Passenger on SpiceJet’s Delhi-Hyderabad flight misbehaves with cabin crew

TB Team
-
0
Passenger on SpiceJet’s Delhi-Hyderabad flight misbehaves with cabin crew

Another incident of unruly passenger behavior has come out, this time on SpiceJet. The airline said that a passenger, on its SG-8133 Delhi-Hyderabad flight on Monday, behaved in an unruly and inappropriate manner, harassing and causing disturbance to the cabin crew.

“On January 23, 2023, SpiceJet wet-leased Corendon aircraft was scheduled to operate SG-8133 (Delhi-Hyderabad). During boarding at Delhi, one passenger behaved in an unruly and inappropriate manner, harassing and causing disturbance to cabin crew,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

The crew informed the pilot-in-command (PIC) and security staff of the same. The said passenger and a co-passenger, who were traveling together, were offloaded and handed over to the security team, added the spokesperson.

Aviation regulator DGCA said that it is looking into the matter.

There have been many incidents of unruly passengers on flights in the last couple of months. Apart from peeing incident in Air India, two incidents of passenger misbehavior occurring on Air India flight AI-142 on December 6, 2022, from Paris to New Delhi, came to the notice of the DGCA.

One passenger was caught smoking in the lavatory, was drunk, and not listening to the crew. Another passenger allegedly relieved himself on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she went to the lavatory.

Earlier, a high-pitched argument between an air passenger and one of the crew members of an IndiGo flight went viral on social media. The argument started on the airline’s Istanbul-Delhi flight over food.

Researchers working on Covid vaccine that people can drink

TB Team
-
0
Researchers working on Covid vaccine that people can drink

Researchers are working on a Covid-19 vaccine that people may drink instead of receiving with a needle, expanding their focus onto mucosal vaccines, which include nasal vaccines as well as “swish and swallow” oral vaccines.

The vaccine, called QYNDR, completed its phase 1 clinical trial and is currently waiting on more funding to conduct the more detailed, advanced trials that could actually bring the vaccine to market, reports CNET.

“The QYNDR vaccine is pronounced ‘kinder’ because it’s a softer way to deliver a vaccine,” Kyle Flanigan, founder of QYNDR’s maker, US Specialty Formulations, was quoted as saying.

Moreover, the report said that promising clinical trial results from New Zealand offer hope that QYNDR will be a viable option for protection against the string of Covid-19 variants circulating now.

“It’s really challenging to have a vaccine survive making it through your digestive system,” Flanigan said.

“We were able to figure out how to get a vaccine past the stomach and into the gut and have it be effective and induce the appropriate response,” she added.

Scientists are hopeful that mucosal vaccines will not only protect against severe diseases and death, as revolutionary mRNA vaccines and boosters have but also ward off infections, the report said.

Different from traditional vaccines, mucosal vaccines enter through our mucous membranes, either through our nose (as in the much-discussed nasal Covid-19 vaccine) or through our gut (as in the orally suspended QYNDRs).

Mucosal vaccines have been supported as viable, or even preferable, options for combating Covid-19 infections due to the different types of immunity they produce and the fact that it begins right where the virus enters our bodies, the report mentioned.

‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ trailer: Ranbir turns ‘makkaar’ for ‘jhoothi’ Shraddha

TB Team
-
0
‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ trailer: Ranbir turns ‘makkaar’ for ‘jhoothi’ Shraddha

The trailer of the romantic comedy ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’, which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, was unveiled in Mumbai on Monday.

It presents a palpable chemistry between the lead pair and a fun story at its heart which is made spicy by the twist in the love story that takes place between Ranbir and Shraddha’s characters in the film.

Commenting on the occasion, director Luv Ranjan who is known for his unique brand of films in the contemporary romance genre, said “Love is a complicated subject, but why not have some fun while we try and unravel relationships in today’s world.”

“The world and vibe of the film have been brought alive by the super talented pair of Shradha and Ranbir and my brilliant crew. I am hoping for audiences across all ages, young and young at heart to have a good time in the theatres while they relate to their own romance when they watch the film.”

The trailer, which is over 3 minutes in length, also sees stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi making his film debut as Ranbir Kapoor’s friend. In the trailer, Ranbir and Shraddha’s characters instantly hit it off and their relationship cruises to the point where they agree to get married but a twist upsets their love story as Shraddha’s character decides against the marriage and sets up an event that pose Ranbir character as the villain in front of his family.

The trailer also gave a glimpse of the fantastic music that is in the film with the magic of Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya, and Arijit Singh coming together.

During the event, director Luv Ranjan announced that the lead pair wouldn’t be seen together at the promotions and will come in front of the audience together only in the theatre, thereby setting a unique approach to the film’s promotions.

‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ produced by Luv Films’ Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, and presented by T- Series’ Gulshan Kumar and Bhushan Kumar, is set to hit the screens worldwide on Holi, March 8, 2023.

