Royals expert wraps up the biggest moments during Trump’s UK visit
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Royals expert wraps up the biggest moments during Trump’s UK visit
Video: Royals expert wraps up the biggest moments during Trump’s UK visit -
Maharashtra: Nearly 15 lakh new voters in state since assembly polls
Maharashtra has added 14.71 lakh voters to its electoral rolls since the November 2024 assembly polls, while names of 4.09 lakh voters were deleted but not a single political party has raised any objection in this regard, a senior official said on Thursday.
District-wise data showed Thane recorded the highest increase with 2.25 lakh new voters, followed by Pune with 1.82 lakh. This took the electorate in Thane to 74.55 lakh and in Pune to 90.32 lakh. Mumbai suburban district saw an addition of 95,630 new voters, taking its tally to 77.81 lakh, while Mumbai city added 18,741 names, raising its voter base to 25.62 lakh.
9.84 cr voters in state
The total electorate in the state now stands at 9.84 crore, he informed. “While allegations of manipulation of the voter list have dominated political debates, there is not a single written complaint or objection that we have received so far regarding the addition of more than 14 lakh names after the assembly polls. The updated list will now be used for the upcoming civic and local body elections instead of the rolls prepared for last year’s assembly elections,” he said.
Together, the metropolis added 1.14 lakh new voters since November, pushing the total number for the upcoming BMC elections to 1.03 crore, the state government official added. The official said applications for addition of 16.83 lakh voters were received across the state, along with nearly 1.97 lakh applications for shifting names from one constituency to another. After scrutiny, 14.71 lakh new names were approved and 4.09 lakh voters deleted, the official informed.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
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Transfer rumors, news: Man Utd, Atlético, Barça eye Vlahovic
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is of interest to Manchester United, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, while United midfielder Casemiro is on the radar of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades
TOP STORIES
– Sources: Messi, Miami near multiyear extension
– Mourinho appointed as new Benfica coach
– Sources: Putellas turns down €1m PSG moveTRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester United, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. A replacement for 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski is a priority for Barca manager Hansi Flick, as forward is out of contract next summer. As such, the club could turn to Vlahovic, who has scored four goals in his last four outings for Juve. United are still looking to bolster their forward line, despite the €85m signing of Benjamin Sesko, and Atletico are also monitoring the situation in the event that either Julián Álvarez or Alexander Sørloth leave the club.
– Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is on the radar of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr, says Mundo Deportivo. Casemiro, 33, has a contract which expires in the summer and United are keen to raise funds to bring in new players, though they are only looking to recoup around half of the €70m they spent to sign him from Real Madrid in 2022.
– Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa could return to Serie A in Italy in the summer, says TEAMtalk. Chiesa, 27, arrived from Juventus for €12m in 2024 but has struggled with injuries and made only 14 appearances last season, where he scored two goals and managed two assists. This season, he has one goal in four Premier League matches, but Liverpool boss Arne Slot isn’t convinced about his future and is open to offers.
– Chelsea are looking to find out-of-favor winger Raheem Sterling a new club in January after recent interest from Bayern Munich and Napoli, reports Sky Sports News. The England international has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge by Blues boss Enzo Maresca, so much so that the PFA have contacted Chelsea about the treatment of him and teammate Axel Disasi. Defender Disasi is also expected to depart in January, having previously been wanted by the likes of West Ham United, Sunderland and Bournemouth.
– Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is prepared to let striker Gabriel Jesus leave in January, reports Football Insider. The Brazil international is expected to be out of action until December with a cruciate ligament injury – something which scuppered a possible transfer this summer. However, following the €63.5m arrival of Viktor Gyökeres at the Emirates, Arsenal are now open to offers to sign Jesus should they materialize in the new year.
EXPERT TAKE
1:21
Does a multiyear contract extension make sense for Messi at Miami?
Gab and Juls debate whether a contract extension makes sense for Lionel Messi ahead of the World Cup.
