Sunday 30 June 2024

"Ahmedabad Smart City": Congress Takes A Swipe After City Road Caves In

A road collapsed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad today as the city witnessed heavy rain, disrupting traffic movement and inundating low-lying areas. A video shared by news agency ANI shows a caved-in road in the city's Shela area triggered by the heavy rains. A big pothole was formed in the middle of the road, the video shows. 

The video shows the middle of the road caved in as the water flows into the large cavity.

Several roads and underpasses became inaccessible after being flooded in Surat, Bhuj, Vapi, Bharuch and Ahmedabad, news agency PTI reported quoting officials. The wet spell will continue for the next four days in Gujarat, as per the Met department.

The Kerala unit of Congress did not miss an opportunity to take a dig at the ruling BJP in the state after the incident of road collapse surfaced. It posted a video of the collapsed road and wrote, "Underground rain water harvesting facility recently inaugurated in Ahmedabad Smart City. This ensures that not a single drop of water gets leaked to Arabian Sea." (sic)

Waterlogging, Trees Uprooted In Ahmedabad

Due to heavy rainfall, waterlogging was also reported from Ahmedabad and Surat with Palsana taluka in Surat district receiving 153 mm of rainfall, the highest in the state, in just ten hours, reported news agency PTI.

In another incident, a tree uprooted and fell on a car that got damaged after heavy rainfall at KK Nagar in Ahmedabad, reported ANI.

Photo Credit: ANI

Photo Credit: ANI

Normal life was affected in Ahmedabad due to the rain as the city dwellers struggled to walk through knee-deep water even on main roads.

Photo Credit: ANI

Photo Credit: ANI

Other visuals from the city show a flooded kitchen and a man dragging his two-wheeler through the waterlogged road amid the rainfall.

Photo Credit: ANI

Photo Credit: ANI

Between 6 am and 4 pm, Ahmedabad city received 62 mm of rainfall, as per a PTI report.

The rainwater gathered in the underpass near Pathik Ashram was pumped out with the help of a water bowser. Visuals show the underpass near Pathik Ashram flooded with rainwater.

The situation was no different in Gujarat's Gandhinagar where a car fell into a crater after a part of a road caved out today amid incessant rainfall. 

Why Is It Raining Heavily In Gujarat?

According to the weather department, Gujarat is experiencing a wet spell due to cyclonic circulation over the northeast Arabian Sea adjoining the Saurashtra region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted rainfall in all parts of the state for the next five days and sounded an orange alert for five districts. 

Speaking to ANI, IMD Scientist Pradeep Sharma said, "There will be rains in all parts of Gujarat in the next 5 days. A warning for very heavy rain is issued for Saurashtra and Kutch for today. An orange alert has been issued for Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Valsad and Dadra Nagar Haveli."

Isolated places in south and central Gujarat and Saurashtra region are expected to receive heavy rains over the next two days, IMD stated in a release. On July 3 and 4, Valsad and Navsari districts in south Gujarat and Banaskantha district in north Gujarat are expected to receive significant rainfall.

As many as 43 talukas received more than 40 mm of rainfall in just ten hours between 6 am and 4 pm on Sunday, while Palsana taluka received 153 mm of rain, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) stated.

(With agency inputs)



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Should We Have Enemies: Himachal Congress To BJP's "Mitron Ki Sarkar" Jab

The BJP's allegation that the Congress government of Himachal Pradesh is "Mitron ki Sarkaar (A government of cohorts)" has drawn a sharp rejoinder from one of the people targetted. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's principal media advisor Naresh Chauhan has questioned what is wrong in helping friends who stand by you in times of crisis.

"The BJP is repeatedly talking about 'Mitron ki Sarkar'. Should enemies be given place in the government?" he has told journalists in Hamirpur.

The BJP jibe is directed at Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who has given cabinet-rank posts to several allies who are not even MLAs.

Besides Mr Chauhan, the list includes Gokul Butail, Principal Adviser to the Chief Minster for IT and Innovation, Political Adviser Sunil Kumar Bittu, and Vice-Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department Development Kehar Singh Khasi.

Party insiders say Mr Chauhan is an old associate of Mr Sukhu, Gokul Butel has been a long-time Congressman and is considered close to Rahul Gandhi, while Mr Khasi is considered close to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Four MLAs have also been given cabinet rank by Mr Sukhu -- Nagrota MLA RS Bali, the chairman of HPTDC, Rampur MLA Nand Lal, Chairman of the 7th State Finance Commission, Fatehpur MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania, Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission and Chief Whip Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania.

The non-MLAs who have not been given cabinet rank but receive the facilities include Ram Subhag Singh (Mr Sukhu's chief advisor) and Anil Kapil (advisor, infrastructure).

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur claimed the state is under a Rs 80,000 crore debt.

"In this situation, is it good that a Chief Minister increases the financial burden by distributing Cabinet ranks among his friends? The mining policy in the state was amended so that Mr Sukhu's allies benefitted," he alleged.

Also, while the government took action against many stone crushers after the 2023 flash floods, but those owned by Congress leaders were left untouched, he alleged.

The BJP, he also said, has filed a petition against the appointments of six chief parliamentary secretaries.



