Ever since Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar hit theatres, the film has been the talk of the town. While Akshaye Khanna turned into an overnight internet sensation with his menacing act as Rehman Dakait, recent rumours claimed that the role was initially offered to Nagarjuna — and that the South superstar had turned it down.Now, Nagarjuna has set the record straight.In a recent interaction with Bollywood Hungama, the actor dismissed the speculation, clarifying that he was never approached for the part that eventually went to Akshaye Khanna.“Absolutely not. I was not offered the role, though I wish I was… Dhurandhar is a superb film… Really incredible direction by Aditya Dhar. I loved his earlier film Uri also! Superb acting by everybody in the film, and Akshaye Khanna was terrific… Looking forward to the sequel! Wishing them another blockbuster,” Nagarjuna said.

‘Audiences demand international standards of storytelling’

Currently shooting for his 100th film, Nagarjuna also spoke about taking his time with the milestone project.“We are not rushing anything. There is no hurry to complete the film. We want it to be very special. After Dhurandhar, it is clear that the audiences demand international standards of storytelling,” he shared.

What lies ahead

Nagarjuna was last seen in Bollywood in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022), where he played Anish Shetty, the wielder of the Nandi Āstra, alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. His next film is slated for a January 15 release during Sankranthi. Meanwhile, Akshaye Khanna is expected to return as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is scheduled to release on March 19. After Dhurandhar 2, the actor also has Mahakali and Ikka lined up.

The shutdown of the US Department of Homeland Security that began early Saturday is affecting airport security operations nationwide, forcing thousands of Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay as Congress remains locked in a funding dispute.About 95 per cent of TSA workers are considered essential and must continue working despite the funding lapse. Democrats in Congress are linking DHS funding to new restrictions on federal immigration operations following recent events in Minneapolis.

Travel industry experts warn that security lines could lengthen as the shutdown continues. This impact might be felt more quickly than during previous shutdowns because TSA workers remember their recent experience working without pay.“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” said John Rose, chief risk officer at Altour.Travelers should prepare for possible delays and longer wait times, especially at smaller airports with single security checkpoints. Airlines might delay flights to allow passengers to clear security, and checked baggage screening could slow down.“You might not be able to get home if you’re already out, or it might delay if you worked all week and you’re trying to get home,” said John Clark, a frequent business traveler at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, as quoted by Associated Press.Experts recommend checking airport security wait times well in advance and following TSA guidelines for carry-on items. Rose advises travelers to “practice patience and empathy” with TSA agents who are working without pay and possibly understaffed.Travel organisations, including US Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, have expressed concern about potential disruptions during the upcoming spring break season. In their joint statement, they warned that “travelers and the US economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights.“The shutdown continues as White House negotiations with Democratic lawmakers failed to reach an agreement before a 10-day congressional break, though lawmakers remain on notice to return if a deal is reached.

The stage is set for a blockbuster opening to the multi-format series as Australia hosts India at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. This isn’t just a bilateral series; it’s a points-based battle across formats, and the first T20I offers a chance to land a massive psychological blow.

Australia enter a new era under Sophie Molineux, who takes the T20I captaincy reins for the first time. The Aussies have been a fortress at home, winning their last 10 bilateral T20I series on home soil. However, they are coming off a rare stumble, a semi-final exit in the 2025 World Cup, and will be hungry to re-establish dominance.

India, the reigning ODI World Champions, arrive with significant momentum after a 5-0 sweep of Sri Lanka and a clinical warm-up win over the Governor-General’s XI. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has historically struggled against the Aussies, but their 2016 series win in Australia remains the blueprint they’ll look to replicate.

Australia Women vs India Women: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 15; 01:30 pm IST/ 08:00 am GMT/ 7:00 pm Local
• Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Sydney Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch for the 1st T20I is expected to be a balanced, “sporting” surface with something for everyone. Historically, the track offers a decent bounce that fast bowlers will look to exploit during the Powerplay, while the surface traditionally slows down as the match progresses. Since the match is a night fixture, dew is expected to be a major factor, potentially making the ball slippery for bowlers and easier for batters in the second innings. Consequently, chasing has been the winning formula in recent T20Is here, and the captain winning the toss will likely opt to field first to capitalize on the better batting conditions under lights.

