“He sent me a message directly” – Ousmane Dembele reveals Lionel Messi was the first person to congratulate him after Ballon d’Or triumph

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Ousmane Dembele has revealed that Lionel Messi was the first person to congratulate him on winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

Dembele expressed his gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the significance of receiving such praise from a football legend like Messi. The moment marked a special milestone in his career, further motivating him to continue performing at the highest level.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-he-sent-message-directly-ousmane-dembele-reveals-lionel-messi-first-person-congratulate-ballon-d-or-triumph

Nashik: Fear-Stricken Villagers Give 5-Day Ultimatum To Forest Department To Catch Leopards

**Fear Among Villagers Grows Due to Leopard Sightings in Vadner Dumala-Pimpalgaon Khamb Area**

An atmosphere of fear has taken hold among the villagers in the Vadner Dumala-Pimpalgaon Khamb area due to the free movement of leopards in the region. Frequent incidents of human attacks by these animals have left farmers and locals anxious about their safety.

In response to these concerns, a group of farmers and villagers, led by former corporator Keshav Porje, staged a dharna protest on Thursday, September 25, in front of the office of Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) G. Mallikarjun. The protesters demanded that all leopards in the vicinity be captured within five days. They warned, “We will catch the leopards and release them to the forest department” if concrete action is not taken promptly.

The protest took place near the forest officer’s office and lasted for about an hour and a half. During this time, the protesters raised slogans demanding security measures. Out of concern for the increasing dangers, farmers have started avoiding their fields, further affecting their livelihood.

Areas affected by increased leopard movement include Vadner Dumala, Pimpalgaon Khamb, Dadgaon, Deolali Camp, Lamroad, and surrounding localities. Alongside Keshav Porje, participants in the protest included Sunita Kothule, Aslam Maniyar, Jayant Gadekar, Amit Jadhav, Bunty Korde, Sudhakar Jadhav, and other concerned citizens.

At the conclusion of their protest, the villagers presented forest officials with a replica of a leopard as a symbolic gesture to emphasize the issue.

### Forest Officials Provide Assurances

In response to the protest, the forest department offered a written assurance through forest circle officer G. Mallikarjun. The statement outlined the following measures:

– Deployment of three forest teams from Nashik
– A rescue team from the TTC Rescue Department
– A team from Sangamner
– Experts from Borivali National Park for research support
– Arrangement of 20 additional cages for capturing leopards

The letter also noted that the current number of cages in the Nashik forest circle is sufficient, and necessary permissions have been sought from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Nagpur. It was further mentioned that three leopards captured earlier have not yet been released back into their natural habitat.

Forest officer G. Mallikarjun addressed the protesters saying, “If my departure stops the leopard attacks, I am ready to leave Nashik.” Following these assurances, the protesters withdrew their demonstration.

### Ongoing Concerns and Demands

Despite these steps, fears persist among residents over the increasing number of leopards in the Nashik area. Villagers continue to demand that the Forest Department take concrete and timely actions to ensure the safety of people living in leopard-prone zones.

The situation remains tense as locals and authorities work together to find a solution that balances human safety with wildlife conservation.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/nashik-fear-stricken-villagers-give-5-day-ultimatum-to-forest-department-to-catch-leopards

Asia Cup, India beat Sri Lanka in Super Over: Stats

Key Partnership Summary of India’s Innings

The Indian innings suffered an early setback with Shubman Gill getting dismissed cheaply. However, a crucial 59-run stand between Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings. At one stage, India were 92/3 when Sanju Samson joined Tilak Varma. The duo added a valuable 66 runs together. Varma remained unbeaten till the end and also stitched an unbeaten 40-run partnership with Axar Patel, helping India reach a competitive total of 202/5.

Bowling Analysis: A Tough Outing for Sri Lankan Bowlers

Sri Lanka’s bowlers did pose some threat during the innings. Five bowlers managed to take wickets, but none took more than one wicket each. Notably, none of the six bowlers used bowled at an economy rate below six runs per over.

– Maheesh Theekshana took 1/36 from 4 overs.
– Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 1/37 from his 4 overs.
– Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka shared 4 overs between them, each picking up a wicket.

Sri Lanka: Comeback and Key Performances

Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis early, but Nissanka and Kusal Perera put on a commanding 127-run partnership that tested the Indian bowling attack. At one point, Sri Lanka was well ahead in the contest, but Perera’s dismissal allowed India back into the game.

Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis struggled and were dismissed cheaply. It was Shanaka’s unbeaten 22 from 11 balls that kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. Nissanka was dismissed in the 19th over, and Sri Lanka finished on 202/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Indian Bowling Performance

The Indian bowlers had mixed success.

– Hardik Pandya bowled just one over, picking 1 wicket for 7 runs.
– Arshdeep Singh was expensive, conceding 46 runs from his 4 overs and taking one wicket.
– Harshit Rana, who dismissed Nissanka, was also expensive, giving away 54 runs from 4 overs.
– Axar Patel was ineffective, going wicketless in his 3 overs.
– Kuldeep Yadav, one of the standout performers in the tournament, took 1/31 from his 4 overs.
– Varun Chakravarthy also bagged a wicket, finishing with 1/31 from 4 overs.

