Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh said on Saturday that the Haryana breed of cow has earned worldwide recognition. He stated that Haryana is playing a leading role in milk production and is contributing 36 per cent of the country’s total milk output, amounting to approximately 125.42 million tonnes.

The Union Minister urged the Haryana Government to establish cooperative societies in every village to benefit livestock farmers, noting that cooperatives can play a crucial role in increasing milk exports.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh was speaking as the Chief Guest on the second day of the 41st State-Level Livestock Exhibition, held in Kurukshetra on Saturday.

He said that livestock farmers from across the state have brought high-quality animals to the fair being organised on the holy land of Kurukshetra, and their deep affection for animals is clearly evident. He pointed out that the livelihoods of nearly 10 crore people in the country depend on the livestock sector, which has also played a significant role in promoting women’s empowerment.

The Union Minister said that the Central Government has launched several schemes for the development of the dairy sector and that more such initiatives will be introduced in the future. At present, the livestock and dairy sector represent a market worth ₹19 lakh crore.

Referring to past progress, he said that in 2014, the country’s total milk production stood at 146.3 million tonnes. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recognised the concerns of livestock farmers and gave focused attention to this sector. As a result, Animal Husbandry was separated from the Agriculture Department and established as an independent ministry to accelerate growth.

Due to the Prime Minister’s efforts, India’s milk production has now increased to 248 million tonnes, making the country the largest milk producer in the world. He added that livestock farmers will play a vital role in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The Union Minister said that for breed improvement, the Animal Husbandry Department is installing genomic chips in selected animals. These chips provide timely information about diseases and physiological changes and assist scientists in research.

He further stated that under the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), the Central Government is administering Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines to animals. These vaccines are being provided free of cost in Haryana. Additionally, around 70 mobile veterinary clinics are currently operational across the state.

Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav has levelled serious allegations against the BJP, stating that the party has consistently conspired to misuse certain individuals from a community against that very community.

He said the BJP indulges in politics of targeting, humiliating, and falsely accusing specific communities. The SP president was commenting on the controversy surrounding an OTT series, without naming the film, here on Saturday.

Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP promotes such conspiracies through inflammatory statements, issuing notices related to meetings, and using its financial power to produce advertisements, promotional material, or films.

When controversies arise from these activities, he said, the BJP changes its stance like a chameleon and pretends to take action while shedding crocodile tears. In reality, he added, the party secretly rejoices at the humiliation and oppression of the targeted community.

He said it is not even possible to name the film currently embroiled in controversy, as its title is not only objectionable but also extremely insulting. Writing the name of the film, he asserted, would further serve the BJP’s objective of showing contempt for that community. He clarified that even releasing such a film under a changed name should not be acceptable.

The SP president said that unless the producers involved in such acts suffer financial losses, such films will continue to be made. Those who promote the BJP’s agenda out of greed for money, he said, are—like the BJP itself—loyal only to money and nothing else. He maintained that this issue is not about a violation of “creative freedom” or “creative liberty,” but rather about “creative understanding” and “creative prudence.”

Akhilesh Yadav further said that a film which hurts the sentiments of a particular community or group due to prejudice and as part of a pre-planned conspiracy cannot be termed entertainment. If the objective is not entertainment, he argued, then the hidden agenda behind defaming a community must be exposed, along with the identities of those funding and supporting such destructive activities that damage social harmony.

He said that if “creative freedom” deliberately infringes upon someone’s dignity and reputation, then imposing a complete ban on such malicious creativity cannot be considered a violation of creativity itself. Freedom of expression, he added, is acceptable only so long as it does not harm the honour and human dignity of others.

Yadav said that cinema is considered a mirror of society, but this mirror should not be tarnished or sullied.

Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnea Pappu Yadav’s arrest late Friday night from his Patna residence, after a high-voltage drama, in a 31-year-old case has triggered political outrage, with Opposition leaders alleging political vendetta over his raising of the alleged rape and murder of a NEET aspirant in Patna.

On Saturday, Pappu Yadav was produced before the MP-MLA Court in Patna, where he sought bail citing poor health. The court remanded him to judicial custody and directed that he be provided proper medical care. Later, he was admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for two days.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday.

