Pramod, Sukant & Krishna shine at Indonesia Para-Badminton

New Delhi, Nov 2, 2025

India continued its dominance in para-badminton with stellar performances by Pramod Bhagat, Sukant Kadam, and Krishna Nagar, who led the medal tally with gold, silver, and bronze finishes across multiple categories at the Polytron Indonesia Para-Badminton International 2025.

In an inspiring display of teamwork and determination, Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam clinched the gold medal in men’s doubles SL3-SL4, defeating Indonesia’s Dwiyoko and Setiawan in straight sets 21-16, 21-12. The duo showcased exceptional coordination and tactical brilliance, underlining India’s strength in para-badminton doubles. Pramod also added a bronze medal in mixed doubles.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Paralympic champion Krishna Nagar displayed his consistency yet again, earning a bronze in men’s singles SH6 and a silver in mixed doubles SH6. Krishna and partner Sumathy Sivan fought valiantly before going down to Indonesia’s Subhan and Marlina, 13-21, 9-21, in the final.

Pramod Bhagat commented, “To secure Gold in Men’s Doubles with Sukant is an incredible feeling, especially after such a demanding tournament. Every medal, whether Gold, Silver, or Bronze, reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire team. We take immense pride in standing on the podium and representing India.”

Sukant Kadam added, “Our doubles game felt strong and connected throughout the week. Defeating the home favorites for Gold shows the level we are playing at. This victory gives us great momentum as we look forward to the remaining tournaments this season.”

Krishna Nagar said, “I am happy to contribute two medals to India’s tally. The competition was fierce, particularly in the finals and semi-finals. We fought with all our heart, and this Silver and Bronze fuel my determination to train harder and convert these into Gold in the next international outing.”

India’s medal rush continued across categories with podium finishes by several athletes including Sivakumar (gold, SL4), Nitesh (gold, SL3), Manisha Ramdass (gold, SU5), Solaimalai (silver, SH6 men’s), Sumathy Sivan (gold, SH6 women’s), S Kumar (silver, WH1 men’s), and Prem Kumar and Alphina James (silver, mixed doubles WH1-WH2). In men’s doubles WH1-WH2, Abu Hubaida and Prem Kumar secured silver, rounding off a successful tournament for India.(Agency)

SC to hear tomorrow bail pleas of accused in Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case

New Delhi, Nov 2, 2025

The Supreme Court is slated to resume hearing on Monday the bail pleas of student leaders Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and other activists accused in the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots. They remain behind bars under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria will continue hearing the submissions of co-accused Meeran Haider, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shifa Ur Rehman, and the Delhi Police on November 3.

In an earlier hearing, appearing for Umar Khalid, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the prosecution had consistently delayed the trial and was now attempting to shift the blame on the accused. “They say it is me who is taking time and delaying the case whereas the fact says otherwise,” Sibal argued.

“Out of 751 FIRs related to the riots, Khalid was named in only one. He (Khalid) was not even in Delhi when the riots took place,” Sibal said, adding that there was no recovery of any incriminating material from him.

He argued that none of the acts attributed to Khalid fell within the definition of “terrorist act” under UAPA, relying on the bail orders granted to co-accused Asif Iqbal Tanha, Devangana Kalita, and Natasha Narwal.

“They are granted bail. Umar Khalid was not even present in Delhi. The evidence and witnesses are the same,” Sibal submitted.

Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, for Sharjeel Imam, argued that the prosecution took over three years to complete the investigation and kept filing supplementary chargesheets till September 2024.

“The trial could not progress because the probe was said to be ongoing. So out of five years, three went in investigation,” Dave told the Justice Kumar-led Bench.

He added that Imam has been in custody since January 25, 2020, nearly a month before the riots erupted in late February. “If I am in custody since January, what role could I play in orchestrating riots that occurred in February? My speeches were in December 2019 – two months before the riots,” Dave said.

In response to the apex court’s question on the nature of the speech, Dave said: “I called for chakka jams (blockades) as part of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA. There was no call for violence at all.”

Appearing for Gulfisha Fatima, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi submitted that the only allegation against her was setting up a protest site.

“No act of violence occurred at those sites. There is no oral or documentary evidence showing that any violent material was present where I was,” Singhvi said.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had dismissed the bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and several others accused in the 2020 city riots “larger conspiracy” case. (Agency)

Having Arshdeep and Bumrah is huge asset, says Aaron

Hobart, Nov 2, 2025

Former India pacer Varun Aaron heaped praise on fast bowling duo Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah following the visitors’ five-wicket win over Australia in the third T20I, saying that having two of the world’s best fast bowlers is a huge asset for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side.

