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New York, Aug 30 (IANS) Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan caused a major upset at the US Open on Tuesday, showing fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas the exit door with a hard-fought 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 victory against the Greek player on Tuesday.

With the help of 41 winners, the world No. 94 reached the second round at Flushing Meadows after a two hours and 48 minutes slugfest on his main draw debut at the season's final major.

This was the 26-year-old Colombian's biggest win of his career.

"Definitely one of the best moments of my career," Galan was quoted as saying by atptour.com. "Definitely the best match of my career, not only because of the circumstances, also the opponent. I'm really happy."

Galan, who did not lose a set in qualifying, won the first 11 games of the match against Tsitsipas with a superb display of aggression.

"I think he (Tsitsipas) started playing better in the third set. He served much better than the first two and I was putting the serve in the court, but not putting pressure on him. He was always in control," Galan said.

"I think he felt really comfortable during those two sets. I tried to change a little bit the position when I was returning and that changed a lot because I was able to return (deeper) and he was not so offensive on the first ball, so I was able to do a little bit more."

Galan had entered the match with a 0-6 record against Top-20 opponents. He had reached the third round at Wimbledon and his confidence showed against Tsitsipas. The Greek has now lost in the first round of the US Open in two of his five appearances and has never advanced to the second week. He made 57 unforced errors compared to 28 winners in his defeat, according to atptour.com.

"He dominated the match," Tsitsipas admitted. "I just couldn't get into it."

--IANS

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Manila, Aug 30 (IANS) The Philippines' Department of Health said on Tuesday that deaths from dengue fever have climbed to 400 this year as cases rose by 143 per cent from the same period last year.

The Department has tallied 118,785 cases from January 1 to August 13, reports Xinhua news agency.

Data showed the Central Luzon region recorded the highest, with over 21,000 cases, followed by Central Visayas and Metro Manila with over 11,000 each.

Six of the country's 17 regions "have exceeded the epidemic threshold" in the past four weeks from July 17 to August 13, with Metro Manila "showing a sustained increasing trend".

Dengue is endemic in the Philippines.

Water-borne diseases, including dengue, usually peak at the start of the rainy season from July to October due to fluctuating weather conditions, flooding and accumulation of contaminated water.

Dengue mosquitos breed in stagnant water like water-filled containers and some plants including bananas.

In severe cases, dengue can cause joint pain, nausea, vomiting, rashes, breathing problems, haemorrhaging and organ failure.

The Philippines had declared a "national dengue epidemic" in August 2019.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Aug 30 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan asks 40-year-old dermatologist Anu Anna Varghese about pimples and how to get rid of them.

He also got impressed with the way she motivates her patients to be proud of their skin colour and tells them that melanin, the pigment that makes it dark is good for protecting the skin also.

She says: "Many patients often visit me, who are perfectly fine otherwise but society targets them for their skin colour and they want to change it. This approach needs to be changed and we should feel proud of our skin colour."

In banter, Bachchan asks her if his skin is fine or it needs more care, to which she replies: "It is perfectly okay" and he says: "My make-up artists must be happy listening to this."

Hailing from Thrissur, Kerala, Anu will be seen taking the hotseat and answering the questions of the host. The latest promos shows her winning the amount of Rs 75 lakhs and moving forward for the question of Rs 1 crore.

She says: "There was so much happening at that moment when I won Rs 75 lakhs. I was happy but I was also shocked that I had crossed the threshold of 'Dhan Amrit' and was on my way to the Rs 1 crore question. I could not believe my luck, and it felt like I was in a very elaborate dream."

Varghese shares that with the amount she won, now she could repay her debt.

"We had a debt of Rs 40 lakhs and that would be repaid now. I want to roam around the world with my husband and my daughter and that dream seems to be in the palm of my hand as well. Meeting Mr Bachchan was a heavenly experience. I never thought that such a legend could be so humble and sweet," she adds.

