In this episode of the Global Leadership Series, watch Uganda President Yoweri Museveni speaking exclusively to WION. Museveni said that African Union and ECOWAS are weak organisations.

Global Leadership Series: Uganda President Yoweri Museveni speaks exclusively to WION

<p>Liverpool was thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in an exhibition match held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday (July 12). Despite the defeat, the Jurgen Klopp-led club still remains one of the strongest contenders for winning the forthcoming EPL season.</p>

<p>Liverpool is currently in&nbsp;Singapore where they next&nbsp;play Crystal Palace, in an exhibition match, at the National Stadium on Thursday (July 14). Ahead of the EPL season 2022/23, The Reds' former captain and a legend of the club Sami Hyypia opined on Mohamed Salah's extension, thrashing at the hands of new-look Manchester United in Bangkok, team's strengths and rivalry with Man City.</p>

<p>Sami, a former club captain who was part of Liverpool's victorious&nbsp;Champions League campaign in 2004-05, interacted with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo and shared insights on many aspects. Firstly, he played down Liverpool's 4-0 loss vs Man United and said, "Yeah, everyone knows how big the rivalry is. I won't be too worried about the result. Everyone knows the circumstances under which we played. At United, there is a new manager. He wants to be successful straightaway so these friendlies are more important for him. I won't be too worried about this loss. I am sure Liverpool will be ready once the Premier League starts."</p>

<p>Regarding Mohamed Salah, Hyypia lavished huge praise on the 30-year-old Egyptian footballer and said, "He is a great player. One of the best players. He has shown that for many years. I'm glad he is staying here at Liverpool. When he performs like that, it is good for him as well as Liverpool. When Salah came on (in Bangkok), it looked like he had trained for a long long time. His fitness isn't a concern. He came from a holiday. Maybe that was more of a mental holiday. But, he seemed to be in good shape."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-need-to-close-the-gap-with-man-city-and-liverpool-says-man-uniteds-legend-andy-cole-496792"><strong>Exclusive: Need to close the gap with Man City and Liverpool, says Man United's legend Andy Cole</strong></a></p>

<p>32 clean sheets in 63 games last season. Thus, without a doubt, a&nbsp;lot of Liverpool's success boils down to their defence and goalkeeper. In this regard, Hyypia said, "It is a great record. That department is well-equipped at the moment. We had a bit of a problem last year, with the central defence's injury, but now that department is sorted. Allison (Becker) is a world-class goalkeeper and he saved us many times last season. He made game-winning saves. In every department, maybe we are better than last season. I know Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich but when a player wants to leave you can't force him to stay. If they aren't happy, so move on. Overall, even in that department, we are well-equipped."</p>

<p>It seems to be a two-horse race -- between Liverpool vs Man City -- for the top-two berth in the upcoming EPL season as well. Commenting on this, the 48-year-old veteran told, "I don't know if it is the biggest rivalry. There is a rivalry then it is all about good recruitment. It means a great atmosphere has been created. Each player knows his role. That has been great to see. The scouting department has also been great for Liverpool. They have been spot-on. They are doing an important job. It looks great. I don't think next season there will be anyone to challenge those two (Man City and Liverpool). Chelsea, and Arsenal would want to be in a position where Man City are, however, I don't think they will challenge them both."</p>

<p>Liverpool will look to go the distance and end with the EPL championship after ending second in the last edition. They begin their campaign versus Fulham on August 6.</p>


Liverpool was thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in an exhibition match held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday (July 12). Despite the defeat, the Jurgen Klopp-led club still remains one of the strongest contenders for winning the forthcoming EPL season.

Liverpool was thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in an exhibition match held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday (July 12). Despite the defeat, the Jurgen Klopp-led club still remains one of the strongest contenders for winning the forthcoming EPL season. Liverpool is currently in Singapore where they next play Crystal Palace, in an exhibition match, at the National Stadium on Thursday (July 14). Ahead of the EPL season 2022/23, The Reds' former captain and a legend of the club Sami Hyypia opined on Mohamed Salah's extension, thrashing at the hands of new-look Manchester United in Bangkok, team's strengths and rivalry with Man City. Sami, a former club captain who was part of Liverpool's victorious Champions League campaign in 2004-05, interacted with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo and shared insights on many aspects. Firstly, he played down Liverpool's 4-0 loss vs Man United and said, "Yeah, everyone knows how big the rivalry is. I won't be too worried about the result. Everyone knows the circumstances under which we played. At United, there is a new manager. He wants to be successful straightaway so these friendlies are more important for him. I won't be too worried about this loss. I am sure Liverpool will be ready once the Premier League starts." Regarding Mohamed Salah, Hyypia lavished huge praise on the 30-year-old Egyptian footballer and said, "He is a great player. One of the best players. He has shown that for many years. I'm glad he is staying here at Liverpool. When he performs like that, it is good for him as well as Liverpool. When Salah came on (in Bangkok), it looked like he had trained for a long long time. His fitness isn't a concern. He came from a holiday. Maybe that was more of a mental holiday. But, he seemed to be in good shape." ALSO READ | Exclusive: Need to close the gap with Man City and Liverpool, says Man United's legend Andy Cole 32 clean sheets in 63 games last season. Thus, without a doubt, a lot of Liverpool's success boils down to their defence and goalkeeper. In this regard, Hyypia said, "It is a great record. That department is well-equipped at the moment. We had a bit of a problem last year, with the central defence's injury, but now that department is sorted. Allison (Becker) is a world-class goalkeeper and he saved us many times last season. He made game-winning saves. In every department, maybe we are better than last season. I know Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich but when a player wants to leave you can't force him to stay. If they aren't happy, so move on. Overall, even in that department, we are well-equipped." It seems to be a two-horse race -- between Liverpool vs Man City -- for the top-two berth in the upcoming EPL season as well. Commenting on this, the 48-year-old veteran told, "I don't know if it is the biggest rivalry. There is a rivalry then it is all about good recruitment. It means a great atmosphere has been created. Each player knows his role. That has been great to see. The scouting department has also been great for Liverpool. They have been spot-on. They are doing an important job. It looks great. I don't think next season there will be anyone to challenge those two (Man City and Liverpool). Chelsea, and Arsenal would want to be in a position where Man City are, however, I don't think they will challenge them both." Liverpool will look to go the distance and end with the EPL championship after ending second in the last edition. They begin their campaign versus Fulham on August 6.

Exclusive: Liverpool great Sami Hyypia predicts a two-horse Premier League title race again

<p>Manchester United remains the most successful English Premier League (EPL) team, having won the elite championship for most&nbsp;times (20). Nonetheless, they have struggled to move past the Sir Alex Ferguson era and have been a pale shadow of themselves, especially in the last few&nbsp;seasons.</p>

<p>In the last EPL season, Man United brought back Cristiano Ronaldo and assembled a star-studded line-up, however, still finished sixth and missed out&nbsp;on champions league football for 2022-23. With the upcoming edition to kick off soon, the new manager Erik ten Hag has a lot riding on his shoulders to turn the fortunes of the premier club. On Tuesday (July 12), Ronaldo-less United locked horns with Liverpool in what was an&nbsp;exhibition football match, held at the&nbsp;Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid all this, Wion's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo caught hold of Andy Cole -- one of the all-time greats of EPL and Man United legend -- ahead&nbsp;of the friendly encounter between the Red Devils and Liverpool. The two spoke on what needs to be done for the most successful team to get back to its usual standards.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-he-is-a-leader-bryan-robson-backs-ten-hags-decision-to-retain-harry-maguire-as-man-utd-captain-496679"><strong>Exclusive! He is a leader: Bryan Robson backs Ten Hag's decision to retain Harry Maguire as Man Utd captain</strong></a></p>

<p>Cole -- who is the third-highest goal-scorer of all-time (187) in Premier League&nbsp;history -- ended with 121 goals in 275 appearances for United. He was part of the team's treble-winning season, where he formed a lethal partnership with Dwight Yorke. Thus, the 50-year-old&nbsp;said, "There is always pressure on Man United manager. Man United needs to close the gap with man City and Liverpool.&nbsp;Last season was disappointing. But now, there is a new manager, new ideas and, hence, players need to look forward to&nbsp;progressing ahead. It's crazy we thinking like that cause first we used to look at winning, however,&nbsp;now we look to qualifying (for the champions league).</p>

<p>Man United finished sixth in the 2021/22 season&nbsp;and, thus, missed out on champions league football for 2022-23. Cole -- who has won a solitary CL title and five league titles with the Red Devils -- wants the forthcoming EPL season to be 'about progression of the club' and has his 'fingers crossed' for the same along with several other ardent fans of the Harry Maguire-led line-up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking about the friendly tie between United and Liverpool, the former romped past their opposition in 4-0 with Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri being the goal-scorers.</p>

<p>United will now begin their campaign in the upcoming EPL season against Brighton on August 7.&nbsp;How far will the Red Devils go in EPL 2022/23 season? Only time will tell...</p>


Manchester United remains the most successful English Premier League (EPL) team, having won the elite championship for most times (20). Nonetheless, they have struggled to move past the Sir Alex Ferguson era and have been a pale shadow of themselves, especially in the last few seasons.

Manchester United remains the most successful English Premier League (EPL) team, having won the elite championship for most times (20). Nonetheless, they have struggled to move past the Sir Alex Ferguson era and have been a pale shadow of themselves, especially in the last few seasons. In the last EPL season, Man United brought back Cristiano Ronaldo and assembled a star-studded line-up, however, still finished sixth and missed out on champions league football for 2022-23. With the upcoming edition to kick off soon, the new manager Erik ten Hag has a lot riding on his shoulders to turn the fortunes of the premier club. On Tuesday (July 12), Ronaldo-less United locked horns with Liverpool in what was an exhibition football match, held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok. Amid all this, Wion's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo caught hold of Andy Cole -- one of the all-time greats of EPL and Man United legend -- ahead of the friendly encounter between the Red Devils and Liverpool. The two spoke on what needs to be done for the most successful team to get back to its usual standards. ALSO READ | Exclusive! He is a leader: Bryan Robson backs Ten Hag's decision to retain Harry Maguire as Man Utd captain Cole -- who is the third-highest goal-scorer of all-time (187) in Premier League history -- ended with 121 goals in 275 appearances for United. He was part of the team's treble-winning season, where he formed a lethal partnership with Dwight Yorke. Thus, the 50-year-old said, "There is always pressure on Man United manager. Man United needs to close the gap with man City and Liverpool. Last season was disappointing. But now, there is a new manager, new ideas and, hence, players need to look forward to progressing ahead. It's crazy we thinking like that cause first we used to look at winning, however, now we look to qualifying (for the champions league). Man United finished sixth in the 2021/22 season and, thus, missed out on champions league football for 2022-23. Cole -- who has won a solitary CL title and five league titles with the Red Devils -- wants the forthcoming EPL season to be 'about progression of the club' and has his 'fingers crossed' for the same along with several other ardent fans of the Harry Maguire-led line-up. Talking about the friendly tie between United and Liverpool, the former romped past their opposition in 4-0 with Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri being the goal-scorers. United will now begin their campaign in the upcoming EPL season against Brighton on August 7. How far will the Red Devils go in EPL 2022/23 season? Only time will tell...

