Dehradun, July 11 (IANS) Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working with the spirit of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas", ensuring development for every citizen without any discrimination based on religion or community.

Inaugurating the five-day 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv at Parade Ground, Dehradun, in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Rijiju said: "This festival has emerged as an important national platform for artisans, weavers, craftspersons and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent, traditional craftsmanship and products.”

The five-day festival brings over 150 artisanal and food stalls, live craft demonstrations and cultural performances, marking the first-ever Lok Samvardhan Parv organised in partnership with the Uttarakhand government under the PM VIKAS Scheme.

Rijiju said, "We are delighted to bring this edition to the beautiful capital of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, where artisans from across the country can not only exhibit their creations but also experience the warmth and hospitality of the state.”

He said the Union government does not view people through the prism of religion but treats every citizen equally, adding that Lok Samvardhan Parv is not a festival only for minorities but a celebration for all Indians dedicated to preserving the country's rich cultural heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Highlighting the Prime Minister's vision of "Vocal for Local", Rijiju appealed to citizens to promote and purchase indigenous products.

He said the exhibition showcases a wide range of Made in India handicrafts, handloom products, traditional crafts and regional cuisines from across the country and urged visitors to support local artisans by purchasing their products.

Rijiju noted that such initiatives strengthen traditional livelihoods while celebrating India's rich cultural diversity.

He also said that after the monsoon, he would visit the interior regions of Uttarakhand in consultation with Chief Minister Dhami.

The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with Uttarakhand Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, Government of Uttarakhand.

Rijiju said that the Ministry remains fully committed to the socio-economic empowerment of minority communities through education, skill development, entrepreneurship and market access.

He said Prime Minister Modi has instilled a renewed sense of pride in India’s artisans and indigenous products.

“There was a time when imported goods were considered a symbol of prestige. Today, people proudly choose and promote products that are ‘Made in India’. Lok Samvardhan Parv is a reflection of this changing mindset, celebrating our rich heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans across the country,” said Rijiju.

--IANS

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Southampton, July 11 (IANS) Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler was at his vintage best to hammer a sensational 131 while Harry Brook smashed a blistering unbeaten 95 as England delivered a batting masterclass to post a mammoth 257/3 against India in the fifth and final T20I at a sun-baked The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer’s decision to bowl first backfired hugely as Buttler played with angles well and was at his free-flowing best to hit 12 fours and eight sixes at a strike-rate of 204.69. Brook, despite falling five runs short of his second T20I century, hit four fours and eight sixes in a breath-taking knock, as the duo shared a majestic 233-run stand off 102 balls.

The duo’s clean hitting meant India’s bowlers were absolutely listless, while their fielding was terrible. Opting to bowl first, India tasted early success when pacer Prasidh Krishna removed opener Phil Salt (6) in the second over, having him caught by deep backward square leg. However, that remained India's only joy for a major part of the innings as Buttler and Brook decimated the bowling attack with an electrifying partnership.

Brook was the initial aggressor, reaching a fiery half-century off just 19 deliveries, clubbing the Indian pacers and spinners alike. At the other end, Buttler started comparatively slower but shifted gears seamlessly after crossing his fifty.

India’s woes were compounded by a dismal fielding display, dropping multiple regulation catches, including giving a reprieve to Buttler off Axar Patel in the 16th over and dropping Brook twice on three (by Shivam Dube) and 90 (by Ishan Kishan). Capitalising on the errors, Buttler brought up a magnificent century off 52 balls with a pulled six off Axar.

The England captain was eventually dismissed by Dube in the 19th over after he completely miscued it to mid-off. Dube picked up Jacob Bethell for a duck on the next delivery, but Will Jacks and Brook ensured England crossed the 250-mark. For India, Dube ended with figures of 2-22, while Axar leaked 63 runs in his four overs – the most expensive spell he’s ever bowled in T20 cricket.

Brief scores:

England 257/3 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 131, Harry Brook 95 not out; Shivam Dube 2-22, Prasidh Krishna 1-38) against India

--IANS

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Guwahati, July 11 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday reviewed a series of major infrastructure and cultural projects in Guwahati, including the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha, the Assam Police Reserve redevelopment project and the ongoing modernisation of the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden.

The Chief Minister began his visit by paying tribute to music legend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at the Samannay Tirtha in Jalukbari and reviewed facilities at the memorial complex with officials from the Cultural Affairs Department and the Public Works Department.

Chief Minister Sarma said the memorial would be redesigned to better reflect the life, works and legacy of the iconic singer, composer and cultural icon.

