern Indian military history.

The drama series stars Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza, Adil Hussain, Abhay Verma, Prajakta Koli, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi. It will premiere globally on August 7 on streaming giant Netflix.

At the same time, the weather department has predicted light to moderate rainfall in the Western Ghats and parts of the northern coastal region, offering some relief in isolated areas.

According to the latest weather bulletin, maximum temperatures in Vellore, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts are likely to be 2 degrees to 4 degrees Celsius above normal at a few places.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised residents in these districts to take adequate precautions against prolonged exposure to heat, particularly during the afternoon hours when temperatures are expected to peak.

The forecast comes at a time when several parts of Tamil Nadu are witnessing warm and humid weather despite intermittent rainfall in some regions.

Meteorologists said the elevated temperatures are likely to persist through July 30 before showing signs of moderation, depending on evolving weather systems over the Bay of Bengal and surrounding regions.

In contrast to the hot conditions expected across the interior districts, the RMC has predicted light to moderate rainfall over the hilly areas of the Western Ghats until July 30. The rainfall is expected to provide some respite from the prevailing heat and support local agricultural activity in the hill regions.

The weather department has also forecast light to moderate rain at one or two places over North Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from Tuesday through July 30.

While widespread rainfall is not anticipated, isolated showers are likely to occur under favourable atmospheric conditions.

For Chennai, the RMC has forecast partly cloudy skies over the coming days. Some parts of the city may experience light rain, particularly during the evening or night, though no heavy rainfall has been predicted.

Daytime conditions are expected to remain warm and humid, with temperatures staying close to seasonal levels. The Meteorological Department has urged the public to remain updated with the latest weather advisories, especially in districts expected to experience above-normal temperatures.

People have also been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours, stay well hydrated and take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses, while residents in areas likely to receive rain should remain alert to local weather updates.

The music producer spoke with IANS at his studio in the Andheri West area of Mumbai recently. He shared that AI saves music producers or composers the trouble of explaining to a singer why their voice hasn’t been picked.

He told IANS, “Earlier, I remember that there was once when we had called, I wouldn't name the singer, but a really big singer to sing one of the songs. Imagine telling that big singer, whoever had come, the music director sitting there, and he has to have a call with the singer stating the fact that, 'Hey, listen, your voice is not fitting the bill'. I can't even put it on the producer. So in today's day with AI, I can actually judge that by doing it through AI. So, I don't have to answer to anyone. And everyone gets to hear that song”.

He further mentioned, “Scratch singing also, the singer has to come to the studio for a session. Although in Hindi language, inclusion of certain words is very difficult so you have to either make peace with it or call the scratch singer”.

Earlier, the music composer had shared that he has no favourites when it comes to genres. He said that he can’t put a finger on his favourite genre as he likes to keep his playlist diverse, which adds depth to his music making process.

He earlier told IANS, “Actually, in Bollywood, there is no go-to genre. Even if you see my playlist, my playlist is also mixed with everything possible. It also has different unnamed artistes, I don’t even know some of their names because I enjoy listening to so many different genres and artistes that I get lost in that discovery of music and artistes”.

“So, for me, the go-to genre, I can't say there is any. I have been working in Bollywood for so many years, in every situation, everyone's tempo, scale, everything is different. And to select a certain genre for it, we have to go through a lot of genres”, he added.

Thakur claimed his maiden T20I wicket by dismissing the dangerous Brian Bennett for 32, and eventually took 2-30 in his four overs as he helped India defend a massive total of 219/5 and secure a 90-run victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

"I'm really grateful to have got the opportunity to play this game. I'm also really grateful to my family and my close ones, who have always supported me. So I'm really grateful for this," Thakur said at the conclusion of the game. 

Elaborating on his tactical discussion with skipper Shreyas Iyer to break Bennett's opening assault, Thakur said, "I think the wicket was really good to bat on. Me and Shreyas bhai discussed our plans before the spell, and we stuck to them. We felt the slower ball would be a very effective option on this wicket, so we backed it, and it worked for us." 

Thakur, 27, represents Punjab Kings in the IPL and won the Ranji Trophy in 2024/25 with Vidarbha. He has been a regular with the India 'A' team for the last 12 months in both red-ball and white-ball formats. 

"Last month I was playing in the India A tour of Sri Lanka. I played both the one-day and Test series there. I always keep my plans ready for both white-ball and red-ball cricket," he said. When asked about his personal preference between formats, Thakur kept it simple. "No, I enjoy both. I just want to play the game." 

“The Kargil War victory remains a symbol of India’s courage, sacrifice and unwavering national resolve, asserting that the country’s armed forces achieved the impossible by reclaiming strategic peaks from Pakistani intruders during the 1999 conflict,” he added. 

Sharma was addressing the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Shaurya Sandhya’ programme at Birla Auditorium here.

“The Kargil victory is a symbol of India’s pride, valour and courage. From Tiger Hill to Tololing, and from Batalik to Dras, our brave soldiers hoisted the Tricolour once again on every strategic peak,” he said.

Recalling the conflict, the Chief Minister said Pakistan’s intrusion in 1999 was met with a determined military response, with Indian soldiers fighting for nearly 85 days at altitudes ranging between 15,000 and 18,000 feet under extremely harsh conditions.

“Despite freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels and difficult terrain, the morale of our soldiers never wavered. They displayed extraordinary courage and reclaimed every inch of occupied territory,” Sharma said.

Paying tribute to the fallen, he said 527 Indian soldiers were martyred, and more than 1,300 were injured during the conflict. Among the martyrs were 58 soldiers from Rajasthan, including Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja and Captain Amit Bhardwaj. He also remembered war heroes such as Captain Vikram Batra and Lieutenant Saurabh Kalia for their supreme sacrifice.

Sharma said the Kargil victory was not merely a military success but a triumph of the nation’s self‑respect. “Our brave soldiers proved that no force can defeat a nation whose Army’s morale stands higher than the Himalayas,” he said.

Highlighting the Centre’s defence policies, Sharma said national security has been the government’s foremost priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“India’s security policy has become stronger, clearer and more decisive. Our armed forces are being equipped with modern technology, while border infrastructure has been strengthened,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the country’s push for self‑reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative has accelerated the use of indigenous technology in platforms such as the Tejas fighter aircraft and the BrahMos missile system. 

He also said India’s military capabilities have earned global recognition.

“Today’s India strikes at the roots of terrorism and responds to enemies within their own territory. The surgical strikes in 2016, the Balakot air strikes in 2019 and Operation Sindoor reflect the country’s decisive approach towards national security,” Sharma said.

Calling the welfare of soldiers and their families a moral responsibility, Sharma said the state government has strengthened the Department of Sainik Welfare to ensure benefits reach ex‑servicemen and Veer Naris. 

He said 25 bighas of land have been allotted to the dependents of martyred soldiers and gallantry award winners, while government jobs have been provided to 154 dependents of martyrs and 47 dependents of other servicemen.

The Chief Minister said 418 district‑level camps were organised to resolve pension‑related issues of ex‑servicemen, leading to the settlement of 1,228 cases. Re‑employment opportunities are also being provided through the Rajasthan Ex‑Servicemen Corporation (REXCO). He added that the honorarium of ex‑servicemen engaged through REXCO has been increased by 10 per cent in both 2024 and 2025.

District Sainik Welfare Offices have also been opened in Beawar, Khairthal‑Tijara and Phalodi, while legal aid clinics have been established in 18 District Sainik Welfare Offices.

Referring to the 78th Army Day Parade held in Jaipur earlier this year, Sharma said the event showcased the Indian Army’s modern capabilities, including indigenous defence equipment, missiles and advanced military platforms, reflecting the country’s growing self‑reliance in defence production.

The actress also expressed hope that the significant moment leads to a meaningful shift in identifying the cracks and filling them.

She wrote, "May this only make our India stronger and fairer. Today is a monumental moment for our democracy. Citizens that didn't give up and leadership that listened. The youth spoke, their conviction, their courage, and their belief in the power of change was inspiring”.

She further mentioned, “There was so much said on that stage but only the voice of what the students rightly wanted echoed through. To me, accountability is about delivering real, solution-driven change. Identifying the cracks and filling them. True reform, that actually impacts the future discourse of our students. I think for every Indian, whether you are in public office or are an ordinary citizen, the nation, its prosperity, its people and its security should always come first. Jai Hind”.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, after weeks of massive student protests and consistent people’s movement in the heart of the national capital. The students sought his resignation over exam irregularities, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak. His resignation comes after the brutal crackdown by Delhi Police against protestors at Jantar Mantar on July 20.

The action by the cops flared up the entire nation, and angry citizens poured in huge numbers to support the students at Jantar Mantar. The protests also spread from Delhi to first the metro cities, and eventually small towns. The protests intensified after Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the early hours of July 18 after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike.

Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice and compliance with a Delhi High Court order. Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive exams.

Taking to X, Wangchuk said, "IT'S A VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY. Direct democracy... straight from the streets. It's a victory of peace, patience & perseverance. Congratulations, CJP, Gen Z of the nation, and thank you all citizens for shedding fear and the fear of fear and rising up from every corner of the nation."

"FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, NOW TO REFORMS," he added.

Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike for 26 days, demanding strict action against the frequent paper leaks and exam irregularities and resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Earlier on July 23, the activist ended his strike at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh after getting written assurances from the NDA government.

Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, saying he was deeply pained by the developments of the past 10 days and wanted to ensure that anti-national forces did not exploit the situation arising from the controversy over examination irregularities.

Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students' future.

This comes amid nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan's resignation citing accountability.

The CJP called it a "win for democracy". A post on CJP's official X handle read "Democracy Wins!". It accompanied a video which showed the protesters celebrating Pradhan's resignation.

Addressing reporters and the demonstrators soon after Pradhan's resignation was made public, the outfit's founder Abhijeet Dipke said: "We have done it!... Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. What did they say, that 'resignations don't happen under this government'...we say that the world does bow down, it just needs the correct people to do so."

Displaying a banner consisting of pictures of those students who committed suicide in the aftermath of the May 3, 2026 NEET-UG paper leak, the CJP founder said: "This is for them, for all those students who lost their lives due to Dharmendra Pradhan."

He said that Pradhan's resignation is "proof that if you people are not afraid, if you people do not bow down to this government, then we can take the resignation of anyone".

"There's no need to be afraid. This is democracy, and in order to hold them (the government) accountable, we have to raise our voice. They are in power due to us," he added.

Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students' future.

This comes amid nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan's resignation citing accountability.

In his letter, Pradhan said, "For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation."

"I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country's youth. Realising the dreams of India's young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership," he said.

He said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the CBI, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination. Additionally, he said that a decision was made to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.

"Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a 'whole-of-government' approach, in which state governments -- and particularly district administrations -- played a crucial role alongside the Government of India. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026," Pradhan said.

"From day one, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the 'exam mafia' and to ensure that no student faced injustice," he added.

He said that during the re-examination results, "individuals holding responsible positions attempted to create obstacles and mislead students", an act, he said, caused him "deep distress".

"I have always held unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and deeply respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth. They are not merely India's future; they are the torchbearers, builders, and architects of a new and developed India. I am pained by the events of the past ten days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me," he added.

"Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country -- to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student's future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers -- I have submitted my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister," Pradhan said.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for his "guidance, trust, and constant support" and to the Council of Ministers.

"Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life; I shall remain forever dedicated to it. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha, and the youth of the country in the future as well," he added.

Speaking exclusively with IANS, Archana reflected on the enduring popularity of the beloved character and admitted that it has been both a blessing and a failure in her acting journey.

"In a way, Miss Braganza is my victory, and in a way it can also be called my failing that I have not done another character which can overshadow Miss Briganza. It means whatever you wanted to do, you did 20–25 years ago. Now you haven't done anything," she said.

The actress further added, "But if I look at it in a positive way, then yes, it was a great character created by Dharma, and Karan (Johar). And if I played it well, it has stayed in people's minds. Definitely every actor wants to reinvent themselves," she shared.

Archana believes she has taken a step in that direction with her latest project, 'Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya', where she consciously moved away from the image of Miss Braganza.

"What I did in 'Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya' is so far away from Miss Braganza that I hope it also leaves a mark. Every character is not popular because of your talent alone. A film becomes popular because of everyone involved. So I have left Miss Briganza far behind. I am hoping that the public will also leave it somewhere far behind," she said.

Calling the experience of working on 'Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya' one of the most fulfilling moments of her career, Archana said the project reaffirmed her belief that there are still meaningful roles waiting for her.

"For me, the experience of 'Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya' is so unique that when I started acting many years ago, my journey had to come to this point, and I am happy that it has reached that point."

She further expressed gratitude to the makers for trusting her with the role.

"I am very happy that I have reached a place where I can be cast by people like them. You know, when Biswapati Sarkar conceptualised a role and then thought of me as the actor to play it, I felt very happy and proud."

For Archana, being considered by creators for fresh and challenging roles after decades in the industry is a far greater achievement than merely being remembered for one iconic performance.

"After doing all that, if even in this role the creators are watching me and thinking of me, for me that is my real victory," she concluded.

Meanwhile, the actress is receiving some good reviews for her show, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya that released on OTT on July 24.

PM Modi took to social media 'X' and said, "Greetings on the sacred occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. This auspicious day is about the eternal message of devotion and compassion. May Bhagwan Vitthal’s blessings bring joy, harmony and prosperity and guide us towards a better society. May He strengthen our resolve to serve and work tirelessly for the welfare and dignity of every person."

Ashadhi Ekadashi, also known as Devshayani Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi, is being observed on Saturday. According to the Drik Panchang, the Ekadashi tithi began at 2:44 a.m. on July 25 and will conclude at 12:14 a.m. on July 26.

The festival marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month period regarded as highly sacred in Hindu tradition. According to ancient scriptures, including the Bhavishya Purana and Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu enters Yoga Nidra, or divine sleep, on this day and is believed to awaken on Prabodhini Ekadashi, observed later in the year.

The Sanskrit word Devshayani means "when the deity goes to sleep." Devotees believe this marks the symbolic period of Lord Vishnu's divine rest, signalling the start of a spiritually significant season dedicated to prayer, self-discipline and introspection.

As part of the observance, devotees begin the day with a holy bath before offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi leaves, flowers, fruits and sweets are offered during worship, while many devotees recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or chant sacred Vishnu mantras seeking divine blessings.

Observing the Ekadashi fast is another important aspect of the festival. Fasting practices differ across regions and families, with some abstaining from grains and cereals while others observe a stricter fast before breaking it the following day during the prescribed Parana period.

Acts of charity also hold special significance on Ashadhi Ekadashi. Donating food, clothes and other essential items to those in need is considered highly meritorious. Many spiritual scholars also view the beginning of Chaturmas as an ideal period for meditation, self-improvement, disciplined living and deeper spiritual reflection, encouraging devotees to focus on inner growth over external celebrations.

According to an order issued by the General Administration Department late on Friday, Sachin Sinha (1995 batch), Director General of the RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration and Management, Bhopal, has been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary, Public Health and Medical Education Department.

K.C. Gupta (1992), who was serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Cottage and Rural Industries Department, has been assigned the additional responsibility of Horticulture and Food Processing Department while continuing as Agriculture Production Commissioner.

Rajendra Kumar Singh (1997) has been shifted from the Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department to the Forest Department as Principal Secretary, while retaining the additional charge of the Anand Department.

Sandeep Yadav (2000) has been transferred from the Forest Department to the Water Resources Department and will continue to hold the NRI portfolio.

John Kingsley I.R. (2004) has been appointed Secretary, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and MSME departments, while Dr. Sudam P. Khade (2006), Commissioner of Indore Division, has been posted as Secretary to the Chief Minister.

Bhaskar Lakshakar (2010), Commissioner-cum-Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, has been appointed Commissioner, Indore Division.

Among district-level postings, Ajay Katesariya (2012) has been appointed Collector of Ratlam, Rtankar Jha (2012) as Collector of Anuppur, Misha Singh (2016) as Collector of Shahdol, Divyank Singh (2017) as Collector of Mandsaur, Sher Singh Meena (2017) as Collector of Agar Malwa and Guru Prasad (2017) as Collector of Khargone.

Kedar Singh (2012), who was serving as Collector of Shahdol, has been shifted as Additional Secretary, Public Works Department.

Harshal Pancholi (2015) has been appointed Executive Director of EPCO, Bhopal, while Aditi Garg (2015) has been posted as Development Commissioner, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, with additional charge as Deputy Secretary in the department.

Preeti Yadav (2016) has been appointed Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation, Indore.

Siddharth Jain (2018) has been posted as Deputy Secretary in the Chief Secretary's Office, while Himanshu Prajapati (2019) has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat, Indore.

The reshuffle also assigned additional responsibilities to several senior officers.

Additional Chief Secretary Neeraj Mandloi (1993) has been given additional charge of the Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and MSME departments, while Principal Secretary Manish Singh (1997) has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Energy Department.

Principal Secretary E. Ramesh Kumar (1999) has been given additional charge of the Narmada Valley Development Department and its associated organisations.

According to the AMC's Health Department, a series of preventive and relief measures have been undertaken across all seven city zones to ensure access to safe drinking water, provide medical care in affected areas and minimise the risk of disease outbreaks.

As of 1:40 p.m. on July 24, the Health Department had conducted 1,784 chlorine tests on drinking water across the city and collected 175 water samples for laboratory testing.

The chlorine tests included 405 in the Central Zone, 406 in the West Zone, 198 in the North-West Zone, 322 in the South-West Zone, 138 in the North Zone, 277 in the East Zone and 38 in the South Zone.

Water samples collected for testing comprised 34 from the Central Zone, 52 from the West Zone, 11 from the North-West Zone, 12 from the South-West Zone, 24 each from the North and East zones, and 18 from the South Zone.

The civic body said it had distributed 20,474 chlorine tablets on July 23 and a further 50,957 tablets by 1.40 pm on July 24, taking the total to 71,431 tablets over the two days.

On July 24 alone, the South-West Zone received the highest allocation with 22,304 tablets, followed by 13,676 in the West Zone.

The remaining distribution included 3,500 tablets in the Central Zone, 3,205 in the North West Zone, 2,752 in the North Zone, 3,254 in the East Zone and 2,266 in the South Zone.

To provide immediate healthcare in rain-affected localities, AMC has deployed mobile medical vans and medical teams operating around the clock.

The teams are carrying out free health check-ups, distributing medicines and providing health guidance on site.

The Health Department said Urban and Community Health Centres treated 4,993 outpatients on July 23, including 1,221 in the East Zone, 1,055 in the South Zone, 773 in the West Zone, 749 in the North Zone, 599 in the North-West Zone, 390 in the Central Zone and 206 in the South-West Zone.

The Malaria Department has also expanded surveillance to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. By 1:40 p.m. on July 24, officials had inspected 46,406 houses, with 764 found positive during surveillance.

They also examined 1,12,670 water-holding containers, of which 866 were found positive.

Fogging operations were carried out at 13,994 houses using 199 litres of MLO, while BTI treatment was undertaken at six locations and other vector-control treatment at 531 locations.

As part of relief efforts, AMC distributed 7,300 food packets to families affected by the heavy rain.

The distribution included 1,000 packets each at Gota Housing and Asarwa, 1,200 in the Madhumalati area of the East Zone, 700 elsewhere in the East Zone, 500 each in Sarkhej, the Dudheshwar Control Room, Shankar Bhuvan Chhapra, Malav Talav, Gomtipur and Danilimda, and 200 each at Gota Talav and Nitin Nagar.

Alongside its health measures, AMC said it is also using the rainfall to improve water management. Rainwater is being diverted into all 37 lakes in the corporation's East Zone to reduce waterlogging in surrounding areas while replenishing water bodies that had dried up during the summer.

AMC Health Committee Chairman Deepak Panchal said rainwater had been diverted towards lakes in the East Zone "so that rainwater is stored in the lakes and waterlogging does not occur in the surrounding areas."

He added: "During the monsoon, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is not only focusing on the drainage of rainwater, but is also working with the approach of making rainwater a useful resource. Storing rainwater in lakes promotes water conservation and is a positive and significant step for the city's environment and water management."

The lakes where rainwater is being stored include Nikol Gam Lake, Vastral Gam Lake, Gafurvasti Lake in the Ramol area, Dhekati Lake, Talavadi Chhapra and Odhav Gam Lake, among others.

The Health Department said Health and Malaria Department teams remain on alert across all city zones and will continue distributing chlorine tablets, monitoring drinking water quality, operating mobile medical services, carrying out vector-control measures and providing relief assistance to safeguard public health during the monsoon.

The 18th batch of pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Yatra via the Baltal route departed from the Adhar Shivir Ram Mandir in Jammu for the darshan of Baba Barfani.

The pilgrimage had been temporarily suspended by the administration owing to adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety of devotees and prevent any untoward incidents.

Despite the prolonged suspension of the yatra, the enthusiasm and devotion of the pilgrims remained unaffected. Many, speaking to IANS, said that they were determined to continue their journey as soon as the routes reopened.

Expressing happiness over the resumption of the pilgrimage, one devotee said, "I am very happy after the resumption. I have never felt this happy in my life. People were stranded here for the past 6–7 days."

Another pilgrim, who was visiting the shrine for the first time, said the difficult weather had not weakened his resolve to seek blessings.

"I have come here for the first time actually. I just wanted to see Baba and have a darshan and then be back. No matter how much it rains, I am determined to have a darshan," the devotee said.

A pilgrim undertaking the yatra for the third time also praised the arrangements made for the annual pilgrimage and lauded the role of the security forces.

"I have been here twice; this is my third time. I am very happy. All the arrangements are nice, and our security forces are always there to protect us," the devotee said.

Another first-time pilgrim said he had reached Jammu on July 19 and had decided to wait until the pilgrimage resumed instead of returning without offering prayers.

"The administration has made very good arrangements here, because of which we have stayed back. We will leave only after having the darshan of Baba Bhole; we have made this resolve in our hearts," the pilgrim said.

Several devotees also praised the arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, saying they had been provided with all essential facilities during their stay despite the temporary suspension of the pilgrimage.

"The more we praise the administration, the less it seems. We never felt that we had left our hometown and come to another region. The administration has provided all kinds of facilities and amenities to the pilgrims," they said.

The pilgrims further said that although they could not proceed towards the Valley because of the inclement weather, the administration ensured that their stay in Jammu remained comfortable by guiding them to various tourist and religious destinations in the region.

"The administration also arranged buses at several locations, enabling them to visit major religious and tourist destinations across Jammu," a pilgrim said.

The Shri Amarnath Yatra had been suspended on July 19 from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes following persistent rainfall and adverse weather conditions across the Kashmir Valley.

So far, more than 3.7 lakh devotees have offered prayers at the holy cave shrine during the ongoing 57-day pilgrimage, which is scheduled to conclude on August 28.

The initiative, introduced under the direction of Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar Sharma, enables the automatic registration of e-Zero FIRs in cyber fraud cases involving Rs 1 lakh or more, allowing police to initiate legal action without delay.

According to officials, 460 e-Zero FIRs have been registered so far under the new system, marking a significant step towards providing quicker relief to victims of cybercrime.

Additional Director General (Cyber Crime) V.K. Singh said that Rajasthan Police's campaign against cybercrime has gained momentum following the rollout of the new mechanism.

Under the integrated system, complaints registered through the '1930' Cyber Helpline are automatically linked with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre's (I4C) National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).

This enables complaints to be transmitted instantly to the concerned police station for immediate action.

Officials said the new process minimises jurisdiction-related delays by forwarding complaints directly to the appropriate investigating agency, significantly reducing response time.

The system also allows police to quickly initiate measures such as freezing suspicious bank accounts and tracing fraudulent transactions, thereby improving the chances of recovering money lost in cyber fraud.

Appealing to the people, Rajasthan Police urged victims of cyber fraud to immediately call the '1930' Cyber Helpline and register a complaint as soon as they detect a fraudulent transaction.

"The earlier a complaint is reported, the higher the chances of freezing the money trail and recovering the defrauded amount," officials added.

The Rajasthan Police on Thursday introduced the automatic registration of e-Zero FIRs for cyber fraud cases involving Rs 1 lakh or more.

The DGP has issued detailed guidelines to all Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Police Commissioners, directing them to implement the revised procedure with immediate effect.

The decision follows directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and aims to ensure faster legal intervention, immediate freezing of defrauded funds, and quicker investigation and arrest of cyber criminals.

Additional Director General (Cyber Crime), V.K. Singh, said that Rajasthan's earlier e-FIR system applied only to cyber financial fraud cases involving Rs 5 lakh or more.

The threshold has now been reduced to Rs 1 lakh, allowing many more victims to receive immediate legal protection.

The immediate goal is, of course, winning gold in the Mixed 4x400 metres relay at Oregon, but her biggest dream is achieving the holy grail of world sports -- becoming an Olympic champion.

"My ultimate goal is to win gold at the Olympics. For now, I am totally focused on the World U20 Athletics Championships. I will compete in the mixed 4x400m relay, which will require a collective effort from the entire team in order to win a medal. However, I will put in my best effort and will do my best to make the country proud," Tahura said on the eve of her departure for what will be the biggest event of her career so far.

Tahura, who hones her skills under the watchful eyes of chief coach Sanjoy Ghosh and assistant coach Jaspal Singh Pannu at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Eastern Centre, has already etched her name in the history books by winning gold in the Women's 4x400m relay at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships last month, which earned her qualification for the world meet.

"There have been a lot of changes in my life after my success at the Asian U20 event. The expectations are greater now. However, I am in good form now and have won gold at the recent state meet, where I created a new meet record. I am aiming to carry this form into the World U20," she asserted.

Haiing from the remote Phulbari village in Bhangar of the South 24 Parganas district, the 19-year-old had started her foray into the world of sports by playing football and cricket with the local boys before venturing into athletics.

The teenager credited her coaches at SAI, Eastern Centre for helping her to realise her full potential. "I have been training at SAI for the last five years, and I owe all my achievements to the coaches and support staff over here. They look after all my requirements, including training, diet etc," the athlete said.

"When I started my journey in athletics, I faced a lot of difficulties since my family was finding it tough to fund my training. But after I was selected to train at SAI, my life has changed, and I hope to achieve greater glory under the guidance of my SAI coaches Sanjoy sir and Jaspal sir," she added.

"I hope my achievements will inspire the youth of West Bengal to take up athletics in bigger numbers."

As she stands on the threshold of the biggest competition of her career, there is one thing that rankles Tahura.

"When I returned after the Asian U20, there was no one to receive me at the airport, " she rued. "I aim to change that by winning medals at the world level.

The ball is now in her court

The multitracking project covering three districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will expand the existing network of Indian Railways by about 46 kms and will be completed by 2028-29. 

The project will enhance connectivity to approximately 99 villages, which have a population of about seven lakhs. The enhanced capacity will also improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Ballari Fort and Sri Kumara Swamy Temple, according to an official statement issued after the meeting.

The proposed project is essential route for transportation of commodities such as iron ore, dolomite, limestone, iron and steel, coal, fertilisers, food grains, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 16.22 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum), the statement said. 

Besides, the Railways being an environment-friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, the expansion of the network will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country. It is expected to reduce the country’s oil import by around 1.32 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 6.67 crore kg, which is equivalent to plantation of 0.27 crore trees, the statement explained.

The project is planned in accordance with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. This project will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services, the statement said.

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways.

This multi-tracking proposal is poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The project is in line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modij vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment opportunities, the statement added.

Samson spent 11 years with RR and captained them for five seasons, before moving to CSK through a high-profile trade ahead of IPL 2026. “Leaving Rajasthan Royals was a huge risk. Once you convey your feelings to the franchise, there is no going back. You could end up in a team you don't want to go to or even in the auction with no certainty. There were two reasons behind this decision.

“First, I was sure that 2025 would be my last season with RR. I had long conversations with my family and my wife. They kept asking me if it was an impulsive decision or if I was really sure. We discussed it for two or three weeks, and then we decided it was time. I was convinced it was the right call.

“Second, I am a confident person. I believe I can stand on my own. I am always ready to start from zero. Many people told me that my batting style might not suit the slow Chepauk wicket. Those thoughts did cross my mind. But then I told myself, 'You are 30 years old. Go out and find a way.' This IPL season, I went in with a lot of energy, thinking I had to achieve something. I discovered a new energy there, and it was working very well for me,” Samson said on JioStar's 'Superstars.’

His initiation at CSK, however, began on a tough note, with low scores in his first three outings amidst team defeats after becoming Player of the Tournament in India’s 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup triumph. Samson highlighted how the franchise's calm environment helped him navigate the slump.

“In T20 cricket, failure is common. In this format, you tend to fail more than you succeed. So, when you are going through a rough patch, you need people around you who understand that failure is part of the game. When I joined CSK, I failed in my first three games. We lost all three, and I didn't score runs.

“I had just come off playing in the World Cup final, but I wasn't able to carry that form into the IPL. In that situation, no matter how experienced you are, you know that the coach expects more, the captain expects more, and Mahi bhai is watching you. So I went to the nets, worked on my game, and stayed in my zone.

“I was more mature this time around and I knew what I had to do. But what really stood out was that the response from the team management and my teammates didn't change even one per cent. When I failed three matches in a row, their faith in me never wavered. That meant a lot to me.”

It was a succinct piece of advice from Dhoni that ultimately settled his nerves, clearing the way for a turnaround century against Delhi Capitals in the next match. “I still remember, Mahi bhai met me after the first three matches when we went for practice. I usually sit right behind him, facing him. So, we sat down, and he looked at me and asked if I was fine. I said, 'Bhaiya, I am fine.'

“Then I kept saying 'but' and 'yes' without even realising it. Then he told me, 'Don't get into but. Just focus on doing what you do best. Everything will be alright.' It was very subtle, but a huge lesson for me. He was telling me that everything is okay. Just because I was failing didn't mean I had to change my batting style, look like I was stressed, or practice for three extra hours.

“At that moment, I felt I really had to perform for them. Then I told Stephen Fleming, 'Don't worry, we'll be fine in the next game.' And in the next game, I scored a hundred against Delhi Capitals. From there, the momentum came back.”

Having captained RR for five years, Samson explained why he didn't seek the leadership role upon joining CSK. “I really started enjoying captaincy at RR. It's a different skill, and I was getting better at it every year. By the fourth year of captaincy, I had a clear idea of what it takes to lead a side in IPL and T20s. I was enjoying it completely.

“But more than that, I wanted to enjoy cricket more. If the environment changes and doesn't suit you anymore, it's okay to move on. Captaincy is not something you should ask for. It's something that should be given to you because people believe you are the right person. Even at RR, I never asked for it.

“Manoj Badale sir, the owner of RR told me I was the next captain, and I said I was ready. I captained for five seasons and after that, I was confident enough to leave that role, start fresh, and enjoy my cricket again. But it was important to have the right people around me. Ruturaj was someone I knew I would enjoy playing under. I was ready to play under his captaincy and that was one of the thoughts that guided my decision of not demanding for captaincy after joining CSK.”

Addressing his perspective on national selection and individual milestones, Samson reiterated that he prefers focusing on his own processes rather than chasing accolades or pushing for spots. “I had already proven what I am in the IPL and I feel that if the Indian team needs me, I don't need to score big runs and win the Orange Cap.

“There have been many instances where I was very close to getting selected in the World Cup team and someone else was picked. But I am not the kind of character who will tell my leaders, 'Bhaiya, please select me, I will play.' I am always like, 'I am here. If you want me, call me.' I will keep doing my training, I will keep doing my processes.

“But when you feel that you need Sanju the most, that is the only time when my best will also come out. That is what happened in CSK as well, and in the World Cup too this time. It's always best to be where you are comfortable, instead of moving out of it, I feel,” he concluded.

The ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ actor once revealed that he was deeply protective of Karisma during their shoots. Govinda shared that he often found himself focusing more on looking after her than working. Recalling their time together, Govinda, during his appearance on the popular talk show 'Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai,' praised Karisma for her dedication and discipline. He said she came from a respected family, upheld its values, and earned success through sheer hard work. The ‘Partner’ actor also described her as one of the sincerest actresses he had worked with.

Govinda said, “I always used to say about Lolo that she is very simple and innocent. She would come straight to the shoot, just like the heroines of the 1940s. Her family had such an imprint on my mind. Throughout, more than working, I kept on protecting Lolo. Always, I kept on protecting her.”

Karisma added, “He was always so protective about me. And I want to tell you all something — I have been such a big fan of his ever since I was in school. I used to watch Street Dancer, all those songs, Khudgarz, and everything.”

The actress went on to narrate an incident when she took Govinda’s autograph. “And then I read in the newspaper myself. I must have been very young, like 12-13 years old. That there is a show, Govinda Night. And I went and told my mother and father... ...I have to go for this show. I have to go. No matter what, get the ticket. I have to go. It was the greatest moment when I went for the show. And then I went and met him backstage. And I took his autograph also.”

Govinda also shared a memory from the shoot of ‘Raja Babu,' recalling a scene where Karisma had to stand on top of a water tank. He said the height made her extremely nervous, and she became so frightened that she delivered her dialogue in different tones.

Notably, Govinda and Karisma Kapoor were one of Bollywood’s most loved on-screen pairs in the 1990s. They shared the screen in popular movies like “Raja Babu,” “Coolie No. 1,” “Hero No. 1,” “Haseena Maan Jaayegi,” and “Saajan Chale Sasural,” among others.

Mourning the young lives lost during the agitation, he described the leaked paper as theft of the students' years. He allowed the state no concession either. "An administration under which question papers travel faster than justice has failed its first duty," he said. He demanded the harshest prosecution for the syndicates selling children's futures for cash, and a deep audit of the agencies that let them flourish.

He clarified that he was not asking for the protest to be stopped, but proposing a fitness test. "What follows is not a prohibition. It is a fitness test," he said, adding that "the fitness demanded here is not perfection; it is direction."

The first question of that test he put to the movement itself. Somebody sold the leaked paper, so somebody also bought it. "Show me one young man who bought the leaked paper, took his advantage from it, and is on the road today shouting that the system is rotten," he said. That person will not be found, because he does not exist.

Here he placed his central point. "Is it not the oldest trick of the ego, the false I-sense within us, to shout about the action so that the actor is never discussed?" He said the louder the demand to do something grows, the safer the doer sits inside, unexamined and untouched. Nobody on any stage, placard or hashtag is saying that the one who acts should be looked at. "Because the moment you look there, the game is up."

Turning to the numbers, he drew attention to the years in which nothing had leaked. In 2022 the country recorded 13,999 student suicides, a rise of more than eighty per cent since 2011, and in 2021 over fifteen hundred young people under thirty ended their lives with "failure in examination" written as the reason. The examinations in those years were clean. The children still died. "So the leak did not build the machine that equates a rank with a life," he said. "The leak only exposed it."

The cause of those deaths, he said, was not the rank but a conclusion. For years, a whole civilisation has told its seventeen-year-olds that their self-worth is tied to their scorecards, and they believed it because nobody offered them a deeper account of who they are. "When the result collapses, the young person concludes that he has collapsed," he said. "That conclusion is the real killer."

On the role of the voter, he offered an analogy. A monkey enters a house and wrecks it; when the mother returns, does she slap the monkey or the child who left the door open? The monkey's trial and the door's inquiry must both run, he said, but "I am only asking why one of them has ten million investigators, and the other has none."

Reminding the youth that those they now want dragged from their chairs were carried there by voters themselves, he asked that before demanding answers from the government they answer one question: "What exactly were you doing in the polling booth?"

He applied the same test to the movement's own demand. The ego does not weep because it was hurt, he said, but because it has not yet been paid for the hurt, and the minister's resignation is that payment. A compensated victim never again faces the mirror. Prosecuting the guilty in courts armed with real teeth is what accountability means. "A scalp is a trophy, and trophies educate nobody."

For the protesters, he also set a practical test. Whatever benefit flows from the system being publicly called corrupt should first be disowned at home: a refusal of the corrupt rupee, a refusal of the dowry economy. "This exam does not cancel your march. It qualifies you for it," he said.

From history he recalled that the heroes of the country's largest student uprising against corruption, half a century ago, later faced the very charges their movement was born to prevent, and that the crusader of the capital's anti-corruption wave fifteen years ago went on to govern and collect corruption cases of his own. "Rotate the patients as often as you like. The disease holds the ward," he said. He then spelt out what the examples establish. "They do not prove that marching is useless. They prove that unfit marchers are useless."

He extended the same reasoning to political allegiance. A bird trapped on the ground has walked left all its life and one day declares it will now walk right; is it free, or is its slavery deeper, since the one thing it still refuses is flight? Left and right have both ruled and both failed identically, he said. "They are not opposites. They are the two hands of the same ego."

On the road by which real change has come, he said the man who ended the burning of widows led no long marches. He was a teacher who sat people down and taught, and took a lifetime of abuse for it. He also set out what follows when the law changes, but the centre does not. The woman was pulled off her husband's pyre, and the same untouched centre then burned her in the kitchen for dowry, in numbers the pyre never matched. "Change the rules without changing the centre, and only the method of burning changes," he said.

The position is not beyond dispute. Many students of social movements hold that institutional accountability is built only through collective pressure, and that making moral preparation a precondition weakens movements in practice. Answering that objection, Acharya Prashant said the street is not being taken away, only the sequence is being changed.

His central argument was drawn from the Gita. Krishna stood on a battlefield, not in a hermitage. He refused to let Arjuna fire a single arrow and refused equally to let him flee, giving him clarity first and the order to fight after. "The Gita is not a manual of retreat," he said, adding that the conversation took place between two armies in less time than the longest march. "The bar is honesty, and honesty does not take years at all."

He closed with a sequence: first educate yourself in the self, then educate the voter beside you, then vote, then organise, then contest, and then march. "The march of the awakened is not merely permitted. It is awaited," he said. The one thing without which no revolution occurs, he named as love, not slogan-love but love as the ego's own decision to turn upon itself. "Rage rearranges the world and leaves the actor intact," he said. "Love alone changes the actor."

Addressing the youth directly, he said wanting revolution is right, and the mistake lies only in its sequence and place. "First the mirror, then the march. First the eyes, then the road," he said. "The real revolution is not housed in any ministry or maidan. It first lives in you. Claim it first. Then come out, and I will be marching in your middle."

Acharya Prashant is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad and the founder of the PrashantAdvait Foundation. His work, rooted in Indian and global philosophy, reaches more than 100 million subscribers across social media. He was recently named among the world's most influential living thinkers in the Watkins 2026 list.

Over the past few years, padel has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing sports, driven by expanding infrastructure and rising participation. 

Through a structured calendar of Grand Slams, City Opens and Special IP events, IPT provides competitive opportunities for players at every stage of their journey while contributing to The development of India's national ranking ecosystem.

2026–27 Season Highlights

● Tournament Count: 19 professional tournaments.
● City Footprint: 10 major Indian cities.
● Season Timeline: Commences in Mumbai in August 2026 and concludes in Bengaluru
in June 2027

Jigar Doshi, Co-Founder, PadelPark India, said, “The Indian Padel Tour was created with asimple ambition: to build the competitive ecosystem that every great sport needs. While participation introduces people to padel, competition inspires them to improve, dream bigger and stay engaged with the sport for years to come. We are proud to welcome Mercedes-Benz India as the Title Partner of IPT. This partnership is not just about supporting tournaments; it is a shared commitment to building the future of padel in India and establishing the country as one of the world’s most exciting emerging markets for the sport.”

