India

Covid Alert: 196 cases of JN.1 sub-variant detected in country

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Ten states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.

Published Date – 03:24 PM, Mon – 1 January 24


Covid Alert: 196 cases of JN.1 sub-variant detected in country


New Delhi: A total of 196 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country so far, with Odisha joining the list of states that have detected the presence of the variant, according to the INSACOG’s data updated on Monday.

Ten states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus.

These states are Kerala (83), Goa (51), Gujarat (34), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) Odisha (one) and Delhi (one), according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).

The INSACOG’s data showed 179 Covid cases recorded in the country in December had the presence of JN.1, while 17 such cases were detected in November.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a separate “variant of interest” given its rapidly-increasing spread, but said it poses a “low” global public health risk.

The JN.1 sub-variant of the coronavirus was previously classified as a variant of interest (VOI) as part of the BA.2.86 sub-lineages, the parent lineage that is classified as a VOI, the world body said.

However, in recent weeks, JN.1 cases continued to be reported from multiple countries and its prevalence has rapidly increased globally.

The Centre has asked the states and Union territories to maintain a constant vigil amid an uptick in the number of Covid cases and the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in the country.

India has recorded 636 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases stood at 4,394, according to the data released by the Health ministry on Monday.

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Senior Punjab Cop, An Arjuna Awardee Weightlifter, Found Dead In Canal

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Senior Punjab Cop, An Arjuna Awardee Weightlifter, Found Dead In Canal

The body of the senior cop was found near a canal. (Representational)

Chandigarh:

In a shocker from Punjab on New Year’s Day, a senior police officer who has also been an ace weightlifter was found dead near a canal in Jalandhar. The body of Dalbir Singh Deol, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was found near Basti Bawa Khel canal.

Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said 54-year-old Singh was hit by a vehicle after being dropped by his acquaintances on Sunday night. His driving licence and ID car were recovered from the spot. 

Hyderabad

Devotees flock to temples in Hyderabad for New Year blessings

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Peddamma Temple in Jubilee Hills was notably packed with devotees, contributing to a congestion that extended along the entire Jubilee Hills stretch, causing traffic disruptions.

Published Date – 03:30 PM, Mon – 1 January 24


Devotees flock to temples in Hyderabad for New Year blessings


Hyderabad: Temples across the city experienced a surge in devotees on New Year’s Day, Monday. Special prayers were organized in many temples, drawing crowds seeking blessings for the beginning of the new year. Churches also held special services as part of the New Year celebrations.

Peddamma Temple in Jubilee Hills was notably packed with devotees, contributing to a congestion that extended along the entire Jubilee Hills stretch, causing traffic disruptions. The scene was mirrored in other temples including the famed Birla Mandir across the city, as devotees flocked to various places of worship.

Devotees thronged Yadadri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple on Monday. The temple witnessed a significant influx as people sought the divine presence of the Lord on the first day of the new year. Devotees formed lengthy queues, starting from the early hours of the day, and similar winding lines were observed at the prasadam counters.

World

Tsunami waves reach Japan’s coast following major quakes

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Torrents of water could reach as high as 5 meters and authorities urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible, according to NHK.

Published Date – 03:14 PM, Mon – 1 January 24


Tsunami waves reach Japan’s coast following major quakes

This image taken in Hong Kong shows a warning message on a screen from a live feed on NHK World asking people to evacuate from the area after a series of major earthquakes hit central Japan. (Photo: AFP)

Tokyo: Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture observed tsunami waves of more than 1.2 meters on Monday after a series of strong quakes struck Japan’s western coast in the afternoon, local media reported.

According to reports, Toyama prefecture on the western coast of Japan also reported tsunami waves of 50 centimeters at 4:23 p.m. local time, Xinhua news agency reported.

Torrents of water could reach as high as 5 meters and authorities urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible, according to NHK.

East Japan Railway Co. suspended operations of all Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines due to the earthquakes, Kyodo News reported.

Hokuriku Electric Power Company said more than 36,000 houses are experiencing power outage.

The Japanese government set up an emergency response office at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo, it added.

Earlier in the day, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for a broad swath of the country’s western coast, including Ishikawa, Fukui, Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata and other prefectures, after a series of strong earthquakes with major ones measured at up to 7.6 magnitude struck a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast in central Japan.

According to the weather agency, the major temblor occurred at 4:10 p.m. local time (0710 GMT) at a shallow depth, registering a maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. It also shook buildings in central Tokyo.

Middle East

Iraqi resistance targets US military base in northeastern Syria

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In this file picture, US soldiers walk while on patrol by the Suwaydiyah oil fields in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah. (Photo by AFP)

Iraqi resistance forces target a US-occupied military base in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah in retaliation for Washington’s support of the bloody Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip.

Sabereen News, a Telegram news channel associated with Iraqi anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), reported that the American military base in al-Shaddadi town, located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Hasakah, was struck on Monday.

The development came hours after the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, claimed responsibility for the strike on the port of Eilat in the southern flank of the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories.

In a statement released through its Telegram channel, the group noted that the attack was carried out in retaliation for US support of Israel’s bloody war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday evening, Iraqi resistance fighters launched an attack against a US military base near Erbil International Airport in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

The strikes on the US-run military installation in Iraq and Syria come amid growing anti-US sentiments in the region over Washington’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed at least 21,822 people, most of them women and children. More than 56,451 individuals have been wounded as well.

The Israeli regime launched the war after Gaza’s resistance groups conducted Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, their biggest operation against the occupying entity in years.