Twitter account of Andhra Pradesh DGP hacked

TB Team
-
0
Twitter account of Andhra Pradesh DGP hacked

The Twitter account of the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police was hacked on Monday, and hackers posted an obscene photograph on it.

Cybercrime police have registered a case and taken up an investigation.

Deputy Inspector General P.H.D. Ramakrishna said that the account was created in 2019 and it was inoperative since February 2020. The account was hacked on Monday by some unknown persons, who posted an objectonable photograph on it.

The matter came to light after some people posted photos and videos of the hacked page on various social media platforms. Some social media users even started liking the photo posted on the hacked accounts.

The technical wing of the police department took note of this and removed the photo from the page.

The cybercrime police registered a case and began an investigation.

Karan-Arjun aa gaye: ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ teaser to be played with ‘Pathaan’

TB Team
-
0
Karan-Arjun aa gaye: ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ teaser to be played with ‘Pathaan’

The audience will get to see Bollywood’s two biggest superstars – Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan – together in the same cinema halls as the teaser of Salman’s upcoming film, ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ will be patched with SRK’s ‘Pathaan’ in theatres across the country on January 25 and will later be available on YouTube and other digital platforms.

The makers have planned a unique approach for the unit launch which is ‘theatres first’, the motion units will be first launched on big screens in the theatres followed by digital.

Sharing a still from the movie, Salman tweeted about the teaser release of ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ with ‘Pathaan’ shows.

‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ has been directed by Farhad Samji, who earlier helmed the Akshay Kumar and Kriti Sanon-starrer ‘Bachchhan Paandey’. ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, produced by Salma Khan under the banner of Salman Khan Films Production, also stars Venkatesh Daggubati, Pooja Hegde, Jagapathi Babu, Bhumika Chawla, Vijender Singh, Abhimanyu Singh, Raghav Juyal, Siddharth Nigam, Jassie Gill, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari, and Vinali Bhatnagar.

The film is slated to release on Eid 2023 and will be a Zee Studios worldwide release.

IND v NZ: India could look at making some changes as they seek 3-0 finish against New Zealand

TB Team
-
0
IND v NZ: India could look at making some changes as they seek 3-0 finish against New Zealand

After taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, India could be looking at making some changes to their playing eleven for the third and final game as they seek a 3-0 finish against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium on Tuesday.

After a 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, India wouldn’t want to let their guard down in a dead rubber and inflict a series sweep over a New Zealand missing stalwarts like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will have pride to play for in Indore and a win would do their confidence a world of good ahead of the three T20Is against India, where Mitchell Santner will be captaining them.

India could make some changes in the bowling department to manage the bowlers’ workload in an ODI World Cup year. Fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, the heroes’ of a comprehensive eight-wicket Indian victory in Raipur, could be given a break in Indore.

Both Shami and Siraj will be playing vital roles in the four Tests against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from February 9. That gives tearaway pacer Umran Malik a chance to be given a game, as does leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

In the batting, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have been doing the bulk of the scoring for the hosts. Virat Kohli will be keen to correct his record against falling to left-arm spin, while Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav would be itching to get some runs under their belt. If changes do happen for the Indore ODI, then Rajat Patidar could be in line for an international debut at his home ground.

New Zealand, meanwhile, would be eager to grab a consolation win to get their first victory on the tour of India. For that to happen, the batting line-up, especially the top order, will have to step up massively in Indore.

Their only impressive batters in the series have been Santner and Michael Bracewell, who almost took New Zealand over the line in Hyderabad and attempted to resurrect the innings in Raipur before falling in quick succession.

With the ball, there is scope for them to put up an improved show. The pitch at the Holkar Stadium is usually friendly for batting and with the smaller boundaries present, fans will be in store for a run-fest on Tuesday.

Squads

India:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umran Malik.

New Zealand:

Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Doug Bracewell, Mark Chapman and Henry Shipley.

Smriti, Deepti, Richa, Renuka included in ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2022

TB Team
-
0
Smriti, Deepti, Richa, Renuka included in ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2022

India’s left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana, off-spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma, wicketkeeper-batter Richa, and right-arm fast-bowler Renuka Singh Thakur were included in the ICC Women’s T20I team of the Year for 2022 captained by New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine, said cricket’s global governing body on Monday.

Other players in the ICC Women’s T20I team of the year 2022 include Australia opener Beth Mooney, all-rounders Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath, Pakistan’s off-spin all-rounder Nida Dar, left-arm spinners, England’s Sophie Ecclestone and Sri Lanka’s Inoka Ranaweera.

Smriti, the India vice-captain who is also nominated for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year and ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, had a terrific 2022 with the bat, making 594 runs at an average of 33 and a strike rate of 133.48. She hit five half-centuries in 21 innings during the year, including one in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh in October against Sri Lanka.

