Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS) Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday after the Maharashtra government’s pledge to make the state drug-free by 2029.

Terming the ambitious initiative a "hypocritical" and "event-driven spectacle", the Thackeray camp, in an editorial in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana', questioned why the ruling administration failed to curb the flourishing narcotics trade despite holding power for over a decade. ​

The Thackeray faction pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been at the helm in New Delhi since 2014, while Devendra Fadnavis has wielded significant authority in Maharashtra for roughly the same period. The party urged citizens to mark the 2029 deadline in their calendars and hold the current political leadership accountable when the timeline expires. ​

The editorial levelled grave allegations against the state administration, claiming that illicit drug trade networks, liquor manufacturers, and contraband suppliers operate under explicit political patronage.

Referring to past busts of illicit manufacturing units in Nashik, Pune, and Satara, the Shiv Sena(UBT) accused the state Home Department -- headed by CM Fadnavis -- of suppressing critical investigations into land allocations and chemical pill factories. ​

Describing the worsening law-and-order situation, the editorial warned that regions like Nashik and Pune are turning the state into an "Udta Maharashtra". The editorial further condemned BJP leaders for allegedly mocking local citizens who took to the streets to protest against growing substance abuse.

​"The BJP is a hypocritical and publicity-obsessed party of the highest order," the editorial stated. "Currently, all drug traffickers, alcohol manufacturers, cigar and cigarette vendors, and bhang-ganja sellers in Maharashtra are under the patronage of the BJP. The wheels of BJP's politics run on this drug trade, yet these very people have set out to make Maharashtra 'drug-free'," it remarked.

Raising questions about the official definition of "intoxication", the editorial highlighted that numerous sugar factory owners who produce alcohol "have taken refuge within the BJP's ranks". It questioned whether CM Fadnavis would dare to issue stern warnings to these "liquor barons" or attempt to reframe the classification of alcohol to dilute the campaign's mandate. ​

The attack also extended beyond state borders, citing massive drug seizures at a Gujarat port originating from neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The editorial alleged that despite claims of high-level security, narcotics continue to flow unhindered into Maharashtra through these trade corridors. ​

Concluding its broadside, the Thackeray camp asserted that addiction in the state is not limited to illegal substances such as charas, ganja, and brown sugar. "Intoxication and drunkenness stem not just from substances, but also from corruption and money -- and Maharashtra will have to be freed from that intoxication as well," the editorial declared.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS) Indian equity benchmarks opened higher on Thursday tracking positive global cues and gains in Asian markets.

Sensex opened 154.60 points or 0.20 per cent higher at 76,724.95, while Nifty gained 83.50 points or 0.35 per cent to 23,997.95.

In early trade, banking and realty stocks led sectoral gains as Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Realty gained up to 1 per cent.

Meanwhile, Nifty Private Bank climbed 0.83 per cent and Nifty MidSmall Financial Services index advanced 0.82 per cent.

On the other hand, Nifty IT fell 0.8 per cent, while Nifty FMCG dropped 0.44 per cent and Nifty Healthcare, Nifty Pharma and Nifty500 Healthcare were also marginally lower.

According to market experts, sentiment was likely to improve following a slight easing in US bond yields.

They said the mobilisation of $136 billion under a concessional swap facility, including $127 billion through the FCNR(B) scheme could support the rupee and improve foreign investor confidence.

The large FCNR(B) mobilisation by banks could also help improve net interest margins, providing support to banking stocks, they said.

They noted that Wednesday's 141-point decline in Nifty came despite institutional buying of about Rs 9,500 crore comprising Rs 6,688 crore from foreign institutional investors and Rs 2,812 crore from domestic institutional investors.

“This suggested that selling pressure had largely come from retail investors, proprietary traders and bears,” according to the experts.

Technical analysts said the rebound from around 23,800 had strengthened expectations of a move higher, although they remained cautious about chasing prices. A break above the 24,150-24,215 zone would signal further strength, while 23,860 was seen as an important downside marker.

Additionally, Asian equities broadly mirrored gains on Wall Street. In addition, crude oil prices edged lower after US President Donald Trump downplayed the likelihood of an extended conflict with Iran.

--IANS

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Washington, Sep 3 (IANS) Air interceptors have become the world's most sought-after defence capability as countries confront growing missile and drone threats, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, warning that Washington must protect its own military stockpiles even as allies seek additional supplies.

