New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Former India pacers VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji are among the names likely to get coaching positions at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

The CoE has been without a full‑time fast bowling coach since Troy Cooley’s departure late last year, following his achieving the superannuation age. The BCCI had explored the option of hiring another foreign expert and even held advanced discussions with England’s ace fast bowling coach Steffan Jones, but what happened afterwards is yet to be known, sources told IANS.

IANS understands that the Indian coaches are now shortlisted to fill the vacancies for which the BCCI brought out advertisements last year. Once the paperwork is done, Singh, who previously had a stint under Cooley, and Balaji are likely to assume charge once the ongoing IPL season concludes on May 31.

Apart from Singh and Balaji, P. Krishnakumar, who guided Jammu and Kashmir to a historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph this year as the side’s bowling coach, is also in line to be the third fast bowling coach at the CoE. Krishnakumar has been a key figure in J&K’s rise as a bowling line-up and nurtured the likes of Auqib Nabi, Sunil Kumar, and Yudhvir Singh.

Yere Goud, the former Karnataka all‑rounder who has been active in the coaching circuit, is tipped to join the CoE as a batting coach. It is also understood that Sunetra Paranjpe, Nooshin Al Khadeer, and VR Vanitha are likely to get coaching roles at the CoE.

In terms of fielding coaches, this news agency understands that Dishant Yagnik, ex-Rajasthan wicketkeeper and currently fielding coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is on the shortlist. Just like Krishnakumar, Yagnik had been integral in shaping the J&K side as Ranji Trophy winners this year.

Others in line for fielding coach roles at CoE are Milap Mewada and Shabarish Mohan. It is yet to be known whether the ideal candidates for the performance analyst, head of education, and head of sports science and medical team vacancies have been finalised.

--IANS

nr/bsk/

Mumbai, May 14 (IANS) Veteran playback singer Usha Uthup has reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding her rendition of the Arabic song ‘Didi’.

Earlier, a social media user had shared a video of the singer's live performance in which she can be heard singing a Bengali song inspired by ‘Didi’. The user alleged that the singer was taking shots at the recently dethroned Chief Minister of West Bengal.

The user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “In celebration of Didi leaving Bengal, Usha Uthup had fun by singing ‘Didi Go.’ It should be remembered that during the TMC regime, cut money was allegedly demanded from her for her performances, due to which she became troubled and moved to Mumbai. Now she has returned”.

Responding to the same, the singer took to her Instagram, and shared a note in which she denied any political undertones to her performance in question.

She wrote, “There has been a post circulating on Twitter, Insta and WhatsApp regarding me, and I would like to clarify that several statements made in that post are incorrect and misleading. The song in question is a Bengali song, composed many years ago and inspired by an Arabic tune. I have been performing it for over two decades purely as a musical rendition. I should like to clarify that I have lived in Kolkata since 1976 and never left Kolkata since then and moved to Mumbai. Kolkata has always been my home, and I continue to live and work here with immense love for the city and its people”.

“The interpretations, comments, and narratives being circulated in that post are entirely not mine, and I do not associate myself with or take any onus for them in any manner. Please do not unnecessarily embroil me in controversies that I have absolutely nothing to do with”, she added.

--IANS

aa/

Los Angeles, May 13 (IANS) Hollywood actress Ashley Judd decided to pay an ode to her inner child as she completed another trip around the sun.

The Emmy-nominated actress recently shared a series of pictures on social media showing her followers, friends and family how she spent her 58th birthday on April 19.

She also penned a long note in the caption, as she wrote, “My inner 12-year-old was ready to receive love, care, attunement, delight, protection, and provision”.

In the pictures, the actress can be seen seated on a chair outdoors, smiling beside a cake with brown and yellow icing. Colorful candles with the number “12” were placed atop the celebratory dessert.

