Apple 'Surprise and Shine' Event Set for September 9; iPhone 18 Series, Apple Watch Series 12 Expected

Following weeks of speculation, Apple on Wednesday finally dropped the date of its upcoming hardware launch event. The showcase, which carries the tagline ‘Surprise and shine’, is all set to kick off in the second week of September. While the Cupertino-based tech giant remains tight lipped on the upcoming announcements, the rumour mill has pointed towards an annual iPhone refresh, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models being introduced. However, that is not all; several more products across various categories are also anticipated.

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India Vs Panama Friendly Announced As Blue Tigers Prepare For Brazil Test

The Indian senior men's football team is set for another major international test before its much-awaited showdown against five-time world champions Brazil, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announcing a friendly against Panama on Tuesday.

India will host Panama on Sept. 26 during the FIFA Men's International Match Window. The venue for the match has not yet been finalised and will be announced by the AIFF at a later date.

The fixture will mark the first-ever meeting between India and Panama in senior men's international football and give Khalid Jamil's side a valuable opportunity to test themselves against a team that featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ALSO READ | Here We Go! India To Take On Five-Time World Champions Brazil In Historic Friendly — Check Date, Venue

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Panama are currently ranked 44th in the FIFA World Rankings and will become only the ninth different CONCACAF opponent India have faced in their senior men's international history.

AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan believes the Panama fixture will give India's players the kind of exposure they rarely get against high-quality opposition.

"Playing against Panama will be a tough battle ahead of the Brazil game. Panama is a top-50 team in the world, and it will be a good test for Khalid Jamil's boys," he added, as per ANI.

"We are looking forward to our players getting the right exposure, and we normally don't get to play such World Cup teams. So it's a good FIFA window for us, where we are playing such tough teams."

The match also begins a demanding run of fixtures for the Blue Tigers against teams that featured at the 2026 World Cup. India are scheduled to play four such matches across the upcoming FIFA international windows, with the biggest attraction being the clash against Brazil in Kolkata.

AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said the Panama fixture would provide Indian players with valuable exposure against high-quality international opposition.

Brazil Blockbuster Awaits In Kolkata

India's next major challenge will come against Brazil on Oct. 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

The match will be another historic first, marking the first-ever meeting between India and Brazil in senior men's international football.

Brazil are currently ranked fifth in the FIFA World Rankings, making them the highest-ranked opponent India have faced since the FIFA World Rankings system was introduced in 1992.

For Jamil and his players, the Panama friendly could therefore serve as an important competitive outing before facing one of the biggest names in world football.

New Zealand Matches Complete India's World Cup Challenge

India's demanding international schedule will continue in November, when the Blue Tigers are set to face New Zealand twice, on Nov. 12 and Nov. 15.

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India will play four games against the teams that played in this year's World Cup during the next FIFA windows, with Panama, Brazil, and New Zealand all having participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As it continues its preparations under head coach Khalid Jamil, the sequence will enable the Indian squad to assess its development against more experienced and highly ranked international teams.

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"Canada Ripping Off US": Trump Escalates Trade War With 50% Tariffs From 2027

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would raise tariffs up to 50 per cent on a range of Canadian products in the auto sector from 2027 after trade talks between the neighbouring countries collapsed. Trump threatened Canada and said that it will no longer be treated like a US "state".

"On January first, 2027, tariffs on all cars, trucks, both large and small, automotive parts, and steel, will be increased to 50%. Build in the U.S. And there are zero tariffs," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The current US tariff on autos stands at 25 per cent for non-US content, while imported steel to the United States generally faces a 50-per cent duty.

The White House had alleged "discriminatory treatment" by Canada against US alcohol, automobile and dairy products in rolling out the duties.

Last week, Trump delayed the implementation of the tariffs by three days last week after the two countries had stepped up talks towards a trade deal.

The tariffs came into effect on Saturday after the negotiations collapsed, and it hits about 5.5 per cent of Canadian goods entering the US. The tariffs will affect about $20 billion worth of products ranging from hockey sticks to cement.

In a long post, he accused Canada of "ripping off" the United States for years and claimed that the country's "ridiculously high tariffs" on US farmers and their farm products have made life difficult for them. The US leader alleged that such tariffs have created a "60 billion dollar deficit" between the two countries.

Trump said that Canada is among the "worst" countries in the world to deal with. 

"They feel entitled, and yet, we don't need Canada, they need us! They do 95% of their business with the U.S., with us, the exact opposite!" Trump wrote.

Canada's Carney Says US Launched 'Trade War'

After the negotiations between Washington and Ottawa broke down on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he walked away because of a 'bad trade deal' and vowed to slap retaliatory tariffs on the US on Saturday.