The unbeaten 51 off just 25 balls came in a run-chase of 66, with Smriti making more than 70 percent of the team’s runs. She also made two half-centuries in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, helping India to win in both these games against Pakistan and England respectively. She finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the year in women’s T20Is.

Deepti took 29 wickets in the year, the joint-third-highest by any bowler in women’s T20Is in 2022. Averaging 18.55 with the ball, Deepti also bowled at an economy rate of just over six, while making 370 runs in the year with the bat.

She averaged 37 with the bat at a strike rate of 136.02, considerably higher than her career strike rate of 106.39 in T20Is. Her 13 wickets in the Women’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh made her the Player of the Tournament. She set the tone in the final against Sri Lanka, bowling a miserly spell of 4-0-7-0 after taking the new ball.

Richa was a standout player for India in T20Is in 2022. In 18 matches, she amassed 259 runs, smashing 13 sixes and showcasing incredible flair in the lower middle order. Her best came at Brabourne Stadium in a home series against Australia when she smashed an unbeaten 40 in just 19 balls, an effort which went in vain.

Renuka, one of the nominees for the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award for 2022, picked 22 wickets at an average of 23.95 and an economy rate of 6.50. She was a thorn in the side of Australia’s line-up in the seven T20I meetings across the year, taking eight wickets.

Her performances across the Commonwealth Games and Asia Cup were superlative, picking 17 wickets in 11 matches, at an economy of just 5.21. Her best came against the Aussies in Birmingham, when she produced a stirring spell of 4/18 that included 16 dot balls.

Ajay Devgn extends his wishes to Athiya, Rahul ahead of their wedding

TB Team
-
0
Ajay Devgn extends his wishes to Athiya, Rahul ahead of their wedding

The wedding bells are ringing for Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty and cricketer K.L. Rahul on Monday and good wishes are pouring in for the soon-to-be-married couple.

On Monday, Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn took to his Twitter handle to send his wishes to the couple.

Sharing a picture of the couple, he wrote: “Congratulations to my dear friends @SunielVShetty & #ManaShetty for their daughter @theathiyashetty’s marriage to @klrahul.”

“Here’s wishing the young couple a blissful married life. And, Anna, here’s a special shout-out to you on this auspicious occasion. (heart emoji) Ajay,” his tweet further read.

Ajay and Suniel, both of whom are one of the most loved stars from the era of the 1990s, are known to be close friends.

The two have worked together in films like ‘Dilwale’, ‘Qayamat’, ‘Cash’ and several others.

Reportedly, the wedding will be an intimate affair with close to 100 guests in attendance.

Earlier, Suniel Shetty told all the photographers that the couple will pose for pictures afterward.

In a video seen on celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani’s account, Suniel is seen getting out of his car and walking up to the paparazzi.

He is heard telling them: “Aa rahe hain hum log. Kal unko leke aata hoon, bachchon ko.”

Sunny Leone goes meticulously de-glam for her role in ‘Quotation Gang’

TB Team
-
0
Sunny Leone goes meticulously de-glam for her role in ‘Quotation Gang’

Ditching make-up, actress Sunny Leone decided to go de-glam for her role in the upcoming crime-drama ‘Quotation Gang’, directed by Vivek K. She said didn’t want to compromise on the director’s vision.

Sunny and her make-up artist worked extensively with the director in creating basic looks for her character. After cracking the genesis of the character and her backstory, the team put together some options. It is a raw part and Sunny didn’t want to compromise on the authenticity.

The actress said: “The film’s DNA is such that it hinges on its authenticity. I didn’t want to compromise on the director’s vision. I trusted the director completely. Now when I see the love our teaser is getting, I am glad that the power of his vision is getting its due.”

“Sometimes when the character has some much meat, you don’t care about anything else. What matters is your performance. Once I stopped focussing on how I will look, I was able to be the character. I am grateful for the faith the director showed in me!”

Her make-up artist Richard Joseph said that the look is organically de-glammed.

“The focus feature was the unibrow and the scar on the lip. We tanned and warmed up Sunny’s face. The character was supposed to be an unruly woman. So we created brows that are bushy and unkempt. We used real hair and cut them into finer strands to perfect that. We used prosthetic glue to apply it.”

He added that the look was created to fit into the character.

“There is a scar on the forehead that used 3D silicon pieces for continuity purposes. We used an old scab to get the lip cut. The eyes had a kohl pencil that was smudged and erased for a lived-in look. We got local tattoos on our necks. For the face, we de-glammed the face by getting something slightly cooler to achieve a warm look on the face.”

“A certain amount of cool tones were added to enhance the dullness of the skin. We wanted to bring out a tired eye. We created textures on the skin by using alcohol mediums so the makeup would remain longer. The lip was blurred to ensure that the bruise on the lip is visible. Overall the detained face, the kohl eyes, and the lip bruise were the highlights of the look. We accentuated this with the bindi we used.”

