The government has notified detailed guidelines for two major shipbuilding initiatives with a combined outlay of over Rs 44,700 crore, aimed at strengthening India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem and enhancing global competitiveness.The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said the two schemes — the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) — are designed to revive domestic shipbuilding, deepen industrial linkages and create long-term capacity, PTI reported.Under SBFAS, which has a total corpus of Rs 24,736 crore, the government will provide financial assistance ranging from 15 per cent to 25 per cent per vessel, depending on the category. The scheme introduces graded support for small normal, large normal and specialised vessels, with stage-wise disbursement linked to defined milestones and backed by security instruments. Incentives for series orders have also been built in.The SbDS, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 19,989 crore, focuses on long-term capacity and capability creation across the shipbuilding value chain. According to the official statement, the scheme provides for the development of greenfield shipbuilding clusters, expansion and modernisation of existing brownfield shipyards, and the setting up of an India Ship Technology Centre under the Indian Maritime University to support research, design, innovation and skills development.Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the guidelines create a stable and transparent framework to revive domestic shipbuilding and strengthen both forward and backward linkages, the statement said.The schemes also provide for the establishment of a National Shipbuilding Mission to ensure coordinated planning and execution of shipbuilding initiatives. In addition, a shipbreaking credit note has been introduced, under which ship owners scrapping vessels at Indian yards will receive a credit equivalent to 40 per cent of the scrap value, linking ship recycling with new ship construction and supporting a circular economy approach.To strengthen governance and ensure efficient use of public funds, independent valuation and milestone-based assessments have been made mandatory, the ministry said.Over the next decade, SBFAS is expected to support shipbuilding projects worth about Rs 96,000 crore, stimulate domestic manufacturing and generate employment across the maritime value chain.Under SbDS, greenfield shipbuilding clusters will receive 100 per cent capital support for common maritime and internal infrastructure through a 50:50 Centre–state special purpose vehicle. Existing shipyards will be eligible for 25 per cent capital assistance for brownfield expansion of critical infrastructure such as dry docks, shiplifts, fabrication facilities and automation systems.With the creation of modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce, commercial shipbuilding capacity is projected to rise to about 4.5 million gross tonnage per annum by 2047, according to the statement.Both SBFAS and SbDS will remain valid until March 31, 2036, with an in-principle extension envisaged up to 2047, the statement noted. Together, the schemes are expected to generate employment, promote indigenous technology development and strengthen India’s maritime security and economic resilience.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Shaheen Afridi’s difficult stint with Brisbane Heat showed no sign of easing on Saturday night, as another expensive spell and an untimely injury deepened concerns around the Pakistan fast bowler’s form and fitness in the Big Bash League. Facing Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba, Afridi endured a bruising 12th over in which Australian-born Italian batter Harry Manenti took him apart, conceding 19 runs in a single burst. The night worsened later when Afridi picked up a knee injury while fielding, forcing him to limp off and take no further part in the contest, a worrying sight for Pakistan with the T20 World Cup now only six weeks away.

Afridi was unable to complete his full allocation of overs and finished with figures of 3 overs for 26 runs without a wicket. Those numbers, however, masked a promising start. He was sharp and disciplined with the new ball, giving away just seven runs across his first two overs and briefly hinting at a turnaround. The momentum shifted when he returned in the middle overs. Matthew Short set the tone by pulling a short delivery through backward square leg for four before nudging singles to keep the strike moving. Manenti then seized control, launching three successive boundaries as Afridi struggled to regain his rhythm, the over unraveling rapidly. The injury incident followed shortly after. During the 14th over of the Strikers’ chase, Jamie Overton drove a yorker-length ball from Xavier Bartlett straight back past the bowler. Afridi, positioned at mid-on, chased hard but appeared to twist or jar his knee while running. He was clearly uncomfortable, completed the over, then limped from the field and did not return. With Pakistan still searching for their first ICC trophy since the 2017 Champions Trophy, Afridi remains central to their T20 plans, making any injury a major concern. Team management and fans alike will be hoping the setback proves minor. The broader picture has been equally troubling. Afridi’s BBL campaign has yielded just two wickets from four matches, with an average of 76.50 and an economy rate of 11.19. Earlier in the tournament, during his debut outing for Brisbane Heat against Melbourne Renegades in Geelong on December 15, he was even removed from the attack for bowling dangerously. In the match itself, Brisbane Heat defended a competitive total of 179 after being sent in to bat. Max Bryant provided the impetus with a blistering 63 off 32 balls. Adelaide’s chase was anchored by skipper Matthew Short, who scored 63 from 39 deliveries, while Jerrssais Wadia threatened late with a rapid 34 off 16. In the end, Heat held their nerve, bowling the Strikers out for 172 with one ball to spare to seal a narrow win.