Carney claimed that the US proposed new terms that were "uneconomic" and "unfair" and said that they undermined the net benefits for Canada.

He accused Trump of launching a trade "war" and said, "You're at war when you get attacked. We got attacked."

"We cannot accept what they've offered, and we will not give what they've asked," Carney said.

New Canadian tariffs will notably target the US steel and dairy industries and take effect on September 8. Carney said further details would come next week.
 

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Which Place Is Known As The Butter Capital Of India?

Butter is something most of us keep in the fridge without giving it much thought. But in one small town in Tamil Nadu, butter is more than just a breakfast spread. It is a local speciality that has been made the traditional way for generations and has become closely tied to the town's identity. So, which place is known as the Butter Capital of India? Let's find out.

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Uthukuli Is Widely Regarded As The Butter Capital Of India

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The answer is Uthukuli, a town in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district. For decades, Uthukuli has been associated with a traditional variety of butter called Uthukuli Vennai. Made using age-old churning methods, this butter has earned a loyal following for its distinctive taste and texture. Its popularity eventually gave the town a unique title: the Butter Capital of India.

What Makes Uthukuli Butter Special?

Unlike the glossy, factory-made butter commonly sold in supermarkets, Uthukuli butter has its own character. It is known for its soft texture, mildly sour flavour and natural appearance. The taste develops from the traditional way milk and cream are handled before the butter is churned. Many local producers continue to make it in small batches, helping preserve the qualities that make it different from commercial varieties.

How Is It Made?

The process begins with fresh milk. After the milk is boiled and cooled, the cream is collected over time. Once enough cream has been gathered, it is churned until the butter separates from the buttermilk. Traditionally, this churning is done using a wooden churner. The butter is then washed and worked into the desired consistency before it is ready to be used or sold. While modern production methods are faster, this labour-intensive process remains an important part of Uthukuli's dairy heritage.

A Tradition That Has Stood The Test Of Time

Photo: Unsplash

Butter-making has long been linked to dairy farming in the region. Over the years, local producers and dairy units have helped keep the tradition alive, turning Uthukuli butter into one of the town's most recognised products. Today, the butter is sold well beyond Uthukuli and can be found in different parts of Tamil Nadu. Efforts have also been made to promote and document its unique identity as a regional food speciality.

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Butter Capital Vs Butter City: What's The Difference?

The nickname can sometimes cause confusion because another Indian town is also associated with butter. Bardoli in Gujarat is popularly known as the Butter City of India, a title linked to its strong dairy industry and its role in the cooperative milk movement in South Gujarat. Uthukuli, meanwhile, is widely regarded as the Butter Capital of India because of its long-standing tradition of producing its famous local butter.

So, while Bardoli is known as the Butter City, Uthukuli remains the place most closely associated with India's traditional butter-making heritage.

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Treesa-Gayatri Lose Semi-Final, Clinch Maiden BWF World Championships Bronze

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand's extraordinary run ended with a fighting three-game loss to world No. 1 and defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the women's doubles semifinals at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Saturday, as the Indian pair signed off with a maiden bronze medal. The unseeded Indians produced a sensational start to pocket the opening game but could not sustain the pressure against the mighty Chinese pair, going down 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 in an hour and 11 minutes. India last won a BWF World Championships medal in women's doubles in 2011, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa claimed bronze in London.

The Indian pair didn't have a favourable head-to-head record against the Chinese, having lost six times with just one to show in seven meetings so far.

However, Treesa and Gayatri raced to a 7-2 lead to put the Chinese pair under early pressure. Liu and Tan quickly fought their way back with a series of sharp rallies. Six straight points from the Chinese pair turned the match around as they moved ahead.

The Chinese made effective use of angled returns, forcing the Indians into errors, with several shots finding the net. A nine-point run took Liu and Tan to an 11-7 lead at the interval.

The rallies were generally short, averaging around 15 shots, but the Indians began to regain their rhythm after the resumption. Treesa ended the Chinese run with a well-executed point.

Another attack at the front court forced the Chinese long, before a 31-shot rally brought the Indians level at 12-12. A fabulous exchange followed, ending with a cross-court winner from Treesa as India moved ahead.

The Indians' attack was becoming sharper. Gayatri, however, was punished for a short lift as the Chinese regained the advantage at 15-13. Treesa then produced a superb return of serve to leave the Chinese pair stretched, cutting the deficit to 14-16. A fired-up Treesa followed it with a jump smash and another aggressive play at the front court as India drew level again.

