Goa nightclub inferno (Picture credit: PTI)

PANAJI: Tragedy struck Goa’s popular after-hours party scene just before midnight on Saturday, killing 25 people – five of them tourists – and injuring six inside a nightclub in Arpora that turned into a fireball within seconds of electric firecrackers hitting the wooden ceiling of the first floor as a belly-dancer performed.The victims in the blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane, 16km from Panaji, included four of a family from UP’s Ghaziabad. Of the injured, five are being treated at Goa Medical College and Hospital. Police said 150 guests were at the club for the weekend event.DGP Alok Kumar said four club staffers – chief general manager Rajiv Modak, gate manager Priyanshu Thakur, bar manager Rajveer Singhania, and general manager Vivek Singh – were arrested. Goa Police registered an FIR against the club’s Delhi-based owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, charging them with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. A police team is in Delhi with a warrant to arrest the duo.

CM Pramod Sawant said his government instituted a magisterial inquiry to find out the lapses that resulted in the tragedy and submit a report within a week.The BJP govt also suspended three officials – ex-director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar, ex-state pollution control board member secretary Shamila Monteiro, and former Arpora-Nagoa panchayat secretary Reghuvir Bagkar – for allegedly allowing the nightclub to function without adhering to safety norms.The blaze occurred around 11.45 pm, with a portion of the ceiling catching fire. As flames coursed through the roof overhead, the guests and performers bolted. While most of them were able to step out of the club, those trapped inside reached the basement after the exit caught fire.23 died in basement ‘due to suffocation’, 2 bodies found on stairsCM Pramod Sawant said the chief secretary and DGP Alok Kumar would initiate disciplinary action against the suspended officials. The CM dismissed initial suspicion of a cylinder blast, saying a preliminary investigation by police and fire services department suggested electric firecrackers triggered the blaze. “The fire spread quickly because of the wooden ceiling,” he said.Of the victims, 23 died in the basement of suspected suffocation. Police found the bodies in a pile. Two charred bodies were on the staircase. The basement does not have ventilation.

Sawant said except for the five tourists who died, the deceased were employees of the club – from Assam, Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, UP and Nepal. Postmortem was conducted on 17 bodies by evening; five were handed over to families. State government sealed Romeo Lane at Vagator, a nightclub belonging to the same owners, after an inquiry revealed inadequate fire-safety measures.PM Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh in ex gratia to the next of kin of each of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.CM Sawant separately declared Rs 5 lakh in compensation for each death and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

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Dr. Robert W. Love, a neuroscientist, highlights three supplements as promising ways to support brain blood flow, energy metabolism and cellular repair.Nitric-oxide boosters (usually dietary nitrates from beetroot or concentrated nitrate supplements) widen small blood vessels, improving blood flow. Better blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to brain cells and can improve short-term cognitive performance and vascular function, useful for older adults whose cerebral blood flow is less flexible.Creatine supplies a quick reservoir of cellular energy (phosphocreatine) that cells, including neurons, use when demand spikes. In aging or stressed brains, boosting creatine stores can help neurons maintain function during metabolic stress, improving memory and processing in some people. Creatine is also well known to help muscle and bone health, so it has multi-system benefits that matter for healthy aging. In a recent study, creatine was found to improve cognition in patirnts with Alzheimer’s disease.

NMN is a precursor that cells use to make NAD+, a key molecule for cellular energy, DNA repair and mitochondrial function. NAD+ levels fall with age, and raising NAD+ can help cells produce energy more efficiently and support repair pathways that decline over time, effects that are conceptually linked to slowing cellular aging. Human trials show NMN raises blood NAD+ and can improve physical performance and some metabolic markers. A study published in journal GeroScience found NMN increased blood NAD+ concentrations and improved measures of physical performance and subjective health in middle-aged adults.As Alzheimer’s risk continues to climb, exploring safe, science-backed ways to protect long-term brain health becomes increasingly important. While no supplement can prevent or cure dementia, options like nitric-oxide boosters, creatine and NMN offer promising support for blood flow, energy metabolism and cellular repair. When paired with medical guidance and healthy habits, they may help strengthen the brain’s resilience over time. Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.

The unexpected end to one of India‘s most discussed celebrity relationships took a dramatic turn on Sunday, as music composer Palash Muchhal issued a heartfelt statement shortly after Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana confirmed that their wedding had been called off. What was meant to be a joyous celebration in Sangli on November 24 has now spiralled into a wave of speculation, emotional disclosures, and stern warnings against the spread of misinformation.

Palash Muchhal confirms separation with Smriti Mandhana

Minutes after Smriti publicly acknowledged that her wedding with Palash had been cancelled, the composer shared his own message through Instagram Stories. In a brief but emotionally charged note, Palash stated that he has chosen to step away from the relationship and focus on rebuilding his life.

“I have decided to move on in my life and step back from my personal relationship,” he wrote, marking his first public comment since news of the called-off wedding surfaced. The two had kept their relationship largely private until the wedding preparations in Sangli made headlines in late November.

Palash refutes rumours and urges public to stop believing gossips

Addressing swirling rumours that alleged he had cheated on Smriti during the pre-wedding events, Palash firmly denied any wrongdoing. Without naming anyone, he expressed disappointment at the speed with which unverified claims had spread across social media.