Reacting to Pappu Yadav’s arrest, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Nitish Kumar government. In a post on X, he alleged that the Bihar Police arrested Pappu Yadav to intimidate and suppress every voice that demands accountability.

He wrote on X, “The suspicious death of a NEET aspirant in Patna and the subsequent actions have once again exposed the deep rot in the system. When the victim’s family demanded an impartial investigation and justice, the same old BJP-NDA model came into play, diverting the case, harassing the family, and providing protection to the culprits. Fellow MP Pappu Yadav stood firmly as the voice of justice for his daughter. His arrest today is clearly an act of political revenge, meant to intimidate and silence every voice that seeks accountability.”

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi also came out in support of Pappu Yadav. Writing on X, she said, “From Hathras and Unnao to Ankita Bhandari and now Patna, wherever atrocities against women occur, BJP governments stand with the accused instead of delivering justice to the victim. The arrest of MP Pappu Yadav, who raised his voice in this case, is yet another link in this insensitive approach. The agenda of the BJP and its allies is clear, they stand with injustice and oppression.”

CPI (ML) Bihar state secretary Kunal said that the arrest of Pappu Yadav proves that the state government is using the law not as an instrument of justice but as a weapon of political revenge.

He said, “Since the alleged rape-murder case of the NEET aspirant came to light, Pappu Yadav has continuously stood with the victim’s family, raised the demand for justice on public platforms, and exposed the government’s inaction. Instead of arresting the culprits, bringing out the truth, and ensuring justice for the victim’s family, the government is targeting the Opposition. This arrest sends a dangerous message.”

Australia’s power-hitter Tim David has hinted that he may be eased into action at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the team management prioritising his fitness for the business end of the tournament.

David, who missed Australia’s tour of Pakistan due to a hamstring injury that cut short his Big Bash League season, has been cleared to return after a successful rehabilitation. However, the middle-order batter suggested he could miss parts of the group stage as Australia carefully managed his workload.

During a training session at the Colombo Cricket Ground, David was in ominous touch, launching several sixes, including one onto the roof of the Gymkhana Club lounge behind the sightscreen. Despite feeling strong, he acknowledged that caution remains part of the plan.

“I wanted to bat a bit longer, but they just said, ‘Hold your horses for a bit’. There are some management thoughts going around with the (medical staff), but it’s pretty strong, and I’m looking forward to the back end of this tournament,” David told cricket.com.au.

Set to play a key role in the middle order, David also addressed Australia’s struggles against spin during the Pakistan tour and the need to tackle that challenge head-on during the World Cup.

“It obviously comes with responsibility that in this tournament I’ll be batting through the middle, and it’s important that we keep going with the same intent against the spin bowling that we’re most likely going to face,” he said.

David has been a vital cog in Australia’s T20 setup, scoring 1,596 runs in 58 matches, including nine half-centuries and a century. Known for his power, he has already struck 101 sixes and 126 fours in international T20 cricket.

Australia, the 2021 T20 World Cup champions, will open their 2026 campaign against Ireland on February 11, followed by group matches against Zimbabwe (February 13), Sri Lanka (February 16) and Oman (February 20). The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eight stage.

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) mobile science exhibition, Space on Wheels, has emerged as a major attraction at the Industry-Institute Interaction–2026 (III–2026), being held from 6 to 8 February at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The exhibition has been organised under a special initiative of Vigyan Bharati, Jharkhand.

A state-of-the-art travelling exhibition, Space on Wheels, showcases ISRO’s journey, major scientific milestones, and India’s achievements in space science and technology. The exhibition features key missions such as Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, satellite launch vehicles, and rocket technologies, along with applications of space-based systems in disaster management, weather forecasting, agriculture, water resources, communication, navigation, and education.

Organisers said that around 8,000 school students from across Jharkhand have visited the exhibition so far. Students actively interacted with models, posters, and audio-visual displays, gaining a clearer understanding of space science and its relevance to everyday life.

During the programme, ISRO Group Director Dr. Shashi Reddy interacted with students and spoke about ISRO’s work culture, upcoming missions, and career opportunities in the space sector.