'Kaun Banega Crorepati 14' airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

--IANS
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Lucknow, Aug 30 (IANS) The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in 2025, will be much larger in scale and grandeur compared to what it was in 2019.

Uttar Pradesh minister for industries and infrastructure development, Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi', said that preparations for a grander celebration of the what can be termed as the world largest religious congregation, have already begun.

Nandi, who belongs to Prayagraj, said: "The Chief Minister has directed that 2025 Maha Kumbh should be unforgettable and unprecedented."

He said that though it was a little early for him to divulge details, he said that the scale of the Maha Kumbh celebration will be at least 20 per cent higher while the convenience of the foot-pilgrims will be given much more importance.

"Feedback from the previous occasion has indicated that many pilgrims complained that they had to walk a lot to reach the Sangam last time. The needs of pilgrims will be addressed through better planning. In fact, the Chief Minister has said that the number of parking places at all entry points to the city must be increased to ensure the convenience of common pilgrims as they are the soul of the observances of Maha Kumbh," Nandi said.

Tourists and devotees coming to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025 would be able to enjoy streamer and mini-cruise rides for the first time.

For this, the Inland Waterways Authority of India has done the needed survey. The service will be operational from two points -- one from boat club to Sangam and second from Lavayan Kala (Naini side) on river Ganga to Sangam.

A two-floor jetty would also be constructed at boat club from where one can start the ride and rest at the floating restaurant.

At present, only VVIP's coming to Sangam avail steamer or motorboat service provided by the district administration.

The service would be launched from Magh Mela-2024 on a trial basis so that the administration can work on shortcomings, if any, and rectify the same the before Maha Kumbh-2025.

These services would be a major attraction for the pilgrims and tourists arriving here from all over the world to be a part of the grand religious fair.

Confirming the development, officer in-charge of Inland Waterways Authority of India, Prayagraj, Ashok Kumar said the central government has already made funds of around Rs 14 crore available to the state tourism department in this regard.

"Two jetties (structures that project from land out into water to allow boats/ships to dock along it) will be constructed for this. One would come up between the new and the old Yamuna Bridges near Prayagraj Boat Club while the other would come up at another at Arail or Lavayan Kala. Both the places would also be developed as picnic spots," he added.

Kumar said the state tourism department has entrusted the task of constructing the jetties to central public works department (CPWD) and tenders have already been invited.

The jetties would have changing and waiting rooms besides toilets and a designated parking spot. Each the two would be 35-ft long and 8-ft wide allowing people to embark and disembark from a boat/steamer, officials said.

The plan is to earmark separate routes for both the steamer and the cruise services on the Ganga and the Yamuna, the official added.

Also, the Prayagraj Mela Authority also plans to start chopper services during the religious affair allowing visitors to get a glimpse of the colourful mega fair from the top.

The authority is mulling over proposal wherein permanent helipads would be constructed at three places around the mela area, including one at boat club, one each at Arail side of Sangam and Jhunsi side of Ganga.

Preparations for the mega event have already begun with the infrastructure being the focus of all activity.

A senior district official said: "Roads, sewage system, electricity and water supply network is being expanded as well as spruced up for the Maha Kumbh. We have been asked to complete all the developmental work by the end of 2023 - a year ahead of the Maha Kumbh."

He said that regulation of pilgrim movement would be high on the priority list of the administration so that there are no traffic bottlenecks during the month-long event.

He said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was taking keen personal interest in the progress of developmental work and had already warned officials against any unexplained delay and laxity in completion of projects.

--IANS
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Patna, Aug 30 (IANS) A local court on Tuesday granted bail to BJP MLC Devesh Kumar in a liquor law violation case in Bihar.

Kumar was booked after he was found arguing with some in an inebriated state in Patli Path under Patliputra colony police station a month ago.

The BJP was in power in the state when the incident took place so the matter was brushed aside. But now, his detailed breath analyser report came positive on Monday when his party has assumed the role of the opposition in the state.

Since the MLC violated the ban for the first time, he was granted bail from the district court.

