Thalapathi Vijay’s return from his trip to Malaysia after the audio launch event for his upcoming film ‘Jana Nayagan’ descended into chaos as he touched down in Chennai. A wave of overwhelmed fans caused the actor-turned-politician to lose balance and fall.

Vijay Thalapathy gets mobbed

As seen in the videos circulating on the internet, many fans ran to see the ‘Jana Nayagan’ star when he reached Chennai Airport. Fans wanted to take photos and be near him. There were too many people around him, which also led to everyone pushing forward to get closer. This made a small mess near his car.

Vijay loses balance and trips near his car

Because the crowd was so big, Vijay lost his balance and slipped and fell down just before he reached his car. The security guards came quickly to assist him. They picked him up, helped him stand and took him inside the car safely. Vijay did not suffer any injuries.

‘Jana Nayagan’ audio launch event

For the unversed, the Tamil star came from Kuala Lumpur after a huge show for his upcoming political thriller ‘Jana Nayagan’. The event took place at Bukit Jalil Stadium. It was a huge event, that the Malaysian Book of Records said it was the biggest audience for any audio launch in the country.

About ‘Jana Nayagan’

Speaking about his upcoming film, directed by H. Vinoth the movie is anticipated to be his final cinematic outing as he is said to solely focus on his political career. The movie stars him opposite Pooja Hegde as Kayal, with Bobby Deol as the antagonist.It will also feature Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Narain, Mamitha Baiju and others in key roles.The movie is set for Pongal 2026 release on January 9. Additionally the film will be clashing with Prabhas’ much anticipated horror comedy, ‘The Raja Saab’ which will also release on the same date.

When Graham Walker sold his family-run company Fibrebond, he didn’t just walk away richer,he made sure the people who stood by the business for decades did too.Walker, a 46-year-old businessman from Louisiana, surprised his 540 full-time employees by setting aside a massive $240 million (around ₹19,900 crore) from the sale as bonuses. Spread over five years, that works out to an average of $443,000 per employee, roughly ₹3.6 crore each. Not bad for a thank-you gift.Fibrebond’s story goes back to 1982, when Walker’s father, Claud Walker, started the company in Minden, Louisiana, making enclosures for telecom and electrical equipment. The journey was anything but smooth. In 1998, a factory fire nearly wiped operations out. Instead of shutting shop, production was shifted outdoors so that no employee missed a salary and no client order was delayed.There were other rough patches too, the dot-com crash, slow demand, and layoffs during difficult years. When Graham and his brothers stepped in during the mid-2000s, their first priority was survival. They sold off assets, cleared debt, and took a bold gamble: a $150 million (about ₹1,245 crore) investment into modular power enclosures for data centres. That bet paid off. Sales grew, and soon, bigger players came knocking.When power-management giant Eaton acquired Fibrebond for $1.7 billion (around ₹14,100 crore), Walker laid down one non-negotiable condition, employees had to share the win. Despite warnings about tax and legal hurdles, he refused to budge. Eaton eventually agreed, earmarking 15% of the deal value exclusively for staff bonuses.Walker later said the decision had nothing to do with ownership and everything to do with loyalty. Workers had stayed through fires, layoffs, pay freezes and uncertainty. “It’s Christmas season, I’m a person of faith, and my faith compels me to do it,” he told NBC.For employees like Leisa Key, who spent 29 years at Fibrebond, the bonus changed everything. “We were living paycheck to paycheck. I can live now,” she said. She’s since paid off her mortgage and even opened a small clothing store nearby.When sealed envelopes detailing the payouts began arriving in June, some employees cried, others laughed, and a few thought it had to be a prank. It wasn’t. For once, corporate success didn’t stop at the boardroom, it reached the factory floor too.

MUMBAI: Mumbai has emerged as the top performer in Maharashtra’s ongoing drive to digitise employment records of education department staff, with nearly 60% of employee data uploaded so far.The state-wide exercise covers both teaching and non-teaching staff across government and aided institutions. Employees were required to upload documents such as appointment orders, joining reports, approval letters and service records to the government’s Shalarth portal. The deadline for completing submissions was September 20.Progress across the state, however, remains uneven. Several districts have recorded extremely low levels of compliance, with Dhule, Akola and Solapur each digitising less than 1% of employee records. In contrast, Mumbai’s relatively higher completion rate places it well above the state average.The digitisation drive is focused largely on employees appointed before 2016, when creating a Shalarth ID was not mandatory. As a result, records for many earlier appointments continue to exist only in physical form at schools and education offices, complicating verification and audit processes.Shalarth is the state government’s centralised online system used to maintain salary, service and financial details of education department employees. The current exercise follows scrutiny of the portal after irregularities were flagged in the creation and use of Shalarth IDs.By digitising legacy records and linking them to verified employee profiles, the exercise seeks to consolidate employee data, identify discrepancies and bring uniformity to records that are currently scattered across multiple administrative levels.In districts where uploads remain negligible, the absence of digitised records continues to pose challenges for record verification, audits and administrative processes, highlighting the uneven pace of implementation across Maharashtra.

