Trinamool Congress MPs are likely to support the no-confidence motion and vote against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.The decision was taken on the instructions of the party president, news agency ANI reported. Mamata Banerjee.
No confidence in Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla explained: Parliament’s procedures, rules and numbers
Earlier, TMC, one of the key members of the Indian group, decided not to support the resolution, leading finance ministers to believe that Birla could also get support from outside the group.A fresh showdown between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition is looming with the Lok Sabha taking up the resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla on March 9, while the Parliament will reconvene for the second part of the budget session from Monday.Congress MPs accused Birla of partisanship by “openly supporting the ruling party’s version on all contentious issues”, which they said posed a danger to the proper functioning of the Lok Sabha.The business list said: “He has disregarded the rights of members of the House of Representatives in a partisan manner, making statements and rulings aimed at affecting and harming these rights; he openly supports the ruling party’s version on all controversial issues. All these actions pose a serious threat to the normal functioning of the House of Representatives and effectively express the concerns and dissatisfaction of the people. Therefore, it was decided to remove him from the House of Representatives.”Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress issued whips to their respective Janata Party members to secure seats in the House of Representatives as they seek to muster maximum strength amid expected vote splits.While the BJP whip has made it mandatory for its MPs to be present on the first two days, the Congress directive remains applicable for the first three days.Rules allow Bella to appear on the House floor and defend herself without serving as chair.
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir meets with Saudi Arabian Defense Minister (picture from X)
Pakistan chief of army staff and de facto leader of the country Asim Munir As the situation in the Middle East continues to change, I met with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. The meeting came just days after an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil refinery, a joint U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Ali Khamenei, triggering Tehran to launch a powerful retaliatory military campaign across the Middle East and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.The Saudi defense minister shared details of the meeting on X while highlighting Iran’s attacks on the kingdom. He shared a photo with Munir and wrote: “Meeted with the Chief of Army Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. We discussed Iranian attacks on Pakistan and the measures required to stop them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defense Agreement. We emphasized that such actions undermine regional security and stability and expressed hope that Iran will use its wisdom to avoid miscalculation.”This meeting can be considered of strategic importance. According to Bloomberg, a few months ago, Turkey sought to establish a triangular defense alliance in the form of an “Islamic NATO” with nuclear-armed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, aiming to reshape security alliances in the currently turbulent Middle East and other regions.When Saudi Aramco refineries were attacked by Iran a few days ago, Pakistan reacted strongly, expressing solidarity with Riyadh and other Gulf states.As tensions continue to escalate and Iran maintains missile and drone attacks, there are questions over whether Islamabad’s response will go beyond verbal condemnation given its 2025 strategic mutual defense agreement with Riyadh.The deal, initially signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September, reportedly states that “any aggression” against one member state will be considered an attack against all member states, a provision similar to NATO’s Article 5 under which member states commit to collective defence.Negotiations over Türkiye’s possible entry into the arrangement are said to be at an advanced stage and a deal seems likely, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. The proposed expansion reflects the growing overlapping strategic interests of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in parts of South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the report said.
Will Pakistan step up to the plate?
The agreement’s collective defense clause, which treats aggression against one side as an attack on both, builds on decades of military ties. However, its core provisions focus on conventional cooperation such as joint exercises, intelligence sharing and drones, with no nuclear commitments.In a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged “full solidarity” and support for peace efforts rather than military deployments.Experts say sending in troops could plunge Pakistan into a wider conflict, further exacerbating its fragile economy and security situation.“The Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement is more of a political and strategic partnership than a classic defense agreement similar to NATO. Pakistan has publicly condemned Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity. Apart from this, Pakistan will never engage in any kind of military intervention as it has sufficient resources externally with Afghanistan and internally with TTP and BLA. This once again exposes the double standards shown by the Pakistani leadership from time to time,” said Maj. Gen. Rajan Kochar (Retired).Islamabad is more likely to limit its support to diplomacy, logistics or overflight rights rather than sending troops, experts added.