Pratik Doshi, Co-Founder, PadelPark India, added, "The Indian Padel Tour was established to create a structured competitive platform that supports the long-term growth and professionalisation of padel in India. Partnering with a globally respected brand like Mercedes-Benz India is a defining milestone for the tour, reinforcing the sport's growing stature and potential in the country. Together, we look forward to delivering a world-class season that elevates the player experience, engages a wider audience, and contributes meaningfully to the continued development of India's padel ecosystem.”

The partnership was announced alongside the launch of the Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+, Mercedes-Benz India's first electrified AMG E-Class model. Through its multi-year title partnership with the Indian Padel Tour (IPT) 2026–27, Mercedes-Benz India is extending its commitment to performance, innovation and progressive mobility beyond the road by
supporting the continued growth of one of India's fastest-growing sports.

Commenting on this, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "For us, performance extends beyond the car and into the experiences we build with our customers and communities, whether that's on a racetrack or, as we've seen recently, on a padel court through our partnership with the Indian Padel Tour. The AMG E 53 HYBRID reflects that same commitment to precision engineering, paired with a highly personalised ownership experience for Indian customers."

As India's premier padel circuit, the Mercedes-Benz Indian Padel Tour continues to play a pivotal role in developing the sport's competitive landscape by providing a platform for emerging and established talent while bringing world-class padel to audiences across the country. The partnership with Mercedes-Benz India marks another significant achievement in PadelPark India's mission to build a robust, sustainable, and globally competitive padel community in India.

About PadelPark India

PadelPark India is India’s premier padel company, dedicated to promoting and growing the sport across the country. With a vision to make padel accessible to players of all levels, PadelPark has established state-of-the-art courts, world-class training programs, and a thriving community of padel enthusiasts. Committed to elevating the sport to new heights, PadelPark continues to drive the growth of padel in India through strategic partnerships, international events, and grassroots initiatives. For more information, visit padelpark.in

About Mercedes-Benz India:

Mercedes-Benz India pioneered the luxury car market in India, completing 30 years of Indian operations in 2024. Mercedes-Benz’s world-class production facility, set up in 2009, is spread over 100 acres in Chakan near Pune. Mercedes-Benz India is part of Mercedes-Benz’s Global Production Network and plays an important role in the CKD production network. The production facility carries an investment of more than INR 3000 crores, the highest by any luxury OEM in India and the largest installed production capacity for any luxury carmaker in India. Mercedes-Benz India has the largest luxury network spread amongst any luxury carmaker, with over 140 luxury touchpoints spread across 50+ cities. 

Through exclusive AMG Performance Centres, Mercedes-Benz boasts of a strong AMG retail network presence in the country. Mercedes-Benz India has a robust product portfolio comprising the locally produced C-Class, E-Class Long Wheelbase, S-Class, and Mercedes-Maybach S 580 limousine. The portfolio also comprises the all-new V-Class, along with the electric vehicles: New CLA BEV, EQS 580 sedan, and EQS SUV 450. The ‘Made in India’ SUV range starts with the GLA, GLC, GLE, and GLS ranges of luxury SUVs. The Completely Built imported (CBU) cars include the G 450d, GLS Maybach and the exciting AMG range comprising AMG A 45 S to the AMG GT 63 S. Mercedes-Benz pioneered the luxury BEV segment in India, comprising the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV and G580 and the ‘Made in India’ EQS 580 sedan and EQS SUV. Mercedes-Benz India introduced the innovative customer-centric ‘direct to customer’ business model in India, known as ‘Retail of the Future’, as one of the first markets to roll out this business model, redefining the customer experience. With this novel business model, Mercedes-Benz has already sold ~80,000 New Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Returning to international cricket after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Mayank struck with the very first ball of the match and finished with impressive figures of 2-18. Along with fellow Delhi pacer Prince Yadav (2-19), he laid the foundation for India’s clinical victory before teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a record-breaking 18-ball half-century to guide the visitors to a comfortable chase of 126 and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Reflecting on the difficult period away from the game, Mayank admitted that the lay-off tested him mentally. "It was very difficult, especially this two-year gap was very challenging for me as a person because the main thing is age wasn’t on my side at that time. I was only 22 or 23 years old," Mayank told reporters after the match.

"So that thing always affected me that at such a young age, I’m having to see so much. At the same time, the motivation to play for the country exists from childhood for every player. So that motivation was there for me that I should return to play for the country and perform the way I did," he added.

Mayank made an immediate impact by dismissing Brian Bennett off the opening ball after Ishan Kishan completed a successful review behind the stumps. He later removed Dion Myers with another lively delivery as Zimbabwe slipped to 32/4 before recovering to post 125/7 through Wessly Madhevere’s 39 and Tadiwanashe Marumani’s unbeaten 27.

Mayank also praised Iyer’s leadership, saying the India skipper gave his bowlers complete freedom to execute their plans.

"I didn’t speak much to him before the match. But when he was captaining, I felt that he showed a lot of confidence in the bowlers and I felt very good that whatever I wanted to bowl, he backed that," Mayank said.

"When he gave me some advice too, I felt very confident that I could back that and it was a good option. I felt very free playing with him. It’s the first time I’m playing under his captaincy. I’ve only seen him lead on TV or with other teams, so it felt very good."

India will look to seal the three-match series when the two sides meet in the second T20I on Saturday.

The appointment comes at a time when the Centre is facing mounting pressure over the credibility of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following controversies surrounding NEET and other national-level examinations. Students' organisations and political parties have been demanding greater transparency and sweeping reforms in the examination system.

As the new Higher Education Secretary, Gangwar is expected to play a key role in strengthening the country's examination framework.

His immediate priorities are likely to include enhancing transparency in national-level entrance and recruitment examinations, restoring the confidence of students affected by recent examination controversies, and reviewing the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), said officials.

The Centre's decision is being viewed as an effort to reinforce accountability and accelerate reforms in the examination system.

Naresh Pal Gangwar is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre with nearly three decades of administrative experience.

Before his latest appointment, he was serving as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Before his Central deputation, Gangwar held several key positions in Rajasthan, including District Collector in multiple districts and Principal Secretary in the state government.

He is also credited with playing a significant role in formulating Rajasthan's Solar Policy between 2010 and 2014, during the initial phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

During his tenure in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he also contributed to policy formulation on pollution control and hazardous waste management.

Gangwar has an impressive academic background. He holds a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the then University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), an M.Tech in Communication and Radar Engineering from IIT Delhi, and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

His appointment comes as the Ministry of Education prepares to address growing demands for stronger safeguards against paper leaks, improved examination security, and institutional reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in India's competitive examination system.

The clarification was issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South East District, after an X user alleged that “three young boys have been detained by the Delhi Police at Nizamuddin Police Station for carrying food to Jantar Mantar.”

The original social media post stated: “Three young boys have been detained by the @DelhiPolice at Nizamuddin Police Station for carrying food to Jantar Mantar. Yes, you read that right! Several reports of young kids being detained for no reason…”

Responding to the post on X, the DCP South East Delhi categorically rejected the allegation, posting: “The claim of boys being detained at Nizammudin Police station for carrying food to Jantar Mantar is FALSE and MISLEADING.”

The police also released an official clarification detailing the sequence of events. According to the statement, “Police personnel did not stop or prevent any individual from carrying food items.”

Explaining the incident, the Delhi Police said the vehicle was stopped as part of routine security checks. “As part of routine picket/checkpost duty, the vehicle was stopped only to verify the identity of the occupants and ascertain their point of origin and destination,” the clarification stated.

The police further said that “While IDs were being verified, the driver of the vehicle left the spot along with the vehicle and belongings.”

According to the clarification, “On enquiry, the occupants stated that the food items were being taken to the protest site.” It also noted that “The driver had been arranged by one of the occupants’ friends and was not personally known to them.”

The statement added that “Till the time the driver left, the deployed staff were not even aware that the food was meant for protestors.”

Rejecting allegations of wrongful detention, the Delhi Police maintained that officers were only carrying out standard verification procedures. The clarification concluded: “Police personnel were performing routine picket checking and verification duty as mandated. The claim being made is baseless and malicious, and appears intended to misrepresent a standard verification procedure.”

The official clarification was issued by the DCP, South East District, Delhi Police, in response to the viral social media claims regarding the alleged detention of the youths.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “I urge Sonam ji to follow the doctors’ advice in his daily routine and regain his old weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Almighty for his good health.” The Prime Minister’s message came hours after Wangchuk broke his fast at Safdarjung Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, doctors and family members.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Central government has prepared a comprehensive draft Bill to introduce stricter provisions and stringent punishments for paper leak cases.

The proposal will be discussed in the Union Cabinet meeting on Friday and is expected to be introduced and passed in the ongoing session of Parliament next week.

Wangchuk’s hunger strike had drawn widespread national attention, with leaders from multiple political parties and civil society groups appealing to him to end the fast.

Earlier, Wangchuk himself noted that 65 Members of Parliament had either visited him or signed letters urging him to break the fast, citing concerns over possible unrest.

He said the decision followed long negotiations on conditions and emphasised the need to avoid violence of any kind.

The conclusion of the fast marks the end of one of the longest hunger strikes by a prominent activist in recent years, highlighting both the political sensitivity of Ladakh’s demands and the broader debate over governance and environmental safeguards in the region.

The Ministry issued the order for suspension of mobile internet services, saying that the Secretary is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in the “interest of public order and for preventing incitement to the commission of any offence”.

The order issued by Under Secretary Mahendra Vikram Singh directed “to suspend the mobile internet services (all technologies) with effect from 16.00 Hrs on July 23 to 24.00 Hrs on July 23 at and around a radius of 1.5 kms of Jantar Mantar.”

The order was issued in exercise of the power conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 20 of The Telecommunication Act, 2023 read with clause (b) of sub-rule 1 of Rule 2 and sub-rule 1 of Rule 3 of The Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024.

Earlier, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh said that the government has made four formal proposals for talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the past 24 hours but they have remained “unresponsive and uncommunicative” to their outreach.

The Union Minister told IANS that the government has reached out with “utmost humility” to the protesting students at Jantar Mantar, highlighting that dialogue was the only constructive way to end the stalemate.

“We are waiting for them. Our doors are open 24x7. We have approached them at least four times in the past 24 hours. We seek their participation in talks on all issues, including NEET,” he said.

The Union Minister urged the students to come forward for talks, stating that the government was keen on resolving the issue through dialogue in their interest.

He added that Union Minister J.P. Nadda, being the government’s interlocutor, will hear out and address their concerns, and the students are free to pick “hours and topics of discussion.”

“The talks could take place either at J.P. Nadda’s office or residence and at any convenient time,” he said, while informing that he will also be part of the discussion.

The Minister said the Prime Minister was sensitive towards their issues and announced the setting up of fast‑track courts to ensure speedy justice and prosecution of those behind paper leaks.

Reiterating PM Modi’s concerns for India’s youth and their future, he said the fast‑track courts will ensure that the guilty face the law and get punished for their acts while justice is delivered without delay.

The protests over NEET paper leaks by the CJP‑led students have been underway at Jantar Mantar for over a month, while the hunger strike by social activist Sonam Wangchuk entered its 26th day on Thursday.

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) shortlisted another eight projects for support under the RDIF, involving an amount of Rs 390.35 crore, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said in the Rajya Sabha.

TDB and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council were approved as Second Level Fund Managers under the Focused Research Organisations category of Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

So far, two SLFMs — TDB and BIRAC — have been sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore each under the RDIF, the statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology said, adding these funds are for investment in eligible technology entities.

The Union Cabinet approved the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund in July 2025, and launched it in November, 2025.

Applications were invited from Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) for onboarding under the Fund and 162 applications were received from various Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and 38 applications from Focused Research Organisations (FROs). These applications have been processed and are currently under consideration by the competent sanctioning authority, involving a total proposed commitment of around Rs 8,000 crore for various AIFs and FROs, the minister said.

The Scheme targets strategic technology sectors, including energy security and transition, and climate action; deep technologies, including quantum computing, robotics and space; artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in agriculture, health and education.

Further, it targets biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture. Other proposed sectors include technologies whose indigenisation is important for strategic reasons, the statement noted.

The plans were outlined during a high-level review meeting of the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department in Gandhinagar on Thursday, where Cabinet Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya said the initiatives are part of a broader effort to strengthen the state's skill development ecosystem and equip young people with 'New Age' skills aligned with changing industry requirements.

According to the minister, of the 177 ongoing infrastructure projects, 128 are in the active implementation stage, while 48 are in the pre-execution stage.

The works include the construction of new ITI buildings, workshops and repair and renovation projects.

Among the major projects planned for the coming year are a multi-storey building at Amreli ITI, new workshops at Tarsali ITI and a hostel at Khedbrahma ITI.

Bavaliya instructed officials to ensure that all infrastructure projects are completed within the stipulated timelines while maintaining quality standards.

He also emphasised that the benefits of the government's welfare schemes should reach workers living in remote parts of the state in a simple and timely manner.

Referring to workplace safety, he directed officials to pay special attention to the health and safety of workers employed at construction sites, factories and other workplaces.

Minister of State, Kantilal Amrutiya, said accessibility features are being developed across ITIs in Gujarat for persons with disabilities. These include ramps, tactile flooring, Braille markings and accessible toilets.

"The government is also working to strengthen student support through measures such as travel allowances, modern fire safety systems, digitisation and the Anubandham employment portal for job seekers," he said.

The review meeting examined the physical and financial progress of schemes being implemented by the Directorate of Employment and Training, the Gujarat Skill Development Mission, Kaushalya – The Skill University, the Labour Commissioner's Office, the Industrial Safety and Health Department, the Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute and the Gujarat Shramyogi Welfare Board.

Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department Secretary Lochan Sehra urged officials to make administrative processes faster, technology-driven and result-oriented.

Joint Secretary Tejas Soni gave a detailed presentation on the Namo Gujarat Kaushalya and Rojgar Mission, the Namo Kaushalya Laxmi Yojana, training assistance programmes, employment recruitment fairs and other departmental development projects discussed during the meeting.

The 2027 contest will mark the second time The Oval hosts the championship decider after staging the inaugural final in 2021, where Australia defeated India in front of a capacity crowd. 

Last year, during the ICC Annual Conference 2025, ECB was awarded hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship Finals, which are 2027, 2019 and 2031. The first three editions of the WTC Final were held at different venues in England, with Lord’s hosting the 2025 final, where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets. 

New Zealand claimed the inaugural title by defeating India in Southampton in 2021, before Australia lifted the trophy at The Oval in 2023. The upcoming final will also conclude the fourth cycle of the World Test Championship.

ECB Managing Director of Competitions and Major Events Neil Snowball said England was proud to continue hosting the global showpiece for the longest format of the game.

“We are honoured to be staging the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals in England and Wales, and we’re pleased to confirm that The Oval will play host again next year. The 2023 final at The Oval was a huge hit with broadcasters and fans, and I’ve no doubt that next year’s event will be extra special again.

“This promises to be another fantastic opportunity for cricket fans in this country and from around the world to see the best two Test teams in the world from the past two years taking each other on in a showpiece event,” Snowball said in an ECB statement on Thursday.

The 2027 edition will carry additional historical significance as it coincides with celebrations marking 150 years of Test cricket, adding further prestige to a fixture that brings together the world's two top-performing Test sides over the preceding two-year cycle.

ICC General Manager, Events & Operations, Gaurav Saxena, believes the choice of venue reflects the strong relationship between the ICC and the ECB, while also recognising The Oval's place in cricket history.

“The ICC World Test Championship Final has established itself as one of the most prestigious occasions in the global cricket calendar, bringing together the two best Test teams in the world after two years of sustained excellence and consistency. The confirmation of The Oval as the venue for the 2027 final is another testament to the strong and collaborative partnership between the ICC and the ECB. This partnership was showcased through the outstanding success of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where both organisations worked seamlessly together to deliver several landmark moments for women’s sport and create an unforgettable experience for players, fans and the wider cricket community.

“The 2027 World Test Championship Final will hold special significance as cricket celebrates 150 years of Test cricket. The Oval has played a proud role in the history of our sport and has hosted some of its most memorable moments. We look forward to working closely with the ECB to deliver another world-class event that celebrates the enduring legacy of Test cricket and creates lasting memories for fans around the world,” Saxena stated.

Australia are currently atop the WTC rankings, with 87.50 percentage points, while defending champions South Africa follow them in the second spot with 75 percentage points. New Zealand, Bangladesh and India occupy the third, fourth and fifth spots, while Sri Lanka, England, the West Indies and Pakistan hold the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth places respectively. 

The tournament will last 11 days, ending on August 3, with the best teams from both zones battling for the championship.

Twelve academy teams are split into two pools of six. Each team plays the others in its pool during the league stage. The top two from each pool will advance to the semi-finals on August 2. The tournament concludes with a third-place playoff and the final on August 3.

Pool A includes Raja Karan Hockey Academy, Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar), Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy, Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society, Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy, and Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy in Sonepat.

Pool B includes Ritu Rani Hockey Academy, Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy, Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta, Mumbai Schools Sports Association, Adyar Hockey Academy, and Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy.

The tournament will operate in a league format during the pool stage, where teams earn three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. In classification matches needing a winner, tied games will be resolved through a shoot-out as per the FIH Tournament Regulations.

Speaking ahead of the championship, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said, "The Junior Women Academy Championship has become an important platform in our efforts to strengthen the grassroots development pathway for women's hockey in India. The tournament provides young players with an opportunity to compete against some of the best academy talent in the country while gaining valuable experience in a highly competitive environment. We are confident that this championship will help identify future stars who will go on to represent India at the highest level."

Hockey India Secretary General Bola Nath Singh added, "Academies play a vital role in nurturing young players and preparing them for the next stage of their hockey journey. Championships like these not only promote healthy competition but also provide exposure to talented athletes from across the country. We wish all participating teams the very best and look forward to witnessing exciting hockey over the coming days."

The opening day action kicks off with Raja Karan Hockey Academy against Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar) at 7:30 AM. This is followed by the Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy versus Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat, at 9:00 AM. Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society will then compete against Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy at 10:30 AM. 

In Pool B, Ritu Rani Hockey Academy will face Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy at 1:30 PM, and Mumbai Schools Sports Association will compete with Adyar Hockey Academy at 3:00 PM. The day concludes with Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta playing against the host, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, at 4:30 PM.

The issue dominated the House from the outset, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition trading sharp accusations over the violence that accompanied the demonstration.

Even before the Question Hour commenced, a BJP legislator raised the issue in the Assembly, alleging that those who took part in the protest were not genuine students but politically motivated agitators.

He claimed that he and several other BJP legislators were subjected to a life-threatening attack during the demonstration.

The MLA maintained that while every citizen has the democratic right to protest peacefully, violence and vandalism cannot be justified under any circumstances.

According to him, individuals associated with certain political parties had infiltrated the protest and attempted to disturb law and order under the guise of a student movement.

He further alleged that vehicles belonging to BJP leaders and MLAs were attacked during the protest, arguing that such acts of violence did not reflect the conduct of students.

While acknowledging the students' right to raise legitimate demands, he said attacks on public representatives and damage to public property could not be condoned.

Cabinet Minister Shravan Kumar stated that while protests and the raising of issues are legitimate, the current agitation is not being driven by the students themselves but is instead a sponsored affair; such incidents are occurring because individuals are being instigated by leaders from political parties.

“Protests should be peaceful. In a democracy, everyone has the right to assert their rights and voice their opinions; however, the actions taken by political parties—specifically the RJD and Congress—in Patna on Wednesday are condemnable. The law in Bihar operates independently; this government neither frames anyone nor shields anyone,” Kumar said.

The ruling party's allegations triggered strong protests from Opposition members, who questioned the government's handling of the demonstration and condemned the police lathi-charge on students.

Opposition MLAs accused the government of suppressing the voices of protesting students and demanded accountability for the police action.

Their objections led to noisy scenes inside the House, disrupting proceedings.

As the exchanges grew increasingly heated, the Assembly Speaker, Prem Kumar, intervened and appealed to members from both sides to maintain the dignity and decorum of the House.

The Speaker said that while every legislator had the right to raise matters of public importance, debates should be conducted peacefully to ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly.

He urged members to present their arguments in an orderly manner rather than resorting to disruptions.

The Patna student protest and the subsequent police action have emerged as a major political flashpoint in Bihar.

Opposition MLAs arrived at the Assembly complex carrying banners and posters during the Monsoon Session.

In the portico, they raised loud slogans against the NDA government to protest the lathi-charge that had taken place the previous day on students.

Chanting slogans like “Remove BJP, Save Education,” the Opposition MLAs staged a sit-in protest outside the Assembly complex. During the demonstration, they also demanded the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“The government has used excessive force against students and attempted to suppress their voice. They have the power. Why are they not investigating it? It is a failure of the government over the paper leak and lathi-charge on students, which is highly condemnable,” said senior RJD legislator Alok Mehta.

The guidelines state that an anti-tobacco awareness programme will be conducted in every school. If someone is addicted to tobacco, they will be given behavioural counselling. If necessary, they will be sent to a higher health centre.

According to the new SOP, every school will have to conduct a self-assessment of 100 marks once in six months. Only schools that score 90 per cent or more will receive the certificate of 'Tobacco-Free Educational Institution' (TOFEI).

The initiative has been taken following a recent survey on youth which showed that 8.5 per cent of students between the ages of 13 and 15 are addicted to cigarettes or gutkha in Bengal.

A special team is being formed in each block to make schools tobacco-free. The team will include Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) Medical Officer, Staff Nurse, Pharmacist, Research Counsellor and Block Health Manager. They will visit schools in the block.

Experts believe that this initiative of the West Bengal government will help students in giving up tobacco addiction. Public health officials said that the aim of the Tobacco Free Educational Institution (TOFEI) programme is to make all educational institutions tobacco-free. The anti-tobacco Act (2003) should be enforced more strictly, as per the SOP.

In addition to raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco, the students will also be informed about the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.

Quizzes, posters, and debate competitions will be organised in schools. The responsibility of the research counsellors is to create awareness among students as well as parents. Discussions about the harms of tobacco will be held in parent teacher meetings.

A tobacco monitoring committee will be formed in every school. They will check whether tobacco is being sold within 100 yards of the school. Coordination between parents, local panchayats, youth organisations, and police stations will be established in schools to prevent the sale of tobacco

According to the Health Department, to get the certificate of a tobacco-free educational institution, the school will have to comply with some conditions. A 'Tobacco Free Area' board will have to be hung in a conspicuous place on the school campus. A banner of a tobacco-free institution will have to be placed at the main gate of the school. There will be no signs of cigarettes, bidi pieces, gutkha, khaini packets, or spit stains on the school premises.

Moreover, he stated that the Centre has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks, and also issued a warning to those trying to harm the future of youth.

In a post on X, PM Modi said: "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard."

He emphasised that the step is a part of a series of measures by the Central government for "safeguarding the interests of students".

PM Modi also issued a warning, saying: "Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared."

This comes a day after Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said that the Centre was open to discussions with all stakeholders on the examination paper leak issue. He also said that the government had held talks with representatives of the protesting CJP and had also urged activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike and join the ‘mainstream dialogue process’.

Addressing a press conference, Nadda said the meeting with CJP representatives was held in a cordial atmosphere, during which the government heard their concerns and asked them to submit their demands in writing.

"The discussion took place in a very cordial atmosphere. We listened to their views very calmly. I told them it would be better if they submitted their points in writing, and they have done so. We are ready for discussions whenever they ask," he said, while clarifying that no fresh meeting took place on Wednesday.

Reiterating that the government wanted a detailed debate on examination paper leaks, Nadda said Parliament was the most appropriate forum to evolve a long-term policy on the issue.

According to the latest weather bulletin, moderate rainfall accompanied by strong winds is likely at isolated places across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Thursday and Friday under the influence of the weather system.

The department said the Western Ghats districts are expected to receive moderate rainfall with gusty winds until July 28, while other parts of Tamil Nadu are likely to witness light to moderate rain during the same period.

The forecast indicates that rainfall activity will remain concentrated over the hilly districts along the Western Ghats, where moisture-laden winds are expected to sustain intermittent showers over the coming days.

Elsewhere in the state, scattered light to moderate rainfall is likely to provide some relief, although the intensity is expected to remain lower than in the hill regions.

For Chennai, the IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies throughout the day. Moderate rainfall is likely at a few places in the city during the evening or night hours, with weather conditions remaining favourable for brief spells of rain accompanied by occasional gusty winds.

Despite the expected rainfall, temperatures are projected to remain above normal in parts of the state. The weather department has forecast that the maximum temperature over the interior districts of Tamil Nadu is likely to remain up to 3 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average until July 26.

Residents in these areas have been advised to take necessary precautions against heat stress during the daytime, especially those engaged in outdoor activities. In contrast, maximum temperatures over the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, as well as Puducherry, are expected to stay close to normal levels during the forecast period.

Meteorologists said the prevailing weather pattern reflects the combined influence of the weak low-pressure circulation and seasonal atmospheric conditions, which are expected to support intermittent rainfall across the state over the next several days.

The department has advised the public, particularly those in the Western Ghats districts, to stay updated with official weather advisories as changing conditions could lead to brief spells of heavy rain and gusty winds in isolated locations.

In a post on X, PM Modi said: "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard."

He underlined that the step is a part of a series of measures by the Central government for "safeguarding the interests of students".

PM Modi also issued a warning, saying: "Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared. The welfare and future of the country's youth is our topmost priority."

This comes a day after Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said that the Centre was open to discussions with all stakeholders on the examination paper leak issue. He also said that the government had held talks with representatives of the protesting CJP and had also urged activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike and join the ‘mainstream dialogue process’.

Addressing a press conference, Nadda said the meeting with CJP representatives was held in a cordial atmosphere, during which the government heard their concerns and asked them to submit their demands in writing.

"The discussion took place in a very cordial atmosphere. We listened to their views very calmly. I told them it would be better if they submitted their points in writing, and they have done so. We are ready for discussions whenever they ask," he said, while clarifying that no fresh meeting took place on Wednesday.

Reiterating that the government wanted a detailed debate on examination paper leaks, Nadda said Parliament was the most appropriate forum to evolve a long-term policy on the issue.

The actress shared that her character has covered a great deal of arc as she evolved from someone who believes in doing the right thing to navigating power, grief, revenge and ambition.

What began as a gritty crime drama on streaming has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with characters, dialogues and moments becoming deeply embedded in popular culture. The streaming show has further expanded to cinematic canvas, and is waiting in the wings for the release.

Reflecting on the journey of the show, Shweta said, “When we started shooting Mirzapur almost eight years ago, none of us could have predicted the journey it would take. As actors, you hope your work connects with people, but very rarely does a show become part of everyday conversations, memes, celebrations and even the language people use. Mirzapur did that. It made us their Guddu Bhaiya and Golu Didi. Today, people don’t just watch the show, they care about the characters and root for them”.

For Shweta, the transition is a testament to the enduring love audiences have shown the series over the years and the emotional investment they’ve made in its characters.

She further mentioned, “That’s why Mirzapur becoming one of the first major Indian streaming franchises to make the leap to the big screen feels so special. It’s not just a film adaptation. It’s the result of years of audience love. Every season ended with people wanting more, revisiting the show, discussing theories and carrying these characters with them. In many ways, this film belongs to the fans as much as it belongs to us”.

The actress also said that the film also represents the continuation of her character, Golu Gupta’s deeply layered journey, a character she has inhabited for nearly a decade.

“What makes me particularly emotional is Golu’s journey. I’ve lived with her for years. She began as a young woman who believed in doing the right thing and gradually transformed into someone navigating power, grief, revenge and ambition. Watching audiences grow alongside her has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Even today, I meet young women who tell me they connected with her resilience, her flaws and her refusal to fit into expectations. That’s incredibly moving”, she added.

A Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing the oral mentioning of the matter when the petitioner's counsel sought an urgent hearing, alleging police brutality against students protesting at Jantar Mantar.

"Please don't waste our time and don't waste yours. Your time is more valuable than ours," CJI Kant told the counsel.

The lawyer submitted that students were raising important issues such as ensuring the fair conduct of the NEET examination and seeking reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA), including its dissolution in view of repeated allegations of paper leaks.

Cutting the submissions short, the CJI said, "Thank you very much."

When the counsel insisted that there were videos showing police atrocities against the protesters and sought urgent listing of the matter, the apex court declined the request.

"We are not interested in videos. We don't have time to watch," CJI Kant remarked, refusing to grant an urgent listing to the petition.

The matter relates to the protests organised during the CJP-led 'Sansad Chalo' march, during which students and protesters attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Delhi Police had put up barricades and imposed restrictions to prevent the march from proceeding beyond the designated protest site.

Following the protests, multiple FIRs were registered across central Delhi.

According to the police, four FIRs were lodged at Parliament Street Police Station, three at Connaught Place Police Station, and one each at Mandir Marg, Barakhamba Road and Kartavya Path police stations in connection with different incidents during the protest and maintenance of public order.

Investigations in all the cases are underway.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have denied claims circulating on social media regarding stone-pelting and alleged police action, describing the videos as "false and misleading".

In a post on X, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) urged the public not to share unverified videos and advised citizens to rely only on official sources for authentic information.

Separately, both the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) issued statements condemning the alleged use of excessive force against student protesters and members of the legal fraternity.

In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, the SCBA condemned the alleged "brutal lathi charge" on students and lawyers, sought an immediate, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the incident, and called for medical assistance to those injured.

SCAORA, in a separate statement, expressed concern over reports and visuals depicting the alleged use of force against students, emphasising that peaceful dissent is protected under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution.

Referring to the Supreme Court's decisions, SCAORA said any restriction on peaceful assemblies must satisfy the constitutional requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality, and called for an independent and impartial examination of allegations of excessive use of force.

Harbhajan, one of India's greatest off-spinners, said Tendulkar's words have remained with him throughout his playing career and continue to shape the advice he now gives to the next generation of cricketers.

"I think our seniors were so good because they wanted us to play well and become better within our limitations. The best advice I ever got was from the great Sachin Tendulkar," Harbhajan told Jio Star.

"Sachin paaji told me, 'There will be many distractions, many things will come your way, but you have to keep your blinders on, so that you can't look left or right, and only look straight ahead. And what lies ahead? Cricket! If you stay on this path, no one in the world can stop you. Whatever you want to become, whatever you want to do, you will earn every kind of respect, honour, and fame, everything, if you keep walking on this path,' he added.

The former spinner said the same principle is central to the message he now shares with young players breaking into international cricket.

"So, I give the same advice to youngsters: keep your focus on the game. You are who you are because of the game. Don't think that you are bigger than the game. If your attitude isn't right, as much as this game provides, it also knows how to take it back just as quickly," he said.

Harbhajan enjoyed a distinguished international career spanning nearly two decades and played a pivotal role in several of India's biggest triumphs. The off-spinner claimed 711 international wickets across formats, including 417 in 103 Tests, making him one of only a handful of Indian bowlers to cross the 400-wicket mark in the longest format. He also picked up 269 wickets in 236 ODIs and 25 wickets in 28 T20Is.

The administrative approval for the expenditure has been granted for the 2026-27 financial year under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, according to an official statement issued by the state government.

The move is intended to bring specialised treatment closer to patients by ensuring that people affected by substance addiction can access care within their own districts instead of travelling to larger cities for treatment.

Each district hospital will house a 15-bed de-addiction centre offering a range of services, including scientific detoxification treatment, de-addiction therapy, counselling, mental healthcare, family counselling and rehabilitation.

The centres will provide both inpatient (IPD) and outpatient (OPD) services. According to the government, multidisciplinary teams comprising doctors, nurses, counsellors, psychologists and other trained professionals will provide integrated care at the facilities.

The government said the centres are aimed at supporting people recovering from substance addiction through medical treatment, counselling and rehabilitation while also helping reduce the financial and emotional burden on their families.

To ensure transparency in implementation, all required equipment for the centres will be procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.

The project will also be subject to regular monitoring, social audits and third-party verification, the statement said.

"The government has focussed in recent years not only on taking action against the illegal drug trade but also on strengthening rehabilitation measures for people affected by substance addiction," officials said.

They further said the establishment of de-addiction centres in every district hospital is intended to reinforce that approach by making treatment and support services more widely available across Gujarat.

"Timely treatment, counselling and rehabilitation would provide people struggling with addiction with an opportunity to recover while contributing to the state's broader objective of creating a drug-free society," officials noted.

The ‘Sanju’ actress shared insights into the emotional depth and strength of her character. At the trailer launch, Dia spoke about the resilience of Air Force wives and how their courage and silent sacrifices inspired her while bringing the role to life. Speaking about portraying Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa, Mirza said, “Kamal Maam's part in this story was one of an anchor, somebody who held the women together, who really connected them as a force while their husbands were on the mission and what it meant to her and the women to experience what it was.”

“Even the women that marry into the Air Force don't know what to expect. They may hear stories but you can never really fully prepare for reality when it occurs.”

Dia added, “I think one of the big takeaways for me as a wife and as a woman, and as a mother was this line that 'every single day when their husbands step out of the home they bid them goodbye with a smile on their face even if they've had the biggest fight the night before' and it's a powerful reality to be rooted in and a very very terrifying one and like Amrita so eloquently explained that it's impossible for us to ever truly know but we can try and I think we did.”

“Operation Safed Sagar” will narrate the story of the courage, precision, and sacrifices that shaped the Indian Air Force’s historic mission during the 1999 Kargil War. Set against the backdrop of the Golden Arrows, the IAF squadron whose bravery in the skies played a pivotal role in India’s victory, the upcoming Netflix series will also shed light on the untold stories of the families who stood steadfastly behind the men in uniform.

Dia Mirza essays the role of Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa, a woman whose quiet strength and unwavering resilience became an anchor for the families of Air Force officers during one of the nation's most challenging times.

Directed by Oni Sen, “Operation Safed Sagar” also stars Jimmy Shergill, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Abhay Verma, Taaruk Raina, and Prajakta Koli. The series will premiere on August 7 on Netflix.

Heavy rain has lashed several parts of the state since early morning.

Udaipur recorded its heaviest rainfall of the season, while Kota and Baran received more than five inches of rain, leading to overflowing rivers, waterlogging, and the opening of a gate at the Kalisindh Dam.

Light to moderate showers have also been reported from Jaipur, Kotputli-Behror, Ajmer and several other districts.

The Meteorological Centre, Jaipur, has forecast that the monsoon will remain active across Rajasthan until July 25, with heavy rainfall likely in many districts.

According to the IMD, the highest rainfall during the last 24 hours was recorded in Chhipabarod (Baran), which was 130 mm, followed by 101 mm in Sultanpur (Kota). Heavy rainfall was also recorded in Hanumangarh, Bundi, Alwar, Karauli, Jhunjhunu and Sawai Madhopur, while light to moderate showers occurred in Dausa, Jhalawar, Tonk, Nagaur, Udaipur, Churu, Sri Ganganagar and Bharatpur.

Udaipur witnessed nearly an hour of intense rainfall early Wednesday morning, bringing the city's heaviest spell of the current monsoon season. The showers brought down temperatures significantly and drew visitors back to popular tourist spots after the rain eased.

Heavy rainfall in Ajmer led to waterlogging in several localities, disrupting traffic and leaving vehicles stranded. On Taragarh Road in Subhash Nagar, an overflowing under-construction drain spilled onto the road. A two-wheeler rider fell into a pothole filled with rainwater and was rescued by local residents. The district recorded 39.4 mm (1.5 inches) of rainfall in the past 24 hours, helping reduce the rainfall deficit while making the weather considerably cooler. Continuous rain in the Hadoti region has caused the Parvan and Kalisindh rivers to swell.

In Manoharthana (Jhalawar), the Parvan River rose nearly 3 feet, submerging a small bridge and part of a temple.

With inflows increasing from Madhya Pradesh, authorities opened one gate of the Kalisindh Dam by about 0.10 metres, releasing nearly 426 cusecs of water.

The widespread rainfall has brought substantial relief from heat and humidity across the state. Maximum temperatures fell by 4 degrees to 9 degrees Celsius in cities including Jaipur, Alwar, Pilani, Sikar, Ajmer, Churu and Sri Ganganagar. Although Jaisalmer remained the hottest city at 39.6 degrees Celsius, no location in Rajasthan recorded a maximum temperature above 40 degrees for the first time in nearly two weeks.

On Wednesday, an orange alert was issued for four districts while a yellow alert was announced for the rest of Rajasthan. Monsoon is expected to remain active till July 25 in the state.

The fresh spell of showers provided respite from the discomfort that residents had been experiencing over the past several days.

The rainfall also led to a noticeable reduction in humidity levels across the region, making the weather significantly more pleasant compared to previous days.

According to the weather forecast, the maximum temperature in the national capital is expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to settle at approximately 25 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the national capital and adjoining areas are likely to receive more rainfall later in the day. The showers are expected to be accompanied by strong surface winds during the night. Similar weather conditions are likely to continue over the next three days.

The IMD also said that the southwest monsoon is set to witness a significant revival after remaining relatively inactive for an extended period. The renewed phase of monsoon activity is expected to commence over the northeastern region of the country before gradually advancing into eastern, central and northern India during the early part of the week.

Meteorologists have forecast widespread rainfall along with thunderstorms across several regions, while heavy showers are expected at isolated places as the monsoon regains momentum.

The upcoming spell of rain is also expected to bring considerable relief to the Gangetic plains and parts of Central India, which have been experiencing prolonged hot and humid weather over the past few weeks. 

According to the IMD, this is likely to offer respite from the prevailing heat and discomfort.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Greetings to Maharashtra CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis Ji on his birthday. Under his leadership, Maharashtra is scaling new heights of growth across diverse sectors. I pray for his long and healthy life." 

Born on July 22, 1970, in Maharashtra's Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis is currently serving his third term as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra since December 2024. He previously served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, alongside Ajit Pawar (from 2023) in the Eknath Shinde government from 2022 to 2024. 

From 2019 to 2022, he also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He became Chief Minister at the age of 44, making him the second-youngest in Maharashtra's history after Sharad Pawar.

In 1997, at the age of 27, Fadnavis became the youngest mayor of Nagpur and the second-youngest mayor in the history of India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, said, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Under the guidance of Modi ji, you are continuously promoting public welfare and good governance in Maharashtra. I pray to God for your excellent health and a long life."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended birthday greetings to Fadnavis and said, "A dynamic and dedicated leader, he is working tirelessly to accelerate Maharashtra's development through transparent governance, infrastructure expansion, and people-centric initiatives. His unwavering commitment to public service continues to strengthen Maharashtra's progress and contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat."

"May he be blessed with good health and a long life in the service of the nation," he added.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also took to social media and extended heartfelt wishes to Fadnavis on his birthday. 

"Intelligent, experienced, and versatile leadership, a walking-talking university of politics, a people's leader with a modern vision for development, a colossal mountain of merit and generosity, such is the reputation of the state's popular Chief Minister and supreme friend, Shri Devendraji Fadnavis. Endless birthday wishes to him! May he live a hundred autumns!" Shinde said.

