Los Angeles, June 27 (IANS) Hollywood actress Sharon Stone has opened up a deeply private chapter from her life. The actress said that she felt “glee and relief” when her abusive grandfather died.

The 68-year-old actress opened up on the All There Is with Anderson Cooper podcast, as she reflected on how she and sister Kelly felt when their maternal grandfather, who sexually abused them as children, passed away in 2001, reports ‘Female First UK’.

She previously wrote about her mixed emotions in her book The Beauty of Living Twice, with host Anderson reading out, “It's a very weird thing when you're a kid and the first experience you have of death is glee and relief and emptiness”.

Sharon appeared to be struggling to control her emotions as she told Anderson, "He was an abuser who abused my mom and did everything he could possibly do to get near us to be abusive of us. And he was not a grandfather, he was a creature that we tried to avoid at all costs”.

The actress was 14 when her grandfather died, with her sister aged 11. Sharon added that while there is usually a “gentle, caring” atmosphere at funerals, there was “none of that” at his service.

Instead, she and her sister went over to the coffin when Shraron’s sibling asked her “are we sure he’s dead?”, begging her to “check”.

Sharon recalled, “I reached in and shoved him in the shoulder, and he was stiff and didn't move, and I went, 'Yeah.’ And I think I said, 'It's over’. And I think we still backed off”.

As for her feelings at that moment, she said, “It will be a picture in my mind forever of that weird sense of emptiness, good emptiness. It's over.” Elsewhere in the interview, Sharon opened up about saying a final goodbye to her mum Dorothy, who died in July 2025.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) Bollywood actress Sharvari, who is receiving a lot of positive response for her work in the recently released film ‘Main Vapas Aaunga’, has shared that she once received a message from the Grammy and Oscar-winning music composer A. R. Rahman, and she fan girled so hard that she ended sending him an essay on text.

The actress spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film along with her co-actor Vedang Raina and auteur Imtiaz Ali.

When asked that having a film with collaborators as Imtiaz Ali, A.R. Rahman, Diljit Dosanjh, Irshad Kamil, on her resume so early in her career, how does it empower her as an artiste, she said, “The names that you just took. When someone says it like that. It just suddenly feels like wow. We were a part of a film that has all these legends. And I really hope that whatever hard work we've put in. We've done justice not just to the audiences”.

She further mentioned, “But to everybody's vision here, being so new, and learning more from the others at this point, I feel like we really have tried to do our best. Be as honest as we could have. But saying that it's so exciting. That we in fact got so empowered by them in the film. I was telling Imtiaz sir just recently that Rahman sir sent me a message the other day. He said that he really enjoyed scoring the scenes. I was so shocked that I got this message in the first place. I sent him an essay about what a big fan I am”.

“But the fact that it didn't hit me till then. That Rahman sir would score our film. I was just in shock. So I'm very excited to watch the film as a viewer because I feel that the film has such a beautiful emotion of love and longing. Those are the emotions that we all go through. At different stages of our lives. And I really hope that this resonates with every age group. In some way or the other”, she added.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, June 27 (IANS) Khammam Aces held their nerve to script a thrilling eight-run victory over EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds in a high-scoring contest that went down to the final over, securing victory in the second match on Matchday 6 of the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 in teh Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday.

Half-centuries from Mickil Jaiswal and K Himateja powered the Aces to 213/6, before skipper CV Milind produced a match-winning spell of 4/21, helping the Aces withstand a record-breaking assault from Satwik Reddy to secure a memorable win.

The Diamonds made the perfect start, striking twice in consecutive overs to remove openers Wafi Kachchhi (0 off 2) and Mayank Gupta (2 off 3), leaving the Aces reeling early.

With the innings in trouble, K Himateja (56 off 33) launched a spirited counterattack, taking the attack to the bowlers from the outset. He raced to a well-crafted half-century in just 24 balls, bringing up the milestone with a towering six, and stitched together a game-changing 99-run partnership off just 48 balls with G Sai Krishna Reddy.

