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Big B – Tiger – Riyaz – Reshma Attended Muhurat Of Bhikari

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Bhikari

Big B – Tiger – Riyaz – Reshma Attended Muhurat Of Bhikari

Ganesh Acharya who is going to produce & direct Bhikari with Sharad Shelar under the banner Mi Maratha Film Production had invited Big B to give his blessings. Swapnil Joshi, Rucha Inamdar, Sayaji Shinde, who were all dressed in Libas creations, and Manoj Joshi came for mahurat. Big B unveiled the design of the film and gave his blessings and all the best to the entire cast of the film. The film is remake of Tamil super hit film Pichaikkaran. Riyaz & Reshma Gangji of Libas stores designed the costumes for the cast for this film’s muhurat. Tiger Shroff, Ravi Kishan, Sukhwinder Singh, Yogesh Lakhani of Bright Outdoor, Pooja Sawant & Pooja Bose were also present at this great event.

Mukkam Post Aaicha Gaava Post Production Begins

The post production work of Green Salad Entertainment’s Mukkam Post Aaicha Gaava has begun with editing at Sound – N – Vision, Goregaon. Credits: Producer: Jayshri Rohan Mohite, Writer – Lyricist – Director: Ninad Narwankar, Music: Pankaj Mandalik (who has already recorded 3 songs for the film which are rendered by Anand Shinde, Abhijeet Sawant & Aadhar Shinde, Cameraman: Kaustubh Bhate & Executive Producer: Rohan Mohite. A non-stop 40 days shooting stint for the film was completed on actual locales of Dapoli, Ganeshpuri, Vajreshwari, Badlapur locales and in & around Maharashtra. Cast: Vishwa & Ankita Tare in the main leads along with Arun Nalawade, Prafulla Samant, Prema Kiran et al.

12 Films All Set To Be Released On 24th Feb 2017

Producer Sadanand Pappu Lad of L. G. Productions is all set to release as many as 12 films on 24th Feb, 2017 in Maharashtra. Rahul Haksar, the leading distributor -exhibitor of Marathi films and also the No. 1 for Marathi language will be in charge of the theatrical distribution. The films to be released on 24th Feb, 2017 are Kumbharwada Dongri, Sshhh…….Toh Aalay, Laadachi Chingi, Maazya Navranchi Girlfriend, Ek Cutting Chai By 2, Dhurpi, Swami, Zingat, Escut, Mohabbat Ki Jung, Dagabaaz Pandit (Bhojpuri) & Jab Jab Khoon Pukare (Bhojpuri). If all the 12 films are released simultaneously on the same day, it will be a world record & also a Guinness Book Of World Records as the only producer from India – Sadanand Pappu Lad who dared to release 12 films together of his own banner on the same day of 24th Feb, 2017.

Sshhh…….Toh Aalay 90% Complete

The shooting of producer Sadanand Pappu Lad & L. G. Productions’ presentation of Ankur Films’ Sshhh……Toh Aalay is now 90% complete on 12th Jan, 2017 at Sai Vandana Studios in an 8 day shooting stint. Earlier, the film was shot in Lavassa locales, near Lonavala for 5 days. The last 4 days shooting will be held for the songs picturisation in Madh Island area from 15th Jan, 2017 to 18th Jan, 2017 and the entire film will be complete. The post – production work of the film will begin for 24 hours daily from 19th Jan, 2017 for 15 days and will be completed in the 1st week of Feb, 2017. The film will be shown to the censors during the mid – week of Feb, 2017 and it is all set for release on 24th Feb, 2017 along with 11 more films of the same producer Sadanand Pappu Lad who is all set to make a Guinness Book Of World Records. Credits: Director: Balasaheb Gore, Cameraman: Jai Tari, Writer: Dinkar Pande, Sound: Anil Vasantrao Nikam & Co – Producer Ankita Aniket. Cast: Ankur Lad (son of Producer Sadanand Pappu Lad), Ashutosh Gore (son of director Balasaheb Gore), Priyanka Gosavi, Aarohi G. Dike, Priya Bansode, Prashant Belande, Archana Gurav, Datta Patil, Meena Shirsagar et al.

