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Following the back-to-back success of Dhurandhar and its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, actor R Madhavan has caught the internet's attention for his defence acumen. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), from over a decade ago, Madhavan suggested that the Indian government should opt for French-made Rafale fighter jets instead of other American and European options. In the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thrillers, Madhavan portrays Ajay Sanyal, a character inspired by India's National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval. Impressed by Madhavan's defence takes, social media users joked that the actor had been preparing to play Sanyal's character for years. "My strongest recommendation to the Air Force would be to go for the Rafale. Between the F18, F16, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and the Mig 35," wrote Madhavan in a post dated December 10, 2011. "The most agile and effortless was the Rafale. Had a very duty-bound tech feel about it. The rockstar is ce...

US-based IT firm Oracle is believed to have laid off approximately 12,000 staff in India, with another round of layoffs expected within a month, impacted employees said on Tuesday. Globally, the company has fired around 30,000 employees. "In India, around 12,000 employees have been laid off. The company is planning another mass layoff within a month," said two people impacted by the retrenchment, including one from the company's human resource department. The company has approximately 30,000 employees in India, including those affected by the layoffs. Oracle declined to comment on the development. Oracle, in an email sent to staff, said the employees were informed about certain organisational changes and "because of these changes, a decision has been taken to streamline the operations, and as a result, unfortunately, the position you currently hold will become redundant". The company has offered 15 days' salary to each employee who has completed a year...

Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been suspended from the Pakistan Super League for two matches after being found guilty of altering the condition of the ball. The charge, classified as a Level III offence, carries a minimum one-match ban. The incident happened on Sunday during the final over of Qalandars' narrow defeat to Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The decision was taken during a full disciplinary hearing conducted by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama in line with the PCB Code of Conduct. The incident happened on Sunday during the final over of Qalandars' narrow defeat to Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The on-field umpires penalized Lahore Qalandars with five runs, and the ball was replaced before the last over of Karachi Kings' chase. While Fakhar denied the charges, the controversy-which has come under heavy scrutiny-shifted the focus back to a similar incident during the 2024 T20 World Cup. During the match between Pakistan ...

Built on incisive new-ball spells from Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, a double-strike from Ravindra Jadeja, and a blistering 52 from teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rajasthan Royals launched their IPL 2026 campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium on Monday. Sooryavanshi slammed his half-century in just 15 balls, going past the fastest fifties of IPL stalwarts like Suresh Raina, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Travis Head, whose best is off 16 deliveries. His knock ensured RR chased down the target of 128 in just 12.1 overs. CSK, missing MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis, were bundled out for just 127 after being rocked early on a red-soil pitch offering swing and seam to Archer and Burger. Jadeja struck twice in his first over and marked a successful return to RR after 17 years, while debutant Brijesh Sharma chipped in with a breakthrough. Only Jamie Overton showed resistance, counterattacking at number eight to hit 43 off 36 balls ...

A scrubby island in the Gulf that is roughly one third the size of Manhattan, Kharg Island is the nerve centre of the Iranian oil industry -- and at the heart of US President Donald Trump's latest efforts to pressure Tehran. On Monday Trump vowed that a failure by Iran to agree a deal to end the war could see the United States "completely obliterating" the export hub.  A day earlier, he had said the United States could take the island, eyed by the Pentagon for ground operations, "very easily". So what are Trump's options, and how might Iran react if he presses on this pressure point? What Is Kharg Island?  It may be a mere scrap of land, but Kharg  handles around 90 per cent of Iran's crude exports, according to a report by US bank JP Morgan. Located in the north of the Gulf, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Iranian coast and more than 500 kilometres from the Strait of Hormuz, it has no oil wells. But it has Iran's largest oil terminal...

Rice is more than just a staple in India. It's comfort food, tradition and identity rolled into one. From steaming bowls of plain chawal paired with dal to elaborate dishes like pulao, khichdi and regional curries, rice forms the backbone of everyday meals across the country. But have you ever wondered where most of this rice actually comes from? Behind India's vast consumption lies a region that has built its agricultural identity around paddy cultivation. With sprawling fields, diverse varieties and generations of farming expertise, one state has consistently stood out for its contribution to India's rice production. Also Read:  Which City Is Known As The 'Biryani Capital of India'? The Rice Capital Of India Is West Bengal West Bengal holds this title because it is one of the largest producers of rice in the country. Thanks to its fertile alluvial soil, abundant rainfall, and favourable climate, rice is cultivated here extensively across multiple seasons. W...