Author: TheStateLine

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

‘I was lucky to keep the job,’ Brook admits to ‘terrible mistake’ after New Zealand nightclub incident

Colombo, Jan 21 (IANS) Harry Brook, a day before the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, has expressed his gratitude for keeping England’s white-ball captaincy after an off-field incident in New Zealand.Brook also feels that he now has work to do to rebuild trust within the squad.Last November, the England star had a clash with a nightclub bouncer just before the third ODI against New Zealand. As this was Brook's first time leading England in an overseas series, he informed the team management about the incident. He was fined significantly but did not lose his captaincy.Brook acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and admitted that the thought of losing the captaincy was on his mind."I didn’t think about resigning, but getting sacked was definitely playing through my mind; I l...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Easing defence FDI norms could be a game-changer for India: Report

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) India is considering a significant relaxation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules in the defence sector, raising the automatic‑route ownership cap from 49 to 74 per cent for existing licensed defence firms and removing vague conditions that would reshape its defence landscape, a recent report has highlighted.“This policy shift aims to lure global manufacturers, fostering joint ventures and technology transfers to bolster domestic production,” observed an article in the India Narrative.“Amid rising geopolitical tensions and a push for self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, these changes could prove transformative, enhancing economic growth, technological advancement, and national security,” it added.Exploring why this could be a pivotal game-chan...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Food inflation for farm and rural labourers stays in negative zone during December

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) The year-on-year inflation rates based on the all-India consumer price index for agricultural labourers (CPI-AL) and rural labourers (CPI-RL) for December 2025 have been estimated at 0.04 per cent and 0.11 per cent, respectively, figures released by the Ministry of Labour & Employment on Wednesday showed.The food inflation for agricultural and rural labourers stayed in the negative -- (-) 1.8 per cent and (-) 1.73 per cent. respectively -- as prices of food items fell during the month due to increased production.The decline in the inflation rate in recent months is a welcome relief for these vulnerable segments that are hit hardest by spiralling prices. It also leaves more money in their hands to buy a wider range of goods, leading to a better lifestyle.The Lab...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Debinna Bonnerjee emphasises on teaching kids by ‘letting them watch’ & observe

ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai Jan 21 (IANS) Actress Debinna Bonnerjee has reflected on how teaching kids is by actually making them watch and observe, especially parents.The actress took to her social media account to share a video of herself getting ready for a shoot.The video features the actress in her busy mode while her husband Gurmeet Choudhary and their little daughter make an appearance in an adorable manner.Debinna wrote, “Getting ready in the vanity.Layers of glam, quiet focus. And then she walks in. One of those days. No school.So she comes along with me. She sits there, watching. Between mirrors, makeup, and conversations. I pick her up, she settles in.As if this space was always meant for both of us.”She further wrote, “Her father joins us for a moment. A kiss. A pause. And as we step out, I notice...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Former TN BJP chief welcomes HC order quashing FIR against Amit Malviya

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Chennai, Jan 21 (IANS) Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, K. Annamalai, on Wednesday welcomed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court quashing the criminal case registered against BJP national office-bearer Amit Malviya, describing the verdict as a strong reminder against the misuse of criminal law for political ends.The High Court, in its order dated January 20, set aside the FIR registered by the Trichy City Crime Branch against Malviya in connection with a social media post related to remarks made by Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatan Dharma.The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Advocate Dinakaran, district organiser of the DMK Advocates’ Wing. The complaint alleged that a post shared by Malviya on the social media platform X had the potential to incite communal disharm...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

‘Purvodaya’ vision accelerating development in Northeast, says PM Modi

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Agartala, Jan 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the government's 'Purvodaya' vision, aimed at accelerating development in eastern India, is also playing a transformative role in driving growth and progress in the Northeastern region.In a letter to Chief Minister Manik Saha on the occasion of Tripura's Statehood Day, the Prime Minister said that for decades, it was an undeniable reality that the people of the Northeast, including Tripura, felt distant and isolated from the national mainstream."Our government received the opportunity to change this reality by bridging distances, strengthening emotional bonds and striking a chord with the people of this region," he said.PM Modi said that over the last eight years, the double-engine governments, the NDA government...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

South Korea: Homes, offices of three civilian suspects raided over alleged drone flights to North Korea

BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD welcome India’s decision to bring back diplomats’ families from Bangladesh

INDIA, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) As India decided to withdraw the families and dependents of Indian officials posted in Bangladesh amid rising security concerns following increased activities of extremist elements, leaders from the BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Wednesday welcomed the move.The decision comes just weeks ahead of the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, scheduled amid heightened political tension and reports of violence targeting minorities.Speaking to IANS, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the decision was necessary given the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh.“Considering the way targeted killings and mob lynchings are continuously taking place, and the kind of threat looming over the Hindu minority, it was essential to ...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Rajasthan HC summons Chief Secy, Education Secy over mid-session teachers’ transfer

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Jaipur, Jan 21 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the large-scale transfer of teachers in the middle of the academic session, especially with board examinations scheduled to begin in less than 20 days.Justice Sameer Jain’s bench questioned the state government on the policy under which such transfers are being carried out and summoned the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Education, to appear before the court on January 23 to explain the decision.The court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Maina Garhwal and Mahesh Kumar.Their counsel, advocate Sandeep Kalwaniya, informed the bench that transfers in government schools are traditionally undertaken from July 1 each year. However, since August 3, the government has transferre...

Jan212026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Swami Avimukteshwaranand at fault: Jagadguru Rambhadracharya on Magh Mela row, backs administration

INDIA, TOP STORIES

Gwalior, Jan 21 (IANS) Amid the ongoing controversy over Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand being stopped by the Magh Mela administration from proceeding towards the Sangam Nose, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya on Wednesday said that the seer himself committed a "wrongdoing" by attempting to reach the holy River Ganga onboard a chariot and asserted that the administration had not done any injustice to him.The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions following an incident on Sunday, during the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, when Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his supporters were heading towards the Sangam Nose to take a holy dip.Swami Avimukteshwaranand had alleged that the police stopped him during the procession and also "assaulted" his disciples. During the incident,...