YouTuber Falls 85 Feet From Paraglider In US, Breaks Neck And Back

Among adventure enthusiasts, paragliding is one of the most sought-after sports. However, there are several risks involved with the sport. There have been several instances of paragliders being involved in dangerous incidents. In a similar incident, paramotor pilot and YouTuber Anthony Vella was left severely injured after his vehicle collapsed at the Enchanted Rock State Park, northwest of Texas, United States. He sustained fractures to his neck, back, and pelvis.

The mishap was captured on camera. In a YouTube video of the incident titled "Paramoter Crash ALMOST Ended My Life," the 33-year-old said that he lost control of at a height of 80-100 feet above ground while testing the BGD Luna 3, which was travelling at 50 mph.

The now-viral video shows the man's efforts at controlling the aircraft. However, all goes in vain and he falls to the ground. The footage also shows him screaming in pain and asking Siri to call the emergency number 911. Later in the clip, he said that the accident occurred due to "missing a small pension knot" during the pre-takeoff checkups.

As per a report in TMZ, two eyewitnesses helped Mr Vella and contacted medical professionals and his wife Leandra. At the hospital, the man was diagnosed with a fractured neck, back, pelvis, and a broken arm. All of his injuries required surgery.

His wife thanked his friends and followers for the support and wishes. "We have felt the love and support from all of you and will never be able to articulate just how much it means to him, me, and our family. Anthony is very excited to get back to his strong and active self," Leandra said on YouTube.

Moreover, a GoFundMe page has also been set up for the YouTuber. An update on the page said, "Anthony had surgery on his elbow / arm on Tuesday. Multiple rods and screws were used and it is expected to have a full recovery with extensive physical therapy. The surgery to stabilize the fractures in his neck and back is today. Again, your support is greatly appreciated. The recovery will be long and trying. He will remain in the hospital doing in house PT for at least 2.5 weeks."

In another update two days ago, the organiser wrote, "Anthony had all 4 surgeries this week and everything went well. Thank you again for the prayers and support."

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Video: German Shepherd Bites 6-Year-Old At Ghaziabad Housing Complex

A German Shepherd was seen charging at a girl riding her bicycle within an apartment complex in Ghaziabad, in yet another case of dog attack. The dog, despite being restrained by a leash, bit the 6-year-old on her arm as its owner struggled to control it, CCTV footage of the incident showed.

The swift response of the girl's mother who promptly came to her child's aid and sought assistance from a security guard saved her from further harm. Many children were seen walking around inside Ajnara Integrity housing society where the scene unfolded on Wednesday.

The police have now filed a case on the complaint of the victim's mother, Namita Chauhan. In her complaint, she said the dog was not wearing a muzzle at the time of the attack. The woman claimed the dog also attacked her one-year-old son, although this was not captured in the video footage.

Seeking legal recourse, Ms Chauhan has demanded that appropriate measures be taken, including the removal of the dog from the society premises, to ensure the safety of residents.

This comes just weeks after another incident of a dog attack when a 15-year-old boy was critically injured after being mauled by a neighbour's Pit Bull.

Last month, the central government directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pit bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of pet dog attacks.

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Selectors To Meet Jay Shah For T20 WC Team. Report Says "Pandya's Place..."

The national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to finalise the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas but the official announcement might happen a day later. The BCCI secretary is the convenor of the senior selection committee (men) and with Shah busy with his political commitments, it is understood that the meeting will be held in Ahmedabad.

The second wicketkeeper's slot and all-rounder Hardik Pandya's place in the side will be the two talking points of the selection meeting.

It is understood that KL Rahul (IPL strike rate of 144 and 378 runs so far) and Sanju Samson (385 runs at a strike rate of 161) are still locked in a battle for the second wicketkeeper's slot.

Rajasthan Royals captain Samson has for the first time in over a decade been a consistent performer for his IPL side but there is no way his No. 3 batting slot is going to get him a place in the India team.

Another school of thought is that someone like Samson, who has 25 T20Is under his belt but an average of just 20 and a strike rate of around 135, should not be considered based on just one good IPL season.

In case of Rahul, it can be said that one senior member of the coaching staff will certainly go all out to push for his inclusion but many believe that the stylish right-handed batter's approach in T20 cricket remains archaic.

However, he is still considered a better bet than Samson at No. 5 or 6 on slowish Caribbean tracks.

The other option, Jitesh Sharma, is in very poor form, while Dhruv Jurel hasn't got a chance to keep wickets. During the last game in Lucknow, he did get an opportunity to bat long and scored a fifty.

Left-handed batter Tilak Varma, who is also a handy off-spinner, remains an option along with pacer Sandeep Sharma, the Punjab veteran whose slower variations at the death have played a big role in Rajasthan Royals' surge to the top of the IPL table.

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

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Video: German Shepherd Bites 6-Year-Old At Ghaziabad Housing Complex

A German Shepherd was seen charging at a girl riding her bicycle within an apartment complex in Ghaziabad, in yet another case of dog attack. The dog, despite being restrained by a leash, bit the 6-year-old on her arm as its owner struggled to control it, CCTV footage of the incident showed.

The swift response of the girl's mother who promptly came to her child's aid and sought assistance from a security guard saved her from further harm. Many children were seen walking around inside Ajnara Integrity housing society where the scene unfolded on Wednesday.

The police have now filed a case on the complaint of the victim's mother, Namita Chauhan. In her complaint, she said the dog was not wearing a muzzle at the time of the attack. The woman claimed the dog also attacked her one-year-old son, although this was not captured in the video footage.

Seeking legal recourse, Ms Chauhan has demanded that appropriate measures be taken, including the removal of the dog from the society premises, to ensure the safety of residents.

This comes just weeks after another incident of a dog attack when a 15-year-old boy was critically injured after being mauled by a neighbour's Pit Bull.

Last month, the central government directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pit bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of pet dog attacks.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/fd3cFp4

Selectors To Meet Jay Shah For T20 WC Team. Report Says "Pandya's Place..."

The national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to finalise the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas but the official announcement might happen a day later. The BCCI secretary is the convenor of the senior selection committee (men) and with Shah busy with his political commitments, it is understood that the meeting will be held in Ahmedabad.

The second wicketkeeper's slot and all-rounder Hardik Pandya's place in the side will be the two talking points of the selection meeting.

It is understood that KL Rahul (IPL strike rate of 144 and 378 runs so far) and Sanju Samson (385 runs at a strike rate of 161) are still locked in a battle for the second wicketkeeper's slot.

Rajasthan Royals captain Samson has for the first time in over a decade been a consistent performer for his IPL side but there is no way his No. 3 batting slot is going to get him a place in the India team.

Another school of thought is that someone like Samson, who has 25 T20Is under his belt but an average of just 20 and a strike rate of around 135, should not be considered based on just one good IPL season.

In case of Rahul, it can be said that one senior member of the coaching staff will certainly go all out to push for his inclusion but many believe that the stylish right-handed batter's approach in T20 cricket remains archaic.

However, he is still considered a better bet than Samson at No. 5 or 6 on slowish Caribbean tracks.

The other option, Jitesh Sharma, is in very poor form, while Dhruv Jurel hasn't got a chance to keep wickets. During the last game in Lucknow, he did get an opportunity to bat long and scored a fifty.

Left-handed batter Tilak Varma, who is also a handy off-spinner, remains an option along with pacer Sandeep Sharma, the Punjab veteran whose slower variations at the death have played a big role in Rajasthan Royals' surge to the top of the IPL table.

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

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Indian-Origin Candidate On How He Plans To Win London Mayoral Polls

Social service is down. Health service is down. Security is down. That's the London assessment by Tarun Ghulati, the Indian-origin candidate in the race to challenge Pak-origin Sadiq Khan from winning a third term as Mayor of London. The polls are scheduled for May 2.

