As Sniffer Dog Delivers 3 Pups, Border Force Probes How It Got Pregnant

Border Security Force ordered a court inquiry after one of its sniffer dogs in Meghalaya gave birth to three puppies, and the deputy Commandant rank officer has to submit a report into the matter.

The order copy accessed by ANI says that in compliance with the Station Head Quarters BSF Shillong order on December 19, a Deputy Commandant of the unit is to conduct a Summary Court of Inquiry (SCOI) to investigate the circumstances under which the female dog Lalcy delivered three puppies at Border Out Post Baghmara on December 5 at about 10 am.

It further reads, "The SCOI proceeding duly completed in all respect be submitted to SHQ BSF Shillong by 30th Dec 2022."

A senior BSF officer informed that highly trained BSF dogs are kept under the supervision of their handlers and have to undergo regular health checkups. "These dogs are never brought into contact with other dogs. And breeding is performed under the supervision of a veterinary doctor," said a senior BSF officer.

The dog was deployed on duty at India-Bangladesh Border.

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

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Gauri Khan, Daughter Suhana Party With Family And Friends

Pictures of Gauri Khan and daughter Suhana from a get-together with family and friends are trending big time on social media. The pictures happen to be from Alibaug. The aforementioned photos feature Gauri and Suhana Khan with Gauri's mom Savita Chhibber, her family members, Priya Khurana and other friends. The photos have been curated by fan pages on social media. For the party, Suhana Khan opted for a grey bodycon dress, while Gauri Khan wore a blue shirt dress which she paired with white sneakers.

See the pictures of Gauri and Suhana here:

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A post shared by Team Gauri Khan (@gaurikhan_love)

Suhana Khan, daughter of Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, completed her higher studies from New York. Before that she studied films at Ardingly College. Suhana Khan, who has also done theatre shows in the past, featured in a short film titled The Grey Part Of Blue, directed by Theodore Gimeno. She will make her Bollywood debut with Zoya Akhtar's adaptation of The Archies. The film will also star late actor Sridevi and film producer Boney Kapoor's daughter Khushi Kapoor, and Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda.

Shah Rukh Khan married Gauri Khan in 1991. The star couple are parents to Aryan, 25, (their eldest child), daughter Suhana and 9-year-old AbRam. Aryan Khan graduated from University Of South California. Suhana (22) is shooting for Zoya Akhtar's The Archies. The film will mark her acting debut.

Gauri Khan is an interior decorator and she owns the plush Gauri Khan Designs in Mumbai. She has given makeovers to several suburban Mumbai restaurants and celebrity homes over the years. She has decorated homes for several Bollywood A-listers. She has designed restaurants like Arth and Sanchos. Other than that, she is a film producer and made her debut as an author 2 years ago.

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Powered By Modified Charkha, Women Spin Success Stories In Kashmir

A delicate pashmina yarn holds promise for hundreds of women in Kashmir valley. Powered by a modified charkha, over 200 women spinners have ended the year 2022 with doubling their output and income.

The modification in the age-old charkha has changed the life of Shaesta Bilal. Since the income is based on output of spinning, the foot pedal charkha has come to her aid.

In Srinagar's downtown area, women like Shaesta are spinning the finest yarn in the world and modified charkha has given them confidence and self-reliance.

"This (modified charka) has given us the means to make a living so that we are self-reliant. Thank God we are earning more and we are not dependent on anybody. Now I'm not financially dependent on my husband," said Shaesta Bilal.

Ms Shaesta was given a new charkha and training by a pashmina shawl trader in Srinagar a year ago. Since then she has graduated to a resource person for other women.

Over the last one year, more than 200 women have been trained and given modified charkhas. The initiative is part of an effort to protect and preserve the genuine age-old craft of pashmina shawls, which is facing a massive invasion of fake and machine-made shawls.

The government has also started GI (geographical indicator) tagging of Kashmiri shawls to preserve its unique character and value in the market.

Over the years, the number of women spinning pashmina has come down drastically in Kashmir valley, mainly due to low wages and less output on the traditional charkha.

According to Mujtaba Qadri, who owns the training centre for women spinners and equip them with the new charkha, the modifications in the tool were made by Shere-e-Kashmir Agricultural University a few years ago.

"I started training with a few women initially. Once we saw the results that we were able to double the produce, which in turns doubles the income of women, I decided to run this programme," said Mujaba, who runs a family shawl business.

Besides providing modified charkha for free, Mujtaba also give a-15 day training course to women spinners. "From our centre, over 200 women have been trained in the last one year and we have provided them modified charkha as well," he said.

At the centre, Nusrat Begum says life has become a bit easier for her after she was trained to use the new charkha. From squatting on the floor to sitting on a chair, her spinning production has doubled.

"It has helped me a great deal. I used to spin three gram of yarn on the old charkha. Now I can spin six grams," said Ms Begum.

