1 Dead, Baby Among 9 Injured In Ukraine Post Office Bombing

One person was killed and nine others including a baby were injured Sunday in a strike on a post office in Ukraine's second city Kharkiv, local authorities said.

The head of Kharkiv's regional administration, Oleg Synegubov, said an eight-month-old baby was among those injured.

"A man, a post office employee, was killed," he said on Telegram.

The city of Kharkiv has been regularly targeted by Russian troops, who launched a major ground offensive in the region on May 10.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the offensive in Ukraine's northeast was intended to create a "buffer zone" to protect Russia's border Belgorod region from shelling.

On Saturday, seven people were also killed and nearly 40 injured in a Russian strike on Vilniansk, close to the regional hub of Zaporizhzhia.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/6XAegCf

NDTV Sports-Cricket

India scored a record-high total in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa with Virat Kohli playing the lead role. Talismanic batterKohli stepped up to the plate, ending his lean patch with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7 against South Africa in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval here on Saturday.

On a dry and slow pitch, South Africa made early inroads by picking three quick wickets. But Kohli stood up to be at the centre of India's innings, despite a middle-overs slowdown, with his crucial knock laced with six fours and two sixes, as they posted the highest total in a Men's T20 World Cup final.

It was a knock in which Kohli scored more than what his first seven innings in the tournament yielded (75 runs). His 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27, helped India go past the 175-run mark, as they hammered 42 runs off the last three overs.

Kohli got India going with three boundaries – drive through point, whip through square leg, and straight drive – on overpitched deliveries from Marco Jansen, as 15 runs came off the opening over. Rohit Sharma cut and reverse-swept for consecutive boundaries off Keshav Maharaj.

But Maharaj bounced back as he had Rohit sweeping aerially to square-leg to fall for nine, followed by dismissing Rishabh Pant for a two-ball duck when the top-edge on his sweep off a full and wide ball ballooned off the toe-end to keeper Quinton de Kock.

Pant is now the first Indian batter to fall for 0 in the final of a T20 World Cup. The previous lowest score was 4 by Ajinkya Rahane in the 2014 edition. 

So far, before Pant, five other Indians have been out for 0 in final of World Cups.

Kirti Azad (1983 ODI World Cup)
Mohammad Kaif (2003 ODI World Cup)
Virender Sehwag (2011 ODI World Cup)
MS Dhoni (2013 Champions Trophy)
Rohit Sharma (2017 Champions Trophy)
Rishabh Pant (2024 T20 World Cup 2024)

Kagiso Rabada struck in the fifth over when Suryakumar Yadav moved across to whip a back-of-a-length ball, but fine leg advanced to his left and took a spectacular catch, ending his stay on just three, as India were reduced to 34/3 in 4.3 overs.

With Kohli taking up the busy strike-rotation role in rebuilding India's innings, pinch-hitter Axar took up the attacking mantle by clipping Rabada for four, clearing deep mid-wicket to get a six off Markram, slog-sweeping Maharaj for a maximum over the same region and hitting a flat six down on one knee to just clear long-on for a six off Tabraiz Shamsi.

Axar brought up India's hundred in 13.1 overs by hammering Rabada for a six down the ground. But a ball and wide later, South Africa produced a moment of magic when Kohli missed a delivery and the ball went behind to de Kock, who ran out Axar, who turned back and ran slowly, with a direct hit and sent him back for 47.

With Kohli still finding fielders and not getting timing to hit boundaries, Dube lofted Jansen for six and then slog-sweep Shamsi for four more. After Kohli got his first fifty of this tournament, in 48 balls with a single off Nortje, Dube ended the 17th over with a slice past the backward point for four.

Kohli got his first six of the competition by slogging Rabada over long-on and then pulled the pacer for four more, as 16 runs came off the 18th over. Kohli clipped and slogged Jansen for four and six respectively, before the pacer dragged his length back and had the batter holing out to long-on.

Hardik Pandya came in and top-edged a pull off Jansen over the keeper's head for four, as 17 runs came off the 19th over. Dube struck Nortje down the ground past a diving mid-on for four, before the pacer bounced back by taking out him and Ravindra Jadeja on the last three balls of the innings to keep India four runs below 180.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/EFNthcJ

2 Priests Among Prisoners Exchanged Between Ukraine, Russia

Ukraine and Russia said Saturday that priests were among the dozens of captured soldiers and civilians they had exchanged earlier this week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said two Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests taken captive in Moscow-occupied Berdiansk were handed back to Ukraine thanks to the mediation of the Vatican.

Meanwhile, Russia said a high-ranking Ukrainian Orthodox cleric was handed over to Moscow along with two other priests.

Churches have been heavily affected by the war, with Kyiv's Orthodox church breaking ties with Moscow and Ukraine regularly accusing clerics of treason.

Moscow and Kyiv exchanged 90 POWs and some civilians each earlier this week.

Speaking at an event in Kyiv, Zelensky named the two released Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests as Bogdan Geleta and Ivan Levytskyi, and said they had been preaching in Berdiansk.

Bediansk, on the Azov Sea, fell to Russian forces in the first days of their February 2022 invasion. The priests had been held by the Russians since 16 November 2022, Zelensky added.

He said they were freed "thanks to the efforts of our team and the mediation of the Vatican, for which I am especially grateful."

Pope Francis earlier this year expressed hopes for a "general" prisoner exchange between the two countries.

Metropolitan Ionafan, the Ukrainian Orthodox cleric handed over to Moscow, had been convicted in August 2023 of justifying the Russian invasion and was facing five years in prison.

Moscow's ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova said Ionafan was received by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill in Moscow.

She said two other Orthodox priests who had remained with Moscow's patriarchy when the church split were also handed over to Russia in the course of the exchange.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/IY61VCl

NDTV Sports-Cricket

A landing failure of a small aircraft in Barbados has left the T20 World Cup final-bound South Africa and ICC match officials stranded, being delayed by nearly six hours, as per ESPNcricinfo. As per ESPNcricinfo, landing failure of a small private aircraft at the Grantley Adams airport in Barbados resulted in the Proteas team, their family, commentators, match officials and ICC officials being stranded at the Trinidad airport. The Barbados Airport was closed for inspection by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Barbados Police Service.

The pilots learned of the runway closure in Bridgetown just as they were preparing to take off from Trinidad.

Passengers on the aircraft from Trinidad to Barbados were advised that the preliminary rescheduling time was 4.30pm, which would result in a roughly six-hour delay. All boarding passengers had to return to the terminal, adding to the considerable delays experienced by teams during the tournament.

"It appeared that the landing gear of the private aircraft did not deploy, but it is currently on the runway at GAIA [Grantley Adams International Airport] safely," Sharleen Brown, Corporate Communication Specialist with GAIA, said in a statement as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

On the back of a belligerent bowling performance, South Africa secured a ticket for the men's T20 World Cup 2024 final for the first time, defeating Afghanistan in the first semi-final in Trinidad.

Bowling Afghanistan out for just 56, South Africa hit their straps early by claiming eight wickets inside the first 10 overs of the innings.

The final will be an affair of heavyweights as India, who ended England's T20 World Cup defence, will face South Africa in Saturday's final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

After some underwhelming performances, Jos Buttler's side pulled off a stunning victory to go to the Super Eights, with the captain scoring an unbeaten 83 against the USA to complement a strong bowling performance - featuring a hat-trick from Chris Jordan.

However, they were unable to overcome India, who had been unstoppable thus far in the competition and have gone unbeaten from the start of their campaign. India scored 171/7, while England managed only 103 all out in response.

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

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/b9wZqOX

Employer Of Indian Man Who Died While Working In Italy Farm Arrested: Centre

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday condemned the negligence in the treatment of Satnam Singh, an Indian worker who died in north Italy, stating that his employer, responsible for his medical care, has been arrested.

MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for humane treatment of workers, adding that all possible assistance was being provided to the family of Satnam Singh.

"His employer who was supposed to provide him medical care has been arrested and the investigation goes on. We condemn such treatment. We call for the human treatment of workers. We are providing all possible assistance to his family," said Jaiswal during a weekly briefing.

India has also raised this issue with Italy and has called for prompt action against those responsible for his demise.

The secretary (Consular Passport and Visa Division and Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Muktesh Pardeshi raised the matter with Luigi Maria Vignali, Director General for Migratory Policies and Italians Abroad, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Muktesh Pardeshi further said that the Indian Embassy in Italy is in contact with the family of Satnam Singh for consular help and transportation of body to India.