He announced that Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies would be introduced to offer visitors immersive experiences, including virtual interactions with Dr. Hazarika and digital access to his music and literary contributions.

He also said an open-air stage would be constructed within the complex and a government committee would be formed to manage the memorial.

Besides organising programmes on Dr. Hazarika's birth and death anniversaries, the committee will hold year-round cultural events based on his creations to make the site a vibrant cultural destination.

Later, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing redevelopment of the Assam Police Reserve campus at Paltan Bazar.

The project, estimated at around Rs 600 crore, will provide residential accommodation for more than 600 police personnel, including Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors and Constables.

The campus will also house a school, temple, namghar, playground, press conference hall and administrative offices.

A separate residential building for 42 police officers is also under construction at Panbazar.

Chief Minister Sarma also reviewed the Rs 360-crore modernisation project at the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden.

He inspected the under-construction veterinary hospital, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre and museum, and chaired a review meeting with senior officials.

He directed authorities to consult leading veterinary experts while developing the hospital and asked them to examine the feasibility of introducing an internal train service for visitors.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the health of three rescued red pandas, which were brought to the zoo after being rescued from wildlife traffickers earlier this year.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 11 (IANS) Even as the Indian Navy inducted its sixth advanced stealth frigate on Saturday, concerns remain regarding its plans to expand the fleet to 200 warships by 2035.

The Navy's proposal to acquire eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) under Project 28A seems to have run into heavy weather at the last minute.

Despite the bidding process for the NGCs being completed, a final nod is awaited from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

There are some who believe that the CCS has questioned the justification of these missile corvettes at a time when the Frigates are being inducted.

The NGCs would be armed with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, just as the advanced frigates are.

With China helping Pakistan in the building of eight advanced diesel-electric attack submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (with the first already been delivered), there is a feeling that the focus should be more on anti-submarine warfare platforms.

The Indian Navy operates four Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes and is now receiving the 16 much smaller anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts.

The latter are primarily for the protection of the coastal areas, islands and harbour mouths from underwater threats.

There is belief that the Navy could do with some more large anti-submarine warfare platforms that can operate in deep waters.

China has been sending submarines to the Bay of Bengal for quite some time now.

Once Pakistan gets delivery of all eight submarines, it will deploy them in the Arabian Sea and also operate in the Bay of Bengal.

India may start feeling the heat, once this happens.

"If the Navy needs to change plans, it should do it now. The warships under order at the moment are 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) and the first deliveries are expected to start in the next 2-3 years. Even if fresh orders are placed soon, there is little possibility of deliveries before 2030."

It has been nearly three years now since any fresh orders were placed by the Navy. The last major order was for the 11 NGOPVs that was concluded on March 30, 2023. While seven of these are being built by Goa Shipyard Limited, work is underway for the remaining at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited in Kolkata.

Apart from the NGCs, the Indian Navy has plans to order Next-Generation Destroyers (NGDs) at an estimated cost of Rs 80,000 crore. These heavily-armed, stealth warships will be a successor of the Vishakapatnam-class.

It also wants deliveries for the AIP-equipped next-generation conventional submarines under Project 75 (I) to commence by 3033.

The Navy also has the Project-17 Bravo (P-17B) Frigates programme. This is a Rs 70,000 crore project for Next Generation Frigates with advanced structural stealth, integrated electric propulsion, and enhanced Vertical Launching System missile cells.

lnitial clearance has also been granted by the Union government for four huge 32,000 Landing Platform Docks or LPDs.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, July 11 (IANS) Describing the Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) being issued by the state Congress government as a "devious strategy to protect illegal immigrants and consolidate its vote bank", Karnataka BJP President and MLA B. Y. Vijayendra on Saturday said his party would explore legal options to challenge the constitutional validity of the PRC.

The party will also submit a petition to the Governor against this "patently illogical and unconstitutional" move, he stated.

Vijayendra said he would shortly convene a meeting of his party's legal team to discuss ways and means to challenge what he described as the Congress government's "patently unconstitutional and illogical move".

"We will also submit a petition to the Governor, the constitutional head of the state, and bring to his attention how the state government is trying to usurp the powers and authority of the Centre," Vijayendra added.

The state BJP President slammed the Congress for its "double standards and duplicity" on the issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the PRC.

"When the BJP government at the Centre wanted to exercise its constitutional right to prepare the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Congress party opposed it and raised a hue and cry. Now, the Congress government in Karnataka is issuing PRCs, which are totally unconstitutional and patently illogical," Vijayendra added.

According to Vijayendra, the power to prepare the NRC or issue PRCs rests with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which establishes whether an individual is a bona fide citizen.