For centuries, the secret behind Kashmir's elegant pashmina shawls is fine spinning by women. It further goes to master artisans for weaving. For making some shawls with intricate work, it takes months and even a year to weave.

While the new charkha helps women spin more and earn more, the wages are still less. For a knot, which is 10 threads of yarn, they are being paid Re 1.5. They want more.

"The charkha is very useful to us. We are thankful to Qadri sahib as he gave us this charkha for free and we are doing very well on it. We work at home and also train others. We requested him if could increase our wages," said Yasmeena.

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Is Sweet Potato Healthy? All You Need To Know About Its Health Benefits

No matter what time of the year it is, you will always find an array of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables available in the markets. Depending upon the weather and the region you are in - there is going to be something healthy, local and nutritious that you can add to your diet. Sweet potato or shakarkandhi is one such root vegetable that is abundantly available throughout the country during the winter season. The reddish-purple tuber is commonly seen being served as chaat or being used as an ingredient in sabzis etc. But is sweet potato truly healthy? Does its sweet taste mean that it should be eaten in small quantities only? Here we bring to you all you need to know about sweet potato, its nutrition facts, the health benefits of the vegetable and more.

Also Read: Sweet Potato Fries, Shakarkandi Chaat And More: 7 Sweet Potato Snacks You Must Try

_{Picture Credit: iStock}

Nutrition Facts Of Sweet Potato | Shakarkandhi Nutrition:

As per the USDA data, a 100-gram serving of sweet potato contains just 86 calories and 0.1 grams of fat. It has good potassium content and is also enriched with protein and fibre. Sweet potato also contains significant quantities of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin B6 that could meet up to 10% of your dietary needs depending upon the calorie requirements.

Health Benefits Of Sweet Potato | Is Shakarkandhi Healthy?

Dietitians and experts are often asked if shakarkandhi or sweet potato is healthy, and whether it should be consumed as part of the daily diet. According to celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, "The fibrous vegetable is safe for everyone to eat, the ones battling obesity, PCOD, Diabetes especially. It also makes for a great snack and allows for quick recovery from training."

Here Are Some Of The Amazing Health Benefits Of Sweet Potato:

1. Good For Immunity:

Looking for an immunity-boosting winter superfood? Sweet potato is the answer. Carotenoids and anthocyanins in sweet potato protect the body from free radical damage and also help boost immunity. It also protects our skin and improves hair health. "The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ability of sweet potato is not just limited to its carotenoids, it is a great source of anthocyanin, which is most abundant in the purple-coloured variety," said consultant nutritionist Rupali Dutta.

2. Manages Diabetes:

Although it may seem that sweet potatoes should be avoided by diabetics, experts argue that this is not the case. Sweet potato is low on the Glycemic Index (GI) and also contains plenty of fibre. Its starchy carbohydrates also delay the release of sugar into the bloodstream. The American Diabetes Association says, "It is a superfood for diabetics. It is a starchy vegetable full of vitamin A and fibre. It is also a good source of vitamin C and potassium."

3. Improves Eye Health:

Thanks to the orange-red hue of sweet potato, we are all well aware that it is abundantly enriched with Vitamin A. Shakarkandhi also contains beta-carotene that protects the eyes against UV damage and prevents macular degeneration.,

4. Facilitates Smooth Digestion:

Keep digestive woes at bay with sweet potato in your diet. According to Rujuta Diwekar, "The minerals and Vitamin B profile in sweet potato will keep the bloating, acidity and constipation away. In a nutshell, if you have drunk too much, slept too little and partied too hard, this is what you should be eating," she wrote on Instagram.

5. Good For Weight Management:

If you are watching your weight, sweet potato is what you should definitely try eating. The low-calorie tuber has a good amount of fibre that facilitates weight loss and keeps you full. Thus, it makes for an excellent snack provided that it is consumed in moderation.

Conclusion: Is Sweet Potato Healthy? Yes Or No:

Sweet potato is loaded with health benefits and makes for a good addition to your winter diet. But just the way it is with other foods, always consume it in moderation and do not pile up excess sweet potato in a bid to get healthy. Always consult a nutritionist before making any major changes to the diet. Stay fit, stay healthy!

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Earthquake Tremors Felt In Delhi, Surrounding Areas

An earthquake of estimated 4.4 magnitude was reported in Delhi and surrounding areas on Sunday morning, the first day of the new year.

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Covid Deaths Hit 9,000 Per Day In China, Finds UK-Based Firm: Report

Deaths attributed to Covid in China have increased to 9,000 people per day, according to a data firm, reported news.com.au, an Australia-based publication.

The news.com.au report also says, "British-based research firm Airfinity has doubled the number of people it estimates are dying from Covid in China as the number of infections soar. It comes after Beijing lifted draconian zero-Covid health measures in November that had been in place for years."