The students were also addressed by Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Naresh Chafekar, Praveen Ramdas, National Joint Organising Secretary of Vigyan Bharati, and Dr. N. P. Shukla. The speakers encouraged students to develop scientific temper, innovation-oriented thinking, and a commitment to indigenous technological advancement.

Dr. Chandra Shekhar Dwivedi, Secretary, Vigyan Bharati Jharkhand Prant, said that including Space on Wheels in III–2026 was aimed at taking science closer to society. He said such initiatives help spark curiosity among students and inspire them to contribute to nation-building.

The exhibition has drawn interest not only from students but also from teachers and the general public, serving as a link between science, society, and industry, while reinforcing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP leader Rohit Pawar said on Saturday that he will talk about doubts and suspicions regarding the tragic air crash that killed late Ajit Pawar on February 10, adding that he will also speak about Ajit Pawar’s views on the merger of the two NCPs on February 12.

Rohit Pawar has said that he will speak on the doubts about the accident on the 10th, and also on the 12th, about what Ajit Dada wanted regarding the merger. He also said that he will hold a press conference and talk about Ajit Dada’s wishes, adding that he will also talk about what exactly happened regarding the merger of the two NCPs.

“On February 10, I will present the doubts we have about the air crash to people through a presentation or a press conference in Mumbai. About what Ajit Dada wanted to do about the merger, I will hold a separate press conference in Mumbai on February 12, because it is on that date Ajit Dada had planned to officially announce the merger of the two NCPs,” Rohit Pawar said.

“Everyone has doubts about the air crash. We have some questions in our minds. I will talk in detail about why it happened and how it happened on February 10. I will present some things at a press conference on February 10,” Rohit Pawar said.

“Ajit Dada’s wish was that everyone should come together as a family, and he was also trying to achieve that. Be it Supriya Tai or Pawar Saheb, we were all trying to do the same thing. Our family is coming together once again,” Rohit Pawar said.

Later on Saturday, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told media persons, “Rohit Pawar is Ajit Pawar’s nephew and a member of the Pawar family. He has expressed doubts about Ajit Pawar’s air crash. Sharad Pawar-led NCP Lok Sabha MP representing Beed district, Bajrang Sonawane, has even asked if someone planted a bomb on Ajit Dada’s aircraft”.

“Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Amol Mitkari has also expressed his doubts. Even Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has raised questions about the air crash. But Devendra Fadnavis has begun attacking MLAs from his own Mahayuti alliance and is telling them to keep quiet, saying that it is not right to ask questions. Why is Fadnavis threatening them? If his friends and colleagues have any doubts in their minds, then why are Fadnavis and the BJP in pain?” Sanjay Raut said.

“If Narendra Modi, who is the Prime Minister of the country, sits in Parliament, and people from the opposition party protest inside, Om Birla and the BJP claim that there was a conspiracy to kill him. Is that not politics? If anyone has doubts about Ajit Pawar’s air crash, why are you so upset? Do you have any hand in it?” Sanjay Raut said.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday visited the forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district and reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed there, as well as interacted with personnel at forward locations.

He commended the troops for their high morale and operational readiness.

During the visit, the Army chief also stopped at Kamsar village in Poonch, where he met Subedar (Honorary Captain) Parvez Ahmed (Retired) of 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

General Dwivedi and the veteran JCO had served together on multiple occasions, including when the Army chief commanded the battalion between 2002 and 2005.

Subedar Parvez Ahmed joined the Indian Army in March 1991 and retired in March 2019 after 25 years of service. Over the course of his career, he served extensively in operational and instructional roles, including tenures as an instructor at training establishments. He also excelled in various specialised courses and was awarded for his service.

Following his retirement, Subedar Parvez Ahmed remained actively engaged with the local community. During Operation Sindoor, he played a significant role in supporting deployed troops by assisting with logistics and local coordination, drawing on his familiarity with the area and long association with the unit. His efforts, carried out at personal risk during periods of heightened tension, earned him recognition from the Army.

In recognition of his continued contribution to society and his support during Operation Sindoor, the Army chief felicitated him with the Veteran Achiever Award during the visit. Family members, ex-servicemen and local residents were present on the occasion.

