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NCP leader Ajit Pawar takes oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra

Diplomat Times
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NCP leader Ajit Pawar takes oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra

NCP leader Ajit Pawar takes oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra

MUMBAI (PTI)- Marking a vertical split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), its senior leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government as deputy chief minister on Sunday.

The presence of NCP president Sharad Pawar and party’s working president Supriya Sule at the Opposition meeting in Patna had irked Ajit Pawar and his supporters, sources said. While Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the deputy chief minister by Governor Ramesh Bais at the ceremony held in the Raj Bhawan, eight other NCP leaders took oath as ministers.

Those who were sworn in as ministers are Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Aditi Tatkare, Dharmarao Atram, Anil Patil and Sanjay Bansode.

READ MORE : Rahul Gandhi calls out Centre’s attempts to privatise PSUs by restricting recruitment

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who was present in the Raj Bhawan, said Ajit Pawar has resigned as the leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lower House and he has accepted it.

The political development comes a year after a revolt led by Shinde against the Shiv Sena (then undivided) led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

On June 30, 2022, Shinde sworn in as the CM with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis as the deputy CM.

BJP’s Mumbai unit president and former state minister Ashish Shelar said, “CM Eknath Shinde gave support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save Hindutva. Today, NCP’s major faction led by Ajit Pawar is joining the Shinde and Fadnavis government in a democratic way and extending support to Modiji.” Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar met some party leaders and MLAs at his official residence ‘Devgiri’ in Mumbai.

Senior NCP leader Bhujbal and party’s working president Supriya Sule were among the leaders present at the meeting. However, Sule left the meeting early.

NCP president Sharad Pawar, who was in Pune, said he was unaware of the meeting.

After the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena snapped ties with long-term ally BJP.

Later, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as the chief minister and deputy CM respectively in a hush-hush ceremony at the Raj Bhawan, but their government lasted only 80 hours.

Thackeray subsequently tied-up with the NCP and Congress to form the MVA government.

In June last year, the revolt led by Shinde led to a split in the Shiv Sena and collapse of the MVA government, following which Shinde became the CM with BJP’s support.

Ajit Pawar tweet, With the will of the people of Maharashtra, the support of his colleagues in the Nationalist Congress Party, and the strength of faith, I took the oath of office and secrecy as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state today. I believe that my post will be used for the welfare of the people, for the development of Maharashtra.

Clearly BJP’s ‘washing machine’ has resumed operations: Congress’s dig over Ajit Pawar move in Maharashtra

With NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight other party leaders joining the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, the Congress on Sunday said that the BJP’s “washing machine” has resumed its operations as a number of these leaders had been facing serious corruption charges and have now got a “clean chit”.

 

Sharad Pawar congratulates nephew Ajit Pawar, says have seen such revolts earlier

NCP president Sharad Pawar congratulated his nephew, Ajit Pawar, after latter took oath as dy CM of Maharashtra. Speaking over Ajit’s bid to claim over party name and symbol, Pawar said it’s the people who will decide. Pawar asserted that he will expose why the MLAs rebelled.

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Highlights | ZIM vs SL, ODI World Cup Qualifiers 2023, Super Sixes Cricket Score: Sri Lanka Win By 9 Wickets

Roshan Bilung
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Highlights | ZIM vs SL, ODI World Cup Qualifiers 2023, Super Sixes Cricket Score: Sri Lanka Win By 9 Wickets

Highlights | ZIM vs SL, ODI World Cup Qualifiers 2023, Super Sixes Cricket Score: Sri Lanka Win By 9 Wickets

Sri Lankan dressing room was filled with joy and smiles as Nissanka received praise from Mendis, who played a crucial role in supporting him to reach his century. The run chase turned out to be a breeze for them, comfortably reaching the target with plenty of time to spare. However, it was Sri Lanka’s bowling that once again caught everyone’s attention. Throughout the tournament, their bowling unit had been outstanding, contributing significantly to their flawless winning streak.