The 63-year-old, standing as an Independent candidate among 13 contestants, wants to bring the smile and mojo back for London.

"The current incumbent, Sadiq Khan, has brought London to a standstill. Crime has never been worse. It's the most congested city in the world, the slowest city in the world, and you'll be surprised. 21 teenagers lost their lives last year and over 1,000 murders under his watch over the last eight years. And you know there's a need for a levelling up agenda," Mr Ghulati told NDTV in an exclusive interview, slamming his opponent, who has been London Mayor since 2016.

Safety on the streets of the city is among his major priorities, with visible community policing and more officers.

"I come as a voice for the people. I am an independent candidate for mayor. I was mugged on my own high street, so that's how bad crime is," he said.

Asked about how he plans to win, pat came the reply: "I will win this election if everybody comes out to vote". Mr Ghulati, who has a shadow cabinet in place, underlined that his family has been involved in public service over the last three centuries, adding he has been doing the same for 35-odd years.
 
"I'm going to bring in advisers from different communities so that they have all the answers. Because I've been going around the boroughs and I get to see new problems, different areas, different communities. I'll bring in those advisors which I've already formed a list of. They will again come in. Then I'm going to tackle crime with a fervour never seen before," he said elaborating his plans for London.

"We have got to make sure we bring the mojo back for London and the smile is back on the face of everyone. So I'm going to tackle like a good seasoned CEO. I have a dashboard. I'm going to look at it in a holistic basis," he said.

The businessman, who has been on the board of various companies, said his multicultural experience will prove to be an advantage for him.

"It's a great advantage, but none of the other candidates have that advantage. They make gaps. They don't understand cultural advances. I've lived across continents. I've lived in India where people thrive in harmony and live together. I've lived all over the world. That gives me a strength. It gives me knowledge. It gives me a know how, and it gives me the people to people interaction because that moment of truth is lost when you can't interact with people. The current politicians in the fray lack that," said the businessman, who also speaks many languages, adding that he will create funds and will not be limited by the 21 billion sterling budget.

"I've been a banker, a chairman. I've sat on several boards. I advise a lot of entities, including dealing with law enforcement. So I'm a strategic advisor to the global cyber life. So none of these people would talk of policing, understand policing like I do. So, as a chairman, I will bring in money. They make excuses to the people. The government is not giving us money. I want to. I view London as a global bank with different cultures and entities and communities. Come here and they thrive. This is one of the greatest financial centres in the world. And that's where I come from. I have the most experience of any one of them. They haven't seen budgets like this, most of them none of the independents, none of the political candidates. They're just playing with the sentiments of people," he said.

Asked if he has drawn from his Delhi experience to bring about changes here, he said: "I've taken a leaf out of Delhi's books, certainly, and India, where I grew up for the first 35 years, which has taught me to take all the religions and all cultures and all genders along."

The winning mayoral candidate will be responsible for all local issues affecting Londoners, from transport and policing to housing and the environment.

"I'm a person of Indian origin. I take a lot of pride in that all over the world. But I am a man of the world, having lived all over the world. So I'm a proud Londoner batting for London and I'll be the next mayor of London for the Londoners," said the businessman.

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Watch: Dramatic Rescue Of Baby Stuck On Tin Roof Of Chennai Apartment

The terrifying sight of an infant sitting on the edge of a tin roof shocked residents of an apartment complex in Chennai's Avadi on Sunday, a viral video shows. The three-minute clip shows the dramatic rescue of the infant who fell from the fourth floor and landed on a sun-shade two storeys down. 

In the clip, recorded from the balcony of a resident, eight-month-old Harin Magi is seen sitting on her hands and knees near the edge of a roof cover on the second floor of a building.

Horrified residents scream for help as three men attempt to climb up from a first floor window to grab the child, the video shows. A group of people hold a bedsheet open at the ground floor just below the window to catch her incase she falls. A mattress is placed underneath the bedsheet to ensure the infant is not hurt.

As the nail-biting clip progresses, the infant shuffles closer to the edge of the roof cover, her legs almost dangling in the air. The screams grow louder as a man climbs out of the first floor window and stands on the railing to reach to child. Two other men hold him steady as he stretches his arm, grabs the infant and passes her to a man inside the apartment.

Avadi Police Commissioner Shankar told NDTV that the incident occured at VGN Stafford, a residential community in Avadi, when the baby fell while her mother Ramya was nursing her on the balcony.  

"She fell when the mother was nursing her. The video and the rescue are genuine. We have not received any formal complaint. The child is doing fine," he said.

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Indian-Origin Candidate On How He Plans To Win London Mayoral Polls

Social service is down. Health service is down. Security is down. That's the London assessment by Tarun Ghulati, the Indian-origin candidate in the race to challenge Pak-origin Sadiq Khan from winning a third term as Mayor of London. The polls are scheduled for May 2.

The 63-year-old, standing as an Independent candidate among 13 contestants, wants to bring the smile and mojo back for London.

"The current incumbent, Sadiq Khan, has brought London to a standstill. Crime has never been worse. It's the most congested city in the world, the slowest city in the world, and you'll be surprised. 21 teenagers lost their lives last year and over 1,000 murders under his watch over the last eight years. And you know there's a need for a levelling up agenda," Mr Ghulati told NDTV in an exclusive interview, slamming his opponent, who has been London Mayor since 2016.

Safety on the streets of the city is among his major priorities, with visible community policing and more officers.

"I come as a voice for the people. I am an independent candidate for mayor. I was mugged on my own high street, so that's how bad crime is," he said.

Asked about how he plans to win, pat came the reply: "I will win this election if everybody comes out to vote". Mr Ghulati, who has a shadow cabinet in place, underlined that his family has been involved in public service over the last three centuries, adding he has been doing the same for 35-odd years.
 
"I'm going to bring in advisers from different communities so that they have all the answers. Because I've been going around the boroughs and I get to see new problems, different areas, different communities. I'll bring in those advisors which I've already formed a list of. They will again come in. Then I'm going to tackle crime with a fervour never seen before," he said elaborating his plans for London.

"We have got to make sure we bring the mojo back for London and the smile is back on the face of everyone. So I'm going to tackle like a good seasoned CEO. I have a dashboard. I'm going to look at it in a holistic basis," he said.

The businessman, who has been on the board of various companies, said his multicultural experience will prove to be an advantage for him.

"It's a great advantage, but none of the other candidates have that advantage. They make gaps. They don't understand cultural advances. I've lived across continents. I've lived in India where people thrive in harmony and live together. I've lived all over the world. That gives me a strength. It gives me knowledge. It gives me a know how, and it gives me the people to people interaction because that moment of truth is lost when you can't interact with people. The current politicians in the fray lack that," said the businessman, who also speaks many languages, adding that he will create funds and will not be limited by the 21 billion sterling budget.

"I've been a banker, a chairman. I've sat on several boards. I advise a lot of entities, including dealing with law enforcement. So I'm a strategic advisor to the global cyber life. So none of these people would talk of policing, understand policing like I do. So, as a chairman, I will bring in money. They make excuses to the people. The government is not giving us money. I want to. I view London as a global bank with different cultures and entities and communities. Come here and they thrive. This is one of the greatest financial centres in the world. And that's where I come from. I have the most experience of any one of them. They haven't seen budgets like this, most of them none of the independents, none of the political candidates. They're just playing with the sentiments of people," he said.

Asked if he has drawn from his Delhi experience to bring about changes here, he said: "I've taken a leaf out of Delhi's books, certainly, and India, where I grew up for the first 35 years, which has taught me to take all the religions and all cultures and all genders along."

The winning mayoral candidate will be responsible for all local issues affecting Londoners, from transport and policing to housing and the environment.