Sai Krishna survived a major scare on 43 when Ashish Srivastav held onto a return catch, only for it to be ruled a no-ball. The reprieve proved short-lived, however, as Srivastav trapped him LBW just two deliveries later to break the threatening stand.

The breakthrough slowed the Aces' momentum. Himateja struggled to maintain the scoring rate before holing out to Hrishikesh Simha off Harish Thakur, who claimed his second wicket of the innings. Prateek Reddy (19 off 10) departed soon after, further denting the Aces.

With wickets falling around him, Mickil Jaiswal and CV Milind (16 off 13) steadied the innings. Milind played the supporting role before falling to Harish Thakur, but Jaiswal immediately shifted the momentum back with a towering six.

Jaiswal then took complete control, bringing up his second consecutive half-century in just 30 balls. His unbeaten 64 off 34 deliveries, featuring four and six sixes, powered the Aces to a formidable 213.

In reply, the Diamonds endured a disastrous start, losing skipper Tanmay Agarwal (0 off 1) and Hrishikesh Simha (0 off 3) inside the opening over to CV Milind. Rahul Radesh (4 off 5) briefly counterattacked but was also dismissed by Milind in the third over, reducing the Diamonds to 28/3.

With the chase in trouble, Satwik Reddy produced a sensational counterattack. He took on Vidyananda Reddy and Sahendra Mallu with fearless strokeplay, including a remarkable fifth over that yielded 28 runs with four successive sixes. Satwik brought up his half-century in just 16 balls – the fastest in the history of the Sreenidhi University TG20.

The Aces, however, hit back with timely wickets. Wafi dismissed Harish Thakur before Ved Reddy removed the dangerous Satwik Reddy, who fell for a scintillating 63 off 27 balls, leaving the Diamonds at 97/5.

Chandan Sahani then sparked another revival, smashing five sixes across two overs. Alongside Shubham Sharma, he lifted the Diamonds to 130/5 and briefly swung the momentum back in their favour.

The Aces responded immediately as Sahendra Mallu dismissed Chandan (38 off 17), while CV Milind accounted for Narayana Teja (13 off 11) after Ved completed a stunning catch. Shubham continued to fight alongside Ashish Srivastav, but regular wickets kept the asking rate out of reach.

Needing 17 off the final over, Shubham kept the chase alive with consecutive boundaries off the first two deliveries. However, Mahesh Vipparla held his nerve brilliantly, conceding just four runs from the remaining four balls, which sealed a thrilling eight-run victory.

Brief scores:

Anvita Khammam Aces 214/5 in 20 overs (Mickil Jaiswal 64*, K Himateja 56, G Sai Krishna Reddy 43, Harish Thakur 3/40, Rathlavath Dinesh 1/40) beat EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds 205/9 in 20 overs (Satwik Reddy 63, Shubham Sharma 53*, Chandan Sahani 38, CV Milind 4/21, Sahendra Mallu 2/49) by eight runs.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) The trend that started in the cricket field ended on the astro turf as members of the Indian hockey team shook hands with Pakistani players at the end of their FIH Pro League matches, setting aside the politics and signalling a thaw in the relationships.

The Indian hockey team players shook hands with the Pakistani players at the end of both their encounters in the FIH Pro League in London, which came as a pleasant surprise to many, considering that the issue had generated a lot of heat a few months back.

Hockey players from both sides shook hands before and after the two matches, as is traditionally done in hockey. It was apparent that the Indian players did not refuse to shake hands when the Pakistani players approached them on Friday.

Suryakumar Yadav's cricket team implemented this 'no handshake policy' when it refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players during the Asia Cup T20 tournament in 2025 to honour the victims of the Pahhelgam terror attack and to stand in solidarity with the Indian armed forces. The Indian women's team and the India U-19 teams followed suit. Teams and players in other sports followed that policy and did not make any attempt to shake hands with the Pakistani players before, during, and after their matches.

The decision by Suryakumar Yadav's team made news all over the world, with global media covering India-Pakistan cricket matches just to write about it.