Winning the toss today proved advantageous as Madushanka and Theekshana delivered exceptional performances at different stages of the game. Madushanka impressed with the new ball, while Theekshana shone in the later stages, leading to Zimbabwe being bowled out for a mere 165 runs. With such a modest target, Zimbabwe had little chance of defending it, and their hopes were dashed early on by Sri Lanka’s strong opening partnership.

READ MORE : Liverpool Meet Dominik Szoboszlai Release Clause As Transfer From RB Leipzig Edges Closer

As a result of this victory, Sri Lanka has secured their place in the World Cup, and now the attention turns to a likely showdown between Zimbabwe and Scotland for the remaining spot.

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Liverpool Meet Dominik Szoboszlai Release Clause As Transfer From RB Leipzig Edges Closer

Roshan Bilung
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Liverpool Meet Dominik Szoboszlai Release Clause As Transfer From RB Leipzig Edges Closer

Liverpool Meet Dominik Szoboszlai Release Clause As Transfer From RB Leipzig Edges Closer

UK (SKYSPORTS) – RB Leipzig have been informed by Liverpool that they will trigger Dominik Szoboszlai’s £60m release clause.

Once Szoboszlai made his desire to move to Anfield clear, it removed all other interested clubs, including Newcastle, from the equation.

That led to talks over a payment structure for the release clause with the breakthrough happening on Friday evening.

Personal terms were discussed with the midfielder’s representatives at the start of the week and were never considered to be an issue.

READ MORE : Ashes 2023 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights : Smith, Head and Warner give Australia opening-day honours

There is a clear appreciation for Szoboszlai’s talent and attitude as well as the Hungarian’s comfort in playing across the midfield. His impressive chance-creation metrics and ball-carrying ability also fit the profile Liverpool are after.

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European Council conclusions on China : EU agrees to de-risk from China

Shasi Kumar
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European Council conclusions on China : EU agrees to de-risk from China

European Council conclusions on China : EU agrees to de-risk from China

BRUSSELS (REUTERS)- On 29-30 June 2023, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, economy, security and defence, China, external relations, Eastern Mediterranean and other items.

The European Council continued its strategic discussion on the EU’s relations with China and reaffirmed the EU’s multifaceted policy approach towards China, where it is simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival. Despite their different political and economic systems, the European Union and China have a shared interest in pursuing constructive and stable relations, anchored in respect for the rules-based international order, balanced engagement and reciprocity.

READ MORE : European Central Bank hikes rates again to battle inflation after US Fed hits pause

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said finding the right stance was “the million euro question”, adding the de-risking strategy followed the EU’s painful lesson from reliance on Russian gas, which Moscow cut after its invasion of Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in March that a hardening of China’s position required Europe to “de-risk” both economically and diplomatically.

The European Union will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in addressing
the challenges it faces as a consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and
in reform efforts on its European path. The European Council acknowledges the
Republic of Moldova’s commitment and substantial efforts to meet the required
conditions in its EU accession process.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte highlighted EU reliance on China during the COVID pandemic for protective equipment such as masks and now for medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials. De-risking, he said, would be a “step-by-step” process.

It welcomes the recently presented support package and launch of the civilian EU Partnership Mission. It commends the Republic of Moldova for the successful organization of the second European Political Community Summit on 1 June 2023.

The European Union will continue to engage with China to tackle global challenges and encourages China to take more ambitious action on climate change and biodiversity, health and pandemic preparedness, food security, disaster reduction, debt relief, and humanitarian assistance.

The European Union and China continue to be important trade and economic partners. The European Union will seek to ensure a level playing field, so that the trade and economic relationship is balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial. In line with the Versailles agenda, the European Union will continue to reduce critical dependencies and vulnerabilities, including in its supply chains, and will de-risk and diversify where necessary and appropriate. The European Union does not intend to decouple or to turn inwards.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has a special responsibility in upholding the rules-based international order, the United Nations Charter and international law. Hence, the European Council calls on China to press Russia to stop its war of aggression, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

“We see China more and more as a systemic rival,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.