Exclusive: Need to close the gap with Man City and Liverpool, says Man United's legend Andy Cole

Watch a candid conversation with Indian Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Hardeep Singh Puri talked about world affairs, economy and crises.

Indian Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri: 'A rich Europe cannot consume more energy'

'Ms Marvel' music composer Atif Afzal spoke to WION. How did A-Zal become a part of the MCU? Know all about A-Zal's 'Marvel'ous journey here.

Musician Atif Afzal speaks to WION: All about A-Zal's 'Marvel'ous journey

<p>Sunil Chhetri-led India have been on a roll. In the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Chhetri &amp; Co. have been on fire with three successive victories under their belt and made it to the&nbsp;Asian Cup, to be held next year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India beat Cambodia, 2-0, in their opening game and then defeated Afghanistan 2-1 to make it to the showpiece event. On Tuesday (June 14), India had already qualified for the next round before their game versus Hong Kong, before demolishing&nbsp;them, by 4-0, to top Group D at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. This, this became only the first time that India made it to the main event for the second successive edition, fifth overall (1964, 1984, 2011, 2019, 2023).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following India's memorable run, Wion's Sports Editor got a chance to interact with Indian football team's vice-captain and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to dwell upon India's historic achievement. "Definitely (moment to celebrate). We all should be very happy and grateful. It was very very important period for Indian football. I think all the hardwork showed and extremely happy to qualify for the Asian Cup again. Back-to-back qualification definitely motivates us," Sandhu said joining virtually from Mohali.</p>

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<p>He further opined the coach Igor Štimac's plan for the qualifiers, what all the team went through and stated, "We were able to achieve everything we wanted. Not having too much football in domestic doesn't help. We have to be 30-45 days training camp to achieve peak fitness and be ready for such games. I think that is something we should be thinking about. We should not come into these games thinking about such factors. The rankings do look very good&nbsp;to the eye but it doesn't tell the whole story. Any team can beat anyone. We went out giving that respect to each and every team we played and also do our jobs perfectly," added the 30-year-old.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers-sunil-chhetri-achieves-elite-feat-as-india-beat-hong-kong-to-top-group-d-488311">AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri achieves elite feat as India beat Hong Kong to top Group D</a></strong></p>

<p>India have dominated the qualifiers and will now shift their focus in preparations for the showpiece event. Needless to say, Chhetri &amp; Co. will be eager to give their best shot in the main event as it would lift the sport in all parts of the country.</p>


Sunil Chhetri-led India have been on a roll. In the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Chhetri & Co. have been on fire with three successive victories under their belt and made it to the Asian Cup, to be held next year.

Sunil Chhetri-led India have been on a roll. In the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Chhetri & Co. have been on fire with three successive victories under their belt and made it to the Asian Cup, to be held next year. India beat Cambodia, 2-0, in their opening game and then defeated Afghanistan 2-1 to make it to the showpiece event. On Tuesday (June 14), India had already qualified for the next round before their game versus Hong Kong, before demolishing them, by 4-0, to top Group D at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. This, this became only the first time that India made it to the main event for the second successive edition, fifth overall (1964, 1984, 2011, 2019, 2023). Following India's memorable run, Wion's Sports Editor got a chance to interact with Indian football team's vice-captain and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to dwell upon India's historic achievement. "Definitely (moment to celebrate). We all should be very happy and grateful. It was very very important period for Indian football. I think all the hardwork showed and extremely happy to qualify for the Asian Cup again. Back-to-back qualification definitely motivates us," Sandhu said joining virtually from Mohali. × He further opined the coach Igor Štimac's plan for the qualifiers, what all the team went through and stated, "We were able to achieve everything we wanted. Not having too much football in domestic doesn't help. We have to be 30-45 days training camp to achieve peak fitness and be ready for such games. I think that is something we should be thinking about. We should not come into these games thinking about such factors. The rankings do look very good to the eye but it doesn't tell the whole story. Any team can beat anyone. We went out giving that respect to each and every team we played and also do our jobs perfectly," added the 30-year-old. ALSO READ | AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri achieves elite feat as India beat Hong Kong to top Group D India have dominated the qualifiers and will now shift their focus in preparations for the showpiece event. Needless to say, Chhetri & Co. will be eager to give their best shot in the main event as it would lift the sport in all parts of the country.

EXCLUSIVE | Back-to-back qualifications motivate us, says Gurpreet Singh after India enter Asian Cup

In 2017, a young Indian girl charmed the world not just with her beauty and brain but with brilliance as well. Her answer on motherhood made her win the miss world 2017 title. She brought the coveted beauty pageant crown back to India after 17 years. Manushi Chhillar was the kind of youth icon the world needed, wanted, and got at the right moment. Now she is back in the limelight again for her performance in 'Samrat Prithviraj'. Watch her exclusive internview on WION.

WION Exclusive: Manushi Chhillar on her debut, working with Akshay Kumar

<p>Rafael Nadal and World number 1 Novak Djokovic locked horns with each other in the quarter-finals of the 2022 French Open on Wednesday (June 01). The contest between the two legendary players have always been one to cherish for the ardent tennis fans. The same was the case this time around as Nadal beat defending champion Djokovic in a four-set riveting battle,&nbsp;6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nadal now stands just a couple of steps away from lifting his 14th French Open title after an incredible display against Djokovic. While many termed the Serbian as the favourite ahead of the clash, due to Nadal's foot injury and inconsistent form,&nbsp; the Spaniard saved his best versus the No. 1 ranked player to emerge on top in an engaging battle.</p>

<p>Following the clash,&nbsp;Indian Tennis coach Enrico Piperno analysed the high-voltage clash between Nadal-Djokovic and lauded the former world number one.</p>

<p>On Nadal's foot injury, Piperno said in an&nbsp;interaction with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, "The man is superhuman. Don't know how he does it. To continue playing that sort of level at this age is pretty phenomenal. That explains Rafael Nadal to you. The way he plays, the sort of effort that goes into it, hitting the ground stoke&nbsp;from that far from the baseline is just absolutely phenomenal. He is one of the greatest athletes the planet has ever seen."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-a-battle-rod-laver-del-potro-and-others-react-as-rafael-nadal-beat-novak-djokovic-at-french-open-2022-483998">'What a battle': Rod Laver, Del Potro &amp; others react as Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic at French Open 2022</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RafaelNadal</a> ended <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Djokernole</a>'s title defence at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RolandGarros?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RolandGarros</a> after a 4-hour epic that got over past midnight.<br />
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How did Nadal overcome his injury issues to beat the in-form World No. 1?<br />
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Indian Tennis coach Enrico Piperno analyses the quarter-final clash with <a href="https://twitter.com/DiggySinghDeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DiggySinghDeo</a> <a href="https://t.co/sTZ3Y94PuD">pic.twitter.com/sTZ3Y94PuD</a></p>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/had-my-chances-but-lost-to-a-better-player-says-novak-djokovic-after-going-down-against-rafael-nadal-484002">Had my chances but lost to a better player, says Novak Djokovic after going down against Rafael Nadal</a></strong></p>

<p>With age not being on his side and several fitness concerns, the talk doing the rounds is&nbsp;that RAFA is contemplating&nbsp;retirement. In this regard, Piperno opined, "What I have been hearing is this is his final year. That is the sort of feeling everyone is getting. If he has had a good year, he might say 'why not, let's continue for one more year'. I think his intention is to call it quits but it will be decided post US Open."</p>

<p>Nadal will next face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, on Friday evening (June 03), to book a place in the final. The veteran will surely aim for his 14th French Open title and extend his overall Grand Slam tally to 21. He had already won the year's first Grand Slam, i.e. the Australian Open, in a dramatic fashion over Daniil Medvedev.</p>


Rafael Nadal and World number 1 Novak Djokovic locked horns with each other in the quarter-finals of the 2022 French Open on Wednesday (June 01). The contest between the two legendary players have always been one to cherish for the ardent tennis fans.

Rafael Nadal and World number 1 Novak Djokovic locked horns with each other in the quarter-finals of the 2022 French Open on Wednesday (June 01). The contest between the two legendary players have always been one to cherish for the ardent tennis fans. The same was the case this time around as Nadal beat defending champion Djokovic in a four-set riveting battle, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). Nadal now stands just a couple of steps away from lifting his 14th French Open title after an incredible display against Djokovic. While many termed the Serbian as the favourite ahead of the clash, due to Nadal's foot injury and inconsistent form, the Spaniard saved his best versus the No. 1 ranked player to emerge on top in an engaging battle. Following the clash, Indian Tennis coach Enrico Piperno analysed the high-voltage clash between Nadal-Djokovic and lauded the former world number one. On Nadal's foot injury, Piperno said in an interaction with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, "The man is superhuman. Don't know how he does it. To continue playing that sort of level at this age is pretty phenomenal. That explains Rafael Nadal to you. The way he plays, the sort of effort that goes into it, hitting the ground stoke from that far from the baseline is just absolutely phenomenal. He is one of the greatest athletes the planet has ever seen." ALSO READ | 'What a battle': Rod Laver, Del Potro & others react as Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic at French Open 2022 .@RafaelNadal ended @Djokernole's title defence at #RolandGarros after a 4-hour epic that got over past midnight. How did Nadal overcome his injury issues to beat the in-form World No. 1? Indian Tennis coach Enrico Piperno analyses the quarter-final clash with @DiggySinghDeo pic.twitter.com/sTZ3Y94PuD — WION (@WIONews) June 1, 2022 × ALSO READ | Had my chances but lost to a better player, says Novak Djokovic after going down against Rafael Nadal With age not being on his side and several fitness concerns, the talk doing the rounds is that RAFA is contemplating retirement. In this regard, Piperno opined, "What I have been hearing is this is his final year. That is the sort of feeling everyone is getting. If he has had a good year, he might say 'why not, let's continue for one more year'. I think his intention is to call it quits but it will be decided post US Open." Nadal will next face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, on Friday evening (June 03), to book a place in the final. The veteran will surely aim for his 14th French Open title and extend his overall Grand Slam tally to 21. He had already won the year's first Grand Slam, i.e. the Australian Open, in a dramatic fashion over Daniil Medvedev.

