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  • Dinesh Karthik retiring from all forms of cricket

    Dinesh Karthik retiring from all forms of cricket

    Indian right-handed wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on his Instagram.

    He wrote, “I’ve been overwhelmed by the affection, support and love I have received in the last few days. My deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to all the fans who have made this feeling possible.”

    “I officially announce my retirement and put my playing days behind me as I square up for the new challenges that lie ahead.
    I’d like to thank all my coaches, captains, selectors, teammates and members of the support staff who have made this long journey pleasant and enjoyable.”

    “My parents have been pillars of strength and support over all these years, and I wouldn’t be what I am without their blessings. I also owe plenty to Dipika, herself a professional sportsperson who often put her career on hold to walk my journey with me.
    Of course, to all the fans and followers of our great game, a massive thank you! Cricket and cricketers, wouldn’t be the same without your support and good wishes.

    Dinesh Karthik represented the Indian team in 26 Tests, 94 One Day Internationals and 60 T20 Internationals.

    He scored 1025 runs in 26 Tests, 1752 runs in ODI and 686 runs in T20.

    The wicketkeeper-batsman also represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

  • India’s six-week election ends with vote in Hindu holy city Varanasi

    India’s six-week election ends with vote in Hindu holy city Varanasi

    VARANASI: Indians flocked to the polls under scorching heat in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi on Saturday as a marathon national election reached its final day, six weeks after the voting first began.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely expected to win a third term in office when results are announced Tuesday, in large part due to his cultivated image as an aggressive champion of India’s majority faith.

    The 73-year-old’s constituency of Varanasi is the spiritual capital of Hinduism, where devotees from around India come to cremate deceased loved ones by the Ganges river.

    It is one of the final cities to vote in India’s gruelling election and where public support for Modi’s ever-closer alignment of religion and politics burns brightest.

    “Modi is obviously winning,” Vijayendra Kumar Singh, who works in one of the popular pilgrimage destination’s many hotels, told AFP.

    “There’s a sense of pride with everything he does, and that’s why people vote for him.”

    Modi has already led the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to two landslide victories in 2014 and 2019, forged in large part by his appeal to the Hindu faithful.

    This year, he presided over the inauguration of a grand temple to the deity Ram, built on the grounds of a centuries-old mosque in Ayodhya razed by Hindu zealots in 1992.

    Construction of the temple fulfilled a longstanding demand of Hindu activists and was widely celebrated across the country with back-to-back television coverage and street parties.

    The ceremony, and numerous other chest-beating appeals to India’s majority religion over the past decade, have in turn made many among the country’s 200 million-plus minority Muslim community increasingly uneasy about their futures.

    Modi himself has made a number of strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as “infiltrators”.

    He has also accused the motley coalition of more than two dozen opposition parties contesting the poll against him of plotting to redistribute India’s wealth to its Muslim citizens.

    ‘Already so hot’

    India has voted in seven phases over six weeks to ease the immense logistical burden of staging an election in the world’s most populous country.

    Both counting and results are expected on Tuesday, but exit polls published after polls close Saturday are expected to give some indication of the winner.

    Turnout is down several percentage points from the last national election in 2019, with analysts blaming widespread expectations of a Modi victory as well as successive heatwaves scorching India’s northern states.

    Extensive scientific research shows climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense, with Asia warming faster than the global average.

    A scorching sun bore down on Varanasi and its countless temples and riverside crematoriums during Saturday’s vote, with temperatures forecast to peak at 44°C (111 Fahrenheit).

    “It’s already so hot,” Chinta Devi, who arrived to cast her vote at eight in the morning, told AFP.

    “Varanasi has felt hotter than usual over the last few days,” she added. “You see all the streets and markets empty.”

    ‘A lot more respect’

    Analysts have long expected Modi to triumph against the opposition alliance competing against him, which at no point has named an agreed candidate for prime minister.

    His prospects have been further bolstered by several criminal probes into his opponents and a tax investigation this year that froze the bank accounts of Congress, India’s largest opposition party.

    Western democracies have largely sidestepped concerns over rights and democratic freedoms in the hopes of cultivating an ally that can help check the growing assertiveness of China, India’s northern neighbour and rival regional power.

    Modi’s image at home has been bolstered by India’s rising diplomatic and economic clout — the country overtook Britain as the world’s fifth-biggest economy in 2022.

    “As an Indian, I feel that he has ensured a lot of respect and prestige for India during his term,” Shikha Aggarwal, 40, told AFP while waiting to cast her vote.

    “People now look at India and Indians with a lot more respect, something not accorded earlier.”

  • Which actor troubled Farah Khan in her debut film?

    Which actor troubled Farah Khan in her debut film?

    Bollywood director and choreographer Farah Khan talked about her first-ever directorial experience, ‘Main Hoon Na,’ where she worked with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. She also discussed how she completed his work ahead of schedule.She recently appeared in an interview on the YouTube channel of IFTDA Official.

