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Rajgir, Sep 2 (IANS) The unbeaten Indian men's team is all set to take on Korea in the first Super 4s match on Wednesday here at the Hockey Asia Cup. Dragflick sensation Harmanpreet Singh-led side has comfortably won their pool stage matches, having beaten China 4-3, Japan 3-2 and Kazakhstan 15-0 to top Pool A.

Meanwhile, Korea come into this game with a 7-0 win against Chinese Taipei, 1-4 loss against Malaysia and 5-1 win against Bangladesh.

Speaking about the upcoming tie, India's chief coach Craig Fulton said, "It is nice to get through the pool phase without any injuries. Especially in a game like the one yesterday (against Kazakhstan) but two good games in the afternoon, in warm conditions, changes when we come back to play at night. The energy is really high in the team. Back-to-back wins, I think, were refreshing for everyone.

"Now we are on to the next challenge in the tournament. We will have a fresh approach for this phase. We play Korea first. We scored some really good goals against Kazakhstan, leading the game from the front, which was most important," explained Fulton.

On any concerns specific to their playing style from the first three games here, he said, "We had enough training in the areas we wanted to improve; this game (against Kazakhstan) came at the right time because it gave us a lot more focus on the final third. Players are feeling a bit more confident and have a bit more feel for working together. That was lacking, I think, in the other two games."

In their second Super 4s match on September 4, India will take on Pool B toppers Malaysia, who were the finalists of the previous edition of Asia Cup held in Jakarta 2022. In their last Super 4s match, they play China on September 6.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh, talking about the Super 4s, said, "All of them are tough opponents in this tournament. Although we have not played Malaysia and Korea a lot in the past one year, we did get a good game against Malaysia in practice match ahead of the tournament. We obviously played against China and know what they can bring to the table. We are fast learners, which is good. So, when we play a team twice, it is good for us. It's just about preparing well against Korea. The only focus is one game at a time."

--IANS

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Islamabad, Sep 2 (IANS) Conflicts of interest pervade parliamentary decision-making, change both policy and viewpoint in Pakistan as people do not consider parliament as their representative forum but an exclusive club of businessmen legislating for themselves, a report highlighted on Tuesday.

The risks are economic and political as each scandal weakens the legitimacy of democratic institutions, fueling cynicism and disengagement, public policy expert Amir Jahangir wrote in an opinion piece for The News International.

"The credibility of our democracy is undermined when lawmakers with direct business stakes sit in judgment over policies and projects from which they stand to gain. This weakness is most glaring in Pakistan’s Standing Committees of the Senate and National Assembly, where oversight often collapses into opportunity. A recent case involving a donor-funded project has brought these concerns into sharp focus," he highlighted.

The expert mentioned that, for years, a small group of politically-connected firms, often accused of cartel-style pooled bidding, have been dominating the infrastructure sector of Pakistan. The entry of a competitive foreign state-owned firm interrupts this pattern. By making use of parliamentary committees to force a re-tender, vested interests are not protecting transparency but protecting their cartel. This is why conflict of interest safeguards are needed.

Jahangir, who leads the Country Partner Institute of the World Economic Forum in Pakistan, mentions that the sugar crisis that happened in 2020 showcased the power of industry cartels which have political support. The government's inquiry commission revealed how leading political families earned money through subsidies, manipulated pricing and favourable export policies. At the time, some of these leaders were members of parliamentary committees which oversaw commerce and industry. This caused regulatory accommodation and consumer had to pay increased prices while cartels consolidated their dominance.

The conflict of interest, he wrote, is also obvious when lawmakers having direct stakes in TV channels or networks, participate in drafting Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) regulations, broadcasting policies or advertising rules.

"How can those profiting from media monopolies fairly regulate competition, ownership concentration or ethical standards? Instead of a level playing field, the result has been further concentration, with regulatory frameworks bent to protect incumbents. The erosion of media diversity and independence, in turn, undermines public trust and democracy itself. Taken together, the sugar cartels, the media monopolies, the real estate empires and now the infrastructure contracts, Pakistan’s problem is systemic," he stated.

"Pakistan does have relevant laws, but they fall short. Article 63(1)(d) of the constitution disqualifies a member who holds “an office of profit in the service of Pakistan”. Article 63(1)(o) extends this to members whose dependents are employed by statutory bodies. Yet both clauses are narrowly applied to government service, not to sprawling family-owned enterprises or contracting firms. The Elections Act, 2017 (Section 137) requires lawmakers to declare assets, while Section 111 allows for suspension or disqualification for false declarations. But there is no provision barring participation in legislation or oversight linked to those business interests. Parliament’s own rules attempt to plug the gap but remain toothless," Jahangir added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Sep 2 (IANS) Actress Elli AvrRam's grandmother passed away on August 31 this year. The 'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon' actress said that she will always remember all the beautiful moments she got a chance to share with her grandmother since her childhood.