The East and South China Seas are of strategic importance for regional and global prosperity and security. The European Union is concerned about growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The European Council opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. It reconfirms the EU’s consistent ‘One China policy’.

The European Union remains firmly committed to the promotion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Council welcomes the resumption of the Human Rights Dialogue with China.

It reiterates its concerns regarding forced labor, the treatment of human rights defenders and persons belonging to minorities, the situation in Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as the honoring of China’s previous commitments related to Hong Kong.

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South African president cleared of wrongdoing in scandal over $580,000 in cash stolen from his farm

Mark Kenya
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South African president cleared of wrongdoing in scandal over $580,000 in cash stolen from his farm

South African president cleared of wrongdoing in scandal over $580,000 in cash stolen from his farm

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was cleared of wrongdoing Friday by a public watchdog over a scandal involving the theft of more than half a million dollars in U.S. currency that had been stashed in a sofa at his game farm.

Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, whose office holds politicans to account, said Ramaphosa did not violate the ethics code for members of South Africa’s executive over the incident, which happened in 2020 but was only revealed publicly last year.

The scandal was seen as the biggest callenge to Ramaphosa’s reputation and his leadership of Africa’s most developed economy. There is still an ongoing criminal investigation into the incident.

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Ramaphosa said $580,000 in cash was stolen. Gcaleka said it was not part of her investigation to confirm how much money was involved and didn’t give a figure.

Ramaphosa, 70, was accused of not reporting the theft properly to police in an attempt to cover up the existence of the large sum of cash hidden in furniture at his farm. He said he reported it to the head of his security detail, which is part of the South African Police Services.

In clearing him in her final report on the scandal, Gcaleka accepted that Ramaphosa had reported the crime to the head of his personal protection unit and the contention that he had acted improperly was “not supported.”

Gcaleka also said there was no evidence that Ramaphosa was guilty of a conflict of interest regarding any income from the business operations of his Phala Phala game farm in the northern Limpopo province.

“The allegation that the president improperly and in violation of the provisions of the executive code exposed him(self) to a risk of a conflict between his constitutional duties and obligations and his private interests arising from his alleged paid work at Phala Phala farm is not substantiated,” Gcaleka said at a news conference.

The investigation of Ramaphosa was prompted by a complaint made to the Public Protector’s office by the opposition African Transformation Movement Party.

The incident came to light last June when the former head of South Africa’s intelligence service, Arthur Fraser, opened a case with police accusing Ramaphosa of hiding as much as $4 million at his farm before it was stolen. Fraser accused the president of money laundering and breaching tax and foreign currency control laws, and attempting to cover up the theft of the cash in an attempt to hide its existence.

Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing and also disputed the amount of money Fraser claimed was stolen.

Fraser also made other startling claims that Ramaphosa ordered the head of his personal protection unit, Maj. Gen. Wally Rhoode, to undertake a clandestine investigation to recover the money, including the capture and torturing of some of the suspects and later bribing them to keep the incident secret.

Public Protector Gcaleka dispelled those allegations, or even that Ramaphosa knew of details of the investigation by Rhoode.

“No evidence could be found to prove that the president was aware of the investigation of the crime by Gen. Rhoode,” she said.

The scandal had seriously dented Ramaphosa’s image as a leader intent on cleaning up South Africa’s corruption-tainted government and his ruling African National Congress party.

The scandal led to opposition parties calling for Ramaphosa’s resignation but they failed in an attempt to start impeachment proceedings against him as his ANC party maintains a majority in the 400-member Parliament.

In December, a report by a parliamentary panel looking into the matter found that Ramaphosa may have broken anti-corruption laws. According to that report, Ramaphosa said the money stolen amounted to $580,000.

The report also questioned Ramaphosa’s explanation that the money was from the sale of buffaloes as it found the animals remained at the farm more than two years later.

