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Messi Breaks All-Time Assist Record as Argentina Thrashes Puerto Rico 6-0

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Messi Breaks All-Time Assist Record as Argentina Thrashes Puerto Rico 6-0

Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Lionel Messi made a historic return to the Argentine national team, breaking the all-time record for men’s international assists as the world champions demolished Puerto Rico 6-0 in a one-sided friendly match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday morning.

While the 38-year-old captain did not find the net himself, he was the architect of Argentina’s dominant attack, providing two crucial assists in a five-star performance. His performance was a highlight of a comprehensive victory that serves as a significant boost for Lionel Scaloni’s men as they prepare for their World Cup title defense.

Messi’s two assists in the match took his international tally to 60, surpassing the previous record held by USA’s Landon Donovan to become FIFA’s all-time leader in men’s international assists.

Argentina’s relentless pressure was evident from the start. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 14th minute, heading in a rebound after a Messi shot hit the woodwork. Just nine minutes later, Messi provided his first assist, setting up Gonzalo Montiel for a volley to make it 2-0. Mac Allister completed his brace in the 36th minute to give the world champions a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime.

The dominance continued after the break with an own goal in the 64th minute extending the lead. Substitute Lautaro Martinez then came on to score a late brace, first in the 79th minute and again in the 84th minute, with the final goal being assisted by Messi to seal the emphatic 6-0 victory.

CAG Slams Kerala’s ‘Reckless’ Finances: State Leaves ₹7,250 Crore Unspent Amid Cash Crunch

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CAG Slams Kerala’s ‘Reckless’ Finances: State Leaves ₹7,250 Crore Unspent Amid Cash Crunch

Thiruvananthapuram: While the Kerala government frequently blames the Centre for its deep financial crisis, the latest findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reveal a startling case of fiscal mismanagement, with the state failing to spend nearly ₹7,250 crore in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The CAG report slams the Finance Department under K.N. Balagopal for “reckless” and “imprudent” methods, including seeking unnecessary additional funds and faulty re-appropriation, which effectively froze funds that could have been used for development and welfare.

Unnecessary and Excessive Grants

The report highlights multiple instances where the Finance Minister sought supplementary grants from the Assembly for projects, only for the funds to remain unutilized.

  • “Wholly Unnecessary” Grants: In 16 cases, the government sought additional funds of ₹523 crore but ended up not spending a single rupee from the supplementary grant. In fact, even the original budget allocations for these projects were not fully used. For the National Health Mission, an extra ₹75 crore was sought on top of a ₹913 crore budget, but the final spending was ₹246 crore less than the original allocation, leaving ₹321.14 crore idle.
  • “Excessive” Grants: In another 11 cases, the government sought “excessive supplementary grants”. For the Jal Jeevan Mission, which had a budget of ₹500 crore, the government secured an additional ₹1,362 crore. However, the department could only spend ₹1,207.15 crore, leaving ₹655.52 crore unspent.

The total unspent amount across these 27 items was nearly ₹5,280 crore, which the CAG noted could have been used by other departments in need of funds.

Faulty Re-appropriation and a Weak Defence

The CAG also found instances of “thoughtless” re-appropriation, where funds were unnecessarily transferred from one project to another, leaving ₹1,440.69 crore idle under 16 heads. For example, funds were moved from other social security schemes to the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), but the ICDS ended up spending less than its original budget allocation, meaning the transfer hit other schemes without benefiting the ICDS.

Finance department sources blamed the Centre for delaying borrowing consent, which they claimed caused a liquidity crunch. However, the CAG report dismisses this as a “weak defence,” pointing out that the massive supplementary demands were placed before the Assembly in late February 2024, leaving insufficient time to spend the funds before the fiscal year ended.

‘It’s Not My Job’: Mohammed Shami Hits Back at Selectors After Australia Tour Snub

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‘It’s Not My Job’: Mohammed Shami Hits Back at Selectors After Australia Tour Snub

Kolkata: Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has publicly questioned his omission from the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, taking a thinly veiled dig at the national selectors by stating that his availability for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy is proof of his fitness. Speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Tuesday, the veteran pacer made it clear that he believes he is ready for international cricket.