Elli added that despite the heartache of losing her grandmother, she is at peace knowing that she is now united with her grandpa.

Dropping a string of fond memories with her grandma, Elli expressed her pain in the following words: "Rip Jiajiam... 31-08-2025. Its been a blessing to grow up with my grandparents. Despite the heartbreak of knowing the journey of my grandmother have now ended in this dimension, Im at peace, knowing she’s now united with papou (grandpa)👫. All I can do is to remember all beautiful moments i have got to share with her since my childhood."

"She had the funniest dark humour and our kitchen conversations were always endless! Many of you got to witness her on my stories during the years, until dementia took over too much…Mou lipis jiajiam...s’agapo gia panda Om Shanti," the 'Goodbye' actress added.

On another note, Elli, who turned 35 on July 29, celebrated her special day with her family in Sweden.

Talking about her birthday celebration with her loved ones, she shared: “My birthday for me means one year wiser and gratitude for being alive. I always celebrate my birthday in Swedish style, which means I wake up in bed with breakfast, cake, and gifts! It’s how I've been celebrated since childhood and how I always wish to be celebrated. I never bring in the birthday at night. I wake up and celebrate it!"

“This year I came home to Sweden to celebrate my birthday with my family because I miss them a lot, and these are precious moments that can never come back," Elli added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) The prices of silver and gold fluctuated in opposing directions on Tuesday. Silver saw a minor increase in price, but 24-carat gold saw a decrease.

The price of 24-carat gold dropped by Rs 69 over the past day, to Rs 1,04,424 per 10 grams, from Rs 1,04,493 per 10 grams earlier, according to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).

In a similar vein, 18-carat gold fell to Rs 78,318 per 10 grams, while 22-carat gold fell to Rs 95,652 per 10 grams.

In contrast, silver prices rose by Rs 33 to Rs 1,22,833 per kg, up from the previous Rs 1,22,800 per kg.

On the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold and silver showed mixed trends. The October 3, 2025 gold futures contract edged up 0.30 per cent to Rs 1,05,100, while the December 5, 2025 silver futures contract slipped 0.12 per cent to Rs 1,24,509.

Internationally, both metals recorded gains. On Comex, gold rose 1.13 per cent to $3,555.82 per ounce, while silver advanced 2.00 per cent to $41.51 per ounce.

"Gold traded volatily with minor gains at $3481, with a broader range seen between $3470–$3500 as profit booking emerged at higher zones. On MCX, gold tested highs of Rs 1,05,340 before slipping toward Rs 1,04,500 on profit booking, largely driven by rupee strength and slight resistance in COMEX near the $3500 mark," said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities.

This week’s US data, including ISM services, trade balance, and non-farm payrolls, will be key in guiding sentiment, as Fed policy expectations remain central to the outlook, he added.

A sustained break above $3510 on COMEX or Rs 1,05,500 on MCX could extend the rally, while $3450/$104,000 act as immediate supports, Trivedi said further.

--IANS

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Seoul, Sep 2 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to be accompanied by his daughter, Ju-ae, on his visit to China, South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday, reinforcing views she is being groomed to succeed her father.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment hours after Kim arrived in Beijing in a special armoured train to attend Wednesday's ceremony marking the anniversary of the end of World War II, Yonhap News Agency reported.

In a photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Kim could be seen stepping off the train followed by a person believed to be Ju-ae, followed by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.

The person behind Kim is seen only partially due to the angle of the photo.

"It appears that Kim Jong-un took his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, with him on his visit to China," the NIS said, adding it is closely following her movements.

The North Korean leader has been accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, on three of his past visits to China, but it is the first time he is joined by his daughter.

Since first appearing at an official event in 2022, Ju-ae has frequently been seen alongside her father, prompting speculation she has been tapped to succeed him.

Her visit to Beijing could be intended to confirm her status to the international community, though there is also skepticism that in the absence of an official announcement from Pyongyang, she is simply meant as a symbol of the "future generation."

North Korea's state media confirmed the arrival of leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing on Tuesday. Kim arrived at Beijing station at 4 pm local time and was greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, among others, the Korean Central News Agency said in a dispatch, citing the North's foreign ministry.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among dozens of foreign leaders attending Wednesday's military parade presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Tiananmen Square to celebrate the 80th anniversary of "victory" over Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

--IANS

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Doha, Sep 2 (IANS) The Indian men's U23 team will take on Bahrain in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Group H opener on Wednesday, September 3, at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

The Blue Colts, led by head coach Naushad Moosa, are aiming to qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time ever. In the previous six attempts, India have not made it past the Qualifiers, so Moosa and his youngsters will be gunning to create history in the Qatari capital.