However, the ANC rejected the findings of the report and used its majority in Parliament to block attempts to start impeachment proceedings, paving the way for Ramaphosa to be re-elected as the party’s leader. He is expected to seek a second and final five-year term in elections next year.

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French president urges parents to keep teens at home as government orders buses to stop at 9 p.m

Shasi Kumar
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French president urges parents to keep teens at home as government orders buses to stop at 9 p.m

French president urges parents to keep teens at home as government orders buses to stop at 9 p.m

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron urged parents Friday to keep teenagers at home and blamed social media for fueling rioting that has spread dramatically across France following the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old driver.

In the face of a growing crisis that hundreds of arrests and massive police deployments have failed to quell, Macron held off on declaring a state of emergency, an option that was used in similar circumstances in 2005. Instead, his government ratcheted up a law enforcement response that has resulted in 875 arrests.

The interior minister ordered a nationwide nighttime shutdown of all public buses and trams, which were among the targets of three consecutive nights of urban unrest. Macron also zeroed-in on social media platforms that have relayed dramatic images of cars and buildings being torched and other acts of violence.

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Social networks are playing a “considerable role” in the violence, the French leader said. Singling out Snapchat and TikTok by name, he said the platforms were being used to organize unrest and serving as conduits for copycat violence.

Macron said his government would work with technology companies to establish procedures for “the removal of the most sensitive content.” He did not specify the content he had in mind but said, “I expect a spirit of responsibility from these platforms.”

French authorities also plan to request, when “useful,” the identities “of those who use these social networks to call for disorder or exacerbate the violence,” the president said.

The police shooting of the 17-year-old, who only has been identified by his first name, Nahel, was captured on video. The boy’s death has shocked France and stirred up long-simmering tensions between police and young people in housing projects and disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Macron said a third of the individuals arrested Thursday night were “young people, sometimes very young,” and that “it’s the parents’ responsibility” to keep their children at home.

“We sometimes have the feeling that some of them are living out, in the streets, the video games that have intoxicated them,” he said of rioters.

Since a police officer shot and killed the teenager Tuesday in the northwestern Paris suburb of Nanterre. rioters have erected barricades, lit fires and shot fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades. Police said at least 200 officers have been injured.

Macron’s government has deployed 40,000 officers to restore order and make arrests over behavior he described as “unacceptable and unjustifiable.” He stopped short of announcing a state of emergency, a tactic used in 2005 to quell rioting after the accidental deaths of two boys while they fled police.

This week’s unrest comes just over a year before Paris and other French cities rattled by violence are due to host 10,500 Olympians and millions of visitors for the summer Olympic Games. The Paris 2024 organizing committee said it was closely monitoring the situation and that preparations for the Olympics continued.

Nanterre prosecutor Pascal Prache said officers tried to pull Nahel over because he looked so young and was driving a Mercedes with Polish license plates in a bus lane. He allegedly ran a red light to avoid being stopped and then got stuck in traffic.

The police officer accused of pulling the trigger was handed a preliminary charge of voluntary homicide after Prache said his initial investigation led him to conclude that the officer’s use of his weapon wasn’t legally justified. Preliminary charges mean investigating magistrates strongly suspect wrongdoing but need to investigate more before sending a case to trial.

The officer said he feared he and his colleague or someone else could be hit by the car as Nahel attempted to flee, according to the prosecutor.

France’s national police agency said nearly half of the 875 people who have been detained were from the Paris region. There were riots in dozens of towns and cities across France, and the unrest extended as far as Belgium’s capital, Brussels, where about a dozen people were detained and several fires were brought under control.

In several Paris neighborhoods, groups of people hurled firecrackers at security forces. The police station in the city’s 12th district was attacked, while some shops were looted along Rivoli street, near the Louvre museum, and at the Forum des Halles, the largest shopping mall in central Paris.

Armored police vehicles rammed through the charred remains of cars that had been flipped and set ablaze in Nanterre.

In the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, police sought to disperse violent groups in the city center, regional authorities said.