The last time there was any discussion of the department's budgetary allocations was in 2012, and since then the matter has been guillotined, meaning the approval of public spending for the department was fast-tracked and passed on the floor of the House without discussion.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government came to power in the state in 2011, ending the 34-year Left Front regime. Mamata Banerjee, as the Chief Minister, was also in charge of the state home department from 2011 to 2026.

However, barring 2011 and 2012 (the first two years of her term as the Chief Minister and the state home minister), there was never any discussion on budgetary allocations for the state home department till the end of her term after the recently concluded Assembly polls.

The principal opposition parties, first the CPI(M)-led Left Front in her first term, then Congress in her second term and finally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in her last and third terms, had been extremely critical in the matter.

However, as the new and the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari decided to end the practice of sending the approval of the budgetary allocations for guillotine and instead initiate discussion on it on the floor of the House.

The discussion on the budgetary allocations for the state home department will commence in the first half of the extended budget session of the House on Wednesday. A total of two hours have been allotted for it. The discussions will end with CM Adhikari's reply.

After the lunch break, there will be a meeting of the state cabinet at the Assembly premises, chaired by the Chief Minister. Certain crucial administrative decisions are slated to be cleared at the cabinet meeting.

In the second half of the extended budget session, there will be discussions on the budgetary allocations for the state power department. Again, the Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the state power department, will reply on the decision at the end, following which the House will be adjourned for the day.

The proposal was discussed on Tuesday at the first meeting of the High-Level Curriculum Expert Committee and the Curriculum Development Committee, chaired by School Education Minister A. Rajmohan at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at equipping students with future-ready digital skills and strengthening technology-based learning in schools.

The curriculum is currently being implemented on a pilot basis in around 5,000 government schools through the Tamil Nadu Schools Programme for AI, Robotics and Knowledge of Online Tools (TN SPARK).

Encouraged by the response, the School Education Department now plans to extend the programme to all government schools catering to students in Classes 6 to 8.

Officials said the curriculum goes beyond conventional computer education by introducing students to artificial intelligence (AI), computational thinking, coding and digital tools through hands-on, project-based learning.

The emphasis will be on enabling students to apply technology to solve practical, real-world problems rather than limiting learning to theory.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has already prepared bilingual textbooks for Classes 6 to 8 under the TN SPARK programme.

Textbooks for Classes 9 and 10 are expected to be introduced in the next academic year, followed by those for Classes 11 and 12 in a later phase.

Mathematics and science teachers in government and government-aided schools will be trained by SCERT to handle the subject.

The proposed curriculum has been designed progressively across different grades.

Class 6 students will begin with digital awareness, while Class 7 students will learn the fundamentals of emerging technologies and their applications. In Class 8, students will undertake practical projects. The curriculum for Classes 9 and 10 will focus on using technology to address real-life challenges.

Students will also be introduced to advanced concepts such as generative AI, prompt engineering, large language models, and AI-powered text, image and music generation. They will gain hands-on experience with educational tools including GeoGebra, Google Earth, PhET simulations, Stellarium and LibreOffice.

School Education Department Additional Chief Secretary B. Chandra Mohan said the government is also considering offering the emerging technologies curriculum as an elective subject for Classes 11 and 12.

He said the department is currently working out the modalities for introducing the course, which is expected to benefit more than 60 lakh students studying under the State Board syllabus across Tamil Nadu.

Asha Bhosle sang many iconic songs of the actress, as the two immortalised the songs with their crafts.

The actress reminisced about her timeless artistic partnership and deep personal bond with the late singing legend during the special episode ‘Retro Queens ka Jashan’ of the show. She shared how integral Asha’s vocals were to her iconic screen image, and warmly declared that she could talk about the singer for an entire lifetime.

Helen shared how Asha Bhosle always poured extra passion into any song designated for her by stating, "Asha ji was my favorite and she gave me her voice, and that's how I made history in the film industry, because of her. I've done 250 plus songs with Asha ji, she used to ask the producer-director, 'Who is going to do this song?'and when they said 'Helen', she would give that extra zest into it”.

The actress went on to share an intimate and witty compliment she once received directly from Asha Bhosle during a live show appearance, as she said, "Asha ji ne mujhe ek show pe bulaya tha, as a guest. She was singing on the stage and in between the show unhone kaha, 'Helen ji, agar main mard hoti, toh main aapse shaadi karti (Asha ji had invited me to a show as a guest. She was singing on the stage and in between the show she said, 'Helen ji, if I were a man, I would marry you’) God bless her soul”.

The priceless confession drew grand applause from judges Karisma Kapoor, Geeta Kapur, and Jaaved Jaaferi, celebrating a unmatched musical partnership that defined an era of Bollywood entertainment.

‘India’s Best Dancer’ season 5 airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

The Lok Jansashakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief made the remarks in the aftermath of the violent clashes that erupted on Monday between Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters and security personnel during the 'Sansad Chalo' march in Delhi.

Speaking to reporters, Paswan said that while students were naturally upset over the issues that prompted the protest, their concerns deserved to be heard with sensitivity rather than met with force.

"Look, the way the protest took place yesterday, I respect the sentiments of the students. It is natural that they would have anger and concerns over these issues, which is why they came out on the streets. But at the same time, I am absolutely not in favour of any attempt to suppress the voices of students through force," he said.

Referring to the meeting between Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and representatives of the CJP, Paswan said the Centre has consistently preferred dialogue as the means to resolve disputes and has remained open to engaging with those seeking discussions.

"Dialogue is a beautiful medium, and the government has always kept its doors open for it. When their representatives wanted to meet the government, J.P. Nadda ji met them, and the issues were discussed," he said.

Paswan further observed that public anger often drives people to take to the streets and noted that peaceful demonstrations are an integral part of a democratic system. 

At the same time, he said that when protests cross permissible limits or create law-and-order challenges, authorities are sometimes compelled to take stringent measures, although he personally does not strongly support such action.

"Many times, public anger leads people to come out on the streets, and in a democracy, peaceful protest is permitted. However, if certain limits are crossed or if law and order is affected, sometimes strict steps have to be taken. I do not strongly support such measures. I think that the feelings of the students, youth and the future of the country should be respected and my government is committed to do it," he added.

The clashes erupted on Monday as thousands of supporters of the CJP and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leaks.

Ashok, who earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, said he made full use of the opportunity to learn from Siraj whenever they trained or spent time together in the dressing room.

"I had a lot of talks with Siraj bhaiya as well. Whenever we were in the dressing room or bowling together in the nets, I would keep asking him questions throughout the day. I would ask him, 'Bhaiya, when you play a match, how much pressure do you feel? What do you think before bowling a delivery? If I have to bowl to someone, how should I set him up?' I would discuss all these things with him," he told JioStar.

According to Ashok, Siraj never hesitated to share his knowledge and even analysed his bowling during practice sessions.

"Siraj bhaiya would explain everything to me very well. He would stand with me and watch two or three of my deliveries. Then he would tell me, 'Do this, make this change, try this.' So I learned a lot from him. I have carried all those learnings with me. Whenever I get time to practice in Jaipur, I focus on those things and try to do them even better," he added.

Ashok was purchased by Gujarat Titans for Rs 90 lakh in the 2025 IPL auction. He finally made his IPL debut against Punjab, where he immediately grabbed attention by clocking 154.2 kmph, underlining his ability to generate genuine pace. The young fast bowler featured in six matches during IPL 2026 and picked up six wickets, with his best figures being 2 for 32, performances that strengthened his case for higher honours.

Ashok also recalled a valuable piece of advice from veteran India fast bowler Ishant Sharma during his early days with Gujarat Titans, saying the conversation changed the way he looked at his bowling.

"When I joined the Gujarat Titans camp for the first time, Ishant Sharma bhai was standing there. He asked me about my recent performance, how many wickets I had taken in Ranji Trophy and what my figures looked like. I told him, 'Bhaiya, I have 16 wickets in four matches.' He said, 'Everything looks good. You are bowling well. But if you work a little more on your length, especially the good length area, those 16 wickets in four matches can easily become 24. Just focus on hitting that consistent length," he said.

"That was a big moment for me. Ishant bhai has played Test cricket for India and has taken more than 300 wickets. He has bowled to the best batters in the world. If he gave me that advice, he must have said it after watching me closely. That advice stayed with me. It reminded me that small improvements in the right areas can make a big difference," he added.

The film was officially selected in the Competition Section of the festival, held in the Russian capital from July 8 to 12.

Inspired by the real-life story of writer Sarmistha Pritam, Rador Pakhi follows the life of Jyoti, an aspiring writer from Assam who is diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at a young age. Despite severe physical challenges, Jyoti's determination to live independently and pursue her literary aspirations forms the emotional core of the film.

Expressing her happiness over the recognition, director Dr Bobby Sarma Baruah described the honour as a proud moment for the entire team. "This journey became even more meaningful as our film received the Jury Special Mention – Super Mama Award. Receiving this recognition on an international platform is truly an honour and a proud moment for our entire team," she said.

Dr Baruah dedicated the award to the cast and crew, acknowledging their commitment in bringing the story to life. "This recognition belongs to every member of our incredible cast and crew, whose passion and hard work made this film possible. I also thank our friends, well-wishers and everyone who believed in us. Your love, prayers and constant support have made this journey possible," she added.

The director said the latest honour would inspire the team to continue creating meaningful cinema capable of resonating with audiences across cultures and geographical boundaries. "This honour inspires us to continue telling stories that touch hearts and transcend borders," she said.

Before its recognition in Moscow, Rador Pakhi had already established a strong presence on the international festival circuit.

The film was selected for the NFDC Film Bazaar Co-Production Market and premiered in the Indian Panorama section of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in 2024.

It was subsequently showcased in the Asian Spectrum section of the 21st Third Eye Asian Film Festival in Mumbai, the 23rd Pune International Film Festival, the Indian Competition section of the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the 20th International Film Festival of Thrissur and the Mosaic International Film Festival in Canada.

Produced by Basanta Kumar Baruah, Dr Bobby Sarma Baruah and Sulakhyana Baruah, the film features Sulakhyana Baruah, Kamal Lochan, Arun Nath and Bina Patangia in pivotal roles. The latest recognition further strengthens Rador Pakhi's international journey while bringing wider acclaim to Assamese cinema and storytelling from Northeast India.

In an exclusive interview with IANS during promotions of his film 'Bhoot Bangla' he was asked "You all have been pioneers of horror comedy in India, and now, it has become a hit genre. So, how do you feel when you hear such comments?"

Reacting to this, Priyadarshan shared, "We just started it. Then the people, I mean others, took over. We just started with 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa'.

The filmmaker further pointed out that he considers 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' not to be a horror film, but a psychological thriller.

Shedding further light on the genre, Priyadarshan went on to explain, "So, but it's a very, very nice psychology, I'll tell you something. In a tense film, a little bit of small humour also works in a big way because they are a little tense in the theatre. So, a small sequence of humour will work. But in an out-and-out comedy, you have to really work hard on humour. The most difficult thing. This is something everybody has to accept. I have suffered a lot making comedy films on this. And when I watch my own films, which have become huge hits, when I see them again, I don't feel like laughing. Then finally I think, 'you know, it's gone.' But in the theatre, I see the response. Because ten times you can't see the same scene. But there are people watching it twenty times, thirty times. This is the most difficult thing."

The 'Hera Pheri' maker further went on to admit that every time he tries humour and horror, he ends up getting a shiver.

"I mean, it's very, very difficult, I can say that", Priyadarshan concluded.

Reflecting on the turning point in his international career, Samson admitted he could see the selectors' thinking change as Kishan grabbed his opportunity.

"After that, Ishan came in, and his story was completely different. He wasn't even in the team. He won Jharkhand the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy almost single-handedly, then came into the Indian team and was batting on a different level altogether. I could clearly see that Ishan was moving above me in the pecking order,” Samson told JioStar.

Kishan capitalised on his opportunity with a string of impactful innings, while Samson endured a lean run in the five-match series, leaving the Kerala batter convinced that the race for a World Cup berth had effectively ended.

"You get five matches and score 24, 6, 6, 10 and 0, then another guy comes in, scores 70-odd straightaway, gets a hundred later in the series, and the next match is directly in the T20 World Cup. Anyone would prefer an in-form batter. It was clear that the World Cup was done for me. Whatever had to happen had happened, and the only thing I could do was sit quietly and clap,” he added.

The 31-year-old said the disappointment was particularly painful because it came just when he believed he had finally established himself in India's T20I setup after a remarkable run of form.

"That's the spice of being an Indian cricketer, actually. Everything can change in a single day. The same thing happened with me as well. When I was given those seven matches, I don't think even I would have imagined that I would score three hundreds in those seven games,” he expressed.

Samson said that success had convinced many that his place in the side was secure, but he never allowed himself to think that way. The wicketkeeper-batter also admitted that the setback taught him an important lesson about balancing preparation with mental well-being.

"When I made those runs, people would say, 'Now you're sorted, you're settled. You've made your position in T20Is.' But in my mind, I couldn't believe it. Was it for real? Then the New Zealand series happened. This T20 format is such a funny game. I put my heart and soul into it, practised like mad, thinking my goal was right in front of me, of making sure that I was in the World Cup team. And after giving everything, 24 was my highest score in five matches,” the Kerala batter stated.

Samson revealed that it was during this difficult phase that he realised relentless practice alone was not the answer, as he said, "I realised I was overdoing it, and my wife was right, being happy and mentally in a good space is much more important than putting in hours and hours of practice. The New Zealand series taught me that."

Gaurav, who is a proud “mamma’s boy” shared a string of pictures featuring his parents alongside him as he penned a note for his mother.

He wrote: “Ab kya hi kahoon Maa (what do I say mother)... All mothers are just truly incredible. They give us life, nurture us, and are always there to support us with endless love and patience.”

Gaurav shared that “whether it’s making sure we’re fed well, taught well, comforting us after a hard day, or cheering us on through our achievements and failures both, their unwavering care is something we all take for granted.”

He added: “Every day, they find ways to inspire us and remind us that love is limitless. No matter what I’m going through, you always know how to make me feel better. It’s your unconditional and never changing love that I think of when I’m feeling down.”

“You always find the right words to comfort me during hard times. Thank you for making me the way I am Maa. Proudly ! always a Mammas Boy. Happy Birthday Maa.. (and to all the mothers out there who hav their birthdays today, more power to you).”

It was in the Netflix show “Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa” hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh, Gaurav’s wife Akanksha shared that the couple were living separately and are heading for a divorce.

She then made more claims about being a bisexual and Gaurav accepting her despite knowing her sexuality.

The show currently has popular names such as Akanksha Chaudhary, Ram Kapoor, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, Sufi Motiwala, Dheeraj Dhoopar, and Varun Yadav aka Laila.

The first edition of “Lock Upp” was hosted by Kangana in 2022. Karan Kundrra was introduced as Jailor for the entire season. Munawar Faruqui was named as the winner.

The second installment will have fourteen inmates, two jailers, and one lock-up for 6 weeks. As per the rules, inmates must complete tasks to earn in-game currency required for even the basic necessities such as food, supplies, and privileges.

Speaking about his return, Badshah said: "Tech can recreate almost anything today but it can't duplicate the emotion, the grit and the truth of an artist. That’s the soul of Hustle.”

Hustle 5 unveils Badshah through a fun, tongue-in-cheek film where an AI-generated version confidently claims to be the perfect Rap Supremo, only for the real Badshah to step in with a mic-drop moment: "Prompt se toh nahi ho paega! Hustle 5 guys, let's keep it real."

“I'm thrilled to return to the Hustle 5 stage to discover the next generation of fearless, culturally true voices.Main milunga aapko Hustle 5 ke stage par!” he added.

Hustle 5 starts on August 8 on JioHotstar and MTV India.

Badshah, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh, is known for his high energy songs and commercial sound. He gained widespread recognition after his 2012 single, "Saturday Saturday", was featured in the soundtrack of the 2014 movie, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania starring Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan.

His notable works in Bollywood films include "Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai" from Khoobsurat, "Kar Gayi Chull" from Kapoor and Sons, "Garmi" from Street Dancer 3D, "Naina" from Crew, and "Proper Patola" from Namaste England, among others.

He has also collaborated with international artists such as J Balvin and Tainy for the song "Voodoo". The rapper has appeared as a judge on MTV Hustle, Indian Idol, Dil Hai Hindustani, India's Got Talent, and India's Got Latent.

Badshah made his acting debut in August 2019 in the movie, Khandaani Shafakhana starring Sonakshi Sinha.

Ruhaanika shared a picture with Divyanka along with her husband Vivek Dahiya and newborn twins.

Ruhaanika, who worked with the popular television actress in the show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, wrote: “From playing her little one to holding my Ishima’s little ones… life really has come full circle.”

She added: “I guess I can officially say she’s blessed with three kids now. And the twins couldn’t have asked for a cooler set of parents @divyankatripathidahiya @vivekdahiya.”

Divyanka took to the comment section and wrote: “You taught me how to be a mommy Ruh! Now these tiny ones have so much to learn from their Ruh dee.”

Yeh Hai Mohabatein was one of the longest running Indian television soap opera. The series starred Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya, Karan Patel, Ruhaanika Dhawan, and Aditi Bhatia. The story was initially based on Manju Kapur's 2011 novel Custody, with Yeh Hai Mohabbatein continuing beyond Custody's story in later episodes.

Divyanka and Vivek in May announced on social media that they have welcomed two baby boys.

Vivek wrote on Instagram: “The wait is finally over… ‘The Boys’ are here and life already feels more beautiful than we ever imagined. Mere Karan Arjun aa gaye! Need all your love and blessings as Div and I begin this incredible new chapter of parenthood. #Divek #babyboys #DivekBabies #twins #newparents”

The announcement post read, “We asked for happiness…God said, ‘Take double.’ Blessed with twin baby boys.”

It was on Gudi Padwa in March, when the TV star couple announced that they are all set to become parents. Divyanka and Vivek’s love story kick-started on the sets of their show “Yeh Hai Mohabbatein”. Before getting married in Bhopal in 2016, the couple got engaged in January.

The actress became a household name for playing Vidya Pratapsingh and Divya Shukla in Banoo Main Teri Dulhann and Dr. Ishita Bhalla in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.

She had participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 8 and emerged as the winner. In 2021, she participated at Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 as a contestant, where she emerged as the runner-up.

He was accompanied by his wife and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, his daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti.

Speaking to the media before leaving Patna, Misa Bharti said that Lalu Yadav's condition had improved and that he would continue treatment under the supervision of specialists at AIIMS, New Delhi, where he has been receiving medical care for several years.

"Lalu Prasad's condition is much better now. He is already under treatment at AIIMS Delhi, and further consultation and treatment will continue there,” Misa Bharti said.

Lalu Yadav's health deteriorated unexpectedly on Friday, prompting his admission to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna.

He was accompanied by Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, and his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav.

Doctors conducted a detailed medical evaluation, including an ECG and a comprehensive eye examination led by Dr. Vibhuti Prasanna Sinha, Head of the Ophthalmology Department.

After being kept under observation for nearly two hours, he was discharged once his condition stabilised.

Following his discharge, Misa Bharti attributed part of his discomfort to poor sanitation in Patna's Kautilya Nagar area.

She also criticised the state administration over reports that senior district officials accompanied the wife of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary during a college inspection.

“The government should decide whether she is entitled to security cover. I heard the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police were accompanying her. The government should ask under what authority they were there to serve the Chief Minister's wife instead of the public,” she remarked.

Lalu Yadav has been under continuous medical supervision since undergoing a kidney transplant.

Around two months ago, he travelled to Singapore for a routine post-transplant check-up after obtaining permission from a Delhi court.

Doctors have advised medical reviews every three months, although regular follow-ups had been disrupted over the past year.

During medical examinations in December 2025, doctors also diagnosed cataracts and retinal problems.

He subsequently underwent successful cataract and retinal surgery at a private eye hospital in Delhi and has since been undergoing periodic follow-up examinations.

Doctors will now conduct further evaluations at AIIMS Delhi to monitor his overall health and continue his long-term treatment plan.

According to the company's regulatory filing, the project involves doubling works on the Kundawa Chainpur (excluding) to Raxaul (excluding) section, covering 41.04 km under the Sitamarhi-Raxaul rail line doubling project in the Samastipur Division of East Central Railway.

The scope of work includes earthwork, blanketing, construction of minor and major bridges, station buildings, platform works, level crossing (LC) works and other miscellaneous civil works designed for 25-tonne Indian Railway Standard Loading.

The total value of the project stands at Rs 358.97 crore, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), and is scheduled to be completed within 1,095 days.

The PSU company said the contract has been awarded by a domestic entity under the General Conditions of Contract.

It also clarified that neither its promoters nor promoter group entities have any interest in the awarding authority and that the transaction does not qualify as a related-party transaction.

Separately, RVNL recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Odisha government to collaborate on the development and implementation of infrastructure projects in the state.

Under the agreement, RVNL will identify and execute infrastructure projects on mutually agreed terms and act as the project executing agency for projects undertaken under the MoU.

Earlier in June, the company announced that it has secured a major infrastructure contract worth Rs 2,977 crore from state-owned mining company NMDC for the development of a buffer stockyard and blending facility at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Shares of RVNL settled 0.74 per cent higher at Rs 227.10 on the NSE on Monday. The stock has touched a 52-week high of Rs 400.70 and a 52-week low of Rs 221.55 on the exchange.

The actress shared moments featuring veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Akhtar. In the group photo, Saba could be seen beaming with joy while posing next to the Akhtar family. In the caption of her post, Saba highlighted her love for cinema and shared that she enjoyed being part of an engaging conversation about movies, storytelling, and much more.

Sharing pictures from her London trip, Said Ali Khan’s sister wrote, “My week.....in london Friends and incredible talent Mahsha'Allah... loved being present during an engaging session of conversation on movies and more....A little poetry too. Organised by @nisau_uk Moments captured. Events with friends and this that n a lot of other! Last but not least.. my first podcast with @bigbollywoodbuffs soon to release! A little teaser .... look out for the entire episode...soon!.”

The carousel also featured a video of Farhan Akhtar reciting popular lines from his well-known poems featured in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.’

For the unversed, the Akhtar family, including Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Akhtar, and Zoya Akhtar, travelled to London for a special event titled “Baat: A Conversation with the Akhtars,” held on July 14 at SOAS, University of London.

The event marked the first time that Javed, Farhan, and Zoya came together for such a conversation outside India. They discussed their family’s rich cinematic legacy, the world of poetry, and their individual journeys in the Indian film industry.

During their London visit, Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Akhtar also attended the Wimbledon finals at the All England Club.

The vaccine has been approved for individuals aged between 4 and 60 years and can be administered irrespective of whether a person has previously been infected with dengue.

Unlike some earlier dengue vaccines, QDENGA does not require pre-vaccination screening, allowing eligible individuals to receive the vaccine without undergoing tests to determine prior dengue infection.

Takeda said the approval strengthens India's dengue prevention strategy at a time when the country continues to bear one of the world's highest disease burdens, with all four dengue virus serotypes circulating in several regions.

"Since its launch in 2022, QDENGA has been approved in 43 countries, with more than 32 million doses distributed globally. This approval marks an important step forward in strengthening dengue prevention in India," said Mahender Nayak, Head of Intercontinental Markets at Takeda.

The company said the approval was supported by evidence from its global clinical development programme, comprising 19 Phase I, II and III clinical trials involving more than 28,000 participants across dengue-endemic and non-endemic countries.

The Indian regulator also considered data from the Phase III DEN-302 clinical trial conducted in India, which evaluated the vaccine's safety and immune response among individuals aged 4 to 60 years.

According to Takeda, long-term follow-up data collected over seven years demonstrated that QDENGA continues to provide protection against dengue infection and dengue-related hospitalisation caused by all four virus serotypes.

The vaccine is administered as two subcutaneous injections of 0.5 ml each, given three months apart.

Goh Choo Beng, Medical Affairs Head for Takeda's Southeast Asia and India Cluster, said the vaccine is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes regardless of previous exposure.

"Its approval represents an important step in strengthening India's comprehensive approach to dengue prevention, alongside vector control, surveillance, community awareness and other public health measures," he said.

The rapper has created the reality series ‘Legacy’ in association with KR$NA and Kalamkaar co-founder Ankit Khanna. The series brings India's emerging rap talent into the spotlight with a format that prioritises lyricism, originality and mentorship over popularity.

Talking about the show, Raftaar said, "Hip-hop has always been about giving a voice to people who have something real to say. With Legacy, we're creating a platform where talent isn't judged by numbers or popularity, but by skill, hunger and originality. We want people to witness the journey of becoming an artist, because that's where the real story lies”.

Hip-hop emerged from marginalized communities as a powerful medium for storytelling, resistance and self-expression. The genre was born in the Bronx during the 1970s, and gave artistes a platform to address issues such as poverty, racial inequality, police brutality, political injustice and social exclusion.

Meanwhile, ‘Legacy’ is designed to discover and nurture India's next generation of lyricists, performers and storytellers. The series puts the spotlight on raw talent, lyrical ability and artistic growth through a combination of high-stakes challenges, performances and mentorship.

KR$NA said, "India has never lacked talent, it has lacked platforms that truly understand hip-hop. Legacy is about finding artists who respect the craft and are ready to push themselves. If this show inspires even a handful of artists to believe in their voice, we've achieved what we set out to do”.

The series is rooted in the belief that while India has no shortage of hip-hop talent, artists need the right platform to grow. By placing authenticity, discipline and storytelling at its core, the series offers viewers an inside look at the journey of building a career in music while giving emerging artists an opportunity to showcase their craft.

Produced by SVF Entertainment, ‘Legacy’ is available to stream on Kalamkaar Music YouTube channel.

After The Kerala Story, Adah often found herself associated with controversial subjects such as Bastar: The Naxal Story, Tumko Meri Kasam and Gajra to name a few.

Asked if it is a conscious career choice, or are filmmakers now approaching you specifically for such roles, the actress shared that, for her, every character feels equally real once she faces the camera, irrespective of whether the story is inspired by true events or born out of imagination.

She told IANS: “Actually, after ‘The Kerala Story’, I did ‘Sunflower’, where I play a bar dancer in a completely fictional world. Then I did Reeta Sanyal, where I got to play eight different characters… It's adventurous, quirky, and far removed from reality.”

“I also did the Commando OTT series, which is pure action entertainment, and played the same character, Bhavana Reddy, from the Commando franchise.”

The actress added: “My next film is a horror film, which I hope for all of us, isn't based on a true story, and I hope ghosts aren't going to haunt us like that! I'm also doing a Superhero film, which is fictional and a film where I played Devi (goddess) Gajra, then came to me, which was based on true events.”

Adah said that when she’s in front of the camera, it is all the same.

“For me, as an actor, true or fictional, everything is real. When I'm in front of the camera, whether I'm playing this human based on my imagination or on someone who existed, it is all the same for me,” said Adah.

Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under the banner Sunshine Pictures, "Governor" hit the screens on June 12.

Adah is best known for her work in the Vidyut Jammwal-starrer “Commando” franchise. However, she shot to fame with her work in the blockbuster “The Kerala Story.”

“The Kerala Story” told the story of Shalini, a former nursing student from Kerala, who later becomes the wife of a terrorist, testifying to her life story and her journey from being a naive girl to another victim of terrorism.

Adah had made her acting debut with the 2008 Hindi horror film, 1920. She was then seen in films such as Hasee Toh Phasee, Heart Attack, S/O Satyamurthy and Kshanam.

The sector contributes nearly 19 per cent of global fibre production, according to the government.

Recent interventions by the government to promote the production of cotton focus on productivity, quality, market access and value addition.

MSP operations continue to provide price support during market downturns. The Mission for Cotton Productivity aims to raise output to 498 lakh bales by 2031.

Technology demonstrations, digital procurement and traceability initiatives are strengthening competitiveness. These efforts are enhancing productivity, improving quality and reinforcing India’s position in the global cotton economy, the government said.

Due to its economic importance in India, cotton is also termed as 'White-Gold'.

The crop supports the livelihoods of around 6 million cotton farmers with 114.84 lakh hectares devoted to the crop nationwide. It also sustains employment for another 40-50 million people engaged in related activities such as cotton processing and trade.

Beyond clothing, cotton plays a vital role in earning foreign exchange through exports of fibre, yarn, fabrics and garments.

India continues to maintain a strong presence in the global cotton trade.

In 2024-25, the country exported an estimated 18 lakh bales, equivalent to 0.31 million metric tonnes. This accounts for about 3.37 per cent of total world exports, amounting to 541.69 lakh bales (9.21 million metric tonnes), which reflects India’s role as a significant exporter in the international cotton market.

Further, India exports cotton to several major global markets, reflecting strong and diversified international demand.

In value terms, cotton exports reached $11.49 billion in FY25.

The United States of America emerged as the largest destination for Indian cotton fabrics and made-ups exports, accounting for 26.35 per cent of cotton exports, following Bangladesh (19.81 per cent) and Sri Lanka (5.11 per cent).

Other important destinations included the United Kingdom, with a share of 2.38 per cent, and the United Arab Emirates, at 2.32 per cent.

These export patterns highlight the diverse global demand for Indian cotton.

Cotton production in India is largely concentrated in 9 major states, grouped into 3 distinct agro-ecological zones: Northern Zone comprising Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan; Central Zone comprising Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh and Southern Zone comprising Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

In addition to these states, cotton is also grown in Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials said incessant rainfall in the upstream catchment areas triggered a sharp rise in the Dikhow River, leading to widespread flooding in Simaluguri town.

The floodwaters inundated the railway station yard, railway colony and adjoining tracks, making train movement unsafe.

As a precautionary measure, rail traffic has been suspended in the Simaluguri–Namtiali and Simaluguri–Selenghat sections until conditions improve.

Railway officials said the decision was taken to ensure passenger safety and prevent any operational risks arising from the inundated tracks. The disruption has also affected long-distance train services originating from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

These trains are being diverted through the Rangiya–Rangapara route to maintain connectivity, although the diversions are expected to result in delays.

Several passenger and local trains operating in the affected section have either been cancelled or short-terminated due to the prevailing conditions.

The NFR said emergency response teams have been mobilised and railway personnel, along with restoration equipment and essential materials, have already been deployed to the affected locations. However, repair work can commence only after the water level recedes sufficiently to allow a proper assessment of the damage.

Railway authorities said the situation is being monitored continuously by senior officials, with teams remaining on alert to restore normal operations at the earliest.

In an official statement, the NFR said the actual extent of damage to railway tracks and related infrastructure would be known only after floodwaters recede, making it difficult to estimate the time required for restoration.

The disruption in railway services comes as the flood situation across Assam continues to worsen, with swollen rivers inundating several districts, damaging transport infrastructure and affecting thousands of people amid persistent rainfall.

The Indian Army has launched 'Operation Jal Rahat' to support the Assam government in large-scale rescue and relief operations as worsening floods continue to inundate several parts of eastern Assam, severely affecting thousands of people across seven districts.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood situation deteriorated significantly, with one person reported dead in Sivasagar district.

The latest casualty has taken the flood-related death toll in the state this year to five.

ASDMA data showed that more than 57,100 people have been affected across Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts.

The number of affected people has risen sharply from around 24,000 recorded a day earlier.

Charaideo remains the worst-affected district, with nearly 24,000 people impacted, followed by Dhemaji, where over 22,000 residents are affected.

Dibrugarh has reported more than 4,000 affected people, while floodwaters have also affected parts of Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Udalguri.

For Rajendra Kumar, Jackie paid a tribute to him on his birth anniversary and for Geeta Kapoor he shared a post on her death anniversary.

Taking to his social media account Jackie, shared a black-and-white portrait of Rajendra Kumar. The picture was accompanied by the note, "Remembering Rajendra Kumar ji on his birth anniversary," along with folded hands emoticons.

The story featured Mohammed Rafi's evergreen song 'Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat' playing in the background, adding to the nostalgic mood.

In another social media post, the 'Hero' actor remembered legendary playback singer Geeta Dutt. Sharing a vintage photograph of the singer, Jackie wrote, "Geeta Dutt Ji," followed by folded hands emoticons and also mentioned her birth and death dates, "23 Nov 1930 – 20 July 1972."

For the uninitiated, Rajendra Kumar, popularly known as the 'Jubilee Kumar' of Hindi cinema, was one of Bollywood's biggest stars during the 1960s.

Born on July 20, 1929, he delivered a string of blockbuster films including 'Mother India', 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai', 'Dhool Ka Phool', 'Mere Mehboob', 'Sangam', 'Aarzoo', 'Suraj', and 'Jhuk Gaya Aasman'. He passed away on July 12, 1999, at the age of 69.

Talking about Geeta Dutt, she remains one of the most revered voices in Indian cinema.

She was known for her expressive and soulful singing, and lent her voice to numerous timeless classics such as 'Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam', 'Babuji Dheere Chalna', 'Jaane Kya Tune Kahi', 'Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya', and 'Na Jao Saiyan Chhuda Ke Baiyan'.

Geeta Dutt was married to filmmaker Guru Dutt, and she passed away on July 20, 1972, at the age of 41.

At the same time, the opposition has prepared an aggressive strategy to corner the government on a range of public issues.

The session will begin with an address by the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, followed by the presentation of the first supplementary budget for 2026-27 and an obituary reference.

The supplementary budget is expected to be significantly larger than last year's, as the government seeks additional funds to implement major welfare announcements, including 125 units of free electricity, an enhanced social security pension, and the release of the second instalment of employment assistance for women.

According to the government, all preparations for the session have been completed.

Several important bills related to different departments, including the health sector, are scheduled to be introduced.

The ruling alliance has asserted that it is fully prepared to answer every question raised by the opposition and maintains that it has effectively addressed public concerns.

Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar held meetings with representatives of all political parties, urging them to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.

Security has been tightened across the Assembly premises ahead of the session.

Comprehensive security measures, including CCTV surveillance, dog squads, and bomb disposal teams, have been deployed after a thorough inspection of the Assembly complex.

Meanwhile, the opposition, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), is gearing up to challenge the government on several contentious issues.

These include the decision to empower panchayats to levy rural taxes, the imposition of tolls on state highways, alleged fake police encounters, delays in teacher recruitment, and the pending disbursement of employment assistance promised to women.

RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed said the opposition would demand answers from the government on policies that allegedly increase the financial burden on the public, particularly the proposed taxation in rural areas.

He also stated that the government would be questioned over alleged fake encounters, the status of teacher recruitment, and the delay in releasing employment assistance promised to women during the elections.

As per the legislative schedule, Question Hour, Calling Attention motions, and other government business will be taken up on July 21 and 22.

On July 23, the House will discuss the supplementary budget before taking up the Appropriation Bill, while the session will conclude on July 24 with discussions on private members' resolutions following Question Hour.

The trailer of the film was unveiled on Saturday, and presents the alarming issue of pesticide farming and its far-reaching impact on society. It is packed with intense drama, powerful performances, and a socially relevant message.

Talking about the film, Shreyas Talpade said, "The trailer captures the emotional core of The India Story. It's a story of an ordinary man's fight against an extraordinary challenge, driven by hope and determination. I believe audiences will relate to its emotions and message, and I'm excited for everyone to experience the film in theatres on July 24”.

The film also stars Kajal Aggarwal, and promises a gripping narrative that uncovers hidden truths while highlighting a growing crisis that affects millions every day.

Kajal Aggarwal said, "Being part of The India Story has been an incredibly meaningful experience. My character stands up for truth despite overwhelming odds, and that spirit is what makes this film so special. I hope the trailer connects with audiences and leaves them eager to witness this powerful story on the big screen”.

The project is backed by co-producers Swati Vinayak Saindane, Anita Jadhav, Vinayak Saindane, Kalpesh Shah, Devyani Khorate, and Prem Joshi, and Sagar B. Shinde.

Presented by Zee Studios in association with MIG Production & Studios, ‘The India Story’ is set to release on July 24, 2026, in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil.

Taking to his social media timelines to share a statement soon after he won the award at the 72nd National Film Awards for Best Background Score for 'Amaran', G V Prakash said, "I am deeply humbled and immensely grateful to receive the 72nd National Film Award for Best Music Director for the Movie #Amaran. Winning this prestigious honour for the third time is truly a blessing, and I accept it with a heart full of gratitude."

Expressing his gratitude to the Jury and the selection committee for the honour, G V Prakash wrote, "My sincere thanks to the esteemed jury and the selection committee for this incredible recognition. My heartfelt gratitude to our producer Kamal Haasan sir for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of this beautiful film. My sincere thanks to our director Rajkumar Periasamy for his unwavering support throughout this remarkable journey."

The music director, who also went on to thank the entire cast and crew of the film, highlighted the contribution of his sound engineer Jehovasan in making his work stand out. 

"I extend my heartfelt thanks to Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, and the entire cast and crew of Amaran. It has been an honour to collaborate with such an incredibly talented team. A special thanks to my sound engineer Jehovasan, whose dedication and hard work played an invaluable role in bringing this music to life," G V Prakash said. 

He also said he owed this recognition to his beloved family, his wonderful team of musicians and technicians, dear friends, and everyone who had stood by him through every step of his journey.

Finally, he expressed his gratitude to his fans. He said, "Above all, I am forever grateful to my fans. Your unwavering love, constant encouragement, and endless faith in me have always been my greatest strength and inspiration. Every note I compose is dedicated to all of you. This award belongs as much to each one of you as it does to me." 

The launch took place at the State Hangar in Patna, where the Chief Minister flagged off the first helicopter joy ride and handed over tickets to the inaugural group of tourists.

The new initiative will allow residents and visitors to experience Patna from the sky, offering panoramic aerial views of the city’s historical landmarks, riverfront and urban landscape.

During the event, Samrat Chaudhary also felicitated four newly licensed commercial pilots by presenting them with Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) certificates. The recipients were Captain Kumar Dhairya, Captain Genius Vivek, Captain Karan Kumar Bharti and Captain Sonal Man Singh.

Congratulating the pilots, the Chief Minister encouraged Bihar’s youth to explore careers in aviation, describing the sector as one with immense opportunities and global potential.

Speaking at the inauguration, Samrat Chaudhary said the Bihar Heli‑Tourism and Air Tourism Scheme‑2026 is expected to give fresh impetus to tourism by enabling visitors to enjoy aerial views of the state’s historical, religious, cultural and natural attractions.

He said the initiative would promote tourism across Bihar, attract investment in the sector, generate new employment opportunities, provide tourists with a safe and memorable flying experience, and strengthen Bihar’s identity as an emerging tourism destination.

Tourism Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh said the scheme’s first phase will cover three destinations: Valmikinagar (West Champaran), Rajgir (Nalanda) and Maa Mundeshwari Temple (Kaimur).

According to him, a state‑owned aircraft will operate flights to Valmikinagar, while 6+2‑seater chartered helicopters will serve the Rajgir and Kaimur routes. Each flight will accommodate up to five tourists.

Initially, helicopter tourism services will operate on weekends, with scheduled flights on the Patna–Valmikinagar–Patna, Patna–Rajgir–Patna and Patna–Kaimur (Karamchat Dam Helipad)–Patna routes. The services will be available every Saturday and Sunday, allowing tourists to book regular aerial trips according to the published schedule.

The Bihar government expects the heli‑tourism initiative to gradually expand to other destinations, offering visitors a unique perspective on the state’s heritage and natural beauty while encouraging the growth of aviation‑linked tourism.

