Thursday, November 30, 2023
"A Performance To Be Remembered": Katrina Reviews Vicky's Sam Bahadur
Katrina Kaif turned cheerleader for her husband Vicky Kaushal at the screening of Sam Bahadur on Wednesday night. A day after, the Tiger 3 star, in her review of the film, praised husband Vicky for his "flawless" performance. On Thursday, Katrina Kaif shared a poster from Sam Bahadur alongside a moving note for her husband, who plays Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in the film. She began her note by praising director Meghna Gulzar as she wrote, "Maghna Gulzar, such a poetic beautiful classic film, was transported to another era .. you can see your passion to telling his story and attention to detail in every shot."
She then went on to review her husband Vicky Kaushal's performance and wrote, "And SAM !!!!…..GRACE, HEROISM , GRIT. What a performance, flawless, I'm just astounded , you are too inspiring , true to your craft in the most brilliant integral way , was so proud to watch you shine your way across the screen . I've seen you this last year pour yourself into this film and transform into sam. A performance to be remembered."
See what Katrina Kaif posted:
Not only Katrina, but others from the film fraternity also complimented Vicky in their reviews of the film. Abhishek Bachchan, who previously worked with Vicky Kaushal in Manmarziyaan, wrote in his review, ""Saw #SamBahadur last night. The enormity of all that #FieldMarshalSamManekshaw did and achieved is overwhelming! And so beautifully told on celluloid by my favourite @meghnagulzar. It's a huge responsibility to portray one of India's greatest sons and she does it wonderfully. To…the entire cast and crew, you should be very proud and thank you for telling this story. @fattysanashaikh @sanyamalhotra07.My veerey, @vickykaushal09, what do I even say about you… you continue to set the bar so high for all of us and then so effortlessly jump over it as only Sam can. All I can say is “Well done, sweety."
Read his review below:
Saw #SamBahadur last night. The enormity of all that #FieldMarshalSamManekshaw did and achieved is overwhelming! And so beautifully told on celluloid by my favourite @meghnagulzar. It's a huge responsibility to portray one of India's greatest sons and she does it wonderfully. To…
— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) November 30, 2023
Sunny Kaushal, who attended a special screening of Sam Bahadur, wrote an elaborate note, praising his sibling for his acting prowess. He wrote, "What a film..what an amazing film this is @meghnagulzar thank you so much for making Sam Bahadur.. it is truly remarkable how you have so beautifully managed to show the life, the character, the love this man had for his country and uniform in 2.5 hours.. it made me laugh, cry, inspired and most importantly it made me realise what great courage and character means.”
The screening of Sam Bahadur was attended by some of the biggest stars in Bollywood. Vicky Kaushal's cheer squad included his wife Katrina Kaif, parents Sham and Veena Kaushal and brother Sunny among others.
See some pictures from last night:
Sam Bahadur, by Meghna Gulzar, will open to theatres on December 1. Vicky Kaushal plays the titular role in the film, which is based on the life of India's first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw. Fatima Sana Shaikh is also part of the movie.
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Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Opinion: What Higher Voter Turnout Could Mean For Rajasthan
The marginally high voter turnout in the Rajasthan assembly election is being claimed as a victory by both the BJP and the ruling Congress. While the BJP believes it's a sign of change, the Congress considers it popular support for its welfare schemes. The final voting percentage for 199 assembly seats in Rajasthan stood at 75.45 per cent (including postal ballots). The highest polling was recorded at Jaisalmer's Pokhran with an 88.23 per cent turnout and the lowest in the Ahore assembly seat at 61.24 per cent. More women (74.72 per cent) voted than men (74.53 per cent) this time. Rajasthan voted on November 25. The results on December 3 will decide whether the Congress retains power, defying the state's tradition of voting out the incumbent, or the BJP topples the Ashok Gehlot government.
In the last assembly election in 2018, Rajasthan recorded a voter turnout of 74.72 per cent (including postal ballots). This year's voting is 0.73 per cent more than the last time. This trend of increasing voter turnout in assembly elections was also witnessed in other states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram, where elections were held at the same time.
In Rajasthan, the main fight is between the BJP and the ruling Congress. The BJP contested on all seats while the Congress left one seat - Bharatpur - for its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). In 2018 too, the Congress had set aside this seat for the RLD. Other parties in the contest are the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), CPI (M), Bharatiya Adivasi Party, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party and AlMIM. These parties may manage to win a few seats.
K Subrahmanya, a political analyst and journalist who has reported on Rajasthan elections in the past, cautions against reading too much into the higher turnout. "This largely static turnout figure may be suggestive of a kind of competitive mobilisation by rival contenders for power. The polling figure neither suggests a decisive anti-incumbency vote nor a pro-incumbent vote. Probably, it signals a much closer fight. The gap between the winner and the loser could be relatively narrow," says Mr Subrahmanya.
The election campaign revolved around appeasement politics, corruption, welfare schemes of the state and Centre, women's safety, and the demand for a caste census. Both the Congress and the BJP were plagued by rebels even though most sitting MLAs were renominated. In about 31 seats, rebels from both parties were instrumental in turning the contest into a triangular one.
What does it mean for political parties?
The Congress is relying on the support of its traditional social base - the minority, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Mali, and the Meena communities - and the party sees the higher turnout as proof of support from these communities. Both the BJP and the Congress claim the support of the Mali community, which voted for the Congress in 2018.
For the Congress, there may not be any anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, but it is a different story for its sitting MLAs. The party has fielded as many as 97 sitting MLAs, which may backfire.
People came in large numbers to vote in districts of northern Rajasthan like Jhunjhunu and Churu, Sikar, and Nagaur, which are Jat-dominated areas.
The Congress claims its share of Jat votes, based on farmer welfare measures like loan waivers and electricity subsidies by the Gehlot government.
