Is Sweet Potato Healthy? All You Need To Know About Its Health Benefits

No matter what time of the year it is, you will always find an array of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables available in the markets. Depending upon the weather and the region you are in - there is going to be something healthy, local and nutritious that you can add to your diet. Sweet potato or shakarkandhi is one such root vegetable that is abundantly available throughout the country during the winter season. The reddish-purple tuber is commonly seen being served as chaat or being used as an ingredient in sabzis etc. But is sweet potato truly healthy? Does its sweet taste mean that it should be eaten in small quantities only? Here we bring to you all you need to know about sweet potato, its nutrition facts, the health benefits of the vegetable and more.

Also Read: Sweet Potato Fries, Shakarkandi Chaat And More: 7 Sweet Potato Snacks You Must Try

_{Picture Credit: iStock}

Nutrition Facts Of Sweet Potato | Shakarkandhi Nutrition:

As per the USDA data, a 100-gram serving of sweet potato contains just 86 calories and 0.1 grams of fat. It has good potassium content and is also enriched with protein and fibre. Sweet potato also contains significant quantities of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin B6 that could meet up to 10% of your dietary needs depending upon the calorie requirements.

Health Benefits Of Sweet Potato | Is Shakarkandhi Healthy?

Dietitians and experts are often asked if shakarkandhi or sweet potato is healthy, and whether it should be consumed as part of the daily diet. According to celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, "The fibrous vegetable is safe for everyone to eat, the ones battling obesity, PCOD, Diabetes especially. It also makes for a great snack and allows for quick recovery from training."

Here Are Some Of The Amazing Health Benefits Of Sweet Potato:

1. Good For Immunity:

Looking for an immunity-boosting winter superfood? Sweet potato is the answer. Carotenoids and anthocyanins in sweet potato protect the body from free radical damage and also help boost immunity. It also protects our skin and improves hair health. "The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ability of sweet potato is not just limited to its carotenoids, it is a great source of anthocyanin, which is most abundant in the purple-coloured variety," said consultant nutritionist Rupali Dutta.

2. Manages Diabetes:

Although it may seem that sweet potatoes should be avoided by diabetics, experts argue that this is not the case. Sweet potato is low on the Glycemic Index (GI) and also contains plenty of fibre. Its starchy carbohydrates also delay the release of sugar into the bloodstream. The American Diabetes Association says, "It is a superfood for diabetics. It is a starchy vegetable full of vitamin A and fibre. It is also a good source of vitamin C and potassium."

3. Improves Eye Health:

Thanks to the orange-red hue of sweet potato, we are all well aware that it is abundantly enriched with Vitamin A. Shakarkandhi also contains beta-carotene that protects the eyes against UV damage and prevents macular degeneration.,

4. Facilitates Smooth Digestion:

Keep digestive woes at bay with sweet potato in your diet. According to Rujuta Diwekar, "The minerals and Vitamin B profile in sweet potato will keep the bloating, acidity and constipation away. In a nutshell, if you have drunk too much, slept too little and partied too hard, this is what you should be eating," she wrote on Instagram.

5. Good For Weight Management:

If you are watching your weight, sweet potato is what you should definitely try eating. The low-calorie tuber has a good amount of fibre that facilitates weight loss and keeps you full. Thus, it makes for an excellent snack provided that it is consumed in moderation.

Conclusion: Is Sweet Potato Healthy? Yes Or No:

Sweet potato is loaded with health benefits and makes for a good addition to your winter diet. But just the way it is with other foods, always consume it in moderation and do not pile up excess sweet potato in a bid to get healthy. Always consult a nutritionist before making any major changes to the diet. Stay fit, stay healthy!

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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3.8 Magnitude Earthquake In Haryana, Tremors Felt In Delhi

An earthquake of 3.8 magnitude was recorded in Haryana's Jhajjar with tremors in Delhi and surrounding areas on Sunday morning, the first day of the new year, the National Center for Seismology said.

There were no reports of any injuries or damage.

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Earthquake Tremors Felt In Delhi, Surrounding Areas

An earthquake of estimated 4.4 magnitude was reported in Delhi and surrounding areas on Sunday morning, the first day of the new year.

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Mini Brains To Fusion Energy: Biggest Scientific Breakthroughs Of 2022

The year 2022 has witnessed a number of advancements on many fronts, including politics, sports, movies, technology, and more. This year also saw some exceptionally bright scientific advances that proved to be wonderful for human life.

Let's look at a few of the most significant scientific breakthroughs from this year.