Sharing the development on X, Sarma said Assam has steadily transformed into a preferred investment destination and urged domestic and international investors to explore the opportunities available in the state.

The Chief Minister said the latest assessment reflects the state's growing appeal among investors and highlights the success of the government's efforts to create a business-friendly ecosystem.

He added that Assam has also secured the second position among the hilly and Northeastern states in terms of investment attractiveness.

According to Sarma, the state's performance has been driven by a combination of industry-friendly government policies, a supportive institutional framework and a conducive environment for businesses.

He said Assam has maintained a low interest burden, witnessed minimal labour disruptions and significantly improved its law and order situation, factors that have enhanced investor confidence.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the government's focus on strengthening connectivity through road, rail, air and other infrastructure projects, besides expanding investments in education and skill development to build a capable workforce for emerging industries.

Sarma said these initiatives have collectively laid the foundation for sustained industrial growth and economic expansion in the state.

He reiterated that the government would continue implementing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and creating a competitive investment climate.

Inviting entrepreneurs and companies to invest in Assam, the Chief Minister said the state offers significant opportunities across sectors and is well positioned to become a major growth hub in the Northeast.

He asserted that the government remains committed to attracting higher levels of domestic and foreign investment, which would help generate employment, promote industrialisation and contribute to Assam's long-term economic development.

The achievement has been made under an initiative supported by the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army under the aegis of the Spear Corps, which provides free residential coaching to meritorious students from economically weaker sections, helping them prepare for medical entrance examinations.

According to the Army, the programme aims to ensure that talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive high-quality coaching and mentorship, enabling them to pursue careers in medicine.

Among the successful candidates, Roshan Kujur from Dighaltarrang Tea Estate in Tinsukia emerged as an inspiring example of determination and perseverance by securing 402 marks in NEET 2026. Roshan lost his father at a young age, and his family has since been supported by his elder brother, who runs a small shop in Tinsukia. Despite financial hardships, he remained focused on his studies and successfully cleared one of the country’s toughest entrance examinations.

Army officials said Roshan’s achievement reflects the resilience of students who overcome personal and economic challenges through hard work and access to educational opportunities. They added that the students' success was the result of their dedication, the guidance provided by the faculty and mentors at NIEDO, and the sustained support extended by the Indian Army.

The free residential coaching programme has, over the years, emerged as an important educational initiative in Upper Assam, offering students from underprivileged families an opportunity to compete for admission to medical colleges across the country.

Officials said the initiative is part of the Indian Army’s broader outreach efforts in the Northeast, focusing on education, youth empowerment and community development alongside its operational responsibilities.

The success of the NEET 2026 candidates is being seen as another significant milestone for the Army‑backed programme, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing talent, expanding educational opportunities and contributing to nation‑building through inclusive development.

"I think it's really wonderful to see the country host the world championship again. It's a great moment not only for badminton but for Indian sport. In general, there's been a lot of push in the last few years in many sports. And badminton as a sport has grown over time. So it's only fair in time that we host a prestigious event like the world championships. And I'm very happy that at this moment in time Delhi can host this prestigious event,” Gopichand told the media at the BWF World Championships’ official mascot and anthem launch event here.

The 30th edition of the BWF World Championships will be held in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, marking the tournament's return to India after 17 years. The launch event was attended by Badminton Association of India (BAI) president and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra, and senior officials.

Looking ahead to the busy international calendar, Gopichand pointed out that the World Championships will be followed immediately by the Asian Games, making the coming weeks crucial for India's leading shuttlers.

"I think it's a wonderful event. It's also great timing. We have the world championships followed by the Asian Games. So the next two months are going to be very critical for India, back-to-back. To have Sindhu reach the finals in Japan, to have Ayush, you have Satwik and Chirag. Some really good medal contenders. To go into the big games with such contenders, I think it's great. I'm sure the home conditions, the home crowd, and the support and the familiarity would definitely help the players,” Gopichand stated.

On concerns over the packed international schedule, Gopichand said Indian players have become accustomed to balancing multiple major events during the season.

"I think it happens year on year. Every year, this challenge is there. In fact, this year, if we had had the Commonwealth Games, we would have had to play another event prior. I think in some sense, badminton players are used to the calendar being packed. They are used to competing multiple times in a year. And I'm sure with the experience that the players have in the local conditions, it is only more advantageous than many other countries' players who had to travel for it,” Gopichand expressed.

Reflecting on India's preparations to host one of badminton's biggest tournaments, Gopichand said the country's infrastructure and event management have improved significantly, while expressing confidence that the championships would leave a lasting impression on players and fans alike.

“It would be fair to say that we have our own infrastructure. But the government today has put in all its effort to ensure that the rebuilding of the stadium is underway. We have lots of new players. The stadium is looking really nice. And the organising has gotten better. So I'm sure that this time around, the experience of the players will be very different from what it was in India. It's a great tournament. 

“People are really focused. It will be a great tournament for us as Indians to watch our top players play against the best in the world. And today, when I look back, I think it was a great evening. We had our president, Himanta Biswa Sarma. And also, the mascot and the themes have come out so beautifully in a very young way. I'm sure that this will energise the players. And also the fans look forward to this festival,” Gopichand concluded.

He said drugs are destroying numerous families and pushing the future of the youth towards darkness. “Therefore, giving this fight the shape of a people’s movement through public participation is the need of the hour.”

The Chief Minister was addressing the “Ek Police, Ek Sankalp – Drug‑Free Haryana” programme organised at the Haryana Police Academy in Madhuban in Karnal as the chief guest. The dialogue programme, held with all Station House Officers (SHOs) of Haryana Police, aimed to further strengthen the resolve to make the state completely drug‑free and to formulate an effective strategy in this direction.

The Chief Minister congratulated the 70 students of the Super‑100 programme who have successfully cleared the NEET examination and secured admission to medical colleges. He said most of these students belong to economically weaker and ordinary families.

“Their success is the result of the government’s efforts to provide quality education and better opportunities to meritorious students,” he said.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released the Police Department's quarterly magazine. The magazine highlights the department’s major achievements and important operations, including the extradition of criminals from foreign countries and their return to India.

The Chief Minister said every police station should not remain confined to maintaining law and order, but should also become a centre of social transformation.

He urged SHOs to establish regular dialogue with schools, colleges, panchayats, voluntary organisations, religious organisations and youth clubs in their respective areas and motivate young people to stay away from drugs and crime.

He said that today the drug trade is reaching the youth through modern technology, social media and organised crime. Therefore, the police must also remain alert, proactive, and capable in keeping pace with modern technology. Merely arresting drug traffickers is not enough; it is essential to dismantle the entire network. At the same time, strengthening trust between the police and the public is equally important.

The Chief Minister said keeping Haryana’s youth away from drugs and connecting them with sports is a priority of the government.

“Haryana is to be made a hub of sports so that the youth, instead of falling prey to drugs, take to the field and win gold medals for the country. Healthy, disciplined and sports‑oriented youth will be the greatest strength in building Viksit Bharat,” he added.

The initiative is expected to enable growers to realise over 50 per cent higher returns compared with conventional marketing channels.

Further, it helps promote export‑oriented production, scientific cultivation and improved post‑harvest management across Jammu & Kashmir.

It is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value realisation and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for fruit-growing communities across Jammu & Kashmir, the statement from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.

APEDA organised a flag-off ceremony of the shipment in collaboration with M/s Osum Food Solutions LLP and M/s Fruit Master Agro Fresh Private Limited.

Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir is known for its favourable agro-climatic conditions, produces premium-quality temperate fruits with excellent taste, texture and shelf life.

The export consignment was scientifically harvested, graded, packed and transported through an efficient cold chain in compliance with international food safety and phytosanitary standards to ensure freshness and quality upon arrival in Singapore.

The milestone follows the successful export of fresh cherries and plums from the region to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE.

“The export reflects APEDA's continued efforts to strengthen India's horticultural exports through market diversification, export facilitation and improved logistics,” the statement said.

“By connecting growers with premium international markets, the initiative is expected to enhance farmers' incomes and further position Jammu & Kashmir as a reliable source of high-value fresh temperate fruits in global markets,” the ministry added.

APEDA in June facilitated India's first export consignment of Uttarakhand's premium litchi from Dehradun to Italy, marking the product's entry into the European market.

The export initiative resulted in improved returns for growers, with farmers receiving prices approximately 25 per cent higher than prevailing domestic market rates.

With the three-match series level at 1-1, the iconic Lord's will host a winner-takes-all contest after India claimed the opening ODI at Edgbaston before England bounced back with a four-wicket victory in Cardiff, powered by Joe Root's unbeaten 99.

Speaking to IANS, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain described the series decider as an evenly balanced contest but gave England a slight edge because of home conditions. He also felt India's inability to gel as a settled unit has been the main reason behind their T20I series defeat and the ODI series remaining undecided until the final match.

"I think both teams are 50-50 at the moment. Since England are playing at home, you can say they have a slight edge, maybe 51 percent," Kapil told IANS.

"Looking at the way our team has performed in the T20Is and so far in the ODI series, I don't think the team has gelled completely yet. If this Indian side starts clicking as a unit, I would even give them a 60 percent chance," he added.

India head into the decider with positives despite the defeat in Cardiff. Virat Kohli returned to form with a fluent 65, while Jasprit Bumrah remains the leader of the bowling attack. However, Rohit Sharma will be looking for a significant contribution after an inconsistent run with the bat.

England, meanwhile, will once again rely heavily on Root, who has continued his remarkable consistency in ODI cricket and will be aiming to guide the hosts to another home series triumph.

A victory at Lord's would also help India end a 22-year wait for an ODI win at the iconic venue and secure their eighth bilateral ODI series win over England since 2010.

Kapil also threw his support behind India head coach Gautam Gambhir amid discussions surrounding the team's recent performances, saying the decision on the former opener's future lies with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee.

"That is up to the cricket board and the selection committee to decide. I think he has done a fairly good job, and I wish him all the best," Kapil said.

In a post on social media platform X, Gautam Adani said the successful maiden orbital flight of Vikram-1, which achieved all its mission objectives, is a historic milestone for India's rapidly growing private space ecosystem.

"Massive congratulations to Pawan Chandana, Bharat Daka, the brilliant Skyroot Aerospace team and the enablers at ISRO and IN-SPACe," the Adani Group Chairman said.

He said history had been made as India's private space sector entered a new era with Vikram-1 successfully accomplishing all mission objectives during its maiden orbital flight.

“History has been made as India’s private space sector enters a new era with Vikram-1 acing all mission objectives on its maiden orbital flight. True proof of what Atmanirbhar Bharat means!” Gautam Adani mentioned.

Calling the mission a testament to India's self-reliance, he said the achievement demonstrated the true meaning of Atmanirbhar Bharat and underscored the country's growing technological capabilities.

“With the average age of the team just 28 years, this is proof for the world what young India can achieve. Jai Hind!” the Adani Group Chairman stated.

Earlier in the day, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1 under Mission Aagaman, making India the third country after the United States and China to have a private company capable of launching a rocket into orbit.

Named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space programme, the four-stage Vikram-1 launch vehicle is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services for small satellites.

The mission is also expected to strengthen India's position in the global commercial launch market.

The seven-storey rocket is headed for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 450 km.

With the successful launch, India joined an exclusive group of nations where private companies have demonstrated orbital launch capability.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Minister for Health Damodar Rajanarasimha, launched the New Employees Health Scheme.

They distributed health cards to the employees and launched the NEHS portal at the event held at the State Secretariat.

They said that the scheme is aimed at providing quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare through cashless treatment through an expanded network of empanelled hospitals, enhanced transparency, and a seamless digital platform.

This scheme would benefit approximately 8 lakh government employees and pensioners, along with 29.80 lakh of their dependent family members. Employees can avail free in-patient medical services at 886 private network hospitals across the state.

The scheme covers 1,816 types of medical treatments and surgeries, aligned with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) package rates.

The government has formed a special Trust with equal participation from government officials and representatives of employee unions to ensure the scheme operates transparently and smoothly, the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He stated that the ‘people's government’ introduced the scheme with the noble intention of providing a robust health security system, thereby instilling confidence and assurance among state government employees.

He noted that the government had observed the plight of employees and their families who often fell into debt and struggled to repay loans incurred due to medical expenses during illness. The 'Indiramma government' initiated this programme with the aim of transforming this situation and providing them with comprehensive cashless medical services, he said

Bhatti Vikramarka emphasised that this scheme stands as a testament to the state government's affection and sincerity towards its employees.

He said that with the noble intention of recognising employees as members of the family and acknowledging the government's responsibility to look after their well-being, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy constituted a Cabinet sub-committee. The Deputy CM was the chairman of this sub-committee, while his ministerial colleagues Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Ponnam Prabhakar, and Seethakka served as members.

“We deliberated extensively on the issues faced by employees and arrived at robust policy decisions; the 'New Employees Health Scheme' is the outcome of those efforts," he explained.

He criticised the previous BRS government for ignoring the employees. He said the previous government left bills worth Rs 10,000 crore unpaid and the present government, by adopting a humanitarian approach, was releasing the funds.

“We have been releasing Rs 2,000 crore per month to clear the outstanding bills. I personally review the process every 15 days to ensure not a single rupee remains pending," the Deputy CM said.

Bhatti stated that, driven by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's vision, the state is giving top priority to the education and healthcare sectors. He highlighted that, as part of this initiative, the Rajiv Arogyasri coverage limit has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, providing free corporate-level medical treatment to 1.06 crore eligible families.

The Deputy CM urged employees to work with renewed enthusiasm and dedication. He called upon employees to act as true bridges in taking government welfare schemes—such as fine-quality rice for the poor, free bus travel for women, free electricity for farmers, and 200 units of free electricity for households—to the people.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Health Principal Secretary Dr Christina Z. Chongthu, Education Secretary Yogita Rana and leaders of employee unions participated in the event.

Displaying immense mat resilience, Hansika Lamba earned her place in the final with a sensational comeback victory in the semifinals, where she overturned a 2-7 deficit against Germany's Anastasia Blayvas by executing a series of explosive takedowns to win 10-7.

In the gold medal bout, the Indian wrestler put up a tough resistance against a formidable opponent in Ukraine's Nataliia Klivchutska, eventually going down 0-5 on points (VPO) to finish second on the podium.

The silver medal adds to a rapidly growing international resume for Hansika, who previously clinched a bronze at the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships.

The Indian contingent's freestyle wrestlers bolstered the nation's medal count further by capturing two bronze medals on the second day of competition. In the 65kg third-place play-off, Vishal Kaliraman delivered a commanding tactical display to outclass Kazakhstan's Ossumzhan Dastanbek 8-2.

In the 125kg heavyweight class, Rajat Ruhal clinched the bronze medal against USA’s Mason Mark Parris. Ruhal was declared the winner after the American wrestler was forced to forfeit the bout due to an injury (VIN).

These three podium finishes have pushed India's overall medal haul to five, building directly on the opening-day momentum where Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat won gold in the 57kg division and Deepak secured a bronze in the 61kg class.

The squad will look to expand this tally as the remaining women’s wrestling weight categories- 59kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 68kg, are scheduled to commence tonight at 9:00 PM IST.

India’s challenge will be spearheaded by Neha in the 59kg category, Mansi in the 62kg division, and Nisha in the 68kg class.

Consolidated medal tally (up to day 2)

Men’s freestyle

• 57kg: Aman Sehrawat- Gold Medal

• 61kg: Deepak- Bronze Medal

• 65kg: Vishal Kaliraman-Bronze Medal

• 125kg: Rajat Ruhal- Bronze Medal

Women’s wrestling

• 55kg: Hansika Lamba- Silver

Total medals won so far: 5 (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)

She also revealed Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan's subtle integration into the fancy and 90s themed decoration.

The newly married Anshula revealed that the celebrations were designed as a tribute to the 1990s, a decade that shaped her childhood and also that of many guests.

Sharing a video from the reception on Instagram, Anshula wrote, "The wedding was about where we come from. The party was about who we are."

She added, "If you grew up in the '90s, there was probably something in this room that belonged to your childhood too!"

Anshula revealed that the reception venue was filled with thoughtful details celebrating the era.

One of the biggest highlights was a display dedicated to Hrithik Roshan's blockbuster debut film 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai'.

A cassette of the film was placed alongside vintage cameras, old telephones and retro decor.

Apart from the Bollywood nostalgic touch, the decoration also saw a candy cart and a popcorn station set-up to recreate the charm of old-school fairs and movie nights. The venue also featured neon signs, a photobooth and other pictured from inspired by iconic films that defined Bollywood's fine era.

Calling it "the happiest room we walked into", Anshula thanked the team behind the decor for turning."

For the uninitiated, Anshula married longtime boyfriend Rohan Thakkar in larger than life set-up on July 6 in Mumbai.

It was followed by a star-studded reception in Mumbai attended by family members and several celebrities, including Jackie Shroff, Bobby Deol, Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Maheep Kapoor and others.

Talking about 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’, the movie released in 2000, and marked Hrithik Roshan's debut as a leading hero opposite debutant Ameesha Patel.

Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the movie went on to emerge as one of the biggest blockbuster of the year and turned Hrithik and Ameesha into overnight sensations.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the results of the NEET-UG 2026 exam on Thursday.

Aryan Gupta, who hails from Punjab's Ludhiana, said he comes from a family of doctors and that it was his childhood dream to enter the profession.

In an interaction with IANS, he said: "My parents, grandparents, maternal uncle and aunt, and even my paternal aunt and uncle are all doctors."

Speaking about his preparation for the national-level examination, he said: "I simply followed what was taught in class and regularly completed whatever assignments my teachers gave me. That's how the two years went. "

"I did take a break and watched OTT content, but only for 20 minutes, that too while eating. While studying, I only focused on the task at hand. On average, I studied for 12-13 hours a day, but going into the examination, studying for 16-17 hours is also required. All students do that," he added.

He further said: "I worked as hard as I could, but yes, there are also God's blessings and luck factor which were also by my side."

About the cancellation of the previous exam and the subsequent re-examination, Gupta said: "I was shocked a bit by the news of the paper leak. I had stopped studying, but again I had to start my preparation."

However, he mentioned that the re-exam helped him to improve his marks and rank, given that he had predicted a score of 696 after the May 3 examination.

"Whereas I scored 715 this time, despite the question paper being more difficult. So, I believe God gave me another chance to improve," he added.

The topper said that since his older brother, Aditya Gupta, had also qualified for the NEET-UG exam, he got help with his guidance during the preparations.

"My brother has been my biggest inspiration and role model in the past two years," he said.

Aryan's parents hailed his achievement after the results came out.

His mother, Reenu Gupta, said: "Not just today, my children have been making me proud since their school days. My elder son had secured an all-India topper rank in Class 10... now, Aryan has not only reached great heights himself but has also taken us to new heights."

"When children themselves are so interested (in studying medicine), then as parents it is our duty to support them," she asserted.

Father Sachin Gupta added: "We did not put any pressure on him (Aryan) to pursue medical but he himself chose to go for it."

"Achieving the top rank among nearly 23 lakh candidates is a remarkable accomplishment. We are extremely proud of him," he said while beaming with pride.

Meanwhile, Uplaksh Goyal, who secured AIR three, said: "Success is not just an achievement but happiness."

"Even in difficult circumstances, my parents always supported and reminded me that my only focus should be on preparing for NEET. They believed that my education would shape my future and take me far. I studied with sincerity, dedication, and discipline. My teachers also guided me well and urged me to remain motivated," he told IANS.

President Murmu will visit Moldova on July 20 at the invitation of President Maia Sandu. This is the first ever visit by an Indian President to Moldova.

During her visit, President Murmu will hold talks with President Sandu. She will meet Moldova Parliament's President Igor Grosu. She will also have interaction with members of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address a Business Forum and members of the Indian Community, according to the MEA.

"India and Moldova enjoy warm and friendly relations. This visit would mark a significant and historical milestone and elevate bilateral ties to a broad-based partnership. There is good scope for mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, IT and education," the MEA said in statement.

After concluding her engagements in Moldova, President Murmu will visit North Macedonia at the invitation of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova from July 21-22, marking the first ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.

She is scheduled to hold talks with North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and PM Hristijan Mickoski. She will also meet North Macedonia Assembly President and address the Assembly. She will also address India - North Macedonia Business Forum.

"Both sides have keen interest in deepening economic ties in the priority sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals science and technology, IT and ITES," the MEA mentioned in a statement.

After concluding her visit to North Macedonia, President Murmu will travel to Romania from July 23 to 25 at the invitation of President Nicușor Dan. The visit will mark the first by an Indian President to Romania in more than three decades.

During the visit, President Murmu will hold talks with President Nicusor Dan and interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. She will meet Romania Senate President Mircea Abrudean, Chamber of Deputies President Sorin Grindeanu and members of the Romania–India Parliamentary Friendship Group. She will address India-Romania Business Forum and interact with the members of the Indian community.

"Romania is a valuable partner in the European Union and with the conclusion of India-EU Free Trade Agreement, bilateral economic partnership would strengthen further in the coming years. The State Visit to three countries by the Hon'ble President reflects the importance India attaches to strengthening its bilateral ties with these countries along with India’s engagement with the wider Eastern European region," the MEA said in a statement.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, Chohan revealed that she has always been drawn to roles that challenge her as a performer and allow her to explore different shades of storytelling. Talking about her journey with the project, Sheena shared how stepping into a complex character pushed her creatively and helped her discover new aspects of her craft.

Sharing why she gravitates towards challenging roles, Sheena stated, “I’ve always been drawn to roles that demand transformation. For me, growth begins the moment I step into unfamiliar territory. Every character should challenge me—whether physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically—because that’s where the real learning happens.”

“I always want each character to feel completely different from the last. As a theatre-trained actor, I genuinely enjoy researching a character, understanding their emotions, motivations, body language and the world they belong to. That transformation, from being yourself to becoming someone entirely different, is the most fulfilling part of acting for me.”

Sheena added, “The roles that excite me the most are the ones that push me beyond my comfort zone. Whether they demand intense preparation, emotional vulnerability or a completely new mindset, I embrace every challenge because it helps me grow not just as an actor, but as a person.”

“I’m drawn to layered lead characters that challenge me emotionally, psychologically and physically, and my goal is always to disappear into every role so completely that audiences remember the character long after they’ve left the theatre. I want audiences to remember the person I’m portraying, not just see Sheena Chohan on screen. If a role excites and challenges me, I know it’s probably the right one to take. That’s the kind of storytelling and filmmaking I want to be part of.”

Sheena Chohan is currently awaiting the release of her pan-Indian film ‘Jhatasya Maranam Dhruvam’ alongside JD Chakravarthy. In the film, the actress portrays an intense police officer, a role that demanded rigorous physical, emotional and psychological preparation. The Telugu thriller is scheduled to release in theaters in 2026.

The confusion started after she shared vacation photographs moments after it was revealed her grandmother had passed away.

She got in hot soup after sharing a carousel of her family's getaway on Instagram and captioned "Lake life" around the same time as her mother Kris Jenner announced Mary Jo Shannon had passed away aged 91.

Returning to her post to respond to the criticism and confusion, Kim confirmed it had been scheduled for some time and she had spent the previous few days with Kris and MJ, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She commented: “This post was scheduled a few days ago before we lost MJ, so its timing came right alongside her passing.

“I’ve been by my mom and grandma’s side this past week, and my heart is completely with my family right now. We love and miss her so deeply, and in the days ahead, we’ll be focusing on celebrating her beautiful life."

Kim later shared a new post which featured a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother.

She wrote: “My sweet Grandma MJ, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my forever twin...You taught all of us the importance of family, and those values are something we’ll carry with us forever!!!!! You were the woman who showed me what it meant to be a hardworking businesswoman.”

"You gave me my very first job at your store in San Diego and taught me lessons about work ethic, strength, and confidence that I’ve carried with me ever since.

"You always believed in me, championed me, and were my safe place. You truly were the matriarch of our family, and your love is woven into all of us. I know you’re at peace now.

"Give Papa Harry, Aunt Karen, and my dad a hug for me.”

“You will always be a part of me, I love you soooooo much and I will miss you forever and ever. YOU ARE THE BEST OF US!!! I know you are up in heaven, looking at all of our Instagram posts of you from your sneaky finsta account you would always use lol (sic)"

This marked Sindhu's third semifinal of the season, after the Malaysian Super 1000 and Australia Super 500. Moreover, this is her first Super 750 semi-final since the 2023 Denmark Open.

The 31-year-old Indian, is chasing her first title of the season, will face Tokyo Olympic champion and world No. 4 Chinese shuttler Chen Yufei, whom she trails 6-8 in the head-to-head record.

Sindhu has suffered a loss in the last five meeting with YuFei. A victory in the semifinal would not only end Sindhu's that losing streak but also secure Sindhu’s first Super 750 final in nearly three years.

The two-time Olympic medallist, who is the only Indian challenger left standing at the of the BWF Super 750 tournament, defeated world No. 5 Han Yue of China 21-16, 21-14 in just 35 minutes to make the final eight.

This year, YuFei, 28, won the Indonesia Masters and advanced to the Super 500 finals in Thailand and Malaysia. She also regularly made it to the semifinals of the Super 750s in Singapore and India, as well as the Super 1000s Malaysia Open and All England.

Earlier, India's mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto bowed out after losing 20-22, 17-21 to China's Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in the pre-quarterfinals.

India's challenge suffered another setback in the women's singles draw, where Unnati Hooda was beaten by Chinese Taipei's Huang Yu-Hsun despite taking the second game. 

India had already lost both of its men's doubles combinations on Tuesday after Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, along with MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan, bowed out in the opening round, with the former pair sustaining another injury.

The proposals were received during Bharat Tex 2026 at Bharat Mandapam and the Interactive Session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh held in Delhi, where the state government signed several investment‑related memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with industry representatives.

According to the state government, the proposed investments are expected to create around 27,592 employment opportunities across sectors such as textiles, defence, data centres, electronics, renewable energy, engineering, information technology, and food processing.

Addressing industrialists and investors, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem and invited businesses to participate in the Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2027, scheduled for January next year.

“There is no labour problem in Madhya Pradesh. If an industrialist sets up an industry in the state, the people here know how to work sincerely and fulfil their responsibilities. Our state offers a stable and industry‑friendly environment,” Yadav said.

The Chief Minister said the state offers uninterrupted power supply, a large land bank, robust road and rail connectivity, skilled manpower and investor‑friendly policies.

Referring to the outcome of the Global Investors Summit 2025, he said that investment proposals worth nearly Rs 10 lakh crore have already begun to take shape on the ground.

“Our industrial parks receive an encouraging response. We have adequate land, surplus electricity, and policies that promote investment and job creation. Madhya Pradesh offers immense opportunities in sectors ranging from textiles and food processing to manufacturing and MSMEs,” Yadav said.

At Bharat Tex 2026, the state received investment proposals worth Rs 1,592 crore in the textile and apparel sectors, expected to create around 15,700 jobs. The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) also signed seven MoUs to promote exports, e‑commerce, MSMEs and industrial cooperation.

Separately, the Delhi investment dialogue attracted proposals worth Rs 18,601 crore in sectors including defence manufacturing, data centres, transformer manufacturing, electronics, renewable energy, engineering and toys, with the potential to generate nearly 11,900 jobs.

The state government said the fresh investment proposals and partnerships would strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s position as a preferred investment destination while boosting industrial growth and employment generation.

John said on Thursday that the scheme has led to a significant increase in the number of passengers travelling on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.

During the first month of implementation alone, 3.81 crore free journeys were recorded under the scheme.

He added that women now account for 66 per cent of all passengers travelling on KSRTC buses.

The analysis was based on authenticated travel data collected through the corporation's Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs).

The average number of daily women passengers on ordinary services increased from 6.48 lakh to 12.12 lakh, representing an 87 per cent rise.

As a result, women's share of passengers on ordinary services has increased from 50.9 per cent to 66.6 per cent, meaning that nearly two out of every three passengers are now women.

When ordinary and super-class services are considered together, the average daily passenger count has risen from 19.03 lakh to 24.53 lakh, registering an overall 28.9 per cent increase in ridership.

According to the Minister, this growth is not merely a shift of existing passengers from one category to another but reflects the creation of new demand for public transport.

At the same time, the number of male passengers travelling on ordinary services has remained almost unchanged.

The increase in women passengers has therefore not come at the expense of other commuters.

KSRTC has been able to accommodate the additional passengers within its existing operational network.

The Minister said the Priyadarshini scheme is far more than a free travel programme, describing it as a foundation for enhancing women's mobility and economic participation in Kerala.

"The fact that more than 5.5 lakh additional passengers are travelling on KSRTC buses every day is a clear indication of the public's growing confidence in public transport," he added.

However, the Minister acknowledged that the scheme has resulted in a revenue loss of around Rs 60 crore.

He added that this financial impact had been anticipated by the state government before the scheme was launched.

Since Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan also holds the Finance portfolio, funds required to implement the scheme are being released without delay, the Minister said.

John also pointed out that KSRTC currently faces limitations in introducing more buses into service.

As a possible solution, the state government is considering a proposal to make it mandatory for each MLA to allocate funds for the purchase of one KSRTC bus from their constituency development fund.

The Minister also said the Kerala government would like to extend the Priyadarshini scheme to Express and Fast Passenger services in the future.

However, given the present financial and operational constraints, such an expansion is not feasible at this stage, he added.

Samson spent 11 years with RR and captained them for five seasons, before moving to CSK through a high-profile trade ahead of IPL 2026. "Moving on from RR was a very big decision for me. I believe that after playing for a team for some time, you start to feel like this is your team and nobody can remove you.

“But I always had the awareness that there is a limited time for everyone at one place. You do your part, and you move out and after the end of IPL 2025, a point came when I felt that I should move on. I told myself that the boys are ready, and RR is ready to play without Sanju Samson. That is when I thought of leaving," Samson said on JioStar's 'Superstars.’

Explaining his choice to join CSK, Samson highlighted the influence of MS Dhoni and current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. "And when you think of moving out, you wonder where to go and which team to join. There were two or three options at that time. But honestly, CSK, Mahi bhai's influence, the franchise itself, and my friends there, especially Ruturaj, meant I had great connections.

“Based on what I had heard about CSK from other players, I felt that this franchise was my type. If I go there, it will be very good for me. I had wished for that, but a trade is a tricky thing. I want to go there, but do they want me? And the original team needs to get what they want in return. Everyone has to agree. It was a major turning point. Luckily, I ended up in CSK. It was a great feeling," he added.

While his move to CSK was fueled by a desire to share the field with his childhood idol, Dhoni's fitness issues meant he didn’t play in IPL 2026. In turn, it has temporarily delayed Samson’s dream of sharing a partnership with him in CSK colours. "When I was in school, Mahi bhai had just gotten into the Indian team. The way he carried himself and his aggressive batting style really attracted me. I started following him closely.

“He used to appear in the ads, and I would cut out his picture and stick it in my diary. Every kid has an idol, and Mahi bhai was mine. As a child, I used to watch India play every day. Mahi bhai would be captaining and winning matches. I would go to sleep thinking, 'I have to play one day too.' I used to dream of batting with him, building a partnership, and fielding alongside him.

“Now, I have joined CSK. I felt like destiny had brought me here, and I would finally get to play with him. But unfortunately, he wasn't fit this time. He had a calf injury towards the end. But the dream is still alive. Let's see what happens next year," he remarked.

Recalling his early days in the IPL, Samson credited former India pacer S Sreesanth for forcefully pushing his case during the RR trials when he was just a teenager. "Sreesanth bhai is a very generous person. In the Kerala dressing room, when I was young, I used to see him take five or six players every year to the Rajasthan Royals trials.

“At that time, I was dropped from the Kerala team because I wasn't scoring runs. Sree bhai came down to play a crucial Ranji Trophy match. He called our secretary, TC Mathew sir, and said, 'I want Sanju in the team.' Mathew sir replied, 'He is not performing, why should we take him?'

“But Sree bhai insisted, 'No, bring him. I'll make him perform.' I was about 16 years-old then. I scored 122 in the first innings and 51 in the second. After the match, Sree bhai took me to the trial in Jaipur. Rahul Dravid sir came to meet me for the first time. Right in front of him, Sree bhai started hyping me up.

“He said, 'Rahul bhai, look at this boy. He has hit me for a lot of runs. He hit sixes, did this, did that.' I was already under pressure, and he made up a lot of stories there for me. But somehow, I managed to hit a few sixes after that," he recalled.

Though Dravid promised him an opportunity, Samson had to bide his time on the bench during the 2013 season, which he used as a massive learning curve by maintaining a personal diary of advice from legends. "Rahul sir was impressed with my performance in the trials, and he brought me into the Rajasthan Royals setup. He told me, 'I will make you play. In this team, I can promise you that you will get a chance. In other teams, I am not sure, but here I will give you an opportunity.'

“I did well in the trials and also performed for Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the first practice match before the IPL, Rahul sir gave me a game, but I didn't do well. Still, he had promised me a chance. But when the playing XI was announced for the first match, my name was not there. However, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“I sat out for about five or six games. I used to go and talk to Rahul sir every day for about half an hour. I asked him how to handle pressure. I was picking the brains of all the big players in those first six games. Shane Watson was there, Rahul sir, Ajinkya Rahane, Brad Hodge, all big names. I was just an 18-year-old kid asking them questions. I had a small diary. I would ask them questions, go back to my room, and write down their answers. I noted down how I should try and play if I got a match,” he said.

Samson’s big IPL break eventually came due to an unfortunate injury to regular keeper Dishant Yagnik, though it ended with a quick reality check. "After the first six games, I finally gathered the courage to ask Rahul bhai why I wasn't playing when he had promised me. He calmly explained that I needed to be patient and that my time would come.

“I was frustrated and disappointed after hearing that, so I took out all my anger in the nets. I would go to the nets and hit sixes, thinking, 'I'll show them.' Luckily for me, our wicketkeeper, Dishant Yagnik bhai, got injured. There was no plan to play me, but Dishant bhai got injured for one match.

“So, they played me against Punjab, which was my debut in the IPL in 2013, and I won that game for the team. It was my first match. I scored 27 not out batting at number 6. I also got three-four dismissals while keeping the wickets. But in the next match, Dishant bhai was fit again, and I was dropped," he concluded.

The actor reflected on the creative process behind his transformation into the titular character of Digger Rockwell, an oil baron. From false teeth and a Southern accent to cowboy boots, costumes, and body language, the actor revealed that every detail of the character's appearance and physicality was carefully considered in service of the story.

Speaking about the process of building Digger Rockwell and the role that makeup, costume, and physicality played in bringing the character to life, Tom Cruise said, “My process is, I'm absorbing, I'm absorbing, I'm absorbing. With the body, we're communicating a story. I want people to be immersed in a story”.

He also shared details about the elements that helped shape his character, as he shared, “The color of the cowboy boots. What are my shorts like? The sets, the color of the sets. They're beautiful on every single level... You look at the taste of this man. It's very special”.

The actor also revealed that Digger's false teeth became a key part of unlocking the character's voice and personality, saying, “I put the teeth on, and it's like, 'Let's f*in' go’”.

He also spoke about finding the rhythm, and how sets his eyes on the musicality of the character.

He further mentioned, “If you start to feel the musicality of the character, it has a rhythm, and it's not a rhythm like anything else. So the behavior of a character, the movement of a character, these are things that we're looking at on the makeup side. As you're developing, you've got to go, 'Is this our tone? Is it a drama? Is it a comedy? Is it too much?' You're dialing it in”.

He went on, “When we're looking for characters, we're looking for humor, drama, certain constructs, how do we communicate this? Whether it's Les Grossman or Interview With the Vampire, Collateral, or Risky Business, I'm always asking, 'How do I communicate this?' The physicality, the makeup, that is stuff that you find as you are learning how to communicate. You really have to understand the tools, it's not one-size-fits-all. You have to find the communication, the lenses, the color of the makeup”.

He credited director Alejandro G. Inarritu for helping shape the performance, as he said, “Alejandro understands music, and that's the universal language that we're all finding. I think further, 'How do I prepare so that we have time to discover that rhythm?' Everything that I'm doing in terms of training or language or dance, I'm going, 'How do I prepare for these moments?' So I'm thinking about having that ability to be able to play a character like this”.

“It's a lifelong journey of learning and learning and learning”, he added.

Taking to Instagram, the designer shared a rare childhood memory and expressed his love and longing for her through a heartfelt social media post. Sharing throwback photos, Manish wrote, “Happy Birthday dearest Mother today would have been your 95 th Birthday Miss you every Moment and the Entire Family Talks about You and Misses you a lot.”

The first monochrome image shows a young Manish planting a kiss on his mother’s cheek. In the next picture, he can be seen smiling while posing with her for a selfie. Manish also shared pictures of his mother from cherished family moments.

Manish Malhotra's mother, Sudarshan, passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 94.

Manish often shared heartfelt posts on social media, expressing his love and appreciation for his mother. Last year, he had celebrated his mother’s birthday with a special gathering at his residence. He had also shared pictures from the celebration, offering a glimpse of the memorable moments with his family. The celebration was attended by several close friends and industry personalities, including Rekha, Karan Johar, Urmila Matondkar, and Manish Malhotra’s cousin and filmmaker Punit Malhotra.

In an earlier Mother’s Day tribute, the fashion designer had lovingly described his mother as his “strength, inspiration and companion.” He had also shared how she supported and encouraged his passion for fashion and films from an early age.

An excerpt from his post read, “My mother My Strength , Inspiration and My Companion as I have always lived with her with only Respect and love .. This morning having tea with her I was thanking her for always encouraging my love for clothes and movies since childhood Happy Mothers Day.”

Designed to provide internationally recognised learning opportunities, the workshops aim to equip participants with the latest coaching methodologies, technical knowledge and officiating standards.

The initiative will feature separate workshops for coaches and technical officials, with sessions conducted by FIH educators and experts. Hockey India said the programme is aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of coaches and officials while promoting a structured hockey education system across India.

As part of its long-term vision to strengthen hockey at the grassroots level and upskill coaches and technical officials, Hockey India hopes to build a nationwide network of qualified professionals. The federation believes that making quality hockey education more accessible will help create a sustainable ecosystem for the growth of players, coaches, officials and the sport.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the development of Indian hockey depends not only on players but also on the quality of coaches and technical officials.

"The growth of Indian hockey depends not only on our players but also on the quality of our coaches and technical officials. Through these workshops, we are committed to creating a strong education pathway that reaches every corner of the country. By bringing FIH educators and experts, we aim to ensure that modern coaching practices and officiating standards are accessible to everyone, ultimately strengthening the foundation of the sport in India," he said.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said continuous education is vital for the long-term development of the game.

"At Hockey India, we believe continuous education is essential for the long-term development of the sport. These Coaching and Officiating Education Pathway workshops will provide valuable learning opportunities for aspiring and experienced coaches and officials. By conducting these workshops nationwide, we are creating a more inclusive and structured system that will contribute to the overall progress of Indian hockey," he said.

Speaking to IANS, Ahmedabad Cyber Cell DCP, Dr Lavina Sinha, said the first segment of the procession had reached Saraspur while the second segment was on its way, with the yatra progressing as scheduled under heavy security.

