New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into India recorded a 6 per cent increase to $19.81 billion in the April-June quarter of the current financial year compared to the corresponding figure of $18.62 billion in the same quarter of 2025-26 despite the global uncertainties, according to figures compiled by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The month-wise figures show that FDI inflows nearly doubled in April this year to 12.1 billion from $6.6 billion in the same month of the previous year, after which they declined in May to $2.8 billion before picking up some momentum at $4.91 billion in June.

Japan emerged as the highest investor during the first quarter of the current financial year with FDI to the tune of $5.71 billion, followed by Singapore at $5.22 billion, Mauritius ($2.31 billion), the Netherlands ($1.38 billion), the US ($1.34 billion), and the UAE ($868 million).

FDI from the US declined by over 76 per cent to $1.34 billion in April-June 2026-27 from $5.61 billion in the same period of the previous financial year, while inflows from the UAE dropped $868 million compared with $1 billion in the first quarter of 2025-26.

The main sectors that have attracted healthy inflows include services ($7.04 billion), computer software and hardware ($2.84 billion), trading ($1.92 billion), non-conventional energy ($1.24 billion), and auto ($622 million).

Total FDI, including equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital, increased about 22 per cent to $30.65 billion during April-June 2026-27.

Tamil Nadu led among the Indian states, attracting as much as $5.95 billion in FDI during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with Maharashtra coming in the second position as receipts touched $4.22 billion, followed by Delhi ($2.67 billion), Karnataka ($2.11 billion), and Gujarat ($1.3 billion), which made up the rest of the top five in the FDI list.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Sep 25 (IANS) Six youths were killed or feared drowned in two separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh on Friday while immersing Ganesh idols on Anant Chaturdashi.

In Bhind district, three teenagers aged around 16–17 years drowned while immersing a Ganesh idol in the Kwari River at Kanavar village under Umri police station limits. The incident occurred between 4.30 pm and 5 pm after villagers had completed the havan and puja rituals and reached the river for immersion.

According to police, the three youths entered a deeper section of the river and drowned. Eyewitnesses raised an alarm, after which villagers who knew how to swim entered the river to search for them. However, they could not locate the youths because of the water's depth and strong current.

The missing youths were identified as Krishna Bhadauria, Abhijit Bhadauria and Madan Bhadauria, all residents of Kanavar village. After receiving information, Umri Station House Officer (SHO) Brijendra Singh Sengar reached the spot with police personnel. SDOP Ravindra Vaskale also visited the site and took stock of the rescue efforts. Police have summoned a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team to search for the youths, and the operation was underway.

In a separate incident in Dhar district, three youths drowned in a pond on Dolchi Road in Badnawar while immersing a Ganesh idol. Residents pulled them out of the water and rushed them to the Badnawar Civil Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

The deceased were identified as Pawan alias Kanha Rathore (19), Rahul Prajapat (20) and Nihal Bhambhi (21). The incident triggered panic in the area, with the families of the deceased and a large number of residents gathering at the hospital.

--IANS

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Patna, Sep 25 (IANS) RJD Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti on Friday reached the Secretariat Police Station in Patna seeking registration of an FIR against Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over his social media post featuring the family of a minor girl involved in the Jamui molestation case.

Bharti submitted a written complaint at the police station and waited for some time, but alleged that the police refused to accept her complaint or register an FIR. She subsequently left the police station without the case being registered.

Speaking after visiting the Secretariat Police Station, Bharti said she had approached the police to lodge an FIR against the Chief Minister and questioned how ordinary citizens are treated when seeking to register complaints. “We have not come to the Secretariat police station to play caste politics. We are elected representatives of the people, Members of Parliament. If my FIR is not being registered, one can only imagine the plight of ordinary citizens of Bihar at police stations,” she said.

She also pointed out that Choudhary holds the portfolios of both Chief Minister and Home Minister. Referring to the Jamui case, she claimed that FIRs had been registered against more than 250 people, including news-channel personnel, YouTubers and ordinary citizens, over the circulation of related material.

Bharti alleged that the Chief Minister’s interaction with the victim’s family and the subsequent publication of the photograph raised questions under the POCSO Act. “The Chief Minister of Bihar was holding a photo session after summoning the victimised girl and her family members. On one hand, cases are being registered against news channels for violating the POCSO Act. Yet, he himself shared a photo on ‘X’ that violates the same Act, only to delete the post after realising the error twenty minutes later. Does this constitute a violation of the POCSO Act or not?” she asked.

