South Asia

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) Indian wrestlers Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal have been stranded at the Dubai airport since Tuesday, because of heavy rains, while enroute to Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, sources said.

Speaking to IANS, sources close to wrestlers said that the duo will take flight at 11pm on Thursday and their chances of participation in the tournament is 50-50.

"They have been there for the past two days. Hotels are all full so they are sleeping on the floor at the airport. Their chances of competing in the qualifiers is 50-50. Maybe they will reach Bishkek just before the start of the weigh-in, only if they manage to leave Dubai late tonight."

The Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek is scheduled to kick-start from April 19. There will be a total of 36 Paris 2024 quotas on offer in 18 weight divisions in Bishkek.

India has fielded seventeen wrestlers.

This qualifier will be the penultimate opportunity for Indian grapplers to secure a quota for the Summer Games. The World Qualification Tournament in Turkey, scheduled in May, will be the final wrestling qualifiers.

Indian squad:

Men’s Greco-Roman: Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Naveen (130kg)

Women’s freestyle: Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Mansi (62kg), Nisha (68kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg)

Men’s freestyle: Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet (65kg), Jaideep (74kg), Deepak Punia (86kg), Deepak (97kg), Sumit (125kg)

--IANS

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Moscow, April 18 (IANS) Russia's Kurgan and Tyumen regions have evacuated more than 15,000 people as of Thursday due to flooding threat as water levels are forecast to continue rising in the coming days.

In the Kurgan region, the water level of the Tobol river keeps rising, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Thursday, adding that in the regional centre, the level has reached around 970 cm, surpassing the danger mark, Xinhua news agency reported.

Nearly 14,000 people have been evacuated, with 2,090 residential buildings and 3,380 country houses flooded, data from the regional department of emergency situations showed on Thursday.

The water in the Tobol river near Kurgan will continue to rise in the next one to two days, the department said.

In the neighbouring Tyumen region, more than 1,500 people have been evacuated, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The water level of the Ishim river in the Kazan district of the Tyumen region has exceeded the historical maximum of 2017 by 56 cm, local government said, adding that the flood peak in Kazan is expected in the coming days.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations continues to strengthen and increase the height of the local dam, it said.

Previous forecasts showed the water levels in the Ishim river will be "significantly higher than previously expected".

In the Orenburg region, more than 16,500 people have been evacuated since the beginning of the flood, latest data from the Ministry showed. Water levels have been decreasing, and flood situations have stabilised in the region, according to the Ministry.

Russian regions have been facing some of the worst flooding in decades due to a continuous rise in daily average temperatures, snowmelt, and rivers thawing. Floods have been ravaging Russia's western Siberia, the Volga region and the Central Federal District.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Actress Athiya Shetty, who was last seen in the 2019 film 'Motichoor Chaknachoor', celebrated her husband and ace India cricketer K.L. Rahul’s birthday on Thursday.

Athiya, who is the daughter of Bollywood star Suniel Shetty, took to her Instagram and shared two pictures with Rahul, wishing him the best on his special day.

The first picture is from their holiday in which Athiya could be seen wearing a swimsuit with a floral pattern with her husband lying next to her.

The second is a monochromatic picture of the actress hugging Rahul.

Athiya wrote in the caption, “My whole heart for my whole life…happy birthday, my everything.”

Wishing his son-in-law on his birthday, Suniel Shetty shared a picture of himself chilling on the couch with his son Ahan Shetty and Rahul.

“They say it’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters… feeling blessed to have you in ours for it’s a connection I can’t explain, happy birthday Rahul … love you son," the actor wrote as caption.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 16 (IANS) Protests are being carried out in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu on Saturday over arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

At least 12 fishermen from Puducherry and three from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel along with their costly mechanised boats on Friday.

Antony John and R. Selvam, leaders of the Fishermen association of Tamil Nadu, told IANS that the fishers were protesting at Myladuthurai and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.

Another group of fishermen is protesting at Puducherry, the association's leaders said.

Of the three fishermen arrested from Tamil Nadu, two are from Nagapattinam and one from Myladuthurai.

The fishermen are blocking the road at Nagaattinam while a demonstration is being carried out at Myladuthurai against the arrests.

Fishermen are shouting slogans at Puducherry main road against the arrests and impounding of boats.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. K. Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeking his intervention for release of the fishermen.

In 2024 itself, Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 125 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on charges of crossing International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

Six costly mechanised boats were impounded by the Lankan Navy.

While some of the arrested fishermen were released, their mechanised boats are still in custody of Sri Lankan authorities.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM), S Jaishankar, will embark on a three-nation tour to Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia from March 23 - 27 to strengthen bilateral relations.

