"Absolutely Huge": Ross Taylor Hails PM Modi's Historic New Zealand Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:47:17 +0000

Former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to the island nation, describing it as an "absolutely huge" moment for the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of a high-profile sports event in Auckland, where PM Modi was accompanied by his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon, Taylor highlighted the weight of the visit, noting that it marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has set foot in the country in four decades.

"It's absolutely huge to have PM Modi in the country. It's the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited New Zealand in over 40 years. This shows that he values the relationship with New Zealand. Our PM Luxon is glad to have him," Taylor said.

The veteran batter, who is a revered figure in international cricket, emphasised that the bond between the two countries transcends the playing field. "We have a great rivalry and friendship over sport. It's nice for the business community as well to be able to interact with India, with obviously the Free Trade Agreement coming up," he added.

The visit coincides with the "100 Years of Unity Through Sport" celebrations, marking a century of sporting ties that began with hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand's historic tour of New Zealand in 1926. To modernise this legacy, both Prime Ministers recently welcomed the 'India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport,' a roadmap designed to expand cooperation into sports science, high-performance coaching, and sports business.

When asked about the role of sports diplomacy in strengthening ties, Taylor told ANI that athletics serves as a unique bridge between cultures.

"Sport can play its part in bringing the friendship in two nations together. Obviously, the Olympics is a big thing for India in 2036, and hopefully they can get it, but hopefully New Zealand can play its part in giving some of our technology and different innovations that we've seen today to pass on our knowledge that we've obviously gathered over the years," Taylor remarked.

Prime Minister Modi, speaking at a Gala Lunch hosted by PM Luxon earlier in the day, reaffirmed this commitment, noting that the partnership is now moving beyond cricket to include sports like Rugby. He pointed to a recent coaching program conducted by New Zealand Rugby in Bhubaneswar as a successful first step under the new Joint Action Plan.

Ross Taylor remains one of New Zealand's most decorated athletes. Over a prolific 16-year international career, he became the first cricketer in history to play 100 matches in all three formats, amassing 18,105 international runs and 40 centuries.

While he initially retired from international cricket in 2022, Taylor made headlines again in 2025 by reversing his decision at age 41 to represent Samoa -- the country of his mother's birth. He made his T20I debut for Samoa in October 2025 during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup qualifiers in Oman.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BTS' Agency Denies Swim Copyright Infringement Claims, Plans To Take Legal Action

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:47:26 +0000

BTS' agency, Big Hit Music, has responded to allegations that Swim, the lead single from the group's fifth studio album, Arirang, infringes on the copyright of a song written by three American songwriters.

On July 10, Big Hit Music addressed the lawsuit, maintaining that the allegations are based solely on the plaintiffs' claims and asserting that "Swim" was independently created.

The agency has rejected the claims and said it will defend itself through legal channels.

The Controversy

According to Billboard, songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylyn Johnson recently filed a lawsuit, alleging that BTS' Swim closely resembles a demo they had previously written under the same title.

The lawsuit names HYBE, HYBE America and Big Hit Music as defendants.

It also includes several songwriters credited on Swim, including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder.

However, Billboard reported that BTS members have not been named in the lawsuit, despite RM being credited as one of the song's co-writers.

As part of their complaint, the plaintiffs argued that their demo had been circulated within the music industry beginning in March of the previous year. They claimed it was shared with multiple industry professionals, including staff at Artist Publishing Group, and eventually reached some of the writers involved in creating Swim.

To support their allegations, the songwriters enlisted musicologist Alexander Stewart to compare the two tracks. According to the report, Stewart identified similarities in the chorus hook, including the repeated use of the title, as well as overlapping elements in harmony, texture, rhythm and lyrical content.

Based on his analysis, he concluded that the similarities were significant enough to suggest that Swim was derivative rather than an original composition.

Stewart has previously served as an expert witness in several high-profile copyright disputes, including cases involving Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud and Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Both cases were ultimately dismissed by the courts.

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Trade Setup For July 10: How Nifty May React To TCS Q1 Results - Key Levels To Watch

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:47:21 +0000

The Nifty 50 started Thursday's session on a positive note and touched an intraday high of 24,134.70 in early trade. This level marked nearly a 61.8% retracement of the previous day's decline. However, the index failed to sustain at higher levels and gave up more than 150 points from the day's high in the second half of the session. Despite this late weakness, the index ended higher by 80.75 points, or 0.34%, and snapped its two-day losing streak. However, the close below the psychological 24,000 mark kept the recovery muted.

Nifty Forms Inside Candle

Thursday's price action resulted in the formation of an inside candle. This came after the previous session recorded the widest single-day range in over one month. The latest candle had a small green body and a long upper shadow, which indicates hesitation at higher levels. This suggests that while buying interest emerged after the recent decline, traders were not confident enough to carry positions aggressively.

Broader Markets Outperform

Although the Nifty moved above its 8-EMA and 20-DMA during the session, it slipped below both these averages by the close. The index also continues to trade below its 100-DMA, which remains an important hurdle. However, market breadth stayed strong, supported by clear outperformance in the broader market. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices gained over 1% each, showing that stock-specific participation remained healthy. Meanwhile, India VIX declined nearly 9% to 13.36, indicating some cooling in volatility after the recent spike.

ALSO READ: TCS Says Client Decision Delays Intensified In Q1 Despite Strong Deal Pipeline

Momentum Indicators Show Mixed Signals

On the daily chart, the MACD is close to generating a fresh bearish signal, which needs to be watched closely. The 14-period RSI has moved back above the 50 mark, suggesting some recovery in momentum. However, the weekly RSI continues to remain below 50, reflecting that the larger trend has not yet regained strong momentum. Positively, the index is still trading above its 10-week and 20-week moving averages, which prevents the broader structure from turning sharply negative.

Key Levels to Watch on Friday

Going ahead, immediate support for the Nifty is placed near the 50-DMA at 23,825, followed by the lower end of the four-week range at 23,784. On the upside, the 100-DMA at 24,036 will act as the first resistance, followed by the 24,200 to 24,300 zone. As long as the index remains within the 23,784 to 24,300 range, traders may not get a clear directional bias. A decisive breakout on either side of this range would be important to determine the next meaningful move.

TCS Q1FY27 Results

Apart from technical levels, the market will also take cues from the start of the earnings season. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported a net profit of Rs 13,349 crore for Q1FY27, up 4.6% from Rs 12,760 crore in Q1FY26. Revenue grew 13.9% on a reported basis to Rs 72,275 crore as against Rs 63,437 crore in the same quarter last year. Since TCS is one of the first major index heavyweights to announce results, the market reaction to its numbers could influence sentiment towards the IT pack and set the tone for early earnings season expectations.

