Sports

Southee gets perfect sendoff as NZ clinch 423-run win over England

admin 0

The victory for New Zealand saw them rise to fourth place in the latest ICC World Test Championship standings

Published Date – 17 December 2024, 10:49 AM


Southee gets perfect sendoff as NZ clinch 423-run win over England

New Zealand’s Tim Southee waves as he leads his teammates from the field after defeating England in the third cricket test between England and New Zealand in Hamilton, New Zealand on Tuesday. — Photo:AP

Hamilton: Retiring fast bowler Tim Southee received a perfect sendoff from Test cricket as New Zealand clinched an emphatic 423-run triumph over England in the third Test on Tuesday.

It was New Zealand’s biggest-ever Test win in terms of runs. While England had already clinched the series with wins in the opening two matches, the victory for New Zealand saw them rise to fourth place in the latest ICC World Test Championship standings.

England, meanwhile, fell to sixth in the standings and behind New Zealand (fourth) and Sri Lanka in fifth. Southee picked up a pair of wickets during England’s second innings to finish his career with 391 Test scalps in 107 Tests, with teammates Mitchell Santner (4-85) and Matt Henry (2-62) doing the majority of the damage to offset half-centuries from Jacob Bethell (76) and Joe Root (54).

Chasing a daunting target of 658, England resumed from the overnight score of 18/2. With Ben Stokes opting not to bat after injuring his hamstring, New Zealand were needed seven wickets to seal the victory. Root and Bethell made positive progress, bringing up a 50-run partnership inside the first nine overs and went on to put a 104-run stand in just 125 balls as both batters scored fifties.

England’s brief spell of dominance in the sun came to an abrupt end when Root was dismissed lbw, missing a sweep off Mitchell Santner. Harry Brook followed soon after, caught in the slip cordon off Will O’Rourke. However, Bethell continued to counterattack, hitting three boundaries in an O’Rourke over as he surged into the seventies. Gus Atkinson and Ollie Pope maintained the pressure with the bat until Pope was bowled by Matt Henry after missing a reverse lap.

Santner then removed Atkinson, dismissing him while attempting another big hit. Matthew Potts fell in similar fashion two balls later while Brydon Carse ran out to be stumped comprehensively giving Santner his fourth of the innings and seventh of the match as the visitors were bundled out for 234 in the chase of 658.

Santner was adjudged Player of the Match for his seven wickets and 125 runs across the two innings, while Harry Brook was named Player of the Series for his 350 runs over the three matches. Brief Scores: New Zealand 347 and 453 (Kane Williamson 156, Daryl Mitchell 60; Jacob Bethell 3-72) beat England 143 and 234 (Jacob Bethell 76, Joe Root 54; Mitchell Santner 4-85) by 423 runs.

Top News

Narayana Murthy Says Climate Change May Trigger Mass Migration To Bengaluru

admin 0

Narayana Murthy Says Climate Change May Trigger Mass Migration To Bengaluru, Pune

Mr Murthy expressed optimism about India’s ability to tackle these challenges

Highlighting the urgency of climate action, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy warned that climate change poses a significant risk of mass migration to urban centres like Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, as rising temperatures and extreme weather events force people to abandon their homes in less resilient areas.

Speaking at an event in Pune on Friday, Mr Murthy issued a stark warning about the effects of rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns. He cautioned that within the next 20-25 years, certain rural areas in India may become uninhabitable, potentially forcing millions to migrate to urban centres that are already struggling with modern-day challenges.

“What is likely to happen is that there will be a mass migration from rural parts of states… into habitable places like Bangalore, maybe Pune, maybe Hyderabad,” Murthy remarked during an award ceremony in Pune.

He further pointed out that Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad are grappling with their own issues, such as pollution and traffic congestion, making them increasingly difficult to live in. “These cities have become extremely challenging to live in, difficult to navigate, and have witnessed rising pollution levels. They are heading toward becoming unlivable,” Murthy warned.

Mr Murthy stressed the urgency of collaboration among the corporate sector, political leaders, and bureaucrats to address climate change and mitigate rural-to-urban migration. He highlighted the critical need for such cooperation to prevent India’s urban hubs from becoming overwhelmed by an influx of migrants, which would further strain their already burdened infrastructure.

“We in India, particularly the corporate sector, have to cooperate with politicians and bureaucrats and ensure that there is no mass migration,” Murthy was quoted as saying by The Economic Times.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Mr Murthy expressed optimism about India’s ability to tackle these challenges. While acknowledging that India often acts reactively, he conveyed confidence that by 2030, the country would achieve significant progress in meeting climate targets and addressing the migration crisis.