Unrest in Bangladesh’s Dhaka

The US state department on Sunday denounced the recent communal violence in Bangladesh as “horrific,” condemning the mob killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, and urging an unequivocal stand against religious hatred.Responding to IANS, a state department spokesperson said, “The United States supports religious freedom and freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.” The spokesperson added, “The United States unequivocally condemns religious violence in all its forms, and we welcome measures the Bangladeshi interim government is taking to ensure the safety and security for all communities in Bangladesh.“The statement comes amid growing concern in Washington and among advocacy groups over the killing of Hindu worker Das and what they describe as a broader pattern of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh.US lawmakers have also spoken out. Congressman Ro Khanna called the killing “horrific” and urged clear condemnation of religious hatred. “The killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh, is horrific, and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family,” Khanna wrote on X. “We must unequivocally condemn and speak out against these vile acts of hatred and bigotry,” he added.Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker from Bhaluka, was killed on December 18 after a mob accused him of blasphemy. He was beaten to death and his body set ablaze.The incident has intensified scrutiny of the situation facing religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, amid political upheaval in the country. Advocacy groups report a rise in attacks, citing incidents of mob violence, vandalism, and intimidation across several regions.While the State Department did not provide details on diplomatic engagements with Dhaka, its response emphasised Washington’s condemnation of religious violence and welcomed steps by Bangladesh’s interim authorities to strengthen security for all communities.

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When your doctor prescribes you glasses, it often comes with a couple of dos and don’ts. The instruction manual may seem a tad much, but you must follow it word by word. Why? Because if you don’t, you could end up losing your vision. For instance, if your doctor advised you not to lift weights after prescribing you glasses, listen!In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Sanskriti Ukey, an ophthalmologist based in India, explained how lifting weights when you are on glasses can be dangerous. What happens when you lift weights while you have glasses? Let’s take a look.

High power glasses mean no weight lifting

If your ophthalmologist prescribed you strong glasses, that means you have to stop lifting weights. In cases of high myopia, it is especially crucial that you keep heavy lifting at bay.“Your high power means your eyeball is longer and thinner, making the delicate inner lining-the retina-stretched and extra fragile,” Dr Ukey said.ID@undefined Caption not available.

What happens when you lift heavy weights?

The ophthalmologist also explained what would happen if you lift heavy weights when you have high power glasses. “When you lift heavy weights, you naturally hold your breath and strain. This creates an intense, sudden pressure spike that shoots straight to your head and eyes,” Dr Ukey said.So, what’s the risk? The seemingly harmless action may lead to serious damage to your eyes. According to Dr Ukey, the sudden pressure spike acts like a powerful tug on your already weakened retina.“It can cause a retinal tear or full-blown retinal detachment, a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery.” A retinal detachment often means severe, permanent loss of vision, the doctor said. The doctor emphasized that avoiding heavy lifting is crucial is to protect your vision. “Is a moment of heavy lifting worth the risk of losing your central vision? The answer is NO.”If you are very keen about lifting weights, the ophthalmologist suggests keeping the weight limit below 10 pounds (about 4.5 kg).”Also, remember that safety comes first. “Use carts, ask for help, or keep your mouth open and breathe out when lifting anything heavy to prevent that dangerous pressure spike.”While fitness is an important aspect of life, so is your vision. So, the next time your eye doctor tells you to follow a set of rules, stick by it. Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.

The finance ministry has directed public sector banks and financial institutions, including insurance companies, to ensure prompt reporting of vigilance-related matters concerning whole-time directors (WTDs), citing repeated instances of delayed or incomplete disclosures, PTI reported.In an advisory issued by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) earlier this month, the ministry said adverse information about board-level appointees was often reported only when vigilance clearance was specifically sought from the chief vigilance officers (CVOs) of public sector undertakings.The DFS noted that critical inputs — including private complaints, court observations, references from the CBI or other law enforcement agencies — were, in many cases, not disclosed at the appropriate stage. In some instances, crucial information relating to WTDs was omitted from vigilance clearance formats on the ground that no specific column existed for such disclosure.Calling such omissions a matter of “serious concern”, the ministry said strict compliance is expected from PSUs, especially as such information has a direct bearing on appointments, promotions, board-level postings and placement of whole-time directors.The DFS has asked public sector banks and financial institutions to immediately report adverse inputs relating to board-level officials, even if the alleged lapse pertains to a role held in a capacity other than a board position.It also directed entities to ensure comprehensive disclosures in vigilance clearance submissions, including observations or directions of courts or tribunals, findings of internal committees, serious audit observations and communications from any department or agency.Chief vigilance officers have been instructed to ensure that vigilance clearances reflect the most updated and accurate status as on the date of issuance, and that no material information is suppressed.Earlier this year, the government had taken the unusual step of demoting Union Bank of India Executive Director Pankaj Dwivedi to the rank of general manager at Punjab & Sind Bank. The decision followed an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court, where it was alleged that his appointment as executive director violated regulations due to the absence of vigilance clearance.

