India

Video: Hardik Pandya Sits Alone In Dugout After Defeat Against Rajasthan

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There just doesn’t seem to be respite in store for Hardik Pandya. Already one of the most criticised players in the Indian Premier League, Hardik’s troubles worsened as Rajasthan Royals secured a comfortable victory over the 5-time champions on Monday. Hardik, who continues to be surrounded by fans boos wherever he goes, was spotted spending some time alone in the MI dugout after the bitter result against RR.

It was a heart-breaking sighting seeing Hardik all down and low as the Mumbai Indians players headed out of the stadium following the conclusion of the match. Here’s the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKVlxnIqvY8

The Royals emerged triumphant on the back of a Yuzvendra Chahal (3/11) and Trent Boult (3/22) combined effort to suffocate Mumbai Indians with the bat, restricting them to 125/9. Riyan Parag (54 not out) then churned out yet another top-drawer knock to take Rajasthan Royals to the first spot in the IPL points table.

Even though commentator and former India and Mumbai player Sanjay Manjrekar appealed to the crowd to “behave”, the boos continued until Pandya hit a few fours to bring smile back on Mumbai fans after their side was left reeling at 20/4 inside the powerplay.

Pandya top-scored with 34 for Mumbai in his bid to turn the brickbats into cheers but Rajasthan came out on top on every moment in the game, which was underlined by special bowling efforts from Chahal, Boult as well as Nandre Burger (2/32), who were all backed by excellent fielding.

Boult struck early with a three-wicket burst inside the powerplay and Chahal made life miserable for rest of the batters in the following overs to return brilliant figures 3/11 in four overs, accounting for Pandya, Tilak Varma (32) and Gerald Coetzee (4).

If Chahal suffocated the MI batters in the middle overs while stopping both Pandya and Varma in their tracks, it was Boult who ran riot in the home side’s top order, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir and Dewald Brevis for first-ball ducks.

The tone was set in the first over itself by Boult who rocked the Mumbai Indians twice, including the priced scalp of Rohit who was out for a golden duck.

Dhir (0) was guilty of walking across the wickets and failing to cover Boult’s in-swing, with the ball crashing into his pads. A DRS appeal was eventually burned since the ball tracking showed it would have clipped the leg stump.

Mumbai’s situation worsened when impact player Brevis (0) played one meekly to short third on another delivery angling away from the right-hander off Boult in the third over, with Nandre Burger (2/32) taking a sharp reverse cupped catch.

Pandya, who was booed from all parts of the ground here, walked to a similar reception but a brief fightback from him turned the negative noise into cheers.

The Mumbai skipper showed intent when he hit three fours off Burger in the sixth over, but it was Chahal who brought an end to Pandya’s resistance.

With PTI inputs

Topics mentioned in this article

Hyderabad

Secunderabad’s Dawoodi Bohra community embraces Ramadan with spiritual reflection and unity

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During this holy month, the Dawoodi Bohras fast from dawn to dusk, engage in recitation and memorisation of the Quran, host communal meals, and actively participate in acts of charity.

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 07:24 PM


Secunderabad’s Dawoodi Bohra community embraces Ramadan with spiritual reflection and unity

Dawoodi Bohra Community

Hyderabad: The Dawoodi Bohra community, along with millions of Muslims around the world, is currently observing the sacred month of Ramadan, which began in the second week of March 2024.

In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. It is a time when community members across the world gather in their local masjids and community centres to pray, reflect, share meals, and come together in a spirit of unity and brotherhood.

Ammar Shakir, a member of the Secunderabad Dawoodi Bohra community, reflected on the essence of Ramadan, stating, “Ramadan is an occasion of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and strengthening bonds with family and friends. It is a time when our community comes together to support one another and share in its blessings.”

“In Secunderabad, our members gather at Saifee Masjid in RTC Colony, Trimulgherry, and other centres in the city for congregational prayers. Dedicated committees have been formed to oversee daily religious activities, coordinate iftar meals, and ensure cleanliness and waste management within and around community facilities,” added Shakir.