"I'm a person of Indian origin. I take a lot of pride in that all over the world. But I am a man of the world, having lived all over the world. So I'm a proud Londoner batting for London and I'll be the next mayor of London for the Londoners," said the businessman.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/tKQNZrv

Hardik Brutally Reminds MI Stars About 'Game Awareness' After DC Defeat

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya said he wanted batters to take chances in the middle overs and claimed MI were backing themselves to chase down the score in the end against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Fraser-McGurk equalled his own record for the fastest fifty in IPL 2024, smashing 87 off 27 balls to lay the groundwork for a massive total. DC scored 257 in 20 overs, with cameos from Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant, and Tristan Stubbs. MI seemed to be always behind the chase, and Tilak Varma's brave effort was insufficient as Delhi prevailed by 10 runs. MI suffered their sixth loss of the season, jeopardising their playoff ambitions significantly.

Speaking after the match, Pandya stated that the game was becoming increasingly close.

"This game is becoming more and more closer. It (the difference) used to be a couple of overs, now it's becoming a couple of balls. Because of the kind of games and how the bowlers are under pressure, we backed ourselves to do it. If I had to pick something out, we could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs," Pandya said in a post-match presentation.

Pandya defended the decision to bowl first in their loss to DC on Saturday. Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first because he wanted to know what target they would be chasing. However, the plan quickly backfired, as DC got off to a flying start thanks to Jake Fraser-McGurk.

"The left-handers could have probably gone after Axar a little bit, it's something we missed out on in terms of game awareness," Pandya said.

Pandya went on to compliment Fraser-McGurk on his knock and stated that he would not have altered anything about the toss.

"It was quite amazing the way he (Fraser-McGurk) batted, he took calculated risks, he played the field really well. It shows the fearlessness of youth. (If he would've done something different at the toss) not really." he added.

Talking about the match, Fraser-McGurk's powerful knock, followed by Rasikh Dar Salam, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed's supercharged pace attack, helped Delhi Capitals (DC) defeat Mumbai Indians by 10 runs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.

Rasikh was the pick for the home side, he came on as an impact sub and picked up 3 for 34 in this high-scoring affair, while Mukesh also returned with a three-wicket haul. For MI, Tilak Varma scored 63 runs, while skipper Hardik Pandya scored 46 for MI.

Earlier put to bat first, explosive knocks by DC batters Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, and Shai Hope guided the team to a mammoth total of 257/4 against the five-time champions Mumbai.

Mumbai Indians will next play against LSG on Tuesday at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

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Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Streaming 5th T20I Live Telecast

With an aim to end the series at 2-2, Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I of the series on Saturday. New Zealand have already gained an unassailable lead of 2-1, so either they are going to win this series or it ends in a tie. Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan won the second game by 7 wickets after the opening contest was washed out due to rain. What followed was a superb comeback from the Kiwis as they registered two wins on trot. The first one was a 7-wicket win while the second one was a 4-run victory.

It is worth noting this is the first series for Babar Azam after being reinstated as Pakistan captain, replacing Shaheen Afridi in the shortest format of the game.

When will the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match be played?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will be played on Saturday, April 27.

Where will the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match be played?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

What time will the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match start?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will start at 8 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will not be telecast in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will be streamed live on FanCode.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/ByQn5ZK

Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Streaming 5th T20I Live Telecast

With an aim to end the series at 2-2, Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I of the series on Saturday. New Zealand have already gained an unassailable lead of 2-1, so either they are going to win this series or it ends in a tie. Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan won the second game by 7 wickets after the opening contest was washed out due to rain. What followed was a superb comeback from the Kiwis as they registered two wins on trot. The first one was a 7-wicket win while the second one was a 4-run victory.

It is worth noting this is the first series for Babar Azam after being reinstated as Pakistan captain, replacing Shaheen Afridi in the shortest format of the game.

When will the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match be played?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will be played on Saturday, April 27.

Where will the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match be played?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

What time will the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match start?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will start at 8 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will not be telecast in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I match will be streamed live on FanCode.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/ByQn5ZK

"Obscene Batting": PBKS Set World Record, Chase Down 262. Full List Here

The cricket world was in shock as Punjab Kings set a new world record on Friday. Led by Jonny Bairstow's incredible hundred, Punjab Kings set a new world record for the highest run chase in the history of T20 cricket as they overhauled the 262-run target set by Kolkata Knight Riders with eight wickets to spare in the IPL on Friday. PBKS bettered South Africa's 259/4 against West Indies in March last year. In the IPL, Rajasthan Royals held the previous record for chasing down 224 against KKR at Eden Gardens recently, equalling the record they had set against then Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2020 in Sharjah.

Highest targets successfully chased in Men's T20 cricket
262 - Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata, IPL 2024
259 - South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
253 - Middlesex vs Surrey, The Oval, T20 Blast 2023
244 - Australia vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2018
243 - Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 2022
243 - Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi, Rawalpindi, PSL 2023

:Obscene batting," commented Kevin Pietersen,

Obscene batting
 

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) April 26, 2024

Talking about the match, sent into bat, Kolkata Knight Riders scored 261/6 but PBKS completed the chase with eight balls to spare.

KKR rode on a 138-run partnership between openers Phil Salt (75 off 37 balls) and Sunil Narine (71 off 32 balls).

The batters that followed the openers then consolidated the home team's position and took them to an imposing total.

In reply, PBKS too were off to a great start and scored 93 runs for the loss of Prabhsimran Singh's wicket in the powerplay.

Prabhsimran blazed away to a 20-ball 54 before getting run out. Bairstow continued his brutal onslaught to help PBKS pull off a stunning win. Bairstow (108 off 48 balls) was well-supported by the in-from Shashank Singh who smashed 68 in only 28 balls.

Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders: 261/6 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 75, Sunil Narine 71).

Punjab Kings: 262/2 in 18.4 overs (Jonny Bairstow 108, Prabhsimran Singh 54, Shashank Singh 68). 

With PTI inputs

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UP Students Clear Exam With 'Jai Shri Ram' Answers, Professors Suspended

First year students at an Uttar Pradesh University aced the exam by allegedly writing 'Jai Shri Ram' and names of cricketers in the answer sheet. But then the law caught up.

Two professors at state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in Jaunpur were suspended for allegedly extorting money from students in exchange of marks on answer sheets written with songs, music and religious slogans.

Student leader Divyanshu Singh had alleged in a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor and Vice Chancellor that with the connivance of some officials of university, even the students who got zero marks were passed by giving them more than 60 percent marks.

Irregularities, exposed by an RTI response, were identified during the assessment of special bank copies, resulting in significant variations in marks upon re-evaluation.

"There was an allegation that students have been given more marks. So we constituted a committee. That Committee in its report said that students have been awarded more marks," said Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh.

Asked about the religious slogans, she said: "Have not seen the copy with Jai Shri Ram answers but saw a copy in which I could not make out anything relevant based on which marks could be given to the student. The handwriting was not very clear."

The Raj Bhavan had written a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University and directed to take action in the matter.

NDTV has accessed the answer sheets where Jai Shri Ram appears in the middle of the answer about 'pharmacy as career'. In the same answer, appears the names of cricketers like Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The examiners, Dr Vinay Verma and Manish Gupta, were suspended in the examination committee meeting on Wednesday.

"Teachers have been warned so that such a thing is not repeated. The committee has recommended termination for the involved teachers. But there's a model code of conduct is in place and further action will be taken once the poll code is lifted," said the Vice-Chancellor.  

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Cml56or

UP Students Clear Exam With 'Jai Shri Ram' Answers, Professors Suspended

First year students at an Uttar Pradesh University aced the exam by allegedly writing 'Jai Shri Ram' and names of cricketers in the answer sheet. But then the law caught up.

Two professors at state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in Jaunpur were suspended for allegedly extorting money from students in exchange of marks on answer sheets written with songs, music and religious slogans.

Student leader Divyanshu Singh had alleged in a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor and Vice Chancellor that with the connivance of some officials of university, even the students who got zero marks were passed by giving them more than 60 percent marks.