She further mentioned, “Have you ever considered, from your adult perspective, restaging for your sweet inner child an experience she either never had at all? Or an experience that did not unfold with the safety and attention it should have? I deeply enjoy doing this from a loving inner-parent perspective for my inner family. Many of us grew up with unmet needs. Today, as adults, we can listen carefully to those missings, identify what happened that should not have happened, and, crucially, what did not happen that should have happened, supplying that, now, with love and humor to ourselves. I don’t remember any of my birthdays growing up. I do remember loving some elements of Mrs. Minor’s 6th grade class at Grassland Elementary in 1979: science, geology, dinosaurs with their hilarious tiny arms and giant mouths eating leaves from treetops, learning the difference between stalactites and stalagmites, and discovering a cute trick for remembering the difference between convex and concave”.

“I also loved the 6 weeks(!) of square dancing in PE! Didn’t you want to come home and wiggle, squirm, and show off your jig? I did. But at home? There was no parent (or adult) supporting, nurturing, guiding and reinforcing my learning, delighting in, or protecting that little girl. This past weekend, alongside sensitive, playful people who also relish carefree timelessness, we restaged my 12th birthday party. We backfilled what was always missing and no longer is, thanks to vulnerable imagination. We laughed, frolicked, square danced, took a Scopes Monkey Trial True or False quiz (including quite a bit Mrs. Minor did not cover in 1979), and ate a dream cake any 12-year-old would adore. We also anonymously wrote down 6th grade shames, placing them in a safe jar where others could read them with empathy (and maybe even a little 12-year-old problem solving).. Shame reduction! Who knew others were also awkward and scared at times”, she added.

--IANS

aa/

Raipur, May 14 (IANS) Virat Kohli produced a vintage hundred and was unbeaten on 105 off 60 balls as he steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a six‑wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and reclaimed the top spot on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 points table at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday.

After Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s fluent 71 and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 49 powered Kolkata Knight Riders to 192/4, Kohli brought out a glorious, unbeaten century laced with 11 fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 175 – his ninth IPL ton and 10th overall in T20s, as RCB completed the chase with five balls to spare.

With the majority of his shots coming through the leg-side, Kohli dished out a chasing masterclass to leave the Raipur crowd utterly delighted after rain delayed the start of the game by 75 minutes.

Chasing 193, RCB began cautiously as debutant Saurabh Dubey conceded just two runs in the opening over. The tempo changed in the second over when Vaibhav Arora erred in line, and Kohli cashed in by hitting four boundaries, including a flick over square leg and a rasping cut. Jacob Bethell, too, opened up against Dubey with a six and two fours before being taken out by Kartik Tyagi via a caught-and-bowled dismissal.

Kohli, however, continued to be unfazed, pulling Tyagi for six and riding his luck when Powell dropped him at cover. Devdutt Padikkal joined in with boundaries off Tyagi and Narine, and the pair added fluency to the chase through a 92-run stand for the second wicket. The partnership blossomed as Padikkal found gaps regularly and Kohli reached his fifty in 32 balls.

But Tyagi broke the stand by dismissing Padikkal for 39 with an off-cutter. Rajat Patidar struck a six but was never in his elements after being hit on the head and soon fell to Narine, even as Kohli kept finding boundaries with authority.

The equation was well under control, and Kohli’s wrists produced a stunning towering six off Tyagi to bring him into the nineties. He raised his ninth IPL hundred with a single off Arora in the 19th over, acknowledging the applause with a simple raise of the bat.

Though Tim David fell cheaply, Jitesh Sharma ensured there was no late drama. With three needed off the final over, he pulled Dubey’s short ball for four to seal the win in a chase marked by intent and control, and never allowing the asking rate to climb. The victory lifted them back to the top of the points table, while ending KKR’s four‑match unbeaten run.

Previously, on a pitch where the odd ball kept low, KKR’s innings was anchored by Raghuvanshi, who hit seven fours and three sixes in his 46-ball knock coming at a strike-rate of 154.35. He stitched partnerships of 68 and 76 not out with Cameron Green (32) and Rinku, who hit three fours and two sixes in his unconquered 29-ball vigil.