"The task of determining citizenship under the Indian Citizenship Act rests solely with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. I charge the Congress government with not only working at cross-purposes with the Union government but also usurping the powers and authority of the Centre solely for political considerations," Vijayendra added.

Vijayendra further alleged that the state government's decision to issue PRCs at a time when the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is under way smacks of a political conspiracy to draw electoral dividends by protecting illegal immigrants and consolidating its vote bank.

The BJP President concluded by saying: "My party will fight this unconstitutional and illogical exercise both politically and legally. We will approach the constitutional head of the state to draw his attention to the issue. We will not allow the Congress government to usurp the Centre's powers and authority in matters related to the Indian Citizenship Act."

--IANS

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Patna, July 11 (IANS) Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, who is set to make his electoral debut in the upcoming Bankipur Assembly constituency bypoll in Bihar, on Saturday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the latter's candidate withdrew his nomination, saying that he has "fled from that constituency's bypoll which is said to be the BJP's stronghold".

The remarks came after the BJP announced Neeraj Kumar Sinha as its official candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election in Bihar, replacing Abhishek Kumar Sinha alias Bunty, who withdrew his nomination earlier on Friday, citing family reasons.

Speaking to IANS, Prashant Kishor said: "It is said that they (BJP) have a stronghold in Bankipur, but their candidate ran away from the field. So, the position of the BJP can be gauged from the running away of their candidate."

"In the last four to five years, it has been seen that the candidates of other parties either run away or are bought or threatened. Maybe, this is happening for the first time in many years that a BJP candidate has fled, that too from the bypoll of Assembly constituency for which BJP leaders were claiming that even if a stray is fielded from there, the party would still win," he remarked.

Kishor asserted: "This situation reflects that people here have made up their mind for change; they want a new option...the BJP is set to lose," he asserted.

The Jan Suraaj leader also said: "The BJP is a very large party, and if its candidate flees from by-election in a seat considered its stronghold and the seat of its National President (Nitin Nabin), then the situation is self-explanatory. There is no need to say anything further."

Earlier on Saturday, BJP leader Jibesh Kumar took a jibe at Prashant Kishor, referring to Jan Suraaj's defeat in last year's Bihar Assembly polls.

"Is this the same Prashant Kishor who contested elections a few months ago? He contested all 243 Assembly seats and could not even open his account. Only two of his candidates managed to retain their deposits. Is he the same person who could not even protect his deposits in 241 seats?.. I only know that the NDA will win the Bankipur bypoll with a majority," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal candidate Rekha Gupta denied any kind of contest, saying: "The only goal is to reach the people and take their blessings."

Regarding the withdrawal of nomination by BJP candidate, she called it a "defeat of the party's strategy".

"Their (NDA's) strategy has failed at the very first step. Now their candidate has run away, very soon they (BJP) will flee from Bankipur as well," she told IANS.

Expressing confidence of victory, Gupta said: "People will vote for me, who can become their voice in the Bihar Assembly."

--IANS

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London, July 11 (IANS) Henry Patten became the first British man to win two Wimbledon men's doubles titles in the Open era after partnering Harri Heliovaara to victory over El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic of Croatia in the final at Wimbledon in London on Saturday.

In a serve-dominated match with no break points, the Anglo-Finnish partnership triumphed 7-6(4), 7-6(3). Patten and Heliovaara, the top seeds, first won the title here in 2024 and also lifted the trophy at the 2025 Australian Open.

Heliovaara and Patten became the first men’s doubles team to claim multiple Wimbledon crowns since Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan did so in 2011. They are the 11th team in the Open Era to achieve the feat. “It's surreal,” said Colchester-born Patten, who served an ace on the second match point. “When we won the first time, we didn’t know if we would have the opportunity to ever experience this again. We just feel so lucky to be out here again.”

Heliovaara thanked the British player “for being the best partner in the world."

Four other British men have won the Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title in the Open era – Jonathan Marray (with Frederik Nielsen in 2012), Neal Skupski (with Wesley Koolhof in 2023), and Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, who won the title here last year.

Across the fortnight, the champions won three final-set tie-breaks, battling past Mac Kiger and Patrik Thrac in the second round, Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl in the third round, and eighth seeds Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard in the quarter-finals. They won eight of their nine tie-breaks in The Championships.

Patten crushed an ace down the T in the Ad court to claim their third major trophy as a team, having also emerged victorious at Wimbledon in 2024 and at last year’s Australian Open. The lefty Patten is the first British men’s doubles player in the Open Era to lift the Wimbledon trophy more than once.