Shami’s comments appeared to be a direct response to Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar, who had recently stated he had no update on the bowler’s fitness. Shami bluntly refuted that the responsibility was his. “It’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update… That’s their matter who gives them updates or not,” he said, implying that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is responsible for providing fitness reports to the selection panel.

The 35-year-old, who was the leading wicket-taker at the 2023 World Cup, underwent surgery for an Achilles tendon injury post the tournament. He asserted that his participation in the four-day Ranji Trophy format should be enough to quell any doubts about his readiness for the 50-over game. “If I can play four-dayers, I can also play 50 overs cricket,” Shami added.

Despite his clear frustration, Shami maintained that he would continue to follow the process and was not looking to create controversy. “Selection is not in my hands… If you don’t select me, then I will come here and play for Bengal. I’ve no issue with it,” he said.

The seasoned pacer, who has represented India in 64 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, concluded by saying he is “ready to go whenever they (selectors) want me to go”.

Maruti Suzuki Hits Record High with 4 Lakh Bookings; Small Car Demand Surges After GST Cut

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Maruti Suzuki Hits Record High with 4 Lakh Bookings; Small Car Demand Surges After GST Cut

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) is experiencing its best-ever festive season, securing a record-breaking 4 lakh bookings and selling 2.5 lakh cars in the last month alone, a senior company executive announced on Tuesday. This massive surge in demand is largely driven by a significant revival in the entry-level car segment, fueled by price reductions following a GST rate cut.

The share of small cars in the automaker’s total sales has jumped from 16.7 percent to over 22 percent in the period following the GST rate rationalization, which came into effect on September 22.

“We have received over 4 lakh bookings in the last four weeks, meaning 1 lakh bookings each week, which is the all-time highest for us,” said Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) at MSIL. He added that of these, over 80,000 bookings were for entry-level cars, indicating a strong comeback for a segment that had seen a decline in recent years.

The surge began after the GST council announced a rate rejig on September 3, with MSIL passing on the benefits to customers with price cuts effective from September 22. Under the new structure, small cars now attract an 18 percent GST, a significant drop from the earlier 29-31 percent tax bracket.

Banerjee attributed this growth to increased confidence among two-wheeler customers to upgrade to a car following the price reduction. “We are seeing a lot of people with helmets visiting our showrooms,” he remarked. To meet the unprecedented demand, he noted that the “production team is even working on Sundays”.

LG Electronics India Makes Blockbuster Debut, Lists at 50% Premium in Record-Breaking IPO

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LG Electronics India Makes Blockbuster Debut, Lists at 50% Premium in Record-Breaking IPO

Mumbai: LG Electronics India made a spectacular debut on the stock exchanges on Tuesday, with its shares listing at ₹1,710—a massive 50 percent premium over the issue price of ₹1,140. The bumper listing valued the South Korean company’s Indian subsidiary at over ₹1.14 lakh crore, making it the largest consumer electronics company by market capitalization in the country.

In a remarkable feat, the Indian arm’s market value of approximately $13 billion has surpassed that of its parent company, LG Electronics, which is valued at around $9 billion. The stock continued its strong run throughout the day, hitting an intraday high of ₹1,749 before closing at ₹1,682.80, a 47.6 percent premium over the IPO price.

The listing followed a hugely successful ₹11,607 crore public issue, which was entirely an offer for sale (OFS). The IPO saw unprecedented demand, getting subscribed over 54 times and attracting the largest-ever bids worth a staggering ₹4.39 lakh crore.

LG’s stellar debut was a standout performance on a day when the broader market saw significant selling pressure, with the Sensex closing down 297 points.

India at the Forefront of LG’s Global Strategy

Speaking after the listing, LG Electronics CEO William Cho highlighted India’s crucial role in the company’s future. “India stands out as a key market. We see immense potential in India with rising income and as we see India’s GDP growth between 6.5 to 7.5 per cent up to 2030,” he said.

Cho announced that the company’s upcoming third plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, will not only manufacture innovative products for the domestic market but will also serve as an export hub for South Asia, Africa, and Europe. The company is investing ₹50 billion in the new factory, which is expected to create 1,900 jobs.

In line with its India-focused approach, LG also unveiled its new ‘LG Essential’ series of appliances, which were developed based on insights gathered from over 1,200 Indian families.