Akhil Chaudhary, a Rajasthan-based lawyer and a member of the Congress, attributes the higher voter turnout to the popularity of pro-social security schemes of the government. "Rajasthan was the first state to bring a separate budget for the farming community. The seven guarantees promised in the manifesto have appealed to voters. One of the guarantees was a pension scheme of Rs 10,000 to the woman head in the family. This time too, like 2018, female voters were more than male voters," says Mr Chaudhary.
In the absence of any chief ministerial face, the BJP chose to fight the elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party leadership seemed to tell the voters to trust the symbol and allow the party's democratic process to identify the chief ministerial candidate. During the last days of campaigning, veteran leader and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje was seen in meetings because the party's top brass realised she was still a force to reckon with. But the message is clear. The party is seeking new leadership and Ms Raje is out of favour.
There are many chief ministerial aspirants, including Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari, who is fighting from Vallabhnagar in Jaipur district. Alwar MP Mahant Balaknath Yogi - the 'Adityanath Yogi' of Rajasthan - was asked to contest from Tijara. Some union ministers from Rajasthan are also in the race for the top job if the BJP comes to power. Not naming a presumptive chief minister could go either way for the BJP.
A higher turnout of voters has been reported in eastern Rajasthan, which has a considerable presence of the Gurjar community. The community may have voted for the BJP in large numbers as they were upset with the Congress over the perceived diminished status of their leader Sachin Pilot. The Gurjar and Meena belt of eastern Rajasthan had voted for the Congress in 2018.
"On the ground closer to the polling were three factors - a high degree of the consolidation of their respective social/caste coalitions behind the Congress and the BJP; unpopularity of quite a significant number of sitting Congress MLAs who are in the race; and enthusiasm amongst sections of the voters for Gehlot's poll-oriented freebies to the voters," says Mr Subrahmanya.
Experts also say smaller parties like Rashtriya Loktantrik Party of Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal, Mayawati's BSP, Bharatiya Adivasi Party, Jannayak Janata Party and Azad Samaj Party of Chandrashekhar Azad may influence the voting pattern in at least 30 constituencies.
In this closely fought election in Rajasthan, predicting a clear winner is tricky as both the Congress and the BJP are evenly positioned and the smaller parties may end up playing a larger role in the government formation.
(Bharti Mishra Nath is a senior journalist)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
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Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Box Office: Keeping Up With Salman Khan's Tiger 3
Tiger 3 minted ₹ 2.60 crore (all languages) on day 16 at the domestic box office, as per a Sacnilk report. The total collection of the Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif film stands at ₹ 273.8 crore. Tiger 3, directed by Maneesh Sharma, witnessed a jump in its collection figures for day 15. The film made ₹ 6.75 crore, the report added. The third instalment of the Tiger franchise opened to theatres on November 12 (Diwali day). In the spy-thriller, Salman and Katrina reprise their roles as Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger and Zoya. Emraan Hashmi is also part of the project.
Tiger 3 has become “the highest-grossing Diwali release in the history of the Indian cinemas.” The film has collected ₹ 447 crore (worldwide). The makers, Yash Raj Films, have announced the super hit news on Instagram. Along with the poster, the makers wrote, “Catch the high-octane action unfolding in cinemas now. Watch Tiger 3 at your nearest big screen in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu. Book your tickets.”
After Tiger 3's worldwide success, Katrina Kaif expressed her gratitude towards fans. In a conversation with news agency ANI, the actress said, “The Tiger franchise has only given me love since 2012! So, it is an amazing feeling to have received so much warmth for over a decade now. Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai and now Tiger 3 are films that have been a part of my cinematic journey and growth as an artist and it's something that I cherish greatly.”
Katrina added that each instalment of the Tiger franchise has challenged her “physically and mentally.”
Tiger 3 also saw Shah Rukh Khan aka Pathaan. The actor featured in a cameo appearance. Speaking about the experience, Salman Khan said, “Our off-screen chemistry is better than our on-screen chemistry. When the on-screen chemistry is so good, you can understand the off-screen chemistry.”
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Monday, November 27, 2023
Madhya Pradesh Teen Raped In Car By Man She Befriended On Social Media
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth who had befriended her on social media and his three friends in a car in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, police said on Monday.
Police have invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act since the victim is a Dalit, an official said, adding that nobody has been arrested so far.
The incident occurred on November 21 but a complaint was lodged four days later as the girl kept mum because she was threatened by the accused against disclosing the incident, an official said.
Additional Superintendent of Police Niranjan Sharma said the girl and her family lodged a complaint.
"The girl became friends with a youth on Facebook last year. On November 21, her male friend took her to a deserted forest area in a car where he and his three friends raped her and also threatened to kill her," he said.
A case was registered under sections 376 (Punishment for rape), and 377 (unnatural act) among others, along with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to sources in police, the victim has claimed that one of the accused is a close relative of a politician.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Mumbai Indians Squad: List Of Players Retained, Released And Traded
Mumbai Indians announced their list of retained and released players on Sunday. While Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David and Jasprit Bumrah were among the star players that were retained by the side, the likes of Jofra Archer, Tristan Stubbs and Chris Jordan were released by them. It is interesting to note that Mumbai traded Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore while they roped in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans.
Mumbai Indians had earlier traded West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd from Lucknow Super Giants. IPL had released a media advisory to announce Shepherd's trade for a fee of Rs 50 lakh which read, "Romario Shepherd has been traded to Mumbai Indians (MI) from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) trading window ahead of the IPL 2024. Shepherd, who has played 4 IPL matches, representing LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad, was traded to MI for his existing fee of INR 50 Lakh."
It is worth noting that Mumbai Indians during mid-November officially appointed former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga as their bowling coach, promptly filling the void left by the departure of Shane Bond. The 40-year-old Malinga, who played for the five-time champions in his prime, will join the coaching team led by Mark Boucher and his former teammate Kieron Pollard ahead of the upcoming season.
