N. Korea fires more missiles as US flies bombers over South :
North Korea hates such displays of American military might at close range.
Diplomat Times (SEOUL) -North Korea added to its recent barrage of weapons demonstrations by launching four ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, as the United States sent two supersonic bombers streaking over South Korea in a dueling display of military might that underscored rising tensions in the region.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the four short-range missiles fired from a North Korean western coastal area around noon flew about 130 kilometers (80 miles) toward the country’s western sea.
The North has test-fired more than 30 missiles this week, including an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday that triggered evacuation alerts in northern Japan, and flew large numbers of warplanes inside its territory in an angry reaction to a massive combined aerial exercise between the United States and South Korea.
The South Korean military said two B-1B bombers trained with four U.S. F-16 fighter jets and four South Korean F-35 jets during the last day of the “Vigilant Storm” joint air force drills that wraps up Saturday. It marked the first time since December 2017 that the bombers were deployed to the Korean Peninsula. The exercise involved around 240 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets from both countries.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry late Friday described the country’s military actions this week as an appropriate response to the exercise, which it called a display of U.S. “military confrontation hysteria.” It said North Korea will respond with the “toughest counteraction” to any attempts by “hostile forces” to infringe on its sovereignty or security interests.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the participation of the B-1Bs in the joint drills demonstrated the allies’ readiness to “sternly respond” to North Korean provocations and the U.S. commitment to defend its ally with the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear.
B-1B flyovers had been a familiar show of force during past periods of tensions with North Korea, including the North’s provocative run in nuclear and long-range missile tests in 2017. But the flyovers had been halted in recent years as the United States and South Korea stopped their large-scale exercises to support the former Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts with North Korea and because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The allies resumed their large-scale training this year after North Korea dialed up its weapons testing to a record pace, exploiting a divide in the U.N. Security Council over Russia’s war on Ukraine as a window to accelerate arms development.
North Korea hates such displays of American military might at close range. The North has continued to describe the B-1B as a “nuclear strategic bomber” although the plane was switched to conventional weaponry in the mid-1990s.
Thursday’s launches came after the North fired more than 20 missiles on Wednesday, the most in a single day. Those launches came after North Korean senior military official Pak Jong Chon issued a veiled threat of a nuclear conflict with the United States and South Korea over their joint drills, which the North says are rehearsals for a potential invasion.
South Korea also on Friday scrambled about 80 military aircraft after tracking about 180 flights by North Korean warplanes inside North Korean territory. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean warplanes were detected in various areas inland and along the country’s eastern and western coasts, but did not come particularly close to the Koreas’ border. The South Korean military spotted about 180 flight trails from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., but it wasn’t immediately clear how many North Korean planes were involved and whether some may have flown more than once.
Source : ABC NEWS, AFP, Kim Tong-Hyung, South Korean Defense Ministry | By Diplomat Times World
The Best Honeymoon Destinations around the world of 2022-2023
Diplomat Times (DT World) – Once the wedding is over, many couples look forward to celebrating their newlywed status on their honeymoon. It is the first trip after the big ‘I do’ and one of the only ones that you hope never to repeat. And there are few better ways to celebrate than to enjoy some luxurious, tropical tranquility. Lucky for you, our team of Travel Experts have been planning honeymoons for years – their own included – so have the inside track on the world’s most romantic, tropical spots and how to get there. From intimate island dinners and overwater villas to wild stargazing and twilight safari walks, our team are here to ensure you celebrate nuptial bliss in absolute style.
1. Bora Bora, (Tahiti) French Polynesia
2. Bali, Indonesia
3. Santorini, Greece
4. Tulum, Mexico
5. La Digue, Seychelles
6. Meeru Island, Maldives
8. Amalfi Coast, Italy
9. Kauai, Hawaii
10. Antananarivo,Madagascar
#Bora Bora (Tahiti) French Polynesia
Photo Credit : Trip Advisor
Bora Bora located in Tahiti. Tahiti has a long and rich history. The islands were first settled by migrating Polynesians as early as 500BC. They were later discovered by European explorers during the 16th century and eventually colonized by France. Now officially known as French Polynesia, Tahiti is an autonomous overseas country of the French Republic.