Raghuvanshi kept finding boundaries at regular intervals and ensured the scoreboard was ticking. Though Green was not at his fluent best, Rinku’s finishing flourish lifted KKR past 190. RCB, meanwhile, were sloppy in the field with several misfields, and their bowling lacked bite. Though Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Salam Dar picked a wicket each, none could stem the flow of runs consistently.

Sent in to bat first, KKR lost Finn Allen early after Bhuvneshwar found his outside edge and was snapped by Jitesh Sharma in the third over. Ajinkya Rahane looked promising by hitting three boundaries and a six, but gave a top edge to Hazlewood off his own bowling for 19.

Raghuvanshi then took charge, striking cleanly through the off‑side and over mid‑wicket. He found an able partner in Green, who contributed 32 with three fours and a six before being castled by a skiddy delivery from Rasikh in the 13th over.

Raghuvanshi reached his fourth fifty of the season in the 14th over in 32 balls, becoming the youngest KKR batter to record four 50‑plus scores in a single IPL edition. He continued to anchor the innings, mixing placement with power, even as Rinku, who was watchful initially, accelerated in the final overs.

His electric running between the wickets with Raghuvanshi ensured KKR rotated the strike well. By the time the innings came to a close, where all KKR batters contributed, Raghuvanshi was run out attempting a second run off the last ball, finishing on 71, while Rinku remained unbeaten. But all of that fell flat in the face of a brilliant run-chase led by Kohli.

Brief scores:

Kolkata Knight Riders 192/4 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 71, Rinku Singh 49 not out; Josh Hazlewood 1-35, Rasikh Salam 1-35) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 194/4 in 19.1 overs (Virat Kohli 105 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 39; Kartik Tyagi 3-32, Sunil Narine 1-31) by six wickets

--IANS

nr/bsk/

Raipur, May 14 (IANS) Virat Kohli produced a vintage hundred and was unbeaten on 105 off 60 balls as he steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six‑wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders and reclaimed the top spot on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 points table at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday.

After Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s fluent 71 and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 49 powered Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to 192/4, Kohli brought out a glorious, unbeaten century laced with 11 fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 175 – his ninth Indian Premier League (IPL) ton and 10th overall in T20s, as RCB completed the chase with five balls to spare.

With the majority of his shots coming through the leg-side, Kohli dished out a chasing masterclass to leave the Raipur crowd utterly delighted after rain delayed the start of the game by 75 minutes.

Chasing 193, RCB began cautiously as debutant Saurabh Dubey conceded just two runs in the opening over. The tempo changed in the second over when Vaibhav Arora erred in line, and Kohli cashed in by hitting four boundaries, including a flick over square leg and a rasping cut. Jacob Bethell, too, opened up against Dubey with a six and two fours before being taken out by Kartik Tyagi via a caught-and-bowled dismissal.

Kohli, however, continued unfazed, pulling Tyagi for six, and rode his luck when Powell dropped him at cover. Devdutt Padikkal joined in with boundaries off Tyagi and Narine, and the pair added fluency to the chase through a 92-run stand for the second wicket. The partnership blossomed as Padikkal found gaps regularly and Kohli reached his fifty in 32 balls.

But Tyagi broke the stand by dismissing Padikkal for 39 with an off-cutter. Rajat Patidar struck a six but was never in his elements after being hit on the head and soon fell to Narine, even as Kohli kept finding boundaries with authority.

The equation was well under control, and Kohli’s wrists produced a stunning towering six off Tyagi to bring him into the nineties. He raised his ninth IPL hundred with a single off Arora in the 19th over, acknowledging the applause with a simple raise of the bat.

Though Tim David fell cheaply, Jitesh Sharma ensured there was no late drama. With three needed off the final over, he pulled Dubey’s short ball for four to seal the win in a chase marked by intent and control, and never allowing the asking rate to climb. The victory lifted them back to the top of the points table, while ending KKR’s four‑match unbeaten run.

