‘So sad we can’t see you all play in Australia’: Khawaja hits back at CA after Afghanistan win

New Delhi, June 23, 2024
Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja opposed Cricket Australia decision not to play bilateral series against Afghanistan after Rashid Khan-led side defeated Australia by 21-run in the Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday.

“Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can’t see you all play in Australia,” Khawaja posted on X.

The CA has refused to play against Afghanistan on multiple occasions since the Taliban’s takeover of the country in September 2021. The Australian cricket body strongly opposed the Taliban’s move to restrict women’s participation in sports.

Australia had cancelled a one-off Test match against Afghanistan as well as a three-match ODI series that was scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. Most recently, CA postponed a three-match T20 series indefinitely that was originally slated for August.

Despite Pat Cummins’ second consecutive hat-trick, Afghanistan managed to post 148/6 after being asked to bat first on a challenging pitch at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent.

Opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran formed Afghanistan’s highest opening partnership against Australia in a T20 match, scoring 118 runs together. Australia’s bowlers regrouped late in the innings, highlighted by Cummins’ second career hat-trick, which followed his recent achievement just two days prior.

Australia faced difficulties with the bat and were eventually bundled out for 127 runs. Glenn Maxwell was the standout performer, scoring 59 runs off 41 balls, effectively tackling Afghanistan’s strong bowling attack on the turning conditions but failed to recreate his ODI World Cup heroics.

After their win over Australia, Afghanistan are in contention for a semifinal berth. They will next take on Bangladesh on June 25.(Agency)

Andy Murray ruled out of Wimbledon after back surgery

New Delhi, June 23, 2024
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been ruled out of the upcoming Wimbledon after undergoing a surgical procedure to remove a spinal cyst, the ATP said on Sunday.

“After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon. Rest up and recover Andy, we’ll miss seeing you there,” the ATP wrote on ‘X’.

Earlier, he withdrew from Queen’s Club Championships due to same injury while trailing 4-1 in the first set of his second-round match against Jordan Thompson on Wednesday.

Murray’s participation in the French Open deteriorated the existing problem, preventing him from competing at Wimbledon, the site of two of his three Grand Slam victories.

After undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in 2019, the 37-year-old reemerged on the tennis court. However, he has found it difficult to get past the knockout stages of the major events and most recently had to battle with an ankle injury he suffered at the Miami Open in March.

After Queen’s Club Championships withdrawal, Murray said, “I didn’t get the right side of my back treated after the French Open [a few weeks ago]. All tennis players have degenerative joints in the back but it’s all predominantly been left-sided for me for pretty much my whole career. I’ve never had too many issues with the right side.

“Maybe there’s something which can be done between now and then [Wimbledon] with my right side – I will have a scan tomorrow and re-check and see what can be done. I don’t know exactly what the problem is. I just know I haven’t experienced that before – the back pain today and yesterday. I don’t know what the procedure will be or what to expect,” he added.(Agency)

Over 58.93 lakh animals vaccinated against FMD & HS in Punjab

Chandigarh, June 23, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that more than 58.93 Lakh animals have been vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) in the state, while directing the department officials to inoculate total livestock population of 65,47,407 (comprising 25,31,460 cows and 40,15,947 buffaloes) against the contagious diseases before June 30.

Urging the livestock farmers to take the maximum benefit of this drive to keep the animals safe from such fatal and life threatening diseases, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is committed for the welfare of livestock farmers and directions have been issued to all field staff that not even a single animal should be left without vaccination as these diseases decrease milk yield along with working capacity of animals.

Giving breakups of the drive, the Cabinet Minister informed that over 90 percent livestock has been covered against FMD, while 85.3 percent animals have been vaccinated against the HS so far.

He said that both vaccines are available in all the veterinary institutes in the state and any livestock farmer can contact their veterinary institute for vaccination. He categorically asked the field staff who were entrusted with the crucial vaccination drive that negligence will not be tolerated.

Punjab State Commission for Women to visit jails across the state soon: Raj Lali Gill

Chandigarh, June 23, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to enhancing the overall development of every woman. To fulfill this commitment, the Punjab State Commission for women will visit jails across the state soon. This initiative aims to assess and improve the living standards of female inmates.

Chairperson Raj Lali Gill emphasized the importance of ensuring humane and dignified conditions for women in prison.

“We are committed to understanding the challenges faced by women inmates and working towards their betterment,” she stated. The visits will involve thorough inspections of facilities and direct interactions with inmates to gather firsthand insights.

She added that the Commission’s goal is to identify areas needing improvement and collaborate with jail authorities to implement necessary changes. Focus areas will include healthcare, hygiene, and overall living conditions. This effort is part of a broader mission to ensure that the rights and well-being of female inmates are upheld.

