Madrid, Sep 22 (IANS) Real Madrid have launched a fresh attack on La Liga president Javier Tebas, describing his repeated criticism of the club as ‘intolerable’ and calling for a change in the leadership of Spanish professional football.

The strong response came after Tebas criticised Real Madrid's handling of the refereeing controversy that followed their 2-1 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid Derby on Sunday.

The match at the Metropolitano was dominated by contentious refereeing decisions. Real Madrid were unhappy with two first-half incidents involving Atletico's Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in, while their defender Dean Huijsen was later sent off after a VAR review for a foul inside the box.

Alejandro Grimaldo converted the resulting penalty before Jonathan David doubled Atletico's lead. Antonio Rudiger pulled one back late in the game, but Real could not find an equaliser.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho criticised the officials after the game and showed photographs of the two incidents he believed should have resulted in Atletico players being sent off.

Tebas subsequently defended the need for ethical standards in the way refereeing issues are discussed and criticised Real Madrid Television's coverage of match officials. He said the club's approach amounted to unfair pressure on referees.

Real Madrid have now responded with a strongly worded statement, taking particular exception to Tebas using his position as La Liga president to repeatedly comment on the club.

“Our club finds it intolerable that the president of La Liga uses his institutional position to continue disparaging and attacking Real Madrid in the way he does in every one of his public statements,” the club said.

“It is deeply concerning that someone responsible for representing and protecting the interests of all La Liga clubs remains obsessed with Real Madrid, repeatedly making our club the constant target of his public attacks.”

The Spanish giants also criticised Tebas for commenting on their sporting decisions while responding to an article written by an independent journalist for a digital publication.

“His latest statement is particularly serious and incomprehensible, unbecoming of a responsible executive, because he made it while commenting on an article by an independent journalist in a digital publication,” Real Madrid said.

“However, he then reacted against our club by even daring to evaluate our sporting strategy, which is completely absurd and irresponsible.”

The club further accused Tebas of using his personal channels to repeatedly undermine Real Madrid instead of working to strengthen confidence in the institutions governing Spanish football.

“It is utterly astonishing that the president of La Liga dedicates his time and personal channels to publicly discrediting Real Madrid, instead of using his position to build trust in the institutions responsible for ensuring the impartiality of the competition,” the statement added.

“In doing so, he continues to damage the image of our league and of Spanish football worldwide.”

Real Madrid then questioned whether the current leadership of Spanish professional football was fulfilling its responsibilities.

“Given this inappropriate and prolonged behaviour, we believe that professional football in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and developing its full potential while upholding the fundamental principle of neutrality,” the club said.

The Madrid club also stressed that the La Liga president does not own the competition and instead serves the clubs that form the league.

“It needs someone who understands the nature of their role, because the president of LaLiga is not the owner of the competition, but rather a manager serving the clubs that comprise it and entrust its direction to them. The clubs need someone who will serve this mission with integrity,” Madrid said.

-IANS

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New York, Sep 22 (IANS) India on Tuesday discussed its continued engagement with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), as Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George met the grouping's Secretary General, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay.

"Secretary (West) Sibi George met the Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Ambassador Kairat Sarybay. They discussed developments related to CICA and India's continued engagement with the organisation. SG also appreciated India's strong commitment towards multilateralism," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

The meeting was part of a series of engagements by the Secretary (West) on the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week in New York, with UN Security Council (UNSC) reform featuring prominently.

Earlier in the day, Secretary George met Emmanuel Lenain, France's Special Envoy for Global Governance and Emerging Countries.

"Secretary (West) Sibi George met Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain, French Special Envoy for Global Governance and Emerging Countries. They discussed reforms of the UN, with particular emphasis on the UN Security Council," Jaiswal said.

Secretary George also attended an event on the Franco-Mexican Initiative, organised by the Foreign Ministers of France and Mexico, where he set out India's position on the veto.

"Secretary (West) Sibi George attended an event on the Franco-Mexican Initiative organised by the FMs of France and Mexico in New York today. He emphasised India's well-established and consistent position on the veto. He also underscored the urgent need to achieve comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council," the MEA spokesperson said.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is leading the Indian delegation to the High Level Week, also raised UNSC reform in his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Monday, and is set to address the General Assembly on September 26. At the first joint meeting between India and the Visegrad 4 group of Central European countries in New York, the grouping announced its collective support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC.

--IANS

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Washington, Sep 22 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was engaged in negotiations with Cuba as his administration sought what he described as a fundamental change in the Communist-ruled country.

Trump disclosed the negotiations during his address to the UN General Assembly in New York.

He did not explain the nature of the discussions or identify the Cuban officials involved.