Brief scores:

Kolkata Knight Riders 192/4 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 71, Rinku Singh 49 not out; Josh Hazlewood 1-35, Rasikh Salam 1-35) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 194/4 in 19.1 overs (Virat Kohli 105 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 39; Kartik Tyagi 3-32, Sunil Narine 1-31) by six wickets

--IANS

nr/bsk/

Lucknow, May 14 (IANS) Chennai Super Kings’ hopes of making a late push for entering the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs have taken a huge hit with seam-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton returning to England due to a right thigh injury.

“Jamie Overton has a right thigh injury and will be returning to the UK for further assessment and management,” CSK said in a statement through its social media accounts on Wednesday night.

Five-time champions CSK did not specify the duration of his absence or confirm if he is ruled out for the remainder of the season, but his participation in the side’s remaining league games appears doubtful.

CSK are still in contention for the playoffs with 12 points in 11 games and are occupying the fifth spot in the points table. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side will look to boost their playoff chances when they take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday evening.

Overton has been one of the standout performers for CSK this season, emerging as their second-highest wicket‑taker with 14 scalps at an average of 17.78. His economy rate has been 8.89, and he was adjudged Player of the Match for figures of 3-36 in the side’s five‑wicket win over LSG at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 11.

His ability to strike with the ball and contribute lower‑order runs had been crucial in balancing the side. Overton’s absence compounds CSK’s injury woes in a campaign already hampered by the unavailability of Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, and Ramakrishna Ghosh, apart from MS Dhoni being on the sidelines due to a calf injury.

Overton’s ability to strike with the ball and contribute lower‑order runs had been crucial in balancing the side. His departure leaves a significant void in their bowling attack, and the team management will need to rely on other options to fill the gap quickly.

--IANS

nr/bsk/

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has formally approached the Prime Minister of India following the controversial cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

It has made a five-pronged demand, including exemplary punishment for all culprits involved, including paper setters, printing agency officials and coaching institute operators.

FORDA demanded that these individuals face non-bailable charges and forfeiture of assets.

Second, the association urged the establishment of a fast-track court dedicated to adjudicating cases of examination fraud within 3 months.

FORDA has also pushed for the enactment of a stringent central law that treats examination paper leaks as a cognisable, non-bailable offence, with mandatory minimum sentences, to ensure justice.

The association also urged an immediate shift of NEET-UG to a secure computer-based testing model, similar to IIT-JEE, citing vulnerabilities in the current pen-and-paper format.

FORDA also demanded a speedy re-examination under the oversight of the Supreme Court of India, with full transparency and strict security measures to safeguard students’ academic futures.

In an official letter dated May 13, 2026, the association expressed deep anguish over the recurring systemic failures that have compromised the national medical entrance process.

The association, which represents resident doctors across the country, highlighted that the recent paper leak is not just an administrative lapse but a moral and institutional catastrophe.

This failure has directly impacted nearly 23 lakh aspiring medical students and their families, many of whom have spent years in rigorous preparation.

According to FORDA, these students often sacrifice their social lives and significant financial resources, only to see their futures held hostage by criminal networks operating with impunity.

FORDA pointed out that the current response to such leaks has been reactive rather than preventive, allowing a thriving industry of examination fraud to grow.

The human cost of this disruption is immense, with potential delays in medical college admissions and a severe blow to the credibility of India’s premier medical examination on the global stage.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association said that there has been a heavy financial burden on families from economically weaker sections who invested in coaching and travel, all of which has been rendered futile.

FORDA has urged the Prime Minister's Office to take immediate action on its urgent demands.

--IANS

sktr/dan

Bengaluru, May 13 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s IT Cell In-charge and West Bengal Co-Incharge, Amit Malviya, on Wednesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of withdrawing the February 5, 2022, order on school uniform and allowing the use of hijab in schools under the guise of permitting "limited traditional and faith-based religious symbols".

In a statement, Malviya alleged that the state government had made the move "surreptitiously" through a new government circular.

He claimed that points 3 and 4 of the government circular, while speaking about preserving school uniforms, explicitly permitted religious symbols and headscarves inside educational institutions.

