Lionel Messi, visiting India as part of his GOAT Tour India 2025, was forced to cut short his lap of honour. (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Kolkata witnessed an unprecedented mix of chaos and celebration as football superstar Lionel Messi made his much-anticipated appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The Argentine legend, visiting India as part of his GOAT Tour India 2025, was forced to cut short his lap of honour after an overwhelming crowd led to bottles being thrown by frustrated fans. Unable to catch a glimpse of the superstar, some spectators resorted to vandalising banners and seats, while others booed officials and politicians, highlighting serious security challenges amid the frenzy.

Despite the tumult at the stadium, Messi’s day also featured moments of admiration and excitement. Earlier, he virtually unveiled a towering 70-foot statue at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum. The iron statue, depicting Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, was constructed in just 40 days as a tribute to his incredible achievements on the field. West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit Bose confirmed, “We have talked to his manager, and today we will talk to Messi… He gave his consent for the statue and they are also happy…” Bose added that Messi and his team were delighted with the installation.The arrival of Messi in Kolkata early on Saturday morning drew massive crowds across key city locations, with fans eager to catch even a fleeting glimpse of the football icon. The excitement reflected Messi’s immense popularity in India, particularly in West Bengal, and underscored the global appeal of the World Cup-winning captain.Watch the video hereWatch the video hereThis visit marks Messi’s first trip to India since 2011. During his previous visit, he had played a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium, where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0, leaving an indelible memory for fans. After 14 years, the legendary footballer’s return has sparked immense enthusiasm, with fans preparing elaborate celebrations to welcome him.While the chaos at Salt Lake Stadium underscored the challenges of managing such large gatherings, the day also celebrated Messi’s legacy and his deep connection with Indian football fans. Between the unveiling of his monumental statue and the excitement at the stadium, Kolkata truly witnessed a historic occasion in honour of one of football’s greatest icons.

Once an 11-year-old Virat Kohli fan dreaming out loud, Aryan Sharma has turned promise into reality and now 18, he’s been named in Australia’s U19 World Cup squad. (Special Arrangement)

NEW DELHI: Raman Sharma vividly remembers Christmas of 2018, when his 11-year-old son Aryan spent the entire day making a placard for his idol, Virat Kohli, ahead of the Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).The placard read: “Virat, you’re my inspiration. Watch me play for Australia in 2025.”

Aryan Sharma manifested it, and now, seven years later, he is among the 15 players named in Australia’s squad for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6. Australia are placed in Group A alongside Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“He loves Virat Kohli. He adores Virat. Like millions of kids, Virat has inspired Aryan as well,” Raman Sharma tells TimesofIndia.com from Melbourne.

Aryan Sharma once held a placard saying, ‘Watch me play for Australia in 2025,’ has turned his childhood promise into reality.

“I have the placard on my work desk. After he got picked for Australia U-19 against India recently, where Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) and Ayush (Mhatre) were also playing, I told Ari, ‘You predicted that you would play for Australia in 2025 and here you are,'” says an emotional father.“You (can) call it manifestation or his bold prediction. But we were super thrilled. The coincidence was so lovely.”The icing on the cake for the Sharma family was that the Kohli-led India won the MCG Test by 137 runs, and Aryan got to see his inspiration in full flow during his 82 in the first innings, while putting together a 170-run stand with centurion Cheteshwar Pujara.

Aryan Sharma named in Australia’s squad for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6

“We managed to get the autographs of Jasprit Bumrah, who was sensational throughout the Test, and Mohammed Shami,” recollects Sharma Sr..There’s another coincidence in Aryan’s life. The 2005-born teenager fell in love with cricket in 2011, the year MS Dhoni-led India lifted the ODI World Cup.“I never played any professional cricket. Yes, I did play when I was young like any Indian teenager. Aryan developed his love when he was six. I still remember gifting him his first cricket bat,” says Raman.Aryan never looked back.“When he was 8, he was playing in the U11s. At 10, he was playing U14. He always played with kids older than his age. It helped his cricket as well,” says Raman.With Aryan taking giant strides in cricket, the Sharma family — Raman and his wife Shruti — had their own fair share of challenges to cope with.Raman, who hails from Garhshankar in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, moved to Australia in 2005. Moving to an alien country was not easy for Raman, who is a migration consultant and runs his own firm. “It was challenging. I was the first one to come to Australia from my family. So you’ve got to adapt quickly. Life itself is challenging,” says Raman. He adds, “I got married in 2007. We have three beautiful children. Like any family, we also went through our own ups and downs.“

Aryan Sharma in action

“It’s the journey of an entire family. I remember Aryan having lunch and dinner in the car. We had to go to the country town where he used to train, then to school, and again back to training. He used to change clothes in the car.“In all this my partner also stood firm. We have two daughters, both younger than Aryan. My wife was looking after them. I was doing my meetings in my car,” shares Raman.“It was quite challenging. Sometimes you get fined when you park your car beyond the parking limit. Our life revolved around his cricket,” he adds.Amidst all this, the one thing Raman misses the most is not being able to go to India regularly.“I did not travel to India for years. In Australia, the competitive cricket starts in January during the holidays. We were unable to travel to India since Ari was playing cricket. I didn’t go back for seven years,” he says.But in April 2024, it was cricket that brought Raman back to his homeland. Aryan’s childhood coach, Bagheshwar Bist, who has played Ranji Trophy for Haryana and is now settled in Melbourne, decided to take Aryan and a couple of other youngsters to India.

