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I want an affordable 4K smart TV with crisp pictures, great sound and 10 amazing options | Tech News

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I want an affordable 4K smart TV with crisp pictures, great sound and 10 amazing options | Tech News

There’s something undeniably magical about settling in after a long day and immersing yourself in a 4K Ultra HD Smart TV experience that feels as real as life itself. These gorgeous screens bring every frame to life with vibrant colors, sharp details, and smooth motion, making movies, sports, and games utterly captivating. While many 4K smart TVs are still more expensive, the value they offer has improved significantly – and you don’t always have to spend a fortune to enjoy stunning picture quality. Choosing one of these means investing in future-proof entertainment, effortless streaming, and immersive viewing that truly enhances everyday life. If you like strong emotions and unforgettable visuals, a 4K Ultra HD Smart TV is well worth your money.

Sharper visuals, smarter streaming and a truly impressive 4K TV. (pixels)
Sharper visuals, smarter streaming and a truly impressive 4K TV. (pixels)

We’ve listed 10 of the best options on Amazon. Check it out.

Samsung 108cm (43in) Crystal 4K Vista UHD Smart LED TV UA43UE81AFULXL is a stylish 43in 4K UHD Smart LED TV that brings vivid visuals, rich colors and smart entertainment to your living room without the hefty price tag that high-end models require. With Tizen OS and built-in apps and Alexa/Google Assistant support, you can easily stream your favorite shows. Crystal Processor 4K enhances picture clarity, while multiple ports let you easily connect consoles and soundbars. It’s a great mid-range option for everyday viewing, combining premium looks with practical performance for modern homes.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Users praised the crisp 4K images and intuitive interface, but some noted mediocre sound and occasional app update lags.

Why choose this product?

Choose this TV if you want a balanced blend of vivid picture quality, smart features and solid brand support at a great value.

Philips 109cm (43in) 8100 Series 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED Google TV 43PQT8100/94 is a vibrant 43in 4K QLED Google TV that combines stunning color performance with smart streaming convenience. Its QLED panel delivers rich, lifelike tones and deep contrast, while the Google TV platform provides easy access to apps like Netflix and YouTube. Dolby Vision and HDR support bring movies and games to life, and enable smooth motion with its high refresh rate. This TV balances premium features with an affordable price, making it a solid choice for your home’s daily entertainment and movie experience.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Customers praised the bright, clear picture quality and smooth Google TV experience, but a few cited minor software and connectivity issues.

Why choose this product?

Choose this TV and enjoy rich colors, immersive HDR visuals and smart streaming capabilities in a full-featured 4K package at a very competitive price.

Toshiba C350NP 4K UHD Google TV is a 43-inch 4K UHD smart LED Google TV that delivers vivid visuals, smooth streaming and smart entertainment on a modern platform. With Google TV with built-in Assistant, you can easily access your favorite apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. The panel produces a crisp 3840×2160 resolution and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 for bright, rich colors. With multiple ports and wireless connectivity, it’s perfect for everyday viewing, movies, and casual gaming – all at an affordable price point that makes advanced features surprisingly easy to use.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate the crisp picture quality, intuitive Google TV interface, and great value for money, but some instructional audio could be stronger and heavy apps can lag a little.

Why choose this product?

Choose this model if you want immersive 4K visuals and smart streaming capabilities at a competitive price – a balanced entertainment option without the high-end costs.

The 55-inch QLED Ultra HD 4K Smart Fire TV delivers vibrant colors and crisp visuals at an affordable price. Powered by Fire OS and with built-in access to thousands of apps like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, plus Alexa voice control for hands-free convenience, it’s designed for everyday entertainment. Dolby and DTS audio technologies enhance sound quality, while multiple HDMI/USB ports make connectivity easy. Its sleek design and rich HDR images bring movies, sports and games to life in your living room.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers praised its stunning 4K QLED picture quality, solid built-in sound, and smooth Fire TV smart experience, but a few reported occasional lag and software issues.

