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Kumble Gives His Verdict on Gautam Gambhir as Head Coach

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Dhruv
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Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is widely tipped to become the next Indian head coach. Last month, the BCCI invited applications for the head coach role during the Indian Premier League season, and many reports suggest that Gambhir is a leading candidate for the job. Although Gambhir lacks formal coaching experience at the international level, he played a pivotal role as a mentor in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title win last month.

Gambhir also served as the mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, guiding the team to the playoffs. Additionally, he was a successful captain in the league, leading the Knight Riders to titles in 2012 and 2014.

As Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends following the T20 World Cup, former Indian captain Anil Kumble, who was head coach between 2016-17, believes Gambhir’s appointment could positively impact the Indian team. Kumble emphasized the need for a strong leader in the dressing room, and he thinks Gambhir fits the bill.

“You need somebody with a strong demeanor, and you want continuity,” Kumble told ESPNCricinfo. “Rahul (Dravid) has done a fantastic job, and hopefully, for him and India’s sake, he has a swansong with the World Cup. What you also have to keep in mind is that some of the senior players are coming towards the backend of their careers. You need players who go through the transition period and ensure India doesn’t miss out on quality in the bowling and batting departments. You pick and choose and transition through.”

Kumble noted that while Gambhir has the credentials to become the head coach, the BCCI will need to give him time to adjust despite his success with KKR.

“You have to give it time. He certainly is capable. We have seen Gautam handle teams. He has been a captain for India, for his franchise, for Delhi. He has all the credentials to be that. But coaching the Indian team is slightly different; you have to give him time to settle in. If he takes up the job, he will have the task of looking at not just the current lot, but also the future of Indian cricket,” said Kumble.

Gambhir has played with several current Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, Kumble believes that familiarity is less important than suitability for the role.

“Today, you have been a part of the system in some form or the other. Whether you’re a coach or player, you’ve played with them or been associated with them in some form or another. It doesn’t matter that much. What you look at is the candidate’s suitability and not whether this particular coach has a background of playing with the players,” Kumble said.

“I think it’s important to choose the right candidate in terms of what they can bring to the Indian team, and someone who has the stature and the credibility to handle certain situations in the game. Someone who is not afraid to take those calls.”

Delhi LG Allows Prosecution of Arundhati Roy in 2010 Provocative Speech Case

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Dhruv
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Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena has approved the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly making provocative speeches at a 2010 event, according to PTI.

Saxena also granted sanction to prosecute former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain.

“Delhi Lt. Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law at the Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in this case,” a Raj Niwas official stated, as quoted by PTI.

The FIR against Roy and Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi. It was based on a complaint filed by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, on October 28, 2010.

At a conference held on October 21, 2010, under the banner “Azadi – The Only Way,” Roy and Hussain allegedly made provocative speeches. “The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India,” the Raj Niwas official said.

The complainant filed a complaint under Section 156(3) of the CrPC before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, New Delhi, which disposed of the complaint on November 27, 2010, directing the registration of an FIR. An FIR was subsequently registered, and an investigation was conducted.

According to PTI, the speakers at the conference included Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (the conference anchor and a key accused in the Parliament attack case), Arundhati Roy, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, and Varavara Rao.

Modi Meets Pope Francis in Italy and Invites Him to India

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Dhruv
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Pope Francis meets with India's Prime Minister Modi at the Vatican. October 30, 2021. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis at the G7 Outreach Summit in Italy. After a handshake and a warm hug, Modi briefly interacted with the Pope and invited him to visit India.

“Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India,” Modi shared in a post on X.

The 87-year-old head of the worldwide Catholic Church was escorted around the table in a wheelchair to greet each world leader at the summit.

Modi, who arrived in Italy’s Apulia late Thursday night, also engaged with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During a bilateral meeting, Modi and Macron reviewed India-France relations, focusing on the ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap. According to the PIB, their discussions covered cooperation in defense, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity, and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. They agreed to intensify strategic defense cooperation with a greater emphasis on ‘Make in India’.

The two leaders also exchanged views on key global and regional issues.

Modi also held a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, where they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. They discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed satisfaction with progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including high-level political consultations, defense and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors, and people-to-people ties, according to a PIB release.

Modi and Sunak also expressed satisfaction with the progress in Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries and discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest.

Congress Accuses Modi of Covering Up NEET Scam

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Dhruv
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Raising concerns over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence amid the ongoing NEET-UG exam results controversy, Congress on Friday likened the “NEET scam” to “Vyapam 2.0.”