India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana etched her name into the pantheon of cricketing greats on Sunday, December 28, 2025, becoming the fastest player to surpass 10,000 runs in women’s international cricket. The left-handed opener reached the monumental landmark during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium, further cementing her status as the premier batter of the modern era.

Smriti Mandhana goes past legends to attain a massive record

Mandhana entered the match needing just 27 runs to reach the milestone. She achieved the feat in clinical fashion during the seventh over, taking only 281 innings to cross the 10,000-run mark across all formats. In doing so, she shattered the previous record held by former Indian captain Mithali Raj, who reached the milestone in 291 innings. The star opener is now only the fourth woman in history to join the elite “10k Club,” and she is also the youngest to do so.

Masterclass in Thiruvananthapuram

The milestone was just the beginning of Mandhana’s dominance on the night. She went on to play a scintillating knock of 80 off 48 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries and three towering sixes. Alongside her opening partner Shafali Verma, Mandhana stitched together a record 162-run opening stand, propelling India to a massive total of 221/2—the team’s highest-ever score in Women’s T20Is. The innings also saw Mandhana overtake Harmanpreet Kaur to become India’s leading six-hitter in the T20I format, while also registering her 32nd fifty-plus score in the shortest format—the most by any woman globally.

Also READ: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma’s stellar show seals big win for India against Sri Lanka in 4th T20I

Fastest to 10,000 international runs in Women’s cricket

1) Smriti Mandhana: As mentioned above, Mandhana accomplished the feat during the 4th T20I against the Lankans when she smashed a scintillating knock of 80 runs at an impressive strike-rate of 166.67. Her powerful knock not only helped India to reach their highest total in the shortest format, but also laid foundation for the hosts’ clinical victory by 30 runs.

2) Mithali Raj: Mithali was the first Indian woman and the second player overall to reach this five-figure total. She achieved the feat on March 12, 2021, during an ODI against South Africa in Lucknow. She reached the mark in her 291st international innings. Known for her incredible longevity (spanning 23 years), she is currently the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket with 10,868 runs.

3) Charlotte Edwards: The England legend was the first woman in history to breach the 10,000-run mark in international cricket. She reached the milestone in 2016, taking 308 innings to get there. A classical batter and a long-time captain of England, Edwards retired with 10,273 international runs, holding the record for the most runs for several years.

4) Suzie Bates: Bates became the third woman to enter the elite club and the first New Zealander to do so. She reached the landmark on July 12, 2024, during a T20I against England. It took her 314 innings to cross the threshold. Bates is a unique entry on this list as she reached the milestone without ever playing a Test match, relying entirely on her dominance in ODIs and T20Is.

Also WATCH: IND-W vs SL-W – G Kamalini’s sensational juggling catch steals the show in record-breaking 4th T20I

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s apple orchards — the backbone of the Valley’s rural economy — are under renewed scrutiny as lawmakers and medical experts raise concerns over a possible link between decades of pesticide use and rising cases of malignant brain tumours among orchard workers.Lawmakers shift focus to farmers’ healthThe concerns were raised by the House Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, chaired by CPM legislator MY Tarigami, which met officials, scientists and health experts to examine the health hazards faced by those working in apple orchards.

“For years, farmers have sprayed orchards unaware of the toxicity of constant pesticide exposure, leading to a rise in malignant brain tumors among those who power the valley’s billion-rupee apple economy and contribute more than 70% of India’s total apples,” the committee said.Evidence from Kashmir’s fruit beltThe discussion revisited findings from a study conducted by the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), which examined more than 400 cancer patients between 2005 and 2008.The study reported high incidences of primary brain cancer in districts forming Kashmir’s core fruit belt, including Baramulla, Anantnag, Budgam, Shopian and Kupwara. It identified a “quite strong and possible” link between pesticide exposure and malignant brain tumours among orchard farmers.