Why choose this product?

Choose this TV if you want a big screen, immersive 4K entertainment, rich colors and effortless streaming at a great value.

Acer Super Series 43-inch QLED Google TV delivers vivid 4K Ultra HD visuals, rich colors and smart entertainment powered by Google TV. It features a sleek frameless silhouette and a built-in Chromecast design that brings apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video to life. Dolby Vision, HDR10 and Dolby Atmos audio enhance the experience of movies, sports and games. With multiple HDMI and USB ports and a voice remote, it’s a balanced choice for everyday viewing at a competitive price.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers highlighted vibrant image quality and a solid smart platform, although some cited software lag and occasional remote issues.

Why choose this product?

This model was chosen for its immersive 4K picture, rich HDR support, and easy access to streaming apps in a full-featured smart TV.

The exquisite 43-inch 4K Ultra HD Google TV brings Sony’s trusted image processing and smart entertainment into your living room. With Google TV built-in, you can easily access Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and more, while the 4K Processor X1 delivers crisp details and natural colors. Dolby Atmos sound and HDR support rich movie and sports content, and multiple HDMI/USB ports expand connectivity. If you want premium brand quality with intuitive smart features, this is a great choice.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers praised its sharp 4K visuals, intuitive Google TV user interface and solid brand performance, but some felt the price was high compared to the competition.

Why choose this product?

Choose this TV and enjoy balanced 4K performance, powerful smart features and Sony’s reputation for long-lasting picture quality to enhance your everyday viewing experience.

TCL 139cm (55-inch) 4K UHD Smart QLED Google TV 55T8C is a feature-rich 55-inch 4K UHD Smart QLED Google TV that combines vibrant quantum dot colors and crisp details with a rich smart entertainment ecosystem. Its vast screen and 4K resolution make movies, sports and games look immersive, while Google TV provides seamless access to apps like Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube. With HDR support including Dolby Vision and Atmos audio, this TCL model delivers pleasing sights and sound for everyday viewing – at a price that’s extremely competitive with other premium big-screen TVs.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Users appreciate its bright, crisp 4K QLED images and strong smart TV performance, although some have mentioned occasional software issues or occasional lag under heavy use.

Why choose this product?

If you want a large, immersive 4K viewing experience with rich colors, high refresh rates, and access to all major streaming apps at a great value, choose this TCL 55-inch.

Stylish and vibrant 43-inch 4K Ultra HD QLED Smart TV brings quantum dot color and rich visuals to everyday viewing. Toshiba C450ME features AI-enhanced 4K upscaling, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support for more realistic picture quality. With the VIDAA intelligent platform and access to popular streaming apps, you can enjoy movies, shows and sports with ease. Its slim bezels and immersive design add a premium feel to your living room, at a very competitive price for a feature-rich QLED TV.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate its bright 4K visuals and affordable QLED performance, but some note that the smart operating system may feel less refined compared to higher-end brands. (General user insights into market trends)

Why choose this product?

If you want vibrant colors, smart features and solid 4K picture quality without breaking the bank, go for this TV – it’s a strong value proposition in the mid-range QLED segment.

Vibrant 50-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED TV blends vibrant colors and sharp details with the ease of everyday entertainment. This Toshiba model offers HDR support including Dolby Vision, rich visual effects, and seamless streaming with popular apps on a user-friendly smart platform. With multiple HDMI and USB ports as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s perfect for watching movies, sports, and games at a competitive price. Its sleek design and immersive display bring home theater-style visuals to your living room.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers like the crisp, colorful 4K visuals and feature-rich smart experience at this price, although some mentioned mediocre audio and occasional software glitches.

Why choose this product?

This TV was chosen for its immersive, large-screen 4K viewing, vivid HDR performance, and strong value proposition in a mid-range smart QLED package.