Shaking hands or greeting the opponent is one of the most basic things done in sports and is mostly considered a courtesy and part of the spirit of sportsmanship.

The Indian men's hockey team has broken the recent trend in India-Pakistan matches, leaving only the cricket teams implementing this policy.

The social media across the border had reacted quite positively to the Indian hockey players shaking hands with Pakistani players in the first clash between the two teams a couple of days back. With the teams shaking hands after their second match, too, it is going to get more attention and reaction from people from both countries.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 27 (IANS) Hockey India celebrated the men’s team’s emphatic 7-1 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the FIH Hockey Pro League in London, saying the performance reflected the team’s dominance and everything that makes Indian hockey special.

The FIH Hockey Pro League clash had everything that makes Indian hockey special. The Men in Blue delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan 7-1 in London, extending India’s decade-long winning streak over the arch-rivals to now 17 matches,” Hockey India posted on X after the resounding win.

India produced one of their finest displays against Pakistan in recent years, combining clinical finishing with disciplined defending to register a memorable 7-1 victory. The Men in Blue scored through three penalty corners, a penalty stroke, and well-worked field goals to completely outclass their traditional rivals.

The Indian side dictated the pace from the opening whistle, enjoying the bulk of possession and repeatedly troubling Pakistan’s defence with swift passing and incisive attacking moves. Their relentless pressure resulted in a dominant scoreline, while the defence remained compact to restrict Pakistan to just one goal.

The victory extended India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan to 17 consecutive international matches, a streak that now spans a decade and underlines the growing gulf between the two teams in world hockey.

The commanding win also provided a major boost to India’s FIH Hockey Pro League campaign and reaffirmed the team’s credentials as one of the world’s leading hockey nations. The players celebrated passionately after the final whistle, capping a memorable evening in London.

For Pakistan, the defeat marked another disappointing chapter in the storied rivalry as they struggled to cope with India’s intensity, structure, and execution. For the Men in Blue, however, the 7-1 triumph served as another statement performance, reinforcing their dominance over their neighbours and delighting Indian hockey fans with a display of attacking flair and clinical efficiency.

--IANS

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London, June 27 (IANS) Olympic bronze medallist India came up with a brilliant performance to fight back from a goal deficit to hand archrivals Pakistan a 7-1 thrashing in a lopsided clash in the FIH Pro League at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centres near London on Friday.

Two days after their narrow escape in the 4-3 win in their first clash with the Men in Green in the London leg of the FIH Pro League matches, India dominated the second and third quarters to score at regular intervals and handed Pakistan a big defeat in their penultimate match in the 2025-26 season of the tournament.

Sukhjeet Singh (19th min), Harmanpreet Singh (26th), Hardik (34th-PS), Jugraj Singh (35th), Abhishek (41st), Raj Kumar Pal (43rd), and Dilpreet Singh (53rd min) scored a goal apiece for India after Abu Mahmood had given Pakistan the lead in the 13th minute off their first penalty corner.

The win extended India's decade-long dominance over the archrivals and marked 17 consecutive wins against Pakistan at all levels.

With this win, India moved ahead of Spain to 7th position in the standings. India have 17 points from 15 matches while Spain, who lost to Argentina in a shoot-out on Thursday, are on 16 points from as many matches. Pakistan have zero points, having lost all 15 matches so far.

The Indians dominated the field, making 36 circle penetrations and earning 13 penalty corners, of which they scored only 3. In contrast, Pakistan made 18 circle penetrations but could not score any field goals. They earned six penalty corners but managed to convert only one.

Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh superbly marshalled the Indian midfield, while forwards Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh dominated the Pakistan defence. Hardik was adjudged the FIH Player of the Match for his superb performance.

Pakistan went ahead in the 13th minute when Abuy Mahmood converted a penalty corner to give them the lead. They Indian created some good attacks and earned three penalty corners in the first quarter, but could not score a goal. Sukhjeet Singh scored the equaliser in the 19th minute, and India went ahead in the 25th minute when skipper Harmnapreet Singh converted a PC to make it 2-1.