Mumbai Indians' Retained Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd (traded from LSG), Hardik Pandya (traded from GT).
Players Released By Mumbai Indians: Mohd. Arshad Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Hrithik Shokeen, Raghav Goyal, Jofra Archer, Tristan Stubbs, Duan Jansen, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Chris Jordan, Sandeep Warrier, Cameron Green (traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore).
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Sunday, November 26, 2023
"Nothing Will Stop Us": Israel PM Netanyahu Meets Troops In Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday met with security forces inside the Gaza Strip, his office said.
היום בסיור בעזה: נמשיך עד הסוף - עד לניצחון. pic.twitter.com/e2aEA7Gfa4
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 26, 2023
Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with soldiers and commanders and received a security briefing, according to the statement from his office.
"Nothing will stop us, and we are convinced that we have the strength, the power, the will and the determination to achieve all the goals of the war, and that is what we will do," he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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"Love Your Optimism": PMs Reply To Post By Author On India
People of India are trendsetters and trailblazers when it comes to innovation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday and welcomed the world to invest in the country.
PM Modi's remarks came in response to a post on X which called India an ancient civilisation that is simultaneously like a startup country.
"I love your optimism and will add- the people of India are trendsetters and trailblazers when it comes to innovation," PM Modi said on X, formerly Twitter.
I love your optimism and will add- the people of India are trendsetters and trailblazers when it comes to innovation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2023
We welcome the world to invest in our nation. India won't disappoint. https://t.co/1OYtST7YX4
"We welcome the world to invest in our nation. India won't disappoint," the prime minister said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Saturday, November 25, 2023
Hamas Delays Second Release Of Hostages Until Israel Lets Aid In Gaza
The armed wing of Hamas said it had decided to delay Saturday's scheduled second round of hostage releases until Israel committed to allowing aid trucks to enter northern Gaza.
Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades said the hostage releases would be delayed if Israel did not adhere to the agreed terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
There was no immediate Israeli response to the statement. Earlier an Israeli military spokesperson had told France's BFM television station that, barring last-minute changes, 13 Israeli hostages were expected to be freed.
He said 39 Palestinian prisoners would be released in return.
Under the truce deal between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, a total of 50 hostages are to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners, some of them convicted on weapon charges and violent offences, over four days.
In the first exchange on Friday, 13 Israeli women and children - out of around 240 hostages captured by Hamas fighters on a killing spree in southern Israel on Oct. 7 - were released. Twenty-four jailed Palestinian women and 15 teenagers were released from Israeli jails.
Saturday's setback came just hours after Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing into southern Gaza through which vital aid supplies have resumed, said it had received "positive signals" from all parties over a possible extension of that deal.
Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement that Cairo was holding extensive talks with all parties to reach an agreement which would mean "the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails."
Israel has said the ceasefire could be extended if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day. A Palestinian source has said up to 100 hostages could go free.
Israel and Hamas have said hostilities would resume as soon as the truce ends, although U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday there was a real chance of extending the truce.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Friday, November 24, 2023
Twice In 2 Days: Drilling Stops In Tunnel After Machine Hits Metal Object
In the second such setback in two days, drilling at the Uttarakhand tunnel where 41 labourers are trapped had to be stopped on Friday evening after the auger machine encountered a metallic object. The blades of the machine had hit a pipe on Thursday evening and drilling had resumed after 24 hours, only to be stopped again.
Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, senior officials had said only 10-12 metres of drilling was left for the rescuers to reach the trapped construction workers and that ground penetrating radar had revealed that there were likely to be no major metal obstacles for the next five metres.
"They (a team of ground penetrating experts) could not say this with 100% accuracy but what they are expecting is that there is no continuous metal object, like girders, pipes and metal plates, in the next 5.4 metres. They have pointed out some other hurdles, but this is good news," Uttarakhand Secretary Neeraj Khairwal, who is the nodal officer for the rescue operation, had said.
Officials said that, with the drill stopped, efforts are being made to manually inch closer to the trapped workers but the rescue is unlikely on Friday night.
"The auger machine has encountered some difficulty again and that's why it's being dismantled. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to get to the trapped workers manually. We are analysing the debris and trying to figure this out," said an official.
'Workers Okay'
Officials said the workers are mentally stable and physically fit despite being trapped for 13 days.
"They are adequately clothed and when we speak to them, they say they will walk out on their own. That's the kind of mental strength they have," an official. He added that the labourers are also speaking to their families and one of the workers, who has been in such a situation before, has been helping his colleagues keep their morale high.
"The labourers are being given cut fruits, hot chapatis, daal and sabzi. These are being pushed through pipes in bottles," the official said.
The under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi is part of the ambitious Char Dham project, a national infrastructure initiative to enhance connectivity to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The labourers got trapped when a portion of the tunnel had collapsed on November 12.
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Thursday, November 23, 2023
Over 80 Members Of A Family "Wiped Out" In War In Gaza
Sahar Awwad is seated between her two nephews. Together, they are among the few survivors of an extended Gaza family of which at least 80 members have been killed in nearly seven weeks of Israeli bombardment. The entire family had fled first to a hospital in Khan Yunis, then to a school, which was initially transformed into a camp for the displaced then a clinic, in Rafah near the border with Egypt, the southernmost point of the besieged enclave.
Only 35 kilometres (20 miles) separated them from their former home in Gaza City, but the journey took them a week.
Last Friday, a strike hit their home in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood. "More than 80 family members died. The Awwad family was wiped out," Awwad told AFP.
"The survivors rushed to extract the dead and wounded from the debris and Israel struck a second time," she said.
"We could only bury those whose bodies had been sent flying all the way to the neighbours' homes" by the force of the explosion, she said.
