google.com, pub-9501031967421588, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Bharath Bulletin

Sunday, November 7, 2021

T20 World Cup: Pakistan show batting might to end Super 12 unbeaten; Richie Berrington valiant knock in vain for Scotland

Shadab Khan's double strikes along with the other bowlers helped Pakistan keep Scotland to 117 for six to win by 72 runs in their Super 12 clash of the T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Sunday. Richie Berrington stayed unbeaten on 54 for Scotland. Earlier, Babar Azam hit a steady 66 while Shoaib Malik hit an unbeaten 18-ball half century to help Pakistan to 189 for four.

George Munsey began by taking two boundaries off Shaheen Shah Afridi's first two overs. Kyle Coetzer hit a boundary off Imad Wasim but was bowled by Hasan Ali in a wicket-maiden final over of Powerplay. Post that runs began to dry as Pakistan began to exert pressure on Scotland.

Scotland were dealt with a strong blow as Matthew Cross was run-out at the non-striker's end with Wasim getting a hand on the ball on a straight drive from Munsey. In an attempt to break free, Munsey tried to attack Khan but sliced to short third man in the 11th over. Two balls later, Khan had another wicket as Dylan Budge was bowled by a googly.

Though the result was a foregone conclusion, Scotland tried to delay the inevitable. Michael Leask had a 41-run stand with Berrington for the fifth wicket. The partnership broke when Afridi clean bowled Leask in the 16th over.

Berrington, the lone warrior for Scotland, smashed two more boundaries and reached his half-century with a brace off Ali. But it wasn't enough as Pakistan ended their Group 2 campaign with an all-win record.

Thanks to Malik's blitz earlier, Pakistan scored 43 runs in the last two overs, including 26 in the final six balls bowled by Chris Greaves. It was tournament's joint fastest fifty alongside KL Rahul's 18-ball 50 which also came against Scotland.

Azam, who once again donned the role of the accumulator, became only the third batter to score four half-centuries in a T20 World Cup after former Australia opener Matthew Hayden and India captain Virat Kohli, who achieved the feat in 2007 and 2014 respectively.

Having struggled to 60 for two at the halfway stage, Pakistan got 129 runs in back 10.

Opting to bat first, Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were off to a sedate start, as the Scotland bowlers managed to keep the run rate below six until the powerplay.

Having smoked Bradley Wheal for a gigantic six over deep mid-wicket, Rizwan was dismissed by Hamza Tahir, who drew the batter with a tossed-up delivery before getting an under-edge to the wicketkeeper.

The Scots deserves plaudits for the manner in which they kept a lid on the Pakistan scoring as they ended the powerplay at 35 for no loss, which became 35 for one in the first ball of the next over with Rizwan's dismissal.

Even as Azam went along nicely, one-down Fakhar Zaman's lean run in the tournament continued as the batter ended up giving a catch to Leask while going for a big shot off Greaves.

Pakistan were not so well placed at 60 for two at the halfway stage as Scotland managed to keep their opponents to a run a ball.

However, things changed completely as Pakistan entered the back 10 with both Azam and the veteran Mohammad Hafeez (31 off 19 balls) cutting loose to clear the ropes at regular intervals during a brisk 53-run third-wicket partnership.

Azam was his usual classy self when he played the ball along the ground, but at the same time, he did not hesitate to go over the top, the result of which were three sixes.

After Azam's dismissal, the show belonged to Malik.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 189/4 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 66, Shoaib Malik 54*; Chris Greaves 2/43) beat Scotland 117/6 in 20 overs (Richie Berrington 54*; Shadab Khan 2/14) by 72 runs



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/cricket/t20-world-cup-pakistan-show-batting-might-to-end-super-12-unbeaten-richie-berrington-valiant-knock-in-vain-for-scotland
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Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik claims Mumbai cruise drugs bust was elaborate plan to kidnap Aryan Khan

In yet another revelation, Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik on Sunday claimed that the cruise liner episode of October 2 was no mid-sea rave party bust but a kidnapping and ransom operation. It is further claimed that BJP leader Mohit Kamboj was the mastermind of the conspiracy which finally led to the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan. Kamboj allegedly colluded with the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director, Sameer Wankhede, in kidnapping Aryan and demanding ransom.

“The cruise drug bust case was a case of kidnapping and ransom and it was not what appeared to be,” said Malik. He said Aryan Khan did not buy a ticket for the cruise party but it was Pratik Gaba and Amir Furniturewala who brought him there. “The trap was laid through Kamboj. Aryan was kidnapped and ransomed; after the initial demand of Rs 25 crore, the deal was settled at Rs 18 crore,” he claimed.

Malik reiterated that the NCB had let off three individuals — Rishabh Sachdeva, Pratik Gaba and Amir Furniturewala — after having allegedly detained them during the raid on the rave party. He said that Sachdeva was Kamboj’s brother-in-law, who was released because of Kamboj’s close relations with Wankhede.

Malik said that one selfie -- the photo taken by a private detective and witness in the cruise drug bust case, K P Gosavi, with Aryan Khan in the NCB cabin -- had “spoiled the extortion play.” (Gosavi was recently arrested by the Pune police in a 2018 cheating case and has a number of fraud complainsts lodged against him in Pune, Mumbai and Thane).

Refrring to the alleged collusion, Malik claimed Kamboj and Wankhede had met outside the Oshiwara graveyard on October 7, a few days after Aryan was arrested in the case.

“After this, Wankhede panicked and complained to the police that they were being followed. They were lucky that the nearby CCTV was not working and we couldn’t get the feed,” Malik said, adding that Kamboj is Wankhede’s ‘partner-in-crime’ in an extortion racket.