During this holy month, the Dawoodi Bohras fast from dawn to dusk, engage in recitation and memorisation of the Quran, host communal meals, and actively participate in acts of charity, compassion, and service to others.

World

At least 12 killed, 15 children missing in South Sudan attack

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A civil war from 2013-18 caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and although the main belligerents have since been at peace, clashes continue among armed groups, Reuters reported.

Activists believe the recent rise in violence is at least partly connected to the elections to choose leaders to succeed in the present transitional government.

In the latest incident on Sunday, youths attacked Ajwara village in Pibor’s Pochalla county, Abraham Kelang, Information Minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said.

“Twelve people were killed, 10 injured and there were some cattle that were raided,” he told Reuters, adding that most of the dead were elderly.

The attackers, from the Murle ethnic group, are also suspected of abducting children, Owety Olung, the acting commissioner of Pochalla County, said.

“We have 15 children who are still missing right now. We don’t know where they are if they are with the attackers or in the bush,” he told Reuters.

Pochalla County is mostly inhabited by the Anyuak ethnic group. They and the Murle, who mainly live in neighboring Boma County, have fought sporadically and the violence, partly motivated by cattle rustling, has involved ethnic groups from neighboring Jonglei State.

In late March, youths shot dead 15 people in Pibor, including Boma’s deputy army commander, government officials, and the county commissioner’s bodyguards.

Officials also blamed the youths for the killing last year of another county commissioner in Pibor and a security official.

More than 150 people were killed earlier this year during conflicts between rival groups in northern and western South Sudan.

SD/PR

Middle East

Israeli attack on diplomatic mission contrary to intl. law

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Commenting on the Zionist regime’s terrorist attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria yesterday, Mehr News agency reached out to Asst. Prof. at Istanbul Aydın University Hazar Vural Jane.

Here are her answers to the questions. 

How do you assess this act according to International law?

According to the 1961 Vienna Convention, diplomatic missions enjoy immunity. In terms of international law, this is globally recognised, as repeatedly emphasised in the document. Any behaviour contrary to this is a disregard for the law. On 1 April 2024, Israel’s striking the Iranian embassy in Damascus, the capital of Syria, in a third country is an unlawful act. Israel, which is being tried at the International Court of Justice for its practices in the ongoing war in Gaza, killed 7 people in the embassy, including the Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Zahedi and Mohammad-Hadi Hajrahimi, in an attack last night.

Although international law is far from deterrence with its problematic applications in practice, it should work within the same accountability framework for the 193 states registered to the UN, but the situation may be different for some states. This is one of the main problems in practice. Israel often stands out as a negative example in this regard and continues its arbitrary and unlawful aggressive actions. Within the framework of “equal sovereignty”, whichever state commits such aggression should be condemned globally and swiftly. So far, Israel has been condemned by various states, including Russia, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

What are the Reasons behind this criminal act? To what extent, this act is for manipulating public opinion from the regime’s failure in Gaza despite the 5-month genocide against the Palestinian people?

Israel has been waging a war in Gaza for almost 6 months and has been trying to show that it is struggling for its existence by projecting hard power to its close neighbourhood from time to time. Psychologically, it is quite difficult to manage a war for such a long time. On the other hand, it is observed that protests against the prime minister continue within Israel.

 While the attacks organised from time to time against HAMAS’s allies in the region can be read as Israel’s efforts to show its power, this direct attack against Iran can be said to point to a dangerous situation in the region. The escalation of tensions between the USA and Iran, which have been confronting each other through proxies in the past months, is now taking place between Israel and Iran, which carries the same risks considering the multiple relations in the region. When we look at the wider region, the confrontation that has been going on as of 7 October is being experienced through many different actors in the region. The ongoing confrontation of Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” with Israel and the US is not new. It is a continuation of the ongoing power struggle from Iraq to Lebanon, from Yemen and Red Sea. However, Israel is responsible for yesterday’s attack and its consequences in terms of target and location, as stated by the highest Iranian authorities. Israel, on the other hand, holds Iran responsible for the tension in the region to this point. Israeli military spokesman states that Iran is the main actor above all proxy forces. Aside from the expectation of Iran’s response to the attack, the focus should not be shifted away from Gaza. Israel’s massacres and acts of genocide in Gaza continue every day, and in this context, the international community should not shift its focus away from Gaza.