Hosts Qatar and Brunei Darussalam are the other two teams in Group H. The group winners and the four best runners-up across all 11 groups will qualify for the final tournament, to be held in January 2026, in Saudi Arabia.

In the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Moosa said, “I don’t think any team is ‘big’. It’s important to respect every opponent. As far as Bahrain are concerned, we have watched two or three of their matches to prepare. We know Qatar are a very strong side. They play tomorrow, so I’ll get some analysis from that game."

The Blue Colts have had two separate camps in the lead-up to the Qualifiers. In June, they played two friendly games against Tajikistan (2-3 defeat) and Kygryz Republic (0-0 draw) in Tajikistan. They had a 20-day camp at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru in August. In the last week of August, the India U23s travelled to Malaysia to play two closed-door friendly games against Iraq, where they lost 1-2 and 1-3, respectively.

"All four friendlies we played were tough. But I was happy with the way the team played. We are well prepared – both mentally and physically – and I’m really looking forward to it. We are ready for the opening game against Bahrain,” said Moosa.

"Bahrain are a strong side. Watching them, I was very impressed with the way they attack, defend, and the intensity they bring. I have a lot of respect for them. It will be a competitive game, and it definitely won’t be easy for Bahrain," he added.

Bahrain head coach Ali Abdulmajed said, "India are a strong team with quality players. We’ve watched their recent matches, and they have good elements. It will be a 50-50 match. If we manage to deal with India’s strengths, we can have the upper hand. But if India succeed in imposing their game, it will be difficult."

After the friendlies in Malaysia, the Blue Colts directly flew to Qatar, arriving in Doha on Saturday, four days before the first match. With temperatures soaring to 43 degrees during the day, Moosa said that the team are gradually adjusting to the different weather conditions.

"It’s hot and humid, of course, but in the last few days, we’ve been trying to adapt as quickly as possible. The boys are working hard. We are working on it by training in the mornings and trying to get used to the conditions. The facilities are very good, and we’re excited to play.

"These matches are very important. U23 tournaments help in the players’ development a lot as they get minutes. We need more tournaments like this for better player progression into the senior level," Moosa said.

Captain and centre-back Bikash Yumnam, who accompanied the coach in the press conference, said, “The first match is very important to build confidence and get points. We’ve been preparing for the last three weeks, and now the boys are ready for the Qualifiers. Every day, we give 100 per cent, and we’re really looking forward to making a mark here."

--IANS

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Mumbai Sep 2 (IANS) Bigg Boss season 19 has been seeing massive showdowns in the first week itself. Bollywood veteran actress Kunickaa Sadanand, who has been seen caught in fights and arguments with a lot of contestants in the house, seems to have triggered contestant Mridul Tiwari this time around.

In a promo shared by the host channel, Kunickaa Sadanand was seen nominating Mridul Tiwari and called him ‘bin painde ka lota’ (the one who switches sides depending on the situation and does not have a spine of his own). This comment does not go down well with Mridul, who seemed mighty miffed with Sadanand for her comments.

An offended Mridul, in return, accused Kunickaa of preferring people who blindly follow her without using their own brains and calls them her ‘chamcha’. Seeing Mridul all charged up, the housemates were seen cheering and clapping for him for the way he raised his points without being rude but being firm and upfront.

In the promo, Kunickaa can be seen saying, “Main Mridul ko nominate karna chahungi, kyunki mujhe lagta hai ki Mridul bin painde ke lote ki tarah idhar udhar ludakta jata hai. (I would like to nominate Mridul because I feel that he wanders aimlessly and switches sides constantly without using any of his brains)." An offended Mridul was seen firing back. He said, “Matlab aapke saath jo rahega, peeche peeche laga rahega wo aapke liye achha hai. Chamchagiri toh naa main kisi aur ki karunga na aapki kar paunga. (So basically, someone who follows you blindly is the only good person, according to you. I won’t flatter anyone, not you, not anyone else)."

To this, Baseer Ali, Ashnoor Kaur, Zeishan Quadri, Gaurav Khanna and Nehal Chudasama, who were present in the living room, were seen clapping and cheering for Mridul after he lashed out at Kunickaa.

On the 1st of September, a massive fight took place between Farrhana Bhatt and Kunickaa, where the former lost her plot and crossed all lines with Kunickaa. She was seen calling the veteran actress a flop star and said that her children must be ashamed of their mother.

--IANS

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Mumbai Sep 2 (IANS) Actress Karishma Tanna has been globetrotting with her husband, Varun Bangera. The actress, while travelling, is making sure of giving her fans a glimpse into her luxurious vacation and also of the beautiful and scenic views.

Tanna is currently having a ball of a time, and her social media account speaks volumes of the same. The actress recently shared a video straight from her holiday in Switzerland and gave a glimpse into the local life of the beautiful location.