Adil Baloch’s Journey Premachi Will Start From 17th 2017

Producer Adil Baloch & A. R. B. Films’ Journey Premachi is all set to kick off from 17th Feb, 2017 in over 80 screens all over Maharashtra. Credits: Directed by Amol Bhave, camera by Raaj Khilnani, lyrics by Aabhay Parab, music by Nikhil Kamath, dances by Vicky Khan, editing by Zafar Sultaan & casting direction by Kareena Mankani. Cast: Abhishek Sethiya, Kashmira Kulkarni, Madhav Deochakke, Atul Abhyankar, Parag Bandekar, Pradeep Patwardhan, Neelu Pathak, Deepjyoti Naik, Sunny Charls et al.

Sshhh…….Toh Aalay Complete

The entire shooting of producer Sadanand Pappu Lad & L. G. Productions Presentation of Ankur Films’ Sshhh…….Toh Aalay is now complete after the picturisation of 3 songs on 25th Jan, 2017 in Madh Island and nearby places of Mumbai. Earlier the film was shot for 20 days in Lavassa locales, near Lonavala and at Sai Vandana Resort, Virar wherein the entire talkie portions were shot. The editing of the film has already begun and the entire post production work will be completed shortly. The film will be readied for release on 24th Feb, 2017. Credits: Directed by Balasaheb Gore, cameraman is Jai Tari, writer: Dinkar Patil, sound: Anil Vasantrao Nikam & co – producer: Ankita Aniket (daughter of Producer Sadanand Pappu Lad). Cast: Ankur Lad (son of producer Sadanand Pappu Lad), Ashutosh Gore (son of director Balasaheb Gore), Priyanka Gosavi, Aarohi G. Dike, Priya Bansode, Archana Gurav, Datta Patil, Meena Shirsagar & Prashant Belande.

Durga Patil To Star In Rajan

Durga Patil, a 19 year old has been selected to play Rani – a love interest of Chhota Rajan in an upcoming film. The news of Santosh Juvekar starring in & as Rajan is making audience eager about this film. The gangster was known for his adventurous life and many national & international sensational stories. The film will be directed by Bharat Sundanda and will go on the floors very soon. It is produced by Darshana Bhadange & co -producer is Deepti Shreepat. Durga was chosen among 230 girls for this role. Currently studying in 2nd year of graduation. She is a national player for Rugby and also Gold Medalist in Martial Arts. Durga will be coached for 6 months to understand the role and accordingly change her body language & articulation.

Teaser Poster Of Manjha Is Out

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti the teaser poster of Manjha has been released digitally. The film will hit the theatres on 21st Apr, 2017. Ashvini Bhave has heightened her fans’ curiosity after releasing the 1st teaser poster of her upcoming film Manjha. The further combination of Balak Palak fame Rohit Phalke & Dance India Dance fame Sumedh Mudgalkar has made it even more intriguing! And with Director Jatin Wagle at the helm, this one looks like a winner. An India Stories Production, Manjha is the 1st ever Marathi venture movie produced by Hindi film producers Trilok Malhotra & K R Harish.

Madhura To Judge Hindi Little Champs

Many a times we have observed that the amount of raw talent that is presented in kids’ version of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is more astonishing & lovable. We the Marathi audiences are still nostalgic about the very 1st Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs edition. Since then we have been ardent followers of both Marathi & Hindi Little Champs. Hence when a Marathi singer like Madhura Kumbhar goes on to become a judge in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs 2016 / 2017, we feel proud & represented on a national or even international platform. Madhura herself has been a contestant on both Marathi & Hindi editions of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Madhura revealed that since she has gone through the process of this huge platform, she can understand what the little kids must be going through. She understands that even though these kids are extremely talented & raw, they need the right direction & less strict judgement considering their experience. Madhura also shared her experience of auditions around the country. She mentioned how Sairat fever is ever present even out of Maharashtra in places like Baroda, Gujrat. Many kids also sang other Marathi super hit songs in their auditions.