Historic Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough Announced

US researchers announced a historic nuclear fusion breakthrough on December 13, hailing a "landmark achievement" in the quest for a source of unlimited, clean power and an end to reliance on fossil fuels. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) said it had used the world's largest laser to create, for the first time, a fusion reaction that replicated the process that powers the sun and generated more energy than it took to produce -- a goal pursued by scientists for decades.

Reversing death: US Scientists Revive Organs in Dead Pigs

Scientists announced that they have restored blood flow and cell function throughout the bodies of pigs that were dead for an hour, in a breakthrough experts say could mean we need to update the definition of death itself. The discovery raised hopes for a range of future medical uses in humans, the most immediate being that it could help organs last longer, potentially saving the lives of thousands of people worldwide in need of transplants.

Lab-grown brain cells learn to play video game Pong

Scientists have grown 800,000 brain cells in a lab that they say have learned to play the 1970s tennis-like video game, Pong. The research, published recently in the journal Neuron, has for the first time shown that brain cells living in a dish can perform goal-directed tasks.

The team, including researchers from Monash University, RMIT University, University College London and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research are now going to find out what happens when their DishBrain is affected by medicines and alcohol.

To conduct the experiment, the researchers took mouse cells from embryonic brains as well as some human brain cells derived from stem cells and grew them on top of microelectrode arrays that could both stimulate them and read their activity.

Microplastics Found In Human Blood For First Time

Tiny particles of plastic, called microplastic - a major source of pollution - have been detected in the human blood for the first time. It was detected in nearly 80 per cent of samples tested by a group of researchers from the Netherlands. The discovery is extremely significant as it shows that microplastic can travel around the body and may lodge in organs.

Men age faster than women

According to a study that published in "The Journals of Gerontology: Series A,", men age more quickly than women do, and by the time they reach their 50s, men's bodies are up to four biological years older than women of the same age.

'Baby' Wormhole

Scientists have long pursued a deeper understanding of wormholes and now appear to be making progress. Researchers announced in December that they forged two miniscule simulated black holes - those extraordinarily dense celestial objects with gravity so powerful that not even light can escape - in a quantum computer and transmitted a message between them through what amounted to a tunnel in space-time.

It was a "baby wormhole," according to Caltech physicist Maria Spiropulu, a co-author of the research published in the journal Nature. But scientists are a long way from being able to send people or other living beings through such a portal, she said.

A wormhole - a rupture in space and time - is considered a bridge between two remote regions in the universe. Scientists refer to them as Einstein-Rosen bridges after the two physicists who described them - Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen.

Such wormholes are consistent with Einstein's theory of general relativity, which focuses on gravity, one of the fundamental forces in the universe. The term "wormhole" was coined by physicist John Wheeler in the 1950s.

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Covid Deaths Hit 9,000 Per Day In China, Finds UK-Based Firm: Report

Deaths attributed to Covid in China have increased to 9,000 people per day, according to a data firm, reported news.com.au, an Australia-based publication.

The news.com.au report also says, "British-based research firm Airfinity has doubled the number of people it estimates are dying from Covid in China as the number of infections soar. It comes after Beijing lifted draconian zero-Covid health measures in November that had been in place for years."

Protests erupted across China due to the harsh lockdowns after 10 people died in an apartment fire. There were allegations that firefighters were stopped from coming inside the apartment block due to the quarantine orders.

The country reversed its Covid policy due to widespread protests in its nine cities.

"Airfinity said its model was based on data from China's regional provinces before changes to reporting infections were implemented, combined with case growth rates from other former zero-Covid countries when they lifted restrictions," the report said.

The total number of deaths in China linked to Covid in December may hit 100,000, with at least 18.6 million cases. By mid-January, there could be as many as 3.7 million COVID cases in a day. By January 23, a total of 584,000 deaths are expected in China.

According to news.com.au, "Beijing has been accused of withholding health information so it's hard to accurately assess the numbers. However, China's National Health Commission (NHC) last week confirmed that the country's current outbreak is the largest the world has ever seen."

"More than a billion Chinese could be infected with Covid by March. And more than 30 per cent of the population may have already been infected, that is up to 400 million people," according to a The Australian report.

The virus is continuing to spread rapidly in China. Workers, however, are being called to go to work unless they have extreme symptoms.

Since China relaxed its controversial zero-Covid policy last month, the second-largest economy is struggling to deal with the meteoric rise in coronavirus cases throughout the country which is putting a burden on its healthcare system.

British virologist and biologist Jonathan Latham, Executive Director of the Bioscience Resource Project, said that Beijing is not being open and transparent about case numbers or deaths and that only accurate data can lead to good decisions in China and elsewhere.