India took complete control of the game in the second quarter by using precise long passes to stretch the Pakistan defence. Pakistan suffered a setback in the 18th minute when a deflected pass from Ali Ghazanfar accidentally struck teammate Ahmad Nadeem on the face, forcing him off the field.

India capitalised on the momentum a minute later by earning a penalty corner. Skipper Harmanpreet fired a powerful dragflick, which was expertly deflected into the net by Sukhjeet (20’) to make it 1-1. In the 26th minute, India won another penalty corner, and this time Harmanpreet smashed it directly into the top left corner to give India a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

The 'Men in Blue' increased their dominance in the second half. In the 34th minute, India earned consecutive penalty corners, the second of which resulted in a penalty stroke. Hardik stepped up and calmly converted it to make it 3-1. Pakistan responded quickly to win two penalty corners, but the Indian defence blocked the attempts cleanly. After blocking the second penalty corner, India launched a rapid counter-attack as the ball found Dilpreet, who combined brilliantly with Sukhjeet before setting up Jugraj (35’) to smash it home for a 4-1 lead.

India's frontline remained relentless as Sukhjeet created another opening in the 41st minute, passing to Abhishek, who scored on the run to make it 5-1. Late in the third quarter, India earned four consecutive penalty corners. On the fourth one, Raj Kumar Pal (44’) reacted quickest to guide the rebound of Harmanpreet's dragflick into the open goal, extending the lead to 6-1.

India maintained their defensive discipline in the final quarter while looking for further openings. In the 54th minute, Dilpreet capped off a brilliant move by scoring India's seventh goal of the match. Pakistan earned back-to-back penalty corners in the dying minutes of the game, but veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh stood firm to block both attempts, sealing a comprehensive 7-1 victory for India.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, June 27 (IANS) Actor Michael Fassbender is set to return as Martian, the CIA field agent, who fell in love with a former target (played by Jodie Turner-Smith), in the upcoming season of the thriller series ‘The Agency’.

In the new season his character will ensure her safety from harm even if it involves betraying his own country, reports ‘People’ magazine.

The actor, 49, says he learned one thing about field agents before taking on the role in the series, Many of the CIA field agents, and certainly the double agents, are sociopaths.

He told ‘People’, "I spoke to a few people in the CIA who were very helpful in telling me some things, and so I made the decision that Martian is a sociopath”.

“That's why he's so good at his job. I realized he actually ticked off a lot of the characteristics of a sociopath, which is actually not a bad thing in this line of work”, she added.

As per ‘People’, his character is brilliant, shrewd, calculating and knows how to play people to get what he needs. At the end of season 1, when Samia, the woman he fell in love with, is kidnapped, he turns on his own country and shares classified security intel in order to keep her alive.

The actor said only a sociopath would do the things Martian does. She shared, "He'll put others in harm's way”.

“There was a moment where we were showing him retaining a sort of humanity through is relationship with his daughter and his love for Samia, but there is almost a sort of battle for his soul”, she added.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, June 27 (IANS) Hollywood actress Millie Bobby Brown is set to reunite with David Harbour in a new streaming series. The actress will star as the actor’s daughter in the series.

The 22-year-old actress will take on the role of Rebecca, the estranged daughter of “disgraced FBI agent” Matt Wolfe, played by Harbour, in the as yet untitled programme, reports ‘Female First UK’.

As the episodes unfold, Harbour’s agent will be “forced back into the field” when Rebecca, also a FBI agent, “vanishes on a mission”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, it won’t be the first time Brown and Harbour have played father and daughter on screen, they famously became close friends playing Eleven and Jim Hopper on ‘Stranger Things’. Both actors will serve as executive producers on the show, alongside Millie’s husband Jake Bongiovi, and the series will be helmed by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne.

Millie and David, 50, were the subject of much speculation during the fifth and final season of ‘Stranger Things’, after reports she filed a harassment and bullying complaint against him ahead of production for season 5.

He recently told Variety the report was a "weird thing" which "came out in a weird way", and added, “Straight up, Millie and I are working on several. You’ll see more of me and Millie, 10 years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me”.