5 Year Old Prachiti Shines

There is no shortage of talented dancers in Maharashtra. Colors Marathi’s brand new dance show 2 MAD – Maharashtracha Assal Dancer is all set to give a platform to such talents. Their moto is to find the “MADness” amongst these talented dancers. During the auditions of “2 MAD” many dancers of all ages presented their skills & talents in front of the judges. But due to the rules of age -limit kids were not selected for further rounds, but they still impressed one & all present over there. One such exceptionally talented child was a 5 year old girl named Prachiti. Her dancing skills, expressions & her cute talking won hearts of the judges that include the beautiful Amruta Khanwilkar, choreographer Umesh Jadhav & filmmaker Sanjay Jadhav gave a standing ovation to Prachiti. Due to the age – limit Prachiti couldn’t be selected for the competition but the judges declared that Prachiti will be performing in the final event of 2 MAD!

Karar Gears Up For Release

Karar – a film about increasing insensitivity in the society will be releasing very soon. The film stars Subodh Bhave in the lead role. The film has 2 leading ladies – Urmila Kanetkar & Kranti Redkar. The film is directed by Manoj Kotian & produced by Poonam & Neelam Sevia. The trailer & the music launch of this film was done recently. The starcast & the crew of the film was present for this event. Subodh Bhave said, “Karar is a family film and it shows the struggle of everyone’s family life & their issues. Kranti commented that Karar is a very close film to her. “I am doing the role of Radha who is very serious. I learnt so many things from Subodh during this film”. The story is written by Sanjay Jagtap & Hemant Edalabadkar has written the dialogues.
The music of this film is composed by Vijay Gavande & Paresh Shah. Guru Thakur & Mangesh Kangane have penned the lyrics. Avadhoot Gupte, Shreya Ghoshal, Bela Shende, Sonu Kakkar, Jasraj Joshi, Neha Rajpal & Vaishali Samant have given the playback for the songs.

Rohini Hattangadi Makes A Comeback On The Small Screen

Rohini Hattangadi is one of the few artiste who has worked extensively on all 3 mediums of films, theatre & television with equal success. From Marathi, Hindi to Hollywood she has done it all. For many years she had a strong bond with Colors Marathi as she starred in the superhit serial Chaar Divas Sasuche. A serial that made her a household name all over Maharashtra.
Now after 3 years she is returning to Colors Marathi with the upcoming serial Sakhya Re. The serial also stars our favorite actor
Suyash Tilak & talented debutant Dnyanada Ramtirthkar. In Sakhya Re Rohini Hattangadi essays the dashing character of Masaheb, who is an elderly, respected & powerful woman from a royal family. The audiences were waiting for Rohini Hattangadi’s comeback from a long time now. And now she is back with an exciting role in a refreshing new serial Sakhya Re.

Shreya Ghoshal’s Melodious Voice For Deva

Deva is an upcoming Marathi film that has already been highly awaited! And the reason is Ankush Chaudhari, whose unique look & hairstyle went viral on social media recently, which has created lots of buzz for Deva. Now another exciting news is out, Bollywood’s melodious queen Shreya Ghoshal is singing a song for Deva! The song is composed by Amit Raj & was recently recorded in Shreya’s voice. Every music director dreams of working with his / her favorite singers. Amit Raj is no exception here. So, because of Deva Amit Raj’s dream to work with his favorite singer Shreya Ghoshal has been fulfilled. The lyrics of this song are written by star writer Kshitij Patwardhan! Deva is jointly produced by Innovative Films & Pramod Films & will be a major attraction in Marathi cinema in 2017. The film has been shot in the beautiful backdrop of Konkan. South’s famous director Murali Nalappa has directed Deva