Protests erupted across China due to the harsh lockdowns after 10 people died in an apartment fire. There were allegations that firefighters were stopped from coming inside the apartment block due to the quarantine orders.

The country reversed its Covid policy due to widespread protests in its nine cities.

"Airfinity said its model was based on data from China's regional provinces before changes to reporting infections were implemented, combined with case growth rates from other former zero-Covid countries when they lifted restrictions," the report said.

The total number of deaths in China linked to Covid in December may hit 100,000, with at least 18.6 million cases. By mid-January, there could be as many as 3.7 million COVID cases in a day. By January 23, a total of 584,000 deaths are expected in China.

According to news.com.au, "Beijing has been accused of withholding health information so it's hard to accurately assess the numbers. However, China's National Health Commission (NHC) last week confirmed that the country's current outbreak is the largest the world has ever seen."

"More than a billion Chinese could be infected with Covid by March. And more than 30 per cent of the population may have already been infected, that is up to 400 million people," according to a The Australian report.

The virus is continuing to spread rapidly in China. Workers, however, are being called to go to work unless they have extreme symptoms.

Since China relaxed its controversial zero-Covid policy last month, the second-largest economy is struggling to deal with the meteoric rise in coronavirus cases throughout the country which is putting a burden on its healthcare system.

British virologist and biologist Jonathan Latham, Executive Director of the Bioscience Resource Project, said that Beijing is not being open and transparent about case numbers or deaths and that only accurate data can lead to good decisions in China and elsewhere.

"China is not being open and transparent about case numbers or deaths. This is true for many countries though. It would be great to have truly accurate information on those points, however, since only timely and accurate data can lead to good decisions in China and elsewhere. Good data would also test the theory that newer variants such as Omicron have a lower inherent death rate," Latham told ANI.

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

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"Wonder Why...": Ghulam Nabi Azad On Reports Of Return To Congress

Senior politician and chief of the newly-formed Democratic Progressive Azad Party Ghulam Nabi Azad today said there was no move to return to Congress with which he had snapped his 52-year-old association earlier this year.

Talking to PTI, the veteran politician who has been former Union minister and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said reports suggesting his return to the grand old party are planted by some vested leaders in the Congress and there was no truth in them.

"I have never spoken to any Congress leader and neither has anyone called me. So I wonder why these kinds of stories are planted in the media," Mr Azad said.

Mr Azad said these attempts were made by the Congress leaders to create a sense of uncertainty within his party cadres and to demoralise them.

"Come whatever may, we will emerge stronger," he said.

Mr Azad, who has served as leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, said "I have not indulged in any mudslinging with anyone. Whatever I had to say, I made it clear in my resignation letter. After this I am on my own path to serve the people who have given me their trust." 

Asked whether he would be joining the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra when it enters Jammu and Kashmir next month, Mr Azad said "I have no such plan. My hands are full with my own work." 

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

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Delhi Gym Owner Shot Dead In Office, Killers Take Away CCTV Recorder

A gym owner was shot dead in his office by three men in East Delhi's Preet Vihar on Friday, and took the CCTV recorder with them, making the probe more complicated, police said.

The victim, 45-year-old Mahendra Aggarwal, ran a chain of Energy Gym and Spa, and sold gym equipment too. He was in his company headquarters office above one of his gyms around 8 pm when three armed men entered and immediately fired a number of shots at him. A bullet to his head killed him, police said.

While escaping, the killers took away the recording device attached to the CCTV security cameras of the office.

Police are now scanning footage from other CCTV cameras in the area to get clues. A forensics team also inspected the scene of crime.

Police said relatives are being asked if they suspect anyone's involvement or any enmity he had.

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Andrew Tate, Toxic Masculinity Ambassador, Now Arrested: 5 Points

1. He gained a following online, comprising mainly young men, by advocating for a hyper masculine lifestyle. 
2. In 2016, he was a contestant on UK reality show Big Brother, and was expelled from the show after a video of him hitting a woman with a belt surfaced online. 
3. He is a former professional kickboxer. After retiring, he has mainly been active as a businessman and a social media influencer. 
4. In the past, he has been banned from Twitter, for saying that women should "take responsibility" for being sexually assaulted. He was reinstated after Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. 
5. He currently has over 3.8 million followers on Twitter, where he regularly encourages his followers to "take the red pill", a reference to the movie "The Matrix". "Taking the red pill" is a common call used by alt right internet users to encourage others to question the status quo.

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Google Voice to Alert Users With 'Suspected Spam Caller' Warning for Suspicious Calls

Google Voice will now make it more easy for a user to ignore spam calls with the launch of a new update. Google has now added a warning to its Voice feature which will alert the user by flagging “Suspected spam caller” label on calls that may seem suspicious. The user can also remove a number from the spam list by simply marking a call to be not spam. The enhanced secure calling feature adds to Google Voice's recent addition of Wi-Fi and network cellular switching.