ALSO READ: TCS Q1 Results: Profit Falls 3% On One-Time Legal Settlement; Margin Contracts Due To Wage Hike

Stock to Watch: IIFL Finance

IIFL Finance gained over 5% on Thursday, taking the stock close to a two-week high. With this move, the stock is now on the verge of breaking out from a two-week consolidation phase. The upmove was supported by strong volumes, which were higher than its 10-day and 30-day average volumes, indicating healthy participation in the direction of the trend.

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Messi Receives Huge Praise From France Great After WC Heroics: "Not Human"

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:47:17 +0000

Thierry Henry said his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi reminded everyone that he is "not human" after the Argentina captain inspired a dramatic comeback against Egypt, saying the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has a unique ability to raise his game when his team needs him the most. Reacting to Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, Henry, while speaking on Fox Sports, reflected on his years as Messi's teammate at Barcelona and said the Argentine's competitive fire is unlike anything he has witnessed.

"First and foremost, look at him crying, and how much that means to him and to the team," Henry said, as quoted by Fox Sports.
"It first reminded us that he's human; he's human because he missed some penalty kicks, four out of eight. Then it reminds us again that he's not human!"

Henry and Messi played together at FC Barcelona for three seasons, from 2007 to 2010. During their time together, they helped the club win seven major trophies, including the historic 2009 treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League).
Henry then recalled a training-ground incident during their time together to explain what motivates Messi.

"I played with him as you just mentioned, and what happens with Leo--don't wake the sleeping beast inside him! That's exactly what's happening, and I've seen it up close in training," he said, according to Fox Sports.

He added, "You know how it can be in training sometimes; when one of the coaches doesn't want to call a foul, or when the ball goes out, and play continues, and then a goal is scored from it, and Leo wanted that ball called out or as a foul. And when the coach said, 'The ball didn't go out, stop complaining, this could happen in a match.' In the next moment, you look into his eyes and find that he's completely transformed!"

"He goes and takes the ball, and I was there and witnessed it myself, then he scores three goals in a row; he takes the ball from you and scores straight away, then he snatches it again and scores, then he snatches it and scores again, then he turns around and says: 'Next time, call the foul.' And we were all saying: 'Yeah, yeah, next time we'll call the foul!' Because you simply can't stop him. When he gets into that mood, it's very hard to contain him," Henry further added.

Henry said Messi displayed the same mentality against Egypt, refusing to let an earlier penalty miss define his performance.

"And as you know, Zlatan, you've been in this situation; this guy, and let's be honest, it doesn't always work out--but when his team needs it, he completely elevates his game. We're talking about a player who played 120 minutes in the last match, and yet he elevated his level, started taking the ball and dribbling past almost everyone to try to change the course of the game... wow," he said, as per Fox Sports.

The French great admitted that even after sharing the pitch with some of football's biggest names, Messi continued to leave him in awe.

"In truth, looking at him, I was just remembering the days of playing with him. I played with Zizou and with a lot of great players like Ronaldinho and others, and it's no shame to say this, but sometimes when he scored some goals and I was on the field with him, I'd take a second or two to process and say to myself: 'Wow!' Then I'd remember: 'Oh, you're playing now, get back into the match!' That doesn't happen to me much, but he's a unique version of it," he added.

"Look, we're here in the Los Angeles area, Culver City or whatever it is, and this scenario is like a Hollywood movie! There are things that feel almost scripted, like a film plot that couldn't happen in real life, to the point where you'd say the director overdid this storyline! But this guy writes history with his feet," he concluded.

Messi recovered from his first-half penalty miss to play a decisive role as Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit. After Yasser Ibrahim's opener and Mostafa Ziko's second-half strike put Egypt in control, Cristian Romero sparked the comeback with a header before Messi equalised in the 83rd minute.

Enzo Fernandez then scored the stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into the quarter-finals against Switzerland.

Messi's equaliser also extended his remarkable World Cup legacy. The 39-year-old became the first player in history to score in nine consecutive FIFA World Cup matches and took his tally in the ongoing tournament to eight goals, matching Guillermo Stabile's Argentina record for the most goals in a single World Cup edition, set in 1930.

According to Opta, he also became the first player to score in six successive knockout-stage matches and increased his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals. Despite those achievements, his earlier spot-kick miss made him the first player to miss two penalties in a single World Cup edition (excluding shootouts) and took his career tally of missed World Cup penalties to four, the most by any player.

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Mumbai Rain Alert: School Holiday Declared In Palghar; BMC Yet To Confirm

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:47:38 +0000

The Palghar district administration has declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Wednesday, July 8, as heavy rainfall continues to batter the district, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is yet to announce whether schools in Mumbai will remain closed.

In an order issued on Tuesday, District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Indu Rani Jakhad, directed that all Anganwadis, government and private primary and secondary schools, Zilla Parishad schools, municipal schools, aided and unaided schools, Ashram schools, colleges, educational institutions and coaching centres across Palghar district will remain shut on July 8.

The order, issued under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Maharashtra government's school education guidelines, said the decision was taken after reviewing the prevailing weather conditions and the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department.

ALSO READ: Mumbai School Holiday, WFH For Employees On Wednesday? BMC Clarifies As Fake Claims Go Viral

"As per the advance warning given by the India Meteorological Department, Palghar district is currently receiving heavy rainfall," the order said.

It further noted that authorities had taken into account "the heavy rainfall in the district... the time taken for the water standing on the roads to drain, and the time taken for the situation to return to normal" before deciding to suspend classes.

"I am of the opinion that it is necessary to declare a holiday on Wednesday, 08.07.2026," the order stated, citing student safety and precautionary measures.

The district administration said the order comes into immediate effect.

As of now, the BMC has not issued any notification on whether schools in Mumbai will remain closed on Wednesday. The latest weather update also points to a rainy night ahead. Weather observers have warned that large rainbands moving in from the Arabian Sea are expected to bring heavy rainfall across Mumbai from around 6:45 p.m., with the north-western suburbs likely to be hit first before the rain spreads across the rest of the city.

ALSO READ: Rain Red Alert: Will Schools, Colleges Stay Closed In Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Palghar On Wednesday?

The fresh alert comes after widespread disruption caused by heavy rain over the past few days. Several parts of Mumbai and its suburbs witnessed severe waterlogging, traffic snarls and delays to suburban train and road transport services.

Residents, parents and students are advised to keep a close watch on official announcements from their respective civic bodies, as any decision on school and college closures is expected to be communicated through official circulars if weather conditions deteriorate further.

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Tesla Bets Big On India: Aggressive Model Y L Pricing Fuels High Triple-Digit Bookings

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:47:50 +0000

Tesla Inc. sees a lot of scope in the Indian electronic vehicle (EV) market in the long run to expand its share, sources told NDTV Profit on Monday.

The statement comes as the company's new three-row six-seater Model Y L received a demand boost after aggressive pricing. Delivery for the model began last month.