2017 Begins On A Romantic Note

Ti Saddhya Kay Karte? is a question a person ends up asking one of his old friends who knew her / him! Yes that’s how personal this film promises to be. At some point all of us have fallen in love during our childhood days. And after a point we grew up, but we could never forget that special person. We are always intrigued about that person & their whereabouts now! Zee Studios alongside Asankhya Productions brings to us the 1st big Marathi release of 2017! Ti Saddhya Kay Karte directed by Satish Rajwade & written by Manswini Lata Ravindra starring a brigade of exciting actors from Ankush Chaudhari & Tejashri Pradhan to debutantes Abhinay Berde & singer turned actress Arya Ambekar! The film also stars Sukanya Mone, Sanjay Mone, Tushar Dalvi & child artistes Hruditya Rajwade & Nirmohi Agnihotri! It’s a love story that is designed in 3 stages! The 1st is the childhood phase, the 2nd teenage & the 3rd belonging to grown – ups. So we will experience 3 stages of life of these 2 main characters; Anurag & Tanvi! Anurag is played by Hruditya (child), Abhinay (teenage) & Ankush (adult) whereas Nirmohi (child), Arya (teenage) & Tejashri (adult) together will portray Tanvi! This whole idea of a 3 stage love story is so refreshing & unique.

Ulka Gupta’ Enters Marathi Cinema Industry

Ulka Gupta garnered much love & appreciation for her performance of little Laxmibai in the Hindi Serial Jhansi Ki Rani. Now Ulka is all set to make her debut in Marathi films with Sonali Entertainment House’ produced, G. S. Films Academy Production’ presents Odh…….The Attraction.
This film spotlights our society’s hypocrisy & inability to understand the relationship of friendship between a girl & a boy. Odh…….
The Attraction is one such tale of pure friendship. Ulka will share the screen with veterans like Mohan Joshi, Bhau Kadam, Bharat Ganeshpure, Shashikant Ketkar & Jayvant Bhalekar. The shooting of this film has already kicked off at places like Latur, Tuljapur & Takviki. Ulka has previously starred in Hindi, Tamil & Telegu films. Ulka is now working on her Marathi which can benefit her performance. The story & the screenplay of Odh…….The Attraction is written by director Dinesh Thakur whereas the dialogues are penned by Ganesh Kadam. The songs for Odh…….The Attraction are written by Abhay Inamdar, Sanjali Rode, Kuku Prabhas & Kaustubh. The compositions to these songs are credited to Pravin Kunvar whereas they are sung by popular singers like Swapnil Bandodkar, Dr. Neha Rajpal, Rohit Raut, Anandii Joshi & Javed Ali. The cinematography of this film is done by famous cinematographer V. N. Reddy’s son, Ravikant Reddy.

Kumar Sanu’s “Halke Halke Bolne”

Marathi cinema is currently undergoing many positive changes. It has increased its reach like never before. Many new producers are getting drawn to Marathi stories. One such production house is Bramhandnayak Movies which previously brought us Dhol Tashe! Now they are all set to entertain us with another exciting film titled Halke Halke & they have collaborated with A. R. Films’ on this project. Very recently a melodious romantic song from this film was recorded in the voice of popular Bollywood singer, Kumar Sanu. “Halke Halke Bolne” is a song that will definitely rule our hearts just like all classic songs of Kumar Sanu. Alongside Kumar Sanu producer turned singer A. Anuradha has also sung this song. Raj Anjute who was the producer of Dhol Tashe has now turned director with Halke Halke.

India requests UK High Commission for Vijay Mallya’s extradition

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Vijay Mallya

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday informed that India has on Wednesday handed over the request for extradition of embattled business tycoon Vijay Mallya received from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to the United Kingdom High Commission.

“We have today handed over the request for extradition of Vijay Mallya as received from the CBI to the UK High Commission in New Delhi,” MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.

Mallya left for the UK last year after facing heat for defaulting on loans worth Rs 9,000 crore.

Under the laws of extradition, a host country is expected to ship back a man wanted for a crime in his own country.

The Centre has signalled its intention to frame a law that stops loan defaulters from fleeing the country and another to seize the assets they leave behind.

Mallya — who has called his stay in the UK since last April a “forced exile” — has denied the charges against him.

The CBI last month filed charges against Mallya, his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and nine other executives and bankers, alleging he dishonestly induced the delivery of property and illegally obtained pecuniary advantage — charges that can carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison.