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Euro 2024 LIVE: England Trail vs Slovakia, On Verge Of Shock Elimination

Euro 2024 Round Of 16, England vs Slovakia LIVE: England trail 0-1 in the second half against Slovakia in a Euro 2024 Round of 16 match on Sunday. The winner of this knock-out match will take on Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the competition. England topped their group with one win and two draws with the side failing to score in their last match against Slovenia. Slovakia, on the other hand, were third in their group behind Romania and Belgium. They had 4 points from 3 matches with the help of one win and one draw. (Match Centre)

Here are the LIVE Updates of Euro 2024 Round of 16 match Between England vs Slovakia:



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Saturday 29 June 2024

Rohit, Kohli To Retire After India's T20 World Cup Win vs South Africa?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - two champion cricketers which have been synonymous with Indian cricket for the last two decades - face a strong speculation over their future in the shortest format. Rohit Sharma was part of the Indian cricket team which won the 2007 T20 World Cup on the other hand Virat Kohli played in the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning campaign. That way, the 2024 T20 World Cup is sort of 'coming full circle' for the veteran duo. 

The big question is what next for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?

Just to jog the readers' minds, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli when on an extended 'break' in T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2022. The buzz was that Hardik Pandya would take over the captaincy in the shortest format and he was the designated skipper in few of the series too. But as the year drew to a close, injury and lean patch saw Pandya slowly getting out of the captaincy scene for the Indian cricket team. 

By the time, India played Afghanistan in a T20I series at the start of the year, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made a high-profile comeback to the T20Is after a long back. The IPL followed and just during that time Rohit was announced as the captain of the T20 World Cup by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. 

With the T20 World Cup final, the plan to bring back the duo in the shortest format saw a culmination of sorts. 

The next major T20I tournament will be the 2026 T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka. For the current Indian cricket team coach, Rahul Dravid, the 2024 edition was the last tournament. The 2026 T20 World Cup will see a new Team India coach, most probably Gautam Gambhir. 

Gambhir's name has been doing the rounds for quite some time now. He would be very interested to use the expertise and experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the T20Is too. But if he wants an absolutely fresh start, will it be judicious to sustain with Rohit, 37, and Virat, 35, for two more years in the shortest format?

One possibility is that both the players would be 'rested' in the T20Is. That would leave a door for them to be called in whenever the need arise. But if they are not called, the duo cane be proud that they did everything in their power to make India a champion team.



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"Our Team Brings T20 World Cup Home In Style": PM Congratulates Team India

India beat South Africa in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup, beating the Proteas by 7 runs. Rohit Sharma and company brought an ICC trophy home after 11 years and India's first World Cup win since 2011. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team for bringing the cup "home in style".

"Champions! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in style! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team," Prime Minister Modi posted on X.



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Coach Dravid's Team India Journey Culminates With T20 World Cup Title

When Rahul Dravid coached India to an U-19 World Cup win in 2018 - guiding the likes of Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh - it seemed like it was a matter of time till he became the Head Coach of the senior India Men's cricket team. And so it proved to be. Now, as the curtains are drawn on the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rahul Dravid's two-and-a-half-year-long tenure comes to a close. Will he, nay should he, be remembered fondly for guiding India in a transitional phase despite the burning hunger for a major title?

Much like his predecessor Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid has possessed a dominant Indian team with very little ICC silverware to show for it. But should it define his legacy?

The undisputed best team in the world

By all stats and figures - and performances - Rahul Dravid's Team India has been the best team in the world. Team India have won 41 out of 56 ODIs, 48 out of 69 T20Is, and lost just one Test series, winning five and drawing two. In all formats, India's form has been dominant and a cut above any other team on earth.

In 2023, India walked to the Asia Cup title. And in 2024, Dravid's India held the No. 1 spot in the teams' rankings in all three formats, an unprecedented first in Indian cricket history.

At home, Australia and England have been no match for India. Away from home, India took the fight to England and South Africa, with two drawn series.

The hurt of lost Finals

2023 proved to be a year of hurt for India, as the World Test championship and ODI World Cup campaigns ended in pain in the Final. The two tournaments remain rare black spots in a shining era of Team India under Rahul Dravid.

In reality, the pain of the lost finals shows the level of dominance that Dravid's India managed to hit. India were nearly unbeaten in the 2023 World Cup and unbeaten in the 2024 T20 World Cup. It says something when a semi-final in the 2022 T20 World Cup is the worst India has done in a major ICC tournament in this period.

If anything, Dravid's era should be celebrated as one of India's finest periods, and not be looked back on with the hurt of lost finals.

Transition to the Rohit Sharma era; and transition in identity

The start of Rahul Dravid's tenure as Head Coach collided with the tumultuous change in captaincy from Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma in all formats. But Dravid didn't look to replicate the boisterous nature of the Kohli-Shastri era. Choosing to stay behind the scenes, Dravid let Rohit Sharma's India become a cohesive unit.

But the calmer it was off the field, the bolder India played on it. Rohit led by example, going hard at the top during the World Cup and showing 'Team Comes First'. Dravid's India then out-Bazballed Baz in India.

With captaincy debuts for Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill, a pathway for the future has also been set in stone.

Final thoughts

Dravid's era as India Head Coach ends with well-deserved silverware; this time an unbeaten tournament coming to fruition. It is a fitting finale to mark the end of another historic legacy for one of India's greatest cricket personalities.

As the famous saying goes, "Ant bhala toh sab bhala" (All's well that ends well).



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In A First, Classmates To Be Chiefs Of Indian Army And Navy Together

For the first time in Indian military history, two classmates, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi and Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, will be service chiefs of Indian Army and Navy.

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and Army Chief Designate Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi studied at the Sainik School, Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh. They were together in the school from class 5th-A in the early 1970s.