OTHER RUMORS
– Al Hilal are prepared to spend €100m to try and sign Real Madrid forward Vinicíus Júnior. (Ekrem Konur)
– Manchester United are targeting a move for Al Hilal midfielder Rúben Neves for as little as £17m in January, as the Portugal international is reportedly keen on a return to Europe (CaughtOffisde)
– Claims that former Manchester United defender Phil Jones, who is a free agent, is about to join Wrexham have been shut down after he was spotted at a recent match. (Daily Mirror)
– Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, 25, is of interest to Tottenham and a number of other Premier League clubs. (TBR)
– Barcelona are scouting Dinamo Zagreb’s 16-year-old Portuguese forward Cardoso Varela, who is under contract until 2028. (Ekrem Konur)
– AC Milan are ready to turn their attention towards signing Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki if a new contract for Mike Maignan can’t be agreed. (QS)
– Hertha BSC’s 17-year-old left-back Yunus Unal is attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, and Werder Bremen. (Bild)
– Vítor Pereira is set to sign a new three-year contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Sky Sports News)
– Tigres playmaker Juan Brunetta is back on the radar of several Italian clubs, including Bologna, Udinese and Fiorentina. (Ekrem Konur)
– Former Roma and Juventus striker Mirko Vučinić is ready to become the new manager of Montenegro (Nicolo Schira)
– West Ham United have identified Gary O’Neil as a potential successor to Graham Potter. (Independent)
– Former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and ex-Burnley boss Sean Dyche are also under consideration. (Guardian)
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China congratulates prime minister of Nepal's interim government
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-09-14/China-congratulates-prime-minister-of-Nepal-s-interim-government-1GES11TbFL2/img/477bd4107e0548e59d0170aac6f3c367/477bd4107e0548e59d0170aac6f3c367.png' alt='Nepal's newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki attends her swearing-in-ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 12, 2025. /VCG'China congratulates Sushila Karki on becoming the prime minister of Nepal’s interim government, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
Karki, Nepal’s former chief justice, took office as the prime minister of the interim government on Friday evening following KP Sharma Oli’s resignation.
The Chinese spokesperson said China and Nepal share a time-honored friendship, and China, as always, respects the development path chosen independently by the people of Nepal.
China stands ready to work with Nepal to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and further advance bilateral relations, the spokesperson said.
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Psychologist explains how ‘perfectionism’ impacts us
Video: Psychologist explains how ‘perfectionism’ impacts us Psychologist explains how ‘perfectionism’ impacts us
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Psychologist Dr. Thomas Curran explains how perfectionism can have mental health impacts, causing stress and overwhelm.
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Mumbai: Andheri’s ESIC Hospital unlikely to be operational by January ’26
The Bombay High Court, in a response to a PIL, in April this year had directed the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to take steps to ensure that the construction of its hospital building, which is undergoing renovation, in Andheri East was completed and possession was obtained on or before August 15, and that the corporation should endeavour to make the facility operational on or before January 31. However, the work has not been completed.
Congress leader Rajesh Sharma, who had filed the PIL, claimed, “Not a single bed has been put up. Despite court orders, there are no signs of handing over the hospital to the administration. When will the hospital authorities set up the equipment? Lakhs of employees are being deprived of modern healthcare facilities due to these repetitive delays.”
The delay has once again raised questions about the accountability of the ESIC and the contractors responsible for the project. Labour rights activists who were among the petitioners in the PIL alleged that bureaucratic red tape and lack of coordination between agencies are the primary reasons behind the holdup.
When questioned, an ESIC official told mid-day, “Government projects have multiple protocol layers and do take time. We are trying our best to follow court orders. We do realise that the deadline has passed. But we are facing some internal challenges about which we do not wish to communicate at the moment.” The official further stated that the work would be done in two months, as just a few last-level paper and civil works were yet to be completed.
Meanwhile, the same hospital has received permission to start a medical college with 50 students from this academic year. The future of the same is in doubt as the IPD services are still being provided at the Kandivli ESIC Hospital, and the one at Andheri is only providing OPD services. “Students will not require IPD facilities in their very first year. While applying for starting a medical college, we mentioned both our Kandivli and Andheri facilities, and we received permission on that basis only. By the time the students finish their first year, all facilities will be available at the Andheri hospital,” said a top official from the hospital administration.
For now, patients continue to wait in the hope that authorities act swiftly. “We live in Koldongri, Andheri and work at MIDC. Since we are not affluent, we were dependent on the ESIC Hospital. The facility wasn’t operational for almost a decade. Since it was reopened, only the OPD has been functional. We still have to travel to Kandivli for treatment. They should understand that it becomes expensive to travel so far by auto or ambulance during emergencies,” said Latika Mistry, a patient visiting the OPD on Thursday. With just four months left before the next deadline, the onus is on the ESIC to ensure compliance and prevent yet another extension that could further erode public trust.