The vivid 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED TV brings Samsung’s Vision AI technology into your living room, delivering vibrant colors, deep contrast and sleek design. Its quantum dot panel delivers rich tones and crisp details, while the intuitive Tizen operating system ensures smooth navigation in apps like Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video. With smart upgrades and immersive sound enhancements, this model balances premium picture quality with everyday streaming ease, making it a great choice for movies, sports, and games.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Customers praised its crisp 4K picture quality, vibrant colors, premium design, and smooth performance, but some users had mixed reviews about the sound quality and basic remote control.

Why choose this product?

Choose this TV for its eye-catching quantum dot images, solid Samsung build quality, and intuitive smart experience that enhances everyday viewing without paying expensive flagship prices.

Why is a 4K Ultra HD smart TV worth buying?

It offers sharper resolution, smart apps and immersive viewing, significantly upgrading daily entertainment at home.

Are 4K UHD smart TVs affordable these days?

Yes, prices have come down significantly and there are good models in the budget, mid-range and premium segments.

Do you really need a 4K smart TV?

If you’re a regular streamer, a smart 4K TV ensures smoother apps, better visuals, and future-proof performance.

Factors to Remember Before Buying a 4K Ultra HD Smart TV

Screen size and viewing distance: Choose the size that suits your room. Larger screens require a longer viewing distance for comfortable viewing.

display technology: LED, QLED or OLED affects brightness, contrast and color accuracy. Choose based on your viewing habits and budget.

Resolution and image quality: Ensure true 4K resolution with HDR support such as HDR10 or Dolby Vision for richer visual effects.

refresh rate: Higher refresh rate provides smoother motion, especially suitable for sports and games.

Smart TV platform: Check app availability and smooth navigation on Google TV, Tizen or Fire TV.

Connection options: Find multiple HDMI, USB ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy device pairing.

sound quality: Built-in speakers are different. Dolby Audio or Atmos support enhances the experience.

Budget and after-sales support: Balance features with price to ensure solid warranty and service coverage.

3 Features of the Best 4k Ultra HD Smart TVs

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay updated with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue when you make a purchase. We are not responsible for any claims relating to the products under applicable law (including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act 2019). The products listed in this article are in no particular order of preference.

This is the world’s deepest gold mine, with workers traveling 2.5 miles underground to reach their jobs | World News

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This is the world’s deepest gold mine, with workers traveling 2.5 miles underground to reach their jobs | World News

This is the world's deepest gold mine, with workers traveling 2.5 miles underground to reach their jobsites

Most people think of mining as digging a hole and pulling something shiny out of the ground. But this place didn’t go down a bit; Instead, it descends far below the Earth’s surface, a journey alone that takes about an hour. In this mine, the rock walls are naturally hot enough to be dangerous, ice is pumped into the ground just so people can breathe comfortably, and thousands of workers disappear below the surface every day. This is South Africa’s Mboneng gold mine, probably one of the most stressful workplaces on the planet.

How deep is the world deepest gold mine Mboneng is really gone

The Mponeng gold mine extends approximately 2.5 miles below the surface. A straight descent of about 4 kilometers. To put it in perspective, it’s roughly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Every morning, nearly 4,000 miners go underground. They pile into large elevators that can carry up to 120 people. The first downhill alone is over 1.6 miles downhill. At its top speed, the elevator reportedly travels about half a mile per minute. After that, there is another elevator and then walk or drive. When workers reach the lowest levels, they are closer to the center of the earth than most.

Inside the underground heat of Mponeng gold mine

As you get deeper into the earth, things heat up. In theory everyone knows it. But in Mponeng’s deepest tunnels, temperatures can reach around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. So engineers must pump ice in from the surface and mix it with salt into a thick slurry mixture. Fans then blow air through it, cooling the tunnel and creating what feels like an underground artificial weather system. Even so, the temperature remained around 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mponeng Gold Mine is located in the gold heartland of South Africa

The Mponeng gold mine is located in the Gauteng province of South Africa, within the Witwatersrand Basin, a geological formation that has shaped the history of gold around the world. The area is believed to contain the largest gold reserves ever discovered. Nearly half of the gold mined by humans reportedly comes from this region. The discovery of gold here led directly to the founding of Johannesburg and the massive gold rush that changed South Africa forever.

