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"If It Could Happen In 1977...": Sharad Pawar On Opposition Unity

2023-06-10T19:23:00.001-07:00

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the opposition parties were keen on providing an alternative to the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year and projecting a prime ministerial face was not an issue.

Sharad Pawar, addressing a press conference here, said that he would attend the meeting of opposition leaders convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on June 23 and strive for putting up a joint fight against the BJP.

"A prime ministerial face is not an issue before us. Even in 1977, no one was projected as the prime minister. The Janata Party won the elections and Morarji Desai was made the prime minister," the NCP supremo said.

"If it could happen in 1977, why can't it happen now? We have the responsibility to provide the people of this country with an alternative to the BJP," he said.

Mr Pawar stressed that it was not a necessity to project a prime ministerial face in Lok Sabha elections.

"There is a need to present an alternative before the people. If we contest the elections together, we will be able to provide that alternative. The result of this will decide things in the future," Mr Pawar said.

Mr Pawar said there has been a suggestion to put up joint opposition candidates against the BJP and this issue will be discussed at the meeting in Patna on June 23.

"There has been a suggestion that where BJP is strong, if possible, non-BJP parties can field a single candidate. This will be discussed in Patna.

"The meeting in Patna will give a new direction as people want change. We will make sincere efforts to meet the expectations of the people," he said.

On incidents of communal violence in Maharashtra, Mr Pawar said the people of the state will reject such divisive politics as they did in Karnataka.

The NCP chief alleged that the BJP and its allied organisations were vitiating the atmosphere in Maharashtra "as they did in Karnataka in the name of Lord Hanuman".

"But the people of Karnataka rejected the communal agenda. I am confident that the people of Maharashtra too will not accept it," Mr Pawar said.

On threats to him over social media, Mr Pawar said he trusts Maharashtra Police and is confident that it will do its job sincerely.

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

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"Please Keep Snatched Weapons Here": Manipur MLA's Drop Box For Peace

2023-06-10T18:23:00.001-07:00

A BJP legislature and cabinet minister from Manipur has come up with a unique idea by setting up of a drop box in his house to return weapons looted from the security forces.

Susindro Meitei came up with the idea and appealed to those who have looted weapons from the security forces.

A large poster at a covered shed outside the BJP leader's house says: "Please drop your snatched weapons here" - both in English and Meiteilon language.

Below it is a tag line saying, "Feel free to do so" - an indication that questions will not be asked on how the weapons came in their possession in the first place.

The minister's move has been appreciated by people.

Over 4,000 arms and around five lakh ammunition were looted by miscreants from armouries and outposts of different forces deployed in Manipur since violence broke out in the state last month.

Sources said it has been assured anonymity of those who return their snatched weapons by keeping them in the drop box.

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Twitter To Start Paying Content Creators For Ads In Replies: Elon Musk

2023-06-10T16:24:00.001-07:00

Twitter will start paying content creators for the advertisements displayed in their replies, with an initial payment pool of $5 million, Elon Musk said in a tweet on Friday.

"Note, the creator must be verified and only ads served to verified users count," Musk, the billionaire who bought Twitter last October, added in the tweet.

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

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Air India Repairs Plane Stranded in Russia, Lands In Mumbai

2023-06-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

Air India's Boeing aircraft that was grounded in Magadan in far east Russia landed in Mumbai on Saturday evening.

The plane had taken off from Magadan earlier in the day after engineers rectified the oil system defect in one of the engines, according to the airline.

On June 6, AI 173 operating from Delhi to San Francisco carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members was diverted to the port city of Magadan in far east Russia following a mid-air glitch in one of the engines of the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

All were stranded in the port city for two days and the replacement aircraft ferried them to San Francisco on June 8.

An Air India spokesperson on Saturday said the B777-200LR aircraft, bearing registration mark VT-ALH, that was grounded in Magadan, Russia (GDX) following the diversion of AI173 DEL-SFO on June 6, has departed GDX and is on its way to Mumbai.

"We can confirm that a defect in the oil system of one of the aircraft's engines has been rectified by our engineering team that flew on a ferry flight to GDX on June 7. The aircraft was checked on all safety parameters and certified serviceable before take off from GDX today," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Later in the evening, the spokesperson said the aircraft landed at Mumbai airport at around 8.16 pm.

According to a source, there were two pilots and eight cabin crew onboard the aircraft.

The airline had sent four engineers on the ferry flight to Magadan on June 7 and the issue of oil pressure in one of the engines of the stranded aircraft was fixed.

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

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Anand Mahindra Shares Video Of A Lion Moving Towards A Man, Internet Reacts

2023-06-10T12:23:00.001-07:00

With his social media tweets, industrialist Anand Mahindra never fails to surprise us. The Mahindra Group Chairman's Twitter account is a veritable treasure trove of fascinating, motivating, and endearing stuff that can brighten anyone's day.

Similar to that, Anand Mahindra recently posted a video of a lion sneakily approaching a man riding in a jeep. He also posted a couple of questions on Twitter for his followers.

He shared the video with a caption that reads, "If you were that man: 1) What would your first thought be? 2) What would your first action be?"

Watch the video here:

If you were that man:
1) What would your first thought be?
2) What would your first action be?
pic.twitter.com/UGLw4m2yBf
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 10, 2023

Over a million people have watched the spooky video, and many of them have commented on it with their reactions.

"In most cases, lionesses are not prone to attacking humans unless they feel threatened or cornered. They are more likely to display defensive behaviour if they perceive a potential threat. If I were the man, I would choose to stay still and take in the beauty of the lady!" commented a user.

"I resist the impulse to run, understanding that such an act could trigger the lion's primal instincts, possibly transforming me into an unwitting target. Instead, I tap into the depths of my courage and remain as motionless as the nearby trees, mirroring their silent strength," wrote another user.