"@SecretaryCPVOIA Muktesh Pardeshi conveyed to @LuigiVignali Italian DG our deep concern about death of Satnam Singh & called for prompt action against those responsible. Embassy is in contact with family of Satnam Singh for consular help &transportation of mortal remains @MEAIndia," the Indian embassy in Italy posted on X on June 26.

Indian national Satnam Singh lost his life after being abandoned on the street following an accident, according to the Flai CGIL trade union.

The accident, which resulted in the severing of his arm, happened while he was working at the farm.

According to the Flai CGIL trade union, instead of receiving help from the employer, "Singh was dumped like a bag of rubbish near his home."

Earlier last week, the Embassy said that it is in contact with local authorities and that efforts are being made to contact the family and provide consular assistance.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/uot2bXq

Joe Biden vs Donald Trump Presidential Debate: When And Where To Watch?

US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump will meet on a debate stage on Thursday for the first of two televised face-offs that could prove critical in their tight rematch race to win the White House in November.

Here is what you need to know:

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE DEBATES?

The first debate will air at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday (0100 GMT on Friday) on CNN and be broadcast from an Atlanta studio without a live audience.

It can also be viewed on CNN affiliates, without a cable login on CNN.com and is available for simulcast on other U.S. channels.

More than four months ahead of the Nov. 5 vote, the CNN debate will be the earliest presidential debate in modern U.S. history.

Television news channel ABC said it will host the second presidential debate on Sept. 10, also from an audience-free studio.

WHO WILL MODERATE THE DEBATES?

Anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate CNN's debate. ABC's will be moderated by anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.

WHO WILL DEBATE?

CNN said only Biden and Trump met its conditions for participating in the debate: appear on enough state ballots to potentially win the presidency and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr did not make the cut.

ABC will also require debaters to appear on enough state ballots to reach the 270 electoral votes and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

In Thursday's 90-minute debate, candidates will appear at a uniform podium, be given a pen, paper and bottle of water and cannot use props or notes, CNN said.

"Microphones will be muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak" and moderators "will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion," CNN said.

Biden will be on the podium on the right side of viewers' screens, and Trump will get the last word after a coin toss.

Campaign staff may not interact with candidates during the two commercial breaks, and there will be no studio audience.

ABC's debate rules have not yet been announced.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

U.S. presidential debates often draw tens of millions of viewers, and through history have determined the course of some races. This time, strategists say there are risks for both candidates, who are locked in a tight race and share low enthusiasm from voters.

Biden, 81, and former president Trump, 78, are the oldest candidates ever to seek the presidency and viewers are sure to question their cognitive abilities and emotional steadiness.

Trump aides see Biden as prone to verbal slip-ups that could amplify voter concerns about the president's age.

Biden aides think debates could hurt Trump by exposing his volatility and sometimes changing positions on issues, such as abortion.

Biden's campaign is hoping to talk about abortion and Trump's about immigration, but CNN's moderators will decide the questions.

Topics may include: how the candidates would handle challenges posed by persistently high grocery prices, migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars.

Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his conviction on 34 felony counts for involvement in a hush money scheme could come up during the debate, as could the legal troubles facing Biden's son, Hunter, who was convicted of lying about his drug use to illegally buy a gun.

WHO WILL BE THERE?

Campaign staff will be on hand to talk to reporters afterward in the "spin room."

The Biden campaign declined to comment on whether the president might bring any guests to the debate, but California Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to be there.

Trump's campaign is hosting a watch party in Atlanta, with rumored contenders to be Republican vice presidential running mate - North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance, and others listed as "special guests."

WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?

Then-President Trump and Biden debated twice during the 2020 race, with their first exchange devolving into a chaotic shouting match.

According to Nielsen Media Research, more than 73 million people tuned in for the first Biden-Trump debate in 2020.

For the second debate, moderators said they would mute each candidate's microphone to allow the other to speak without interruption for the first two minutes of each debate segment. But the candidates behaved more civilly and the mute button was not a major factor.

A third debate was canceled after Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and spent three days in a hospital. He declined to participate in a virtual event.

IS THAT IT?

Traditionally, there are three presidential debates, however no third Trump-Biden matchup has been announced yet.

Vice President Kamala Harris accepted a CBS News invitation for a vice presidential debate on either July 23 or August 13, according to a campaign spokesperson.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/ypdnkPi

Biden-Trump Presidential Debate Tomorrow: Biggest Moment So Far In US Polls

Joe Biden and Donald Trump prepared Wednesday for the biggest moment so far in the US election -- the first of two high-stakes debates that could upend the race.

Thursday's showdown will raise the campaigning to boiling point, with both camps recently escalating their increasingly personal attacks.

"I think I have been preparing for it for my whole life...We'll do very well," Trump told right-wing network Newsmax in an interview on his debate preparation.

The 2024 election looks close, with Trump enjoying a slight polling advantage in the all-important swing states in an election likely to be decided by a few hundred thousand votes across a handful of battlegrounds.

The rivals both step onstage for the 90-minute clash, hosted by CNN in the southern city of Atlanta, seeking to allay fears about serious political liabilities.

Biden, 81, faces the most concern about his mental sharpness, with voters much more likely to bring up his age than Trump's, despite the Republican being just three years younger.

'Out for himself'

Both have faltered and appeared muddled during public events, although Trump in particular has raised eyebrows over his rambling and occasionally bizarre campaign speeches.

Trump is also engulfed in controversy over his inflammatory rhetoric and a glut of criminal cases he faces, as well as fears that he would weaponize the presidency to settle personal scores.

Biden spent the week off the radar at the mountainside retreat of Camp David near Washington, preparing with mock debates.

Trump's preparation has been more relaxed, eschewing dress rehearsals in favor of informal policy roundtables and workshopping debate strategy with rally crowds.

Aides have encouraged him to focus on his perceived strength on the economy and crime, while Biden will seek to paint Trump as unhinged and unfit for office.

The Biden campaign released an ad saying Trump is preoccupied with "revenge" rather than helping voters, and the Democratic National Committee put up billboards in Atlanta reminding voters that the Republican is a convicted felon.

"Come November, Georgians will head to the polls remembering that President Biden looks out for them, while white-collar crook Donald Trump will only look out for himself," said DNC spokesperson Jackie Bush.

'Ready for this'?

The Trump campaign has repeatedly characterized Biden as feeble and incompetent, but changed tack in recent days following warnings that setting low expectations for the Democratic president would only help him.

"We know that Joe Biden, that after taking an entire week off, will be ready for this," senior Trump campaign advisor Jason Miller told reporters.

Backed by right-wing media figures, Trump and his team have been pushing the baseless theory that Biden will be hyped up on performance-enhancing drugs.

The ex-president and his people have also been accused of "working the ref" and laying the groundwork for a poor Trump performance by repeatedly making insinuations of bias on the part of CNN.

Miller said Trump would emerge as the clear choice if "allowed" to set out his vision for America "without the blatant interference of CNN or the two moderators" of the debate -- the first ever between two candidates who have already served in the Oval Office.

One of Biden's biggest vulnerabilities is border security, with Trump promising to combat an influx of undocumented migrants from Mexico with mass deportations and repeatedly bringing up killings by migrants.

US media reported that Trump is expected to invite family members of victims of migrant violence to Atlanta, although the debate itself will have no audience.

The Biden administration announced Wednesday that new restrictions had brought illegal migrant crossings to their lowest levels in more than three years, undercutting immigration as an attack line.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/SljXvad

NDTV Sports-Cricket

New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and Rodney Tucker of Australia will be the on-field officials for the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup between India and England in Providence, Guyana on Thursday. vigning champions England booked their place in the seimfinal with a 10-wicket win against co-hosts USA, while India put the finishing touches to a perfect Super 8s stage with a 24-run win over Australia.

Joel Wilson will be the TV Umpire for a re-run of the 2022 semifinal, which saw England come out on top, with Paul Reiffel in place as the fourth umpire.

New Zealand's Jeffrey Crowe has been appointed as the match referee for the second semifinal.

England's Richard Illingworth and Nitin Menon of India will be on the on-field umpires when Afghanistan make history by playing in their first T20 World Cup semifinal against South Africa in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

Afghanistan qualified for the last-four stage with an eight-run win against Bangladesh, via DLS, at Australia's expense.

South Africa are looking to secure a maiden T20 World Cup final appearance.

West Indies' Richie Richardson will be the match referee for the first semifinal.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/2wpkCnY

Russia Bans Distribution Of 81 EU News Outlets In Retaliatory Step

Russia said on Tuesday it was banning access inside Russia to the broadcasts of 81 different media outlets from the European Union including Agence France-Presse and Politico in retaliation for a similar EU ban on several Russian media outlets.

The European Union said in May it was suspending the distribution of what it described as four "Kremlin-linked propaganda networks," stripping them of their broadcasting rights in the bloc.