MCG head curator Matt Page has admitted to being in a “state of shock” following the dramatic conclusion of the Boxing Day Test, which saw England secure a four-wicket victory over Australia in just two days of play.

The match, which traditionally serves as the crown jewel of the Australian summer, became a chaotic “bowlers’ paradise” that has left Cricket Australia (CA) facing an estimated $10 million AUD revenue shortfall and the venue’s reputation under heavy fire.

MCG Pitch curator expresses disappointment following quick end of 4th Test

Speaking to reporters on Sunday morning—a day that was supposed to feature a sold-out crowd of 90,000—a visibly disappointed Page expressed his disbelief at how quickly the surface deteriorated.

“I was in a state of shock after the first day to see everything that happened—20 wickets in a single day,” Page said.

Notably, a staggering 36 wickets fell in just 142 overs, making it the third-shortest Test match in Australian history. For the first time since 1932, no player from either side managed to score a half-century in a Test on Australian soil.

“I’ve never been involved in a Test match like it and hopefully I’m never involved in a Test match like that again. It was a roller-coaster ride for two days to see everything unfold,” he added.

The controversy centers on Page’s decision to leave 10mm of grass on the pitch—3mm more than the 7mm left for last year’s five-day classic against India. Page explained that the decision was a preemptive measure against a forecast of high heat for Days 3 and 4, intended to prevent the pitch from cracking and becoming a “road” like the infamous 2017 Ashes draw.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Ben Stokes and Steve Smith slam MCG pitch after 4th Test ends in two days

Travis Head comes in support of MCG Pitch curator

Travis Head, whose second-innings knock of 46 turned out to be the highest score of the match, came out in support of MCG curator Page, admitting that the margin for error in pitch preparation is incredibly small. Acknowledging how demanding the job is for groundstaff, Head said they have it ‘bloody tough,’ especially when elite players are involved. He compared the surface to recent high-profile Tests, including last year’s MCG match—where India collapsed late on the final day—and the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, where both teams struggled despite the pitch being one of the better batting wickets he had played on.

“You look at the Test match last year, and India batted poorly on the last day… It probably looks like it’s going to a draw, and then there’s question marks around: are we going too far the other way? I feel for him [Page]. It’s bloody tough. You leave 1-2mm on with high-quality bowling and you find yourself short, and you take 2-3mm off with high-quality batting and you leave yourself the other way,” said Head as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Also READ: Winless streak snapped: Fans react as Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue drive England to Ashes Test success in Australia

England star batter Joe Root hit another milestone in cricket as he became only the ninth batter to score 22,000 international runs. Joe Root scored 15 runs in the second innings of the fourth Australia vs England Test of the ongoing Ashes series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to achieve the feat.Joe Root now has 22,000 runs in 380 international matches at an average of 49.21. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara are ahead of Root in the list of players with the most international runs in the history of cricket.

Root, who had never scored a century on Australian soil, finally broke the curse as he scored an unbeaten 138 in the first innings of the second Ashes 2025-26 Test at Brisbane.Despite a century in the Brisbane Test, Root has only managed 234 runs in four Ashes Tests. England, despite winning the recently concluded fourth Test, have conceded the series to the Aussies, as the series scoreline reads 3-1.In the Boxing Day Test, England defeated Australia by four wickets, registering their first victory on the tour. In the match, England opted to bowl first. Josh Tongue’s five-wicket haul helped bowl Australia out for 152 before England collapsed to 110, trailing by 42. Australia then struggled again on a difficult pitch, managing just 132 in their second innings, setting England a target of 175. England’s chase was steadied by solid partnerships at the top, and despite a late wobble, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith saw them home to a memorable four-wicket victory.Notably, Australia had extended their dominance at home by winning the first three Ashes Tests in a row, stretching their unbeaten streak against England in Australia to 16-0. England’s victory in the fourth Test has now brought that run to an end.