“I am optimistic that we will make progress by 2030,” Murthy added, reassuring the audience that with timely intervention and collective efforts, India could overcome these pressing issues.

India’s rapid urbanisation and population growth have already stretched cities to their limits. The anticipated influx of migrants driven by climate change could exacerbate existing challenges, intensifying shortages of infrastructure and resources.

Business

Ola Electric’s share tanks to Rs 90 as angry customers flood social media over poor after-sale service-Telangana Today

admin 0

Since touching all-time high, company’s share is trading 42-43% lower amid innumerable hardware and software issues with its e-scooters and poor conditions at its service centres

Published Date – 7 October 2024, 11:22 AM


Ola Electric’s share tanks to Rs 90 as angry customers flood social media over poor after-sale service


Mumbai: Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric saw its stock crashing to about Rs 90 a piece in the morning trade on Monday, as aggrieved customers flooded social media platforms again with a myriad of issues with its flagship electric two-wheeler.

The Ola Electric share nosedived to Rs 90.26 apiece, a drop of 8.5 per cent from the last trading session.

The EV firm debuted on the stock market with Rs 76 and even touched Rs 157.40, before crashing like a pack of cards over innumerable hardware and software issues with its e-scooters and poor conditions at its service centres across the country.

Since touching the all-time high, the company’s share is trading around 42-43 per cent lower.

The EV firm continues to lose its market share in the Indian EV market and in September, its share further dropped to 27 per cent amid rising competition as well as its crippling service centres.

It saw 24,665 e-scooter sales last month, from 27,587 units sold in August, according to government transportation portal Vahan.

Ola Electric’s rivals have launched newer models which are priced closer to those of Ola, as its flagship S1 series EV scooter has become a nightmare for hundreds of customers who are consistently facing issues such as malfunctioning hardware and glitching software and spare parts are hard to come by, resulting in inordinate delays.

As per trade analysts, the stock is currently loss-making and trading at high valuations.

An aggrieved Ola Electric customer torched its showroom in Karnataka last month, as the company’s social media platforms were flooded with complaints about its EV scooters. As per reports, Ola Electric receives around 80,000 complaints monthly.

Hyderabad

Telangana: P C Ghose Commission’s term extended by two more months

admin 0

The commission was initially set to submit its report by December 31, but it is in the process of completing the process of cross examination

Published Date – 21 December 2024, 05:24 PM


Telangana: P C Ghose Commission’s term extended by two more months


Hyderabad: The term of Justice P C Ghose Judicial Commission probing into the construction of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project barrages has been extended by two more months by the State government.

The commission was initially set to submit its report by December 31, but it is in the process of completing the process of cross examination. As a result, its term was extended till February 28, 2025.

Middle East

Israel launches extensive attacks on Lebanon

admin 0

Although a ceasefire agreement has been signed between Hezbollah and the Zionist regime, Tel Aviv is repeatedly violating this agreement with the support of the United States.

Lebanese sources announced that the Zionist army heavily targeted and bombarded the city of KafarKila in the south of the Arab country.

There have been no immediate reports of possible casualties.

Since the establishment of a ceasefire between the parties to the conflict, the Zionist regime has bombed Lebanon hundreds of times under various pretexts. However, the US and its European allies support the barbaric actions of the Zionist regime and call on Lebanon to exercise restraint.

MP/6324606

Sports

Gabba Test: Jadeja stands tall as India need 45 runs to avoid follow-on

admin 0

Jadeja and Nitish add 53 runs for the seventh wicket, ensuring that KL Rahul’s classy 84 will not go in vain

Published Date – 17 December 2024, 12:20 PM


Gabba Test: Jadeja stands tall as India need 45 runs to avoid follow-on

India’s Ravindra Jadeja plays a shot during play on day four of the third cricket test between against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. — Photo:AP

Brisbane: Ravindra Jadeja stonewalled the Australian bowlers with a characteristically doughty fifty, carrying India to 201 for seven at tea on a rain-interrupted fourth day of the third Test here on Tuesday. Jadeja (65 batting, 109b, 6×4) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (16, 61b) added 53 runs for the seventh wicket, ensuring that KL Rahul‘s classy 84 will not go in vain.

India still trail the hosts by 244 runs, but more importantly, they are 45 runs closer to avoiding the follow-on and forcing the Aussies to bat again, which will all but ensure a drawn match. Mohammed Siraj, who was promoted to No. 8, is giving company to Jadeja on 1.