The controversy centres on the Jamui case, in which police have arrested those accused of the alleged molestation of a minor girl. The issue took a political turn after Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary shared a photograph on social media with the victim’s family during his interaction with them on Thursday.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav subsequently alleged that the photograph violated provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The post was later deleted. Tejashwi also questioned why police had not registered an FIR against the Chief Minister, arguing that they had taken action against other individuals accused of sharing photographs or videos related to the case on social media. He said the law should apply equally to everyone and warned that he would approach the court if the police did not register a case against Choudhary.

Bharti also referred to a series of recent incidents involving girls and women reported from different parts of Bihar, including Jamui, Samastipur, Banka, Madhepura and Darbhanga. She alleged that the incidents reflected concerns over women’s safety in the state.

The controversy now centres on whether the police will formally take up Bharti's complaint and whether any legal proceedings will follow over the photograph shared by the Chief Minister. Any allegation of a POCSO violation would ultimately have to be examined under applicable law, based on the facts and evidence available to the authorities.

--IANS

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Tokyo, Sep 25 (IANS) Reflecting on their historic T20I encounter against current T20 World Cup holders India, Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming said his side displayed commendable confidence against a top-tier opponent, adding that it was a massive learning curve for his team.

At the same time, Kadowaki-Fleming felt there’s an urgent need to expand grassroots programs across Japan to bridge the gap with elite cricketing nations. Japan played host to India for the very first time in international cricket through a commemorative match organized by the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India.

The landmark match, which saw tickets sell out within hours, drew a record-breaking crowd of 2,149 spectators - the highest-ever attendance for a cricket match in Japan. It also recorded over two million views across official online streaming in English and Japanese.

"Despite the ranking gap between India and Japan, we were able to play with confidence throughout the match and challenge them. Although we unfortunately lost this time, we want to use today's experience to eventually beat top-ranked teams and aim higher," Kadowaki-Fleming said in a statement by JCA on Friday.

In a rain-hit match, with the game reduced to five overs per innings, Japan lost by just two runs in the chase despite restricting India to 32/4. "A major difference lies in the educational programs; India has an environment where cricket is played everywhere.

“For us in Japanese cricket, the challenge is to expand awareness of the sport not just in Sano, but across the country. I believe we need to create programs that allow children to improve their skills," added Kadowaki-Fleming.

Echoing similar sentiments, Japan head coach Dhugal Bedingfield praised his side's adaptability against India, adding that the exposure would accelerate the group's growth.

"It was an honour to play against a top-tier team featuring the world's best batters and bowlers. I believe we put up a good fight against them, and the players - including the younger ones - adapted well to the match situation. The players gained valuable experience from this game, so I am excited about the future. We will work hard to reach the next level," he said.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Sep 25 (IANS) Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s troubles don’t seem to cease. The singer’s pair of his high-profile stadium shows have been canceled due to weather. The singer was set to perform on September 25 and September 26 in Massachusetts.

However, his shows now have been nixed. The tour promoter Messina Touring took to their Instagram, and shared the updates.

They wrote, “Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium. The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority”.

“Refunds are available now at the point of purchase. Ticketholders who purchased through Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded”, they added.

Earlier, the singer became embroiled in a controversy over Palestine after rapper Macklemore, his opening act, voiced support for Palestinians, and said, “Free Palestine” during a New Jersey concert. Macklemore was subsequently removed from Sheeran’s US Loop Tour after venue owners objected to his comments.

Sheeran said the decision was made by the tour promoter following pressure from venues, and denied personally removing Macklemore. 4 other supporting acts later withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore. Sheeran initially said his shows were not intended to be political, but addressed the issue publicly when the tour resumed in Philadelphia on September 19. He apologised for mistakes in handling the controversy and described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable”, while also condemning the October 2023 Hamas attack.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) The Congress on Friday staged nationwide protests to demand the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over 'vote chori' allegations, asserting that the party would not bow down until action is taken against him.

The allegations have gained momentum after a media report claimed differences within the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Several Congress leaders and workers were detained during the agitation, including the party's Assam and Punjab chiefs Gaurav Gogoi and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, respectively. Water cannons were also used to disperse the protesters across states.

In the national capital, the Youth Congress held a march demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav said: "The demand is clear that Gyanesh Kumar must be arrested because he has murdered democracy. The essence of a democracy is lost when votes are stolen."

"We clearly demand that Gyanesh Kumar resign and that the elections conducted over the past year undergo a review," he added.

Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba recalled that the party, especially Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, has been speaking about the "theft of votes" for months now.

"On December 14, the ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodo’ rally was held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. The entire Delhi was echoing with the slogan...Today, our only demand is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should seek Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. He should be arrested and sent to jail. The illegal decisions taken by him must be stopped and reversed," Lambae told IANS.

Congress leaders and workers attempted to 'gherao' the Election Commission office in Chandigarh.

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who was being detained, told reporters: “We have all gathered here demanding the removal of Gyanesh Kumar and his arrest and imprisonment. Our protest is against the SIR. Votes are being stolen across the country, and 20 lakh votes have been deleted in Punjab...Our demand is that SIR should be cancelled and voting should take place without it."

Congress Chandigarh President H.S. Lucky asserted that the party would continue the agitation despite the attempts being made by the police to stop them.

"The police are doing their duty and putting up barricades. Deploy the police, the Army, Income Tax, ED, or any other agency, but the way the people of the country have been wronged, they will not tolerate it. Gen-Z recently held a major protest at Jantar Mantar. Another major movement will emerge in the country. This protest will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns, just as (then-Union Education Minister) Dharmendra Pradhan did," Lucky told IANS.

Security personnel also used water cannons to disperse agitators in Chandigarh.

Leading a protest march in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das said: “This movement is against the stealing of votes, and Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign. Rahul Gandhi has been raising the issue of vote theft from the beginning, but no one was listening. Today, it has been proved how vote theft is taking place."

Led by Bihar President Rajesh Ram, Congress workers in Patna marched towards the Election Commission office. However, police put up barricades near the Secretariat to stop them.

A heated scuffle broke out between the police and the workers as the latter attempted to break through the barricades and move forward. The police had to use water cannons to bring the situation under control.

Speaking to reporters during the agitation, Rajesh Ram said: “We are not afraid. We will continue to protest against Gyanesh Kumar, who is a criminal.”

Another protester alleged that police resorted to 'lathi charge'.

Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also took part in the Congress protest in Patna. Criticising the Election Commission, he said: "They have committed an injustice against 13 crore people in Bengal, Bihar and Assam. How can they be allowed to go?”

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat took part in the Congress protest in Dehradun.

Congress state in-charge Kumari Selja said: “We are holding protests across the country. People have seen the revelations that have come out regarding the Chief Election Commissioner. The Election Commission is not functioning in the manner it should. There is no unanimity there, and it is not impartial."

Similarly, Congress leaders and workers protested outside the Election Commission office in Shimla.

Congress Himachal Pradesh in-charge Rajni Patil also recalled Rahul Gandhi's vote theft allegations, saying: "Now we are firmly convinced that there are irregularities in the elections...If things go on like this then the Constitution will be totally destroyed."

Similar protests also took place in Assam's Guwahati, where state chief and MP Gaurav Gogoi, along with other party members, was detained while trying to break through police barricades

--IANS

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Kolkata, Sep 25 (IANS) The list of reserved wards for seven poll-bound urban civic bodies in West Bengal will be announced next month.

The notification announcing the reserved wards for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) will be issued on October 7.

Meanwhile, the notification declaring the reserved wards for five other municipalities, Haldia in East Midnapore district, Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri district, and Kalimpong and Kurseong in Darjeeling district, will be issued on October 6.

The decision was taken after a meeting of West Bengal State Election Commissioner Krishna Gupta with the district magistrates concerned on Friday afternoon.

It is learnt that the meeting also discussed targets for completing the elections for these seven civic bodies. As per the plan, notifications for the polls might be announced either on October 27 or October 28, soon after Durga Puja. The elections are likely to be held either on November 28 or November 29, after the festive season. The tentative date for counting and announcement of results is December 2.

Voting will be held in 6,301 booths across these seven civic bodies.

Meanwhile, the terms of the current boards of 112 more urban civic bodies in the state will expire in the first quarter of 2027. The biggest challenge for the new government and the State Election Commission will be to complete elections for 127 municipalities within the next nine months.

Currently, 15 urban civic bodies across 12 districts of West Bengal lack elected municipal boards. Administrators run municipal services in these civic bodies.

Notable among them is the Howrah Municipal Corporation, where no elections have been held for the last 13 years. The last election was held in 2013, and its term ended in 2018.

Since the formation of the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has been emphasising the need to move the election process forward quickly at the administrative level.

Soon after the new Cabinet was formed, State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul met the Chief Minister to discuss the polls for these civic bodies.

