Three-year-old Sarvagya Singh Kushwaha (File Photo)

A complaint has been lodged against Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, who recently made headlines as the youngest-ever FIDE-rated chess player. According to a report from The Indian Express, the complaint questions the legitimacy of his achievement, suggesting unfair means were used to obtain the rating.The complaint specifically alleges that his three opponents were coaches from the same academy where he trains.

“It appears that the rating was achieved through unfair means, involving clear violations of FIDE’s fair play principles by the coaches or individuals supervising the games,” the complaint reads.The young prodigy from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, has support from his father Siddharth Singh Kushwaha and coach Nitin Chaurasiya. While acknowledging the complaint filed with FIDE, they dismiss the allegations as factional politics within the Madhya Pradesh chess federation.“In Sagar, there are two factions in the local chess body. One faction is trying to target the other by trying to prove my son’s record came by unfair means,” Siddharth said.The young player secured victories against Abhijeet Awasthi (1,542), Shubham Chourasiya (1,559), and Yogesh Namdev (1,696) in tournaments across Khandwa, Indore, Chhindwara, and Mangaluru. These matches gained attention as his opponents were older and higher-ranked players. The complaint raises concerns about these opponents, stating they are coaches at the same academy where Sarwagya trains in Sagar.“Just because these people are from Sagar and we know them, it cannot prove that there was anything unfair. I know these three people by face, as someone who also runs a chess academy. They are like our competitors,” his father added.Additional concerns have been raised about one particular tournament where both Sarwagya and Namdev allegedly joined after the initial draw. Reports suggest they were manually added to the draw and paired against each other.In the same tournament, Sarwagya reportedly lost a 10-minute rapid game on time after visiting the washroom during the final minutes.ALSO READ: The rise of ‘Queen’: From ages 8 to 18, how an all-girl team is bringing free chess to rural India

Everyone maintains a checklist in life, mentally or physically. For some it’s the day-to-day tasks, taking the meds, talking to the parents, drinking enough water and more. A new checklist that all of us seem to be hopping on is the supplement checklist. Everyone seems to be comparing notes, analysing if they are having the supplements that the other one is not. In this case, you might end up beginning a journey whose end is not happy, but harmful. Not all supplements are meant for the human body and particularly for yours. Every person’s health is individual to them and may end up deteriorating if provided with the wrong kind of supplements. Here are four supplements that you should never take.

Kava is a plant, native to Oceania that contains chemicals believed to ease stress and anxiety. Its supplements are available in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, teas and liquid extracts. However, did you know that the use of kava has been banned in numerous countries such as Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada and Great Britain. As per a 2012 study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, kava was found to contain natural aflatoxins that are potentially toxic to the human liver. In 2018, there were about 100 reported cases of liver damage from kava. Additionally, it is also known to slow down the nervous system, thus combining it with alcohol or anxiety medications can raise the risk of impairment. As per the FDA, the beverage form of kava is “not safe for human consumption.”According to a 2025 nationally representative survey published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 9% of American adults reported using Kratom. The supplement is made from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and has a caffeine-like stimulant effect in low doses and sedative effects in high doses. Most people use it to ease symptoms of anxiety, pain, depression and more. The FDA has issued a warning against the use of Kratom but its sale goes on due to its popularity as a drug. As per the agency, it is not suitable for use as a dietary supplement and can cause liver toxicity, seizures, substance use disorder (SUD) and in some cases death. Thus, it is vital to stay away from the product and even keep your kids away from it. If you are taking supplements of St. John’s Wort, then you might be one of the people who have seen any benefit from it. Assumed to be an antidepressant supplement, research states that it has no improvements in depression at all. A 2001 clinical trial reported in JAMA stated that the herb does not work and has the same effects as a placebo. Additionally, it also interacts with numerous medications, “making them ineffective,” shared Mahtab Jafari, PharmD, of UC Irvine to Consumer Reports. These medications include birth control pills, some immunosuppressant drugs and heart medications such as warfarin. Yeah, you might be surprised but not everything green is good. Green tea is the queen of the tea kingdom and no amount of coffee has been able to replace its worth in the eyes of the medical world. The product is also popular as a supplement for weight loss. As per David Seres, MD, of Columbia University Medical Center, when people drink 12 cups of green tea throughout the day, the dosage is spread. “But with green tea extract, you’re getting 12 cups’ worth of tea all at once,” he said to the outlet. That amount of intake is toxic and can cause digestive issues along with interacting with medications such as blood thinners and statins for cholesterol. The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) warns that green tea extract has been linked with liver damage so severe as to require transplant or lead to death. When considering the use of dietary supplements, it is essential to remember that taking more than what is necessary does not equate to better health outcomes. Supplements can indeed provide benefits for your overall well-being, but only when you choose the appropriate types and the correct amounts tailored to your specific needs. Therefore, it is crucial to engage in a discussion with your healthcare provider before integrating any supplements into your daily regimen.In a world overflowing with health trends and “quick fixes,” remember that the smartest supplement you can take is knowledge, because the wrong choice can cost you far more than it promises to give. Because when it comes to supplements, wisdom isn’t in taking more—it’s in knowing when to step back.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.