In April last year, the Indian government cancelled Mallya’s passport but despite a warrant for his arrest the UK turned down a request to deport him on the grounds that he had entered Britain with a valid passport.

(Agencies)

Congress govts developed India; Modi not accepting his blunders: Shiv Sena

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Shiv Sena-Modi

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena today hailed the development works done by successive Congress governments at the Centre and again targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is not ready to admit the “chaos” created by the note ban exercise.

 

About Modi’s “raincoat” remark against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it said being in power with the corrupt is also corruption. But for the work done by the Congress governments, Modi would be governing a backward nation in Africa, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said.

“Modi is not ready to accept the chaos demonetisation has caused. His personal advertisement machinery tries to hide every wrong policy of his government and leaves no stone unturned to attack the Congress. Modi should come out of this negative perception now,” it said.

“Even if one believes the Congress governed while indulging in corruption, it transformed the nation, which could not even produce a needle during Independence, to one that is at the forefront of economic and industrial development. The previous rulers have made India what it is today,” it said.

Referring to Modi’s “raincoat” remark, it said being in power with the corrupt is also corruption. Therefore, even if one wears a raincoat and bathes, the body is bound to get wet.

“Today, if you do not believe with closed eyes that the previous government only indulged in corruption, you will be termed as an anti-national and killed,” the ruling alliance partner said sarcastically.

Referring to Indira Gandhi, the Sena said the former Prime Minister taught Pakistan a lesson in the 1971 war, never displayed a hypocritical stand on anti-nationals, did not trouble the poor by demonetising currency notes and was thus nicknamed ‘Durga’ by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Her strong will was the nation’s shield. She nationalised banks, made better the nation’s economy, gunned down Khalistani terrorists and gave the message that India will not bend before terrorists. She sacrificed her life for the nation,” it said.

Eulogising Rajiv Gandhi, the Sena said, “He had the will to govern by clean means. He may have got the taint of Bofors, but he has to be credited with bringing computers to India. The development of technology today is only because he laid a strong foundation.”

“Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh were successful in saving the nation from economic imbalance. Had all this not happened in the last 60 years, Modi would today be governing a nation like Somalia or Burundi,” it said.

(Agencies)

Sasikala sacks AIADMK Presidium Chairman Madusudanan

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sasikala

Chennai: Sending a strong message to her detractors, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala today sacked party Presidium Chairman E Madusudanan from the primary membership, a day after he switched over to the rebel camp led by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

Madusudanan had been removed from all posts besides the primary membership for going against the party principles and bringing disrepute to it, she said in a statement here.

She also announced the appointment of former minister K A Sengottaiyan as the new AIADMK Presidium Chairman. Sengottaiyan was relieved as the party’s Organisation Secretary, a post to which he was appointed last week.

Sasikala urged the party workers not to have any truck with Madusudanan and said they should extend their cooperation to Sengottaiyan. Giving a major boost to the rival camp, Madusudanan yesterday extended his support to Panneerselvam, saying “he wanted to “safeguard” the party.

“To protect AIADMK, everybody should join hands with OPS (Panneerselvam),” he had said.

Sasikala had removed Panneerselvam from the Treasurer post immediately after his revolt, but he has maintained that being a temporary General Secretary, she does not have the powers to appoint or remove party functionaries.

Sasikala had appointed another senior leader Dindigul C Srinivasan as the Treasurer.

Insisting that he continued to be the Treasurer, Panneerselvam had on Feb 8 written to two banks here asking them not to allow anyone else to operate the party’s accounts.

(Agencies)

Police arrest 2 Kerala youths for fake bomb threat at Bengaluru Airport

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bengaluru airport

Bengaluru: The police arrest two youth from Kerala in connection with fake bomb threat in Kochi bound domestic Air Asia flight. According to the sources, the Alappuzha district based youths Arjun and Neha Gopinathan called Bengaluru international airport manager threatening a bomb has been planted in Kochi bound flight which was scheduled to depart from Bengaluru international airport to Kochi on late evening hours of Wednesday.

Based on the call received, the security officials checked each and every inch of the flight and didn’t find any suspicious material in it. After a detailed search, the flight was departed to Kochi in the early hours on Thursday.