The film also stars Jackie Shroff and Priyamani.

Premisthe Movie Heroine Sandhya Family Photos | Premisthe Heroine Sandhya Lifestyle | Telugu Bullet

Team TeluguBullet
-
0
Premisthe Movie Heroine Sandhya Family Photos | Premisthe Heroine Sandhya Lifestyle | Telugu Bullet

Premisthe Movie Heroine Sandhya Family Photos | Premisthe Heroine Sandhya Lifestyle | Telugu Bullet
#premisthe #bharath #tollywood #tollywoodnews #telugubullet

Subscribe to our channel Telugu Bullet for Latest Updates on Entertainment Industry, Public Talk, Celebrity Birthday Special AVs, Celebrity Interviews, Web Series, Celebrity Gossips, Celebrity Updates Movie Updates, Events and more.

Deepika on working with SRK: I’m collaborating with my most favourite co-star

TB Team
-
0
Deepika on working with SRK: I’m collaborating with my most favourite co-star

Actress Deepika Padukone has spoken about her pairing with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whom she calls her “favorite co-star”, as they are all set for the release of their upcoming film ‘Pathaan’.

The two stars have previously worked in films such as ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Chennai Express’.

“Shah Rukh and I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work in some incredible movies starting with Om Shanti Om! I’m collaborating with my favorite co-star Shah Rukh. We have a beautiful relationship and I think the audience always sees that in the movies that we do,” said Deepika.

SRK and Deepika also spoke about the secret behind their electric chemistry in ‘Pathaan’.

She said: “Well, he and I can both take credit for that. Again he was also on this intense diet and exercise. So, he and I can both take credit for the work we have put individually. But at the end of the day, it is the team that you work with.”

Deepika added: “Whether it is the director (Siddharth Anand) and his vision or it’s the cinematographer (Satchith Paulose) and how he is envisioning lighting us, whether it’s the stylist (Shaleena Nathani) – how she envisions these characters, whether it is your hair and make-up team. So, it’s your entire team that sort of comes together, so sure you can put in the work and do the best you can but you also have incredible world-class professionals who come in and make us look the way we do!”

For Deepika, ‘Pathaan’ is a very special film in her filmography.

“The character that I am playing in this movie is extremely exciting, it is something that I haven’t done before and even the movie – just this kind of spy thriller, an out-and-out action movie is something I haven’t done before.”

Pathaan is part of Aditya Chopra’s ambitious spy universe and also has John Abraham in it. ‘Pathaan’ is set to release on January 25, 2023, in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Techies earning up to $1 mn a year laid off at Big Tech firms

TB Team
-
0
Techies earning up to $1 mn a year laid off at Big Tech firms

As Big Tech layoffs dominate headlines, more details have emerged on which verticals and senior executives earning up to $1 million annually bore the maximum brunt at Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

At Google, laid-off employees included those who had previously received high-performance reviews or held managerial positions “with annual compensation packages of $500,000 to $1 million, reports The Information.

According to the report, 12,000 impacted employees belonged to every department, from Google Cloud and Chrome to Android and “search-related groups under senior executive Prabhakar Raghavan”.

Google Cloud laid off people in strategy, recruiting, and go-to-market teams, the report mentioned.

Google’s parent company Alphabet’s in-house research and development (R&D) division called Area 120 was also significantly hit. The majority of the Area 120 team has been “winded down”.

At Microsoft, which laid off 10,000 employees, game development studios like Halo were the biggest hit. Other cuts impacted its mixed-reality (MR) headset teams.

Microsoft has also shut down AltspaceVR virtual reality-based social platform it acquired in 2017.

Amazon’s layoffs included jobs in the devices and services division.

The job cut affected nearly 2,000 people in hardware chief Dave Limp’s division, which is home to products like Alexa and Echo smart home devices.

CNBC reported the layoffs also included a “significant number” of employees working on the Prime Air drone delivery project.

Amazon will also shut down its charity donation program, “AmazonSmile”, as it failed to create the impact the company hoped for.

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ becomes sixth film in history to pass $2 bn globally

TB Team
-
0
‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ becomes sixth film in history to pass $2 bn globally

It’s just six weeks since award-winning filmmaker James Camron’s blockbuster sequel ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ released and it has surpassed $2 billion in global ticket sales.

It’s the sixth film in history – and first in pandemic times – to cross the coveted milestone, joining an exclusive club that includes ‘Avatar’, ‘Avengers: Endgame’, ‘Titanic’, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, reports ‘Variety’.

Now, Cameron is responsible for three of the six-highest-grossing movies of all time. He’s also the only director with three films to cross $2 billion. Notably, Zoe Saldana, who plays Neytiri in the “Avatar” series, has now starred in four of the six films to cross $2 billion.