"China is not being open and transparent about case numbers or deaths. This is true for many countries though. It would be great to have truly accurate information on those points, however, since only timely and accurate data can lead to good decisions in China and elsewhere. Good data would also test the theory that newer variants such as Omicron have a lower inherent death rate," Latham told ANI.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Powered By Modified Charkha, Women Spin Success Stories In Kashmir

A delicate pashmina yarn holds promise for hundreds of women in Kashmir valley. Powered by a modified charkha, over 200 women spinners have ended the year 2022 with doubling their output and income.

The modification in the age-old charkha has changed the life of Shaesta Bilal. Since the income is based on output of spinning, the foot pedal charkha has come to her aid.

In Srinagar's downtown area, women like Shaesta are spinning the finest yarn in the world and modified charkha has given them confidence and self-reliance.

"This (modified charka) has given us the means to make a living so that we are self-reliant. Thank God we are earning more and we are not dependent on anybody. Now I'm not financially dependent on my husband," said Shaesta Bilal.

Ms Shaesta was given a new charkha and training by a pashmina shawl trader in Srinagar a year ago. Since then she has graduated to a resource person for other women.

Over the last one year, more than 200 women have been trained and given modified charkhas. The initiative is part of an effort to protect and preserve the genuine age-old craft of pashmina shawls, which is facing a massive invasion of fake and machine-made shawls.

The government has also started GI (geographical indicator) tagging of Kashmiri shawls to preserve its unique character and value in the market.

Over the years, the number of women spinning pashmina has come down drastically in Kashmir valley, mainly due to low wages and less output on the traditional charkha.

According to Mujtaba Qadri, who owns the training centre for women spinners and equip them with the new charkha, the modifications in the tool were made by Shere-e-Kashmir Agricultural University a few years ago.

"I started training with a few women initially. Once we saw the results that we were able to double the produce, which in turns doubles the income of women, I decided to run this programme," said Mujaba, who runs a family shawl business.

Besides providing modified charkha for free, Mujtaba also give a-15 day training course to women spinners. "From our centre, over 200 women have been trained in the last one year and we have provided them modified charkha as well," he said.

At the centre, Nusrat Begum says life has become a bit easier for her after she was trained to use the new charkha. From squatting on the floor to sitting on a chair, her spinning production has doubled.

"It has helped me a great deal. I used to spin three gram of yarn on the old charkha. Now I can spin six grams," said Ms Begum.

For centuries, the secret behind Kashmir's elegant pashmina shawls is fine spinning by women. It further goes to master artisans for weaving. For making some shawls with intricate work, it takes months and even a year to weave.

While the new charkha helps women spin more and earn more, the wages are still less. For a knot, which is 10 threads of yarn, they are being paid Re 1.5. They want more.

"The charkha is very useful to us. We are thankful to Qadri sahib as he gave us this charkha for free and we are doing very well on it. We work at home and also train others. We requested him if could increase our wages," said Yasmeena.

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"Wonder Why...": Ghulam Nabi Azad On Reports Of Return To Congress

Senior politician and chief of the newly-formed Democratic Progressive Azad Party Ghulam Nabi Azad today said there was no move to return to Congress with which he had snapped his 52-year-old association earlier this year.

Talking to PTI, the veteran politician who has been former Union minister and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said reports suggesting his return to the grand old party are planted by some vested leaders in the Congress and there was no truth in them.

"I have never spoken to any Congress leader and neither has anyone called me. So I wonder why these kinds of stories are planted in the media," Mr Azad said.

Mr Azad said these attempts were made by the Congress leaders to create a sense of uncertainty within his party cadres and to demoralise them.

"Come whatever may, we will emerge stronger," he said.

Mr Azad, who has served as leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, said "I have not indulged in any mudslinging with anyone. Whatever I had to say, I made it clear in my resignation letter. After this I am on my own path to serve the people who have given me their trust." 

Asked whether he would be joining the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra when it enters Jammu and Kashmir next month, Mr Azad said "I have no such plan. My hands are full with my own work." 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Delhi Gym Owner Shot Dead In Office, Killers Take Away CCTV Recorder

A gym owner was shot dead in his office by three men in East Delhi's Preet Vihar on Friday, and took the CCTV recorder with them, making the probe more complicated, police said.

The victim, 45-year-old Mahendra Aggarwal, ran a chain of Energy Gym and Spa, and sold gym equipment too. He was in his company headquarters office above one of his gyms around 8 pm when three armed men entered and immediately fired a number of shots at him. A bullet to his head killed him, police said.

While escaping, the killers took away the recording device attached to the CCTV security cameras of the office.