"This is not empowerment. This is the institutionalisation of religious identity in classrooms and the slow burial of childhood under layers of dogma," Malviya said.

He added that schools and colleges should remain spaces where students grow "free, curious and equal", and accused political parties of reinforcing divisions for vote bank politics.

"Schools must be spaces where young minds grow free, curious and equal, not where political parties reinforce separateness for vote-bank politics," he said.

Targeting the Congress-led state government, Malviya alleged that it was not genuinely concerned about Muslim girls but was instead attempting to appease conservative elements for electoral gains.

"The Congress doesn't care about Muslim girls. It only cares about pandering to the most regressive impulses if it helps consolidate votes," he added.

Malviya also questioned the timing of the government circular, referring to a recent incident involving the alleged cutting of a sacred thread ('Janeu') in a school.

"Weeks after an incident involving the alleged cutting of a sacred thread (Janeu) in a school, instead of enforcing neutrality and discipline uniformly, the state government has chosen appeasement," he claimed.

Reiterating his opposition to religious symbols in classrooms, Malviya said, "Uniform means uniform. Classrooms are for education, not religious signalling."

The Karnataka government on Wednesday withdrew its February 5, 2022, order on school and college uniforms and issued fresh guidelines permitting students to wear "limited traditional and faith-based symbols" along with prescribed uniforms in educational institutions across the state.

--IANS

mka/khz

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

sj/rad

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

sps/svn

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

na/vd

Los Angeles, May 13 (IANS) Hollywood actress Brooke Shields has spoken up on her discomfort while discussing her body as a teenager.

The 60-year-old star has recalled being asked about her "measurements" by TV host Barbara Walters when she was just 15, and Brooke has recalled feeling deeply uncomfortable at the time, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The actress, who has been married to film director Chris Henchy since 2001, told the Dinner's On Me podcast, "It's also insane that Barbara Walters asked me my measurements”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, she said she went along with the question in the moment but she now wishes she had handled it differently.

The model, who was married to sports star Andre Agassi between 1997 and 1999, said, "I did it. Like, I didn't brush it off or anything. If someone asked me that now, I'd come back with some kind of a quip”.

Brooke reflected on the era in which the interview took place, noting that women had little power at the time.

She said, "I think it's, like, I took everything personally, and I kind of still do. I'm much better now at not letting it affect me so much. But (it was) when women (didn't have) any power and they were in a male world”.

Earlier this week, Brooke claimed that she feels "sexier" at 60 than she did as a teenager. The Blue Lagoon star feels she "has so much more to offer" at this stage of her life, after founding her haircare line Commence, which is aimed at women over the age of 40.

The actress, who became one of the most famous faces in the world in the 80s, said on the ‘I Changed My Mind with Dan Souza’ podcast, "It stemmed from being the age that I am and realising that I was coming into this very important phase, but that I wasn't being told that I had the same amount of value as I was told when my ovaries worked”.

“So to me, I thought, 'That is insane'. I feel sexier now than I did in my teens and I feel that I have so much to offer. Why aren't women being allowed to be their full selves? Like, why is it so threatening to the industries?”, she added.

--IANS

aa/

Los Angeles, May 13 (IANS) Hollywood actress Brooke Shields has spoken up on her discomfort while discussing her body as a teenager.

The 60-year-old star has recalled being asked about her "measurements" by TV host Barbara Walters when she was just 15, and Brooke has recalled feeling deeply uncomfortable at the time, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The actress, who has been married to film director Chris Henchy since 2001, told the Dinner's On Me podcast, "It's also insane that Barbara Walters asked me my measurements”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, she said she went along with the question in the moment but she now wishes she had handled it differently.

The model, who was married to sports star Andre Agassi between 1997 and 1999, said, "I did it. Like, I didn't brush it off or anything. If someone asked me that now, I'd come back with some kind of a quip”.

Brooke reflected on the era in which the interview took place, noting that women had little power at the time.