The findings were largely ignored when first published but have resurfaced amid growing medical evidence of pesticide-linked health disorders in the Valley.Tarigami told TOI, “We don’t want to create panic among farmers who spray their orchards every season. But neither can we sit idle when data indicates a serious health hazard. If pesticide spray is harming lives, it must be addressed.”Overuse of chemicals and lack of protectionScientists told the committee that pesticide use in apple orchards often exceeds recommended limits.Shahid Rasool, principal scientist at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, said many orchardists spray chemicals every 10 to 12 days instead of the advised 18 to 21, believing it boosts yield.“Few can afford protective gear; chronic cough, rashes and irritation are common. Without gloves, goggles and masks, the risk multiplies,” he warned.Rasool said orchardists now use as many as 15 rounds of fungicide and insecticide each season, far beyond recommended schedules, and called for safer practices and protective equipment.Traces of pesticides found in human bloodFurther concerns were raised by Dr Sobia Nisar, a physician-researcher at Government Medical College, Srinagar, who has studied the biochemical effects of pesticide exposure among residents of apple-growing districts such as Shopian and Pulwama.“The initial idea was to check pesticides residue levels in the fruit,” she said. “But what we found was far more disturbing. Traces of these compounds in human blood samples.”

Her findings document pesticide residues in the bloodstream of orchard workers and nearby residents, along with higher rates of obesity, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome and early kidney impairment.“When such patterns emerge consistently across populations exposed to pesticides, it demands urgent scientific scrutiny,” Dr Nisar said.Earlier studies show high exposure among cancer patientsA study published in the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reported that 90% of brain tumour patients from Kashmir’s orchard belts had been exposed to pesticides, with all cases involving high-grade, aggressive tumours.The research focused on orchard workers in districts such as Anantnag, Budgam and Baramulla — areas that account for over 90% of the Valley’s apple-growing land — with smaller districts like Shopian and Kulgam also showing significant concentrations of cases.Committee seeks policy responseThe House Committee on Environment said it would recommend measures to the health and horticulture departments focusing on monitoring, research funding and worker safety, as concerns grow over the long-term health impact of pesticide use in Kashmir’s apple orchards.What the study foundA detailed study titled “Pesticides and brain cancer linked in orchard farmers of Kashmir”, conducted by researchers at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), examined the relationship between pesticide exposure and primary malignant brain tumours among orchard workers in the Valley.

The study analysed medical records of 432 patients diagnosed with primary malignant brain tumours and 457 control patients with non-tumour neurological conditions, all treated at SKIMS over a four-year period between 2005 and 2008.High exposure among cancer patientsThese patients had been exposed to multiple neurotoxic and carcinogenic chemicals, including chlorpyriphos, dimethoate, mancozeb and captan.Only 9.96% of patients had no recorded exposure to pesticides. Among the control group, 119 out of 457 patients had a history of pesticide exposure, while 338 had no such link. Of the pesticide-exposed cancer patients, 71.7% were male and 28.3% were female, including members of three families. Nearly a third — 31.9% — were younger than 40 years, having begun exposure at an early age.Tumour severity and mortalityThe study found that all orchard-related patients had high-grade, aggressive brain tumours, unlike those in the non-pesticide-exposed group. Mortality among pesticide-exposed tumour patients was recorded at 12%.Researchers measured serum cholinesterase levels — a marker used to assess exposure to organophosphate pesticides — and found higher-than-normal levels in 31.9% of exposed patients, while decreased levels were seen in 45.3%.

Statistical analysis showed a significant case-control odds ratio of 0.28, with additional hospital and family control serum cholinesterase odds ratios of 1.1 and 1.5 respectively, pointing to what the study described as a strong suspicion of a link between pesticide exposure and brain cancer.Wider environmental and occupational contextThe study noted that millions of tonnes of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides are sprayed annually across Kashmir’s orchards. Apple cultivation alone covers more than half of the Valley’s fruit-growing land, with around 40% of the population directly or indirectly exposed through farming, residence near orchards or recreational use of orchard spaces.Researchers highlighted that prolonged use of synthetic pesticides over the past three decades has coincided with a marked rise in admissions of high-grade malignant brain tumours from orchard districts to SKIMS.The study concluded that occupational and environmental exposure to pesticides in Kashmir’s fruit-growing regions poses a serious health risk, warranting closer monitoring and further investigation.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders brushed aside the Gulf Giants by 32 runs to seal a top-four finish in the World ILT20 Season 4 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. In the final league match of the season, the Knight Riders secured a crucial win and will face Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator on January 1. Desert Vipers, meanwhile, take on MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 on December 30 for a place in the final.A mammoth 131-run opening partnership between Michael Pepper (83 off 51 balls) and Phil Salt (72* off 56) paved the Knight Riders’ path to the playoffs. The duo’s commanding half-centuries powered the side to an imposing 179/1. In reply, Moeen Ali’s swashbuckling fifty briefly kept the Giants in the hunt, but a lack of support and late double strikes from Sunil Narine and Andre Russell ensured the target remained out of reach.