U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegers said Washington was “not concerned” about reports that Russia was providing Iran with intelligence on troop positions and movements in the region.
Peter Heggs highlighted the strength of the nation’s surveillance capabilities, claiming “our commanders know everything”. (AFP file photo)
In an interview with Major Garrett on CBS’s “60 Minutes” airing this Sunday, Heggs declined to formally confirm the reports but insisted the military was fully aware of the situation. He noted that the United States is “tracking everything” and ensuring that this data is incorporated into current combat strategies.
Heggs highlighted the strength of the nation’s surveillance capabilities, claiming “our commanders know everything.” He further added, “We have the best intelligence in the world. We know who is talking to whom.”
Addressing the potential threat to U.S. personnel posed by these reports, Heggs assured the public that the government is prepared to deal with any possible threats. intelligence leakage. “We’re not concerned about that,” he said, adding, “We’ll mitigate the impact as needed.”
Hegseth also stressed that President Donald Trump is being kept informed of these developments. “The American people can rest assured that their commander in chief knows who is talking to whom,” he said.
Heggs It warned that any illegal cooperation between foreign powers will be met with a firm response from the United States. “Anything that shouldn’t happen, whether overt or covert, will be vigorously contested,” he said.
Earlier reports said Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence on the location and movements of U.S. personnel, ships and aircraft. CNN reported that the development marked the first sign of Moscow’s direct involvement in the ongoing conflict, according to sources familiar with U.S. intelligence reporting.
A large portion of the shared data is reportedly imagery from Moscow’s advanced high-altitude satellite network. While the nature of this information is clear, the compensation Russia receives for this support remains uncertain. CNN has contacted the Kremlin and the Russian Embassy in the United States washington Leave a comment on this matter.
Although a Washington Post report first highlighted this intelligence sharing, it has not been confirmed whether specific Iranian attacks can be directly attributed to Russian data. However, many Iranian drones have recently attacked areas where US troops are stationed.
CNN previously reported that an Iranian drone struck a makeshift facility in Kuwait on Sunday, killing six U.S. service members. “This shows that Russia still likes Iran very much,” a source familiar with the matter said.
In addition to Russia’s involvement, there are signs that China may be preparing to provide Iran with financial aid, equipment parts and missile components. Although Beijing has so far avoided direct involvement in the war, it remains heavily dependent on Iranian oil and has reportedly pressured Tehran to ensure the safe passage of Iranian oil for ships. Strait of Hormuz.
A source familiar with the situation told CNN, “China is more cautious in its support. It wants the war to end because it jeopardizes their energy supplies.” The CIA declined to issue a statement, and the Chinese embassy in Washington has been asked to comment on potential aid to Iran.
Despite these reports of foreign involvement, Hegseth told reporters on Wednesday that Russia and China “are not the real factors in the conflict.” The military partnership between Russia and Iran has grown over the past three years, particularly in missile and drone technology.
This cooperation includes Iran providing Shahd drones and ballistic missiles to Ukraine, as well as helping to establish drone manufacturing facilities in Russia. In exchange, Iran sought Russian aid to advance its nuclear program.
Currently, the U.S. military operation against Iran involves more than 50,000 troops, 200 fighter jets and two aircraft carriers. Gen. Brad Cooper, commander of Central Command, said this week that the main military goal is to destroy Iranian military bases. ballistic missile ability.
Hegseth said Iran has been using these capabilities as a “shield” to further its nuclear ambitions.