Mumbai: Eleven months after Supreme Court set aside a March 2022 judgment of Bombay high court and ruled that nearly six acres of Century Cotton Textile Mill land at a prime location in Worli belonged entirely to BMC, the civic body has moved to monetise the property. The BMC has floated a tender to auction the plot of land for a 30-year lease — renewable once for another 30 years — through private participation. The base price has been set at Rs 1,348 crore, with development permitted under Development Control & Promotion Regulations (DCPR- 2034) norms. “The base price has been set considering that the plot will have to be developed holistically as it houses over 400 tenants at present,” a BMC official said. “In June, a table survey, akin to a police panchnama, was conducted by our staff to record the ground reality of the land parcel, capturing details such as number of structures, encroachments, obstructions, and even tree cover.” BMC’s tender states that bidders must pay 30% of the total bid amount within one month of receiving the letter of acceptance (LoA). The remaining 70% must be paid within two years of the LoA, with interest at 12% per year charged on any amount pending after the first year, as per the Estate Policy. If the bidder fails to pay the initial 30% within one month, or within two months if an extension is granted by the municipal chief, the offer will be cancelled and the earnest money deposit (EMD) forfeited. Similarly, if the remaining 70% is not paid within the deadline, the entire EMD and the 25% already paid will be forfeited, in addition to the authority retaining the right to recover any further losses caused by the bidder’s default.The SC order this Jan paved the way for BMC to take possession of the land, which was leased in 1927 to Century Spinning and Manufacturing Co (now Aditya Birla Group-controlled Century Textiles and Industries Ltd) for 28 years at a yearly rent of Re 1, though no step was taken to take it back after the lease expired.In 2007, the company issued a legal notice requiring BMC to execute the conveyance deed to get title and ownership of land in its favour. It also approached HC, which allowed its plea in March 2022 and directed BMC to execute the conveyance in eight weeks. The company claimed the lease conferred a right to conveyance in its favour. BMC then went in appeal against the HC decision.

As the countdown to the IPL 2026 Auction gathers pace, cricket expert and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed his list of five players he believes will attract strong interest from franchises. With teams preparing to rebuild and restructure, Pathan’s selections focus heavily on fast bowling — a commodity increasingly dominating T20 cricket. His list also includes a high-impact all-rounder who could become one of the biggest talking points of the auction.

Star Indian bowler leads the domestic pacer category

Pathan’s first pick was India’s rising fast bowler Akash Deep, whom he praised for his impressive control and new-ball prowess. Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan explained that the right-arm quick possesses a straight seam position, late movement, and zippy release — all of which make him a dangerous bowler in the powerplay.

He suggested that Sunrisers Hyderabad, who recently moved on from Mohammed Shami, might be among the teams keen to secure Akash Deep. Pathan emphasized that any franchise looking for a dependable Indian fast bowler with strong new-ball skills will likely keep a close eye on him during the bidding.