Kumar, on the other hand claimed that he went to the Patli Path to help one of his friends named Dr Sanjay Chaudhary who got involved in a verbal spat with some youths. He had nothing to do with that incident, he claimed.

Now, BJP's action is awaited in the matter.

--IANS
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Jaipur, Aug 30 (IANS) Even at a time when Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's name is doing the rounds for the Congress president's post, Rajasthan SC Commission Chairman and Congress MLA Khiladi Lal Bairwa has openly raised a demand to anoint Sachin Pilot as the CM stressing on the fact that it was high time that the younger group be given the chance to come up.

Bairwa, speaking to the media, said that if Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is made the national president, then it is a big honour for him. "He should become the national president. At the same time, Sachin Pilot should be made the Chief Minister in the state."

He said that the Chief Minister should now give a chance to the younger generation. "Now the time has come when the second line should be brought forward and given a chance," he added.

Bairwa did not stop here and said that when Sachin Pilot had gone to Manesar, he was brought back after a few promises were made to him. "The problems which were there at that time are also over. In such a situation, what is the problem if Sachin Pilot is made the Chief Minister in the state of Rajasthan now? There should not be any pressure on the high command about this decision."

He further added, "When the Chintan Shivir was held in Udaipur, our leader Sonia Gandhi had said in a stern voice that the party has given a lot to you. Now is the time to return to the party. But it doesn't seem like anything right now. Today BJP is making nepotism an issue. In such a situation, if Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have decided that they should elect the president outside the Gandhi family, then I do not think that pressure should be put on them again and again," he added.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Congress on Tuesday questioned the Centre's silence on the Chinese fraud loan apps which has claimed 52 young lives and siphoned off Rs 500 crore through Hawala.

Addressing a press conference party spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh said it has been two years since the news of Chinese loan apps duping lakhs of Indians through its conspiracy of the debt trap surfaced.

He said: "An investigation between January and February 2021 found more than 1,100 digital loan apps available across play stores. RBI has accepted that at least 600 such apps were operating illegally. As per RBI, there was a jump of 12 times in loans on digital platforms between 2017 and 2020. Till now, 52 individuals in our country have committed suicide due to blackmailing by these loan apps. "

Vallabh also accused the Modi government of lying to the nation and lacking the courage to even talk against the Chinese aggression, and failing in international diplomacy.

He alleged that such apps have mushroomed since Covid struck in 2020. The Modi government has weakened the Indian economy pushing millions into poverty, he said.

"This is one of the main reasons why the lower and middle-income groups are forced to resort to such debt propositions. The other reason is the gross misdirection of focus for central agencies".

He said the modus operandi of the loan apps is make the user install the app from the app store or direct message. At the time of installation, the app asks for access to the user's phone book, photo gallery, messages, etc., without which the app will not be installed. The user is asked to provide AADHAAR or PAN Card for KYC purposes.

After providing a loan, the user is granted seven days' time for repayment of double the principal amount. But the user starts receiving phone calls after five days. Even if the user pays the entire amount, without his requirement, some more money is transferred into his account or repayment is not updated, forcing the user to pay the penalty for late payment.

"If the user fails to pay up, his/her morphed image is shared with his friends and family. If this doesn't work, using call centres, they abuse users with a warning to share their nude photographs."

The Congress spokesperson said the incompetence of the central government and agencies has led to multiple cases of suicides due to such debt traps. Chinese loan app companies have siphoned off Rs 500 crore from India through the hawala route.

"There has been no strategy, no focus by the Modi government in evaluating priorities. Certain Chinese apps were banned in 2020 but the action on such apps has been lackluster."

--IANS
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Los Angeles, Aug 30 (IANS) Irish actor Colin Farrell's upcoming Apple series 'Sugar' has added five new names such as
James Cromwell, Anna Gunn, Dennis Boutsikaris, Alex Hernandez and Lindsay Pulsipher.

Cromwell and Gunn will recur, while Boutsikaris, Hernandez and Pulsipher will be series regulars. Along with Farrell, previously announced cast members include Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Amy Ryan, reports 'Variety'.

