TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) – At least seven people died Sunday morning in a fire at a nightclub in Murcia, southeastern Spain, and four others were injured, authorities announced.
Sidhu bats for INDIA bloc amid Punjab Cong’s opposition to allying with AAP
Punjab must understand that this is an election to choose India’s prime minister and not Punjab’s chief minister, said Navjot Singh Sidhu
Updated On – 06:08 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
File Photo
Chandigarh: Amid resistance in his party on allying with the ruling AAP in Punjab, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday said the opposition INDIA bloc stands like a “tall mountain” and its grandeur will not be affected by a storm here and there.
“Punjab must understand that this is an election to choose India’s prime minister and not Punjab’s chief minister,” he said in a post on ‘X’.
The cricketer-turned-politician’s statement follows remarks by several Punjab Congress leaders, including state unit chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, opposing an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in the state ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
“The I.N.D.I.A alliance stands like a tall mountain … a storm here and there will not affect its Grandeur !!! Any attempt to sabotage and breach this shield to safeguard our Democracy will prove futile,” he tweeted.
Sidhu’s remark comes days after the Punjab Congress leadership led by Warring termed the arrest of party MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a 2015 drugs case “political vendetta”.
The arrest of the Bholath legislator has widened the rift between the Congress and the AAP in Punjab.
With both parties being members of the INDIA bloc, Congress leaders in Punjab had earlier indicated that they were against any kind of alliance with the ruling AAP in the state.
On September 1, the INDIA bloc in its Mumbai meeting resolved to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls together “as far as possible”, asserting seat-sharing arrangements in states will be concluded at the earliest in a “collaborative spirit of give-and-take”.
The opposition coalition leaders set up a 14-member coordination committee that will act as the highest decision-making body of the alliance and initiate work on seat sharing. It also exuded confidence that the new front would easily defeat the BJP.
Asian Games: Tajinderpal Singh Toor wins gold medal in shotput
Toor (2018 Jakarta, 2023 Hangzhou) became the fourth Indian shot putter to defend his Asian Games after Parduman Singh Brar (1954 and 1958), Joginder Singh (1966 and 1970) and Bahadur Singh Chouhan (1978 and 1982).
Updated On – 05:56 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
India’s Tajinderpal Singh Toor won gold in men’s shot put at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Sunday. Toor won India its second track and field gold in the event.
Toor (2018 Jakarta, 2023 Hangzhou) became the fourth Indian shot putter to defend his Asian Games after Parduman Singh Brar (1954 and 1958), Joginder Singh (1966 and 1970) and Bahadur Singh Chouhan (1978 and 1982).
Kashmiri youth festival to be held in Vizag from Oct. 2
According to Nehru Yuvak Kendra officers G. Maheswara and Allam Ramprasad, the festival will be the first of its kind in the city and the visitors will be briefed on the tradition, culture, practices and food habits in the region along with the Central schemes being implemented.
Published Date – 06:27 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
Visakhapatnam: Over 120 delegates including 12 team leaders from ccounts.google.com/b/0/AddMailServicewill take part in a week-long Youth Festival to be held in the city from October 2.
According to Nehru Yuvak Kendra officers G. Maheswara and Allam Ramprasad, the festival will be the first of its kind in the city and the visitors will be briefed on the tradition, culture, practices and food habits in the region along with the Central schemes being implemented.
The youth team will represent Anantanag, Kupwara, Baramulla, Budgam, Srinagar and Pulwama districts of the valley and visit places of interest in and around Visakhapatnam.
The festival is also expected to create awareness among the youth on national integration, unity, and peace and also exchange ideas and views on the environment, diversity and existing situation in the valley, besides sharing the tourism, food, culture, handicrafts and other information.
Medak Congress president Kantareddy Tirupathi Reddy quits party
It is learned that Tirupathi Reddy might join the Bharat Rashtra Samithi shortly
Published Date – 06:23 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
Medak DCC President Kantareddy Tirupathi Reddy.
Medak: The Congress suffered a jolt in Medak district with its district president Kantareddy Tirupathi Reddy resigning from the primary membership of the party and the post of the DCC president on Sunday. He accused the party leadership of giving priority to only those who had cash bags.
In his resignation letter, Tirupathi Reddy said he felt that there was no place for dedicated party workers like him in the party in the wake of recent developments. Stating that he was disappointed by the silence of top leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over the developments in Telangana Congress, Reddy said he had worked for the party for over a decade in Medak.
However, now the Congress leadership in the State was welcoming leaders who worked against the party all their lives. The Congress in Medak would become a puppet in the hands of such people in the days to come, he said, adding that the party leadership in the State was offering MLA seats to only those who had money.
The development came in the wake of the party reportedly offering the Medak Assembly seat to Mynampally Rohit, son of Mynampally Hanumanth Rao.
It is learned that Tirupathi Reddy might join the Bharat Rashtra Samithi shortly. He has said that he would announce his decision in a couple of days.
Teams that bowl well will win World Cup: Shadab Khan
Pakistan vice-captain picks Rohit Sharma as tough batter to bowl to in Indian team
Published Date – 06:17 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
Pakistan’s Shadab Khan speaks during a press conference ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Hyderabad, India. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Hyderabad: Pakistan’s vice-captain and bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan feels the team that bowls well in Indian conditions will emerge champions in the World Cup that is scheduled to kick off in a few days’ time.
Speaking ahead of the practice session at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad on Sunday, the leg-spinner is of the opinion that the wickets here are pretty flat and a lot would depend on the bowling unit. “In these conditions with flat wickets and short boundaries, it is very tough to contain the batters. I feel the team that bowls well will win the World Cup. We have world class bowlers in our side and if we perform as a unit, we have every chance to win the World Cup,” he said.
