"Was Supposed To Be India Head Coach, Could Not Take Up" The Role: VVS Laxman

Former Indian batter and BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman revealed that he was offered the role of Team India head coach back in 2023, but could not take it up for personal reasons and decided to continue as the head of the CoE and contribute to its development as it got a new facility of its own in Bengaluru. Amid concerns over the recent spate of injuries, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia met Laxman on Sunday to review the rehabilitation and injury-management programme at the facility. Saikia also attended the press conference along with Laxman, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and other senior officials.

Speaking during the presser, he said, "The reason why I extended (as the head of CoE): In 2023, I was supposed to become the head coach. Because of personal reasons, I was not able to take that up. I went and spoke to Jay (Shah) twice. He understood my reasons. Because of what Jay and the BCCI have given me, the freedom to execute my vision, it continues with Devajit and other office-bearers."

"I extended for two years, and I committed to the BCCI that here I am not taking up the head coach position, but I will make sure that I establish the CoE, I establish the structure, the processes and the protocols, before I move on," he added.

In September 2024, the BCCI's Centre of Excellence was inaugurated by then BCCI secretary Jay Shah, replacing the old facility operating at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium under the name of the National Cricket Academy.

Spanning over 40 acres, this facility is designed to become the epicentre for nurturing cricketing talent and advancing sports science in India. The Centre of Excellence features three grounds and 86 pitches, including both indoor and outdoor areas, showcasing its capacity to provide comprehensive training facilities.

In late 2021, Laxman took over from Rahul Dravid as the head of the CoE, with the latter becoming the Team India head coach. Laxman has been the head of the facility since then and, during his tenure, the CoE expanded into a full-fledged facility of its own.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/KAu01RD
via

Pak Cricketers Return From Unsanctioned Zambia League, Face 2-Year PCB Ban

A group of former Pakistan cricketers have returned from Zambia after featuring in an unsanctioned Twenty20 league, where they reportedly failed to receive full payment and now face a two-year ban from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The players went to Lusaka in order to take part in the Asian Legends League, a tournament that was promoted last month and which included among its featured names former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir. Although Ambati Rayudu from India was originally going to take part in the league, he withdrew from Zambia without playing after finding out that the tournament had not been sanctioned.

The Lusaka T20 League, which included teams like Asian Stars, Pakistan Panthers, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, was set to start on August 2.

A source close to the players stated that Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood had asked for information regarding the tournament after finding out that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU).

The source said that players such as Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood inquired about the league and, after finding out that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), and that the ZCU had issued a statement making it clear that the league received no sanction, approval or endorsement, some players, including India's Ambati Rayudu, decided to leave without taking part.

It is reported that several international players and their support staff were left stranded in Lusaka as they attempted to sort out their unpaid travel arrangements, and this has also resulted in demands for "a joint investigation involving multiple cricket boards".

Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain and Rana Anwar were among the former Pakistan players who took part in some matches.

The tournament was suddenly halted as a result of the ZCU's intervention. The report also stated that the organisers had not been able to finalise a broadcast deal.

After noticing that former Pakistan players had taken part in the Asian Legends League, the PCB announced a two-year ban, as it was discovered that the players had not secured the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board.

A player acknowledged that it had been a mistake to take part in the tournament and said that the group had been misled by agents.

The player told Telecom Asia Network, on the condition of anonymity, that he had been misled by agents who had told him the league was approved by the ZCU and that he would receive a good amount of money. However, he suffered embarrassment as the hotel would not let him check into a room because of non-payment and he then faced further difficulties at the airport.

The player stated that the cricketers had returned without receiving the financial rewards they had hoped for and were now facing a serious punishment.

"The situation is a blow for all the players since they had gone there in order to earn some good money, which they haven't obtained, but what they have received instead is a severe punishment from the Pakistan Cricket Board," the player said.

Sources state that the affected players intend to approach Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, and ask for clemency on the grounds that cricket is still their main source of income and that a two-year ban could have serious financial repercussions.

Akmal has also publicly supported his teammates and asked the PCB to review the punishment.

Akmal stated on social media that players from other countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan took part in the event and have not been banned, and that the PCB should reconsider this penalty since the players' livelihoods depend on cricket.