Several other veterans and civilians, including women and children from the region, also met the Army chief during the visit. The exchanges were informal, reflecting the close bond between serving personnel, former soldiers and civilians in the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

For residents of the region, where military service is closely interwoven with everyday life, the visit highlighted the continuing connection between the Indian Army, its veterans and the communities they come from.

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has officially announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Australia-based beverage company Goodness Group Global, marking its entry into the Australian consumer goods market.

As part of the partnership, Reliance Consumer plans to expand the reach of Goodness Group’s brands to new markets, including India. The move strengthens Reliance Consumer’s push into health-led beverages such as low-sugar, functional and hydration drinks.

However, the percentage of the stake and the financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

The partnership further strengthens RCPL’s efforts in developing a health-based beverages portfolio and solidifies its position as a rapidly emerging global FMCG player from India.

RCPL, which has a strong portfolio of healthy beverages like RasKik & Sun Crush juices, zero-sugar carbonated soft drinks, and herbal-natural beverage brand Shunya, has already forayed into key global markets like the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The company is also in the process of expanding its soft drinks brand Campa in several markets.

The Goodness Group, headquartered in Sydney, sells its products across Australia and more than 20 international markets. Its flagship brand Nexba, focuses on gut-health beverages made using plant-based, zero-calorie sweeteners.

“With our strong supply chain and distribution capabilities, RCPL will ensure expansion of GGG’s brands across newer markets and wide availability in India. This move will further help RCPL meet its promise of making the global quality accessible to everyone,” RCPL Director T Krishnakumar said.

“In RCPL, we have found an incredibly strong and sophisticated partner as part of our evolution as we become a global player in up to 50 Western markets over the next five years. This partnership will provide an opportunity for the business to become the global leader in the ‘Better-For-You’ category,” Troy Douglas, Founder of Goodness Group, said.

The acquisition gives Reliance Consumer control of Goodness Group’s portfolio of health-focused beverage brands, including Nexba and PACE. PACE is a hydration drink co-created with Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, the company said.

Reliance Consumer has been steadily expanding its FMCG footprint beyond India, with operations in markets such as the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Australia deal adds another overseas market as the company builds a broader global presence in packaged foods and beverages.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that Form 6 or Form 7 applications will not be accepted in bulk by the authorised officers. Form 6 is the application for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll, while Form 7 is for objecting to inclusion or seeking deletion of a name.

“Only individual applications will be accepted. The same principle will apply to applications received by post. Bulk applications refer to applications submitted by one person on behalf of multiple individuals. However, individual applications submitted together by members of the same family may be accepted,” State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said here on Saturday.

Rinwa, in a statement, said that claims and objections under the Special Summary Revision-2026 in the state will be received until March 6, 2026. He stated that action is being taken regarding objections related to deceased, transferred, and duplicate entries, absent voters, etc., through Form 7, following the prescribed procedure.

The Chief Electoral Officer explained that the deletion process is carried out to prepare a clean and error-free electoral roll. Based on the application submitted in Form-7, the Electoral Registration Officer takes action to delete a voter’s name from the electoral roll.

According to Rule 13(2) of the Electoral Registration Rules, 1960, every objection to the proposed inclusion of a name in the existing roll or an application for the removal of a name shall be in Form-7 and shall be made only by a person whose name is already included in that electoral roll. The objector is also required to provide their details in Form-7, such as name, voter photo identity card number, their own and the concerned person’s mobile number, etc.

He further informed that the list of objections received in Form-7 is prepared by the Electoral Registration Officer in Form-10. The list of objections received during the claims and objections period is displayed daily on the notice board of the Electoral Registration Officer in Form-10 and is also provided weekly to recognised political parties by the Electoral Registration Officer.

For the convenience of political parties and the general public, the said list of applications received in Form-7 (Form-10) is uploaded daily on the District Election Officer’s website, and a link to it is also available on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website. He explained that applications received in Form-7 are processed according to the prescribed procedure, which includes issuing notices, conducting on-site verification by the Booth Level Officer and submitting a report, and then, after a minimum period of 7 days, the Electoral Registration Officer conducts a hearing as necessary and makes a decision on the application.