Rubio said demand was no longer confined to Ukraine, which has repeatedly sought additional Patriot air-defence systems and interceptors to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks.

“The whole world is asking for more air interceptors. It’s become the number-one defence need on the planet -- not just for Ukraine, but on the planet,” Rubio said in an interview on Wednesday (local time).

“Countries in the Middle East want it,” he said.

The comments underscore a growing challenge confronting the United States and other military powers as the proliferation of missiles and inexpensive drones changes the nature of modern warfare.

Rubio said availability, rather than willingness to help allies, was becoming a central constraint.

“Look, it’s just a question of availability,” he said.

The United States, Rubio said, could not supply other countries at the expense of its own military requirements.

“And obviously, I have to remind people the United States has needs. Like, we have our own defence needs; we have our own defence requirements. And before we can help others, we have to make sure that our stockpiles are always sufficient,” he said.

Rubio also pushed back against reports concerning the condition of US weapons inventories, warning that inaccurate information could itself create security risks.

“I think there’s a lot that’s been reported inaccurately about what US stockpiles are -- I think dangerously, too, because I think in some ways our adversaries read that stuff and think it’s true, and they try to test us, and it could lead to conflict,” he said.

He said maintaining minimum American defence requirements was not a new policy.

“We have minimum requirements of our own, and those always have to be met before we can provide others,” Rubio said.

The pressure on air-defence inventories has grown as conflicts have demonstrated both the destructive power of missiles and drones and the enormous demand created by sustained efforts to intercept them.

Ukraine has relied heavily on Western-supplied air-defence systems to protect cities, energy infrastructure and military facilities against Russian attacks.

Rubio said the United States had provided Ukraine with assistance and would continue doing so within American capabilities.

“We continue to provide them assistance within the limits of our own availability and capability. We always have to look out for America first,” he said.

Washington and Kyiv are also discussing longer-term solutions.

Asked whether the United States opposed allowing Ukraine to manufacture missile-defence systems under licence, Rubio said negotiations were already under way.

“Well, that’s being negotiated as we speak,” he said.

But he cautioned that licensed production would not quickly solve the shortage.

“Ramping up production, even if you have a license, is something that takes multiple years to build these factories,” Rubio said.

“These are highly sophisticated weaponry. So that’s being negotiated now. That may come to fruition, but it really won’t solve the short-term challenge that they’re pointing to.”

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have put renewed emphasis on integrated air and missile defence, while the growing battlefield use of relatively inexpensive drones has added another layer to the challenge faced by military planners.

--IANS

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New York, Sep 3 (IANS) No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Polina Iatcenko, 6-1, 6-1 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium to ease in to the US Open’s third round.

Sabalenka, who is aiming to win her third straight US Open singles title, had little trouble eliminating Iatcenko, who’s advanced to the main draw as a qualifier.

The Belarusian struck 24 winners and converted six of her eight break-point opportunities in the 54-minute match.

With a win Sabalenka runs her US Open winning streak to 15 matches, and she has won 22 straight second-round matches in Grand Slam events.

Moreover, Sabalenka is now 30-2 at the US Open in matches where she wins the first set. The last time she lost a match in New York after winning the first set was the 2023 final against Coco Gauff.

It’s those majors that Sabalenka builds her calendar around, and to date, she hasn’t lifted a trophy. She was the runner-up at the Australian Open, a quarterfinalist at Roland Garros and was bounced in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon.

Next up for Sabalenka is Kamilla Rakhimova, someone Sabalenka holds a 3-0 edge over in their pairings. In those three triumphs, Rakhimova has managed to take just one set off the world No. 1, but it did come on the hard courts of DC. The other two meetings were at Roland Garros, with Sabalenka dominating.

If Sabalenka can successfully defend her singles title and win the US Open for the third straight time, she’ll join a short list of women accomplishing that feat, while being the only non-American to do it.

Serena Williams won three straight from 2012-14, and Chris Evert hoisted the trophy four consecutive tournaments, 1975-78. Seven other women fell short of the three-peat feat.

Notably, a title here will halt the hopes of Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in overtaking Sabalenka for the No. 1 ranking.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha on Thursday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government of deliberately marking his voter identification record in Mohali as “permanently shifted” in the draft electoral rolls prepared under the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR), alleging that the action violated guidelines meant to safeguard the names of public representatives.