She also appears in both ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, reprising her ‘Guardians of the Galaxy role of Gamora.

Notably, ‘The Way of Water’ has officially hit the lofty goal that Cameron set for himself prior to the film’s release. Before the sequel opened in theaters, he told GQ that ‘Avatar 2’ represents “the worst business case in movie history” because it needs to become one of the three or four top-grossing movies of all time just to break even.

But in the coming days, it’ll take down the fourth- and fifth-biggest movies, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2.07 billion) and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ ($2.04 billion), to achieve that feat.

The original ‘Avatar’, which debuted in theaters 13 years ago, remains the biggest movie of all time with $2.9 billion.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ trails closely behind in second place with $2.79 billion, while ‘Titanic’ stands as the third-highest grossing release ever with $2.19 billion.

So far, ‘The Way of Water’ has generated $598 million at the domestic box office and $1.4 billion internationally. Overseas, the standout markets are China ($229 million), France ($129 million), Germany ($117 million), Korea ($96 million), and the United Kingdom ($81 million). It’s especially impressive that ‘Avatar 2’ managed to crack $2 billion, a benchmark that’s been impossible in COVID times because not every market is re-connecting with the Na’vi.

The follow-up isn’t playing in Russia, where the original grossed $116 million, and it’s flopping in Japan with $28 million, a dramatic decrease from the first film’s $176 million haul.

The long-delayed sequel to 2009’s ‘Avatar’ opened in December and remained hugely popular in the weeks since its release.

Pamela Anderson claims Tim Allen flashed his privates at her when she was 23

TB Team
-
0
Pamela Anderson claims Tim Allen flashed his privates at her when she was 23

Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson in her upcoming memoir has detailed a disturbing incident that took place on the set of ‘Home Improvement’ in 1991 when she was 23 years old.

“On the first day of filming, I walked out of my dressing room, and Tim was in the hallway in his robe. He opened his robe and flashed me quickly – completely naked underneath. He said it was only fair because he had seen me naked. Now we’re even. I laughed uncomfortably,” according to an excerpt in ‘Love, Pamela’, reports ‘Variety’.

Allen, who was 37 at the time of the reported incident, was presumably referring to Anderson’s modeling for Playboy, which helped turn the budding actress into an internationally known sex symbol.

“No, it never happened. I would never do such a thing,” Allen told ‘Variety’ in a statement.

The explosive claim is one of many in the book, which traces Anderson’s rise from a small-town girl from Vancouver Island to one of the most recognizable women in the world.

“Home Improvement” marked one of Anderson’s earliest credits, where she played Lisa the Tool Girl in what quickly became the No. 1 TV series in the United States.

She appeared in the first two seasons of the ABC sitcom before leaving to focus on ‘Baywatch’, which became a global phenomenon exported to 150 countries.

‘Love, Pamela’ is one of the most anticipated titles of the year from HarperCollins. In it, Anderson addresses last year’s hit Hulu series Pam and Tommy.

Anderson remained mum on the series, which delves into the infamous sex tape that was stolen from her home with then-husband Tommy Lee, when it launched in February 2022.

U-17 friendly: Clinical India defeat Uzbekistan in Goa

TB Team
-
0
U-17 friendly: Clinical India defeat Uzbekistan in Goa

The Indian U-17 National Team put on an inspired display to emerge 2-0 victorious against their Uzbekistan counterparts in the first of two friendly matches at the Tilak Maidan here.

The Blue Colts, who have qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup final rounds and are currently preparing for the campaign ahead, did all the damage in the first half, as Korou Singh Thingujam ran the show on the right wing, assisting Vanlalpeka Guite and Lalpekhlua to score a goal each, the AIFF said in a statement.

Uzbekistan had their fair share of chances as well, but India goalkeeper Sahil was equal to any danger he faced and picked up a deserved clean sheet.

It was the visitors who dictated play in the early stages, maintaining possession in the India half but without any real penetration inside the penalty area. Bibiano Fernandes’ boys withstood the early pressure and quickly got into gear, with Lalpekhlua and Korou’s pace causing Uzbekistan plenty of trouble on the flanks.

Lalpekhlua had the game’s first real chance in the 21st minute as he cut inside from the left before unleashing a curling effort toward the far post, but Uzbek keeper Asilbek Numonov tipped it away at full stretch.

India’s continued pressure paid off at the half-hour mark when captain Vanlalpeka Guite found the opener after some explosive work by Korou Singh on the right flank. Korou outran his marker and darted into the penalty area before slipping in a perfectly-weighted ball for Guite in the middle. The Indian captain made the simplest of tap-ins from six yards out to put the hosts ahead.

Uzbekistan almost responded immediately as Abdulkhamid Turgunboev sent a fierce shot from distance, calling Sahil into action for the first time. The Indian custodian displayed quick reflexes to tip it over the crossbar.