“If I talk about Akash Deep, his seam is very straight. If any team can make use of his new-ball skills, he can be beneficial because he is excellent with the new ball. The way his deliveries zip and comes onto the bat, it comes well. He also generates that late movement, as we saw in England. Akash Deep’s quality is with the new ball. I feel SunRisers Hyderabad are short of Indian fast bowlers, they have also released Mohammed Shami, so they can go for him,” said Pathan on Star Sports.

Pathan also included Akash Madhwal in his five-player watchlist, praising his rapid rise in T20 cricket and his ability to handle pressure at the death. Known for his pinpoint yorkers and disciplined bowling in crunch moments, Madhwal has already showcased his temperament in high-stakes IPL matches.

Australian all-rounder tipped to draw massive attention

Among all-rounders, Pathan’s standout pick was Australia’s Cameron Green, predicting that teams will go all out for him despite purse constraints. Calling him a rare entity in world cricket, Pathan noted Green’s high-arm action, natural bounce, ability to swing the ball, and impact with the bat.

Green prefers batting at the top but also offers flexibility in the middle order — a combination that makes him a strategic asset. Pathan stated that fast-bowling all-rounders of his calibre are ‘scarce in nature,’ making the Australian one of the most valuable names heading into the auction.

Also READ: IND vs SA T20I series: Dale Steyn and Irfan Pathan predict scoreline and identify the highest wicket-taker

Pace duo expected to create frenzy

Adding to his list, Pathan picked two overseas quicks known for their lightning pace — Anrich Nortje and Matheesha Pathirana — both of whom he believes will be in heavy demand.

Nortje, with his ability to consistently clock speeds above 150 km/h, brings raw intimidation and wicket-taking ability in all phases of the innings. Pathan noted that Nortje’s experience across global T20 leagues makes him an immediate impact signing for any side seeking a strike bowler.

Pathirana, known as the ‘Baby Malinga’ due to his slingy action, has built a reputation as a deadly death-overs specialist. His ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers and unsettle batters with deceptive angles places him among the most exciting young pacers available. Pathan believes that his unique skillset will spark strong competition among franchises.

Also READ: 5 uncapped stars who can trigger a bidding war in IPL 2026 mini auction

US President Donald Trump (AP photo)

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that Thailand and Cambodia, two Southeast Asian neighbours locked in a long-running territorial dispute, had agreed to halt all hostilities with immediate effect.Trump said he had a “good conversation” with the prime ministers of both nations about their “long-running war”, after which they agreed to “cease all shooting” and return to the “original peace accord”. He also credited Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, for his role in the negotiations.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America. It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter.”The announcement comes amid escalating violence along the disputed 800-kilometre border, where both Thailand and Cambodia claim ownership of several historic temples. The colonial-era demarcation has fueled periodic clashes for years.Fighting surged again on Thursday, with explosions reported near centuries-old temple complexes ahead of Trump’s phone calls with both leaders. At least 20 people have been killed since the latest round of border violence erupted last week, officials said.Around 600,000 people, mostly in Thailand, have fled areas near the frontier, where jets, tanks and drones have been used in combat. The ongoing confrontation is the deadliest since five days of fighting in July left dozens dead before a fragile truce was reached following intervention by Trump.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule unveiled (PTI Photo)

Media company JioStar has confirmed its commitment to fulfil its contract with the International Cricket Council. This statement was released following reports suggesting the broadcaster might exit its USD 3-billion deal before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. JioStar was formed through a merger between Reliance’s media division and Walt Disney’s India operations.

“Both organisations remain focused on delivering uninterrupted, world-class coverage of upcoming ICC events to fans across India, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, one of the sport’s most anticipated global tournaments,” JioStar said in a statement.The company assured that event preparations are proceeding as scheduled, with no disruption to viewers, advertisers, or industry partners.“ICC and JioStar, as long-term commercial partners, maintain regular communication on operational, commercial and strategic matters focused on the role the partnership can play in growing the sport,” it said.The company acknowledged recent media speculation about ICC’s media rights agreement in India.“These reports do not reflect the position of either organisation. The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC’s official media rights partner in India. Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect,” the statement said.ICC released its own statement confirming the partnership: “The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC’s official media rights partner in India. Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect.”The cricket governing body emphasised JioStar’s commitment to honour its contractual obligations. Recent reports had suggested that JioStar informed ICC about withdrawing from the remaining two years of its four-year agreement due to financial losses. These reports also claimed ICC had begun searching for new bidders for the 2026-29 rights cycle.

