Author: Rahul M

PARIS (AP) — They are France ‘s most dangerous drug kingpins, according to the country’s justice minister — prison inmates so wealthy and powerful that even behind bars, they can continue to order assassinations, run narco-trafficking operations and launder money.Flexing his powers as minister in charge of the French penal system, Gérald Darmanin’s solution to the problem is contentious. He is moving 100 inmates — men he describes as “France’s biggest criminals” — into an austere maximum security penitentiary in the country’s north that critics say has echoes of tough U.S. prisons. The move is also possibly vote-catching for Darmanin,…

In a game filled with nostalgia, emotion, and fireworks, Andre Russell delivered a final performance befitting his T20 legend status. Walking into a pressure situation with the West Indies struggling at 98 for 5 in the 14th over, Russell showcased why he’s been one of the most destructive batters in the shortest format. He blasted 36 off just 15 balls, hammering four sixes and two boundaries, lighting up Sabina Park in true “Dre Russ” style. But it was his monstrous hit off Ben Dwarshuis that stole the show — a down-the-ground rocket that tore through the sightscreen, literally creating a…

In the high-stakes build-up to the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, tensions flared off the field just as much as they did on it. A lingering controversy from the Lord’s Test involving Shubman Gill’s “90-second” accusation against England’s time-wasting tactics resurfaced, igniting a sharp exchange between former captains Nasser Hussain and Dinesh Karthik. Shubman Gill Questions England’s Tactics at Lord’s India captain Shubman Gill raised eyebrows during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Manchester Test by calling out England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, for arriving late at the crease during the final moments…

When cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar rose to fame in the early ’90s, his personal life became the subject of immense public curiosity. Among the most persistent rumours during his early career was his alleged romantic involvement with popular Bollywood actress Shilpa Shirodkar. With both being prominent Maharashtrian figures in their respective fields, this tale quickly gained traction, despite being based on nothing more than a single, innocent encounter. So, was there any truth to the rumours linking Sachin Tendulkar and Shilpa Shirodkar? Let’s explore what both of them had to say. Shilpa Shirodkar Breaks Silence on Link-Up with Sachin In…

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court Wednesday sentenced three men to seven years rigorous imprisonment after they pleaded guilty during charge-framing proceedings in connection with the 2020 Bengaluru riots case. The convicts are Syed Ikramuddin alias Syed Naveed, 44; Syed Asif, 46; and Mohammed Atif, 26, who faced charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Karnataka Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act (KPDLP), and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The case dates back to the mob violence that erupted on August 11, 2020, targeting Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s residence and police stations in the…

Mumbai: The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is under intense pressure from the Opposition to act against the state agriculture minister, NCP’s Manikrao Kokate, who was filmed allegedly playing online rummy in the state assembly and has made several controversial remarks in the past few months. His latest remark was perceived as an indirect taunt at party chief Ajit Pawar. So far, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has chosen to ignore a string of controversial statements made by Kokate since he became minister last December, and stay largely silent on the latest rummy allegation.  Two senior NCP leaders who…

Small vendors and traders in Bengaluru, who have been protesting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) notices issued by the state commercial tax department to those conducting transactions of over ₹ 40 lakh per annum through UPI, have called off their strike on Thursday following a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.“Trade bodies confirmed they have not supported any bandhs and agreed to withdraw planned protests following the chief minister’s assurances. The government reiterated its focus on empowering small traders and boosting purchasing power through various programmes,” the chief minister’s office said after the meeting with trade bodies, including the…

The Karnataka High Court Wednesday granted the Centre two weeks to respond to the question of deportation of the two minor children of a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, found living with her in a cave in the state’s Uttara Kannada district earlier this month. A bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav was hearing a plea filed by Dror Goldstein, the Israeli father of the girls aged 5 and 6. In his petition, Goldstein asked the Centre not to proceed with the deportation of his children, and for a court order releasing them from their current custody or detention to…

Cruel heat is baking southern Europe as the continent slips deeper into summer.In homes and offices, air conditioning is sweet relief. But under the scorching sun, outdoor labor can be grueling, brutal, occasionally even deadly. A street sweeper died in Barcelona during a heat wave last month and, according to a labor union, 12 other city cleaners have suffered heatstroke since. Some of Europe’s powerful unions are pushing for tougher regulations to protect the aging workforce from climate change on the world’s fastest-warming continent.Cleaning the hot streetsHundreds of street cleaners and concerned citizens marched through downtown Barcelona last week to…

IND vs ENG U 19: India U-19 captain Ayush Mhatre made history on Wednesday, July 23, by smashing the fastest-ever century in youth Test cricket. His scintillating 64-ball hundred came during a dramatic final-day chase against England in the second Youth Test, where India were set a steep target of 355. Record-Breaking Knock in High-Pressure Chase Chasing a massive 355-run target on the final day, India U-19 got off to a poor start as opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed for a golden duck. However, skipper Mhatre took charge of the innings and launched a stunning counterattack. After a cautious start,…