It said at the time that the ban applied to Voice of Europe, to the RIA news agency and to the Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspapers.

The Russian Foreign Ministry hit back on Tuesday, releasing a list of 81 media outlets from 25 EU member states, as well as pan-European outlets, whose broadcasts it said would no longer be available on Russian territory.

It accused the outlets of "systematically distributing inaccurate information" about what Russia calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

France's Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency, Austria's ORF state TV company, Ireland's RTE broadcaster, and Spain's EFE news agency were among the outlets affected by the Russian move along with many other national broadcasters, newspapers, and Politico.

"The Russian Federation has repeatedly warned at various levels that politically motivated harassment of domestic journalists and unjustified bans on Russian media in the EU will not go unanswered," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"In spite of this, Brussels and the capitals of the bloc's countries preferred to follow the path of escalation, forcing Moscow to adopt mirror and proportional countermeasures."

It said it would review its own ban if the EU lifted its restrictions on RIA, Izvestia and the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, all of which it described as Russian media outlets.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the State Duma lower house of parliament, said in May that the EU move had shown that the West refused to accept any alternative point of view and was destroying freedom of speech.

Italy's foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned the Russian decision to ban access to dozens of European media outlets, including Italian broadcasters Rai and La7 and newspapers La Repubblica and La Stampa.

"We regret the unjustified measure taken against these Italian broadcasters and newspapers, which have always provided objective and unbiased information on the conflict in Ukraine," the ministry said.

AFP declined to comment. Politico and RTE did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the move, which comes a day before the Russian trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges is due to begin.

The first American journalist to be detained on spy charges in Russia since the Cold War more than three decades ago, Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has denied he is a Central Intelligence Agency spy. The Journal says Gershkovich was doing his job and denies he is a spy.

Many Western news organisations pulled staff out of Russia after it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and passed laws soon afterwards that set long prison sentences for "discrediting" the armed forces.

Russian officials say large parts of the Western media spread false and excessively unbalanced stories about Russia, and that Western media organisations are engaged in an information war against Russia.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/0lc9bmD

Princess Anne, Sister Of King Charles III, In Hospital With Minor Injuries

Britain's Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III, is in hospital after sustaining minor injuries and concussion after an incident in Bristol, Buckingham Palace said on Monday.

The Princess Royal, 73, sustained the injuries at the Gatcombe Park estate on Sunday evening and remains in Bristol's Southmead Hospital as a “precautionary measure”. It is believed there were horses on the estate and the senior royal is likely to have sustained minor head wounds in an incident involving one of the horses.

“The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening,” the palace statement said.

“Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery. The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole royal family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the princess for a speedy recovery,” the statement said.

The palace stressed that Princess Anne, one of the senior-most working royals as the monarch's sister, is “recovering well” and is in a comfortable condition.

“On doctors' advice, Her Royal Highness's engagements for the week ahead will be postponed. Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” it said, which implies a trip to Canada scheduled for the end of this week is now off.

The Princess will also be unable to attend tomorrow's state banquet organised by her brother in honour of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, who will be visiting the UK this week alongside his wife, the Empress Masako.

Princess Anne was accompanied by husband Sir Tim Laurence, daughter Zara Tindall and her brother Peter Phillips on the estate at the time. Laurence is said to have accompanied his wife to the hospital. 

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/YfXSeMl

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Follow the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 live cricket score on Sports.NDTV.com. After 10.1 overs, Australia, chasing a target of 206, are 103/2. Get live score, ball by ball commentary and much more. Keep track of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 today match between Australia and India. Everything related to Australia and India match will be available on Sports.NDTV.com. Stay updated with Australia vs India live score. Do check for Australia vs India scorecard. You can get scorecard updates, match related facts. Get quick live updates with ads, Sports.NDTV.com, which is the perfect destination for live cricket score.

9.6 overs (0 Run) Slower and angled across, on a length, outside off, Travis Head goes for the drive but fails to connect.

9.5 overs (4 Runs) FOUR! Gets it through!

9.4 overs (4 Runs) FOUR! Axar Patel fumbles and that allows Travis Head to bring up his FIFTY! Full by Hardik, around off, Travis Head drags the hit on the bounce to long on where Axar Patel runs forward off the ropes but lets the ball go through his hands for a boundary. Travis continues to torment India and he would look to convert this into a match-winning knock.

9.3 overs (0 Run) Dishes it out on a shortish length, over middle, Travis Head drops his wrists and lets the ball go through.

9.2 overs (0 Run) Slower and fuller, outside off, Travis Head creams the drive towards extra cover where Rohit Sharma makes a good stop low to his right.

9.1 overs (4 Runs) FOUR! Short and punished! Too short and too wide on off by Hardik, Travis Head reaches out and slaps it along the ground to the right of deep cover for a boundary.

Glenn Maxwell comes out to the middle now.

8.6 overs (0 Run) OUT! WHAT A GRAB! Axar Patel, you freak! A one-handed worldie by Axar to send the Aussie skipper packing. Kuldeep misses his mark not by much as this is fractionally short, at the stumps, Mitchell Marsh is waiting on the back foot and bends his knees to get the pull shot away. Hits it as hard as he can and it goes flat towards deep backward square leg. Axar Patel is a few meters in off the ropes, leaps and the ball sticks in the right hand. It stays in even as Axar falls on his back.

8.5 overs (1 Run) Drops it short and away from the batter's reach, Travis Head reaches out and cuts it to deep point for a single.

8.4 overs (1 Run) Short and angling across, on off, Mitchell Marsh pulls it down to wide long on for a single.

8.3 overs (0 Run) Did Marsh drag his foot out of the crease there? Kuldeep slows it up and bowls the googly this time, fuller and outside off, Marsh gets down and sets himself for the slog sweep but the ball spins away and there is a bit of extra bounce too that takes the ball over the bat. The replays show that Marsh has his back leg grounded inside the crease when Pant took the bails off.

8.2 overs (1 Run) Spinning away a touch from the left-hander, on a nagging length, Travis Head makes room and punches it through covers for a single.

8.1 overs (1 Run) Kuldeep fires in a yorker, on middle, Mitchell Marsh squeezes it out towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

7.6 overs (1 Run) Hardik bangs it into the deck, on off, Mitchell Marsh flat bats it down to long on for a single. Another expensive over by Hardik, 14 runs off it.

7.5 overs (0 Run) Nicely bowled! Marsh shows his cards early as he skips down the track but Hardik keeps his wits around by banging into short, at the helmet of the batter. Marsh ducks and lets it go.

7.4 overs (1 Run) In the air...but it falls safely! Gets the ball to go across and keeps it wide of the batter, on the off side, Travis Head sits deep in his crease and shapes up to go cover. Slices it in the air but luckily for Head, the ball evades the fielder running to his right. A single taken.

7.3 overs (6 Runs) SIX! Travis Head is on a roll here! Hardik is under immense pressure. Hardik goes into the wicket but it is not short enough to trouble the batter, Travis Head cashes in on the offered length and nails the pull over deep mid-wicket for a six.

7.2 overs (4 Runs) FOUR! Nice shot! Another off-cutter by Hardik, on a length, outside off, Travis Head stays low to go big on the leg side but adjusts well to the lack of pace and drags the shot back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

7.1 overs (2 Runs) Hardik bowls it on a back of a length, on off, without any pace on it, Travis Head gets on his toes and punches it with a high elbow to the right of cover for a couple of runs.

6.6 overs (1 Run) Slightly quicker and fuller too, at the stumps, Travis Head opts to rock back and dabs it wide of cover for one more run. A tidy first over by Kuldeep.

6.5 overs (0 Run) Turning away from the left-hander, on a nagging length, on off, Travis Head goes on the back foot and punches it firmly to cover where Ravindra Jadeja moves swiftly to his right and prevents the single.

6.4 overs (1 Run) Length is pulled back and it is near the wide guideline on off, Mitchell Marsh is made to reach out and he cuts it past cover for a single.

Slight halt! Mitchell Marsh got hit on his helmet on the previous ball and the physio is in for a mandatory concussion check. We are good to continue now.

6.3 overs (0 Run) Kuldeep is mixing it up nicely here. Quicker and fuller by Kuldeep from over the wicket, around leg, Mitchell Starc is late on the slog sweep. It comes off the boots and strikes Marsh on the helmet. A concussion check will follow now.

6.2 overs (2 Runs) Dishes out the googly and wide from the batter's arc, near the tramline on off, Mitchell Marsh reaches out and slaps it past cover for a couple of runs.