According to a recent announcement by the tech giant, Google Voice will now protect its users from unwanted calls and potentially harmful scams by displaying a red “suspected spam caller” label on all calls that will appear suspicious. The selection of numbers as spam will be done using advanced artificial intelligence.

The spam label for a number will be displayed on the caller screen as well as in the call history. The user will have a choice to let a call remain spam or remove it by confirming the identity of the number as a spam or a genuine contact. In case if the number is confirmed to be a spam, the future calls from that particular contact will go directly into voicemail. Meanwhile, removing a number from spam list will not show any warning on future calls.

Google has informed that the phased rollout of the feature has started from December 29 and may take up to 15 days for the feature to appear on Google Voice. It will be eventually available to all Google Voice users.

The suspected spam label will be activated automatically if the Voice spam filter is off. To automatically send a suspected spam call to voicemail, go to Settings > Security > Filter Spam >Turn it On.

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5G is now available both on Android and iPhone in India. But is it any good? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 With Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Processor Unveiled: Details

Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 with Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor was unveiled by the South Korean tech giant on December 28. The new Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 comes with major performance improvements with the new Gen 3 processor, an upgrade from previously launched laptop with 12th Gen Intel processor. The company first unveiled the Intel-powered Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 back in February. The new model was recently announced in South Korea and will be released on January 16.

In an official release, Samsung has announced the company's premium laptop, the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor. The mobile PC comes with enhanced speed and efficiency, along with a stylus and a 360-degree swivel display.

Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 with Snapdragon chipset price, availability

The new laptop from Samsung was unveiled in South Korea on December 28 and will be launched in the country on January 16. As of now, the upcoming Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 will debut in graphite color variant, while the launch price is fixed at KRW 1.89 million (nearly Rs. 1,24,200). As of now, the company has now announced the date for launching the product in global markets, including India.

Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 with Snapdragon chipset specifications

Samsung's upcoming laptop with the new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chipset is claimed to come with strong privacy features. The laptop will come in a 13.3-inch model and will be super light. The new Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 will support an AMOLED display with the ability to flip around 360 degrees.

The laptop will run on Windows 11. The company claims that the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 with Snapdragon chipset comes with a better battery life of up to 35 hours of video playback on single charge.

Apart from these, other specifications of the laptop remain same as the previously launched Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360. The laptop, that comes along S Pen stylus, offers 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity support.

 

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Is the new expensive 10th generation iPad worth buying instead of its predecessor? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Stunning Time-Lapse Video Captures 48 Hours Of Blizzard Impact In US Town

A time-lapse video of 60 seconds showing the effects of a blizzard that covered a US town in snow completely in a 48-hour period is going viral on the internet.

The video begins with a straightforward road, a few automobiles, and a chair on the grass; afterwards, snow begins to fall in the region as a result of the blizzard's monster storm effect. In the second half of the video, the entire area is blanketed in snow, making it challenging to discern what lies beneath the snow.

Watch the video here:

48 hour timelapse of Blizzard in 60 seconds. pic.twitter.com/tPjrUFnmzR

— Weird and Terrifying (@weirdterrifying) December 29, 2022

The video has become so extremely viral on the internet that it has received over 3 million views and more than 50,000 likes. Many viewers left comments on this lovely but unsettling video.

Meanwhile, the American National Weather Service predicted that by the weekend, temperatures will rise to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), although officials issued a warning that snowmelt could result in minor floods.

The extreme weather over the weekend sent temperatures below freezing in all mainland US states, including in Texas along the Mexico border, where some arriving migrants have struggled to find shelter.

At one point on Saturday, nearly 1.7 million customers were without electricity in the biting cold, according to the tracker PowerOutage.us.

Road ice and whiteout conditions also led to the temporary closure of some of the nation's busiest transport routes, including part of the cross-country Interstate 70 highway.

The perfect storm of fierce snow squalls, howling wind, and sub-zero temperatures forced the cancellation of thousands of flights in recent days, including around 5,900 on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to tracking site FlightAware.com.

(With inputs from AFP)

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"In Maa, I've Always Felt...": PM Modi's Moving Tribute To His Mother

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a moving tribute to his mother Heeraben Modi who died in the early hours of Friday at the age of 99. "A glorious century rests at the feet of God... In Maa I have always felt that trinity, which contains the journey of an ascetic, the symbol of a selfless Karmayogi and a life committed to values," the Prime Minister tweeted this morning informing his mother's death.