How much gold was produced in Mponeng

Every day, approximately 6,000 tons of rock are extracted from the mines. The gold must then be extracted through processing. In 2022, Mponeng reportedly produced nearly 200,000 ounces of gold. Current estimates suggest the mine will remain active until around 2029, assuming profitability.

UK aviation regulator seeks explanation from Air India on Boeing fuel switch issue India News

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UK aviation regulator seeks explanation from Air India on Boeing fuel switch issue India News

UK aviation regulator seeks explanation from Air India on Boeing fuel switch issue

MUMBAI: Following media reports that an Air India Boeing 787 aircraft suffered a ground fuel control switch failure in London, the UK’s civil aviation regulator has sought information from the airline regarding maintenance work carried out on the aircraft in London before it was allowed to fly to Bengaluru.The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in a letter to Air India that it should submit a complete reply within a week or face regulatory action. It is standard procedure for foreign regulators to seek information from operators following an incident/incident to ensure continued compliance with safety standards. On February 1, the crew of Air India flight AI-132 in London twice observed that the left engine fuel control switch did not remain in the “run” position when slight vertical pressure was applied. On subsequent attempts, the switch locked correctly and remained stable, and the crew continued to operate the flight from Bangalore, where the aircraft was grounded for further inspections. The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday said that during the inspection in Bengaluru, the left and right switches were inspected and the results were satisfactoryAir India on Wednesday said it has completed a preventive re-inspection of the fuel control switches (FCS) across its entire operating fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft and found no issues. “Based on the observations reported by one of our pilots, we conducted the inspection out of an abundance of caution,” Air India said.“We acknowledge the proactive oversight of the regulator (Indian regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation) in conducting independent inspections and subsequent clearance of the FCS,” the airline’s statement said. The airline added that it will fully comply with the regulator’s guidance and distribute the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended operating procedures related to the operation of the fuel control switch to all cabin crew.Air India operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners on a number of long-haul international routes, including to the United Kingdom.In response to the ministry’s statement that the part was working satisfactorily, the NGO Safety Affairs Foundation lodged a complaint with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Wednesday. The foundation warned that publicly providing “clean evidence” to the fuel control switch while the AAIB investigation was ongoing amounted to “bypassing the agency” and could contaminate evidence, damage the investigative narrative and erode public trust. It urged the AAIB to obtain all relevant evidence and reaffirm its independence.The foundation’s complaint alleges that this public exoneration of the system by regulators constitutes an “institutional bypass” while an independent safety investigation is ongoing. This action carries the risk of contaminating evidence, as components and records of the AI132 incident may be processed or altered without the strict, sealed chain of custody required for material evidence in major accident investigations. It also involves biasing the narrative, as publicly describing potential causal factors as “resolved” may affect witness memories, expert analysis and the investigative focus of the AI171 investigation. The foundation said these actions undermined public trust. It added: “This undermines confidence in the AAIB’s statutory independence and the finality of its conclusions, which is vital to learning lessons and restoring public confidence in aviation safety.”“AAIB’s mission is to find causes, not to confirm prestated conclusions,” said Capt. Amit Singh, founder and director of the Security Matters Foundation and senior security advocate. “When another agency publicly shuts down a system that may be relevant to a public accident investigation, it jeopardizes not just the evidence, but the entire search for the truth. The public deserves an investigation that is evidence-led, not narrative.”“The Foundation made an urgent request to the AAIB to immediately take custody of all evidence from the AI132 incident, place it under a sealed chain of custody of the AAIB, issue a preservation order instructing all parties to preserve and not interfere with any relevant evidence, and maintain its authority by publicly clarifying that its investigation remains independent and that no external claims are conclusive about its findings. The foundation added that the AAIB should also launch an investigation and examine whether DGCA’s communications had an adverse impact on the AI171 investigation.