"Surveillance was being carried out from the police control room, with the entire 16-km procession route covered by CCTV cameras, including high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras that provide real-time monitoring of crowds and movement," she said.

In addition to physical deployment, police have intensified cyber surveillance to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation during the procession.

"We have police deployed and a cyber cell for media monitoring. All platforms of social media and the media are being monitored for any rumours or misinformation. We are keeping a watch," a senior police officer said.

Asked about action taken against social media accounts, Lavina said, "We are still taking action. I think the exact number we will be able to tell tomorrow."

Officials said this year's security arrangements rely heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies.

"We have surveillance all across. For media monitoring we have an AI-enabled tool for social media monitoring. Then we have drone surveillance from the sky and CCTV surveillance at all points. The entire route is covered. The control room is also enabled with AI and face recognition abilities," the officer said.

Explaining the facial recognition system, the officer said, "There is a database of people that we create and leverage for the recognition of miscreants, if any."

According to the Crime Branch, high-tech drones, facial recognition cameras, audio surveillance systems and social media monitoring are being used to keep a close watch on the Rath Yatra route and surrounding areas throughout the day.

The annual Rath Yatra, which began from the historic Shree Jagannath Mandir in Jamalpur earlier in the day, follows its traditional route through Ahmedabad, with Saraspur regarded as one of the most significant halts.

The locality is traditionally considered the maternal home (mamera) of Lord Jagannath, where the deities are ceremonially welcomed and offered mahaprasad before the procession resumes its onward journey.

Regarded as India's second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra after Puri, the Ahmedabad procession is being conducted under one of the city's most extensive security operations, with more than 31,000 police personnel, Rapid Action Force units and other security agencies deployed to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the centuries-old religious event.

The report from real estate consulting firm CBRE South Asia said the growth was underpinned by sustained momentum in land/development site acquisitions and built-up office assets.

India's real estate sector is poised for sustained investment momentum through 2026, driven by steady capital inflows into both built-up asset acquisitions and new project development, the report forecasted.

"Domestic investors have continued to demonstrate strong conviction in the sector's long-term fundamentals, even as the broader environment remains dynamic. We expect this momentum to carry into the second half of the year, with select foreign capital expected to re-engage as global conditions stabilise," said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO, India, South-East Asia, the Middle East & Africa, CBRE.

This momentum reflects the underlying resilience and depth of India's real estate capital markets, he added.

In Q2 2026 (April to June), total inflows stood at $3.4 billion, remaining broadly stable on an annual basis.

Land or development sites and built-up office assets collectively accounted for about 94 per cent of overall equity investment inflows during the quarter.

Developers led total capital infusion with a share of about 34 per cent, closely followed by domestic institutional investors at about 32 per cent. The overall capital inflows from institutional investors also increased sharply by 51 per cent sequentially in Q2 2026.

Among the major cities, Bengaluru, followed by Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, accounted for a cumulative share of about 60 per cent of total inflows during the quarter.

Domestic investors, primarily developers, dominated the overall investment inflows with a share of about 92 per cent during the quarter.

Over 88 per cent of total capital flows into site/land acquisitions were deployed towards residential and office developments, with the balance committed to data centres, mixed-use, and industrial & logistics (I&L) projects.

"India’s real estate investment landscape continues to demonstrate sustained growth with strong institutional investments in core assets and hectic activity in land transactions. Global investors and domestic players have been unanimous in their aggressive intent in expanding their real estate portfolios across all asset classes,” said Gaurav Kumar, Managing Director and Co-Head, Capital Markets, India, CBRE.

The new portal can be accessed through the beta link available on the homepage of the existing IRCTC website. Users are also encouraged to share feedback on the new design, speed, and features before the platform is rolled out nationwide.

The redesign follows a commitment made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during an interaction with students at the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur. Students highlighted several pain points with the existing website, including its outdated interface, complicated booking process, and poor user experience. Taking their suggestions on board, the Ministry initiated a complete redesign of the portal, with MNIT students contributing to the development process. The revamped portal introduces several improvements to make ticket booking quicker and more convenient.

The upgraded IRCTC platform introduces several user-friendly improvements aimed at making train ticket booking faster and more convenient.

The new interface simplifies the booking process with a cleaner, mobile-friendly design and improved navigation. It also eliminates the need for repeated CAPTCHA verification during bookings, allowing users to complete transactions more quickly.

Passengers can now check seat availability across different travel classes more easily without repeatedly changing search options.

The portal also offers faster loading speeds and smoother overall performance. As part of the beta rollout, users can submit feedback and suggestions directly through the platform, helping IRCTC refine the service before its final public launch.

According to IRCTC, the beta version has been released to gather real-time feedback from users. Inputs on usability, design, and performance will be incorporated before the final version is officially launched.

Alongside the website redesign, IRCTC is upgrading its Passenger Reservation System (PRS) -- the backend engine that powers ticket bookings across IRCTC and other railway booking platforms. The modernisation has been carried out without disrupting existing services.

Once the upgraded reservation engine is fully operational, the new IRCTC portal will be launched for all users in the coming weeks.

Launched in 2002, the IRCTC website now handles an average of 1.45 million ticket bookings daily. The latest upgrade is aimed at improving system performance and ensuring seamless booking even during peak demand periods such as Tatkal bookings and festive seasons.

The earlier IRCTC portal frequently drew complaints from users over repeated CAPTCHA verification during booking, complicated multi-step booking process, difficulty checking seat availability across classes, re-entering passenger details for every booking and slow performance and crashes during Tatkal bookings and festivals.

The redesigned beta portal seeks to address these issues by offering a faster, more intuitive, and user-friendly booking experience. Once user feedback is incorporated, the upgraded platform is expected to replace the existing website in the coming weeks.

This buffer period will allow students adequate time to adapt and enable all administrative systems to enhance their preparedness. Until August 2027, MPSC examinations will continue to be conducted via the traditional offline (pen-and-paper) method.

The crucial decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by CM Fadnavis at Mantralaya in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, the State Chief Secretary, and senior officials from the General Administration Department (GAD).

The Chief Minister emphasised that while modernisation is necessary to curb malpractices and ensure rapid results, the transition between the two systems must be seamless. "A secure, transparent selection process has always been my firm insistence. In line with that, the examination system must be transparent, conducted on time, and results must be declared promptly," he said during the meeting. "However, while undertaking these reforms, moving from one system to another must be smooth. Every system needs sufficient time for readiness," he added.

Acknowledging the pressure faced by aspirants, the Chief Minister noted that implementing the changes in a phased manner -- beginning only from August 2027 -- will provide a much-needed buffer for the candidates to adapt. He advised the MPSC leadership to take further institutional steps based on these recommendations while simultaneously praising the Commission for its recent progressive initiatives.

The Chief Minister instructed the MPSC to take further institutional decisions based on these guidelines. He also took the opportunity to appreciate the Commission for its various recent progressive initiatives.

According to government sources, by freezing the immediate rollout, the state government has effectively granted a 13-month runway. This window will allow the MPSC to build robust, glitch-free digital infrastructure across all districts of Maharashtra and enable aspirants to mentally and strategically align with the upcoming digital shift.

The intervention by the Chief Minister comes on the heels of intense, widespread protests by student organisations and competitive exam aspirants, particularly in hubs like Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.

In late June 2026, the MPSC announced a massive overhaul of its structural format. The Commission declared plans to move its preliminary exams -- starting with the Group C Services Joint Preliminary Exam -- to a digital, computer-based format (CBT). The commission's objective was to eliminate paper leaks, bring transparency, and introduce a normalisation process to hold exams multiple times a year.

The sudden announcement sparked anxiety among aspirants. Student representatives highlighted several practical challenges, including infrastructure deficit and technical system trust.

The student organisations and various political parties said lack of adequate, standardised digital exam centres in rural areas will force rural students to travel to major cities. A vast majority of candidates coming from economically weaker sections or rural backgrounds are strictly trained in the OMR sheet (offline) format and lack practice with adaptive computer testing. They also raised serious concerns regarding server glitches, technical bugs, and the complexities of the newly proposed "normalisation" marking system.

Following aggressive representations from various student unions and meetings with state leaders, the government has decided to actively step in to prevent administrative chaos and protect student interests.

According to a Finance Ministry notification, the export duty on diesel has been increased to Rs 15.5 per litre from Rs 8.5 per litre, while the levy on aviation turbine fuel has been raised to Rs 14.5 per litre from Rs 7.5 per litre.

At the same time, the government has reduced the export duty on petrol to Rs 2.5 per litre from Rs 4 per litre.

The revised rates came into effect from July 16, according to the notification.

The latest revision comes amid a sharp rise in global crude oil prices following an escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday before easing slightly after US President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory strikes on US infrastructure in the region.

Earlier this month, the government had revised the windfall tax on exports of petroleum products by raising the levy on petrol while reducing the duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel.

The Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol exports was increased to Rs 4 per litre from Rs 1.5 per litre. At the same time, the export duty on diesel was reduced to Rs 8.5 per litre from Rs 14 per litre, while the levy on ATF exports was cut to Rs 7.5 per litre from Rs 12.5 per litre.

The government reviews windfall taxes on domestically produced crude oil and exports of petroleum products at regular intervals to align the levies with changes in international crude prices and refining margins.

The temple premises were illuminated with decorative lights, creating a festive atmosphere as devotees began arriving well before dawn for prayers and the ceremonial departure of the chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

Extensive security arrangements were put in place across the city, with Ahmedabad Police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other security agencies deployed along the procession route to ensure the event passed off peacefully.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said preparations for the annual procession had been completed ahead of its commencement.

"Preparations for the 149th Rath Yatra have been completed. It is around 2:30 a.m., and as you can see, the streets of Ahmedabad are still filled with thousands of youths and elderly people chanting 'Jai Jagannath'. Preparations are underway in every lane to serve prasadi to Lord Jagannath's devotees," he said.

Devotees who gathered outside the temple spoke of their enthusiasm for the annual festival.

One devotee said, "I have come here for the first time to witness the Rath Yatra. My family, Laddu Gopal, and I have all come for the darshan." Another devotee said, "I felt immense joy. Today, for the first time, I had the opportunity to have the darshan of Lord Jagannath in this way."

A regular visitor to the procession said, "We have been here since 3:30 a.m. We come here every year in the morning for the Rath Yatra."

Earlier in the morning, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah performed the 'Mangala Aarti' and offered prayers at the temple, while Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel carried out the traditional 'Pahind Vidhi', ceremonially sweeping the path before the chariots with a golden broom before the procession began.

Held annually on Ashadhi Bij, the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is regarded as the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in India after Puri.

The procession follows its traditional route through the city before returning to the temple later in the day, attracting lakhs of devotees from Gujarat and across the country.

This year's yatra is being conducted under a multi-layered security arrangement involving more than 31,000 police personnel, drones, CCTV surveillance, artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring systems and other advanced security measures.

The sector has become one of the fastest-growing sources of industrial employment, with the mobile manufacturing ecosystem alone supporting around 12 lakh direct and indirect jobs across the value chain, it added.

The MeitY said its flagship schemes have generated more than 5.3 lakh jobs, including around 1.8 lakh under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing and another 3.5 lakh through other major government initiatives.

Moreover, women have emerged as a key pillar of the sector's growth. 

They account for nearly 30 per cent of the workforce created in electronics manufacturing over the last decade, while in the mobile phone manufacturing segment they make up nearly 70 per cent of the direct workforce, making it one of India's most women-intensive manufacturing industries.

The PLI scheme alone has created employment opportunities for around 90,000 women, strengthening female participation in formal manufacturing jobs.

At one of India's largest electronics manufacturing campuses in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, thousands of young women are engaged in producing smartphones and electronic components for global markets.

Across three major manufacturing facilities operated by a leading electronics manufacturer, nearly 80,000 people are employed, with women constituting around 65 per cent of the workforce.

In addition, electronics production has risen from Rs 1.90 lakh crore in 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26, suggesting nearly seven-fold growth.

Electronics exports have expanded even faster, increasing from Rs 38,263 crore to Rs 4.24 lakh crore during the same period, an eleven-fold rise. 

Electronic goods have now become India's third-largest export category, with exports reaching $47.96 billion in FY26.

Mobile phone production has increased from Rs 18,900 crore in FY15 to Rs 6.27 lakh crore in FY26, a 33-fold rise. During the same period, mobile phone exports surged from Rs 1,566 crore to Rs 2.60 lakh crore, registering an extraordinary 165-fold increase.

The government said the PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing has played a catalytic role in this growth.

As of March 31, 2026, the scheme had attracted cumulative investments of more than Rs 20,600 crore, while cumulative production crossed Rs 11.62 lakh crore and exports exceeded Rs 6.53 lakh crore.

The actress, who is currently in her ninth month of pregnancy, is expected to welcome her first child anytime soon. She was spotted stepping out of a gym after her workout session on Wednesday afternoon where she interacted with the paparazzi stationed at the location.

Karishma looked comfortable in black trousers paired with an olive green shirt, completing her look with a messy ponytail.

Earlier too, the actress had shared many glimpses of her pregnancy fitness journey on social media.

Most recently, Karishma gave fans a peek into how her early mornings look during pregnancy.

In the video shared by the actress on her social media account, she was seen beginning her day by eating two to three pieces of dry coconut (kopra) for healthy fats, followed by coconut water mixed with sabja seeds to stay hydrated and nourished.

She was then seen practising Anulom Vilom, describing it as a way of "bringing balance from within."

The actress also demonstrated a simple four-count breathing exercise, urging viewers to "inhale for four counts and exhale for four counts" to stay calm.

She later was seen performing Bhramari pranayama, calling it "the hum that quiets my mind." Karishma concluded the video with a few moments of gratitude before beginning her day.

Sharing the clip, she captioned it, "9th month pregnant Routine... hope you're doin it too."

For the uninitiated, Karishma married Mumbai-based real estate businessman Varun Bangera in an intimate ceremony in February 2022. The couple is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child.

Earlier last month, the actress celebrated her pregnancy with a spiritually themed baby shower attended by close friends and family. The intimate gathering featured bhajans, devotional music and prayers.

In his latest post, he recalled an emotional thought about being given the privilege of performing her kanyadaan one day. Kher shared that although the moment is still far away, the very idea fills his heart with affection, warmth, and a sense of responsibility. On Wednesday, the ‘Special 26’ actor took to his Instagram handle to pen a heartfelt birthday note for Vanshika. Sharing her throwback videos and photos, Anupam wrote, “Happy Birthday, my dearest, dearest Vanshika Beta. May God bless you with all the happiness in the world, a long, healthy and beautiful life, and the strength to achieve every dream you dream. You are my child. Even when Satish was with us, I always looked upon you as my daughter… and my friend. Some relationships are not defined by blood; they are defined by love, trust and belonging. Ours is one of them.”

“Sometimes it’s difficult to express love in words, but today I want you to know that I will always be there for you! To protect you, support you, encourage you and stand by you, no matter what life brings. And who knows… one day, many years from now, if you decide to get married, I may even have the privilege of performing your kanyadaan. That day is still far away, but the thought itself fills my heart with affection.”

The 71-year-old actor added, “I love you, beta. Have the happiest birthday ever. And I’m sure your Papa and my bestest friend ever Satish, is smiling from above and sending you his biggest hug and countless blessings today. Happy Birthday, my darling. God bless you. @vanshikakaushik_15 #HappyBirthdayVanshika #Love #Blessings First video is three years old!.”

Anupam Kher and Satish Shah shared a close and cherished friendship that spanned decades. The duo shared screen space in memorable films like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” and “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!.”

Following Satish Shah’s demise on October 25, 2025, Anupam Kher paid an emotional tribute to his dear friend, whom he fondly remembered as “Mere Shah, mere Jahapana.” He also stood by Shah’s wife, Madhu, who suffers from Alzheimer's, during the difficult time.

Interestingly, Anupam Kher has taken on a supportive, father-like role in Vanshika’s life following her father’s passing. He has often been present for her important moments, including school events, and has expressed his affection for her by referring to her as his own daughter.

Vatsal shared a video on Instagram, where the husband and wife duo are seen sitting on a couch and discussing their love story. Recalling the moment, they shared how Vatsal's quick thinking saved Ishita from a dangerous accident during a song shoot.

Ishita and Vatsal first shared that theirs was not a “love at first sight” kind of romance.

Vatsal shared: “It didn't happen with us. Love at first sight, actually, I didn't believe in love. She knows.”

To which Ishita replied: “I never thought this is going to happen. But actually, our story started when we were shooting. Not love story, our friendship started there.”

Vatsal then asked Ishita to share how he proposed to her.

“Ishita: How did we propose? Let's tell the story before the proposal. Our friendship started in Lucknow, where we were shooting for a song sequence. I was about to fall from the first floor and only you came and saved me.”

Vatsal shared that it was a very dangerous situation.

“Ishita was on the first level, we were shooting a song sequence. And her sari was flying. The sequence got over, the director said cut. And while the sari was flying, there were storm fans below. So the sari got stuck and we all were at ease because it got cut.”

“And she was alone upstairs. And suddenly her sari got stuck in the storm fan. And the storm fan was also pulling her.”

He shared that she was standing at the ledge.

Ishita replied: “It all happened in like a second. When I was about to fall, he saw what was happening. And he had the presence of mind to just go and pick up the fan. And the fan was really heavy. It was a very heavy fan.”

Vatsal chimed in: “But the instinct was that I picked up the fan. I don't know how I picked it up. But I picked up the fan so that it wouldn't fall. And as soon as I picked it up, she was at ease. And everyone saw my spot, makeup, everyone saw it. Everyone ran and picked up the storm fan. And cut her sari.”

He quipped: “And I became a hero.”

To which Ishita concluded by saying: “My hero. Well, that's how our friendship started. And unfortunately, the show ended very soon. But our love story started from there.”

The video was captioned: “Hamari Love Story.”

Ishita met actor Vatsal Sheth on the sets of their show Rishton Ka Saudagar - Baazigar in 2016. They got married in 2017. In March 2023, the couple announced their pregnancy and had a baby boy in 2023. The couple had a baby girl in 2025.

The weather office has also cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea due to strong winds expected over the southern coastal waters.

According to the latest forecast, one or two places in the interior districts are likely to experience heatwave conditions today. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain significantly above normal until July 16, with interior regions likely to record temperatures 2 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average.

Coastal districts in Tamil Nadu, along with Puducherry, may witness temperatures 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal.

The weather department also warned that the combination of high temperatures and elevated humidity levels could lead to severe heat discomfort in several coastal areas. Such conditions increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among children, senior citizens, outdoor workers and people with existing health conditions.

Residents have been advised to remain hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and take necessary precautions against heat stress.

Chennai is expected to remain partly cloudy over the next two days. However, despite the cloud cover, the city is likely to experience oppressive weather because of persistent high temperatures and humidity.

The weather office said residents could face considerable discomfort, especially during the afternoon and early evening.

While the heat is expected to dominate most parts of the state, the RMC has forecast light to moderate rainfall over the Western Ghats districts on Wednesday. One or two places in the remaining districts may also receive light showers, offering limited relief from the prevailing hot conditions.

Strong winds are expected over the Gulf of Mannar, the Comorin Sea and adjoining Tamil Nadu coastal waters. In view of the rough sea conditions, the Meteorological Centre has advised fishermen not to venture into these regions until conditions improve.

The weather department said it will continue to monitor the evolving weather pattern closely and issue updated advisories as required, urging the public to follow official forecasts and take adequate precautions as the heatwave conditions persist across the state.

Sharing her experience, Shome told IANS that she initially felt hesitant about delivering such a legendary line and even suggested that Sunny Deol himself should perform it. However, the veteran actor encouraged her to present it in her own style, giving her the confidence to make the dialogue her own rather than trying to replicate his iconic performance. Tilottama shared, “The truth is that when I was actually on the set, I wasn't nervous or overly excited. I was somewhere in the middle. I knew it was an iconic dialogue, and I even tried convincing the director that perhaps Sunny sir should deliver it instead. But he didn't agree.”

“I asked Sunny, sir, if he had any objection to me saying such a famous dialogue of his. He immediately replied, "Why would I? Say it in your own way." When I received that kind of encouragement from everyone, I simply made the dialogue my own. I never tried to match Sunny Sir's performance or outperform it. There was no such calculation in my mind.”

Speaking about working with the ‘Gadar’ actor, Tilottama mentioned, “Sunny sir is a very introverted person, and so am I. People often assume actors are naturally extroverted because we face the camera, but that's not always true.”

“What I loved about him was that even in his silence, there was tremendous warmth. Sometimes a person's silence can make the atmosphere uncomfortable, but his silence made everyone around him feel relaxed. Whenever we spoke, he was always kind, respectful and extremely generous. He is a true gentleman, something that feels increasingly rare today,” she added.

In "Ikka," directed by Imtiaz Ali, Tilottama Shome essayed the role of Madhura Banerjee, a determined public prosecutor who faces off against Sunny Deol’s character, Arjun Mehra, a defense attorney, in the courtroom drama.

In an interesting twist, Shome’s character delivered Sunny Deol’s iconic “Dhai Kilo Ka Haath” dialogue in the film, using his legendary line against him during their intense courtroom confrontations. The thriller also featured Akshaye Khanna and Dia Mirza. “Ikka” premiered on Netflix on 10 July.

Spain have produced a complete team performance to overcome France. They controlled the game from start to finish, nullifying Les Blues' world-class forwards while playing with poise and verve in attack.

"We didn't play the match we wanted to play, whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance. When you don't do what you're supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don't win. Spain stuck to their game plan. In terms of controlling the game, they're better than us; we weren't able to do that. There were too many technical errors. We didn't play the match we had prepared for; we let them dictate the tempo, and if Spain dictates the tempo with their ball control and overall level, it's difficult," Mbappe said after the match.

"It was up to us to change that. How? From the start, in our pressing, in the way we pressed them, we always found ourselves three against two in midfield, and against Spain, that's always difficult." 

France lost their first knockout match in the World Cup since the 2014 quarter-final against Germany (0-1). That makes 11 matches (10 wins, 1 draw). This was France's fourth defeat in the semi-finals of the World Cup (1958, 1982, 1986, 2026) in eight appearances. Moreover, this was the third consecutive elimination against Spain in the semi-finals of a competition after Euro 2024 (2-1) and the Nations League 2025 (5-4).

"We needed to play one-on-one; this is a team that doesn't like to run… When we won the ball back, the first passes, the first touches weren't worthy of a World Cup semi-final. It's a huge disappointment, of course, but if we're objective, we didn't put in all the necessary effort. I feel very disappointed; it was a dream for us to reach the final and give our country that chance to dream. 

"When you win, you hold your head high; when you lose, you have to keep it. I'm struggling to find the words. We'll have to pick ourselves up, go on holiday, and put this defeat behind us because other things will come up at club and international level," he added.

France will now play in the third-place playoff, which will be Didier Deschamps’ last game as coach. 

Bhupendra Patel was born on July 15, 1962, in Ahmedabad. He started his political career working in municipal bodies of Ahmedabad. He is currently serving as the 17th Chief Minister of Gujarat and representing the Ghatlodia Assembly constituency. 

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Best wishes to Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel on his birthday. He is at the forefront of taking Gujarat to new heights of development and ensuring that the aspirations of the people are fulfilled. Praying for his long life and good health."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, extending greetings to Patel on his birthday, said, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel ji. Under the guidance of Modi ji, you are playing an important role in continuously advancing Gujarat's journey of development. May Lord Somnath Mahadev bless you with excellent health and long life; this is my prayer."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also wished Patel on his birthday and lauded his "progressive vision". 

"Warm birthday greetings to Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel ji. Guided by a progressive vision, he has been working tirelessly to accelerate Gujarat's growth and strengthen the spirit of good governance. Wishing him good health and many more years of dedicated service to the people," Singh said in a post on X.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, taking to social media, said, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to Gujarat's Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Bhai Patel Ji. I pray to God for your excellent health, long life, and a blissful life."

BJP National President Nitin Nabin also took to social media and wished the Gujarat Chief Minister on his birthday. 

"Heartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel Ji. I pray to God for your excellent health, long life, and a successful public life," Nabin said.

During an episode of the Jonas Brothers' new Podcasts series, 'Hey Jonas!', featuring Nick, Priyanka Chopra, Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas, the singer joked that the biggest perk of their nearly eight-year-long marriage has been his access to the latest happenings and gossip in Bollywood.

"So one of the things that I have loved most about these eight years together is all the Bollywood gossip I have got," Nick said.

Priyanka who seemed amused by the confession, teased her husband, saying, "That's what you have loved the most about our whole marriage? His whole feed is filled with the gossip."

She went on to reveal that Nick often knows about Bollywood breakups before she does.

"I don't know when someone's broken up with someone and you are always the one to tell me. It usually happens when I am texting someone and I wil be like, 'Hey, give my love to blah, blah, blah.' And he's like, 'No, they've broken up.' And I'm like, 'Oh, so you keep on the gossip.'"

Nick admitted with a laugh, "Oh yeah, I do."

Kevin and Joe further candidly pressed him to reveal whose updates and gossips he follows, but Nick refused to name names.

"I can't say names. These are friends of ours," he said.

The singer also admitted that he secretly follows a few Bollywood gossip pages.

"There's a couple of accounts that I kind of ghost follow, you know? There's some good tea though. There's like all these storylines that you have got to follow," he added.

Talking about Nick and Priyanka, the couple first met at the 2017 Oscars after-party before beginning to date in 2018.

The couple got engaged later that year and tied the knot in a grand wedding at Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace in December 2018, celebrating both Christian and Hindu ceremonies

In 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy.

Menon, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, reached the orbiting laboratory after the Soyuz spacecraft docked with the ISS's Prichal module at 1:52 p.m. EDT, following a three-hour, two-orbit journey from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The trio had lifted off earlier at 10:47 a.m. EDT (7:47 p.m. local time) aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft. Their arrival increases the station's crew to 10 for about the next two weeks.

Before launch, Menon posted on X: "Proud to serve the United States Space Force and fly to the International Space Station today in support of NASA and our international partners!"

In another message ahead of liftoff, he wrote: "Excited to launch aboard Soyuz MS-29 from Kazakhstan and begin an eight-month mission supporting NASA and Expedition 74/75. Grateful for the NASA community, friends, family, and loved ones and excited for tomorrow."

Following the scheduled hatch opening, the new arrivals were to be welcomed aboard by Expedition 74 crew members: NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams; European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot; and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev.

NASA said Menon, Dubrov and Kikina will remain aboard the orbital laboratory until April 2027. This is Menon's first journey into space and the second mission for both Dubrov and Kikina.

During his stay aboard the ISS, Menon will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth.

His work will include refining the in-space production of semiconductor crystals to enable the large-scale manufacturing of components needed for high-performance computers, artificial intelligence systems and improved medical devices.

He also will perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could eliminate the need for medical support from Earth on future space missions.

NASA said Menon will also serve as a test subject in studies examining how blood flow changes in space and will test bioprinting vascular constructs in microgravity to improve understanding of the ageing process and advance therapeutic developments.

NASA said Expedition 75 is scheduled to begin on July 26 following the departure of Williams, Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev after completing their eight-month science mission aboard the orbital outpost. A change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for July 25, when station command will transfer from Kud-Sverchkov to Meir.

Menon's mission drew congratulatory messages from several organisations and supporters.

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), where Menon is a board-certified emergency physician, also congratulated him on "a successful launch to the International Space Station" and wished the crew "a safe and successful mission."

The International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence for more than 25 years, serving as a unique laboratory for research that cannot be conducted on Earth because of microgravity. The scientific work carried out aboard the station supports advances in medicine, engineering, biology and materials science while helping prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

He said the rally in Jind would itself be organised as an eco-friendly event, generating tremendous enthusiasm among the public and party workers.

The minister said under the leadership of PM Modi at the Centre and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in the state, Haryana is setting new benchmarks in development.

Sharma described the country’s first hydrogen-powered train, which will operate on the Jind-Gohana-Sonipat route, as a matter of pride for Haryana.

He said the project was not merely a railway initiative but a symbol of India’s growing commitment to clean energy, environmental conservation and green technology.

The hydrogen train would strengthen Haryana’s emergence as a hydrogen hub, he said.

The Haryana Cabinet Minister said the Prime Minister's visit reflected the continuity of record infrastructure investment in the state.

Simultaneous launch and dedication of major projects across sectors such as railways, roads, healthcare and tourism would provide fresh impetus to the state’s development while accelerating industrial growth, trade, investment and employment opportunities.

He said the inauguration of Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Medical College in Bhiwani and Maharishi Chyawan Medical College in Narnaul would significantly strengthen the state's healthcare infrastructure, particularly benefiting people in southern areas through improved access to modern medical facilities.

Sharma further said the Kurukshetra Elevated Railway Track Project would provide a permanent solution to the long-standing problem of traffic congestion in the city.

The proposed Sikh Museum at Kurukshetra, he added, would give a new identity to the region's religious, cultural and tourism activities.

Highlighting key infrastructure initiatives, he said projects such as the Delhi-Katra Expressway Haryana section, the Ambala-Kala Amb Greenfield Four-Lane Corridor, and the Jind-Gohana National Highway (NH-352A) Greenfield Corridor would significantly improve connectivity across the state, reduce travel time and boost commercial activity.

He added the Hansi-Barwala Four-Lane Highway and the Bikaner-Siwani-Sonipat Road Project would strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas, creating a robust road network that would serve as a foundation for industrial expansion and employment generation.

Sharma said the government does not merely believe in making announcements but in implementing projects within fixed timelines to ensure that their benefits reach the people.

Sharma said the PM’s public rally in Jind on July 17 would send a strong message of development, public trust and people's participation.

The day, he added, would be remembered as a golden chapter in Haryana's history, bringing new energy, renewed momentum and fresh opportunities for the state.

New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) India’s small‑business credit ecosystem expanded to a portfolio outstanding of Rs 49.2 lakh crore, growing 13.4 per cent year‑on‑year as of March 2026, a report said on Tuesday. 

The report from CRIF High Mark said quarter-on-quarter growth was nearly 3 per cent with active loans reaching 7.5 crore.

Sole proprietors continued to drive the growth, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the portfolio and over 87 per cent of active loans.

India’s small business credit ecosystem continued to expand steadily through March 2026, supported by a conducive macroeconomic and policy environment, the report said.

Loan Against Property (LAP) remained the largest product category, accounting for 27.1 per cent of the consolidated portfolio outstanding, followed by business loans (24.8 per cent) and working capital products (22.8 per cent).

LAP’s share increased from 25.5 per cent in March 2025 to 27.1 per cent in March 2026, underscoring the continued importance of secured credit in the MSME sector.

The top ten states accounted for 72 per cent of the overall portfolio outstanding. Growth was led by Andhra Pradesh, which recorded year-on-year growth of 16.5 per cent and quarter-on-quarter growth of 5.6 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh, which posted year-on-year growth of 18.5 per cent and quarter-on-quarter growth of 4.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, locations beyond the top 100 cities outperformed with a CAGR of 21.6 per cent from 2023 to 2026.

Asset quality improved during the year, portfolio at risk for over 90 days declining to 4 per cent in March 2026 from 4.2 per cent a year earlier.

The report highlighted Tamil Nadu as a mature and resilient credit market as the state accounted for around 10 per cent of India’s small business portfolio outstanding and 9 per cent of active loans.

The state’s portfolio outstanding stood at Rs 4.6 lakh crore, up 11.6 per cent year-on-year, while active loans reached 66.7 lakh, growing 0.5 per cent year-on-year, indicating a shift towards higher-ticket-size lending.

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a gathering for the inauguration of 'Aranya Saptaha' -- Forest Week in West Bengal -- which commenced on Tuesday and will run until July 20, the Chief Minister said that the decision for fresh recruitments for the forest department through the state police recruitment Board had been taken to ensure a totally transparent and corruption-free recruitment system.

Incidentally, during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led regime and during the tenures of both Rajib Banerjee (from 2018 to 2021) and Jyotipriya Mallick (from 2011 to 2023), there were allegations of irregularities in forest department recruitments, especially as regards to appointments for Bana Sahayaks, who are basically contractual and temporary forest workers under the state forest department, who are utilised for various activities like assisting in forest patrol, tree plantation, and wildlife protection.

An official from the state forest department said that once the hiring is done through the state police recruitment Board the employment-system will be brought under a mechanism eliminating the possibilities of irregularities in the process.

“There are many employees in the state forest department who work at great risk. They lack many things. There is a staff shortage. There is a lack of infrastructure. These employees have to operate with such deficiencies. I have asked the state forest minister, Manoj Oraon, to submit the details related to vacancies and infrastructure related requirements to the Chief Secretary. Attempts will be made to fill the vacant posts at the earliest,” the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, while addressing the inaugural function, the Chief Minister underscored the state government's commitment to maintaining a balance between industrial development and environmental protection.

He also said that the new government led by him, will henceforth, strictly enforce the existing regulation stipulating that for any project's approval, two-thirds of the total project area must be designated for essential infrastructure, with the remaining one-third allocated for plantations.

England marked two significant milestones as wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler became only the second English cricketer to play 200 One-Day Internationals, joining former captain Eoin Morgan (225 ODIs). Meanwhile, fast bowler Josh Tongue made his ODI debut for England, while left-arm spinner Liam Dawson celebrated his 50th international appearance across formats.

England captain Harry Brook said his side opted to bat first after winning the toss, believing the surface would favour batting early before offering assistance to the spinners later in the match. Brook said England would approach the ODI series with the same mindset as the T20s by quickly assessing conditions, maintaining clear communication and adapting as the game progresses. He added that having a largely similar squad across the two white-ball formats gives him confidence as captain and reflects the faith the team management has in the group. While acknowledging England's inconsistent ODI performances in recent years, Brook expressed hope that the team could "turn the page" and deliver consistent results, insisting they have the players to do so. He also confirmed England had gone in with a balanced bowling attack comprising two spinners and three seamers.

India captain Shubman Gill said he would have preferred to bowl first, noting that the conditions were more similar to those in South Africa than what India usually experiences at home. He added that the team wanted to use the series to give opportunities to players with limited ODI experience. Gill welcomed the return of several senior players, saying the presence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah added valuable experience to the squad. Reflecting on his previous success in England, Gill said he had fond memories of the Test series and hoped to carry that form into the ODI campaign. He also confirmed India's team combination, with four seamers, including Shivam Dube, supported by spin duo Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

Playing XIs:

India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna

England: Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid

Reflecting on her career shifts and life experiences, the ‘Mela’ actress spoke about embracing new beginnings and learning from every twist and turn. Sharing a candid note on Instagram, Twinkle highlighted the importance of adapting to change and finding new paths when life takes unexpected turns. In her recent post, she looked back on her journey, from her early days in the film industry to becoming a writer and creative voice. Twinkle also described it as a mix of successes, setbacks, and fresh beginnings.

Posting her pictures, the 'Mrs. Funnybones’ actress wrote, “You can be the Playboy Bunny, or you can be the one pulling rabbits out of your hat. I’ve changed professions, collected a few plot twists, fallen on my bottom, and climbed back up again. Somewhere along the way, I became a jack of all trades with a degree that insists I’m a master of one :) Have you ever reinvented yourself? What sparked it? Tell me in the comments below.”

The first image featured the ‘Baadshah’ actress striking a sultry pose in a stylish black dress paired with a hat, exuding confidence and elegance. The next picture showcased her in a stunning red dress.

On the personal front, Twinkle Khanna is married to actor Akshay Kumar, and the couple is proud parents to two children — son Aarav and daughter Nitara.

Work-wise, Twinkle was a familiar face in Bollywood during the late 1990s and early 2000s. She appeared in several films, including “Barsaat,” “Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai,” “Baadshah,” and “Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega.” She later quit acting and transitioned into writing and interior designing.

Seven teams will compete in each category, with the men's event featuring hosts Oman, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. The women's competition will see India face Pakistan, Oman, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.

The Indian squads were selected from 15-member national camps currently underway in Chandigarh for the boys and Bhopal for the girls.

The Sub-Junior women's side will be led by Sweety Kujur and includes goalkeepers Khili Kumari and Mahak Parihar. Nilam Topno and Kiran Ekka have been named in defence, while Diya, Pushpa Manjhi and Shruti Kumari will operate in midfield. Nousheen Naz and Sandeepa Kumari complete the forward line alongside captain Sweety.

Speaking after the squad announcement, women's coach Rani expressed confidence in the team's preparations.

“We have selected a balanced squad with a good mix of skill, speed and character. The players have worked extremely hard during the preparatory camp and have shown great commitment to improving every aspect of their game.”

“Hockey5s is a fast-paced format that demands quick decision-making, adaptability and high energy, and we have focused on these areas throughout our preparations. This tournament will be a valuable platform for our young players to test themselves against some of the best teams in Asia. We are confident they will embrace the challenge, play fearless hockey and represent India with pride,” she added.

The Sub-Junior men's team will be captained by Ketan Kushwaha. The squad includes goalkeepers Sawan Kumar and Ayush Rajak, defenders Karan Gautam and Ashish Tani Purti, midfielders Rahul Yadav and Romit Pal, and forwards Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh and Shahrukh Ali.

Men's coach Sardar Singh believes the squad is well-equipped to make an impact in Oman.

“The squad has earned its place through consistent performances and a strong work ethic during the training camp. Hockey5s is an exciting format that rewards speed, creativity and composure under pressure, and the boys have adapted well to its unique demands. Our emphasis has been on building a cohesive unit that can execute our plans with confidence while playing an attacking brand of hockey. This championship is an excellent opportunity for these young players to gain international exposure and showcase their potential. We are looking forward to a strong performance and hope to make the country proud.”

With qualification for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup at stake, India will look to make a strong start in the first edition of the continental championship and continue its rich tradition of success in age-group hockey.

Indian squads for the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, Muscat 2026:

Sub-Jr Women

Goalkeepers: Khili Kumari, Mahak Parihar

Defenders: Nilam Topno, Kiran Ekka

Midfielders: Diya, Pushpa Manjhi, Shruti Kumari

Forwards: Nousheen Naz, Sandeepa Kumari, Sweety Kujur (c)

Sub-Jr Men

Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak

Defenders: Karan Gautam, Ashish Tani Purti

Midfielders: Rahul Yadav, Romit Pal

Forwards: Ketan Kushwaha (c), Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh, Shahrukh Ali

“Udne Ki Aasha” is all set to enter an emotionally charged new chapter with a seven-year leap. A medical emergency during Sailee and Roshni’s pregnancies leads to a shocking baby swap at birth, leaving Sailee and Sachin believing they have lost their child forever.

Neha said in a statement: “When I first heard about this leap, it genuinely made me emotional because it reminded me how unpredictable life can be. We all imagine how life should unfold, but sometimes it has completely different plans for us. That’s exactly what I felt while reading about Sailee’s journey after seven years.”

“On one level, I was excited because every actor looks forward to playing a completely new phase of their character. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything Sailee has lived through and how much strength it takes to keep moving forward despite it all.

As per the storyline, completely unaware that their son is alive and being raised by Roshni and Tejas, the couple is forced to move on with their lives. Seven years later, Sachin and Sailee have rebuilt their lives in Ganpatipule with their daughter, Poorna. But as the children take centre stage, long-buried secrets and hidden motives threaten to resurface, setting the stage for an emotional journey filled with love, heartbreak, family bonds, and unexpected twists.