They were unable to reach those under the rubble.
Her nephew Mossaab, 14, has had his leg amputated and his face is still covered in scars. His cousin Abboud, 12, has an IV drip protruding from his abdomen.
Abboud "doesn't know yet that his mother, two of his brothers, his sister and his grandmother are dead", Awwad said in tears.
Only his father survived. When their home was struck, they were both already being treated in hospital.
"That the only reason why they weren't injured," Awwad said.
"My older brother and his entire family are dead. My sister fled the north and is dead along with her husband and their children" even though they were in the south, she added.
Mossaab's extended family has "completely disappeared". Some of Awwad's other relatives have survived, only because they had already fled.
Theirs is just one among many families devastated by the 47 days of bombardment and siege on the tiny Palestinian territory, in which more than 14,100 people have been killed, according to the Hamas government.
The Israeli military campaign comes in response to Hamas's shock raids into Israel on October 7 which Israel says killed around 1,200 people, most of them civilians.
On the road south, Awwad's son Mohammed, who was pushing his grandmother's wheelchair, was detained by the Israeli military.
"They released him yesterday, but he's in a terrible condition. He was tortured and stripped of his clothing.
"He couldn't speak and tell us what happened."
A few members of the family remain in Gaza City, refusing to flee until they find their loved ones and bury them.
"May God have mercy on those who were lost, but I am in terror over the rest. No one is left but them."
Fida Zayed was only 13 when she had her first son Udai. Today, he is 20, and they "grew up together", she said, along with her second son Qussai, 19, and her daughter Shahad, 17.
Zayed was with Udai just a few days ago.
"The last thing he said to me was that he was waiting for the truce on Friday, and he asked me to prepare him a feast of rice and chicken," she said.
"Dozens died in a heavy air strike. I walked over 50 bodies of dead and injured people, looking for Udai.
"Everything was covered in dust and smoke. I could only identify him by his belt," she said.
"We were all standing together, but God chose him as a martyr."
The family had to bury Udai themselves, she recalled.
"We were displaced to a school in Rafah the next day. I didn't feel like I was injured in my back," she said.
"The pain in my heart and chest made me forget about my body. My heart bleeds, not my back."
When she arrived at the hospital in Rafah, doctors found her wound was infected. It was cleaned and she received 17 stitches.
Before he died, Udai had received a rare Israeli permit to travel to the occupied West Bank to attend the Palestinian Authority's military academy in Jericho.
He had been due to start on October 12, but he "travelled to another place with no return", she said.
"Gaza is dark as a grave. I hope me and my children die here so we don't have to mourn each other," the mother said.
"The living here are the ones who are dead."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Another Pandemic? Mystery Pneumonia Sweeps Through Chinese Schools
China, still reeling from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, now faces a new threat: a mysterious pneumonia outbreak sweeping through schools. This alarming situation, reminiscent of the early days of the COVID crisis, has led to a surge in hospitalizations, casting an ominous shadow over the country's healthcare system.
Hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning, 500 miles northeast, are struggling to cope with an influx of sick children, straining their resources to the breaking point. Local media reports suggest that school closures are imminent due to the outbreak. The affected children present with unusual symptoms, including lung inflammation and high fever, but noticeably lack the typical cough and other signs associated with flu, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.
⚠️UNDIAGNOSED PNEUMONIA OUTBREAK—An emerging large outbreak of pneumonia in China, with pediatric hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning overwhelmed with sick children, & many schools suspended. Beijing Children's Hospital overflowing. 🧵on what we know so far:pic.twitter.com/hmgsQO4NEZ
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) November 22, 2023
ProMed, an open-access surveillance platform that tracks worldwide disease outbreaks in humans and animals, issued an alert on Tuesday evening regarding an emerging epidemic of "undiagnosed pneumonia" particularly affecting children.
A ProMed alert issued in late December 2019 served as a critical early warning about a novel virus, subsequently identified as SARS-CoV-2, alerting a wide range of medical professionals and scientists, including high-ranking officials at the World Health Organization.
Watching this one closely...
— Isaac Bogoch (@BogochIsaac) November 22, 2023
Link: https://t.co/gxRuLe4y50 pic.twitter.com/WSm4W2wV1q
In an editor's note, ProMed said: "This report suggests a widespread outbreak of an undiagnosed respiratory illness... It is not at all clear when this outbreak started, as it would be unusual for so many children to be affected so quickly. The report does not say that any adults were affected, suggesting some exposure at the schools."
It is too early to project whether this could be another pandemic, but as a wise influenza virologist once said to me, "The pandemic clock is ticking; we just do not know what time it is."
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Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue LIVE: 12 Metres Left To Be Drilled, Say Officials
The 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand's Silkyara are expected to be rescued today - finally after 11 days. Only 12 metres of rock and debris separate them and rescue operation is expected to be over by 11:30 pm, officials said today. The under-construction tunnel had collapsed on November 12, trapping the labourers working inside. Advanced drilling machines were flown in as rescue officials raced against time to save the trapped workers.
Here are the live updates on the Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Ops:
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Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Hamas Could Free 50 Hostages In 4-5 Days In Deal With Israel: Report
The Israeli Cabinet will meet at 8 pm (Israeli local time) on Tuesday to approve a deal for the release of dozens of hostages from Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.
Some 50 children, mothers, and other women are reported to be freed by Hamas over 4-5 days, the report stated.
Further, according to Israeli media, the agreement is focused on Israeli hostages, mainly women and children, with talks on releasing foreign hostages not currently on the table.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated in a release, "In light of developments on the issue of the release of our hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will, this evening, convene the War Cabinet at 18:00, the Security Cabinet at 19:00, and the Government at 20:00."
Hamas and other terror factions in Gaza abducted some 240 people from Israel during the October 7 attacks, including about 40 children, elderly people and dozens of Thai and Nepali nationals.