NEW DELHI: Indian doctors are sounding the alarm about a little-known disease that could quietly rob millions of older people of mobility and independence: sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss.To address this issue, the Geriatric Society of India has released the country’s first ‘Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Sarcopenia in India’. The recommendations, developed by experts in multiple specialties including geriatrics, orthopedics, endocrinology, physical therapy and nutrition, are designed to help doctors detect and treat muscle loss early — before it leads to falls, disability and loss of independence.Sarcopenia, literally meaning “muscle loss,” is the gradual decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical function that occurs with age. Doctors say it’s often overlooked but can significantly increase the risk of fractures, hospitalization and even death.This is a concern as India’s population ages rapidly. By 2050, the country’s population aged 60 and above is expected to reach approximately 319 million, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total population. Experts warn that sarcopenia could become a major public health challenge if preventive measures are not taken.Studies show that the disease affects 8% to 18% of community-dwelling older adults, rising to 25% to 40% among hospitalized older adults, with people with chronic diseases such as diabetes at higher risk.Dr. OP Sharma, leader of the guideline, emphasized that muscle health is at the core of healthy aging. “Strength preserves dignity. Early detection can save independence,” he said, noting that sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition and chronic disease are accelerating muscle loss in older adults.The guidelines advise doctors to look for warning signs such as weak grip strength, slower walking speed and difficulty getting up from a chair. Screening tools such as the SARC-F questionnaire can help identify at-risk populations, particularly in primary care settings.The encouraging news, experts say, is that sarcopenia can often be prevented or slowed with simple lifestyle measures. Key recommendations include strength training two to three times per week, adequate protein intake, and correcting vitamin D deficiency. Doctors also recommend adding protein sources like dal, paneer, soybeans and legumes, especially in vegetarian diets.Dr. Raju Vaishya of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital said awareness about muscle health is still low. “India is a sarcopenic country,” he said, pointing to malnutrition, physical inactivity and aging as the main drivers.Dr. Randeep Guleria said the guidelines aim to integrate muscle health into routine medical care. “They connect science with clinical wisdom and make sarcopenia visible in everyday practice,” he said.Doctors say early detection and treatment can help millions of older adults stay mobile, independent and healthy longer, easing the growing medical burden of an aging population.
WASHINGTON: The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Thursday released FBI documents describing multiple interviews with a woman who has made accusations against President Trump. The pages were withheld from a trove of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after officials said they were mistakenly determined to be duplicates.The notes recount multiple interviews conducted by the FBI in 2019 with the woman who said she had been sexually assaulted by Epstein and Trump. She came forward shortly after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. Her accusations date back to the 1980s, when she was a teenager.
Epstein case twist? Trump reacts to Clinton’s grilling, shock defense: ‘I don’t like seeing him…’
The department has released documents describing the existence of the memo released Thursday, showing that the FBI has conducted four interviews related to her claims and written summaries of each conversation. But the initial release appeared to contain only one of the interviews, in which she described being assaulted by Epstein, raising questions about why the remaining three were missing. Initially, officials said they were replicas posted elsewhere, but a subsequent review found that was incorrect, officials said.The absence of the memo has further fueled criticism from some lawmakers and victims who say the Trump administration has failed to live up to its responsibilities under the law. The Epstein Documents Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November, requires the government to release all documents related to Epstein.The Justice Department acknowledged that in addition to the FBI memo, it discovered about a dozen other documents that were “erroneously coded as duplicates.” Additionally, prosecutors determined that five prosecution memos marked as privileged could be released after being redacted.
New Delhi: Congress on Saturday launched scathing attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi The United States recently granted New Delhi a 30-day exemption for buying Russian oil. The attack quoted Donald Trump aide Scott Bessant, who said the United States had “allowed” India to accept oil from Moscow.The largest opposition party condemned and questioned the Modi government’s diplomacy on X, saying that a large country like India with a population of 1.4 billion is “waiting for Washington’s approval” and reiterated its accusation of “compromise” by its prime minister.