However, the 24-year-old was off-colour during the Asia Cup but he is confident of putting in good shows for his team. “Yes, I didn’t bowl well in the Asia Cup but we got a good rest. When you are not doing well, mentally you will be down. The skills are always there at this level. The mental barrier can be changed after the rest. Past is past and with a fresh mindset, I am hoping to do well in the World Cup and do well for the team.”
Speaking on the conditions after their first warm-up game against New Zealand recently, he added, “Conditions are very similar to that in Pakistan. The last match had a flat pitch like in Rawalpindi with short boundaries. With a few more matches, we will get a good idea on the conditions.”
When asked to pick his favourite batter and a bowler from the Indian team, the hard-hitter said Indian captain Rohit Sharma is a tough batter to bowl to. “When he gets in, it is tough to bowl to him. He is a dangerous batter in the world. And in bowling, I think Kuldeep (Yadav) is in good form. It is a challenge for him in these conditions,” he revealed.
The vice-captain also backed struggling Fakhar Zaman calling him a match winner. “He is an impact player. Such players may not be consistent but when they play well, they win matches for the country. Every team wants a player like that. We don’t have any doubts over him. He is a world class player for us.”
Speaking about the challenges in the upcoming World Cup, which will begin on October 5, he said, “The conditions will change since we play at different venues. We have to adapt to the conditions quickly. And also, fitness is a challenge. We have seen players getting injured in the Asia Cup.”
He is aware of the expectations from the fans and said they are used to them now. “Whenever we play for the country, the expectations are there. More so in a World Cup as you can be a super star if you do well. Whoever comes to play in the World Cup wants to do well.”
Shadab was also delighted with the reception they got in Hyderabad and said the team is enjoying their stay in the city.
Iran equips Sabalan destroyer with record number of cruise missiles: Navy chief
Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says his forces have managed to furnish the Sabalan destroyer with 12 anti-ship cruise missiles, breaking the record for the number of guided missiles installed on Iranian vessels.
Speaking to Tasnim news agency on Sunday, Irani said that the missile-equipped destroyer will be unveiled soon.
Sabalan is an Alvand-class frigate of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. It was damaged in an encounter with the US Navy in the Persian Gulf during the 1980s Iraqi-imposed war.
After a few years, the 1,500-ton destroyer was repaired by domestic experts.
Previously, Sablan was furnished with 4 anti-ship cruise missiles and took part in 13 Iranian naval fleets.
Iran’s Sahand and Sina frigates have each been equipped with eight cruise missiles.
Iran’s Navy has in recent years achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing equipment.
It has also increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
On Saturday, during a ceremony in commemoration of the anniversary of the Iraq-imposed war, Irani said the navy will also take delivery of a new domestically designed and developed destroyer in the near future, which is furnished with much more advanced and elaborate systems compared to the military vessels already unveiled.
He said that the homegrown military vessel, dubbed Deylaman, will soon join Iran’s naval fleet.
Irani also said that the Iranian Navy plans to set up a base in Antarctica.
Iran’s southeastern Makran coast is directly connected to the South Pole and the deployment of Iranian servicemen in that region would be of a practical nature, he added, saying, Antarctica is the best place to control the cruise of ballistic missiles.
Man electrocuted in Medak
The body was taken to Government Hospital Narsapur for postmortem.
Published Date – 06:18 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
Medak: A-25-year-old man was electrocuted at Chinna Gottimukkala village in Shivvampet Mandal on Sunday.
The victim was Gummadi Sunil (25). He reportedly climbed on an electric pole to remove a wire from a live line passing through the village.
When he came in touch with the live wire and died on the spot.
A case has been registered. The body was taken to Government Hospital Narsapur for postmortem.
Top Armenia security official visits Tehran to discuss ties
Discussing the latest developments in the region and bilateral relations, especially in the economic and infrastructural fields is on the agenda of the Armenian official’s visit.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always declared its readiness to cooperate with neighboring and regional countries for regional peace and stability.
Holding meetings between the countries of the region is one of Iran’s measures.
Earlier on Sunday morning, General Ali-Akbar Ahmadian hosted Iraq’s National security adviser Qasim al-Araji in Tehran.
During the meeting, the Iranian and Iraqi security officials discussed and exchanged views about bilateral issues and the implementation of the security agreement between Tehran and Baghdad.
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Nikhat Zareen ends Asian Games campaign with bronze medal
Zareen and Raksat faced each other in the quarterfinals of the world championship earlier this year and the Indian boxer had emerged victorious.
Updated On – 06:14 PM, Sun – 1 October 23
Hangzhou: Reigning World Champion, Nikhat Zareen ended her 19th Asian Games campaign with a bronze medal after going down in a closely fought semifinal bout on Sunday.
India suffered a shocking defeat on Sunday as the star pugilist Zareen was defeated by Thailand’s Chuthamat Rakshat by a 3:2 split decision in the semifinal of women’s 50kg category.
Zareen and Raksat faced each other in the quarterfinals of the world championship earlier this year and the Indian boxer had emerged victorious.
Earlier in the day, Jaismine Lamboria suffered defeat in the quarterfinals of the women’s 60 kg after RSC (referee stopping the contest) defeat in round 2 against North Korea’s Won Ungyong on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the 2022 World Championships bronze medalist Parveen Hooda entered the semifinals with a unanimous 5-0 win against Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova in the quarterfinals.
Parveen confirmed the 5th boxing medal for India and secured the Olympic quota for the Paris Olympics in boxing.