The hostage deal will include the release of some 150 to 300 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, among them female and minor prisoners, The Times of Israel reported citing Channel 12.
Channel 12 stated further that the hostage releases could begin on Thursday or Friday. The report says the ceasefire could be extended to allow the release of more hostages following the initial 50 or so.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said his country will need to make "difficult decisions" with regard to the hostages held by the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip.
"We are moving step by step towards the total defeat of Hamas and getting closer to bringing the hostages home," Gallant said following an assessment with military officials at the Gaza Division base in southern Israel.
"I think we will all have to make difficult, important decisions in the coming days," he says. "There is not a moment throughout this campaign--45 days--that I don't think about the hostages," Gallant added.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday morning posted a video on X, depicting the reasons behind Hamas supposedly using the Shifa Hospital as a place to hold hostages.
Along with the shared video was a text that read, "This is WHY Hamas brought hostages to the Shifa Hospital after the October 7 massacre. Why is Hamas still holding over 200 civilians hostage 44 days later?"
The military wing of the state of Israel declared, "This is the question the world should be asking."
On October 7, Hamas conducted an offensive operation into Israel, reportedly rebelling against the Israeli regime. In the process, the group took over 200 people hostage, transporting them into the Gaza Strip.
In the video, the IDF stated, "Thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, amidst their massacre, they abducted over 200 innocent people and brought them into Gaza by brute force."
On World Children's Day, Israel shared pictures of children held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, stressing that there are more than 30 children, including babies and toddlers.
They further urged the international community to take action to bring them home.
"While your children are at school, there are currently more than 30 Israeli babies, toddlers and children being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. On #WorldChildrensDay we demand action from the international community. BRING OUR CHILDREN HOME!," Israel shared the post on X.
In another post, they shared the images of these children and emphasised that these children should be with their families and not in a dark room in Gaza.
"Look at each and every one of their faces. These are the babies, toddlers and children being held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. They should be with their families. Not in a dark room somewhere in Gaza. BRING THEM HOME!" the post read.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Monday, November 20, 2023
Israel Ships "Legitimate Target", Warn Houthis After Vessel Seizure
Israeli ships are a "legitimate target", Yemen's Huthi rebels warned on Monday after their seizure of an Israel-linked cargo vessel opened a new dimension in the Gaza war.
Sunday's capture of the Galaxy Leader and its 25 international crew came days after the Iran-backed Houthis threatened to target Israeli shipping over the Israel-Hamas war.
The Houthis, declaring themselves part of the "axis of resistance" of Iran's allies and proxies, have also launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel.
"Israeli ships are legitimate targets for us anywhere...and we will not hesitate to take action," Major General Ali Al-Moshki, a Huthi military official, told the group's Al-Massirah TV station.
Analysts also said Huthi threats to shipping around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a choke-point at the foot of the commercially vital Red Sea, were likely to rise.
The Bahamas-flagged, British-owned Galaxy Leader is operated by a Japanese firm but has links to Israeli businessman Abraham "Rami" Ungar.
The Houthis said the capture was in retaliation for Israel's war against Hamas, sparked by the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militants who killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
More than 13,000 people have since been killed in Israel's aerial bombardment and ground operations in the Gaza Strip, the territory's Hamas-run health ministry says.
Sunday's ship seizure "is only the beginning," Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said Sunday in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, pledging further maritime attacks until Israel halts its Gaza campaign.
Iran-style boarding
Maritime security company Ambrey said it had learned that the rebels boarded the ship by rappelling or sliding down a rope from a helicopter -- the method used by Iran during previous vessel seizures in the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel headed from Turkey to India was re-routed to the Yemeni port of Salif port in Hodeida province, according to Ambrey and a Yemeni maritime source.
Ambrey said the owner of the Galaxy Leader, which transports cars and other vehicles, is listed as Britain's Ray Car Carriers whose parent company belongs to Ungar, the Israeli businessman.
Israel's military said the seizure was a "very grave incident of global consequence", while a US military official called it "a flagrant violation of international law".
The crew were reportedly "under investigation" by the Houthis, Ambrey said. They include Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Filipinos, Mexicans and a Romanian, according to Israeli and Romananian officials.
Nippon Yusen, also known as NYK Line of Japan, said it had set up a task team to gather information and ensure the crew's safety.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Tokyo was "directly approaching the Houthis" as well as communicating with Israel.
"We are also urging Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and other countries concerned to strongly urge the Houthis for the early release of the vessel and crew members," she said.
'Threat likely to rise'
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterised the capture as an "Iranian attack against an international vessel", an accusation dismissed by Iran.
"We have repeatedly announced that the resistance groups in the region represent their countries and make decisions and act based on the interests of their countries," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.
Yemen's coastline overlooks the Bab al-Mandab Strait -- a narrow pass between Yemen and Djibouti at the foot of the Red Sea -- which is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, and carries about a fifth of global oil consumption.
"The threat of disruption to shipping in the wider region is likely to rise," Torbjorn Soltvedt of the risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft told AFP.
"If security concerns compel shipping companies to avoid the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the result will be significantly higher costs due to the lack of alternative routes."