In replying to the question asked by the industrialist, a third user commented, "First thought: 'Oops, looks like I'm the main course on today's lion menu!'" "First action: Begin practising my best lion impersonation in the hopes of confusing the majestic creature. Roarrr!"

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"Important To Do That...": Siraj's Cheeky Take On Throwing Ball At Smith

2023-06-09T21:23:00.001-07:00

India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday said the team planned to bowl only bouncers to Travis Head irrespective of the outcome after his counterattacking hundred on the opening day of the World Test Championship final. Head's 163 off 174 balls has put Australia in a commanding position on the second day at the Oval. The Indians' tactics of not using the short ball against Head was questioned on day one, forcing them to change their plans the following day. Siraj eventually got rid of him with a short ball on the leg side.

"There was sticky bounce yesterday morning and seam movement. Thereafter, there was not enough swing from the six metre length and batters were having it easy. Head batted extraordinarily as well. We could have bowled with better lines," said Siraj, who was India's standout bowler with four wickets in Australia's first-innings total of 469 all out.

On throwing the ball back to Steve Smith after the Australia batter completed his hundred in the first over of the day, he added: "It was nothing. I was just enjoying. It is important to do that as it is a long day," he added.

Siraj felt they got the required luck with the short ball on day two.

"We decided to bowl bouncer only to Head and if he get hit from there then so be it. We stuck to it and got success. We built pressure did not give too many runs that also helped. We used bouncers yesterday as well but the chances went in the gap.

"There were four-five chances off my bowling only. If we did not bowl well, Australia would have crossed 500," he said.

Siraj added that the wicket had more pace and uneven bounce on day two.

"There is more pace in the wicket and there is uneven bounce. We also bowled well but the way Head batted he forced us to push our lengths back."

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Trump Took Secret Documents, Put National Security At Risk: Indictment

2023-06-09T19:23:00.001-07:00

Federal prosecutors unsealed a wide-ranging indictment of Donald Trump on Friday, accusing the former US president of endangering national security by holding on to top secret nuclear and defense documents after leaving the White House.

The 76-year-old Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, took "hundreds" of classified government documents in cardboard boxes to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the 49-page charge sheet said.

Trump kept the files -- which included records from the Pentagon, CIA and National Security Agency -- unsecured at Mar-a-Lago, which regularly hosted large social events involving tens of thousands of guests over time, the indictment said.

On at least two occasions, Trump showed classified documents on US military operations and plans to people not cleared to see them at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, it said.

Trump faces 37 separate counts in the indictment including 31 counts of "willful retention of national defense information" relating to specific documents. A conviction on each count carries up to 10 years in prison.

"We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone," said Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the historic indictment against Trump, the first former US president ever to face federal criminal charges.

"Laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced," Smith said, adding that he would seek to ensure that Trump receives a "speedy trial."

Other charges facing the twice-impeached Trump include conspiracy to obstruct justice, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, withholding a document or record, which also carries a prison term of up to 20 years, and making false statements.

Trump's personal aide, Walt Nauta, was named as a co-conspirator, charged with six counts for helping Trump hide documents, which were kept at various locations in Mar-a-Lago, according to the indictment, including a ballroom, a bathroom, Trump's bedroom and a storage room.

"The classified documents Trump stored in the boxes included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries," the indictment said.

Other records dealt with US nuclear programs and potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack along with plans for retaliation, it said.

"The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the Untied States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources," according to the indictment.

- 'Boxes hoax' -

Trump is to appear in court in Miami at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday for the first hearing in the case.

According to US media, the case will initially be handled by Aileen Cannon, 42, a Trump-appointed judge who made rulings favorable to the former president during a court review of documents seized in an August 2022 FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago.

A trial is not expected to begin for several months and there is nothing to prevent Trump from pursuing a second term in the White House while facing charges.

According to the indictment, Trump directed his aide Nauta to conceal boxes containing documents from the FBI and his own attorney and suggested to his lawyers at one point that they hide or destroy documents being sought by the authorities.

The indictment also recounted a conversation between Trump and one of his attorneys about the documents in which the former president reportedly said "wouldn't it be better if we just told them we don't have anything here."

Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Thursday that he had been indicted by the "corrupt Biden Administration" in what he called the "Boxes Hoax."

In a defiant video, Trump declared his innocence and framed the indictment as election interference by a Justice Department "weaponized" by President Joe Biden.

"They come after me because now we're leading in the polls again by a lot against Biden," Trump said.

Biden said Friday that he has had no contact with Attorney General Merrick Garland, who appointed Smith as special counsel to conduct the investigation into Trump.

"I have not spoken to him at all and I'm not going to speak with him. And I have no comment on that (case)," Biden told reporters.

Trump was already the first former or sitting president to be charged with a crime -- in a New York case involving election-eve hush money payments to a porn star who said she had an affair with him.

Smith, the special counsel, is also looking into whether Trump should face charges over the January 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters.

And Georgia prosecutors are investigating whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome in the southern state.

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

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UK Ex-PM Boris Johnson Resigns As MP With Immediate Effect

2023-06-09T14:24:00.001-07:00

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is stepping down as an member of parliament with immediate effect, triggering a by- election in his marginal seat.

Johnson had been fighting for his political future with a parliamentary inquiry investigating whether he misled the House of Commons when he said all COVID-19 rules were followed.

"It is very sad to be leaving parliament - at least for now," Johnson said in a statement. "I am being forced out by a tiny handful of people, with no evidence to back up their assertions, and without approval even of Conservative party members let alone the wider electorate."

Parliament's privileges committee could have recommended that Johnson be suspended from parliament for more than 10 days if they were to find he did mislead parliament recklessly or deliberately, potentially triggering an election for his seat.

The former prime minister said he had received a letter from the "privileges committee making it clear - much to my amazement - that they are determined to use the proceedings against me to drive me out of parliament".