According to sources, Model Y L has received bookings in high triple digits, making the Elon Musk led auto giant optimistic about gaining market share in India's premium EV segment.

Of all the urban hubs in the country, Bengaluru and Hyderabad emerging as key demand centres. Tesla has sold 468 vehicles in India since entering the market in July last year.

Sales at the end of calendar year 2025 stood at 226 units, while sales for the on-going calendar year stand at 239 units, already ahead of last year's tally.

The company currently has a presence in Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and is evaluating expansion into more Indian cities as demand grow, as per sources.

ALSO READ: Tesla Imposes $200 Weekly Cap On AI After Employees Spend Thousands On Tokens

Meet Model Y L: Key Specs, Pricing And More

The new six-seater Model Y L has a starting price of Rs 61.9 lakh and comes with three rows. Row 1 offers heated/ventilated seats and powered thigh cushion, row two has powered armrests & one‑touch fold, while row three comes with heated seats with power recline, one‑touch fold and a vented climate control.

Besides this, the car has an extended roofline and aero design along with electronic damping and adaptive suspension for a smooth, stable ride. For a safe drive, there are added window beltline airbags for second-row and side airbags for third-row

Model Y L runs on new 19" Machina 2.0 Wheels and offers acoustic glass and updated suspension to minimise road noise.

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Man Eats 66 Hot Dogs In 10 Minutes, Wins Rs 9.5 Lakh At Eating Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:47:25 +0000

Coney Island once again became the centre of attention on the Fourth of July as Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo secured victories at Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The annual US Independence Day showdown saw both champions continue their remarkable dominance in competitive eating. While Chestnut scarfed down 66 wieners to win the men's category title for the 18th time, Sudo ate 38.75 hot dogs for her record 12th victory.

Also Read: Man Makes Hot Dog While Cycling In Viral Video, Internet Can't Believe It

“Eating here on the Fourth of July is a dream; it's electric. There's no place better on Earth,” Chestnut told the New York Post. The win earned him the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt and $10,000. It was his second consecutive title.

The competitive eater has won 18 of his 21 appearances at the internationally televised event. He dominated second-place finisher Patrick Bertoletti, who ate 51 hot dogs, but still fell short of his own 2021 record of 76 hot dogs and buns.

Chestnut conceded that the 90-degree weather wore him down and hurt his usual high-speed eating. “I usually don't have this much spare room left over, but we'll see, something cold. It's definitely hard. I didn't want to go into it saying it's going to affect me, I wanna go into it and convince myself that I can work through it,” he said.

Also Read: 'Don't Need Matcha On Everything': Internet Reacts To Vlogger's Matcha Hot Dog Recipe

“I didn't want to let it bother me. I didn't want to push it because if I push it, then things will get stuck in my throat and then I just needed to stay calm and keep going," he added.

Sudo, on the other hand, holds the women's record of 51 hot dogs, set in 2021. After her own contest, Sudo cheered from the stands for her husband, who proposed to her in 2021 immediately after setting a world record by eating 50 boiled eggs in just over three minutes.

"I just said I would have to rely on muscle memory, and the crowd really carried me through to another belt today," she told the Associated Press.

The iconic competition dates back to 1972 and is held annually in front of the original Nathan's Famous restaurant on Coney Island in New York.

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CAN vs MAR Live Updates: Early Setback For Atlas Lions As Saibari Is Forced Off

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:47:28 +0000

Welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash between Canada and Morocco at the Houston Stadium in Texas on Saturday. With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, both sides will be aiming to continue their impressive runs in the tournament.

Canada, one of the tournament's co-hosts, have reached the knockout stage after an encouraging campaign under Jesse Marsch. Les Rouges booked their place in the Round of 16 with a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa, sealed by a stoppage-time winner, and now stand just one win away from a historic first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final appearance.

Morocco, meanwhile, have once again underlined their credentials as one of world football's toughest knockout teams. Walid Regragui's side topped their group before edging past the Netherlands in a penalty shootout after scoring a dramatic late equaliser in the Round of 32. Having become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, the Atlas Lions are now targeting another deep run on the global stage.

Canada vs Morocco Confirmed Lineups:

Canada XI: Maxime Crépeau; Alistair Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles, Moïse Bombito, Richie Laryea; Tajon Buchanan, Niko Sigur, Stephen Eustáquio, Ali Ahmed; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.
Substitutes: Mathieu Choinière, Derek Cornelius, Promise David, Alphonso Davies, Nathan Goodman, Ismaël Koné Jones, Cyle Larin, Liam Millar, Jayden Nelson, Jonathan Osorio, Nathan Saliba, Jacob Shaffelburg, Dayne St. Clair, Joel Waterman.
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi (c), Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal; Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi; Bilal El Khannouss, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Diaz; Ismael Saibari.
Substitutes: Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Sofyan Amrabat, Belammari, Youssef El Kaabi, El Mourabet, Omar El Ouahdi, El Kajoui, Soufiane Rahimi, Chadi Riad, Saadane, Salah-Eddine, Sbai, Tagnaouti, Talbi, Yassine.

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Does FIFA Want Argentina To Win World Cup Again? Argentina Coach's Blunt Reply

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:47:52 +0000

Argentina have a relatively easier road to the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 compared to some of the other favourites in the tournament. Argentina face the tournament's surprise package Cape Verde in the Round of 32, Australia or Egypt await in the Round of 16, and one of Switzerland, Colombia or Ghana could be the potential quarter-final opponent. Against all these teams, Argentina will be overwhelming favourites to win. Therefore, it won't be a surprise if the reigning champions make it all the way to the semis at the very least.

Argentina's easier route has led to certain sections of social media users conspiring whether FIFA themselves want Argentina to win the World Cup again. However, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni rubbished such suggestion when asked on the matter ahead of their Round of 32 match.

"I don't read social media, but today every opinion can become popular no matter its content. We must ignore such unrealistic opinions and focus on what's important and the pitch." Scaloni responded, as quoted by Saudi Arabia-based outlet Ariyadhiah.

Scaloni also reserved praise for Cape Verde, who have been the underdog story of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

"This is a team that hasn't lost. They aren't here by accident. We have to respect them, and that is what we will do," he said.

A classic David versus Goliath encounter will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as tiny Cape Verde face Lionel Messi and Argentina with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, face the defending champions in Miami dreaming of pulling off what would be the greatest upset in World Cup history.

The Atlantic archipelago have become one of the fairytale stories of this year's expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations by earning a draw with Spain before squeezing into the last 32 ahead of Group H rivals Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Argentina, who breezed into the knockout rounds with the help of six goals from captain Messi, will be expected to swat aside the African qualifiers to move one step closer to their dream of back-to-back World Cup titles.