"Marco Rubio is handling a negotiation. He's deep into negotiations with Cuba. Let's see what happens," Trump said.

The US President claimed that the Cuban government was facing unprecedented pressure and predicted that it would fall.

"My administration is also seeking a fundamental change in the situation in Cuba, where the Communist regime is under great pressure, the biggest pressure they've ever been under," Trump said.

"It's an absolutely failed state. It's failing like never before, and it will fall," he added.

Trump said the United States would not permit Cuba to serve as a base for foreign adversaries seeking to threaten America.

"We'll not allow a haven for foreign adversaries to threaten America on our own doorstep," he added.

"It's right at our doorstep."

The US President also accused the Cuban government of cultivating links with left-wing organisations and Communist networks inside the United States.

He named the Communist Party USA, Antifa and the Democratic Socialists of America.

Trump did not provide details of the alleged connections during his address.

He said the allegations had previously been outlined by the US State Department.

"Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba, and safety and security will be coming to Mexico," Trump added.

Trump placed his Cuba policy within a wider assertion of American power across the Western Hemisphere.

He said the United States would no longer permit hostile governments, drug cartels or foreign adversaries to establish a strategic position in the region.

Military power would be used when necessary to protect vital US interests, he added.

Trump pointed to the American military operation in Venezuela that led to the arrest of former President Nicolas Maduro.

He said that hundreds of Venezuelan political prisoners had subsequently been freed and that Washington was working with the country's new leadership.

The US President also highlighted an oil agreement covering 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan reserves.

He said the arrangement would benefit both countries and help reduce energy costs worldwide.

"Our actions in Venezuela are proof that the United States will no longer permit threats to America to gain a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere," Trump added.

He also compared drug cartels operating in the region to the Islamic State group.

He said the United States had carried out dozens of strikes against boats used to transport drugs and had killed the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

He called Mexico the centre of cartel violence but said Washington had a good relationship with the Mexican government and had made progress in confronting the groups.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 22 (IANS) The Mumbai Crime Branch is set to summon Professor Suryanarayana Doolla for interrogation in connection with the death by suicide of second-year IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode.

Officials confirmed that the professor’s statement has not yet been recorded, even as investigators have already taken the accounts of the student’s parents.

Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old B.Tech student from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering and a native of Yavatmal district, was found dead in his room at Hostel 4 on the Powai campus on the evening of September 18. The incident occurred hours after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.

Professor Doolla, who teaches in the same department and was serving as invigilator, reported the matter as per institute procedure. Initial accounts suggested the student had uploaded the question paper to an AI platform, though the institute later withdrew detailed characterisation of the events pending investigation.

Based on a complaint by Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode (also referred to as Chakradhar in some records), police registered an FIR naming Doolla and other officials. The complaint alleges prolonged harassment, including “casteist” remarks over several months, and invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to abetment of suicide as well as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, crime branch sources said. The parents’ statements form part of the FIR.

No suicide note was recovered from the room. Investigators are examining the student’s mobile phone, CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel, and other digital evidence. The case was transferred from Powai police to the Crime Branch late on September 19, with an Assistant Commissioner of Police leading the probe.

A senior Crime Branch source reiterated that Professor Doolla’s formal statement remains pending and that he is expected to be called soon. Officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing and no conclusions or “clean chit” have been reached at this stage.

IIT Bombay has temporarily relieved Doolla of his duties as Dean of Administrative Affairs to facilitate an independent inquiry, while clarifying that he continues as a faculty member.

This marks the third reported student suicide at IIT Bombay this year, drawing attention to academic pressure and mental-health concerns. Crime Branch teams continue to gather evidence, and further questioning of witnesses, including the professor, is expected in the coming days. The allegations remain under active investigation.

--IANS

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Bonn, Sep 22 (IANS) World Para Athletics has announced the medal programme and qualification criteria for the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships in Tashkent. The competition will take place at the Uzbekistan Olympic City Sport Stadium from June 19 to 27, 2027.

The Tashkent 2027 event programme will retain all events from the New Delhi 2025 World Championships while expanding to feature 16 additional medal events, bringing the total to 202 (111 men’s, 90 women’s and one mixed), the highest number at a World Championships since London 2017. All 164 medal events on the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games programme are included.

Five new medal events have been added to Tashkent 2027, whilst 11 medal events result from the separation of existing events from the New Delhi 2025 programme, World Para Athletics informed in a release on Tuesday.

The complete medal event programme, including eligible Sport Classes, and the full qualification criteria, including the Minimum Entry Standards, can be found here.