The Chinese responded with relentless attacking play and moved to 18-16, but the Indians won a video referral to make it 17-18. Treesa then produced a crouching defensive return during a flat exchange to level the scores at 18-18.

Another superb rally ended with a scathing cross-court winner from Treesa as India moved to 19-18. The unseeded pair then earned two game points after Tan found the net. They converted on their first opportunity when the Chinese pair sent a shot long, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The ecstatic home crowd roared Treesa and Gayatri on.

After the change of ends, the Chinese opened up a 3-0 lead. A short serve gave India its first point, while a lucky net cord made it 4-1 before Liu found the net. The Indians responded with a cross-court, cross-body combination and excellent follow-up play. An effective flick serve and counter-attack helped them close the gap to 4-5.

Gayatri then went long to make it 6-4. The Indians tried to put pressure on the Chinese with pushes towards the backline, but a few errors crept in, with Treesa sending one long to make it 7-4. Gayatri's attacking shots from the back court began forcing the Chinese wide.

Treesa's cross-court drop made it 6-8, before a Chinese smash into the net reduced the deficit further to 7-8. Treesa found the net, but followed it with another tricky cross-net shot to make it 9-10. India drew level at 10-10 before taking the lead when the Chinese defence produced two errors.

However, Liu and Tan wrested the lead back at 12-11.

A 49-shot rally followed, but Treesa eventually found the net. A tumble serve set up the next point for the Chinese, who opened a 14-12 lead. The Indians then sent another shot wide, followed by two net errors from Gayatri, allowing China to move to 17-12.

Another precise shot onto the backline made it 18-12, before Gayatri's long lift gave the Chinese a 19-12 advantage. Treesa then found the net as the Chinese earned eight game points. Liu and Tan converted their second opportunity to take the match into a decider.

The third game began with intense rallies, with India winning a 56-shot exchange to make it 2-2. The Chinese then changed the pace effectively to move 4-2 ahead. The Indians appeared slightly passive in defence, and Liu targeted Treesa with a body return to make it 6-2.

The Indians continued to fight, but errors began to hurt them. A net shot stayed inside, leaving Treesa disappointed, before another Indian error and a shot wide allowed China to take an 11-5 lead at the interval.

Treesa and Gayatri didn't dial up the same intensity as the first game as the Chinese moved to 12-5 before a flick serve took them to 14-5. It was a one-way traffic as the Chinese moved to 17-7. Eventually a perfect cross-court winner gave Liu and Tan 12 match points, and they sealed the contest with a cross-court shot.

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

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BWF Championships: Treesa-Gayatri Enter Semi-Finals, Assure India Of A Medal

BWF World Championships Highlights: India's Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand assured themselves of a medal at the World Championships with a come-from-behind win over China's Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in the women's doubles quarterfinal in New Delhi on Friday. The Indian unseeded pair, which is on a comeback trail after Treesa recovered from an injury, toiled for one hour nine minutes to produce one of the biggest wins of their career, a 16-21 21-15 21-13 triumph to cruise to the last four stage and be assured of at least a bronze medal. India last claimed a BWF World Championships medal in women's doubles in 2011, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the bronze in London.

BWF World Championships Highlights:

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HEG Demerger Gets NCLT Green Light; Shareholders To Receive 1:1 Share Swap

Noida-based graphite electrode manufacturer HEG Ltd has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Indore Bench, for its Composite Scheme of Arrangement with HEG Graphite Ltd and Bhilwara Energy Ltd.

The demerger will result in two independently listed companies. Under the scheme, shareholders of HEG Ltd will receive one share of HEG Graphite Ltd for every one HEG share held.

The NCLT order was uploaded on its website on August 18, 2026. The scheme will become effective after the certified copy of the order is received and filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

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Under the restructuring, one entity will house the graphite electrode business, while the other will focus on advanced materials, battery energy solutions and renewable energy.

HEG said the restructuring is aimed at creating two independent entities with separate strategic mandates, focused leadership and distinct capital structures. The company said the demerger will give shareholders direct exposure to the graphite electrode business as well as the growth platform focused on advanced materials, battery energy solutions and renewable energy.

The NCLT approval follows earlier clearances from the boards and shareholders of the companies, along with no-objection letters from the BSE and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). The scheme had also received approval from equity shareholders and secured and unsecured creditors of HEG Ltd and Bhilwara Energy Ltd.

HEG said the demerger is expected to create two focused, independently valued businesses, each with its own strategy, capital allocation and growth path. EY acted as the structuring and tax advisor, while Khaitan & Co was the legal advisor for the scheme.

