Maharashtra News: ‘Independent NCC Academy To Be Established In State,’ Says Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate

**Maharashtra to Establish Independent NCC Academy in Mumbai Metropolitan Region**

*Mumbai:* Maharashtra is set to have an independent National Cadet Corps (NCC) Academy aimed at providing advanced training facilities for cadets, announced State Sports Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate. The minister has directed officials of the Sports Department to identify suitable land within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for setting up this new academy.

**Review Meeting Held at Mantralaya**

A review meeting focused on pending NCC matters was held today at Mantralaya. The meeting was attended by key officials including Additional Chief Secretary Anil Diggikar, Additional Director General Major General Vivek Tyagi, Deputy Secretary Sunil Pandhare, and Director of Naval NCC, Captain Jenish George, among others.

During the meeting, Major General Tyagi presented Minister Kokate with a model of an Indian Navy warship, skillfully crafted by NCC cadets, symbolizing the cadets’ dedication and creativity.

**NCC’s Role in Career Building**

Highlighting the significant contribution of the NCC, Minister Kokate said cadets from Maharashtra have been excelling at the national level across schools, camps, sports, and various other activities. He emphasized that the NCC ‘C Certificate’ has gained immense value not only in the Armed Forces and Police but also within the corporate sector, thereby opening excellent career opportunities for cadets.

Acknowledging the growing importance of NCC, Kokate instructed officials to increase the number of NCC training centers in colleges across the state. He also emphasized ensuring adequate manpower support to effectively carry out NCC-related activities.

*Also Watch: NCC’s Role In Career Building*

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-news-independent-ncc-academy-to-be-established-in-state-says-sports-minister-manikrao-kokate

Family reunites as activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah returns home after 12 years in Egyptian prison

CAIRO (AP) — The downtown Cairo apartment of Alaa Abd el-Fattah was filled with laughter and joy Tuesday as family and friends gathered to absorb the long-awaited news: the pro-democracy Egyptian-British activist had finally walked free.

Abd el-Fattah was pardoned by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and released Monday after spending almost all of the past 12 years in prison. He and five other prisoners had been pardoned after the National Council for Human Rights acted on behalf of their families, urging the president to consider their situations on humanitarian grounds.

“I felt a wave of sudden relief as if my body had been clenched tight for years and was finally loosening and just now releasing a weight that I have been carrying,” Abd el-Fattah’s sister, Sanaa Seif, told The Associated Press at the family apartment. She is one of the family members who waged an international campaign for his release.

Seif was walking her dog when the news broke that her brother had been pardoned. As her phone rang nonstop with calls and notifications, she and her family drove to Wadi Natroun prison, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) outside Cairo, to pick him up. They then received a call from a neighbor’s phone: it was Abd el-Fattah himself, telling them he had already arrived at the family’s house.

‘Wrapped by a layer of sadness’

Abd el-Fattah was first sent to prison in 2014 for participating in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer, before being released in early 2019. He was arrested again in September 2019 during a security crackdown that followed rare anti-government protests in Egypt.

After more than two years in pretrial detention, an emergency security court sentenced him to five years for spreading false news. When his release date came up in September 2024, authorities refused to count his time in pretrial detention and ordered him held until January 3, 2027.

When Egypt didn’t release Abd el-Fattah last September, his mother, Laila Soueif, began her own hunger strike in Britain but became seriously ill and ended the strike in July. Soueif, a mathematics professor at Cairo University who was born in London, helped her son obtain British citizenship in 2021, hoping it would lead to his release.

Due to her deteriorating health from the hunger strike, Soueif frequently received treatment at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London. She ended the strike in July after multiple appeals from family and friends. Seif said Tuesday that her mother is “miraculously doing better” despite some lingering health issues.

Abd el-Fattah’s family is still adjusting to his freedom. His sister said she is slowly getting used to hearing her brother’s voice in the background again.

“Our happiness, no matter how huge, is wrapped by a layer of sadness because the situation [in Egypt] is bad,” Soueif said. “Real happiness will not be complete unless those unjustly detained are released.”

A family looks to the future

With Abd el-Fattah now free, his family is looking to the future. Soueif said her son will likely settle a few matters in the U.K. for the sake of his son Khaled, and that she will return to teaching at the university next week.

“I’m going back to my regular life as a faculty teaching member living in Egypt and expressing opposition against the government when I see something wrong,” she said.

Abd el-Fattah previously took part in the 2011 uprising that toppled autocratic former President Hosni Mubarak, and later was active in protests against human rights abuses and military trials of civilians.

An influential blogger, Abd el-Fattah hails from a family of political activists, lawyers, and writers. His late father was one of Egypt’s most tireless rights lawyers, his sisters — British citizens as well — are also political activists, and his aunt is the award-winning novelist Ahdaf Soueif.

Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, praised Egypt’s decision to release Abd el-Fattah in a statement Tuesday and called “on Egypt to ensure the release of all those arbitrarily detained.”

https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-family-reunites-as-activist-alaa-abd-el-fattah-returns-home-after-12-years-in-prison/

Iron ore $20?

The ferrous complex plods on, caught between conflicting forces. On one hand, there is the approach of major projects like Simandou, Capanema, and Gara Gjeblet. On the other, the shutdown of Chinese green steel plants is creating uncertainty in the market.

Amidst these opposing influences, the balance is maintained by unusually solid blast furnace output for this season.