More than 1,300 athletes from over 100 nations are expected to compete at the World Championships, making it the largest single Para sport event in the Paralympic cycle leading to LA28 and the largest ever held in Uzbekistan.

New events

Men's 100m T61

Men's 200m T47

Men's discus throw F53

Women's 100m T61

Women's 800m T20

Separated events (eligible classes in brackets)

Original event: Men's 100m T63 (T42, T63)

Separated events:

Men's 100m T42

Men's 100m T63

Original event: Men's 400m T62 (T43, T62)

Separated events:

Men's 400m T43

Men's 400m T62

Original event: Men's long jump T63 (T42, T61, T63)

Separated events:

Men's long jump T42

Men's long jump T63 (T61, T63)

Original event: Men's high jump T63 (T42, T63)

Separated events:

Men's high jump T42

Men's high jump T63

Original event: Men's high jump T64 (T44, T64)

Separated events:

Men's high jump T44

Men's high jump T64

Original event: Men's shot put F63 (F42, F61, F63)

Separated events:

Men's shot put F42

Men's shot put F63 (F61, F63)

Original event: Women's 100m T63 (T42, T63)

Separated events:

Women's 100m T42

Women's 100m T63

Original event: Women's long jump T63 (T42, T61, T63)

Separated events:

Women's long jump T42

Women's long jump T63 (T61, T63)

Original event: Women's long jump T64 (T43, T44, T62, T64)

Separated events:

Women's long jump T44 (T43, T44)

Women's long jump T64 (T62, T64)

Original event: Men's javelin throw F57 (F55, F56, F57)

Separated events:

Men's javelin throw F55

Men's javelin throw F57 (F56, F57)

Original event: Women's discus throw F57 (F56, F57)

Separated events:

Women's discus throw F56

Women's discus throw F57

--IANS

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Rewari (Haryana), Sep 22 (IANS) Police have busted an alleged sex racket operating from two hotels in Rewari, with seven women and four men detained during simultaneous raids, officials said on Tuesday. A hotel operator was also taken into custody for questioning.

The action was carried out on the directions of Superintendent of Police Hemendra Meena. Two police teams conducted coordinated raids at hotels located in different parts of the city, after allegedly sending decoy customers to verify information about the suspected racket.

The first raid was conducted at a hotel near the CSD canteen under the jurisdiction of Rampura police station. The team, led by ASP Deepika Agrawal, detained four women and two men who were allegedly found in a suspicious condition.

A second raid was carried out at a hotel near Bithwana Chowk on Bawal Road. The team, led by DSP Headquarters Sanjeev Balhara, detained three women and two men during the operation.

According to the preliminary investigation, deals were allegedly being finalised for between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000. Police are questioning the hotel operator to ascertain his alleged role and determine whether the premises were being used to facilitate the illegal activity.

Officials said the simultaneous raids were part of a planned operation based on information received about suspected immoral activities being conducted from hotels in the city.

DSP Headquarters Sanjeev Balhara said police would not tolerate such activities in the district and warned that strict action would be taken against those found involved.

Police said the detained persons are being questioned, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. Sources said several other hotels in Rewari are also under police surveillance and may face scrutiny as part of the ongoing crackdown.

Police teams are expected to verify information regarding suspected illegal activities at such establishments. Further investigation is underway to establish the complete network, identify other persons allegedly involved and determine the role of the hotel operators.

--IANS

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Jabalpur, Sep 22 (IANS) Police intervened and defused a dispute at a temple in Jabalpur after objections were raised over alleged shops run by Muslim traders during the ongoing Ganesh festival, an officer said on Tuesday.

The dispute surfaced at the Shri Siddh Ganesh Hanuman Temple in the Gwarighat area, where Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal workers protested late Monday night, alleging that non-Hindus had been allowed to set up shops on the temple premises.

Additional Superintendent of Police Suryakant Sharma said police reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the dispute.

“During the Ganesh festival, some people complained that the shops set up there were owned by Muslim traders. Upon receiving the information, a police team immediately reached the spot,” Sharma told IANS.

He said the temple committee controlled the premises and had the authority to decide who could set up shops there.

“The matter was resolved through mutual counsel and persuasion. After mediation, both parties were pacified, and the situation is peaceful and under control,” the officer said.

The temple committee has denied allegations that it had granted permission to non-Hindu traders to operate shops on its premises. The protesters had objected to the alleged presence of Muslim traders and questioned the allotment of temporary shops during the festival. Their protest led to a gathering at the temple premises late Monday night, following which police intervened.

According to police, they held discussions with those involved and brought the dispute under control without any untoward incident.

“No complaint regarding violence or any other untoward incident has been received so far. The situation at the temple is normal,” a police official said.