    Farah Khan, a director and choreographer, recalled her first film’s production with ‘moody’ Naseeruddin Shah and revealed why she completed his shoot in six days instead of ten days.”I initially approached Naseeruddin Shah for a role, but he was being his usual moody self.

    He made a fuss and declined, saying he couldn’t do it. However, I later offered him a 10-day role as Shahrukh’s father, and I said him, ‘Come on, at least take on this character.’ Naseeruddin Shah gave me such a hard time that I wrapped up his 10-day role in just six days! I told the team, ‘Let’s finish his shooting quickly’. But despite the challenges, he’s been absolutely wonderful to work with. I love Naseer.”All’s well that ends well. We hope the two collaborate on another venture soon

  • Feroze Khan tying the knot once more? Video surfaces online

    Feroze Khan tying the knot once more? Video surfaces online

    Has Feroze Khan tied the knot again? That’s what the internet is wondering since a video surfaced online today, showing actor Feroze Khan enjoying what seem to be wedding celebrations. The news came from Yaseen Lakhani, who says Feroze Khan is marrying someone named Dua. Lakhani even shared an Instagram reel from Feroze Khan’s Mayun event.

    You can watch the video here:

    Social media is buzzing with mixed reactions. While Feroze Khan’s fans are congratulating him, many others are showing sympathy towards the girl.

  • T20 World Cup 2024: The opening ceremony will take place today

    T20 World Cup 2024: The opening ceremony will take place today

    The opening ceremony of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2024 will be held today in New York. The first match of the mega event will be played tomorrow at 5:30 am between the teams of USA and Canada in Dallas. In the second match of the event, the teams of West Indies and Papua New Guinea will compete in Guyana at 7:30 pm.

    On the other hand, the Pakistani team has reached the American city of Dallas from London, where they will play their opening match against the host USA on June 6, while Pakistan’s second match and the biggest Pakistan-India clash of the mega event will be held in New York on June 9. .

    The 9th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will continue from June 1 to June 29, jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies, in which 20 teams are participating for the first time.

  • ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’: Hania Aamir and Fahad Mustafa pair up for new project

    ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’: Hania Aamir and Fahad Mustafa pair up for new project

    Our favourite star Hania Aamir is now partnering with our favourite actor Fahad Mustafa.

    After his success in various entertainment fields, Fahad Mustafa is making a return to dramas, this time alongside Hania Aamir, promising an exciting collaboration.

    Directed by Badar Mehmood and scripted by Farhat Ishtiaq, the drama ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ is set to hit television screens soon.

    Though the full cast hasn’t been disclosed, Hania Aamir will portray the character Shargina, as teased on her Instagram.

    In a behind-the-scenes clip, Hania let fans into her preparation for the role, hinting at Shargina’s complex feelings, including a secret admiration for American singer Billie Eilish.

    The news of the collaboration has sparked anticipation among fans, eagerly awaiting the on-screen chemistry between Hania Aamir and Fahad Mustafa.

  • Anil Kapoor takes over from Salman Khan as Bigg Boss host

    Anil Kapoor takes over from Salman Khan as Bigg Boss host

    JioCinema has announced that veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor will replace Salman Khan as the host of Bigg Boss OTT 3.

    In a new promo shared on Instagram by JioCinema on Friday, a person is seen walking in a room while scenes from previous seasons play in the background.Anil Kapoor is then shown asking for a chair, but his face is not visible yet.

    The Mr. India actor whistles and says, “Get the chair,” and someone in the background replies, “Sir, Jhakas.”Kapoor then says, “Enough of Jhakas, let’s do something special.”

    As the actor speaks, he takes the seat while his face is still not shown in the promo.

    Earlier this month, JioCinema released a teaser for Bigg Boss OTT 3, hinting that Anil Kapoor would replace Salman Khan as the host.

    The teaser, shared on Instagram, announced that Bigg Boss will start streaming in June.The show was supposed to start in May, but it was delayed for unknown reasons.

    Salman Khan might not host the show this season because of scheduling conflicts.

    Other possible probable hosts included Karan Johar and Sanjay Dutt, but Anil Kapoor was chosen.

    The previous teaser, which used Kapoor’s ‘Jhakaas’ catchphrase, hinted that he would be the new host.

  • Gold price declines by Rs1,400 to Rs240,300 per tola

    Gold price declines by Rs1,400 to Rs240,300 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan fell on Saturday, reflecting a decrease in the international market rate. The local market saw the price of gold per tola drop to Rs240,300, a decline of Rs1,400 in just one day.

    The price for 10 grammes of gold also decreased, standing at Rs206,019 after a reduction of Rs1,200, according to the latest figures from the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

    This decline followed a brief increase on Friday, when the price of gold per tola rose by Rs500.

    Internationally, the gold rate saw a downward trend on Saturday. The APGJSA reported that the price per ounce was set at $2,326, including a premium of $20, after a $16 drop during the day.