Tahitian Culture
Tahitians inherited a rich and vibrant culture from their ancient ancestors. Polynesian artistry—which includes weaving, woodcarving, and tattooing—is grounded in the mythology of that heritage. Each sacred tradition tells a colorful story about life, love, and their enduring relationship with nature.
The islands of Tahiti are a geographical marvel. Believed to have formed from a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, they emerged millions of years ago from the depths of the ocean. Seemingly untouched by time, the islands today are still as beautiful as ever.
#Bali, Indonesia
Photo Credit : Trip Advisor/Wikipedia
Tanah Known as the romantic island located in Bali. Tanah Lot means (“Land in the Sea)” in the Balinese language. Located in Tabanan, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) North West of Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.
The best time to visit Tanah Lot is during Odalan, which is celebrated every 210 days. The rituals usually takes place near the Galungan and Kuningan festivities on the holy day known as Buddha Cemeng Langkir. On this day you will see rows of Balinese women gracefully carrying offerings on their head to pray at the temple of Tanah Lot. The tourist area of Tanah Lot near the rock is very well managed for visitors. It has a parking area, toilets, art shops, restaurants, hotel, open stage, tourist information center, security and safety services.
There are many restaurants here where you can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast or lunch, while enjoying the panorama. Experience the serenity of the tropical sun slowly disappearing beyond the horizon into the wide open ocean, an incredible sight to treasure all your life.
Get There
Tanah Lot is located around 30 km away from Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar. Coming from Denpasar on the main highway and arriving in the town of Kediri, you will certainly not miss the large sign at the main intersection announcing the southwest turn to Pura Tanah Lot. To reach the temple of Tanah Lot you will need to cross some dry land then climb a hill to reach the site of the temple.
#Santorini, Greece
Photo Credit : mantovauno
Known for its brilliant sunsets, rich Greek food and romantic hotels, Santorini, Greece, is almost tailor-made for newlyweds. Honeymooners can lounge on red and black sand beaches before taking in the ruins at Ancient Akrotiri and Ancient Thira.
The island is actually a group of islands consisting of Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni in the southernmost part of the Cyclades.
Santorini’s volcano is one of the few active volcanoes on Greek and European land The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity; twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part creating a large crater (caldera). The volcano, however, managed to recreate itself over and over again.
Get There
There are two ways to access Santorini from Athens, the capital of Greece. You can travel either by plane (Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”) or by ferryboat (Piraeus Port). There are also links between Santorini and other Greek islands.
The flight is the quickest, easiest and most direct way as it lasts more or less 40 minutes and you can book your tickets in advance. It is more expensive, of course, than the ferry. The National Airport of Santorini is situated on the east side of the island, in Kamari village, at a distance of 5 kilometers from the capital Fira. To get to Fira you can take a taxi or a bus from the station outside the airport and from the capital, there are connections to the rest of the settlements. Additionally, there is the option of a charter flight half-yearly and some European airlines provide direct flights to Santorini.
#Tulum, Mexico
Photo Credit : Trip Advisor
Known for its brilliant sunsets, rich Greek food and romantic hotels, Santorini, Greece, is almost tailor-made for newlyweds. Honeymooners can lounge on red and black sand beaches before taking in the ruins at Ancient Akrotiri and Ancient Thira.
The Tulum beach strip is a small road that runs the length of the beach and leads you to the arch, which is the access to the Sian Ka’an biosphere. You can find accommodation on both the beach side and across the road. This area has a very relaxed, bohemian feel to it. Almost everything is accessible on foot in the main area, and bicycles are available for rent.
Accommodation will range from camp sites to budget and luxury cabanas.