There were no breakpoints for either team in the match. Heliovaara and Patten won 41 of their 45 first-serve points (91%) to avoid falling under pressure.

This was a rematch of the Queen’s Club final, which Arevalo and Pavic won 6-2, 6-4. In that match, Heliovaara and Patten won just 56 per cent of their first-serve points.

Heliovaara and Patten now lead Arevalo and Pavic 6-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, including a 4-1 record this year. Arevalo won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Jelena Ostapenko.

“Just want to say thank you to everybody who showed up today to support. I think it was a great match,” Arevalo said. “I want to take the time to congratulate Henry and Harry on these amazing two weeks, on getting a title here again.”

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 11 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced a policy of direct purchase of land by the state government from land owners for setting up new industries in the state.

"We have formulated a policy for direct land purchase. The state government had already started the policy of direct land purchase in the international border areas in the state and then gave them to the Border Security Force (BSF) for erection of barbed fencing there. The same policy will be followed in the case of industry as well. We do not want repetition of tension over land availability for industry as to what happened in the past at Singur and Nandigram. I assure those who are interested in doing industry or business here. You will not have any problem getting land. We will directly purchase the land and give it to you," the Chief Minister said while addressing an event at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of a hosiery manufacturing unit at Dankuni in Hooghly district.

Speaking on the occasion, Adhikari also said that the foremost rider for attracting new investment in the state is to maintain a stable law and order situation in the state.

"Our new (Bharatiya Janata Party-led state) government has already made some progress on this count. We are determined for ensuring the right investment atmosphere for the industrialists by ensuring a stable law & order situation and totally wiping out the past culture of cut-money and extortion," the Chief Minister added.

He also criticised the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government for the huge accumulated debt that the new BJP government led by him had inherited.

"We are spending nearly Rs 1,00,000 crore a year for repayment of loan and interest. If that money was available, it could have been used for more developmental work. That is exactly why the state needs to increase revenue for development. The more industries and factories would be established and more investments made in West Bengal, the more revenue will flow into the government's coffers. That is why our government is working with an aim of making West Bengal one of the country's leading investment destinations again," the Chief Minister said.

He also added that large scale industrialisation in West Bengal is necessary for more employment generation in the state.

"The unemployment problem cannot be solved only through state government jobs. Large scale employment generation in the public sector is also necessary. At the same time, we will also encourage new entrepreneurship in the state. The state government will provide soft loan for that," the Chief Minister 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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Los Angeles, July 11 (IANS) Actress-singer Ariana Grande is no longer a part of the ‘American Horror Story’. Ryan Murphy, the creator of the US TV show, had previously announced that the 33-year-old singer would be joining the cast for the upcoming 13th season.

However, it is now revealed that Ariana has been forced to drop out of the show, because of scheduling conflicts with her Eternal Sunshine tour, reports ‘Female First UK’.

Ariana had been set star alongside American Horror veterans including Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts and Gabourey Sidibe, all of whom have been seen shooting scenes in New York this week.

Deadline was the first to report the news. It would also have been another string to Ariana’s acting bow, which she has been focusing on in recent years.

Earlier, she starred as Glinda in the Wicked movies, Ariana can soon be seen alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in Focker-in-Law.

And in an interview last year, Ariana said, “I really am enjoying acting right now. Whether it’s movies or being on stage or a little something here and there, I think that’s currently what I’m most inspired by”

“I’ll still sing, I promise. But yes, right now, that’s currently where I’m at”, she added.

As per ‘Female First UK, however, she added that she wants to find a balance between both acting and singing.

Ariana said, “I think I’ve learned that they feed one another. And I think that balance was missing in my life for a long time, and they’ll figure out the dance as we go”.

‘American Horror Story’ wouldn’t have been the first time she’d worked with Ryan Murphy, as she previously featured in his short-lived show Scream Queens.

The singer kicked off her Eternal Sunshine tour in California last month and will conclude her road trek with a 10-night stint at London’s O2 Arena from August 15 to September 1, 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 11 (IANS) Filmmaker Sir Christopher Nolan has heaped praise on young people for their stand on AI. The filmmaker lauded the young generation for rejecting AI "slop".

‘The Odyssey’ filmmaker is hopeful for the future of cinema after seeing the likes of Obsession director Curry Barker and Backrooms‘ Kane Parsons reject artificial intelligence in favour of practical effects, and has seen first hand in his own four children that the younger generation are not impressed by all elements of the technology, reports ‘Female First UK’.