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Evaluating surprise trends for 32 NFL teams: Real or not?
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NFL Nation
We’re two weeks into the 2025 NFL season, which means narratives are beginning to take hold — prematurely. The NFL’s 10 remaining 2-0 teams cannot all be Super Bowl-bound. (History confirms some in that group won’t reach the playoffs.) The group of 0-2 teams stands 11 deep entering Week 3, but those teams are not all hopeless. What all 32 teams have in common is a need to either reverse an early trend that stands in the way of progress, or to continue one that might help them reach their destination. ESPN’s 32 team reporters identified such a trend for their teams, also sizing up whether that trend is likely to continue over the next 15 games (and perhaps beyond).
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
The early surprise: The Bills lead the league in rushing attempts.
The verdict: Real to an extent. The offense under coordinator Joe Brady has put an emphasis on a productive run game to support quarterback Josh Allen. That will continue as the season progresses, especially behind a strong offensive line that has returned the same starting five from last year and with James Cook starting the season off on a strong note. It also helps if the Bills can build leads early in games, like in their Week 2 win over the Jets. With Allen and the passing potential, staying first in attempts seems unlikely, but emphasizing the running game will continue. — Alaina Getzenberg
1:19
Woody: Chiefs ‘have nothing on offense that threatens any team’
Damien Woody calls out the Chiefs’ offensive deficiencies following a loss to the Eagles that saw them start 0-2 for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ NFL career.
The early surprise: The Dolphins rank 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
The verdict: Real. Miami had issues running the ball in 2024 as well, finishing 21st in rushing yards. The Dolphins attempted to address the issue by adding two new offensive guards and drafting power back Ollie Gordon II, but they’ve already had to replace the entire right side of their offensive line because of injuries, and Gordon has not been a consistent part of the game plan through two weeks. Starter De’Von Achane has picked up where he left off last season, when he led NFL running backs in catches and receiving yards, but there’s no sign so far that Miami’s production on the ground is a mirage. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The early surprise: The Patriots are averaging 10.5 accepted penalties per game.
The verdict: Mirage. New England was called for 12 accepted penalties for 75 yards in its win over the Dolphins, which came after getting flagged for nine accepted penalties for 70 yards in a season-opening loss. The Patriots haven’t reflected the buttoned-up team one would expect with Mike Vrabel at the helm. That shouldn’t continue, particularly with false starts, as starting offensive tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses have combined for six. — Mike Reiss
The early surprise: The Jets rank 21st in yards allowed, 30th in points allowed.
The verdict: Mirage. They’re not this bad on defense. They have 14 holdovers from a defense that finished fourth in yards allowed, so you know there’s talent. They have former All-Pros on all three levels — tackle Quinnen Williams, linebacker Quincy Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner. Part of the problem is they’re still learning a new defense, a hybrid system that blends schemes used by coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Shoddy tackling isn’t helping matters. — Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
The early surprise: Mark Andrews‘ lack of productivity.
The verdict: Real. Andrews has surprisingly not been part of the Ravens’ game plan, recording two catches for 7 yards in the first two games of the season. He used to be Lamar Jackson‘s favorite target, but he has a total of four targets despite tight end Isaiah Likely being sidelined with a foot injury. Andrews, 30, just isn’t getting many opportunities, running 38 routes, which ranks 24th among tight ends. It’s difficult to think Andrews’ target share will increase going forward, especially with Likely expected to return in the next couple of weeks. — Jamison Hensley
1:25
Why Stephen A. thinks Bengals can succeed without Joe Burrow
Stephen A. Smith says the Bengals could still be competitive if Joe Burrow returns later this season.
The early surprise: The Bengals can’t run the ball.
The verdict: Mirage. After Monday’s games, the Bengals dropped to last in the league in yards per rushing attempt (2.4). Cincinnati had high hopes for running back Chase Brown entering the season. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said there were a few yards left on the table in a Week 2 win against the Jaguars. With Jake Browning now at quarterback in place of Joe Burrow, there is a chance the offense could find a bit more balance, which could lead to increased rushing efficiency from Brown. — Ben Baby
The early surprise: The Browns’ retooled running game has produced only one run of 10-plus yards.
