Author: TheStateLine

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

72nd Sr Men’s National C’ships: ‘The quality on day 1 of the tournament proves kabaddi’s growth,’ says Rakesh Kumar

Vadodara, Feb 25 (IANS) The 72nd Senior Men’s National Kabaddi Championship is happening now at the Sama Indoor Stadium in Vadodara. While it provides an important stage for emerging players to display their skills, it also highlights India’s increasing strength and depth in the sport.After the opening day, Rakesh Kumar, a selector appointed by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), shared his positive assessment of the overall quality displayed.“The team performances on the first day have been very encouraging. Experienced players who feature regularly in the Pro Kabaddi League and a large number of young players are doing well at the Nationals,” the selector said.“Haryana is looking very strong with players like Ayan and Vijay Malik in their lineup. Railways and Services are nat...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Haryana Congress protests renaming, alleged weakening of MGNREGA

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Chandigarh, Feb 25 (IANS) The Haryana Congress on Wednesday staged a protest here against the BJP government over the alleged renaming and dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), accusing it of attempting to weaken social security provisions meant for the poorest sections.The Congress alleged that the BJP government is deliberately trying to weaken the social security framework provided to economically vulnerable sections through MGNREGA.Party in-charge B.K. Hariprasad, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, state President Rao Narender Singh, former state President Chaudhary Udaybhan, MPs Deepender Singh Hooda, Jai Prakash (JP), Varun Mulana, Satpal Brahmachari, and Jitendra Baghel, along with senior leaders and ...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Anirudh releases title, first look of Pari Elavazhagan-starrer ‘Anbe Diana’

ENTERTAINMENT

Chennai, Feb 25 (IANS) One of India's top music directors Anirudh on Wednesday released the title and first look poster of director and actor Pari Elavazhagan's upcoming film, 'Anbe Diana', much to the delight of fans and film buffs. Taking to his social media timelines to release the title and the first look poster, Anirudh wrote, "Happy to release the FIRST LOOK of #AnbeDiana. My best wishes to the entire team @PariElavazaghan @RamyaRanganathn @bharathsankar12 @MillionOffl @Yuvrajganesan @Neo_Castle_."Produced by Million Dollar Studios and Neo Castle Creations, 'Anbe Diana' not only has Pari Elavazhagan directing it but also playing the film's lead. For the unaware, Pari Elavazhagan is best known for having directed and acted in the critically acclaimed Tamil film 'Jama'.Playing the lea...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

You are a great leader: Netanyahu compliments PM Modi upon arrival in Israel

Will launch protest if Karnataka govt doesn’t initiate recruitment process immediately, warns BJP

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Bengaluru, Feb 25 (IANS) BJP's Karnataka unit President B. Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday warned that if the Siddaramaiah government will not initiate the teachers' recruitment process immediately, the party will soon launch a protest. Addressing a conference in Bengaluru, Vijayendra alleged that the Congress-led government is unwilling to carry out any recruitment as it is facing financial difficulties.He pointed out that 59,000 posts remain vacant in the education sector and over 30,000 posts are yet to be filled in the health sector.He recalled that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had last year urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to fill up vacant teacher posts, but no action has been taken.The State Students’ Federation held a large-scale prot...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Gujarat seized drugs worth Rs 3,727 crore in 2 years, Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi tells Assembly

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Gandhinagar, Feb 25 (IANS) Drugs weighing approximately 41,000 kg and valued at an estimated Rs 3,727 crore have been seized in Gujarat over the past two years, the Legislative Assembly was informed, as the state government detailed enforcement measures and rehabilitation initiatives under its zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.Providing the details in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, was moving ahead with the resolve of a “Drug-Free Gujarat”.Sanghavi said, “Gujarat Police have conducted top to bottom investigation against drug peddlers and taken the strictest possible action.”He stated that properties worth Rs 32.20 crore belonging to drug traffickers in Kutch district had been seized. “Not...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

LoP Satheesan asks Health Minister to take action against Kerala ambulance lobby

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Thiruvananthapuram Feb 25 (IANS) A fresh political flashpoint erupted in Kerala's health sector on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan demanded immediate action from Health Minister Veena George over her allegations of commissions being paid to ambulance drivers by private hospitals.Satheesan’s sharp response came after the minister claimed at a public function that private hospitals in Kochi pay ambulance drivers Rs 10,000 for every patient they bring in.She said doctors had informed her about the practice.The minister further alleged that some hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram pay up to Rs 5,000 per patient, adding that if an ambulance driver transports ten patients, he could earn Rs 50,000.According to her, hospitals subsequently recover these amounts from patients’ b...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Wadettiwar dubs Maha Governor’s Address as a ‘market of words and faked figures’

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Mumbai, Feb 25 (IANS) Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the Maharashtra government describing the Governor’s address as nothing more than a "repetitive rehearsal of old points" and a "market of words."Leading the Congress party's opposition to the Governor's speech in the Legislative Assembly, Wadettiwar accused the Mahayuti government of forcing the Governor to present "blatant lies" to the House.Wadettiwar alleged that while the government uses the names of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar for political optics, its actions consistently insult their ideologies."This government honoured individuals with Padma awards who sat in Raj Bhavan and insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and ...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Sidra Amin reprimanded for code of conduct breach in PAK W vs SA W 1st ODI

SPORTS

Bloemfontein, Feb 25 (IANS) Pakistan women's cricketer Sidra Amin has been found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct in their first ODI against South Africa, played at the Mangaung Oval on Sunday."Sidra was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match,” ICC said in a statement on Wednesday.In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Sidra Amin’s disciplinary record in accordance with the regulations. This marks her second offence within 24 months, taking her total tally of demerit points to two.The incident occurred in the 24th over of Pakistan’s innings when, after being d...

Feb252026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Piyush Goyal holds talks with Israeli team on FTA

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that he has held talks on the India-Israel free trade agreement with a high-level Israeli delegation. "I had a productive interaction with the Israeli team, reflecting our shared commitment to deepening economic engagement. It is encouraging to see both sides working closely to unlock new opportunities in trade, innovation and growth, further strengthening our valued partnership," Goyal said in a post on X."As our leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu meet, their shared vision is steadily translating into action, with the Israeli delegation in New Delhi advancing the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations," he wrote.Goyal's response came as Israel’s Minister of Econom...