Johnson, whose premiership was cut short in part by anger in his own party and across Britain over COVID rule-breaking lockdown parties in his Downing Street office and residence, accused the committee of acting of being the "very definition of a kangaroo court".

"Most members of the Committee - especially the chair - had already expressed deeply prejudicial remarks about my guilt before they had even seen the evidence," he said.

"In retrospect it was naive and trusting of me to think that these proceedings could be remotely useful or fair."

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

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Donald Trump Indicted On 37 Counts In Classified Documents Case

2023-06-09T13:23:00.001-07:00

Former US president Donald Trump is facing 37 counts in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, according to the unsealed indictment released Friday, with federal prosecutors accusing him of illegally keeping top secret files on US nuclear and defense programs.

The Justice Department said that when he left the White House in January 2021, Trump took with him highly classified files from the Pentagon, CIA, National Security Agency and other intelligence bodies.

Trump kept them unsecured at his Mar-a-Lago residence and club in Florida, which regularly hosted large social events involving tens of thousands of guests, according to the indictment filed in federal court in Florida.

And at least on two occasions, Trump showed classified documents on US military operations and plans to people not cleared to see them at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club.

The documents Trump took "included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries, United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack," the indictment said.

"The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States," it said.

Trump was charged with 37 counts including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing documents, and false statements.

The charges, brought by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith, bring up to 20 years in prison each.

A Trump aide, Walt Nauta, was charged with six counts for helping Trump hide the documents.

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

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World's Largest Crocodile In Captivity Celebrates 120th Birthday

2023-06-09T12:24:00.001-07:00

Cassius, the world's largest crocodile in captivity, residing at Marineland Crocodile Park on Green Island in Queensland, Australia, celebrated his 120th birthday this week, ABC News reported. The nearly18-foot-long saltwater giant has been living at the park since 1987 and holds the title of the largest crocodile in the world according to Guinness World Records.

Celebrating the milestone, Cassius enjoyed the ultimate birthday treats: chicken and tuna, which are his favourite.

"He was a big old gnarly crocodile then… crocs of that size are not normal. He was 16 feet, 10 inches with at least another 6 inches of tail missing and a bit of a snout missing'', crocodile researcher Graeme Webb, who was one of the people tasked with catching the beastly reptile told ABC.

He added that Cassius was estimated to be somewhere between 30 and 80 years old at the time of his capture in 1984 in the Finniss River of Australia's Northern Territory.

"He's quite possibly over a century — maybe 120 years," he said.

Toody Scott, whose grandfather brought Cassius to Green Island in 1987, also said that the crocodile is around 120 years old based on estimates by researchers.

Even now, at the age of around 120, Cassius “still has a lot of spark in him," Mr Scott said.

Despite his age, Cassius exhibits remarkable vitality, proving to be one of the park's liveliest and most engaging reptiles.

''Generally, the big old reptiles tend to sort of be pretty docile and disinterested. Cassius is always up for interaction. He's one of our liveliest crocs and very engaging. Anytime he sees you, he wants to come and say g'day and his eyes light up,'' Mr Scott added.

Cassius also had some big-name visitors, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, Chinese President Xi Jinping, the King of Thailand, and former prime minister Scott Morrison.

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He Mentioned "Bomb" Over Call, Arrested After Co-Passenger Reports Him

2023-06-08T13:23:00.001-07:00

A man travelling to Dubai was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday after a co-passenger overheard him saying 'bomb' during a telephonic conversation.

A woman overheard a male passenger saying to someone on the phone that the, "CISF removed coconut from my bag fearing it could be a bomb but allowed guthkha that was in my bag".

A senior official informed that a passenger was travelling to Dubai through a connecting flight from Mumbai via Vistara Airlines flight no UK-941 (Delhi to Mumbai), which was scheduled to depart at 4.55 pm.

"The passenger travelling to Dubai for the job was talking to his mother on the phone and the conversation was overheard by a lady co-passenger sitting next to him. He told his mother that CISF not allowed coconut in his bag fearing it could be a bomb but they allowed pan masala that was kept in his bag," said the official.

After hearing the word bomb, the lady co-passenger raised an alarm and the flight crew informed CISF.

The passenger was deboarded and the woman also deboarded the plane voluntarily. The entire plane was thoroughly checked but nothing was found. The lady's co-passenger refused to board the plane and she booked another ticket for Mumbai.

"In the process, the flight was delayed for two hours before it got clearance to take off. The male passenger was handed over to IGI police," the official said.

IGI police informed that a case has been registered.

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

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"This Is Epic" - Man Orders Coffee From Zomato While Sitting In Starbucks

2023-06-08T12:24:00.001-07:00

When it comes to good coffee, we are totally spoilt for choice. A plethora of coffee chains have popped up around the country much to the delight of coffee-lovers. Starbucks is one such brand that has become synonymous with good coffee. Recently, a man found a way to save on cash while enjoying his favourite coffee from Starbucks. A user named Sandeep Mall narrated his experience of ordering coffee from Starbucks using the popular delivery app Zomato in order to save some money. Take a look at the viral tweet here:

Sitting at Starbucks - coffee for 400. Zomato deal for same coffee 190. Ordered Zomato with address of Starbucks. The Zomato guy picks up and gives me to my table at Starbuck. ये वाला business अपनी अक्ल से completely out of course है।
— Sandeep Mall (@SandeepMall) June 6, 2023

Also Read: Starbucks Worker Shows 'Secret Menu' Drink, Reddit Says 'Keep It A Secret'
Shared on Twitter by @SandeepMall, the post has received over one million views and over 9.5k likes. "Sitting at Starbucks - coffee for 400. Zomato deal for same coffee 190. Ordered Zomato with the address of Starbucks. The Zomato guy picks up and gives me to my table at Starbucks," he said in his tweet. "Yeh wala business apni akal se completely out, of course, hai," he added.
The hilarious incident about saving money while ordering Starbucks coffee left the internet in splits. Many people admired his desi jugaad to get the Zomato order delivered to himself while he was sitting at the Starbucks outlet. "Honestly, this is peak Indian jugaad and I love it so much," wrote one user. "1 million views and so much press. That 200 discount was completely worth it," commented another user.
Take a look at the reactions:

This is epic 😂
— Amitabh Verma (@amitabh26) June 6, 2023

Haha I must try this too !!
— Mandar Natekar (@mandar2404) June 6, 2023

That's some top level strategic thinking 😂
— Sarath Babu S (@AryanSarath) June 7, 2023

Did you really do this? 👌😜
— RAHUL SODHI (@imerahul) June 6, 2023

I laughed so hard and literally spilled my coffee.
Good that it was not that expensive. ☕
— SM Avtaar of an Introvert (@Lady_nishaaa) June 6, 2023

No way you did this, this is a very old joke
— Magcans (@MagCans) June 6, 2023

Looks like someone found a way to get coffee at half the price and with home delivery too! Who needs business acumen when you've got Zomato skills?
— Ankit Prakash (@ankitpr89) June 6, 2023

Also Read: Starbucks Fires Employee For Heating His Food In Company Oven
This is not the only time Starbucks has been in the news for its pricing. Previously, the coffee giant had charged a couple of Rs 3.3 lakhs for just two coffees. Click here to read about this viral story.

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Cardiologist, Who Performed Hundreds Of Surgeries, Dies Of Heart Attack

2023-06-07T19:23:00.001-07:00

41-year-old well-known cardiologist in Gujarat's Jamnagar city, Dr Gaurav Gandhi, died after suffering a heart attack at his residence here, his family members and a colleague said on Wednesday.

Dr Gandhi's sudden death on early Tuesday morning left the city in a state of shock and grief. Hundreds of mourners joined his last journey to a crematorium in the evening and paid tributes to the doctor known for performing a large number of surgeries.

"He had performed a large number of heart surgeries," Dr H K Vasavada of the Guru Govindsinh government hospital, where he used to work, said.

"Cardiologist Dinesh Gandhi suffered a heart attack and died at the hospital during treatment. It is a matter of great shock and grief to the medical fraternity of Jamnagar that such a bright and young doctor is no more with us. May his soul rest in peace," said Dr Vasavada.

According to his relatives and friends, Dr Gandhi reached home on Monday night after attending patients at the private Sharda Hospital where he practised. He had his dinner and went to bed.

When his family members found him unconscious in the morning, they called an ambulance. He was taken to the GG Hospital where doctors tried to revive him but failed and declared him dead, they said.

Doctors said he died of a heart attack.

Dr Gandhi is survived by his aged parents, wife and two children.

Born in 1982, Dr Gandhi was a renowned heart surgeon and known for performing hundreds of angiography procedure and surgeries.

A post-mortem was performed on the body to ascertain the reason behind the heart attack and a report was awaited, said people in know of the development.

Those who knew the cardiologist said he led an active life, played cricket and regularly went to gymnasium.

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

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Italian Lawmaker Breastfeeds Baby In Parliament, 1st MP To Do So

2023-06-07T15:23:00.001-07:00

A baby took a seat in the Italian parliament for the first time ever on Wednesday, when lawmaker Gilda Sportiello breastfed her son Federico in the Chamber of Deputies, triggering a round of applause from fellow members.

The event would be more commonplace in many countries, but was underlined by the acting lower-house speaker in traditionally male-dominated Italy.

"It's the first time, with the backing of all parties. Best wishes to Federico for a long, free, and peaceful life," said Giorgio Mule as he chaired the parliamentary session.

"Now we'll speak quietly."

In November last year a parliamentary rules panel gave the go-ahead to women lawmakers to enter the chamber with their children and breastfeed them up to the age of one.

"Too many women stop breastfeeding ahead of time, not by choice, but rather because they are forced to return to the workplace," said Sportiello, from the left-leaning 5-Star Movement.

Giorgia Meloni took office in October as Italy's first woman prime minister, but around two-thirds of the country's lawmakers are men.

While the event on Wednesday was a first for Italy, 13 years ago Licia Ronzulli, now a senator in the centre-right Forza Italia party, breastfed her daughter in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

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

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Opinion: Opposition Unity Meet Confounded By "When" And "Where"

2023-06-07T14:24:00.001-07:00

During meetings with members of the Indian diaspora in the US, Rahul Gandhi was repeatedly addressed by his hosts in the Indian Overseas Congress as the "future Prime Minister of India". Though some observers argue that "one Karnataka does not a summer make" (apologies to the swallow), the mood in the Congress is upbeat.

The postponement of the much talked about opposition unity conclave in Patna, scheduled for June 12, may be viewed against this backdrop. A meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on his own turf, would have shone the strobe light on him.

Nitish Kumar, the chief of the Janata Dal (United), had apparently announced his intention of hosting the meeting without consulting with the stakeholders. That Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray and Sitaram Yechury were inclined to attend the meet had been indicated by their respective parties. Others, significantly the Congress leadership, remained ambiguous.

Nitish Kumar called off the event when it appeared that many of the 20-odd parties he is trying to corral against the BJP in 2024 were likely to send their second-tier leadership. While doing so he asserted that whenever the meet did take place, he expected party chiefs to attend. He had similarly postponed a meeting he had announced for May 12.

Nitish Kumar, accompanied by his Deputy and Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Tejashwi Yadav, has been crisscrossing the country to meet opposition stalwarts. The idea of the Patna conclave germinated when the duo met with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata in April-end. Mamata Banerjee, who had led demonstrations against Jayaprakash Narain in 1975, wanted the "JP spirit" to be reignited by Nitish Kumar. (The irony - the JP movement was against the Congress, BJP's precursor; Jan Sangh was its bulwark.)