The verdict: Mirage. The run game was a point of emphasis for coach Kevin Stefanski and Cleveland’s offense this offseason, but the Browns are averaging 3.6 yards per carry and generating few explosive plays. The run blocking hasn’t been optimal, but the team’s run block win rate ranks 19th. The debut of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was also a promising sign. Judkins produced the team’s lone explosive run in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens and registered a team-high 61 rushing yards, 36 of which came after first contact. The Browns’ run game should pick up as Judkins gets more comfortable. — Daniel Oyefusi
1:07
Jordan Love: Micah Parsons has taken our team to another level
Jordan Love joins “The Rich Eisen Show” to discuss what the addition of Micah Parsons has meant for the Green Bay Packers.
The early surprise: The Steelers’ defense ranks 29th in yards and points allowed per game.
The verdict: Real. Despite fielding the league’s highest-paid defense by nearly $25 million, the Steelers’ defensive issues have been glaring through two weeks. Not only have the Steelers allowed opponents to score at least 30 points in the past two weeks, but each team had a 100-yard rusher. The Steelers rank 28th with 149.5 rushing yards allowed per game. Because they can’t stop the run, the pass rush also hasn’t gotten going, and the Steelers are tied for 25th with 1.5 sacks per game. From top to bottom, the defense is abysmal, and there don’t appear to be any easy fixes on the horizon. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
The early surprise: C.J. Stroud‘s high pressure rate.
The verdict: Real. Stroud’s line has the ninth-worst pass block win rate (55.6%) according to ESPN Analytics/NFL Next Gen Stats, and that’s not a mirage. It’s a full malfunction, from the playcalling to getting pass catchers open down the field, to the pass protection plan, to the Texans’ offensive line struggling to block and sometimes Stroud holding the ball. The Texans’ season will flop if they don’t get this fixed, especially with better AFC opponents coming down the pike in Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo. — DJ Bien-Aime
The early surprise: The Colts have one of the NFL’s most potent offenses.
The verdict: Real. Indy is on the kind of offensive tear you might expect in the Peyton Manning era, scoring on its first 10 drives of the season and not punting through two games. No one is predicting that audacious level of consistency, but the Colts’ combination of decisiveness from QB Daniel Jones, savvy playcalling from coach Shane Steichen and a versatile stable of offensive weapons positions them to remain a dangerous offense. The Colts rank second in offensive expected points added (23.6) and are tied for first in yards per play (6.5). — Stephen Holder
The early surprise: The Jaguars lead the NFL in rushing.
The verdict: Mirage-ish. Liam Coen took Tampa Bay’s run game from last in the NFL in 2023 to fourth last season, so there was an expectation that he would be able to significantly improve the Jaguars’ ground game in 2025. There’s no question the additions along the offensive line and the two young running backs have helped, along with Travis Etienne Jr.’s resurgence. The Jaguars will be a better running team than they were last year (101.7 yards per game), so that part is real. Expecting them to lead the league over the course of the season is the mirage. — Michael DiRocco
The early surprise: The Titans’ third-down distance is the worst in the league.
The verdict: Real. The Titans’ average distance to go on third downs is 9.9 yards, third worst in the league. Tennessee has faced 31 third downs, with 21 of them being third-and-7 or longer. No team has had more third-and-long situations. Most of the problems come from early penalties in drives. The Titans have been penalized 23 times for 193 yards in two games. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been sacked 11 times. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
The early surprise: The Broncos are tied for 28th in the league in turnover margin.
The verdict: Real. If the Broncos really consider themselves ready to slug it out with the AFC heavyweights — and they spent a lot of time this offseason saying they were, from coach Sean Payton on down — they cannot live on the minus side of the turnover margin. The Broncos are minus-3 after two games, and only Cleveland and Miami are worse (both at minus-4). Quarterback Bo Nix, who went without an interception 10 times as a rookie, did throw four in his first two starts combined last year and is tied for most interceptions this season after two weeks with three. Toss in that the Broncos are also one of 10 teams with more than 120 penalty yards after two games and that is not the profile that’s going to succeed in their own division, let alone the AFC playoff race. — Jeff Legwold
The early surprise: Patrick Mahomes leads the Chiefs in rushing.
The verdict: Mirage-ish. The Chiefs certainly hope it’s a mirage. But Mahomes has had to scramble to give the Chiefs a legit option on the ground. Although Isiah Pacheco is healthy, he has struggled with his limited touches. Kareem Hunt is mostly a short-yardage and third-down back. Still, it’s wild that Mahomes is the second quarterback since 1950 to record double any other player on his team in rushing yards in each of the first two games of a season, joining Cam Newton (2020). — Nate Taylor
The early surprise: The Raiders have the fifth-fewest points allowed.