6.1 overs (0 Run) Starts with a full delivery, full and fired in on the pads, Mitchell Marsh sweeps it fine but can't get it past the man at short fine leg.

5.6 overs (6 Runs) SIX! BOOM! Clean strike and this has gone many rows back! Hardik tries to attack the stumps with a good-length delivery, Travis Head gets into the position early and sets himself up for the big shot. Keeps his head still again and dispatches it way over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen. An expensive start by Hardik, 17 runs off it.

5.5 overs (1 Run) At 131.1 kph, slanting in, on a nagging length, at the pads, Mitchell Marsh works it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

5.4 overs (2 Runs) Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, Mitchell Marsh uses his feet and nudges it to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

5.3 overs (1 Run) Hardik sees the batter back away and follows him with a back-of-a-length delivery, Travis Head pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

5.2 overs (6 Runs) SIX! Clean as a whistle! Pace on by Hardik, on a length, on middle, Travis Head clears his front leg and with a still head, launches it over long on for a biggie. 50 comes up for Australia.

5.1 overs (0 Run) Going across the batter again, on a good length, pace taken off again, Travis Head frees his arms to go through the off side but gets an inside edge that rolls behind to the keeper.

Match Reports

• Australia vs India Live Score Ball by Ball, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Cricket Score Of Today's Match on NDTV Sports

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/s0DljXn

Gunmen Kill 6 Cops, A Priest In Russia's Dagestan, Says Counter Terror Agency

Gunmen on Sunday attacked a synagogue and churches, killing a priest and six police officers in Russia's Caucasus region of Dagestan, the national counter-terrorism agency and police said.

The attacks took place in Dagestan's largest city of Makhachkala and in the coastal city of Derbent.

Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened criminal probes over "acts of terror".

Dagestan is a largely Muslim region of Russia bordering Georgia and Azerbaijan.

"This evening in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala armed attacks were carried out on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police check-point," said the National Antiterrorism Committee in a statement to RIA Novosti news agency.

"As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed."

In all, six police officers had been killed and another 12 wounded in the attacks, the spokeswoman for Dagestan's interior ministry, Gayana Gariyeva, told RIA Novosti.

A 66-year-old priest was killed in Derbent, the press secretary of Dagestan's interior ministry, Gariyeva told the agency.

"The synagogue in Derbent is on fire," the chairman of the public council of Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities, Boruch Gorin wrote on Telegram.

"It has not been possible to extinguish the fire. Two are killed: a policeman and a security guard".

He added: "The synagogue in Makhachkala has also been set on fire and burnt down. During the attack on the Orthodox church in Derbent, the priest's throat was cut."

The leader of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, wrote on Telegram: "This evening in Derbent and Makhachkala unknown (attackers) made attempts to destabilise the situation in society.

"They were confronted by Dagestani police officers."

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/XFlAxGc

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya became the first Indian player to achieve a unique double in ICC T20 World Cup history during his side's match in the Super 8s against Bangladesh on Saturday. During the game, Hardik became the first-ever Indian to have 300-plus runs and 20-plus wickets in the tournament history. While batting, Pandya made a full-fledged return to batting form on a batting-friendly surface, making 50 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 185.19. While bowling, he got a crucial wicket from wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das.

In his T20 World Cup career, Pandya has scored 302 runs in 21 matches and 13 innings at an average of 27.45 and a strike rate of 137.89. He has also scored two half-centuries, with the best score of 63. Also, he has taken 21 wickets in these 21 games, with the best figures of 3/27.

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (546 runs and 39 wickets in 34 games), Bangladesh's Shakib al Hasan (853 runs and 50 wickets in 42 matches), West Indies' Dwayne Bravo (530 runs and 27 wickets in 27 matches), Australia's Shane Watson (537 runs and 22 wickets in 24 matches) are other players to have accomplished this feat.

Coming to the match, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first. Openers skipper Rohit Sharma (23 in 11 balls, with three fours and a six) and Virat Kohli (37 in 28 balls, with a four and three sixes) put on an attacking 39-run opening stand. After early dismissals of the openers and Suryakumar Yadav (6), India was restricted to 77/3 in 8.3 overs. Then, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant (36 in 24 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes), Shivam Dube (34 in 24 balls, with three sixes) and Hardik Pandya (50* in 27 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) pushed India to 196/5 in their 20 overs.

Dube-Pandya had a fine 53-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2/32) and Rashid Hossain (2/43) were the top bowlers for Bangladesh.

India needs to defend 197 runs to win and have a foot in the door for the semis.

India is in second place in Group 1 of Super Eights, with a win against Afghanistan and two points. Bangladesh is at the bottom place, having lost their game against Australia. This one is a crucial game for them to keep their Super Eights hopes alive while India will pretty much reach the semifinals with a win over Bangladesh.

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

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/tfr82Yb

French Feminists March Against Far Right With Days Before Vote

Thousands of people turned out in France on Sunday for feminist demonstrations against the far right, which is expected to come out on top in June 30 snap elections, as parties sought to shore up support with days to go.

With the far-right National Rally (RN) polling at around 35 percent, "we have to remind people that they're the ones who talked about 'comfort abortions', who are always attacking family planning services," said Morgane Legras, a nuclear engineer and feminist activist taking part in the thousands-strong march in Paris.

Protesters wearing violet marched from the Place de la Republique square in central Paris to Place de la Nation in the east, bearing signs with messages such as "Push back the far right, not our rights".

Other rallies took place in around 50 other cities such as Toulouse.

France's two-round election system makes it difficult to predict which party could ultimately claim a majority in the lower house of parliament, handing them the prime minister's post which is second in power to President Emmanuel Macron.

Since Macron dissolved parliament after a European Parliament election battering, his centrists are badly lagging the RN as well as a reforged left-wing alliance called the New Popular Front (NFP) in surveys of voting intentions.

The RN has garnered unprecedented levels of support after a decades-long "de-demonisation" push to distance its image from its roots, including a co-founder who was a member of the Nazi Waffen-SS paramilitary.

But the core of its message remains hostility to immigration, Islam and the European Union.

Senior RN lawmaker Sebastien Chenu gestured towards Muslim and Jewish voters Sunday by vowing not to ban the ritual slaughter of livestock to produce halal or kosher meat.

"Everyone will be able to keep eating kosher meat if they want," Chenu told Jewish broadcaster Radio J.

He added that a historic far-right policy of barring the kippa in public spaces -- in the footsteps of an existing law forbidding the full-body burka worn by some Muslim women -- was not top of the RN's agenda, saying its priority was to fight "the Islamist threat".

'Do better'

In Macron's camp, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal acknowledged that the European Parliament result -- where they scored just 14 percent -- was "a message to us that we have to do better with our methods, with our governance" of the country.

If his party defies the odds to come top in the legislative polls, he vowed "change", including a turn to "seeking out coalitions with the French public, with civil society" in an interview with broadcaster RTL.

Macron's alliance would open up to "all who want to come, from the conservative right to the social-democratic left", Macron's former prime minister Edouard Philippe told broadcaster France 3.

Attal also hammered the centrists' mantra about the threats from "extremes" on the left and right, saying both promised a "tax bludgeoning... a shredder for the middle classes".

The RN especially is "not ready to govern... it's a party of opposition, not a party of government", Attal said.

In a sign of the disquiet abroad over Macron's snap poll gamble, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told public broadcaster ARD on Sunday that he was "concerned about the elections in France", though "it's up to the French people to decide".

'Shut up'

The left-wing NFP alliance continued to show strains Sunday, after parties hastily re-knitted ties sundered over differing responses to Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel and the ongoing retaliation by Israeli forces in Gaza.

Divisions are particularly stark over whether their candidate for prime minister should be Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of France Unbowed (LFI) -- the largest party in the grouping, some of whose members have been accused of anti-Semitism.

Melenchon should "shut up", former Socialist president Francois Hollande said Sunday, as "people reject him more strongly" than the RN's leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.

"Do we want the left to win, or do we want to be stoking conflict?" he said.

Melenchon said on Saturday that he aimed "to govern the country".

"I will never give up the honour of being a target" for attacks, Melenchon told a rally in the southern city of Montpellier on Sunday.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/Bu1OMAL

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Follow the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 live cricket score on Sports.NDTV.com. After 10.2 overs, Bangladesh, chasing a target of 197, are 72/2. Get live score, ball by ball commentary and much more. Keep track of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 today match between India and Bangladesh. Everything related to India and Bangladesh match will be available on Sports.NDTV.com. Stay updated with India vs Bangladesh live score. Do check for India vs Bangladesh scorecard. You can get scorecard updates, match related facts. Get quick live updates with ads, Sports.NDTV.com, which is the perfect destination for live cricket score.