Chadha, who was elected as an AAP Rajya Sabha member from Punjab in 2022, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in April this year along with six other AAP MPs, invoking the anti-defection merger provision.

Taking to X, Chadha said, "The AAP government in Punjab has now taken its politics of revenge to the Draft Electoral Rolls. I am a sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, with my voter ID registered in Mohali, Punjab. Yet my name has been classified as 'shifted' in the draft electoral rolls."

The BJP leader, however, pointed out that the rolls currently under discussion were only draft electoral rolls and not the final version, adding that corrections could still be made during the ongoing Claims and Objections process.

"Thankfully, these are only the Draft Electoral Rolls, not the Final Electoral Rolls. Names are corrected during the 'Claims and Objections' process, which is ongoing. The Final Electoral Rolls will be published in October 2026. I am already in the process of availing the remedies provided under SIR guidelines," he said.

The Rajya Sabha member claimed that the classification did not appear to be a “mere clerical mistake”, describing it instead as a “clear case of political vendetta”.

"Who marked me as 'shifted'? An official of AAP's Punjab Government. Who verified that classification? Again, an officer of AAP's Punjab Government. Who processed it at higher level? Once again, the same AAP's Punjab Government official," Chadha alleged.

He further claimed that officials at different operational levels of the electoral revision process, from the Booth Level Officer (BLO) to the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, are Punjab government officials.

Chadha said the BLO is ordinarily a junior Punjab government employee, while the Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) involved in the process are also state government officials. He added that the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab is a Punjab-cadre IAS officer.

"These officers know AAP Government controls their transfers, postings and careers once their electoral duty ends. They know who can transfer them and who can make their lives difficult. This is how the AAP government applies political pressure through state officers to execute the political revenge," he alleged.

Chadha also said that the alleged action against his electoral record was part of a larger pattern of retaliation against leaders who had left the AAP.

The Rajya Sabha member claimed that since he left the “corrupt Aam Aadmi Party”, its leadership had been “burning with anger”, and alleged that the Punjab Police and the administrative machinery of the state government had been used against those who had chosen to leave the party.

"It has unleashed the Punjab Police and the Punjab Government’s administrative machinery against those of us who refused to remain silent. Other MPs who left AAP and joined the BJP have also been targeted by Punjab Govt. This wrongful classification is only the latest act in that political vendetta," Chadha said.

Chadha also referred to Paragraph 4(d) of the Election Commission of India’s Detailed Guidelines for SIR, which, he said, provides for a “protected list” of public representatives whose names have been identified or flagged during the electoral revision process.

The provision states, "All names of member of judiciary, public representatives, holders of declared offices and personalities from fields of arts, culture, journalism, sports, and public services etc. earlier flagged in the electoral database, are to be included in the Draft Electoral Rolls, so that necessary documents can also be collected during the period of Claims and Objections."

Chadha argued that as a sitting Member of Parliament from Punjab, his name should have remained included in the draft electoral rolls even if it had been flagged for any reason.

"I am a sitting Member of Parliament from Punjab. If at all my name was flagged, Paragraph 4(d) required my inclusion in the draft electoral rolls. The instruction was not overlooked. It was wilfully violated in my case," he said.

"AAP may run the Punjab Government, but Punjab’s Draft Electoral Rolls are not its private property," he added.

--IANS

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Washington, Sep 3 (IANS) The US House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at expanding domestic mining as lawmakers warned that America's dependence on China for critical minerals poses risks to its economy, military and national security.

The House passed the Protecting Domestic Mining Act by 218 votes to 201 on Wednesday (local time), with Republicans arguing that faster permitting for mining and mineral-processing projects would help reduce US reliance on China.

The measure, H.R. 1501, now goes to the Senate.

“America has the resources. We have the workers. What we don’t need is years of government delay and uncertainty,” Republican Congressman Jefferson Shreve of Indiana, who introduced the bill, said.

“My bill gives qualified mining projects a clear and accountable permitting process. That will strengthen American manufacturing, support American jobs and reduce our dependence on China.”

The legislation would permanently include mining and mineral processing among sectors eligible for the FAST-41 permitting process, designed to provide greater coordination and predictability for major infrastructure projects.

The bill would also prevent implementation of a proposed Biden-era rule that would have narrowed eligibility for mining projects under the programme.