'He's one of the greatest athletes....': Enrico Piperno on Rafael Nadal after his win over Novak Djokovic

<p>Over the years, the sporting fraternity has been blessed with several marquee athletes from across&nbsp;the globe. Many sports have seen certain performers&nbsp;own the game they play. Many have had an illustrious career with many highs along with some steep falls. Nonetheless, some of them have also reinvented themselves to flourish&nbsp;at&nbsp;the latter stage of their respective&nbsp;careers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One such athlete has been the&nbsp;2004 Olympic 100m gold medalist Justin Gatlin. The American sprinter was a prominent name when Usain Bolt came up the ranks, scripted some glorious highs before doping led to his suspension only to stage a comeback in 2010 and continue&nbsp;long enough to beat&nbsp;the Jamaican&nbsp;in his final race. After continuing&nbsp;to produce age-defying performances, Gatlin&nbsp;finally retired&nbsp;earlier this year. However, he continues to be an inspiration for many.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a chat with Wion's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, ahead of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, the 40-year-old Gatlin looked back on his career and has heaped praise on India's rising star Neeraj Chopra.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong>F<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-lionel-messi-to-stephen-curry-top-5-forbes-richest-athletes-of-2022-478350"><strong>rom Lionel Messi to Stephen Curry: Top 5 Forbes’ richest athletes of 2022</strong></a></p>

<p>While Gatlin is an inspiration for many to date, he feels Neeraj is now inspiring a the younger generation. In his maiden Olympic outing, Neeraj returned with a gold medal in the men's javelin final to create history and take India past the final hurdle (where they have always struggled in marquee events).</p>

<p>Thus, Gatlin compared Neeraj's success with Usain and said, "What he has done for India, same thing that Usian has done for Jamaica. He has inspired so many young talents. They can say that I come from the same background, even I can reach there and make my country proud. Golden Boy has done a great thing for his country and I believe there are now many many more athletes who will come out from India."</p>

<p>Given that such huge words of praise from a legendary name like Gatlin, it will do wonders for Neeraj's confidence going ahead.</p>


Over the years, the sporting fraternity has been blessed with several marquee athletes from across the globe. Many sports have seen certain performers own the game they play.

Over the years, the sporting fraternity has been blessed with several marquee athletes from across the globe. Many sports have seen certain performers own the game they play. Many have had an illustrious career with many highs along with some steep falls. Nonetheless, some of them have also reinvented themselves to flourish at the latter stage of their respective careers. One such athlete has been the 2004 Olympic 100m gold medalist Justin Gatlin. The American sprinter was a prominent name when Usain Bolt came up the ranks, scripted some glorious highs before doping led to his suspension only to stage a comeback in 2010 and continue long enough to beat the Jamaican in his final race. After continuing to produce age-defying performances, Gatlin finally retired earlier this year. However, he continues to be an inspiration for many. In a chat with Wion's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, ahead of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, the 40-year-old Gatlin looked back on his career and has heaped praise on India's rising star Neeraj Chopra. ALSO READ | From Lionel Messi to Stephen Curry: Top 5 Forbes’ richest athletes of 2022 While Gatlin is an inspiration for many to date, he feels Neeraj is now inspiring a the younger generation. In his maiden Olympic outing, Neeraj returned with a gold medal in the men's javelin final to create history and take India past the final hurdle (where they have always struggled in marquee events). Thus, Gatlin compared Neeraj's success with Usain and said, "What he has done for India, same thing that Usian has done for Jamaica. He has inspired so many young talents. They can say that I come from the same background, even I can reach there and make my country proud. Golden Boy has done a great thing for his country and I believe there are now many many more athletes who will come out from India." Given that such huge words of praise from a legendary name like Gatlin, it will do wonders for Neeraj's confidence going ahead.

EXCLUSIVE | What Neeraj Chopra has done for India, Usain Bolt has done the same for Jamaica: Justin Gatlin

<p>Russia&nbsp;is "frightened" by journalists "who can tell the truth", said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. &nbsp;</p>

<p>This remark came as the Kremlin seems to have attempted to prevent Russians from reading or watching an interview he gave over the invasion in Ukraine. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement on Sunday, Russian media watchdog Roskomnadzor issued a warning to news outlets against rebroadcasting or distributing the interview of Zelensky by some independent journalists. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-trying-to-split-ukraine-in-two-like-koreas-says-intelligence-chief-466187" hreflang="en">Russia trying to split Ukraine in two, like Koreas, says intelligence chief</a></strong></p>

<p>"Roskomnadzor warns the Russian media not to publish this interview. The media outlets conducting the interviews will be subject to scrutiny to determine the extent of responsibility and the appropriate response to be taken," the agency said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The journalists, who interviewed the Ukrainian president, were Vladimir Solovyov of Moscow newspaper Kommersant, Tikhon Dzyadko from recently shuttered channel TV Rain, Ivan Kolpakov from Latvia-based website Meduza and prominent writer Mikhail Zygar. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ahead of the interview, Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov, who won Nobel Peace Prize last year, submitted questions for Zelensky.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas: Zelensky opens the door for neutrality in peace talks&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>On social media app Telegram, Roskomnadzor in a statement said some outlets, which participated, have been formally labeled as "foreign agents" by the Russian government.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, Zelensky said Moscow was "frightened" by the truth. &nbsp;</p>

<p>During a video address, Zelensky said, "[They] destroyed freedom of speech in their state — [and are] trying to destroy the neighbouring state. They portray themselves as global players. And they themselves are afraid of a relatively short conversation with several journalists." &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Well, if there's such reaction — then we are doing everything right. [It] means they are nervous," added Zelensky. &nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN that Russia was not afraid. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have laws in place, and it is very important not to publish information that would amount to a violation of these laws," Peskov added. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Russia is "frightened" by journalists "who can tell the truth", said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This remark came as the Kremlin seems to have attempted to prevent Russians from reading or watching an interview he gave over the invasion in Ukraine.

Russia is "frightened" by journalists "who can tell the truth", said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This remark came as the Kremlin seems to have attempted to prevent Russians from reading or watching an interview he gave over the invasion in Ukraine. In a statement on Sunday, Russian media watchdog Roskomnadzor issued a warning to news outlets against rebroadcasting or distributing the interview of Zelensky by some independent journalists. Also Read: Russia trying to split Ukraine in two, like Koreas, says intelligence chief "Roskomnadzor warns the Russian media not to publish this interview. The media outlets conducting the interviews will be subject to scrutiny to determine the extent of responsibility and the appropriate response to be taken," the agency said. The journalists, who interviewed the Ukrainian president, were Vladimir Solovyov of Moscow newspaper Kommersant, Tikhon Dzyadko from recently shuttered channel TV Rain, Ivan Kolpakov from Latvia-based website Meduza and prominent writer Mikhail Zygar. Ahead of the interview, Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov, who won Nobel Peace Prize last year, submitted questions for Zelensky. Watch | Gravitas: Zelensky opens the door for neutrality in peace talks × On social media app Telegram, Roskomnadzor in a statement said some outlets, which participated, have been formally labeled as "foreign agents" by the Russian government. On Sunday, Zelensky said Moscow was "frightened" by the truth. During a video address, Zelensky said, "[They] destroyed freedom of speech in their state — [and are] trying to destroy the neighbouring state. They portray themselves as global players. And they themselves are afraid of a relatively short conversation with several journalists." "Well, if there's such reaction — then we are doing everything right. [It] means they are nervous," added Zelensky. On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN that Russia was not afraid. "We have laws in place, and it is very important not to publish information that would amount to a violation of these laws," Peskov added. (With inputs from agencies)

After Kremlin bans interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is 'frightened'

<p>Writer-actor Sumaira Shaikh, a familiar face in Indian stand-up comedy, has come up with her own stand up special 'Dongri Danger' on Amazon Prime. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
Taking pointers from her personal life, the comedy special sees Sumaira aka Baby G, telling stories about road trips, her love for gangsters and how it was growing up in Dongri, a locality in Mumbai among other things.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In an exclusive interview with WION, Shaikh, who has come a long way - talks about her new show, the reason why she has a soft corner for gangsters, her future projects and her great bonding with comedian Sumukhi Suresh who has also directed her special.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jhund-review-amitabh-bachchans-film-gets-it-right-eventually-458474" hreflang="en">'Jhund' review: Amitabh Bachchan's film gets it right, eventually</a></p>

<p>Read&nbsp;the&nbsp;excerpts&nbsp;of the&nbsp;conversation&nbsp;here:&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Your new special is called 'Dongri Danger'. How did the name come about?</strong></p>

<p>We were confused between many names, like 'Dongi Ki Gundi' and many others but we were sure to stick with Dongri as it was about me growing up in the Mumbai locality of Dongri and all the experiences I've had while growing up there. And So Sumukhi Suresh came up with it an idea of how there is a gangster vibe attached to it and it will help people connect to the show so I decided to go for it.</p>

<p><strong>You said you like gangsters more than fake friends, care to explain why?</strong></p>

<p>The reason I like the gangsters more is because of their honesty, they are upfront. If they like you or even if they don't, there's no hypocrisy in them. People actually call me Baby G on Instagram(laughs). The G stands for gangsters. So, you can call me that. (laughs)</p>

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<p><strong>How did this stand up special happen?</strong></p>

<p>The truth is that it’s a dream come true for any comic. Almost, everybody who gets into this profession, their end goal is to record and eventually put it up somewhere. I’m absolutely lucky for Amazon coming on onboard and glad that they said yes. I’m really really excited.</p>

<p><strong>You are preparing for this special for years, isn't it?</strong></p>

<p>Yes, it’s true. Since 2016 I’m preparing for this one when I started doing full-time comedy and all the jokes I have written from 2016 to 2021, till it’s recorded. So it's a dream come true moment for me. My comedic style is a little bit different from others- it's on a different pace and it's honest. It is a dark comedy.</p>

<p><strong>You are a writer, actor and comedian? The one thing you love doing the most</strong></p>

<p>I was a stand up comic first, then an actor and then I became a writer. So, I loved doing writing and standup, their process is sort of similar but as an art form, they both are very different. I loved doing both, in standup the results are quick- right in front of you and in writing there is a lot more hard work involved, you also get a lot of feedback. So, I enjoy the hustle and hard work that is involved in both.</p>

<p><strong>What's in store for the future?</strong></p>

<p>Right now, 'Dongri Danger'. Also, I’m co-creating a show with Sumukhi Suresh and I'm writing a show. Really looking forward to these two.</p>

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<p><strong>Your family was supportive of your chosen profession?</strong></p>

<p>My family is very funny and there are always jokes going on in the house, that's how I had a vibe of dealing with everything with jokes and humour since childhood. But when I grew up, I realised there's a whole career that one can make of it. That standup is a thing out there. So that's how I came to know about it and I made my way here.</p>

<p><strong>Your thoughts on the future of stand-up comedy?</strong></p>

<p>I feel like comics have grown into other things. Like Sumukhi, who's is a stand up comic and now she's directing a show and there are so many other things these comedians are doing. They are hosting shows and exploring their talent parallelly with standups. So it's very exciting. Even for me- stand up opened writing for me.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Writer-actor Sumaira Shaikh, a familiar face in Indian stand-up comedy, has come up with her own stand up special 'Dongri Danger' on Amazon Prime. Taking pointers from her personal life, the comedy special sees Sumaira aka Baby G, telling stories about road trips, her love for gangsters and how it was growing up in Dongri, a locality in Mumbai among other things.

