India and Seychelles ink agreements in key sectors, open new vistas for cooperation

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:35 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie discussed bilateral cooperation in development partnership, capacity building, health, infrastructure, blue economy, renewable energy, maritime security, and people-to-people ties during their meeting in New Delhi on Monday.

"Great opportunity to prove myself”: Araijeet Hundal ready for FIH Men’s Pro League challenge after strong injury comeback

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:32 PM

Rourkela, Feb 9 (IANS) After making a strong return from injury through an impressive campaign in the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL), one of India’s rising and most promising forwards, Araijeet Singh Hundal, is set to feature in the upcoming FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 matches from February 10 to 15 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. India will play their first match against Belgium on February 11.

Chidambaram slams Budget 2026-27 as 'forgettable' , says youth joblessness stands at 15 per cent

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:20 PM

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Pointing out that youth joblessness stands at 15 per cent in India, with less than 25 per cent of the workforce in regular employment, Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram launched a sharp attack on the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, describing it as cautious, parsimonious, forgettable, and already vanishing from public memory.

Bhatia ties third at Phoenix as Theegala finishes 18th but secures Signature event spot

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:19 PM

Scottsdale, Feb 9 (IANS) Akshay Bhatia produced a steady 4-under 68 to quietly climb into a tied-third finish at the WM Phoenix Open, while fellow Indian-American Sahith Theegala (70) suffered late heartbreak with a bogey on the 72nd hole to end tied-18th, a result that initially appeared to cost him a place in the next two USD 20 million Signature Events.

Arun Matheswaran very much a part of Ilaiyaraaja's biopic, clarifies film's publicist

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:17 PM

Chennai, Feb 9 (IANS) Dismissing rumours on social media that director Arun Matheswaran was no longer a part of the eagerly awaited biopic of world renowned music director Ilaiyaraaja as being untrue, the film's makers on Monday clarified that Arun Matheswaran was very much a part of the film and that he would direct the biopic of Ilaiyaraaja after completing his current film, 'DC', featuring Lokesh Kanakaraj in the lead.

J&K qualify for their maiden Ranji Trophy semifinal

IANS | February 9, 2026 3:03 PM

Indore, Feb 9 (IANS) Jammu & Kashmir scripted history by reaching their maiden Ranji Trophy semifinal after beating 2021–22 winners Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs in the quarterfinal here at the Holkar Stadium on Monday.