Irregularities, exposed by an RTI response, were identified during the assessment of special bank copies, resulting in significant variations in marks upon re-evaluation.

"There was an allegation that students have been given more marks. So we constituted a committee. That Committee in its report said that students have been awarded more marks," said Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh.

Asked about the religious slogans, she said: "Have not seen the copy with Jai Shri Ram answers but saw a copy in which I could not make out anything relevant based on which marks could be given to the student. The handwriting was not very clear."

The Raj Bhavan had written a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University and directed to take action in the matter.

NDTV has accessed the answer sheets where Jai Shri Ram appears in the middle of the answer about 'pharmacy as career'. In the same answer, appears the names of cricketers like Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The examiners, Dr Vinay Verma and Manish Gupta, were suspended in the examination committee meeting on Wednesday.

"Teachers have been warned so that such a thing is not repeated. The committee has recommended termination for the involved teachers. But there's a model code of conduct is in place and further action will be taken once the poll code is lifted," said the Vice-Chancellor.  

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Cml56or

Dravid Told To 'Not Compromise' For T20 WC, Given Unique Bowling Options

As the deadline for India's T20 World Cup squad nears, former batter Navjot Singh Sidhu has advised head coach Rahul Dravid and selectors not to compromise with quality bowlers while picking the team. Sidhu feels that if the selectors do compromise with the bowling and pick one extra batter, the tournament will end in disappointment for India, who last won an ICC event back in 2013. While responding to a query, Sidhu advised Dravid and the selectors to pick three spinners and as many quality fast bowlers.

Sidhu also vouched for the improbable selection of Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Khaleel Ahmed, and ignored star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

"My straight advice to Rahul Dravid is that if you want to win this tournament, have five wicket-taking specialist bowlers, simple. The collapse of a team's character stems from the compromise point. You have three spinner in Bishnoi, Kuldeep and Jadeja, who picks himself. Mayank Yadav if he is fit, walks into this side. Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Mohsin Khan should be the fast bowlers. " Sidhu said on Star Sports.

The 60-year-old suggested that India should utilise their resources as playing extra batter won't win the Rohit Sharma-led side the World Cup.

"India have a lot of options and they shouldn't compromise and pick guys who can bat and bowl a bit. You think of all the World Cup winning captains, they would've gone for quality bowling options. That's the secret. If seven batters can't win you the World Cup, even the 8th cannot do anything," he added.

According to reports, the BCCI selectors will meet with head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma to discuss the World Cup squad later this week.

The deadline for squad submission is May 1. The tournament kicks off June 2 in the Americas with India's opening game on June 5 against Ireland.

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Lowest Turnout More Than Your Highest: S Jaishankar On West's Poll Critique

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has hit out at the Western media, emphasising that they criticise our democracy because they think they are also political players in our election and not because they lack information.

Addressing a forum for nationalist thinkers in Hyderabad on Tuesday, the minister said, "I get a lot of these noises from the Western press and if they criticise our democracy, it's not because they lack information. It is because they think they are also political players in our election."

Mr Jaishankar said that in an article by the Western media, they asked why elections were being held amid a heatwave in India. "Now I read that article and I wanted to say listen, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best run," Mr Jaishankar said.

He added that these are games that are being played.

"These are politics. These are our domestic politics which is going global, global politics which feels they must now intrude in India. How can these chaps decide who should be ruling without consulting us?" he said.

"They (West) actually think they are part of our electorate... I think it's time today that we disabuse them and the best way that we do that, is by confidence," Mr Jaishankar stressed.

The minister emphasised the need to stand up to these kinds of attacks and criticisms and rankings and reports because they will question everything.

"They will question your election system, your EVM, your election commission, even the weather," he said.

"And one complaint is...it is so unfair, BJP thinks it's going to win very big," he said, adding that, in a kind of way, today, we are at a very important inflexion point.

Mr Jaishankar said that the decisions the government will be making are not just for the next five years, but will give our nation, our society, and our coming generations a very big vote of confidence.

"It is the guarantee, the guarantee is an expression of confidence. It is an expression of confidence based on what we have delivered for the last ten years," he added.

He highlighted how India has been regarded across the world in the past ten years, how the country is today preparing for the next 25 years is the mindset with which we need to approach the world.

Moreover, recalling the G20 Summit, Mr Jaishankar said that during the presidency, several countries wanted to connect to India.

"During our G20 presidency, a number of countries, but particularly this was an initiative called IMEC through Saudi Arabia, they wanted to connect India to Europe. Russia and Iran also want a connectivity passage to Europe. In the east, countries like Vietnam, and Cambodia, want a passage through Myanmar to India," he said.

Lauding India's prominence on the global stage, Mr Jaishankar said that there is a lot of interest in somehow accessing India, connecting to India and working with India

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said, "It is the combination of all of this and, as I said, the stature which the Prime Minister personally commands...I see that because I travel with him often."

Recalling when India got the G20 presidency, Mr Jaishankar said, "When we got our G20 chair presidency, it was on December 1, 2022. I think most of the world said, you know, I don't know where you guys got stuck. You know how this is going to happen. You are going to have a really difficult time managing this. And yet, actually, when the G20 summit met, within the first day, we were actually able to forge a consensus."

He further emphasised that when something happens, people can only see the final outcome and not the work done behind the scenes.

"It's worth thinking why? Because when something happens, we think it's natural. It's not natural. Something happens behind the scenes, you are only seeing the final production, but behind the scenes there is a lot of work," he said.

The fact is, when the G20 met, there was a lot of respect in the rest of the world "for PM Modi personally and for Modi's Bharat", Mr Jaishankar stressed.

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

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Lowest Turnout More Than Your Highest: S Jaishankar On West's Poll Critique

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has hit out at the Western media, emphasising that they criticise our democracy because they think they are also political players in our election and not because they lack information.

Addressing a forum for nationalist thinkers in Hyderabad on Tuesday, the minister said, "I get a lot of these noises from the Western press and if they criticise our democracy, it's not because they lack information. It is because they think they are also political players in our election."

Mr Jaishankar said that in an article by the Western media, they asked why elections were being held amid a heatwave in India. "Now I read that article and I wanted to say listen, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best run," Mr Jaishankar said.

He added that these are games that are being played.

"These are politics. These are our domestic politics which is going global, global politics which feels they must now intrude in India. How can these chaps decide who should be ruling without consulting us?" he said.

"They (West) actually think they are part of our electorate... I think it's time today that we disabuse them and the best way that we do that, is by confidence," Mr Jaishankar stressed.

The minister emphasised the need to stand up to these kinds of attacks and criticisms and rankings and reports because they will question everything.

"They will question your election system, your EVM, your election commission, even the weather," he said.

"And one complaint is...it is so unfair, BJP thinks it's going to win very big," he said, adding that, in a kind of way, today, we are at a very important inflexion point.

Mr Jaishankar said that the decisions the government will be making are not just for the next five years, but will give our nation, our society, and our coming generations a very big vote of confidence.

"It is the guarantee, the guarantee is an expression of confidence. It is an expression of confidence based on what we have delivered for the last ten years," he added.

He highlighted how India has been regarded across the world in the past ten years, how the country is today preparing for the next 25 years is the mindset with which we need to approach the world.

Moreover, recalling the G20 Summit, Mr Jaishankar said that during the presidency, several countries wanted to connect to India.

"During our G20 presidency, a number of countries, but particularly this was an initiative called IMEC through Saudi Arabia, they wanted to connect India to Europe. Russia and Iran also want a connectivity passage to Europe. In the east, countries like Vietnam, and Cambodia, want a passage through Myanmar to India," he said.

Lauding India's prominence on the global stage, Mr Jaishankar said that there is a lot of interest in somehow accessing India, connecting to India and working with India

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said, "It is the combination of all of this and, as I said, the stature which the Prime Minister personally commands...I see that because I travel with him often."