Mohammed al-Basha, senior Middle East analyst for the US-based Navanti Group said the failure of Huthi missile and drone launches to hit targets inside Israel "might have influenced the decision to refocus on the Red Sea arena".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Sunday, November 19, 2023
Koffee With Karan 8: Jahnvi, Vicky And Others Feature In Newest Promo
Hey fans, get ready for Koffee beans “to be spilled”, because Karan Johar is geared up for “a lot more brewing”. The filmmaker on Sunday dropped a new promo of Koffee With Karan 8. After four fun episodes of the celebrity chat show, the promo hints at the next set of guests and what is brewing in the mix. The clip opens with glimpses of Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, and Ajay Devgn. Next up, KJo is heard asking Sidharth Malhotra “One thing Varun [Dhawan] has that you don't?” Sidharth said, “A big a**.” Then Janhvi is heard saying, “Wohi to centre point hai tumhari film ki. [That is the centre point of your film.]” Varun can be heard saying, “Yeh Dharma ka hero hai bahut nazuk hai. [This is Dharma hero, he is very fragile.]” We also caught glimpse of Vicky Kaushal and Kajol on the Koffee couch. As Karan's close friends and industry colleagues went ahead to troll him, the filmmaker can be heard screaming, “Just keep quiet I can't bear this.” The video concluded with Kareena Kapoor saying, “Slow claps Mr Johar,” and Alia Bhat claiming, “She [Kareena Kapoor] is trolling you.]” Sharing the video, Karan said, “There's a lot more brewing…but are you ready for this ‘Koffee' to be spilled?”
This promo came a few weeks after Karan Johar dropped “The big guest reveal” promo on Instagram. The now-viral clip revealed that the Singham team Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgn will appear together in one of the episodes. On the other hand, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai stars and cousins Kajol and Rani Mukerji were also part of the clip. Along with the video, Karan Johar wrote, “A lot more is brewing and it's all happening on the Koffee couch!”
ICYMI, Karan Johar kick-started season 8 of Koffee With Karan with a bang. The filmmaker welcomed Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in the first episode. How was it? It was a blockbuster episode where the Bollywood power couple opened up about their relationship, marriage and a lot more.
Next up, we saw the Deol brothers—Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, appearing side by side on the show. The two talked about their success, failures as well as their family bond and a lot more. They were followed by Sara Ali Khan-Ananya Panday and Kareena Kapoor-Alia Bhatt.
You can watch Koffee With Karan on Disney + Hotstar.
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Saturday, November 18, 2023
IND vs AUS: Narendra Modi Stadium's Records In ODIs Ahead Of WC Final
India and Australia will compete in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday, November 19. The match begins at 2:00 PM IST.
Narendra Modi Stadium ODI records.
Win/loss record
India have competed in 19 matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium. They have won 11 matches and lost eight.
On the contrary, Australia have played six matches at the venue, winning four and losing two.
Average score
India averages 236 runs when playing in the ODI format at the ground.
Meanwhile, the average score of Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium is 235 runs.
Highest score
India's highest score stands at 325/5 in 47.4 overs, put up against West Indies in 2002. India beat West Indies by 5 wickets.
Meanwhile, the highest total for Australia at the same ground came against England in 2023, when they made 286/10 in 49.3 overs. Australia beat England by 33 runs.
Overall, South Africa holds the record for the highest score of 365/2 at the venue, which they scored against India in 2010.
Lowest score
The lowest score of India when playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium is 100/10, made against the West Indies in 1993. West Indies beat India by 69 runs (revised target).
Meanwhile, Australia could muster up only 141/10 against India in 1986.
The lowest overall score at the venue is 85 made by Zimbabwe against the West Indies in 2006.
Top-scorers and wicket-takers
India's Rahul Dravid is the top-scorer with 342 runs in five ODI matches at the venue for India as well as overall.
For Australia, World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting is the leading run-getter at the arena with 185 runs in three matches.
Meanwhile, Kapil Dev with 10 scalps in six matches is the leading wicket-taker for India at this venue.
For Australia, former pacer Mitchell Johnson is the leading wicket-taker with four victims in two matches at the ground.
India vs Australia ODI record at Narendra Modi Stadium
Head-to-head: India and Australia have faced each other on three occasions at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India have won two of those fixtures while Australia have had the upper hand in one game.
Highest score: The highest score for an India vs Australia match at this stadium is 261/5 made by India in 2011.
Lowest score: Australia managed 141/10 on the scoreboard in 1986, which remains the lowest team score at the stadium.
India vs Australia head-to-head record in ODI
India and Australia have battled against each other on 150 occasions in ODIs. While India have won 57 matches, Australia have emerged victorious in 83 encounters. Meanwhile, 10 matches have yielded no results.
The last five ODI matches have seen India win three times and Australia two times. The highest score in these five encounters is 399 by India while the lowest has been 199 by Australia.
The team batting first has won 25 times and lost 35 times in 64 matches, meanwhile, the chasing side has come out on top on 32 occasions and lost 48 times in 84 matches.
India vs Australia, ICC World Cup 2023 final prediction
India have emerged victorious in three of the last five matches against Australia in the ODIs and will be the favourites in the upcoming contest.
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India vs Australia, World Cup Final: Virat Kohli Chases Multiple Records
The Indian men's cricket team will take on Australia in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in front of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19. Australia will seek to claim a record sixth World Cup crown on Sunday while India will look for their third title. Here's a look at the records that could be broken when the two cricket giants meet at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
Largest attendance in World Cup final
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the world's largest stadiums, witnessed an astounding attendance of over 93,000 spectators during the Australia vs New Zealand World Cup final in 2015. This turnout will be outnumbered when India take on Australia in the 2023 World Cup final on Sunday in a stadium that can hold 1,32,000 spectators.
Highest score in World Cup final
Australia, led by Ricky Ponting's belligerent 140, posted 359/2 against India in the 2003 World Cup final at Johannesburg. It remains the highest team score in the World Cup finals.
Both India and Australia have scored over 350 multiple times in the 2023 World Cup. There's a strong possibility that both teams could breach the record of 359 runs on Sunday.
Biggest wins in World Cup final
The record for the biggest win by runs in World Cups is held by Australia, who defeated India by 125 runs in 2003. The record for the biggest win by wickets also belongs to Australia, who defeated Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup final by eight wickets.
Lowest score in World Cup final
Pakistan's 132/10 against Australia is the lowest score in the ODI World Cup finals. India have bowled England, South Africa and Sri Lanka below this mark in this edition and with the form Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, have shown in this tournament, it could be a possibility that Australia get bowled out under 132.