The beach is public the whole way along and you can find many options where you can dine or enjoy a drink with the sand between your toes.
Get There
Tulum is located approximately 81 miles [131 km] from Cancun.
While it is the most expensive option, the most efficient way to get to Tulum from Cancun is by taxi. Taxi services in Cancun are door-to-door and are equipped with air-conditioning. Some even offer the ability to pay with plastic. (Though cash, and particularly pesos, is preferred.)
The drive from Cancun to Tulum is just under two hours, along a single highway: Mexico Highway 307, which is the main tourist corridor that connects Cancun all the way down the coast to the capital city of Chetumal, which sits on the border of Belize.
Rates from the Cancun International Airport are often upwards of $100 one-way. Rates from downtown Cancun will be around $120 or higher. You can arrange for the taxi to wait for you while you visit the ruins, but that will run the rate even higher, so it might be best to take a taxi there and a separate one for the return.
Finally, the cheapest way to get from Cancun to Tulum is via Mexico’s incredibly reliable bus system. The ADO bus network is safe, clean, comfortable, reliable, and, most importantly, cheap. There are daily buses between both the Cancun airport and Tulum, as well as between downtown Cancun and Tulum.
#La Digue, Seychelles
Photo Credit : Getty image
La Digue is an island in the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. It’s known for its beaches, like Anse Source d’Argent, dotted with granite boulders, on the west coast. To the south, isolated Anse Bonnet Carré Beach, with calm, shallow water, is accessible only on foot, as is Anse Cocos Beach, in a protected bay on the east coast. La Digue’s diverse wildlife can be seen in the Veuve Nature.
With a population of only about 3,000, the Digueois pride themselves on using the bicycle as their main form of transport, unlike the bigger neighboring islands of Mahé and Praslin, which have seen more urban growth. For locals, a car is unnecessary and moving with bicycles has always been a way of life.
Get There
Seychelles International Airport, or Aéroport de la Pointe Larue in French, is the international airport of the Seychelles located on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria. The airport is the home base and the head office of Air Seychelles and features several regional and long-haul routes due to its importance as the gateway to a major international leisure destination.
The most popular way to get to La Digue Island from Mahe is to take the fast ferry boat departing daily from Mahe. This boat is called Cat Cocos, it’s best to book it online in advance to secure a spot.
Ferry price: €60 for lower deck, €65 for Upper Deck, and €80 for Business Class
The journey departs from the Cat Cocos berth in Victoria, opposite the Orion Mall, approximately 9.5 kilometres north of the Mahe international airport. Traffic can get notoriously bad in Mahe heading north, especially in the morning, so give yourself adequate time to reach the ferry terminal. The website says you should aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
The Cat Cocos ferry takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach La Digue Island from Mahe. Click the link below to check times, availability and to book your ticket.
#Meeru Island, Maldives
Photo Credit : Meeru.com
Meeru Island is an island on the easternmost tip of North Malé Atoll in the Maldives. It is located South West of Sri Lanka on the equator, some 50 kilometres from the capital Male.
Meeru Island Resort & Spa welcomes you to a tropical paradise of coconut palm trees, long stretches of white sandy beach, surrounded by sparkling clear, warm water in a turquoise lagoon and colorful coral reefs teeming with abundant marine life.
Much of this stunning Maldives Island remains untouched with its fringing coconut palm trees and abundant vegetation. The resort makes part of the very well known Maldivian concept of “One Island – One Resort” and is located in North Male Atoll . The island is 1200 meters long by 350 meters wide and about 32 hectares (80 acres).
Meeru is a multiple-award winning Resort in the Maldives and is rated as the top All Inclusive Resort with family-friendly facilities, personalized service and the comforts of a second home.