ALSO READ: HEG Share Price Jumps 4% After Q1 Profit Rises 17%, Margins Improve

Shares of HEG Ltd ended at Rs 232.60 on the BSE on Wednesday, down Rs 31.65, or 4.28%.

According to MSN Riju Jhunjhunwala, Vice Chairman, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to share that we have got NCLT's approval for demerging HEG Ltd. into two companies - one that houses the single largest plant of its kind in the world and is purely focused on graphite electrodes and the other which focuses on advanced materials with a solid backing of green power and CNI-based solutions.”

He said the approval marks an important milestone in the company's value creation journey.

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Badminton WC: Sindhu And Ayush Enter Rd Of 16, Lakshya Sen Knocked Out

Badminton World Championships 2026 Highlights: PV Sindhu is in Round of 16, so is Ayush Shetty. However, India had a mixed day at the Badminton World Championships on Wednesday. While Sindhu and Ayush Shetty entered the next round it was curtains for Lakshya Sen. Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals after receiving a walkover in their opening match. Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round exit, going down to USA's 18-year-old Garret Tan in a three-game thriller.

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Vijay Wants To Shift His Office. BJP Alleges Corruption In Tender Process

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's plan to shift to a new office has landed him in the middle of a raging political controversy, with the Opposition alleging irregularities in the tender process.

Vijay intends to shift the Chief Minister's Office from Fort St. George to Namakkal Kavingar Maaligai in Chennai to provide more workspace for his staff. According to reports, construction is already underway.

Recently, a Rs 5.5-crore tender was floated by the government for the shifting.

Levelling the first-ever corruption allegation against the three-month-old government, the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the tender had been released a month after construction commenced.

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"In stark contrast to all the tall claims made by the new TVK government about bringing in transparency to the government tender process, a news article by a leading daily today has openly alleged many discrepancies in the tender process in connection with the new chief minister's office for Vijay. The article states that the tender work is worth about Rs 5.5 crores, and that there have been multiple irregularities in the tender process. It has been only 100 days since the TVK government came to power, and already the government is under the scanner," said BJP leader CR Kesavan.

DMK MLA EV Velu also reacted to the row.

"Shifting his office is his personal choice. We can't interfere in it. Even we are happy in a way with the chief minister shifting his office, as that building was constructed by Kalaignar Karunanidhi. But an Indian newspaper report says there are irregularities in the tender, which was not floated online either. We seek clarification from the government. You speak about purity in tenders. But news reports say the tender has been invited after works began for the office," he said.

Also read: Row Over 3 'Poachers' Shot Dead In Karnataka, Vijay Says They Were Tamils

TVK Reacts

Tamil Nadu minister Aadhav Arjuna has refuted the allegations. 

"The news reports are false," he said.

"The chief minister feels that just like him, everyone else who's working with him should also have a comfortable workspace. His officers and staff are now working in a space that's not even 100 sq ft. That's why we are planning a temporary shift of his office. Our chief minister is naturally down-to-earth and flexible...During campaigns, he'll even be okay with resting in a simple hotel or a van," he added.

He further said that former chief ministers M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa wanted to establish a new secretariat but could not due to political circumstances.

"We have had the same building for over 100 years. The office hasn't changed in consonance with the change in administration. Hence, we need to update it," he added.

He assured that the tender process will be transparent.

"No benami companies will be used. We will ensure no leakage to the government's treasury," he added.

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Ayush Shetty: India's Badminton Star Who Stunned World No. 1 At World C'ships

India's 21-year-old badminton star Ayush Shetty stunned defending champion and World No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in the BWF World Championships 2026 Round of 64 clash. The youngster, who hails from Karkala in Karnataka, looked in sensational form as he came up with brilliant smashes and terrific defence to pull off a stunning win in front of the home crowd in New Delhi. This was his first-ever win over Shi Yuqi after three successive losses, including a straight-game loss in the final of the Asia Badminton Championships earlier this year.

Ayush was off to a flying start with a 21-14 win in the first game and although he dropped the second game, the youngster did not give up. He fought back brilliantly and was able to finish the match in style.

Who is Ayush Shetty?

Shetty found himself in the headlines earlier this year after he became the first Indian men's singles player to reach the Badminton Asia Championships final in 61 years. While he was defeated by Shi Yuqi in the final, he pulled off a brilliant win over Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semi-final. It was a result that truly announced his arrival on the global stage.

He comes from the small town of Sanoor near Karkala in Karnataka and was introduced to badminton at the age of 8 by his father, who coached him in their backyard. The family later relocated to Bengaluru in order to provide proper training to Shetty and under the guidance of coaches at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, he honed his skills.