Supporters say the measure would make it easier to develop mineral resources inside the United States without eliminating existing federal environmental review requirements.

Republican Congressman Pat Harrigan of North Carolina said dependence on overseas mineral production left American supply chains vulnerable.

“Everything from our cars and power grid to our factories and weapons systems depends on minerals that have to be mined and processed somewhere,” Harrigan said.

“When we make it nearly impossible to produce those resources here at home, we don’t stop mining; we simply push it overseas and become more dependent on countries like China.”

The House action came on the same day that the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing examining strategic partnerships to secure critical resources and supply chains.

Committee Chairman Jason Smith said China was the leading global producer of 30 of the 60 minerals designated as critical by the United States and controlled around 90 per cent of global rare-earth processing capacity.

“Today this Committee meets to discuss how we confront a problem America has failed to address for far too long: our dangerous dependence on Communist China for the critical minerals our entire society, including our economy and our military, cannot function without,” Smith said.

The Missouri Republican said critical minerals were used across strategically important sectors ranging from shipbuilding and semiconductors to fighter aircraft, precision-guided weapons, medical equipment and nuclear energy.

Lawmakers are also looking beyond domestic mining for alternative sources.

Smith said recent congressional discussions with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia showed opportunities to expand US partnerships with mineral-rich countries in Central Asia.

He also pointed to Africa as another potential source for more diversified critical-mineral supply chains.

The Trump administration has made critical minerals an increasingly important element of its economic and national-security strategy as competition with China expands from trade and technology into control of the raw materials required for advanced industries.

China holds a dominant position in the mining or processing of several minerals and rare-earth elements used in electronics, clean-energy technologies and sophisticated weapons systems.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) In a bid to develop modern digital and critical infrastructure, the government has notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 — marking a significant step towards establishing Indian Standard Time (IST) as the common, legally recognised and traceable time reference for the country.

The rules comes into force 180 days from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

The initiative supports the government’s vision of “One Nation, One Time”, ensuring that critical sectors and digital systems across the country operate with a common and reliable time reference.

The rules provide a comprehensive framework for the generation, maintenance, dissemination and use of IST.

According to an official statement, telecommunications, financial transactions and digital payments, power grids, transportation, data centres, government information systems and other critical services depend on accurate time synchronisation and reliable time stamps.

A common national time reference also has an important cybersecurity dimension.

Accurate time stamps are essential for correlating events across multiple systems during cyber incidents and for effective security monitoring.

The CERT-In Guidelines on Information Security Practices for Government Entities, 2023, recommend synchronisation of ICT systems with standard time sources including NPL and NIC, said the statement.

Recognising that making IST a legal reference must be accompanied by adequate availability and geographical reach of traceable time, CSIR-NPL, ISRO and the Department of Legal Metrology under the MoCA jointly established secondary timescales at five Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) located at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Faridabad and Guwahati.

These secondary time scales are continuously traceable to IST maintained by CSIR-NPL, thus creating a distributed national architecture for reliable dissemination of IST.

Moreover, CSIR-NPL also provides traceability of IST to ISRO for the NavIC system, enabling satellite-based dissemination of Indian Standard Time and strengthening the availability and resilience of national timing services.

IST can be disseminated through network-based technologies such as NTP and PTP, and satellite-based systems including NavIC.

High-precision optical fibre-based technologies such as White Rabbit are also being tested.

This distributed architecture provides flexibility for users ranging from ordinary ICT systems to applications requiring highly precise time and frequency synchronisation.

The Rules provide the legal framework for wider adoption of a common Indian time reference, while the infrastructure established by NPL, NIC, ISRO and the RRSL network provides the technical capacity required for its implementation.

The Legal Metrology (LM) Department under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) is the regulatory and enforcement authority under the Legal Metrology framework, while the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), India’s National Metrology Institute, provides the scientific foundation and traceability for IST.

—IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS) Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian is all emotional as her daughter True started third grade and son Tatum began school. She showcased gratitude for every moment while wondering how to "make it all slow down just a little" as she celebrated the new school year.

Khloe took to Instagram, where she shared a string of images of her children at school. She wrote: “I canNOT believe Tatum started school today! And my True is in THIRD GRADE! Both of my babies are officially in school and I truly don’t know how we got here.”

She said she is “grateful” for every milestone.