The roll numbers of the two officers were also around each other, as Lt Gen Dwivedi's roll number was 931 and Admiral Tripathi's was 938.

Their bonding was strong from the initial days in the school and they remained in touch all along, even though they were in different forces.

A defence official who knows both the officers said strong friendships among the senior leadership in the military matter a lot in strengthening the working relationship between the forces.

"This rare honour of nurturing two prodigious students, who would go on to lead their respective Services 50 years later, goes to Sainik School, Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh," Defence Ministry Spokesperson A Bharat Bhushan Babu said in a tweet.

The appointments of the two classmates have also come around the same time, in a gap of around two months.

Admiral Tripathi took over the command of the Indian Navy on May 1, while Lt Gen Dwivedi will be taking over his new appointment tomorrow.

Lt Gen Dwivedi has had a long tenure as the Northern Army Commander where he's had exposure to the ongoing operations in the military standoff on the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984.

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



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Friday 28 June 2024

Top OTT Releases This Week: Sharmajee Ki Beti, The Bear Season 3, Aavesham, and More

This week, among the Indian originals, we have anthology-style drama Sharmajee Ki Beti and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's hilarious murder mystery Rautu Ka Raaz. The former focuses on the challenges that women of different age groups face. At the same time, the latter introduces us to a funny murder mystery.

Amongst the post-theatrical releases, we have A24's action-packed Civil War, set in a dystopian future where America is under a dangerous civil war. We also have Aavesham, a funny saga where we see Fahadh Faasil as a bizarre gangster helping three collegegoers.

Those looking for a critic-certified pick can go for Hulu's The Bear on Hotstar, which has also been renewed for a third season. The show has been time and again praised for its writing and nuanced performances and offers a perfect platter of humour and drama.

Documentary and music enthusiasts could go for Prime Video's I Am: Celine Dione, an emotional account of the Canadian singer's tryst with stiff person syndrome, an autoimmune neuro disorder which causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms.

Some other binge-worthy options are animated sci-fi WondLa, teenage drama That '90s Show's second season, and Zac Efron's rom-com A Family Affair.

Top OTT Releases This Week

Here are the top OTT releases of the week that we recommend for your weekend binge-watching marathon.

Sharmajee Ki Beti

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

Sharmajee Ki Beti is a heartfelt ode to women and femininity, as it gives a peek into the lives of three middle-aged and two teenage “Sharma women”.

In the film, we are introduced to a working mother (Sakshi Tanwar) who is trying to balance the roles of a mother and a teacher. We also have her constantly complaining teenage daughter (Vanshika Taparia) who is desperately waiting to get her periods, a lonely housewife (Divya Dutta) who is having a hard time adjusting to the fast-paced city of Mumbai, her nerd daughter (Arista Mehta), and their neighbour (Saiyami Kher) Tanvi, an aspiring cricketer whose boyfriend's fragile masculinity gets threatened with her achievements.

Through these stories, we explore the various prejudices and challenges that women battle daily. Although full of cliches, the film makes for a decent watch. Tahira Kashyap directs.

The Bear Season 3

When: Now Streaming

Where: Hotstar

The Bear won big time at the Emmys and the Golden Globe Awards last year. The series follows Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), a young chef from the fine dining world who returns to his hometown after a personal tragedy and decides to run his failing family-owned sandwich shop, The Beef. In the previous two seasons, we see Carmy give the venture his all. In this season, we see him try harder to establish the Beef into a fine dining melting pot. The stakes are higher than ever.

My Lady Jane

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

If you are a history buff, chances are you know about Lady Jane Grey, the English noblewoman who was crowned the Queen of England in 1553 for nine days and then beheaded.

Prime Video's latest historical fiction, My Lady Jane, re-imagines the infamous event and gives an account of how things would have turned out had Lady Jane (Emily Bader) not died. We see her battle through rivalries, regicidal maniacs, and swordfights, and live her happily ever after.

The eight-episode-long series is available to stream in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, French, Spanish, Dutch, and other international languages.

Rautu Ka Raaz

When: Now Streaming

Where: Zee5

Rautu Ki Beli is a quaint village in Mussoorie which hasn't seen a murder in over a decade. So, when a warden of the region's blind school dies mysteriously, and the possibility of a murder pops up, the local police department – that'd be SHO Deepak Negi (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and his laidback team – get more excited than ever. As the officers put on their Sherlock Homes hats, an intriguing investigation begins.

Aavesham (Hindi Version)

When: Now Streaming

Where: Hotstar

Malayalam cinema has lately been in the cinephile's spotlight, attracting multi-lingual audiences. The latest headline from the industry is Fahadh Faasil's Aavesham, touted as a fun masala movie. The film follows three boys who have just been admitted into a prestigious engineering college in Bangalore. As they get into bad books of their seniors and have an ugly fight, the trio decides to seek help from a local eccentric gangster called Ranga to seek revenge. The rest of the film follows Ranga's colourful tactics, strange behaviour, and yet heart-winning personality. The original Malayalam version is available to stream on Prime Video.

Fancy Dance

When: Now Streaming

Where: Apple TV

Apple TV's latest is an intense tear-jerker with a moving storyline. Jax (Lily Gladstone), a former drug dealer, has been taking care of her niece Roki (Isabel DeRoy-Olson) after her sister went missing. The two have developed a beautiful bond over time, which has changed Jax.