शानदार शताब्दी का ईश्वर चरणों में विराम... मां में मैंने हमेशा उस त्रिमूर्ति की अनुभूति की है, जिसमें एक तपस्वी की यात्रा, निष्काम कर्मयोगी का प्रतीक और मूल्यों के प्रति प्रतिबद्ध जीवन समाहित रहा है। pic.twitter.com/yE5xwRogJi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2022

He also shared a photo of his mother.

The UN Mehta Heart Hospital in Ahmedabad where she was admitted on Tuesday night said in a statement that she died at 3.39 am. Her body will be taken to Gandhinagar.

PM Modi has left for Ahmedabad, sources said, adding that he may join the official programmes he was scheduled to attend via video conference.

Heeraben used to live with Pankaj Modi, the Prime Minister's younger brother, at Raysan village near Gandhinagar. PM Modi used to visit her during most of his visits to Gujarat.

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"Really Think You Should...": Akshay's ROFL Post For Wife Twinkle

Akshay Kumar's birthday wish for wife Twinkle Khanna is the definition of adorable. He posted a video of the author dancing as she sings Staying Alive. Akshay Kumar, in his note for Twinkle Khanna, wrote that he loves her but she should stop singing. "While you may be glad to have missed my live performance the other day, I'm glad I get to witness you and all your madness every single day! But as much as I love you, I really think you should stop singing And Happy birthday Tina," read his caption. Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar have been married for over 21 years. Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar co-starred in films such as International Khiladi and Zulmi. The couple are parents to 20-year-old son Aarav and daughter Nitara, 10.

Check out Akshay Kumar's post for wife Twinkle Khanna:

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A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna never fail to give couple goals. On the 7th season of Karan Johar's talk show Koffee With Karan when KJo asked Akshay Kumar, "If Chris Rock made a joke about Tina (Twinkle Khanna), what would you do?" Akshay Kumar's reply was: "I would pay for his funeral. Because she would kill it." Akshay also revealed during the show that he stalks wife Twinkle Khanna on Instagram. "I think my wife's Instagram because you never know what she is going to write. I have to be careful all the time. I have to keep stalking all the time," he said

Twinkle Khanna is a celebrated columnist and the author of Pyjamas Are Forgiving, The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad and Mrs Funnybones - all of which were best-sellers. Twinkle is also an interior decorator, the owner of The White Window, and a film producer. Her last project as a film producer was the National Award-winning film PadMan, which starred her husband Akshay Kumar in the lead role. She also runs a digital content company called Tweak India.

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Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi: Who Is The Greatest Of All Time?

When FIFA declared Pele and Diego Maradona jointly the players of the 20th century, and effectively the best of all time, they side-stepped but did not resolve a heated debate that has grown more complicated as Lionel Messi has dominated the 21st century. Just who is the greatest? Pele, who died on Thursday, and the two Argentines all won the sport's greatest prize -- the World Cup -- and were undoubtedly the kings of their eras.

AFP Sport looks at who is the best between the magical Brazilian, the controversial Maradona, who passed away in November 2020 at the age of 60, and a second Argentine, the twinkling Messi who is still playing:

Triple crown v single titles--

Pele played in four World Cups, winning three times, a record not yet beaten and giving him one more than Maradona and Messi combined. He was just 17 in 1958 when he was world champion in Sweden, scoring six goals, two in the final. Pele was injured in the second match as Brazil won the 1962 World Cup but claimed a third title, and sealed his international reputation, in 1970 as his magical side beat Italy in the Mexico City final.

Maradona, not picked in the squad that won the World Cup at home in 1978 and sent off in a tournament-ending 3-1 loss to Brazil in Spain in 1982, shot to global fame in 1986 for the right and wrong reasons. His infamous 'Hand of God' goal against England was followed by an individual effort voted FIFA's 'Goal of the Century'. He scored twice in the semi-final win over Belgium and supplied the crucial pass in the 3-2 win against West Germany in the final.

After Messi completed his World Cup quest in Qatar this month, the ailing Pele saluted on Instagram: "Messi winning his first World Cup, as his trajectory deserved. Diego is certainly smiling." The Argentine has a complete set of major medals: a World Cup (2022), a Copa America (2021), four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups as well as a multitude of domestic Spanish and French trophies. 

Number 10 v number 10 v number 10--

All three men wore the No 10 shirt. Pele's role was often described as a "nine and a half", his attacking skills yielding 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches for his clubs, Santos and New York Cosmos, and the Brazilian national team.

Maradona, known as "D10S" (a word play with the number 10 and God in Spanish) played in a free role, more the playmaker, and his career statistics reflect that: 345 goals in 692 matches.

Messi, who plays a variety of attacking positions, has also piled up the goals: 793 in 1,003 professional matches by the end of 2022.

Role model v a rebel and a quiet child--

Pele was the clean-cut hero, scandal-free, honourable, sporting, with a career spent at just two clubs -- Santos (1956-74) and New York Cosmos (1975-77).