“I’m so grateful for every milestone, but man… it is such a trip how quickly it all goes by. In a blink, they’re suddenly a little bigger, a little more independent, and becoming more and more of who they are meant to be. God is incredible for blessing me with such special angels. How do I make it all slow down just a little?” Khloe said.

The actress said that her “babies” True and Tatum are “beyond words”.

“And I am so incredibly proud of the souls that they are and all that they are becoming… I love you so much my cuties! I can’t wait to see what this school year brings,” she wrote.

--IANS

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Khloe began dating basketball player Tristan Thompson in 2016. She gave birth to a daughter, True in 2018. In 2019, Khloe and Thompson split after it was revealed that he had allegedly cheated on Kardashian with her younger half-sister Kylie Jenner's then-best friend Jordyn Woods

After quarantining together during the pandemic for the sake of their daughter, they ended up rekindling their relationship in August 2020. They became engaged in 2021, but split for good in December 2021.

In 2022, it was announced that the two were expecting a baby boy via surrogacy. Their son, Tatum, was born in 2022.

--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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Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS) Actress Anushka Ranjan has spoken about the physical and emotional challenges of IVF. Her husband Aditya Seal also revealed that the couple had even considered adoption.

On Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s show Double Date, Anushka spoke about her IVF journey and the challenges she faced while trying to conceive.

On Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s show Double Date, in an episode recorded before she welcomed twins, she recalled the initial phase of their journey and revealed that she and her husband, Aditya Seal, had initially been trying to conceive naturally. The duo welcomed their twin baby girls, whom they have lovingly named Vira and, on August 23.

They were subsequently advised to consider IUI, a less intensive procedure than IVF, but even that involved medication and injections.

Anushka said: “Initially we were trying naturally; we reached a point where we thought we were ready. Doctors advised us to try to conceive for six months or one year. Then there is a process which is called IUI, which is the milder version of IVF.”

“It also requires a lot of medication, but injections kam lene padte the, 3 or 4 injections, but dawaiyan bahut leni padti thi. So wo dawaiyan were also making me feel lost.”

She went on to explain why they eventually opted for IVF, adding that the chances of conception were higher compared to IUI. But beyond the medical procedures, Anushka said that the experience also took an emotional toll on her.

“You start feeling that meri body mein kuch kami hai, kuch toh galat hai. As a girl, I should not have drank or eaten meat,” she said.

Anushka added: “Phir sharam bhi aane lagi ki kaise kisi ko bolein ki we are trying to have a kid.

(Then I started feeling embarrassed about how do we say we are trying for a kid.) It’s easy to say ‘trying’, but it is such a tough feeling for some women. You feel like you’re getting judged. ”

Aditya also opened up about what he witnessed while Anushka was undergoing the process.

Seeing the physical pain and emotional strain she was going through, he revealed that at one point he had decided that if the attempt did not work, they would not go through IVF again.

The couple also revealed that they had kept adoption as an option, believing that if they were unable to have a child biologically, they would still want to give a child a loving and fulfilling life.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS) Hollywood star Antonio Banderas marked Salma Hayek's 60th birthday with a warm message his longtime friend, with whom he has worked in films such as “Desperado”, Once Upon A Time In Mexico and the Puss In Boots animated franchise.

Tagging her as his "dear friend," Banderas wished Hayek a wonderful birthday and sent her "a big hug" from his hometown of Malaga, delighting fans with the affectionate gesture.

He shared a picture of himself with Hayek and wrote: “Querida amiga @salmahayek te deseo un maravilloso día de cumpleaños. Un fuerte abrazo desde Málaga. Happy birthday”

“(Dear friend @salmahayek,Wishing you a truly wonderful birthday! Sending you a big hug all the way from Málaga. Happy Birthday!)”

Talking about Banderas, he made his acting debut at a small theater in Malaga, where he caught the attention of director Pedro Almodovar, who gave the actor his film debut in the screwball comedy Labyrinth of Passion in 1982.

After Labyrinth of Passion, he was seen in Matador, Law of Desire, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, The Skin I Live In, and Pain and Glory.

The star will next be seen onscreen in Above & Below, a horror action thriller film directed by Jesse V. Johnson.It stars Laura Marano, Antonio Banderas, Christina Ochoa, Timothy V. Murphy, Louis Mandylor, and Jess Liaudin.