While Arshdeep took 3-35, Bumrah gave away only 26 runs in four overs. Though Bumrah didn’t get a wicket, the duo put out a masterclass of yorkers and low full tosses to give away only 16 runs off the last two overs.

“Arshdeep and Jasprit both excel at taking wickets and restricting runs. Having two of the world’s best T20 fast bowlers is a huge asset. Arshdeep was invaluable, especially with his ability to move the ball in the powerplay.”

“He bowled tightly to key batsmen like Travis Head and Josh Inglis, taking crucial wickets and maintaining pressure. Even though Marcus Stoinis played well, Arshdeep’s wickets were well deserved and pivotal for India,” said Aaron on JioStar.

Talking further about how the duo, especially Arshdeep, get their wickets, Aaron stated, “Both these bowlers excel at taking wickets and stopping runs, which makes them invaluable. Arshdeep’s skill in the powerplay, especially with his ability to swing the ball and take crucial wickets, is priceless.”

“His ability to dismiss key batsmen like Travis Head and Josh Inglis under pressure helped turn the game. Even if wickets don’t always reflect the effort, his contributions are vital for India’s success.”

He also highlighted Washington Sundar’s impressive batting display, after the all-rounder hit a match-winning 49 not out off just 23 balls. “Washington has demonstrated his effectiveness with the bat, especially against short-pitched deliveries, as we saw in the previous IPL.”

“His first five boundaries off the fast bowlers were all through short balls, showing how well he thrives on them. Australia likely underestimated his capability to play the short ball, and his early six off Nathan Ellis set the tone perfectly. Though he didn’t bowl in this match, his contribution with the bat was crucial, and he could well be the player of the match for this T20 international,” he concluded.(Agency)

Over 1 lakh tech jobs lost in 2025 as AI reshapes global workforce

New Delhi, Nov 2, 2025

More than one lakh employees have lost their jobs across 218 tech companies so far in 2025, marking one of the largest waves of layoffs in recent years.

From Silicon Valley to Bengaluru, major technology firms are cutting staff and restructuring operations as they pivot towards artificial intelligence, automation, and profitability after years of rapid expansion during the pandemic.

The trend, captured by data from Layoffs.fyi, shows how the global tech industry is undergoing a deep transformation as companies invest heavily in AI and cloud services while trimming traditional roles.

Intel announced the biggest single layoff of the year, cutting 24,000 positions — roughly 22% of its global workforce.

The job cuts span facilities in the U.S., Germany, Costa Rica, and Poland as the chipmaker struggles to regain competitiveness against Nvidia and AMD.

Intel said the move is part of a large-scale restructuring to improve efficiency and focus on core AI and semiconductor innovations.

Amazon has also made major cuts, eliminating around 14,000 corporate jobs across its operations, HR, and cloud units.

CEO Andy Jassy described the decision as part of efforts to “run Amazon like the world’s largest startup,” aiming to streamline operations and redirect resources toward AI-driven initiatives.

Microsoft has laid off about 9,000 employees this year across several rounds, primarily from its product and software divisions.

The company said the move will allow it to concentrate on developing advanced AI tools and strengthening its cloud computing services.

Google and Meta have also reduced headcount, trimming roles in their Android, hardware, and AI teams to remove overlaps and control costs.

Oracle, too, has laid off hundreds of employees in its U.S. offices while stepping up investments in AI-powered cloud platforms.

The effects of the global tech slowdown are being felt in India as well. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country’s largest software exporter, recorded its steepest-ever quarterly drop in staff, cutting around 20,000 jobs in the July–September 2025 quarter.

The company cited “AI-led restructuring” and a widening skills mismatch as reasons for the reduction — marking its first major workforce contraction since 2022.

Other Indian IT firms have also become cautious with hiring, as automation and AI integration reduce the demand for mid-level professionals.

Industry analysts say companies are prioritising reskilling and redeploying talent in emerging AI and analytics roles.(Agency)

MP: Rewarded female Maoist surrenders, hands over INSAS rifle

Bhopal/Balaghat, Nov 2, 2025

In a significant breakthrough for security forces combating Maoist insurgency, a rewarded female Maoist named Sunita surrendered before police authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, officials said on Sunday.

The surrender took place at the Chauriya Camp of the Pitkona police outpost under Lanji police station, marking a major success in the region’s ongoing anti-Maoist operations across various states.

She surrendered on Saturday evening.

