Rohit Sharma Breaks Silence On Not Being In The Top 3 Retentions For MI

Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday backed the retention of national team players in the Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2025 while franchise skipper Hardik Pandya summed it up as "five fingers but one fist". Mumbai Indians chose to retain five Indian players as the IPL franchises submitted their list of retentions to end weeks of speculations around who were going to stay with their teams and who would be entering the auction pool. MI's retentions were 1. Jasprit Bumrah, 2. Hardik Pandya, 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Rohit Sharma, 5. Tilak Varma.

"Since I have retired from the format, this is the perfect (retention) spot for me. The players who are representing the national team at the highest level should get the preference. That's what I believe in. It's a very tough one when you come into a fresh auction and you start retaining players," former MI skipper Rohit said after being retained by the five-time winners.

After a disastrous last season when they finished at the bottom of the 10-team league, Rohit said MI will look to put their best foot forward in the next edition.

"With Mumbai, we have always tried maintaining a core group of players. Moving forward, I just feel that we can have a good auction and create a group of players who can be match-winners for us.

"We will put the right foot forward and bring the legacy back where it belongs." There have also been plenty of chatter around Rohit's future in the side after he was replaced by Hardik as captain before the start of last year's tournament.

"I have played so much cricket for Mumbai Indians. I am happy to be here. We haven't had the best of the season in the last two or three years. But we are quite determined to change that. We will be looking forward to each other's help. And hopefully, we can turn things around," Rohit said.

"Mumbai Indians has a rich history of winning trophies, winning games out of unbelievable situations. Since I have retired from the (international) format, I think this is the perfect spot for me." Hardik will be eager to start afresh after last season's disappointment in a franchise with whom he has achieved so much success as a player.

"Everything that I've achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians. We remember, as a group, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. All our fans know what happened in those years. We are going to come back in 2025 even stronger than that," he said.

"You lose and win on the ground. It is just preparation. I like to work hard. I like to prepare well," Hardik was quoted as saying by the franchise.

Mumbai Indians are left with Rs 45 crore after retaining Jasprit Bumrah (Rs 18 crore), Suryakumar Yadav (Rs 16.35 crore), Hardik (Rs 16.35 crore), Rohit (Rs 16.30 crore) and Tilak Varma (Rs 8 crore).

Hardik added, "Five people who we all have cherished a lot of good memories together. We are as one. We are five fingers but one fist. That's how I look at it.

"We are going to come in all guns blazing, with brotherhood, friendship and at the same point of time we are going to back each other no matter what happens."

PBKS retention

In the Punjab Kings franchise, Shashank Singh got the top retention at Rs 5.5 crore while Prabhsimran Singh was retained at Rs 4 crore.

Speaking about the move, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting said, "Prabhsimran is someone we've invested in with great expectations. Shashank's skill set is highly sought after, and following his standout performances, he was impossible to overlook.

"We aim to bring back some of our other players at the auction."

RCB Trio

Virat Kohli (Rs 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore) and Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore) are the three players retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

'We are thrilled to retain Yash Dayal, an extraordinary talent whose career is on an upward trajectory.

"His unique ability as a left-arm bowler, capable of swinging the ball in both directions, adds a valuable dimension to our bowling attack -- one that is increasingly rare in the auction landscape," said Andy Flower, RCB's head coach.

Samson speaks

Rajasthan Royals have retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma.

""The last few seasons have truly been remarkable for our franchise. We have been able to deliver some special moments for our fans and were able to create an environment in the dressing room where some of our young talent has been groomed to be the next generation of superstars for Indian cricket," said skipper Samson in a RR press release.

Samson, who is set to embark on his 11th season with the Jaipur-based franchise, has been retained at a value of RS 18 crore.

During the past four seasons under his captaincy, the team has made the play-offs twice, including a runner-up finish in IPL 2022.

"I am incredibly fortunate to be able to continue this incredible journey for both myself and the franchise under the esteemed leadership of Rahul Dravid and ably supported by Kumar Sangakkara.

"It gives me immense pride and I accept this responsibility with the utmost humility to keep leading this franchise and team into what we all want to make into the best phase in the franchise's history," added Samson. 

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BJP Leader Devender Singh Rana Dies At 59

Senior BJP leader and Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana, brother of Union minister Jitendra Singh, died on Thursday at a private hospital in Haryana's Faridabad. He was 59.

According to a senior BJP leader, Rana was undergoing treatment at the hospital. He is survived by his wife, Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh.

As the news of Rana's death spread, hundreds of people, including political leaders, gathered at his residence in the Gandhinagar area of Jammu. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also rushed to his house.

Rana, who turned to politics from business as he built a multi-crore business from scratch, was a strong voice for Jammu's Dogra community.

Rana was recently re-elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from the Nagrota segment of Jammu district, securing the seat for a second term.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock and grief over Rana's sudden demise. "In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," the LG's office posted on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also expressed condolences. "This news is especially disheartening on an auspicious day (Diwali). My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti," Mr Choudhary wrote on X.

PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences. "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Mufti said on X.

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP said his untimely demise is a great loss to the party and to the people of J&K. "His contribution and dedication to society will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and may God provide strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss," the party posted on X.

Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir expressed his shock and sorrow over Rana's death.

"My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K," Ghulam Ahmed Mir wrote on X.

Other political leaders including Sajad Lone, Junaid Matoo, Sunil Sharma, Tarun Chugh, Sham Lal Sharma, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali also offered their condolences on Rana's passing.

Once a trusted lieutenant of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and his political advisor during his previous tenure as chief minister, Rana held considerable sway among Muslims, particularly the Gujjar community in Jammu.

Born into a Dogra family in Jammu's Doda district in 1965, he was the son of former bureaucrat Rajinder Singh Rana and the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

After earning a degree in civil engineering from NIT Kurukshetra, Rana ventured into business, founding his own automobile company. He led the creation of the Jamkash Vehicleades Group, a multi-crore enterprise, and a cable TV channel from scratch, establishing himself as a top entrepreneur in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rana began his political career with the National Conference (NC), where he rose to prominence as a key strategist and advisor, expanding the party's base in Jammu as Provincial President.

As a trusted aide to Omar Abdullah, he played a significant role in shaping party strategies in Jammu. In his debut bid for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Rana contested from the Nagrota assembly segment -- a BJP stronghold -- and won it for the NC, defeating the BJP's Jugal Kishore Sharma, a three-time MP.

This victory underscored his ability to connect with a diverse voter base. He had previously served as an MLC and as NC's Provincial President since 2009.

After the abrogation of Article 370, Rana became a vocal advocate for the Jammu Declaration, calling for statehood restoration specifically for the Jammu region. His stance clashed with the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a coalition seeking the restoration of Article 370 and statehood for the entire Jammu and Kashmir region.

In October 2021, after more than two decades with the NC, Rana resigned and joined the BJP. His deep roots in the Jammu region and close connections with local communities made him a prominent figure in J&K politics, particularly for the BJP. 

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

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Pant And DC Part Ways Ahead Of IPL Retention Over 'Captaincy': Report

Rishabh Pant, the country's No.1 wicketkeeper-batter, is all set to enter the IPL 2025 auction, according to a report. Ahead of the IPL 2025 retention deadline day on October 31,  it has been claimed that Rishabh Pant won't be retained by his franchise Delhi Capitals. Pant, after recovering from a major accident, made a return to the IPL last season. He has been a consistent feature in the Indian cricket team as well. The report, however, said that DC management was not convinced about the leadership qualities of Pant in T20. 

"Rishabh Pant wanted captaincy, wanted to be involved with regards to appointment of coaches and support staff but plenty in the DC set-up are not convinced about his T20 game. It wasn't that they wanted to let him go but they were clear that they didn't see him leading the side. And that decision wasn't an overnight one," the report in Times of India quoted a source as saying.