With AFP inputs

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Alpha Advance Bookings: Alia-Sharvari Film Sells Over 18,700 Tickets Ahead Of Release

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:47:55 +0000

Advance booking has opened for Alpha, one of the most-awaited films from the YRF Spy Universe, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in the lead roles.

The action thriller has made a decent start at the box office, with early bookings gradually picking up across the country.

The film has sold 18,721 tickets for its opening day across 3,617 shows, collecting Rs 70.25 lakh in advance bookings (excluding block seats). Including block bookings, the film's first-day advance gross stands at Rs 2.1 crore, according to Sacnilk.

The film currently has 19 almost-full shows and 31 shows marked as filling fast, suggesting that demand is gradually building.

ALSO READ: Jana Nayagan Release Date: When Will Vijay's Film Hit Theatres? Here's what We Know

Delhi, Mumbai Lead Bookings

Among the key markets, the NCR is leading the advance sales with a gross of Rs 17.52 lakh (Rs 45 lakh, including block seats) across 363 shows, followed by Mumbai with Rs 11.34 lakh (Rs 30.82 lakh with block seats) from 297 shows.

Hyderabad has recorded Rs 5.52 lakh from 143 shows, while Bengaluru has collected Rs 4.60 lakh across 189 shows. Kolkata follows with Rs 3.59 lakh, and Pune has earned Rs 3.07 lakh.

Among southern markets, Chennai has emerged as one of the strongest performers with an impressive 12% real occupancy across 41 shows. Coimbatore registered 9% occupancy, while Hyderabad recorded 5%. Patna also posted healthy numbers with 10% occupancy across 40 shows.

State-Wise Booking Trends

At the state level, Delhi has generated the highest advance booking gross with Rs 17.52 lakh, followed by Maharashtra at Rs 16.98 lakh. Telangana has collected Rs 5.64 lakh, while Karnataka and West Bengal have crossed Rs 4 lakh each.

In terms of occupancy, Tamil Nadu is currently leading with 11%, followed by Bihar at 6% and Telangana at 5%. Most other states are reporting occupancy between 1% and 3%, indicating that bookings are still in the early stages.

About Alpha

Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha marks the first female-led film in the YRF Spy Universe. The film stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol, with Hrithik Roshan also playing a key role.

ALSO READ: Project Hail Mary OTT Release: When, Where To Watch Ryan Gosling's Sci-Fi Blockbuster?

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Kunal Kohli Recalls Main Vaapas Aaunga Scene That Gives Him 'Nightmares'

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:47:52 +0000

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli is back with another review and this time it is for Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga, which had a surprising change at the box office and qualified as a sleeper hit. From audiences to the fraternity, everyone has been raving about all the performances and how well made the film is. Kunal Kohli too applauded it, calling Main Vaapas Aaunga Imtiaz Ali's finest work.

What's Happening

Kunal Kohli shared a video on Instagram and said, "I just saw Main Vaapas Aaunga and the film has left a huge impact on me. My bua and dad used to often speak about Partition and a lot of it was in this film. They would talk about the horrors and after-effects of it. And of course, there were relatives who never spoke about it, which is also shown in the film. The love story is truly so innocent, pure and beautiful. This is Imtiaz's finest work. So beautifully he has shown the love, the news back then - the news was so slow, things travelled so slowly. Whereas today, news and information travel so fast. In that time, they had to go through this huge process of Partition, finding out what happened to people, making decisions, never forgiving yourself or rather people never forgiving you for."
He continued, "The nuances and layers that Imtiaz has brought into the film with his writing. The performance of every single person - how do you single out any one actor? Naseer, who has given some of Indian cinema's finest performances, has again done so. It would rank as one of Naseer's finest performances of his career; he was that good. Rajat Kapoor - what a brilliant performance, and so wonderfully he has spoken about the differences in the family. Not all of us were Sooraj Barjatya-type families. We all have problems in our families, things you don't forgive or understand your parents for. And that is what has been brought out so beautifully by Imtiaz and all the actors in the family."

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A post shared by Kunal Kohli (@kunalkohli)

Speaking of the cast, Kunal Kohli added, "Rajat Kapoor especially brought out the angst against his father and slowly he changed and tried to understand him. Also Diljit - what a performer; the layers he brings to his performance. Sharvari, Vedan - beautiful. Everybody has done a great job."

Main Vaapas Aaunga Scenes That Hit Kunal Kohli The Most

Without giving too many spoilers, Kunal Kohli highlighted two particular scenes from the film that shook him to the core.

He said, "One of the scenes that hit me the most - without a spoiler - I had heard another version of it which my bua and grandparents had told me. The women in the train used to take poison; when people came to attack, they would take the poison and kill themselves. But in this film, the way the scene has been portrayed by the grandmother, it shakes you to the core. It's going to give me nightmares; it hits hard."

He continued, "Another was when Diljit keeps asking his father, 'Tell us what happened to the women.' And he says, 'All you are going to take out of it is hatred between two religions and two communities,' and I don't think that it was about that. And there are so many more dialogues that were casually thrown in but meant a lot. Definitely the film deserves a second and third watch. I am going to take my daughter - she's just 15, but I want her to see the film and understand what happened. It still gave me the truth despite having heard these stories from my grandparents."

"It's important for everyone to watch this film, to understand the romance and the news of that time. Imtiaz, hats off - love you, what a film you have made. This is your best film," concluded Kunal Kohli.

About The Film

Main Vaapas Aaunga follows the journey of a 95-year-old man who suffers a stroke while attempting to travel to Pakistan. As fragments of his memory begin returning, his grandson slowly uncovers the story of a life that existed before Partition, revealing long-buried relationships, heartbreak and the lasting impact of history.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the film also reunites the filmmaker with composer AR Rahman for the fifth time after Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha and Amar Singh Chamkila.

ALSO READ | Sharvari And Vedang Raina Watch Main Vaapas Aaunga With Fans: 'Some Stories Don't End When The Credits Roll'

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Zeenat Aman Says 'Sex Symbol' Tag Led To Roles With 'More Cleavage'

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:47:27 +0000

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman recently opened up about how the "sex symbol" label from her peak days stayed with her. She elaborated that when people met her in real life, they realised she was nothing like the characters she played.

What's Happening

On Shubra Aiyappa's YouTube channel, Zeenat Aman said, "I always found that there was such a disparity between what was projected about me and the person that I truly was. The sex symbol tag stayed with me for a very long time. When people met me, they realised that I was truly nothing like the characters I portrayed."
She added, "Nobody was interested in me being cerebral. They were only interested in gayegi, nachegi, do dialogue bolegi, bheegegi, barish mein (singing, dancing, saying two dialogues, getting wet in the rain)... I feel that my contributions were always modest and the additions that people wanted were not so modest."
"It has happened to me on several films where they wanted more cleavage, more of the back showing; that came from the production," concluded Zeenat Aman.