The verdict: Real. Las Vegas has allowed 16.5 points per game through two weeks. Against the Chargers, the defense kept the game within reach, allowing just three points in the second half. Even though the Raiders still have question marks in the secondary, coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham have shown they can find a way to get the best out of the talent at hand. — Ryan McFadden
The early surprise: Quentin Johnston‘s production.
The verdict: Real. Johnston has 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns through two games, leading the team in both categories. He is the first Chargers player with three touchdowns through L.A.’s first two games since tight end Antonio Gates in 2014. Despite Johnston’s fluctuating play through two seasons, he has remained one of quarterback Justin Herbert‘s favorite targets. Johnston should continue to be productive this season. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
2:08
Should Javonte Williams be viewed as a lineup lock, top-10 RB?
Daniel Dopp, Field Yates and Stephania Bell debate whether Javonte Williams is a lineup lock and a top-10 fantasy running back.
The early surprise: Four rushing touchdowns.
The verdict: Real. That might not sound impressive to some folks, but the Cowboys had just six rushing touchdowns last season. Six. Javonte Williams has three, the most by a Dallas running back through two games since Marion Barber in 2008. Miles Sanders has the fourth. New offensive coordinator Klayton Adams helped design Arizona’s run game and has brought some changes to how the Cowboys get it done on the ground, particularly by getting his linemen on the move. Last year, the Cardinals had 18 rushing touchdowns. Good red zone teams run the ball into the end zone. If the Cowboys can be a threat on the ground inside the opponents’ 20, it will help Dak Prescott and his pass catchers find some space, too. — Todd Archer
The early surprise: Bottom-five rushing attack.
The verdict: Real. The offensive line isn’t great at pass blocking. There was a belief based on the second half of last season that it would at least be a better run-blocking unit. But the Giants have problems on the interior of their offensive line, a main reason they are averaging a paltry 79.0 yards on the ground. They get minimal push. That seems unlikely to magically change, and the running game is already searching for answers. Tyrone Tracy Jr. was replaced by Cam Skattebo as the primary ball carrier after one week. — Jordan Raanan
2:04
Is Cam Skattebo the best fantasy RB on the Giants?
Field Yates and Stephania Bell debate whether Cam Skattebo is the preferred fantasy running back out of the Giants’ backfield.
The early surprise: A.J. Brown has not been a major factor in the offense, catching just six balls for 35 yards.
The verdict: Mirage. Brown has had over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his three seasons in Philadelphia and has gone over 1,400 yards twice. He has averaged 15.6 yards per reception over his career compared with just 5.8 through two games. The Eagles pass game is still finding its way under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. This is a run-oriented offense but that hasn’t stopped Brown from being productive. He missed significant time this summer with a hamstring injury. Assuming his health continues to trend in a positive direction, he should be back to filling up the stat sheet before long. — Tim McManus
The early surprise: Terry McLaurin is on pace for less than 700 yards.
The verdict: Mirage. McLaurin has topped 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons so there’s no reason to believe his production won’t increase. But the slow start was somewhat expected given that he missed all of training camp (in addition to OTA and minicamp practices) while holding out/in. He’s receiving a similar number of targets as he did last year (6.88 in 2024; 6.5 in 2025) and he was getting open vs. Green Bay — but the Packers’ pass rush often negated chances. McLaurin is still getting open — when he runs a route after lining up wide left (his usual spot), he’s averaging 2.53 yards of separation compared with 2.63 last year. It’s a matter of time for McLaurin. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
1:04
How much will the Bears miss Jaylon Johnson?
“The Pat McAfee Show” crew reacts to the news about Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson being out indefinitely after sustaining a groin injury against the Lions.
The early surprise: Chicago’s defense ranks 32nd in points allowed.
The verdict: Real. And that’s the scary part. The Bears’ defense is supposed to be the backbone of this team while Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams and the offense get established, but Chicago has allowed 73 points over its past five quarters and let the Lions average 8.8 yards per play in Week 2, the highest rate they allowed in a game since 1961. Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy coming back to earth after the Vikings scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter is a bad look for the Bears. What’s worse were the 52 points allowed to Detroit, the most Chicago has given up in a game since 2014. — Courtney Cronin
The early surprise: The Lions are tied for the NFL’s most receiving touchdowns.