Experts are back in fashion: Indian team management seems to have taken a 180-degree turn ahead of T20 World Cup Cricket News

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Experts are back in fashion: Indian team management seems to have taken a 180-degree turn ahead of T20 World Cup Cricket News

Experts are back in fashion: Indian team management seems to have taken a 180-degree turn ahead of T20 World Cup
India captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo)

MS Dhoni, always expressionless and economical with his words during cricket matches, broke out of character at an event when he was asked about India’s chances at the T20 World Cup. Eyes wide, he declared ominously: “This is one of the most dangerous teams. Everything you need to be a good team, they have it.”Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Maintaining consistency in a format as fickle as T20 cricket is difficult. However, this Indian team entered the World Cup with an aura of invincibility. Since the inception of this event, only Australia in 2007 and England in 2022 have become overwhelming favorites. Only England lived up to the expectations and lifted the trophy at the MCG, although their cricket soon became shaky. This makes India the first defending T20 champions to lead the competition as well as the Australian ODI team did in the first decade of the 21st century.

Is India the favorite to win the 2026 T20 World Cup? | Greenstone Lobo makes a huge prediction

The process of assembling this powerful and perfectly balanced unit was a thorough one. It often bordered on ruthlessness, like when the team management and selectors felt that vice-captain Shubman Gill’s style of play and aloof performance were ruining the balance of the team and dropped him from the team.T20 cricket requires a certain degree of premeditation. It leaves little room for any immediate reaction. “Flexibility” quickly became a buzzword, so much so that during the home series against South Africa in December it began to seem fanciful. Suryakumar Yadav Prefers to bat behind Axar Patel and Shivam Dube. Both Gill and Suriya’s form declined simultaneously, leaving the management desperate to make amends with the odd move. The nerves are obvious. Suddenly, playing mid-scoring games became safer territory – a strategy that went completely against head coach Gautam Gambhir’s core tenets.The bubbly side of Gambhir’s character would never let him abandon those principles heading into the tournament. There was a shift in team management ahead of New Zealand’s arrival for the T20I series last month. India exchanged Gill’s conservative approach at the top for Ishan Kishan’s belligerent attitude, and that was immediately appreciated. The pieces fall into place seamlessly. Whether Tilak Varma is still recovering from abdominal surgery, new vice-captain Aksa has missed a few games with an index finger injury or Washington Sundar’s World Cup availability remains uncertain.The obsession with left/right combinations has been conveniently thrown out the window. The batsman has a clear role to play. There is no need for a major shake-up in the batting order. Experts are back in vogue. The first sign was the reintroduction of Rinku Singh into the mix. The all-rounder bats from just five and bowls after the specialist bowlers have done their work. India have selected specialist spinner Ravi Bishnoi in place of all-rounder Washington. They find flexibility in a stable environment. The idea is simple: score lots of runs and allow world-class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav to control the opposition’s batting even on the flattest of decks.The T20I team has been under construction ever since Gambhir took over as head coach. He enjoys the greatest authority in this format compared to the other two formats. Over the past 18 months, he conducted a series of experiments with a clear vision: to build a team that thrives on aggression. His current combination looks stronger than the 2024 World Cup winning team.The calm within the camp may come as a shock to the opposition. The fact that Varma just rejoined the team and Washington’s recovery status remains a mystery doesn’t seem to faze the front office. If Washington doesn’t get healthy during the game, they won’t be losing sleep over finding a similar replacement. In this context, it is not surprising that Bishnoi retained his position.Axar batted at number five in Wednesday’s warm-up match against South Africa. It has more to do with giving him time at the crease. But when India started playing on Saturday, it wasn’t seen as necessary for him to bat so high. The emergence of Harshit Rana as a capable eighth-order lower-order batsman has given the team management an opportunity to field more specialist bowlers. As Dhoni said, the team has it all – form, combination and familiarity. But he also warned that dew and clutch days off could halt the momentum. This was the World Cup that India lost.