Jadeja’s selection ahead of R Ashwin and Washington Sundar might not have pleased everyone around, but the left-hander showed the value he brings to the table as a batter here. In Australia, Jadeja now averages over 54 and his last four innings on these shores are: 65 not out, 28 not out, 57 and 81. The 36-year-old scored a good chunk of runs either down the ground or square of the wicket, enabling him to collect the runs without the risk of getting caught behind or in the cordon.

Jadeja brought up his 22nd fifty in Test cricket off 89 balls and the innings was also dotted with sweep shots that he effectively employed against off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Nitish should also be patted for giving some solid company to Jadeja as batting for time was of more importance than the volume of runs considering the weather pattern in Brisbane.

However, a slice of misfortune ended Nitish’s stay as he dragged Pat Cummins’s climbing delivery back onto his stumps, moments before the teams dispersed for tea after yet another rain interruption.

Earlier, Rahul displayed admirable technical nous to withstand the stern test posed by the Australian bowlers, making a resolute fifty. A nine toes down Rahul (84, 139b, 8×4) and Jadeja raised 67 runs for the sixth wicket before the former fell to a remarkably athletic catch by Steve Smith at first slip off Lyon, as the home side regained the momentum.

Top News

Who Is Sriram Krishnan, Indian-American Appointed Donald Trump's AI Advisor

admin 0

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as the senior White House policy advisor on artificial intelligence (AI). In a statement, Trump said Krishnan would shape and coordinate AI policy across the government. His work entails “working with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.” The 78-year-old also mentioned Krishnan’s career, particularly his accomplishments as a founding member of Microsoft’s Windows Azure team.

Mr Krishnan, sharing his excitement, said he would collaborate with David O. Sacks, the former COO of PayPal, the White House AI & Crypto Czar.

5 key points about Sriram Krishnan:

1) Sriram Krishnan was born in Chennai, and he completed his BTech in Information Technology from SRM Engineering College in Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. He moved to the US in 2005 at the age of 21. His father worked in insurance, and his mother was a homemaker.

2) Mr Krishnan’s journey in the tech world began at Microsoft in 2005. He also led product teams at Twitter, Yahoo!, Facebook and Snap. He developed mobile ad products during his tenure at Facebook (now Meta) and Snap.

3) He shares a professional bond with billionaire Elon Musk, who is also a part of Trump 2.0. Mr Krishnan worked with Musk to revamp Twitter (now X) after its acquisition in 2022. The entrepreneur has also been an advocate for leveraging technology to solve challenges between AI-driven models, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and large internet platforms.

4) In February 2021, Krishnan became a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a venture capital firm. By 2023, he was leading the company’s London office. Krishnan left the organisation in November 2023.

5) He also gained recognition in 2021 as host of the podcast ‘The Aarthi and Sriram Show’ (formerly known as ‘The Good Time Show’). Mr Krishnan works on it with his wife, Aarthi Ramamurthy.



World

Schoolgirls jump out of window mistaking sounds of road roller for earthquake!

admin 0

Eight school girls in Pakistan leapt from first floor of school believing there was an earthquake 

Updated On – 18 December 2024, 05:18 PM


Schoolgirls jump out of window mistaking sounds of road roller for earthquake!


Lahore: Eight schoolgirls were seriously injured after jumping from a first-floor classroom in panic, mistaking the vibrations and sounds of a road roller for an earthquake in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Rescue 1122 said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Jahanian, Khanewal district, approximately 350 kilometres from Lahore.

According to Rescue 1122, the students, aged between 12 and 14, were present in class at the Government Girls High School Jahanian when they felt strong vibrations and heard a thunderous noise caused by a road roller operating near the school as part of road construction work.

With no teacher present in the classroom, the students became alarmed, believing an earthquake was occurring and that the roof might collapse. While many students rushed downstairs, eight of them, overcome by fear, jumped out of the first-floor window, sustaining serious injuries. The injured students were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where the condition of three was reported to be critical.

Laiba Kulsoom, who suffered injuries to her arm and leg, recalled the chaotic scene in a talk with her family in hospital.

“There were around 20 of us in the classroom when we felt the tremors and heard the loud noise. We thought it was an earthquake and that the roof might cave in. In the panic, I saw some girls jumping out of the window, and I followed them,” he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice of the incident and directed health authorities to ensure the injured girls receive the best possible medical care.

Business

Rupee gains 2 Paise to 83.97 against US Dollar amid weaker greenback, falling crude prices-Telangana Today

admin 0

The rise in the country’s foreign exchange reserves to a record high of USD 704.88 billion on Friday has further strengthened the domestic currency, according to forex traders.