"Axar Patel is there as an option but there is a strong possibility of DC exploring options at the mega auction. Plenty of captaincy options are set to enter the mega auction so wait and watch is going to be the right way forward for DC. Shreyas Iyer will definitely be on their radar as he enjoyed a lot of success in the DC set-up and understands the set-up well. A very exciting set of players have been retained and a solid squad can be built around these names." 

If Pant indeed enters the IPL auction, it would start a bidding war, according to former India player Aakash Chopra.

"It's being heard that Rishabh Pant might be available at the auction. He is a keeper-batter. Although the jury is out, many people say his numbers in T20s are not that good, had only one breakthrough season in the IPL and hasn't scored too many runs apart from that. I can give you in writing that the bank would be broken if his name comes in the auction," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"RCB need a keeper, a batter, and maybe a captain. Punjab would need him as they won't have anyone. Delhi would need him back, the RTM card would be available. KKR also need him. What about CSK, they would also need him. If Ishan Kishan is left out, Mumbai would also need him.

"Why would LSG not be interested even if they retain Nicholas Pooran? Everyone apart from Rajasthan would need him. Gujarat will also need him. They don't have a keeper. So overall, Rishabh Pant will get a lot of money. He might go for Rs 25-30 crore."

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China Launches 3 Astronauts To Tiangong Space Station In "Dream" Mission

Three Chinese astronauts including the country's only woman spaceflight engineer blasted off on a "dream" mission to the Tiangong space station in the early hours of Wednesday.

The new Tiangong team will carry out experiments with an eye to the space programme's ambitious goal of placing astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and eventually constructing a lunar base.

The Shenzhou-19 mission took off with its trio of space explorers at 4:27 am (2027 GMT Tuesday) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, state news agency Xinhua and state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Congratulations to the successful launch of #Shenzhou19 crewed spaceship🚀 and wish the 3 astronauts all the best! #SpaceChina pic.twitter.com/v26V0pAExK

— CAI Run 蔡润 (@AmbCaiRun) October 29, 2024

Among the crew is Wang Haoze, 34, who is China's only female spaceflight engineer, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). She is the third Chinese woman to take part in a crewed mission.

The space agency deemed the launch a "complete success", Xinhua said.

"Like everyone else, I dream of going to the space station to have a look," Wang told a media gathering Tuesday alongside her fellow crew members, lined up behind podiums and tall panes of glass to seal them off from the public.

"I want to meticulously complete each task and protect our home in space," she said.

"I also want to travel in deep space and wave at the stars."

Headed by Cai Xuzhe, the team will return to Earth in late April or early May next year, CMSA Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang said at a separate press event confirming the launch.

Cai, a 48-year-old former air force pilot, brings experience from a previous stint aboard Tiangong as part of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022.

"Having been selected for the new crew, taking on a new role, facing new tasks and new challenges, I feel the honour of my mission with a great responsibility," said Cai.

The aerospace veteran added that the crew was now "fully prepared mentally, technically, physically and psychologically" for the mission ahead.

Completing the astronaut lineup is 34-year-old man Song Lingdong.

The crew currently aboard the Tiangong space station is scheduled to return to Earth on November 4 after completing handover procedures with the incoming astronauts, Lin said.

'Space dream'

China has ramped up plans to achieve its "space dream" under President Xi Jinping.

Its space programme was the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon.

Crewed by teams of three astronauts that are rotated every six months, the Tiangong space station is the programme's crown jewel.

Beijing says it is on track to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, where it intends to construct a base on the lunar surface.

The Shenzhou-19 crew's time aboard Tiangong will see them carry out various experiments, including some involving "bricks" made from components imitating lunar soil, CCTV reported.

These items -- to be delivered to Tiangong by the Tianzhou-8 cargo ship in November -- will be tested to see how they fare in extreme radiation, gravity, temperature and other conditions.

Due to the high cost of transporting materials into space, Chinese scientists hope to be able to use lunar soil for the construction of the future base, CCTV reported.

The Shenzhou-19 mission is primarily about "accumulating additional experience", Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the United States, told AFP.

While this particular swap of astronaut crews and upcoming six-month stint aboard Tiangong may not witness major breakthroughs or feats, it is still "very valuable to do", said McDowell.

China has in recent decades injected billions of dollars into developing an advanced space programme on par with the United States and Europe.

In 2019, China successfully landed its Chang'e-4 probe on the far side of the moon -- the first spacecraft ever to do so. In 2021, it landed a small robot on Mars.

Tiangong, whose core module launched in 2021, is planned to be used for about 10 years.c

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

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Doomsday Arctic Vault, The World's Backup Gene Bank, Sees Surge In Samples

An Arctic seed vault on Norway's Spitsbergen island received new samples last week from the largest number of depositors since 2020, reflecting fear about the threat of conflict and climate change to food security, a custodian of the facility said recently.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, set deep inside a mountain to withstand disasters from nuclear war to global warming, was launched in 2008 as a backup for the world's gene banks that store the genetic code for thousands of plant species.

Billed as a doomsday vault protected by permafrost, the deposit has received samples from across the world, and played a leading role between 2015 and 2019 in rebuilding seed collections damaged during the war in Syria.

"Climate change and conflict threaten infrastructure and impact food security for over 700 million people in more than 75 countries worldwide," Executive Director Stefan Schmitz of the Crop Trust said in a statement.

Among the new desposits, Bolivia's first contribution to the vault was made by the 400-year-old Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, and assembled by some 125 farming families from local communities.

"This deposit goes beyond conserving crops; it's about protecting our culture," the project coordinator of the Norway-funded Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods, and Development in Bolivia said in a statement.

Chad, another newcomer, deposited 1,145 samples of sesame, rice, maize and sorghum - all adapted to the country's climate and crucial for developing crops that can withstand rising temperatures and erratic rainfall.

The total of more than 30,000 new samples from 21 countries, also included seeds of vegetables, legumes and herbs from the Union of Agricultural Work Committees in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Located on a sparsely populated island halfway between mainland Europe and the North Pole, the vault's chambers are only opened two or three times a year to limit exposure to the outside world.
 

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

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Senior Mumbai BJP Leader's Rebellion After Party Gives Ticket To "Outsider"

An assembly constituency in Mumbai saw the BJP workers protest against their own party after an "outsider" was fielded from there for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election. Upset over the decision, senior BJP leader Gopal Shetty - a strong contender for the seat - announced that he will contest the election as an independent candidate.

"It is necessary to oppose this tradition of fielding candidates from outside, so I will fight as an independent candidate," Mr Shetty told NDTV. "No matter what happens, I will not back down," he added.

The BJP has fielded Mumbai unit general secretary Sanjay Upadhyay from Borivali replacing sitting legislator Sunil Rane.

"I was not interested in contesting this election. But my supporters told me about the gravity of the situation. First Vinod Tawde contested from here in 2014, then Sunil Rane in 2019. This time, the Lok Sabha ticket from Mumbai North was given to Piyush Goyal. This is happening for the fourth time with Upadhyay being nominated," said Mr Setty. Sanjay Upadhyay is not a resident of Borivali.

Gopal Shetty said that he got to know about the move of his party through "a TV flash". "I saw a TV flash that Sanjay Upadhyay got a BJP ticket from Borivali."

Earlier, addressing the party workers and supporters he announced his decision to fight polls as an independent candidate, insisting that he still supported the ideologies and policies of the BJP. "The BJP workers feel I should contest from here. Even other parties feel I should contest. But people of Borivali have told me that if you don't correct whatever has happened, no one will ever dare to stand up to the wrongs. So, I will fight this wrong decision. I am not against BJP's policies or ideologies, I support the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis. But I will fight this decision."