‘Jaishan should respond’: Opposition leader slams Modi govt over US exemption for Russian oil
Congress quoted U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant as writing on the“India fought for freedom so that no foreign power could dictate to us. Yet today, led by a weak Prime Minister, the US is openly talking about giving India ‘permission’,” it added.The party lashed out at India’s diplomacy, calling the situation a “disgrace”. Congress called on the Prime Minister to explain, adding: “Indians are not actors in someone else’s script. Prime Minister Modi, your silence on this statement is deafening. The people of India deserve an explanation.”Previously, the United States said it had “allowed” India to purchase Russian oil on ships at sea to maintain global supplies during conflicts in the Middle East.“The world is very well supplied with oil. Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to let our Indian allies begin buying Russian oil that is already offshore,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said in an interview with Fox Business Network on Friday.“The Indians have been very good actors. We asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did. They intend to substitute it with American oil. But to ease the temporary shortfall of oil around the world, we allowed them to accept Russian oil. We may lift sanctions on other Russian oil,” he said.Bessant added that there are currently hundreds of millions of barrels of sanctioned crude on board. He said that by lifting sanctions on these goods, the U.S. Treasury Department can quickly increase supply to the market.“There are hundreds of millions of barrels of sanctioned crude on the water, and essentially, by lifting sanctions, the Treasury Department can create supply. We are looking at that. We will continue to announce measures to ease market pressure during this conflict,” he said.Several other Trump administration officials have also said the United States has now given India permission to buy Russian oil. A few months ago, President Donald Trump imposed punitive 25% tariffs on India over its oil purchases from Russia.U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also addressed the move in an X post on Friday. He said the United States was “allowing our Indian friends” to take Russian oil already on ships around South Asia, refine it and quickly bring it to market to ensure a steady supply during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.“We have implemented short-term measures to help keep oil prices down. We are allowing our friends in India to take delivery of oil already on ships, refine it and then move that oil quickly to the market. This is a practical way to facilitate the flow of supply and relieve pressure,” Wright said.In a live interview with ABC News, Wright said that in the long term, global oil supplies are strong, but in the short term, more oil needs to be brought to the market quickly.
When Mumbai-born Rashmi moved to Austin, Texas, she hoped to build a life defined by her entrepreneurial drive and marriage to Matt. Instead, a simple photo on social media made her the target of “cruel” racist trolls. From being shamed for her appearance to strangers arguing about her “worth” as a wife, the dehumanization is relentless. In an interview with HT.com, Rashmi opened up about the emotional toll of being viewed as a “cow on the internet” and how she finally found the strength to stop shrinking herself. By building on her faith and family, she is now standing up to online hate to show other Indian girls that they don’t have to sacrifice their light for anyone.
Rashmi and her husband Matt. (Lashmi)
When did trolling start?
Rashmi told HT.com, “The trolling really started when I first started posting on X. I made what I thought was a completely normal post and included a picture of me and my husband. Somehow it went viral, but for all the wrong reasons. The comments were brutal and, to be honest, it caught me completely off guard. Eventually, it became so overwhelming that I stopped posting on X entirely.”
Six months later, Rashmi tentatively returned to social media, hoping the negativity had finally subsided. The initial response was encouraging, but the peace was short-lived. The atmosphere almost immediately turned toxic after she shared a romantic clip from her wedding. While the video went viral, it was followed by “extremely harsh” comments, reigniting the cruel prank she went on to escape.
What was your initial reaction to the troll?
“Honestly, I didn’t know how to react at first. My instinct was just to take the post down, which I did, but that doesn’t really stop it. Once something goes viral, it takes on a life of its own,” the entrepreneur told HT.com. She owns an Indian restaurant, 7 Monk’s Cafe, and a hotel management company, Reso Hospitality.
She recalled: “What I remember most is how exposed it made me feel. My phone started filling up with calls and text messages because so many people had seen it. Friends, family, even people I hadn’t spoken to in a long time were reaching out to me.”
Rashmi continued: “As women, we are already very hard on ourselves. We are constantly told to lose weight, look better, be more beautiful. But when thousands of strangers start pointing out everything about you, commenting on your marriage, your appearance, your worth as a person, it hits you in a completely different way.” Adding, “What bothers me the most is that I’m not even posting about beauty or trying to be controversial. I didn’t express an opinion or make some bold statement. I’m just sharing a normal moment in my life. This is just a picture of me and my husband, and somehow that alone is enough for people to tear apart my appearance, my relationship, and my value as a person.“
Rashmi revealed that this cruelty often comes in the form of unfounded assumptions, with trolls suggesting that her husband is only with her for her wealth. Posts meant to celebrate her relationship with Matt are often met with scathing comments like, “He must be blind,” as strangers try to debunk her appearance.