On the other end, the hosts continued to dominate the wings. This time, Guite skipped past an Uzbek challenge on the left before cutting the ball back for Thanglalsoun Gangte from the by-line, but it was intercepted by Mamadalikhan Olimov. However, India got their second goal in the very next attack thanks to Korou’s vision, Gangte’s mindfulness, and Lalpekhlua’s composure.

Korou’s cross from the right allowed targetman Gangte to draw two Uzbek shirts toward him, leaving Lalpekhlua empty inside the area. The winger set himself up with a good first touch before splendidly curling it past Numonov into the bottom corner. India were two goals to the good at the break.

Determined to bounce back in the contest, Uzbekistan started the second half with plenty of energy but was met by a resolute Indian backline. The center-back duo of Manjot Singh and Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam didn’t leave any spaces down the middle, leaving the visitors with no option other than going for long-range attempts.

Korou and Lalpekhlua continued their business in the second period as well. The duo combined again and almost recreated the second goal in the 56th minute. Korou picked out Lalpekhlua with a fine cross from the right, but the latter’s shot from the edge of the box was cleared off the line by Dilshod Abdullaev.

After registering two assists, Korou had a big chance to write his name on the scoresheet in the 68th minute. In an exchange of roles, Lalpekhlua whipped in a dangerous cross for Korou at the far post, who could not get the right connection on his first-time shot and sent it into the side-netting.

India kept on coming as the game entered its final stages and were unlucky not to add to their lead. Skipper Guite almost scored his second and India’s third of the day when his low strike from just outside the area clattered into the upright in the 74th minute. He got another opportunity after Uzbekistan failed to clear the rebound, but it was well-saved by Numonov.

India U-17 will play their second friendly match against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

India U-17 XI: Sahil, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom (Balkaran Singh 53′), Manjot Singh, Vanlalpeka Guite (Prachit Gaonkar 79′), Danny Meitei Laishram, Korou Singh Thingujam, Thanglalsoun Gangte (Shashwat Panwar 55′), Lalpekhlua (Phoenix Oinam 86′), Ashish (Gurnaj Singh Grewal 55′).

‘Negative emotions are not going to help you on court’: Sabalenka beats Olympic champ Bencic

TB Team
-
0
‘Negative emotions are not going to help you on court’: Sabalenka beats Olympic champ Bencic

Aryna Sabalenka has extended her winning ways Down Under to eight straight, notching her maiden Australian Open quarterfinal at the expense of Olympic champion Belinda Bencic on Monday.

Despite a slow start, the fifth seed was again a master of composure under pressure as she produced a 7-5 6-2 victory, reports ausopen.com.

It was a position she could not have imagined herself in 12 months ago after her emotional rollercoaster ride came to a halt against Kaia Kanepi at this stage.

“It takes me a little while to understand that negative emotions are not going to help you on the court and you just have to stay strong and believe no matter what and do everything you can to get back on this court, just to win the match,” Sabalenka said.

“(I’m) just super happy with my mindset during the game today.”

Two of the most in-form names heading into the second week, Sabalenka and Bencic earned confidence-boosting victories when they split the two Adelaide WTA 500 events in the lead-up.

Sabalenka has not dropped a set in her opening seven matches of the season and has only grown in confidence with each step closer to a maiden Australian Open quarterfinal.

She channeled that self-declared, new-found composure to see off Elise Mertens – the Belgian with whom she won the Australian Open doubles title in 2021 – in the third round and entered this clash having split two meetings with Bencic.

Like Sabalenka, the Swiss has long been in the fray as a Grand Slam title contender but has all too often fallen short of those expectations.

The Olympic champion climbed into the top 10 for the first time since 2021 following her Adelaide success and said she had to try to “block out the noise” surrounding those title chances this week as she reached the fourth round for the first time in seven years.

Bencic, who now has Sabalenka’s former coach Dimitry Tursunov in her corner, understood this contest was always likely to be played on her opponent’s terms.

Her task from the outset was to neutralize the fifth seed’s explosive blows.

The Swiss’ best hope was to expose Sabalenka’s movement using variety, but she also found success when she took the ball on the rise as she aggressively hugged the baseline to take time away from her heavier-hitting foe.

It was time to fight fire with fire. Sabalenka’s struggles last year harnessing her wayward serve are well documented, but what was once a liability has become a weapon of greater reliability.

From a 2-4 deficit, the 24-year-old gained a foothold on the match as she lifted her average first and second service speeds up a notch and seized control from the baseline.

She reeled off six of the next seven games and broke for the set when Bencic double-faulted.

The pressure was squarely back on the 12th seed and as she battled to stem the flow she reverted to adding more margin on her serves.

It was not enough to hold her own. Sabalenka clocked a forehand winner into the corner to break for the fourth time at the 89-minute mark to book her spot in the last eight.