The call was found fake as the security personnel didn’t find anything in the flight. After an inquiry, the police found that the call was from a public telephone booth located at Alappuzha in Kerala state. Later, the police arrested the accused for further inquiry on Thursday in connection with fake bomb threat.

(Agencies)

Malaysian ship with aid for Rohingya docks in Myanmar

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Vessel carrying 2,300 tonnes of aid for persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority met by Buddhist protesters.

Rohingya refugee women sit inside their home at a refugee camp in Bangladesh [Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters]

Rohingya refugee women sit inside their home at a refugee camp in Bangladesh [Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

A Malaysian ship carrying 2,300 tonnes of aid for tens of thousands of persecuted Rohingya Muslims arrived in Yangon where it was met by Buddhist protesters.

Health workers and activists crowded onto the deck of the Nautical Aliya as it docked at Thilawa port near Myanmar’s commercial capital on Thursday carrying food, medical aid, and clothing.

Myanmar’s social welfare minister was among a delegation meeting the ship, which has been at the centre of a rare diplomatic spat with fellow ASEAN member Malaysia.

Outside the docking area, dozens of Buddhist monks and demonstrators waited waving national flags and signs reading: “No Rohingya”.

“We want to let them know that we have no Rohingya here,” a Buddhist monk named Thuseitta, from the Yangon chapter of the Patriotic Myanmar Monks Union, told AFP news agency.

Myanmar denies citizenship to the million-strong Rohingya, despite many of them living on its soil for generations.

Buddhist nationalist groups are especially strong in their vitriol, rejecting Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Hundreds of Rohingya have reportedly been killed in a brutal campaign launched by security forces in October, which the United Nations says may amount to ethnic cleansing.

The violence started after a series of attacks by armed men on border posts killed nine policemen.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, bringing harrowing tales of murder and sexual assault.

“We’ve document atrocities, serious crimes that have been committed by Myanmar’s security forces,” Matthew Smith, executive director of the group Fortify Rights, told Al Jazeera.

“We’re documenting killings, we’re documenting mass rape … throats being slit, bodies being thrown into fires, villages burned to the ground.”

Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya has sparked criticism from Muslim-majority Malaysia in a rare spat between the Southeast Asian neighbours.

Myanmar initially refused to allow the aid ship into its waters and has barred it from sailing to Rakhine’s state capital, Sittwe.

Al Jazeera’s Yaara Bou Melhem, reporting from Yangon, said the aid will be unloaded and distributed by the government from there.

“What we know is that a plane from here in Yangon will take the aid to Sittwe, which is nearest to the conflict zone … to distribute the aid among both Rohingya and Buddists,” she said.

“There’s no clear indication the aid will reach the Rohingya, because the area has been in lockdown since the renewed fighting began in October.”

The delivery comes days after a blistering report from the UN accused Myanmar’s security forces of carrying out a campaign of rape, torture, and mass killings against the Rohingya.

Based on interviews with hundreds of escapees in Bangladesh, investigators said the military’s “calculated policy of terror” likely amounted to ethnic cleansing.

For months, Myanmar has dismissed similar testimonies gathered by foreign media and rights groups as “fake news” and curtailed access to the region.

Airstrike on Gaza Strip tunnel kills two Palestinians

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Two dead and five wounded near Gaza-Egypt border after missile slams into a tunnel defying Israeli blockade.

The father of one of two Palestinians killed in a tunnel bombing mourns at a hospital [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]

The father of one of two Palestinians killed in a tunnel bombing mourns at a hospital [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Two Palestinian civilians were killed and five others were wounded in an airstrike that hit a tunnel in Gaza near the Egyptian border.

It was unclear who launched the attack on Thursday. A Palestinian official blamed Israel, however, a military spokeswoman denied any knowledge of the strike.

Ashraf al-Qedra, Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson, said in a statement the two men were “martyred and five other people were wounded as a result of being targeted by an Israeli warplane along the Palestinian-Egyptian borders”.