Highest individual score in World Cup final
The highest individual score in an ODI World Cup belongs to former Australia wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist. His 149 in the 2007 World Cup final destroyed the Sri Lankan attack in the West Indies.
Best bowling figures in World Cup final
West Indian bowler Joel Garner, who took five wickets for 38 runs in the 1979 final against England, holds the record for best bowling figures in World Cup finals. The record could be beaten on Sunday if the pitch turns out to be on a slower side.
Virat Kohli chases multiple records
The win against Australia could make Virat Kohli become the first Indian cricketer to have two World Cup titles against his name. Virat Kohli was also part of the MS Dhoni-led Indian team that won the World Cup in 2011.
Kohli has also hit the most runs in Cricket World Cup 2023. With 711 runs from 10 matches, Kohli has gone past Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs in a single edition. Tendulkar had scored 673 in the 2003 edition. If Virat Kohli adds another 89, he could become the first man to score over 800 runs in a single edition.
Virat Kohli has played in four World Cups and has 1741 runs to his name. If Kohli scores more than two runs on Sunday, he would overtake Ponting's tally of 1743 World Cup runs and would become the second-highest scorer in World Cups behind Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored 2278 runs.
Shami could overtake Wasim Akram and Lasith Malinga's World Cup tally
With a bowling average of under 10 in this World Cup, Shami has been bowling in a league of his own. He is the top wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup with 23 scalps. He has played for India in three World Cups and is India's leading wicket-taker in all World Cups with 54 wickets. Notably, Glenn McGrath leads the pack with 71 wickets, followed closely by Muttiah Muralitharan (68). Mitchell Starc (58), Lasith Malinga (56), Wasim Akram (55). A few wickets on Sunday will see Shami enter the top-five.
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Friday, November 17, 2023
Rohit Told This To Karthik In 2022. Turned It Into Reality In 2023
The Indian cricket fans were left overjoyed on Wednesday after the Rohit Sharma and Co edged past New Zealand by 70 runs in the semi-final match of the ongoing ODI World Cup. Team India perfectly settled the scores with the Kiwis, against whom they had lost in the knockouts of the 2019 edition. With this win, the hosts have now entered the summit clash of the tournament, where they will be facing five-time champions Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Team India will now look to end their decade-long ICC trophy drought.
After India defeated the Kiwis, former England skipper Nasser Hussain shared an interesting tale of the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals, where the Rohit and Co had got brutally dismantled by England.
India had posted a target of 169 in 20 overs. However, openers Jos Buttler (80*) and Alex Hales (86*) stitched a historical first-wicket partnership and guided England to victory by 10 wickets in just 16 overs.
Nasser revealed that Rohit had told veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik that the team needs a "change" after losing to England in the semis.
"We have DK with us. We were all there for that semifinal where they played meek, timid cricket, prodded along in the T20 World Cup semifinal, got a below par score and England knocked them off none down, won by 10 wickets. He said to DK 'We're going to have a change'. It's one thing doing that; and another thing walking to walk," Nasser told host broadcasters after India defeated New Zealand.
"The real hero today was Rohit. It's the first time they have been tested. Group stage, as he will know, is one thing, but knockout games are all about can you do it again? Can you play fearless cricket? The skipper went out there and showed everyone, this dressing room 'We're going to carry on exactly the same way," he added.
Team India is on the cusp of winning the coveted the ICC ODI World Cup trophy after a hiatus of 12 years. However, the journey will not be an easy one as they will up against the mighty Australia, who will be giving out their blood and sweat to clinch their sixth title.
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Thursday, November 16, 2023
Kerala Man, Working As Operator In UAE, Wins ₹ 45 Crore In Lottery
It was a dream come true for at least five Indians living in cities across the UAE when they either won weekly draws or lotteries, the latest one being a control room operator who won a whopping Rs 45 crore. Indians, most of them coming from the middle class or lower middle class, have been participating in large numbers in these lotteries, and a significant number of them have won big money over the last few years.
The control room operator in the oil and gas industry was identified as Sreeju, who won the Dh 20,000,000 (approximately Rs 45 crore) Mahzooz Saturday Millions, according to the announcement of the 154th draw held on Wednesday.
Hailing from Kerala, Sreeju, 39, has been living and working in Fujairah, about 120 kilometers east of Dubai, for the past 11 years. After the news of his incredible win reached him while he was at work, he said he was "speechless, shocked, and surprised" to know that he had won not just a prize but the top prize.
"I was in my car about to drive around when I checked my Mahzooz account, and I couldn't believe my eyes. I was confused about what to do when I saw my winnings. I waited for that call from Mahzooz to confirm that my winning was true," the Gulf News quoted Sreeju, father of twin six-year-olds, as saying.
He now plans to purchase a home in India without any financial liabilities.
"To date, our weekly draws have created 64 millionaires and distributed close to half a billion dirhams to more than 1,107,000 winners, adding an incredibly positive spin to their stories of victory," Suzan Kazzi, Head of Communications and CSR of Mahzooz Saturday Millions, said at a press conference.
Another Indian won the raffle prize with Emirates Draw FAST5 last Saturday, the Gulf News said. Sarath Sivadasan from Kerala, a 36-year-old procurement professional residing in Dubai, won Dh50,000 (approximately Rs 11 lakh) within just two months of participation.
While Sarath is still processing his unexpected win, one thing remains clear: his commitment to playing with Emirates Draw.
Earlier, on November 9, the Gulf News reported that India's Manoj Bhavsar was among the winners of the Emirates Draw's FAST5 game last Saturday.
Bhavsar, a 42-year-old electronics technician from Mumbai, has been staying for the last 16 years in Abu Dhabi. He won Dh75,000 (about Rs 16 lakh) in the FAST5 raffle, the report said.