Writer-actor Sumaira Shaikh, a familiar face in Indian stand-up comedy, has come up with her own stand up special 'Dongri Danger' on Amazon Prime. Taking pointers from her personal life, the comedy special sees Sumaira aka Baby G, telling stories about road trips, her love for gangsters and how it was growing up in Dongri, a locality in Mumbai among other things. In an exclusive interview with WION, Shaikh, who has come a long way - talks about her new show, the reason why she has a soft corner for gangsters, her future projects and her great bonding with comedian Sumukhi Suresh who has also directed her special. 'Jhund' review: Amitabh Bachchan's film gets it right, eventually Read the excerpts of the conversation here: Your new special is called 'Dongri Danger'. How did the name come about? We were confused between many names, like 'Dongi Ki Gundi' and many others but we were sure to stick with Dongri as it was about me growing up in the Mumbai locality of Dongri and all the experiences I've had while growing up there. And So Sumukhi Suresh came up with it an idea of how there is a gangster vibe attached to it and it will help people connect to the show so I decided to go for it. You said you like gangsters more than fake friends, care to explain why? The reason I like the gangsters more is because of their honesty, they are upfront. If they like you or even if they don't, there's no hypocrisy in them. People actually call me Baby G on Instagram(laughs). The G stands for gangsters. So, you can call me that. (laughs) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sumaira Shaikh (@sumairashaikh__) × How did this stand up special happen? The truth is that it’s a dream come true for any comic. Almost, everybody who gets into this profession, their end goal is to record and eventually put it up somewhere. I’m absolutely lucky for Amazon coming on onboard and glad that they said yes. I’m really really excited. You are preparing for this special for years, isn't it? Yes, it’s true. Since 2016 I’m preparing for this one when I started doing full-time comedy and all the jokes I have written from 2016 to 2021, till it’s recorded. So it's a dream come true moment for me. My comedic style is a little bit different from others- it's on a different pace and it's honest. It is a dark comedy. You are a writer, actor and comedian? The one thing you love doing the most I was a stand up comic first, then an actor and then I became a writer. So, I loved doing writing and standup, their process is sort of similar but as an art form, they both are very different. I loved doing both, in standup the results are quick- right in front of you and in writing there is a lot more hard work involved, you also get a lot of feedback. So, I enjoy the hustle and hard work that is involved in both. What's in store for the future? Right now, 'Dongri Danger'. Also, I’m co-creating a show with Sumukhi Suresh and I'm writing a show. Really looking forward to these two. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sumaira Shaikh (@sumairashaikh__) × Your family was supportive of your chosen profession? My family is very funny and there are always jokes going on in the house, that's how I had a vibe of dealing with everything with jokes and humour since childhood. But when I grew up, I realised there's a whole career that one can make of it. That standup is a thing out there. So that's how I came to know about it and I made my way here. Your thoughts on the future of stand-up comedy? I feel like comics have grown into other things. Like Sumukhi, who's is a stand up comic and now she's directing a show and there are so many other things these comedians are doing. They are hosting shows and exploring their talent parallelly with standups. So it's very exciting. Even for me- stand up opened writing for me.

Exclusive: Sumaira Shaikh on her journey from Mumbai locals to her own show 'Dongri Danger': Dream come true!

<p>16-year-old Chess prodigy from India, R. Praggnanandhaa is extremely happy and grateful to his coach for eight years, Grand Master Ramesh and Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who has been offering mentorship via video lessons. During the wee hours of Monday(Indian time), the young man from India had defeated World No.1 Magnus Carlsen and scaled a new high in his already celebrated career. With back-to-back tournaments and late-night online matches keeping him busy, the young Grandmaster from Chennai doesn't have the time to savour his big win, but he sure does enjoy the process. WION had an opportunity to speak to him and understand how he feels.</p>

<p aria-hidden="true">"I worked very hard for this event.. I also tried to manage&nbsp;my sleep schedule by staying awake till 3am, over the last 10 days, in order to prepare myself and adjust to the routine.(The online games as part of the Airthings Masters begin around 10pm India time and go on until 4am)… This is a very important tournament for me" he said.</p>

<p aria-hidden="true">Referring to having lost three of four matches on his first day, he said that he had played "not-so-good". However, that didn’t deter the lad from fighting with more vigour on day two, when had to take many top-ranked players. "Day 2 was when I faced World No.1 Magnus Carlsen… I was very excited to fight against the top players and tried to forget about the results of the first day.. I was very happy to win against the World Champion and it gives me huge confidence and a boost" he added.</p>

<p aria-hidden="true"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-how-indias-16-year-old-praggnanandhaa-prepared-to-beat-world-no1-magnus-carlsen-455320"><strong>Exclusive! How India's 16-year-old Praggnanandhaa prepared to beat World No.1 Magnus Carlsen</strong></a></p>

<p aria-hidden="true">Profusely thanking their efforts, Praggnanandhaa acknowledged the efforts of Grandmaster RB Ramesh, for guiding him since 2014 and helping in all the games and tournaments. He also shared special thanks for five-time World Chess champion, Viswanathan Anand, who had been offering support via the Westbridge Anand Academy.</p>

<p aria-hidden="true">Having bagged a win that is being talked about world-over, the teenager isn't even taking time out, to celebrate and look back. "I'm happy about the win.. But, didn’t celebrate it because I really wanted to focus on the tournament, which is still going on…" The clearly-visible dark circles around his eyes are testimony to the hard work and efforts that the young man has been putting in. This includes staying up during the wee hours and peering into the computer screen for over four hours, with laser-sharp focus on the cerebral game.</p>

<p aria-hidden="true"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aicf-secretary-bharat-singh-chauhan-not-surprised-at-praggnanandhaa-defeating-world-champion-magnus-carlsen-455411">AICF secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan 'not surprised' at Praggnanandhaa defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen</a></strong></p>

<p aria-hidden="true">While the ongoing online tournament scheduled to come to a close by a weekend, Praggnanandhaa can't think of resting and living the life of a normal teenager. By February 27th, he's headed for Italy for the next tournament.</p>


16-year-old Chess prodigy from India, R. Praggnanandhaa is extremely happy and grateful to his coach for eight years, Grand Master Ramesh and Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who has been offering mentorship via video lessons.

16-year-old Chess prodigy from India, R. Praggnanandhaa is extremely happy and grateful to his coach for eight years, Grand Master Ramesh and Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who has been offering mentorship via video lessons. During the wee hours of Monday(Indian time), the young man from India had defeated World No.1 Magnus Carlsen and scaled a new high in his already celebrated career. With back-to-back tournaments and late-night online matches keeping him busy, the young Grandmaster from Chennai doesn't have the time to savour his big win, but he sure does enjoy the process. WION had an opportunity to speak to him and understand how he feels. "I worked very hard for this event.. I also tried to manage my sleep schedule by staying awake till 3am, over the last 10 days, in order to prepare myself and adjust to the routine.(The online games as part of the Airthings Masters begin around 10pm India time and go on until 4am)… This is a very important tournament for me" he said. Referring to having lost three of four matches on his first day, he said that he had played "not-so-good". However, that didn’t deter the lad from fighting with more vigour on day two, when had to take many top-ranked players. "Day 2 was when I faced World No.1 Magnus Carlsen… I was very excited to fight against the top players and tried to forget about the results of the first day.. I was very happy to win against the World Champion and it gives me huge confidence and a boost" he added. ALSO READ | Exclusive! How India's 16-year-old Praggnanandhaa prepared to beat World No.1 Magnus Carlsen Profusely thanking their efforts, Praggnanandhaa acknowledged the efforts of Grandmaster RB Ramesh, for guiding him since 2014 and helping in all the games and tournaments. He also shared special thanks for five-time World Chess champion, Viswanathan Anand, who had been offering support via the Westbridge Anand Academy. Having bagged a win that is being talked about world-over, the teenager isn't even taking time out, to celebrate and look back. "I'm happy about the win.. But, didn’t celebrate it because I really wanted to focus on the tournament, which is still going on…" The clearly-visible dark circles around his eyes are testimony to the hard work and efforts that the young man has been putting in. This includes staying up during the wee hours and peering into the computer screen for over four hours, with laser-sharp focus on the cerebral game. ALSO READ | AICF secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan 'not surprised' at Praggnanandhaa defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen While the ongoing online tournament scheduled to come to a close by a weekend, Praggnanandhaa can't think of resting and living the life of a normal teenager. By February 27th, he's headed for Italy for the next tournament.

WION exclusive: Win against Magnus Carlsen a big boost, gives confidence, says chess sensation Praggnanandhaa

Hollywood A-listers Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley and Michael Peña speak to WION's Zeba about their film 'Moonfall', a science fiction disaster film helmed by Roland Emmerich. From their filming experience to on-set chemistry and working on a film that pits Moon as a mystery object that is predicted to crash land on Earth, there's lots that the stars discuss.

Exclusive: Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson & other stars of Hollywood film Moonfall speak to WION

Jim Sarbh opens up to WION's Zeba Khan on his recent show 'Rocket Boys' that is seeing massive success as he plays nuclear physicist Dr Homi Bhabha, what he loves the most about acting and keeping mum on his character in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'.

Exclusive! In chat with actor Jim Sarbh on playing Dr Homi

Exclusive! In chat with actor Jim Sarbh on playing Dr Homi Bhabha in Rocket Boys

Exclusive: Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson & other stars of Hollywood

<p>Young Indian origin golfer Akshay Bhatia made heads turn when he clinched&nbsp;The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour at Sandals Emerald Bay in January 2022. The 19-year-old teenager became only the third-youngest (after Australia's Jason Day and Korea's Sungjae IM) to win on the Korn Ferry Tour.</p>

<p>Akshay, whose family originally belongs to New Delhi, India made his professional debut at the 2019 Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Since then, his rise up the ladder has been evident and the youngster recently sat down for an exclusive interaction with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo where he dwelled&nbsp;on&nbsp;his journey so far,&nbsp;decision to forego college education and&nbsp;his mentor fellow left-hander and the great, Phil Mickelson.</p>

<p>Sharing thoughts on his Korn Ferry Tour win, Akshay opined, "Yeah. I think the journey has played&nbsp;a big part in the lead-up&nbsp;to that win. I struggled for a long time but I was also playing against the best players in the world. I had three-four opportunities to be on the PGA Tour last season but&nbsp;it just wasn't my time yet. I had to keep learning. But I've enjoyed it and this is my first Korn Ferry Tour. To kick off&nbsp;with a victory, it is a great start to the year. Playing with a lot of PGA Tour winners&nbsp;has been great. Being one of the youngest players to be on the tour, it is just amazing."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-aus-open-2022-rafael-nadal-is-goat-hes-like-a-jekyll-of-hyde-says-indian-coach-nandan-bal-449123">EXCLUSIVE | Aus Open 2022: Rafael Nadal is G.O.A.T, he's like a Jekyll of Hyde, says Indian coach Nandan Bal</a></strong></p>