Things take an ugly turn when the authorities run a background check on Jax and threaten to shift Roki's custody to her grandfather. Shaken by core, Jax decides to take Roki along with her illegally on a frantic search for her mother while helping Roki prepare for the upcoming powwow ( a festive gathering).

Civil War

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

The United States is under a (fictionalised) civil war in a dystopian future where secessionist movements have fractured the States into multiple factions. The President isn't ready to step back and has ordered a shoot-on-sight for journalists.

As the rebels plot to take down the White House, a few war journalists head onto a dangerous journey from New York City to Washington, D.C., for an exclusive interview with the beleaguered President.

Civil War is A24's most expensive film till date and the second-highest-grossing film after the Academy Award winner Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).



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Rain Turns Delhi Into Meme Capital, Social Media Explodes With Sarcasm

Heavy rains lashed Delhi on Friday, causing widespread flooding and traffic chaos. The downpour, the heaviest in a single day of June in 88 years, brought the national capital to a standstill. Streets were inundated, flights were suspended at Terminal-1 of Delhi Airport, and power cuts affected many areas.

However, amidst the disruption, Delhi residents found humor in the situation. Social media was flooded with memes and sarcastic comments, particularly regarding the annual flooding of Minto Bridge. A video of a car submerged under the bridge went viral, with some netizens calling it the "annual vehicular sacrifice" that confirms the arrival of the monsoon.

One user joked that the weather department "doesn't consider it a proper rain until a car gets stuck under Minto Bridge." Another suggested the bridge needs "its own live feed on YouTube" during the monsoon season.

While the memes provided comic relief, the flooding caused significant issues.  Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reported his house was flooded with a foot of water, ruining furniture and carpets. He even jokingly warned Parliament colleagues he might need a boat to get to work.

"People of Delhi observe annual vehicular sacrifice at Minto Bridge as part of ancient tradition officially announcing the arrival of monsoon rains in the capital," Kabir Taneja, an X user, wrote on the microblogging platform.

Businessman Suhel Seth said, "For all those criticising the Minto Road Bridge flooding: remember only when it gets flooded do we know the monsoons are upon us. It's the only barometer we have so stop the criticism please. Am now waiting for the gondolas in Gurgaon."

Another X user with the handle @ColdCigar wrote, "Minto Bridge ke neeche jab tak gaadi na fase tab tak baarish ko baarish mausam Vibhag bhi nahi maanta hai" (Even the weather department doesn't consider it a proper rain until a car gets stuck under Minto Bridge), while one Birender Dhanoa suggested the Minto Bridge "needs its own live feed on YouTube" during the rains.

Minto Bridge, renamed Shivaji Bridge, was built in 1933 and connects Connaught Place to the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi Railway Station. Over the years, it has come to be known for being waterlogged after each spell of heavy rain, almost without fail.

Monsoon arrived in Delhi with a fury in the early hours of Friday as heavy rains, the highest in a single day of June in 88 years, brought the national capital to a standstill leaving streets flooded, traffic caught in chaos and flight operations suspended at Delhi airport's Terminal-1 due to a canopy collapse.

In several areas, vehicles were submerged as rain water flooded streets. Many areas experienced prolonged power cuts and several trees were uprooted.

X user Chetna @chetnakum said the city has four seasons - "Furnace, flood, smoke and spring" as she made light of the problems Delhi faces in different seasons.

Meanwhile, Naresh Nambisan shared the photo of a man, sleeping with a tyre tube wrapped around him. "This man in Delhi claims he would be safe even in the event of a major flood at night. I think he has a point," the X user posted.

A video of water pouring down from the roof at Delhi airport also circulated on social media, attracting comparisons with Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport that is famous for its indoor waterfall.

The HSBC Rain Vortex at the Singapore airport is 40-metre tall and is known to be the tallest indoor waterfall in the world.

X user Banrakas posted photos of the Rain Vortex and added, "When Singapore Changi airport has a water fountain, everyone goes gaga over it. When Delhi airport has a fountain, everyone has issues with it." Another user, Vishal, said, "No need to go for Singapore, just go to Delhi and enjoy."

The heavy rains also highlighted drainage problems in the city.  Flooding subsided after water was pumped out, but the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges Delhi faces during the monsoon season.



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Thursday 27 June 2024

Biden, Trump To Face Off In First Presidential Debate Ahead Of US Polls

Joe Biden and Donald Trump square off Thursday in a crucial US presidential debate that carries enormous stakes for both candidates as they battle for the approval of undecided voters and any slim advantage in their neck and neck race for the White House.

Millions of Americans will tune in to the highly anticipated clash that fires the starting gun on what promises to be a bruising summer of campaigning in a deeply polarized country still scarred by the chaos and violence that accompanied the 2020 election.

With only two debates this election cycle and national polls showing the pair locked in the tightest of contests, Thursday's event at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia takes on heightened significance.

For many voters, the choice between President Biden, the oldest ever incumbent, and Trump, now a convicted felon, is an uninspiring one -- a dynamic both candidates need to counter as they go head to head.

For Trump, an instinctive political pugilist, the challenge will be to rein in the aggressive tendencies he unleashed -- to his detriment -- in their first chaotic debate four years ago.

The 81-year-old Biden will be desperate to avoid any major gaffes that could underline concerns about his age, and to focus on his key campaign message that Trump poses an existential threat to US democracy.

There is certainly no love lost between the two candidates and both sides have agreed to a series of debate rules aimed at minimizing the prospect of a shouting match.

There will be no studio audience, depriving candidates of the momentum that comes from ginning up supporters, and microphones will cut out when a candidate's speaking time is over.