--IANS

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Lucknow, Sep 25 (IANS) A day after Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav launched the 'PDA Rath Yatra' for next year's Uttar Pradesh polls from the Congress bastion of Raebareli, Congress state chief Ajay Rai remarked that everyone is free to campaign anywhere while maintaining that his party is doing its own work for the elections.

"Anyone can go anywhere for election campaigning. We are certainly doing our work. We stand firmly with the people in their joys and sorrows," the UP Congress chief remarked.

Referring to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Rai asserted that the entire nation is looking towards him today. "He is raising national issues and strongly presenting questions that concern the public," he added.

SP MP Rajeev Rai backed the UP Congress chief's remark, saying: "Whatever he said is absolutely right...we will keep working hard to ensure that the INDIA bloc wins the maximum seats (in the Assembly polls).

Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday launched the party's 'PDA Yatra' from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh as part of its campaign and preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections in the state.

During the event, he targeted the BJP, stating that when the time comes to vote, no matter how much effort the BJP exerts, "the people of the 'PDA' (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak—Backward, Dalit, Minority) will unite to defeat them."

Ahead of the 'yatra' on Thursday, SP leaders and workers had put up posters and hoardings at several places in Raebareli. The posters depicted Akhilesh Yadav in the avatars of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, drawing criticism from the NDA.

Minister O.P. Rajbhar criticised Yadav's decision to begin the yatra from Raebareli and linked it to a recent controversy involving an SP district president and a police officer.

Speaking to reporters, Rajbhar said: "Akhilesh Yadav is going to Raebareli because it is not only a Congress stronghold. In Raebareli, the SP district president told the CO there to wear bangles. He became ready to assault the CO, so Akhilesh is going to Raebareli to encourage his people and boost the morale of his unruly people, and this is what will prove fatal for him."

Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Kishan, on Friday, told IANS that Rahul Gandhi has also become "uneasy" because Akhilesh Yadav is "making inroads into whatever little Congress vote bank remains".

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Sep 25 (IANS) Singer-songwriter Joe Jonas has recollected his scary holiday experience. The singer has shared that he was left "really spooked" after getting trapped in the water between two boats while on vacation.

The singer and his girlfriend Tatiana Gabriela recently enjoyed a two-night trip on a yacht in Portofino, Italy, with Morgan Stewart and her husband Jordan. The two couples had a "terrifying" incident when they stepped out for dinner.

Joe appeared on Morgan's podcast, and recalled how they "had the best time" out on the vessel, which had its own crew, chef and tender boat. However, disaster struck exactly when they decided to stop at a restaurant. The venue had requested customers use its own transfer boat and staff.

The 37-year-old singer said, “But as I took a step, I think a wave came in and it pushed the boat far out from the yacht. It sounds like the bougiest problem, but it was terrifying because then I slipped and fell between these two boats. The first mate tried to grab me, but he also fell in after me”.

The singer was fully dressed, and had his phone in his pocket. He got stuck in the water between the two vessels, which were a few feet apart, and as he swam to the surface, he was keen to get further away from the vessel.

He decided not to swim towards the yacht's ladder because of the engines, as he said, “The first time I climbed up, I must have hit my shin or something, and then I fell back in”.

He further mentioned, “In those moments, you’re just like, your adrenaline is going so fast, and of course, all your faces are like in shock. You’re like, ‘Oh my god, is he, is he okay?’ Which I was like, ‘No, I’m fine’”.

“I finally came down from the anxiety and I looked at Tati and I was like, ‘That s*** was really scary’. Like that really spooked me for a while. It was really intense”, he added.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Sep 25 (IANS) Hollywood actor Michael Douglas has shared a heartwarming message for his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones on their shared birthday. On Friday, the veteran actor took to his Instagram, and shared a picture of himself with his wife.

He also penned a long note in the caption, as he heaped praise on his wife. She wrote, “I had never fallen in love on a movie screen before. Until I saw Catherine. She was magic, in a way that went beyond beauty”.

He further mentioned, “And I was certain, as much as I had ever been about anything, that she was the one. It’s the kind of moment that only comes around once in your life, if you’re lucky. The one time that you know, without any doubt in your mind, that you’re meant to be with someone. Happy Birthday Catherine! I love you always and forever. @catherinezetajones An excerpt from my memoir, ‘One Helluva Ride’”.

Catherine took to the comments section, and wrote, “Thank you darling. Thank you. Happy Birthday to you too, my love”.