The verdict: Real. With so many offensive playmakers returning, Lions QB Jared Goff could very well continue this trend. Goff and Detroit scored five touchdowns during the 52-21 Week 2 beatdown versus Chicago — All-Pro WR Amon-Ra St. Brown scored three of those — but Goff will also be throwing to WR Jameson Williams, rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa, TE Sam LaPorta and RB Jahmyr Gibbs this season. Detroit was able to set a franchise record by averaging 8.8 yards per play on offense against the Bears and produced a game with at least 500 total net yards, five passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns for the first time in franchise history. — Eric Woodyard
2:12
Was Week 1 or 2 a fantasy overreaction for the Lions?
Field Yates, Daniel Dopp and Stephania Bell examine the fantasy performances of the Lions in Week 2.
The early surprise: The Packers lead the league in QB pressures.
The verdict: Real. After ranking a pedestrian 17th in the NFL in quarterback pressures last season, they’re No. 1 in the league with 38 after two weeks, according to ESPN Research. They’re also second in sacks. The reason it could be sustainable is simple: the arrival of Micah Parsons. On a limited snap count, Parsons ranks second in the NFL in individual pressures with nine. — Rob Demovsky
The early surprise: A rough start for a revamped offensive line.
The verdict: Real. The Vikings devoted premium assets to revamping their offensive line this offseason, signing center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries to deals that totaled $106 million while drafting left guard Donovan Jackson in the first round. But the line has yet to gel, in part because of injuries, and it has been a contributor to quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s struggles. Kelly is the only starter who ranks among the NFL’s top 60 in pass block win rate, and in the run game, the Vikings rank No. 28 in the league with an average of 1.91 yards gained before contract. Kelly suffered a concussion in Week 2, and that — along with left tackle Christian Darrisaw‘s ongoing recovery from a 2024 left knee injury, has complicated matters. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
The early surprise: The Falcons have one of the most potent pass rushes in the league.
The verdict: Mirage — to an extent. The Falcons are fourth in the league in quarterback pressure rate (46.3%) and fourth in sack rate (10.4%). Their seven sacks, six of which came against the Vikings on Sunday night, make for the third highest total in the league. Atlanta has been a cellar dweller in getting to the quarterback. Coming into this season, the Falcons had 30 fewer sacks than any other team going back to 2019. The 2025 numbers will revert to the mean. But the team’s defense, under new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and after a commitment to adding talent in the offseason, is undoubtedly improved. — Marc Raimondi
The early surprise: Xavier Legette‘s horrible start.
The verdict: Real. The 32nd pick of the 2024 draft had one catch for minus-2 yards Sunday and through two games has four catches on 15 targets for 8 yards. Coach Dave Canales says he still believes in Legette, but is there reason to? Legette had only a 58.3% catch rate last year and worked hard during the offseason to improve that. Instead, he has gone backward and is at 26.7%. He should be in danger of being replaced. — David Newton
The early surprise: The Saints defense is tied for second in the league with eight sacks.
The verdict: Mirage. Though the Saints were able to generate some sacks in the first two games, two sacks were tackles for no gain when Kyler Murray was on the run and one sack was a result of Mac Jones stumbling and falling last week. According to TruMedia, the Saints rank 28th in pass rush win rate and 30th in pressures. Although things could change when Chase Young returns from injury, New Orleans likely won’t stay at the top of the league in that statistic. — Katherine Terrell
1:17
Why Quinshon Judkins is a top-25 RB option for Week 3
Field Yates ranks Quinshon Judkins as a top-25 RB for Week 3 with fantasy upside, though a potential suspension still looms.
The early surprise: The Bucs’ 2-0 hot start.
The verdict: Real. This is the third straight year the Bucs have started 2-0 under Todd Bowles, something no other team has done since 2023. The issue has been the midseason lulls following their hot starts. In 2024, the Bucs started 3-1 and then proceeded to drop five of six games before winning six of seven in the end. In 2023, they started 3-1, dropped six of seven and then won five of six. Last year, their losing coincided with the loss of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. In 2025, they’ve started the season 2-0 without Godwin, Jalen McMillan and All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, and now they’ve lost Calijah Kancey for the year. Assuming they stay healthy in other position groups, their play should elevate by midseason — not decline. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
The early surprise: RB James Conner is off to a slow start.