The controversy comes at a time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed concern about the rapid increase in T20 franchise leagues worldwide. To supervise the development of T20 franchise cricket and ensure better coordination with the international cricket schedule, the ICC established a special Franchise Leagues Committee at its annual conference.

Tamim Iqbal, the former Bangladesh captain, has been named chairman of the committee.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/NY1k5Is
via

Cupid Q1 Results: Profit Nearly Triples As Margin Widens; Revenue Up 2.6x

Cupid Ltd. reported a sharp jump in its June-quarter earnings, with consolidated net profit surging nearly 200% year-on-year as stronger operating margin and a more than 2.6-fold increase in revenue boosted profitability.

The company's consolidated net profit rose to Rs 44.1 crore in the quarter ended June, compared with Rs 15 crore in the corresponding period last year, according to an exchange filing on Friday.

Revenue from operations surged to Rs 154.7 crore from Rs 59.8 crore, reflecting robust business momentum and strong execution during the quarter.

ALSO READ: Titan Q1 Results: Profit Soars 63% To Beat Estimates; Revenue Tops Rs 21,300 Crore

Operating performance improved even faster than revenue. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation climbed to Rs 60.1 crore, up from Rs 16.5 crore a year ago. The Ebitda margin expanded to 38.8% from 27.5%, indicating better operating leverage and an improved product mix.

Cupid's June-quarter performance comes amid sustained demand across its business segments, with revenue increasing more than 2.5 times from the year-ago period. The pace of earnings growth exceeded revenue expansion, reflecting the benefits of scale and stronger margins.

Investors will closely watch the company's management commentary on order inflows, export demand, capacity utilisation and growth outlook for the rest of the financial year to assess whether the strong momentum can be sustained in the coming quarters.

ALSO READ: Q1 Results Live Updates: Oil India Profit Surges 73%; Kaynes Tech Revenue Rises 41%

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/bLwR0rk
via

Flipkart Freedom Sale: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Deal Teased Ahead of Sale

Flipkart's Freedom Sale will kick off later this week. The Independence Day-themed special sale will offer exclusive early access to Flipkart Plus and VIP members and will have discounts on popular smartphones from leading brands. Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE is confirmed to be available at a discounted price during the sale. This Fan Edition smartphone runs on an Exynos 2400 processor and features a triple rear-camera setup headlined by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. The vanilla Galaxy S25 will also be discounted in the sale. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Confirmed to Get Discount During Flipkart Freedom Sale

Flipkart's dedicated microsite for the Freedom Sale reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will be available at Rs. 47,999 during the sale. Interested users can buy the handset with EMI offers starting at Rs. 8,333 per month. The discounted price tag includes both flat discounts and bank-based offers.

Photo Credit: Flipkart

 

The Galaxy S25 FE is currently listed on Flipkart for Rs. 54,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. The 256GB and 512GB storage variants with the same amount of RAM were priced at Rs. 65,999 and Rs. 77,999, respectively. The handset was launched in India last year with a starting price tag of Rs. 59,999.

Similarly, during the Flipkart Freedom Sale, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is confirmed to be offered for a starting price of Rs. 57,999, instead of the actual price of Rs. 74,999. EMI offers start at Rs. 9,999.

The Flipkart Freedom Sale is set to begin on August 8, and the Plus and Flipkart Black members will get 24 hours' early access to the sale starting August 7. During the sale, buyers can avail of a 10 percent instant discount on payments made via SBI credit cards. Buyers will get no-cost EMI offers and exchange discounts during the sale. The end date of the sale is still under wraps.

The Galaxy S25 FE features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. It has an Armour Aluminium frame and offers an IP68-rated build. It runs on an Exynos 2400 processor and flaunts a triple rear-camera setup led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. It has a 4,900 mAh battery with support for 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/PjD6WBY
via

Crypto Wrench Attack Losses Surpass $30 Million in 2026, Says Chainalysis

Crypto-related physical attacks, known as wrench attacks, have resulted in more than $30 million (roughly Rs. 286 crore) in stolen assets during the first half of 2026, according to Chainalysis. The blockchain analytics firm recorded 46 violent incidents involving kidnappings, home invasions and hostage situations, putting the year on track to surpass 2025's record losses. The report also highlighted growing concerns over data leaks and privacy risks that expose crypto holders to targeted attacks.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/CvkcTR5
via

Mafia: The Old Country's Man of Honor Expansion Gets Gameplay Reveal

Mafia: The Old Country's Man of Honor expansion was revealed at Summer Game Fest in June. Publisher 2K and Developer Hangar 13 have now revealed the first look at gameplay from the story DLC, sharing details on new content, added challenges, activities, and more. Mafia: The Old Country - Man of Honor comes out August 14 on PC and consoles.