"So, I have decided to fill the form tomorrow and contest the election," he added.

Mr Shetty also claimed that he was not informed before the announcement was made."They didn't ask me before taking this decision. At least have a discussion. This is an insult to Borivali workers," a visibly disappointed Shetty said.

Many of his supporters, meanwhile, staged a sit-in protest against the party's decision with many claiming that due to the move,  the BJP might end up losing the safe seat.

"He will win with a record margin. We don't even know who Sanjay Upadhyay is. They have made Borivali a dharamshala (guesthouse)," said a BJP worker.

"Gopal Shetty should fight as an independent, he will win. BJP will lose this seat," said another worker.

Mr Shetty was an MP in 2014 and 2019 but was denied a ticket from North Mumbai in this year's general elections. The party gave the ticket to Union Minister Piyush Goyal instead.

The BJP has said that it will contest 146 of the total 288 seats, leaving four seats from its quota to allies including Yuva Swabhiman Party, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Republican Party of India (Athavale) and Jan Surajya Shakti Paksha. The remaining 138 seats are for Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

Maharashtra will vote on November 20 and the results will be declared on November 23.

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CEO Challenges Job Applicants With 3-Second Brain Teaser During Interviews

Brain teasers are widely enjoyed for their ability to stimulate the mind and keep it sharp. A recent Reddit post drew significant attention and sparked a lively discussion among users. The post, shared by Reddit user Back4breakfast, featured a screenshot from Dino Dionne, CEO of Genesis Capital Group.

Mr Dionne revealed that he poses a brain teaser to every job candidate during interviews. He said, "If you want the #Job, you have 3 seconds to give the correct answer. You wouldn't believe the excuses I've heard from people who either gave the wrong answer or couldn't answer at all! My 6-year-old solved it in 30 seconds."

The brain teaser presented was a mathematical expression: 3*3-3/3+3, labelled as "Only for Genius." This simple yet tricky equation has since become a hot topic across social media. 

Since the post's upload, it has received over 2.8k likes and generated more than 3.1k comments.

See the viral post here:

If you're able to work out this sum, you have a job! Simples!
byu/Back4breakfast inLinkedInLunatics

A user wrote, "Not knowing basic maths will get you all sorts of answers. I can't help but think of someone who gave the correct answer (11, if my quick look wasn't wrong) and were told "no, it's 1" mid-interview. Like, "is this a test? are you testing what I'll do when my boss is wrong about something? or are you just an idiot?"

Another user commented, "How low is the bar to work at that guy's company? I wish the technical questions asked of me in interviews amounted to 3rd grade math problems."

The third user wrote, "I can't believe I didn't get this right! How did I miss the order of operations?"

The fourth user commented, "Honestly, it's a bit unfair to give this under pressure- who can think clearly in 3 seconds?"

The fifth user wrote, "Oh look! It's Facebook but from 2010!"

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Premier League: Salah Scores Late As Liverpool Rescue A Point vs Arsenal

Arsenal vs Liverpool Highlights, Premier League 2024-25:  Mohamed Salah struck nine minutes from time as Liverpool twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal but Virgil Van Djik equalised to bring Liverpool back into the game. Mikel Merino handed Arsenal the lead once again as he played his first goal for the club but Salah's goal meant that the points were shared. A point leaves Arsenal five points adrift of leaders Manchester City and four behind second-placed Liverpool. (Match-Centre)

Here are the Highlights of Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool -

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BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Completes Ironman Challenge. PM Modi Reacts

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya completed the Ironman 70.3 challenge today. The triathlon challenge that was held in Goa comprised 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling, and 21.1 km of running with the participants travelling up to 113 kilometres (or 70.3 miles) during the whole event. With the feat, the 33-year-old became the first parliamentarian to participate in the event.

The Bengaluru South MP credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Fit India' movement as the inspiration that led him to take up the challenge. The achievement drew praise from PM Modi himself who wrote on X, "Commendable feat! I am sure this will inspire many more youngsters to pursue fitness-related activities".

Mr Surya said he trained rigorously over the last four months to improve his fitness.

"As a young nation chasing big ambitions, we must nurture our physical fitness and become a more healthier nation. An endeavour to become fit also makes you more disciplined and confident, which improves chances of your success in any venture that you undertake," he posted on X.

Commendable feat!

I am sure this will inspire many more youngsters to pursue fitness related activities. https://t.co/zDTC0RtHL7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 27, 2024

"As a finisher in this daunting challenge, I can attest to the young folks that fitness goals really push your boundaries, and make you a better individual. I appeal all fence sitters and perpetual planners to hop onto this journey and make progress," he added.

In 2022, Tejasvi Surya participated in the Ironman 70.3 Goa as part of a relay team, completing the 90 km cycling segment.

The premier event for athletes and fitness enthusiasts has attracted athletes from more than 50 countries. This year's race also featured over 120 competitors from Central and State Government services, with women making up 12-15 per cent of the athlete base. Remarkably, over 60 per cent of this year's participants are first-time competitors, underscoring the event's significant role in expanding the triathlon community in India.

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Jharkhand Minister Charged For 'Derogatory Remarks' Against Sita Soren

Jharkhand Additional Chief Electoral Officer Neha Arora on Saturday said that an FIR has been registered against Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari for allegedly making derogatory remarks about BJP leader Sita Soren in Jamtara district.

"An FIR has been registered in Jamtara district for violating MCC (model code of conduct) provisions. A strict advisory has also been issued to all the political parties in this regard," Neha Arora said.

Union Minister Annapurna Devi said the statement made by Irfan Ansari exposes the mentality of the Congress party.

"He (Irfan Ansari) has given a very wrong statement on Sita Soren. This exposes the mentality of the Congress party. The Congress party is anti-women and anti-youth...I condemn this statement...Will Rahul Gandhi take back the tickets given to people with such a low level of thinking? The Congress party should remove such people from the cabinet," Annapurna Devi said.

Sita Soren said she was unable to understand how people like Mr Ansari get the courage to make such statements.

"I am unable to understand where he gets the courage to make such statements. Who is giving him the courage to make such statements, because no one has ever made such statements against me in Jharkhand...The party has informed the Election Commission about his statement. We will not forgive him...The entire tribal population is angry," the BJP leader said.

Another BJP leader, Ragini Singh, said insulting women is the policy of the Congress party.

"This is his mentality. It is the policy of Congress to comment on a woman but BJP policy is to respect all the women whether they are from the Congress or the BJP," Ms Singh said.

Irfan Ansari, the Congress candidate from the Jamtara constituency, stirred controversy with his remarks about Sita Soren, his opponent from the seat.

On Friday, Sita Soren posted a video on X, claiming that the Congress leader referred to her as "rejected" and a "borrowed player" while responding to a journalist's question about competing against her in the upcoming election.

The BJP leader also demanded an apology from Mr Ansari for using "indecent language" against her, stating that the public would respond to him.

"Congress @INCIndia candidate Irfan Ansari must apologise for the indecent language he used against me in front of the media immediately after filing his nomination. He has previously made personal comments about me, but this time he has crossed all limits. Irfan ji @IrfanAnsariMLA, apologise, or be prepared for fierce opposition," she posted on X.

"The indecent words you used while holding such a respected position have alarmed women across society. If you can use such words for me, what must poor and vulnerable women face? As long as such leaders remain in power, women will remain unsafe. The time has come to remove them from power. The way you look at women is now before the public, and the public will respond," the BJP leader added.

The BJP will contest the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections in alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). The BJP will contest 68 seats, AJSU 10, JDU two, and the LJP from one seat.