Sharing the video, Karishma Tanna captioned it as, “Think cobblestone streets meeting turquoise lakes, modern art blending with old-world charm, and sunsets that feel like paintings. From swimming in Lake Zurich and strolling through vibrant old town lanes to sipping coffee with the Alps as your backdrop—this city turns summer into a postcard you’ll never want to end. Zurich isn’t just a stopover; it’s a vibe—laid-back yet buzzing, cultural yet playful, and always wrapped in breathtaking views.”

Tanna, who was recently in Croatia, is now living her best moments in Switzerland. The actress has been sharing carousel posts of photos and videos, straight from her fancy vacation in Switzerland and also Croatia, and making fans jealous. The actress, on September 1, had shared a video on her social media account that captured the beauty of Switzerland.

She captioned it as, “Where every turn looks like a postcard. Rigi, you stole my heart. Breathing in serenity, surrounded by 360 degrees of pure wonder and joy. Varun and I had so much fun walking, feeling the stones, being in the moment, eating local food, visiting the church, and bathing in pure mineral water. Trust me, it was pure bliss. Must visit…”

Karishma Tanna, who has been accompanied by husband Varun Bangera, was also seen having a great time with his wife, enjoying the Swiss Alps. Recently, on account of Varun's birthday, Karishma, who was with him in Croatia, had taken to her social media account to wish him. Sharing a few romantic pictures from their luxurious vacation, the actress penned down a beautiful caption for Varun. "Happy birthday to my rock, my home, my everything. With you, every little detail of life feels special. With you, even the toughest days feel easier. I love you, @varun_bangera. Here’s to love, laughter & forever together," the caption read.

In one of the romantic pictures shared by the ‘Sanju’ actress, Karishma was seen cuddling Varun. Karishma's social media account is filled with a lot of fun and exciting pictures and videos giving a glimpse into the beautiful vacation.

Talking about Karishma and Varun, the couple got married on February 5, 2022, in an intimate beachside ceremony in Mumbai that was a mix of both Gujarati and South Indian traditions. Karishma, on the work front, was applauded for her character portrayal of Jagruti Pathak, a journalist in the show "Scoop". The show was directed by Hansal Mehta.

—IANS

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Dhaka, Sep 2 (IANS) Three more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours till Tuesday morning, increasing the number of deaths from the mosquito-borne disease in the country to 125, this year.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the recent deaths have been reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka Division (outside city corporation areas), and Chattogram Division (outside city corporation areas), United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported.

During the period, 473 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever, increasing the total number of dengue cases to 32,501 in 2025.

New cases of dengue reported in Bangladesh were: 113 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 83 in Dhaka South City Corporation, 81 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 76 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 53 in Dhaka North City Corporation, 48 in Rajshahi (Out of CC), 10 in Mymensingh (Out of CC), 7 in Rangpur Division (Out of CC) and two in Sylhet division (Out of CC).

Currently, 1,563 patients were undergoing treatment in various hospitals of Bangladesh. As many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in 2024. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

As many as 39 people died due to dengue while 10,496 new cases were reported in the month of August, according to DGHS, Bangladesh-based New Age reported. Bangladesh reported 41 deaths due to dengue in July while the total number of patients were 10,684.

Dengue is a viral infection that is spread from mosquitoes to people. Dengue is more common in tropical and subtropical climates than in temperate ones, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The majority of people who get dengue do not have symptoms. For those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. The majority of the patients get better in one or two weeks; however, some develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. Dengue can be fatal in severe cases.

--IANS

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Dhaka, Sep 2 (IANS) Three more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours till Tuesday morning, increasing the number of deaths from the mosquito-borne disease in the country to 125, this year.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the recent deaths have been reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka Division (outside city corporation areas), and Chattogram Division (outside city corporation areas), United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported.

During the period, 473 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever, increasing the total number of dengue cases to 32,501 in 2025.

New cases of dengue reported in Bangladesh were: 113 in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 83 in Dhaka South City Corporation, 81 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 76 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 53 in Dhaka North City Corporation, 48 in Rajshahi (Out of CC), 10 in Mymensingh (Out of CC), 7 in Rangpur Division (Out of CC) and two in Sylhet division (Out of CC).

Currently, 1,563 patients were undergoing treatment in various hospitals of Bangladesh. As many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in 2024. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

As many as 39 people died due to dengue while 10,496 new cases were reported in the month of August, according to DGHS, Bangladesh-based New Age reported. Bangladesh reported 41 deaths due to dengue in July while the total number of patients were 10,684.

Dengue is a viral infection that is spread from mosquitoes to people. Dengue is more common in tropical and subtropical climates than in temperate ones, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The majority of people who get dengue do not have symptoms. For those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. The majority of the patients get better in one or two weeks; however, some develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. Dengue can be fatal in severe cases.

--IANS

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