9.6 overs (1 Run) This keeps a bit low, short and on middle, Towhid Hridoy stays back and plays it with the turn, past mid-wicket for a single.

9.5 overs (0 Run) Dishes out another googly, short and on off, Towhid Hridoy waits on the back foot and reads it well to defend it near his feet.

Towhid Hridoy is in at number 4.

9.4 overs (0 Run) OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Or is it turning too much? Kuldeep Yadav slips in the googly from over the wicket, short and turning in, on middle and leg, Tanzid Hasan goes back in the crease to play the ball turning away from him, through the off side. He fails to pick the googly out of the hand and gets completely foxed. It spins in to trap him right in front of the stumps. Up goes the finger and Kuldeep walks up and exchanges a few words with Tanzid. Tanzid takes the review but there is no bat involved and it is three reds on Ball Tracking. Bangladesh lose Tanzid Hasan as well as the review.

9.3 overs (1 Run) Loops it up, full and on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto pulls out the reverse sweep and hits it through point for a single.

9.2 overs (1 Run) Tosses it up, full and on off, Tanzid Hasan walks across and goes for a swipe across the line but gets an inside edge that rolls through backward square leg for a single.

9.1 overs (0 Run) Keeps it away from the batter's arc, near the tramline on off, on a nagging length, left alone by Tanzid Hasan.

8.6 overs (0 Run) Drags the length back and it is around middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto tries to repeat the previous shot but misses out this time as the ball skids through and sneaks under the bat to strike him on the thigh.

8.5 overs (6 Runs) SIX! This has gone the distance! Just the over Bangladesh were looking for. Too straight by Hardik, fuller and slower, on the pads, Najmul Hossain Shanto crouches and swings to help it away with the wind behind square on the leg side. Gets plenty of bat on it to clear fine leg for six more runs.

8.4 overs (1 Run) Slips on the pads, fuller in length, Tanzid Hasan helps it down to fine leg and gets to the other end. 8 runs off the over so far. Can Bangladesh make it into a big over?

8.3 overs (1 Run) Off-pace this time and into the wicket, on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto makes room and knocks it with a flat bat in front of mid off for a quick single.

8.2 overs (6 Runs) SIX! Najmul Hossain Shanto takes the short ball on and gets the reward! Hardik bends his back and directs it at the batter, Najmul Hossain Shanto fetches the hook shot from over his head and hits it over fine leg for a biggie. A boundary after 24 balls for Bangladesh.

8.1 overs (0 Run) Rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it on a good length, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto makes room but can only play this one back to the bowler.

7.6 overs (0 Run) Pushes it through, short and on middle, Tanzid Hasan is rushed on the pull and gets an inside edge onto the pads. A tidy start from Kuldeep Yadav.

7.5 overs (1 Run) Short and outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto fetches the pull from outside off and hits it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. 50 up for Bangladesh.

7.4 overs (0 Run) Keeps it away from the reach of the batter, short and near the wide guideline, Najmul Hossain Shanto reaches out and pats it to cover.

7.3 overs (1 Run) Keeps it near the tramline on off, short and turning away, Tanzid Hasan drags the pull down to deep mid-wicket for one more run.

7.2 overs (1 Run) Oh, that kept very low! Slower and shorter, turning away, on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto adjusts well to the bounce and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for one.

7.1 overs (0 Run) Starts off short and gets a bit of extra bounce, on middle and leg, it holds in the surface too. Najmul Hossain Shanto rocks back for the pull but misses as he goes through his shot early and wears it on the body.

6.6 overs (1 Run) Angling across, short and wide on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto slaps it down to deep point for just a single.

6.5 overs (1 Run) Drops it short again, on middle, Tanzid Hasan hangs back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one more run.

6.4 overs (0 Run) Fires it in at the pads again, on a good length, Tanzid Hasan tries to use the pace but fails to do and wears it on the pad.

6.3 overs (1 Run) Fuller and at the stumps, Najmul Hossain Shanto steps out to go back over the bowler's head but miscues it off the inside edge to deep backward square leg for a single.

6.2 overs (1 Run) Leg bye! Too straight, short and on the pads, Tanzid Hasan misses the tickle and the ball brushes his pads and rolls wide of short fine leg for a leg bye.

6.1 overs (1 Run) Starts off on a nagging length, on middle and leg, Najmul Hossain Shanto rocks back and pulls it to the left of long on for a single.

5.6 overs (0 Run) Straight and cannoned full in length, in front of the stumps, Tanzid Hasan prods forward and solidly defends it down the deck. End of the mandatory Powerplay. Bangladesh are 43/1.

5.5 overs (1 Run) Goes full this time and it is outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto reaches out for the drive but gets an outside edge that flies down to deep third for one.

5.4 overs (0 Run) Takes pace off and keeps it full as well, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto waits on it and defends it out on the off side.

5.3 overs (0 Run) Hurls it on a back of a length, on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto gets on top of the bounce and pushes it to backward point.

5.2 overs (1 Run) DROPPED! Rishabh Pant puts it down! That should have been taken! Jasprit Bumrah has his hands on his head in disbelief. Angling away, on a hard length, zipping through, on off, Tanzid Hasan fiddles at the delivery and gets an outside edge that travels quickly to Rishabh Pant who gets his gloves in the correct position but fails to hang on as the ball comes on faster than he expected. It bursts through his gloves and rolls behind for a single.

5.1 overs (2 Runs) Oh, Bumrah is lucky to get away with that! The ball slips off Bumrah's hand and ends up serving a waist-high full toss, outside off, Tanzid Hasan dabs it wide of point for a couple of runs. The replays indicate that the ball was just above the waist but the umpire thought otherwise.

Match Reports

• India vs Bangladesh Live Score Ball by Ball, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Cricket Score Of Today's Match on NDTV Sports

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/4QVtETK

Iran Supreme Court Overturns Popular Rapper's Death Sentence, Says Lawyer

Iran's supreme court has overturned a death sentence against popular rapper Toomaj Salehi who was jailed for backing nationwide protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death, his lawyer said Saturday.

"Salehi's death sentence was overturned," the rapper's lawyer Amir Raisian said in a post on X, adding that the Islamic republic's top court had ordered a retrial.

In April, an Iranian court sentenced Salehi to death for the capital offence of "corruption on earth", Raisian said at the time.

The rapper was also found guilty of "assistance in sedition, assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state and calling for riots", the lawyer said.

Salehi, 33, was arrested in October 2022 after publicly backing demonstrations which had erupted a month earlier, triggered by Amini's death in police custody.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, was detained by the morality police in Tehran over an alleged breach of the Islamic republic's strict dress rules for women.

"The Supreme Court prevented an irreparable judicial error," Raisian said, adding that the court also ruled that Salehi's "previous sentence (6 years and three months) was also without compliance with the rules of a multiplicity of crimes."

The months-long protests sparked by Amini's death saw hundreds of people killed, including dozens of security personnel.

Thousands were arrested as authorities moved to quell what they branded foreign-instigated "riots".

In January, another singer, Mehdi Yarrahi who criticised the headscarf requirement for women was sentenced to a total of two years and eight months in prison on multiple charges, which would have been served concurrently.

The court later changed Yarrahi's sentence to home confinement due to his health issues.

Nine men have been executed in protest-related cases involving killings and other violence against security forces.

Covering the neck and head has been compulsory for women in Iran since 1983, following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Since the protests, women have been increasingly flouting the strict dress code but Iranian police have in recent months toughened controls on women who ignore the rules.

Iranian media has in recent weeks reported that police in the capital have launched a campaign codenamed "Noor", the Persian word for light, in their efforts to double down on those who break the dress code.

In an effort to tackle those breaking hijab laws, the authorities have also shut down cafes and restaurants where the wearing of the hijab was not respected.

The country's parliament has also approved a draft "Chastity and Hijab" law that seeks to toughen penalties on women not adhering to the dress rules.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/SWZcbT5

No Afghan 'Reintegration' Without Progress On Rights: UN

Restrictions on women's rights continue to prevent Afghanistan's "reintegration" into the international community, a senior UN official said Friday, noting the Taliban's participation in upcoming talks in Doha is not legitimization of the isolated government.

Since their 2021 return to power, Taliban authorities have not been formally recognized by any nation and apply a rigorous interpretation of Islam, leading to suppression of women's freedoms that the United Nations has described as "gender apartheid."

Restrictions on women and girls, particularly in education, "deprive the country of vital human capital" and lead to a brain drain that undermines the impoverished country's future, Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN mission in the country, UNAMA, told the Security Council.

"By being deeply unpopular (the restrictions) undermine the de facto authorities' claims to legitimacy," she said.