“One comment that really stuck out to me was when people started comparing me to the Pot of Greed card from Yu-Gi-Oh! I used to own a comic book store so I knew the game, but suddenly someone posted this card next to my picture and made fun of my smile. I always thought I had a sweet smile and seeing thousands of strangers laughing at it made me very uncomfortable,” she told HT.com.
“Then the comments took a weird turn and people started arguing about my appearance as if I wasn’t a real person. Some would be like ‘What the hell does he see in her?'” while others would respond “She’s not that bad, I’d date her.” It felt terrible to read this because it was like I was no longer a person but something that people were judging and commenting on online. Honestly, it makes me feel like a bull on the internet. “
How do you deal with intense trolling?
Dealing with unprovoked backlash from strangers was a daunting ordeal, and for Rashmi, the impact of the backlash was huge. However, she refuses to let the noise drive her into hiding. Instead, she relied on the support of her family and drew strength from her faith to get through the crisis.
Through this journey, she came to a sobering realization: Living an open life on social media can bring both kindness and cruelty. Speaking to HT.com, Rashmi said she is gradually accepting this digital reality, choosing to focus on her goals rather than the “unfriendly” voices on the internet.
She shared, “It took a lot of conversations with my family, my husband, and honestly, a lot of conversations with God to figure this out. When you post online, you open yourself up to the public, and that means not everyone is going to be kind. It’s something I’ve had to slowly learn how to accept.”
The US-based Indian expat added: “What has helped me the most is grounding myself among people who really understand me. My family and husband remind me that the opinions of strangers on the internet do not define who I am or what my marriage is about. They see real life behind the photos, not just snapshots that people casually judge. “
“Over time, I’ve also learned to set boundaries. Sometimes that means stepping away from the screen for a while, and sometimes it means choosing not to engage at all. You can’t control what people say online, but you can control how much power you give those words and how you choose to respond.”
Why do you continue to post despite the backlash?
Rashmi revealed, “I also had to remind myself why I started sharing in the first place. I wasn’t posting to get approval from strangers. I share my life and story because I want to show more Indian girls that they can be anything they want to be. You can become a doctor, lawyer, artist, actor or entrepreneur. You can build a successful business, have a great marriage, and be married to a spouse who pushes you to grow and become better. “
“You don’t have to constantly shine less, be smaller, or compromise on others just to make them feel comfortable. When I focus on that goal instead of the noise in the comments, it becomes so much easier to move forward,” she continued.
Rashmi’s message to trolls:
“I’m going to be honest with the trolls. What you see on the internet is a small snapshot of someone’s life, not a full story. Behind every photo is a real person with a family, a marriage, and a life that goes way beyond the comments section,” she explained.
Her advice to other women:
Rashmi shared the advice she would give to other women. “If anything, this experience has made me even more determined to continue sharing my story. Because I know there are other girls watching who may feel like they have to shrink themselves or fit into some narrow-minded idea. you do not know. You can build a life that is completely different from what people expect. You can build a career, family, and relationships that make you proud. If it makes some people uncomfortable or makes them comment online, then that says more about them than you/me,” she told HT.com.
How does Matt react to the spoof?
“My husband usually gives me space to handle things on my own, but he and my parents have been one of my biggest supporters. When this happened, I felt really guilty for dragging him into it. My intention was never for us to become a “controversial” couple on the internet. Mostly I just share about my restaurant, my business and my life,” she said, adding, “But he handled it in a very calm and supportive way.Most of all, I’m grateful that he’s proud to be married to a woman who wants to strike out on her own and forge her own path.“
“The way he reacted also reminded me of the kind of people I wish we saw more of in the world. Men encourage women to grow, stand behind them when things get tough, offer protection when needed, but also provide space for their partners to have their own voices and identities. This support means everything. “
How did Rashmi and Matt meet?
Looking back at the beginning of their journey, Rashmi admitted that their love story began in the most modern way possible: a dating app. At the time, she was recovering from a previous relationship and was hesitant to return to the dating world. It was her mother who gently encouraged her to be open to new relationships.