<p>Akshay shared his thoughts on the big decision of dropping out from college and turning into a professional at such a young age. He feels the gamble has paid off but there is always a chance to go back and complete his education if the opportunity&nbsp;arises. He lauded his family's support and said, "What I've learned from my parents is to be very family-oriented. It wasn't just my own discussion. It was a family discussion. I&nbsp;did a lot of things that some junior or ammeter golfers never did. For me, turning&nbsp;pro was to get my masters degree on the golf course. That's my college. My mom wanted me to go to school. Education is super important for me but it was just a little different for me. I was always ahead of the pack&nbsp;so I was ready to do it (turn professional). They supported me. It is something I'll never regret (forgoing education) and if I have time, I can always&nbsp;go back to school and get a degree."</p>

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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-fans-love-big-three-aslan-karatsev-on-lack-of-support-for-daniil-medvedev-in-aus-open-final-450040">EXCLUSIVE | 'Fans love Big Three': Aslan Karatsev on lack of support for Daniil Medvedev in Aus Open final</a></strong></p>

<p>Not many get someone of the stature of&nbsp;Mickelson -- winner of&nbsp;45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021)&nbsp;and one Open Championship -- to mentor them at such a young age. Akshay feels he is truly blessed to be around his company and emphasised&nbsp;how big a role the 51-year-old has played in his career so far.&nbsp;"It is a dream to be able to spend time with him. He has been really gracious with his time. He has helped me a lot. He has a lot of belief in me. He maybe sees a bit of himself in me (also winning as an ammeter). Amazing to have a mentor like that. He won a major last year. He knows what feelings you get at the biggest stage. Any time I have to text or call him, he will always respond. I am excited to team up with him on tour in the future."</p>


Young Indian origin golfer Akshay Bhatia made heads turn when he clinched The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour at Sandals Emerald Bay in January 2022.

Young Indian origin golfer Akshay Bhatia made heads turn when he clinched The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour at Sandals Emerald Bay in January 2022. The 19-year-old teenager became only the third-youngest (after Australia's Jason Day and Korea's Sungjae IM) to win on the Korn Ferry Tour. Akshay, whose family originally belongs to New Delhi, India made his professional debut at the 2019 Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Since then, his rise up the ladder has been evident and the youngster recently sat down for an exclusive interaction with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo where he dwelled on his journey so far, decision to forego college education and his mentor fellow left-hander and the great, Phil Mickelson. Sharing thoughts on his Korn Ferry Tour win, Akshay opined, "Yeah. I think the journey has played a big part in the lead-up to that win. I struggled for a long time but I was also playing against the best players in the world. I had three-four opportunities to be on the PGA Tour last season but it just wasn't my time yet. I had to keep learning. But I've enjoyed it and this is my first Korn Ferry Tour. To kick off with a victory, it is a great start to the year. Playing with a lot of PGA Tour winners has been great. Being one of the youngest players to be on the tour, it is just amazing." ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | Aus Open 2022: Rafael Nadal is G.O.A.T, he's like a Jekyll of Hyde, says Indian coach Nandan Bal Akshay shared his thoughts on the big decision of dropping out from college and turning into a professional at such a young age. He feels the gamble has paid off but there is always a chance to go back and complete his education if the opportunity arises. He lauded his family's support and said, "What I've learned from my parents is to be very family-oriented. It wasn't just my own discussion. It was a family discussion. I did a lot of things that some junior or ammeter golfers never did. For me, turning pro was to get my masters degree on the golf course. That's my college. My mom wanted me to go to school. Education is super important for me but it was just a little different for me. I was always ahead of the pack so I was ready to do it (turn professional). They supported me. It is something I'll never regret (forgoing education) and if I have time, I can always go back to school and get a degree." × ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | 'Fans love Big Three': Aslan Karatsev on lack of support for Daniil Medvedev in Aus Open final Not many get someone of the stature of Mickelson -- winner of 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021) and one Open Championship -- to mentor them at such a young age. Akshay feels he is truly blessed to be around his company and emphasised how big a role the 51-year-old has played in his career so far. "It is a dream to be able to spend time with him. He has been really gracious with his time. He has helped me a lot. He has a lot of belief in me. He maybe sees a bit of himself in me (also winning as an ammeter). Amazing to have a mentor like that. He won a major last year. He knows what feelings you get at the biggest stage. Any time I have to text or call him, he will always respond. I am excited to team up with him on tour in the future."

EXCLUSIVE | 'He sees a bit of...' - Akshay Bhatia on mentor Phil Mickelson, forgoing college education

WION had an exclusive conversation with one of the living legends of Indian classical music, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who believes in the healing power of music. Popularly known as the 'Sarod Samrat', or 'Sarod Maestro' he humbly calls himself 'Sarod ka ghulam'...which means a slave to the sarod.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on the power of music | WION Exclusive

The leading ladies of Netflix new thriller 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' - Shweta Tripathi Sharma and Anchal Singh along with the series creator Siddharth Sengupta spoke to WION about their show, their favourite characters and why the story was based in small town of India. The show is currently streaming on Netflix India and also features Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saurabh Shukla, Bajendra Kala and Anant Joshi among others.

Dissecting 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' with cast and director

<p>Prominent Turkish TV journalist, Sedef Kabas, has been detained for "insulting" the nation's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and could face imprisonment for the same. According to Turkey's state broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television, TRT Haber, Kabas was arrested at her home in Istanbul at 2am.</p>

<p>This happened after a live interview on opposition TV channel Tele1 where the journalist used traditional Turkish proverbs to make references to Erdogan. She did not directly use his name.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A crowned head gets wiser, but we see that it is not true," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fahrettin Altun, head of Turkey’s communications directorate and Erdoğan’s chief spokesman, in a report by The Guardian, "The honour of the presidency’s office is the honour of our country ... I condemn the vulgar insults made against our president and his office."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mp-nusrat-ghani-alleges-she-was-sacked-job-in-pm-boris-johnsons-government-for-being-muslim-446911"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;MP Nusrat Ghani alleges she was sacked job in PM Boris Johnson's government for being Muslim</strong></a></p>

<p>Kabas was first taken to the police station and then to the prosecutor's office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Accoridng to report by CNN, the cameras were already rolling when she was brought to the courthouse. She then appeared in front of the judge in Istanbul court after which she was immediately arrested.</p>

<p>Merdan Yanardağ, the chief editor of the Tele 1 channel criticised her arrest. &nbsp;He said, "Her detention overnight at 2am because of a proverb is unacceptable. This stance is an attempt to intimidate journalists, the media and society.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Prominent Turkish TV journalist, Sedef Kabas, has been detained for "insulting" the nation's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and could face imprisonment for the same.

Prominent Turkish TV journalist, Sedef Kabas, has been detained for "insulting" the nation's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and could face imprisonment for the same. According to Turkey's state broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television, TRT Haber, Kabas was arrested at her home in Istanbul at 2am. This happened after a live interview on opposition TV channel Tele1 where the journalist used traditional Turkish proverbs to make references to Erdogan. She did not directly use his name. "A crowned head gets wiser, but we see that it is not true," she said. Fahrettin Altun, head of Turkey’s communications directorate and Erdoğan’s chief spokesman, in a report by The Guardian, "The honour of the presidency’s office is the honour of our country ... I condemn the vulgar insults made against our president and his office." Also read | MP Nusrat Ghani alleges she was sacked job in PM Boris Johnson's government for being Muslim Kabas was first taken to the police station and then to the prosecutor's office. Accoridng to report by CNN, the cameras were already rolling when she was brought to the courthouse. She then appeared in front of the judge in Istanbul court after which she was immediately arrested. Merdan Yanardağ, the chief editor of the Tele 1 channel criticised her arrest. He said, "Her detention overnight at 2am because of a proverb is unacceptable. This stance is an attempt to intimidate journalists, the media and society.” (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish journalist detained after 'insulting' Erdogan in TV interview

Not often does one get to make a living out of his, or her, passion. Moreover, not many manage to don, and perform, various roles while following their passion at a professional level.