Soon after the Kolkata visit, Nitish Kumar announced that Patna will host an opposition gathering on May 12. This was scrapped as Nitish Kumar later said that some participants were busy in Karnataka (only Congress and Janata Dal Secular were).

The Nitish Kumar-Tejashwi Yadav duo have had two meetings with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at his 10 Rajaji Marg home since April. As per the new High Command norm of Congress, Rahul Gandhi was present. Talking points like social justice and caste census, which Nitish Kumar reportedly suggested, were reflected in Rahul Gandhi's Karnataka campaign speeches.

After the Karnataka result, Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav met with Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on May 24. A week later, when the June 12 announcement was made from Patna, it was seen as a unilateral act by most parties being invited.

Although the Congress headquarters did not respond, there were indications that neither Kharge nor Rahul Gandhi were available, and the party was yet to decide on its representative for the meeting. Now June 23 has been thrown up as a possible date. Details on the date and venue are opaque so far.

When asked about the unity bid during his interaction at the National Press Club, Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi said the opposition was "pretty well united" and that "a lot of good work is happening on the ground". He said that an undercurrent was building up, which had the potential of springing a surprise in 2024. The Congress is apparently on board with Nitish Kumar in the unity bid.

However, there is a feeling that if the meet is in Patna, the position of the Congress will be that of a mere participant. The fact that the Congress is a junior coalition partner in Patna (as it is in Chennai, Ranchi, and Mumbai) may also come up in the deliberations. But the Congress prefers top billing. It favours the driver's seat rather than being driven around.

Parallel to Nitish Kumar's 2024 unity initiative, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has been meeting with various opposition parties to rally support for their fight against the Centre's proposed legislation on the control of services in Delhi. The Congress, which has the largest presence in parliament after the BJP, has not responded to Arvind Kejriwal's appeal for support. The AAP chief's request for a meeting with Kharge and Rahul Gandhi is pending for over a fortnight now. Congress leaders in Delhi and Punjab have opposed any truck with AAP. Kharge is yet to reveal his stand.

A section of the Congress leadership is in favour of revisiting the poll arrangement in Delhi that was brokered by NCP chief Sharad Pawar in 2019, which remained stillborn. The 2019 formula, hammered out at a meeting in Pawar's 6 Janpath home in Delhi, envisaged the Congress ceding five seats to AAP in Delhi and contesting two. Kapil Sibal, then in Congress, wanted the formula to be 4-3 to include his Chandni Chowk seat. This derailed the arrangement. Kharge is inclined to negotiate but from a position of advantage.

Congress sources say Kharge is of the opinion that in 46 seats - Gujarat (26), Delhi (7) and Punjab (13) - the Congress's chances of winning on its own appear bleak. So, it could consider sharing turf with AAP, which has grown by the attrition of traditional Congress votes while the BJP vote share soared.

In his role as Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a position he has held since before he became Congress president, Kharge has a working rapport with AAP's Rajya Sabha leader, Sanjay Singh. This rapport tends to override the friction between the two parties in Delhi and Punjab. If the Congress revisits its stand on AAP, it may pave the way for similar give-and-take with other parties as well.

Kharge will have to factor in the reality that Kejriwal's appeal for support on the floor of Parliament is not accompanied by a matching gesture on the ground. On June 8, AAP plans a Tiranga Yatra in Haryana, where it failed to draw more votes than NOTA (None of The Above) in a recent election. Its target is not the voters of either the BJP or the Chautala-led INLD (Indian National Lok Dal), but the Congress.

AAP has planned a similar campaign from June 18 in each district of Rajasthan. Its plans for two other Congress-ruled states, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, are not finalised, but the intention has been expressed. A pre-2024 plan will also have to overcome the conflict of interest the Congress has with the Trinamool in Bengal, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana, and the CPI (M) in Kerala.

There is a move to suggest that the venue for June 23 be changed to Shimla, where the Congress Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, could make appropriate arrangements. This could also facilitate the participation of Sonia Gandhi, who has been spending much of her time in Mashobra near Shimla because of her health.

Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as well as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party. Her presence will provide heft. Besides, she enjoys a better rapport with other parties than both Kharge and son Rahul Gandhi. There was a buzz over Shimla as a possible venue when Nitish Kumar made his now-cancelled announcement.

As it stands, the unity effort is in the works, but the venue and conditions of the conclave are not decided.

It is worth noting that the first effort at building a front against Indira Gandhi was initiated by NT Rama Rao in 1983 after his Telugu Desam ousted the Congress from its Andhra (then unified) citadel. The first conclave's 40th anniversary was on May 28. The participants of the anti-Modi exercise may like to revisit the contours of pre-1984 opposition conclaves as they proceed on their uphill bid for 2024 unity.

Rahul Gandhi said in the US that 60 per cent of India did not vote for the BJP in 2019, while exuding confidence on unity efforts for 2024. Politics is not simple arithmetic. It's also algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Tailpiece: "Double engine", the war cry of the BJP, seems to be the motto of the opposition as well. Kharge-Rahul, Nitish-Tejashwi, Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann - the number of "double engine" initiatives seems to be multiplying.

(Shubhabrata Bhattacharya is a retired Editor and a public affairs commentator.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author.

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Sara-Vicky Visit Siddhivinayak After Zara Hatke Zara Bachke's Success

2023-06-06T16:24:00.001-07:00

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke co-stars Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan visited Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak Temple to seek Bappa's blessings.The duo opted for ethnic attire. Vicky was seen donning a white kurta, while Sara wore a white suit. The actors' sacred visit comes at a time when their film Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is performing well at the box office.

Sara and Vicky took to Instagram and shared the pictures of them offering prayers at the temple.

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A post shared by Sara Ali Khan (@saraalikhan95)

During the film's promotions, Sara also paid a visit to Mahakaleshwar Temple situated in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district. She also participated in the 'Bhasma Aarti' on the occasion. Bhasma aarti (offering with ashes) is a famous ritual here. It is performed during the Brahma Muhurta between 4 and 5:30 am in the morning.