Shetty's breakthrough came in 2025 when he won the US Open title after beating Brian Yang in straight games. It was his maiden BWF World Tour title. He followed it up with wins over top-10 players like Li Shi Feng and Chi Yu Jen at the Asia Championships.

Earlier, he won the bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships in Spokane, USA, won the Denmark Junior International in 2021, and reached the finals at the Odisha Masters Super 100 (2023), the Bahrain International Challenge (2023), and the Dutch Open (2024).

(With IANS inputs)

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Israel’s Bits of Gold Suffers Data Breach Affecting 200,000 Customers

Israeli crypto brokerage Bits of Gold has disclosed a data breach that potentially exposed personal information belonging to around 200,000 customers. The company said a hacker accessed a third-party data analytics system containing names, national identification numbers, contact details, bank information, IP addresses and public wallet addresses. Bits of Gold said there is no indication that customer funds, private keys, passwords, CVV codes or scanned identity documents were compromised and urged users to remain alert to phishing attempts.

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SC Delhi Set Up Durand Cup 2026 Semi-Final Against East Bengal

SC Delhi produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat debutants FC Raengdai of Manipur 5-1 on Sunday and set up a semi-final clash against Kolkata heavyweights East Bengal in the Durand Cup. After Chongtham Kishan Singh's (9th) stunning long-range strike had put Raengdai ahead in the first half, substitute Joseph Sunny's (57th, 67th) second-half brace turned the game around. Rodriguinho (82nd), Juan Sebastian Pena (90+3) and Augustine Lalrochana (90+8) were the other SC Delhi goal scorers in the quarter-final match.

In Kolkata, a first-half header from PV Vishnu saw East Bengal FC edge past a spirited Indian Army FT side 1-0 in another quarter-final.

The East Bengal versus SC Delhi semi-final will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 19.

In Ranchi's Birsa Munda Stadium, it was FC Raengdai who took the lead in spectacular fashion against SC Delhi.

Chongtham Kishan Singh unleashed a bullet of a shot from around 20 metres that dipped late, struck the inside of the crossbar and bounced into the net, leaving SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes with no chance.

SC Delhi immediately went looking for the equaliser and created a flurry of attacks. Raengdai's defensive unit, led by Rojen Meetei, Lanchungrei Pamei and Amitkumar Singh, remained disciplined and repeatedly denied SC Delhi.

At the other end, Khaidem Amarjit Singh looked lively for the debutants as the contest developed into an end-to-end affair.

SC Delhi emerged with greater purpose after the restart, and the introduction of Sunny proved decisive.

The substitute came close to making an immediate impact in the 52nd minute after a brilliant run, before squaring the ball to Rodriguinho. The forward's effort appeared destined for the net, but Kamei Pantiga produced a superb save to preserve Raengdai's lead.

Five minutes later, however, the goalkeeper could do nothing. Pena produced a clever move before releasing Sunny, who collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired a precise low finish between two defenders into the bottom-left corner to level the contest.

The equaliser transformed SC Delhi's confidence. Ten minutes later, Pena was once again at the heart of the attack, producing a sublime no-look pass that released Sunny with an inch-perfect run into the penalty area. The substitute found himself one-on-one with Pantiga, and calmly finished past the goalkeeper to complete the turnaround.

Rodriguinho scored four minutes later. The forward showed excellent composure to work his way past two defenders while controlling the ball before slotting a left-footed finish beyond Pantiga to put SC Delhi 3-1 ahead.

The final stages turned into a goal fest. In the third minute of stoppage time, Pena produced a superb dribbling run into the box before calmly applying a no-look finish to make it 4-1.

SC Delhi added one more goal before the final whistle. Substitute Augustine Lalrochana picked up the ball on the left in the eighth minute of added time, drove all the way into the box and finished stylishly into the far corner to complete the emphatic 5-1 victory.

At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, East Bengal stamped their authority on the contest from the opening whistle, dominating possession and pinning the Army men deep inside their own half.

Indian Army struggled to put together sustained passages of possession, often relying on aerial and long balls to relieve the pressure.

East Bengal's best opportunity of the first half came in the 29th minute when Jay Gupta delivered a pinpoint cross for Vishnu, who found himself unmarked in a one-on-one situation. However, the forward's grounded effort went straight into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper.

East Bengal finally found the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Christopher Ikonomidis delivered an inviting cross into the box and Vishnu made amends for his earlier miss, rising highest to meet the delivery with a perfectly timed header into the right corner. Thakuri got his fingertips to the effort but could not keep it out as East Bengal took a deserved 1-0 lead.

The Red-and-Gold Brigade maintained their control for the remainder of the half, with Mohamad Basim Rashid trying his luck from distance shortly before the interval, although his effort drifted wide.