Police are now scanning footage from other CCTV cameras in the area to get clues. A forensics team also inspected the scene of crime.

Police said relatives are being asked if they suspect anyone's involvement or any enmity he had.

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Andrew Tate, Toxic Masculinity Ambassador, Now Arrested: 5 Points

1. He gained a following online, comprising mainly young men, by advocating for a hyper masculine lifestyle. 
2. In 2016, he was a contestant on UK reality show Big Brother, and was expelled from the show after a video of him hitting a woman with a belt surfaced online. 
3. He is a former professional kickboxer. After retiring, he has mainly been active as a businessman and a social media influencer. 
4. In the past, he has been banned from Twitter, for saying that women should "take responsibility" for being sexually assaulted. He was reinstated after Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. 
5. He currently has over 3.8 million followers on Twitter, where he regularly encourages his followers to "take the red pill", a reference to the movie "The Matrix". "Taking the red pill" is a common call used by alt right internet users to encourage others to question the status quo.

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Andrew Tate, Toxic Masculinity Ambassador, Now Arrested: 5 Points

1. He gained a following online, comprising mainly young men, by advocating for a hyper masculine lifestyle. 
2. In 2016, he was a contestant on UK reality show Big Brother, and was expelled from the show after a video of him hitting a woman with a belt surfaced online. 
3. He is a former professional kickboxer. After retiring, he has mainly been active as a businessman and a social media influencer. 
4. In the past, he has been banned from Twitter, for saying that women should "take responsibility" for being sexually assaulted. He was reinstated after Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. 
5. He currently has over 3.8 million followers on Twitter, where he regularly encourages his followers to "take the red pill", a reference to the movie "The Matrix". "Taking the red pill" is a common call used by alt right internet users to encourage others to question the status quo.

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Stunning Time-Lapse Video Captures 48 Hours Of Blizzard Impact In US Town

A time-lapse video of 60 seconds showing the effects of a blizzard that covered a US town in snow completely in a 48-hour period is going viral on the internet.

The video begins with a straightforward road, a few automobiles, and a chair on the grass; afterwards, snow begins to fall in the region as a result of the blizzard's monster storm effect. In the second half of the video, the entire area is blanketed in snow, making it challenging to discern what lies beneath the snow.

Watch the video here:

48 hour timelapse of Blizzard in 60 seconds. pic.twitter.com/tPjrUFnmzR

— Weird and Terrifying (@weirdterrifying) December 29, 2022

The video has become so extremely viral on the internet that it has received over 3 million views and more than 50,000 likes. Many viewers left comments on this lovely but unsettling video.

Meanwhile, the American National Weather Service predicted that by the weekend, temperatures will rise to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), although officials issued a warning that snowmelt could result in minor floods.

The extreme weather over the weekend sent temperatures below freezing in all mainland US states, including in Texas along the Mexico border, where some arriving migrants have struggled to find shelter.

At one point on Saturday, nearly 1.7 million customers were without electricity in the biting cold, according to the tracker PowerOutage.us.

Road ice and whiteout conditions also led to the temporary closure of some of the nation's busiest transport routes, including part of the cross-country Interstate 70 highway.

The perfect storm of fierce snow squalls, howling wind, and sub-zero temperatures forced the cancellation of thousands of flights in recent days, including around 5,900 on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to tracking site FlightAware.com.

(With inputs from AFP)

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18-Month-Old Child Attacked By Pack Of Stray Dogs In Kerala

An 18-month-old child suffered serious injuries all over the body after a pack of stray dogs attacked him in front of his house in Kollam district of Kerala on Friday.

The boy, a native of nearby Mayyanadu, is undergoing treatment at the district hospital, family members said.

The incident happened when the child was playing in front of the house and his grandmother had just stepped inside the house after giving him food, they said.

Hearing the screams of the child, the woman rushed to the front yard of the house and got shocked seeing around 25 stray dogs mauling him.

"The incident happened when I just went inside the house for a while to take something. There were at least 25 dogs around the child. I somehow chased them away with a wooden plank and rescued him," she said.

The child was rushed to the hospital with the help of neighbours and he is being treated now, she added.

Several places in Kerala have been facing stray dog menace for some time and over 20 people have succumbed to rabies this year alone, according to figures.

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Pele - Legend, Enigma And The Best-Loved Football Star Ever

Pele was the best-loved footballer of his or any other generation, the eternal master of the beautiful game. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, his sumptuous range of skills making him the embodiment of his country's golden age of football. When he finally retired in 1977, Pele had scored more than 1,000 goals. He scored 77 for Brazil, a mark only equalled at the recent World Cup by Neymar.