In response to Kamboj’s allegation that Dhule-based Sunil Patil, who is closely associated with NCP leaders, was the mastermind of the cruise drug party, Malik claimed he had never met Patil and the latter had no links with the NCP. Instead, he claimed, Patil was a member of Wankhede’s ‘private army’ and had links with top BJP leaders.

“Sunil Patil is not an NCP worker, nor have I ever met him. Photos are, however, in circulation showing him with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and with other BJP leaders. Likewise, Manish Bhanushali, another controversial NCB witness alleged to be a BJP worker, has had his pictures taken with top-ranking BJP brass — from Prime Minister Modi to others. I am not accusing any political party but I do contend that this Patil is a fraud and also part of Wankhede’s private army,” said Malik.

Malik also clarified that he was not against the BJP or the NCB and neither was it a tussle between the state and the Centre but his fight was against the drug menace and he would take it to its logical conclusion. He however, appealed to the BJP to stop shielding ‘dubious’ characters like Kamboj, Bhanushali and Patil. He also called upon the NCB to weed out their department of ‘rotten fish’, including Wankhede and three others. “The gang of four (chandal chaukdi) are spoiling the NCB’s reputation,” alleged Malik and said that there was no mid-sea drug bust operation as claimed by the NCB and that the entire episode was one of “sordid extortion”.

Malik said he was not scared of bogus cases being filed against him and his family as his fight was against extortion.

Moreover, Malik released a purported conversation between one Sam alias Sanville D’Souza and NCB officer V V Singh and alleged that D’Souza was also a member of Wankhede’s private army. He further alleged that the press conferences by Sam D’Souza and Kamboj were a failure. “Sam D’Souza and Kamboj are members of Wankhede’s private army and they were told to address PCs but they are getting caught in their own trap,” he said.

Also Read: Mumbai cruise drugs bust: NCP leader Nawab Malik alleges Shah Rukh Khan being threatened to keep quiet



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-minister-nawab-malik-claims-mumbai-cruise-drugs-bust-was-elaborate-plan-to-kidnap-aryan-khan
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Thane: 53-year-old found dead at Bhiwandi residence, police registers case against unknown person

The Bhiwandi police in the Thane district have registered a murder case against an unknown person after a 53-year-old man was found dead at his residence. The police said the deceased, identified as Rajendra Singh, was found dead with head injuries.

According to the police, Singh works as a daily wage worker with a dyeing company in Bhiwandi. The incident took place in-between 8 pm on November 4 to 12:30 pm on November 5.

"Singh was found dead at a place near Madhu Dyeing, Kaneri, Bhiwandi. He had head injuries as if he was assaulted with some heavy object. The serious injuries showed the intention of murder. However, a murder case was registered and the investigation was started," said a police official from Bhiwandi police station.

The Bhiwandi police have registered a case under section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian penal code.

"We investigated to find that Singh used to stay with a room partner, Gulab. After the murder case, Gulab is missing and had fled away from the room. We suspect that Gulab's role behind the murder. But after he is caught we can get a much clearer picture behind the scenes. The investigation is going on from all angles," added the police official.

Also Read: Karnataka: 40 years old grenades discovered in Dakshina village of Kannada district, investigation underway



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BJP national executive meet: PM Modi wants cadres to act as ‘bridge of faith’; UP CM Yogi Adityanath moves political resolution

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked BJP workers to reach out to the common man and work as a "bridge of faith," said senior party leader Bhupendra Yadav after the party's national executive meeting.

During his address at the concluding session, the prime minister also highlighted that the BJP is in its pre-eminent position only because it has always been connected with the common man since its inception.

Modi further dubbed service of masses as the highest form of worship. ‘‘The BJP isn't run by a family…Instead it is sustained by the values of ‘sewa, sanklap aur samparan’ (service, resolution and commitment)," he said.

Referring to the "selfless service" of the BJP cadres during the pandemic, PM Modi said that a "new culture of service has been perpetuated by the 'karyakartas' under party chief JP Nadda".

Before the PM’s address, party presidents of five poll-bound states presented a report about their poll preparedness with the Punjab unit chief underscoring that they were confident of contesting all the 117 seats. The BJP is without an ally in the border state and needs to quell the unrest among farmers who are demanding repeal of three farm laws.

That UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has an important role to play in the BJP’s future scheme of things was obvious when he was asked to table the political resolution at the executive; it is an indication that PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are backing him to the hilt.

Asked about the decision to pick Adityanath, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman retorted, "Why not", while praising his work as chief minister and noting that he heads India's largest state.

Asked if there was any reference to the recent by-election results, which have been a mixed bag for the party, Sitharaman said there was no specific discussion on them.

The political resolution praised PM Modi's leadership and accused the opposition of "opportunism" and acting with a ‘‘petty’’ mind set of "extreme hate.’’ It slammed the Opposition for criticizing and spreading rumours regarding the vaccination drive and not reducing VAT on fuel in states ruled by them, after the Centre did so earlier this week. The party’s top leaders charged the opposition had stayed indoors when the pandemic was raging rather than helping the people.

The National Executive put out an unambiguous message that the party must showcase the 100 crore-plus vaccinations and free ration scheme for 80 crore people as big achievements in the upcoming elections.

Also Read: BJP national executive meet: JP Nadda hails PM Modi for 'bold decisions', tackling economic challenges amid COVID-19



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bjp-national-executive-meet-pm-modi-wants-cadres-to-act-as-bridge-of-faith-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-moves-political-resolution
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Mumbai cruise drugs bust: NCP leader Nawab Malik alleges Shah Rukh Khan being threatened to keep quiet

NCP Minister Nawab Malik on Sunday alleged that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was being threatened to keep quiet after reports that his manager Pooja Dadlani had reportedly handed over Rs 50 lakh as part of an extortion deal, to witness K P Gosavi. He further claimed that Shah Rukh Khan had been warned that his son would be sent to prison in connection with the cruise drugs bust case.