Get There
Meeru Island Resort & Spa is at a distance of 45 km from Male International Airport. The distance can be covered in 45-50 minutes approximately by Speedboat. To enjoy smooth transfers, it is better to update the resort about your flight schedules (Arrival and Departure). Also please remember that the last boat from Male Airport is available at 21:00 hours. Let’s see how much expense is for the travel to Resort from Male and vice versa.
Mandatory Transfer Cost for Round Trip for Meeru Island Resort & Spa:
Adult: US$ 170/ adult (inclusive of all taxes)
Child (2- 14 Years): US$ 85.00/child (inclusive of all taxes)
Infant (0-2 years): Free Transfers
#Amalfi Coast, Italy
Photo Credit : ciaoflorence.
Known for its natural and architectural beauty, the Amalfi Coast is a prime choice for a romantic Mediterranean getaway. Travelers bask in the natural scenery, hike through small villages with picturesque sea views, and visit famous sites like the “Emerald Grotto” (Grotta dello Smeraldo), medieval churches, gardens, and museums. When you need some quiet time for just the two of you, there are a number of secluded hotels that offer oceanfront views and luxurious amenities.
Like the rest of the region, the Amalfi Coast has a Mediterranean climate, featuring warm summers and mild winters. It is located on the relatively steep southern shore of the Sorrentine Peninsula, leaving little room for rural and agricultural development. The only land route to the Amalfi Coast is the 40 kilometres (25 mi) long Amalfi Drive (Strada Statale 163) which runs along the coastline from the town of Vietri sul Mare in the east to Positano in the west. Thirteen municipalities are located on the Amalfi Coast, many of them centered on tourism.
Get There
The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport (NAP). To get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, the Positano Tourism Board highly recommends arranging a private car transfer, especially if you’re taking a long flight to get to the coast. There is no direct public transportation between Naples and Positano. Renting a car and driving down the scenic coastal highway is also an option, but driving for long distances along sky-high, cliffside roads, especially in the heat, may prove uncomfortable for some drivers. Travelers can also reach the Amalfi Coast by train. From Naples, you take can the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, Salerno or Vietri sul Mare, and then take a Sita bus to the nearest Amalfi town.
#Kauai, Hawaii
Photo Credit : MNStudio
In Hawaii, the Big Island is like the sometimes awkward older sibling. Forgotten in favor of adorable little brothers and sisters, her attributes are often glossed over. Maui is for fun and families. Oahu attracts surfers, partiers and outdoor adventurers. Kauai is for romance and luxury. And the Big Island is just … big.
Majestic is more accurate. Geographically unique, the Big Island boasts everything from black sand beaches to snow-covered peaks, from hardened lava deserts to steamy and lush rainforests. And it’s still growing. The Big Island’s trump card – the active, fire-spitting Kilauea volcano – has been increasing the island’s land mass since 1983. During the most recent eruption in May 2018, volcanic activity caused eruptions, earthquakes and the collapse of the Halemaumau crater. It’s true that if you arrived here hoping for a stereotypical Hawaiian getaway that’s full of luaus and a honeymoon-esque atmosphere, you’ve probably missed the mark. But the hiking trails and state parks that are here hold sights that no other Hawaiian island can boast of. And the beaches are colors you’ve probably never seen. If you’ve only got a short amount of time to explore the island, sign up for one of the best Hawaii tours to take advantage of the expertise of an in-the-know local.
Get There
When looking for ways to get to Kauai, the easiest and most efficient way to travel to the island is by plane. Direct flights are available from several different locations which will take you straight to Lihue Airport, Kauai.
There is only one commercial airport on Kauai island, which is Lihue airport, located on the east side of Kauai. With direct flights only from the US and Canada, if you are flying from another country you will have to jump on a connecting flight to get to Kauai.
#Antananarivo,Madagascar
Photo Credit : Dreamstime
Antananarivo is the capital city of Madagascar, in the island’s Central Highlands. Overlooking the city, the Rova of Antananarivo palace complex was the center of the Merina kingdom from the 17th century. It features wooden houses and royal tombs. The pink baroque Andafiavaratra Palace sits in the nearby Haute Ville neighborhood. In the city center, heart-shaped Lake Anosy is ringed by jacaranda trees.