East Bengal nearly doubled their advantage around the hour mark when substitute Jesin TK intercepted a long ball from Rashid and raced past the advancing goalkeeper. However, his attempt struck the crossbar, denying the substitute an immediate impact.

In the 80th minute, Bipin Singh set up Jesin TK with a precise pass, but the forward failed to convert from close range. Moments later, Jesin returned the favour by putting Bipin through, only for the winger to squander another one-on-one opportunity.

Jesin had another chance to seal the result in the 87th minute when he met a cross from Edmund, but his header went straight at Thakuri.

With five minutes of stoppage time added, Indian Army almost produced a dramatic equaliser against the run of play.

In the 91st minute, Abhishek Shankar Pawar unleashed a dangerous effort that briefly threatened to spoil East Bengal's dominant display, but the Kolkata side survived the late scare. 

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

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Boat Aavante Prime X Review: Big, Loud and Surprisingly Good

The Boat Aavante Prime X delivers an enjoyable home theatre experience, particularly when watching action-heavy films or playing games. Its powerful bass and rear speakers create a convincing sense of immersion, while dialogue remains clear even when plenty is happening on screen. Music playback is respectable too, although the overall tuning favours movies and games. Some non-Dolby content can produce an occasional echo, and the large setup needs plenty of room. The Boat Aavante Prime X isn't perfect, but it gets the important stuff right, and that counts for quite a bit.

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Scary Scenes In Galle As KL Rahul's Fiery Shot Hits Sri Lanka Star On Helmet

Day 1 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle witnessed a scary moment as KL Rahul's shot struck Nishan Madushka on the helmet. After winning the toss, India skipper Shubman Gill opted to bat first as the visitors began their 600th Test match. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in fine touch and provided India with a solid start. However, during the 10th over, bowled by Prabath Jayasuriya, Rahul's shot crashed into Madushka, leaving players and spectators stunned.

On the fifth ball of the over, Rahul attempted a low sweep. Madushka, stationed at short leg, realised he was in trouble and tried to duck, but the ball struck the centre of his helmet. The impact immediately prompted Sri Lanka's team physio to rush onto the field.

Seeing Madushka down, Rahul initially hesitated before taking a single, but Jaiswal had already crossed halfway down the pitch, leaving him with no option but to complete the run. Afterward, Rahul immediately went over to check on Madushka's condition. Following an assessment, the physio escorted Madushka off the field, dealing Sri Lanka a significant blow.

Talking about the match, India reached 101/1 in 27 overs at lunch on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday, with Devdutt Padikkal (35 not out) and KL Rahul (32 not out) rebuilding the innings following a freakish run-out that cut short Yashasvi Jaiswal's knock at 32.

Having opted to bat first after winning the toss in their 600th Test, India were given a fluent start by their opening pair of Jaiswal and Rahul. Jaiswal appeared in sublime touch by getting boundaries via flicks, on-drive and cut whenever Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara erred in their lengths.

India had moved to 47 without loss in the 11th over when a chaotic mix-up brought an unfortunate end to Jaiswal's stay at the crease. Rahul drove a flighted delivery from Keshara Nuwantha towards mid-on and took off for a single. Jaiswal, attempting to run from the non-striker's end, collided with Nuwantha, who was diving to stop the ball.

(With IANS Inputs)

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"Can't Excuse": Ponting's Slams Australia Batters After Meltdown vs Bangladesh

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hit out at the hosts' batters following a dismal day one performance against Bangladesh in the ongoing first Test, adding that their early season rustiness meant they were outplayed and outwitted by the visitors' bowling line-up. Australia were bowled out for a paltry 198 after opting to bat first, with Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud tearing through the lineup with figures of 6-55. Now with Bangladesh's lead crossing 150, it meant the focus is back on Australia's shoddy batting performance, where barring Steve Smith (71), no one made a notable contribution.

"There was a lot of early-season rustiness, they haven't played for a long time, but you can't excuse some of the technical issues and flaws we saw from the top order in particular. I was surprised Australia actually chose to bat, especially with Bangladesh coming off just 54 in the warm-up game.

“The Australian seamers on that wicket yesterday morning would have been near-on unplayable. A few eyebrows raised when Australia did decide to bat. But when you win the toss and decide to bat everyone is expecting a few more than 190 against an attack like that," Ponting said on SEN's Fireball.

Calling out the national selectors for being hesitant to transition towards youngsters, Ponting pointed out that Australia have fielded their oldest Test side since 1928, with all-rounder Cameron Green (27) being the sole under-30 player.