Although Rashmi almost turned down Matt’s request because she thought she would end up marrying someone with a similar cultural background, Rashmi decided to take the plunge. That “yes” paved the way for a cross-cultural romance that she now describes as simply wonderful.
“We hit it off right from the first date. We talked for hours and it felt easy, which I didn’t expect. A few days later, he did something that stood out to me. He called me randomly, just to see how my day was going. It felt natural and thoughtful, and it showed me what kind of person he was,” she recalled in an interview with HT.com.
“As time went on, we kept building from there. We learned about each other’s cultures, families, and traditions. Our differences stopped being a barrier and became something we celebrated together. What started out as a date that I almost didn’t go on turned into someone I could build a life with.”
When asked if she wanted to add anything else about her situation and how to deal with online trolls, Rashmi told HT.com, “I think the biggest thing I’d like to add is that the internet can make it feel like everyone has an opinion about your life, your relationships, and your worth. But at the end of the day, those opinions don’t define who you are. Only you can define that.”
“For me, this experience actually made me stronger in a weird way. It reminded me that the people who really matter are the people who know you in real life. Your family, your partner, your friends and the community you build around you.”
Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran on Saturday as the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States intensified, with explosions reported at the capital’s Mehrabad international airport and other areas of the city.Videos posted on social media showed strikes and fires at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, with witnesses saying planes were on fire on the tarmac after an explosion at one of the Iranian capital’s main commercial airports.Israel said it had launched “massive” strikes against targets in Tehran, while Iranian state media reported an explosion in the west of the city. An Israeli military statement said the “Israel Defense Forces” had begun “large-scale strikes” against government targets in the Iranian capital.Follow live updates on the US-Israel-Iran warWitnesses said the Israeli airstrikes were particularly violent, with explosions shaking houses and sending up thick plumes of smoke. Others reported explosions around the Iranian city of Kermanshah, an area that hosts multiple missile sites. Witnesses spoke anonymously for fear of reprisal, the Associated Press reported.The Israeli military said earlier it had detected another missile launch from Iran towards Israel. After the launch, a series of explosions were heard in Tel Aviv.Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom said there were no reports of casualties following the attack. The military later issued a statement saying people “across the country” were free to leave shelters.Iran launched more retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf states on the seventh day of the war as Israeli warplanes bombed Tehran and Beirut. There were numerous thunderous roars heard over Jerusalem shortly after midnight local time, as Israel said it was working to intercept missiles launched from Iran.U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said in a television interview that the “biggest bombing campaign” of the war was yet to come.As the goals and timeline of the war continue to change, the United States and Israel have repeatedly struck Iran targeting its military capabilities, leadership, and nuclear program.On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint military strike on Iranian territory, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, escalating tensions in West Asia.In retaliation, Iran launched drone and missile attacks on several Arab countries.
New Delhi: Highway users fail to pay tolls due to NHs failure or blacklisting quick taginsufficient balance or missing tags, payment will be made within three days of receipt of electronic notification. If the toll is not paid by the due date, double the toll will be charged, and all vehicle (registration certificate) related changes, transfers, certificate replacement and other services will be suspended.A senior Road Transport Ministry official said details of the electronic notification process for non-payment of tolls will be announced in the coming days.The notice will detail the procedures for payment of pending tolls and for raising challenges. “This is crucial as we start multi-lane free movement (MLFF) or barrier-free tolling on the NH stretch. The first MLFF tolling system will be launched at Choryasi in Gujarat,” an official said.So far, NHAI’s electronic toll collection entity IHMCL has bid for 16 toll plazas from the MLFF. These include Gharaunda in Haryana, Mundka in Delhi, and Manoharpura, Shahjahanpur and Daulatpura in Rajasthan, where the new system will soon be operational. TOI has learned that the government will now bundle tenders for MLFF projects to speed up implementation.“Providing e-notifications is key to the success of MLFF as in this toll system, vehicles will move seamlessly and will not be intercepted. The e-notifications for unpaid tolls will mention double tolls, but if the vehicle owners pay within three days, there will be a 50 per cent discount, meaning accurate tolls will be paid,” an official said.Earlier, the ministry had revised the NH tolls rules to make it clear that failure to clear unpaid tolls would result in inability to obtain ‘NOC’ for transfer of ownership or transfer of vehicle from one state to another.