David insisted it is normal to get involved in "arguments and disagreements" with colleagues who have had a close working relationship for so long. He added that they found it easy to resolve their differences once there were no other people involved.

He said, “It’s simple. It was just a simple rupture-and-repair thing that, once we cleared everybody out of the way and talked to each other, we’re fine. Everyone nowadays is very scared of talking about things. People are very scared of being human. It’s unfortunate, because I don’t know how to navigate this weird media world. But it was completely normal, and we adore each other and always have”.

He also told Variety, “You’ll see more of me and Millie. Ten years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me”.

The announcement of the new Netflix series comes after Millie updated fans about her future plans with David, saying on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, “The David Harbour project is sooner than expected. And it’s David’s idea, so kudos to him”.

Millie also gave a hint of what to expect when she was asked for more details. She said, “Father-daughter is where we live, but Netflix will always be our home”.

--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, June 27 (IANS) Actor Michael Fassbender is set to return as Martian, the CIA field agent, who fell in love with a former target (played by Jodie Turner-Smith), in the upcoming season of the thriller series ‘The Agency’.

In the new season his character will ensure her safety from harm even if it involves betraying his own country, reports ‘People’ magazine.

The actor, 49, says he learned one thing about field agents before taking on the role in the series, Many of the CIA field agents, and certainly the double agents, are sociopaths.

He told ‘People’, "I spoke to a few people in the CIA who were very helpful in telling me some things, and so I made the decision that Martian is a sociopath”.

“That's why he's so good at his job. I realized he actually ticked off a lot of the characteristics of a sociopath, which is actually not a bad thing in this line of work”, she added.

As per ‘People’, his character is brilliant, shrewd, calculating and knows how to play people to get what he needs. At the end of season 1, when Samia, the woman he fell in love with, is kidnapped, he turns on his own country and shares classified security intel in order to keep her alive.

The actor said only a sociopath would do the things Martian does. She shared, "He'll put others in harm's way”.

“There was a moment where we were showing him retaining a sort of humanity through is relationship with his daughter and his love for Samia, but there is almost a sort of battle for his soul”, she added.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, June 27 (IANS) Hollywood actress Millie Bobby Brown is set to reunite with David Harbour in a new streaming series. The actress will star as the actor’s daughter in the series.

The 22-year-old actress will take on the role of Rebecca, the estranged daughter of “disgraced FBI agent” Matt Wolfe, played by Harbour, in the as yet untitled programme, reports ‘Female First UK’.

As the episodes unfold, Harbour’s agent will be “forced back into the field” when Rebecca, also a FBI agent, “vanishes on a mission”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, it won’t be the first time Brown and Harbour have played father and daughter on screen, they famously became close friends playing Eleven and Jim Hopper on ‘Stranger Things’. Both actors will serve as executive producers on the show, alongside Millie’s husband Jake Bongiovi, and the series will be helmed by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne.

Millie and David, 50, were the subject of much speculation during the fifth and final season of ‘Stranger Things’, after reports she filed a harassment and bullying complaint against him ahead of production for season 5.

He recently told Variety the report was a "weird thing" which "came out in a weird way", and added, “Straight up, Millie and I are working on several. You’ll see more of me and Millie, 10 years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me”.

David insisted it is normal to get involved in "arguments and disagreements" with colleagues who have had a close working relationship for so long. He added that they found it easy to resolve their differences once there were no other people involved.

He said, “It’s simple. It was just a simple rupture-and-repair thing that, once we cleared everybody out of the way and talked to each other, we’re fine. Everyone nowadays is very scared of talking about things. People are very scared of being human. It’s unfortunate, because I don’t know how to navigate this weird media world. But it was completely normal, and we adore each other and always have”.

He also told Variety, “You’ll see more of me and Millie. Ten years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me”.

The announcement of the new Netflix series comes after Millie updated fans about her future plans with David, saying on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, “The David Harbour project is sooner than expected. And it’s David’s idea, so kudos to him”.