Get There
With limited direct flights, the best way of travelling to Madagascar from the UK, Ireland, North America, Australia and New Zealand is via Paris, Nairobi or Bangkok. There are direct flights to Madagascar from Johannesburg, which might not only suit visitors from South Africa but also be a handy connection hub for travelers from Australia and New Zealand. Most planes fly into Antananarivo, the capital, though a handful of French and Italian charter companies sometimes offer seasonal flights directly to Nosy Be from Paris and Milan. Read on for advice and tips on how to get to Madagascar.
The majority of flights to Madagascar go to Ivato International Airport at Antananarivo. The main airlines serving Ivato are Air Madagascar from Paris, Johannesburg and Bangkok; Air France from Paris; South African Airways and Airlink from Johannesburg; and Kenya Airways from Nairobi. Regional carriers Air Austral (Réunion), Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles and Comoros Aviation are useful for wider Indian Ocean travels. In addition, French and Italian charter companies sometimes offer seasonal flights from Paris and Milan to Nosy Be. Prices for flights to Madagascar vary widely, and are much higher during the key high-season holiday periods of late July and August and Christmas and New Year.
If you’d rather book your flights to Madagascar through an agent, Flight Centre is a low-airfair specialist, STA Travel are worldwide specialists in independent travel; and Trailfinders is one of the best-informed flight-booking agents for independent travellers. If you want to travel to Madagascar and feel good about it, North South Travel offers discounted fares worldwide and puts profits towards supporting projects in the developing world. If you’re using public transport, there’s an airport authority shuttle service to central Tana that stops at several hotels and terminates at the central station, Gare Soarano. Listen out for the regular announcements on the PA.
Bloomberg, San Francisco – Elon Musk plans to cut about 3,700 jobs at Twitter Inc or half of the company’s workforce in a bid to cut costs, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Twitter’s new owner will inform the staff affected on Friday, according to the report.
Bloomberg also reported that Musk intends to reverse the social media company’s existing work from anywhere policy and will require employees to work from office though some exceptions could be made.
Musk, in a tweet, had denied a New York Times report that said he was planning to lay off Twitter employees before Nov. 1 to avoid stock grants due on the day.
Reuters had reported earlier this week, citing sources that Musk plans to cut a quarter of Twitter’s workforce as part of a first round of layoffs at his recently acquired company.
His meeting with the head of Dera, Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon is also on cards during the visit.
Diplomat Times (Beas) –
The latest information received reveals that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Punjab on 5 November 2022. Top sources of BJP have confirmed the information. Reportedly, PM Modi will pay a visit to Dera Radha Soami at Beas. His meeting with the head of Dera, Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon is also on cards during the visit.
Radha Soami Satsang Beas where PM will be paying a visit is a spiritual organization and its main center is located on the Prime Minister Nbanks of Beas River.
On the same day i.e. November 5, 2022 PM Modi will also visit Himachal Pradesh where he will be addressing public meetings at Sundernagar, Mandi and Solan in view of Vidhan Sabha elections.
PM Modi’s last visit to Punjab was on October 13 when during his whole schedule of the visit to Himachal he spared 15-20 minutes at Adampur Airport.
Class 10 Student age of 14 allegedly gang raped in Gurugram
Gurugram – Police on Monday arrested two of the the five men accused of sexually abusing a Class 10 student after taking her to a hotel here on Saturday.
The accused in the gang rape case included the 14-year old girl’s friends, a police officer has said, reported NDTV.
The victim’s mother, who filed a complaint, told the police that when her daughter had left the house at around 12:30 pm on Saturday, she assumed that the girl had gone for walk to a park nearby. When the girl did not return for long, however, the worried mother searched for her but in vain. ” My daughter was found near the hotel at around 10 am on Sunday,” the mother told the police.