Recalling when India got the G20 presidency, Mr Jaishankar said, "When we got our G20 chair presidency, it was on December 1, 2022. I think most of the world said, you know, I don't know where you guys got stuck. You know how this is going to happen. You are going to have a really difficult time managing this. And yet, actually, when the G20 summit met, within the first day, we were actually able to forge a consensus."

He further emphasised that when something happens, people can only see the final outcome and not the work done behind the scenes.

"It's worth thinking why? Because when something happens, we think it's natural. It's not natural. Something happens behind the scenes, you are only seeing the final production, but behind the scenes there is a lot of work," he said.

The fact is, when the G20 met, there was a lot of respect in the rest of the world "for PM Modi personally and for Modi's Bharat", Mr Jaishankar stressed.

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

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"Make No Mistake, This Is A Ban": TikTok Vows To Fight New US Law In Court

TikTok's CEO vowed Wednesday to fight in the courts to overturn a newly signed US law that could see the popular app banned due to allegations it is controlled by the China government.

The legislation gives TikTok nine months to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or be shut out of the American market.

The US and other Western officials have alleged the social media platform allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It has 170 million users in the United States alone, many of them young.

Critics say TikTok is also a conduit to spread propaganda. China and the company strongly deny the claims.

"Make no mistake, this is a ban. A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice," TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew said in a video posted on TikTok moments after President Joe Biden signed the bill into law.

"Politicians may say otherwise, but don't get confused. Many who sponsored the bill admit a Tiktok ban is the ultimate goal."

Chew called the move "ironic" given that the "freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom."

"Rest assured, we aren't going anywhere," Chew told the platform's users.

"We will keep fighting for your rights in the courts. The facts and the Constitution are on our side."

The ban measure was included in a $95 billion foreign aid package, including military assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The bill, which could trigger the rare step of barring a company from operating in the US market, passed the Senate by a 79-18 vote three days after it cleared the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support.

Under the bill, ByteDance would have to sell the app or be excluded from Apple and Google's app stores in the United States.

TikTok for years has been in the crosshairs of American authorities, who say the platform allows Beijing to snoop on users in the United States.

The bill passed by Congress also gives the US president the authority to designate other applications as a threat to national security if they are controlled by a country deemed hostile.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, formerly Twitter, came out last week against banning TikTok, saying "doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression."

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

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"Make No Mistake, This Is A Ban": TikTok Vows To Fight New US Law In Court

TikTok's CEO vowed Wednesday to fight in the courts to overturn a newly signed US law that could see the popular app banned due to allegations it is controlled by the China government.

The legislation gives TikTok nine months to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or be shut out of the American market.

The US and other Western officials have alleged the social media platform allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It has 170 million users in the United States alone, many of them young.

Critics say TikTok is also a conduit to spread propaganda. China and the company strongly deny the claims.

"Make no mistake, this is a ban. A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice," TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew said in a video posted on TikTok moments after President Joe Biden signed the bill into law.

"Politicians may say otherwise, but don't get confused. Many who sponsored the bill admit a Tiktok ban is the ultimate goal."

Chew called the move "ironic" given that the "freedom of expression on TikTok reflects the same American values that make the United States a beacon of freedom."

"Rest assured, we aren't going anywhere," Chew told the platform's users.

"We will keep fighting for your rights in the courts. The facts and the Constitution are on our side."

The ban measure was included in a $95 billion foreign aid package, including military assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The bill, which could trigger the rare step of barring a company from operating in the US market, passed the Senate by a 79-18 vote three days after it cleared the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support.

Under the bill, ByteDance would have to sell the app or be excluded from Apple and Google's app stores in the United States.

TikTok for years has been in the crosshairs of American authorities, who say the platform allows Beijing to snoop on users in the United States.

The bill passed by Congress also gives the US president the authority to designate other applications as a threat to national security if they are controlled by a country deemed hostile.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, formerly Twitter, came out last week against banning TikTok, saying "doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression."

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

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Ayushmann Reveals He Broke Up With Tahira After Winning Roadies

Ayushmann Khurrana in a recent interview with Mashable India opened up about the time when he had broken up with his then girlfriend Tahira Kashyap after winner reality show Roadies. Ayushmann Khurrana said, "It is very difficult to deal with fame when you are 16-17. I remember I broke up with my girlfriend then. I was getting a lot of attention for the first time apart from my girlfriend. I lost my mind. I went through that journey when you are in your teens, and you have a gawky image, you are blooming and flowering and becoming a man."

"I was the most popular guy in Chandigarh at that time. So, I broke up with Tahira saying, 'See I am getting a lot of attention, I have to live life now.' But I got back to her in six months and told her 'I can't do this, I can't be a 'f*****'," Ayushmann added.

For the unversed, Ayushmann emerged as the winner of the second season of the adventure reality series Roadies.

Ayushmann Khurrana is known for his roles in hit films like Badhaai Ho, the Dream Girl series, Bala, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Bareilly Ki Barfi, among others. He has also featured in critically-acclaimed films like Article 15, Gulabo Sitabo, Doctor G, Anek and An Action Hero. The actor received a National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 2018 film AndhaDhun. He stepped into the Indian entertainment industry with the reality show Roadies and in 2012, he made his Bollywood debut with Vicky Donor.

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Aligarh Muslim University Gets 1st Woman Vice-Chancellor In Over 100 Years

Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday.

Naima Khatoon was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is a Visitor to the University, they said.

Permission from the Election Commission of India (ECI) was also sought in view of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in place, they said.

"Naima Khatoon, Principal, Women's College, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of AMU for a period of five years. The ECI has stated that the commission has no objection from the MCC angle to the proposal related to the appointment of the AMU VC subject to the condition that no political mileage be derived from it," a source said.

Naima Khatoon, who completed her PhD in psychology from AMU, was appointed as a lecturer in the same department in 1988 before being elevated to professor in 2006. She continued there before being appointed the principal of the Women's College in 2014.

Founded in 1875, Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became AMU in 1920, following the Aligarh Muslim University Act.

In September 2020, AMU completed 100 years as a university, becoming one of the oldest universities in India. The university has had no woman vice chancellor so far.

In 1920, Begum Sultan Jahan was appointed as the AMU chancellor. She continues to be the only woman to have held the post.

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

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"People Happy With PM, Will Win Congress Stronghold": Mohan Yadav To NDTV

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed confidence today that the BJp will win all 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh. The big promise is the victory in Chhindwara - which has been a Congress bastion for around 40 years. This, he said, will be possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "track record".

Chhindwara is the constituency of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, from where the Congress has fielded his son Nakul Nath. Even in 2014, when the BJP came to power across the country, Chhindwara had voted for the Congress. Ditto in 2019, when the party increased its numbers to 303.

This time would be different because of the "Modi-ki guarantee," Mr Yadav told NDTV in an exclusive interview with Editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia. 

"People have seen PM Modi's 10 year track record. We have people's support. There is no anti-incumbency factor against Modi," he said, citing last year's assembly election, in which the BJP won a massive victory despite a buzz about anti-incumbency.  

"We will win Chhindawara too. People are very happy with PM's work," he added.
 
This is also borne out by voteshare, he said. From 44 per cent, it went up to 48 per cent in the assembly election. The party had won 58 per cent votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, with 28 of the 29 seats. "We will definitely get more this time," he said.

The Congress, he added, is well aware of its imminent defeat. It became clear when they gave away the Khajuraho seat to the Samajwadi Party, he added. 

Asked about the issues and narratives for this election, Mr Yadav said the party has a "straight plan". 

"Like PM Modi says, double engine Sarkar -- like interlinking of river projects that will benefit the region. There are a lot of projects where we have benefitted from central government's help," he added.
 