"And they continue to block diplomatic solutions that would lead to Afghanistan's reintegration into the international community."

Last year marked the start of a process to consider strengthening the world community's commitment to Afghanistan. A third round of talks, to include foreign special envoys to Afghanistan and representatives from its civil society, including women, is set for June 30 and July 1 in Doha.

Discussions continued through this week on the gathering in Qatar's capital.

"For this process to truly begin, it is essential that the de facto authorities participate at Doha," Otunbayeva said, warning however that high expectations "cannot realistically be met in a single meeting."

"It cannot be repeated enough that this sort of engagement is not legitimization or normalization," she stressed.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/bYxQjkF

Legendary Canadian Actor Donald Sutherland Dies At 88

Donald Sutherland, one of Canada's most versatile and gifted actors, who charmed and enthralled audiences in films such as "M*A*S*H," "Klute," "Ordinary People" and the "Hunger Games" films, has died at the age of 88.

The Canadian actor, whose lengthy career spanned from the 1960s into the 2020s, died on Thursday, his son, actor Kiefer Sutherland, said on social media.

With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT

— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024

The tall actor with a deep voice, piercing blue eyes and mischievous smile managed to switch effortlessly from character roles to romantic leads, opposite the likes of Jane Fonda and Julie Christie. He also played his share of oddballs and villains during a career that began in the 1960s.

One of the biggest stars in Hollywood in the 1970s, he remained in demand for film and TV projects into his 80s. Known for his unconventional looks and his versatility as an actor, Sutherland played a wide range of memorable characters.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/XZuVP1J

NDTV Sports-Cricket

A dedicated team of experts bring you live score, live cricket score, live match update on Sports.NDTV.com. After 20.0 overs, Afghanistan, chasing a target of 182, are 134. The live updates of Afghanistan vs India scorecard is also available. It is the perfect platform to follow your favourite teams in ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Keep a track on your favourite batsmen and bowlers through ICC T20 World Cup 2024 today match, ball by ball commentary, Afghanistan vs India, Afghanistan vs India live score, Afghanistan vs India scorecard. Follow the excitement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Sports.NDTV.com as you can follow live match updates and live cricket score through our platform.

19.6 overs (1 Run) WIDE! And again and that's a bit unnecessary from Arshdeep Singh putting it so much effort for nothing.

19.6 overs (1 Run) WIDE! Arshdeep Singh will have to reload the final delivery here. Full and quick again, looking for the wide yorker but this is spilled beyond the tramline for a wide.

19.5 overs (0 Run) Excellent comeback delivery from Arshdeep Singh. Full and quick, nails it in the blockhole around off and Noor Ahmad fails to dig it out.

19.4 overs (6 Runs) SIX! Noor Ahmad finally connects one and that is a flat six! Banged in short again over middle and leg, Noor gets on top of the bounce and muscles it off the front foot and just over the fence behind deep square leg for a biggie.

19.3 overs (0 Run) Another miss and Noor Ahmad is just swinging a bit too hard at the ball. Bowled from over the stumps and banged into the deck over of and middle. Noor tries to hang back and pull but misses the ball.

19.2 overs (0 Run) Swing and a miss! Bowled full and wide of the off stump with a bit more effort behind it. Noor Ahmad goes across to the off side and throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect.

19.1 overs (0 Run) Pitched up on a length and outside off, Noor Ahmad throws his hands at it and slices it up over the cover region and denies the single once again.

18.6 overs (1 Run) Good stop from the keeper! A smidge fuller, trying to attack the pads but this is spilled down leg. Noor Ahmad gets a bit of pad on it and Rishabh Pant dives across to his left to get his gloves on it. The batters manage to scamper across for a leg bye.

18.5 overs (0 Run) On a good length around off and angling away, Noor Ahmad has a poke at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

18.4 overs (0 Run) Back of a length and over middle, Noor Ahmad gets cramped up and mistimes the pull badly towards mid on.

18.3 overs (0 Run) On a length and around off stump again, Noor Ahmad stays put and hits it towards cover again. No single taken!

18.2 overs (0 Run) A full toss now on the off stump line, Noor Ahmad punches it away straight to the man at covers.

18.1 overs (0 Run) On a fuller length and around off stump, Noor Ahmad pushes it away towards cover.

17.6 overs (4 Runs) EDGED AND FOUR! Arshdeep Singh comes agonizingly close to picking up a hat-trick but it ends up being a boundary instead. Pitched up from around the stumps and trying to angle it into the off stump, Fazalhaq Farooqi looks to hang back and block but gets an outside edge that runs past the keeper and into the third man fence.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the last man in and will face the hat-trick ball.

17.5 overs (0 Run) OUT! CAUGHT! Too hot to handle for Naveen-ul-Haq and Arshdeep Singh has got two in two now. Banged in quick and short over middle and leg, rushing onto the batter and at a difficult height. Naveen just swings at it and gets a top edge back over the keeper's head. Rishabh Pant runs back towards short fine leg and pouches it safely. Afghanistan going down in a hurry now.

Naveen-ul-Haq walks out bat now.

17.4 overs (0 Run) OUT! CAUGHT! This is bowled on the fuller side of a length ball and angled well across the off stump. Rashid Khan reaches out, gets under it and knowingly opens the bat face, looking to slice it up and over backward point. The ball is miscued a bit and goes aerial to wide third man where Ravindra Jadeja takes a simple enough catch and Arshdeep Singh also gets his name in the wickets column.

17.4 overs (1 Run) WIDE! Back to over the wicket now and bowls on a good length but well outside the off stump, Rashid Khan has a slash at it but misses.

17.3 overs (1 Run) Comes from around the stumps now and bowls a shorter delivery at the batter, Noor Ahmad gets the pull high on the bat and gets it down to long on for a run.

17.2 overs (0 Run) Goes fuller now and bowls it wider of the off stump as well, Noor Ahmad stays put and swings across the line, only managing to connect with thin air though.

17.1 overs (0 Run) A pacy delivery on the fuller side around off and angling away, Noor Ahmad stays back and looks to play at it but is late and the ball zips past the outside edge.

16.6 overs (1 Run) Full and around off, pushed to mid off for a quick single.

16.5 overs (0 Run) This is fired in fuller and on the legs, Noor Ahmad looks for the reverse sweep once again but almost falls over and misses it completely.

16.4 overs (4 Runs) FOUR! Oh, hello! Flatter one at the stumps, Noor Ahmad brings out the reverse sweep right away and plays it nicely over backward point for a boundary.

Noor Ahmad comes out to the middle now.

16.3 overs (0 Run) OUT! TAKEN! High, high and taken in the deep! Flighted delivery, on the stumps and forcing the batter to have a go at it. Mohammad Nabi is forced to hit against the wind and towards the longer part of the ground as he tries to heave it over deep mid-wicket but gets a lot of height and not enough distance. Ravindra Jadeja settles himself just inside the ropes and takes a fine catch to his left.

16.2 overs (6 Runs) SIX! High and handsome! Tossed up a bit in the slot and around off stump, Mohammad Nabi holds his shape and hammers it just over the long off fence for a biggie.

16.1 overs (1 Run) Floated up on the stumps, Rashid Khan punches the ball away wide of long off and picks up a single.

15.6 overs (1 Run) Full and at the stumps, Rashid Khan brings out the helicopter but can't get under it and firmly hits it to long on for just a single.

15.5 overs (0 Run) Bowled slower now and into the pitch outside off, Rashid Khan looks to play the upper cut but is well beaten.

15.4 overs (0 Run) Good length at the stumps, miscued to the man at mid-wicket. Mohammad Nabi at the other end wants the run but is sent back and a direct hit at the bowler's end keeps him on his toes.

15.3 overs (4 Runs) FOUR BYES! How has that missed everything? Full and quick again, looking to spear in the yorker at leg stump. Rashid Khan stays back and attempts to jam it out and leaves a gap between the legs. The ball beats the bat and goes between the legs and past the keeper into the fine leg fence.

Rashid Khan walks out to bat now.

15.2 overs (0 Run) OUT! CAUGHT! That one was traveling quickly but Arshdeep Singh makes no mistake and Jasprit Bumrah has his third wicket. Goes full and quick and angles it across from off and middle stump, Najibullah Zadran backs away a fair bit and looks to slap it over point but doesn't quite get the elevation. Arshdeep there springs to his right and pouches it with two hands and that one must have stung the palms. Najibullah Zadran has to walk back though.

15.1 overs (1 Run) Attempted heave but badly mistimed! Starts the new spell with a hard-length delivery over the off stump, Mohammad Nabi looks to hang back and take it on but lobs it away over mid on for a single.