But his impact on his sport went far beyond the pitch as he also became a money-making phenomenon, lending his name to sportswear, credit cards and watches among an array of products.  Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in October 1940, Pele played his first game for Santos as a 15-year-old in 1956. 

He earned a call-up to the national team a year later, scoring on his debut against Argentina. In 1958 he was picked for the World Cup in Sweden. His participation at the finals had been a matter of fierce debate in Brazil, with many critics questioning whether the slender-framed teenager was ready for the physical demands of the tournament.

Nursing a knee injury on arrival in Sweden, Pele was unavailable for Brazil's opening two matches. He might also have been forced to sit out their third, against the Soviet Union, had coach Vicente Feola decided to heed the advice of a team psychologist who had urged that Pele was "infantile" and not fit for duty.

In the event Feola opted to play the youngster, and it paid off. Working in tandem with Garrincha and his famously bent legs, Pele gave a virtuoso display as the Soviets were vanquished 2-0. Once in the team, Pele made it impossible for him to be removed. A winning goal in the quarter-final against Wales and a hat-trick in the 5-2 semi-final victory over France were followed by two more in the final win over Sweden.

Still only 17, Pele had become the youngest World Cup winner in history. The next two tournaments, however, were to be unhappy experiences. Twenty-one by the time of the 1962 World Cup in Chile, an older, stronger Pele had been expected to take the tournament by storm.

He gave a tantalising glimpse of what he was capable of with an electric individual goal against Mexico in Brazil's opening 2-0 win. But he aggravated an existing injury in the second game, against the Czechs, and was forced to sit out the remainder of the tournament as his countrymen successfully defended their title.

Pele's frustration that injury had limited his appearances in Chile were nothing compared to the sickening disappointment of England in 1966 where, unprotected by referees, he was literally kicked out of the tournament. Brutally assaulted by Bulgaria's defence in the first game to the extent that he was forced to miss the second match, the nadir came against Portugal. Two crippling challenges by Joao Morais left a tearful Pele being carried from the Goodison Park pitch in Liverpool swearing never to play in a World Cup again.

"I don't want to finish my life as an invalid," he said.

Synonymous with beautiful game

Thankfully, Pele's disconsolate vow was to prove an empty threat. He returned four years later in Mexico to spearhead what is regarded as the greatest team of all time. Where 1966 had been viewed as a victory for cynicism, the 1970 tournament, and Pele and Brazil's winning contribution to it, have become synonymous with the beautiful game.

It is a testament to the quality of Pele's play in Mexico that he is remembered for the goals he didn't score as much as for the ones he did. An outrageous attempt to lob Czechoslovakia's goalkeeper from inside his own half and a magical dummy against Uruguay in the semi-finals are among the finest moments of World Cup history.

Though he was to continue playing club football for his beloved Santos and later the New York Cosmos, Pele retired from international duty in 1971, making an emotional farewell in front of 180,000 fans at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

"Pele was the most complete player I've ever seen," England's Bobby Moore recalled later. "He had everything."

Once his World Cup heroics were finished, Pele, who was nicknamed "O Rei" (The King) and finished on 91 caps, helped try to kickstart an American revolution in football.  In 1977, he inspired New York to the national title in his final season with the club which featured fellow greats Franz Beckenbauer, Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia and former Brazil captain Carlos Alberto.

He appeared in the 1981 film Escape to Victory about Allied prisoners of war during World War II along with the likes of Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and Moore. Between 1995 and 1998, he was even Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport, while he also regularly appeared in public as an ambassador for numerous commercial brands.

He suffered a series of health problems in later life, undergoing surgery on his hips, kidney stones and on a colon tumor. That did not stop him living life to the full, and he married for the third time in 2016, tying the knot with Marcia Aoki.

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Pele, Brazil Football Legend, Dies At The Age Of 82

Iconic Brazilian footballer Pele, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and the only player to have won the FIFA World Cup thrice, has died at the age of 82, his family said Thursday. "Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace," daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram. The legendary footballer had been battling colon cancer and was admitted in a hospital for a respiratory problem on November 29. He cheered for the Brazilian team during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar from the hospital bed.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, was born on October 23, 1940, at Tres Coracoes, in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais. He gained global superstardom after playing an important part in Brazil's maiden FIFA World Cup triumph in 1958. Still a teenager, Pele fired in a hat-trick in the semi-final against France and followed it up with a brace in the final against Sweden to help the Selecao win the first of their record five world titles. 

He was part of the team again that defended the title in 1962, before adding a third World Cup to his name in 1970, when Brazil famously defeated Italy in the final. He scored 12 goals in the World Cup during his career.