PM Modi to visit Malaysia on February 7-8 | India News

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PM Modi to visit Malaysia on February 7-8 | India News

Prime Minister Modi will visit Malaysia from February 7th to 8th

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day visit to Malaysia starting Saturday to strengthen bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment, energy and maritime security. This is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Malaysia and the first visit after the bilateral relations between India and Malaysia were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that he will visit on February 7 and 8 and said that during the visit, he will hold bilateral discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. According to reports, Modi will also interact with members of the Indian community and industry and business representatives. The 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum is also scheduled to be held during the Prime Minister’s visit. “India and Malaysia share a long-standing bond of friendship based on historical, civilizational and cultural ties,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. “Malaysia has 2.9 million Indian expatriates, the third largest in the world, and relations between the two countries have been further strengthened,” the report said. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit provides an opportunity for the two leaders to review various aspects of bilateral cooperation, ranging from trade and investment, defence, security and maritime cooperation, to digital and financial technology, energy, healthcare, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people relations. It would also provide an opportunity for leaders of both countries to chart a path for future mutually beneficial engagement, the report added.

‘Could be softer on immigration’: Donald Trump says after shooting in Minneapolis that leaves two dead; ‘ICE is not happy either’

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‘Could be softer on immigration’: Donald Trump says after shooting in Minneapolis that leaves two dead; ‘ICE is not happy either’

'Could be softer on immigration': Donald Trump says after shooting in Minneapolis that leaves two dead; 'ICE is not happy either'

President of the United States Donald Trump has said the two people shot to death by federal immigration officials last month were “no angels,” but said their actions did not justify their deaths.In an interview with NBC Nightly News on Wednesday, Trump addressed the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed in two separate incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis in January.“I’m not happy with either incident,” Trump told anchor Tom Lamas. “He’s not an angel, she’s not an angel. However, I’m not happy with what happened there. No one is happy, and neither is ICE.”The shooting comes as tensions rise in Minneapolis over federal immigration enforcement operations. The two deaths sparked massive protests across the United States and raised questions about the Republican administration’s aggressive tactics and deportations in the city and nationwide.

Trump said officials within ICE were deeply affected by the events. “They are strong, strong people and they have to be strong because we are dealing with hardened criminals,” he said. He added that ICE agents were most saddened by the deaths of Goode and Pretty.Despite his comments, the MAGA chief made it clear that he will continue to strongly support law enforcement agencies. “But I will always be with our great law enforcement officers,” he said. “We have to support them. If we don’t support them, we don’t have a country.”Trump’s shift in tone suggested his administration could adjust its approach to immigration enforcement. He told NBC News the government “could take a softer approach to immigration,” a statement that marked a shift from his typically hardline stance on the issue. Trump earlier called Goode a “domestic terrorist” after her death. The Department of Homeland Security has said the same thing. The Republican leader has long made aggressive statements on immigration during three presidential campaigns and two terms in office. During his current term, there has been a major push to expand immigration enforcement, including deploying ICE officers and Border Patrol agents to cities across the United States. The administration also pointed to a sharp drop in migrant crossings at the southern border as evidence of its tougher stance

WPL final: Jemima Rodriguez-led Delhi Capitals desperate to break jinx; Smriti Mandhana’s RCB eyeing another WPL title | Cricket News

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WPL final: Jemima Rodriguez-led Delhi Capitals desperate to break jinx; Smriti Mandhana’s RCB eyeing another WPL title | Cricket News