Match Reports

• Afghanistan vs India Live Score Ball by Ball, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Cricket Score Of Today's Match on NDTV Sports
• Afghanistan vs India Live Score Ball by Ball, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Cricket Score Of Today's Match on NDTV Sports
• Afghanistan vs India Live Score Ball by Ball, T20 World Cup 2024 Live Cricket Score Of Today's Match on NDTV Sports

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/2AZPMkD

French-Chinese Satellite To Probe World's Most Powerful Explosions

A French-Chinese telescope satellite will blast off this weekend on a mission to hunt down gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.

The light from these almighty blasts has travelled billions of light years to reach Earth, so scientists believe they could hold answers to some mysteries of the universe's youth.

But these flashes are so brief they have proved difficult to observe.

Aiming to learn more, the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is scheduled to blast off on a Chinese Long March 2C rocket from the Xichang launch site in China's Sichuan province on Saturday.

The spacecraft, which has two Chinese and two French instruments on board, will then orbit 625 kilometres (390 miles) above Earth.

Chen Lan, an analyst specialising in China's space programme, highlighted the "political significance" of the joint mission.

During a "dark time" for relations between China and the West, the mission "shows that scientific cooperation can still be continued despite difficulties," he told AFP.

Discovered by accident

SVOM's mission is to use its X-ray vision to track down the source of gamma-ray bursts, which are detected in the sky around once every day.

This cosmic investigation began back in "the middle of the Cold War," said Bertrand Cordier, the chief scientist for France's contribution to SVOM.

In 1967, US satellites monitoring whether nations were complying with a nuclear test ban treaty happened to spot a brief flash of gamma rays -- which can also be produced by nuclear blasts.

"They thought they were dealing with a nuclear explosion on Earth, before realising that it came from space," Cordier told a press conference.

"Since then, we have been trying to understand the origin of these objects."

Several missions, including NASA's Swift telescope, have already shed some light on these bright enigmas.

Considered to be the most powerful events in the known universe, these bursts are flashes of the highest-energy light, which emit gamma rays and last anywhere between a fraction of a second and tens of seconds.

The explosion is followed by an "afterglow" which can last hours and "crosses the entire universe to reach us," said Susanna Vergani of the Paris Observatory.

Clues of the early universe

Shorter bursts are thought to be caused by massive neutron stars smashing into each other, or a neutron star being swallowed by a black hole.

Longer bursts are believed to be from some of the universe's earliest stars -- massive beasts far larger than our Sun -- going supernova.

The most distant -- and therefore earliest -- gamma-ray burst identified so far came from just 630 million years after the Big Bang, when the universe was five percent of its current age.

Gamma-ray bursts allow scientists to "investigate the distant universe," including the mysterious chemical process that birthed the first stars and galaxies, Vergani said.

But the blasts could also hold other clues to long-burning cosmic mysteries.

Because the light from these explosions traverses billions of light years, it "bears the imprint of all the gas clouds" it passed through," Vergani said.

Scientists therefore hope gamma-ray bursts could reveal the chemical elements across the universe throughout its history.

Do gamma-ray bursts pose a threat to Earth? The Milky Way is too old to be home to the huge collisions that cause the bursts, so the chance of this happening is "extremely low," Cordier said.

Earth's atmosphere should be able to shield us against blasts from farther off, he added.

Gamma-ray bursts are so brief that scientists will be in a race against time to collect data before they vanish.

As soon as SVOM detects a gamma-ray burst, it will alert a team of scientists who will be on call 24 hours a day.

In less than five minutes, a network a ground-based telescopes will swivel their gaze towards the blast, hoping to find out more.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/YUei5GO

"No Place" In Israel Will Be Spared In Case Of War: Hezbollah Chief

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday warned "no place" in Israel would be spared in case of a full-blown war and threatened nearby Cyprus if it opened its airports and bases to Israel.

"The enemy knows well that we have prepared ourselves for the worst... and that no place... will be spared our rockets," Nasrallah said in a televised address.

Israel must expect "us on land, by sea and by air", he said.

"The enemy really fears that the resistance will penetrate Galilee" in northern Israel, he said, adding that this was possible "in the context of a war that could be imposed on Lebanon".

Israel and Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese movement allied with Hamas, have traded near-daily cross-border fire since the Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel which triggered war in the Gaza Strip.

The exchanges have escalated in recent weeks, and the Israeli military said Tuesday that "operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated".

Earlier, Foreign Minister Israel Katz had warned of Hezbollah's destruction in a "total war".

"Opening Cypriot airports and bases to the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon would mean that the Cypriot government is part of the war, and the resistance will deal with it as part of the war," Nasrallah threatened.

Cyprus has good relations with both Israel and Lebanon, and lies close to the coast of both countries.

Britain has retained sovereign control over two base areas in its former colony Cyprus under the terms of the treaties that granted the island independence in 1960.

Nasrallah also warned that his group had only used "a part of" its weapons since October.

"We have obtained new weapons," Nasrallah said, without elaborating.

"We have developed some of our weapons... and we are keeping others for the days that will come," he said.

"Years ago we talked about 100,000 fighters... today, we have greatly exceeded" that number, Nasrallah said.

The Israel-Lebanon clashes have killed at least 478 people in Lebanon, most of them fighters but also including 93 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

Israeli authorities say at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in the country's north.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/9fwMbRp

Iran Slaps 1-Year Prison Term On Nobel Prize Laureate For "Propaganda"

An Iranian court has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to a year in prison for "propaganda against the state", the jailed activist's lawyer said on Tuesday.

Mohammadi, 52, has been jailed since November 2021 over several past convictions relating to her advocacy against the obligatory hijab for women and capital punishment in Iran.

Lawyer Mostafa Nili said on social media platform X that "Mohammadi was sentenced to one year in prison for propaganda against the system."

Nili said "the reasons for issuing this sentence" include calls to boycott parliamentary elections, letters to Swedish and Norwegian lawmakers and "comments about Mrs Dina Ghalibaf".

Rights groups have said that Ghalibaf, a journalist and student, had been taken into custody after accusing security forces on social media of putting her in handcuffs and sexually assaulting her during a previous arrest at a metro station.

Ghalibaf has since been released.

The Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online website said on April 22 that Ghalibaf "had not been raped" and that she was being prosecuted for making a "false statement".

Mohammadi has refused to attend a trial session in Tehran earlier this month, and in March shared an audio message from prison in which she decried a "full-scale war against women" in the Islamic republic.

Iranian police in recent months have intensified enforcement of the country's Islamic dress code for women, notably making use of video surveillance.

Under rules adopted shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women in Iran are required to cover their hair and dress modestly in public spaces.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/82ZEjsD

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Pakistan's painful journey of T20 World Cup 2024, ended on a positive note as the Babar Azam-led side finish with a three-wicket win against Ireland on Sunday. The 2009 champions had a dismal show in the marquee event, getting knocked out in the Group stage. For the very first time in the history of T20 World Cup, Pakistan bowed out of the tournament in the first round. The entire team, especially skipper Babar Azam, has been receiving severe criticism from all over the world for their poor performance.

After Pakistan's humiliating exit, one question which arises in everyone's mind is regarding the future of Babar Azam as the skipper. Earlier in 2023, Babar had stepped down from captaincy after Pakistan got knocked put in the league stage of the ODI World Cup.

However, Pakistan Cricket Board showed faith in him and he was reappointed in the role. On being asked about his future, Babar stated that he will happily accept whatever decision PCB takes.

"When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn't be doing it now, that's why I left it and I announced it myself. Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here," said Babar during the post-match press conference.

"And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide anything behind. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB's decision." he added.

The star batter further stated that poor show from the entire team is the root cause of Pakistan's debacle in the World Cup and individuals can't be blamed.

"I told you that we did not lose this because of one particular person. We win and lose as a team. You are pointing out that [I am] the captain, but I cannot play in every player's place. There are 11 players, and each of them has a role. That's why they came here to play the World Cup. I think we have not been able to play well as a team. We have to settle down and accept that we didn't play well as a team," said Babar.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/WKehEmr

Nvidia Beats Apple, Microsoft To Become World's Most Valuable Company

Nvidia edged ahead of other tech companies Tuesday to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company in the latest sign of the might of artificial intelligence.

The chip company, which has enjoyed a monumental ascent over the last 18 months amid enthusiasm over generative AI, jumped 3.4 percent near 1725 GMT, giving it a market capitalization of about $3.3 trillion, slightly ahead of Microsoft and Apple.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/2HEsNGW

Explained: Cases Of Rare "Flesh-Eating Bacteria" Surge To 1,000 In Japan

Health officials in Japan are on high alert after close to 1,000 cases of a deadly infection were reported across the country. The disease, known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), or ‘flesh-eating bacteria', is spreading rapidly, resulting in deaths within a short period. 