"I still feel like they missed an opportunity in these couple of games to look at some younger talent that we've got in Australia. I know the Sheffield Shield numbers aren't outstanding for our young batters, but I think we might have to look a bit deeper than just what the numbers suggest.

“Go with a bit of gut-feel and pick on talent because what we've got in the current side now - and it has been for a couple of years - has not looked up to the mark of Test cricket level. It (change) is going to happen.

“They've got 21 Tests coming up until the end of the World Test Championship (WTC) - they're at home to New Zealand, they're away to South Africa, they're away to India. Inevitably they'll be going through 16-18 players in this next little run. So I think organically it will start to happen where guys will be coming in and out just to try and manage them through until the end of it," he noted.

Addressing whether a potential defeat to Bangladesh would force structural changes, Ponting stated, "You would like to think so. This group has been so tight. I don't know if they're scared of making change, or deep down they know that there might not be anything better that's waiting underneath.

“It's been at least 12 months where they have had the opportunity to make changes, especially with the batting group. They have a lot of work to do, there's a long way to go in this game, and right now I'm not sure what the odds suggest. I still think Australia should still be favourites even though yesterday went as badly as it did.

“They'll get a chance to bat on the wicket when it's at it's absolute best. That's when we'll see if these guys are actually up to it, because if they're not up to it in the second innings then maybe it is time to have a look at someone else."

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

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Welcome's Anil Kapoor And Nana Patekar To Reunite For Zombie Comedy: Report

Fans may soon get another chance to see Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar together, after missing them in Welcome to the Jungle. The two actors, known for playing Uday and Majnu in the Welcome universe, are reportedly in talks for a new zombie comedy.

The film, produced by Firoz Nadiadwala and directed by Ahmed Khan, is in the pre-production stage, while Tiger Shroff has already been chosen to play the lead role.

According to reports, Firoz wants Anil and Nana to play two characters whose fun chemistry will remind viewers of Uday and Majnu. Interestingly, both actors are also interested in the project.

It's a two-character role, which has the potential to become the new-age Uday and Majnu, Bollywood Hungama reported. Both Anil and Nana are excited to embark on this journey with Firoz Nadiadwala. The film is presently in the writing stage, the report stated.

Reports suggest that the makers are expected to begin shooting in early 2027. The makers are planning a start-to-finish shooting schedule. 

Details about the film's title, official plot, other actors, and their characters are under wraps.

Before Firoz Nadiadwala's zombie comedy, Anil Kapoor has several projects lined up, including Shah Rukh Khan's King and Dragon, which stars Jr NTR.

Nana Patekar is set to appear in Laxman Utekar's biographical musical drama Eetha. The film stars Shraddha Kapoor as the famous Lavani and Tamasha performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar.

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India's Injury Crisis Puts Gambhir Under Spotlight: "Coach, Captain Decided"

The Indian team is going through one of its worst injury crises in recent times. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and B Sai Sudharsan were ruled out for the 2-match Test series against Sri Lanka, while there's no confirmation on the return of Washington Sundar for the second match. The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has also had to face heat for releasing unfit players for the national team, especially Bumrah. However, former India batter S Badrinath doesn't think the blame lies with the CoE and its head VVS Laxman.

For Badrinath, the majority of the blame should go to head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill and selectors, whose eagerness to draft Bumrah and others into the team led to this situation.

"I don't know who made the decision. CoE will not make the selection, right? They will just say he is in this state and can play these matches and his body is in this state. But I think the captain, coach, and selectors are taking the decision. CoE only passes the information. They are not selectors," Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Badrinath also didn't mince his words over the repeated injury issues involving Sundar. He said that fitness is not the all-rounder's forte, urging him to seriously work on himself if he intends to prolong his career and remain a consistent player for the national team.

"I don't have an immediate answer to the root cause of so many injuries. It is important to see what kind of injuries these are. At high-level professional sport, injuries are common. Sai Sudharsan got hit by a ball, with Bumrah, it is a chronic injury because of being overused and fitness is not Sundar's forte, he is injury-prone. His fitness needs a lot of work. Management and monitoring is very important. Injuries are bound to happen and you cannot control it," added Badrinath.

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Google Pixel 11 vs iPhone 17: Price in India and Full Specifications Compared

Google Pixel 11 has been launched in India, and the new Pixel smartphone competes directly with Apple's iPhone 17, which was unveiled in September last year. The Google Pixel 11 sports a 6.3-inch (1,080 x 2,424 pixels) OLED Actua display, with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 17 is equipped with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The Google Pixel 11 is equipped with the latest Google Tensor G6 chipset. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 is powered by the A19 chipset, featuring a 16-core Neural Engine.