Dr. Hazar VURAL JANE

Top News

Nizamabad Collector asks poll staff to ensure error free polls

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District Election Officer and Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu said training enables polling officials to understand the election system, learn handling and operation of EVMs to ensure an error-free election process.

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 07:16 PM


Nizamabad Collector asks poll staff to ensure error free polls

File photo

Nizamabad: Ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections, training session for the Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding officers of Nizamabad Rural Constituency was conducted on Tuesday.

District Election Officer and Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu said training enables polling officials to understand the election system, learn handling and operation of EVMs to ensure an error-free election process. He also educated participants about their role and responsibilities in the fair and free conduct of elections.

Training was pivotal to familiarize the staff with EVM & VVPAT operations and get acquainted with necessary knowledge and skills for effectively carrying out their duties during the electoral process, he said.

During the training, collection of polling material, collection and installation of EVMs, setting up of polling stations and commencement of polls was explained to POs and APOs by the master trainers. The process with regard to sealing, installation and functioning of the EVMs was also demonstrated by the master trainers.

Hyderabad

Telangana: Forest personnel struggle to quench thirst of wild animals

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With the demand for water tankers increasing this season, many officers find it challenging to ensure water supply to wild animals.

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 07:12 PM


Telangana: Forest personnel struggle to quench thirst of wild animals

File photo of a saucer pit

Hyderabad: This summer, Forest officials are struggling to quench the thirst of wild animals due to dearth of funds and limited staff.

The field level staff is urging gram panchayats, local district administration and Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) for support. Generally, during summer, forest personnel use water tankers to fill up the artificial saucer pits established in the jungles to ensure water availability for wild animals. These tankers are arranged from nearby villages. However, with the demand for water tankers increasing this season, many officers were finding it challenging to ensure water supply.

There are nearly 8,500 water holes, including ponds, streams etc in the forests across the State. Of these, 6,135 are artificial water holes like saucer pits, percolation tanks and check dams and among them, 5,370 are in working condition. Depending on the size, each saucer pits capacity ranges from 750 litres to 4000 litres. Field level staff members have to engage water tankers to fill up the saucer pits in their respective beats. Officials have to shell out at least Rs.500 for a 2,500 litre-tanker.

With limited funding from the department, it is turning into a challenge for the staff to arrange tankers.

“Apart from the meager funds from the department, we have to request the nearby gram panchayats to supply water tankers,” said a District Forest Officer.

Considering the demand for water tankers, arranging them on a daily basis is another task. At times, a few officers are forced shell out the tanker charges from their personal savings, the officer said.

In a few places, forest officials are requesting district collectors to support the expenditure, while others are coordinating with ITDA for support. Despite all these arrangements, many water tanker operators are not keen on supplying water, citing inaccessible locations, poor roads, fear of vehicle breakdowns and repairs etc and tend to demand excess charges. With limited staff, it is tough on the beat level staff to check water availability in each saucer pit on a daily basis. All these issues were explained to the senior officials at a meeting recently.

On the contrary, senior officials said measures were being taken to fill up 4,000 pits every day. This apart, efforts would be made to map all the available water resources and ensure water supply accordingly.

Considering all these factors, the department was constructing solar powered borewells in the forests. There was a requirement of nearly 2,000 solar powered borewells across the State and till date 413 have been established. It costs about Rs.6 lakh to establish one unit, said a senior official.

World

27 killed, 1 injured in Istanbul night club fire: local media

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The fire, of unknown cause, broke out in a building on Gündoğdu Street in Gayrettepe Yıldız Posta Avenue, Daily Sabah reported.

Upon notification, fire, medical and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Police took precautions in the surrounding area.

Firefighters intervened with 31 vehicles and 86 personnel in the fire.

The injured are being transferred to hospitals in the region.

MNA/PR

Top News

Germany to send 180,000 artillery shells to Ukraine via Czech initiative

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Germany has unveiled a fresh military aid package worth €576 million to restock Kiev’s artillery supplies with 180,000 rounds of shells, in support of a Czech-led initiative to procure ammunition for Ukraine.