WhatsApp rolls out new shortcuts for group admins on iOS

TB Team
-
0
WhatsApp rolls out new shortcuts for group admins on iOS

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has reportedly rolled out some new shortcuts for group admins to quickly and easily perform actions for a certain group participant, on iOS.

The new shortcuts simplify interactions with group members as now the platform supports large groups of up to 1024 participants, reports WABetainfo.

The new update will help group admins quickly manage and communicate with such a large number of participants in private.

The feature is available for all users that install the latest update of WhatsApp for iOS from the App Store.

With the new update, the phone numbers are now highlighted in group events when group participants join or leave a group and group admins can easily interact with them.

If admins tap and hold a phone number, they can use new shortcuts that include the ability to quickly call and chat with participants in private and they can also add group participants to their contacts book and copy their phone numbers.

“This feature can save group admins a significant amount of time as they no longer need to navigate through the group info screen to find contact information,” the report said.

Meanwhile, last week, it was reported that the messaging platform was rolling out a new ‘voice status updates’ feature on the iOS beta, which will allow users to share voice notes via status updates.

Australian Open: Djokovic downs Dimitrov, Andy Murray knocked out in third round

TB Team
-
0
Australian Open: Djokovic downs Dimitrov, Andy Murray knocked out in third round

Novak Djokovic was once again pushed physically at the Australian Open here on Saturday, but he found a way to keep alive his quest for a record-extending 10th title at Park.

Struggling with the hamstring injury that has plagued him since Adelaide, Djokovic looked in discomfort throughout his clash against Grigor Dimitrov. However, the Serbian dug deep and overcame the 27th seed 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round.

“Every point and game mattered. The turning point for both players was right from the start. Making an early break was important. I didn’t know how I was going to feel physically. I was going up and down,” Djokovic said.

“Grigor is someone that I truly admire and respect. He is one of my best friends on Tour. We go back a long time. He is one of the most talented players you will see. He is such a great athlete,” he added.

In a tight clash, the former World No. 1 scrambled to win the first set, saving three set points before he converted his fifth set point with a diving forehand volley. After winning the set, the 35-year-old dragged himself to his feet and received a medical timeout, with coach Goran Ivanisevic watching on, concerned.

Despite his hamstring worry, Djokovic remained calm and stuck to his task on the court, playing with consistency to seal the second and third sets.

The fourth seed, who struck 28 winners and committed 22 unforced errors, received a second medical timeout at 4-1 in the third set. However, Djokovic returned to court where he was able to finish the job, winning a series of grueling rallies in his final service game to triumph. Djokovic will next play Australian Alex de Minaur.

The 35-year-old now leads Dimitrov 10-1 in their ATP Head-to-Head series following his three-hour, seven-minute win. Djokovic is chasing a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam trophy this fortnight and will reclaim No. 1 in the ATP Rankings if he wins the title.

Meanwhile, Roberto Bautista Agut ended Andy Murray’s Australian Open run with an impressive 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-4 win to reach the fourth round.

In 2019, the pair met at Margaret Court Arena for an emotional encounter, with Murray losing what he feared would be the final match of his career. Competing in the same stadium four years on, Bautista Agut once again had the answers to triumph after three hours and 29 minutes.

“Always playing Andy is very tough. He knows very well how to play a Grand Slam match. I am happy with how I handled the nerves and tension throughout the match, to play good tennis. I am very happy with the win,” Bautista Agut said.

“I am feeling good on the court. I am competing well and I am doing everything I can off-court to make sure I play good matches. Today was very tough,” he added.

The 24th seed struck his flat groundstrokes with consistency, limiting errors off both wings to frustrate Murray. Despite looking fatigued, Murray fought hard. He rallied from a breakdown in the second set, saving two set points to dramatically level.

However, the former World No. 1 was unable to maintain the same intensity levels as the match went on. He produced moments of magic, but struggled physically in the third and fourth sets, striking his serve and forehand with limited power.

Bautista Agut was also pushed to five sets in the second round, clawing past American wild card Brandon Holt. Yet the Spaniard looked fresh, breaking Murray’s serve six times to improve to 4-3 in his ATP Head-to-Head series against the 35-year-old.

The 34-year-old will next play Tommy Paul. If he overcomes the American he will equal his best result in Melbourne, having advanced to the quarter-finals in 2019.

‘Delusions of British imperial Resurrection’, retired judges, bureaucrats on BBC documentary on PM

TB Team
-
0
‘Delusions of British imperial Resurrection’, retired judges, bureaucrats on BBC documentary on PM

A group of retired judges, bureaucrats and armed forces veterans on Saturday released a statement rebutting the BBC documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ‘delusions of British Imperial resurrection’.

“Not this time. Not with our leader. Not with India. Never on our watch!” read the letter.