Malik said there was enough evidence to suggest that Dadlani had paid up a sum of Rs 50 lakh to the middlemen, as part of the Rs 18 crore offer to release Aryan Khan.

“There have been attempts to frighten Shah Rukh Khan that since he gave an amount of Rs 50 lakh, he too becomes an accused. I appeal to him not to get scared. If your child is kidnapped and ransom is sought and the parent pays it, he is the victim and not the accused,” he said. He urged Shah Rukh Khan to come forward and support his fight against injustice.

He also called upon all other victims of extortion in Mumbai to come forward to reveal details. He also urged them to support him in his fight against the drug menace and those supporting it.

Malik alleged that NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede wanted the drug business to flourish in the city and they keep tracking down users, in order to recover thousands of crores from them.

Malik also made it clear that he would continue to make exposés in the cruise drug bust case till it was taken to its logical conclusion. “I am not scared. I have put my family at stake. If NCB wants to investigate a drug case linked to my son-in-law Sameer Khan, let them do so. The charge sheet has already been filed in the case. My son-in-law has told me to continue to make revelations,” he said.

Malik also said that the NCB had announced it would challenge his son-in-law’s bail. “It is quite strange that NCB has demanded a forensic report on the alleged drug seized from my son-in-law,” he added.

Also Read: 'Nawab Malik confirmed that Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh has relations with Fashion TV head Kashiff Khan:' BJP leader Mohit Kamboj



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-cruise-drugs-bust-ncp-leader-nawab-malik-alleges-shah-rukh-khan-being-threatened-to-keep-quiet
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NZ vs AFG, T20 WC: Bubble fatigue and toss played role, says India's outgoing bowling coach Bharat Arun

Dubai: New Zealand produced a clinical all-round performance to beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in their last Super 12 stage match and qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium here on Sunday. With this win, New Zealand not only made it to the semi-finals but also knocked out both Afghanistan and India from the tournament. This is the third time that New Zealand have made it to the semi-finals in T20 World Cup after 2007 and 2016.

India's outgoing bowling coach Bharat Arun on Sunday said that toss and bubble fatigue contributed to the team's indifferent performance in the World Cup.

Asked if the absence of a break between the IPL and T20 World Cup became a factor, Arun responded in the positive. The IPL ended on October 15, and India's World Cup campaign began on October 24.

"Being on the road for six months is a huge task. Players haven't gone home and I think they had a short break after the last IPL got suspended (in May)," Arun said on the eve of India's final Super 12 game against Namibia.

"They have been in a bubble for six months and that takes a huge toll, so specific to your question, may be a short break between IPL and World Cup could have done a lot of good for these boys," he added.

However, he was pretty annoyed that in a tournament of this stature, toss played such a crucial role, as India, while batting first, looked a different outfit compared to the opposition, who were helped in shot-making because of the dew-laden surface. "Toss played a very, very vital role and I believe in these kind of matches, toss shouldn't be of any consequence," he said.

"Here toss gives unfair advantage and there is a huge change in batting in the first innings and batting in the second innings. That shouldn't be the case in a short format like this," he said.

When asked whether leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's absence hurt the team, Arun was not forthcoming.

"I wouldn't like to dwell too much on that and that is for the selectors to decide. We can only play with the team given (to us)," he replied.

India skipper Virat Kohli has also touched on the subject of bubble fatigue but has also admitted that the side, which was tipped as a favourite, wasn't "brave" enough in any aspect of the game during the showdowns against New Zealand and Pakistan.

Also Read: T20 World Cup: Afghanistan opt to bat against New Zealand; Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/cricket/nz-vs-afg-t20-wc-bubble-fatigue-and-toss-played-role-says-indias-outgoing-bowling-coach-bharat-arun
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s $25 billion Twitter poll

CEO Elon Musk on Saturday asked his 62.5 million followers on Twitter if he should sell 10 per cent of his stock in Tesla, the electric-vehicle company, amid pressure in Washington to increase taxes on billionaires like him.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about some of the richest people in the world not paying taxes; many of them have most of their wealth tied to stocks. Some Democrats have been pushing for these billionaires to pay taxes when the price of the stocks they hold goes up, even if they don't sell any shares. It's a concept called “unrealized gains,” and Musk is sitting on a lot of them with a net worth of roughly USD 300 billion, it is pointed out.

“Much is made lately of unrealized gains being a means of tax avoidance, so I propose selling 10 per cent of my Tesla stock,” Musk tweeted Saturday afternoon, re-injecting himself into the debate.

‘‘Do you support this?”

By 5:40 pm Eastern time, a little more than two hours after Musk's initial tweet, 54 per cent said yes out of a total of 876,189 votes.

Much of Musk's wealth is also held in shares of Tesla, which does not pay him a cash salary. “I only have stock, thus the only way for me to pay taxes personally is to sell stock,” he tweeted.

Musk, who is known for his sometimes flippant tweets, said he would “abide by the results of this poll.’’

According to Investopedia, Musk owns 193.3 million Tesla shares, which is just over $250 billion — so a 10 percent sell-off would be valued around $25 billion, and a hefty chunk would then go to the US government in capital gains taxes.

"We are witnessing the Twitter masses deciding the outcome of a $25B coin flip," Venture investor Chamath Palihapitiya wrote on Twitter. "Looking forward to the day when the richest person in the world paying some tax does not depend on a Twitter poll," Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman tweeted.

Musk recently also said on Twitter he'd sell $6 billion in Tesla stock and donate it to the World Food Program (WFP), provided the organization disclosed more information about how it spent its money. His tweet raised some eyebrows in the world of finance.