This week’s protests echoed the three weeks of rioting in 2005 that followed the deaths of 15-year-old Bouna Traoré and 17-year-old Zyed Benna, who were electrocuted while hiding from police in a power substation in Clichy-sous-Bois.

___
Corbet and Leicester reported from Paris. Associated Press journalists Jeffrey Schaeffer and Aurelien Morissard in Nanterre, Raf Casert in Brussels, Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon, Frank Jordans in Berlin and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report.

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Madonna postpones upcoming Celebration tour due to ‘serious bacterial infection

Mikey Peres
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Madonna postpones upcoming Celebration tour due to ‘serious bacterial infection

Madonna postpones upcoming Celebration tour due to ‘serious bacterial infection

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Madonna has postponed her career-spanning Celebration tour due to what her manager called a “serious bacterial infection” and her ongoing recovery.

Manager Guy Oseary wrote on Instagram Wednesday that the singer had spent several days in an intensive care unit after becoming ill on Saturday. He said the 64-year-old singer is expected to make a full recovery.

The tour was set to kick-off in Vancouver on July 15.

“Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care,” Oseary wrote.

READ MORE : SPY Twitter Review : Karthikeya actor Nikhil Siddhartha’s latest release

Live Nation confirmed the tour postponement, citing Oseary’s post.

The Celebration tour is scheduled to make stops in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta and Boston, among other cities and its first leg was slated to end on Oct. 7 in Las Vegas. Oseary said details about rescheduled dates would be shared soon.

It is likely that Madonna – who is intensely private about health matters – was in the final stages of a rehearsal regime in preparation for the tour.

In 2009, she was awarded a Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing music tour by a female artist after completing her Sticky & Sweet Tour.

American magazine Forbes lists her as the 45th richest self-made woman in the US with an estimated wealth of $580m (£460m) and says she has earned an estimated $1.2bn from tours.

 

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Ashes 2023 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights : Smith, Head and Warner give Australia opening-day honours

Shasi Kumar
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Ashes 2023 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights : Smith, Head and Warner give Australia opening-day honours

Ashes 2023 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights : Smith, Head and Warner give Australia opening-day honours

LONDON, ENGLAND – Root’s double-wicket burst towards close plus Tongue’s two wickets meant all was not grim for England.

Australia 339 for 5 (Smith 85*, Head 77, Warner 66, Root 2-19, Tongue 2-88) vs England

Steven Smith and Travis Head gave the opening-day honours to Australia at Lord’s, but the scorecard was not quite as bleak for England as appeared likely shortly before the close until Joe Root burgled a double-wicket over after what had been a largely uninspired performance from the home side.

It may only have been day six of the series, but as Smith and Head were combining to add 118 in a bit over 20 overs for the fourth wicket, it felt as though Australia were taking a significant step towards having a stranglehold in the Ashes. A close-of-play total of 339 for 5 may yet end up proving decisive but England were clinging on.

Head had played in what has become his trademark style as he flayed 77 from 73 balls, catching up with Smith who had a 43-run head start when he joined him at the crease. But having deposited Root down the ground he could not resist trying again and this time he was beaten convincingly, although Nathan Lyon will have noted the turn on offer.

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Two balls later Cameron Green played a very out-of-character hoick, miscuing Root to mid-off, and Australia’s good work was in danger of unravelling. However, Smith remained immovable and was closing in on Test century No. 32 on the ground where he was felled and concussed by Jofra Archer four years ago. As had been expected, there was not going to be two Tests in a row where he and Marnus Labuschagne did not contribute.

David Warner, riding a little bit of luck along the way, had helped lay the early foundation under slate-grey skies which looked tailor-made for bowling although the surface itself was much less green than the days leading into the game. When he departed shortly after lunch, during a terrific over from the recalled Josh Tongue, England threatened to hit back but first Smith and Labuschagne, then Smith and Head shut them out before Root’s late incisions.