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

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"You Need To Score": Rohit SAnd Co. Delivered Strong Message By Management

The batters' constant failure in making runs in the first innings is costing the team dear, admitted bowling coach Morne Morkel even as India are in danger of losing the first Test series at home since 2012-13. After getting bundled out for an abysmal 46 in the first innings of the opening Test, India were skittled out for a mere 156 in the first essay of second Test in Pune on Friday as New Zealand took firm control of the match. "I never like to have a punch up between batters and bowlers but, in Test match cricket you need to score the first innings runs," Morkel told the media during the post-day press meet.

"If we put our hand up, we haven't been able to do that. There are world class players in our batting line up. I know that individually, they've got their processes and they know how to go about those things," he added.

Morkel hoped to see a better outing from Indian batters in the second innings.

“Hopefully, we can iron those mistakes out because it's costing us at the moment — not getting the runs on the board — but I'm pretty sure there's enough experience, enough knowledge amongst them to rectify that,” he added.

“I back the team (to come up) with a strong response in our second innings. I'm excited to see how they bounce back and how they play this situation and the conditions,” he said.

Morkel said India will have to maintain belief and back their knowledge of the conditions to avert losing the match and the series.

"We have to believe. This game is a funny game. Our guys are attacking players, there's guys that know these conditions well. Our talk before this game was that we are masters in these conditions, we know how to sum these conditions up,” he said.

“Let's be honest, it's going to be a tough task. But what an opportunity for somebody to really inspire and put in a fighting and a top performance — that's the way I see it.

“When conditions are tricky and tough you'll see real people stand up and fight and if we show that fight and somebody gets the momentum going in these conditions, you never know,” he said.

Morkel said the hosts wanted to see off the overs on Day One when they reached 16/1 in 11 overs and then find momentum on Day Two.

“I think they (New Zealand) bowled very well in partnership. Watching from the outside, it was very hard for us to rotate strike, to keep the scoreboard ticking,” he said.

“In these sort of conditions where the ball is turning and asking a lot of questions, it is important to do that.

"The pace that (Mitchell) Santner bowled today in particular, was spot on for this surface. On Day Two, arriving here this morning being one down, our camp was very confident that we were going to bat big but unfortunately we just couldn't get that momentum going,” he added.

Morkel praised New Zealand for coming to this tour well-prepared.

“I must give credit to New Zealand. The way they've adapted to conditions, the way they've sort of blocked out what is in front of them and just played the game, it's been incredible so far in this series,” he said.

“Definitely in Bangalore and here, playing those sessions, playing those important moments they've done it better than us at the moment.” “And that's one of the reasons why they're on top of this game at the moment. They're creating pressure with the ball. They're putting our bowlers under pressure by sweeping and reverse-sweeping well.

“They're a team that plans well, they go into tours and really leave no stone unturned so I'm not surprised by the way they're playing at the moment,” he added.

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Sri Lanka Warned About Terror Plot Against Israeli Tourists, 3 Arrested

Sri Lankan police arrested three persons on suspicion of plotting an attack against Israeli tourists in the eastern coast surfing resort of Arugam Bay following a tip-off from Indian intelligence, authorities said on Thursday.

Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said all three suspects arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division of the police are Sri Lankan nationals.

They are being interrogated to ascertain if they had a plan to carry out the attack targeting Israelis, the minister said.

Earlier, police announced the arrest of two persons and said it came as a result of Indian intelligence information, which warned of an attack between October 19 and 23.

On Wednesday, the US embassy and the British High Commission in Colombo issued statements warning their citizens that they had received credible information targeting Arugam Bay and urged tourists to avoid the area until further notice.

Responding to the opposition's criticism that the public was not informed about the threat until the US embassy issued its travel advisory, Herath said, "We did not inform the public until the information could be verified." "Some information has been revealed that there may be potential threats to the safety of the tourists who visited Sri Lanka," Herath was quoted as saying by local media.

"Intelligence agencies received information about it. Upon receiving that information, we immediately took action," he added.

He said the government had taken swift action to provide security at all coastal areas and tourism sites after receiving the information.

Herath said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of all tourists.

He said US Ambassador Julie Chung had informed the government of the travel advisory on the Arugam Bay security situation.

The US warned its citizens to avoid the popular tourists' resort on the eastern coast until further notice. Security has been beefed up in the region.

Meanwhile, the police said that the security net has been extended to the southern coast and the southeastern resort areas.

Sri Lanka's Muslim minority groups have condemned the wars in Gaza and Lebanon by holding continuous anti-Israel protests.

Several posts have appeared on social media calling for a boycott of Israeli businesses on the east coast.

The police vowed to accord protection to all foreign nationals. A hotline has been set up for tourists to alert authorities of any suspicious activities.

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

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Ex-Tesla Employee Shares His Experience Of Working With Elon Musk

Have you ever wondered what it's like to work for the richest person in the world? Imagine getting emails from Elon Musk at any time of day, demanding immediate results and inspiring a deep sense of purpose. Saiman Shetty, a former Tesla employee, experienced this firsthand. He joined Tesla in 2016 and witnessed Mr Musk's relentless pursuit of revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry. 

In an Instagram post, Mr Shetty shared his experience working with the world's wealthiest man. He described Musk's demanding leadership style and the surprising ways he made employees feel valued. Mr Musk's passion for sustainability and his visionary leadership were evident, making him not just a boss, but a leader who changed the world. 

"I joined Tesla when it was Tesla Motors and there were only a few people. Which meant we got the hands on experience and front seat tickets to how Elon Musk turned his company into what it is today," he shared in his post. 

He listed down a few things that one can learn from Elon Musk. Mr Shetty reflected on Mr Musk's leadership style. He highlighted, "His no bullshit attitude- Now before you go on saying this is not right, most of the time and especially when you're the boss, you need to cut through the nonsense and talk openly. It reduces any chances of miscommunication, secrets and disrespect. Elon made sure to address everyone through his emails and went straight to the point. He knew his time and his employees's time was precious and he did not want to waste any of it with unnecessary distractions."

In his second point, he emphasised that Mr Musk's support and appreciation for his employees was unparalleled. "During my time at Tesla, Elon did not make any one employee feel unappreciated. I still remember his mails used to come at odd hours in the night just expressing how thankful he was for the team and how he's proud of each and every one of us. Call him what you want to but the guy cherished his employees and made them feel worthwhile," he wrote. 

Mr Shetty also talked about Mr Musk's ambition, "One thing I remember clearly about Elon is his ambition. The guy worked nonstop and always strived for more. It's this passion and ambition for the work they are doing which makes you a visionary. And Elon was definitely a visionary. Even when Tesla was Tesla Motors, Elon constantly had ideas to push his motive of sustainability forward."

He concluded his post by saying, "Love or hate the guy, you have to admit he's doing something right?"

See the post here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Saiman Shetty (@saimanshetty)

Mr Shetty left Tesla in 2018 and is now the founder of Smart Green Card, yet his time working under Elon Musk made a lasting impact.

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On CCTV, Kidnappers Grab 2 Children From Inside Their House In Karnataka

In an incident that would terrify any parent, two children of a businessman were kidnapped right from inside their home while they were playing. The incident was reported from Karnataka's Belagavi.

CCTV footage of the incident has been shared widely on social media. The footage showed two men running inside the house and carrying away the children - three and four years old - on their shoulders.

Both were with their mother when the men kidnapped them, the police said. Both the children had just returned from kindergarten before the kidnappers barged into their home.

The two men pushed the children inside a waiting car and sped away.

Three police teams have been formed to search for the children, the police said. Their father is into real estate business.

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"BRICS Is For The Fairies Until China, India Get Serious," Says Mr 'BRICS'

The idea of the BRICS group ever challenging the US dollar is for the fairies as long as China and India remain so divided and refuse to cooperate on trade, the former Goldman Sachs economist who came up with the BRIC acronym told Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is using the summit of BRICS leaders to show that Western attempts to isolate Russia over the Ukraine war have failed and that Russia is building ties with the rising powers of Asia.