The party emphasized that only a Supreme Court-monitored forensic investigation could protect the future of millions of young students.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of attempting to “cover up the NEET scam” through Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Kharge pointed out that if there was no paper leak in NEET, why were 13 individuals arrested in Bihar in connection with the leak? Did the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Patna police not uncover payments of ₹30 lakh to ₹50 lakh to the education mafia and organized gangs for exam papers?

“If the Modi government claims there was no paper leak in NEET, then why were these arrests made?” Kharge questioned in a post on X.

“What does this indicate? Was the Modi government deceiving the people of the country before or now? The Modi government has shattered the dreams of 24 lakh young people,” Kharge added.

Kharge alleged that it seems a game involving grace marks, paper leaks, and rigging was orchestrated to prevent meritorious students from gaining government admissions at concessional rates.

Ludhiana MC Seeks FIR For A Manhole Theft Case

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Dhruv
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Under the direction of MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, the maintenance cell of the civic body has requested the station house officer of Division Number 4 police station to register an FIR against unidentified miscreants for allegedly stealing manhole covers from Hindi Bazar and Rai Bahadur Road (old city areas) during the night between Wednesday and Thursday.

The incident was captured by one of the CCTV cameras in the area. The footage shows three individuals arriving in an auto-rickshaw and taking the cover.

The police have also been urged to increase night patrols. To prevent accidents, the civic body promptly installed new manhole covers at the site as soon as the theft was discovered.

Security Tightened In Chamba Alongside Jammu and Kashmir Border

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Dhruv
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Security has been tightened and vigilance increased in Himachal’s Chamba district along the borders with Jammu and Kashmir following recent militant attacks in the union territory.

In response, security personnel in Chamba, which borders Jammu and Kashmir, have been put on high alert, and patrolling has been intensified to prevent any infiltration attempts by extremists.

Chamba SP Abhishek Yadav stated that border outposts have been instructed to maintain high alert and increased vigilance. “Whenever such activities occur in our neighboring UT, we go on high alert and increase patrolling along the inter-state border,” he said.

Chamba district, which borders the Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir, shares over 200 km of border with the UT. The mountainous terrain facilitates infiltration by militants, necessitating heightened security measures. There are around 15 outposts on the Chamba-J&K border, guarded by the Himachal Police battalion.

Previously, the ITBP manned this sensitive border until 2012 when the central government decided to withdraw it. Security along this tranquil border was of little concern until 1998 when Pakistan-trained militants massacred 35 laborers in two separate incidents in Satrundi and Kalaban in Chamba district. This prompted the state government to recognize the urgency of deploying a central security agency to guard the border. Consequently, the state government decided to seal the areas and sought central assistance to secure its borders in the Chamba district adjoining the militant-infested regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Low Reservoir Levels Threaten India’s Water Supply

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Dhruv
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Concerns over water availability for drinking and irrigation persist in India as water levels in the country’s major reservoirs remain alarmingly low.

Water levels in the country’s 150 major reservoirs are at just 22% of their total capacity. While 28 reservoirs have 50% of normal water storage capacity, 85 reservoirs report about 80% of normal storage, and 65 reservoirs have 80% or below normal storage, according to a bulletin from the Central Water Commission on Thursday.

The central region is among the worst affected, followed by the western region, which is also experiencing significantly low water availability.

In a slightly positive development, water levels have not declined further from the previous week, thanks to the progress of the monsoon in southern India. Prior to this, the water level had consistently dropped for 35 weeks straight.

The monsoon is progressing rapidly in South Peninsula India. After the southwest monsoon made its onset on the Kerala coast on 31 May, one day ahead of its typical date, Bengaluru received its highest single-day rainfall, breaking a 133-year-old record on 2 June. South Peninsula India has received 50% excess rainfall since 1 June.

India’s weather bureau has forecast that the country will likely receive above-normal rainfall at 106% of the long-period average (87 cm) this June-September monsoon season, with the El Niño weather phenomenon turning neutral and benign La Niña conditions setting in by August-September.

Rains during the June-September monsoon season are crucial for India’s economy. The season accounts for nearly 75% of the country’s annual rainfall, which plays a crucial role in agriculture, replenishes reservoirs and aquifers, and helps meet power demand. An estimated 56% of the net cultivated area and 44% of food production depend on these rains.

Data shows the available water level this week in the reservoirs was 38.491 billion cubic meters (BCM), lower than last year’s 48.592 BCM and the average of the previous 10 years’ 41.953 BCM.