Since the onset of the war on October 7, the United States has backed Israel’s ferocious attacks on Palestinian territory as a means of “self-defense.”

Washington has also vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions that called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

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‘While I decide fate…’: Prabhas sends New Year wishes to his ‘darlings’ in ‘Salaar’ style

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Helmed by ‘KGF 2’ director Prashanth Neel, ‘Salaar: Part 1- Ceasefire’ stars Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Shruti Haasan in the lead roles.

Updated On – 02:59 PM, Mon – 1 January 24


‘While I decide fate…’: Prabhas sends New Year wishes to his ‘darlings’ in ‘Salaar’ style


Mumbai: Welcoming 2024, actor Prabhas extended warm wishes on New Year to his fans and thanked them for making ‘Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire’ a big success. Taking to Instagram, Prabhas shared a still from the film.

Sharing the still, he wrote, “While I decide the fate of Khansaar, you all sit back and have a fantastic New Year darlings! Thank you for owning #SalaarCeaseFire and making it a big success.” As soon as he shared the wish, fans and followers chimed in the comment section.

One of the users wrote, “Happy New Year Darling!” ‘Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire’ is unstoppable at the box office, breaking a new global record by crossing Rs 500 crore.’ Recently, in response to the film’s success, Prabhas said, “I am deeply grateful and humbled by the immense love and support given by the audience. Witnessing Salaar’s fantastic run at the box office has been nothing but an incredible reward for me and my entire team. Every single person involved in the project has put out their heart to deliver their best and we are thrilled to see the positive impact it has had on the viewers.”

Helmed by ‘KGF 2’ director Prashanth Neel, ‘Salaar: Part 1- Ceasefire’ stars Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Shruti Haasan in the lead roles.

The movie also marks the biggest collaboration between KGF director Prashanth Neel and ‘Baahubali’ star Prabhas, who came together for the first time to create the mega action-packed cinematic spectacle.

Prabhas plays the titular character of Salaar in the film, along with an ensemble cast of Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, and Jagapathi Babu. The movie was produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films.

Despite a massive box office clash with Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Dunki’, the Prabhas and Prithviraj starrer performed well at the box office.

Hyderabad

YS Sharmila announces son’s engagement and wedding

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The soon-to-be bride and groom will visit YSR ghat in Idupulapaya with their families to present the first invitation card and seek former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy blessings.

Published Date – 02:58 PM, Mon – 1 January 24


YS Sharmila announces son’s engagement and wedding


Hyderabad: YSRTP president YS Sharmila announced her son YS Raja Reddy’s marriage to his friend Atluri Priya on Monday.

YS Sharmila took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared the news.

“Wishing everyone a blessed 2024! Delighted to share the news of my son YS Raja Reddy’s engagement to his sweetheart Atluri Priya on January 18th, with their wedding set for February 17th, 2024. Tomorrow, we’ll visit YSR ghat at Idupulapaya, accompanied by the soon-to-be bride and groom, to present the first invitation card and seek Dad’s blessings(sic),” Sharmila wrote.

The soon-to-be bride and groom will visit YSR ghat in Idupulapaya with their families to present the first invitation card and seek former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy blessings.

 

 

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"Was Hardly Used…": Gavaskar Predicts Changes For India's 2nd Test vs SA

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The New Year brings in new hopes for Indian cricket team fans. The year 2023 promised a lot for India for there were heartbreaks too. The losses in the finals of the World Test Championship and the ODI Cricket World Cup were heavy blows for the team. 2023 ended on a sour note for the Rohit Sharma-led team as it lost by an Innings and 32 runs in the first Test against South Africa. The second and final Test of the series starts on January 3 and they have to win it to draw the series.

Former Indian cricket team predicted two changes that might take place in India’s playing XI.

“My Playing XI would be not too many changes. Ravindra Jadeja, once he is fit, will probably walk back into the team at the expense of Ravichandran Ashwin. That’s what it is looking to be because Ravichandran Ashwin was hardly used in the previous game. There could be a change in the new ball bowling too with Mukhesh Kumar coming in place of Prasidh Krishna,” Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Team India’s humiliating 3-day loss in the first Test against South Africa sent shockwaves across the cricketing spectrum. Multiple greats of the game and pundits questioned the team’s preapredness for the tour, with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar highlighting the absence of practice matches as one of the biggest reasons behind the result embarrasing result. Gavaskar even called India’s intra-squad matches a ‘joke’ as he lambasted Rohit Sharma and the team management’s decision to not play First Class practice matches before the start of the 2-match series.

“The reasons are straightforward – you didn’t play any matches here. If you straightaway play Test matches, it doesn’t work out. Yes, you sent the India A team. The India A team should actually come before the tour,” he said on Star Sports.

“You need to play practice matches after coming here. Intra-squad is a joke because would your fast bowlers bowl extremely fast to your batters, would they bowl bouncers, as they would be scared about injuring their batters,” he said.

The argument the team management often gives behind the decision to not play First Class Tests is the difference between practice pitches and match pitches. But, Gavaskar feels practice matches are crucial, espeically for young players to step up to the challenge.

“So it’s better to play against the South Africa A team or play two or three matches against a county or a state. The schedule that is made these days, where you play only Test matches with a gap of seven days in between – remove the ‘workload’ word from Indian cricket’s dictionary.”

“Nothing happens to senior cricketers. They will play the second, third and fourth match even if they fail. Practice matches are necessary for the young players. If you want, you can ask your senior players to come at ease, they can come a day before the Test match, but you need to arrange practice matches for the young players,” he said.

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