Super Over Summary

Sri Lanka batted first in the Super Over, which was bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Singh dismissed Kusal Perera on the very first ball and kept up the pressure. Shanaka struggled to score and was also dismissed cheaply. Sri Lanka managed only 2 runs in the Super Over (2/2).

Abhishek Sharma’s Stunning Form

Abhishek Sharma once again showcased his explosive batting, hammering a blazing 61 runs off just 31 balls. This marked his third consecutive fifty in the tournament, following impressive fifties against Pakistan and Bangladesh during the Super 4 stage.

According to Cricbuzz, Abhishek became the sixth Indian batter to score three consecutive 50-plus scores in T20I cricket. The Indian batters achieving this feat are:

– Virat Kohli (3 times)
– KL Rahul (2 times)
– Suryakumar Yadav (2 times)
– Rohit Sharma
– Shreyas Iyer
– Abhishek Sharma

Asia Cup Records and Milestones

Abhishek Sharma leads the charts with 309 runs in Asia Cup 2025 from six matches at an average of 51.50 and a phenomenal strike rate of 204.63. He is the first batter to score over 300 runs in a single T20 Asia Cup edition, surpassing Mohammad Rizwan’s 281 runs in 2022 and Virat Kohli’s 276 runs from the same year.

Abhishek Equals Rohit Sharma’s Record

Abhishek completed a 22-ball fifty in the match, marking his sixth fifty in T20Is off 25 or fewer balls, thereby equaling Rohit Sharma’s tally. Suryakumar Yadav holds the record for India with seven such fifties.

Impressive Stats

– This was Abhishek’s 5th fifty in T20Is (total centuries: 2).
– He has scored 844 runs in 23 T20I innings at an average of 38.36 and a strike rate over 197.
– Across T20 cricket overall, he has amassed 4,353 runs from 152 matches, including 25 fifties and 7 centuries, with over 400 fours to his name.

Tilak Varma’s Promising Knock

Tilak Varma was undefeated on 49 runs, hitting 4 fours and a six. He has accumulated 893 runs in 31 matches at an average of 49.61, striking at 150.84. In T20 cricket overall, Varma has scored 3,802 runs from 125 games, including two centuries and three fifties. He has hit 49 sixes, just one shy of hitting 50.

Sanju Samson’s Valuable Contribution

Sanju Samson scored a brisk 39 runs off 23 balls, including three sixes and a four. Playing his 48th T20I, Samson has totaled 969 runs at an average of 26.18 alongside 55 sixes in his T20I career.

Pathum Nissanka’s Maiden T20I Century

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka registered his maiden century in T20 Internationals, scoring 107 off 58 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. In his 74th T20I, Nissanka now has 2,211 runs at an average of 31.58 with 17 fifties.

In T20 cricket overall, he has accumulated 3,933 runs at an average of 29.13. This century was his second in T20s, alongside 28 fifties.

Nissanka Reaches 100 Sixes in T20s

According to ESPNcricinfo, Nissanka surpassed the milestone of 100 sixes in T20 cricket during this match. He now has 105 sixes overall, including 59 in T20Is for Sri Lanka.

Significant Milestones by Nissanka

– Fourth Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century, joining Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Kusal Perera.
– Third batter in Men’s T20 Asia Cup history to score a hundred, following Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat and India’s Virat Kohli.
– First Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century against India.

Kusal Perera Surpasses 5,000 Runs in T20 Cricket

Kusal Perera scored 58 runs off 32 balls, hitting 8 fours and a six. In his 88th T20I, he now has 2,276 runs at an average of 27.42 with 16 fifties and one hundred.

Versus India specifically, Perera has 392 runs from 13 matches at an average of 32.66, with this innings marking his fourth T20I fifty against India.

Overall in T20 cricket, Perera has surpassed 5,000 runs, accumulating 5,022 runs at an average of 25.71 with 25 fifties and 2 centuries.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Bowling Excellence

Kuldeep Yadav has been outstanding in Asia Cup 2025, picking up 13 wickets in 6 matches at an impressive average of 9.84 and an economy rate of 6.04. He currently has 82 wickets in 46 T20I matches at an average of 13.40.

Conclusion

The thrilling contest showcased stellar performances from key players on both sides. India’s batting depth and all-round efforts were well matched by the resilient Sri Lankan batting lineup. Individual milestones and records highlighted the quality and excitement of the match, adding to the rich history of T20 Asia Cup cricket.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/asia-cup-india-vs-sri-lanka-report-and-stats/story

Brutal Murder of 3 Women, Broadcast On Instagram, Shocks Argentina

The live-streamed torture and killing of three young women in Buenos Aires has stunned the country. This horrifying event has sparked widespread concern about the growing influence of drug cartels in the region.

Authorities and communities alike are grappling with the implications of such extreme violence being broadcasted so openly. The incident has raised urgent questions about security and the ability of law enforcement to control cartel activities.