Aryan Sharma is an all-rounder

“We went to Chandigarh. We played at the iconic Sector 16 Stadium. We went to Zirakpur to play matches,” reminisces Raman.However, the hot North India weather in April took a toll on Aryan and his friends, and Raman thought they had made a big mistake. “It was so hot that I thought, ‘what have I done?’ But kudos to these boys, they never gave up. They made the most of the experience and returned better cricketers,” he says.Raman has nothing but gratitude for Cricket Victoria, Bagheshwar Bist, and all the coaches who have worked with Aryan so far.

“I want to thank Cricket Victoria, who identified his talent. I want to thank Mr. Bist, who worked tirelessly with his son. They made our life so easy. They have been so supportive,” says Raman.Raman, who knows a thing or two about life and the challenges it throws, has just one piece of advice for his son: “Keep your head down. Make sure you say hello to everyone. Stay humble.”

Delhi plunged back into ‘severe’ air quality on Saturday, triggering Stage III restrictions across the NCR

NEW DELHI: Delhi slipped back into the ‘severe’ air quality zone as pollution levels surged on Saturday, prompting authorities to reimpose Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR).According to an official press update, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which stood at 349 at 4 pm on Friday, rose sharply through the night and was recorded at 401 by 10 am on Saturday due to slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere and unfavourable meteorological conditions, leading to poor dispersion of pollutants.In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said its GRAP sub-committee had decided to invoke all measures under Stage III (‘Severe’ AQI: 401–450) with immediate effect across the NCR. These steps will be in addition to the curbs already in place under Stages I and II. Pollution control boards and enforcement agencies have also been directed to intensify preventive action to check further deterioration.A thick blanket of smog shrouded the capital on Saturday morning, reducing visibility and worsening discomfort.What’s banned under GRAP 3:

What’s allowed / exempted under GRAP 3:

Wazirpur recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 445, followed by Vivek Vihar (444), Jahangirpuri (442), Anand Vihar (439) and Ashok Vihar and Rohini (437 each). Other severely polluted areas included Narela (432), Pratapganj (431), Mundka (430) and Bawana, ITO and Nehru Nagar (429 each). AQI readings also crossed 420 in Chandni Chowk, Punjabi Bagh, Siri Fort and Sonia Vihar, while Burari Crossing, RK Puram, North Campus and Okhla Phase II remained deep in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ range.Under CPCB norms, an AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as ‘severe’, posing serious health risks and warranting emergency control measures.Poor air quality was not limited to Delhi alone. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh also woke up to dense smog on Saturday. Noida Sector 125 and Sector 116 reported ‘severe’ air with AQI readings of 448 each. Lucknow fared slightly better with an AQI of 242 (‘poor’), while Kanpur and Prayagraj recorded ‘moderate’ levels and Moradabad remained in the ‘poor’ category. Thick fog and smog reduced visibility in cities such as Bulandshahr, Ayodhya and Mainpuri, where residents were seen lighting bonfires to cope with the cold and haze.

NEW DELHI: Expressing dismay over the Madhya Pradesh high court order condoning delay of over four years on the state govt’s part to file an appeal, the Supreme Court has said it “wonders” whether the high court was aware about law laid down by the apex court on condonation of delay, and quashed the order.The Limitation Act states that appeals must be filed within specific timeframes, and if not, a petitioner would have to request condonation, or pardon, for the delay before the court concerned in order for the matter to be heard.A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Prasanna B Varale asked HC to re-examine the case in light of SC’s recent judgment on pardoning delay and pass a reasoned order. “We are dismayed to say from the tenor of the impugned order that HC condoned the delay of 1,612 days on mere asking without highlighting the sufficient cause that might have been assigned by the state. The law, insofar as limitation and condoning delay is concerned, is well-settled. We wonder if HC is aware of the following decisions of this court — (1) Union of India vs Jahangir Byramji Jeejeebhoy, (2) Shivamma (Dead) By Lrs. vs Karnataka Housing Board,” the bench said in its order.Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the state government, told the bench the delay happened due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the bench said HC did not mention any reason for the condoning delay. It said SC, in the recent past, has delivered judgments explaining in what manner the sufficient cause has to be looked into, and the plea for condonation of delay is to be considered.“In such circumstances, referred to above, we set aside the impugned order passed by the HC and remand the matter to the HC for fresh consideration,” the bench said.SC, in its various rulings, had repeatedly held that the state or any of its instrumentalities could not be given preferential treatment for condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act.Contrary to SC judgments, HC in its order on Sept 1 said, “It is well settled in law that in the matter of condonation of delay liberal approach has to be adopted by court, therefore, on due consideration of the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the petitioner and the reasons assigned in the application, which is supported by the affidavit interim application is allowed and the delay of 1,612 days is hereby condoned.”The apex court was hearing an appeal against the HC order. The petition, filed through advocate Dushyant Parashar, said the high court passed the order on the basis of the state’s affidavit, which had no explanation for the delay and was only an eyewash, which was accepted by the HC.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders across parties paid solemn tribute to security personnel martyred in the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Remembering their bravery and sacrifice, the nation reaffirmed its unwavering stance against terrorism. The attack, which claimed 14 lives, was a stark reminder of the threats faced by the “temple of democracy.”