The verdict: Mirage. The 30-year-old Conner is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons but has rushed for just 73 yards this season — the 39th most this season. It puts him on pace for 620.5 yards, which would be his fewest since 2019. He’s bound to break out at some point, but the Cardinals’ backup running back, Trey Benson, has been looking impressive in the limited snaps he has received thus far. Conner is a hard, downfield runner with game-breaking ability. It’s just a matter of time before he finds his rhythm and gets his stats up to speed. — Josh Weinfuss
The early surprise: OLB Byron Young leads the Rams in sacks.
The verdict: Real. Young, a 2023 third-round pick, has a team-leading three sacks in two games. The Rams have an excellent defensive front that also includes Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse, but Young has been a standout through two games. Rams head coach Sean McVay said he thought Young was “outstanding” against the Titans, saying, “I thought he took his game to the next level.” Young’s three sacks tie him for fourth in the league this season. — Sarah Barshop
The early surprise: The Niners are again middle of the pack in scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
The verdict: Mirage. Through two games, San Francisco has scored a touchdown on 57.1% of its trips to the red zone, tied for 17th in the NFL. That’s exactly in line with the 57.1% the 49ers posted for all of last season, which ranked 14th. But there’s reason to believe that number will improve as the year goes on. While the 49ers can never count on being “fully” healthy, they should get tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) back at some point to complement running back Christian McCaffrey. Having even two of those three should put San Francisco in position to convert more long drives into touchdowns as the season goes on. — Nick Wagoner
The early surprise: Zach Charbonnet is playing more than Kenneth Walker III.
The verdict: Real. This might surprise only those who weren’t paying attention to the hints that Charbonnet was poised for an increased role this season. Through two games, he has outsnapped Walker 66 to 44. However, they each have 27 touches, and Walker has been the more productive of the two, with 142 yards and a touchdown compared with Charbonnet’s 57 yards and one score. Charbonnet is excellent in pass protection and is as reliable as they come, so expect him to continue to play extensively even if Walker continues to outproduce him. — Brady Henderson
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2025 CIFTIS ends with fruitful outcomes, highlights digital innovation
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-09-14/China-s-2025-service-trade-fair-wraps-up-with-bountiful-outcomes-1GF7JIKM7Hq/img/91254272beab4a89bb4cd335062fc219/91254272beab4a89bb4cd335062fc219.png' alt='View of the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, September 13, 2025. /VCG'The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) concluded in Beijing on Sunday with over 900 signed agreements across sectors including construction, information technology and finance, highlighting robust global participation and digital trade innovation.
Held at the city’s Shougang Park, the event drew participants from more than 60 countries and over 20 international organizations.
Fortune Global 500 companies, unicorns and industry-leading enterprises unveiled 198 achievements in fields such as artificial intelligence, fintech, healthcare and green technology. Among these, 109 were new product launches, featuring innovations in precision medicine, ultra-high-definition audiovisual technology, photonic quantum computers and bionic cell sensors.
“We will further leverage CIFTIS’ role as a platform to promote development, expand openness and foster innovative cooperation, ensuring that the outcomes and consensus reached at this year’s fair translate into tangible results,” said Zhu Guangyao, an official with the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of the Ministry of Commerce.
The fair saw active deal-making, with Australia, this year’s guest country of honor, securing 15 cooperation intentions with Chinese partners in finance and education.
More than 8,500 business meetings were initiated on the fair’s digital matchmaking platform, while professional attendance increased by 12 percent year-on-year to about 116,000 visitors.
A total of 45 cultural, commercial, tourism and sports activities – including performances, sport events and consumer markets – were held at distinctive locations across Shougang Park, with 11 curated business tours offering immersive insights into investment, culture and industrial tourism, according to Zhang Huayu, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau.
The five-day event attracted more than 250,000 onsite visitors and featured about 5,600 virtual exhibitors. International participation expanded, with on-site exhibitor representation from 26 of the world’s top 30 countries and regions in terms of services trade.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-09-14/China-s-2025-service-trade-fair-wraps-up-with-bountiful-outcomes-1GF7JIKM7Hq/img/68e5e22333e84afc8588cfd60aad06b4/68e5e22333e84afc8588cfd60aad06b4.jpeg' alt='Audiences watch a robot dance performance at the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, September 13, 2025. /VCG'
Experts: CIFTIS presents vast opportunities
For international participant at CIFTIS like Australian vocational education provider Chisholm Institute of TAFE, China’s growing demand for high-quality services represents a tangible opportunity.