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On CCTV, UP Businessman Pushes Man Off 5-Star Hotel's Terrace After Fight

A pre-wedding party turned violent when a businessman pushed a man who had an argument with his son off the terrace of a five-star hotel in Uttar Pradesh. The chilling incident that happened in the early hours of Sunday has been captured on a CCTV camera installed at the hotel in Bareilly. In one of the frames, the victim can be seen touching the feet of the accused, moments before he was thrown off the terrace.

Victim Sarthak Agrawal - a businessman in the health sector - has been admitted to a medical college in critical condition.

The victim had gone to the hotel with his friends, including Ridim Arora whose father threw Mr Agrawal from the terrace, to attend the party. Soon after an argument broke out between them that escalated into a physical fight around 2 AM. Ridim then called his father Sanjeev Arora, a textile businessman, to the scene.

Footage shows a heated argument between the two groups before Sanjeev Arora enters the frame. Mr Agrawal was seen touching his feet after which Mr Arora grabbed him by his collar, slapped him and then pushed him off the hotel terrace. He doesn't stop there, he then turns to a man standing next to him and beats him up.

Sarthak Agrawal's father Sanjay Agrawal has denied any connection with the accused, saying, "Neither my son nor I have any idea who these people are."

A case of assault causing grievous harm has been registered in connection to the incident. The First Information Report states that the accused were drunk and attacked the victim without any provocation.

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Aishwarya Celebrated Her 17th Wedding Anniversary With Abhishek-Aaradhya

Actors Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, who celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary on Saturday, shared an adorable post with daughter Aaradhya.

The two on Saturday took to their Instagram accounts to share a cute family picture.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AishwaryaRaiBachchan (@aishwaryaraibachchan_arb)

In the picture, Aishwarya can be seen wearing bright lipstick and smiling happily, while Abhishek poses sweetly in a beige shirt for the selfie. Aaradhya looks joyful, snuggling up to her mom and making the family photo complete.

The actors posted the pictures with a red heart emoji.

Abhishek and Aishwarya acted together in 'Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke' in 2000 and later in 'Umrao Jaan' in 2006, where they became good friends. However, Abhishek revealed on the Oprah Winfrey show that while filming in New York, he used to stand on his hotel balcony, wishing he could marry Aishwarya. Years later, during the premiere of their 2007 film "Guru" at the same hotel, he saw it as a sign and proposed to her. They got married that year and welcomed Aaradhya in 2011..

Meanwhile, on the work front, Abhishek was last seen in R Balki's 2023 film "Ghoomer," playing the role of a disgraced cricketer who transitions into a coach. He is now gearing up for his next project with Shoojit Sircar, along with starring in 'Be Happy' on Amazon Prime Video.

Aishwarya, on the other hand was last seen in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: I and II. She potrayed Nandini in the film, a queen who's beautiful and cunning in her quest for power.

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Uddhav Thackeray On Devendra Fadnavis' 2019 Promise Involving Son Aaditya

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday claimed the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had told him in 2019 that he would groom his son Aaditya Thackeray as the next CM of Maharashtra as part of the power-sharing agreement between the two parties.

Mr Thackeray also said Mr Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader, had told him that he would move to the Centre in the next two to three years.

Addressing a rally in Dharavi, Mr Thackeray claimed the then BJP chief Amit Shah had come to Matoshree, the private residence of the Thackerays, to seek an alliance with Shiv Sena (undivided).

"At that time, Fadnavis was made to sit outside the room of late Bal Thackeray while the two leaders (Shah and Thackeray) discussed modalities," he claimed.

It was assured to me that the post of chief minister will be shared for 2.5 years (between BJP and Sena-undivided), he said.

"Later, Devendra Fadnavis told me, Uddhav Ji, I will groom Aaditya for 2.5 years. We can make him CM after 2.5 years. I told him (Fadnavis) that he (Aaditya) is just starting his electoral career. Do not put anything like this in his mind," Mr Thackeray said.

When I asked Mr Fadnavis how a senior leader like him would work under Aaditya, he (Fadnavis) said he would move to Delhi, he added.

Mr Thackeray's claim evoked a sharp reaction from Mr Fadnavis, current Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti government of BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, who said Mr Thackeray has "lost his mind".

"Uddhav Thackeray has become 'bhramishta' (delirious). He is hallucinating. Initially, he said Amit Shah promised him a chief ministership in some room. Now he says I promised to make his son a CM. To hide one falsehood, another lie is being told," Mr Fadnavis said.

He, however, admitted to having told Mr Thackeray that Aaditya should be trained as he will eventually take control of the party (Shiv Sena) one day.

"Leave alone making him (Aaditya) a chief minister, I wouldn't make him even a minister. He (Aaditya) became a minister later (when MVA was in power) which landed the Shiv Sena (UBT) in its current situation today," Mr Fadnavis said.

In his speech, Mr Thackeray slammed Mr Fadnavis for his reference to "some room" during his talks with Mr Shah and said the room of Bal Thackeray is like a temple.

Later Mr Fadnavis posted on X, "We respect late Balasaheb Thackeray because he was always true to his word and never deviated from his ideals. We don't respect those who sacrificed the ideals of the late leader".

"Who are you trying to fool by speaking imagined scripts? You are misleading yourself," he stated while slamming Mr Thackeray.

Mr Fadnavis further said that Maharashtra's "socio-politics" and development is not a "Salim-Javed" script.

"You have nothing to do with politics and development. So don't try to get involved in such scripts. You will get a befitting reply," he said deprecating the senior Thackeray.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said there is a limit to speaking lies.

"He (Uddhav) wanted to become chief minister. As he couldn't become a CM when he was part of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, he switched sides," Mr Shinde told reporters, referring to Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (undivided) joining hands with the NCP (undivided) and the Congress post the 2019 assembly elections.

Notably, a split engineered by Mr Shinde led to the collapse of the Thackeray-led MVA government in June 2022.

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

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4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6: DC Star On Rampage As He Slams Fastest 50 Of IPL 2024

It was an absolute run-fest in Delhi on Saturday as SunRisers Hyderabad went past 250 for the third time in the IPL 2024. With the help of some tremendous hitting from Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Shahbaz Ahmed, SRH put up an intimidating total of 267/6 in 20 overs. However, DC put up a string fight with youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk taking a leading role. He came out all guns blazing scoring a 15-ball half century, the fasted in IPL 2024 this season. It's the joint third-fastest fifty in the history of the tournament. 

 Fraser-McGurk's innings included seven sixes and five fours as he ended on 65 off just 18 balls. However, he was most brutal against SRH Washington Sundar in the third over which went for 30 runs.  Fraser-McGurk hit 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6 as DC cruised in chase.

Earlier, The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma continued their rampage during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, posting the highest powerplay total in the history of the competition and rewriting other record books as well.

DC's return to their home arena, Arun Jaitley Stadium, was not at all sweet and was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Right from ball one, opener Head-Abhishek smashed fours and sixes left and right, irrespective of the bowler. After demolishing Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with 250-plus totals of 277 and 287 runs respectively, which went on to become the highest score in IPL history, the Aussie-Indian pair laid down foundation for yet another big score. SRH ended with 266/7 in their 20 overs.

Head and Abhishek amassed 125 runs in just six overs of their powerplay, the highest-ever powerplay total in IPL history. They broke the record of 105/0 put up by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against RCB in the IPL 2017. This is also the highest powerplay score in the history of T20 cricket.

Travis ended the powerplay at 84 in just 26 balls, making it the highest powerplay score for SRH in the IPL by a single player, outdoing David Warner's 62 in 23 balls against KKR in Hyderabad back in 2019.

Travis reached his half-century in just 16 balls, tying with Abhishek Sharma's 16-ball fifty against MI in this season for the fastest fifty in IPL history for SRH. Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Abhishek Jaiswal has a 13-ball fifty, the fastest ever in the IPL.

Head also reached his fifty for the third time season within the powerplay itself. David Warner has repeated this feat six times in IPL, while Chris Gayle and Sunil Narine have done so thrice as well.