The chairperson further added that the Punjab State Commission for Women hopes that these visits will lead to meaningful reforms, making a positive difference in the lives of women behind bars.

Jouramajra condoles demise of father of Punjab Kesari Resident Editor Darpan Chaudhary

Chandigarh, June 23, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra today expressed profound grief over the passing of Sh Khem Raj Chaudhary, father of Mr. Darpan Chaudhary, Resident Editor of Hindi Daily Punjab Kesari.

Sh. Khem Raj Chaudhary (81) passed away due to a heart attack while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mohali yesterday. The retired Air Force officer had participated in the wars against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.

In his condolence message, S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra shared his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family. He prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.

The Information and Public Relations Minister remarked that a father is an irreplaceable treasure in our lives and his absence leaves an unfathomable void.

Sh. Khem Raj Chaudhary is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. The cremation will be held on Monday, June 24, at the Cremation Ground, Industrial Area, Phase-7, SAS Nagar.

Not allowing Sikh woman to appear in Rajasthan judicial exam violation of country’s constitution: SGPC chief Dhami

Amritsar, June 23, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Taking strict notice of an initiated Sikh woman asked to remove her Sikh Kakaar Kirpan and not allowed admission to the examination center of Rajasthan’s Judicial Services competitive exam held at a center in Jodhpur today on June 23, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami termed it as a big violation of the country’s constitution.

He said that strict legal action should be taken against the officials of the examination center who stopped the Sikh girl advocate Armanjot Kaur attending the judicial examination while wearing Kirpan, whose arbitrary action has put her future at stake.

Harjinder Singh Dhami said that according to the Constitution of India, Sikhs have full right to wear Kirpan and as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada, no Amritdhari Sikh can separate the five Sikh Kakaars (symbols of faith) from his/her body.

He said that for some time Sikh candidates are being targeted in the country and there are frequent incidents where initiated Sikhs are asked to remove their religious symbols and denied admission to the competitive examinations when they protest or oppose.

The SGPC President termed this phenomenon as a big discrimination against the Sikhs in their own country India and said to give all support to the Sikh woman. He said that the Sikh organization is with the victim Sikh woman.

Harjinder Singh Dhami said that this discrimination against Sikh candidates hurts their psyche, as such criminal treatment of candidates before the paper has a profound effect on their performance as well.

He said that even though everyone knows that the Kirpan is a part of the five Kakaars of Sikhs and it is also an expression of Sikh identity, fundamental rights, still treating Sikhs with hatred is highly condemnable.

Harjinder Singh Dhami demanded from Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma to intervene in this matter immediately and asked him to take strict action against the guilty officials who stopped the Sikh girl from entering the judicial competitive exam.

He also demanded from the Chief Minister that special arrangements should be made by the state government to get this paper held on June 23, 2024 for Advocate Armanjot Kaur, a Sikh candidate of the Rajasthan Judicial Services competitive examination.

Kejriwal knocks SC’s door against interim stay on bail in excise policy case

New Delhi, June 23, 2024
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court against the interim stay granted by the Delhi High Court on his release on bail in a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam.

Further, it is learnt that Kejriwal’s legal team has sought an urgent hearing of the matter by the apex court on Monday.

In an interim direction, the Delhi High Court on June 21 stayed the release of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo on the Enforcement Directorate’s plea challenging the trial court’s bail order.

Halting CM Kejriwal’s release, a vacation bench of Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja of the high court directed that the bail order should not be enforced until the matter is heard in full. Later that day, the Delhi High Court reserved its order in the matter and said that it would pass its order in two to three days.

The ED had requested the trial court on Thursday for a 48-hour deferral in signing the bail bond following the pronouncement of the order. However, the trial court firmly denied the ED’s plea for a stay on its order granting bail.(Agency)

Theme song of ‘Prabhas-Deepika-starrer ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ to be unveiled in Mathura on June 24

Mumbai, June 23, 2024
The makers of Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Deepika Padukone-starrer ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ on Sunday announced that they will unveil the song titled ‘Theme of Kalki’ in Mathura on June 24.

Taking to social media, Vyjayanthi Movies shared a new poster with a riverbank and temples on the side of the ghat. It’s written on the poster ‘Unveiling the Theme of Kalki 2898AD on the steps of Mathura’.

The post is captioned as: “Unveiling the Theme of Kalki at Lord Krishna’s birthplace, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Song will be out tomorrow”.

The dystopian science fiction action film is written and directed by Nag Ashwin. Produced by C Aswani Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies, it is inspired by Hindu scriptures, and the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world, in the year 2898 AD.