In cases of objections against the inclusion of a person’s name in the electoral roll, a notice is issued to the objector in Form-13. A notice is also issued in Form-14 to the person whose name is being objected to.

He further explained that, according to Rule 19 of the Electoral Registration Rules, 1960, the Electoral Registration Officer will fix the date, time, and place for the hearing regarding the objection and display this information on their notice board and will also issue a notice of the hearing. As per Rule 19, the Electoral Registration Officer will conduct a brief inquiry into each such objection. For this purpose, the Electoral Registration Officer may ask the objector/person to appear before them and present appropriate evidence.

Earlier, opposition political parties alleged that the ruling party, in a nexus, had poll officials delete the voter’s name by submitting a printed Form 7. The ECI has already denied such allegations.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a review meeting in Jammu to assess the progress of development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, Shah undertook a comprehensive review of key sectors such as road infrastructure, power, industry, tourism, and 4G and optical fibre connectivity.

The meeting was attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials from both the Central Government and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Union Home Minister said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India remains firmly committed to the vision of building a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that due to the continuous and dedicated efforts of the Modi government to accelerate development, projects in Jammu and Kashmir have made unprecedented progress. He added that the Union Territory needs to fully harness the potential of its hydropower projects.

Shah emphasised that special focus should be laid on achieving 100 per cent saturation of government welfare schemes and ensuring that the benefits of all development projects reach the intended beneficiaries.

He said there is a need for aggressive marketing of Jammu and Kashmir’s tourist destinations in other states to fully explore the tourism potential of the region. He added that the Government of India will provide all possible assistance in plans to develop new tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister further said that priority should be given to developing sports infrastructure and establishing sports academies to connect youth with development. In this regard, efforts will be made to secure investments of about ₹200 crore by engaging with various sports bodies.

Shah also said that efforts should be made to promote the dairy sector in Jammu and Kashmir through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Marking a significant step, Jammu and Kashmir has been brought under the ambit of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for the first time in the financial year 2025–26, enabling access to 50-year interest-free loans for capital projects.

The Home Minister underlined that strengthened fiscal discipline would help stabilize the Union Territory’s fiscal deficit over time.

Shah’s visit highlights the Government of India’s firm resolve to make the development, peace, and security of Jammu and Kashmir a foremost national priority.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath spent a night in his ancestral village, Panchur, during his visit to Uttarakhand, where his fondness for children was clearly visible.

After his night halt on Friday, the next morning, he met the village elders to enquire about their well-being and affectionately interacted with children.

He showered love on the village children, spoke with them and distributed chocolates. The Chief Minister took one child onto his lap and played with him lovingly. The children, in turn, spoke freely and comfortably with the Chief Minister. Villagers also took selfies with CM Yogi Adityanath during the interaction.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Adityanath also met his family members and enquired about everyone’s well-being. Witnessing the Chief Minister’s humility, simplicity, and warmth, local residents were deeply moved. Later, as he went around his village, the Chief Minister met villagers and acquaintances, affectionately interacting with children throughout the visit.

While touring the village, Yogi Adityanath encouraged villagers to continue living there and remain engaged in agriculture.

Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a model state in the country in the field of flood safety and water management. From 2017-18 to 2025-26, a significant year-on-year increase has been recorded in the number of flood control projects, flood-protected areas and the population benefiting from these initiatives.

Since 2017, a total of 1950 flood projects have been completed in the flood-prone areas of the state’s eight major river basins, namely Ganga, Yamuna, Gandak, Sarayu, Ramganga, Rapti-Rohin, Son and Gomti. Along with this, 523 embankments have been constructed across a length of 3869 kilometres, directly benefiting more than 3.72 crore people in the state and also providing a strong foundation to the irrigation system.

According to the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, 74 flood control projects were undertaken in 2017-18, which increased to 111 in 2018-19. As a result, the flood-protected area in the state increased from 0.65 lakh hectares to approximately 1.88 lakh hectares, while the beneficiary population rose to 22.03 lakh. In the same sequence, through 151 projects in 2019-20 and 196 projects in 2020-21, flood protection was provided to 2.88 lakh hectares and 5.01 lakh hectares, respectively. In 2021-22, through 167 projects, the flood-protected area in the state doubled to 10.90 lakh hectares, providing direct relief to 46.26 lakh people.