A inspiração e o amor marcaram a jornada de Rei Pelé, que faleceu no dia de hoje.

Amor, amor e amor, para sempre.
.
Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today.

Love, love and love, forever. pic.twitter.com/CP9syIdL3i

— Pelé (@Pele) December 29, 2022

It is only fitting that Pele remained the highest goal-scorer for Brazil, with 77 goals in 95 games, during his lifetime. His record was tied by current Brazil sensation Neymar, during the team's quarter-final loss in the World Cup earlier this month.

Pele breathed his last following colon cancer, for which he was undergoing chemotherapy. However, he stopped responding to chemotherapy and was shifted to palliative care. Pele had a tumour removed from his colon in 2021 and was taking chemotherapy ever since.

The Brazilian football player, also termed 'The Greatest' by FIFA, had been married thrice. He had a total of 7 children.

(With AFP inputs)

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Watch: A Deer's Face Was Frozen Over Due To Extreme Cold. 2 Hikers Helped

The extreme cold weather dubbed as "blizzard of the century," across many parts of the USA & Canada has inflicted immense misery on millions of people and caused unprecedented fear and chaos. Many other parts of the world are also battling extremely frigid temperatures. Not just humans, but animals too are suffering from nature's wrath. In a recent undated video, a deer was seen with its mouth, eyes & ears completely frozen over due to the severe winter storm. Thankfully, two hikers came to its rescue and helped the poor animal. The exact location of the video is not yet known.

In a video shared on Reddit, two hikers spotted a deer whose face was completely frozen over. It is assumed that the deer was trying to dig for food under the snow with its head, and that's how its face got encased in ice. When the hikers approached the deer, it ran away in fear. However, after a while, the two men got hold of the distressed animal and removed the ice covering its face. The relieved animal was then seen running away. 

Watch the video here:

Reddit users thanked the hikers for saving the life of the deer and hailed their efforts. One user wrote, ''I wonder if humans are the only species who help other animals, out of pure empathy. I'm sure we're not, but I definitely think it's a beautiful part of humanity.'' Another commented, ''poor deer. glad they helped him. winter is rough for animals.''

Many were left wondering how it happened. A user offered an explanation and replied, ''Most likely mild weather with lots of heavy wet snow, digging through said snow for food... Face gets covered with sticky wet snow. Then you get a crazy drop in temp with increase in wind resulting in flash freezing. Said sticky snow on face freezes.'' 

Another commented, ''Probably got caught in a blizzard or just a storm out on a large open field. Sometimes the winds can get stupidly strong and carry snow and ice from the ground. It has a way of clinging to stuff.''
 

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Google Asks Users About Their First Search Of 2023, Internet Reacts

The internet giant Google asked its users to share and discuss their first search on the search engine, as the countdown to New Year's 2023 has already started around the world. Similar to other Google products, the post quickly gained a lot of traction on social media.

On its Twitter handle, the search engine giant asked the users, "What's your first Google search of 2023 going to be?"

what's your first Google search of 2023 going to be?

— Google (@Google) December 29, 2022

The post became an instant hit since the popularity of the tech giant is greater than any other tech company; within an hour, the post received over 350,000 views and more than 2000 likes. The number of comments is steadily increasing as people express their desires for what they want to search for in 2023.

"How to become a billionaire without doing anything," wrote one user. Another user commented, "Would Russia become a world power at the end of this year?"

"Mine will be in the form of a question: "Why do browsers put users at risk from hackers, scammers, and malware producers"?" commented a third user.

Meanwhile, Google, the world's most popular search engine, is working on making text and voice internet search available in over 100 Indian languages. 

Its India-born CEO, Sundar Pichai, who was in India this month, said the pace of technological change in the country has been extraordinary, and Google is supporting small businesses and startups, investing in cybersecurity, providing education and skills training, and applying AI (artificial intelligence) in sectors like agriculture and healthcare.

"I'm here to see progress being made from our $10 billion, 10-year India Digitization Fund (IDF), and share new ways. We're helping to advance India's digital future at our Google for India event."

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Twinkle Khanna's Birthday Celebrations With Akshay, Aarav, Nitara

Twinkle Khanna shared a glimpse of her birthday festivities with her friends and family members. She shared a set of pictures from the celebrations at a lush green location. The first picture features Twinkle with husband Akshay Kumar. The other picture features the birthday girl with Akshay, son Aarav, daughter Nitara and friends. Twinkle captioned the post: "The perfect birthday with all the people I love the most. Thank you for your lovely wishes and here is wishing you all a wonderful new year ahead." She added the hashtag #thefeastinthefields to her post. Bobby Deol, who co-starred with Twinkle in Barsaat, commented "Happy, happy birthday." Malaika Arora added, "Happy birthday my dear Tina."