Neha added: While shooting these scenes, some moments stayed with me even after the camera stopped rolling because every emotion felt so honest. The kids on the set remind me of my childhood, the masti, the fun, and everything in between.”

“It’s emotional, it’s unpredictable, and it shows a completely different side of Sailee that audiences haven’t seen before. I’m really excited for everyone to experience this new journey.”

‘Udne Ki Aasha’ airs on Star Plus and JioHotstar

Anil took to Instagram, where he shared the poster of a film and also shared a picture of cutting his daughter Kairvina’s birthday cake, who too was born on the same day.

“14 July best day of my life .. this day two most beautiful things happened .. first 46 year back 14 July 1980 I took first shot as director .. #SHRADHDHANJLI with Rakhee Gulzar ji .. god willing became big HIT... (sic),” he wrote as the caption.

He added: “n also 14 July is my little daughter kairvina’s birthday... a best moment god has given me. Happiest birthday my love... little laughter @ Kairvina... (sic).”

The film, which also stars Suresh Oberoi and Deepak Parashar, was released in 1981. “Shradhanjali” follows a woman, who leaves her bitter life in the past and gets married to a man. However, things take a turn when she has to abort her child in order to raise her husband's younger brother.

Talking about the filmmaker, his latest release is Vanvaas. The film stars Nana Patekar, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, Rajpal Yadav, Khushbu Sundar, and Ashwini Kalsekar. Vanvaas explores the complexities of familial relationships, focusing on themes of sacrifice, emotional bonds, and the challenges of sustaining unity in modern times.

Meanwhile, his most recent blockbuster was “Gadar 2”. The sequel to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, it stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Utkarsh Sharma, all reprising their lead roles from the original, with Simrat Kaur, Manisha Wadhwa, and Gaurav Chopra.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Tara Singh returns to India and Pakistan to rescue his imprisoned son Jeete.

Gadar 2 was the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the tenth highest-grossing Hindi film of all-time, and the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film in India.

Even as July reaches its midway point, Tamil Nadu continues to experience intense summer-like conditions as the southwest monsoon has remained weak over the state.

With rainfall continuing to be below normal in many regions, the impact of the heat has steadily intensified over the past few days. The weather office has warned that coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, along with Puducherry, are likely to experience uncomfortable weather conditions due to the combined effect of high temperatures and elevated humidity.

People have been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the afternoon and remain adequately hydrated.

The persistent heat was reflected in Sunday’s temperature readings, with 14 locations across Tamil Nadu recording temperatures of 37.8 degrees Celsius or above.

Vellore was the hottest place in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 41.7 degrees Celsius. Madurai Airport recorded 41.1 degrees Celsius, while Madurai city registered 40.6 degrees Celsius. Tiruttani and Chennai’s Meenambakkam observatory each recorded 40 degrees Celsius. Tiruchy and Cuddalore registered 39.4 degrees Celsius while Palayamkottai and Chennai’s Nungambakkam weather station recorded 38.9 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures also crossed the 38.6-degree Celsius mark in Nagapattinam, Erode, Karur Paramathi, Parangipettai and Namakkal, highlighting the widespread nature of the hot weather across the state.

Meteorologists said the subdued southwest monsoon has limited rainfall over much of Tamil Nadu, allowing daytime temperatures to remain significantly above normal.

The absence of widespread cloud cover and rainfall has contributed to the continued spell of hot weather even during the monsoon season. The RMC has, however, forecast light rainfall over the Western Ghats districts on Tuesday. While these showers may bring localised relief in the hilly regions, they are unlikely to substantially reduce temperatures across the plains, where hot and humid conditions are expected to prevail until at least July 16.

The Ayush Ministry has launched a five-day workshop on WHO-ICHI Framework for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems, which marks an important step towards positioning India's traditional medicine systems within the global digital health ecosystem and universal health coverage frameworks.

Kotecha said that this initiative is much more than a coding exercise. 

“It represents a transformational step towards positioning India's traditional medical systems within the global scientific, digital, and policy ecosystem,” he said at the inaugural session.

Dr Kavita Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, detailed the long-term policy impacts of incorporating traditional practices into digital documentation and global health systems.

Global operational context was shared by Dr. Geeta Krishnan, Unit Head, GTMC Jamnagar, alongside key addresses from WHO representatives Dr. Robert Jakob, Data Standards and Informatics Team Leader, and Dr Stephane Espinosa, Consultant, WHO, who focused on global interoperability and alignment with digital informatics.

The workshop is being organised by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) through its World Health Organization Collaborating Centre, the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad. 

It brings together leading scientific experts, institutional heads, and international informatics professionals to finalise a scientifically robust, layered hierarchy of National Health Intervention Codes (NHIC) for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems.

The workshop builds upon the base drafts prepared during the consultative meetings held in May 2026.

The expert-validated repository currently covers 13 specialties, 76 therapies and 714 procedures for Ayurveda; 25 specialties, 130 therapies and 996 procedures for Siddha; and 15 specialties, 179 therapies and 551 procedures for Unani, said the statement.

The scheme has been renamed ‘Delhi Lakshmi Yojana’, and the city government aims to launch the flagship scheme next month, during the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

“Under this scheme, eligible women aged 21 to 60 will receive financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month. Eligibility criteria for the scheme have also been established,” said an official government statement.

The decision to implement the scheme was taken at a high-level review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday.

The Chief Minister issued directives to officials to ensure that the scheme's benefits reach eligible women in a transparent, simple, and timely manner, and that no administrative hurdles impede its implementation.

CM Rekha Gupta reiterated her government’s resolve to empower women, stating that it was a cornerstone of ‘Viksit Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She said that the Modi government’s constant focus on making women-led development the most effective vehicle for the nation's progress will also remain the driving force of her government, and the 'Delhi Lakshmi Yojana’ will help ensure that women live a dignified and self-reliant life.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure strict adherence to all scheme guidelines so that benefits reach only genuinely eligible beneficiaries.

According to the devised guidelines, the scheme's benefits would be available only to women who—or whose families—have been residents of Delhi for at least 10 years. Neither the beneficiary nor any family member should have a criminal record.

"Within a family, only the eldest woman (based on age) will be eligible, and the benefit will be extended to only one woman per family. Additionally, the family's annual income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh," said an official release.

Women already receiving benefits from any government pension or other regular financial assistance scheme will not be eligible for this scheme. Similarly, women belonging to families that own a four-wheeled vehicle will not be eligible for the scheme's benefits.

“We believe that when the women of a household are economically strong, it imparts new momentum to the progress of the family, society, and the nation alike,” the Chief Minister said.

The actor attended the press conference for the film in the city on Monday, and shared that maybe it was his destiny that he was written off by the industry so that he can come back stronger.

He said, “Maybe it was destiny that I was written off many times. People said that now he will not appear in films. I start again. And I pray to God that what I have thought and what people cannot think, this film works its magic. This film is especially for youngsters. When they will see this in the theater. Such a dream will come true. And this is possible. I will not discuss any spirituality in this”.

The actor also shared that he is a firm believer of numerology, and got into it from a very tender age.

He said, “Number 14 is my good luck number. I believe in numerology. My name is also as per numerology. I believed in it at a very young age. I was 14 years old. I was blessed by God. I signed 14 films in a week. Then I saw super-stardom for 14 years. Then I became a member of parliament in the 14th Lok Sabha. I struggled for 14 years. And then I came back to films. This is the first time that I could not wait for more than 5 years. I said, ‘I will start again’. And now I hope that the journey has started from here”.

“When I used to say in the village that I will become a hero, people used to laugh at me. They said, ‘Neither you smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, non-vegetarian food, garlic, nor onion. How can you become a hero?’. People used to say that if you run in fear, you will become a saint. But this did not happen. I did what my mother had thought. And now I feel that this film is very important for children. That such films should be made. And children should move forward”, he added.

Neeru produced a composed display in the women's Trap final on Saturday, hitting 27 of her 30 targets at Trap Concaverde in Lonato to clinch her maiden ISSF World Cup title. The victory also marked the biggest international success of her career and strengthened India's growing reputation in international shotgun shooting.

Joining in the celebrations, Dhawan applauded Neeru's achievement with a message highlighting the rewards of perseverance.

“Jab mehnat nishane par lage, toh medal bhi sona hi hota hai (When hard work hits the target, the medal can only be gold). Bahut bahut badhai (Many congratulations) Neeru Dhanda on winning the World Cup trap gold. Proud moment for Indian sport,” Dhawan wrote on X.

Former India all-rounder Kedar Jadhav also praised the shooter for creating history, describing the feat as a landmark moment for Indian sport.

“Proud moment for Indian Sports! Huge congratulations to Neeru Dhanda on creating history by clinching the GOLD medal in the Shotgun Trap event at the #ISSFWorldCup2026! To become the first Indian woman to win an ISSF World Cup Gold is an extraordinary milestone. You have made the entire nation incredibly proud. Keep shining and firing, Neeru! Wishing you many more victories ahead,” Jadhav wrote on X.

Neeru remained composed throughout the medal round, delivering a consistent performance under pressure to finish atop the field with 27 hits from 30 targets. The triumph earned her a maiden ISSF World Cup gold and added another milestone to India's growing list of achievements on the international shooting circuit.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Tendulkar was seen walking out and interacting with the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, as well as the support staff members, to provide an unforgettable motivational boost, especially with India standing on the cusp of a famous Test victory on English soil.

“Wow, the day gets better and better if you're an Indian player, an Indian fan. The great man, the great man Sachin Tendulkar unannounced, has just popped in and he's decided to come over and chat with the Indian players. I mean, what a lift that is.

“They're about to win this historic Test match surely in the morning session and some incredible words there from Sachin. It is so good to see him here. It is so good to see him here involved in women's cricket as well. And what a moment that is for all those players,” said former England batter Nick Knight on air before the morning session began.

The timing of Tendulkar's surprise visit could not have been more perfect - India enters the final day of the first-ever women’s Test match in a dominant position – they need just four wickets to secure a monumental victory at the 'Home of Cricket.

On day three, after declaring their second innings at 341/7 in 86.3 overs, thanks to Yastika Bhatia’s historic 113, India then reduced England to 130/6 at stumps and put themselves on the doorstep of a famous victory. The final day's play is more of a matter of 'when' rather than 'if' for India to seal the match in their favour.

The poster symbolises hope in times of despair, and also sets the tone for the film’s narrative. Sharing the poster, the makers wrote in the caption, “When the world chose sides, HE chose dharma. Watch #Batwara1947 in cinemas this Partition Day, 14th August."

The film is set against the backdrop of one of the most defining chapters in India's history, the film revisits the turbulent 1940s, when the Partition changed the lives of millions forever. Amidst fear, loss, and displacement, it tells the inspiring story of a man who chose courage and humanity over hatred.

The film brings together a stellar ensemble cast featuring Shabana Azmi, Preity G Zinta, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh, Khhushi Hajare, and Kanikka Kapur. Produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, the film is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The music is composed by A. R. Rahman, with the lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar.

The film captures hope and resilience that emerged during one of history’s most turbulent chapters. The story has reportedly remained banned in Pakistan, and it adds another layer to the film, making it one of the most intriguing historical releases to look forward to.

The film also reunites the dream team of Aamir Khan, A. R. Rahman, and Javed Akhtar, who have worked on the cult-classic ‘Lagaan’. It also marks the much-awaited reunion of Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol after nearly three decades.

The film is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit and is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026.

Singer Priyanka Mitra, through an emotional social media post, announced the unfortunate demise of Sunila Sharma.

The note read, “With deep grief and love in our hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Amma, Sunila Pyarelal Sharma, who left for her heavenly abode on 12 July, 2026, surrounded by the warmth of her family.

Amma lived a life of grace, devotion, and quiet strength – a pillar of unconditional love to all who knew her. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort knowing she is finally at peace.

We are deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support of our family and friends during this time. Your work here is beautifully finished, Amma. Rest in eternal peace.In Strength: The Sharma, Nathani, Sirur and Haldipur Family.”

The family informed that the funeral is scheduled to take place at Dattatray Road Crematorium in Santacruz (West), Mumbai, on July 13.

Talking about the legendary music composer, Pyarelal, he was one half of the iconic music composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and remains one of the most celebrated names in Indian cinema.

Along with the late Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar, he composed music for hundreds of Hindi films and delivered timeless classics across five decades.

His body of work includes memorable soundtracks for films such as 'Bobby', 'Karz', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', 'Mr. India', 'Hero', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Tezaab', 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' and 'Utsav', among many others.

Most recently, Sunila had appeared as a special guest on the singing reality show 'Indian Idol', along with her legendary musician husband Pyarelal, where they revisited some of the music duo's evergreen compositions and shared anecdotes from their remarkable musical journey.

The visit to Spain, Belgium and Finland from July 13-17 underscores India's commitment to strengthening economic partnerships across Europe, with a focus on trade, investment, technology, innovation and sustainability, according to an official statement.

According to Commerce Ministry, across Spain, Belgium and Finland, the visit will highlight key themes of advanced manufacturing, clean energy and sustainability, digital and frontier technologies, gems and jewellery, and food and consumer industries.

Goyal's visit reflects India's steadfast commitment to deepening its engagement with the European Union, one of its largest trading partners, and to advancing an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that contributes to resilient supply chains, sustainable growth and a rules-based global trading system.

An official statement said that the visit is also expected to impart fresh momentum to India's engagement with Europe by promoting trade and investment, strengthening collaboration in emerging technologies, clean energy, innovation and advanced manufacturing, fostering closer partnerships between businesses and innovation ecosystems, and reinforcing India's position as a trusted global partner for innovation, manufacturing and sustainability.

In Spain, Goyal will hold bilateral meetings with Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, First Vice President of the Government of Spain and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business; Jordi Hereu Boher, Minister of Industry and Tourism; and Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. 

The minister will also chair an India-Spain Business Roundtable with leading Spanish companies and industry associations to showcase India's investment opportunities and encourage greater business-to-business partnerships. Goyal will participate in a Business Roundtable with the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, CEOE and ICEX Spain Trade & Investment. 

In Belgium, Goyal will undertake site visits to the Port of Antwerp and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. The minister will also hold CEO-level meetings with Alain Queverin of Thales Group and Jean-Christophe Bogaert of Silox Group. 

In Brussels, Goyal will co-chair the third India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Ministerial Meeting. The India-EU TTC serves as the highest institutional mechanism for cooperation on trade, trusted technology and economic security.

In Finland, Goyal is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Dr. Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland, and participate in the India-Finland Business Roundtable with Finnish companies.

As part of the security and crowd management measures, around 200 Executive Magistrates have been deployed at different locations across the city.

Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said that the administration has made comprehensive arrangements for this year’s Rath Yatra, focussing on crowd control, security, essential services and the convenience of devotees arriving from across the country and abroad.

Speaking about the preparations, Collector Parida said, “For the Rath Yatra 2026, the administration has made extensive arrangements. One of the key measures this year is the deployment of additional Executive Magistrates, with around 200 Executive Magistrates stationed at various locations. The supply of drinking water has also been significantly enhanced this year in addition to drinking water facilities."

The district administration has been working on multiple aspects of festival management, including regulating the movement of devotees, maintaining law and order, improving public amenities and ensuring that emergency services remain accessible throughout the event.

Meanwhile, the traditional craftsmanship associated with the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra continues to add to the spiritual and cultural splendour of the Rath Yatra. Intricate brass ornaments prepared by traditional artisans are being used to enhance the beauty and magnificence of the iconic chariots.

Sagar Sahu Kansari, a traditional brass artisan servitor associated with the Rath Yatra preparations, highlighted the importance of decorative elements used during the festival.

Explaining the significance of the colourful decorations on the chariots, Sagar Sahu said, “The decorative cloth used for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is like the attire of a bride. Once the cloth is placed on the chariots after their construction, they look beautiful and their grandeur shines…”

The Rath Yatra, one of the biggest religious festivals in Odisha, attracts lakhs of devotees every year. The ceremonial pulling of the three majestic chariots through the streets of Puri is considered a major spiritual event, with devotees participating with deep faith and devotion.

With security personnel, administrative officials and service teams deployed in large numbers, the Puri administration is aiming to ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims while preserving the traditional grandeur and sanctity of the annual festival.

Thomas Tuchel’s men battled their way past Norway in the quarter-finals on, coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1 after extra-time courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s brace.

Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead in the first half when his delivery from the left flew across Jordan Pickford’s box and crashed off the far post before crossing the line.

Bellingham showed a moment of individual quality to pull England level before he prodded home from close range in extra time to complete the Three Lions' comeback and put them into just their third World Cup semi-final since 1966.

James, who returned to action from the bench against Norway, played a key role in defence and midfield after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up earlier in the tournament. And after helping the Three Lions reach their fourth World Cup semi-final, James opened up on what their progress in North America means to him

“This is what dreams are made of,” James said on the latest episode of Lions’ Den Connected by EE. “Everyone from a little boy dreamt of playing in a World Cup and this is part of the process. To play in a semi-final against one of the best nations.. we’re delighted to be here.”

Asked whether he’s able to enjoy moments like Bellingham’s double against Norway by host Andrew Mensah, James added, “It’s difficult in games. You might get 10 seconds to enjoy the moment then it’s gone. As soon as yesterday’s game finished, the focus is forward now. We don’t look back. We have a new challenge in a few days and we’re preparing for that already.”

England will take on Argentina in the last four in Atlanta on Thursday, with the winners going on to face either France or Spain in Sunday’s showpiece final.

Argentina are the defending world champions, but James is confident he and his team-mates can deal with the pressure of facing Lionel Messi and Co on football’s biggest stage.

"It comes with experience. Higher stakes the game is, usually the more pressure. But at the end of the day, this is what we’ve been doing for 20/25 years; playing football. So the fundamentals are the same, but the prize is slightly different," said James.

During the upcoming episode of 'Indian Idol', host Aditya Narayan pointed out that Anand Raj Anand had composed, written and sung the film's iconic title track before asking him about the journey behind its memorable soundtrack.

Recalling how it all began, Anand Raj Anand said, "Kaante ki bahut kamaal ki kahaani hai. Film mein saare 45 saal se upar ke heroes the aur koi heroine bhi nahi thi. Isliye gaane ki gunjaish hi nahi thi. Sirf 'Rama Re' ki wajah se film mein songs add hone shuru hue. Maine Sanjay Gupta sir se kaha ki Sanjay Dutt sahab ko sufi gaane bahut pasand hai, toh ek mehfil rakhwa dijiye. Raat ko kareeb 11:30–12 baje Juhu mein Ajay Devgn ke saamne wale office mein mehfil hui."

(There's a fascinating story behind 'Kaante'. The film featured an ensemble cast of heroes who were all above the age of 45, and there wasn't a female lead. So initially, there wasn't much scope for songs in the film. It was only because of 'Rama Re' that songs gradually became a part of the soundtrack. I suggested to Sanjay Gupta sir that since Sanjay Dutt loves Sufi music, we should organise a Sufi mehfil for him. So, around 11:30 pm or midnight, a mehfil was arranged at an office in Juhu, opposite Ajay Devgn's office.)

He further revealed that while filmmaker Sanjay Gupta was unsure whether the songs would fit into the film, Sanjay Dutt was convinced they deserved a place.

"Maine sabse pehle unhe 'Ishq Samundar' sunaya. Phir 'Maahi Ve' sunaya. Sanjay ji bole yeh gaane film mein fit kaise honge, lekin Dutt sahab bole, 'Kar lenge yaar, gaane achhe lag rahe hain.' Uske baad Sanjay Gupta ne mujhse kaha ki film ke liye ek theme song bhi hona chahiye, jaise James Bond ya Mission: Impossible ka theme hota hai."

(The first song I played for them was 'Ishq Samundar', followed by 'Maahi Ve'. Sanjay Gupta felt that these songs wouldn't fit into the film, but Sanjay Dutt said, "We'll make it work, the songs are really good." After that, Sanjay Gupta told me that the film also needed a signature theme song similar to those in James Bond or Mission: Impossible.)

Speaking about the creation of the film's iconic title track, Anand Raj Anand shared, "Unhone bas itna bataya ki characters collar khade karke, cigarette peete hue, gufa mein baithkar robbery ka plan bana rahe hain. Maine kaha, theek hai, kalam uthaya aur socha ki mukhda toh aapne de hi diya hai 'Collar ko thoda sa upar...' Bas wahin se shuruaat hui. Uss gaane ko poora karne mein mujhe ek hafta laga, aur wahi 'Kaante' ke title track ki shuruaat thi.

(He simply described the scene to me, the characters, with their collars turned up, smoking cigarettes and sitting inside a cave planning a robbery. I picked up my pen and thought, "You've already given me the opening line, 'Collar ko thoda sa upar...'" That's where it all began. It took me about a week to complete the song, and that's how the title track of 'Kaante' came to life.)

The announcement came as The Varachha Co-operative Bank Ltd. launched its "Flood Loan" scheme and a new insurance product covering losses caused by floods and waterlogging at a programme held at the bank's head office in Surat.

Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said heavy rainfall had led to flooding and waterlogging across several parts of Surat, affecting residential and industrial areas and causing losses to industries, commercial establishments and livelihoods.

He said the state government had set a target of completing a survey of flood-related damage within 72 hours to ensure an accurate assessment of losses and that about 80 per cent of the exercise had already been completed.

"Reports on the losses suffered by small and large industries, shops and commercial establishments are being prepared. Based on these reports, the state government will announce a relief package shortly," Sanghavi said.

He said Surat had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to overcome adversity and expressed confidence that the government, together with local social organisations, would help restore normalcy in the city at the earliest.

Referring to the bank's initiative, Sanghavi said: "Varachha Bank had fulfilled its commitment of standing with people during difficult times by announcing loans of up to Rs five lakh for flood-affected people at an interest rate of only 9 per cent."

Under the scheme, eligible borrowers can avail loans of up to Rs 5 lakh with a repayment period of up to 60 months.

The bank has also set up a dedicated facility at its head office to provide applicants with guidance and facilitate faster processing and approval of loan applications.

The bank also introduced a general insurance scheme to protect businesses against losses from floods and waterlogging.

Under the scheme, traders can obtain insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh for stock by paying an annual premium of Rs 1,000.

The policy is intended to provide financial protection against damage to stock, warehouses and other business property resulting from flooding or waterlogging.

Minister of State for Health, Praful Panseriya, said the initiative would particularly benefit small traders affected by the floods.

Delhi appeared headed for defeat after Ankur stunned experienced Indian paddler Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in straight games to hand Kolkata the advantage heading into the final rubber. However, Sutirtha responded with a commanding display against her long-time doubles partner Ayhika Mukherjee, winning all three games to complete a remarkable turnaround and preserve Delhi's unbeaten run this season.

The tie began with the two overseas singles fixtures. Egypt's Youssef Abdelaziz recovered from losing the opening game to defeat Romania's Eduard Ionescu 2-1, giving Delhi the early edge. Kolkata hit back immediately through Singapore's Zeng Jian, who edged Spain's Maria Xiao in a closely fought three-game contest to restore parity.

Delhi regained the initiative in the mixed doubles as Sathiyan and Maria Xiao defeated Ankur Bhattacharjee and Zeng Jian 2-1, ensuring the former champions carried a slender lead into the closing stages of the tie.

The momentum, however, shifted dramatically in the men's singles. Roared on by the crowd, Ankur produced one of the biggest upsets of the season by defeating Sathiyan 3-0. The youngster rallied from 3-9 down to snatch the opening game on Golden Point before dominating the second. Sathiyan forced another Golden Point in the third, but Ankur held his nerve again to complete an impressive straight-games victory, leaving Kolkata needing just one more game to clinch the tie.

With Delhi under immense pressure, Sutirtha rose to the occasion. She recovered from an early deficit to take the opening game 11-6, then dominated the second 11-2. Carrying the momentum into the third, she closed out an 11-7 victory over Ayhika to seal an 8-7 triumph for her side.

For her decisive performance, Sutirtha was named the Indian Player of the Tie, while Ankur Bhattacharjee claimed both the Player of the Tie and Shot of the Tie awards. Singapore's Zeng Jian received the Foreign Player of the Tie honour.

Earlier in the day, U Mumba TT continued their impressive run in the Dream UTT Juniors competition with a 7-2 victory over PBG Pune Jaguars, while Dempo Goa Challengers edged UP Prometheans 5-4, handing the latter their first defeat of the campaign.

According to the company's offer documents, its revenue and profitability are substantially dependent on quarterly average assets under management (QAAUM).

Any decline in AUM due to adverse market movements, investor redemptions, lower inflows or changes in the product mix could reduce fee income and adversely impact profitability and cash flows.

The company also said around 22.82 per cent of its mutual fund AUM (MAAUM) as of March 31, 2026, was sourced from B-30 cities, where investors may exhibit higher redemption volatility during market downturns. This could lead to a sharper fall in AUM and affect revenues.

SBIFM said a significant portion of its mutual fund QAAUM and revenue is concentrated in a limited number of schemes, and any prolonged underperformance or adverse developments affecting these schemes could materially impact its business.

The offer document also highlighted the company's reliance on the SBI distribution network and brand for mobilising assets and acquiring customers.

Any disruption in these relationships, deterioration in the SBI brand or changes in commercial arrangements could adversely affect business growth.

Operational and technology-related risks also feature among the key concerns, the company highlighted saying, “We are exposed to operational risks, including technology failures, cybersecurity breaches, business continuity,”

It said technology failures, cyber-security incidents, disruptions to business continuity, dependence on third-party service providers or risks associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence could impair operations, affect investor servicing, attract regulatory action and damage its reputation.

Another key risk relates to the investment management agreement (IMA), which forms the foundation of SBIFM's business and generates substantially all of its revenue. The company said termination of the agreement under specified circumstances, without a replacement arrangement, could result in the loss of its primary revenue source.

In addition, the regulatory framework governing the mutual fund industry, including revisions to fee and commission structures, lower total expense ratio (TER) limits and the growing share of passive investment products, could put pressure on operating margins and profitability.

The IPO -- which is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) -- will open for subscription on July 14 and close on July 16.

The company has fixed a price band of Rs 545-574 per share for the issue.

England have already won the series via an unassailable 3-0 lead, and another victory over India will help them seal a clean sweep victory, as well as become the new top-ranked team in men’s T20Is.

India, meanwhile, will look to salvage some pride and conclude a difficult T20I leg on a high before heading into the three-match ODI series against England, starting on July 14 in Birmingham.

After winning the toss, skipper Shreyas Iyer, who’s won every coin flip so far on this tour, said Samson and Shedge have replaced Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Washington Sundar in the playing eleven. "Today, based on the conditions, it's windy, and we had a chat before, and they said the wicket won't change that much, so we've elected to bowl first. 

"I just want to give 100 per cent effort today, irrespective of the result. I just want them to have a solid state of mind where they go in and just try to get the best out of themselves, rather than sulking or being in a situation where they're a bit ahead of the game. Be in the moment and just stop thinking about what's happened and what could happen."

England captain Harry Brook said left-arm spinner Liam Dawson has replaced leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed in their playing eleven. “We’d have had a bat, so we’re pretty happy. If we win today, we go to world No 1, so that’s at the back of our minds. But, as we’ve done all series, we want to adapt to the surface and communicate well.”

Playing XIs: 

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna

England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Josh Tongue

Taking to Instagram, Vishal shared an emotional note crediting Rocking Star Yash for playing a pivotal role in the song's journey. 

Vishal wrote, "The kind of love #Tabaahi is getting is surreal! All the credit goes to my big bro @thenameisyash for being the brother, the person & the collaborator he is. He thought of the word “Tabaahi” even before we made the song, and every inch of my creativity belongs to US!"

Going on to call Yash as "simply the BEST", Vishal said that he felt incredibly lucky to have found "a big brother".

"Because of him, I met the maverick magician @geetu_mohandas who has been the energy behind it all. So grateful. Onwards n upwards for #Toxic. Har Har Mahadev." 

Vishal's heartfelt post offers fans a rare glimpse into the collaborative process behind Tabaahi, underscoring Yash's deep creative involvement in Toxic beyond his role as the film's lead.

For the unaware, the makers of director Geethu Mohandas's eagerly awaited action extravaganza, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', featuring Rocking Star Yash in the lead, last Wednesday unveiled the much-anticipated official music video of 'Tabaahi', the film's first song.

The song was an instant hit and it continues to dominate playlists. The song's striking visuals and Yash-Kiara Advani's intense chemistry in it have only heightened anticipation for the film. 

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' has been written, produced, and headlined by Rocking Star Yash under Monster Mind Creations, in association with KVN Productions. 

Featuring a powerhouse ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi, the much-anticipated action drama is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 26 this year.

Balaji Telefilms shared a video montage featuring moments from the show featuring Kushal and Shivangi. The video started with a picture of the two actors and had a text overlay that read: “Celebrating 3 years of “Barsatein: Mausam Pyaar Ka.”

The caption read: “Some stories never fade, they just keep pouring back into our hearts.
Celebrating 3 years of Barsatein. @ektarkapoor @shobha9168 @tanusridgupta @therealkushaltandon @shivangijoshi18 #BalajiTelefilms #ShowAnniversary.”

The cheating chatter about Kushal started doing the rounds after Shreya on the reality show “Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa” said that the actor messaged her on social media and flirted with her while dating Shivangi after they shot a promo for “Barsatein: Mausam Pyaar Ka.”

Shreya went on to claim that she took a step back when she got to know that the two were in a relationship and that to avoid misunderstanding with Shivangi, she offered the actress her phone to clear any doubts about who texted first.

“Barsatein: Mausam Pyaar Ka” follows a young, beautiful woman who falls for an influential and handsome man. However, his stubbornness and emotional unavailability unfold a challenging journey for her.

Some netizens expressed their disapproval over the timing of the post.

One said: “Wrong time to celebrate.”

Another questioned the timeline by saying that the controversy just happened and the show had just completed three years just a day after it.

“Well not the right time ekta,” wrote a netizen.

“I don’t think the actor and heroine going to celebrate,” said a user.

The actress essays the role of Advocate Archana, a lawyer who joins forces with an ordinary citizen seeking justice against powerful corporate interests accused of endangering lives. Through its courtroom drama and investigative narrative, the film aims to spark discussion about food safety, corporate accountability, and environmental concerns.

She spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film in the city, and shared how ‘The India Story’ fulfilled her desire to be a part of a courtroom drama.

She told IANS, “So courtroom drama is something that has been on my radar for a very long time. I have been looking for a good, meaty and challenging courtroom drama. So that aspect of my desire was fulfilled through the course of this film. But yes, as an actor I think there was a lot of evolution. There was growth and there was maturity in my performance as well as. I feel I have grown up as an actor, and there were moments which felt very real, and which I did not really have to enact or I did not really have to Imagine myself in that spot. I was actually living that moment. The tears were natural, feelings were natural and emotional struggles were real”.

“Dismay, success, loss, and grief, it all felt very real. So as an actor ,I feel that is something that is extremely challenging/ When you can forget that you are even a part of something you reach that stage of just being, and just co-existing in a particular scene. And not really being or putting an attempt to have a true existence”, she added.

Meanwhile, ‘The India Story’ also stars Shreyas Talpade in the lead role. The film explores the issue of pesticide misuse, food adulteration, and their impact on public health.

The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 24, 2026.

Tendulkar and Gill were among the celebrities who visited Wimbledon on Friday, and both were welcomed by the Club. Tendulkar was accompanied by his wife, Anjali.

A picture of Gill with Anjali and Sachin Tendulkar sitting in the Royal Box was posted by the India Test and ODI captain via his official handle on X, which went viral, causing a lot of excitement among netizens as Gill is reported to be dating Tendulkar's daughter Sara. 

Earlier, the official handle of Wimbledon on X posted a photograph of Tendulkar watching the match from the Royal Box on Friday, rejoicing that the cricket royalty was spotted among the celebrities in the box.

"Cricket royalty returns to the Royal Box. Welcome back to Wimbledon, Sachin Tendulkar," said the official handle of Wimbledon in its post on X, formerly Twitter.

Gill is the fourth Indian captain to receive an invitation to watch Wimbledon from the Royal Box, after Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. He is also the fourth Indian cricketer to visit the hallowed grass courts of SW18 in 2026, joining the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Deepti Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar.

Another former cricket star, Brian Lara of the West Indies, was also in the Royal Box, an area reserved for special guests invited by the All England Club.

Both Gill and Tendulkar met many international celebrities during their time in the Royal Box. Gill met the Fashion ICON, Anna Wintour! 

Tendulkar, considered one of the greatest cricketers ever, retired in 2013 after playing in his 200th Test match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

On Friday, Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the second semifinal to set up a summit clash with Alexander Zverev, who ended the dream run of British wildcard Arthur Fery.

Sophie Ecclestone and Mady Villiers ran through the middle order after Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 83 in what was also her 300th international appearance. In the process of picking a three-for, Sophie also became England’s highest wicket‑taker across formats, going past Katherine Sciver-Brunt, and climbed to third overall behind Deepti Sharma and Jhulan Goswami.

England’s reply began shakily with Tammy Beaumont, who’s playing her farewell international game, falling for two in the fourth over. But Maia Bouchier (17 not out) and Heather Knight (one not out) steadied the innings till stumps were called on the opening day. Sneh Rana found turn in her solitary over late in the evening, a sign that India’s spinners could have plenty to work with on day two.

In what is also the first-ever women’s Test to be played at the iconic venue, England picked up three crucial wickets in an action-packed first session. Opting to bowl first, England found immediate movement off the ball via Lauren Bell. India suffered an early blow in the second over when opener Shafali Verma was completely squared up by a sharp, short-of-length delivery from Lauren Filer and nicked behind to wicketkeeper Amy Jones for a duck.

Yastika Bhatia (12) joined Smriti and started confidently with a flurry of boundaries, while also surviving a close leg-before-wicket review on umpire's call off Bell. However, Bell redeemed herself soon after, cleaning up Yastika with a brilliant inswinger that nipped away to hit the off-stump.

Jemimah Rodrigues then partnered with Mandhana to steady the innings, capitalising heavily on a wayward English bowling display that lacked discipline. Smriti looked in sublime touch, punishing the loose balls and welcoming premier spinner Ecclestone into the attack with a massive slog-sweep over midwicket for six to close out the first hour.

Smriti then brought up a sparkling run-a-ball half-century off just 50 deliveries in the 16th over and got the distinction of getting the first-ever Women’s Test fifty at Lord’s. The dangerous 64-run third-wicket partnership was eventually broken against the run of play when Jemimah (35) chopped onto her stumps while going for an expansive drive against Issy Wong.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (14 not out) then joined Smriti to safely navigate the remaining overs, ensuring India walked into the lunch break as the happier side. While the first session majorly belonged to India, England's bowlers roared back into the contest in the post-lunch session by showing discipline in their bowling and picking up the crucial wickets of set batters Smriti and Harmanpreet, who compiled 58.

Resuming from 122/3 in 25 overs, Smriti and Harmanpreet frustrated the hosts by taking India past the 150-run mark. Smriti was in splendid touch, using her feet elegantly against Sophie and executing crisp pulls off the fast bowlers.

At the other end, Harmanpreet battled intensely through physical discomfort and needed continuous medical attention from the team physio for troubles in her hand and hamstring. Scoring mainly through the off-side, Harmanpreet reached her second Test half-century off 99 balls with a drive off Mady.

However, England’s persistence soon broke the 79-run stand off 155 balls against the run of play. Issy, operating with supreme control, induced a faint outside edge from Smriti, as she fell 17 short of a historic century after being caught neatly behind by a diving Amy Jones standing up to the stumps.

England also burned two unsuccessful reviews during the session - one for a caught-behind off Smriti and another off Deepti. Just as the session seemed to be closing out evenly, Mady tossed one up beautifully outside off, and lured Harmanpreet into an expansive drive before turning sharply through the gate to castle the skipper and give England more delight at the stroke of tea break.

The final session saw India suffer a spectacular slide by losing their last seven wickets for just 95 runs to end 15 runs short of 300, as Sophie and Mady shared five scalps between themselves. Resuming the post-tea session from 202/5, India desperately needed stability. However, the visitors suffered an early setback when aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (13) was cramped by pacer Lauren Filer and top-edged a short delivery straight to fine leg.

Deepti, who played a gritty 57 off 87 balls, laced with seven boundaries, tried to courageously hold the innings together. She employed the sweep shot to fantastic effect against the spinners and brought up a well-deserved half-century off 70 balls. Unfortunately, she completely lacked support from the lower order.

Mady continued her highly impressive debut by trapping Sneh (13) plumb lbw and breaking a brief period of resistance. Sophie then took complete charge by cleaning up the tail with ruthless efficiency. She trapped Sayali (1) lbw, before ending Deepti’s valiant knock, as she was caught by mid-wicket.

Sophie ultimately wrapped up the innings by castling Kranti (1) and getting a glowing reception from 10,768 fans at Lord’s, as she walked off the field as England’s all-time leading wicket-taker across all formats.

After bowling out India for 285, Maia and Tammy faced a testing 11-over spell from the Indian new-ball bowlers. Sayali Satghare opened the attack for India, starting with a no-ball, but quickly adjusted her line to test Maia with subtle away movement.

The breakthrough came in the fourth over when Kranti delivered a superb, incoming back-of-a-length delivery that kept low. Tammy (2) was caught completely in the crease and trapped plumb in front. The veteran chose not to review, though it was eventually hit by the stumps via the umpire’s call.

Kranti nearly handed India a massive second breakthrough in the eighth over when she hit Heather Knight on the pads. The vociferous appeal was turned down by the umpire, and India decided against using the Decision Review System (DRS). However, replays later confirmed the ball would have crashed into the leg stump, handing Heather a major reprieve.

Maia, meanwhile, held her ground watchfully and broke the shackles in the ninth over, dispatching a rare loose delivery from Sayali through mid-wicket for the first boundary of the innings.

Harmanpreet introduced spin in the penultimate over through Sneh Rana, who bowled a tidy maiden over. In the final over of the day, Maia capitalised on a stray delivery from Kranti by clipping through fine leg to finish unbeaten on 17 alongside Heather, who’s unconquered on one.

Brief scores: 

India 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58; Sophie Ecclestone 3-68, Issy Wong 2-41) lead England 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 17 not out; Kranti Gaud 1-8) by 264 runs

However, the achievement comes at a time when the state is witnessing a second consecutive decline in overall college admissions, with government colleges reporting the sharpest fall.

According to data released by the State Higher Education Department, 12,55,809 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses during the 2025-26 academic session, down from 13.11 lakh last year, a decline of 4.23 per cent.

This follows a 1.31 per cent drop recorded in 2024-25, ending nearly a decade of uninterrupted growth in college enrolment.

Of the total admissions this year, 5,42,195 students joined government colleges, while 7,13,614 enrolled in private institutions.

Male enrolment fell to 5,53,630, including 2,03,463 in government colleges and 3,50,167 in private colleges.

Female enrolment stood at 7,02,179, of whom 3,38,732 joined government colleges and 3,63,447 private colleges.

Even as the total number of students coming to college has declined, girls continue to join in larger numbers.

The state now has its highest-ever female-to-male enrolment ratio, up from 97 girls for every 100 boys in 2015-16.