On an overcast morning where light drizzle and a pitch invasion by Just Stop Oil protesters, which required orange powder to be removed from the square, caused a couple of delays Ben Stokes was happy to insert Australia but England failed to take advantage of conditions. As at Edgbaston, catching – this time from the slip cordon – was one of the key reasons.

Usman Khawaja, on 1, survived a low edge to first slip which just reached Root. Then a much more clear-cut chance escaped Ollie Pope at fourth from Warner off Stuart Broad when he had 20. Dismissal No. 16 went begging. Pope later spent much of the day off the field nursing a shoulder injury after diving to intercept a ball.

Although Australia did not initially race away with the scoring – they were 39 for 0 after 17 overs – they had weathered the early window, albeit with a little bit of good fortune going their way. Warner had not been afraid to try the unconventional, twice stepping outside off stump to effectively sweep Broad, the first of which brought smiles between the batter and bowler.

After the interval, Tongue got the better of Warner during an over where he produced an inside edge that narrowly missed the stumps then sliced him in half with a delivery that went for four byes before bowling one a touch fuller to obliterate the middle and leg stumps. Warner, though, has done enough to ensure he gets the rest of the Ashes, and probably the Sydney farewell he has mapped out.

Source : ESPN

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SPY Twitter Review : Karthikeya actor Nikhil Siddhartha’s latest release

Roshan Bilung
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SPY Twitter Review : Karthikeya actor Nikhil Siddhartha’s latest release

SPY Twitter Review : Karthikeya actor Nikhil Siddhartha’s latest release

DT ENTERTAINMENT (DC)- Karthikeya actor Nikhil Siddhartha’s latest release SPY has arrived in theatres. Expectations are riding high on the movie following the huge success of the lead actor’s previous flick, Karthikeya 2, directed by Chandoo Mondeti. The film broke all box office records and drew a lot of praise from the audience and critics alike. Karthikeya 2 also changed Nikhil’s stardom and made him a national sensation.

His latest movie, SPY is directed by Garry BH. The film stars Rana Daggubati, Aryan Rajesh and iswarya Menon in a pivotal roles. The benefit shows of Nikhil Siddhartha’s SPY movie were held in single screen theatres this morning. Here’s what the audience has to say about the movie.

READ MORE : Indiana Jones 5 : Harrison Ford returns with big ‘Temple of Doom’ energy

The first half was average but the second half was completely dull according to some. It is said that the action sequences are normal except for some scenes in the first half. Goosebumps was criticized for not having any scenes.

They say that the second half is too routine… The audience will guess what happens next. It is said that a spy movie narration should not be so flat. If the second half was engaging, the level of the film would have been different. Some people tweeted that ‘Spy’ is very good.. There are goosebumps scenes in the second half. Especially the hero Nikhil is being hailed as the main strength of the movie.

Source : Deccanchronicle | Samayam 

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Indiana Jones 5 : Harrison Ford returns with big ‘Temple of Doom’ energy

Roshan Bilung
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Indiana Jones 5 : Harrison Ford returns with big ‘Temple of Doom’ energy

Indiana JonesIndiana Jones 5 : Harrison Ford returns with big ‘Temple of Doom’ energy

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens exclusively in theaters June 30.

DT ENTERTAINMENT–  One of life’s simplest pleasures is watching Harrison Ford punch out Nazis.

It was true in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark, and it’s just as true now with the series’ fifth installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. 42 years later, the best bits of Ford as Indy are charmingly timeless — even with some controversial modern innovations. But how does the rest of this polarizing sequel stack up?

Out of the film’s world premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival, the buzz was mixed to bad. Rumbles of displeasure arose over the opening sequence, in which the 80-year-old actor is made to look decades younger using CGI. Some critics lamented that this rollicking franchise had gone off the rails without the guidance of Steven Spielberg, who’d helmed the first four films — including the controversial 2008 offering, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull.