Sunita, aged 22, hails from the Veerman Indravati area of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh.

She laid down arms and handed over an INSAS rifle along with three magazines to the police, Rakesh Kumar Pandro, Balaghat Additional Superintendent of Police, Anti-Maoist operation, told IANS.

Her surrender is being seen as a strategic blow to the Maoist organisation, given her deep involvement and operational role within the group.

According to the senior official, Sunita had joined the Maoist ranks in 2022.

She underwent rigorous six-month training in the Maad region, after which she was appointed as a personal security guard to Central Committee member Ramder, a notorious figure in the Maoist hierarchy.

Her association with Ramder placed her in the inner circle of the organisation’s leadership, and she remained active in the Indravati and Maad regions before moving to the Darreksa area of the Maoist Communist Centre zone with an 11-member team.

Sunita held the rank of ACM (Area Committee Member), a position of considerable influence within the Maoist structure.

In this role, she was responsible for recruiting new members from rural areas, disseminating propaganda material, and keeping tabs on police movements.

Her surrender, therefore, not only deprives the Maoists of a trained cadre but also disrupts their recruitment and surveillance operations in the region.

Police officials believe that Sunita’s decision to surrender reflects growing disillusionment among lower-rung Maoist members and the effectiveness of outreach and rehabilitation efforts.

Her surrender is expected to encourage others to follow suit, especially those who have been coerced into joining the movement.

The Balaghat police have assured that Sunita will be provided assistance under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Her cooperation is also likely to aid intelligence efforts aimed at dismantling Maoist networks operating across the border regions of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

With this development, security forces have not only neutralised a key operative but also sent a strong message to the Maoist establishment about the tightening grip of law enforcement in Maoist-affected zones.(Agency)

Women’s World Cup: Jampacked DY Patil Stadium ‘sold out’ as India battle South Africa in final

Indian Womens Cricket Team Sneh Rana Wins

Navi Mumbai, Nov 2, 2025

With the Indian women’s team playing their first home final of the ODI World Cup, the DY Patil Stadium was packed as the hosts faced first-time finalists South Africa on Sunday.

The interest in the team’s performance and the final had multiplied many times over after India’s inspiring victory against Australia in the historic semi-final, where the Women in Blue successfully mounted a record chase, thanks to a majestic unbeaten 127 by Jemimah Rodrigues and her exhilarating partnership of 167 runs with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, which set the tone for the win.

That victory further fuelled interest in the match, and there was a massive surge in demand for tickets.

The result was that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was compelled to display a banner at the main gate of the DY Patil Stadium announcing the match as “sold out”. To emphasise this, the sport’s global organisation also issued a message via social media stating that seats were not available in the stadium.

The impressive aspect of the large crowd that filled the stadium on Sunday was their determination to attend despite the rain. They braved the rain, waited patiently for two hours for the toss, which was delayed due to rain spells and the wet outfield.

Fortunately, the match began just in time to avoid losing any overs due to bad weather.

The rain has not dampened the enthusiasm and spirit of the people, and with fans arriving in large numbers, all previous attendance records are likely to be broken. The crowd kept cheering the ground staff every time they came onto the ground to remove the covers. The biggest cheer was reserved for the Indian team when it came out to warm up after the first interruption. An even bigger applause was reserved for Jemimah Rodrigues when she came to bat with the score reading 104/1 in the 18th over.

The previous record at the stadium was 34,651 fans who attended the second semi-final between India and Australia. The stadium can hold a total of 45,000 supporters.

The match is an excellent advertisement for women’s cricket, with two teams who have never won the title battling it out to become the new world champions.(Agency)

Light, sound shows to showcase life of ninth Sikh Guru from Nov 4 in Punjab

Chandigarh, Nov 2, 2025

Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Sunday announced that the state government is commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur with utmost devotion and grandeur across Punjab.

As part of the commemorations, light and sound shows depicting the life and legacy of the ninth Sikh Guru will commence on November 4 in various districts of the state.

The minister said that the inaugural shows will be held on November 4 from 6 p.m. at Lamini Stadium (Pathankot), Guru Gobind Singh Stadium (Jalandhar), Polo Ground (Patiala), and Sports Stadium Madhopur (Fatehgarh Sahib).

All necessary arrangements have been completed for the smooth conduct of these shows, which will continue in all districts till November 20, he added.

Minister Sond further stated that through these light and sound shows, the entire life journey, spiritual philosophy, and supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur — who stood for the protection of faith and righteousness — will be vividly portrayed. He said that this initiative aims to acquaint the younger generation with the glorious history and teachings of the great Guru.