Then-Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill introduced the term BRIC in 2001 in a research paper that underlined the massive growth potential of Brazil, Russia, India and China - and the need to reform global governance to include them.

"The idea that the BRICS can be some genuine global economic club, it's obviously a bit out there with the fairies in the same way that the G7 can be, and it's very disturbing that they see themselves as some kind of alternative global thing, because it's obviously not feasible," O'Neill told Reuters.

"It seems to me basically to be a symbolic annual gathering where important emerging countries, particularly noisy ones like Russia, but also China, can basically get together and highlight how good it is to be part of something that doesn't involve the US and that global governance isn't good enough."

O'Neill, who admitted he would "have Mr BRICS stamped on my forehead forever", said the BRICS as a group had achieved very little over the past 15 years.

He added that it was not possible to solve truly global issues without the United States and Europe - just as it was not possible for the West to solve truly global issues without China, India and, to a lesser extent, Russia and Brazil.

The BRICS group grew out of meetings between Russia, India and China which then began to meet more formally, eventually adding Brazil, then South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has yet to formally join.

The group now accounts for 45 per cent of the world's population and 35 per cent of its economy, based on purchasing power parity, though China accounts for more than half of its economic might.

Putin opened the summit on Wednesday by saying that more than 30 states had expressed interest in joining the group but that it was important to strike a balance in any expansion.

Bringing in more members into BRICS would make achieving anything even harder, O'Neill said.

Dollar challenge?

Russia is seeking to convince BRICS countries to build an alternative platform for international payments that would be immune to Western sanctions.

O'Neill, 67, said people had been talking about alternatives to the dollar since he started out in finance but that none of the countries with the potential to challenge the dollar had done anything to seriously do so.

Any BRICS currency, he said, would be heavily dependent on China while Russia and Brazil would not be significant parts of it, he said.

"If they wanted to be really serious about economic matters, why don't they genuinely pursue less tariff based trade between each other?" O'Neill said.

"I will take the BRICS group seriously when I see signs that the two countries that really matter - China and India - are actually really trying to agree on things, rather than effectively trying to confront each other all the time."

India has tried to curb Chinese investments in the country since a decades old border dispute erupted into a clash between border guards in 2020. The two countries pledged to enhance cooperation on Wednesday in their first formal talks in five years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Putin the international situation was gripped by chaos but that Beijing's strategic partnership with Moscow was a force for stability amid the most significant changes seen in a century.

O'Neill said the G20 had failed to become a sinew of truly global governance because the United States and China had both turned inwards since the middle of the last decade. BRICS, he said, lacked clear objectives and should take on major issues for humanity - such as finding vaccines or drugs against infectious diseases, or fighting climate change.

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

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"Gaaliyan De Rahe...": Pak Star Blasted By Compatriot For Abhishek Send-off

The Indian cricket team's performance at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup has been great. With victories against Pakistan and UAE, the Tilak Varma-led team are in the semi-final. Stars like Abhishek Sharma, Ramandeep Singh and others have been performing well. In the match against Pakistan, a face-off between India's star batter Abhishek Sharma and Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem hogged limelight. Openers Abhishek and Prabhsimran took India off to a flying start against by scoring 68 runs in the powerplay. Pakistan then brought left-arm spinner Muqeem into the attack and he struck on the very first ball. While a celebration from Pakistan was quite obvious, Muqeem incited Abhishek by giving him a fiery send-off.

The celebration did not go down well former Pakistan cricket team player captain Basit Ali.  

"The cricket was top-class, but one thing that really upset me was what happened after Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma. Bahut badi zyatti hui hai. If Basit Ali was sitting in the dugout or was the team manager, I would have told Sufiyan, "Beta Samaan uthaye aur wapas jaye (Son, pick up your things and go back).' You haven't even played proper cricket for Pakistan yet, and you're already using abusive language. What kind of behaviour is this?” Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.

"Then you see Abbas Afridi, when his ball hit the batter, he went on to check on him. Aap gaaliyan de rahe hai, kya aapne hat-trick leliya (You're hurling abuses — did you take a hat-trick or something)? You're not at that level yet. The management needs to teach young players how to respect the opposition."

Basit Ali on extravagance aggression of young Pakistani bowler towards Abhishek Sharma : pic.twitter.com/fZkYsvhHn1

— Nikhil Bishnoi (@Nikhilgodara4) October 22, 2024

After opting to bat first, India A posted a solid total of 183 for 8 in 20 overs at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman. Tilak top-scored with 44 off 35, while Prabhsimran Singh (36 off 19) and Abhishek (35 off 22) also played crucial cameos.

India scored 68 runs in the first powerplay but the introduction of spinners brought Pakistan back in the game. Despite getting blows at regular intervals, India managed to post a solid total on the board. Sufiyan Muqeem was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with figures of 2 for 28.

In reply, Pakistan fought really well and even dominated the match at certain stages but India's remarkable comeback handed the Tilak Varma-led side a well-deserved victory. Anshul Kamboj was the top wicket-taker for India with figures of 3 for 33. Rasikh Dar Salam and Nishant Sindhu also picked two wickets each.

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"Delhi Can Play A Part": Iran President Meets PM Modi Over West Asia Crisis

With the conflict in West Asia escalating significantly after Israel and Iran threatened each other of an endless series of retaliations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in the city of Kazan.

India has expressed "deep concern" over the current situation in West Asia and has been calling for "dialogue and diplomacy" to de-escalate the tension in the region also known as the Middle East.

The meeting between the two leaders came amid the year-long Israel-Hamas war and the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and after Iran's ballistic missile offensive against Israel led to Tel Aviv vowing a massive retaliation.

INDIA'S ATTEMPT TO BROKER PEACE

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasised the need for peace in the region and the "role that New Delhi could play in de-escalating the Middle East crisis," given its good relations with all the parties involved.

India, which has friendly relations with almost all nations, finds itself in a unique position to be able to mediate between Israel and Iran. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu three weeks ago and has met the Iranian President today.

This is not the only case where New Delhi is trying to broker peace between conflicting sides. PM Modi is also trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine which have been at war since 2022. Here too, Prime Minister Modi shares a strong bond with both Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Zelenskyy.

PM Modi has visited Russia twice in three months and went to Ukraine as well in this period. He also reportedly sent a "peace plan" for President Putin last month when National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met the Russian President in Moscow.

CHABAHAR PORT AND INST CORRIDOR

During the meeting PM Modi and President Pezeshkian also discussed the India-Iran bilateral ties and ways to strengthen it. Among several key areas of cooperation, the two leaders discussed strategic projects like the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor or INSTC.

After the meeting, PM Modi shared a post on social media platform X, in which he wrote "Had a very good meeting with the President of Iran, Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian. We reviewed the full range of relations between our countries. We also discussed ways to deepen ties in futuristic sectors." He shared the same post in Persian too.

WHAT MORE WAS DISCUSSED

The Ministry of External Affairs gave more details about what the two leaders discussed, as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a press briefing in which he said that PM Modi and President Pezeshkian held "fruitful discussions", adding that "Both the leaders discussed the situation in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep concern over the escalating conflict and reiterated India's call for the protection of civilians and the prevention of harm to civilians. He emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate the tensions."

Mr Misri further said that "President Pezeshkian emphasised the need for peace and harmony in the region and the role that India could play in de-escalating the conflict given its good relations with all the parties involved."

The foreign secretary went on to say that PM Modi congratulated President Pezeshkian on his electoral victory and also welcomed Iran to the BRICS forum, which it has joined officially from this year.

Speaking about the millenia-old ties between the two countries, the foreign secretary said, "Both leaders emphasised the shared historical and civilisational ties between the two countries and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation."