Maradona played for six teams, was sent off at the 1982 World Cup, scored with his hand against England in the 1986 tournament, was banned in Spain for fighting on the pitch, and was sent home in disgrace from the 1994 World Cup after failing a drugs test. He also suffered a cocaine addiction.

Messi, the quiet child, resembled Pele in his loyalty to his first club Barcelona until their money troubles allowed Paris Saint-Germain to pry him away in 2021. His difficulties with the Spanish tax authorities and a host of sponsorship deals have not tarnished his image.

Ego wars until they reconciled in 2016, Pele and Maradona sparred over who was the greatest. Pele has a museum. Maradona said Pele belonged "in a museum".

Maradona, who enjoyed showing off his Fidel Castro and Che Guevara tattoos, mocked the Brazilian's respect for authority.

Pele condemned Maradona as "not being an example" to youngsters because of his drug problems.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: A Deer's Face Was Frozen Over Due To Extreme Cold. 2 Hikers Helped

The extreme cold weather dubbed as "blizzard of the century," across many parts of the USA & Canada has inflicted immense misery on millions of people and caused unprecedented fear and chaos. Many other parts of the world are also battling extremely frigid temperatures. Not just humans, but animals too are suffering from nature's wrath. In a recent undated video, a deer was seen with its mouth, eyes & ears completely frozen over due to the severe winter storm. Thankfully, two hikers came to its rescue and helped the poor animal. The exact location of the video is not yet known.

In a video shared on Reddit, two hikers spotted a deer whose face was completely frozen over. It is assumed that the deer was trying to dig for food under the snow with its head, and that's how its face got encased in ice. When the hikers approached the deer, it ran away in fear. However, after a while, the two men got hold of the distressed animal and removed the ice covering its face. The relieved animal was then seen running away. 

Watch the video here:

Reddit users thanked the hikers for saving the life of the deer and hailed their efforts. One user wrote, ''I wonder if humans are the only species who help other animals, out of pure empathy. I'm sure we're not, but I definitely think it's a beautiful part of humanity.'' Another commented, ''poor deer. glad they helped him. winter is rough for animals.''

Many were left wondering how it happened. A user offered an explanation and replied, ''Most likely mild weather with lots of heavy wet snow, digging through said snow for food... Face gets covered with sticky wet snow. Then you get a crazy drop in temp with increase in wind resulting in flash freezing. Said sticky snow on face freezes.'' 

Another commented, ''Probably got caught in a blizzard or just a storm out on a large open field. Sometimes the winds can get stupidly strong and carry snow and ice from the ground. It has a way of clinging to stuff.''
 

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Twinkle Khanna's Birthday Celebrations With Akshay, Aarav, Nitara

Twinkle Khanna shared a glimpse of her birthday festivities with her friends and family members. She shared a set of pictures from the celebrations at a lush green location. The first picture features Twinkle with husband Akshay Kumar. The other picture features the birthday girl with Akshay, son Aarav, daughter Nitara and friends. Twinkle captioned the post: "The perfect birthday with all the people I love the most. Thank you for your lovely wishes and here is wishing you all a wonderful new year ahead." She added the hashtag #thefeastinthefields to her post. Bobby Deol, who co-starred with Twinkle in Barsaat, commented "Happy, happy birthday." Malaika Arora added, "Happy birthday my dear Tina."

See Twinkle Khanna's post here:

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A post shared by Twinkle Khanna (@twinklerkhanna)

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar wished Twinkle Khanna with a fun albeit adorable video of her singing and dancing. He captioned it: "While you may be glad to have missed my live performance the other day, I'm glad I get to witness you and all your madness every single day! But as much as I love you, I really think you should stop singing. And Happy birthday Tina."

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A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

This morning, Twinkle Khanna shared a special post for her late father and legendary actor Rajesh Khanna on his birth anniversary. She posted a throwback picture and captioned it: "A bittersweet shared birthday and a lifetime of memories."

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A post shared by Twinkle Khanna (@twinklerkhanna)

Twinkle Khanna is a woman of many hats. She is a celebrated columnist and the author of Pyjamas Are Forgiving, The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad and Mrs Funnybones - all of which were best-sellers. Twinkle is also an interior decorator, the owner of The White Window, and a film producer. Her last project as a film producer was the National Award-winning film PadMan, which starred her husband Akshay Kumar in the lead role. She also runs a digital content company called Tweak India.

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RBI Suggests Common Approach to Crypto Assets to Avoid Potential Financial Risks

To address potential financial stability risks and protect investors, it is important to arrive at a common approach to crypto assets, the Financial Stability Report released by RBI said on Thursday.

In this context, various options are being considered internationally, it said.

One option is to apply the same-risk-same-regulatory-outcome principle and subject them to the same regulation applicable to traditional financial intermediaries and exchanges, the report said.