To coincide with the debate, both camps unleashed a series of fresh attack ads, with Trump's team taking out TV spots accusing Biden of mismanaging the economy and encouraging illegal immigration.

In a morning post on his Truth Social platform, Trump argued that Biden was the real threat to democracy, "and a threat to the survival and existence of our country itself."

The Democratic Party, meanwhile, paid for five massive billboards in Atlanta trolling Trump over his legal troubles. "Donald, welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats - or whatever..." the signs said.

Trump enjoys a slight advantage in the all-important swing states but the overall polling looks extremely close in an election likely to be decided by a few photo finishes in a handful of battlegrounds.

The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Trump edging ahead of Biden nationally, 49 percent to 45 percent.

The rivals both step onstage for the 90-minute debate seeking to allay fears about serious political liabilities.

Biden faces the most concern about his mental sharpness, with voters much more likely to bring up his age than Trump's, despite the Republican being just three years younger.

Ahead of the debate, both Trump and Biden have had missteps, stumbling over words or appearing muddled.

Trump is also engulfed in controversy over his inflammatory rhetoric, his recent conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records, and fears he would weaponize the presidency to settle personal scores.

Fine-tuning or freewheeling

Biden has spent the last week off the radar at the Camp David retreat near Washington, fine-tuning his attack lines in mock debates under real TV lighting.

Trump's preparation has been more relaxed, eschewing dress rehearsals in favor of informal policy roundtables and workshopping debate strategy with rally crowds.

Aides have encouraged him to focus on his perceived strength on the economy and crime, while Biden will seek to paint Trump as unhinged and unfit for office.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly characterized Biden as feeble and incompetent, but changed tack in recent days following warnings that setting low expectations for the Democratic president would only help him.

"We know that Joe Biden, that after taking an entire week off, will be ready for this," senior Trump campaign advisor Jason Miller told reporters.

One of Biden's biggest vulnerabilities is border security, with Trump promising to combat an influx of undocumented migrants from Mexico with mass deportations and repeatedly bringing up killings by migrants.

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



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"We Feel ...": Why Sonakshi Sinha Didn't Want A "Wedding Video"

Sonakshi Sinha, who got married to Zaheer Iqbal on Sunday, shared a beautiful wedding video on her Instagram feed today. Sonakshi also shared an elaborate note, giving a shout out to the video team, who captured the emotions and essence of her wedding the way she wanted. Sonakshi wrote in the note, "We've met Sam and Ekta at multiple friends weddings where they've captured the essence of the couples and the overall vibe so perfectly that I promised them whenever Zaheer and I got married... they would be there! Best decision ever!"

Sonakshi continued, "We dint want a "wedding video" we wanted the emotions, where everytime we watch it, we feel how we felt in that moment... we feel what everyone there was feeling... and we got excatly that! Thank you Samwalzade and Ekta Rekhi... and your entire team... You guys are magic."

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

ICYMI, this is the video we are talking about. The video beautifully captures moments from their registry ceremony, garlands exchange ceremony. The video also shows the newlyweds exchanging wedding vows. The video ends with Sonakshi shedding tears and saying, "That's why Sona is crying. Pushpa is not crying." Sharing the video, Sonakshi wrote, "Family, friends, love, friendship, laughter, silly comments, kids running around, happy tears, warm hugs, excitement, bloopers, screeches, fun, joy, anticipation, nerves, emotions and above all just pure happiness this was our chaotic little Shaadi ka ghar... and it was PERFECT... it was US." Take a look:

Sharing the wedding pictures, Sonakshi Sinha wrote a note. It read, "On this very day, seven years back (23.06.2017) in each others eyes, we saw love in its purest form and decided to hold on to it. Today that love has guided us through all the challenges and triumphs... leading up to this moment... where with the blessings of both our families and both our gods... we are now man and wife. Here's to love, hope and all things beautiful with each other, from now until forever." Sonakshi added in the post, "Sonakshi weds Zaheer. 23.06.2024" Sonakshi wore her mother's vintage saree and jewellery for the wedding. Take a look:

Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal registered their marriage under the provisions of Special Marriage Act.



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Wednesday 26 June 2024

On Sam Pitroda's Comeback, What PM Modi Had Told NDTV

Congress's Sam Pitroda -- who stepped down from the post of its overseas unit chief in the run-up to the general election -- is back in the saddle again. That he would be reinstated, was said by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview to NDTV.

"I sometimes think the party (the Congress), in a well-planned way, does this. I don't think they (the members) do this on their own. Then they are kept out of the party for a  few days. Then they come back in the mainstream again," PM Modi had said in May.

"This is what they did with their guru in America. He has resigned. Now he will be brought back again after a while... It is their well-considered strategy to create confusion in the country, change the atmosphere, create new issues, compel their opponents to react on these issues," he had told NDTV.

Sam Pitroda had stepped down from the post after his two consecutive statements sparked huge controversies.

In an exclusive interview with The Statesman in early May, the Congress leader had described India as a "... diverse country... where people on East look like the Chinese, people on West look like Arabs, people in the North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africans."

It had triggered allegations of racism and colonial mindset. With the controversy of Mr Pitroda's earlier comments yet to die down The Congress found itself firefighting on multiple fronts, the Congress found itself firefighting on multiple fronts.

In April, Mr PItroda had made a remark on inheritance tax in the US that had drawn a fierce attack from the BJP.