Millie also gave a hint of what to expect when she was asked for more details. She said, “Father-daughter is where we live, but Netflix will always be our home”.

--IANS

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Chennai, June 26 (IANS) Announcing the happy news that her daughter Avantika Sundar had wed Shravan Sreenivasan, well known actress and producer Khushbu Sundar on Friday said that the warmth, affection, and goodwill that had enveloped them during the wedding ceremony had made the occasion "truly magical".

Taking to her Instagram page to pen a lengthy post that was quite emotional, Khushbu wrote, " We are truly speechless at this moment, for words seem inadequate to express the emotions we are experiencing. As parents, family has always been at the heart of everything we cherish, and we have always believed that marriages are made in heaven."

She went on to say, "With immense joy and gratitude, we, Sundar C and Kushboo Sundar, are delighted to share the wonderful news that our beloved daughter, Ms. Avantika Sundar, was married to Mr. Shravan Sreenivasan on 25th June 2026."

Khushbu added, "Surrounded by the love of family and close friends, we witnessed a moment that will remain etched in our hearts forever. The warmth, affection, and goodwill that enveloped us made the occasion truly magical. Our eyes are still moist, and our hearts are overflowing with happiness and gratitude."

Stating that the wedding was a small and intimate celebration, Khushbu informed that the wedding was exactly as the couple envisioned and that they were honoured to fulfil their wishes.

"Sometimes, the most beautiful moments are those shared quietly with the people who matter most," she said and went on to seek the wishes of everyone for the newly wed couple.

"As Avantika and Shravan embark on this wonderful new chapter together, all we seek are your love and good wishes for a lifetime filled with happiness, companionship, and countless cherished memories," she said and concluded the note saying, "With immense love and pride, we present to you our newly married couple — Avantika and Shravan."

--IANS

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Chennai, June 26 (IANS) The makers of director Sajeev's eagerly-awaited socio-political family thriller 'Enna Vilai', featuring actors Nimisha Sajayan and Karunas in the lead, on Friday chose to express their gratitude to the village where the film was predominantly shot by getting it to release the first look of their film.

Instead of inviting a star to unveil the film's first look, the makers returned to Paalam village in Dhanushkodi, where a major portion of the film was shot, and entrusted the honour to the very people who had welcomed them with open arms throughout the filming process.

The villagers, who had become an inseparable part of the journey behind 'Enna Vilai', gathered together to unveil the film's first look in a heartfelt celebration. Sources present on the occasion said that what unfolded was not merely a promotional event, but a tribute to a community whose warmth, hospitality and unwavering support left an indelible mark on the entire team.

Produced by Kalamaya Films under the banner of Githesh V, 'Enna Vilai' has been written and directed by Sajeev Pazhoor. The socio-political family thriller stars Karunaas and Nimisha Sajayan in the lead, alongside Y. Gee. Mahendran, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Mohan Ram, Lollu Sabha Swaminathan, Kavithalayaa Krishna, Deepa Shankar, Mottai Rajendran, Nakkalites Kavi and a strong ensemble cast.

For the unaware, the film has already earned the Best Screenplay Award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.

Speaking about the decision to have the first look released by the villagers of Paalam, producer Githesh V said, "Every film has a beginning, but very few get the opportunity to begin with gratitude. While many first looks are unveiled by celebrities or through digital campaigns, we wanted ours to be introduced by the people who quietly became a part of our journey. The villagers of Paalam welcomed us with immense warmth and made us feel at home throughout the shoot. We felt it was only right that this honour belonged to them. More than a promotional event, this was our heartfelt way of saying 'thank you’."

Director Sajeev Pazhoor said, "As filmmakers, we often borrow places to tell our stories. But sometimes, those places and the people living there become a part of the story itself. During the making of 'Enna Vilai', the people of Paalam embraced us like family. Before the film reaches audiences across the world, we wanted it to first belong to the people who stood beside us from the very beginning. This first-look launch was not just an event, it was an emotion we wanted to cherish forever.”

--IANS

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