"The discussion focused on key areas of cooperation, particularly the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which are crucial for enhancing regional connectivity and economic partnership," Mr Misri said.

REDEVELOPMENT OF AFGHANISTAN

In a statement about the bilateral talks, the Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement that the two leaders noted that "The signing of the long-term contract of Chabahar Port is an important milestone in bilateral relations."

It further stated that the two leaders reaffirmed its significance for reconstruction and redevelopment of Afghanistan and enhancing trade and economic linkages with Central Asia."

INDIA'S SUPPORT TO IRAN

President Pezeshkian acknowledged India's role in Iran's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO and BRICS forums. "They agreed to continue their cooperation in various international forums," the foreign secretary said at the press briefing.

The foreign ministry said that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Iranian President Pezeshkian to visit India at an early date," adding that "President Pezeshkian has accepted the invitation."

This was their first meeting after Mr Pezeshkian became President of Iran in July. He succeeded President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.
 

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Video: Priyanka Gandhi's Meet And Greet In Wayanad Day Before Nomination

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen meeting residents of Wayanad this evening, a day before marking her electoral debut by filing her nomination for the bypoll in the Lok Sabha constituency.

Ms Vadra was greeted warmly by locals and she was seen shaking hands with people, asking their names and clicking selfies with them.

She also visited a local family in Wayanad. "Her hearty visit was greeted joyously by the locals and the mother of the house presented her with a rosary, which she used for years, as a symbol of her love & blessings," the Congress party posted on X.

Congress General Secretary Smt. @priyankagandhi ji made a heartwarming visit to a local family in Wayanad on her way to Sultan Bathery.

Her hearty visit was greeted joyously by the locals and the mother of the house presented her with a rosary, which she used for years, as a… pic.twitter.com/jndddaKJwL

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 22, 2024

Both Priyanka and veteran Congress leader and her mother Sonia Gandhi reached Wayanad by road after landing at Mysore airport where they were greeted by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, chief ministers of other Congress-ruled states and various senior party leaders are expected to reach the hill district ahead of the roadshow which will be held at Kalpetta on Wednesday morning prior to the filing of nomination.

On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi - who won the seat in Lok Sabha polls but vacated it to hold on to the family constituency Raebareli - said that his sister will emerge as a passionate champion of Wayanad's needs and a powerful voice in Parliament.

"The people of Wayanad hold a special place in my heart, and I can't imagine a better representative for them than my sister, Priyanka Gandhi. I'm confident she will be a passionate champion of Wayanad's needs and a powerful voice in Parliament. Join us tomorrow, 23rd October, as she files her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Together, let's ensure Wayanad continues to be represented with love," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.

The CPI has fielded veteran former legislator Sathyan Mokeri who finished a close third during the 2014 General Elections in Wayanad while the BJP has brought in Kozhikode Corporation Councilor Navya Haridas, a former software engineer who quit her job and entered full-time politics.

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Internet Reacts To Israel's Claim Of Yahya Sinwar's Wife's Rs 26 Lakh Bag

Days after Yahya Sinwar was killed in an Israeli operation in southern Gaza, a video has surfaced showing the Hamas leader, along with his wife and children, moving through a tunnel the night before the October 7 attack on Israel last year.

The CCTV footage, released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), captures Sinwar and his group carrying various supplies, including pillows, mattresses, a television, and several bags, into the tunnel.

In the clip, Sinwar's wife is seen holding a bag, which Israel claimed to be worth $32,000 (around Rs 26.90 lakh).

"Sinwar's wife was caught on camera sneaking into the tunnels the night before October 7, clutching a $32,000 Hermes Birkin bag! While Gazans faced hardships under Hamas, Sinwar and his family shamelessly lived in luxury, indulging while sending others to fight," Israel stated.

Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic language spokesperson, reiterated this claim, highlighting the contrast between the opulent lifestyle of Sinwar's family and the poverty experienced by most residents of Gaza, who "struggle to afford basic necessities."

However, internet users were quick to criticize these claims. Many on X pointed out that the bag was not a "Birkin," accusing Israel of spreading false information.

They are not stupid, they know that's not a Birkin, but they're pandering to an audience of evil, delusional beings who are willing to believe anything Israel says so they can continue their support without feelings of guilt bc the ppl they're murdering somehow deserve it. https://t.co/GZXsm1hx9O

— Rebecca Sevilla (@rebeccasev7) October 20, 2024

A user wrote, "They are not stupid, they know that's not a Birkin, but they're pandering to an audience of evil, delusional beings who are willing to believe anything Israel says so they can continue their support without feelings of guilt bc the ppl they're murdering somehow deserve it."

Another user commented, "Even someone with zero fashion sense knows this bag ain't no Hermes, not even close. How's the official Israel account gonna mess that up? Y'all are embarrassing yourselves out here."

"Haha such a lame propaganda to come up with, The oceans of the world are gonna dry up but your lies are never ending," the third user remarked. 

"Desperately clutching at straws. It's not a Birkin. And it's hilarious to see this coming from an official state account. You're neck and neck with old Katzy for the weirdest official account propaganda posts prize," the fourth user commented. 

"Isn't it embarrassing when an official account representing a state posts desperate propaganda? The world is laughing at you," the fifth user wrote. 

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Video: Indian-Origin Man Faces Hate In Canada, Told To 'Return To India'

Ashwin Annamalai, a Canadian citizen of Indian origin, has expressed concern about a "disturbing rise" in hate crimes against the country's Indian population.Rising worries coincide with the ongoing diplomatic level tensions between India and Canada. Mr Annamalai shared a video on microblogging website X, in which he is seen being the target of a racist outburst from a woman who wrongly assumed he was an Indian national. He described the experience as deeply unsettling, adding that such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent.

"The once welcoming community of Kitchener-Waterloo has seen a disturbing rise in hate, particularly against people of colour. Here's a personal account of what I experienced today: A random woman gave me the finger and spewed hate while I was out for a walk at Erb/Avondale. She wrongly assumed I am Indian and I must leave immediately. When I challenged her very politely, she went about her racist rants... She is also upset that there are black people in the community. She also accuses me of not speaking English and that I need to just leave," he wrote in the caption of the video.

Watch the video here:

She WRONGLY assumed I am Indian and I must leave immediately. When I challenge her very politely she went about her racist rants... She also is upset that there are black people in the community. She also accuses me of not speaking English & that I need to just leave.

— Ashwin Annamalai (@ignorantsapient) October 15, 2024

Mr Annamalai also shared a link of a news report from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which titled as Waterloo region has highest rate of police-reported hate crimes in Canada.

"This is not an isolated incident New data from Statistics Canada reveals that Waterloo region has the highest rate of police-reported hate crimes in Canada," he wrote in the comment thread.

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India Should Be On UN Security Council Permanently: Russia's Top Diplomat

Russia's top diplomat has said that his country believes that India, Brazil and African countries should be represented in the UN Security Council on a permanent basis to ensure the representativeness of the global majority, state-owned TASS news agency reported on Sunday.

"Countries such as India, Brazil, as well as representatives of Africa should have been on a permanent basis in the Security Council for a long time. This is necessary to ensure representativeness, representation of the global majority," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told aif.ru. in an interview, TASS reported.

India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts calling for reform of the Security Council, including expansion in both its permanent and non-permanent categories, saying the 15-nation Council, founded in 1945, is not fit for purpose in the 21st Century and does not reflect contemporary geo-political realities. Delhi has underscored that it deserves a permanent seat at the horse-shoe table.

Last month, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron in backing India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

India last sat at the UN high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22. There has been a growing demand to increase the number of permanent members to reflect the contemporary global reality. 