“It’s been very difficult for me to see people react so easily on baseless rumours about something that has been most sacred to me,” he wrote. Calling the split the ‘most difficult phase’ of his life, Palash appealed for empathy and maturity from the public.

He added, “I truly hope we, as a society, learn to pause before judging someone based on unverified gossip. Our words can wound in ways we may never understand.”

Composer warns of legal action against defamatory content

In a more assertive tone, Palash revealed that his team would pursue legal measures against individuals and platforms circulating false allegations. According to him, several posts and videos had crossed into defamatory territory, forcing him to respond formally.

“My team will be taking strict legal action against those spreading false and defamatory content,” he wrote, thanking those who had supported him through what he described as an emotionally overwhelming period.

Also READ: “I need to clarify that…”: Smriti Mandhana calls off her wedding with Palash Muchhal

Timeline of dramatic events

Palash and Smriti were set to marry in Sangli on November 24, with several Indian women’s team members already present for the celebrations. Pre-wedding events had begun smoothly, offering glimpses of joy and togetherness. However, on the morning of the wedding day, Smriti’s manager informed attendees that the ceremony had been postponed indefinitely due to her father’s sudden hospitalisation. By afternoon, reports emerged that Palash and his family had flown back to Mumbai, where he, too, was later admitted for medical care.

Smriti’s announcement that the wedding was officially called off, followed by Palash’s confirmation of the breakup, has now brought closure—albeit painful—to a whirlwind week for both families.

Also READ: BCCI announces complete schedule for WPL 2026; Royal Challengers Bengaluru will battle Mumbai Indians in the opener

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NEW DELHI: Beginning April, breath analysers, used to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of drivers or employees, will be required to comply with the newly notified norms issued by the consumer affairs department. The updated standards aim at enhancing accuracy, consistency and credibility of the devices, which play a critical role in law enforcement and workplace safety.Under the revised norms, breath analysers must meet strict limits on permissible error and incorporate a built-in printing mechanism. Significantly, the device will not operate if the printing paper is missing, ensuring that every test conducted is accompanied by a printed record for verification and legal use. Moreover, the device will display only the final measurement result, reducing chances of misinterpretation or tampering during testing.Officials said these measures seek to bolster public trust in the fairness and accuracy of enforcement actions related to drunk driving and workplace safety. The updated devices are designed to deliver rapid and reliable readings, enabling police officers and authorised personnel to make swift, well-informed decisions during checks. This is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of roadside enforcement operations.The norms fall under the amended Legal Metrology Rules, which also outline procedures for verification and scheduled re-verification of instruments. Regular checks will ensure that breath analysers remain accurate throughout their lifecycle and during field use.Traffic police across major cities have increasingly relied on breath analysers to curb drunk driving, especially during late-night patrols and holiday seasons. Road safety experts emphasised that the standardisation of these devices was long overdue, noting that inconsistent readings have often been challenged in courts. The new norms, they said, will help reduce disputes, strengthen prosecution in drunk-driving cases, and contribute to safer roads nationwide.

India vs Germany (Photo Credit: @TheHockeyIndia on X)

India’s hopes of winning the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup ended as they suffered a 1-5 defeat against defending champions Germany in Sunday’s semifinal. India’s last Junior World Cup victory was in 2016 in Lucknow.Germany displayed their dominance with goals from Lukas Kossel scoring twice at 14th and 30th minutes, Titus Wex at 15th minute, Jonas von Gersum at 40th minute, and Ben Hasbach at 49th minute.India managed to score once through Anmol Ekka’s penalty-corner conversion in the 51st minute.India will now compete for bronze against Argentina on Wednesday, while Germany faces Spain in the final. Spain advanced to the final after defeating Argentina 2-1 in the first semifinal.Despite India’s positive start, Germany gradually took control of the game. In the eighth minute, Indian goalkeeper Princedeep Singh successfully blocked Ben Hasbach’s reverse hit attempt.Germany’s growing confidence led to their first penalty corner in the 13th minute. They earned a penalty stroke when their goal-mouth flick hit an Indian defender’s body, resulting in Lukas Kossel’s successful conversion. Germany strengthened their lead when Wex deflected Kossel’s cross just before the first quarter ended. The defending champions secured their second penalty corner eleven seconds before halftime, with Kossel scoring again for a 3-0 lead.India missed an opportunity to score three minutes after halftime when Sourabh Anand Kushwaha failed to capitalise on an open goal chance. Germany maintained their strong performance while India struggled to respond effectively. Despite missing two back-to-back penalty corners in the 36th minute, Germany scored again through Jonas von Gersum’s neat deflection.The German team continued their offensive pressure, earning their fourth penalty corner in the 42nd minute, which India managed to defend.Hasbach extended Germany’s lead to 5-0 with a diving goal past goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh, following an aerial ball from deep in the field.India secured consecutive penalty corners in the 51st minute, with Anmol successfully converting one through a variation play.Despite India’s late attempts to increase pressure, they couldn’t overcome the significant deficit, ending their championship aspirations.