The ratio has improved steadily over the past decade.

The trend is visible across all major social categories.

Among Scheduled Tribes, there were 134 girls for every 100 boys, followed by the General category (129), Minorities (128), OBCs (126) and Scheduled Castes (122).

Abir Ahmed, a policy expert on female education and employment, said the figures reflect years of sustained investment in girls' education.

"The rise in girls' enrolment is the result of several policy interventions working together -- scholarships, free education, better transport, hostel facilities and growing social acceptance of higher education for girls. More young women are now entering colleges than ever before. The next challenge is ensuring they find meaningful employment after completing their education," Ahmed told IANS.

While welcoming the rise in women's enrolment, educationists said the decline in total admissions cannot be overlooked.

Damodar Goyal, President of the Society for Private Unaided Schools at Rajasthan, said the numbers point to larger concerns in the education system.

"The increase in girls' enrolment is encouraging, but the overall decline in admissions is worrying. School enrolment has already fallen sharply, especially in higher classes, and that is now beginning to reflect in college admissions. Teacher shortages, weak infrastructure and declining learning outcomes need urgent attention if this trend has to be reversed," Goyal told IANS.

Samantha uploaded the trailer of 'Lenin' on the Stories section of her Instagram handle, wishing Akhil and the entire team of the drama.

The 'Kushi' actress penned that the project is already giving out blockbuster vibes.

"Wishing Lenin, Akhil Akkineni and the whole team the very best. Big blockbuster vibes already (sic)," Samantha's post on the photo-sharing app read.

Akhil also reshared her post on his official handle and penned, "Thank you so much Sam...my team and me really appreciate your wishes," followed by three folded hands emoji.

For those who do not know, Samantha tied the knot with Akhil's elder brother, and actor Naga Chaitanya, back in 2017. The two got hitched in a lavish ceremony after being in a relationship for many years.

However, in October 2021, Samantha and Naga Chaitanya announced that they had decided to go their separate ways.

Both Samantha and Naga Chaitanya are happily married to their respective partners now. Naga Chaitanya entered matrimony for the second time with actress Sobhita Dhulipala on December 4, 2024, in a traditional ceremony.

On the other hand, Samantha tied the knot with filmmaker Raj Nidimoru on 1 December 2025.

The couple is believed to have met while shooting the Amazon Prime Video series, 'The Family Man 2'.

Samantha is all set to enter a new phase of her life as she is expecting her first baby with husband and filmmaker Raj Nidimoru.

Samantha confirmed her first pregnancy recently during the success meet of her latest release 'Maa Inti Bangaaram'.

The 'Yashoda' actress revealed that she will be taking a maternity break after wrapping up her current work commitments.

“After Maa Inti Bangaaram, I will have to take a small break, given my condition. I’ll have to take maternity leave. After that, I’ll be back with another film for my fans,” Samantha said.

After suffering a crushing nine-wicket defeat in Bristol, Shreyas Iyer's side trail the five-match series 3-0, with the opening game having been washed out. They will look to avoid the whitewash on English soil for the first time and get a consolation win.

India's batting has let them down on the tour. After slipping to another shaky start in the 4th T20I, Iyer's unbeaten 80 almost single-handedly carried the visitors to 158/7. But the total proved nowhere near enough as Harry Brook and Phil Salt dismantled the attack with an unbeaten 151-run partnership, chasing the target with 37 balls to spare.

England, on the other side, is leaving no stones unturned to dismantle the visitors with sheer pace and an attacking mindset. Harry Brook's side is looking like a well-oiled machine, with both batters and bowlers contributing to their success.

India and England have faced each other in 34 T20Is, with India holding a narrow edge with 18 victories compared to England's 15 wins, while one match ended without a result. Their first-ever T20I meeting came on September 19, 2007, when India emerged victorious. The most recent encounter was on July 9, 2026, with England registering a comprehensive win to take an unassailable lead in the ongoing series.

When: Saturday, July 11 at 7:00 PM IST

Where: The Rose Bowl, Southampton

Where to watch: Sony Sports Network TV channels and live-streaming on JioHotstar

Squads:

India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Suryansh Shedge, Washington Sundar.

England: Harry Brook (c), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Rehan Ahmed, James Coles.

According to the TRAI, the 1600 series numbers are mandated for service and transaction calls by regulated entities of BFSI sector.

These calls are for entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI and PFRDA to their existing customers and by government entities for government to citizen communication. 

“A key objective of assigning designated series for these important communications is to make such calls trustworthy for the customers/ citizen. Under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR), any tagging, blocking or filtering of the calls originating from 1600 series numbers is not permitted,” the TRAI said in a statement.

Moreover, the use of 140xx series numbers has been mandated for making promotional calls by entities of any sector. 

“Entities desirous of availing 140 series number for making promotional calls must register with Telecom Service Providers under the TCCCPR framework and comply with the provisions of the regulation. The customers have the right to allow or block promotional call originating from 140 series numbers from entities of any or all sectors by registering their preference on the Do Not Disturb (DND) registry,” informed the telecom regulator.

It further stated that a customer who has blocked any or all sectors from receiving promotional calls on the DND registry will not receive any calls from 140 series originating from entities of the blocked sectors. 

The statement said that the customer can register his/her DND preference through multiple means including through TRAI DND App. 

Any tagging or filtering of calls from 140 series numbers is not allowed except for blocking on the DND registry, as any tagging can mislead a customer who has otherwise allowed receipt of such calls from a sector on the DND registry, it added.

Taking to Instagram, she highlighted how small gestures of support and knowledge can make a significant difference for people managing the condition. Sharing her video, Aishwarya wrote, “Know this if your friend is a Type 1 diabetic Being friends with someone with Type 1 diabetes isn’t complicated but understanding a few things can make a world of difference.”

 “A hypo can look a lot like someone who’s drunk. If we’re acting confused, shaky, or not making sense, we probably need glucose, not insulin. If we seem unusually irritable or emotional, it could be our blood sugar talking. Please don’t take it personally. Know where we keep our low sugar supplies. You may never need them, but if you do, those few seconds matter. Yes, we can eat anything. We just have to dose insulin for it. Plans can change unexpectedly. A stubborn high or a sudden low doesn’t always care about our schedule.”

The ‘Saas Bina Sasural’ actress added, “Don’t assume we’re unhealthy. Type 1 isn’t caused by lifestyle, it’s an autoimmune condition. Chances are we’re carrying a mini pharmacy everywhere we go: insulin, glucose, snacks, sensors, chargers, the list goes on. Sleepovers, road trips, flights, and vacations take a lot more planning than most people realize. Exercise isn’t as simple as “just work out.” It can send our sugars soaring or crashing, so every workout needs strategy.”

 “We’re doing math all day long, counting carbs, calculating insulin, correcting highs, preventing lows. It’s a fulltime job you don’t see.

 If we say no to food, please don’t be offended. Sometimes our blood sugar is making that decision for us. And finally, there is nothing we can’t do. We just have to do it with a little more planning. The more you understand Type 1 diabetes, the safer and more supported your friend will feel. #aishwaryasakhuja #reelsinstagram #type1diabetic #diabetes #diabetesawareness.”

Aishwarya Sakhuja revealed that she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018. The actress shared that she developed the condition after taking strong medication a few years earlier, which affected her pancreas.

She admitted that accepting the diagnosis was initially difficult and she felt upset knowing that it could not be reversed. However, with time, Aishwarya adapted to the necessary lifestyle changes, which helped her manage her condition and keep her blood sugar levels under control.

Work-wise, Aishwarya Sakhuja is known for her stint in the shows like “Saas Bina Sasural,” “Main Naa Bhoolungi,” “Trideviyaan,” “Yeh Hai Chahatein," and “Zyada Mat Udd.” She was also a contestant on reality shows “Nach Baliye 7” and “Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7.”

Taking to his social media timelines, actor Dulquer Salmaan wrote, "Love will feel a little extra special with 'Sri Sri'. #DQ41 is #SriSri. #LoveWillSparkAgain. #SLVC10. Starring @dulQuer, @hegdepooja & @Dheekshiths Directed by @ravinelakuditi9 Music by @gvprakash Cinematography by #AnayOmGoswamy Editing by #KotagiriVenkateswaraRao. Production design by @artkolla.Produced by @sudhakarcheruk5 under @SLVCinemasOffl."

It may be recalled that the makers of the film had welcomed well known Telugu actor Jagapathi Babu onboard the unit of the film in February this year.

Taking to its X timeline to wish Jagapathi Babu a happy birthday, well known production house SLV Cinemas, which is producing the film, had said, "Happy Birthday to the versatile @IamJagguBhai Garu. The world of DQ41 gets special with your addition. -Team #DQ41. #SLVC10 Starring @dulQuer, @hegdepooja, @meramyakrishnan, @Dheekshiths. Directed by @ravinelakuditi9. Music by @gvprakash. Cinematography by #AnayOmGoswamy. Editing by #KotagiriVenkateswaraRao. Production design by @artkolla. Produced by @sudhakarcheruk5 under @SLVCinemasOffl. Co-produced by @innamuri8888."

The film, which went on floors in August last year, features Dulquer Salmaan and Pooja Hegde in the lead.

The project was launched with a special pooja ceremony in Hyderabad last year.

While Natural Star Nani had given the clap for the mahurat shot, Buchi Babu had switched on the camera. 'Dasara' director Srikanth Odela had also graced the mahurat ceremony.

Treating the netizens to sneak peeks from the launch ceremony, Dulquer had said, "The much awaited #DQ41 - a heartwarming contemporary love story - launched grandly with a pooja ceremony...Natural Star @nameisnani gave the clap & blockbuster directors @srikanthodela__ & @buchibabu_sana graced the event to bless the team."

Backed by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the banner of SLV Cinemas, the music for the film is being provided by two-time National Award winner GV Prakash.

Apart from Dulquer Salmaan, Pooja Hegde and Jagapathi Babu, the film will also feature Ramya Krishnan and Deekshith Shetty in pivotal roles.

On the technical front, the film has Anay Goswamy as its cinematographer, and Avinash Kolla as the head of the production design.

Touted to be a pan-India project, 'Sri Sri' will reach the audience in five languages.

Among these, Harela, one of the most significant folk festivals of the Kumaon region, stands out as a celebration of greenery, prosperity and the arrival of a new agricultural season. This year, the festival will be observed on July 16.

Celebrated with the onset of the holy month of Sawan, Harela is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is marked with devotion and enthusiasm in households across the Kumaon region. Apart from its religious significance, Harela also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting forests, preserving biodiversity and maintaining harmony with nature.

Dr. Lalit Tiwari, Professor in the Department of Botany at DSB College, Nainital, said that Harela nurtures a sense of affection and responsibility towards trees, forests and the environment. According to him, the festival teaches people the importance of living in balance with nature while strengthening the relationship between communities and their natural surroundings.

Preparations for the festival begin nearly nine to ten days before the start of Sawan. Families sow Harela using traditional Ringal (local bamboo) baskets or earthen pots. The baskets are lined with Timil and Malu leaves before being filled with soil.

Five or seven varieties of grains are then sown in the basket. These typically include barley, wheat, paddy, maize, Gahat (horse gram), mustard, Urad (black gram) and Bhatt (black soybean). As the seeds germinate, they produce lush green shoots that symbolise prosperity, agricultural abundance and the rich biodiversity of the Himalayan region.

After sowing, the basket is placed before the family's Isht Devta (presiding deity) or at the designated place of worship. During the following nine to ten days, family members sprinkle water on the growing shoots every morning and evening while offering prayers.

On the first day of Sawan, when the shoots have fully grown, the Harela is harvested. It is first offered to the family deity as a mark of gratitude and devotion. Thereafter, the elders of the household perform the traditional Harela ritual for all family members.

The Harela ritual carries immense emotional and cultural significance in the Kumaon region. During the ceremony, elders gently touch the Harela shoots from the feet to the head and ears of family members before placing the leaves behind their ears as a symbol of divine blessings.

While performing the ritual, elders recite a traditional Kumaoni blessing: "May you live long and stay awakened; may you witness this day again and again. May your roots be as deep as the Dubak grass, your leaves as abundant as the Paul plant, and your vitality as strong as that of a jackal. As long as there is snow on the Himalayas and water in the Ganges, may the joy of the Harela festival remain in your lives. Live long and stay awakened."

The blessing expresses wishes for a long life, good health, prosperity, wisdom and happiness. It also symbolises the hope that the joy associated with Harela continues for generations, just as the Himalayas remain snow-clad and the Ganga continues to flow.

Dr. Tiwari explained that Harela has a direct connection with agriculture and soil fertility. According to traditional belief, the greener and healthier the Harela shoots grow, the better the agricultural harvest is expected to be during the coming year. For farming communities in the hills, the festival is regarded as an indicator of crop prospects and the health of the land.

Because of this close association with agriculture, Harela is much more than a religious celebration. It represents centuries of farming traditions and highlights the dependence of human life on healthy ecosystems and fertile soil.

One of the most significant traditions associated with Harela is the plantation of shade-giving and fruit-bearing trees. For generations, people have planted saplings during the festival, reinforcing the values of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.

In the present era, when climate change, deforestation and the depletion of water resources have emerged as serious concerns, the message of Harela has become even more relevant. The festival reminds people that forests, rivers, soil and human life are closely interconnected and that protecting nature is essential for future generations.

Deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Kumaon, Harela continues to inspire people to remain connected with their traditions, agriculture and the environment. More than just a festival, it represents a collective pledge to preserve nature and pass on a greener, healthier and more sustainable world to future generations.

Speaking to IANS, several pilgrims appreciated the elaborate arrangements made by the administration for the yatra.

One devotee told IANS, "I came to Jammu yesterday evening, and after that I stayed at a hotel here. Then, in the morning, I completed the registration process. The administration here has made very good arrangements. Talking about the security arrangements, our security forces across the country are performing their duties very well and providing security to all of us..."

Another pilgrim said, "We have been coming for 12 years, and the arrangements are very good. We have been coming continuously... The arrangements are good, and the administration’s preparations are also good. Many saints and seers have come here. There is a very, very big difference. Now there is no difficulty because the military personnel, our BSF jawans, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the entire administration provide so much service and take so much care that nothing happens to anyone..."

Meanwhile, more than 1.42 lakh devotees had 'darshan' at the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the first six days of the pilgrimage.

Of the 8,150 yatris who left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on Thursday morning, 4,705 pilgrims moved towards Nunwan base camp while 3,445 headed for Baltal base camp. Both batches left in separate escorted convoys.

All the pilgrims who had darshan at the cave shrine earlier returned safely to the Baltal base camp.

The cave shrine, situated 3880 metres above sea level, houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

SANJY-2026, which started on July 3, will end on August 28 after 57 days, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

India once again endured a batting collapse before skipper Shreyas Iyer rescued the innings with a fighting 80 off 49 balls. But no other Indian batter managed to make a significant contribution as the visitors finished on 158/7 in 20 overs.

Chasing a modest target of 159, England lost Jos Buttler early, but thereafter India had no answers as Brook and Salt stitched together an unbroken 151-run stand for the second wicket as England raced to 159/1 in just 13.5 overs, winning with 37 balls to spare.

This is the first time England have beaten India in a bilateral T20I series of two or more games. India have won five of the previous six, while one ended in a draw. India’s last two defeats in a bilateral series against England (any format) had come on the 2018 tour (by 2-1 in ODIs and by 4-1 in Tests). Post then, until before the ongoing one, they had won eight out of 10, with the last two Test series in the country ending in draws (both 2-2). 

"Again, it was a disappointing one. Definitely, 158 wasn't the perfect total on the board. And eventually we saw how quickly they chased down. When we came on to bowling, I just asked our bowlers to repeat the lengths as much as possible because top of middle-stump and leg-stump, it was very difficult to hit and score boundaries off that. So I think we fell a bit short in terms of our execution. And, yeah, we saw that when we were changing the pace, when we were trying something else, they scored off those loose balls, Iyer said after the match.

Shreyas Iyer rescued the innings with a fighting 80 off 49 balls. Walking in after the fall of early wickets, Iyer anchored the innings almost single-handedly, striking four fours and five sixes.  

Reflecting on his own performance, Iyer said personal performances mattered little without a victory. "Definitely happy with my performance, but see, if it's not on the winning cause, it just goes to the side. So disappointed on that aspect because whenever I play, I want to perform and see to it that my team wins. But unfortunately, today wasn't that day. Definitely look forward in the next game," he said.

Iyer further said the Indian side is currently in transition phase and backed the players to learn from their mistakes. "See, this is the transition phase and we will be making lot of mistakes. You see a lot of youngsters playing here in these conditions for the first time. So mistakes will definitely make them realize how important it is to adapt and have that awareness when you come in the overseas conditions," said Iyer.

"It's important that you learn quickly from your mistakes so that the team also benefits eventually out of it. And I'm sure that there are quick learners in the team. I'm sure they will assess themselves and get back stronger in the next game," he conluded.

Before the ongoing season, India had won 11 of their last 12 bilateral T20I series, while the one in South Africa in December 2023 ended in a 1-1 draw.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of heavy rain across parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. At the same time, rainfall activity is expected to ease in Mumbai and several regions of Maharashtra.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning of heavy rainfall during the day. According to the weather department, the intensity of rainfall over the national capital is likely to decrease from July 11 onwards.

In Maharashtra, rainfall activity is expected to weaken on Friday, with light showers likely across most parts of the state. However, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Pune and Satara, and a yellow alert remains in effect for Raigad, Kolhapur, Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, advising residents to remain cautious.

The weather department has also issued red and orange alerts for several districts in Uttar Pradesh. A red alert, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall, has been sounded for Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Moradabad, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Badaun, Sambhal and Jyotiba Phule Nagar. Meanwhile, orange alerts have been issued for Sitapur, Hardoi, Bulandshahr, Saharanpur, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Shahjahanpur and Hapur.

Over the past two days, several parts of Delhi-NCR, particularly Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, witnessed continuous heavy rainfall, leading to severe waterlogging and major traffic disruptions. Gurugram was among the worst-affected areas, with long traffic jams prompting several private companies to advise employees to work from home.

Meanwhile, the IMD announced that the Southwest Monsoon has advanced into the remaining parts of the north Arabian Sea, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. With this, the monsoon covered the entire country on July 9, just one day later than its normal arrival date of July 8, marking the completion of its seasonal advance across India.

The 27-year-old achieved the historic feat during France’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco at the Boston Stadium, where he recovered from a first-half penalty miss to score in the 60th minute before setting up teammate Ousmane Dembele for the second.

While Argentina’s Lionel Messi is the outright record holder for FIFA World Cup appearances with 30, Mbappe has become France's first-most capped player in the competition with 20 appearances. He is level with Hugo Lloris and ahead of Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Raphael Varane. 

With his eighth goal of the ongoing 2026 tournament, Mbappe has now taken his overall World Cup tally to 20 goals in just 20 appearances across three editions (2018, 2022, and 2026), just one goal shy of equalling Messi (21) for the most goals scored in the history of the competition.

France's all-time leading goalscorer Kylian Mbappe has cemented his place among the greatest players in FIFA World Cup history across his appearances at three editions of the tournament. He features prominently in numerous all-time rankings and boasts an impressive collection of individual records.

After France's 3-0 victory over Sweden at World Cup 2026, the 27-year-old Frenchman became the French player with the most wins in the tournament's history (15). His 16th triumph, against Paraguay, saw him draw level with Brazil's Cafu on the all-time list. Against Morocco in the quarter-final, he levelled with Miroslav Klose with 17 wins. Only Lionel Messi (20 wins) remains ahead of him.

With eight knockout-stage goals to his name before the 2026 tournament, Mbappe was level with Brazil's Leonidas and Ronaldo. His brace against Sweden in France's 3-0 win in New Jersey took him clear at the top of the all-time ranking, before he extended the record to 11 goals with another against Paraguay and to 12 against Morocco.

During the episode, Akanksha revealed that Gaurav was already aware of her sexuality and had also accepted her for it.

Jailer Farah Khan asked Gaurav, "When her second secret was revealed, I even asked her, 'Does Gaurav know about it?"

Akanksha shared that Gaurav was well aware of her secret.

 "Yeah, he accepted me," she was heard saying.

Gaurav added, saying that he believes in accepting someone wholeheartedly.

"I have always said that if you like someone like them completely. So, I have always been that guy," the 'Bigg Boss Season 19' winner shared.

"He was very open-minded, He understood my feelings and everything and he accepted graciously," Akanksha praised Gaurav.

Recently, Akanksha made a shocking revelation on 'Lock Upp 2' that she is bisexual, and even had relationships with females before getting married to Gaurav.

She shared, “Main shaadi se pehle bisexual thi. Mere relations rahey hain kuch ladkiyo ke saath. Bohot zyaada intimate relations nahi rahe hain but I have been in relations with a few females (I was bisexual before marriage. I have been in relations with females, but they were not intimate).”

Akanksha claimed that she thrives in the company of women.

“Mujhe ladkiya pasand hain. Main admire karti hoon, main attract hoti hoon unke taraf. I think mera woh safe space hain. Growing up, mujhe lagta hain ki its a very male-dominated world toh humesha aap mummy, beheno ke taraf jaate ho… kahi na kahi jo comfort zone unse milta hain. I love that feminine energy, I love that comfort and thrive in that. Aise society mein rehte hain jaha log bolte hain ki ladkiya dost nahi rah sakti jealousy hota hain ya competition hota hain. Mere mein woh sab nahi tha, mere liye all females are beautiful. It's a tag that society has given, for me it's pure love (I love women, I admire and am attracted to them. They are my safe space. Growing up, I used to feel that it is a male dominated world and hence one always tends to get closer to their mother and sisters… that comfort one gets from them. The society says that women cannot be friends but it was never like that for me. There was no competition or jealousy) For me all females are beautiful," Akansha added.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued three separate notifications to roll out the customs duty waiver and expand the list of goods eligible for concessional duty. 

The government’s has issued a notification exempting five components used in manufacturing display assemblies for automotive, medical and industrial applications from basic customs duty until March 31, 2029. These include cells, flexible printed circuit assemblies (FPCAs), backlight units, frames and anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

The exemption, however, does not cover display assemblies for mobile phones, smartwatches, smart meters, television panels and interactive flat-panel displays. 

A separate notification has been issued to extended zero customs duty until March 31, 2029, on six components used in manufacturing inductor coil modules for wireless charging in cellular mobile phones. These include nano-crystalline assemblies, E-shields, PET liners, PC shims, stranded and NFC coils, and neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets.

The third CBIC notification has been issued for replacing the existing list of machinery eligible for concessional customs duty for lithium-ion cell manufacturing with an expanded list of 85 capital goods. 

The revised list includes coating machines, winding machines, welding systems, testing equipment, formation machines, drying systems and other specialised manufacturing equipment used across the lithium-ion cell production process. The move aims to improve cost competitiveness and support domestic value addition in electronics and electric vehicles.

The duty waivers and concessions, which are valid until March 31, 2029, aim to reduce the import cost of critical components and capital goods, which will improve cost competitiveness, encourage greater domestic value addition. This reinforces the government’s broader strategy of building domestic capabilities in advanced electronics, battery manufacturing and electric mobility supply chains.

Addressing the Indian community in Melbourne, Prime Minister Modi added that India has grown from a few hundred to over two lakh registered startups, with more than 4,000 new ventures launching every month.

He praised the youth of India for transforming the country into the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.

He specifically noted that these businesses are thriving not just in major metropolitan areas, but are deeply penetrating every district.

"Hundreds of startups are working on advanced sectors like defence and space, with an Indian space startup preparing to launch a satellite on its own rocket in the near future," PM Modi said.

He outlined future milestones, including the Gaganyaan mission and India's plans for its own space station.

He highlighted that the foundation of India's big dreams and great aspirations is its people -- 'We, the People' and the mantra of "Nagrik Devo Bhava" has become the guiding principle of governance in the country.

Referring to India's counter-terrorism operation, PM Modi said, "During Operation Sindoor, explosions were taking place at terrorist bases and their echoes were heard across the world."

He recalled that when he visited Australia in 2014, it was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years, and he had reminded the Indian community at the time that they would not have to wait another 28 years.

"Over the past 12 years, this is my third visit to Australia, a hat-trick, in a way. It reflects the heights India-Australia relations have reached. And do you know who deserves the biggest credit for this? Not Modi, but all of you. The Indian diaspora has played the biggest role," the Prime Minister said.

Earlier on his arrival at the hotel in Melbourne, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community members, with chants of "Modi-Modi" and "Vande Mataram".

"The weather in Melbourne may be cold but the warmth of the welcome from the Indian community was truly unforgettable. Their affection and unwavering bond with India continue to be a source of immense joy and pride," the Prime Minister remarked in a post on social media platform X.

He witnessed performances, including a special fusion between the Australian didgeridoo, an ancient wind instrument developed by indigenous Australians, and the Indian tabla, a 10-piece symphony orchestra presentation of 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' and a Kathak performance.

"Witnessed a truly exceptional musical performance featuring Australia's ancient Didgeridoo and India's Tabla. The harmony between these two timeless instruments beautifully reflected the deep cultural connect between our two nations," PM Modi said.

Sharing her special connection with the valley, the actress revealed that Kashmir is her nanihal, as her mother belongs to the region. Huma expressed gratitude for the love and warmth she received during her visit, calling it a memorable experience for her and her team.

Taking to Instagram, she shared several videos and photos from her visit and wrote, “What a beautiful return to our nanihal. Bringing #BabyDoDieDo to our nanihal in Srinagar was always going to be special. But the love and warmth we’ve been met with over the last 24 hours has made it something we’ll remember for a very long time.”

The video showed Qureshi watching the film with the audience and surprising them with her unexpected appearance. The actress was seen interacting with fans and sharing the excitement of experiencing the film’s response alongside viewers.

Addressing the media, she said, “First of all, I just want to say Saqib is here, my entire cast is here, and my director is here. We just came to say thank you to Kashmir, because our film is playing over here and we are getting so much love. So, we wanted to come and thank you, and this is our Nanihal. You know, my mother is from here.”

“So, whenever we come here, Saqib and I both, we get so much love. Actually, a show is ending up there. They don't know that we have come. We just want to give them a surprise. We will go to the show and meet you. Thank you. If it gets released, they will leave. We have come for their love.”

On a related note, “Baby Do Die Do,” directed by Nachiket Samant and produced by the Saleem Siblings, stars Huma Qureshi, Sikander Kher, and Chunky Pandey in pivotal roles. The story follows a deaf and mute serial killer in Mumbai who, while carrying out a series of murders for unknown reasons, can only hear the voice of her deceased sister. The crime thriller was released in theaters on July 3.

--IANS

Participating in the pre release event of Love Oh Love, in which his grandson Pavish plays the lead, Kasthuri Raja said, "Among the three directors in my family, It was only Selvaraghavan (Dhanush's elder brother) who came to cinema willingly. Dhanush did not like cinema. Until he completed five or six films, he did not like cinema. When I made 'Thulluvadho Ilamai', he would keep telling me, 'Dad, let me go. I will leave.' He would cry before the shot while shooting for Thulluvadho Illamai."

"Selvaraghavan, on the other hand, is the most educated among the members of my family. He is a medallist. He is a mechanical engineer. I was very particular that my children must not come to cinema. Therefore, I would not even take them to preview shows even. I was very strict," Kasthuri Raja said. 

"However, when Selvaraghavan was in his second year in college, he came to me one day and said that he did not want to go to college and that he wanted to enter cinema," Kasthuri Raja disclosed. 

Kasthuri Raja said he then pointed out to Selvaraghavan the trouble his mother had undergone to get him the college seat. "I told him that cinema had been there before me, it was there during my time now and that it would be there after my time but a college degree was not like that and that if he lost the opportunity to get a degree now, he may not get it again. I lied to him that if he got his degree, I would get him into cinema. Selvaraghavan agreed to complete his education and did so."

Director Kasthuri Raja also spoke highly of the film unit of 'Love Oh Love'. He said, "The true strength of a good film lies in the trust and harmony shared between its producer, director, and actors. Watching the producers of Love Oh Love present a gift to their director even before the film's release reflects the mutual respect and affection within the team. It's equally remarkable how efficiently the film has progressed—from its pooja ceremony to theatrical release in such a short span. I wholeheartedly appreciate the producers, director, and the entire team for their commitment and discipline. Both Pavish and Naga Durga have brought youthful energy, sincerity, and natural performances that beautifully complement the film.” 

Morocco head coach Mohammed Ouabhi confirmed Saibari's exit in the pre-match press conference on Thursday. According to Ouabhi, the forward could not recover on time after picking a hamstring injury during Morocco's round of 16 victory against Canada. However, the coach is hopeful that the 25-year-old will be fit for the semi-finals if their team makes the cut. 

"He's not ready, but I hope it's not the end of the tournament for him," Ouahbi told reporters ahead of the clash.

Saibari is one of the top performers for the African side in the ongoing tournament. He scored a goal in all three group stage matches and also converted the penalty in the decisive shootout against the Netherlands in the round of 32. His absence will force Morocco to adopt a more defensive approach against the 2022 World Cup runners-up. 

FIFA has sparked a massive debate ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals by appointing an entirely Argentine officiating crew for France's clash against Morocco, marking the first time in the 2026 tournament that a match will be handled exclusively by officials from a single nation. However, Morocco's coach has downplayed the impact of the officials.

"Regarding the referees... we're talking about a very experienced referee," he said at his pre-match news conference. "That's what we want. We want experienced referees for these types of matches. So we're very calm."

"We had a Dutch referee before facing the Netherlands, and he did very well. So that's not something we really talk about because we know that they're just trying to do their best. The referee we'll have against France is not so quick to give bookings, and that can have an impact, but I would not say anything against the quality of the referees," he added.

France and Morocco have played each other six times across all competitions, with France holding the advantage with four wins, one draw, and one win for Morocco. Both teams played in the historic 2022 World Cup semi-final, where the Atlas Lions suffered a 2-0 defeat and were knocked out of their first semi-final in FIFA World Cup history.

Taking to its social media timelines to announce the news that veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah had come onboard the unit of the film, Wunderbar Films, the production house of actor Dhanush, wrote, "A strong addition to the world of #OM.

The veteran #NaseeruddinShah on board the mega biggie. Coming to cinemas worldwide on October 16th 2026."

For the unknown, the film is slated to hit screens on October 16 this year.

Interestingly, the film's title has a tagline called Chapter 1 indicating that there could be a sequel.

A title teaser that the makers had released some time back had showed that the story revolves around those cutting red sanders for a living. Dhanush himself plays a woodcutter in the film. The teaser showed police personnel rounding up woodcutters chopping red sanders illegally. As they hold the workers hostage at gunpoint, Dhanush was seen coming to their rescue.

Wunderbar Films Head Sreyas, while speaking at the title teaser launch event, had disclosed that this would be one of the biggest budget films in Dhanush's career. He had also said that this film would bring back the mass vintage Dhanush that fans had longed to see.

The film, which features Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela as the heroines, has music by Sai Abhyankkar. Cinematography for the film is by Ezhil Arasu. Editing for the film is by Kalaivanan R and costumes are by Kavya Sriram. 

It may be recalled that the makers of the film, had accorded a warm welcome to Malayalam star Mammootty when he came on board the film. Wunderbar Films, one of the production houses that is producing the film, had said, "When the Big M chooses a story, it becomes history. Super excited to welcome Megastar @mammukka onboard #D55! We are honoured! Thank you #Mammootty sir."

It may be recalled that only a few days ago, another production house called R Take Studios had announced that it was joining hands with Wunderbar Films for producing this film.

Announcing the development during a joint press meet with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese after the Annual Leaders' Summit here, PM Modi said the two countries had reached an important agreement in the field of nuclear energy.

"Today, we have reached an important agreement in the field of nuclear energy. This will open the path for uranium supply from Australia to India and give new strength to our clean energy objectives," PM Modi said.

The announcement came as the two countries issued a Joint Statement on Energy Security, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in energy trade, supply chain resilience and the transition to cleaner sources of energy.

According to the joint statement, Australia and India have finalised the administrative arrangements necessary to enable the export of Australian uranium to India under the Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (2015).

The uranium exports will be exclusively for peaceful purposes and subject to safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In addition, the two countries expressed concern over the situation in West Asia and its impact on global energy supply chains and commodity prices, reaffirming their commitment to open markets and rules-based trade.

Recognising Australia's role as a key supplier of liquefied natural gas to India and India's role as an important supplier of liquid fuels and downstream petroleum products to Australia, the two sides committed to maintaining uninterrupted energy flows and enhancing bilateral energy trade and investment.

Moreover, India and Australia also pledged to strengthen the resilience of energy supply chains by deepening regional cooperation, accelerating the energy transition, promoting renewable energy and low-carbon fuels, and encouraging greater investment across the energy value chain.

The joint statement also reaffirmed both countries' commitment to maintaining a stable, secure and reliable supply of energy products, including coal, diesel, natural gas and other liquid fuels. Australia also acknowledged India's Global Biofuels Alliance initiative as part of efforts to accelerate the global energy transition.

Highlighting the broader strategic partnership, PM Modi said India and Australia, as vibrant democracies and important Indo-Pacific partners, shared a common vision and deep mutual trust.

"India and Australia are two vibrant democracies, two multicultural societies and two important ocean powers. These similarities, and our common worldview, inspire us to keep moving forward with deep mutual trust," he said.

Taking to the social media platform X, PM Modi said the fresh investment reflected the global confidence in India's growth and reform trajectory.

"India welcomes the AU$500 million investment from AustralianSuper, announced by their Chief Executive, Paul Schroder this morning in Melbourne. This is yet another glimpse of the global confidence in India's growth and reform trajectory. It also reflects the immense opportunities that our dynamic economy offers global investors," PM Modi said.

The announcement came on the sidelines of the Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit in Melbourne, where AustralianSuper Chief Executive Paul Schroder was scheduled to participate.

The fresh commitment follows AustralianSuper's initial 240 million Australian dollar investment in the NIIF in 2019, which the fund described as one of its best-performing infrastructure investments.

AustralianSuper Chief Investment Officer Shaun Manuell said the investment reflected the fund's confidence in India's long-term growth prospects and policy environment.

"AustralianSuper's investment in the NIIF has been one of our most successful partnerships and that's why we're excited to invest again to help drive returns for members," Manuell said.

"Our experience with NIIF demonstrates what can be achieved when long-term capital is combined with visionary policy, trusted institutions and strong partnerships," he added.

Highlighting the reasons behind the fresh investment, Manuell said policy consistency remained a key factor.

"India is an attractive place to invest due to its strong economic growth and expanding middle class, and the Indian government has made it easier for institutions to deploy capital successfully," he said.

"AustralianSuper is making a second investment in the NIIF because those fundamental strengths are still there and we see the potential for more returns for members."

Established in 2015, the NIIF was created by the Government of India to attract long-term institutional capital into the country's infrastructure sector.

Moreover, AustralianSuper currently has about 2.8 billion Australian dollars invested in India across infrastructure, equities and private markets.

Of the 8,150 yatris leaving Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas this morning, a total of 4,705 pilgrims left for Nunwan base camp while 3,445 were headed for Baltal base camp. Both batches left in separate escorted convoys.

All the pilgrims who had darshan at the cave shrine returned safely to the Baltal base camp on Wednesday evening.

Authorities are now strictly ensuring that no unregistered Yatri moves towards the Valley as all slots for registered pilgrims have been completely booked till this day.

The rush of unregistered pilgrims has created a lot of confusion and led to a mess at the two base camps as well as at the transit camps.

On Wednesday, four teachers posted at Manigam transit camp in Ganderbal district were placed under suspension, and an inquiry was immediately started against them.

Officials said these teachers had allegedly indulged in gross dereliction of duty with financial intent, as their on-the-spot registration form statement was at complete variance with the actual number of unregistered Yatris they had allowed to proceed towards the Baltal base camp.

Mismanagement of this kind is being thoroughly looked into at all other transit and base camps.

Meanwhile, due to the heavy rush of pilgrims and the connected human activity around the holy cave shrine, the ice stalagmite inside the cave shrine has started melting.

Authorities have ordered that, except for the number of bona fide yatris, the presence and activity of human beings near the cave shrine should remain at the bare minimum required for security reasons.

The cave shrine situated 3880 metres above sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

SANJY-2026, which started on July 3, will end on August 28 after 57 days, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

She shared a montage of cherished memories spanning decades of her life.

Taking to her social media account, Riddhima shared a series of pictures and videos featuring special moments with her mother. Alongside the reel, she put up the caption that read, "Happy birthday Ma - My heart, my everything. Love you endlessly."

The birthday tribute included a nostalgic picture of Neetu cradling a baby Riddhima in her arms. Another picture showed the mother-daughter duo posing together during a recent outing. Riddhima also shared an old photograph from Neetu's younger days as a child actor in the movie Do Kaliyan.

She also shared a family picture featuring herself, Neetu and daughter Samaira during a birthday celebration.

Riddhima also have a glimpse from Neera Kapoor's birthday eve celebrations, where Neetu was seen smiling alongside Riddhima and son-in-law Bharat Sahni.

Talking about Neetu Kapoor, formerly known as Neetu Singh, she was one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated actresses.

The actress began her journey in films as a child artist under the name Baby Sonia. She featured in films such as 'Suraj', 'Dus Lakh', ‘Do Kaliyan’ before making her debut as a leading lady opposite Rishi Kapoor in 'Zehrela Insaan' in 1974.

The actress went on to deliver many successful films during the 1970s and 1980s, including 'Khel Khel Mein', 'Rafoo Chakkar', 'Kabhi Kabhie', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'The Great Gambler', 'Kaala Patthar', 'Yaarana' and 'Doosara Aadmi' amongst others.

For the uninitiated, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor fell in love while working together during the early years of their careers, with their romance blossoming on the sets of films they starred in togetherin'. The couple tied the knot on January 22, 1980, and welcomed two children, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and actor Ranbir Kapoor.

Following her marriage, Neetu stepped away from films to focus on her family. After nearly 26 years away from acting, she made her comeback with 'Love Aaj Kal' (2009) in a special appearance before returning in a full-fledged role with 'Do Dooni Chaar' (2010), alongside Rishi Kapoor.

She was last seen as the lead heroine in the recently released movie, Dadi Ki Shaadi which also marked the Bollywood debut of her daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni.

The Sensex plunged 1,677.12 points, or 2.15 per cent, to close at 76,503.60, while the Nifty dropped 516.65 points, or 2.12 per cent, to settle at 23,882.05.

Commenting on Nifty technical outlook, experts said that the 24,000 region is now expected to act as the immediate resistance zone, followed by the 24,200 level.

"A sustained move above these levels will be required to improve the near-term technical structure," a market expert stated.

"On the downside, the 23,800 zone remains a crucial support level. A decisive break below this region could intensify selling pressure and drag the index towards the 23,600–23,500 zone," as per the market analyst.

The sharp fall came as risk appetite weakened after renewed geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia rattled global financial markets.

Investor concerns intensified after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was over, although negotiations could continue following an exchange of strikes by both sides in the Strait of Hormuz.

The heightened tensions prompted investors to reduce exposure to equities, resulting in widespread losses across the market.

Among the Nifty constituents, Jio Financial Services, InterGlobe Aviation and Shriram Finance emerged as the biggest laggards. Only four stocks in the benchmark index managed to end the session in positive territory, while the remaining constituents closed lower.