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Still, I was hopeful as I walked into the press screening for Indy 5. Ford was back in the fedora, this time with brazenly witty Phoebe Waller-Bridge by his side as a sure-to-rile dame of adventure. Mads Mikkelsen, who’s made a career out of playing complicated anti-heroes and downright chilling baddies, is on board to antagonize.

Sure, Spielberg was out, but director James Mangold brought us the glory of Logan, an action movie whose gruff but lovable hero doesn’t feel so different from an archaeologist who leaps from libraries to sacrificial volcanoes in a single act. Also, I had it on good authority that Harrison Ford punches Nazis in this.

I’m pleased to report that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a wondrous return to form for this franchise, as well as a wildly entertaining film fit for the whole family. Plus, he totally punches Nazis.

What’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny about? 

The movie begins with a cold open set in the end days of World War II, where Indy (a digitally de-aged Ford) is racing through a train FULL OF NAZIS to recover priceless artifacts from the greedy, careless clutches of Hitler’s regime. During his high-octane escape, he not only makes a new enemy in a Nazi physicist (Mikkelsen, naturally), but he also comes across half of Archimedes’ dial, an ancient device believed to be able to predict future calamity.

Cut to decades later, and Indy is not racing much of anywhere anymore. He’s snoring in his underwear in a cluttered Manhattan apartment in the 1960s. His next great action will be grousing at the damned youths who are blasting music nearby, celebrating “Moon Day,” as American astronauts return to the Earth. This Indy is old and bitter, and he wants you off his lawn.

Though he married Marion (Karen Allen) at the end of Crystal Skull, she’s nowhere to be seen in the first act. Indy’s days as a professor seem to be coming to an inauspicious end. No more do students clamor for his attention or flutter their eyes with secret messages of love. They sleep. They stare blankly. Maybe it’s best he’s retiring? But before he can hang up his hat, his long-estranged goddaughter Helena (Waller-Bridge) saunters into his classroom, bringing with her a squad of enemies, including government agents and a familiar foe who’s become a friend to America through his aid to the space program. (Wink wink.)

Of course, now Indy must race to recover the rest of the dial before it falls into the wrong hands.

Dial of Destiny has big Temple of Doom energy. 

Yes, yes, some Indy fans loathe that third film, which swapped the headstrong Marion for the hysterical showgirl Willie (the hilarious Kate Capshaw) and gave Indy a wise-cracking child sidekick in Short Round (Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan). Personally, I liked the sharp contrast between Indy and the glamor girl, spiked with their grousing banter. I appreciated the pluck of the boy adventurer and was in awe of the shocking spectacle of every bit. And Dial of Destiny gives us a refreshed version of the dynamic, minus its most problematic elements — like the xenophobic cringe at other cultures and the titular hero’s arguably misogynistic energy toward his supposed love interest. Plus, parents may be pleased to learn there’s nothing here on par with the body horror of past installments.

Screenwriters Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, David Koepp, and James Mangold smartly adjust, considering changing attitudes toward gender dynamics. Helena is not a May-December romantic interest but almost a rival; she pushes back on Indy while searching for the mighty McGuffin toward her own end. She quips, he bristles. It’s enthralling.

Harrison Ford is as good as ever as Indiana Jones. 

Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM

For what it’s worth, the CGI version of younger Ford wasn’t jarring to me. Occasionally, a bit of lighting fell strangely across his face, but it was never that distracting. This franchise was built on special effects that pushed the boundaries, from melting skulls to hearts plucked from chests. A romanticization of practical over visual effects might account for the derision towards the opening scene, but behind the CGI wizardry, it’s still Harrison Ford. And he’s still punching Nazis!

It’s fun to see Ford back in action in this old-school mode. However, the ’60s-set sequences unlock an exhilarating new layer to the character. Indy is not invincible. He is older, slower, and harsher than before. Ford and Mangold show us a hero who fears the world has moved past him. And perhaps they’re asking us if we relate. While everyone else is looking to the future and to space, Indy is looking back to the past. But in Helena and Teddy, might he rediscover the present?

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