However, a section of social media users trolled the actor over her temple visit.

On facing backlash, Sara said, "I take my work very seriously. I work for people, for you. I would feel bad if you don't like my work but my personal beliefs are my own. I will go to Ajmer Sharif with the same devotion with which I will go to Bangla Sahib or Mahakal. I will continue visiting. People can say whatever they want, I have no problem. You should like the energy of a place...I believe in energy."

In the coming months, Sara will be seen sharing screen space with Karisma Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor in Homi Adajania's Murder Mubarak. On the other hand, Vicky will be seen in Sam Bahadur. Helmed by Meghna Gulzar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Sam Bahadur is the story of India's war hero and first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.The film also stars Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Sheikh in the lead roles.

(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 Man Gets Bail On "Humanitarian Grounds" 2 Days After His Death

2023-06-06T13:24:00.001-07:00

A court in Mumbai recently granted temporary bail to a 62-year-old man arrested in a cheating case, on "medical and humanitarian grounds", two days after his death.

Suresh Pawar died hours after the hearing on his bail application concluded on May 9, while additional sessions judge Vishal S Gaike granted him temporary bail two days later.

Pawar, a real estate agent, had been arrested for allegedly selling a property based on forged documents.

The accused, who had been behind bars since December 31, 2021, had sought temporary bail for six months on medical grounds.

Pawar, in his application, stated that he was severely diabetic and suffered from several age-related ailments.

In February, he sustained injury to his toe and was admitted to the state-run J J Hospital and was later discharged. But he developed gangrene in his toe and it had to be amputated, the plea stated.

According to the plea, the high court had in March given directions to the jail authorities to provide proper medical treatment to Pawar, and in April 19, he withdrew his bail application from the HC.

The same day, Pawar's health deteriorated and he had to be admitted again to J J Hospital, but due to improper medical treatment, his wound became septic and his leg below the knee had to be amputated, it said.

The accused subsequently developed lung infection and sought temporary bail for six months to avail proper medical treatment.

The court in its order noted that considering Pawar's age, severe medical complications and the further need for medical care, his prayer for temporary bail can be considered on purely humanitarian grounds.

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

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Adipurush Action Trailer: Watch Out Saif, Prabhas Is Coming For You

2023-06-06T12:24:00.001-07:00

The makers of Adipurush have just dropped the final trailer of the film and we must say it's highly action-packed. The trailer begins with the infamous apaharan(kidnapping) of Kriti Sanon by none other than Saif Ali Khan in a rather spine-chilling scene. What follows next is Prabhas' quest to free his Sita from the claws of Raavan and bring her back home. As against the previous trailer, we get to see a lot more of Saif Ali Khan in this one and we are not complaining. Kriti looks convincing as the forlorn wife while Prabhas showcases his might in the action sequences.

Sharing the poster of the trailer, Prabhas wrote, "Har Bharatiya Ki Adipurush." Take a look at the trailer here:

A few hours ago, Prabhas was clicked visiting Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh before the final trailer launch. News agency ANI has shared a video from the temple's premises. In the clip, Prabhas, in a white kurta set, is seen greeting the fans and posing for the paparazzi before leaving the venue. T-Series, who have backed the film, tweeted, “A sacred moment: Prabhas seeks blessings at Tirumala temple ahead of Adipurush final trailer launch. Stay Tuned! Adipurush in cinemas worldwide on June 16.”

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Actor Prabhas today visited Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala and offered prayers. pic.twitter.com/KxPbLQZFt4
— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2023

Till now, the makers have released two songs from the magnum opus. Ram Siya Ram, which has been composed and sung by Sachet Tandon and Parampara Tandon, and Jai Shri Ram.

Adipurush will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. The mythological drama will open in theatres in IMAX and 3D formats on June 16. It has been produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Om Raut, Prasad Sutar, and Rajesh Nair of Retrophiles.

Adipurush also stars Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh and Devdatta Nage.

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"Science Fiction": Russia's Mercenary Arm Slams Moscow's Big Ukraine Attack

2023-06-05T20:23:00.001-07:00

Moscow said on Tuesday it had thwarted another major offensive by Ukraine in Donetsk, destroying military equipment and inflicting huge personnel losses, a statement that the powerful head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group dismissed as "absurd science fiction."

Russia's defence ministry said that its forces had repelled Ukraine's second major offensive in two days, destroying, among other military equipment, eight main battle Leopard tanks supplied to Ukraine by its Western allies and 109 armoured vehicles.

It also said that total Ukrainian losses amounted to 1,500 troops.

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv about Russia's assertions and Reuters was not able to verify the claims. Both sides have often made claims of inflicting heavy human losses on each other which could not be independently verified.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose Wagner Group spent months fighting in Bakhmut and who has frosty relations with Moscow, cast doubt on the defence ministry statement, however.

To kill that many people would require daily gains of 150 kilometres, he said in remarks published on the Telegram channel of his press service.

"I therefore believe that this is simply wild and absurd science fiction," said Prigozhin.

Totting up the figures provided by the ministry would imply "we have already destroyed the entire planet five times over," he added sarcastically.

Prigozhin has frequently clashed with Moscow's defence establishment over the conduct of Russia's campaign in Ukraine and what he says is insufficient support being provided to his Wagner soldiers.

Russia has said that Ukraine forces have begun a major offensive in the southern region of Donetsk, although it is unclear if Ukraine's long-anticipated counteroffensive has begun.

Kyiv pressed on for the second day in row, the Russian defence ministry said on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.

"Having suffered heavy losses the day before, the Kiev regime reorganized the remnants of the 23rd and 31st mechanized brigades into separate consolidated units, which continued offensive operations," the ministry said, adding that "a complex fire defeat" had been inflicted.

Ukrainian officials have made no mention of any broad, significant new campaign and sidestepped questions on the matter on Monday.