As the investigation continues, many are calling for stronger measures to combat drug-related crime and to protect innocent lives from similar tragedies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/world/americas/argentina-women-murder-instagram.html

Cathie Wood Shakes Up ARK ETFs Again

ARK Trims Roku and Roblox, Boosts Arcturus as Volatility Keeps Tech on Edge

In the latest portfolio adjustments, ARK Investment Management has reduced its holdings in Roku and Roblox. This move comes amid a period of heightened volatility that continues to impact the technology sector.

At the same time, ARK has increased its stake in Arcturus, signaling confidence in the company’s potential despite market fluctuations. These strategic changes reflect ARK’s adaptive approach to navigating the current tech landscape.

Investors are closely watching how such shifts will influence the performance of innovative tech stocks in the near term.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/cathie-wood-shakes-ark-etfs-210006221.html

Gilas Girls bow to China, fall short of semis in Fiba U16 Asia Cup

MANILA, Philippines—The Gilas Pilipinas Girls’ campaign in the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup came to an end following an 82-50 defeat against China in the semifinal qualifiers.

Despite a heroic effort from Tiffany Reyes, who saved the team from early elimination with a game-winning shot against South Korea on Wednesday, Gilas Pilipinas was unable to maintain that momentum against a strong Chinese side.

The loss marked a disappointing finish for the team, halting their progress in the tournament. Fans and supporters will be hoping for a stronger showing in future competitions.
https://sports.inquirer.net/641893/gilas-girls-bow-to-china-fall-short-of-semis-in-fiba-u16-asia-cup

Davante Adams, Rob Havenstein questionable for Sunday vs. Colts

While receiver Davante Adams did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to a hamstring injury, head coach Sean McVay expressed confidence that Adams should be able to play against the Colts on Sunday. Through three games with Los Angeles, Adams has recorded 13 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Right tackle Rob Havenstein is in a similar situation. Although he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday because of an ankle injury, he participated in limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable. McVay also indicated that Havenstein is expected to play on Sunday.

Guard Steve Avila, who has been dealing with an ankle injury as well, will be upgraded to a full participant in Friday’s practice after limited reps on Wednesday and Thursday. McVay noted that the team would like to assess Avila’s performance in practice before assigning a game status.

The full and final injury report for the Los Angeles team ahead of Week 4 will be released later on Friday.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/davante-adams-rob-havenstein-questionable-for-sunday-vs-colts

Stephen A. Smith torches Tua Tagovailoa for ‘asinine’ response to Cam Newton

Stephen A. Smith recently reacted to Tua Tagovailoa’s attempt to challenge Cam Newton, referencing a tactic reminiscent of Ryan Clark’s playbook—and he wasn’t having it.

Last week on *First Take*, Cam Newton pointed out that Tagovailoa is making more money than several notable quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, and Jayden Daniels. Newton emphasized his point by saying, “more money, more expectations.”

Despite facing justified criticism for his subpar performance this season, Tagovailoa fired back at Newton during a recent press conference. He stated, “I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback,” escalating the ongoing battle between the two players.

While many might have expected Newton to respond by boasting about his own accomplishments on the field, he instead chose a more relatable and compassionate approach—earning credit for keeping the discussion grounded and respectful.
https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/stephen-a-smith-tua-tagovailoa-asinine-response-cam-newton.html

Nashik: SMBT Hospital’s ‘Arogya Sadhana’ Completes Decade, Treats Over 40 Lakh Patients

SMBT Hospital’s ‘Arogya Sadhana’ health camp, which recently completed a decade, has provided treatment to more than 40 lakh patients, according to Chief Administrator Dr. Meenal Mohagavkar.

Of these patients, over three lakh were admitted for treatment, and more than two lakh surgeries were carried out. Dr. Mohagavkar shared that approximately 1,000 patients visit the hospital daily from across the region.

Under various government health schemes, patients receive free services. For those requiring treatment for conditions not covered under these schemes, charges are applied only for pathology and radiology tests, as well as medicines, all offered at discounted rates.

The hospital offers 26 super speciality services, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, urology, general surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics, and dialysis.

Dr. Mohagavkar emphasized that SMBT Hospital is making services accessible that are often unavailable at many rural healthcare facilities, thereby enhancing healthcare reach and quality in the region.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/nashik-smbt-hospitals-arogya-sadhana-completes-decade-treats-over-40-lakh-patients

Malik Nabers good to go for Jaxson Dart’s starting debut

Wide receiver Malik Nabers will be available as a target for Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart in the rookie’s first NFL start.

Nabers did not practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday, but he did not receive an injury designation for Sunday’s home game against the Chargers. Although he was again limited on Friday, Nabers is listed with a shoulder injury and is expected to play.

Jaxson Dart will be the fifth starting quarterback for the Giants since Nabers joined the team as a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

In other injury news, the Giants have ruled out kicker Graham Gano (groin), defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (ankle), and running back Tyrone Tracy (shoulder) for Sunday’s game. Defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot) is the only player listed as questionable heading into the matchup.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/malik-nabers-good-to-go-for-jaxson-darts-starting-debut