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament terror attack.Prime Minister along with Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and other parliamentarians paid their tributes at Parliament.Leaders across parties joined the remembrance. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived at Parliament to honour the fallen personnel, while Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath remembered their sacrifice, calling the attack a brutal assault on the nation’s sovereignty.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari also saluted the security forces who protected the “temple of democracy”.“Saluting the brave who laid down their lives on 13 December 2001 to protect the temple of democracy during the terrorist attack on the Parliament House. Their sacrifice for the protection of the nation will always be remembered.” Gadkari said.The Central Reserve Police Force also paid tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, remembering her courage and sacrifice.“Tribute to the Brave… On 13 December 2001, during the terrorist attack on the Parliament in Delhi, Constable Kamlesh Kumari of 88 Battalion, #CRPF, demonstrated indomitable courage and unparalleled valor by pursuing the terrorists amidst heavy firing and continuously providing information about their activities to her fellow personnel.” CRPF’s X post read.“Due to her courageous actions, all five terrorists were neutralized. During this incident, she sustained serious injuries and ultimately sacrificed her life on the altar of duty. For her indomitable courage and extraordinary bravery, she was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. The brave ‘balidani’ receives the eternal salutations of CRPF,” the post said.Defence minister Rajnath Singh also paid his tributes in a post on X, in which he wrote:“Remembering and paying heartfelt tributes to the brave security personnel who stood as an unbreakable shield during the cowardly terror attack on Parliament House. They laid down their lives to protect the soul of our democracy. Their courage, supreme sacrifice and unwavering sense of duty will forever live in the nation’s conscience and inspire India’s resolve.”On December 13, 2001, five terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed the Parliament complex, killing 14 people, mostly security personnel. Parliament reiterated its resolve to stand firm against terrorism. The terror attack took place around 40 minutes after Parliament was adjourned, and about 100 members were present in the building.

NEW DELHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s viral video claiming that he waited for over 40 minutes to meet Vladimir Putin before walking into a closed-door meeting between the Russian President and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkmenistan was later deleted, with a clarification stating it may have been a “misrepresentation of the events.“According to a post earlier shared by RT India, “PM Sharif waited for over 40 minutes for President Putin before growing tired and gate-crashing Russian leader’s meeting with Erdogan. He left ten minutes later.”

RT India later deleted the post and issued a clarification, stating that, “We deleted an earlier post about Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif waiting to meet Vladimir Putin at the Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan. The post may have been a misrepresentation of the events.”The viral video comes at a time when Sharif has repeatedly attempted to strengthen Pakistan’s ties with Moscow, even as Putin has publicly displayed a far closer diplomatic comfort with India.Also read: ‘Respect your relationship with India’: Pakistan PM tries to cozy up to Putin; pitches ‘supplementary’ tiesDuring bilateral talks with Putin in China in September 2025, Sharif attempted to strike a conciliatory tone. He told the Russian leader, “I would like to thank you for supporting Pakistan and trying to have a balancing act in the region.” He added, “I know and I must say that I respect your relationship with India and it is perfectly fine, but we also want to build strong relations and these relations will be supplementary and complementary for the betterment of the region.“Sharif’s comments came at a moment when the United States under president Donald Trump had sharply criticised both India and China for continuing to purchase Russian oil.The Pakistani leader also met Chinese president Xi Jinping during the same trip, with Beijing renewing its commitment to expanding the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement. Xi told Sharif that China expected Pakistan to ensure stronger security for Chinese personnel and projects.Sharif later endorsed Xi’s Global Governance Initiative at the SCO summit, calling it significant for global peace and pledging Pakistan’s full support. The same summit saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi push for unified global action against terrorism, remarking, “Security, peace and stability are the basis of development of any country… Terrorism is not just a challenge to the security of a country but a common challenge for all of humanity.“