Live storage available in the 150 reservoirs as of Thursday was 79% of the corresponding period last year and 92% of the average of the previous 10 years.

The southern regions saw a slight improvement as storage in 42 reservoirs increased marginally to 14% of the 53.334 BCM capacity at 7.568 BCM. A year ago, the level was 22% of capacity and 19% of the 10-year average.

Mercedes Benz Commits 3,000 Crore Investment in Maharashtra

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Dhruv
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Mercedes-Benz, the renowned German automobile manufacturer, is set to invest ₹3,000 crore in Maharashtra, according to an announcement by the state’s Industries Minister, Uday Samant. This investment, confirmed during Samant’s visit to Germany, is expected to significantly boost employment in the region.

During his tour, Minister Samant engaged in discussions with senior Mercedes-Benz executives, exploring various investment opportunities within the state. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Samant expressed optimism about the substantial economic impact of this investment. “Mercedes-Benz will invest ₹3,000 crore in Maharashtra this year. This will help create employment opportunities in the state,” he remarked.

This strategic move is anticipated to enhance the image of the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP coalition government ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The administration has been facing criticism from opposition parties over concerns that Maharashtra is losing major industrial projects to other states, notably Gujarat.

The announcement of this significant investment by Mercedes-Benz is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the state’s industrial sector, reaffirming Maharashtra’s position as a favorable destination for global investors.

Matt Bomer Believes He Lost Out On Playing Superman As He is Gay

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Dhruv
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Actor Matt Bomer revealed that he was considered for the role of Superman in a Warner Bros. film that never came to fruition but believes he was ultimately rejected due to his sexuality. Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Bomer shared that he was up for a role in an early version of Superman, titled Superman: Flyby, written by J.J. Abrams. At the time, Bomer was filming the soap opera Guiding Light and was written off the show due to his potential superhero role. “It appeared that I was the director’s choice for the role, and I had signed a three-picture deal with Warner Bros.,” Bomer said.

When asked if his sexuality influenced the casting decision, he stated that it was his “understanding,” noting, “That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you. How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.” To date, no Superman: Flyby film has been produced.

Bomer did not publicly come out as gay until 2012, when he accepted the Steve Chase Humanitarian Award and thanked his husband, Simon Halls, and their three children.

In 2006, Bryan Singer directed Superman Returns, starring Brandon Routh. The film, produced by Warner Bros., followed Superman’s return to Earth after a five-year absence, during which he discovers that Lois Lane has moved on and Lex Luthor is plotting against him. The movie received mixed reviews.

James Gunn’s Superman reboot, originally titled Superman: Legacy, is set to be released on July 11, 2025, with David Corenswet playing the titular role. Although Henry Cavill was initially expected to reprise his role as Superman, those plans were scrapped due to the troubled production of Justice League.

Kohli Gets Dismissed For First Ever Golden-Duck

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Dhruv
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Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli continued his poor run of form at the ongoing T20 World Cup, being dismissed for a golden duck in the match against the USA on Wednesday. Former Indian cricketer Saurabh Netravalkar, now playing for the United States, dismissed Kohli with a delivery that beat his outside edge, resulting in an easy caught-behind.

This marked Kohli’s first golden duck in T20 World Cups and his first in international T20 matches.

Netravalkar, the left-arm pacer, gave Kohli enough width to attempt a drive through the covers. However, Kohli failed to middle the ball, which took a thick outside edge and was easily caught by wicketkeeper Andries Gous. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, at the other end, looked visibly disappointed after the dismissal.

A couple of overs later, Rohit Sharma also fell to the same bowler. A thick outside edge flew high and was caught inside the circle by Harmeet Singh, dismissing Sharma for 3.

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh delivered a career-best performance with figures of 4-9, including two wickets in the first over, as India restricted the USA to 110-8. Arshdeep surpassed Ravichandran Ashwin’s previous record for the best figures by an Indian in T20 World Cup history; Ashwin had recorded 4-11 against Australia in the 2014 edition.

Despite the modest target, India remained cautious about chasing on the notoriously tricky and slow pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where they had recently scored just 119 in a narrow six-run victory over Pakistan.

A win in this match would secure India’s place in the second-round Super Eights. Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs saw him dismiss recalled opener Shayan Jahangir lbw on the first ball and have Andries Gous caught in the deep five balls later, leaving the hosts at a precarious 3-2 after the opening over.

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