Michael and Catherine married in 2000 and share kids Dylan, 24, and Carys, 21. The couple met during Deauville American Film Festival in France in August 1998, after being introduced by Danny DeVito. They became engaged on December 31, 1999, and married at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on November 18, 2000 after Douglas's divorce was finalised.

The high-profile ceremony, which cost an estimated $2 million. Michael Douglas was earlier married to Diandra Luker, twelve years his junior and the daughter of an Austrian diplomat. They had one son, Cameron, born in 1978. In 1995, Diandra filed for divorce and was awarded $45 million as part of the divorce settlement.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 25 (IANS) Actor Arjun Das, who predominantly works in Tamil cinema, has said that his character of Matthew in the upcoming series ‘#Love’ is stubborn about chemistry.

The series follows Meet Tara and Matthew, two single, rival dating-app founders, played by Aishwarya Lekshmi and Arjun Das, who've built entire businesses helping others find their happily-ever-afters while their own love lives stay unsolved and mildly ironic.

Talking about his part, Arjun Das added, “What drew me to Matthew was how stubborn he is about chemistry. He's a hopeless romantic hiding behind a chill guy exterior, and he's convinced compatibility is just a fancy word people use when they're scared to take a real chance. It was such a fun character to sink into, especially opposite Aishwarya, who brought so much wit and warmth to Tara”.

He further mentioned, “Working with her made a strong case for compatibility, too! This story is unlike anything I've done before, and having Balaji's instincts as a director alongside Soundarya's vision for the show, and Netflix backing it, really shaped that. They knew exactly when to let a scene breathe and when to bring in the lighter moments”.

The series is a fresh take on connection in a digital world, tackling friendship, family, ambition, and the eternal chaos of figuring yourself out.

Aishwarya Lekshmi said, “Tara felt closest to the women I know and admire in real life. Playing her was such a joy, she is emotionally layered, ambitious and hardworking; she struggles, she falls, and yet she keeps building, all while trying to make sense of her own love life. She has built her entire career on the belief that love can be figured out, and then life throws her the one variable she simply cannot control”.

“That hit a little too close to home. Working beside Arjun came so easily, and the chemistry flowed naturally between us from day one. And getting to do all this under Balaji’s direction, with Soundarya’s vision guiding it, made the whole experience feel like it was in the safest hands possible. I’m so excited for audiences worldwide to see this story, it's yours, it’s mine, it’s today's #Love story”, she added.

The series is produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth and directed by Balaji Mohan. It is written by Nirmal Williams, with Sharada Subramanian and Shweta Chakravarty as co-writers, and produced by May6 Entertainment Factory.

The series is set to drop on October 2 on Netflix.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 25 (IANS) The National Award-winning actress Manasi Parekh, who bankrolled the film ‘Mitrata: Friendship Ni Love Story’, has said that the soundscape of the film is as varied as the shades of friendship.

The soundtrack of the film brings together an impressive line-up of singers including Amit Trivedi, Neeti Mohan, Mika Singh, Nakash Aziz and Arvind, making music an important part of the film’s celebration of friendship.

Talking about the film’s music, Manasi Parekh said, “Music is such an important part of Mitrata because friendship itself has so many different moods. There is the madness, the masti, the emotional moments and those songs that instantly remind you of your people”>

She further mentioned, “We were very fortunate to have artists like Amit Trivedi, Neeti Mohan, Mika Singh, Nakash Aziz and Arvind Vegda come on board. Each one has brought something completely different to the album, and I feel that variety really reflects the spirit of the film. More than anything, I hope these songs become the kind of music people associate with their own friendships”.

The album brings together some of the most recognisable voices in the Indian music industry, with each artist adding a different flavour to the world of Mitrata.

Parthiv Gohil added, “Music has always been very close to my heart, so when we were putting together the album for Mitrata, we wanted every song to have its own identity while still belonging to the same world. I think the album reflects that beautifully. Having artists like Amit Trivedi, Neeti Mohan, Mika Singh, Nakash Aziz and Arvind Vegda come together made the musical journey very special. At Soul Sutra, our endeavour has always been to tell stories with a strong cultural and emotional connect, but present them with the scale and quality that allows them to travel beyond boundaries. With Mitrata, I feel we have done that through both the film and its music”.

The film stars Viraj Ghelani, Deep Vaidya, Vishal Parekh and Vishwaa Joshi.

Produced by Manasi Parekh and Parthiv Gohil under Soul Sutra and directed by Oneel Karnik, ‘Mitrata: Friendship Ni Love Story’ is currently playing in cinemas.

--IANS

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