Zeenat Aman's Instagram Fame

Ever since Zeenat Aman made her debut on Instagram in 2023, her posts have become the talk of the town. From on-screen nudity to tips on parenting, from privacy of celebs to sartorial choice, Zeenat Aman pours her insights into every post.

The actress often takes to her official account to share glimpses of her hit films and write long notes on what went on behind-the-scenes. From experiences to camaraderie on set, details about how scenes that are today widely talked about when someone speaks of Zeenat Aman, had an unknown tale behind it. It has indeed been a delight for fans across generations to see her ace her social media game with anecdotes that would otherwise not be known.

About Zeenat Aman

The actress ruled the 1970s and 1980s with several hits such as Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Don, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Qurbani, Dostana and Dharam Veer. She was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International in 1970.

She was last seen in The Royals alongside Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea and Milind Soman in key roles. Her next project is Bun Tikki, in which she will be sharing screen space with (name seems repeated) Zeenat Aman.

ALSO READ | Zeenat Aman Stands By Her Live-In Relationship Advice: 'Rather Have 5 Joyous Years Than 15 Miserable Ones'

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Kannada Actor Divya Suresh Alleges Harassment On Bengaluru Street At Night

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:47:37 +0000

Actor Divya Suresh, known for her appearance on Bigg Boss Kannada, has recounted a shocking incident of alleged harassment on a Bengaluru street late Sunday night.

Sharing her experience on social media, the actor expressed her anguish over the traumatic incident and raised concerns about women's safety in the city.

Divya Suresh, 33, has claimed that she was walking towards her car with her cousin when an unidentified man allegedly began following them and making obscene gestures.

Screenshot of Divya Suresh's Instagram Story.

"Tonight, my cousin and I were walking to our car at around 11.30 pm when a man started following us. While following us, he was openly touching himself. We noticed it immediately and called him out, but he still didn't stop. He continued until we got into our car," she wrote on her Instagram Story.

The actor, in her social media post, said that no woman should have to face harassment simply "because she's walking at night".

She concluded her Instagram Story asking a pertinent question to Bengaluru Police and tagged them.

"Where is the safety we keep being promised?" the actor concluded.

She also captured the incident on camera, the video of which she shared on her Instagram Story which is no longer visible.

According to the clip, Divya Suresh says she is making a video. Meanwhile, her cousin points out to the man following them, asking her to "look at his hand over there".

"He followed us as soon as we got into the car," the actor says, while her cousin asks her to call the police.

Divya Suresh was a contestant on Bigg Boss Kannada season 8, which aired on Colors Kannada in 2021. The show was hosted by Kannada star Kiccha Sudeepa.

She is also known for Kannada serials Nanna Hendthi MBBS and Jodi Hakki. Previously a model, Divya Suresh won the Miss India South title in 2017. She made her film debut the same year with the Kannada film #9, Hilton Cross. Her movie credits include Rowdy Baby, Kempu Haladi Hasiru, and Hiranya.

Last year, Divya Suresh was identified as the alleged driver of the car involved in the accident that left three people injured in a late-night hit-and-run accident in Bengaluru. The accident took place near Nithya Hotel in Byatarayanapura around 1.30 am on October 4, 2025. The Kannada actor was identified through CCTV footage.

Dr Anoop Shetty, DCP Traffic West, said that they have seized the car that was involved in the incident and added that further investigation is underway.

Also Read | Actor Krishi Thapanda Shares First Statement After Businessman Found Dead At Her Bengaluru Home: 'Stop Speculating'

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Akshara Singh On Being Cast In Eetha, Working With Shraddha Kapoor

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:47:35 +0000

Actor Akshara Singh has opened up about joining Eetha, director Laxman Utekar's upcoming film, calling it a dream opportunity.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, the actor recalled her reaction when she first received the offer and admitted that she could hardly believe it.

'I Got Goosebumps'

Speaking about landing the role, Akshara said the film still gives her goosebumps whenever she talks about it.

"The moment I heard about Eetha, I got goosebumps. When I first received the call for the film, I couldn't believe it. I was extremely nervous and emotional at the same time," she said.

She also revealed that she has long admired director Laxman Utekar and his style of filmmaking. "I have always been a huge fan of Laxman Utekar sir. The kind of realistic films he makes has always inspired me. So when I found out that I was going to be a part of one of his films, it was a huge moment for me," she shared.

On Working With Shraddha Kapoor

Akshara further expressed her excitement about sharing screen space with Shraddha Kapoor.

Calling the actor humble and accomplished, she said working alongside her is a special experience.

"When I learnt that Shraddha Kapoor is also a part of the film, my happiness only grew. She is a wonderful actor and a very humble person. Getting the opportunity to share the screen with her is very special for me," she said.

The actor also thanked the makers for placing their trust in her.

She said being associated with Maddock Films and receiving the support of producer Karishma was an honour.

"I also feel honoured that a banner like Maddock Films and producer Karishma ma'am trusted me. I sincerely want to thank the entire team for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this film," she added.

While Akshara chose not to reveal details about her character, she hinted that audiences will have to wait for the surprise.

"For now, I can't reveal much about my role. It's still a surprise. I can only say that I am a part of this film, and I hope the audience showers it with as much love as possible," she said.

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'17 Years Of Silence': Baloch Activist's Open Letter Exposes Pak Atrocities

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 19:47:39 +0000

Baloch human rights activist Sammi Deen Baloch has issued a deeply personal open letter marking 17 years since the enforced disappearance of her father, Dr Deen Mohammad Baloch, renewing international attention on allegations of systematic abductions, custodial torture and impunity in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province.

In an emotional appeal addressed to those responsible for her father's disappearance, Sammi writes that after nearly two decades of uncertainty, her family deserves either his safe return or official confirmation of his fate.

"Maybe this year, you will let him come home. And if you have killed him, then perhaps this year you will finally decide that you owe us a death certificate instead of another adjournment," she wrote.

Dr Baloch, a physician from Khuzdar district, allegedly disappeared on June 28, 2009, after being taken into custody. His whereabouts remain unknown. His family and rights groups accuse Pakistan's security establishment - including the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) - of involvement in enforced disappearances across Balochistan, allegations Islamabad has consistently denied.

Describing the lifelong trauma inflicted on families of the disappeared, Sammi recounts growing up without knowing whether her father is alive or dead.

"I was given disappearance. I was given denial. I was given humiliation. I was given the lifelong punishment of loving a father whom the state took," she wrote, adding that while other children grew up with memories of their fathers, she inherited "petitions, batons, tear gas and posters."

Sammi Deen Baloch, now general secretary of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), has become one of the most prominent faces of the campaign against enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Over the past decade she has led protests, documented alleged disappearances, assisted families in filing legal petitions and campaigned internationally for accountability despite repeated arrests, surveillance and alleged harassment.