Two years into the Ukraine conflict, Kiev is facing a critical shortage of artillery ammunition, namely due to delays in US assistance caused by disputes in Congress, as heavy cannon fire continues to be exchanged along the 1,000-km front line.

Europe intensified its support for Ukraine’s military on Tuesday, with Germany and the EU revealing initiatives to expedite supplies to aid resistance against the potential loss of key frontline cities like Avdiivka.

Last month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled an aid package totaling 478 million euros, but this did not include funding for the Czech munitions initiative.

“The total value of both support measures is therefore over one billion euros,” a spokesperson for the ministry told Reuters.

Christian Freuding, German army General Head of coordinating aid for Ukraine at the German Defense Ministry, said this batch is only the first of three stages of expected deliveries to Kiev.

The general noted that Berlin has agreed to finance the procurement of 180,000 shells through the Czech initiative in the second phase.

More countries have been signing up to the initiative to source hundreds of thousands of rounds from outside Europe for Ukraine.

Germany’s share will account for 40% of the initiative, the ministry said.

Berlin also finalized agreements for an extra 100,000 155mm shells to be delivered to Ukraine, with the first supplies scheduled to arrive this year.

In addition, Germany will also send 100 infantry fighting vehicles and 100 high-performance logistics vehicles.

After the US, Germany has emerged as Ukraine’s second-largest military contributor, offering 17.7 billion euros (roughly $19 billion) in military aid as of January.

Hyderabad

Six fall sick after consuming toddy in Vemulawada

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After a while, they developed health problems while working in agricultural fields. While Suresh and Srinvas had froth coming from their mouth, the others complained of nausea and dizziness.

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 06:43 PM


Six fall sick after consuming toddy in Vemulawada


Rajanna-Sircilla: Six persons fell sick after consuming toddy in Nukalamarri of Vemulawada rural mandal on Tuesday.

Residents of Nukalamarri, Romala Thirupathi, Somineni Srinivas, Suresh, Gugulot Raju, Bhukya Thirupathi and Gugulot Raju had consumed the toddy from a local toddy shop in the morning.

After a while, they developed health problems while working in agricultural fields. While Suresh and Srinvas had froth coming from their mouth, the others complained of nausea and dizziness.

Family members and others immediately shifted them to a private hospital in Vemulawada wherein they are undergoing treatment.

emulawada DSP Nagendrachary and SI Maruthi and excise department officials visited the hospital and enquired about the incident.

They inspected visited the toddy shop, from where Excise officials have collected samples for chemical examination.

Middle East

Iran not to retreat from "honorable support" for Palestinians

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“In the targeted attack on identified diplomatic premises, a number of Iran’s anti-terrorism military advisors with diplomatic impunity who were present in the building when the attack was conducted during Iftar meal, were martyred,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in its statement on Tuesday. 

“This attack violated the impunity of diplomatic persons and premises – a building of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus – and is in flagrant violation of international regulations, especially the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the 1973 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, such as diplomatic agents, as well as the United Nations Charter,” the Iranian diplomatic apparatus further noted.

“Iran will powerfully and wisely make the aggressor and failed Zionist regime regret its new crime,” the statement also said, adding that “this fake regime will never be saved from its inevitable defeat by resorting to such heinous crimes,” it further read.

Elsewhere in its statement, the Iranian foreign ministry declared that “Iran reserves its legitimate and substantive right based on international laws and the United Nations Charter to respond decisively to such acts of terrorism.”

It further read that, “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not retreat in its honorable support of the natural and legal rights of the Palestinian people.”

The Israeli regime attacked Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday evening. The Israeli aggression led to the destruction of the entire building and the martyrdom and injury of the entire people inside it.

Seven of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military advisors were martyred in the terrorist attack.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kan’ani said on Monday night that the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take countermeasures and will decide on the type of reaction and punishment of the aggressor on its own. 

Earlier on Monday, Iran’s Ambassador to Syria stressed that the country will give a decisive response to the Israeli regime.

MNA/6067590