Female staff at toll booth
New Delhi: NHAI has deployed over 5,100 day shift women employees at over 1,140 toll plazas. Dedicating female employees to front-line operations positions will create an efficient and humane environment for commuters, thereby improving user experience and “reduce the likelihood of disputes at NH toll plaza toll booths,” the company said. The decision was taken after discussions with stakeholders including toll plaza operators and industry associations.
Mumbai: The North Stand of the Wankhede Stadium gives Axar Patel When he took up his long fielding position, the crowd erupted in applause. The applause is well deserved. In a span of around 40 minutes, Axar produced game-changing defensive efforts that will be etched in Indian cricket folklore, just like Kapil Dev’s catch in the 1983 World Cup final and Suryakumar Yadav’s effort in the summit clash of the 2024 T20 World Cup.The 32-year-old had already collected a catch from Phil Salt before creating the moment that boosted the team’s morale and inspired the crowd. it starts with Jasprit Bumrah Harry Brooke deceived him with a slower delivery in the first ball of his spell. The England captain skated and the ball looked set to land safely at deep cover. Axar is stationed inside the ring, confident he can make it to the ring. He sprinted backwards with full concentration, perfectly judged the ball’s trajectory, then swooped forward to make a spectacular diving catch inches from the ground.
India reach T20 World Cup final: Small contribution makes huge impact
The second attack came in the 14th over and the game turned decisively in India’s favour. Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks threatened to score 77 runs off 39 balls for the fifth wicket.Jacks chipped a complete pass from Arshdeep Singh deep into the post and the ball was in the air again. Aksa, who was patrolling the boundary, rushed over, kept his balance and just when he seemed to be losing control, he passed the ball to Shivam Dube before crossing the boundary and England reduced the deficit to 172/5.In between these efforts, Axar also used his ball-handling skills to slow down the tempo and dismiss Tom Banton, who scored over 350 runs. He could have blinded him again at long-on as Bethel approached his century, but the chance slipped away and went over the line.India’s defense has been a concern in the T20 World Cup, with 13 catches missing before the semi-finals. But the team, led by Axar, has excelled on the field and seized every opportunity – a positive sign heading into Sunday’s final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.When asked which of the two catches he cherished more, Aksa humorously replied “the ball decided to chase me.” He added that Brooke’s catch was difficult but Jacks’ dismissal was more crucial as it broke a dangerous partnership.Axar may not have the aura of some of his teammates and is sometimes overlooked. He had to hand over T20 vice-captain to Shubman Gill He made two appearances as a substitute during the 2025 Asia Cup against Netherlands and South Africa at home at the Narendra Modi Stadium.Yet Surya’s deputy has always been a team player. During these games, he was in the dugout with a drink in hand, cheering on his teammates and patiently waiting for his chance — something he has done throughout his career. Axar has taken eight wickets in six games with left-arm spin and has an economy rate of 8.09, the second-highest among Indian bowlers behind Bumrah’s 6.62.The Gujarat all-rounder also missed the 2023 World Cup due to injury and thus had to wait to play in the ICC tournament at home. With Aqsa now certain to play in Sunday’s final, he is eager to play in front of his home crowd – with his son watching him live “for the first time”.“I think that’s why I didn’t play in those two games (because I had to play in the final) because it was very important to me,” Aksa said. “I have been waiting for years to play at my home ground in front of my family. It is a very proud moment. Two years later, I will be playing at my home ground – and also in the ICC World Cup final.”Responding to trolls on social media calling the Ahmedabad Stadium a “jinx”, Aksa smiled and replied: “I didn’t play in that match (2023 World Cup final), so now I think the curse will be broken!”