He had cited inheritance tax as an example of "new policies that can "help prevent concentration of wealth" which should be discussed and debated. The Congress, he had added, always helps people at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

PM Modi had remarked that if elected, the Congress would redistribute the personal wealth of people among "infiltrators" and won't even spare the mangalsutras of women.



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Pepsi Unveils Futuristic 'Smart Cans' - Find Details Inside

Technology and innovation go hand-in-hand, and today, we can see its best usage in every possible sector, including the food and beverage industry. From packaged food firms to restaurants and fast food chains - we see people experimenting with advanced technologies for seamless workflow and better user experience. One such recent instance is Pepsi's latest innovation - the Smart Can. The brand took to the platform of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the preview of the new experiment. Read on.

Also Read: Pepsi Introduces Colachup - Its A Ketchup!

Pepsi Smart Can Features: What Is So Special About Pepsi Smart Cans?

Mauro Porcini, PepsiCo's senior vice president and chief design officer, took to social media to explain more about the brand's futuristic experiment. "Let me introduce you to our new PEPSI SMART CAN, a CAN-vas for creativity," he states, adding that this will unveil new ways of storytelling, and accessing new experiences, especially for the new generation of people, who are "thirsty for more".

According to an official release, each of these smart cans is wrapped in a flexible 3D high-definition screen and contains its SIM card. This feature allows the company to tailor and customise the content on the device as per individual preference. "We get to bring our product, our brand, and our message together in an incredibly innovative way," states Mark Kirkham, SVP and CMO of international beverages at PepsiCo.

Also Read: Crystal Pepsi: Pepsico Brings Back Clear Soda To Mark Its 30th Anniversary

As per reports, PepsiCo's initial plan is to release these Smart Cans to a small and selected group of consumers from across the world. The brand concludes by stating that further details on the same will be announced in the "coming months".

If given a chance, would you want to add one of these Pepsi Smart Cans to your gadget collection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.



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Kenya's U-Turn Over Tax Hikes After 22 Die In Violent Protests

Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday that a bill containing contentious tax hikes would "be withdrawn", dramatically reversing course after more than 20 people were killed in clashes with police and parliament was ransacked by protesters opposed to the legislation.

The initially peaceful demonstrations were sparked last week by the 2024 finance bill -- which politicians passed Tuesday afternoon -- and took Ruto's administration by surprise as rallies gathered momentum across the country.

But the Gen-Z-led protests spiralled into violence Tuesday when police fired live bullets at the crowds outside parliament, leaving the complex ransacked and partly on fire.

Nineteen people were killed in the capital Nairobi, a state-funded rights watchdog said.

"I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn," Ruto told a press briefing. "The people have spoken," he said.

"I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and daughters, for us to listen to them," he said, in a marked shift from his late-night address Tuesday when he likened some of the demonstrators to "criminals".

'Cannot kill all of us'

Immediately after his speech, prominent protester Hanifa Adan dismissed Ruto's announcement as "PR".

Referring to his comments the previous night, she said on X: "He made that speech trying to intimidate us and he saw it won't work hence the PR."

"The bill is withdrawn but are you going to bring everyone that died back alive?"

Ahead of Ruto's about-turn, protesters had called for fresh rallies on Thursday.

"Tomorrow, we march peacefully again as we wear white, for all our fallen people," Adan had said.

"You cannot kill all of us."

Demonstrators shared "Tupatane Thursday" ("we meet Thursday" in Swahili), alongside the hashtag #Rejectfinancebill2024 on social media.

Cost-of-living crisis

Ruto came to power in 2022 promising to champion the needs of impoverished Kenyans, but tax increases under his government have only made life tougher for those already struggling with high inflation.

The Kenyan leader had already rolled back some tax measures last week, prompting the treasury to warn of a gaping budget shortfall of 200 billion shillings.

Ruto said Wednesday that withdrawing the bill would mean a significant hole in funding for development programmes to help farmers and schoolteachers, among others.

The cash-strapped government had said previously that the increases were needed to service Kenya's massive debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equal to roughly 70 percent of GDP.

Deadly day

Earlier on Wednesday, Roseline Odede, chairwoman of the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, said "we have recorded 22 deaths", 19 of them in Nairobi, adding that they would launch an investigation.

"This is the largest number of deaths (in) a single day protest," she said, adding that 300 people were injured across the country.

Simon Kigondu, president of the Kenya Medical Association, said he had never before seen "such level of violence against unarmed people."

An official at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi said Wednesday that medics were treating "160 people...some of them with soft tissue injuries, some of them with bullet wounds."

Rights watchdogs have also accused the authorities of kidnapping protesters.

The police have not responded to AFP requests for comment.

'Madness'

A heavy police presence was deployed around parliament early on Wednesday, according to an AFP reporter, the smell of tear gas still in the air and dried blood on the ground.

A policeman standing in front of the broken barricades to the complex told AFP he had watched the scenes unfold on TV.

"It was madness, we hope it will be calm today," he said.

In the central business district, where the protests have been concentrated, traders surveyed the damage.

"They didn't leave anything, just the boxes. I don't know how long it will take me to recover," James Ng'ang'a, whose electronics shop was looted, told AFP.

The unrest has alarmed the international community, with Washington calling on Kenya to respect the right to peaceful protest on Wednesday.

Ruto's administration is under pressure from the IMF, which has urged the country to implement fiscal reforms in order to access funding.