She said, "I think it's, like, I took everything personally, and I kind of still do. I'm much better now at not letting it affect me so much. But (it was) when women (didn't have) any power and they were in a male world”.

Earlier this week, Brooke claimed that she feels "sexier" at 60 than she did as a teenager. The Blue Lagoon star feels she "has so much more to offer" at this stage of her life, after founding her haircare line Commence, which is aimed at women over the age of 40.

The actress, who became one of the most famous faces in the world in the 80s, said on the ‘I Changed My Mind with Dan Souza’ podcast, "It stemmed from being the age that I am and realising that I was coming into this very important phase, but that I wasn't being told that I had the same amount of value as I was told when my ovaries worked”.

“So to me, I thought, 'That is insane'. I feel sexier now than I did in my teens and I feel that I have so much to offer. Why aren't women being allowed to be their full selves? Like, why is it so threatening to the industries?”, she added.

--IANS

aa/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Popular television couple, Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta, praised the government for bringing down the prices of food at airports across the country with Udan Yatri Cafe through their latest post on social media.

In the clip posted by Ishita on her official Instagram handle, she was seen visiting the Udan Yatri Cafe at the Mumbai airport with her husband.

Vatsal flaunted the board with affordable prices for various items such as tea, coffee, and Samosa, etc at the cafe.

"The government has done a great job because a lot of people used to complain that the food was very expensive. But this is amazing," the 'Taarzan: The Wonder Car' actor was heard saying.

While Vatsal picked up a cup of Joe for himself, Ishita purchased two bottles of water just for Rs 20 at the Udan Yatri Cafe.

For those who do not know, Udan Yatri Cafe is an initiative to enhance passenger facilities at airports across the country. The Government of India started a chain of cafes in March 2025 that provides affordable food at just Rs 20.

Vatsal and Ishita's first encounter was on the set of the show "Rishton Ka Saudagar - Baazigar".

These two soon fell for one another, and after dating for some time, they finally tied the knot back in 2017 in an intimate ceremony in Mumbai.

The lovebirds welcomed their first child, baby boy Vaayu, in July 2023. In June 2025, the couple once again embraced parenthood as they were blessed with baby girl Veda.

Ishita's feed is full of adorable moments from her parental journey.

In February, she expressed their gratitude to all those who have helped her and Vatsal manage their work, along with two kids.

Ishita thanked her and Vatsal's parents for always being by their side.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Actress Rashmika Mandanna decided to face her fear of heights during her stay in Kochi.

'The Girlfriend' actress dropped a couple of aesthetically pleasing pictures of herself posing on a balcony on her official Instagram handle.

Describing in her own words what her Kochi stay was all about, Rashmika wrote, "Kochi had been a lot of forests - insects - water falls - trekking - basic workouts - rains - running around - learning action and doing action - taping my ankles and knees - facing my fear of heights - hoping everything is going well - telling all the boys and girls to be careful while walking around - waking up with a loud alarm so that I don’t over sleep and some pazham pori.. actually lots of pazham pori...That’s pretty much it! (sic)".

Work-wise, Rashmika recently finished a long and crucial schedule of her upcoming drama "Mysaa" in Kerala.

Taking to her Insta Stories, the 'Animal' actress posted a short video of herself with her team.

Expressing her gratitude towards all those who have been a part of the project directed by Rawindra Pulle, she penned a heartfelt note, saying, "Guys a lil update is that we successfully wrapped up a long schedule for #Mysaa in Kerala!! And these were some of the darlings who worked so so hard and made it all possible! Thankyou guys.. and I’ll see you soon again on set! @rawindrapulle @unformulafilms."

Previously, IANS informed that Rashmika underwent intense training for "Mysaa" in Bangkok, Thailand.

She will reportedly be seen performing some high-octane stunts in the sequences filmed during the action-packed Kerala schedule.

Her lineup also includes Rahul Sankrityan's upcoming period drama, "Ranabaali", along with husband Vijay Deverakonda and "Cocktail 2", co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.

--IANS

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