The temple sees large gatherings of devotees during the Ganesh festival, with temporary stalls set up to cater to visitors. Police said they are monitoring the situation and would take appropriate action if they receive any specific complaint about a violation of the law.

The incident comes amid heightened vigilance at religious places and festival venues during the ongoing festive season, particularly at locations witnessing large gatherings.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Sep 22 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday emphasised that the upcoming airports at Warangal and Adilabad, as well as the Telangana Bhavan in Delhi, should be symbols of Telangana's rich culture.

The Chief Minister instructed the officials to conduct a study of the architectural and sculptural styles of the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, Ramappa Temple, and Pillalamarri Temple, which embody the state's history and culture and to incorporate the Telangana heritage in the new constructions.

The Chief Minister held a review on the construction of Adilabad and Warangal airports and the Telangana Bhavan in Delhi.

Reviewing the designs for the Adilabad and Warangal airports and the Telangana Bhavan in Delhi, the Chief Minister suggested several modifications to elevate the Telangana culture, sculpture, and architectural styles in the construction of the airports.

The officials briefed the Chief Minister on various logistical issues at the airport sites, including the shifting of power lines, diversion of streams and roads, and the relocation of BSNL lines and drinking water supply pipelines.

CM Revanth Reddy issued several directives to the officials on the construction of roads along the airport compound walls and connecting them to nearby district, state, and national highways.

The Chief Minister cautioned that numerous complications would arise if the departments execute the works in their purview without coordination with other wings. The Energy, R&B, Drinking Water Supply, and Irrigation departments were ordered to hold a meeting with BSNL officials to ensure that the works proceed concurrently without any interruption.

Revanth Reddy stressed that a comprehensive plan should be formulated taking into account both current and future needs during the execution of the projects. Diversion of the water bodies, shifting of the tanks and constructing them within or near the airport premises to facilitate the diversion was discussed in the meeting. The CM ordered the officials to develop a wider road network connecting the airports and nearby major highways.

Meanwhile, AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi wrote a letter to the Chief Minister, demanding that the proposed Mamnoor Airport in Warangal be named after Moulvi Syed Alauddin, a brave freedom fighter and native of undivided Warangal district, associated with Hyderabad’s resistance to British rule during the 1857 uprising.

Owaisi wrote that Moulvi Syed Alauddin, along with Turrebaz Khan, led the historic resistance against the British Residency in Hyderabad on July 17, 1857. He was subsequently captured and imprisoned in the Cellular Jail. “His contribution represents an important chapter in the history of Hyderabad and the freedom struggle in South India. Naming the airport after Moulvi Syed Alauddin would be a fitting tribute to his courage and sacrifice and would also ensure that the legacy of a largely unsung freedom fighter is remembered by future generations,” he said.

--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 22 (IANS) Actor Kartik Aaryan, who won the National Award for Best Actor, has reacted to his win. On Tuesday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a video from the ceremony in which he could be seen being conferred the honour by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

He also penned a long note in the caption, as he looked back at his journey of grit, and dedication which always pushed him to achieve the best.

He wrote, “Looking back affectionately with a smile at that mumma’s boy from Gwalior who dared to dream of becoming an actor from an environment, where people laugh at such dreams, and move forwards. Finally, I witnessed and lived the moment, still numb with excitement and nervousness. A dream of a small town boy, the dream of every actor in the country, the National Award for Best Actor. ‘Chandu Nahi, Champiyon hai Main’. I will always be grateful and indebted to Kabir sir and Sajid sir for trusting me with the responsibility of playing India’s first Paralympic Gold Champion- Murlikant Petkar sir on the big screen”.

Kartik was feted for his work in the sports biopic ‘Chandu Champion’, and shared the award with the Malayalam cinema legend, Mammootty.

He further mentioned, “The journey was extremely painful, but the result is as sweet as rasmalai. I feel humbled and emotional at the same time. The only constant companions in this long journey have been my belief in myself, my backbone, my parents’ blessings, their unconditional love and support, my friends’ encouragement at every juncture when I was losing hope, and my team, who works tirelessly to make my work life smooth”.

He shared that he would like to share the honour with every Paralympian in the country and with everyone who dares to dream the impossible.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this impossible journey. I would love to share my biggest honour with every Paralympian in the country and with everyone who dares to dream the impossible and never gives up! Thanks to the respected Jury, I&B Ministry and the honourable president @presidentofindia for the moment. In the end, I would like to believe and say that this is just the beginning of many more milestones to come”, he added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 22 (IANS) Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji's mother, Krishna Mukerji, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 75. Many of Rani's close friends from the industry attended her mother's last rites, which took place at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu.