Coinciding with the anniversary, international human rights organisation Front Line Defenders reiterated its support for Sammi Deen Baloch and demanded that Pakistani authorities immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of Dr Baloch. The Dublin-based organisation said his disappearance represents a broader pattern of impunity and called on Pakistan to investigate all cases of enforced disappearance and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Front Line Defenders noted that Sammi Deen Baloch herself has allegedly faced repeated reprisals for her activism, including arbitrary detention, surveillance, house raids and a week-long enforced disappearance in 2016. She was also arrested by Karachi police in March 2025 during protests demanding justice for missing persons.

The open letter comes amid an intensified crackdown on Baloch rights activists.

Earlier this year, activist Dr Mahrang Baloch - another leading campaigner against enforced disappearances and alleged human rights abuses in Balochistan - was sentenced to life imprisonment by an anti-terrorism court in a case widely criticised by rights organisations and Baloch activists as politically motivated.

Human rights groups argued that the prosecution relied on questionable evidence and viewed the conviction as part of a broader effort to silence peaceful dissent and suppress voices demanding accountability from Pakistan's security establishment. Islamabad has maintained that legal proceedings against Baloch activists are conducted under Pakistani law and rejects allegations of politically motivated prosecutions.

For years, Baloch nationalist groups, families of missing persons and international rights organisations have alleged that enforced disappearances have become a recurring feature of Pakistan's counter-insurgency operations in Balochistan. Pakistan's military and civilian authorities deny operating a policy of enforced disappearances, asserting that many missing persons have either joined militant organisations, gone underground or left the country voluntarily.

For Sammi Deen Baloch, however, the issue remains painfully personal. "My abba was not a file. He was not a rumour. He was Dr. Deen Mohammad - a doctor, a husband, a father," she wrote. "He belonged to us before he was taken."

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Tehran-Dubai Flight Services To Resume Tomorrow, Says Iranian Media

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 19:29:23 +0000

Dubai airport was repeatedly targeted by drones during the Middle East war, forcing it to suspend flights at times.

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Rs 40,000 Crore Boost: Deepak Shenoy Highlights Success Of G-Sec Tax Relief For FIIs

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:47:23 +0000

The Centre's move to grant tax relief to foreign instututional investors (FIIs) earning income from government securities has been an instant success, with market veteran Deepak Shenoy pointing to additional inflows of about Rs 40,000 crore within days of the decision being taken.

The G-Sec tax relief for FIIs was announced on June 5. Shenoy, who heads Capitalmind Mutual Fund, said overseas invesotors raise their holdings in government bonds sharply by June 15.

The G-Sec holding of FIIs stood at Rs 3,23,802 crore as of June 1, and increased to Rs 3,63,760 crore in the next fortnight, he pointed out. "40,000 cr has now come into GSecs from FPIs after we have removed tax on capital gains and interest for them earlier this month (sic)," Shenoy posted on X.

40,000 cr has now come into GSecs from FPIs after we have removed tax on capital gains and interest for them earlier this month: pic.twitter.com/1dUlTBbsyZ
— Deepak Shenoy (@deepakshenoy) June 26, 2026

Notably, the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, promulgated on June 5, waives taxes on interest income and any capital gains resulting from the sale, exchange, or transfer of these government securities. Crucially, this tax relief is backdated to take effect from April 1, 2026.

The government's decision came after foreign investors pulled out over Rs 2.6 lakh crore from equities so far this year, which is much higher than Rs 1.66 lakh crore withdrawn in the entire 2025.

In the equity market, FIIs have stayed net sellers in June so far. The sell-off in the month stands at Rs 53,022 crore, which is sharper as compared to Rs 32,963-crore shares they offloaded in May.

ALSO READ: Don't Panic At 100/$: Arvind Panagariya Urges RBI To Let Rupee Depreciate

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Challenges That Lie Ahead For The US-Israel-Lebanon Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:29:14 +0000

Lebanon and Israel, under US sponsorship, signed an agreement on Friday hoping to end hostilities between them, but experts say it does not guarantee Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

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Nagatomo Creates History, Becomes 1st Asian Player To Achieve This Feat

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:47:53 +0000

Japan's Yuto Nagatomo created history on Thursday (local time) by becoming the first Asian player to feature in five FIFA World Cups during Japan's Group F match against Sweden in the 2026 edition at Dallas Stadium. The 39-year-old has previously featured in the 2010 South Africa, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia, 2022 Qatar, and 2026 Canada-Mexico-United States tournaments, making him one of the most enduring figures in international football. With this appearance, Nagatomo also became only the 10th player in football history to feature in five or more World Cup editions. The elite list includes Lionel Messi (6 editions), Cristiano Ronaldo (6 editions), Luka Modric, Luis Suarez, Manuel Neuer, Lothar Matthaus, Andres Guardado, Rafael Marquez, Antonio Carbajal, and now Yuto Nagatomo, who have played five editions, respectively.

Japan's consistency was also reflected in the match result as they held Sweden to a 1-1 draw in their final Group F encounter. Both sides advanced to the Round of 32 after finishing in the qualifying positions in the group.

The opening half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides prioritising defense and limiting clear-cut chances. Japan enjoyed more possession and controlled much of the midfield, but Sweden remained organised at the back.

The first half also saw an injury setback as Sweden defender Isak Hien was forced off after picking up an injury, while Japan also had to replace defender Ko Itakura before the break. Despite Japan creating better opportunities, including a save from Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to deny Keito Nakamura, the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0.

The match burst into life after the restart. Japan broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Daizen Maeda after a superb passing move involving Yukinari Sugawara, Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda. Maeda timed his run perfectly before calmly guiding the ball into the far corner.

However, Sweden responded just six minutes later. Anthony Elanga capitalised on a loose ball, cut inside from the flank and curled a fine strike beyond Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to restore parity.

Both sides made changes in the closing stages as they looked to protect the result that would send them through to the knockout phase. Sweden threatened from a series of late set-pieces, but Suzuki remained composed to keep the score level.

The 1-1 draw was enough for both teams to advance, with Japan ending the group stage unbeaten and Sweden also securing a place in the Round of 32.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Shobhaa De Loves Shahid-Kriti In Cocktail 2, Says Hindi Films Not For Rashmika

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:47:29 +0000

Cocktail 2 is about to complete one week since its release, and the film has held steady at the box office. Led by Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, the Homi Adajania film crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within six days. The film has opened to mixed responses, and the latest critic to slam it is author and columnist Shobhaa De.

Shobhaa De took to Instagram to share a video in which she reviewed Cocktail 2. She said, "Just walked out of watching Cocktail 2. Well, Cocktail 1 it isn't. Woh Cocktail kya tha, yeh kya hai. I feel like I need five negronis to get over this one."