Maintaining steady progress in flood control initiatives, 283 projects in 2022-23 provided flood protection to 3.64 lakh hectares. In 2023-24, flood protection works in the state reached their highest level so far. During this year, 362 projects secured 10.79 lakh hectares, providing relief to 68.97 lakh people. In 2024-25, the operation of 321 projects provided flood protection to 4.97 lakh hectares.

Similarly, in the current financial year 2025-26, so far 285 projects have increased the flood-protected area by 4.33 lakh hectares and provided flood safety to 55.69 lakh people. Through the successful implementation of these departmental projects, more than 37.2 million people in the state have directly benefited.

With the objective of providing protection from floods to people living in river basins, the Irrigation and Water Resources Department also undertakes construction of embankments. Since 2017, 523 embankments with a total length of 3,869 kilometres have been constructed. These include 19 extremely sensitive embankments with a length of 464.92 km and 18 sensitive embankments with a length of 241.58 km. In this sequence, special focus has been laid on anti-erosion and embankment protection works in flood-affected districts such as Ballia, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Siddharthnagar, Bahraich and Kushinagar, among others.

In addition, the department operates approximately 10,727 drainage projects covering about 60,047 km across the state. For their expansion, new dredging works worth Rs 74.32 crore have been approved in Gonda, Bijnor, Hapur, Bahraich and Mirzapur in 2025-26. The continuous increase in flood-protected areas and beneficiary population reflects the people-centric and accountable work culture of the Yogi government. These sustained initiatives have established Uttar Pradesh as the country’s model state in the field of water management and flood safety.

In a Group C clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, two-time champions West Indies and Scotland locked horns in the second match of the day at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, with Shimron Hetmyer’s blistering knock and Romario Shepherd’s sensational five-wicket haul powering the Caribbean side to a 35-run victory.

After a cautious start that saw the West Indies reach 33 without loss in the powerplay, Hetmyer, who had recently faced visa-related travel delays and arrived in India just hours before the match, quickly found his rhythm and seized control of the innings. The left-hander smashed a rapid 22-ball half-century, the fastest fifty by a West Indies batter in Men’s T20 World Cup history, and finished with a stunning 64 off 36 balls. He struck six maximums and two fours at a strike rate of 177.78 before being dismissed by Safyaan Sharif, caught by Brandon McMullen.

Earlier, Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first. Openers Brandon King (35 off 30) and captain Shai Hope (19 off 22) provided a steady start but were dismissed in quick succession as Scotland fought back through the middle overs. Brad Currie and Mark Watt kept things tight, with Currie particularly impressive at the death to prevent West Indies from crossing the 200-run mark.

Rovman Powell contributed a handy 24 off 14 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford provided late fireworks with a quick 26 off 13 deliveries, pushing the total past 180. Debutant Oliver Davidson picked up a key wicket to slow the scoring midway through the innings as West Indies finished on 182/5 in 20 overs.

In reply, Scotland made a promising start and were well-placed at 115/3 in 13.1 overs, with skipper Richie Berrington (42) and Tom Bruce (35) threatening to take the game deep. However, Jason Holder provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Berrington for his 100th T20I wicket, turning the momentum back in West Indies’ favour.

From there, Shepherd unleashed a devastating spell in the death overs, taking four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick, to dismantle Scotland’s lower order. He finished with figures of 5/20 as Scotland collapsed from 132/5 to 147 all out in 18.5 overs, losing their last seven wickets for just 32 runs.

Holder also chipped in with three wickets, while Scotland struggled to counter the late pace and variations as West Indies sealed a comprehensive 35-run win to begin their T20 World Cup campaign.

T20 World Cup, West Indies vs Scotland: Playing XI

West Indies:

Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph.

Scotland:

George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, captain Richie Berrington, Tom Bruce, wicketkeeper Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Mark Watt, Brad Currie, and Safyaan Sharif.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given directions to increase the state’s green cover to 15% by the year 2030. This target will be achieved only when tree plantation is given the form of a mass movement.