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'I'm Bengal's Boy': Jeet Reveals The One Condition For A Hindi Film Bet

Bengali superstar Jeet is one of those rare Hindi-speaking Bengali actors who has made a mark in the Hindi industry with his OTT debut Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, released on Netflix last year. 

He also took on the giant task of releasing a Bengali film simultaneously in Hindi three years ago when Chengiz released. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Jeet shared whether he would invest in Hindi in the coming years and why he thinks in Hindi first.

'Learnt Bengali Through Environment'

Last year, during promotions of Khakee, Jeet had said that he thinks in Hindi first as Hindi is his mother tongue.

Asked if his public acknowledgement of thinking in Hindi might disappoint his Bengali audience, Jeet tells NDTV, "My thinking language has been Hindi. I am still saying that. It's a fact. I studied in Hindi. I learnt Bengali through the environment. Nobody has reacted to that statement. And I believe how I conduct myself through my work, shows or whatever I do, if that's connecting with the audience, people will remember that. My thinking language won't bother anyone, I guess."

"I was born and brought up in Kolkata. I am Bengal's boy. Nobody can deny that. And some people also say that I speak Bengali better than born Bengalis. So, I take that as a compliment," adds Jeet.

'I Can Invest In Hindi If There's Potential'

Back in 2023, Jeet took a giant leap when he released Chengiz simultaneously in Bengali and Hindi to take Bengali films pan-India. Reports say Jeet's production house, Jeetz Filmworks, incurred losses for undertaking the task.

Asked if he was ready to face the consequence of taking the risk, Jeet tells us, "Making profits and losses is part and parcel of any business. The risks in the film business are enormously high. It's not a surprising fact that the chances of profit making in this business hover between 7-10%, no matter whether you make films in Hindi or in vernacular languages."

"Having said that, if I see a material has potential for the Hindi market and deserves to be released nationally, I can," Jeet adds.

But Jeet also said that the trend of releasing regional films in Hindi has gone down.

"You should also understand the fact that there was a huge spike in releasing regional films in Hindi after the Baahubali craze. But it has now come down. Besides two or three films, most of the films haven't made any connection with the audience. So the trend is going down," adds Jeet.

Jeet's new film Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat (Some Say Revolutionary, Some Say Dacoit), directed by Pathikrit Basu, is inspired by the life of Ananta Singh, a freedom fighter and close associate of revolutionary Masterda Surya Sen.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s Kolkata, the film also touches upon the public perception of Ananta Singh being called a 'dacoit' for his daring robberies. Jeet plays the titular character and pulled off nine different looks for the film.

Apart from Jeet, Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat also stars Priyanka Sarkar, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Rajatabha Dutta and Debopriyo Mukherjee.

The film releases in theatres on August 14.

Also Read | 'When You Play Around With Power, Creativity Takes Backseat': Jeet On Bengali Actors Joining Politics

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Vishal On Why Vijay Succeeded In Politics Where Other Actors Failed

Vishal, known for his performances in films like Irumbu Thirai and Mark Antony, recently opened up about his experience of meeting Vijay after he took on the role of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. 

“Vijay is the same when I met him recently. I didn't take a bouquet. I usually never buy bouquets. He's the same, only the posting has changed,” Vishal said in an interview with Honest Townhall. 

Vishal also shared his perspective on why Vijay's entry into politics gained momentum, unlike the political ventures of several other actors before him. Vishal said, "It's not just actors. Actors with mass appeal have tried this before. There are so many other examples we have left out who have been failures. Sivaji Ganesan started a party. Legendary filmmaker Bhagyaraj started a party. We have examples all over the industry. Amitabh Bachchan could have started a party. Mithun Chakraborty is so famous, he could have been the face of West Bengal." 

He added, “It's a calling. If someone has entrusted their faith in Vijay, it's not just because he is an actor turned politician. It's because they wanted a change, badly, literally very badly. And it is also a connectivity factor. He was different in the way he was talking. That is what maybe the first-time voters and everyone decided to go for the change, because there is nothing else they see."

Vishal pointed out a particular moment from Vijay's 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign that he believes played a key role in strengthening the actor-turned-politician's position as a prime candidate. 

“His last-day speech before the closing of the campaign nailed it. He said, go tell your parents and your grandparents and every elder in your house, please tell them to vote for me once. That really created a massive impact. I've seen a judge come on record saying that he voted because his granddaughter told him to vote for TVK. There have been instances like that,” he recalled.

On the work front, Vishal is set to make his directorial debut in the upcoming film Magudam. It releases in theatres on August 14. 

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