Another option is to prohibit crypto assets, since their real life use cases are next to negligible and the challenge is that different countries have different legal systems and individual rights vis-à-vis state powers, it noted.

A third option is to let it implode and make it systemically irrelevant as the underlying instability and riskiness will ultimately prevent the sector from growing, it said.

The third option, however, is fraught with risks as the sector may become more interconnected with mainstream finance and divert financing away from traditional finance with broader effect on the real economy, the report said.

Regulating new technology and business models after they have grown to a systemic level is challenging, it pointed out.

To promote responsible innovation and to mitigate financial stability risks in crypto ecosystem, the report said it is vital for policymakers to design an appropriate policy approach.

In this context, under India's G20 presidency, one of the priorities is to develop a framework for global regulation, including the possibility of prohibition, of unbacked crypto assets, stablecoins and decentralised finance (DeFi), it said.

The collapse and bankruptcy of the crypto exchange FTX and subsequent sell-off in the crypto assets market have highlighted the inherent vulnerabilities in the crypto ecosystem.

Recently, Binance, the largest crypto exchange, also prohibited withdrawals of stablecoins on its platform. The implosion of FTX was preceded by failure of TerraUSD/Luna, an algorithmic stablecoin, a run on Celsius, a crypto lender, and bankruptcy of Three Arrows Capital, a cryptocurrency hedge fund.

Observing that the turmoil has provided several insights, it said crypto assets are highly volatile.

The price of Bitcoin has tumbled by 74 percent (as on December 14, 2022) from its peak in November 2021. Other crypto assets have also experienced similar falls in prices and heightened volatility.

In addition, crypto assets exhibit high correlations with equities, it noted.

Furthermore, it said, contrary to claims that they are an alternative source of value due to inflation hedging benefits, crypto assets' value has fallen even as inflation rose.

Second, the report said, the collapse of TerraUSD/Luna is a reminder of how so-called stablecoins that promise to maintain a stable value relative to fiat currency are subject to classic confidence runs.

Finally, it said, the failure of FTX and Celsius reveals that crypto exchanges and trading platforms were carrying out different functions such as lending, brokerage, clearing and settlement that have different risks without appropriate governance structures.

This exposed them to credit, market and liquidity risks disproportionate to what was necessary to discharge their essential functions, it said, adding leverage is a constant theme across the crypto ecosystem, making failures rapid and losses huge and sudden.

 

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Will crypto tax hurt the industry in India? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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At Anant Ambani's Engagement Party, Ranbir-Alia Lead Celeb Roll Call

Mukesh Ambani is hosting Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's engagement party at his house Antilia in Mumbai. Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Ayan Mukerji led the celeb roll call. Shah Rukh Khan arrived with his manager Pooja Dadlani, while Alia and Ranbir were pictured arriving with Ayan. Ranbir looked dashing in a black kurta pyjama set, while Alia looked beautiful in a greet suit. Janhvi Kapoor looked pretty in a pink saree. Check out the pictures below:  

The newly engaged couple, Anant and Radhika, was also pictured arriving at their house. For the occasion, Anant opted for a maroon ensemble, while Radhika looked pretty in a peach suit set. 

Check out the pictures below: 

Mukesh Ambani's younger son Anant Ambani today got engaged to his childhood friend Radhika Merchant (the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant, CEO of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company). The couple had a traditional Roka ceremony at the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan.

  

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"Is This Dream?" India Star On Getting Promoted To Big Post For SL Series

India's T20 batting sensation, Suryakumar Kumar on Wednesday said his elevation to the post of vice-captain of the national side seems like a dream, and he would continue to play his natural game without being burdened by the added responsibility. Indian selectors made some major changes in the national white-ball set-up by giving the T20I captaincy reins to Hardik Pandya and appointing Suryakumar as his deputy for the series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Mumbai on January 3 next year.

Senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul did not find a place in the squad for the series.

"It (vice-captaincy) was not expected. I can only say it's kind of a reward to me for the way I (have) played this year. It feels good and I'm really looking forward to it," Surya told reporters after day two of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra here.

Surya's first reaction after his father forwarded him the team list was of utter disbelief. "I came to know from my dad who is always active on social media. He forwarded me the list and also sent me a short message -- 'not to take any pressure and enjoy your batting'.

"For a moment, I closed my eyes and asked myself, 'is this a dream?' It's a great feeling," he added.

On whether the added responsibility will put him under pressure, Surya said, "I always had responsibility and pressure. I always enjoy my game and (do) not carry any extra baggage.

"It's simple. I keep (leave) all my thinking at the team hotel and the nets. Whenever I'm batting, I just go out there to enjoy my game."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Uzbekistan Says Deaths Of 18 Children Linked To India-Made Cough Syrup

Uzbekistan has claimed that at least 18 children in the country have died after allegedly taking an India-manufactured cough syrup.