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

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Raise A Glass To International Gin And Tonic Day With These G and T Recipes

A gin and tonic is a classic, refreshing summer cocktail-so classic that the combination is over 100 years old. It has a crisp, slightly bitter flavour and is quite easy to make. A classic G and T cocktail is made with gin and tonic water poured over a large amount of ice. Most recipes call for a ratio between 1:1 and 1:3. Gin and Tonic fans celebrate October 19 every year as International Gin and Tonic Day. The day is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy this historic drink and celebrate gin distillers and tonic producers worldwide. If you, too, are a Gin and Tonic fan, read on to learn about its history and some fabulous ways to spruce up your favourite cocktail.

Origin of Gin and Tonic:

The classic gin and tonic combination has a complex history. One of the first known instances of this combination was drinking it to help combat malaria in Holland in the 1840s. Tonic water contains quinine, the bitter element of this drink, which was believed to treat malaria. In the 19th century, the British Army in India also added gin to tonic water to improve the taste of this remedy drink.
Also Read: Unlock The Secrets of Gin - History, Types, And Tips For Perfect Gin Cocktails

Who Started International Gin and Tonic Day?

A woman named Jayne Withers launched Gin and Tonic Day in 2012 in honour of her grandmother, Mary Edith Keyburn, who loved G and T. Jayne writes, "Mary Edith was a remarkable woman who loved to have the occasional tipple of Gin and Tonic. She passed away in the hospital on October 19, 2010, at the age of 95, with a Gin and Tonic at her side that was smuggled into the hospital in a water bottle and served in a teacup," quoted The Gin Guide.

^{Photo: iStock}

Celebrating International Gin and Tonic Day 2024:

This October 19, host a Gin and Tonic tasting and gather all your friends and family for a fun evening. You can also take pictures from the event and post them on social media using the hashtag #internationalginandtonicday. For your special tasting, here are some fun ways to upgrade the classic Gin and Tonic.

5 Fun Ways to Jazz Up Your Good Old G and T:

1. Cool as a Cucumber

Cut a cucumber into thin ribbons and arrange them in a highball glass. Add a handful of ice cubes. In a cocktail shaker, squeeze the juice of half a lime, then add gin, a splash of elderflower liqueur, a few basil leaves, and some cucumber chunks. Muddle the mixture thoroughly, then add ice. Shake well and strain the mixture into your glass. Finish by topping it with tonic and garnishing with more basil leaves.

2. Berry Berry Tasty

^{Photo: iStock}

Wash the strawberries and cut off the tops. Next, cut them in half or into quarters. Muddle the strawberries with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Transfer the mixture to a glass filled with ice. Stir in the gin and top with tonic. Garnish with a strawberry and enjoy.

3. Mint Meets Chocolate

Pour herbal-style gin into a glass and add a few leaves of fresh mint. Add a tablespoon of chocolate liqueur. Pour in the tonic and garnish with a few sprigs of mint and grated dark chocolate. Your mint-meets-chocolate G and T is ready.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To 2024's Gin Trends: How India Is Changing The Sipping Game

4. Peachy Not Preachy

If you like the fruity peach flavour, this cocktail is for you. Pour your gin and tonic over ice and add the peach slices. Garnish with a sprig of thyme. For a more pronounced peach flavour, you can blend the fruit and strain it into the glass before adding the other ingredients. Stir until the drink is infused with the juice.

5. Pine-ing for the Apple

^{Photo: iStock}

Smoky, caramelized, and grilled pineapples make a fantastic G and T. Begin by grilling the pineapple wheels for 5 minutes until lightly browned. Cut one wheel of pineapple and muddle it into a cocktail shaker. Add ice, gin, lemon juice, and pineapple juice. Shake for two minutes. Strain it into a glass with ice. Top with tonic water. Garnish with another grilled pineapple wheel and serve!

What is your favourite Gin and Tonic cocktail? Share with us in the comments section. Happy G and T Day!

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BJP Blames Delhi Government For Yamuna Pollution, AAP Hits Back

East Delhi MP Harsh Malhotra on Saturday blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government for pollution in the Yamuna, saying cleaning the river has never been its priority.

Responding to the BJP's allegations, the AAP in a statement said, "The BJP is only indulging in dirty politics. The Aam Aadmi Party government is working at a war level against pollution... The BJP government is polluting the Yamuna by sending dirty water from Uttar Pradesh while their leaders are merely putting on a show in Delhi," AAP said.

Mr Malhotra made the remark after going to the banks of the river at Kalindi Kunj, accompanied by BJP spokesperson Anil Gupta and local councillor Brahm Singh.

Referring to the thick white froth covering the Yamuna River said, "The Arvind Kejriwal government has only spread lies and illusions about cleaning the Yamuna. When the Lieutenant Governor initiated steps to clean the Yamuna, the Kejriwal government approached the Supreme Court to block them. Cleaning the river has always been a political issue for AAP, not a priority."

He said that despite a decade of promises, pollution in the Yamuna has only worsened, posing serious health risks to people living near it.

Since Friday morning, the Yamuna River has been covered with a thick layer of white froth. Experts have warned against taking a dip in the river, even as people gear up for the Chhath Puja.

The Delhi government on Friday said it is closely monitoring the situation.

Mr Malhotra also questioned the AAP government's handling of the Rs 1,000 crore collected as pollution cess, intended for tackling air and water pollution.

"The Delhi government should clarify what happened to these funds," he said.

The MP also highlighted the severe drop in oxygen levels in the Yamuna as it flows through Delhi and the absence of sewage treatment plants at critical drainage points.

The oxygen content of the river's water drops from 9 units when it enters Delhi to zero as it leaves, making it hazardous for both residents and the environment, he told PTI Videos.

AAP leader Reena Gupta said, "Whether it's the issue of water pollution or air pollution, these issues cross administrative boundaries. There is an airshed within approximately 300 kilometres of Delhi, and the Supreme Court has consistently stated that all state governments need to work together to address this issue."

"However, only the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab are actively tackling it. In Haryana, there has been a 30 per cent increase in stubble-burning incidents, while Uttar Pradesh has seen a 70 per cent increase. In contrast, Punjab has experienced a 30 per cent reduction in such incidents, she claimed. 

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Watch: Stokes Suffers Funniest Dismissal Of All Time, Internet In Splits

England suffered defeat to Pakistan by a mammoth 152 runs in the second Test in Multan, failing to chase down a target of 297. But despite the middle order failing, England's captain Ben Stokes -- returning from injury -- held strong with 37 at one end, at a rate of more than run-a-ball. However, his knock came to a rather hilarious end, as not only did he lose his wicket, but also flung his bat out of control into the air as he attempted the shot.

Trying to step out and slog Pakistan spinner Noman Ali for six, Stokes miscalculated it completely. As he attempted his shot, he lost control of his bat, which ended up flying a long way apart. Sadly for Stokes, he lost his balance too. Being outside his crease, he was promptly stumped by wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Watch: Ben Stokes loses bat, loses balance and loses his wicket against Pakistan

Ben Stokes lost his bat, his balance and his wicket in a single ball. pic.twitter.com/3Gns0SDXvu

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 18, 2024

Stokes was the seventh English batter to depart and the last of the recognized batters. His dismissal left England at 125/7, still needed 172 runs.

It wasn't the happiest return to Test cricket for Stokes, who had missed England's previous series against Sri Lanka due to injury.

Pakistan scripted victory thanks to the efforts of their newcomers. Ahead of the game, the decision to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah faced backlash. However, each of their replacements impressed in the second Test.

Babar's replacement -- debutant Kamran Ghulam -- made a century in the first innings. With the ball, spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali picked up all 20 England wickets. Sajid was the star of the first innings getting seven, while Noman picked up eight in the second.

At the age of 38, Noman shone on his return to the Test side. He picked up 11 wickets in total. However, it was bowling partner Sajid, who picked up the Player of the Match award after his first innings heroics.