Pakistan on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global crypto exchange Binance to explore tokenisation of sovereign and real-world assets of up to $2 billion, marking one of the country’s most significant steps toward adopting blockchain-based financial infrastructure, PTI reported.The MoU was signed at the Finance Division by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Binance CEO Richard Teng, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. The agreement aims to assess the feasibility of digitising Pakistan’s assets — including government bonds, treasury bills, commodity reserves and other federally owned holdings — through blockchain platforms.According to the ministry, the proposed collaboration seeks to “enhance liquidity, transparency and international market accessibility,” with any move subject to Pakistani laws, policies and regulatory approvals. The MoU is non-binding, sets no exclusivity, and does not amount to a procurement commitment. Definitive agreements, if pursued, will be negotiated within six months.Officials said the arrangement could allow Binance and its affiliates to provide technical expertise, advisory support, training and capacity building to help Pakistan evaluate compliant blockchain infrastructure that can attract global investors while ensuring full sovereign control.Calling the MoU a major signal of the government’s reform direction, Aurangzeb said, “This is a very strong message — not only for Pakistan, but for the entire world. What we have signed today reflects a long-term partnership… The next step for us is execution, and we are fully committed to delivering results with speed and quality.”Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council Changpeng Zhao, who was present at the signing, termed the development “a landmark” for Pakistan’s financial future. “This is a great signal for the global blockchain industry and for Pakistan… now we can move towards full deployment and execution,” he said, expressing confidence that the collaboration would have “positive and lasting outcomes for the economy.”The ministry added that the initiative marks a key milestone in aligning Pakistan’s financial ecosystem with global best practices at a time when tokenisation is gaining traction worldwide.Separately, the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) said it has issued No Objection Certificates to Binance and HTX, launching a phased, FATF-aligned route toward full licensing. “Strong governance, AML and CFT compliance remain central as Pakistan builds a trusted digital asset ecosystem,” PVARA said on X.The authority said Pakistan has taken a “decisive step” toward a regulated digital-asset framework by entering formal arrangements with Binance and HTX.

The US Transportation Department has warned New York that it could lose $73 million in federal highway funds after an audit found thousands of immigrant commercial driver’s licences (CDLs) were allegedly issued without proper verification, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Friday, AP report.Duffy said federal investigators reviewed 200 non-domiciled commercial licences and found more than half had been issued improperly, including several that defaulted to an eight-year validity period regardless of when the applicant’s work authorisation expired. He also said New York could not demonstrate immigration-status verification for roughly 32,000 active licences in this category and, in some cases, issued CDLs despite applicants’ work permits already having lapsed.“When more than half of the licences reviewed were issued illegally, it isn’t just a mistake — it is a dereliction of duty by state leadership. Gov. (Kathy) Hochul must immediately revoke these illegally issued licences,” Duffy said. New York has 30 days to respond to the findings.The New York Department of Motor Vehicles rejected the allegations. DMV spokesperson Walter McClure said: “Secretary Duffy is lying about New York State once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents. Here is the truth: Commercial Drivers Licenses are regulated by the Federal Government, and New York State DMV has, and will continue to, comply with federal rules.”Duffy has launched a nationwide audit of immigrant CDL issuance following a fatal Florida crash involving a driver who was not authorised to be in the US. So far, only states led by Democratic governors have been warned of potential sanctions, though Duffy insisted the effort is not political and is focused on preventing unqualified drivers from operating heavy trucks and buses.The Transportation Department has already pressured California, Pennsylvania and Minnesota, where audits uncovered similar issues, prompting California to revoke 17,000 licences. A separate federal rule that sought to sharply restrict eligibility for noncitizens to obtain CDLs has been put on hold by a court.Immigrants constitute around 20% of US truck drivers, although non-domiciled licence holders account for only about 5% of CDL holders nationally.