According to al-Qedra, the two men killed were identified as Hossam al-Sufi, 24, and Mohammed al-Aqra, 38.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was unaware of the attack, which happened pre-dawn between the Gaza Strip and Rafah on the Egyptian side of the border.

The incident took place after at least three rockets were fired from the Sinai peninsula into Israel’s southernmost resort city of Eilat late on Wednesday.

The Israeli army said in a statement its missile defence system, known as the “Iron Dome”, intercepted the rockets, preventing any casualties or damage.

Israeli media reported a group affiliated with the Islamic State of the Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack on Eilat.

Gaza has been under a decade-long siege imposed by Israel following Hamas’ election victory and subsequent takeover of the enclave in 2007.

Since 2013, Egypt has largely shut off its border with Gaza, blocking nearly 2,000 tunnels connecting Gaza with Rafah, stemming the flow of much-needed goods and resources.

Egypt recently eased some border restrictions with Gaza.

Kashmir observes Afzal Guru’s death anniversary

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Afzal Guru

Srinagar: Heavy deployment of security forces was made here on Thursday as Kashmir observed the fourth death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, a police official said.

Markets, public transport, coaching centres remained shut and very little private transport was seen across the valley.

Separatists have called for a valley-wide shutdown to protest against Afzal’s hanging and press for the return of his remains to the family.

Afzal belonged to north Kashmir’s Du Aabgah village situated on the outskirts of Sopore town.

He was hanged in Tihar Jail on this day in 2013 for the 2001 terror attack on Parliament in which 14 people including five attackers were killed.

Sopore town was sealed by the security forces.

(PTI)

Kohli, Vijay tons take India to 356/3 vs Bangladesh

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Virat Kohli

Hyderabad: Skipper Virat Kohli and opener Murali Vijay pulverised a hapless Bangladesh attack into submission with majestic hundreds as India reached a commanding 356 for three at the end of the first day of the one-off Test here.

The Indian captain (111 batting) scored his 15th Test hundred in just over a session after Vijay (108) batted solidly in the company of Cheteshwar Pujara (83) to provide an ideal platform.

En route his ninth Test century, Vijay played 160 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and a lovely six down the ground off Shakib Al Hasan. The only glitch in his otherwise blemish-free innings was a near run-out possibility when he was on 35.

To sum up India’s batting, Pujara was the epitome of patience, Vijay’s shots had contempt and skipper Kohli capped it with a display of utter disdain in what turned out to be a total domination by the Indian team.

Each innings was special in its own way and the home team would like to bat the minnows out of the game with a gigantic first-innings total. The slowness of the pitch will make it difficult for the team batting second.

As far as Indian batting is concerned, if Vijay hit sublime pull shots, Kohli looked regal playing the drives on the up.

A firm push by the Indian captain off Taskin Ahmed was a treat to watch. The pull, in front of square off a bouncer from Kamrul Islam Rabbi, was more of a slap shot. It showed why his quality of batsmanship is a notch above Vijay, who, in fact, was fantastic in his own right.

Such was Kohli’s nonchalance that he merely celebrated after completing his hundred with a powerful whip off Mehedi Hasan Miraz through midwicket.

Poor Rabbi repeatedly bowled short and was hit for as many as 13 fours in the 91 runs that he conceded in 17 overs.

The platform was set when in-form Pujara and Vijay added 178 runs for the second wicket. The Vijay-Kohli partnership for the third wicket produced 54 runs and the unbroken fourth- wicket stand with a fit-again Ajinkya Rahane (45) saw the hosts add 122 runs in 26.2.

Once Vijay was bowled round the legs trying to play the sweep shot off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (1/50), Kohli took it upon himself to literally ‘manhandle’ the Bangladesh bowlers.

The intensity and the urgency to score quickly was evident as India upped the ante in the second session that yielded 120 runs in 31 overs. The final passage of play was even better as India amassed 150 runs in 32 overs.

Pujara, who was playing second fiddle to Vijay, will rue his luck as it was a soft dismissal with an outside edge being snapped up by skipper Mushfiqur Rahim with rookie off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz being the gainer. Pujara hit nine boundaries in his patient 177-ball knock.

