Sunday, June 30, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Waterlogging, Trees Uprooted In Ahmedabad

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

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

Photo Credit: ANI

Photo Credit: ANI

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

Photo Credit: ANI

Photo Credit: ANI

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

Photo Credit: ANI

Photo Credit: ANI

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

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

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

Why Is It Raining Heavily In Gujarat?

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

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

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

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

(With agency inputs)



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

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

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



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Saturday, June 29, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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



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

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

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

The undisputed best team in the world

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

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

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

The hurt of lost Finals

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

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

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

Transition to the Rohit Sharma era; and transition in identity

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

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

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

Final thoughts

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Friday, June 28, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top OTT Releases This Week

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

Sharmajee Ki Beti

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

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

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

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

The Bear Season 3

When: Now Streaming

Where: Hotstar

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

My Lady Jane

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

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

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

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

Rautu Ka Raaz

When: Now Streaming

Where: Zee5

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

Aavesham (Hindi Version)

When: Now Streaming

Where: Hotstar

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

Fancy Dance

When: Now Streaming

Where: Apple TV

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

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

Civil War

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Thursday, June 27, 2024

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

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

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

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

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

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

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



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2 Maldivian Ministers Arrested For 'Black Magic' On President: Report

Maldives police have arrested two serving ministers for allegedly performing black magic on President Mohamed Muizzu, local media reported on Thursday.

Shamnaz Saleem, who was a state minister at the Environment Ministry, her ex-husband Adam Rameez, who was serving as a minister at the President's Office, and two others were arrested, local media said quoting the police, which, however, declined to share any information about the reasons or the alleged performance of black magic.

"Shamnaz, alongside two other individuals, was arrested on Sunday. All three of them have been remanded in custody for seven days. She was suspended from her post on Wednesday as per the Environment Ministry," news portal Sun.mv reported, adding, Rameez too has been suspended on Thursday.

Incidentally, both Shamnaz and Rameez have worked with Muizzu as members of the Male City Council when he was serving as the city's mayor.

Media reported that after Muizzu assumed office as the President in November last year, Shamnaz was appointed as a state minister first at Muliaage, the official residence of the president and then transferred to the Environment Ministry.

"Rameez, during his time at Male City Council, was known as a close aide of Muizzu, who was the mayor at that time," Sun.mv said further and added, "However, he has been absent from the public light in the past five months or so." Neither the Maldives government nor the President's office has made any official comment on the issue.

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



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Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Pepsi Unveils Futuristic 'Smart Cans' - Find Details Inside

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

Also Read: Pepsi Introduces Colachup - Its A Ketchup!

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Cannot kill all of us'

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

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

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

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

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

"You cannot kill all of us."

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

Cost-of-living crisis

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

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

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

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

Deadly day

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

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

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

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

Rights watchdogs have also accused the authorities of kidnapping protesters.

The police have not responded to AFP requests for comment.

'Madness'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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"She Is A Cheat Code": 7.3-Foot-Tall Chinese Girl Dominates At Basketball

For the Chinese National Team, 17-year-old centre Zhang Ziyu has quickly gained popularity at the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup. Zhang, who is 7 feet 3 inches tall, has outperformed the opposition and drawn parallels to the great Yao Ming.

Zhang, who made her debut for China last week, has greatly benefited from her remarkable height. Social media users have been flooded with videos showing her making points and getting rebounds with ease.

According to CNN, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) subsequently released a video of her game highlights, showing the youngster towering over opponents and barely needing to jump to dunk the ball.

Given her height advantage, she looked devastating on defence while demonstrating her shooting accuracy from a distance.

The basketball page NextGen Hoops has referred to her as a "cheat code."

Zhang, who went by the moniker "Female Yao Ming" after the former star of the Houston Rockets, has been a major contributor to China's successful tournament debut.

While Zhang still has a journey ahead to reach Yao's career achievements, her performances this week are likely to capture the attention of WNBA teams.



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Tuesday, June 25, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Hiker's 3-Hour Trek Turns Into 10-Day Ordeal, Drinks Boot Water To Survive

Lukas McClish, 34, from Boulder Creek, California, is back home after spending 10 days lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to ABC 7 Los Angeles. McClish had set out for a day hike on June 11th but became disoriented and lost his way. After he failed to show up for a planned dinner on Father's Day, he was reported missing on June 16th. A search effort was launched, and McClish was fortunately rescued four days later.

"I left with just a pair of pants, and my pair of hiking shoes, and a hat. I had a flashlight, and a pair of folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool. And that was about it," the Boulder Creek resident told the station on Friday.

"I'm tired and a little sore, I lost my voice," McClish said.