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



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Tuesday 25 June 2024

2nd Case Of Sex Assault Registered Against Prajwal Revanna's Brother Suraj

A second case of sexually assaulting a man was registered against Janata Dal (Secular) MLC Suraj Revanna on Tuesday at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district.

The case was registered based on a complaint by a close aide of Suraj Revanna.

Revanna's aide had earlier filed a complaint on behalf of the Member of the Legislative Council against a JDS worker, apparently to protect him.

The first case of sexual assault was registered against Revanna on Saturday night. The next day, he was arrested and remanded to 14 days' judicial custody. On Monday, the court remanded him to eight days' police custody.

"The process of registering the second FIR is on against Suraj Revanna," a senior police officer from Hassan told PTI.

Suraj, a doctor, is the grandson of former Prime Minister and JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda and son of Holenarasipura MLA HD Revanna.

He is the elder brother of former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is also in police custody for allegedly sexually assaulting several women in Hassan and filming them.

Suraj and Prajwal's parents, HD Revanna and Bhavani, are out on bail on charges of kidnapping a woman who had figured in one among the huge cache of explicit videos showing many women being sexually assaulted, allegedly by Prajwal.

Prajwal had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election as the NDA candidate as his party JDS formed an alliance with the BJP in September last year.

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



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Manta Ray, Secret US Undersea Drone, Spotted On Google Maps, Later Removed

Manta Ray, a top-secret submarine prototype weapon of the US, was spotted by Google Maps docked at the Port Hueneme naval base in California on Sunday.

After an image of the same went viral, it was deleted and replaced with what multiple social media users believed were "edited" boats.

Manta Ray also caught attention for its similarity to a Star Wars vessel, a spaceship seen in the popular Hollywood franchise.

The autonomous vessel has been named after the sea creature due to its slick design and ability to anchor itself deep underwater while holding operations in low-power mode, the New York Post reported.

Manta Ray has been produced by Northrop Grumman as part of the US Navy project to develop long-range underwater weapons. This sophisticated underwater drone is said to be capable of hibernating on the seafloor for "very long periods" without refuelling.

Dr Kyle Woerner, Manta Ray programme manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, earlier said that it uses "efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding to move through the water".

"Our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle's readiness to advance toward real-world operations," Dr Woerner said in the agency press release.

Dr Woerner further said that it was being designed with several payload bays of multiple sizes and types to enable it to a wide variety of naval mission sets.

In addition, Manta Ray's modular design allows the US Navy to disassemble and further transport it in ordinary shipping containers. This quality eliminates the necessity for requiring dedicated port facilities.

According to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the vessel is a multi-phase effort, including at-sea demonstration of critical technologies. "The program is using a disciplined systems engineering approach to define demonstration system objectives and identify enabling technologies needed for future systems," it earlier noted.

A report in the Telegraph recently stated that the US Navy spent over three months testing the craft off the coast of Southern California.

Meanwhile, defence analysts have suspected that the US Navy's push to develop drone technology is to strategically counter the submarine operations by Russia and China.

Amid its ongoing war against Ukraine, Russia is said to be developing underwater drones of its own. Last year, the country announced its plans to acquire nearly three dozen such vessels.



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Monday 24 June 2024

"From 109.7 Kg To 83 Kg": Jaideep Ahlawat's Weight Loss Journey Is Viral

Actor Jaideep Ahlawat shared that he lost 26 kg in 5 months and posted a glimpse into his fitness journey on Instagram. Mr Ahlawat shared before and after pictures and revealed that the physical transformation was for the role of Maharaj.

Along with the pictures, he wrote, "From 109.7 Kg. to 83 Kg. in 5 months. That's the Physical Transformation for the Role of Maharaj. Thank you Prajwal Sir for believing in me @prajwal7542."

See the viral post here:

Impressed by his physical transformation, director Siddharth Malhotra also commented on the post. He wrote, "Bhai the dedication and devotion you have put and given to this role and character can't be put in words ! Always indebted to you."

Actor Siddharth wrote, "Amazing bhai."

Internet users were inspired after seeing Mr Ahlawat's dedication. A user commented on Instagram, "It's a Dedication."

Another user wrote, "I swear I thought the abs were photoshopped!"

"You are amazing," the third user commented. 

Meanwhile, Maharaj, directed by Siddharth Malhotra, also features Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan. The plot is set in pre-independent India and revolves around the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862. The film has been backed by Aditya Chopra's Yash Raj Films.

Last month, Netflix India, in a statement, said that Maharaj follows a journalist and social reformer Karsandas Mulji. He was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and social reform. 



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Replace Mumbai Unit Chief, Congress Leaders Write To M Kharge

Sixteen senior Maharashtra Congress leaders have written to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanding that its Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad be replaced to strengthen the party ahead of upcoming state poll.

The leaders complain that Ms Gaikwad, who recently won the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat, does not have the time to work at the organisational level and have objected to her style of functioning, NDTV has learnt.

Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat's Congress candidate Bhushan Patil has also claimed he received no help from the city party unit.

These leaders, in a letter dated June 16, have sought time from the Congress leadership to discuss rejuvenation of the party in Mumbai ahead of the assembly elections, and the Mumbai civic polls which are overdue.

Signatories of the letter include Rajya Sabha MP and Congress Working Committee member Chandrakant Handore, former city party chiefs Janardhan Chandurkar and Bhai Jagtap, senior leaders Naseem Khan, Suresh Shetty, Madhu Chavan, Charansingh Sapra, Zakir Ahmed and Maharashtra Congress treasurer Amarjit Manhas.