Not often does one get to make a living out of his, or her, passion. Moreover, not many manage to don, and perform, various roles while following their passion at a professional level. Coach Sanjay Singh has done it all. From starting as a player to turning into a physio and honing his skills as an international coach, Mr. Singh has ticked several boxes while staying relevant in the field of tennis for years. Above all, his childlike passion remains infectious. Such has been his success story that Mr. Singh has taken Indian tennis into uncharted territory. After all, how often do we see Indian coaches being active in WTA or ATP tours? Also, have we often heard about Indian coaches for elite non-Indian tennis players? The answer to both the queries would have been in the negative if not for Sanjay Singh. However, Mr. Singh is one such personality who has single-handedly kept Indian tennis' flag high with his presence as a coach of Brazilian youngster Luisa Stefani and American star Hayley Carter. ALSO READ | Peng Shuai row: China hits back at WTA for 'politicising sport' after it suspends all tournaments in country In an exclusive interaction with WION news' Aditya Sahay, Sanjay Singh dwelled upon many aspects of his career, the several role transformations, satisfying journey with Luisa and Carter so far, the camaraderie with Indian tennis great Leander Paes and the state of affairs with regard to tennis in the cricket-crazy country. EXCERPTS: Like mentioned, not often do we see Indian coaches for foreign players. You have changed it all in many ways. How did it all happen? (Laughs) Well, I was a player initially. I was playing in Orissa Open. It so happened that I was playing in one court and the other player had a cramp. Because I used to work as the helper, I was asked to chip in and help. I assisted him and came back to play my match. At that time, I thought we don't have focus on working on players' fitness in India. So, I thought to take this up. That's where I started as a physiotherapist. During Davis Cup tie, Ramesh Krishnan's trainer didn't turn up, hence, they called me and I worked with him. When his trainer came back, Leander asked me to join him. There is no end to learning. You learn from small kids also. In India, they think they know everything. They don't respect others. Among Indian players, only few are travelling abroad for training and all. You need to have awareness and the learning ability within you. Always!. In one of your interviews, you rightly pointed out how India is a country where people like to stay in their own preconceived views or opinions. Many labelled you as 'one who gives massages to Leander Paes'. Was it a conscious effort to revamp your image or you never paid heed to all such claims? Before I started off, I was a tennis player. Since there was no body looking after the players' body, their demands off the court and their suffering, I started working on this aspect. With Leander, I used to work with him. But since my knowledge of tennis was always there, he kept me involved asking 'Dadda (brother), what to do, did I mess it up?' I never had to tell people what I was doing with Leander. We both knew where we were heading and that's what mattered. End of the day 'let the racket talk'. It (criticism) never bothered me as it was all behind my back. Hence, many talented players' careers are now over. They stop working on themselves after a bit of initial success. It is sad. Many didn't want to learn that often. Leander always tries to grasp more in every scenario. Unlike in India, I get much more respect in Florida. For our Prime Minister, they still call him as 'the chaiwala (tea-seller)' but one doesn't see, or acknowledge, his journey and development. We need to respect each other and see one's growth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay singh (@coachsanjaysingh) × Coming to Luisa Stefani and Hayley Carter! Both are different individuals and, hence, have different styles, strengths and weaknesses. While Stefani is the first Brazilian woman to feature in the WTA's Top 10 and occupies the ninth rank in doubles, American star Carter has also come a long way to sit at the 25th spot in doubles rankings. How did your association begin with the duo? What defines them of both? Can you highlight few areas where they have shown vast improvement under your watchful eyes? When I used to travel with Leander, my base was in Florida. During my off-season, I used to train at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy. Back then, I was asked if I can train this young girl called Luisa Stefani. I saw her and was floored by her talent and skills. I was like 'wow, this girl has fire, she is fast and comes to the net'. Since she wanted to be pro, she had to change her visa. She couldn't get the visa initially and, thus, went back. In 2018, she returned. Then we started playing and practicing. There was one month of intense training. Her parents then asked me to travel with her. So I started in April 2019. In May, she won the Italy Championship in England. Thus, she had a chance to enter the Wimbledon but she was alternate, hence, couldn't get in. The same fate followed in the US Open. On the other hand, Hayley was looking for a partner. Luisa asked me and I told her play with Hayley. They won the Uzbekistan Championship (i.e. Tashkent Open) in 2019 and then they lost the third round in Australian Open 2020. Luisa has a big serve whereas Hayley attacked the net more often. Only drawback was the overhead shot. That was the area we were lagging behind. But we started combining well and then after that Hayley got hurt in Wimbledon this year. Then we got Gabriela Dabrowski with Luisa. We reached the final of Cincinnati 2021 and semi-final of US Open. During the pandemic, we weren't training. We used to be in the bubble. We were getting tested. RT-PCR tests and being confined inside was the new normal. Mentally it was very tough and, hence, many players are now burning out. The only time they opened up little bit was during the Cincinnati (Open). Life was tough. We couldn't go out. One had to resort to Uber Eats. We used to have a table downstairs in the lobby where the food was kept by the Uber guy and then we had to take it. It was all about dealing with the bio bubble life and surviving (sighs). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay singh (@coachsanjaysingh) × The world of sports knows a lot about Leander Paes. He remains the face of Indian tennis. Share your equation with him. How did it start and where is it at present? How has he helped in your transformation from being a physio to coach? See, it was during the Davis Cup tie in New Delhi when I met him. I used to work in the hotel as a helper supervisor. In 1996, it was tough for me to manage work and my tennis stuff. So I left my job and came on board with Paes. He wanted me to learn everything because he never trusted anyone else. Let me tell you, I used to travel with a stringing machine as he was playing so much. Everyday 7-8 rackets were used. But, Leander has always encouraged me. He used to ask me to interact with people, observe others and share inputs. He always believed in me. I used to be his brother, buddy and everything. He says he wants to retire in Wimbledon 2022. Let's see. He tells me 'Dadda, you will get me ready for Wimbledon'. We both call each other 'Dadda'. That sums up the whole equation, doesn't it? (smiles). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay singh (@coachsanjaysingh) × ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | Dark clouds of struggle have a 'silver' lining for Mirabai Chanu's coach Vijay Sharma Lastly, thoughts on tennis in India. From Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza to Sumit Nagal, the sport has come a long way in the country but there obviously remains huge scope for improvement and participation among the youth. Your views regarding the status of the game in the country at present? In India, they should have a team who knows about the game firstly. Mr Sundar Iyer (Secretary of the Maharashtra Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and Manager of Indian Davis Cup Team) is doing great in getting tournaments in India. He's doing very well. See, if youngsters play more tournaments, sponsor them. Work for the players. Give them their due by supplying resources and everything that matters to build their careers. Even a peon is getting an India jacket. Give it to people who need it more. They need to sponsor juniors so that they can play tournaments outside India. It helps in building their games at a young level. For the unversed, in Brazil there are 7-8 juniors playing on tours. How many in India? Hardly! For players, they should learn from Leander. If they do good in one game, they get complacent. Their collars go up after one good win. They don't know next week is a new week. Nowadays, we tend to go for shortcuts. Leander was never like this. Now I'm in states, when I see things there, players never have to worry about tennis court. Here, staff ask for INR 100 as court fees. Wherever you play, they will be charging you. How can a youngster manage all this, who is just trying to come up the ranks? Unless and until they change the entire system, nothing will happen. Hence, many players move abroad to train and manage themselves. Here for everything, they will charge and still not provide all facilities. They've to change a lot. We have to be player-friendly and not administration-friendly. India is such a great country. We have everything. But we face so many problems unnecessarily. Base has to change. Believe me, we have such great potential and that we can do wonders. But youngsters don't get support. In abroad, players get full support. Outside India, the association is taking care of players and coaches. In Brazil, association are paying for trainers who are travelling with players. Unimaginable. It cannot even be expected in India. Even such thinking is missing in the country. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay singh (@coachsanjaysingh) × Luisa won the first medal for Brazil (bronze in women's doubles in Tokyo 2020). Their government called and felicitated me. As a foreign coach, they are calling and honouring me. This doesn't happen in India. The coach can give you the idea, but who will bring you to the court -- a trainer. If you have a Ferrari but the engine doesn't work properly, it is as good as a showpiece. Hence, a lot needs to change. Be more player-friendly, focus on coaches and trainers, give them their due and build youngsters' careers from the junior level itself.

EXCLUSIVE | Who is Sanjay Singh? A close ally of Leander Paes & guiding light of Luisa Stefani-Hayley Carter

<p>The past year in California has been the driest in a century. But on a recent mid-November afternoon, California was starting to look a lot like … Ireland.</p>

<p><br />
At least it was in the edit bay for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where visual effects artists were diligently tweaking the color scheme to better resemble that of the Emerald Isle. Slowly, the parched cliffs of Bodega Bay began to look like the grassy Slieve League cliffs. The golden, dusty hills of Sonoma County took on the verdant, rain-soaked hues of County Donegal. Several episodes of the coming season are set in Ireland, where they were also supposed to be shot before the pandemic intervened. That meant adding a lot of green and gray in post.</p>

<p><br />
Clad in a black T-shirt emblazoned with a raised fist in support of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Rob McElhenney jumped up from the couch, as if yanked by an invisible string. He poked the screen with a decisive finger.</p>

<p><br />
“Can we make the mountain closer to a darker rock?” He sat down, then jumped up again. “Can we darken the sky?” Then again. “Is that enough of a pinnacle?”</p>

<p><br />
A big sigh. A pause. “I love this job,” he said.</p>

<p><br />
Off-screen, McElhenney, who created and stars in “Sunny,” is in the midst of his own transformation, and it’s a lot harder when what you’re poking at is yourself. When the show returns to FXX for its 15th season on Wednesday, it will officially dethrone “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” as the longest running live-action comedy series in American TV history, and it has already been renewed through Season 18.</p>

<p><br />
For McElhenney, it’s a milestone. But it’s also a midpoint, and a cause for reflection.</p>

<p><br />
He is embarking on what he calls “the second half” of his career. Thanks largely to the longevity of “Sunny,” he is financially set for life — he doesn’t really &lt;em&gt;need&lt;/em&gt; to do anything more. And yet, in the past two years, he has co-created and stars in the Apple TV Plus comedy “Mythic Quest”; codeveloped and sold a third, to-be-announced scripted show; recorded a “Sunny” recap podcast; and is currently filming the docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham,” which will chart his journey as the new co-owner of a Welsh soccer team.</p>

<p><br />
“I’m only 44,” he said. “So, am I going to sit back and just wait to die?”</p>

<p><br />
Those who know McElhenney know complacency was never an option. They describe him as “the most driven man I’ve ever met” (“Sunny” executive producer and star Charlie Day); “the captain that you want on your ship” (his “Sunny” co-star and wife of 13 years, Kaitlin Olson); and “the ‘Rocky’ soundtrack in human form” (Megan Ganz, who created “Mythic Quest” with McElhenney and Day and is also an executive producer on “Sunny”).</p>

<p><br />
Indeed, the boundaries between work and home seem blurry. Earlier that morning, McElhenney had ushered me into a detached home office behind the house he and Olson share with their two sons in Brentwood, California. His workspace, loosely inspired by a Pennsylvania log cabin, was recently enhanced with a section of the Paddy’s Pub set — complete with stools, flooring and a football-helmet-shaped neon sign — that he paid the “Sunny” art department to install.</p>

<p><br />
A voracious reader — or, more often, listener — of memoirs by successful people (recent selections include one by Nike co-founder Phil Knight), McElhenney speaks with a measured, academic eloquence. He pauses only to sip water from an oversized Mason jar or tend to Moose, his and Olson’s rescue cat, who has a penchant for breaking the “no countertops” rule.</p>

<p><br />
He’s not actually funny. Or so he repeatedly insists. And he is given more to soft-spoken contemplation than to punchlines as he drifts through philosophical musings about power and ethics, about where he’s from and where he’s heading.</p>

<p><br />
“Sometimes I find myself doing too many things because I’m just like, Oh, I’m here, and I have this opportunity and this access — I want to take it all before I die,” he said, adding later, “At what point does the accumulation of experience become greedy?”</p>

<p><br />
The McElhenney origin story he tells is a hero’s journey built in the grand tradition of the American dream: An outsider from a working-class Philadelphia family defies the odds to charm the Hollywood suits and achieve huge success with his buddies by his side.</p>

<p><br />
Growing up in South Philly, McElhenney clung to TV comedies as a source of escape and connection. When he was 9, his mother moved out to be with the woman who is now his stepmother, and he and his two younger siblings sought stability in NBC’s Thursday night lineup, religiously watching “The Cosby Show” and “Family Ties” with their father. During weekends at their moms’ house, it was “Golden Girls.”</p>

<p><br />
Acting was initially a last resort. Small and not athletic but longing deeply for connection, the teenage McElhenney eventually abandoned his attempts to play a sport at his all-boys Catholic high school and answered the siren song of a nearby sister school, which needed boys for its production of Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.” After a brief stint at Temple University, he moved to New York and eventually Los Angeles to pursue acting.</p>

<p><br />
The idea for one of TV’s most successful comedies was born modestly enough, coming to McElhenney in the middle of the night in 2004, two years after he moved to Los Angeles. He envisaged a scene in which a guy knocks on his friend’s door to ask for some sugar for his coffee. The friend tells him he has cancer. The first guy is really sorry to hear that — but he still needs the sugar.</p>

<p><br />
As McElhenney put it, if the “maxim” of “Friends” was “I’ll be there for you,” then the one for “Sunny” would be “I’ll never be there.”</p>

<p><br />
While living in a converted West Hollywood garage and working as a waiter, McElhenney approached his fellow aspiring actors Day, Glenn Howerton and Jordan Reid (then McElhenney’s girlfriend) with a script, and they shot the original pilot for “Sunny” on a hand-held camcorder. They shopped it around and, according to McElhenney, the fledgling FX offered the best chance for the team to retain creative control and to do the low-budget show their way.</p>