The decline was broad-based across sectors, with banking stocks bearing the brunt of the selling pressure. The Nifty PSU Bank and the Nifty Bank indices were the worst-performing sectoral gauges during the session.

Meanwhile, the Nifty Metal and Nifty Pharma indices outperformed other sectors despite ending lower, limiting their losses compared to the broader market.

The report from Bain & Company said India exports medical devices to over 125 countries and imports of high-end medical devices in the country stood at $5.5 billion, highlighting the next opportunity for innovation.

The report was developed in partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), JP Morgan, SG Growth Capital and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

Asia-Pacific, including high-growth markets including India becoming one of the world's most important demand centres. The region's share of global medtech demand is expected to reach $132 billion by 2030, growing at 6.9 per cent annually – faster than the global market.

As demand and innovation capabilities continue to grow, the next phase of growth for Asia-Pacific medtech will depend not only on innovation but also on strengthening capabilities in clinical evidence generation, regulatory strategy, commercialisation and market access.

The report highlighted that solutions developed for resource-constrained healthcare settings are increasingly finding global acceptance. With medical device exports reaching $4 billion in FY25, Indian companies are demonstrating that affordability and scalability can also translate into global competitiveness, it noted.

"As the country moves towards becoming the world's third-largest economy, healthcare demand is expected to grow to over $320 billion in the next couple of years at a roughly 10-12 per cent CAGR, creating strong momentum for medical technologies," said Dhruv Sukhrani, Partner and head of Bain & Company’s Healthcare & Life Sciences practice in India

Sukhrani outlined it as a $35 billion medtech opportunity by 2030, with medical device exports expected to grow at over 20 per cent CAGR through 2030 to $8 billion.

"The next phase of growth, however, will be defined not just by manufacturing scale but by India's ability to build globally competitive innovation through stronger clinical evidence, regulatory capabilities and commercialisation," Sukhrani added.

The Chief Minister launched the 'Chief Minister's Teachers' Cashless Medical Scheme' in Varanasi, offering medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh to more than 15 lakh teaching staff. 

The Chief Minister inaugurated the cashless scheme and handed over certificates to some beneficiaries in a symbolic move.

Under the scheme, teachers across the state and their families will gain access to cashless medical facilities worth up to Rs 5 lakh.

About 15 lakh teachers and non-teaching staff associated with basic and secondary education will benefit from the scheme. Beyond regular teachers, the scheme will also benefit Shiksha Mitras (para-teachers), instructors, cooks, and eligible staff of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.

The Chief Minister, speaking at the event, said that the government has fulfilled its promises to safeguard the health and social security of teachers and now it was the duty of tutors to provide quality education to the new generation in line with the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

During the event, the Chief Minister also transferred funds amounting to Rs 1,320 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for students of the Basic Education Council.

He noted that Rs 1,200 is being provided to each student to cover the cost of uniforms, shoes, socks, bags, and other essential items.

The Chief Minister said that it was the duty of every citizen to ensure access to education for every child, and the responsibility of teachers is the greatest.

The Chief Minister mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Nipun Bharat' campaign aims to make every child proficient in foundational education. He asserted that the dream of a 'Developed India' can only be realised if a strong foundation for education is laid.

He also recalled the state’s ‘dark era’ when Uttar Pradesh's education system was severely compromised, bringing it the tag of 'Bimaru' (ailing/backward) state.

“Significant reforms in the education sector over the past nine years have propelled the state towards prosperity, and teachers are getting their respectable status in society,” CM Yogi noted.

The Chief Minister also stated that the social security of teachers was among the priorities of the state govt and steps are being taken to address the same.

England, who hold a 2-0 lead after the opening match was washed out, produced a record 125-run victory in the third T20I, India's biggest-ever defeat in the format, with the performances reflected in the weekly rankings update.

Jacob Bethell was among the biggest movers, climbing seven places to No. 8 in the T20I batting rankings after his unbeaten 76 off 46 balls guided England to victory in the second T20I.

Sam Curran enjoyed gains across all three disciplines after claiming 3/33 in the second match before smashing an unbeaten 41 in England's emphatic win in the third. He rose 12 places to No. 108 in the T20I batting rankings, climbed 12 spots to joint 71st among bowlers, and advanced six places to joint 13th in the all-rounders' list.

Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid moved up one place to No. 3 in the T20I bowling rankings after returning figures of 2/14 in the third T20I, while pacer Josh Tongue, who claimed four wickets in only his second T20I appearance, entered the rankings at joint 301st.

Will Jacks also made progress after contributing with the ball during the series, climbing six places to break into the top 10 of the T20I all-rounders' rankings at No. 7.

Despite India's difficult start under new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, the batter made a massive leap of 425 places to joint 93rd in the batting rankings after scoring 68 in the rain-hit opening game and 37 in the second match.

In the Test rankings, Sri Lanka opener Lahiru Udara climbed 52 places to No. 85 after registering a career-best 188 against the West Indies in the second Test, while Kamindu Mendis moved up two places to sixth following his aggregate of 128 runs in the drawn match.

Fast bowler Asitha Fernando, who claimed the only five-wicket haul of the Test, advanced two places to No. 20 in the bowling rankings.

For the West Indies, Justin Greaves jumped 14 places to No. 49 after his fighting 180 helped the hosts secure a draw and seal the Sobers-Tissera Trophy, while Shai Hope rose six places to No. 51 following his century.

The ODI rankings also witnessed notable movement after Zimbabwe's opening win over Bangladesh in Harare. Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana climbed 17 places to No. 12 in the ODI bowling rankings after producing career-best figures of 6/21.

Zimbabwe's pace trio also reaped rewards for defending 141 successfully. Richard Ngarava improved one place to No. 19, Brad Evans jumped 17 spots to No. 111, while Blessing Muzarabani also climbed 17 places to No. 33 in the ODI bowling rankings.

Saini began the race from Astoria, Oregon, on June 7 and reached the historic Lincoln Memorial in Washington on July 5 after covering nearly 3,500 miles (about 5,630 km) through 11 US states. The event attracted around 30 cyclists from across the world, including riders from the United States, Europe and two from India.

The Trans Am Bike Race is consideres as one of the world's toughest unsupported cycling events wherein participants carry their own equipment, arrange their own food and accommodation, and ride virtually non-stop across the United States without support crews.

Speaking to IANS after completing the race, Saini described the ride as far more demanding than he had expected.

"When the Trans Am Bike Race started, on the second day itself I realised that this was something else," he said, recalling rapidly changing weather, mountain climbs, heavy rain, gravel roads and long stretches without settlements. He said riders encountered temperatures as low as five degrees Celsius, rode through forests, rain and unpaved roads, making the challenge unlike anything he had experienced before.

Travelling through rural America left a lasting impression on him.

"I have seen that America's geographical area is so vast," he said, adding that while riding on country roads he often travelled for kilometres without seeing another person. Small villages with only a handful of residents, he said, offered a perspective that tourists visiting major cities rarely experience.

Saini said people in small American towns recognised India from the Indian jersey he wore during the race.

"They know India very well," he said, adding that many people immediately associated India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and were eager to ask questions about the country. He said hearing such comments in remote parts of the United States made him feel proud as an Indian.

The cyclist also highlighted the logistical challenges of an unsupported race. Carrying only essential clothing, tools and supplies on his bicycle, he depended largely on petrol station convenience stores for food. As a vegetarian, he said finding suitable meals was often difficult, forcing him to rely on bread, cheese, nachos, chocolates and biscuits during long sections where no towns were available.

Reflecting on his motivation, Saini said cycling allowed him to experience countries beyond their famous landmarks.

"If you want to explore the world, there cannot be a better way than cycling," he said. He also urged people to prioritise their health, saying, "Health should be the first priority."

The Trans Am Bike Race is an annual self-supported endurance event that follows a transcontinental route across the United States. Riders are responsible for navigation, food, repairs and rest, with no outside assistance permitted. Completing the race requires sustained physical endurance, mental resilience and careful logistical planning.

While sharing a picture with President Subianto on X, PM Modi stated, "On the way to the Prambanan Temple from Yogyakarta with President Prabowo Subianto."

He also shared a video on X, which showed PM Modi seeing the temple from the chopper's window.

While sharing the aerial view of the temple on X, he wrote, "The majestic Prambanan Temple!"

In his address at the Indonesian Parliament on Tuesday, PM Modi said that he and President Prabowo will visit the Prambanan Temple at Yogyakarta, Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

During the visit, both leaders will jointly inaugurate the conservation and restoration project of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring the two countries' shared commitment to preserving their common cultural heritage.

On July 7, India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent for an India-backed conservation and restoration project at the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exchange took place on Tuesday after talks between PM Modi and President Prabowo, as the two sides sought to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss ways to ensure a peaceful Indo-Pacific.

Built in the 10th century, the Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and is dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva. The magnificent complex features towering temples devoted to the Hindu trinity -- Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma -- along with shrines dedicated to their divine vehicles. The temple walls are adorned with intricate reliefs depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual links between India and Southeast Asia.

Emphasising the centuries-old civilisational ties between India and Indonesia, PM Modi on Tuesday said that the relationship between the two countries is deeply rooted in the shared legacy of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

PM Modi said, “India and Indonesia do not just share the sea; we also share our history. Our relationship is rooted in the legacy of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata... We are linked through magnificent monuments such as Borobudur and Prambanan. We are connected through Garuda, Indonesia's national emblem. We are connected through the joy and celebrations of the Bali Jatra festival."

PM Modi is currently on a three-day visit to Indonesia. During his visit, PM Modi held talks with President Subianto, addressed the Indonesian President and attended an Indian community programme in Indonesia.

The inspection will cover the stretch from the Laban Interchange to the Dara Tunnel. Gadkari will travel by road from Delhi to Kota, inspecting the expressway en route.

CM Bhajanlal Sharma will arrive at the Laban Interchange by helicopter, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will reach the site by road after attending a programme in Khatoli.

The three leaders are scheduled to begin their road inspection at around 3:30 p.m., during which they will also review construction work at the Dara Tunnel. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration have been making extensive preparations for the visit.

Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar, Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar, and Ladpura MLA Kalpana Devi are also expected to accompany the delegation.

Ahead of Gadkari's visit, repair work has been intensified on the expressway, with crews working round the clock to fill potholes that had become a safety concern. Construction inside the tunnel passing through the Mukundara Tiger Reserve has also been expedited.

Following the inspection, Gadkari is scheduled to leave for Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Construction of the Dara Tunnel has faced repeated delays, with the completion deadline extended six times over the past four years.

The prolonged delay has increased the project's cost by nearly Rs 100 crore, while commuters continue to face frequent traffic congestion at Dara Nala, said officials.

Officials estimate it could take another month before traffic is allowed through the tunnel. Work on one carriageway has been completed, while remaining work is being carried out in line with safety audit recommendations. Construction on the second four-lane tunnel is now in its final stages.

The four nominees have been instrumental in their respective teams' fortunes, with finalists Australia and England accounting for two of the contenders, while Mandhana and Kapp earned recognition despite their sides falling short of the title clash.

Ellyse Perry (Australia)

Perry has enjoyed another stellar ICC event, scoring 185 runs at an average of 46.25 and claiming four wickets at 7.50. The veteran all-rounder collected three Player of the Match awards during Australia's unbeaten march to the final, beginning with an all-round display against Bangladesh, where she picked up two wickets before finishing unbeaten on 19.

The 35-year-old followed that with successive half-centuries against Pakistan and India, helping Australia maintain a perfect record and secure a place in Sunday's final.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)

England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge heads into the final as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 294 runs at an impressive average of 73.5. Her campaign began spectacularly with a century against Sri Lanka in the opening match before she added two more half-centuries to power England into the title decider.

Wyatt-Hodge has also provided consistently brisk starts for the hosts, striking at 152.33 throughout the tournament.

Smriti Mandhana (India)

India's Smriti Mandhana is the lone nominee from a side that failed to reach the semi-finals. The left-handed opener scored 205 runs at an average of 41, including back-to-back fifties against Pakistan and the Netherlands to launch India's campaign in style.

Mandhana also contributed a fluent 38 against Australia in a must-win final group-stage fixture, though India eventually fell short of securing a semi-final berth.

Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) 

Completing the shortlist is South Africa's Marizanne Kapp, whose all-round contributions once again proved invaluable for the Proteas. Kapp scored 124 runs at 31 and claimed eight wickets at an average of 14.37 during South Africa's run to the semi-finals.

Her defining performance came against India, where she claimed two wickets before steering South Africa's chase with an unbeaten 81 to keep her side's knockout hopes alive. The experienced all-rounder also showcased remarkable consistency with the ball, taking at least one wicket in every match except South Africa's group-stage fixture against the Netherlands.

The winner of the Player of the Tournament award will be announced following Sunday's Women's T20 World Cup final between England and Australia at Lord's.

--IANS

During an exclusive interaction with veteran actress Simi Garewal on one of the episodes of her popular chat show, "Rendezvous with Simi Garewal", Vidya recalled the exact moment she was selected for her first Bollywood project.

Vidya had already undergone numerous auditions and had practically given up on the hope of getting the film. However, fate had other plans for her. 

Sharing the incident in her own words, the 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' actress said, "I was at an Enrique concert, and my cell was off, because I didn't want to be disturbed. A friend of mine was with me, who also worked with Dada, incidentally. So, Dada called him and said, "Where is Vidya? Isn't she at the concert?" So, he said, "Yeah, she is". As I picked up the phone and he said, "Mr. Chopra (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) wants to speak to you"."

Vidya revealed that she was certain he was calling to politely inform her that she did not get the part.

However, to her amusement, the filmmaker said, "Vidya Balan, you are my Purineeta. I've only been wanting to push you to get the best out of you. And I'm investing my faith in you. I know you'll always bring honor to the family."

A cinematic adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1914 Bengali novel of the same name, "Parineeta" also marked the directorial debut of Pradeep Sarkar.

Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the project starred Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, and Vidya Balan in lead roles, along with Raima Sen, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, and Dia Mirza as the ancillary cast.

The film was released in the cinema halls on 10 June 2005.

--IANS

Disclaimer: Only the headline of this story has been edited by our team. The content remains auto-generated from a syndicated feed provided by a News agency. Any legal liability associated with the content rests solely with the News agency. 

The 'Kahaani' actress revealed that while her mother was not too enthusiastic about her acting career, he was extremely fond of 'Hum Paanch' as she used to feel that it was a family show.

Speaking to the host, Anupam Kher, Vidya shared, "I got a call from Ektaa (Kapoor) asking if I would like to work in 'Hum Paanch', and 'Hum Paanch' was very popular at that time. It was already on air for the past one year."

Revealing her mother's reaction in her own words, she went on to add, "My mother used to tell my father to make me understand. She would say, "This South Indian girl, you know. If my father were alive, he would never let her be an actor." But she used to like 'Hum Paanch a lot, and she used to feel that it's a family serial, a family show, and because of this, she was very happy that I got a chance to work in 'Hum Paanch'."

Vidya added that she was a part of 'Hum Paanch' for a year and a half, but then she had to quit as she was facing attendance problems in college.

"But the spirit of acting had taken over," she concluded.

"Hum Paanch" aired from 1995 to 1999 and later came back for a second season in 2005 and 2006. 

The core cast of the show starred Ashok Saraf, Vidya Balan, Rakhee Tandon, Bhairavi Raichura, and Vandana Pathak, along with others.

The show revolved around Anand Mathur, who always finds himself in trouble because of his five daughters — Meenakshi, Radhika, Sweety, Kajal, and Chhoti.

Taking to X, Rijiju said, "On the recommendation of the Govt of India, Hon'ble President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Monsoon Session 2026. The session will commence on 20 July, 2026 and continue till 13 August, 2026 for meaningful debate, discussion and decisions on issues of National Importance."

The four-week session will include 19 sittings.

The divisions within the Trinamool Congress, the rift between the DMK and Congress, and departures of MPs from the Uddhav Sena are likely to change the composition of Parliament.

The ruling NDA anticipates that its numbers will increase, while the Opposition INDIA bloc is poised for a decrease.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will make decisions regarding the merger of 20 rebel Trinamool MPs with the lesser-known NCPI. He will also determine the merger of six Uddhav Sena MPs with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

Meanwhile, following Congress' alliance with the TVK in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has sent a letter to the Speaker requesting new seating arrangements for its MPs, separate from the Congress.

Additionally, the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill concerning women's reservation and delimitation, which was rejected in the previous session, is expected to be prioritised.

The government is likely to introduce the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, which aims to automatically remove chief ministers, ministers, and the Prime Minister from office if they are detained or under judicial custody for 30 consecutive days in cases involving serious crimes.

The One Nation, One Election Bill is also expected to be on the Centre's agenda.

The FCRA Bill, Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, and Anti-Doping Bill are also expected to be presented.

Proposals to replace the ordinance that increases the number of Supreme Court judges, along with bills related to the Code on Wages Central Rules, Corporate Law, and Securities Market Code, may also be introduced.

The report from Bangladesh-based The Daily Star warned that the export-led, labour-intensive growth model is under pressure as manufacturers adopt automation and digital production systems.

Further, it flagged the rapid surge in high‑value services that often lack social protection.

The transition comes at a time when large segments of the workforce remain in insecure or informal employment, and young people, women and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to displacement and limited access to reskilling.

"The pressures are likely to intensify as Bangladesh approaches LDC graduation. The withdrawal of preferential trade access will sharpen competitive pressures in export sectors, particularly RMG, accelerating the shift towards automation and higher-productivity production systems," the report said.

Citing official labour data, the report noted that the country lost nearly 1.3 million jobs in 2024, with about 90 per cent of those losses affecting women.

Automation especially became disruptive in the ready‑made garments sector, where some estimates suggest up to 60 per cent of female jobs could disappear by 2041 if current trends continue.    

Current policy instruments of Bangladesh fail to solve these problems as challenges from AI, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reform have yet to be effectively integrated into sector-specific transition strategies and workforce adaptation mechanisms.

The report argued that skills systems of Bangladesh are failing to meet labour market demands as TVET lacks strong connections with industry and emerging sectors.

"TVET should be reformed to be industry-led and outcome-focused by collaborating with employers on curricula, expanding apprenticeships, and aligning training with new sectors and international labour markets," it said.

Nifty added 0.89 per cent during the week and edged up 0.39 per cent on the last trading day to reach 24,270. At close, Sensex was up 261 points, or 0.34 per cent, at 77,763. It added 0.86 per cent during the week.

The domestic markets shifted from defensive caution at the start of the week to growing optimism by the close. The early week was marked by profit-booking due to scepticism over the durability of the US-Iran peace arrangement, muted expectations ahead of the upcoming earnings season, and a patchy start to the monsoon. 

"Easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz weighed on crude oil prices, while dovish commentary from the Fed Chair, coupled with softer US labour market data, reinforced expectations of a more accommodative global interest-rate environment," analysts said.

Further, domestic sentiment received an additional boost from optimism surrounding the India-Japan summit, with investors anticipating progress across trade, defence, semiconductors, AI collaboration, and a proposed rupee-yen settlement framework.

On the sectoral front, real estate, pharma, and healthcare stocks outperformed, whereas PSU banks and energy counters lagged. The IT sector staged a notable rebound, due to short covering, and a strengthening investment narrative around Indian IT firms' role in enterprise AI adoption.

Broad market indices performed almost in line with benchmark indices, as Nifty Midcap100 added 0.64 per cent, while Nifty Smallcap100 rallied 2.05 per cent during the week.

According to analysts, immediate resistance levels for Nifty are placed at the 24,400 level and the 24,200 level is expected to provide immediate support, followed by the 24,000 level.

Immediate support for Bank Nifty is placed in the 57,600–57,500 zone, while resistance is seen at 58,200–58,300 zone.

Investors remain keen on US FOMC minutes, domestic earnings season, monsoon progress, credit growth trends, and ongoing trade negotiations with Japan, the UK, and the US.

"While risks persist amid downward revisions to earnings growth estimates, monsoon-related inflation concerns, and continued FII caution, much of the visible uncertainty appears to be priced in, leaving room for a constructive read on incremental positives," a market participant said.

The platform also maintains 18.50 crore Digital Aajeevika Registers (DARs), providing a strong digital foundation for livelihood planning, monitoring, and implementation.

LokOS is a transformative digital platform under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) that enables end-to-end digitisation of Community-Based Organisations (CBOs). 

With nationwide reach, the platform is supporting the Lakhpati Didi initiative, thereby promoting women's economic empowerment and financial inclusion. This platform is, thus, contributing to the creation of self-reliant rural communities.

It is also enhancing transparency, governance, and operational efficiency through real-time monitoring and digital financial management.

“LokOS enables efficient tracking of financial support across community institutions, including Rs 9,718.41 crore in the Revolving Fund (RF), Rs 64,607.66 crore in the Community Investment Fund (CIF), and Rs 38.34 crore in the Community Enterprise Fund (CEF),” the factsheet informed.

LokOS digitises member records, profiles, savings, lending, repayments, financial transactions, livelihoods, and convergence initiatives. It currently covers 34 States/UTs, 762 districts, 7,241 blocks, 2.57 lakh Gram Panchayats, and 5.92 lakh villages.

It comprises both web and mobile applications, each designed to serve distinct user groups and functionalities. The web application supports administrators, E-bookkeepers, and transaction approvers in creating and approving SHGs, Village Organisations (VOs), Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), and their members.

The mobile application enables efficient recording and management of Community-Based Organization (CBO) activities in the field.

“LokOS has significantly expanded its reach across India, enabling large-scale digital transformation of community institutions. The platform improves transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency while enabling integrated programme implementation and monitoring across all levels,” said the official statement.

--IANS

Speaking to reporters after arriving at Ayodhya airport, Shastri said, “I have already spoken about this earlier as well, and I have said before that this is not a sin but a great sin, and God will punish it. But I would also like to say that we should all have trust in the law and order of the country and in the SIT, as the investigation is ongoing. I have full faith in the country’s legal system and the government, and all the accused will be punished…”

His comments come in the backdrop of a growing controversy surrounding the misappropriation of donations and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Shastri visited Ayodhya to pay respects at the ashram of Mahant Sant Ram Das, the guru of the late Hanumangarhi priest Raju Das Ji, who recently passed away. After completing his visit, he is scheduled to depart from Ayodhya airport later in the day.

The Ram Mandir donation row gained momentum after the Trust’s Office In-charge Prakash Gupta highlighted irregularities linked to workers engaged by the State Bank of India (SBI) for counting offerings. Under an agreement between SBI and the Trust, the bank was responsible for the counting process and had deployed personnel for the task. Gupta noted that while a Trust member supervised the process, there was no immediate knowledge of the alleged theft.

Gupta emphasised that the Trust had no direct role in the alleged embezzlement. He pointed out that the workers brought by SBI for counting donations may have been involved. He further clarified that while anyone could level allegations against the Trust, the primary responsibility for the counting process rested with the bank as per the existing arrangement.

The controversy intensified after eight individuals were arrested in connection with the case. According to Gupta, the accused were associated with the counting operations. One of them, identified as Tinnu Yadav, reportedly oversaw counting activities and certain maintenance tasks within the temple premises.

The developments have drawn widespread public attention and reactions from various political and religious leaders, many of whom have called for complete transparency and strict accountability in the matter. The formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.

Dhirendra Shastri’s measured response seeks to balance strong moral condemnation of the alleged wrongdoing with confidence in institutional processes. His call for trust in the SIT probe and the legal system aims to prevent the issue from escalating into unnecessary controversy while ensuring justice is served.

The incident has raised broader questions about the management and oversight of donations at prominent religious sites. As the investigation progresses, it is expected to shed more light on the exact circumstances of the alleged embezzlement and the safeguards needed to prevent future occurrences.

For devotees and followers, Shastri’s words offer reassurance that while the act itself is deeply condemnable, the institutions of the country remain capable of delivering justice. His visit to Ayodhya at this time also underscores the spiritual significance of the Ram Mandir and the need to preserve its sanctity beyond material concerns.

As the SIT continues its probe, all eyes remain on the outcome, which is likely to have implications for how religious trusts and financial partners manage public offerings in the future. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of robust systems to protect the faith and contributions of millions of devotees who visit the sacred site.

The actress further shared that she eventually adopted the puppy and named her Zoya after her character in the film.

Recalling the heartwarming incident, Raveena said the cast was shooting at a location where there were hardly any animals around, except for a five-month-old stray puppy that would often wander onto the set.

"She slowly became a part of our daily routine. I grew very fond of her. Jacqueline and Disha are also animal lovers, so caring for her became something we all connected over," she said.

The actress added that the puppy gradually became comfortable around the team and would often sit close to them during the shoot. When her schedule came to an end, she decided to give the furry friend a permanent home.

"On my last day, I arranged for her vaccination and brought her to my farmhouse. I have named her Zoya, after my character in the film. She is with me now," Raveena shared.

Known for being an avid animal lover, Raveena has consistently spoken up for animal welfare and has rescued several animals over the years.

The ‘Shool’ star frequently shares glimpses of herself caring for stray dogs, birds and cattle on social media.

Recently, she was seen visiting a spiritual centre where she was seen feeding and affectionately caressing calves and cows.

The actress had also revealed that while travelling to the centre, she spotted a puppy stranded all alone on a highway. Without hesitation, she rescued the animal and took it along with her to the spiritual centre.

On the professional front, Raveena Tandon's latest movie, 'Welcome To The Jungle' which released on June 22 has opened to great reviews from audience and critics alike.

Directed by Ahmed Khan, the comedy entertainer features an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Kiku Sharda, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav and several others.

For the uninitiated, the film is the latest instalment in the popular 'Welcome' franchise.

These bonded labourers were rescued from various districts of Uttar Pradesh nearly 34 years ago in 1992.

A division bench of Chief Justice S.M. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar issued the order while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ghanshyam Pathak.

According to the petition, nearly 300 bonded labourers were freed from different districts of Uttar Pradesh in 1992. Many of them subsequently settled in Jharkhand's Garhwa district.

However, despite the passage of more than three decades, they have not received rehabilitation assistance under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, nor have they been adequately covered under government welfare schemes related to housing, healthcare, employment. and pensions.

The PIL was filed in 2023. During the course of the hearing, the High Court repeatedly sought responses from the authorities concerned.

Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that, over the past three years, officials had merely engaged in correspondence without taking any concrete steps to extend benefits to the workers.

The petitioner argued that bureaucratic formalities had delayed substantive action, depriving eligible beneficiaries of assistance guaranteed under law.

Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, the court observed that it was unacceptable for eligible people to be denied their rightful benefits for such an extended period.

The bench directed the Garhwa Deputy Commissioner to identify all eligible labourers and ensure that they are provided benefits under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act as well as other applicable government welfare schemes.

The court further emphasised that mere paperwork would not suffice and that authorities must ensure the actual delivery of benefits to those legally entitled.

In a post on Instagram, the food regulator said it had served notices to brands -- Red Bull Energy Drink, Hell Energy (Hell Energy Private Limited), Campa Energy Drink, Monster Energy, PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited's Adrenaline Rush and Sting -- over alleged misbranding and labelling violations.

According to FSSAI, no standard has been notified for energy drinks or similar products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations framed under it.

The regulator also clarified that the Food Category System under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, is not intended to be used for product naming or labelling purposes.

FSSAI further said functional or therapeutic claims such as boost energy levels, enhancing focus, vitalises body and mind, stimulates mind, energises body, aid in general weakness and similar claims are not permissible for food products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The regulator further alleged that the brands had marketed and labelled their products using descriptors such as energy drink while making claims that are not permitted under the existing regulatory framework.

The notices form part of FSSAI's ongoing efforts to curb misbranding and misleading claims in the food and beverage sector and ensure that product labels comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations.

Earlier in June, the regulator issued notices to several food business operators (FBOs) for alleged violations related to misleading product claims, branding and labelling practices, as well as consumer complaints, and directed them to take corrective measures.

In a conversation with NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal at 'The Indo-Japan Strategic Dialogue', Goyal said Japan's engagement with India has largely focused on investments.

The discussion came against the backdrop of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s arrival in Delhi for the 16th India-Japan Summit.

"Maruti Suzuki came to India nearly 40 years ago and brought modern, affordable, technology-driven automobiles, which ultimately set India on track to become a global power in the auto sector," Goyal said.

"In May, Maruti Suzuki accounted for 1.47 lakh cars out of 4 lakh passenger vehicles sold in India," he noted.

Elaborating on Japan's role in specific sectors, Goyal said the first dedicated freight corridor in India was built in partnership with Japan in Odisha, and helped evacuate iron ore.

Describing the trade engagement as multi-dimensional, the minister said India imports technology-driven products from Japan while exporting value-added goods.

"We are not selling raw materials or intermediates. We're selling Japan high-quality, precision-engineered material, auto components, and electronic components. So, this relationship has both trade and investment dimensions," he said.

About the next chapter in the India-Japan partnership, the minister said India values its trade partnership with Japan and looks forward to taking it to the next level.

"We encourage more trade and investments with Japan," he added.

One of the flagship India-Japan projects is the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. Using Japanese Shinkansen technology, trains will run at 320 km/h, cutting travel time between the two cities from over six hours to just over two hours.

Addressing delays in the project, Goyal targeted the previous MVA government in Maharashtra. He accused the Uddhav Thackeray government of stalling land acquisition "for the sake of politics".

"We were on track, and almost all land on the Gujarat side was acquired. But the MVA government, maybe out of spite for the people of Maharashtra, didn't allot land for key stations. We lost a lot of time in the process," the minister said.

He assured that with the BJP-led government in the state, the project is back on track for the 2029 deadline.

"The land for the station has been given. My sense is the project is now on track," he said.

Goyal also highlighted more opportunities for Indian professionals in Japan, especially in the healthcare sector. Referring to the demand for skilled caregivers for Japan's ageing population, Goyal said knowledge of the Japanese language and culture could open avenues for Indian healthcare professionals.

"Japan is looking for highly skilled caregivers. But one prerequisite, and rightly so, is that the person should know Japanese. Otherwise, how will they provide nursing care to the elderly in Japan?" the minister said.

"If you have a combination of language skills and knowledge of their culture, it makes it even better," he remarked.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the Assam Cabinet has introduced policy changes that will make it easier for reputed private institutions to invest in the higher education sector.

"To harness Assam's fullest potential we aim to expand access to quality higher education and are keen to partner with reputed private players," CM Sarma said in a post on X.

According to the Chief Minister, the Cabinet has rationalised the minimum land requirement for setting up private universities, lowered the mandatory endowment fund requirement and simplified norms to promote private investment in higher education.

The government believes the reforms will help create a stronger higher education ecosystem, improve access to quality institutions and expand educational opportunities for students within Assam.

A senior government official said the policy changes are designed to attract credible educational institutions while maintaining academic standards. The easing of entry norms is also expected to reduce procedural hurdles for investors and encourage the establishment of new universities across different regions of the state.

The move aligns with the state's broader strategy of strengthening human capital and creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing economy.

Assam has witnessed significant expansion in higher education infrastructure in recent years, with the establishment of new government universities, medical colleges, engineering institutes and specialised educational institutions.

The government now hopes increased private participation will complement public investment and offer students a wider range of academic programmes and research opportunities.

Education experts have long argued that greater private sector involvement, backed by transparent regulation and quality assurance mechanisms, can improve competition, encourage innovation and reduce the outflow of students to institutions outside the state.

The reforms are also expected to support the objectives of the National Education Policy by promoting multidisciplinary education, research, industry collaboration and improved institutional capacity.

The state government has maintained that expanding quality higher education remains a priority as Assam seeks to build a knowledge-based economy and attract greater investments across sectors.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, she praised the song for its emotional sincerity and beautiful melody. Speaking about the song, Shreya shared, “It's always exciting to discover a song that has organically found such a deep connection with listeners. What struck me about 'Kalyani' was the sincerity of its emotion and the beauty of its melody.”

“The song already had a strong identity and a devoted audience, so my intention was not to change that, but to contribute a new perspective to its story. I loved the idea of bringing a Hindi voice into a song that had already transcended language barriers, and I hope listeners enjoy this new chapter as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

After the huge success of 'Kalyani,' ARJN, KDS, RONN, and FIFTY4 have returned with a fresh, reimagined version of the track. Shreya Ghoshal has lent her voice to the newly reimagined version of the track ‘Kalyani.’

Talking about the song, ARJN added, “The response to Kalyani has been beyond anything we imagined. It started as a song that was deeply personal to us and our culture, but watching it travel across regions and resonate with North Indian audiences has been incredible. When the opportunity to collaborate with Shreya Ghoshal came along, it felt like the perfect way to bring the song to a wider audience while staying true to its essence. Her voice brings a completely new emotion to the record while preserving everything people loved about the original.”

KDS shared, “Kalyani has always been a song about emotion first and language second. That’s why it resonated the way it did. Bringing Shreya Ghoshal onto the remix felt like a natural next step because she has a unique ability to make songs feel timeless and universally relatable.

FIFTY4 mentioned, “When we first made Kalyani, we were simply creating something that felt honest to us. The fact that it travelled so far and connected with people beyond Kerala was a reminder that genuine emotion always finds its audience.”

“Having Shreya Ghoshal on the remix takes that journey to another level. She was the perfect fit for Kalyani because she has a rare ability to connect with listeners across languages, and she is equally loved by Malayalam and Hindi audiences. She brings a grace and timelessness to the song that makes it feel both familiar and completely new at the same time.”

However, actual retail prices will vary across states depending on local taxes, including value-added tax (VAT).

The revised rates have come into effect at all of Nayara Energy's more than 7,000 fuel stations across the country.

The price reduction follows a decline in international crude oil prices after hostilities in West Asia eased and the reopening of key shipping routes restored the flow of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, easing concerns over global supply disruptions.

The fuel price cut comes at the beginning of the month, alongside several other changes, including a reduction in commercial LPG cylinder prices and a revision in the windfall tax on petroleum products.

State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) reduced the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by up to Rs 183.5 across major cities, while the price of the 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder remains unchanged.

In addition, the Centre has revised the windfall tax on exports of petroleum products, raising the levy on petrol while reducing the duty on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

The revised rates, which came into effect from July 1, increase the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol exports to Rs 4 per litre from Rs 1.5 per litre earlier, according to a Finance Ministry notification.

Similarly, the export duty on diesel has been reduced to Rs 8.5 per litre from Rs 14 per litre, while the levy on ATF exports has been cut to Rs 7.5 per litre from Rs 12.5 per litre.

There is no change in the existing excise duty on petrol and diesel supplied for domestic consumption, the ministry said.

--IANS

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His body reached the village at around 7:30 a.m., while villagers and supporters had begun gathering from 6:00 a.m. onwards.

The preliminary post-mortem report has revealed that Jagan Gurjar died after severe pressure was applied to his neck and throat, causing a fracture of the hyoid bone. The autopsy, conducted by a six-member medical board, concluded that the neck fracture and strangulation led to his death.

The report also found internal haemorrhage in the middle portion of the neck, along with significant injuries around the trachea (windpipe) and oesophagus (food pipe). According to the initial findings, Gurjar succumbed to asphyxia within approximately three minutes of the assault.

The family of Gurjar had been protesting and demanding justice. Following an agreement between the administration and the family, the post-mortem was conducted in Ajmer on Tuesday. The family then transported the body to Dholpur for the funeral. Under tight security, Jagan Gurjar's younger brother, Pappu Gurjar, was also taken from Ajmer to Dholpur around 1:00 a.m. to attend the last rites.

Jagan Gurjar was murdered inside Ajmer High-Security Jail on June 29. According to his family, Vishnu, an accused in the Kuldeep Jaghina murder case from Bharatpur, strangled Gurjar with his own towel. Both Vishnu and Jagan Gurjar, classified as hardcore prisoners, were lodged in the same barrack at the time of the incident.

The murder is currently under investigation. Meanwhile, the murder of dacoit Jagan Gurjar inside Ajmer’s high-security prison has raised serious questions about the jail administration’s security claims.

The killing of a hardened criminal by a fellow inmate within one of the state’s most secure prisons has exposed significant lapses in the prison’s security system.

A key concern is the cell where the incident took place, as the CCTV camera installed there was found to be non-functional at the time of the attack, raising further doubts about surveillance and security oversight.

--IANS

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Mumbai,  (IANS) As the World Cup fever rages, Hollywood star Tom Holland joined forces with the football legend Lionel Messi ahead of the release of his upcoming film ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’.

A special video released by the makers of the film shows Messi in search of Spider-Man. His search leads him to a quaint coffee shop in New York, where he bumps into Peter Parker. Tom then changes into his Spider-Man, and shows up leaving the football legend mesmerised as the former takes him for a joy ride slinging webs across the city.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ marks the 4th MCU Spider-Man film, and follows the emotional fallout of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. After Doctor Strange’s spell erases the world’s memory of Peter Parker, he begins a new chapter as a lonely, full-time Spider-Man protecting New York City. The film explores Peter living without the support system of MJ and Ned while facing new threats and changes to his own abilities.

With Marvel leaning into a more grounded, street-level Spider-Man story, the film aims to show Peter finally becoming the independent hero fans have wanted to see. It is scheduled for release in 2026.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, and Justin Kuritzkes. Based on the MARVEL Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Rachel O'Connor have produced the film. Executive Producers are Louis D'Esposito and David Cain. The film also stars Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, and Mark Ruffalo.

The film is set to release in India on July 30 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada by Sony Pictures Entertainment India.

--IANS

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Ameesha shared a glimpse into her holiday with a video montage featuring the actress looking gorgeous in blue denim shorts, a white T-shirt, a baseball cap and a jacket. The clip featured the actress catching up with friends and exploring some of the city's picturesque locations.

For the caption, Ameesha wrote: “NEW YORK — soaking in the New York sun n vibes !!! Summer summer summer time!”

The 51-year-old actress made her acting debut in 2000 with the romantic thriller film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. This success continued with the Telugu action film Badri and the top-grossing period film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.

She was then seen starring in Humraaz and Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai. Ameesha was then seen in films such as Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Race 2.

Her latest success includes Gadar 2. The sequel to Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, it stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Utkarsh Sharma, all reprising their lead roles from the original, with Simrat Kaur, Manisha Wadhwa, and Gaurav Chopra.

The film follows Tara Singh’s return to d Pakistan in order to rescue his imprisoned son Jeete during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

She was last seen in Tauba Tera Jalwa, a romantic comedy directed by Akashaditya Lama. It stars Jatin Khurana, Ameesha and Angela Krislinzki. The film released in 2024 and was a dud at the box-office.

On June 26, Ameesha remembered her late grandmother on her birth anniversary and said that she misses her every day. She added that she 'envies heaven because it has her “angel grandma”'.

Taking to her social media account, Ameesha reshared a fan-made reel dedicated to her grandmother and penned a heartfelt message remembering her.

Ameesha who clearly seemed to be missing her ‘NAANPHIE’ wrote, “Happpppppppiest bday to my angel grandma - my NAANPHIE!!! Miss u every second of everyday !! I envy heaven because they have u !! But I know ur with me forever !! My heart n soul forever!! Thank u @adorableameesha for making this fabulous reel ! My grandma was truly the embodiment of all things graceful n royal.”

--IANS