Defending 180, Jason Holder set the tone by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over and later removing James Vince (19 off 10). Ajay Kumar chipped in by sending back Ben Kellaway (5 off 8), while Narine conceded just five runs across his first two overs. By the end of the powerplay, the Giants were reeling at 32/3.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Moeen Ali (79 off 49) counter-attacked to revive the chase, breaking free with a six off Liam Livingstone before punishing Piyush Chawla with boundaries and a maximum. He reached his half-century off 31 balls and added 45 runs with Kyle Mayers (6 off 10). However, Narine struck twice in the 15th over to remove Mayers and Sean Dickson, tightening the Knight Riders’ grip.

The decisive moment arrived in the 18th over when Andre Russell dismissed Moeen and Aayan Khan in consecutive deliveries. The Knight Riders closed out the death overs expertly, restricting the Giants to 147/9 and sealing an emphatic victory.Earlier, Salt and Pepper laid the foundation with a brisk 56-run powerplay stand. Pepper raced to a 31-ball fifty, while Salt played the anchor as the pair brought up a 100-run partnership in 67 balls — only the second century stand of the season. Aayan Khan eventually broke the stand when Pepper holed out in the 15th over after striking six fours and four sixes.

Salt reached his half-century off 44 balls before adding an unbeaten 48-run stand with Liam Livingstone (18* off 13). Two sixes in the final over helped the Knight Riders finish strongly at 179/1.Player of the Match Michael Pepper said, “It was about being patient and waiting for the right match-ups. When the spinners came on, Salt allowed me to take most of the strike and I was happy to take responsibility. As a group, we just need to keep putting in the hard work.”

Gulf Giants captain James Vince said, “They scored 20 to 30 runs above par on that surface. We couldn’t strike early and full credit to Pepper and Salt. Our bowling wasn’t at the level we needed, and while Moeen played a very good knock, six losses in a row is tough to take.”Brief Scores Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 179/1 in 20 overs (Michael Pepper 83, Phil Salt 72 not out; Aayan Khan 1/34) Gulf Giants: 147/9 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 79, James Vince 19; Andre Russell 3/13, Sunil Narine 2/14, Jason Holder 2/24)

NEW DELHI: Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Sunday defended Digvijaya Singh‘s remarks on the RSS‘s organisational strength, stating that Singh intended to highlight areas for improvement within the Congress party, not to imitate the RSS.Speaking with ANI, Deo emphasised that organisational strengthening is a continuous process and that the Congress should focus on its own growth.“Digvijaya Singh is much senior to me; I cannot comment on his statement. He will be able to explain it better, but as far as strengthening the organisation is concerned, it is a continuous process…In any organisation, whether it is the BJP, RSS, or any other, everyone’s work is reviewed. The BJP certainly reviews the Congress and other parties… So, Digvijaya Singh’s intention was not to imitate anyone, but he spoke about what we can do to strengthen the organisation...,” said Deo.Singh had sparked controversy by praising the RSS’s organisational strength, citing Narendra Modi‘s rise to power as an example. He later clarified that he rejects the RSS’s ideology but admires its organisational capabilities.Other Congress leaders, like Pawan Khera and Manickam Tagore, criticised Singh’s comments, equating the RSS with hatred and violence.Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday reiterated his remarks that he remains firmly opposed to the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) but admires their organisational capacity.Singh said, “I’ve been saying this from the beginning: I am opposed to the ideology of the RSS. They neither respect the Constitution nor the country’s laws, and it’s an unregistered organisation. But I admire their organisational capacity because an organisation that isn’t even registered has become so powerful that the Prime Minister says from the Red Fort that it is the world’s largest NGO.”What fanned the rumours of internal differences within the Congress was his comment on the party’s organisational strength.Singh said, “I can say this much that there is room for improvement, and every organisation should always have room for improvement,” he said.His remarks came after he shared a black-and-white photograph from the 1990s on December 27 on the social question-and-answer website Quora, showing a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near senior BJP leader LK Advat an event in Gujarat.“I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impressive. In what way did the grassroots swayamsevak of RSS and the worker of Jan Sangh @BJP4India sit on the floor at the feet of leaders and become the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country? This is the power of the organisation. Jai Siya Ram. @INCIndia @INCMP@kharge @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @Jairam_Ramesh @narendramodi,” Singh’s X post read.Responding to criticism over his social media post and praise for RSS, Singh said his remarks had been misunderstood. “I support the organisation. I am against the RSS and Modi ji. You have misunderstood. I have praised ‘sangathan’. I was, am, and will remain a staunch opponent of the RSS and Modi. Is it a bad thing to strengthen and praise the organisation?” he said.