Meanwhile, Hayek is busy shooting for ‘Grown Ups 3’ with names such as Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph and Maria Bello along with Jackie Sandler, Shaquille O’Neal, Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Cheri Oteri, Ellen Cleghorne and Nick Swardson.

According to the buzz, the third installment will feature new faces such as Julie Bowen, Deon Cole, Bailee Madison, Jake Goldberg, Alexys Nycole Sanchez, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Ada-Nicole Sanger, Morgan Gingerich, Kaleo Elam, Nadji Jeter, David Mattle, and Kamil McFadden.

Grown Ups is directed by Dennis Dugan, and written by Sandler and Fred Wolf. The film's plot tells the story of five lifelong friends who won their junior high school basketball championship in 1978. They reunite three decades later for a 4th of July weekend after learning about the death of their former coach.

The second installment was released in 2013. The sequel to the 2010 film, Grown Ups, it was directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Sandler, Fred Wolf, and Tim Herlihy. In the film, Lenny moves his family back to his hometown, where he reunites with his old friends. Together, they face bizarre situations and new enemies in the form of a local fraternity.

--IANS

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Mumbai, September 3 (IANS) Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh recently reached Milan, Italy as a part of the next leg of his ongoing Aura World Tour.

As he headed towards the country, the singer had a playful request for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Diljit shared a video from his journey to Milan, where in Punjabi, he jokingly addressed Giorgia Meloni and asked her to come and welcome him in Italy. He also tagged the Italian Prime Minister in the post.

The actor was seen seated in the private plane as he headed to Italy along with his team. It was here when Diljit along with another team member were seen talking to the camera in Punjabi and having a great time.

Meanwhile, Diljit has been giving his fans glimpses of his travels between concerts, documenting his experiences across Europe on social media.

Before arriving in Milan, the singer explored Prague, where he was seen cruising through the city's waterways on a boat

In one of the videos, Diljit broke into his signature bhangra moves and even taught the dance to members of the boat's crew, getting them to follow his steps. He also shared glimpses of Prague's architecture and food, describing the city as "HEAVEN" and wrote, "I'm in love, bro."

Earlier, during his stop in Berlin, Diljit brought his Punjabi energy to the streets of the German capital. He was seen performing Bhangra on the streets with a friend while exploring the city ahead of his concert.

Diljit has also been sharing moments from his international travels, including his earlier stop in Japan.

–IANS

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Mumbai, September 3 (IANS) Actress Nimisha Sajayan has opened up about the demanding physical transformation she underwent for her role in Babita Singh Reporting.

The actress revealed that she gained nearly 14 kg for the character and described the experience of eating her way up to 8,000 calories a day as an “absolute nightmare”.

Nimisha, who plays Assistant Sub-Inspector Babita Singh in the Ambiecka Pandit directorial, in an exclusive conversation with IANS, told she weighed 58 kg when she was selected for the role.

She then began working with a team of professionals to gain weight specifically for the character, eventually reaching 72 kg.

Speaking about the transformation, Nimisha revealed, “Yes, I gained like almost 14 kgs for the character. I was 58 when I got selected, then we started working on the weight gain journey, so we had this set of professionals, Dr. Siddhant Karan and Chef Saif Dada. So first it started with 1,200 calories and it went up to like 8,000 calories.”

Ask about the experience of consuming such a large amount of food, the actress did not mince her words.

“It was a nightmare, it was an absolute nightmare for me. 8,000 calories is a lot. 8,000 calories is like a lot of food, you know, I was literally stuffing food, but I enjoyed the process, you know, because it got me more closer to the character, maybe, so I had fun,” she said.

The physical transformation was central to Nimisha's portrayal of Babita, an underconfident police officer who is largely dismissed at work and constantly finds herself adjusting to the expectations of people around her.

Nimisha also added that she immediately got to losing all the weight after the fruit of Babita reporting concluded.

"I got back to my 1000 calories per day and worked out hard," said Nimisha.

In a conversation with IANS, Nimisha had earlier also opened up about being judged for her looks and said she has reached a stage where such remarks no longer affect her in the same way.

“I too have been judged on the way I look many times. But it doesn't affect me,” she said.

Drawing a parallel between herself and Babita, Nimisha said there comes a point when repeated disrespect pushes a person to react.

“You take it but there's a point of disrespect, and after a point, you start reacting,” she said, adding that this is also reflected in Babita's journey.

---IANS

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