Trump Calls Meloni ‘Beautiful’ at Summit, Says He’ll ‘Take My Chances’ on Sexism Claims

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Trump Calls Meloni ‘Beautiful’ at Summit, Says He’ll ‘Take My Chances’ on Sexism Claims

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt: U.S. President Donald Trump described Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a “beautiful young woman” during a speech at a Gaza peace summit in Egypt on Monday, acknowledging that the comment could end his political career in the United States.

Meloni, 48, was the only female leader on stage with approximately 30 other world leaders. The 79-year-old Trump made the remarks while discussing his Middle East peace efforts.

“I’m not allowed to say it because usually it’s the end of your political career if you say it—she’s a beautiful young woman,” Trump said from the podium. “If you use the word ‘beautiful’ in the United States about a woman, that’s the end of your political career, but I’ll take my chances.”

He then turned to Meloni, who was standing behind him, and asked, “You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are.” Meloni’s immediate reaction was not visible to the cameras.

Trump, who considers Meloni an ideological ally on issues like immigration, also praised her as “incredible” and a “very successful politician” who is highly respected in Italy.

The U.S. President has faced criticism for sexist remarks in the past. In September, a U.S. appeals court upheld an $83.3 million penalty against him for defaming author E. Jean Carroll, whom a jury found he had sexually assaulted.

Worms in Food: Railways Cancels Vande Bharat Catering Contract in Kerala

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Worms in Food: Railways Cancels Vande Bharat Catering Contract in Kerala

Kochi: Southern Railway has cancelled its catering contract with Brindavan Food Products for Vande Bharat Express trains in Kerala following widespread and repeated passenger complaints about substandard and unhygienic food. The final decision came after the Chennai High Court lifted a stay order that the catering company had previously secured against termination.

The move follows a series of alarming incidents, particularly on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru route, which registered the highest number of complaints. Passengers reported finding worms in dal curry and being served expired juice boxes, sparking outrage and raising serious food safety concerns. One passenger on the Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express on October 2 discovered several worms in the dal curry served with lunch. She alleged that other passengers also found their meals contaminated.

Adding to the passenger complaints, surprise inspections by authorities revealed significant lapses. A raid conducted as part of “Operation Pothichoru” found that Brindavan’s base kitchen in Kadavanthra, Kochi, was operating in unsanitary conditions and violating multiple standards. Corporation officials also shut down the unit for functioning without a license and seized stale and expired food items, including rotten eggs and spoiled dal.

Despite being fined heavily for these violations, the company continued to provide poor-quality food.

With the contract now cancelled, the railway has made temporary arrangements with other companies to provide catering services on the six Vande Bharat trains previously serviced by Brindavan in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Northeast Monsoon Set to Arrive; Chennai Braces for Heavy Rains and Potential Cyclones

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Northeast Monsoon Set to Arrive; Chennai Braces for Heavy Rains and Potential Cyclones

Chennai: The Northeast monsoon is expected to officially commence in Tamil Nadu within the next 24 hours, with forecasts indicating a season of normal to excess rainfall, particularly for the northern coastal districts, including Chennai. Experts attribute the likelihood of heavy downpours to the prevailing La Niña phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), northern districts such as Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram are likely to receive more rainfall compared to southern districts this season. This continues a trend seen since 2020, where Tamil Nadu has consistently received above-normal rainfall during the northeast monsoon, often resulting in strong low-pressure systems and cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.

The La Niña Effect

Weather experts predict a high probability of strong low-pressure systems forming in the Bay of Bengal, which could put state administrators on high alert. The key driver is the La Niña effect, which involves the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific.

A study by Anna University’s Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management explains that this phenomenon can intensify the monsoon here. Professor A. Ramachandran of the centre notes that dry winds traveling from the Pacific can pick up moisture as they cross Australia and Indonesia, forming more rain clouds as they reach the Bay of Bengal. The study warns that this could lead to very heavy rainfall in coastal areas from Kanyakumari to Tiruvallur and has advised government departments to take appropriate precautionary measures.

Expert Forecasts

Weather blogger Pradeep John also predicts a normal to excess rainfall season for Tamil Nadu, with at least two strong low-pressure systems expected to form between mid-October and early November.