"Recently, at a protest in connection with the UGC-NET exam chaos, Gaikwad did not call all party leaders at the city unit office. Hence they had to stage a separate protest in suburbs," reported news agency PTI citing a source. 

"It is now 13 months she is the city unit head, but she has not spearheaded any substantial activity to galvanize the party cadre," the news agency reported claimed citing the unnamed source.

A meeting related to Maharashtra is scheduled in Delhi on Tuesday.

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly polls, the Congress won only 4 of the 36 seats in Mumbai.

During the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the Congress secured 1 of the 2 seats it contested in the city.



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Sunday 23 June 2024

SCO vs HUN Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch

Scotland vs Hungary Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: Scotland take on Hungary in the final Group A game of Euro 2024, and a win for either side may not be enough to clinch qualification to the Round of 16. Hungary lie bottom - on zero points - and are guaranteed third spot at best. Scotland, on the other hand, are on only one point themselves, and only a big win could see them leapfrog Switzerland. A draw is catastrophic for both nations, as Scotland would be unlikely to make it through among the four best third-placed teams with a points tally of just two.

When will the Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match take place?

The Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match will take place on Monday, June 24 (IST).

Where will the Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match be played?

The Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match will be played at the Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart.

What time will the Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match start?

The Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match will start at 12:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match?

The Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match?

The Scotland vs Hungary, Euro 2024 match will be streamed live on SonyLiv app and website.

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



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Jagan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu's Party Trade Charges Over Alleged Land Grab

After the demolition of the YSRCP party office under construction in Guntur district on Saturday and notices to two more YSRCP offices in Visakhapatnam for allegedly being illegal, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh says similar violations are being discovered across the state.

YSRCP president YS Jaganmohan Reddy has called it vendetta politics and said the demolition of the near-complete building showed how the regime is going to be over the next five years.

On Sunday, state minister and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh posted on X pictures of YSRCP offices being built at various places in Andhra Pradesh, and alleged the previous government led by Mr Reddy allotted 42 acres in 26 districts for 33 years for a nominal lease of Rs 1,000 per acre.

"Jagan, is Andhra Pradesh your grandfather Raja Reddy's property?" said Mr Lokesh, who is the son of Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu.

Mr Lokesh alleged Mr Reddy was building "palaces" with Rs 500 crore "looted" from the people.

"On these 42 acres worth more than Rs 600 crore, grabbed for your land thirst, 4,200 poor can be given house sites. With Rs 500 crore being spent on your luxurious palaces, houses can be constructed for 25,000 poor," Mr Lokesh posted on X. "What is this madness for palaces? Is there no end to your thirst for money?" he said.

The TDP alleged Mr Reddy built "palaces" for himself in nine cities including Hyderabad and Bengaluru, and he was now building "palaces" for his party offices with public money and without approvals from the authorities.

The TDP alleged that 42.24 acres of government land in 26 districts were allotted for YSRCP's offices for a 33-year lease at a nominal cost of Rs 1,000 per acre. "The value of the 42.24 acres is Rs 688 crore while more than Rs 500 crore of public money is being spent to build these palaces," the TDP said.

The TDP claimed that permissions were not taken for YSRCP offices, except in Prakasam district. The YSRCP says between 2014 and 2019, the TDP government had allotted government land in 10 districts on lease for 33 to 99 years for Rs 1,000 per acre.

"If you do it, it's politics and if we do, it's land grabbing," reads a post on YSRCP's official handle on X. "Have you not issued a GO and built TDP offices across the state?" the Opposition party asked. It alleged the land for NTR Bhavan (TDP office) in Hyderabad was also allotted in the same way.

The YSRCP said if the previous government had resorted to a similar act, no TDP office would have remained in the state.

The under-construction office building of YSRCP at Seethanagaram of Tadepalli Mandal in Guntur district was demolished by the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) and Mangalagiri Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) authorities on Saturday.

The APCRDA had issued notice on June 10 to the YSRCP for taking up construction on the "illegally occupied" land of 870.40 sqm within the boat yard compound of the irrigation department.

The APCRDA said the previous government leased two acres, which was a boatyard and water body, to the YSRCP on a lease of Rs 1,000 per acre, per annum for 33 years for their party office. It was also alleged the party undertook construction without getting approvals from the irrigation department and the MTMC.

The YSRCP had filed a writ petition in the high court, seeking orders to the CRDA and MTMC not to take any coercive action against the building structure, until hearing was completed.

Claiming that the high court had ordered a halt on any demolition activity, the Opposition has slammed the government for violating the court's order. YSRCP plans to approach the court on Monday, seeking criminal action against those who carried out the demolition.

The Town Planning wing of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has issued show cause notices to YSRCP seeking an explanation over "unauthorised construction" of the party offices at Yendada and Anakapalli.

It was alleged YSRCP proceeded with the construction of G+1 building over a stretch of two acres at Yendada without permission from the authorities. Similarly, construction of the YSRCP office at Anakapalli was taken up allegedly without approvals, the government says.

YSRCP leader and former minister Gudivada Amarnath removed the notice pasted on the office at Yedanda. He said the land was allotted in 2022 and construction began in March 2023.

He said around Rs 13 lakh and Rs 30 lakh were paid to the government as taxes for plan approvals for the party offices at Yendada and Anakapalli, respectively.



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"Reel Disease": UP Man Arrested For Faking Own Death In Bizarre Prank Video

In a bizarre incident in Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj district, a man took his quest for online fame too far. A video of the incident shows M...