She continued, "Iska na head na tail, kuch bhi nahi hai. The story is absurd. Shahid, you need a new haircut, though you are the best part of the film. But the star by far is Sicily — I wish there was more of Sicily. Rashmika, I am so sorry but Hindi films are just not for you. Kriti, you look great, you have a fabulous bod; actually you did very well."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shobhaa De (@shobhaade)

"But the story — can it be a little more nuanced and meaningful? Two women fighting over Shahid, who then gives a lecture. And then the best line comes from Shahid, who says, 'Love is something you can enjoy for a few days, there's no such thing as love.' It's full of fake gyaan. Clichés of the worst kind. Nice jokes from time to time. But don't even try to compare it to Cocktail, and five negronis are waiting — this is my capsule review."

Cocktail 2 Box Office Collection

Cocktail 2 has crossed the Rs 100 crore milestone globally in just six days. The film's total collection now stands at Rs 102.76 crore gross, as reported by trade tracker Sacnilk.

Cocktail 2 saw a steady run on Day 6, adding Rs 5.00 crore net from 9,745 shows across India. This takes its domestic gross to Rs 78.76 crore, with the total India net now at Rs 66.00 crore.

The film also maintained a modest pace overseas, earning Rs 1.25 crore on the day and pushing its international gross to Rs 24.00 crore. Combined, its worldwide gross has now reached Rs 102.76 crore.

Cocktail 2 earned Rs 6.75 crore net each on its first Monday and Tuesday in India. After opening with Rs 13.5 crore on its first day, the film went on to collect Rs 16.25 crore on Saturday and Rs 17.75 crore on Sunday in the Indian market (net).

Cocktail 2 is set to face fresh competition at the box office starting Thursday evening (7:30 pm), as multistarrer film Welcome to the Jungle releases.

About Cocktail 2

Homi Adajania's Cocktail wasn't just another rom-com when it arrived in 2012. The Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty starrer gave audiences memorable music, messy relationships, and one of Deepika's most talked-about performances. Naturally, expectations were sky-high when Cocktail 2 was announced.

Fast forward 14 years, and the spiritual sequel is led by Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna.

ALSO READ | Internet Spots Similarity Between Cocktail 2 And Dhurandhar, Says "Shahid Bhi Spy Hai"

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HAL-GE Talks On Track, F414 Pricing Dispute Unrelated - Exclusive

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:47:14 +0000

Talks between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and GE Aerospace on the F414 fighter jet engine programme continue to progress as planned, with sources dismissing reports of a deadlock and stating that negotiations are moving in the right direction.

Sources told NDTV Profit that concerns around the F414 engine pricing and commercial terms reported earlier are not related to the ongoing HAL-GE discussions.

The issues may instead be linked to separate discussions involving the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

ALSO READ | HAL Share Price: GE F414 Engine Talks Hit Roadblock, Raising AMCA Cost Concerns — Report

The clarification comes after reports suggested that negotiations over GE's F414 engine had slowed due to differences on pricing, technology transfer and local manufacturing arrangements, raising concerns over possible cost escalation and timelines for India's future fighter aircraft programmes.

Sources told NDTV Profit that the negotiations between HAL and GE continue to move forward, with discussions covering key aspects of the engine programme, including supply arrangements, production plans and future requirements.

The F414 engine is critical for India's fighter aircraft roadmap, as it has been selected to power the Tejas Mk-2 and is also planned for the AMCA programme and the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter project.

The engine supply remains important for HAL's aircraft production plans, particularly as delays in engine deliveries had earlier affected Tejas Mk-1A timelines.

HAL has maintained that deliveries of Tejas Mk-1A aircraft are expected to begin after completion of integration and testing activities.

ALSO READ | Jio, Airtel, Vi To Shift To Authorisation Model Under New Telecom Rulebook

The reported concerns around pricing had raised questions over the overall cost of the programme, with earlier reports suggesting differences over engine pricing, technology transfer and establishment of manufacturing facilities in India.

However, sources now indicate that HAL's negotiations with GE Aerospace remain on track and there is no immediate disruption to the planned F414 engine programme.

The development is closely watched as engine availability remains a key factor for India's indigenous fighter aircraft manufacturing plans and future defence production targets.

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Here's When the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G Will Launch in India

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:47:33 +0000

Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will be launched in India at the end of this month, the South Korean tech conglomerate revealed on Tuesday. The company has also confirmed the colour options, design, and key specifications of the upcoming Galaxy M series smartphone. The handset will be equipped with a triple rear camera system. On top of this, it will go on sale in the country in two colourways. The Samsung Galaxy M47 5G is confirmed to be powered by a Snapdragon chipset, along with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 onboard storage. The phone will boast an sAMOLED screen that refreshes at up to 120Hz.

Samsung Galaxy M47 5G Set to Launch in India on June 29

The dedicated microsite for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy M47 5G has been updated to confirm that the handset will be launched in India on June 29. Along with the launch date, the microsite also reveals that the Galaxy M47 5G will be available for purchase in India in two colour options, namely Blaze Blue and Rogue Red. In terms of design, the handset is shown to sport a similar flat rear camera and a pill-shaped camera module as the latest Galaxy A series phones.

In terms of specifications, the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will be powered by an octa core Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, paired with a 6,000mAh battery. The handset will also feature LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 internal storage. The phone will sport a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering up to 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.

Samsung promises six OS upgrades and six years of security updates for its upcoming smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will ship with Samsung's One UI 8.5, which is based on Android 16. Along with the latest software, the phone will offer various AI tools, like AI Voice Transcription.

For optics, the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G is confirmed to launch in India with a triple rear camera system. The handset will feature a 50-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilisation. On top of this, it will boast a 5-megapixel ultrawide camera, paired with a 2-megapixel macro sensor. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will also sport a 12-megapixel camera on the front for selfies and video calls, housed inside a hole punch display cutout. Samsung claims that the phone will be capable of recording 4K videos.

Lastly, the tech giant has also revealed that the Samsung Galaxy M47 5G will debut with support for 45W wired fast charging. Additionally, it will ship with support for bypass charging, which is claimed to reduce the strain on the phone's battery. The company also claims that the handset will offer 4x scratch resistance, along with 2m fall endurance.

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Taiwanese Brothers Amass $1 Billion From Boom In Display Chips

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:47:16 +0000

Biing-seng Wu has spent most of his career developing tiny chips that tell pixels on flat-screen displays how and when to light up. Twenty-five years ago, he teamed up with his brother Jordan Wu to develop such chips for screens. Today, products from their company, Himax Technologies Inc., can be found in everything from Lamborghinis to smartwatches, and have turned the duo into billionaires.