Keeping the Chief Minister’s vision at the center, the Forest Department has decided to form ‘Green Chaupals’ in villages and through this, the participation of common people in environmental conservation is being ensured. With the cooperation of various departments, ‘Green Chaupals’ are being formed at each Gram Sabha level. So far, Green Chaupals have been formed/organized in 14,318 villages.

People joining these Green Chaupals are being informed about tree plantation campaigns to be run in the year 2026 and responsibilities related to preparation are also being assigned to them. Green Chaupals are also emphasizing ensuring active participation of women, youth and the elderly at the Gram Panchayat level in environmental conservation.

In Green Chaupal, the Gram Pradhan is appointed as the President, the section/beat officer is the Member Secretary and the Gram Panchayat Secretary is appointed as the Convener. Besides these three Gram Panchayat members (with a minimum of one woman member), one woman representative from the Self Help Group, the Primary School Headmaster, the Anganwadi Helper, the Progressive Farmer, the Environment Expert/Local NGO Representative and the Biodiversity Management Committee Representative are the members of Chaupal.

For the objective of increasing the state’s greenery, at least one Green Chaupal meeting every month is mandatory. In this, extensive promotion and propaganda of environment-related schemes by various departments will also be done. Special local-level promotion and propaganda on environmental conservation and climate change (nukkad natak, rallies, seminars, etc.) are also being organized. The District Tree Plantation Committee is monitoring the work of Green Chaupals. The Divisional Forest Officer is doing this coordination.

Ramkumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Department UP, here on Saturday said, “Chief Minister has directed that Green Chaupals be held in villages. Its objective is to increase greenery in Uttar Pradesh and ensure environmental conservation. For this, help will also be taken from Green Chaupals. The village-level Pradhan has been made the president. Every month, at least one Green Chaupal meeting is mandatory. So far, Green Chaupals have been formed and organized in 14,318 villages. Excellent work being done by Green Chaupals will also be identified.”

A day after 19 Maoists surrendered before the Odisha police, 15 more hardcore red rebels carrying around a 2 crore cash reward on their heads pledged to shun the path of violence to join the mainstream in the latest setback to Naxal activities.

Fifteen hardcore Maoists surrendered before Sanjeeb Panda, Additional Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations), Odisha Police, at a special function held at the District Police Office (DPO), Rayagada, according to a statement issued by the government.

The Maoists, who surrendered, voluntarily laid down their arms and handed over their weapons to Panda, symbolising their decision to renounce violence and rejoin the mainstream of society.

The surrender of 15 Maoists reflects the steadily weakening influence of left-wing extremist ideology in the region and the growing trust of misguided youth in the government’s development-oriented and people-centric approach, the ADG (anti-Naxal) operation said on the occasion.

He emphasised that sustained operation by the Special Operation Group, the District Voluntary Force, the CRPF, and the BSF has eroded the base of the Maoists.

The ADG further assured that all surrendered Maoists would be extended the benefits under the State Government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, including financial assistance, vocational training, and skill development, to help them reintegrate into society with dignity.

The 15 Maoists include Nikhil and Indu, both State Committee Members, and they were carrying rewards of 55 lakh each. The 15 Maoists have two State Committee Members, one Divisional Committee Member, five Area Committee Members, and eight party members. Together, they were carrying a reward of Rs 1.98 crore.

They surrendered 14 weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, five SLRs, one INSAS, one sten gun, one .303, four single shots, and a huge cache of ammunition. The reward against the arms is about Rs 16 lakh.

The 15-member group was from the BGN division (Bansadhara, Ghuman, Nagabali) and was operating in Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Kalahandi districts.

Nikhil had joined the Maoist organisation in 2004, and he had been active in BGN since 2008. After the killing of Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike in Kandhamal in December 2025, Nikhil was the next highest-ranking Maoist in the state.

Increased security operations and successes in interior Naxal hotbeds have led the armed cadres to leave the path of violence and join the mainstream.

Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has taken a nostalgic look back at his directorial debut Kalicharan, which completed 50 years since its release.

Marking the milestone on Saturday, Ghai shared how nervous he was on the day the film finally reached theatres.