<p><br />
“It was absolutely, 100% not what I was looking for,” John Landgraf, who was then president of entertainment at FX, said as he emphasized McElhenney’s total lack of experience as a writer, producer or showrunner. “But it was funny. He had a voice.”</p>

<p><br />
FX paid them to shoot a more polished pilot and suggested it might have a better chance of standing out if they changed the characters from a group of self-involved actors in Los Angeles to a group of self-involved bar owners in McElhenney’s native Philadelphia.</p>

<p><br />
As McElhenney, Howerton and Day waited to hear if the show would be picked up, FX came back with a question: Would they be willing to hire a different actress for the sole female lead, Sweet Dee, who served originally as a moralizing foil?</p>

<p><br />
The guys agreed to find someone else, and Reid, who by then had split with McElhenney, was bumped, an experience she described in a 2016 essay for Observer as feeling like a betrayal by her friends. (Reid no longer begrudges the men for seizing their opportunity, she wrote in an email, and she and McElhenney each now say that they are once again friends. FX declined to comment on the casting issue.)</p>

<p><br />
Olson auditioned and won the part, which was then reworked to match the debauchery of the male characters.</p>

<p><br />
“Rob actually apologized to me that they didn’t do that already,” Olson said. “He definitely had a vested interest in making this character equal to the male characters, and it was very refreshing at the time.”<br />
Sixteen years after its debut, “Sunny” remains resolutely committed to its brand of crass nihilism in an age of kinder, gentler comedies like “Ted Lasso” and “Schitt’s Creek.” But while “Sunny” remains intent on “satirizing ignorance,” as McElhenney put it, he also admits there have been missteps, like the treatment of a recurring transgender character, who was referred to as a slur in a way that made it seem as if the show, rather than the characters, was advocating her mistreatment.</p>

<p><br />
“We can’t retroactively change things,” he said. “What we’ve done is adjust for them.”</p>

<p><br />
For example, McElhenney’s character, Mac, went on a rocky coming out journey across Seasons 11 to 13 that then culminated in a tonal shift as he performed a poignant, 4 1/2-minute interpretive dance after revealing his sexuality to his imprisoned father.</p>

<p><br />
And then there was the blackface. In the wake of last year’s nationwide racial justice protests, Hulu, which streams “Sunny” in the United States, removed several episodes that depict characters, including McElhenney’s, in blackface. Rather than let the episodes disappear from collective memory, however, the “Sunny” team confronted them in a Season 15 episode that dives into issues of cancel culture, atonement and white saviorism as the characters film their latest sequel to the “Lethal Weapon” franchise.</p>

<p><br />
This time, however, there are Black actors instead of blackface — including Geoffrey Owens, best known for playing Elvin on “The Cosby Show,” who had appeared in earlier episodes and in “Mythic Quest.” The new episode also has a Black director (Pete Chatmon) and Black co-writer (Keyonna Taylor).</p>

<p><br />
Over the last few years, public discourse and their own evolving thinking convinced McElhenney and the rest of the creative team that they should diversify the show’s perspectives, although it was initially unclear how that would serve their bigoted main characters.</p>

<p><br />
“At its foundation, it’s a show about five ignorant white people, right?” McElhenney said. “So, at first we thought, well, how does it even make sense to have different points of view in there?”</p>

<p><br />
“Then we were like, Oh my God, of course,” he added. “Who could better understand how it feels to be in the wake of ignorant white people than people who aren’t ignorant white people? Ignorant white men, specifically.”</p>

<p><br />
Women and people of color have increasingly been added to the “Sunny” fold, a course McElhenney continued when staffing and casting “Mythic Quest,” which was recently renewed for a third and fourth season. A workplace comedy set at a video game company, it stars McElhenney as an egomaniacal game creator opposite Charlotte Nicdao, a Filipina Australian actress in her first major Hollywood role.</p>

<p><br />
Beyond McElhenney’s diversification efforts, Nicdao and Ganz said, he has also worked hard to offer guidance and opportunities for people who perhaps didn’t have as clear of a path forward in the industry as he did.</p>

<p><br />
“As a woman, I’ve always felt uncomfortable asking anyone to take time out of what they’re doing to teach me something,” Nicdao said. “The thing that Rob has done is create this environment where I’ve never had to ask.”</p>

<p><br />
“I have, for the first time, considered, oh, maybe I want to produce,” she added. “Maybe I want to direct. Maybe I would actually be capable of that.”</p>

<p><br />
Likewise, Ganz, who met McElhenney when she joined “Sunny” as a writer and co-producer in 2016, said it was McElhenney who pushed her to make her directorial debut, in the second season of “Mythic Quest.”<br />
“Rob’s like a supportive bully, in that he encourages you very aggressively to step outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “He believes in you maybe a few feet further than you believe in yourself.”</p>

<p><br />
His belief in others overflows from the abundance of confidence he has long had in himself and in his ideas. And that self-confidence is infectious. A few years ago, actor Ryan Reynolds slid into McElhenney’s direct messages. He was a fan of “Sunny,” and they developed an online friendship strong enough for McElhenney to ask Reynolds if he wanted to join him in buying a Welsh soccer club called Wrexham and make a documentary series about the experience. This was before they had even met in person.<br />
Reynolds said yes, and they’re currently shooting “Welcome to Wrexham,” for FX. It’s about an underdog soccer team but also about “community and what we inherit and what we leave behind,” McElhenney said — the type of big-picture questions he often finds himself pondering in the hours between his 5 a.m. wake-up time and his current nightly routine of drinking a large Manhattan and re-watching “Succession.”</p>

<p><br />
As earnest as McElhenney is about the generous aspect of his second act — using his own success to create security and opportunity for others — he is aware that he’s partly motivated by self-interest. By elevating new talent around him, he is making his own projects better. It also makes him feel good.</p>

<p><br />
“Am I doing it all in the service of something positive or good? I’d like to say that the answer is yes,” he said. “But sometimes, if I’m being honest with myself, maybe it is just that I don’t know what it is I’m looking for. Maybe when I find it, I’ll know.”</p>


The past year in California has been the driest in a century. But on a recent mid-November afternoon, California was starting to look a lot like … Ireland. At least it was in the edit bay for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where visual effects artists were diligently tweaking the color scheme to better resemble that of the Emerald Isle.