"I just make sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance," McClish told ABC 7 Los Angeles.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office used drones to help search for McClish. They were assisted by Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz, the Boulder Creek Fire Department, and CA State Parks.

Witnesses heard someone shouting for help around 3 pm on Thursday, according to the Sheriff's Office. McClish was discovered in a faraway canyon in Big Basin State Park.He felt grateful to see so many people and search dogs looking for him.

"It was just really humbling and I don't know, it was an awesome experience," McClish said.

"I did enough hiking for probably the whole rest of the year," he said

"Me too," his dad said.

"We've all hiked a lot," his mom said.



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Monday, June 24, 2024

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

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

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

See the viral post here:

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

Actor Siddharth wrote, "Amazing bhai."

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

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

"You are amazing," the third user commented. 

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

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



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Replace Mumbai Unit Chief, Congress Leaders Write To M Kharge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Sunday, June 23, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Saturday, June 22, 2024

$3.99 Store Vase Turns Out To Be 1,800-Year-Old Mayan Artifact

A lost ancient Mayan vase has been recovered by Mexico thanks to a keen-eyed shopper in the United States. Anne Lee Dozier, a resident of Washington DC, purchased the artifact for a mere $4 at a thrift store, unaware of its true significance.

The vase, estimated to be between 1,200 and 1,800 years old, was later identified as a Mayan relic. Dozier played a crucial role in reuniting the artifact with its homeland and recently received an expression of gratitude from the Mexican embassy in Washington DC.

"A valuable witness of our Maya history returns home ... thanks to the generosity of Anne Lee Dozier," Mexico's ambassador to the US, Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, wrote on X. "This historic jewel will be reintegrated within the collection of [Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology and History] to preserve our rich cultural heritage."

"It looked old-ish, but I thought maybe 20, 30 years old and some kind of tourist reproduction thing so I brought it home," Ms Dozier told WUSA-TV.

Ms Dozier and her family returned the vase to Mexican Ambassador Estaban Moctezuma Barragan in a ceremony held at the Cultural Institute of Mexico.

"I am thrilled to have played a part in it's repatriation story. I would like it to go back to its rightful place and to where it belongs," she said, "But I also want it out of my home because I have three little boys and I have been petrified, well it's gone now, but I was petrified that after two-thousand years I would be the one to wreck it!"



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BEL vs ROM Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch

Belgium vs Romania Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: With every other team in Group E on three points each, anything but a win for Belgium will put them in a huge spot of bother before Matchday 3. But against a buoyant Romania, who dispatched Ukraine 3-0 in their first game, Kevin de Bruyne and co. will have their task cut out. Creativity in the Belgian team is not lacking, but Romelu Lukaku will hope to be onside today, having had two goals ruled out by VAR in Belgium's loss to Slovakia.

When will the Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match take place?

The Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match will take place on Sunday, June 23 (IST).

Where will the Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match be played?

The Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match will be played at the Cologne Stadium, Cologne.

What time will the Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match start?

The Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match will start at 12:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match?

The Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Belgium vs Romania, Euro 2024 match?

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

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



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Case Against Instagram Influencer For Doing Yoga In Golden Temple

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday filed a police complaint against a woman Instagram influencer for doing yoga at Sri Darbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple Amritsar, here.

The incident sparked outrage among the Sikh community.

Also, the SGPC has taken action against three 'sewadars' or employees for duty dereliction in the Darbar Sahib 'Parikrama' by allowing the woman to do yoga exercises in the morning of June 21 that is observed as International Day of Yoga.

A marble walkway is known as the 'Parikrama' where pilgrims can take a circumambulation, offering prayers and paying their respects.

SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said some people deliberately ignore the sanctity of the holy place. He said Sikh sentiments have been hurt by the act of the woman.

He appealed to the 'sangat' that Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib has great respect in the entire Sikh community and at the same time pilgrims, belonging to every religion and country, come here to pay obeisance with reverence.

An inquiry committee, constituted by the SGPC, questioned the 'sewadars' for dereliction of duty.

Pictures of Instagram influencer, Archana Makwana, while performing yoga went viral.

Amid the uproar, she has issued a public apology, expressing regret.

Golden Temple General Manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said Archana Makwana had posted her photos on her social media account.

"After verifying through the CCTV cameras, it was found that she performed yoga exercises at 7.04 a.m. after entering the premises at 6.57 a.m. She spent almost an hour in the 'Parikrama' but she had not paid a reverence during her stay," he added.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is considered the 'Mini Parliament' of the religion.

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



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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest Sun Flyby Ever on December 24

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to perform its closest flyby of the sun on December 24, 2024, at 6:53 a.m. EST. The spacecraft, which ...