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

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"Looking Forward To...": US Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit

2023-06-05T19:24:00.001-07:00

Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, on Monday said that the partnership with India is one of the most consequential relations for the US, adding that Washington is looking forward to deepening economic ties and enhancing security cooperation.

"We are very much looking forward to hosting PM Modi for the State visit later this month," said Patel.

PM Modi is scheduled to visit the US on June 22 following an invitation from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

"Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential and we look forward to continuing deepen our collaboration on a number of issues, whether it be enhancing security cooperation, deepening our economic ties, deepening trade issues," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official state visit to the United States on June 22. During his visit, PM Modi will be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner at the White House, the Ministry of External Affairs informed through a press statement on Wednesday.

The United States Congress has also invited PM Modi to address a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate during his visit to the country on June 22, according to the statement released by US Congress.

"During your address, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India's future and speak to the global challenges our countries both face," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to Modi.

Meanwhile, the White House said the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US will be an opportunity to reaffirm the deep, close partnership between US and India.

PM Modi's visit "will be an opportunity to reaffirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of the family and friendship that link America, Americans and clearly, Indians together. And so that's very important to the (US) President," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre on PM Modi's state visit to the US.

Pierre further said: "The President and the First Lady are looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi for the official state visit which is going to happen on June 22.

The White House Press Secretary said the visit would also strengthen US-India shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and shared resolve to evaluate strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy and space.

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

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"We Know How To..." Minister On Passing Delhi Postings Order In Parliament

2023-06-05T18:23:00.001-07:00

With AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking support from opposition parties in his fight against the Centre's ordinance on control of services in Delhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said they know how to pass it (bill to convert the central ordinance into law).

"Let him (Telangana Chief Minister) support...that doesn't make any difference. We have passed Article 370 (referring to abrogation of Article 370) in the Rajya Sabha for which all parties barring one or two parties, were opposing (and) we have passed (Article 370) ... And we know how to pass it (ordinance on control of services in Delhi)," Joshi told reporters here.

The union minister was reacting to a query on Kejriwal meeting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao here last month over the issue and the latter extending full support to AAP.

In August 2019, the Centre bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into union territories and abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution which accorded special status to the erstwhile state.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019 and passed on the same day. The Lok Sabha cleared it the next day.

The bone of contention between the AAP government and the BJP has been the central government ordinance setting up a National Capital Civil Service Authority which overturned a Supreme Court order recently giving control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi.

The new ordinance takes away these powers from the Delhi state government and gives them to a committee which would effectively be controlled by the Centre.

A central law has to be brought to replace the ordinance, and opposition parties are hoping to stall that in the upper house, the Rajya Sabha, when it comes up for debate.

The AAP has already sought the support of all non-BJP parties saying this is a "time for 'agni pariksha' (trial by fire)" for opposition parties, and that they should come together if they want to save the country's democracy and Constitution.

The ordinance has to be ratified by Parliament within six months. For which, the Centre will have to bring a bill for its passage in both Houses of Parliament, the opposition hopes.

On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks during his US visit about Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- that he is trying to drive the Indian car by only looking in the rearview mirror which will lead to "one accident after another", Joshi hit back saying the former MP has a "phobia" of PM Modi.

"We don't need the certificate of Rahul Gandhi. The world is witnessing and people are certifying... (the development works) PM Modi has done. The World rating agencies are certifying. Rahul Gandhi has a phobia of PM Modi. He (Rahul Gandhi) wants to hate Modi and his nature is like that. While hating Modi, he has become so confused that he is hating India itself. That is the situation of Rahul Gandhi," Joshi alleged.

He accused the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government in Telangana of being corrupt and accused KCR of promoting nepotism.

On KCR expressing confidence that the BRS would return to power in the Legislative Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year, winning 95 to 105 seats out of the total 119, Joshi said: "Let him dream it...I can't stop him from doing so (dreaming)".

He further accused KCR of failing to fulfil the ‘neellu, nidhulu, niyaamakaalu' (water, funds and jobs) aspirations of the people who sacrificed their lives for a separate Telangana state and alleged that he (KCR) took care of himself first and his family members instead of bringing benefits to the people of Telangana. "They became employed, powerful and rich while the youth of Telangana remain unemployed".

Joshi further alleged: "While Modi mantra is minimum government and maximum governance, KCR mantra is minimum governance and maximum politics, maximum corruption and maximum nepotism".

"I appeal (to people of Telangana) to not to fall in the trap of KCR and KTR (KCR's son K T Rama Rao, a minister in his cabinet). Please support BJP (in electing BJP government in Telangana) and under the guidance and leadership of PM Modi, Telangana's future can also be strengthened," Joshi said.

Joshi also highlighted the various developments initiatives and achievements of Modi government in the past nine years, claiming that "Reform, Perform and Transform is the mantra of Narendra Modi government. In letter and spirit we have been able to do that." Attacking KCR over not implementing the Central government's schemes in Telangana and claiming that the failed to fulfill his promise of providing houses for the poor and making a Dalit the chief minister of the state. PTI VVK GDK VVK VVK ANE

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

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Chinese Girl Spends Rs 52 Lakh On Mobile Games, Wipes Out Family's Savings

2023-06-05T13:24:00.001-07:00

A 13-year-old girl in China wiped out her family's savings in just four months by spending 449,500 yuan (Rs 52,19,809) on online gaming, South China Morning Post reported. The unnamed secondary school student from Henan province in central China found her mother's debit card at home and used it to fund her gaming addiction.

When the girl's teacher noticed her spending a lot of time on her phone in school, she suspected that the teenager might be addicted to online pay-to-play games. She warned about the same to the girl's mother, who checked her bank account and made the shocking discovery.

According to Elephant News, her mother Wang only had 0.5 yuan (Rs 5) left in her account.

In a video of the incident that has gone viral in China, the tearful woman is seen showing pages of bank statements detailing payments for mobile games.