    In addition to gold, silver prices also fell, with rates decreasing by Rs80 to settle at Rs2,820 per tola.

    It’s noteworthy that just last month, gold reached an all-time high in the local market, hitting Rs252,200 per tola.

  • Watch the anthem of Pakistan Cricket Team for T20 World Cup

    Watch the anthem of Pakistan Cricket Team for T20 World Cup

    The anthem of Pakistan Cricket Team ‘Sadi Wari Oye’ for the T20 World has been released. It has been sung by Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar and Nihal Naseem.

    The anthem is a tribute to the passion of Pakistani fans who always stand by the Pakistan team.

  • Israel pounds Gaza after Biden outlines ceasefire plan

    Israel pounds Gaza after Biden outlines ceasefire plan

    Israeli forces hammered Rafah in southern Gaza with tanks and artillery on Saturday, hours after US President Joe Biden said Israel was offering a new roadmap towards a full ceasefire.

    Shortly after Biden’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted his country would still pursue the war until it had reached all its aims.

    He reiterated that position on Saturday, saying that “Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel”.

    A permanent ceasefire without those conditions being met was “a non-starter”, he said.

    Hamas, meanwhile, said it “views positively” the plan laid out by Biden.

    In his first major address outlining a possible end to the conflict, the US president said Israel’s three-stage offer would begin with a six-week phase that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated areas of Gaza.

    It would also see the “release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded, in exchange for (the) release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners”.

    Israel and the Palestinians would then negotiate during those six weeks for a lasting ceasefire — but the truce would continue while the talks remained underway, Biden said.

    The US leader urged Hamas to accept the Israeli offer. “It’s time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,” he said, in comments echoed by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

    Israel insists on war aims

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called his counterparts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Friday to press the deal.

    UN chief Antonio Guterres “strongly hopes” the latest development “will lead to an agreement by the parties for lasting peace”, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

    German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the Israeli offer “provides a glimpse of hope and a possible path out of the war’s deadlock”, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed a “balanced and realistic” approach to end the bloodshed.

    Saudi Arabia stressed its “support for all efforts aimed at an immediate ceasefire” and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. 

    Indonesia, meanwhile, said it was ready to send “significant peacekeeping forces” as well as medical personnel to Gaza if a ceasefire is agreed.

    But Netanyahu took issue with Biden’s presentation of what was on the table, insisting on Friday the transition from one stage to the next in the proposed roadmap was “conditional” and crafted to allow Israel to maintain its war aims.

    “The prime minister authorised the negotiating team to present an outline for achieving (the return of hostages), while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals are achieved,” Netanyahu’s office said.

    “The exact outline proposed by Israel, including the conditional transition from stage to stage, allows Israel to maintain these principles.”

    Israel has repeatedly vowed to destroy Hamas since the Palestinian militant group attacked southern Israel on October 7.

    Rafah Massacre

    Israel sent tanks and troops into Rafah in early May, ignoring concerns over the safety of displaced Palestinian civilians sheltering in the city on the Egyptian border.

    On Saturday, residents reported tank fire in the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood in west Rafah, while witnesses in the east and centre of Rafah described intense artillery shelling.

    “From the early hours of the night until this morning, the aerial and artillery bombardment has not stopped for a single moment”, a resident from west Rafah told AFP on condition of anonymity.

    “There are a number of occupation (Israeli) snipers in high-rise buildings overseeing all areas of Tal al-Sultan… making the situation very dangerous”, the resident added.

    There was also shelling and gunfire from the Israeli army in Gaza City, in the north of the Palestinian territory, according to an AFP reporter.

    Before the Rafah offensive began, the United Nations said up to 1.4 million people were sheltering in the city.

    Since then, one million have fled the area, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said.

    The Israeli seizure of the Rafah crossing has further slowed sporadic deliveries of aid for Gaza’s 2.4 million people and effectively shuttered the territory’s main exit point.

    ‘Everything is ashes’

    Israel said last week that aid deliveries had been stepped up.

    But Blinken acknowledged on Friday that the humanitarian situation was “dire” despite US efforts to bring in more assistance.

    The World Food Programme said daily life had become “apocalyptic” in parts of southern Gaza since Israel began its assault on Rafah in early May.

    The genocide in Gaza has killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.

    In northern Gaza, witnesses said that after carrying out a three-week operation in the town of Jabalia and its neighbouring refugee camp, troops had ordered residents of nearby Beit Hanun to evacuate ahead of an imminent assault.

    The Israeli army said troops “completed their mission in eastern Jabalia and began preparation for continued operations in the Gaza Strip”.

    Jabalia shopkeeper Belal al-Kahlot said there was nothing left of his store after the Israeli operation. “Everything is ashes.”

    The Israeli military announced the deaths of two soldiers in Gaza, taking to 294 the number of Israeli troops killed since the start of ground operations in late October.