Also Read: Twitter flooded over Elon Musk's $6 billion offer to UN if the org shows how it will solve world hunger



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/tesla-ceo-elon-musks-25-billion-twitter-poll
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PM Narendra Modi considers farmers separate from the country: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait

As farmers protests against Centre's three farm laws continues, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said that about 750 farmers died in the movement so far.

"There was no condolence from Government of India. Country's farmers feel that perhaps PM Modi is not 'farmers' PM'...and consider them farmers as separate from the country." he said.

Farmers have been protesting at different sites since November 26 last year against the three enacted farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Farmer leaders and the Centre have held several rounds of talks but the impasse remains.

Yesterday the BKU leader criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and asked the people of the country to be cautious of them.

"BJP and RSS people are not what they pretend to be. People should be aware of them. These people, wherever they go they break the unity and break the people." Asked about what is the next planing as it is almost a year to complete since the farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws, Tikait said "If the government wants to talk, it is well and good, otherwise the protest will continue." "We will make arrangements to continue the protest further. As the winter season is here, will ask farmers for more food and clothes," he added.

Also Read: Watch video: 'Delhi netas express condolences even when an animal dies, but they could not pass proposal for 600 farmers in Lok Sabha', Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik slams Centre



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World Table Tennis Contender: India's Manika Batra-Archana Kamath beat Puerto Rico's Diaz sisters to title

India's Manika Batra and Archana Girish Kamath bagged the women's doubles title at the World Table Tennis Contender Lasko 2021 event, beating Puerto Rico's Diaz sisters, Adriana and Melanie, in three games in the final on Sunday.

Manika and Archana, ranked 33rd in the ITTF World Rankings, claimed their first title in the WTT Contender series by defeating the Diaz sisters 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 12-10) in a one-sided contest.

This is the second successive week that an Indian pair has won a title in the WTT Contender Series. Last week in WTT Contender Tunis 2021 event, India's G Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai had won the men's doubles title.

This was also the second title for Manika in this series this season as she had partnered Sathiyan to the mixed doubles title in the WTT Contender Budapest, Hungary, in August.

In the women's doubles final played on Sunday, Manika and Archana established early ascendancy and never allowed the Puerto Rican pair to make a comeback. The first game was totally one-sided and the Indians nailed powerful smashes and capitalised on the errors by their opponents.

The second game was a bit closer and though the Diaz sisters put up a good fight, the Indians always remained close and went on to take a 2-0 lead.

Manika and Archana had opened a handy lead in the third game as they led 6-3 at one stage before the Diaz sisters won seven points in a row to take a 10-6 lead. The Indian regrouped and clawed back into the game, hitting precision shots. They got back the lead and then won six points in a row to eventually win the game 12-10.

The WTT Contender Lasko event is the penultimate stop in the series. The caravan will remain in Lasko for the WTT Contender Nova Mesto 2021 event from November 11-14, before the WTT Championships Finals to be held at Houston, the USA, from November 23-29.



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CBI arrests former Assam CM Hiteswar Saikia's son in bank loan default case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested Ashok Saikia, the eldest son of former Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia, in a bank loan default case.

The CBI team arrested Saikia, the brother of Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia, from his residence in Guwahati's Sarumataria in a case related to Rs 9.37 lakh loan taken from the Assam State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (ASCARDB) in 1996.

The case was initially registered at Paltan Bazar police station in Guwahati in 1998 and later transferred to the CBI in 2001 after two complaints were filed with the probe agency.

Debabrata Saikia, also Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, told the media that his brother was being victimised for a loan he had already repaid long ago to the bank and he would certainly get justice from the court.

The opposition Congress released a letter of the ASCARDB on Sunday where it was shown that Saikia had availed the loan of Rs 9,37,701 from the bank in 1996 for business but in 2015, he had cleared the dues and H.N. Borah, the then General Manager of the bank, had in a letter on October 10, 2015, said the loan had been liquidated under the compromise settlement scheme.

Also Read: BJP's Bharat Ratna demand for Savarkar insult to Mahatma Gandhi's memory: Congress leader Debabrata Saikia



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Thane: TMC witnesses louder Diwali this year, reports 33 incidents of minor fire

The Thane Municipal Corporation had reported 33 incidents of minor fire this year during Diwali. Of the 33 incidents of fire, most were due to burning firecrackers in celebration of the Diwali festival.

However, a recent report by FPJ claimed that an average of 105-decibel noise in Thane city was recorded which made it clear that this is year was louder than the previous year during the Diwali celebration.

On November 2 and 3, only 1 case was reported. On November 4, around 14 cases, and on November 5 at least 15 cases were reported of the small fire incidents that occurred due to firecracker bursting.

Santosh Kadam, head of Regional disaster management cell of Thane Municipal Corporation confirmed the fire incident, "Most of it was minor fires during the festival. We had our team ready who reached the spot and doused the fire before any incident. No injuries or causality were reported," he said.

However, authorities claim after 2018, when 53 cases of fire were reported mostly due to the bursting of firecrackers. In 2021, 33 such cases were reported, just in Thane because of the bursting of firecrackers.

In an incident, a fire was reported this Diwali on November 4 in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner caused because of firecrackers on the 1st floor of the Society office of Varun Arcade Building, Manpada, Ghodbunder Road, Thane (W).

The same day, a fire in a coconut tree was caused due to the bursting of crackers near Ashwini Building, Kores Nakshatra, Vartak Nagar, Pokharan Road no.1, Thane (W). Another minor fire incident was reported in the plastic Tarpaulin of Malvan Kinara Polibhaji Center.

Also Read: Thane: 2 killed after container truck collides with tempo on Mumbai-Nashik highway



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Saturday, November 6, 2021

Mumbai drugs bust case: SIT probing allegations against NCB's Sameer Wankhede records statements of 2 others

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Mumbai police to investigate allegations of extortion against the NCB officials has recorded the statements of two more persons -- identified as Ranjitsingh Bindra and Mayur Ghule; they had allegedly helped Kiran Gosavi, a witness, connect with Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani.