By aggregating 1605 runs in this first-class season, which includes Tests as well as other four-day matches, Pujara also broke a 52-year-old record held by Chandu Borde.

This was the seventh time that the Vijay-Pujara duo was involved in a century stand and is now joint second along with Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid. The highest number of century partnerships is eight. It is jointly shared by Mohinder Amarnath-Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid-Virender Sehwag duos.

For Vijay, his love affair with Bangladesh bowling continued as he had scored 150 in Fatullah during the previous meeting between the two teams. That he loves the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal was evident as it was his second successive ton at the venue, having scored his career-best 167 at this very ground in 2013.

An easy pitch with a bowling attack lacking experience came to the fore as Bangladesh bowlers fizzled out post the first hour. Save Taskin Ahmed (1/58 in 16 overs), who showed a lot of heart on a slow track, the other bowlers, including the experienced Shakib, lacked incisiveness and discipline to trouble a batting line-up that is potent at home.

In the post lunch session, it was Vijay who launched an offensive by taking on the opposition’s best bet Shakib (0/45 in 13 overs).

Having hit Rabbi for three pulled boundaries in the first session, the veteran Tamil Nadu opener again unleashed a pull shot with Rabbi using the short ball to no effect.

He reached the 70’s with a back cut and a down-the-ground six off Shakib. As he reached the 90’s, he became a bit cautious not trying to complete the milestone before tea. He duly completed his hundred with a square cut off Rabbi that fetched him two runs.

Earlier, opting to bat, India survived opener Lokesh Rahul’s (2) first over dismissal but Vijay and Pujara ensured there were no demons in it.

At the onset, Rahul, whose scores hover between single and three digits in longer format, was bowled when he dragged a fuller delivery from Taskin while attempting a cover drive.

His new ball partner Rabbi worked up decent pace with his slinging action. Vijay and Pujara were initially cautious as only seven runs came off the first five overs.

The first boundary came in the sixth over bowled by Rabbi when Pujara opened the face of his bat to glide it past the point region.

The seasoned players, who have been involved in some great partnerships over the years, decided to see off the new ball with the first 10 overs yielding only 26 runs.

Once Soumya Sarakar was introduced as the first-change bowler in the 11th over, Indian batsmen opened with Pujara whipping him for a boundary.

A cautious Vijay then showed his range of strokes using Rabbi’s pace and extra bounce to good effect. He pulled the pacer thrice for boundaries.

The first two were pull shots behind square and the third was past square leg a typical ‘Nataraja Shot’ that would remind one of Kapil Dev. He hit an eye catching cover drive off Taskin.

Vijay looked in good touch and Pujara’s defence seemed impregnable as Bangladesh bowlers were outbatted in the second hour.

(PTI)

Modi should apologise for using bathroom analogy to insult Manmohan Singh: Congress

by

Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Congress today stuck to its demand for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha, describing his jibe as “unheard of in Indian parliamentary democracy”.

“We are very very disappointed by what the PM said yesterday. I do not think in the history of Indian parliamentary democracy, we have ever heard the PM insulting his predecessor in such a manner using bathroom analogy. This is simply not heard of (before),” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said outside Parliament.

Seeking withdrawal of the statement, he said, “In politics, there can be differences but you will never find this kind of statement in our parliamentary debate. PM should withdraw such remarks. There are political differences in our country. In election campaign, people say rude things to each other. But in the House, certain decorum must be maintained. We feel strongly that it should not have happened.”

“We have asked for an apology because he has not withdrawn it so far. If he withdraws it, then the matter will end. But if he does not withdraw, then apology is the only way in which he can make up for the hurt he has caused unnecessarily,” the former Union minister said.

Replying to a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, Modi had attacked Congress and taken on Singh who had described demonetisation as “organised loot” and “legalised plunder”, saying “the art of bathing in a bathroom with a raincoat on” is known only to the former Prime Minister as there is “no blot on him” despite “all the scams”.

This provoked an angry reaction from Congress members who staged a walkout in the midst of the reply by the Prime Minister.

(Agencies)

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