Published Date – 7 October 2024, 11:40 AM


Rupee gains 2 Paise to 83.97 against US Dollar amid weaker greenback, falling crude prices


Mumbai: The rupee rose 2 paise to 83.97 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday, aided by a weaker greenback in the international market and a drop in crude oil prices.

The increase in the country’s forex reserves to a new all-time high of USD 704.88 billion on Friday further pushed the domestic currency, according to forex traders.

However, growing escalation in conflict in the Middle East and FIIs outflow on Friday capped sharp gains in the domestic unit, they said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 83.96 against the US dollar, 3 paise higher from its previous close of 83.99. It then declined 1 paisa to 83.97, higher by 2 paise from Friday’s close.

India’s forex reserves jumped USD 12.588 billion to a new all-time high of USD 704.885 billion for the week ended September 27, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday.

On the domestic equity market front, the Sensex rose 228.16 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 81,916.61. The Nifty rose 67.60 points, or 0.27 per cent to 25,081.30. Both indices suffered sharp falls in the previous week.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was marginally down 0.01 per cent to 102.50.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined 0.44 per cent to USD 77.71 in futures trade.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Friday, offloading shares worth Rs 9,896.95 crore on a net basis in the cash segment, according to exchange data.

Hyderabad

Heritage and Harmony: The story of St. John the Baptist church in Hyderabad

admin 0

The church’s serene interior features pristine white walls, polished pews, and brass plaques honouring British soldiers. A marble baptismal font is a basin or receptacle made of marble carved from a single block, stands as a symbol of enduring conviction

Updated On – 23 December 2024, 10:26 AM


1. St. John’s Anglican Church, one of the oldest church edifices in twin cities stands strong even after 211 years without a blemish to its original structure [Photo Copyright N.Shiva Kumar]

By N.Shiva Kumar

Hyderabad: Nestled in East Marredpally, the Church of St. John the Baptist is a 211-year-old architectural marvel and a cornerstone of history in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Established in 1813 to serve the resident British troops, it became the region’s first organized Christian place of worship, witnessing historical milestones and embodying resilience for generations.

Architectural Legacy
Designed in the Tuscan style construction which is a type of architecture that originated in Tuscany region of Italy in the 1600s. It’s characterized by a combination of rustic, natural elements and elegant simplicity, and is known for its Old-World European charm. The cruciform shaped church boasts two-foot-thick walls made of Surkhi mortar and a roof of Rangoon teak. This durable wood has stood the test of time, requiring minimal restoration. The church’s serene interior features pristine white walls, polished pews, and brass plaques honouring British soldiers. A marble baptismal font is a basin or receptacle made of marble carved from a single block, stands as a symbol of enduring conviction. Equally interesting is a metallic eagle shaped podium for holding large tomes for reading or reciting.

Massive pillars support the wooden Rangoon teak girders and roof even after a 200 year-old life span, is getting ready for the Christmas celebrations [Photo Copyright N.Shiva Kumar]The Pipe Organ: A Musical Treasure
Installed in 1916, the 108-year-old pipe organ stands as one of India’s oldest fully functional specimens. With 758 pipes and intricate mechanisms, it continues to captivate congregants every Sunday morning and still is sparkling and blending heritage with spirituality. Standing 16 feet high it’s a marvel that needs to be not heard, Says Sibghat Khan of Deccan Archives Foundation who was fortunate to record its melodious tunes.

Role in 1857 Uprising
During India’s first war of independence, the church adapted to turbulent times. Initially, soldiers left their weapons outside during services, but after the rebellion began, a rule allowed them to carry arms inside—a poignant reflection of the era’s pressures. While retaining its 19th-century essence, the church has embraced modernity. Electrified in 1914 and expanded with a belfry in 1923, the church reflects both its colonial roots and evolving role in the community. The striking blue cross atop the belfry, donated by industrialist Dewan Bahadur Ramgopal, is a local landmark.

3. The colourful stain glass door top windows and sill glitter with the outside sun poring inside the church. [Photo Copyright N.Shiva Kumar]A Diverse Congregation
Today, a large 500 odd members from across India gather here, with services conducted in English also, fostering inclusivity. The church’s rich heritage complements nearby landmarks like St. Mary’s Basilica and Wesley Church, enriching the cultural tapestry of the city. The church is more than a sanctuary—it’s a living museum of faith and history. Its meticulously preserved features, from the Rangoon teak roof to the melodious pipe organ, offer visitors a profound connection to the past. Step inside this historic gem to experience the harmonious blend of history, resilience, and heritage.