Following the alleged drug bust on October 2, in which Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan was arrested, Gosavi had approached one Sam D’Souza to connect with the superstar. It was D’souza who allegedly brokered a deal between Gosavi and SRK’s manager.

D’souza, in turn, contacted his friend Mayur Ghule who introduced him to Bindra, who runs a hotel in Bandra.

It is alleged that Bindra, during the meeting, said that he had no contact with the superstar. However, he connected with Khan’s manager Dadlani, through actor Chunky Pandey’s son Chikki, said sources.

The investigation into the case was launched when Prabhakar Sail, witness and Gosavi’s driver, levelled allegations of payoff against NCB officials.

Sail had claimed in his affidavit that he overheard Gosavi and D’Souza talking about the payoff to secure Aryan Khan’s release. Of the alleged Rs 25 crore payoff, Rs 8 crore was to be be paid to Wankhede.

The SIT has already seized multiple CCTV footage of Lower Parel, where the alleged meeting between Dadlani, Gosavi and D’souza took place in the wee hours of October 3.

Also Read: NCB vigilance team questions investigating officer in Aryan Khan drugs case for 2 days in Delhi



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-drugs-bust-case-sit-probing-allegations-against-ncbs-sameer-wankhede-records-statements-of-2-others
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Maharashtra: 11 COVID-19 patients die after major fire breaks out in ICU of govt hospital in Ahmednagar

MUMBAI: In a heart-wrenching incident, at least 11 COVID-19 patients were killed and seven sustained burn injuries on Saturday after a major fire broke out in the ICU ward of the civil hospital in Ahmednagar.

Most of those who perished were between 65 and 83 years of age. Among the seven injured, two are critical and the remaining are in a stable condition. A short circuit seems to be the primary cause of the fire; by an uncanny coincidence, it was a curious replay of what happened on April 23 this year, when during the second wave of the pandemic, 13 Covid patients died when a blaze engulfed the ICU of the Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar.

The Fire Brigade personnel had a hard time dousing the fire at Ahmednagar civil hospital as they could not enter through the main entrance due to smoke, and the windows had grills over them. Finally, amid panic, cries and chaos, fire brigade personnel broke the window panes and doused the flames with the help of water cannons.

The Maharashtra government has announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the kin of the deceased.

District Collector Rajendra Bhosale informed that about 20 patients were undergoing treatment for Coronavirus at the ICU ward; ten of them were killed in the blaze.

"The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of demise; whether it was due to suffocation or disruption in medical oxygen supply is still a matter of investigation."

Shankar Misal, chief of the fire department of Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation, said the fire erupted around 11 am; prima facie because of a short circuit.

After a major fire broke at the COVID-19 hospital in Nashik earlier this year, a fire audit had been conducted at Ahmednagar hospital. It had been asked to install an effective fire-fighting system, including sprinklers. But the work was incomplete due to "want of funds", though the hospital had fire extinguishers, an officer said.

As many as 15 patients were on ventilators or oxygen in the ICU. "Saving them was the priority. But due to their critical condition, removing the oxygen support and bringing them out was a tough decision," said a fire brigade official. "After discussions, we decided to bring them out anyhow and later put them on oxygen or other support systems," he added.

‘‘An FIR has been lodged against unknown people,’’ said Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey. An officer of the rank of police inspector or DCP will be deputed to conduct the investigation, he added.

Ahmednagar District Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif said an inquiry committee has been constituted. '' A committee led by Divisional Commissioner has been formed. The government has time & again given instructions to conduct fire audits; still, such incidents keep happening which is unfortunate," Mushrif added.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed his condolences over the fire incident and directed officials to conduct a thorough probe and take stern action against those negligent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed anguish over the deaths and wished a speedy recovery of those injured. Home Minister Amit Shah, too, expressed his condolences.

NCP Minister Nawab Malik said, ‘‘It will be investigated whether the fire audits were conducted or not. In case it was done, then how did the fire begin? Conversely, if the audit was not conducted, then who is responsible? All of this will be investigated."

Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced that the district collector will submit a report within a week.



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-11-covid-19-patients-die-after-major-fire-breaks-out-in-icu-of-govt-hospital-in-ahmednagar
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Bhopal: Can any civilian or a non-army person dress up in army uniform, asks Diggy targeting PM

Bhopal: A tweet by former chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioning PM Narendra Modi for being in army uniform has earned criticism from the state government.

Digvijaya Singh raised questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi wearing military uniform in a tweet on Friday. “Can any civilian, a non- army person dress up in an army uniform? Would Gen Rawat or Raksha Mantri ji please clarify?” Singh tweeted.

After about twelve hours, Digvijaya tweeted again bringing in Hitler this time. He wrote if Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets another term in Parliament, he will become Hitler and change the constitution.

“It is only a beginning. Hitler was a Corporal in World War I and declared himself as Commander-in-Chief of German Army. If Modi ji gets another term in Parliament, I won’t be surprised if he changes the constitution and declares himself as permanent head of State!” Singh tweeted.

Singh tagged former senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha.

Reacting on Digvijay’s tweet, medical education minister, Vishwas Sarang said that hurting Indian dignity is nothing new for Digvijaya Singh. “Drawing parallels between army uniform and Hitler, Digvijaya Singh has insulted the army. Insulting the army uniform should be treated as sedition,” said Sarang.

The medical education minister said that Digvijaya asked for proof for surgical strike and offered condolences on death of terrorists.

PM Modi had worn army fatigue during his Naushera visit recently.