The brothers own 24% of Himax, whose US-listed shares have more than doubled in value this year. Their stake in the Tainan, Taiwan-based firm, as well as proceeds from dividends and stock sales, give them a combined $1 billion net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is valuing them for the first time.

The wealth marks a big milestone for the siblings and their company, which says it holds a 40% market share for display chips - known in the industry as driver integrated circuits - used in cars. Its customers include Ferrari NV, Volkswagen AG, Porsche and more.

It's "not the kind of chip that grabs headlines the way an AI processor does," said Charles Shum, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. "But without it, you'd be staring at a blank screen."

In a rare interview in 2022, Jordan told a Taiwanese news outlet that Himax made a bet on car display chips about two decades earlier, even though few automobiles had screens back then and Himax's resources were limited.

Today, "there are very few automakers that don't use our products in some form," he said. "Looking back, it was nothing short of a miracle."

Those early investments helped Himax build a competitive edge, Himax spokeswoman Karen Tiao said in a text message. The company's current bet on smart glasses, AI and co-packaged optics - a technology that could help data centers handle soaring bandwidth demand while consuming less power - is an extension of that, she said.

The brothers, who declined to be interviewed, aren't the only Taiwanese to reach billionaire status as the island becomes a tech powerhouse during an industry boom. The number of billionaires in Taiwan rose 9% to 51 last year, according to the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025. That's more than Japan's 41 and 31 in South Korea, the report said.

Banker, Scientist

Biing-seng, 69, got a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University in 1985. He served at the Industrial Technology Research Institute, a government-backed entity meant to boost the tech sector, where he led Taiwan's early efforts to develop TFT-LCDs, a kind of flat-screen display. He later helped launch Taiwan's first manufacturing plant for those products.

Around three decades ago, Biing-seng met the founder of Chimei Corp., a Taiwanese conglomerate, to pitch him on a new venture. He later joined Chimei Optoelectronics, helping it become one of Taiwan's leading display makers.

Jordan, 66, got an MBA from the University of Rochester and worked as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and Barclays Plc before getting into the tech sector.

The brothers founded Himax in 2001, using their own money before taking in some venture capital. A few Chimei employees joined them at the startup. Chimei became an early customer.

In 2013, Alphabet Inc., then known as Google, acquired a 6% stake in its subsidiary Himax Display Inc.

Today Himax has 2,200 employees, of whom it says more than 90% are engineers, and offices in Taiwan, China, South Korea and the US. It's a so-called fabless company, meaning it outsources the manufacturing of its chips.

In a 2022 speech at his alma mater, Biing-seng, who remains Himax's chairman, shared some of the secrets of his success: Learning is the most important thing. Sleep well. Maintain good physical strength. Wait for the right opportunity to start a business. Seek advice from experts.

"I'm always afraid of being overtaken," he said. "So I have no choice but to keep running forward."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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FIFA WC Live: Iran Face Belgium Amid 'Mistreatment' Allegations From Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:47:24 +0000

Belgium vs Iran LIVE Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium and Iran square off in a must-win clash at the Los Angeles Stadium, knowing victory is vital to keeping their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout dreams alive. While Belgium were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Egypt in their Group G opener, Iran showed immense grit to rescue a point against New Zealand after trailing twice. This marks only the second senior men's international meeting between the two nations, following Belgium's narrow 1-0 group-stage victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. (MATCH CENTRE LIVE)

Belgium vs Iran LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE Updates | BEL vs IRN LIVE, straight from Los Angeles Stadium:

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Mumbai To Finally Get Proper Monsoon Rains From June 22? Check IMD Forecast

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:47:27 +0000

After days of hot and humid weather, Mumbai is likely to see a significant change in conditions from Monday (June 22) onwards, with rainfall activity expected to increase across the city.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience hot and humid conditions along with the possibility of light rain or thundershowers till June 20. However, weather conditions are forecast to become more active from June 21, with light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms likely in several areas. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places on June 22 and June 23.

Mumbai and Konkan region are likely to witness a noticeable shift in weather patterns over the next 48 hours. Increased moisture inflow is expected to strengthen rain activity from Sunday night, leading to more widespread showers across the region.

So finally Mumbai & Konkan will undergo a weather change next 48 hours (21-22 June). Starting Sunday night, the moisture pull will begin showing its effects over #MumbaiRains increasing rain activity across the region.

This is the news rain lovers have been waiting for.. a very… pic.twitter.com/yWtEh2OYoD
— Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) June 19, 2026

Rainfall Likely To Intensify Beyond Mumbai

Meanwhile, neighbouring districts are also expected to witness a gradual increase in rainfall activity over the coming days. Palghar, Thane and Raigad are likely to experience hot and humid conditions along with light rain or thundershowers until June 20. Rainfall is expected to intensify from June 21 onwards, with light to moderate showers forecast across the region.

Mumbai Water Crisis

Amid a delayed monsoon and water shortages in parts of Mumbai, water tanker prices have surged after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cut water supply across several areas. Currently, non-potable water costs Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1500-1800 per 10,000 litres, up 10-30%. Potable water costs Rs 2,500-3,500 from Rs 2300-3300 per 10,000 litres, a 6-25% hike.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Water Tanker Prices Surge Up To 30% Amid Water Shortage, Delayed Monsoon

According to the latest data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on June 20, water level in Mumbai lakes have dipped below 10% with current live storage denoting 9% useful content of live storage left on June 20. Total water storage across the lakes has dipped by over 60% as compared to last year

ALSO READ: Only 9% Water Left In Mumbai Lakes; Will Upcoming Monsoon Rains Be Enough?

Monsoon Likely to Advance Further In Maharashtra

Weather conditions are becoming favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra around June 23, according to the latest forecast. The development is expected to bring increased rainfall activity across several regions of the state in the coming days.

Rainfall Activity Expected To Increase

The weather department has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada between June 20 and June 25. Konkan is also likely to witness increased rain activity over the next few days.

Parts of Madhya Maharashtra may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph between June 22 and June 25.

Temperatures Likely To Dip After June 20

While no significant change in daytime temperatures is expected across Maharashtra until June 20, the IMD has forecast a gradual drop of 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter.

Hot and Humid Conditions very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in the districts of South Konkan-Goa.
Heat wave conditions very likely to prevails at isolated pockets in the districts of North Konkan , Madhya Maharashtra , Marathwada .
— Regional Meteorological Center,Mumbai (@RMC_Mumbai) June 19, 2026

Southwest Monsoon 2026 Update

As per IMD's latest weather bulletin, the Northern Limit of Monsoon continues to pass through 18°N/60°E, 18°N/65°E, 18°N/70°E, Harnai, Solapur, Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam, Koraput, Phulbani, Ranchi, Jamui, Muzaffarpur and 28.3°N/83°E.

Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, remaining parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand & Bihar, and some parts of Chhattisgarh during next 4-5 days

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/s3TnEXO

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