Shah Rukh Khan arrived with wife Gauri Khan to pay his last respect amid heavy security.

Filmmaker Karan Johar also attended Krishna Mukerji's last rites. Actress Alia Bhatt was also captured by the shutterbugs as she arrived to offer her condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.

Anil Kapoor was also spotted by the paparazzi arriving for the funeral, along with many other prominent names from the fraternity.

Earlier today, the family shared a statement confirming the unfortunate news of Krishna Mukerji's demise. Requesting privacy from the media during this challenging time, they wrote, “With heavy hearts, we share that Rani Mukerji's mother Mrs Krishna Mukerji, 75, passed away this afternoon. The family is deeply grateful for your love, prayers, and support, and respectfully requests privacy during this time of immense grief."

Rani Mukerji's mother, Krishna Mukerji, was a playback singer. She was best known for lending her voice to the track 'Idd Ke Din Gale Mil Le Raja' from the 1982 film 'Teesri Aankh'.

Krishna Mukerji was married to filmmaker Ram Mukerji, one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios, Mumbai. Ram Mukerji is remembered for the movies 'Hum Hindustani (1960)', and Leader (1964), along with others.

The couple has two children, Rani Mukerji and filmmaker-producer Raja Mukherjee.

Krishna Mukerji is believed to have had a constant and strong presence in her daughter’s life. Rani had spoken about her close bond with her mother on public platforms on multiple occasions.

She once revealed that it was her mother who encouraged her to join films.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 22 (IANS) The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, who honoured excellence in cinema during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday, has urged the biggest stars of India to refrain from endorsing production which could have adverse effects on the health of people.

The President conferred the honours to the best of talents in Indian cinema in Kevadia, Gujarat, and made an appeal towards the end of the ceremony.

She said, “Film artistes, who are extremely popular, have the huge power to influence the people of the country, especially the youth. When popular film stars talk about the importance of a disciplined lifestyle, people sit up and take notice. The people follow them. I would like to request the biggest stars of India to refrain from endorsing anything that may prove to be harmful to the body. The job of a star is to spread light”.

She also expressed her wish to see more female representation in the jury panel for the National Awards, as she said, “A majority of artistes honoured today include women. Hence, the jury panel should also include women in the decision-making. It's imperative to accommodate the perspective of a woman in every aspect of life”.

She went on to speak for the people at the lower-rung of the creative economy, and said that it’s the responsibility of the people at the top of the food chain of creative economy to take care and be sensitive towards the labourers, small artistes, and even strugglers, who power the creative economy.

She further mentioned, “You are all the representatives of the creative economy. I would request all of you to take care of labourers, small artistes, assistants, and even strugglers who make a huge chunk of the creative economy so that they get social security and respect”.

“During the previous National Award ceremony, I had requested that even the members at the lower rung of the creative economy should be respected and this should become a part of the work culture of the creative economy”, she added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 22 (IANS) It has been 15 years since the former captain of the Indian cricket team, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, passed away. Remembering her father on his death anniversary, actress Soha Ali Khan compiled an emotional post on social media.

On Monday, Soha dropped a picture of herself sitting in front of her dad's photograph. In the next pic, her daughter, Inaaya was seen folding her hands in front of her grandfather's photo.

Inaaya had also written a sweet letter to her grandfather that read,

"Dear Sarkar Abba,

I hope you have a lovely death anniversary in heaven.

I hope I can someday see your spirit in real life.

I am grateful to be apart of your family and must complement you of your daughter, as well as your cricket skills.

- Inaaya (sic)"

Expressing her longing for her dad, Soha had captioned the post, "My Abba (red heart and rainbow emoji) 15 years without you. Sometimes I wonder if I’m imagining my memories of you. But perhaps that is what memory is — love, recreating what it cannot bear to lose (sic)."

Soha often shares her fond memories with her late father on social media.

On his birth anniversary in January, she visited the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.

Dropping some glimpses from her visit on her official handle, she had penned, "On your birthday, Abba, I wanted to stand where the game remembers you. Eden Gardens may be empty today, but it is never silent for you."

Soha also recalled the iconic Test match when her father played for the country despite a fractured cheekbone, leading India to a victory.

"A ground you loved to play on, and one where you captained India many times — perhaps most memorable being the December 1974 Test against the indomitable West Indies. A ball from Andy Roberts struck you on the face, fracturing your cheekbone. You retired bleeding and hurt but returned to lead the side to an unbelievable victory by 85 runs. That Test at Eden went down as one of Indian cricket’s most iconic victories — a timeless example of grit and lion-hearted (or perhaps tiger-hearted) captaincy," she added.

--IANS

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