The Man of Honor expansion will feature two new story chapters and new content for Mafia: The Old Country's Free Ride mode, which was added as part of a free update last year. The story chapters will expand the journey of Enzo Favara, the game's protagonist, as he joins the Torrisi crime family in Sicily.

Man of Honor Expansion Details

As Enzo, players will team up with mafioso Ennio Salieri to settle old scores, Hangar 13 design director Josh Zammit said in a PlayStation Blog post. The developer is keeping details about the story chapters under wraps, but a post on the Mafia website says the expansion will explore a previously unseen period in Enzo's early days as a soldato.

Users who purchase the Man of Honor expansion will be able to play the new story chapters as part of the main campaign or access them directly if they've progressed far enough in the story.

Hangar 13 detailed the new jobs and challenges that will be added to Mafia: The Old Country's Free Ride mode as part of the expansion. Players will be handed new assignments by Salieri, which are promised to be more difficult than the challenges from the base game.

New mission types in the Free Ride mode include tracking down targets, finding hidden caches of loot, towing high-value vehicles, and delivering stolen trucks. Salieri's challenges added as part of the expansion include standoffs, assassinations, circuit races, and road sprints.

Additionally, the expansion will bring new outfits, charms, weapons, vehicles, and horses that players can add to their collection. Man of Honor also adds new collectibles and optional activities. Some of these include collectible Wanted Posters and Stunt Jumps.

Mafia: The Old Country - Man of Honor arrives on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X on August 14. The expansion requires the base game and is currently available to wishlist on Steam and Xbox storefronts.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/YD1St3Z
via

Telegram Removed From Apple's iOS App Store Worldwide: Reports; Users Share Screenshots

Telegram has unexpectedly disappeared from Apple's App Store search results worldwide, leaving users unable to find or download the messaging app on iPhones and iPads. The removal has also resulted in "Page Not Found" errors on Telegram's official App Store listing.

As of now, neither Apple nor Telegram has issued an official statement explaining the app's disappearance, and Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has not commented on the incident.

It remains unclear whether the app was removed due to a technical issue or a policy-related action.

A Similar Incident in 2018

This is not the first time Telegram has been removed from Apple's App Store. In February 2018, Apple temporarily delisted both Telegram and its experimental Telegram X app after identifying inappropriate and illicit content circulating through public channels.

According to BitPinas, Apple reportedly required Telegram to strengthen its content moderation systems, permanently ban offending accounts, and address policy violations before restoring both apps within 24 hours.

ALSO READ: WhatsApp Down? Scores Of Users Unable To Share Videos, Images Via App

Impact on Apple Users

The current removal does not affect existing Telegram accounts, but it does create several limitations for Apple users. Those who already have Telegram installed can continue using the app, but they are advised not to uninstall it, as it cannot currently be re-downloaded from the App Store, as per BitPinas.

BREAKING: @telegram REMOVED FROM IOS APP STORES pic.twitter.com/998CP55DVK

— DEGEN NEWS (@DegenerateNews) August 4, 2026

Users setting up a new iPhone or iPad are also unable to install the official Telegram app. In addition, iOS updates, bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches are temporarily unavailable until the listing is restored.

I'm sorry what??

Telegram was just removed from the Apple App Store worldwide pic.twitter.com/2aR8ep3nK4

— Jeremy (@Jeremybtc) August 4, 2026

However, Telegram's web version, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and the Android app continue to function normally.

@Telegram has disappeared from the App Store for all iOS users

— plug.ton (@plugontele) August 4, 2026

Meanwhile, users are complaining on social media, sharing screenshots and expressing confusion over Telegram's sudden disappearance from the App Store.

Telegram has now been removed from the Apple App Store worldwide. pic.twitter.com/BBZRP2fcHF

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) August 4, 2026

About Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging platform known for its speed, security, and synchronisation across multiple devices. With more than 1 billion active users, it ranks among the world's five most-downloaded messaging applications. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/oyXOduI
via