WPL final: Jemima Rodriguez-led Delhi Capitals desperate to break jinx; Smriti Mandhana's RCB target another WPL title
DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues and RCB captain Smriti Mandhana during the pre-match press conference of the 2026 WPL T20 cricket final between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat. (Press Trust photo)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana has a chance to lead her side to a second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title and equal the number of trophies with Mumbai Indians (MI), while Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to end their late losing streak when the two sides meet in the final on Thursday.RCB, the 2024 champions, are having a strong season. They often responded well to difficult situations and showed consistency early on, becoming the first team in WPL history to start the season with five consecutive wins. Throughout the game, different players stepped up at key moments to shape the outcome.In the last match, Grace Harris played a vital role in scoring 75 runs against UP Warriorz, helping RCB win by eight wickets after a mixed season. Earlier, Gautami Naik scored 73 runs against Gujarat Giants which was crucial in the 61-run victory. RCB will now aim to win their second title and equal the record of Mumbai Indians.RCB’s batsmen, including Mandana, Harris, Georgia Wall and Richa Ghosh, were inconsistent throughout the season, but timely contributions were often enough. In terms of bowling, pacers Nadine de Klerk and Sayali Satghare played important roles.De Klerk is currently the third highest wicket-taker this season with 15 wickets in 8 games, including 4 three-wins in 22 games. Spinner Shreyanka Patil also played a key role, highlighted by her 5-wicket haul against the Gujarat Giants.RCB’s strength lies in their ability to perform as a unit in crucial moments. Mandana hopes more players can contribute in the final against Delhi Capitals.Delhi Capitals, led by Jemimah Rodrigues this season, are chasing their maiden WPL title after finishing runners-up in the previous three tournaments.Their campaign has been largely driven by their bowling attack. Pacers’ Chinnair Henry and Nandani Sharma have made early inroads with the new ball. Nandani became the second-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets this season and her performance has qualified her for the higher honours.Delhi’s batting has also improved in recent matches. Lizelle Lee opened the scoring in the knockout match against the Gujarat Giants while Shafali Verma also found form and added a half-century with Lee. Laura Wolvaardt has maintained a consistent top spot throughout the season.With both batting and bowling influenced by South African players, the Capitals have benefited from a team that has worked together for many years. That understanding could help them reach the finals as they look to end their title wait under Rodriguez, who hopes to put in a strong showing after a quiet season so far.

ECI to convene meeting of all state poll chiefs on February 24 | News India

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ECI to convene meeting of all state poll chiefs on February 24 | News India

ECI to convene meeting of all state poll chiefs on February 24

New Delhi: election commission of india An all-state election commission (SEC) meeting will be held here on February 24 to discuss issues including sharing of ECI Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), electoral rolls and technological innovations like ECINet to enable smoother conduct of panchayat and municipal polls by the state election commissions.While the ECI is responsible for holding elections to the Lok Sabha, the House of Federation and the Assembly, the SEC, established under state laws under the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Constitution, is tasked with holding elections to state panchayats and municipal bodies, in addition to the elections of the President and Vice-President.The SEC meeting, which was held after a gap of 25 years, was convened by CEC Gyanesh Kumar after several state poll committees approached him in the previous year to seek national-level deliberations to resolve the issue and coordinate discussions between the EC and SEC on issues such as eligibility of voters under the electoral law, borrowing ECI EVMs to hold local body polls and other issues.

Danish veteran who lost legs in Afghanistan says Trump’s NATO rhetoric ‘betrayed’ him: ‘Help America after 9/11’

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Danish veteran who lost legs in Afghanistan says Trump’s NATO rhetoric ‘betrayed’ him: ‘Help America after 9/11’

Danish veteran who lost legs in Afghanistan says Trump's NATO rhetoric 'betrayed' him: 'Help America after 9/11'

A Danish veteran who lost both legs while fighting alongside US troops in Afghanistan has spoken of his anger and sense of betrayal after US President Donald Trump recently said the US “never needed” a NATO ally.Martin Alhom, who was seriously injured in an improvised explosive device explosion while serving in Helmand province, said Trump’s comments ignored the sacrifices made by allied soldiers during 20 years of war.