The past year in California has been the driest in a century. But on a recent mid-November afternoon, California was starting to look a lot like … Ireland. At least it was in the edit bay for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where visual effects artists were diligently tweaking the color scheme to better resemble that of the Emerald Isle. Slowly, the parched cliffs of Bodega Bay began to look like the grassy Slieve League cliffs. The golden, dusty hills of Sonoma County took on the verdant, rain-soaked hues of County Donegal. Several episodes of the coming season are set in Ireland, where they were also supposed to be shot before the pandemic intervened. That meant adding a lot of green and gray in post. Clad in a black T-shirt emblazoned with a raised fist in support of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Rob McElhenney jumped up from the couch, as if yanked by an invisible string. He poked the screen with a decisive finger. “Can we make the mountain closer to a darker rock?” He sat down, then jumped up again. “Can we darken the sky?” Then again. “Is that enough of a pinnacle?” A big sigh. A pause. “I love this job,” he said. Off-screen, McElhenney, who created and stars in “Sunny,” is in the midst of his own transformation, and it’s a lot harder when what you’re poking at is yourself. When the show returns to FXX for its 15th season on Wednesday, it will officially dethrone “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” as the longest running live-action comedy series in American TV history, and it has already been renewed through Season 18. For McElhenney, it’s a milestone. But it’s also a midpoint, and a cause for reflection. He is embarking on what he calls “the second half” of his career. Thanks largely to the longevity of “Sunny,” he is financially set for life — he doesn’t really <em>need</em> to do anything more. And yet, in the past two years, he has co-created and stars in the Apple TV Plus comedy “Mythic Quest”; codeveloped and sold a third, to-be-announced scripted show; recorded a “Sunny” recap podcast; and is currently filming the docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham,” which will chart his journey as the new co-owner of a Welsh soccer team. “I’m only 44,” he said. “So, am I going to sit back and just wait to die?” Those who know McElhenney know complacency was never an option. They describe him as “the most driven man I’ve ever met” (“Sunny” executive producer and star Charlie Day); “the captain that you want on your ship” (his “Sunny” co-star and wife of 13 years, Kaitlin Olson); and “the ‘Rocky’ soundtrack in human form” (Megan Ganz, who created “Mythic Quest” with McElhenney and Day and is also an executive producer on “Sunny”). Indeed, the boundaries between work and home seem blurry. Earlier that morning, McElhenney had ushered me into a detached home office behind the house he and Olson share with their two sons in Brentwood, California. His workspace, loosely inspired by a Pennsylvania log cabin, was recently enhanced with a section of the Paddy’s Pub set — complete with stools, flooring and a football-helmet-shaped neon sign — that he paid the “Sunny” art department to install. A voracious reader — or, more often, listener — of memoirs by successful people (recent selections include one by Nike co-founder Phil Knight), McElhenney speaks with a measured, academic eloquence. He pauses only to sip water from an oversized Mason jar or tend to Moose, his and Olson’s rescue cat, who has a penchant for breaking the “no countertops” rule. He’s not actually funny. Or so he repeatedly insists. And he is given more to soft-spoken contemplation than to punchlines as he drifts through philosophical musings about power and ethics, about where he’s from and where he’s heading. “Sometimes I find myself doing too many things because I’m just like, Oh, I’m here, and I have this opportunity and this access — I want to take it all before I die,” he said, adding later, “At what point does the accumulation of experience become greedy?” The McElhenney origin story he tells is a hero’s journey built in the grand tradition of the American dream: An outsider from a working-class Philadelphia family defies the odds to charm the Hollywood suits and achieve huge success with his buddies by his side. Growing up in South Philly, McElhenney clung to TV comedies as a source of escape and connection. When he was 9, his mother moved out to be with the woman who is now his stepmother, and he and his two younger siblings sought stability in NBC’s Thursday night lineup, religiously watching “The Cosby Show” and “Family Ties” with their father. During weekends at their moms’ house, it was “Golden Girls.” Acting was initially a last resort. Small and not athletic but longing deeply for connection, the teenage McElhenney eventually abandoned his attempts to play a sport at his all-boys Catholic high school and answered the siren song of a nearby sister school, which needed boys for its production of Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.” After a brief stint at Temple University, he moved to New York and eventually Los Angeles to pursue acting. The idea for one of TV’s most successful comedies was born modestly enough, coming to McElhenney in the middle of the night in 2004, two years after he moved to Los Angeles. He envisaged a scene in which a guy knocks on his friend’s door to ask for some sugar for his coffee. The friend tells him he has cancer. The first guy is really sorry to hear that — but he still needs the sugar. As McElhenney put it, if the “maxim” of “Friends” was “I’ll be there for you,” then the one for “Sunny” would be “I’ll never be there.” While living in a converted West Hollywood garage and working as a waiter, McElhenney approached his fellow aspiring actors Day, Glenn Howerton and Jordan Reid (then McElhenney’s girlfriend) with a script, and they shot the original pilot for “Sunny” on a hand-held camcorder. They shopped it around and, according to McElhenney, the fledgling FX offered the best chance for the team to retain creative control and to do the low-budget show their way. “It was absolutely, 100% not what I was looking for,” John Landgraf, who was then president of entertainment at FX, said as he emphasized McElhenney’s total lack of experience as a writer, producer or showrunner. “But it was funny. He had a voice.” FX paid them to shoot a more polished pilot and suggested it might have a better chance of standing out if they changed the characters from a group of self-involved actors in Los Angeles to a group of self-involved bar owners in McElhenney’s native Philadelphia. As McElhenney, Howerton and Day waited to hear if the show would be picked up, FX came back with a question: Would they be willing to hire a different actress for the sole female lead, Sweet Dee, who served originally as a moralizing foil? The guys agreed to find someone else, and Reid, who by then had split with McElhenney, was bumped, an experience she described in a 2016 essay for Observer as feeling like a betrayal by her friends. (Reid no longer begrudges the men for seizing their opportunity, she wrote in an email, and she and McElhenney each now say that they are once again friends. FX declined to comment on the casting issue.) Olson auditioned and won the part, which was then reworked to match the debauchery of the male characters. “Rob actually apologized to me that they didn’t do that already,” Olson said. “He definitely had a vested interest in making this character equal to the male characters, and it was very refreshing at the time.” Sixteen years after its debut, “Sunny” remains resolutely committed to its brand of crass nihilism in an age of kinder, gentler comedies like “Ted Lasso” and “Schitt’s Creek.” But while “Sunny” remains intent on “satirizing ignorance,” as McElhenney put it, he also admits there have been missteps, like the treatment of a recurring transgender character, who was referred to as a slur in a way that made it seem as if the show, rather than the characters, was advocating her mistreatment. “We can’t retroactively change things,” he said. “What we’ve done is adjust for them.” For example, McElhenney’s character, Mac, went on a rocky coming out journey across Seasons 11 to 13 that then culminated in a tonal shift as he performed a poignant, 4 1/2-minute interpretive dance after revealing his sexuality to his imprisoned father. And then there was the blackface. In the wake of last year’s nationwide racial justice protests, Hulu, which streams “Sunny” in the United States, removed several episodes that depict characters, including McElhenney’s, in blackface. Rather than let the episodes disappear from collective memory, however, the “Sunny” team confronted them in a Season 15 episode that dives into issues of cancel culture, atonement and white saviorism as the characters film their latest sequel to the “Lethal Weapon” franchise. This time, however, there are Black actors instead of blackface — including Geoffrey Owens, best known for playing Elvin on “The Cosby Show,” who had appeared in earlier episodes and in “Mythic Quest.” The new episode also has a Black director (Pete Chatmon) and Black co-writer (Keyonna Taylor). Over the last few years, public discourse and their own evolving thinking convinced McElhenney and the rest of the creative team that they should diversify the show’s perspectives, although it was initially unclear how that would serve their bigoted main characters. “At its foundation, it’s a show about five ignorant white people, right?” McElhenney said. “So, at first we thought, well, how does it even make sense to have different points of view in there?” “Then we were like, Oh my God, of course,” he added. “Who could better understand how it feels to be in the wake of ignorant white people than people who aren’t ignorant white people? Ignorant white men, specifically.” Women and people of color have increasingly been added to the “Sunny” fold, a course McElhenney continued when staffing and casting “Mythic Quest,” which was recently renewed for a third and fourth season. A workplace comedy set at a video game company, it stars McElhenney as an egomaniacal game creator opposite Charlotte Nicdao, a Filipina Australian actress in her first major Hollywood role. Beyond McElhenney’s diversification efforts, Nicdao and Ganz said, he has also worked hard to offer guidance and opportunities for people who perhaps didn’t have as clear of a path forward in the industry as he did. “As a woman, I’ve always felt uncomfortable asking anyone to take time out of what they’re doing to teach me something,” Nicdao said. “The thing that Rob has done is create this environment where I’ve never had to ask.” “I have, for the first time, considered, oh, maybe I want to produce,” she added. “Maybe I want to direct. Maybe I would actually be capable of that.” Likewise, Ganz, who met McElhenney when she joined “Sunny” as a writer and co-producer in 2016, said it was McElhenney who pushed her to make her directorial debut, in the second season of “Mythic Quest.” “Rob’s like a supportive bully, in that he encourages you very aggressively to step outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “He believes in you maybe a few feet further than you believe in yourself.” His belief in others overflows from the abundance of confidence he has long had in himself and in his ideas. And that self-confidence is infectious. A few years ago, actor Ryan Reynolds slid into McElhenney’s direct messages. He was a fan of “Sunny,” and they developed an online friendship strong enough for McElhenney to ask Reynolds if he wanted to join him in buying a Welsh soccer club called Wrexham and make a documentary series about the experience. This was before they had even met in person. Reynolds said yes, and they’re currently shooting “Welcome to Wrexham,” for FX. It’s about an underdog soccer team but also about “community and what we inherit and what we leave behind,” McElhenney said — the type of big-picture questions he often finds himself pondering in the hours between his 5 a.m. wake-up time and his current nightly routine of drinking a large Manhattan and re-watching “Succession.” As earnest as McElhenney is about the generous aspect of his second act — using his own success to create security and opportunity for others — he is aware that he’s partly motivated by self-interest. By elevating new talent around him, he is making his own projects better. It also makes him feel good. “Am I doing it all in the service of something positive or good? I’d like to say that the answer is yes,” he said. “But sometimes, if I’m being honest with myself, maybe it is just that I don’t know what it is I’m looking for. Maybe when I find it, I’ll know.”

It’s always sunny with Rob McElhenney

Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides has lauded his country's ties with India calling them "strong strategic, and indispensable" and highlighted how his country can become a "gateway for Europe" for Indian businesses and other people-to-people engagement.

Support enhancement of ties between Brussels & New Delhi: Cyprus FM Nikos Christodoulides

<p>‘Soorma’ actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh recently got talking about his experience in the Bollywood industry and it’s not very pleasant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Having featured in several Hindi films, Diljit knows the inner workings of the industry and has something to say to them: “Superstar honge apne ghar pe (Those actors can be lions in their own dens).”</p>

<p>In an interview, Diljit Dosanjh said that he doesn't care about making it big in Bollywood with a successful movie career as he is a good and successful Punjabi singer. Diljit Dosanjh said, “I have no desire of becoming a Bollywood star. I love music, and without anybody's say, I can make my music. No superstar can tell me that this music won't work, or that someone else's song would work better, none of this works on me. Punjabi artists are independent, and that's great freedom to have. Nobody can stop us, nobody can stop me from making music. I will keep making music for as long as I want to, and for as long as God allows me to. And I don't give a damn about getting work in Bollywood.”</p>

<p>On his experience, Diljit said, “If I speak up about it, it'll become a big deal. It's better to stay away from all this. Your eyes reveal everything. It isn't necessary to use words. And filmmaking is the kind of medium where it isn't necessary that you get lines. You have your face and your expressions and your eyes, which reveal everything. I'm not crazy about anybody; no actor, no director, nobody. They can be superstars in their own homes.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-sony-pictures-films-india-unveils-a-packed-slate-of-over-17-indian-and-hollywood-releases-414416" hreflang="en">Sony Pictures Films India unveils a packed slate of over 17 Indian and Hollywood releases</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diljit Dosanjh, a popular Punjabi singer made a name for himself in Bollywood with films like ‘Udta Punjab’, ‘Phillauri’, ‘Soorma’ and others. He will soon be seen in a Netflix film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.</p>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-ali-fazal-collaborates-with-arati-kadav-for-a-science-fiction-short-film-414410" hreflang="en">Ali Fazal collaborates with Arati Kadav for a science fiction short film</a></h2>


‘Soorma’ actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh recently got talking about his experience in the Bollywood industry and it’s not very pleasant. Having featured in several Hindi films, Diljit knows the inner workings of the industry and has something to say to them: “Superstar honge apne ghar pe (Those actors can be lions in their own dens).

‘Soorma’ actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh recently got talking about his experience in the Bollywood industry and it’s not very pleasant. Having featured in several Hindi films, Diljit knows the inner workings of the industry and has something to say to them: “Superstar honge apne ghar pe (Those actors can be lions in their own dens).” In an interview, Diljit Dosanjh said that he doesn't care about making it big in Bollywood with a successful movie career as he is a good and successful Punjabi singer. Diljit Dosanjh said, “I have no desire of becoming a Bollywood star. I love music, and without anybody's say, I can make my music. No superstar can tell me that this music won't work, or that someone else's song would work better, none of this works on me. Punjabi artists are independent, and that's great freedom to have. Nobody can stop us, nobody can stop me from making music. I will keep making music for as long as I want to, and for as long as God allows me to. And I don't give a damn about getting work in Bollywood.” On his experience, Diljit said, “If I speak up about it, it'll become a big deal. It's better to stay away from all this. Your eyes reveal everything. It isn't necessary to use words. And filmmaking is the kind of medium where it isn't necessary that you get lines. You have your face and your expressions and your eyes, which reveal everything. I'm not crazy about anybody; no actor, no director, nobody. They can be superstars in their own homes.” Sony Pictures Films India unveils a packed slate of over 17 Indian and Hollywood releases Diljit Dosanjh, a popular Punjabi singer made a name for himself in Bollywood with films like ‘Udta Punjab’, ‘Phillauri’, ‘Soorma’ and others. He will soon be seen in a Netflix film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Ali Fazal collaborates with Arati Kadav for a science fiction short film

Did Diljit Dosanjh just take a dig at Bollywood when asked about his experience?

In an exclusive interview with WION, BAFTA Award-winning actor Dev Patel talks to Pallabi Dey Purkayastha about internalizing the characteristic traits of Sir Gawain for his upcoming movie 'The Green Knight'. Patel delves into director David Lowery's creative process behind perfecting this historical figure and why he sees a little bit of him in the character he plays in this period drama.

Exclusive! Dev Patel talks about 'The Green Knight' and how it reflects his own journey

WION spoke with a parliamentarian from Afghan Narinder Singh Khalsa who arrived in India from Kabul on the repatriation flight.

Afghanistan Crisis: President Ashraf Ghani was also scared for his life, says Afghan MP

The people of Afghanistan have been historically fighting for the last 34 years, says Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Ex-PM Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Former afghan PM Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Speaks to WION

A Stanford scientist is developing a 'Superhero vaccine' that will prevent death from heart diseases, strokes, liver problems.

Future of Medicine: What is the Superhero Vaccine?

European Union Ambassador to the UN Olof Skoog speaks with WION. Watch this report to know more.

Until everyone is safe, no one is safe: Olof Skoog, EU Ambassador to United Nations

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