SRH reached the 100-run mark in just five overs with a huge six from Abhishek. This is the fastest team hundred in the history of the IPL, outdoing the feat by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reaching the 100-run mark in just six overs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2014.

At the end of 10 overs, SRH was 158/4. Despite the fact that Delhi spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav made a comeback with some quick wickets, they could not stop SRH from posting the biggest total in IPL history after 10 overs, outdoing SRH's 148/2 against Mumbai Indians made not so long ago.

SRH reached their 200-run mark in 14.5 overs, making it the third fastest instance of a team reaching 200 runs in the IPL. The fastest instance was by RCB, who reached the 200-run mark in 14.1 overs during a 15-over game against Punjab in 2016. The fastest instance of a team reaching 200 runs in an IPL game of 20 overs is also owned by SRH, who did so in 14.4 overs against MI this season.

This is the third instance of a 250-plus run score by SRH in T20s, tying them with Surrey for the most 250-plus scores in T20 cricket. 22 sixes were smashed in this innings, making it the joint most sixes in an IPL innings, equaling SRH's record of 22 sixes against RCB, which came recently in this season.

The 266-runs scored by SRH is the fourth-highest total in the IPL. The Orange Army owns the highest ever total as well, scoring 287/3 against RCB this season.

In six matches, Head has scored 324 runs at an average of 54.00, with a strike rate of 216.00. He has scored a century and two fifties, with the best score of 102. He is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament so far.

On the other end, Abhishek has scored 257 runs in seven innings at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 215.96, with a fifty. His best score is 63. He is the 10th-highest run-getter so far.

Coming to the match, SRH was put on field first by DC. Head (89 in 32 balls, with 11 fours and six sixes) and Abhishek (46 in 12 balls, with two fours and six sixes) put on an explosive stand of 131 runs in 6.2 overs. Later, contributions from Shahbaz Ahmed (59* in 29 balls, with two fours and five sixes) and Nitish Kumar (37 in 27 balls, with two fours and two sixes) came in handy to take SRH to 266/7 in their 20 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for DC with 4/55. Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel also got a six.

With ANI inputs

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Turkey's Erdogan Meets Hamas Chief In Istanbul, Israel Reacts

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Palestinians to unite amid Israel's war in Gaza following hours-long talks with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul on Saturday, his office said. 

Erdogan has failed to establish a foothold as a mediator in the Gaza conflict that has roiled the region, with the Hamas-run Palestinian territory bracing for a new Israeli offensive and a reported Israeli attack on Iran.

Erdogan said Palestinian unity was "vital" following the talks at the Dolmabahce palace on the banks of the Bosphorus strait, which Turkish media reports said lasted more than two and a half hours. 

"The strongest response to Israel and the path to victory lie in unity and integrity," Erdogan said according to a Turkish presidency statement. 

Hamas -- designated a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union and Israel -- is a rival of the Fatah faction that rules the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. 

As fears of a wider regional war grow, Erdogan said recent events between Iran and Israel should not allow Israel to "gain ground and that it is important to act in a way that keeps attention on Gaza". 

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the meeting, writing on X: "Muslim Brotherhood alliance: rape, murder, desecration of corpses and the burning of babies. Erdogan, shame on you!" 

Hamas was founded by members of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1987.

Close ties with Haniyeh

With Qatar saying it will reassess its role as a mediator between Hamas and Israel, Erdogan sent Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Doha on Wednesday in a new sign that he wants a role. 

"Even if only I, Tayyip Erdogan, remain, I will continue as long as God gives me my life, to defend the Palestinian struggle and to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people," the president said Wednesday when he announced Haniyeh's visit. 

Hamas has had an office in Turkey since 2011 when Turkey helped secure the agreement for the group to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. 

Erdogan has maintained links with Haniyeh, who has been a frequent visitor.

Fidan was a past head of Turkish intelligence and the country provided information and passports to Hamas officials, including Haniyeh, according to Sinan Ciddi, a Turkey specialist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. 

This has never been confirmed by Turkish authorities, however.

Erdogan slams Israel

If Qatar withdraws from mediation efforts, Turkey could seek to increase its mediation profile based on its Hamas links.

Fidan on Saturday held talks with visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, with both men emphasising the need to deliver more humanitarian aid to devastated Gaza where the threat of famine looms.

Turkey is one of Gaza's main humanitarian aid partners, sending 45,000 tonnes of supplies and medicine in the region.

Israel has said it is preparing an offensive against the Gazan city of Rafah and the reported Israeli attack on the Iranian province of Isfahan, following Iran's direct attack on Israel, has only clouded hopes of a peace breakthrough.

But Erdogan can only expect a "very limited" role because of his outspoken condemnation of Israel and its actions in Gaza, according to Ciddi.

Last year, the Turkish leader likened the tactics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to those of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and called Israel a "terrorist state" because of its offensive against Hamas after the group's October 7 attacks on Israel. 

Ciddi said Erdogan would not be welcome in Israel and at most might be able to pass messages between Palestinian and Israel negotiators.

The unprecedented Hamas attacks that sparked the Gaza war resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Hamas also took about 250 hostages. Israel estimates 129 remain in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed 34,049 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

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

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Man Sets Self On Fire Outside Court Where Trump Jury Was Selected: Report

A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place, witnesses said.

A witness on the scene said he first heard the man throwing pamphlets into the air, then saw him douse himself from a can and light himself on fire. "At that point, I said, 'Oh shoot, what am I going to see?'" the witness told Reuters.

The witness, who declined to give his name, said the man burned for several minutes.

CNN reporters said they saw a man engulfed in flames for more than three minutes. "I see a totally charred human being," one of them said on air.

The shocking development came shortly after jury selection for the trial was completed, clearing the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to make opening statements next week in a case stemming from hush money paid to a porn star.

The downtown Manhattan courthouse, heavily guarded by police, drew a throng of protesters and onlookers on Monday, the trial's first day, though crowds have dwindled since then.

A smell of smoke lingered in the plaza shortly after the incident, according to a Reuters witness, and a police officer sprayed a fire extinguisher on the ground.

The 12 jurors, along with six alternates, will consider evidence in a first-ever trial to determine whether a former U.S. president is guilty of breaking the law.

The jury consists of seven men and five women, mostly employed in white-collar professions: two corporate lawyers, a software engineer, a speech therapist and an English teacher. Most are not native New Yorkers, hailing from across the United States and countries like Ireland and Lebanon.

Trump is accused of covering up a $130,000 payment his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep quiet about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in three other criminal cases as well, but this is the only one certain to go to trial ahead of the Nov. 5 election, when the Republican politician aims to again take on Democratic President Joe Biden.

A conviction would not bar him from office.

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

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Watch: MS Dhoni Smacks Never-Seen-Before Six, Achieves 310+ Strike-Rate

MS Dhoni was back to his best for Chennai Super Kings once again. This time facing his wrath was Lucknow Super Giants at their home-ground on Friday. After Chennai Super Kings were six down, MS Dhoni came at the crease in  the 18th over. And it did not take him long to show his old magic. In the IPL 2024, MS Dhoni has played the role of cameo to perfection. Against LSG, he achieved his first six on the second ball of the 19th over bowled by left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan. 

He walked across the stumps and scooped the ball. Such kind of shot is very rare from MS Dhoni. It was a short of a length delivery and Dhoni hit it over LSG wicketkeeper KL Rahul's head to perfection. Dhoni stayed unbeaten on 28 off nine balls with a strike-rate of 311.11, he hit three fours and two sixes.