“Yet again, the staple, dyed-in-the-wool negativity and unrelenting prejudice of the BBC toward India have resurfaced as a documentary, ‘India: The Modi Question’. This production, the BBC claims, has been ‘rigorously researched according to the highest editorial standards’, and ‘examines the tensions between India’s Hindu majority and Muslim minority and explores the politics of India’s PM Narendra Modi in relation to those tensions’ and a series of controversial policies implemented by him’,” it said.

“So now we have the archetype of British past imperialism in India setting itself up as both judge and jury, to resurrect Hindu-Muslim tensions that were overwhelmingly the creation of the British Raj policy of divide and rule. Not only is the BBC series, judging from what we have seen of it so far, based on delusional and evidently lopsided reporting, it presumes to question the very basis of the 75-year-old edifice of India’s existence as an independent, democratic nation, a nation which functions according to the will of the people of India. Glaring factual errors apart, the series – which uses the words ‘allegedly’ and ‘reportedly’ repeatedly, (not ‘factually’) – reeks of motivated distortion that is as mind-numbingly unsubstantiated as it is nefarious,” it added.

A total of 302 eminent citizens signed the letter, including 13 retired judges, 133 retired bureaucrats and 156 retired armed forces personnel.

The signatories include names like former Foreign Secretary Shashank, former Home Secretary L.C. Goyal, ex-RAW chief Sanjeev Tripathi, former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, O.P. Singh, among others.

They also said that the Supreme Court had upheld the closure report filed by the top court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) after years of painstaking investigation into the Gujarat riots.

“So now we have a British media organization, the media, which naturally thrives on sensationalism regardless of how false its basis, setting itself up to second guess and dismiss the verdict of the apex of the Indian judiciary, the Supreme Court. This alone exposes the BBC’s malafides, and leads one to question the motivations behind this series,” said the letter.

“Instead of making a documentary titled ‘India: The Modi Question’, the BBC should begin by questioning its own bias against Prime Minister Modi (yes, their own too) and make a documentary called ‘BBC: The Ethical Question’,” the letter said.

The letter also urged people to sign the petition.

“Join us by signing this petition in the fight against BBC’s series. We start it here and we end it here by demonstrating, through our overwhelming ‘Satyagraha’, our true might: our patriotism,” the letter concluded.

India Open 2023: Kunlavut Vitidsarn upsets Antony Ginting to set up men’s singles final against Viktor Axelsen

TB Team
-
0
India Open 2023: Kunlavut Vitidsarn upsets Antony Ginting to set up men’s singles final against Viktor Axelsen

Former world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand banked on his strong defense to counter the attacking style of Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting to reach the men’s singles final of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2023 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, here on Saturday.

The 21-year-old rarely made any unforced errors and managed to frustrate his Indonesian opponent in the 58-minute encounter to win 27-25, 21-15 to reach his first Super 750 event final. He will take on top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, who defeated another Indonesian Jonatan Christie 21-6, 21-12.

The women’s singles final would be a repeat of last week’s summit clash at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 event between top seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and South Korea’s An Se Young.

In the first men’s singles semi-final, Vitidsarn looked down and out after the initial exchanges as Ginting opened up a 12-6 lead. He, however, managed to turn the tables with his superior retrieving skills to earn two game points. Ginting ended up saving six game points and spurned one of his own before the Thai youngster managed to earn two consecutive points to pocket the opening game.

Ginting began the second game on the front foot once again and had a chance to push the match to the decider till Vitidsarn clinched eight of the nine points from a 13-14 deficit to seal the final berth.

Earlier, two-time world champion Yamaguchi has been in fine form in the new year and Supanida, who had defeated India’s PV Sindhu in the opening round, was no match to her Japanese opponent in the first semifinal.

Yamaguchi banked on bagging points in succession when under pressure to clinch the match 21-17, 21-16.

Young’s route to the final was not that straightforward as she had to fight back after losing the opening game rather tamely to force a decider. Even in the third and final game, the Korean trailed 3-9 and 9-12 before she clinched nine of the next 11 points to open up an 18-14 lead and then wrapped up the match.

Results:

Men’s singles: 8-Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) bt 6-Anthony Ginting (Ina) 27-25, 21-15; 1-Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt 4-Jonatan Christie (Ina) 21-6,

Women’s singles:

1-Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) bt Supanida Katethong (Tha) 21-17, 21-16; 2-An Se Young (Kor) bt 4-He Bing Jiao (Chn) 11-21, 21-16, 21-16
Women’s doubles: 2-Nami Matsuyama/Chihara Shida (Jpn) bt 8-Pearly Tan/T Muralitharan (Mas) 21-14, 21-16

Mixed doubles:

4-Wang Yi Lyu/Huang Dong Ping (Chn) bt Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun (Kor) 21-15, 12-21, 21-19; 3-Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino (Jpn) bt 1-Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong (Chn) 18-21, 21-18, 21-14

1...529530531...2,190Page 530 of 2,190