The health ministry of Uzbekistan, in a statement, said that the children who died had consumed cough syrup Doc-1 Max - manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.

The laboratory tests of a batch of syrups found presence of ethylene glycol - a toxic substance in the preparation, the ministry said.

It also said the syrup was given to children at home without a doctor's prescription, either by their parents or on the advice of pharmacists, with doses that exceeded the standard dose for children.

According to the company website, the syrup is given to treat cold and flu symptoms.

After the deaths of 18 children, Doc-1 Max tablets and syrups have been withdrawn from all pharmacies in the country, the statement said, adding that seven employees were dismissed because they failed to analyse the situation in a timely manner and take necessary measures.

India is set to probe the claims that the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan were linked to the syrup manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech. 

The central drugs regulatory team has got in touch with the Uttar Pradesh drugs licensing authority to initiate the inquiry against the drug-maker, officials said

The joint inquiry will be conducted by the Central and state drugs regulatory teams, it is learnt.

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Mumbai Belongs To Maharashtra, "Not To Anyone's Father": Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today that Mumbai belongs to the state and "not to anyone's father", strongly condemning the "make Mumbai a Union Territory" remark by Karnataka minister J Madhu Swamy. Maharashtra, he said, will write to Karnataka and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the issue. Union minister Shah will be requested to reprimand such "motormouths," he added.

Amid the raging boundary dispute, Mr Madhu Swamy had made a strong attack on Maharashtra in the legislative assembly.

"It is being said that they (Maharashtra leaders) have taken a decision and said that Belagavi should be declared a Union Territory, I want to tell those people that there are two or three such cities in the country which can be made Union Territories... Mumbai is the top of them. It was like a Union Territory during Mumbai or Bombay presidency... if those people want the good of the country, then show a big heart and announce that Bombay will be made a Union Territory," he had said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai said, "we will not give even an inch of our land".

Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today, Mr Fadnavis said the state's feelings will be conveyed to the Karnataka government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and not to anyone's father," Mr Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India. "We will not tolerate anyone staking claim over Mumbai and we will put forth our feelings before the Karnataka government and Union home minister," he said, reported PTI.

Leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar had flagged the issue, naming the Karnataka minister. "(Bharatiya Janata Party MLA) Laxman Savadi said Mumbai belongs to Karnataka and has rubbed salt on the Marathi people's wounds," he had said.

At a meeting between the chief ministers of the two states with Amit Shah earlier this month, it was decided that no fresh claim would be made by either party while the matter was pending in the Supreme Court, he said.

"The comments by Karnataka MLAs or the Karnataka Congress president are contrary to what was decided. We will not tolerate any claim staked on Mumbai. We condemn this," Mr Fadnavis said.

The Karnataka leaders' reaction came after both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature had unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday to "legally pursue" the inclusion of "every inch" of the land of Belgaum, Karwar Bidar, Nipani, Bhalki cities and the 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka into the western state.

Mr Shinde, who had moved the resolution, also condemned the remarks by Karnataka leaders.

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Shilpa And Shamita Shetty's New Pic Is All About "Love" And "Back Up"

Shamita Shetty has treated her Insta family to an adorable picture with her sister Shilpa Shetty. The sisters, who are having the time of their lives in London with their family, are happily posing for the camera. In the image, Shilpa looked pretty in a white turtle neck sweater paired with a black and brown checkered jacket, while Shamita can be seen in a beige turtle neck sweater layered with a black jacket. Sharing the post, she wrote, "Sisters ... means you always have back up," followed by a heart emoticon. 

Soon after Shamita shared the post, Shilpa was quick to comment, "Mine." Check out the post below: 

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A post shared by Shamita Shetty (@shamitashetty_official)

Shetty sisters are goals and often share adorable pictures with each other on their respective Instagram profiles. A few weeks ago, Shilpa shared a hilarious video on her Instagram handle and captioned it as "Reel ki feel thi Lekin lyric ka lip-sync nahin tha." Check out the post below: 

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A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty)

Meanwhile, they are busy holidaying in London and keep their Insta family updated by sharing pictures and videos. 

On Christmas, Shilpa shared a video in which she along with her husband Raj Kundra, kids Viaan and Samisha, mom Sunanda Shetty and sister Shamita, can be seen celebrating the festival. In the caption, she wrote, "The best kind of Christmas is celebrating and spending this precious time with family at home and this year is special as it's a first for Samisha. All I wish is to keep the child within us alive... always." 

Here have a look: 

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A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty)

Check out more posts from their London diaries below: 

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A post shared by Shamita Shetty (@shamitashetty_official)

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A post shared by Shamita Shetty (@shamitashetty_official)

On the work front, Shilpa Shetty will be next seen in Rohit Shetty's web series Indian Police Force.

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