STSS cases have reached 977 by June 2 this year. This figure has already surpassed last year's total of 941 cases, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

What is Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome?

STSS is a rare but severe bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It occurs when these bacteria enter deep tissues and the bloodstream, releasing toxins that cause a rapid and dangerous response in the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While it is rare for someone with STSS to spread the infection to others directly, less severe infections with group A strep can progress to STSS if untreated.

Symptoms

STSS starts with initial symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting. Within 24 to 48 hours, it can lead to low blood pressure, organ failure, rapid heart rate and fast breathing. 

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) usually causes strep throat in children, but in adults it can lead to serious symptoms like limb pain, swelling, fever and low blood pressure. This can quickly worsen to tissue death, breathing problems, organ failure and sometimes death, especially in people over 50. 

Early medical care is very important to treat these severe symptoms and prevent complications.

Prevention

Preventing STSS involves practising good hygiene, like washing hands regularly and covering your mouth while you cough and sneeze. 

Care for wounds properly and seek medical attention for any signs of infection. This helps prevent the bacteria from causing further infections that can sometimes lead to STSS.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing STSS involves several tests, including blood tests to detect group A strep bacteria and check organ function. A diagnosis is confirmed when someone has a group A strep infection along with low blood pressure and signs of two or more organ failures, like kidney or liver problems.

Treatment

Treating STSS involves giving strong antibiotics through an IV to kill the bacteria. Patients also receive fluids to stabilise their blood pressure and help their organs work properly. 

In severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove infected tissue and prevent further problems. It is important to get treatment quickly to improve chances of recovery and lower the risk of serious complications or death from STSS.

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/jIsFGX3

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Lockie Ferguson (3/0) bowled the most economical spell in T20I history as New Zealand shot out Papua New Guinea for a mere 78 in their inconsequential Group C World Cup match on Monday. Ferguson joined Canada skipper Saad Bin Zafar as only the second bowler in T20I history to have sent down each of the allotted four overs as maiden, returning figures of 4-4-0-3 after the latter recorded 4-4-0-2.

The Kiwis were successful in keeping the PNG batters quiet and pinned to their respective ends for the majority of their innings which folded in 19.4 overs, with the first half witnessing the ball racing to the ropes for boundaries only on four occasions.

Lockie needs to hesitate

He's got zero chill. Literally ‘ZERO' https://t.co/jTVxi5H2xD pic.twitter.com/5P6dXydZW3

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 17, 2024

Trent Boult (2/14), playing in his last T20 World Cup match, began with a two-run first over but it was Tim Southee (2/11) who drew the first blood, getting PNG opener Tony Ura caught at deep backward point.

While there was no success for Boult in terms of wickets with the new ball, Ferguson struck on his very first ball to have PNG skipper Assad Vala caught at widish first slip for six.

Ferguson continued to trouble the opposition batters to such an extent that PNG could not score a run off his first three overs.

The right-arm pacer had further success when he pinned Charles Amini (17) in front of the wickets successfully for the third wicket.

Mitchell Santner (1/17) cut short the progress of Sese Bay (12), getting him caught by Finn Allen at long on after luring the batter to dance down the track and hit him but the connection was improper.

Having not conceded a run yet, Ferguson found an inside edge off Chad Soper's (1) bat crashing into the wickets after he recklessly dangled his bat which came down awkwardly away from his pads.

Ferguson finished his spell without having conceded a run and thus joined Zafar, who was the first to have bowled all four maidens in November 2021 against Panama in T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier.

Boult came back into the attack for his first wicket of the contest to clean up Hiri Hiri (7) while Southee bagged another in the next to remove wicketkeeper-batter Kiplin Doriga (5) out of the equation.

Having toiled for success in his first three overs, Ish Sodhi (2/29) grabbed a couple of wickets to wrap up the PNG innings in the last over. 

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/9P8dGhZ

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Sri Lanka vs Netherlands LIVE Updates, T20 World Cup 2024: Netherlands may be out of the 2024 T20 World Cup even before their match against Sri Lanka ends, if Bangladesh beat Nepal. However, the Dutch need to beat Sri Lanka by a healthy scoreline to keep any hopes of qualifying to the Super 8 stage alive. The game also offers Sri Lanka a chance to get their first win, in what has been a hugely disappointing tournament for the 2014 champions. They would likely finish bottom of their group if they fail to win. (Live Scorecard | Points Table)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/0cHaqTC

NDTV Sports-Cricket

Bangladesh vs Nepal LIVE Updates, T20 World Cup 2024: Bangladesh can become the eighth and final team to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup, with a win over Nepal. Having beaten Sri Lanka and Netherlands, Bangladesh will be favourites to win. However, Nepal will be out to prove a point in their final match, after almost pulling off an upset on South Africa in their previous game. If Nepal win, it will open a door of hope for Netherlands to possibly qualify for the Super 8. (Live Scorecard | Points Table)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/asgDLnu

"There's No Joy": Gazans Celebrate Eid Under The Shadow Of War

In tents in the stifling heat and in bombed-out mosques, Gazans marked Sunday the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, devoid of the usual cheer as the Israel-Hamas war raged on.

"There is no joy. We have been robbed of it," said Malakiya Salman, a 57-year-old displaced woman, now living in a tent in Khan Yunis city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Gazans, like Muslims the world over, would usually slaughter sheep for the holiday -- whose Arabic name means "feast of the sacrifice" -- and share the meat with the needy.

Parents would also gift children new clothes and money in celebration.

But this year, after more than eight months of a devastating Israeli campaign that has flattened much of Gaza, displaced most of the besieged territory's 2.4 million people and sparked repeated warnings of famine, the Eid is a day of misery for many.

"I hope the world will put pressure to end the war on us, because we are truly dying, and our children are broken," said Salman.

Her family was displaced from the far-southern city of Rafah, a recent focus of the fighting which began after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel.

The military on Sunday morning announced a "tactical pause of military activity" around a Rafah-area route to facilitate the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gazans.

AFP correspondents said there were no reports of strikes or shelling since dawn, though the Israeli military stressed there was "no cessation of hostilities in the southern Gaza Strip".

The brief respite in fighting allowed worshippers a rare moment of calm on the holiday, which honours the prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son before God offered a sheep instead.

- 'Strange' silence -

Many gathered for the Eid al-Adha morning prayer in the courtyard of Gaza City's historic Omari Mosque, which was heavily damaged in Israeli bombardment, placing down their frayed prayer mats next to mounds of rubble.

The sound of prayers travelled down some of the city's destroyed and abandoned streets.

"Since this morning, we've felt a sudden calm with no gunfire or bombings... It's strange," said 30-year-old Haitham al-Ghura from Gaza City.

He said he hoped that the pause meant a permanent ceasefire was near, though truce mediation efforts have stalled for months.

In several areas of the war-battered territory, especially in Gaza City, young boys were seen manning roadside shops selling perfumes, lotions and other items against the backdrop of piles of rubble from destroyed buildings and homes.

Many vendors used umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun as they sold household items on Gaza City's main market street. But there were few buyers.

Prices of food and other goods can reach four or five times their usual price, but those who can, cling to the holiday traditions they can still afford.

In Khan Yunis, displaced man Majdi Abdul Raouf spent 4,500 shekels ($1,200) -- a small fortune for most Gazans -- on a sheep to sacrifice.

"I was determined on buying it despite the high prices, to perform these rituals and bring some joy and happiness to the children in the displacement camp," said the 60-year-old, who fled his home in Rafah.

"There is sadness, severe pain and suffering, but I insisted on having a different kind of day."

- 'Comfort' -

The deadliest-ever Gaza war began after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 37,296 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

For many, a halt in fighting can never bring back what has been lost.

"We've lost many people, there's a lot of destruction," said Umm Muhammad al-Katri from Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

"This Eid is completely different," she said, with many Gazans forced to spend the holiday without their loved ones killed or displaced during the war.

Grieving families on Sunday flocked to cemeteries and other makeshift burial sites, where wooden planks marked the graves.

"I feel comfort here," said Khalil Diab Essbiah at the cemetary where his two children are buried.

Even with the constant buzzing of Israeli drones overhead, visitors at the cemetery "can feel relieved of the genocide we are in and the death and destruction," he said.

Hanaa Abu Jazar, 11, also displaced from Rafah to the tent city in Khan Yunis, said: "We see the (Israeli) occupation killing children, women and the elderly."

"How can we celebrate?" asked the girl.

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

from NDTV News-World-news https://ift.tt/j1CgFKR