When asked where she had been throughout the night, the girl told her mother that she was taken to a hotel by two of her friends on a motorbike, adding that she was sexually abused at the hotel by the friends and three other men, said the police. The accused had also reportedly threatened to kill the girl if she informed anyone of the matter.
The accused – Mohit, Praveen, Sohil, Anshu, and Vikas- have been booked under sections of 376-D(gang rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) IPC and the POCSO Act, based on the complaint filed by the girl’s mother.
The medical examination of the girl was conducted at the civil hospital and the doctors confirmed rape, She was produced at a city court to record her statement, the police said.
Diplomat Times (Sports)- Defending champion Novak Djokovic started his chase for a record-extending 39th Masters title by beating Maxime Cressy of the United States 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters. In the first meeting between the two, the big-serving Cressy saved three break points in the eighth game but then hit two double-faults in the tiebreaker, which Djokovic won with an ace. Cressy also double-faulted at 4-4 in the second set to hand two break points to Djokovic, who broke with a forehand return winner. The Serb converted his first match point with a backhand volley.
In other first-round matches, No. 14 seed Pablo Carreno Busta ousted Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 6-3, French qualifier Corentin Moutet stunned Borna Coric 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, Daniel Evans overcame Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, Jack Draper beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4, lucky loser Fabio Fognini defeated Arthur Fils 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-2. Tommy Paul, Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov also advanced to the second round. Paul dispatched Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4 to set up a match against Nadal, Shapovalov rallied past Francisco Cerundolo 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4, and Dimitrov edged Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).
Source : Indian Express, Rolex Paris Masters Twitter
Scariest Halloween of the year ; 149 people killed in South Korea
As many as 100,000 people were celebrating in a popular nightlife district in the center of the South Korean capital.
SEOUL – This year’s Halloween festival was a terrifying one, the home-made Halloween festival turns out to be the scariest Halloween ever in the history for the South Korea.
A raucous Halloween celebration in the swinging center of the South Korean capital morphed on Saturday night into a grim procession of bodies after at least 151 people were killed in the crush of a crowd stuck in a narrow roadway, officials said.
Dozens more were injured, many of them seriously, according to a fire department spokesman.
As many as 100,000 people were celebrating Halloween in Itaewon, an area of central Seoul popular for its nightlife. The holiday had long been a neighborhood favorite before being interrupted by coronavirus restrictions imposed on the city two years ago, and young people flocked to parties on Saturday night.
The Itaewon district is popular with young South Koreans and expatriates alike, its dozens of bars and restaurants packed on Saturday for Halloween after businesses had suffered a sharp decline over three years of the pandemic.
“You would see big crowds at Christmas and fireworks … but this was several ten-folds bigger than any of that,” Park Jung-hoon, 21, told Reuters from the scene.
U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife sent their condolences and wrote: “We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured.”
Jill and I are devastated to learn that at least two Americans are among so many who lost their lives in Seoul. Our hearts go out to their loved ones in this time of grief, and we continue to pray for the recovery of all who were injured.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time.”
Horrific news from Seoul tonight.
All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after a Halloween crush killed some 151 people .
Why Halloween Celebrated in the World ?
Halloween is celebrated every year on 31 October.
Halloween, originally a Celtic festival called Samhain, was celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries. This was followed by the end of summer and the beginning of winter, during which the Celts built bonfires to mark the change of seasons.
This tradition then became associated with the Roman festivals of Pomona and Farelia. When Irish and British diaspora migrated across the Atlantic, after which Halloween began to be celebrated in America as well.
how people celebrate halloween ?
On Halloween, people wear ghostly clothes and go to people’s homes and give candy as gifts. According to Irish folk tales, it is customary to make Jack O-Lantern on this day. On this day people take a hollow pumpkin, in which they make eyes, nose and mouth and a candle is placed inside it. In the end it is buried.