He told The Telegraph, "I’ve never seen a more rapid wholesale dismissal of a supposedly foundational jump in technology in my lifetime. So much energy has been expended on bringing in AI, but if you look at that generation’s reaction, they’re utterly rejecting it”.

“Their judgment of AI slop has been immediate and harsh. They see it for what it is very quickly, and it’s much easier for them to identify it, because it grew out of an online world they know really well. And while that doesn’t mean that every aspect of the technology is useless or meaningless, in film-making it’s hitting at exactly the wrong time. "After years of driving towards heavily virtual environments, we’re seeing a renewed interest in more tactile, more real forms of storytelling”, he added.

As per ‘Female First UK’, the filmmaker is excited about the future of film with the rise of a new generation of directors.

He said, “I think cinema is vital and essential and continues to transform itself, we’ve got all these great new young voices in movies, making the medium their own and moving it forward”.

Fellow director Guillermo del Toro recently spoke of his fears that AI is leading the world on the verge of "cinema illiteracy".

Speaking at a BFI America event last month, he said, "We are on the verge of image illiteracy. We are on the verge of cinema illiteracy. The pact between man and image is sacred, but we are in a time when that is in danger. We are told images can be generated by artificial means. The existence of an image is not just to be there. It is to connect us, to make us feel beauty”.

And last year, the Shape of Water filmmaker insisted he would "rather die" than use the tech in his movies.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actor Arshad Warsi, who can be seen in the recently released film ‘Dhamaal 4’, has said that for good performances to flow between actors, it’s imperative that there is no ego between them.

The actor spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film in the city, and shared that his partnership with Jaaved Jaaferi in the ‘Dhamaal’ works because there’s no ego between them.

He told IANS, “It's magic when he and I work together. I will tell you something, the reason why you like to see both of us is because there is no one-upmanship. Bad acting happens in the presence of ego, and good acting happens in the absence of ego”.

He further mentioned, “When there is a common artery, the performance gets enhanced. When an actor thinks he can do better than his co-actor, it reflects on screen. It happened once, when I said a punchline, and my co-actor didn’t give the desired reaction. So, the joke didn’t land or they would take a different shot for his reaction”.

The starting of the ‘Dhamaal’ franchise was marked by the release of ‘Dhamaal’ which was released on 7 September 2007. The film gave birth to two sequels, ‘Double Dhamaal’, which was a direct sequel to the first film, and ‘Total Dhamaal’. The first two films featured Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Jaaved Jaaferi, Saanand Verma, Ashish Chaudhary, Karan Deol, and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles.

The third installment also featured Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Johnny Lever, Boman Irani, Mahesh Manjrekar and Madhuri Dixit along with the original cast, but Sanjay Dutt did not appear in the third film.

Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, in association with Devgn Films, a T-Series Films, Maruti International, Panorama Studios production. ‘Dhamaal 4’ is directed by Indra Kumar and produced by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak. The film is currently playing in cinemas.

--IANS

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Bangalore, July 11(IANS) Even as 'Tabaahi', the first song from director Geetu Mohandas's 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', featuring Rocking Star Yash in the lead, continues to receive an overwhelming response, singer-composer Vishal Mishra has now credited Yash with being the creative force behind the song's very inception.

Taking to Instagram, Vishal shared an emotional note crediting Rocking Star Yash for playing a pivotal role in the song's journey.

Vishal wrote, "The kind of love #Tabaahi is getting is surreal! All the credit goes to my big bro @thenameisyash for being the brother, the person & the collaborator he is. He thought of the word “Tabaahi” even before we made the song, and every inch of my creativity belongs to US!"

Going on to call Yash as "simply the BEST", Vishal said that he felt incredibly lucky to have found "a big brother".

"Because of him, I met the maverick magician @geetu_mohandas who has been the energy behind it all. So grateful. Onwards n upwards for #Toxic. Har Har Mahadev."

Vishal's heartfelt post offers fans a rare glimpse into the collaborative process behind Tabaahi, underscoring Yash's deep creative involvement in Toxic beyond his role as the film's lead.

For the unaware, the makers of director Geethu Mohandas's eagerly awaited action extravaganza, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', featuring Rocking Star Yash in the lead, last Wednesday unveiled the much-anticipated official music video of 'Tabaahi', the film's first song.

The song was an instant hit and it continues to dominate playlists. The song's striking visuals and Yash-Kiara Advani's intense chemistry in it have only heightened anticipation for the film.

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' has been written, produced, and headlined by Rocking Star Yash under Monster Mind Creations, in association with KVN Productions.

Featuring a powerhouse ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi, the much-anticipated action drama is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 26 this year.

--IANS

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