It also stars Disha Patani, Brahmanandam, Shobhana, Saswata Chatterjee, Pasupathy and Malvika Nair in pivotal roles.

Big B will be portraying the role of Ashwatthama in the movie, Prabhas will be seen as Bhairava, Kamal as Supreme Yaskin, Deepika as SUM-80, a pregnant lab subject, and Disha as Roxie.

The movie is set to hit the screens on June 27.

On the work front, Prabhas was last seen in ‘Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire’. He next has ‘Kannappa’, ‘The Raja Saab’, and ‘Salaar: Part 2-Shouryaanga Parvam’ in the pipeline.

Amitabh last featured in movies like ‘Uunchai’, ‘Ghoomer’ and ‘Ganapath’. The megastar next has Tamil movies ‘Vettaiyan’, and ‘The Umesh Chronicles’ in his kitty.

Deepika, who is currently expecting her first child with actor Ranveer Singh, last featured in the aerial action movie ‘Fighter’, alongside Anil Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan.

She also starred in movies like ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Gehraiyaan’, ‘Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva’, and ’83’. She next has ‘Singham Again’.

While, Disha next has Tamil fantasy action film ‘Kanguva’, and ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ in her kitty.(Agency)

Andhra Pradesh CM deeply saddened over Telugu man’s killing in US shooting

Amaravati, June 23, 2024
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said he was deeply saddened to learn that a young man Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla district succumbed to injuries sustained in a shooting incident in the US.

CM Naidu took to ‘X’ to express his condolences over the death of the 32-year-old man, who was among four persons killed in firing at a grocery store in Arkansas.

He was working at the Mad Butcher grocery store at Fordyce, a small town in Arkansas, where a gunman opened fire on June 21.

“I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and assure them that the GoAP will extend every possible support to help bring him home. We firmly stand by the family and pray for them to find strength through this difficult time,” posted CM Naidu.

Former chief minister and YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has also expressed shock over the death of Gopikrishna.

He appealed to the state government to stand by Gopikrishna’s family and extend support to them in every way.

Expressing his deepest condolences, Jagan Mohan Reddy requested the Ministry of External Affairs to provide assistance to the deceased’s family.

Gopikrishna Yajali in Karlapalem mandal of Bapatla district had moved to the US only eight months ago.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the gunman entering the store and opening fire on Gopikrishna standing at the counter.(Agency)

Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha leave for Sonakshi-Zaheer wedding; say ‘thank you’ to paps

Mumbai, June 23, 2024
The parents of Sonakshi Sinha — newly elected Trinamool Congress MP from Asansol, Shatrughan Sinha, and Poonam Sinha — were photographed leaving their palatial Juhu home, Ramayan, for their daughter’s wedding with Zaheer Iqbal.

The visuals show Shatrughan Sinha wearing a navy blue outfit, and completing the look with a blue stole. He is seen waving at the cameras and saying ‘thank you’ to the paparazzi.

His wife Poonam, last seen on the big screen as Mallika Hamida Banu Begum, Emperor Akbar’s mother, in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s period film, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, is seen wearing a pastel pink-coloured suit. Her look was rounded off with diamond jewellery and a big red bindi. She also thanked the camerapersons.

Sonakshi and Zaheer were said to be completing the legal formalities of their civil marriage at the bride’s new apartment, 81 Aureate, which is located near the Rang Sharda Auditorium at Bandra West, Mumbai.

According to the media reports, the ‘Heeramandi’ actress had purchased the lavish apartment in September last year. It is situated on the 26th floor of the building.

The sea-facing apartment is spread across 4,210.87 square feet and is reportedly priced at Rs 11 crore.

Ahead of the wedding, Zaheer visited a mosque to offer prayers before setting off for Sonakshi’s apartment.

Rapper and singer Yo Yo Honey Singh arrived on Sunday with the stated intention of attending the wedding and dancing without drinking, actor-couple Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh said they were all set to attend the wedding bash at the Shilpa Shetty-owned upmarket Bastian restaurant on Linking Road.

Sonakshi’s brothers, Luv and Kush, meanwhile, have been conspicuous so far by their absence.

Sonakshi and Zaheer, the man she lovingly describes as her ‘personal psycho’, have been dating for the past seven years. Salman Khan, a friend of Zaheer’s family who gave Sonakshi her Bollywood break in action-comedy ‘Dabbang’ (2010), played Cupid.

Zaheer, too, made his debut in a Salman Khan film — ‘Notebook’ — where he was cast opposite another newbie, Pranutan Bahl, daughter of actor Mohnish Bahl, and granddaughter of Nutan.

It is said that Salman introduced Sonakshi to Zaheer on the sets of ‘Notebook’ in 2017.(Agency)