Danish veterans storm U.S. embassy; slam Trump’s opposition to NATO’s role in U.S. wars

“Well, he made me angry,” Alhom told CBS News. “Well, it makes me feel betrayed.”Trump’s recent claim that allied forces were “a little bit further away from the front lines” in Afghanistan drew the ire of Denmark. Alhom said the comments were deeply hurtful to veterans who fought and died under U.S. military leadership.“I sacrificed a lot of friends, a lot of family, all because I was put on a path to help America after September 11, 2001,” he said. He added: “I also lost both legs and some fingers, I also had a broken arm, basically my whole career.”

Alhom was deployed to Helmand Province in 2009, one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan. He said that the Danish army actively participates in major combat operations.“In 2009, we were deployed to Helmand Province and stayed on the front lines to break through Taliban defenses,” he said. “We conducted an operation called Panda School, which was the largest Allied operation since D-Day.”During one such mission, he stepped on a powerful explosive device. “I got to a position where I could defend the area. There was an IED there for me. About 50 kilograms of explosives,” he said.A few weeks later, Alhom woke up in a hospital in Denmark. “I had to change my dreams, my future, everything,” he said.In response to Trump’s remarks, Alhom said: “I think America has lost its soul.” He added that Trump’s statements on Afghanistan were wrong and ignored clear evidence of the sacrifice of allied troops.“This is not the America I grew up in,” he said. “America is the champion of world peace. and hopes to spread democracy. “Asked what America stands for now, Alhom responded: “I would say it’s a terrible place, well, a terrible place for every non-American.”His remarks came as nearly 10,000 people, including veterans and their families, marched through Copenhagen to the U.S. Embassy to protest Trump’s remarks.

IND vs SA, warm-up: Is Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup dream dashed? Suryakumar Yadav confirms ‘Definitely Ishan Kishan’ opening | Cricket News

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IND vs SA, warm-up: Is Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup dream dashed? Suryakumar Yadav confirms ‘Definitely Ishan Kishan’ opening | Cricket News

IND vs SA, warm-up: Is Sanju Samson's T20 World Cup dream dashed? Suryakumar Yadav confirms 'definitely Ishan Kishan' opening
Ishan Kishan (right) reaches to bat as Sanju Samson is dismissed during the second T20I cricket match between India and New Zealand in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. (Press Trust photo)

India got their new T20 opener on Wednesday with Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma coming in the first innings as the Men in Blue took on South Africa in the only warm-up match ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. India won the coin toss with captain Suryakumar Yadav electing to bat first.In the toss, Suryakumar confirmed the change in the batting order, suggesting a possible setback to Sanju Samson’s World Cup plans. The India skipper said Ishan Kishan will open the batting along with Abhishek Sharma, leaving Samson out of the opening slot.“We will bat first. This is something we have been doing well. There may be some dew later in the evening and we want to test our bowlers in challenging conditions and defend the total, whatever we get,” Suryakumar said while bowling.Follow real-time updatesWhen asked about the opening combination at home and handling the pressure, the India skipper made the team’s plans clear. “Of course Ishan and Abhishek. [On dealing with pressure and expectations] Look, I think when you play at home in India, you have expectations. But at the same time you have so many people in the stadium cheering you on, I think that gives you an extra advantage,” he added.Sanju Samson’s stance has been under scrutiny for months. Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, Samson and Abhishek Sharma have started the innings and made solid returns. However, the team management later included Shubman Gill in the squad, which pushed Samson to the middle order. The change affected Samson’s output and calls for him to resume his starting role grew louder.Gill’s lack of runs and poor scoring rate led the selectors to bring back Ishan Kishan after a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. Samson then got another chance to take the lead but managed just 49 runs in five innings against New Zealand. In the same series, Kishan batted at No. 3 and scored his first T20I century.With Tilak Varma returning to the team, the management has now decided to move Kishan into the starting lineup. The switch leaves Samson with no clear spot in the starting lineup. Earlier, a hint of the team’s thinking was also given when Kishan was asked to save a wicket in the fifth T20I.The warm-up decision has raised questions whether Samson’s chances of being named in the T20 World Cup XI are slipping, with the captain’s “definitely Ishan” comment underlining the current pecking order at the top.

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