“We’re looking to find partnerships that allow us to deliver Australian vocational qualifications in the Chinese market,” said Christopher Hogg, global business development manager of the institute, highlighting education as a key area of services trade collaboration between the two countries.
Over the years, CIFTIS has become a key platform that promotes global collaboration, encourages the exchange of advanced services and creates shared opportunities for global businesses.
Norway’s national pavilion, featuring nine companies across sectors like health, nutrition and aquaculture, exemplifies how China’s changing consumption pattern is creating opportunities for foreign enterprises.
Henning Kristoffersen, commercial counselor of the Norwegian Embassy in China, noted the alignment between Norwegian offerings and Chinese people’s rising health consciousness. “The Chinese consumers are very health-conscious. And for the products that we have in Norway, this is great,” he said, seeing “great opportunities” for Norwegian businesses to find partners and introduce products to Chinese consumers.
Andre Haspels, ambassador of the Netherlands to China, pointed to sport services as a vibrant area for cooperation, citing examples like collaborations in swimming safety and cycling infrastructure. “Sports, of course, is very important for health, mental and physical health,” he said, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the health sector.
As one of the world’s largest comprehensive fairs for trade in services, CIFTIS provides a unique opportunity for participating African countries to network, sell and learn from practices, said George Tabe, director of Global Consulting, a Cameroonian think tank.
“Cameroon is promoting its touristic benefits and potential at the fair. African countries that are among the top participants at the fair need to seize this opportunity to show the world the services we offer,” he said.
The world is witnessing a shift in consumption from goods to services, the expert said. In the first half of this year, China’s total trade in services reached a record 3.9 trillion yuan (about $549 billion), marking an 8 percent year-on-year increase. The country is entering a phase of rapid growth in services consumption, Tabe said.
(With input from Xinhua)
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NSW farmer pulls off ‘proposal like no other’
Video: NSW farmer pulls off ‘proposal like no other’ NSW farmer pulls off ‘proposal like no other’
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A NSW farmer waited 5 months for his three hectare field of canola to spell out his proposal.
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One more arrested in Rs 75.2 lakh mephedrone seizure case in Thane
An official on Friday said that the police in Maharashtra`s Thane district have arrested one more person in connection with the seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 75.2 lakh smuggled through the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border, reported news agency PTI.
The crime branch arrested the accused, Kuldeepsingh Parihar, on September 12 from the Kalwa area, and a search has been launched for his absconding associate, the official said, reported PTI.
Senior inspector Sachin Gaikwad said the crime branch had seized 501.5 gm of mephedrone from a car at the Kharigaon toll naka on September 9 and arrested the driver, Sureshsingh Gangasingh Tanwar (35), who hailed from Ratlam in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, reported PTI.
A case under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered, and during interrogation, Tanwar revealed that he had smuggled the contraband with the help of his associates, Kuldeepsingh Parihar and Abhishek Jaiswal, he said, reported PTI.
The official said that the narcotics were transported across the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border for illegal trade and sale in Maharashtra.
Three held in Vasai with mephedrone worth Rs 50 lakh
In another case, three persons were held allegedly with mephedrone worth Rs 50 lakh in Vasai in Palghar district, a police official said on Monday, reported PTI.
Shahbaz Hamid Shaikh (22) of Nalasopara, as well as Yogesh Raju Rathod (22) and Jaffar Asif Sheikh (22), both from Bandra in Mumbai, were held on September 13, MBVV Crime Branch unit 11 (Vasai) senior inspector Aviraj Kurhade said, reported PTI.
“They were held on a tip-off from Central Park Maidan in Tulin. We seized 250 grams of mephedrone worth Rs 50 lakh. They have been under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further probe into the peddling network is underway,” he said.
Woman held in drug case in which Mumbai cops invoked MCOCA for first time
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old woman wanted in a mephedrone seizure case, the first in which Mumbai police had invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), was arrested from Dahisar in the northern part of the metropolis, an official said on Sunday, reported PTI.
Kaynat Jabbar Shaikh-Qureshi (26) was apprehended by a team of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, he added, reported PTI.
“Earlier, the ANC`s Bandra unit had arrested Adnan Amir Shaikh with 766 grams of mephedrone. He was running an organised syndicate. Based on a tip-off, Kaynat was held at her sister`s house in Dahisar,” the official said.
(With inputs from PTI)