Also READ: Australia unveil multi-format squads for home series against India as Alyssa Healy gears up for final assignment

Squads

India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Gunalan Kamalini

Australia: Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Kim Garth, Sophie Molineux (c), Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham

Australia Women vs India Women: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• India Women wins the toss and bowls first
• Australia Women’s powerplay score: 65-75
• Australia Women’s total score: 200-210

Case 2:

• Australia Women wins the toss and bowls first
• India Women’s powerplay score: 60-70
• India Women’s total score: 190-200

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: 10 lesser-known facts about Australia’s newly appointed all-format captain Sophie Molineux

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

India vs Pakistan (Photo by Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Rain could affect the big India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup this Sunday in Colombo, and weather reports suggest a high chance of showers. The Sri Lanka weather department predicts heavy rain and thunderstorms, which could frustrate millions of fans waiting for this blockbuster clash.

Interestingly, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali said he actually hopes it rains. Speaking on a TV show, he said, “My”prayer is that the almighty makes it rain,” and when asked if he wanted the full match to happen, he repeated, “I want rain.” His comments surprised many fans, as most people want to watch the complete game.For a match to have a result, each team must bat for at least five overs. If rain stops the game before that, the match will be abandoned, and both teams will get one point each because there is no reserve day in the group stage. Right now, India and Pakistan are tied on points at the top of their group, with India ahead on net run rate. If the match is washed out, both teams will likely qualify for the next round.The weather forecast shows a high chance of rain during the day and a lower, but still possible, chance in the evening. The conditions are expected to be cloudy, humid, and windy, which could make things tricky for players and organisers.While fans are hoping for a full match, rain remains a big threat, and Basit Ali’s unusual wish has added another twist to the hype around this rivalry.

Back in January 2008, Steve Jobs called Google’s Vic Gundotra on a Sunday morning—while Gundotra was in church—to complain that the second ‘O’ in Google’s iPhone icon had the wrong yellow gradient. Jobs had already assigned an Apple engineer to fix it by Monday.

It was a Sunday morning in January 2008. Vic Gundotra, then Google’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, was sitting in church with his family when his phone buzzed with an unknown number. He let it ring. Minutes later, he checked his voicemail—it was Steve Jobs, saying he had something “urgent” to discuss. Gundotra called back almost immediately. Jobs opened with a joke—”Vic, unless the Caller ID said ‘GOD’, you should never pick up during services”—before getting to the point.The issue? The second ‘O’ in the Google logo on the iPhone‘s home screen didn’t have the right yellow gradient. Jobs had been studying the icon and found the colour rendering off. He’d already assigned Greg Christie, Apple‘s Senior Director of Human Interface, to help fix it by Monday morning.

Steve Jobs’ obsession with pixel-perfect design extended even to other companies’ logos on his device

This wasn’t about Google’s global branding. The corporate logo stayed exactly as it was. What bothered Jobs was how the icon rendered specifically on the iPhone’s display—a subtle calibration mismatch that most people would never notice. But Jobs wasn’t most people.Christie promptly emailed Gundotra with the subject line “Icon Ambulance,” attaching corrected gradient files. Google implemented the tweak without fuss. At the time, Apple and Google were close partners—Google Maps and YouTube came pre-installed on the iPhone—and the exchange reflected a working relationship built on mutual respect rather than the rivalry that would develop later.

The anecdote only became public three years later, as a tribute to Jobs

Gundotra kept the story private until August 25, 2011—the day after Jobs resigned as Apple CEO due to declining health. He shared it on Google+ under the title “Icon Ambulance,” framing it as a lesson in leadership.“CEOs should care about details. Even shades of yellow. On a Sunday,” Gundotra wrote.It remains one of the most enduring stories about Jobs—not because of what he built, but because of how closely he looked at everything on screen. Over the years, it’s been retold in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jobs and cited in countless discussions about design philosophy and product leadership.

UAE Property 2026: Is Now the Time for First-Time Buyers to Enter the Market?