Exact plot and character details for the show remain under wraps, aside from the fact that it is described as a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles.

Mark Protosevich serves as writer and executive producer on 'Sugar'.

Farrell will executive produce in addition to starring. Fernando Meirelles will direct and executive produce. Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon of Genre Films also executive produce, as do Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich.

Apple Studios will produce.

'Sugar' is the second series that Kinberg and Genre Films have at Apple. The company also produces the streamer's show 'Invasion'.

That series, which is a sci-fi drama about an alien invasion of Earth, debuted on Apple in 2021 and was renewed for a second season in December. Kinberg co-created the series with David Weil.

--IANS
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Chennai, Aug 30 (IANS) Director VJ Gopinath, who is basking in the success of his recently released film, 'Jiivi 2', says that the next part of the thrilling franchise 'Jiivi 3' will definitely happen.

Talking to IANS, Gopinath said: "I can assure you that the the third part of the film will definitely happen. Even while penning the script for the second part, I had left several leads to develop the third part."

Going on to give details, he says, "For instance, immediately after the second part begins, the heroine's dad comes to the hero and tells him that he has a plot of land which he had purchased several years ago and that just his share today would be worth Rs 12 lakh. He will suggest to the hero to sell it off but before anything can happen, he passes away the next day. Nobody knows what happens to that land. This is just one lead."

The director says that whichever lead he chooses to develop into the third part, he will start work on making it into a film only when he is thoroughly convinced about all the aspects of the script he has evolved.

The first part of the movie 'Jiivi' released in the year 2019. It not only won the hearts of audiences but fetched incredible reviews from film critics as well.

The film's sequel 'Jiivi 2', which premiered on the OTT platform, Aha Tamil too got a great reception among fans and lovers of the 'Jiivi' franchise. The film also came in for praise from critics and film buffs, with some expressing the hope that there would be a third part in the franchise.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Aug 30 (IANS) Marking a breakthrough, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis flagged off the trial runs on the city's first fully subterranean Mumbai Metro 3 line, here on Tuesday.

The work on the 33.50 kms long Metro 3 corridor started in 2016 and the first phase is likely to be completed by end-2023.

Shinde, Fadnavis and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) officials waved the green flag for the trial run at Sariputnagar in Aarey Colony temporary car-shed inside a 3 kms tunnel till the Marol Naka Station.

Speaking on the occasion, Shinde said that nothing will stop the progress of Mumbai and Maharashtra after the new government took office on June 30, 2022.

Fadnavis said that the opposition to the Metro car-shed in Aarey Colony was more political than environment-related and indirectly flayed the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress government for delaying the much-needed project.

MMRCL officials informed that the test runs of the metro rakes over the next three-six months would comprise various parameters like speed, emergency brakes, oscillation in the tunnel - a first for Mumbai.

The Metro 3 line will connect Colaba in south Mumbai to SEEPZ in north-west, via Bandra with the first phase likely to be operational by Dec. 2023 and the next phase by June 2024, said the officials.

As per original plans, the line was slated for completion in December 2021, but was bogged down due to the car-shed row coming inside the Aarey Colony and the MVA government had shot down the proposal in November 2019, to shift the car-shed to a new site in Kanjurmarg.

After coming to power two months ago, the Shinde-Fadnavis government spiked the MVA's move and restored the car-shed location from Kanjurmarg back to Aarey Forest, attracting howls of protests from the Sena-NCP-Congress and environmentalists.

The delays have led to a cost escalation from the original estimates of Rs 23,000-crore to now around Rs 37,000-crore, and the complete project is now slated for completion only by mid-2025.

The current status of the project is nearly 99 per cent of the tunnel digging works are completed, 84 of the civil works, giving an overall project execution of around 70 per cent.

The 33.50 kms Metro 3 will have 27 stations en route, including 26 underground and one at ground-level, with a portion of the line running under the Mahim Creek and the Mithi River.

--IANS
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