Also Read: Bhopal: Digvijaya Singh says if Modi gets another term, he will become Hitler



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T20 World Cup: India will pray for an Afghan win against NZ

Abu Dhabi: The Indian team will watch with bated breath as New Zealand face Afghanistan in a T20 World Cup match, the result of which will decide the semifinal line-up from Group 2, here on Sunday.

Joining Team India in praying for an Afghan victory will be its billion-plus fans.

A win for the Kiwis would shut India's hopes of advancing to the last-four as it would take them to eight points, putting things beyond the reach of Virat Kohli's men.

If Afghanistan manage to turn the tables on Kane Williamson & Co, it will keep alive their slim chances while boosting that of the Indians (on 4 points currently), who would need to win their last match with a good margin.

However, if the Kiwis secure a win, India's final league game on Monday against Namibia will be rendered inconsequential.

New Zealand will head into the match high on confidence after having eased to victory against Namibia on Friday. Jimmy Neesham and Glenn Phillips rose to the occasion after the top-order failed to fire and set up a challenging total which proved too much for the Namibian batters.

The Kiwi bowlers' experience and skills have been on show in the tournament and they would pose problems for the Afghan batters too and could decide the fate of Sunday's contest.

The Afghanistan batters have come up with consistent performances which have helped the spin-heavy bowling unit go about their job with confidence. But they would be up against an attack that includes Trent Boult, Tim Southee and the pacy Adam Milne, apart from the spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, which has troubled the batters right through the tourney.

If the Afghan batters can put up a sizeable score, then the bowling unit with Rashid Khan at the forefront could be more than a handful. The absence of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman owing to injury could weaken the bowling department but given the Kiwi batters' struggles against spin, a huge task awaits them.

How the New Zealand batters handle the middle overs when star spinner Rashid Khan would be in operation would have a huge say on how the match pans out and a good start by the powerful Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell could prove crucial as would skipper Williamson's contribution.

Though New Zealand and Afghanistan battle it out in Abu Dhabi, the Indian team in Dubai and its fans will be praying that the fellow Asian nation does it a favour by scripting a memorable victory to see their chances of surviving further in the marquee event.

Teams (from):

Afghanistan: Mohammed Nabi (captain), Hazratullah Zazai, Ahmed Shahzad, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen ul Haq, Rashid Khan, Hamid Hasan, Rahamnaullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Fareed Ahmed, Usman Ghani.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne, Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle.

Match starts at 3.30 PM IST.



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T20 World Cup 2022: Top eight for Super 12 confirmed; West Indies have to play round one

From the 12 automatic qualifiers for next year’s tournament – the 12 teams that made the Super 12 this year – eight will go straight through to the Super 12.

Those eight teams are hosts Australia, England, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The automatic qualifiers for the Super 12 stage were determined to be the winner and runner-up of the current T20 World Cup, alongside the next six highest ranking teams on the ICC Men’s T20I rankings at the cut-off date of 15 November.

On Saturday, the teams that will fill those spots were confirmed courtesy of West Indies’ loss to Australia, which means they will sit 10th by the cut-off date, with Bangladesh climbing to eighth.

Going into Saturday’s action, the current top six teams on the rankings - England, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia – had already done enough to ensure they would not slide out of those positions this tournament.

Afghanistan, the team sitting seventh, cannot drop below 8th spot irrespective of future results in this tournament following West Indies’ loss to Australia.

That loss has seen West Indies drop to 10th on the rankings, just behind Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh rising to eighth.

Alongside West Indies, 2021 Super 12 teams Sri Lanka, Namibia, and Scotland will also start next year’s tournament in the First Round.



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/cricket/t20-world-cup-2022-top-eight-for-super-12-confirmed-west-indies-have-to-play-round-one
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France commits to support India’s defence industrialisation



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Poles march against abortion ban after pregnant woman’s death

Protesters link woman’s death by septic shock to new restrictions on ending unviable pregnancies

“Her heart was beating too,” thousands of protesters across Poland chanted on Saturday during demonstrations sparked by the death of a pregnant 30-year-old woman in hospital. Her family say that the hospital staff refused her life-saving health care because they were afraid of breaking the country’s strict abortion law.

Demonstrators were joined by senior opposition politicians, including Donald Tusk, the former president of the European Council.

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‘Our notion of privacy will be useless’: what happens if technology learns to read our minds?

The promise of neurotechnology to make lives better is growing. But do we need a new set of rights to protect the integrity of our minds?

“The skull acts as a bastion of privacy; the brain is the last private part of ourselves,” Australian neurosurgeon Tom Oxley says from New York.

Oxley is the CEO of Synchron, a neurotechnology company born in Melbourne that has successfully trialled hi-tech brain implants that allow people to send emails and texts purely by thought.

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‘It feels almost naughty to leave’: For returned Australians open borders bring new dilemmas

The resumption of international travel pits new lives against old dreams for Australians who returned from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic

To live and work overseas is a rite of passage for many Australians. Life abroad, however, took on a new sense of fragility with the rise of Covid-19. More than a million Australian citizens were forced to choose between riding out the pandemic in a foreign country, or returning to the relative safety of Australia.

Since March 2020, it is estimated about half of those living abroad chose to come back, while tens of thousands wished to return but were unable to.

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Post-Diwali pill: No free ration after November 30

NEW DELHI: There is a bitter post-Diwali pill for the poor, ironically coming on the heels of the fuel sweetener which has brought the salaried middle class much respite.

The Centre, it is understood, is stopping distribution of free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana beyond November 30, on the plea that ‘‘the economy is reviving and our open market disposal of food grains has also been exceptionally good this year.’’

While the decision may make economic sense, it will hit the families whose members have lost employment. Such families bereft of a breadwinner were able to pull through the pandemic-induced lockout with free ration. At least, these families were able to keep starvation at bay. Despite the uptick in economic activity, many are yet to find gainful employment.