The minister urged devotees and families to attend these shows and witness the historic presentations, which are being organised to honour the Guru’s memory and teachings.

He also mentioned that the series of events dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur commenced on October 25 from the historic Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in New Delhi.

As part of the ongoing celebrations, the state government will also organise four Nagar Kirtans from November 19 to 22, beginning from Srinagar, to pay tribute to the Guru’s supreme martyrdom.

Earlier, Minister Sond had announced that a large-scale Tent City is being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to accommodate devotees attending the celebrations. The Tent City is being set up at three sites — Agampur, PSPCL Ground Matour, and Jhinjri — to ensure proper lodging facilities for devotees.

The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is spending approximately Rs 21.52 crore on the establishment of the Tent City.

The minister said that arrangements are being made to accommodate 10,000 to 12,000 devotees daily, with all essential amenities to make their stay comfortable and hassle-free. The Tent City will remain operational from November 19 to November 30, he added.(Agency)

CM’s Bonanza to Residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Lays Foundation Stone of Projects worth Rs 138.82 Crore

Sri Muktsar Sahib, Nov 2, 2025(Yes Punjab News)

In a major gift to the people of the historic town of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday laid the foundation stone for sewerage and water supply projects worth 138.82 crore.

Addressing a public gathering at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, the Chief Minister said that Rs 90.68 crore will be spent on the new sewerage system and Rs 48.14 crore on water supply works. He said that the city has 31,000 households and once completed the projects will benefit around 1.58 lakh residents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people will no longer face issues of lack of clean drinking water and drainage.

The Chief Minister said that after 30 years, new sewerage and water supply projects are being initiated in this historic city. He said that it is unfortunate that despite the district having produced Chief Ministers and key cabinet ministers in the past, the city remained neglected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he considers himself fortunate that God blessed him to start these major projects here.

Discussing the current situation, the Chief Minister said that the existing sewerage system had outlived its life, causing frequent blockages adding that several new colonies lacked sewerage services. He said that the new projects will solve these chronic problems, particularly around Sri Darbar Sahib and nearby areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that two overhead tanks will be built one at the main waterworks on Kotkapura Road and another on Abohar Road.

The Chief Minister said Rs 17 crore has been allocated for restoring roads and municipal streets that will be affected by the works, and directed officials to complete the projects on time. Squarely blaming traditional political parties for pushing Punjab into drugs, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the government has been compelled to launch campaigns like “War Against Drugs” to remove this stigma. He said that the previous governments failed to rein in drug traffickers, leading thousands of youth to untimely deaths.

The Chief Minister said that now the state government is fighting the drug mafia, while earlier parties patronised them and were their protectors. Attacking leaders from traditional parties who supported the former Akali minister lodged in Nabha Jail on drug charges, Bhagwant Singh Mann said it was shocking to see Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and BJP leaders Captain Amarinder Singh and Ravneet Singh Bittu publicly coming out in his support. He said that this exposed the collusion of these parties to cover up each other’s wrongdoings when in power.

Responding to MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s claim that the Akali-BJP government did not even know the meaning of the word “chitta” (heroin), the Chief Minister sarcastically said that it was true because back then, chitta was known as Majithia.” He said the words “chitta” and “Majithia” were synonymous during the Akali regime, as drug supplies were transported in red-beacon government vehicles.

Giving another example of corruption, Bhagwant Singh Mann said Bikram Singh Majithia looted Punjab through solar power deals by installing his own company’s plants and signing agreements to sell electricity to the government at Rs15 per unit, causing huge loss to state exchequer.

The Chief Minister said that the present government is now fighting a legal battle to cancel those anti-people and anti-state contracts.

Criticizing Captain Amarinder Singh, he said that after spending years resting in palaces, this seasonal bird has now resumed political campaigning. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Maharaja’s family has a dubious record of betraying the people of Punjab and siding with anti-Punjab forces be it the Mughals, British, Congress, or now the BJP.

The Chief Minister said that the scion of Patiala Royal family has always been loyal to those in power, not the people of the state. Calling Sukhbir Badal a major culprit of Punjab and the Sikh community, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that after confessing his sins before the supreme Sikh authority, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and accepting punishment, the former Deputy Chief Minister then publicly denied it which amounts to betrayal. He said that History will never forgive such betrayer who has backstabbed Punjab and Punjabis for his vested political interests.