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What If Trump Refuses To Accept A Loss? Could It Lead To Civil Unrest?

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has never been one to abide by rules. Four years ago he cried fraud and did not accept the presidential election result and there could be a possibility of him doing the same this time around after the November 5 election.

This time the only difference will be that Trump will not have his presidential levers of power which he had in the 2020 elections. Moreover, new laws have been implemented in the US to make it more difficult to influence election results.

THE DENIAL

"If I lose - I'll tell you what, it's possible. Because they cheat. That's the only way we're gonna lose, because they cheat," Trump said at a Michigan rally in September. Trump's team filed over 60 lawsuits, but none of them succeeded in altering or delaying the vote count.

After losing the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and his supporters launched an unprecedented effort to overturn the results. This endeavor involved spreading baseless claims of election fraud and rigging through the "big lie" propaganda technique.

CIVIL UNREST?

In 2021, Republican supporters charged the US Capitol in an effort to stop Mike Pence from confirming Joe Biden's victory.

Any effort by Trump to suggest the election was rigged could potentially lead to civil unrest, as it did on Jan. 6, 2021.

According to Reuters, experts who monitor violent groups and militia, such as Peter Montgomery of the People For the American Way, a liberal think tank, say they are less concerned about a violent response from these groups than they are about threats against election workers counting votes. There also could be violent demonstrations in the capitals of battleground states, Montgomery said.

Still, Trump and his allies have been crafting a blueprint for months to cry if he loses on November 5th.

Following the November 5 election, Republicans and Democrats anticipate a potentially lengthy vote-counting process that may extend well beyond Election Day, as mail-in ballots are processed and other votes are carefully verified and tallied.

In case it seems like Trump is losing, the delay in counting will give him a window to claim fraud while sowing seeds of doubt about election officials and although he has been threatening to put election workers and public workers behind bars, he would need to win the election first in order for that to be materialised.

BUILD-UP IN KEY BATTLEGROUNDS

In anticipation of potential election controversies, Republicans have preemptively filed more than 100 lawsuits in crucial battleground states. These lawsuits seek to establish a basis for post-election challenges, including claims - thus far unsupported by evidence - of widespread voting by non-citizens.

Both major parties are gearing up to deploy thousands of trained volunteers, known as poll watchers, to keep a close eye on voting and vote counting during the upcoming election. These volunteers will be tasked with reporting any irregularities they spot. However, some voting rights advocates are sounding the alarm, worried that Republican poll watchers might disrupt the process, even though the Republican Party noted that the volunteers have been instructed to abide by the law.

States must submit their election results by December, ahead of the Electoral College meeting. Electors will then cast their votes, which are subsequently sent to Congress for formal verification in January, marking the final step in confirming the presidential election outcome.

DELAYS AND MISSED DEADLINES

Efforts to contest election results, fueled by Trump's influence, may cause certification delays and missed deadlines. This could provide grounds for Republican lawmakers to dispute the outcome, with uncertain legal consequences due to potentially biased judicial decisions.

In response to Trump's 2020 election challenges, Congress enacted reforms to prevent similar disruptions. The new law clarifies the vice president's limited role, prohibiting them from delaying certification or discarding state results, as Trump had urged Pence to do.

The measure also requires that an objection to a state's electoral count cannot be brought unless one-fifth of the members of each house of Congress agrees. After that, it takes a majority vote in each house for an objection to be found valid.

In the unexpected outcome that enough electoral votes are tossed so that neither candidate reaches the majority, the newly elected US House of Representatives would choose the next president.
 

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"Ready To Pay Back Lenders Before Taking A Single Rupee Out": Byju's Founder

Byju Raveendran, the founder of troubled edtech firm Byju's, on Thursday said that he is willing to pay back all the money owed to lenders if they are willing to work with him.

During a two-and-a-half-hour call with the media, Mr Raveendran said lenders will not get any money if the process of insolvency against the company continues.

"If they are willing to work with me, I am willing to give them money back before I take a single rupee out. We paid $140 million but they wanted the entire $1.2 billion which we had already committed or invested by then. There is no way we could have given them back for a long time. Most lenders wanted to settle but one or two wanted to make a killing out of it," Mr Raveendran said.

At present, Byju's is undergoing insolvency proceedings, triggered after the BCCI approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal to recover its Rs 158.9-crore dues. The company settled the dispute with BCCI after paying the entire dues following which NCLAT revoked the insolvency proceedings.

However, US lenders through their agent Glas Trust challenged the NCLAT order in the Supreme Court which restored the insolvency proceedings against the edtech firm.

Byju's has raised a $1.2 billion Term Loan B (TLB)-- a loan which is issued by institutional investors --through its holding company Byju's Alpha, from US-based lenders.

The trouble for Think and Learn, which owns the Byju's brand, began after the lenders through Glas Trust approached Delaware Court of Chancery alleging default in the payments under the loan agreement and sought early payment of the $1.2-billion TLB.

The US-based lenders through Glas have filed claims of $1.35 billion dues in Indian courts during ongoing insolvency proceedings against the edtech firm.

In the latest statement, the lenders have raised their total claim to $1.5 billion.

Mr Raveendran said that no money raised from US lenders has come to India as it also needs permission from the Reserve Bank of India.

He said that there are some aggressive lenders who initiated a case against the company and they don't care about stakeholders in the business as it is their business model to make money out of distress.

Mr Raveendran said that all the deals and acquisitions were approved by the Byju's board, which included leading investors.

"Most of the acquisitions were brought in by the investors and we got carried away. Investors wanted us to launch in 40 countries together. Investors celebrated when we raised a $1.2-billion loan," Mr Raveendran said.

Byju's board member representing Peak XV Partners, earlier known as Sequoia Capital India, Prosus and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative resigned from the company in June 2023.

Mr Raveendran said that investors resigned from the board after Glas Trust filed a case in the Delaware court assuming that the liability to pay back the loan would fall on them.

He said that, over the years, only managers have left the company and five out of six owners of Byju's are still with the firm.

Mr Raveendran said that he is hopeful of making a big comeback after the insolvency issue is resolved.

"Our subsidiary has not taken any hits. At a consolidated level, we will have more than Rs 5,000 crore in revenue. We are struggling in the core business which has become zero. Still, there are 200 million kids who come to our platform every month. We have to revamp and revive," he said.

Mr Raveendran said that whatever may be the result of litigation, he will continue to teach and nobody could stop him from teaching students.

"Investors will come back when they see value," 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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"Beaten For Not Removing Clothes": UP Student Files Case Against 8 Seniors

An FIR was registered on Thursday against eight final-year engineering students of Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) on the charge of attempt to murder for allegedly beating their juniors when they did not adhere to their instructions to "remove clothes".

The FIR has been registered against the seniors by a third-year student of BTech Electronics at Nawabganj police station, under BNS sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115 (2) voluntarily causes hurt, 125 (an act so rashly as to endanger human life), 191 (2) rioting, 351 (3) criminal intimidation and 352 (intentionally insults) apart from ragging charges in this connection, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Dinesh Tripathi said.

All those named in the FIR are fourth-year students.

In his FIR, the student alleged that his classmate got a call from seniors to come with him and another classmate to Abdul Kalam Hostel to enjoy a 'birthday party" which is a "code language" for ragging.

The situation escalated when the seniors asked them to take off their clothes, which they refused. "We told them that they should be spared as they had already faced ragging in the first year of their admission. Angry over the refusal, the seniors came with sticks, belts, and iron rods and started beating them," the FIR said.

Instructions have been issued to call the accused students. They will be questioned to work out the case, the DCP said.

The HBTU administration has also started the inquiry into the matter to ascertain whether it was a ragging case or not, said an official.

In ragging, generally, first-year students are victims but in this case, the FIR was lodged by the third-year student against final-year students, he said. 

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