The visit to the Southeast Asian nations will provide an opportunity for engagement on regional issues of mutual concern, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release said on Saturday.

Focused on enhancing bilateral relations, the visit comes just after EAM Jaishankar's trip to Japan to take stock of bilateral ties and explore ways to transform the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries.

Dr Jaishankar last visited Singapore in October 2023 to deepen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, where he met President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

At the invitation of Dr Jaishankar, then Malaysian Foreign Minister, Zambry Abdul Kadir, paid an official visit to India in November 2023, to co-chair the sixth India-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi.

In June 2023, EAM Jaishankar and Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique A. Manalo, co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

The two leaders held wide-ranging and substantive discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to an MEA release.

Acknowledging that both countries have a shared interest in a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, the two nations underlined the need for peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international laws.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Shane Watson, the former Australian all-rounder, has opted out of contention for the role of Pakistan's head coach, despite being the preferred candidate of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), says a report.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Watson, who recently coached the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), was in advanced discussions regarding the position but has decided to prioritize his current coaching and commentary commitments, including his role with the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket and his commentary deal at the IPL.

While Watson had initially considered the offer from PCB, thoroughly enjoying his time in Pakistan during the PSL, he ultimately chose to honor his existing commitments, citing family obligations and the need to balance multiple roles. His decision leaves Pakistan without a head coach ahead of their upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup in June.

Despite reports suggesting a substantial financial offer from PCB, it is understood that the actual figure was lower than speculated and played no part in Watson's withdrawal. The rapid pace of developments regarding the coaching offer meant that accepting it would have required Watson to step down from his current roles abruptly, which was deemed impractical.

As head coach of Quetta Gladiators, Watson made significant changes to the team's structure and personnel, notably replacing long-time captain Sarfaraz Ahmed with Rilee Rossouw. Under his guidance, the Gladiators showed promising form in the PSL, reaching the playoffs for the first time in five seasons before being eliminated in the latter stages of the tournament.

--IANS

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Colombo, March 16 (IANS) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday announced the appointment of former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the men’s cricket team fast bowling coach.

SLC in its announcement stated, “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the national team’s ‘fast bowling coach.’ He will work with the national team until the completion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA during June 2024.”

Aaqib is currently serving as the director of cricket operations and head coach of the Lahore Qalandars of the Pakistan Premier League and his role with Sri Lanka Cricket will resume, with immediate effect.

“We warmly welcome Aaqib and believe that his immense international experience, both in playing and coaching will help our bowlers come into good shape ahead of the upcoming major international competitions, such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket.

Aaqib had a successful international career where he played 163 ODIs and 22 test matches for Pakistan, capturing a tally of 236 international wickets. A member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, Javed has worked for several national teams in different coaching capacities.

Among those stints are working as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national team, serving as the coach of the UAE national team, and also working with the Afghanistan national team in a development role.

During his tenure as coach, the UAE National Team has obtained ODI and T20I status, made the ICC Men’s 50 Over World Cup in 2015, and also featured in the qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014.

The former Pakistan pace bowler also coached the Pakistan U19 team to a World Cup win back in 2004 and served as the bowling coach when Pakistan won the 2009 T20 World Cup

in England.

--IANS

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United Nations, March 16 (IANS) Calling India "a proud champion of pluralism," India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj opposed the establishment of the post of "special envoy" on a special religion at the United Nations today.

This comes as the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution on “Measures to Combat Islamophobia” which, inter alia, calls for the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia.

Explaining India's position during the adoption of the resolution, Ambassador Kamboj said that while the issue of Islamophobia is undoubtedly significant, one must acknowledge that other religions are also facing discrimination.

"Crucial to acknowledge that phobias extend beyond Abrahamic religions...anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist, anti-Sikh elements...increasing attacks on Gurudwaras, monasteries, temples.." the Indian envoy to the UN said.

"The destruction of Bamiyan Buddha, violation of Gurudwara premises, massacre of Sikh pilgrims, attacks on temples, glorification of breaking idols in temple contribute to rise of contemporary form of religio-phobia against non-abrahamic religions."

Ambassador Kamboj added that it is crucial to recognise that Hinduism, with over 1.2 billion followers, Buddhism more than 535 million, and Sikhism, with over 30 million followers worldwide, are all subject to religion-based phobia.

"It is time we acknowledge the prevalence of religious phobia rather than just single out one," she added.

Further, the envoy said: "Allocating resources solely to combat Islamophobia, while neglecting similar challenges faced by other kinds might inadvertently perpetuate a sense of exclusion and inequality."

The resolution was reportedly facilitated by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The country's chief diplomat at the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, had said that Muslims around the world face discrimination, and "bold and decisive actions are needed to counter and combat Islamophobia."

--IANS

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