After winning the toss, Rohit said all-rounder Deepak Hooda, who also bowls part-time off-spin, replaces left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel in the playing eleven.
India captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa in their third Group 2 match of Super 12 stage in the T20 World Cup at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.
After winning the toss, Rohit said all-rounder Deepak Hooda, who also bowls part-time off-spin, replaces left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel in the playing eleven. Hooda was seen batting at the nets ahead of the match, which sparked talks of him replacing Axar in the playing eleven.
“It’s a good surface, we know what to expect and what to do on this pitch. We had a camp across at the WACA, helped us get used to the bounce for both batters and the bowlers. But this is an important game from where the tournament is, we just have to follow the routine and trust the process, just stay calm and execute the plans,” added Rohit.
The decision may have also been prompted by Axar’s record against South Africa, which hasn’t been great, apart from them having three left-handed in their top six — Rilee Rossouw, David Miller and Quinton de Kock.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said pacer Lungi Ngidi comes in for left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the playing eleven, with the pace and bounce offered by the pitch at Perth Stadium in the tournament till now.
“Big game for us, have had a good start to the tournament, it’s a big opportunity to test our skills against a strong Indian team. We would have probably batted as well, could be slightly tough to bat under lights, but we now need to bowl well and restrict them to a low score. The conditions are similar to what we have at home and it’s a surface which our (four) pacers can exploit,” added Bavuma.
The square boundaries in the stadium are at 82 metres on one side and 77 metres on the other side while straight down the ground dimensions are 75 metres. The match will be played on the pitch where the Pakistan-Netherlands match happened earlier in the day. It is also the last game Perth Stadium will be hosting in the tournament.
Diplomat Times (Qadian) –United Nations Day celebrated by the International Peace Corps Association in Qadian City. Inspector General of Police, Border range Amritsar Mr. Mohnish Chawla (IPS) ji was present as the chief guest. Secretary General of the organization Shahi Kumar and well-known social worker and member of the organization Mr. Akeel Ahmed Saharanpuri ji welcomed the chief guest Mr. Mohnish Chawla ji with flowers.
Sh. Mohnish Chawla ji speaking on this occasion about International peace corps the organization is working for peace and human rights at the international level, he appreciated his work very much, on this occasion Social workers from different districts were honored by giving them Samaj Ratna Award. Speaking with Diplomat times Secretary General of IPCA said that the Constitution has given fundamental rights to every Indians and has given priority to science education by calling against superstition. Article 51A (e) of the constitution also gives us the right to proceed with reason and human thought through action to establish peace. To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. On this occasion many national and local dignitaries were present.
Diplomat Times (Barnala) – Humanism is established in society only through true education of enlightened quality and peace will be established only through humanistic tendencies. Peace is the root of progress. So we should stop violence, superstition, and violation of human rights and move society forward with human attitude, human love, and rational mindset.
This is the statement of Dr. Dibyajyoti Saikia, a national-level rationalist, anti-superstition leader, human rights, and national-level social worker from Assam. He was speaking as a special guest on the first day of the 12th National Conference of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations at Tarakshila Bhawan in Barnala, Punjab. The event was presided over by Narendra Nayak, national president of the Federation of Indian Rationalists Association, the main body of several anti-superstition and rationalist state and national organizations.
On this occasion the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Prof. Dr. Arvind was the Chief Guest and Uttam Nirula, Executive Member, Humanist International UK, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Arvind said that science means new discoveries and innovations. Only intelligent people can change society. More than 500 activists and supporters from different states of the country participated in the program.
Dr. Dibyajyoti Saikia was the only representative of Assam and Northeast to participate in this program and in his address, he further said that the Constitution has given fundamental rights to Indians and has given priority to science education by calling against superstition. Article 51A(h) of the constitution also gives us the right to proceed with reason and human thought through action to establish peace. Therefore, we should exercise the rights given by the Constitution of India.