Free ration is given to 80 crore ration-card holders over and above the subsidised grains distributed through the PDS shops. The free ration comprised 5 kg free wheat/rice along with 1 kg free whole Chana to each family per month.

Union Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey told reporters that the PNGKAY was valid up to November 30 and there is no proposal to extend it.

Initially, free food was provided under the scheme for three months from April to June 2020, to ameliorate the distress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockout.

The scheme was first extended for five months up to November 2020. After the onset of the second phase of the pandemic, the scheme was once again rolled back for two months of May and June 2021, and then extended by five months up to November 2021.

The Congress on Saturday pleaded that the free ration scheme should be continued at least up to March 31, 2022. Its general secretary and chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surajwala asked: "Why this onslaught on the poor whose life is already hit by inflation and Corona?" Stopping the distribution of free ration on November 30 is a great injustice towards the deprived and the poor, he said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has followed up the price cut in case of petrol and diesel -- Rs 5 and Rs 10 a litre respectively -- with cut in the basic import duty on edible oils.



source https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/post-diwali-pill-no-free-ration-after-november-30
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Bhopal: As season of mist and mellow is on its way, woollens are out

Bhopal: There is a chill in the air, the days are getting shorter. Many in the state capital are seen in woollens, especially at night.

Therefore, there is no getting away from the fact that the season of mist and mellow is on its way.

Many residents in the city have begun to batten down the hatches in front of their houses and trim the tree trunks to let the sun in.

They said that they had a little time to prune tree branches as the temperature would soon plummet.

A thin cover of fog hung over different parts of the city on Saturday morning, and many people basked in sunlight.

The state capital registered a minimum temperature of 12.6°C during the past 24 hours, said the weather office.

The maximum temperature was 30.5°C during the past 24 hours. It was, however, slightly higher than the Friday’s maximum temperature which was 29.9°C.

On the other hand, the lowest minimum temperature in Risen district remained 10°C.

The weather remained dry and there was no major change in the temperature either in Bhopal or in any other areas in the state.

The trees have begun to shed leaves in the winnowing-wind. Many unknown winged-pipers have begun to descend on the city to enjoy the warm sunlight of the oncoming winter.

Also Read: Bhopal: Digvijaya Singh says if Modi gets another term, he will become Hitler



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Madhya Pradesh: Nurse suspended, 5 medical interns removed from Operation Theatre

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A nurse has been suspended while 5 intern doctors have been removed from Operation Theatre (OT) duty for bursting crackers outside labour room in Bundelkhand Medical College hospital in Sagar recently.

Besides, show-cause notice has been issued to gynaecology department head Dr Shikha Pandey who has been told to reply in three days as she did not respond despite repeated calls over bursting crackers issue. A video went viral on last Friday showing medical interns bursting crackers outside labour room near oxygen pipe line in the hospital.

According to report, nurse Ramdevi Ahirwar has been suspended while medical interns Dr Jaishri, Dr Mina Mathew, Dr Taruni Gupta, Dr Afrin and Dr Palash have been removed from OT duty and deployed in wards.

College dean Dr RS Verma said nurse has been suspended and five medical interns have been removed from OT for bursting crackers near oxygen supply line. “It is a major lapse on part of medical interns. As they are students, they cannot be suspended. So, we have removed them from OT and deployed them in wards,” he added.

Dean had constituted an investigation committee and took decision on the basis of its report. College administration swung into action after video went viral and investigated into matter confirmed negligence of medical interns and nurse who were involved in bursting crackers outside labour room.

Woman’s death

College dean Dr RS Verma said, “As for woman’s death after delivery, post- mortem report shows that cause of death is due to food stuck in wind pipe. We investigated the matter and came to know that family members fed patient at night and she vomited. Food stuck up in wind pipe caused death.”

Her family members had alleged that nurse administered injection after woman complained abdominal pain. They said injection caused her death.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Woman dies after nurse administers injection post delivery



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8 dead, scores injured in stampede at US rapper Travis Scott's jam-packed concert in Houston

Houston: A popular sold-out music festival here in Texas turned into a "mass casualty" incident and left at least eight people dead and scores of others injured when a crowd surged towards the front stage, squeezing audience members who had nowhere to escape at the event attended by some 50,000 fans of American rapper Travis Scott.

The jam-packed concert featuring multiple acts by Scott at the Astroworld Festival in Houston had to be cancelled immediately as people started falling after the massive crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage around 9:00-9:15 PM (local time) on Friday.

"Astroworld event has been cancelled for Saturday! Please keep the eight victims and the hundreds injured in your thoughts and prayers," Houston Office of Emergency Management said in a tweet.

Astroworld Festival is an annual music festival run by American rapper Scott, held in Houston, Texas at NRG Park, on the former site of Six Flags Astroworld.

"The crowd for whatever reason began to push and surge towards the front of the stage, which caused the people in the front to be compressed -- they were unable to escape that situation," Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena told CNN on Saturday.

That sparked panic, and the situation worsened and overwhelmed security personnel there, he said. "People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic," Pena said at a news conference.

"Our hearts are broken," Lina Hidalgo, the Harris County judge, said.

"People go to these events looking for a good time, a chance to unwind, to make memories. It's not the kind of event you go to where you expect to find out about fatalities. . Obviously, this is the last place we want to be - especially after we've been through so much as a community. But we have incredibly capable law enforcement officials here,"Hidalgo said.

Multiple fans were trampled as hundreds rushed the event's perimeter. Once inside, some people began climbing onto portable toilets as security personnel worked to try and contain the crowd, ABC 13 news website reported.