Private weather forecaster Skymet has echoed these predictions, forecasting a “wetter than usual” season. Rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Andhra Pradesh may exceed 112 percent of the long-period average.

“Parade of Lies”: Dubai Court Orders B.R. Shetty to Pay ₹408 Crore to SBI After Denying Loan Guarantee

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“Parade of Lies”: Dubai Court Orders B.R. Shetty to Pay ₹408 Crore to SBI After Denying Loan Guarantee

Dubai: A Dubai court has ordered former billionaire and founder of the collapsed NMC Healthcare empire, B.R. Shetty, to pay approximately ₹408.5 crore ($46 million) to the State Bank of India (SBI) after a judge found he had repeatedly lied under oath.

The 83-year-old businessman had denied signing a personal guarantee for a $50 million loan granted to NMC Healthcare in 2018, alleging his signature was forged. However, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) court dismissed his claims as “an incredible parade of lies” and his evidence as “incoherent and nonsensical.”

In a scathing 70-paragraph judgment, Justice Andrew Moran stated, “I am bound to find that there is overwhelming witness and documentary evidence before me, which satisfies me that Mr Shetty has come before this Court and lied on oath in his multiple denials that he signed the Personal Guarantee.” The court directed Shetty to pay SBI $45,997,554.59, which includes interest up to the judgment date, with an additional interest of 9 percent per annum until the payment is made.

Caught in a Web of Lies

Shetty’s defense unraveled when confronted with evidence that contradicted his testimony. Initially, he denied any knowledge of the loan but was forced to admit awareness after being shown a May 2020 email he had sent. He also denied ever meeting the SBI’s then-UAE CEO, Anantha Shenoy, who witnessed the guarantee’s signing. When presented with photographs of them together, Shetty bizarrely claimed the official must have “just come and stood there” while he posed for photos.

He further made a strange claim that NMC employees had once held a contest to see who could best copy his signature, with a “prize for the winner.” The judge called Shetty’s explanations “false and discreditable manoeuvring to evade liability.”

The Rise and Fall of an Empire

B.R. Shetty, who famously moved to Dubai with just $8, built a massive business empire starting with NMC Healthcare, the UAE’s first private healthcare provider. His fortunes took a dramatic turn in 2019 when US-based short-seller Muddy Waters Research accused his companies of hiding massive debt and forging financial documents.

The allegations led to a catastrophic plunge in his companies’ share prices, culminating in the sale of his ₹12,478 crore business to an Israeli-UAE consortium for the nominal sum of ₹74. Shetty quit NMC Health in 2020, and his accounts were subsequently frozen by the UAE government, marking the end of his business empire.

Munnar Shines: Kerala’s Hill Station Named One of Asia’s Best Rural Escapes for 2025

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Munnar Shines: Kerala’s Hill Station Named One of Asia’s Best Rural Escapes for 2025

Munnar, Kerala: The picturesque hill station of Munnar, nestled in the Western Ghats, has been recognized as one of Asia’s Best Rural Escapes for 2025 by the leading digital travel platform, Agoda. The famed Kerala retreat was ranked seventh on the list, celebrated for its sprawling tea plantations, misty valleys, and serene atmosphere, which appeal to travelers seeking tranquility over bustling city life.

The Agoda report highlights a growing trend among travelers to explore serene countryside destinations. Munnar’s inclusion places it alongside other top Asian rural getaways like the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, Khao Yai in Thailand, and Sapa in Vietnam, significantly boosting its profile on the global tourism stage.

Munnar’s appeal lies in its unique combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. Key attractions that draw visitors include Eravikulam National Park, which is home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, the scenic Mattupetty Dam, and the Tata Tea Museum. The region is a haven for trekkers and nature lovers, offering stunning vistas from viewpoints like Top Station and the rare spectacle of the Neelakurinji flower, which blooms only once every twelve years.

Beyond its landscapes, Munnar offers an authentic taste of local culture. Visitors can explore markets filled with fresh spices and handmade chocolates or savor traditional Kerala cuisine.

This international recognition is expected to attract more global tourists to the region. For Kerala Tourism, which promotes sustainable travel, the accolade presents an opportunity to showcase the state’s natural heritage while balancing tourism growth with the preservation of Munnar’s delicate ecosystem.

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