When the girl's father confronted her about the spending, she admitted she had spent 120,000 yuan (Rs 13,93,828) buying the games, and 210,000 yuan (Rs 24,39,340) for in-game purchases.

She had also spent another 100,000 yuan (Rs 11,61,590) buying games for at least 10 of her classmates.

"In spite of my reluctance, I paid when they requested me to for their games," the girl said, adding that she was scared to seek help from her teachers.

The girl claimed that she knew little about money and its origins, so when she came across a debit card at home, she just connected it to her smartphone. Notably, her mother had given her the card's password in case she needed money when they were not around.

According to Wang, her daughter deleted all mobile game transaction records on her smartphone.

The shocking story has gone viral on social media websites in China, with netizens divided on who should be held responsible.

One person said, ''A girl, aged 13 years old, already knows what she is doing, but she just doesn't want to admit it.'' Another called it the fault of her parents.

According to a 2022 McGill University analysis of smartphone addiction, the majority of addicts are in China, followed by Saudi Arabia and Malaysia

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Man Killed By 4 Including 2 Minors Over Sharing Birthday Food Bill: Cops

2023-06-05T12:24:00.001-07:00

Birthday celebrations took a tragic turn when an 18 year-old man was killed, allegedly by four of his friends, two of them minors, after an argument over sharing the food bill worth Rs 10,000 in suburban Govandi last week, a police official said on Monday.

Two of the accused, aged 19 and 22 and hailing from Uttar Pradesh, were arrested from Gujarat, while the minor boys surrendered to the police and were subsequently detained, he said.

According to the Shivaji Nagar police official, the victim had organised a birthday party at a 'dhaba' (roadside eatery) on May 31 and the food bill came to around Rs 10,000.

A dispute arose between the victim and his friends on sharing the bill, but the former settled the matter by paying from his pockets, he said.

Later, the four accused organised another birthday party and invited their friend for the event. After feeding him cake, they attacked him with sharp weapons multiple times, leaving him dead, said the official.

After the incident came to light, the two minors, aged 17, surrendered before the police, while their major friends were nabbed from Ahmedabad by the Mumbai crime branch on June 2 when they were trying to flee to their hometown Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, he said.

The underage boys were sent to a correction home, while the other two accused were arrested under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 302 (murder), said the official.

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

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What Happens If WTC Final Ends In Draw? Could Reserve Day Be Used?

2023-06-04T21:25:00.001-07:00

The ICC World Test Championship final is just days away, with India taking on Australia in the deciding contest at the Oval in London. India, who lost the final of the previous edition to New Zealand two years ago, would be keen to go the distance this time around, against the Australian side that finished top of the WTC points table. While cricketing action across 5 days should be enough to decide the name of the winner, there are chances that the match could end in a draw if both sides cancel out each other from June 07 to June 11.

In case of a possible rain interruption, the ICC has kept a sixth reserve day in place for the WTC final. But, the match could still end in a draw. What happens in such a case?

If the ICC WTC final ends in a draw, the trophy would be shared by both India and Australia, with the two nations being joint-winners. Even in a case where the match ends in a tie, the trophy will be shared.

In other events, the prospect of boundary count, Super Over and even league standings can be used to determine a winner in case of stalemates. But, there would be no such measure in the WTC final.

Reserve Day in WTC Final

The Reserve Day only comes into the picture in case rain plays spoilsport in the match and time is lost due to extreme weather conditions. To make up for the lost time, the Reserve Day can then be used in order to find out a winner.

But, if no rain takes place and the match remains deadlocked in 5 days, the Reserve Day would not kick-in. For the extra day to be added, rain has to play some sort of role in the match, be it for the entire day or a few hours.

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"Hygiene Left The Chat": Viral Video Of Murmura Making Shocks Internet

2023-06-04T20:24:00.001-07:00

Bhel puri is possibly one of the most popular street foods across India. Made with a delightful blend of puffed rice, sev, chopped vegetables, tangy tamarind chutney, and zesty spices, bhel puri offers a burst of flavours to our palate. Whether enjoyed as a street food snack, a party appetiser, or a quick bite during a leisurely stroll, bhel puri never fails to satisfy a desi soul. What we enjoy the most are the variations available in different parts of the country, with each region adding its own twist to the beloved snack. Well, we recently found a video that might disappoint a true bhel puri lover! A video, shared by 'foodie_incarnate' on Instagram, showcased the process of making the main ingredient, murmura (or puffed rice). Surprisingly, it depicted individuals using their feet to mix the ingredients. You read that right.
Also Read: Maggi Or Khichdi? This Street Side Noodles Recipe Leaves Internet Confused
Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amar Sirohi (@foodie_incarnate)

In no time, the video clocked more than 1.3 million views on social media, with people reacting to it strongly. A user wrote, “This channel is dedicated to kill my liking for all my childhood food items. Thanks for destroying my memories, one video at a time.”
Also Read: After Flying Dosa, New 'Helicopter Bhel' Has Become A Hit Online
Raising his concern, another added, “Bhai tu ye videos banana band kr de warna khane ke liye kuch bachega hi nahi [Stop making such videos, or we will be left with nothing to eat]”.
Some of the treet food fans stood up for their favourite snacks despite all facts.
“Sari duniya 1 taraf or bhel puri, pani puri 1 taraf uske bare me kuch bhi galat nahi bolne ka re baba. [On one hand we have the entire world and, on the other hand, bhel puri and pani puri. Don't speak ill of these dishes].”
“Itne salo se kha rahe kabhi bimar pade? Nehi na? To khao ...hygiene gaya bad me. [Have you ever fallen ill despite eating bhel puri for so many years? No, right? So enjoy, and let hygiene go to hell].”
One hilarious comment that caught our attention read, “Hygiene left the chat”.
While different people seemed to have different reactions to the video, what are your thoughts on it? Share it with us in the comments below.

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