Honestly, if you had shown me that chart back in 2019, I would have predicted iron ore prices to fall to $20. Indeed, that was my expectation at the time.
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/09/iron-ore-20/

Philippines found most dishonest in region on money matters

MANILA, Philippines – Financial education gaps, economic stress, and “face-saving” cultural norms have compelled many Filipinos to misrepresent their financial situations. This has led the Philippines to be identified as the most dishonest country in Southeast Asia concerning money matters, according to a recent study.

The Singapore-based fintech firm ROSHI revealed these findings in its Financial Honesty Study: Southeast Asia report. The study highlights the challenges faced by Filipinos in managing and disclosing their finances, influenced by both economic pressures and cultural factors.
https://business.inquirer.net/548620/ph-found-most-dishonest-in-region-on-money-matters

“Deion Sanders calling in favors” “We already had cheerleaders”: NFL fans react as Shilo Sanders works out with 49ers

Shilo Sanders, the brother of Shedeur Sanders, is currently a free agent after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Following his recent departure from the team, Shilo is now without an NFL roster spot as he explores new opportunities in professional football. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see where he lands next in his career.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-deion-sanders-calling-favors-we-already-cheerleaders-nfl-fans-react-shilo-sanders-works-49ers

“Alexander Zverev says, ‘No, f**k that bro'” – Andy Roddick reacts to German ignoring Carlos Alcaraz’s advice during devastating Laver Cup loss

The 2025 Laver Cup saw Team Europe, featuring World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, No. 3 Alexander Zverev, and No. 12 Casper Ruud, lose the title to Team World. Team World’s lineup included No. 5 Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, among others. The eighth edition of the Laver Cup was held at the Chase Center in San Francisco, United States, from September 19 to 21, 2025.

Team World, captained by Andre Agassi, secured its third Laver Cup title by defeating Team Europe in a highly competitive showdown.

### Andy Roddick Reacts to Zverev Ignoring Alcaraz’s Advice

During a recent episode of the podcast *Served with Andy Roddick*, hosted by Jon Wertheim and Mike Hayden, tennis legend Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on Alexander Zverev choosing not to follow Carlos Alcaraz’s in-match advice during the tournament.

Roddick said,
“I think it’s interesting also Carlos (Alcaraz) comes over and he could tell Zverev (Alexander) like, ‘Oh, I would hit a forehand 110 and then I would hit a drop shot floater.’ And then Zverev goes, ‘No, f*** that, bro.’ Casper (Ruud), I don’t know that I have that one, Carlitos. Can we get Casper over here? He kind of resides. Yeah, there’s a hugging the baseline deficit with Casper also.” (30:26 onwards)

He continued,
“Can you come here and tell me what you would do? But I think that’s the magic of it, right? Like I don’t know that I would automatically source the opinion of the best player, right? Because maybe the way they view it is more difficult.”

### Alexander Zverev’s Career and Upcoming Tournaments

Throughout his impressive career, Alexander Zverev has won 24 ATP Tour singles titles and two doubles titles.

Next up, the German star is set to compete at the 2025 China Open, an ATP 500 event taking place at the National Tennis Center in Beijing from September 25 to October 1, 2025. Zverev is seeded second for the tournament, with Jannik Sinner opting not to participate.

This edition marks the 24th men’s China Open, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz looking to retain his title.

In the round of 32, Zverev will face former Italian player Lorenzo Sonego. Additionally, in the men’s doubles category, Zverev will team up with Brazilian Marcelo Melo. The pair will take on Cameron Norrie and Yunchaokete Bu in the first round.

Stay tuned for more updates on Zverev’s performance and the latest tennis news.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-alexander-zverev-says-no-f-k-bro-andy-roddick-reacts-german-ignoring-carlos-alcaraz-s-advice-devastating-laver-cup-loss

PlayStation State of Play showcase announced for tomorrow

Saros will be featured among the PlayStation Studios games showcased during the upcoming event.

Players can look forward to experiencing this exciting title alongside other highly anticipated releases from PlayStation Studios. Stay tuned for more updates and detailed presentations throughout the event.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146055/playstation-state-of-play-september-2025

FIVB Men’s World: Iran rallies past Serbia to reach quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines — Iran continued to establish themselves as the comeback kings of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship after pulling off another thrilling victory.

In the round of 16 match held Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena, Team Melli staged a remarkable comeback against Serbia. The final score read 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9 in favor of Iran.

Key players Ali Hajipour and Morteza Sharifi powered the Iranian squad, leading them to this hard-fought triumph and keeping their championship hopes alive.
https://sports.inquirer.net/641428/fivb-mens-world-iran-rallies-past-serbia-to-reach-quarterfinals

Exclude sugar from free trade with EU–farmers

MANILA, Philippines – Sugar industry stakeholders are seeking to exclude sugar from the concessions that the Philippines will offer to the European Union under a prospective free trade agreement (FTA).

The Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (Confed) and the Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) made this appeal during a virtual Tariff Commission hearing on Tuesday. They emphasized the importance of protecting the local sugar industry amid ongoing trade negotiations.
https://business.inquirer.net/548635/exclude-sugar-from-free-trade-with-eu-farmers

Report: Bucs WR Mike Evans expected to miss less than 4 weeks with hamstring injury

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https://triblive.com/sports/report-bucs-wr-mike-evans-expected-to-miss-less-than-4-weeks-with-hamstring-injury/