Upgraded, updated version of MS DHONI
The man, the myth, the legend.#CSKvsLSG #CSKvsLSG #CSK #MSDhoni #IPL2024livepic.twitter.com/RbkCjIlWup

— Jai Meghwal (@jai_meghwal723) April 19, 2024

Talking about the match, Chennai Super Kings rode on a controlled fifty by Ravindra Jadeja to reach a strong 176 for six against Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League match here on Friday. Apart from Jadeja (57 not out, 40b, 5x4s, 1x6), Ajinkya Rahane (36, 24b, 5x4s, 1x6), Moeen Ali (30, 20b, 3x6s) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (28 not out, 9b, 3x4s, 2x6s) too chipped in with handy contributions after CSK were asked to bat first.

For LSG, Krunal Pandya (2/16) was the most successful bowler.

LSG made one change as New Zealand pacer Matt Henry replaced his West Indian counterpart Shamar Joseph.

CSK made two changes to their eleven with Moeen Ali coming in for Daryl Mitchell and Deepak Chahar walking in for Shardul Thakur.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings: 176 for 6 in 20 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 57 not out, Ajinkya Rahane 36, Moeen Ali 30, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 28 not out; Krunal Pandya 2/16).

With PTI inputs

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Preity Zinta Breaks Silence On Viral 'Will Bet Life To Get Rohit' Quote

Rohit Sharma is now a hot topic in IPL 2024. Since, he was replaced by Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians captain there has been speculation over his future with the franchise. While there have reports claiming he might leave the five-time IPL champions ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, there has been no official confirmation. In the midst of this an alleged quote of Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta went viral. In the quotes, social media handle claimed that Zinta said, she would 'bet her life' to get Rohit Sharma in her team. 

Preity Zinta has now broken silence on the quote and has said it's fake.   

"#Fakenews ! All these articles are completely fake & baseless. I hold Rohit Sharma in very high regard & am a big fan of his, but I have NEVER DISCUSSED him in any interview nor made this STATEMENT !

"I also have a lot of respect for Shikhar Dhawan & he being currently injured , makes these articles appear in very poor taste. These articles are a perfect example of how misinformation is picked up without any verification & circulated online. I humbly request all Media to refrain from circulating this & embarrassing all concerned parties ?? All I want to say is that we have a great team currently & our only focus is to win games & make the most out of #IPL2024  Thank you. @PunjabKingsIPL"

#Fakenews ! All these articles are completely fake & baseless. I hold Rohit Sharma in very high regard & am a big fan of his, but I have NEVER DISCUSSED him in any interview nor made this STATEMENT ! I also have a lot of respect for Shikhar Dhawan & he being currently injured ,... pic.twitter.com/VYbyV4eqHU

— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) April 19, 2024

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"Great Response, People Voting For NDA In Record Numbers": PM On Phase 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the BJP has received a "great response" in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which saw a national average voter turnout of 60 per cent.

In a post on the microblogging website X, PM Modi said the people of India are voting for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in record numbers.

"First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today's voting. It's clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers," PM Modi said.

First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today.

Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today's voting. It's clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2024

Polling took place in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories in the first of the seven-phase elections. The Election Commission (EC) described the turnout as "high", noting that voting remained "largely peaceful".

In the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the voter turnout was recorded at 69.43 per cent. Some constituencies were different then and the total number of seats which went to the polls were 91.

Violence was reported from some areas in West Bengal and ethnic crisis-hit Manipur. Inner Manipur Congress candidate A Bimol Akoijam alleged BJP workers and an armed group stopped people from coming out of their homes to vote.

At least four incidents of people breaking electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Inner Manipur polling booths were reported. The people got upset allegedly over proxy voting by an armed group.

Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep completed their voting process today in a single-phase election.

For the first time, people in 56 villages in Bastar in Chhattisgarh cast their vote in polling booths set up in their own villages.

The EC said in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, voters belonging to tribal communities came out in large numbers. The Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar made history by casting vote for the first time.

Voters braved the heat in most parts of the country while, at others, they waited patiently in pouring rain.

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Advances Rejected, Ex Classmate Stabs Woman 7 Times In Karnataka College

The daughter of a Congress corporator has died after being stabbed seven times with a knife by a former student of the college she was attending in Karnataka's Hubbali. Her attacker has been arrested and police said it appears that he carried out the killing because she had rejected his advances.

Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, was a first-year Master of Computer Applications student at the BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubballi. Officials said she had known her attacker, Fayaz - who also studied with her at the college, but later dropped out - for some time.

Around 5 pm on Thursday, Neha was walking inside the campus when Fayaz confronted her. CCTV footage shows a couple of sentences being exchanged between them before Fayaz attacks her. Neha falls to the ground after being stabbed the first time and Fayaz goes on to knife her at least six more times.

Fayaz then makes a run for it while some students chase after him.

Fighting back her tears, Neha's mother said, "I came to pick her up and spoke to her over the phone. Within five minutes of our conversation, chaos erupted and someone mentioned she had been stabbed. I haven't seen her face yet and I still believe our daughter is alive. I can't accept that she's gone. I'm not ready to see her in that state. We sent her to college with the hope that we would see her smiling."

Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar said Neha was rushed to a hospital, but declared brought dead.

"The accused had fled, but we arrested him in under 90 minutes. Other students have told us that Neha and the accused knew each other and had studied together. We will know more once the accused's interrogation is done," she said.

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AAP Alleges MLA Amanatullah Khan Arrested By Enforcement Directorate

Less than a month after arresting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, the Enforcement Directorate has taken an AAP MLA, Amanatullah Khan, into custody in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board, the party has claimed. 

Delhi Minister Atishi and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh are at the house of the Okhla MLA and the Delhi unit of the party has posted on X that Mr Khan's alleged arrest is another chapter in the "BJP's failed attempts to finish off the Aam Aadmi Party". 

Mr Khan was the chairman of the Waqf Board between 2018 and 2022 and the Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating a money laundering angle, has alleged that the MLA acquired "huge proceeds of crime" in cash through illegal recruitment of staff in the Board, which manages Waqf properties.  

The ED has claimed he invested the money to purchase assets in the name of his associates.

On Monday, the Supreme Court had refused to grant anticipatory bail to the AAP MLA in the case and asked him to join the investigation today. The bench had, however, cautioned the ED against "unnecessarily exercising" its right to arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"You arrest him in case there is material. In case, there is no material, do not arrest him. You have to follow Section 19 of the PMLA. Right to arrest should not be taken for granted," the bench had said. 

In a message posted on X, the MLA said in Hindi that central agencies have been after him and have troubled him for over a year and a half. "Their attempt has been to get me to resign. They want me to leave Arvind Kejriwal and testify against him. Because I haven't done that, they have arrested me. I want to assure the people of Okhla that, despite my arrest, we will continue to work for the area like we have so far."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Advances Rejected, Ex Classmate Stabs Woman 7 Times In Karnataka College

The daughter of a Congress corporator has died after being stabbed seven times with a knife by a former student of the college she was attending in Karnataka's Hubbali. Her attacker has been arrested and police said it appears that he carried out the killing because she had rejected his advances.

Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, was a first-year Master of Computer Applications student at the BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubballi. Officials said she had known her attacker, Fayaz - who also studied with her at the college, but later dropped out - for some time.

Around 5 pm on Thursday, Neha was walking inside the campus when Fayaz confronted her. CCTV footage shows a couple of sentences being exchanged between them before Fayaz attacks her. Neha falls to the ground after being stabbed the first time and Fayaz goes on to knife her at least six more times.

Fayaz then makes a run for it while some students chase after him.

Fighting back her tears, Neha's mother said, "I came to pick her up and spoke to her over the phone. Within five minutes of our conversation, chaos erupted and someone mentioned she had been stabbed. I haven't seen her face yet and I still believe our daughter is alive. I can't accept that she's gone. I'm not ready to see her in that state. We sent her to college with the hope that we would see her smiling."

Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar said Neha was rushed to a hospital, but declared brought dead.

"The accused had fled, but we arrested him in under 90 minutes. Other students have told us that Neha and the accused knew each other and had studied together. We will know more once the accused's interrogation is done," she said.

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