See Twinkle Khanna's post here:

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Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar wished Twinkle Khanna with a fun albeit adorable video of her singing and dancing. He captioned it: "While you may be glad to have missed my live performance the other day, I'm glad I get to witness you and all your madness every single day! But as much as I love you, I really think you should stop singing. And Happy birthday Tina."

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This morning, Twinkle Khanna shared a special post for her late father and legendary actor Rajesh Khanna on his birth anniversary. She posted a throwback picture and captioned it: "A bittersweet shared birthday and a lifetime of memories."

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Twinkle Khanna is a woman of many hats. She is a celebrated columnist and the author of Pyjamas Are Forgiving, The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad and Mrs Funnybones - all of which were best-sellers. Twinkle is also an interior decorator, the owner of The White Window, and a film producer. Her last project as a film producer was the National Award-winning film PadMan, which starred her husband Akshay Kumar in the lead role. She also runs a digital content company called Tweak India.

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Watch: IndiGo Air Hostess Gives Mid-Air Medical Aid To Passenger, Praised

Fights and arguments between airline crew members and passengers have become a common occurrence these days. However, in a welcome change, a new video has surfaced on Twitter showing an IndiGo air hostess administering mid-air medical assistance to a passenger.

A Twitter user named Irfan Ansari who was a passenger on the same flight recorded the video and shared it on his account. He wrote, "Dear IndiGo, please reward both cabin crew. I know it is their job but the way they are treated I believe our own relative also will not take care the way they did. Salute! Big respect to the girls and IndiGo."

According to the text inserted in the video, the airline was flying from Doha to Delhi on December 27. The 45-second clip shows an air hostess giving mid-air treatment to a passenger after he was injured by the lid of a baggage compartment. The crew member first gently puts ointment on the wounded finger and then goes on to put a band-aid on it. The passenger could also be heard thanking her for the assistance. 

Watch the video here:

Dear @IndiGo6E Please reward the both cabin crew, I know its there job but the way they treated i believe our own relative also will not take care the way they did, Salute🫡, Big respect to the girls and @IndiGo6E 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💐🇮🇳💐@DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/m1WmdEVa69

— Irfan Ansari (@irfanhasan1986) December 28, 2022

Internet users appreciated the air hostess for taking such good care of the passenger. One user wrote, ''Great work,'' while another heaped praises on her and commented, ''An excellent example of Angels in the sky.'' A third said, ''Kudos to crew.''

IndiGo also responded to the social media user's tweet and wrote, ''Thank you for sharing this with us and appreciating our crew, Mr. Ansari. They are truly angels in the sky, providing excellent care and attention to our customers.''

See the post here:

Thank you for sharing this with us and appreciating our crew, Mr Ansari. They are truly angels in the sky, providing excellent care and attention to our customers🙂. #WeCareForYou #Inspiration #PassengerDelight #GoIndiGo https://t.co/1wnLaQ3y6s

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 29, 2022

The heartwarming incident comes days after a video of a heated argument between a passenger and one of the crew members of IndiGo airline went viral on social media, making national headlines. The argument between the passenger and the air hostess was regarding meals served on board. 

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Mumbai Belongs To Maharashtra, "Not To Anyone's Father": Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today that Mumbai belongs to the state and "not to anyone's father", strongly condemning the "make Mumbai a Union Territory" remark by Karnataka minister J Madhu Swamy. Maharashtra, he said, will write to Karnataka and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the issue. Union minister Shah will be requested to reprimand such "motormouths," he added.

Amid the raging boundary dispute, Mr Madhu Swamy had made a strong attack on Maharashtra in the legislative assembly.

"It is being said that they (Maharashtra leaders) have taken a decision and said that Belagavi should be declared a Union Territory, I want to tell those people that there are two or three such cities in the country which can be made Union Territories... Mumbai is the top of them. It was like a Union Territory during Mumbai or Bombay presidency... if those people want the good of the country, then show a big heart and announce that Bombay will be made a Union Territory," he had said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai said, "we will not give even an inch of our land".

Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today, Mr Fadnavis said the state's feelings will be conveyed to the Karnataka government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and not to anyone's father," Mr Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India. "We will not tolerate anyone staking claim over Mumbai and we will put forth our feelings before the Karnataka government and Union home minister," he said, reported PTI.

Leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar had flagged the issue, naming the Karnataka minister. "(Bharatiya Janata Party MLA) Laxman Savadi said Mumbai belongs to Karnataka and has rubbed salt on the Marathi people's wounds," he had said.

At a meeting between the chief ministers of the two states with Amit Shah earlier this month, it was decided that no fresh claim would be made by either party while the matter was pending in the Supreme Court, he said.

"The comments by Karnataka MLAs or the Karnataka Congress president are contrary to what was decided. We will not tolerate any claim staked on Mumbai. We condemn this," Mr Fadnavis said.

The Karnataka leaders' reaction came after both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature had unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday to "legally pursue" the inclusion of "every inch" of the land of Belgaum, Karwar Bidar, Nipani, Bhalki cities and the 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka into the western state.

Mr Shinde, who had moved the resolution, also condemned the remarks by Karnataka leaders.

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Mumbai Belongs To Maharashtra, "Not To Anyone's Father": Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today that Mumbai belongs to the state and "not to anyone's father", strongly condemning the "make Mumbai a Union Territory" remark by Karnataka minister J Madhu Swamy. Maharashtra, he said, will write to Karnataka and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the issue. Union minister Shah will be requested to reprimand such "motormouths," he added.

Amid the raging boundary dispute, Mr Madhu Swamy had made a strong attack on Maharashtra in the legislative assembly.

"It is being said that they (Maharashtra leaders) have taken a decision and said that Belagavi should be declared a Union Territory, I want to tell those people that there are two or three such cities in the country which can be made Union Territories... Mumbai is the top of them. It was like a Union Territory during Mumbai or Bombay presidency... if those people want the good of the country, then show a big heart and announce that Bombay will be made a Union Territory," he had said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai said, "we will not give even an inch of our land".

Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today, Mr Fadnavis said the state's feelings will be conveyed to the Karnataka government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and not to anyone's father," Mr Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India. "We will not tolerate anyone staking claim over Mumbai and we will put forth our feelings before the Karnataka government and Union home minister," he said, reported PTI.

Leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar had flagged the issue, naming the Karnataka minister. "(Bharatiya Janata Party MLA) Laxman Savadi said Mumbai belongs to Karnataka and has rubbed salt on the Marathi people's wounds," he had said.

At a meeting between the chief ministers of the two states with Amit Shah earlier this month, it was decided that no fresh claim would be made by either party while the matter was pending in the Supreme Court, he said.

"The comments by Karnataka MLAs or the Karnataka Congress president are contrary to what was decided. We will not tolerate any claim staked on Mumbai. We condemn this," Mr Fadnavis said.

The Karnataka leaders' reaction came after both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature had unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday to "legally pursue" the inclusion of "every inch" of the land of Belgaum, Karwar Bidar, Nipani, Bhalki cities and the 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka into the western state.

Mr Shinde, who had moved the resolution, also condemned the remarks by Karnataka leaders.

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Shilpa And Shamita Shetty's New Pic Is All About "Love" And "Back Up"

Shamita Shetty has treated her Insta family to an adorable picture with her sister Shilpa Shetty. The sisters, who are having the time of their lives in London with their family, are happily posing for the camera. In the image, Shilpa looked pretty in a white turtle neck sweater paired with a black and brown checkered jacket, while Shamita can be seen in a beige turtle neck sweater layered with a black jacket. Sharing the post, she wrote, "Sisters ... means you always have back up," followed by a heart emoticon. 

Soon after Shamita shared the post, Shilpa was quick to comment, "Mine." Check out the post below: 

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A post shared by Shamita Shetty (@shamitashetty_official)

Shetty sisters are goals and often share adorable pictures with each other on their respective Instagram profiles. A few weeks ago, Shilpa shared a hilarious video on her Instagram handle and captioned it as "Reel ki feel thi Lekin lyric ka lip-sync nahin tha." Check out the post below: 

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A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty)

Meanwhile, they are busy holidaying in London and keep their Insta family updated by sharing pictures and videos. 

On Christmas, Shilpa shared a video in which she along with her husband Raj Kundra, kids Viaan and Samisha, mom Sunanda Shetty and sister Shamita, can be seen celebrating the festival. In the caption, she wrote, "The best kind of Christmas is celebrating and spending this precious time with family at home and this year is special as it's a first for Samisha. All I wish is to keep the child within us alive... always." 

Here have a look: 

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A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty)

Check out more posts from their London diaries below: 

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A post shared by Shamita Shetty (@shamitashetty_official)

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A post shared by Shamita Shetty (@shamitashetty_official)

On the work front, Shilpa Shetty will be next seen in Rohit Shetty's web series Indian Police Force.

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