"I called my mother as soon as I received the congratulatory email, but I kept the news a secret for a while. Instead, I asked her to watch the live draw stream, and the moment she saw my name on the screen, she yelled with joy," Bhavsar said.
He plans to finally settle the debt that has burdened him for the past two years.
On November 8, the Gulf News reported that an Indian shipping manager, Anil Gianchandani, won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion held at the Dubai International Airport.
Gianchandani, 60, who works in Sharjah and is a father of two, hails from Delhi.
He is the 219th Indian national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999.
Indian nationals are the biggest buyers of the tickets, the report said.
Another report on November 8 said there were two Indians among the winners of the Mahzooz Saturday Millions to receive Dh100,000 each (Rs 22 lakh approximately), one of them from the UAE.
Fire and safety technician Sherien, 50, living in the UAE for two decades, "found it hard to believe as it marked his first time winning such a substantial prize," the Gulf News said.
He is married and has an 11-year-old son who lives back home in India.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Watch: Wife Ritika's Reaction Goes Viral As Rohit Misses Fifty In WC Semis
Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma provided an explosive start to his side but missed out on his half-century during the Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal against New Zealand on Wednesday. Rohit looked completely in control against the Kiwi bowlers and was able to slam 47 runs off just 29 deliveries with the help of 4 fours and 4 sixes. It finally took a sensational catch from Kane Williamson off the bowling of Tim Southee to end his innings but not before he handed India a solid advantage at the start of the match. Wife Ritika Sajdeh was disappointed with his dismissal and her reaction has gone viral on social media.
Earlier. Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said during the time of toss, "We are gonna bat first. Looks like a good pitch. Looks like on the slower side. Whatever we do, we need to do well. I think it was back in 2019 when we played the semis. NZ is one of the most consistent sides. Very important day. Constantly, talking about how important it is about turning up on that day. Same team."
Rohit Sharma out 47 on 29 balls,what a stroke 🇮🇳.#INDvsNZ #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/eCkES3crP8
— Masab(@ImSaratendulka) November 15, 2023
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said during the time of toss, "We would have batted first. Hopefully, some dew later. Amazing occasion. Four years ago, similar situation but a different location. They have been playing some good cricket. Always a building phase between the tournaments. Need to assess what is in front of you when the tournament starts. We are going with the same team from the previous match."
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham(w), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
(With ANI inputs)
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Tens Of Thousands Rally For Israel In Washington
Tens of thousands packed a rally in Washington on Tuesday to support Israel and to condemn anti-Semitism in a riposte to weeks of largely pro-Palestinian demonstrations across a deeply divided United States.
With senior members of Congress addressing the event on the National Mall, near the Capitol, the crowd rapidly swelled with people wearing the white and blue colors of Israel and waving placards calling on Palestinian group Hamas to free hostages.
Despite fierce controversy in the United States over the intensity of the Israeli military response to the October 7 surprise cross-border attack by Hamas, rally goer Sergei Kravchick, said, "We of course support Israel.... We're doing exactly what we have to do."
Kravchick, 64, said he was "proud" to see the large turnout.
The demonstration, dubbed the March for Israel, centered on combating anti-Semitism and calling for the release of the 240 hostages held by Hamas, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, one of the organizers.
Hamas fighters stormed across the border from the Gaza Strip, killing around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli officials.
Since then, the Israeli army has heavily bombarded Gaza and launched a ground invasion, killing more than 11,200 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The heaviest fighting has centered around Gaza hospitals.
Speaking by video link from Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog told the crowd they were "marching for the right of every Jew to live proudly and safely in Israel and the US and the world."
"No one will break us," he said.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer -- a Democrat -- and House Speaker Mike Johnson -- a Republican -- also spoke, as well as family members of the hostages.
"America feels your pain," Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States.
- Heavy police presence -
The demonstration comes after multiple large protests around the country -- and in cities around the world -- calling for a ceasefire and criticizing the Israeli military.
Security was tight, reflecting the wider tensions.
Police stationed snowplows as temporary roadblocks nearby and a military style armored vehicle was also deployed. Protesters' bags were searched before being allowed to enter the area.
In contrast to pro-Palestinian demonstrations from New York to Los Angeles that have focused on the suffering of civilians in Gaza, Tuesday's crowd turned its anger on Hamas.
Signs included "Annihilate Hamas" and "From the river to the sea, we support democracy."
Mark Moore, 48, a Christian pastor from Chicago, said he considers Israel "the only bastion of freedom" in the Middle East and that although he wanted peace ultimately, "I'm praying for peace... secured through victory so it does not continue with this endless cycle of violence."
Less than two weeks ago, a major pro-Palestinian demonstration took place in Washington, with a large crowd marching up to the fence around the White House, protesting against President Joe Biden's staunch support for Israeli military policies.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Huge Crowds Welcome PM Modi On 10-Km-Long Night Roadshow In Ranchi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on a 10-km roadshow in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi at 10 pm today. The roadshow began amid tight security soon after PM Modi landed at Birsa Munda airport in a special aircraft, officials said.
Thousands of people lined up on both sides of the stretch to greet PM Modi.
PM Modi is on a two-day Jharkhand visit beginning on the eve of tribal icon Birsa Munda's birth anniversary that also happens to be Jharkhand's statehood day on Wednesday.
PM Modi was welcomed by Governor CP Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Hemant Soren at the airport.
In view of the roadshow, traffic restrictions were imposed along the stretch from the airport to Raj Bhavan, the route taken by PM Modi, from 8 pm to 10.30 pm.
The entire route from the airport to Raj Bhavan and from Governor's House to Birsa Munda Old Jail was declared as a no-fly zone for drones from 6 pm on Tuesday to 11 pm on Wednesday, district administration officials said.
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