"We had scores of individuals that were injured. The crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage, and people began to panic," Pena said during a news conference early on Saturday morning. Describing what unfolded as a "mass casualty" incident, the fire chief said that 17 patients were rushed to local hospitals.

More than 300 people were treated at the field hospital set up near the festival, Pena said, adding that the concert drew about 50,000 attendees.

So far, eight people have died and hundreds of others injured during the opening night of the popular weekend music festival, authorities said.

Governor Greg Abbott in a statement issued on Saturday said, "What happened at Astroworld Festival last night was tragic, and our hearts are with those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the terrifying crowd surge".

"Thank you to the first responders and good Samaritans who were on site and immediately tended to those who were injured in the crowd. The State of Texas is ready to assist in the response, and I have directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to make state resources available to support the investigation. I ask Texans to join Cecilia and me in lifting up in prayer those affected by this tragedy," Abbott said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he has called for a "detailed briefing with all stakeholders," including law enforcement, Live Nation and NRG Park, to find out how the festival "got out of control." "What happened at the Astroworld Festival was a tragedy," he wrote. "This was a major event that happened in the city and on Harris County property. Today, law enforcement will speak with concert promoters and witnesses and review videos available from the event and inside the festival venue," Turner said.

The festival put out a statement on Saturday morning urging anyone with information on what happened to reach out to the Houston Police Department.

"Our hearts are with the Astro world Festival family tonight - especially those we lost and their loved ones," Astro World tweeted. "We are focused on supporting local officials however we can. With that in mind the festival will no longer be held on Saturday," it said.

Organised by rapper Scott, the third annual festival featuring multiple acts was scheduled to run from Friday to Saturday, according to the event's website. The view from SkyEye overhead Friday night showed the heavy police and fire department activity in the area of the event as organisers ended it early.

The organisers, rapper Scott and LiveNation, stopped the show when it was apparent that multiple people were hurt, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, ABC 13 reported.

The crowd disregarded metal detectors and security guards who were checking bags.

Members of the Houston Police Department's (HPD) Mounted Patrol Unit were also on scene and worked to contain the chaotic scene.

HPD Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite was on-duty at the festival along with 367 police officers and 241 security officers, according to the ABC 13 report.

Giving his first-hand account, he said, "Once we started having the mass casualty incident, they were starting CPR on several people, and it happened all at once.

"It seemed like it happened over the course of just a few minutes. Suddenly, we had several people down on the ground experiencing some type of cardiac arrest or some type of medical episode," he said.

Finner said that while it was too early to know if the deaths or injuries were the result of criminal activity, his department is investigating any possibilities.

"Until we determine what happened, what caused the surge, we don't know," Finner said. "We will find out. Is there anything criminal? We don't know." Medical transports were already at the park for the multi-day festival, but staff was quickly overwhelmed with injured people, authorities said.

The event's tickets sold out within an hour of going on sale back in May. Scott, the popular rapper and organiser, launched the Astroworld Festival in 2018. Like most other large events, it was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the report added.



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Paris Masters: Novak Djokovic beats Hulbert Hurkacz to make finals, in sight of record title

Novak Djokovic will end the year at No. 1 for a record seventh time after rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5) in the Paris Masters semi-finals on Saturday.

Djokovic, who also stays on course for a record-extending sixth Paris Masters title, moved one ahead of American Pete Sampras, who secured his six top year-end finishes from 1993-98.

"That was the goal this week. I'm very proud to finish the season as No. 1," Djokovic said.

"It's a dream, honestly, because Sampras was such an idol for me when I was young. He motivated me to pick up the racket and try this sport." Djokovic also finished the year top in 2011-12, 2014-15, 2018 and 2020.

Djokovic eclipsed Roger Federer's all-time mark of 310 weeks at No. 1 on March 8 and will finish 2021 having held the top ranking for 348 weeks.

Another win on Sunday will give Djokovic a record 37th Masters title to move one clear of fellow 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal.

The top-ranked Serb has also reached a record-extending seventh final here, where he could meet Russian Daniil Medvedev after losing to him in the U.S. Open final two months ago. Djokovic had not played since.

The second-seeded Medvedev played No. 4 Alexander Zverev - the Olympic champion - later Saturday.

Djokovic was in his 71st Masters semifinal and Hurkacz just his second.

But Hurkacz forged the first break point of the match in the eighth game and took it with a backhand volley at the net for 5-3.

Djokovic had a chance to break back with Hurkacz 30-40 down in the next game, but the Serb made two sloppy unforced errors and Hurkacz took the first set on his second set point with a strong first serve that Djokovic returned long.

Djokovic hit back in an imperious second set and took control of the decider with a strong service game to move 4-1 up.

But Djokovic's double-fault in the seventh game gave Hurkacz two break points. Djokovic sarcastically applauded the crowd after some of them had cheered his double-fault. The Parisian crowd had also loudly cheered errors and double-faults from players who were up against Frenchman Hugo Gaston on Thursday and Friday.

Djokovic was much more comfortable holding for a 5-4 lead, and sat in a meditative pose during the changeover.

Serving to stay in the match, Hurkacz was at deuce when Djokovic edged a 25-shot rally to forge a first match point.

He saved it on second serve when Djokovic's backhand landed just wide. He then held with an ace for 5-5.

The tiebreaker was close at 5-5 when Hurkacz's loose forehand into the net gave Djokovic a second match point and he clinched victory when Hurkacz's sliced backhand at full stretch landed just wide.

Djokovic beat his chest three times and let out a roar as he celebrated his victory, then applauded his opponent off court.

"What a match, a lot of intensity," Djokovic said.

"It was very close."

Hurkacz broke into the Top 10 for the first time last month and has qualified for the eight-man season-ending ATP Finals, which start on Nov. 14 in Turin.

Djokovic will also be looking for a record-equaling sixth ATP Finals title to tie with Federer.



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