The filmmaker revealed that the pressure was so intense that he was literally shivering before the release.

Ten years of struggle led to that day

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Ghai said the moment meant everything to him because it marked the result of a decade of hard work. Before stepping into direction, he had spent nearly ten years acting and writing scripts for others, all leading up to Kalicharan.

“I was at the crossroad of my life 50 years back on this day of release of my first film as a director of Kalicharan and was shivering,” he wrote, adding that the film carried the weight of his years of struggle and hopes.

 

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A turning point in his career

Thankfully, the release turned out to be a major breakthrough. Kalicharan went on to become a massive blockbuster and opened the doors to a long and successful journey in cinema for Ghai.

Over the years, he delivered several iconic films including Vishwanath, Karz, Hero, Vidhaata, Meri Jung, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal.

Grateful to the team that believed in him

Looking back, Ghai expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported him when he had no experience as a director. He thanked the producers, actors, co-writers and technicians who trusted his vision at a crucial stage of his life.

About ‘Kalicharan’

Kalicharan starred Shatrughan Sinha, Reena Roy, Premnath, Ajit, Madan Puri and Danny Denzongpa in key roles. Following its success, the film was remade in several languages, including Telugu (Khaidi Kalidasu), Kannada (Kaalinga), Tamil (Sangili) and Malayalam (Pathamudayam).

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed members of the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, praising their contribution to the progress of Malaysia and describing them as a “living bridge” connecting India and Malaysia. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s economic rise, saying that “trust has become India’s strongest currency.”

PM Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Malaysia, also thanked his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, for joining the community program and the special gesture extended to him upon his arrival in the country. In a special gesture, Prime Minister Ibraim had gone to the airport to receive Modi at the airport. The two leaders travelled together to the community centre in Kuala Lumpur in the same car.

“The warmth of your greeting reflects the beautiful diversity of our shared culture. First of all, I thank my dear friend Anwar Ibrahim for joining the community celebration. I also thank him for his very kind words on the scale and future potential of India-Malaysia friendship in his speech just now. Not just that, he came to the airport to welcome me, and he brought me here in his car. Not only his car but his seat also, this special gesture reflects his love and respect for India and for all of you,” Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora.

Modi also recalled his promise to Ibrahim after he could not visit Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit last year. “As promised, I am here. This is my first foreign visit in 2026.”

The Prime Minister praised the “record-breaking” cultural performance to welcome him. “We have just seen a record-setting cultural performance. 800 dancers in perfect harmony. This performance will be remembered by our people for years to come. I congratulate all the performers.”

He noted that Malaysia has the second largest Indian origin community in the world, serving as a “living bridge” between the two countries. “There is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts… You are the living bridge that links us. You have connected Roti Canai with Malabar Parotta. Coconut, spices, and of course, Teh tarik. The flavours seem so familiar, whether it is in Kuala Lumpur or Kochi. We understand each other so well. It must be due to the large number of common words between ur languages and Malay. I have heard that Indian music and movies are popular in Malaysia. You all know that PM Anwar Ibrahim sings very well. But many Indians back home did not know it. During his last visit, they were pleasantly surprised. Videos of him singing an old Hindi song in India went viral. It is also wonderful that he loves the Tamil songs of the legendary MGR.”

‘Trust has become India’s strongest currency’: Modi on India’s economic rise

Modi further emphasized the economic rise of India. Citing the example of recent trade deals, New Delhi has signed with several countries, Modi said, “Earlier, India was seen just as a huge market. Now we are a hub for investment and trade. India is seen as a trusted partner for growth. Whether it is the UK. UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, the EU, or the USA. Countries have trade deals with India…Trust has become India’s strongest currency.”

Recalling the emotional connection the Indian community members share with India, Modi said that his government took a historic decision just a few months ago to extend the OCI Card to Malaysian citizens of Indian origin.

“India will always embrace you with open arms. That is why we made a historic decision just a few months ago. We extended the OCI Card eligibility to Malaysian citizens of Indian origin up to the sixth generation. We have been supporting the Indian Scholarship Trust Fund. We will also award the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to students studying in India. We look forward to seeing you in the ‘Know India’ programme,” he added.