In 2026, the UAE’s property market is entering a new chapter of demand, innovation and opportunity and first-time home buyers are playing a big part in reshaping how residents approach property ownership. Once inclined to rent or invest secondarily, many long-term residents are now turning their focus to buying their first homes. This shift reflects a maturing market with evolving priorities, government support programmes and changing buyer psychology.

UAE first-time buyers’ strong aspirations backed by government support

One of the biggest structural shifts encouraging first-time buyers is the Dubai First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme, launched in July 2025. This initiative, a collaboration between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD), has already helped over 2,000 residents purchase their first homes within six months, generating more than AED 3.25 billion in residential transactions.

UAE First-Time Home Buyers Drive 2026 Property Market Growth: Demand, Innovation and Opportunity

The programme’s tools, priority access to new developments, tailored mortgage plans, and preferential pricing, are designed to simplify and democratise access to property ownership, especially for mid-income residents and long-term renters finally taking the leap. Over 41,000 residents have registered so far, nearly half of whom were previously long-term renters.

From renters to home owners: What UAE buyers are prioritising

While incentives and support programmes matter, buyers themselves are becoming much more discerning and long-term oriented in how they choose properties. Real estate professionals say the biggest difference in 2026 is that first-time buyers are no longer chasing deals or speculation, they are focused on liveability, long-term comfort and value preservation.

Spending priorities have shifted from purely financial calculations to a blend of comfort, sustainability and future growth potential, marking a maturing outlook among UAE buyers.

Affordability, payment plans and mortgage tech in UAE homes

Affordability remains a central theme. Many first-time buyers are balancing budget caps and financing options, shaping bespoke payment plans and mortgage structures to fit their circumstances. With lenders offering up to 80% loan-to-value (LTV) for expats on certain properties and 85% for UAE nationals, entry thresholds are becoming more accessible.

UAE Property Boom: Are First-Time Buyers Fuelling a Bubble or a Sustainable Shift?

On the tech front, mortgage applications and advisory services have seen rapid innovation. Mortgage solutions are shifting from “fast” processing to smarter financing decisions using AI tools, helping first-time buyers better compare plans, forecast long-term costs and select tailored payment terms. This trend, part of broader fintech integration, is helping reduce barriers to homeownership and improve financial confidence among buyers.

Market dynamics in the UAE: Rising confidence, evolving priorities of home owners

Overall demand in the UAE property market continues to be strong and even draws end-user buyers, many of them first-timers, into transactions traditionally dominated by investors. That is reflected in stable market growth, strong residential sales and a broader trend where buyers seek stability and predictability in long-term housing choices, rather than short-term speculation.This shift aligns with wider property market attitudes across the Gulf, where buyers now focus on delivery timelines, developer credibility, operating costs and quality of life factors rather than rushing into purchases for potential price spikes.Additionally, remote working and lifestyle changes are reshaping preferences like many buyers across the UAE now consider villa and townhouse communities, areas that offer space, privacy and proximity to nature, over smaller apartments in crowded districts. Transportation infrastructure and community planning, including schools and green spaces, are influencing where first-time buyers choose to plant roots.

Home buying challenges that come with demand in the UAE

Despite strong interest, some potential first-time buyers are being priced out of central and premium locations due to high values. As residential prices increase in sought-after areas like Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Hills, buyers are having to prioritise affordability and practicality over prestige.

UAE Property Market 2026: What’s Driving the First-Time Buyer Surge and How is it Changing Ownership?

This dynamic is leading many to consider emerging or secondary locations where homes offer better price per square foot and more space, while still providing attractive community fundamentals. The increasing focus of first-time home buyers in the UAE on livability, quality, location, sustainability and long-term value is reshaping the real estate landscape in 2026.Government-driven programmes, tech-enhanced mortgage solutions and informed buyer behaviour are converging to make homeownership more accessible, meaningful and strategic. Far from being just a financial milestone, owning a first home in the UAE today is becoming a lifestyle choice with enduring impact, reflecting a deeper confidence in the country’s economic stability and a growing commitment to community-based living.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/bengaluru-womans-video-on-nanny-expense-sparks-online-debate-grateful-for-privilege-11005836” on this server.

Reference #18.c7f5d217.1771134301.d51201f0

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.c7f5d217.1771134301.d51201f0