The Chief Minister said that in its three-and-a-half-year tenure, the Aam Aadmi Party government has taken several pro-people decisions. He said that for the first time, canal water has reached at the villages in the tail end of the state resolving irrigation issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that several closed canals and distributaries were reopened adding that in some areas water flowed again after 37 years.

The Chief Minister said that Farmers are receiving daytime electricity, and 90% of households are getting free power, reducing financial pressure. He said that 56,856 youths have been given government jobs transparently, without recommendation or corruption. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the closure of 19 toll plazas has saved Punjabis Rs 64 lakh daily in toll fees.

The Chief Minister said that to provide accessible healthcare, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across the state offering free treatment and medicines.

He said that in the education sector, revolutionary measures have been launched, attracting national praise. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a total of 118 Schools of Eminence are being established, which are being viewed as a crucial step toward a bright future for underprivileged children.

The Chief Minister said that Students are receiving free uniforms, and a free bus service for girls ensures no girl is deprived of education. He said that these students are also being given special coaching for entry into the armed forces and competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CLAT, and NIFT. Bhagwant Singh Mann said it is a matter of pride that 265 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools qualified for JEE Mains, 44 for JEE Advanced, and 848 for NEET.

On this occasion, Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Dr. Baljit Kaur, local MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar, and other dignitaries were present.

Sonakshi Sinha shares if walking in and out of her ‘Jatadhara’ was a cakewalk

Mumbai, Nov 2, 2025

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who is gearing up for her upcoming film ‘Jatadhara’, has shared that walking in and out of her character in the film was almost a cakewalk for her.

The actress spoke with IANS during the promotional run of the film in Mumbai, and said that she is a “Switch-on and switch-off actor”.

She told IANS, “For me, walking in and out of characters is generally easy because I am a switch on, switch off actor, I don’t take my work home. What I’m on the sets of a film, being in the character, I keep it on sets”.

She further mentioned, “When I’m at home, I’m not in my character. For me, it’s not that big of a thing to be affected by the intensity of my characters because I don’t take my character home with me and I live with it. I, I don’t. Everyone has a different method, and each to their own”.

‘Jatadhara’ is a mythological–supernatural thriller directed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal. The film stars Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha in lead roles. It explores the shadowy intersections of Indian folklore, black magic, and greed, weaving a story around an ancient treasure guarded by demonic forces. Sonakshi Sinha portrays a mysterious pishachini (female spirit), while Sudheer Babu plays a man drawn into a dark world of rituals and redemption.

The film has been shot on a lavish scale, and combines visual grandeur with spiritual symbolism, offering a blend of horror, mysticism, and moral conflict.

Produced by Zee Studios’ Umesh KR Bansal, Prerna Arora, Aruna Agarwal, Shivin Narang, and co-produced by Akshay Kejriwal and Kussum Arora, with Creative Producers Divya Vijay and Sagar Ambre, the film is set to release in both Hindi and Telugu on November 7, 2025.(Agency)

Four years on, father in PoJK accuses police of shielding son’s killers

New Delhi, Nov 2, 2025

Nearly four years after his 22-year-old son was murdered, a grieving father in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) continues his fight for justice, alleging that law-enforcement officials have deliberately sabotaged the case to protect influential suspects.

Syed Afir Kazmi, a college bus driver from Hattian Bala, says his son, Syed Faraz Hussain Shah, a young car mechanic, was brutally killed by men “whose identities were known from day one”.

Yet, he claims, not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice.

“The police identified the accused, but they never acted,” Kazmi told Kashmir Breaking News.

“I have spent four years going from office to office, begging for justice, but the system is protecting the powerful.”

Kazmi alleges that the accused enjoyed political patronage and social influence, which allowed them to remain untouched despite what he describes as clear police records and witness accounts.

Instead of pursuing the suspects, he says officers delayed investigations, accepted bribes, and “treated the killers like guests”.

The bereaved father says he has repeatedly appealed to senior police officials, including the Inspector General, and filed written requests to higher authorities — all in vain.

“If my son had been from an elite home or a political family, his killers would be behind bars by now,” he said, his voice breaking.

In a renewed plea, Kazmi has called upon Shaukat Nawaz Mir and the Awami Action Committee to intervene and demand accountability from authorities in the region.

“I am a poor man with no influence,” Kazmi said.

“But I will not stop. My son deserves justice, and I will fight until his killers face the law.”

Kazmi’s struggle has become symbolic of a deeper crisis in Pakistan — a justice system where power and privilege dictate outcomes, leaving ordinary citizens like him trapped in grief, helplessness, and unanswered appeals.(Agency)

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