"Probably Bigger Than...": Stokes Reacts After First Loss As Test Captain

England captain Ben Stokes feels blessed to be involved in a dramatic and high-quality game of cricket that his side lost by just one run, saying the enjoyment of being part of the thriller has outweighed the disappointment of losing the second Test. New Zealand defeated England by one run in a sensational finish at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday to level the two-match series 1-1. It is only the fourth occasion in Test history that a team, forced to follow-on, has gone on to win the match, with the previous occasions being England in 1894 and 1981, and India in 2001.

"It's disappointing to not win, obviously. But we look at the bigger picture of what everyone's enjoyed and seen here today. It's probably bigger than the disappointment at the moment," said Stokes, who tasted a rare defeat since taking over as captain last year.

"It's very disappointing to lose, but you can't help but be excited that we've been a part of a game like that." "It's right up there. Going down to the last day, being in the situation of that last half an hour … it's everything you wish for. Even though we came out on the wrong side of it, you can't help but feel blessed that we've managed to be a part of that incredible game," added the all-rounder, who has won 10 Tests out of the 12 he has captained after taking over from Joe Root.

The 31-year-old added that the gamut of emotions his team -- and also the opposing side -- went through was incredible, and gave spectators the thrills they were craving for.

"That game is what Test cricket is about, it was just incredible. The emotions we were going through and obviously the Kiwi boys out there as well. Was incredible to be involved in such a Test match. Everyone's got their money worth." The match came down to the last man standing at the crease.

England bowling stalwart James Anderson smashed a boundary off Neil Wagner, which left England two runs shy of scoring a series victory.

But in a dramatic moment, Anderson was caught on the leg side by a diving Tome Blundell to signal the Blackcaps' win.

"Disappointing to end on a loss but four (wins) out of five away from home is something we will take great pride in. A few months off and get back to what we love doing," said Stokes.

England made a clean sweep of the three-Test series in Pakistan and won the opening Test in New Zealand, making it four away wins in five games.

Stokes added he did not regret the decision to enforce the follow-on after the hosts had been bundled out for 209 in response to England's 435/8 declared.

The hosts put up a superb 483 in the second essay to give England a competitive 258-run winnings target.

"It was always our game to lose once we enforced the follow-on. But the logic behind it (enforcing follow-on) was that our opening bowlers have ripped through their top-order for three innings in a row. We knew that New Zealand had to pretty much play the perfect game to put us in a situation like this," added Stokes.

"Batting in the last innings, chasing 250 is something that we were never worried about. But give huge credit to New Zealand, not only to the way that they played in the second innings, but also the way that they bowled and managed to get very early wickets with not too many runs on the board. So in terms of looking back and making my decision around the follow-on, No, I don't regret it." PTI AM AM AT AT

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Dhoni "Replaced Me...": India Star On Being Legendary Captain's Understudy

MS Dhoni's rise started a new chapter in Indian cricket. The youngster from Ranchi, Jharkhand, who rose to become a giant in world cricket is an inspiration to many. A few months before Dhoni's debut for India in December, 2004, against Bangladesh, another wicketkeeper-batter started his journey for the Men in Blue. His name was Dinesh Karthik. He made his debut in an ODI against England at Lord's in September, 2004. However, Dhoni's dominance was such that Karthik soon became an understudy of the former India skipper. 

While Dhoni went on to win three ICC title as India captain, Karthik worked hard and is still playing at the top level. He even played the 2022 T20 World Cup for India. Recently, Karthik shared his thoughts on making his debut at a time when Dhoni-mania was just starting.

"I made my debut before him. We went together on an India A tour and from there I got picked for the Indian team, he was still there in India A team," Karthik said on the RCB podcast. 

"That was the first time I played a four-day match together with him. I did so well that they picked me for the Indian team. From there, they went on another trip, there was a ODI tournament where he just blasted it. People stood up and said there is nobody like him. They said he's a special player. Obviously I came to the Indian team, but by then the Dhoni mania was so big that you had to pick him. He then replaced me in all formats and he did very well. At the end of the day, it is all about taking opportunities. You got to be ready to take opportunities.

"I was chasing excellence. I was constantly on the path of becoming the best cricketer in the world. Dhoni was there, he wasn't there – that wasn't my lookout. He was doing very well for himself. I knew that he had settled in all team. He made no mistake at the start. They sent him up an order, he got a hundred in ODI. He then went to Test cricket and scored 85. He kept brilliantly. Most importantly, he became a brand overnight. People were after him. He was hugely popular sportsperson right from the outset. I was always the understudy but I was always on the lookout for opportunities, doing something special."

Karthik is now gearing up for the Indian Premier League, where he plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Dhoni is also preparing for the IPL for Chennai Super Kings.

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Missing Head Of Murdered Hong Kong Model Found In Pot of Soup

Abby Choi, a 28-year-old model and influencer from Hong Kong, went missing last Tuesday. Two days later, parts of her dismembered body were found in a fridge in a house in the city's Tai Po district. The home also had an electric saw, a meat slicer, and some clothing, according to the authorities.

However, her head, torso and hands were missing. Now, police have found her missing head in one of two big pots containing soup and human remains, New York Post reported.

Superintendent Alan Chung investigating the case said that the head had ''no skin or meat on it'' and was swimming in liquid with soup scraps like carrots and radishes.

''The liquid was up to the top of the pot so to speak, and the whole pot was full,' he said during a press conference. There was a lot of fat solidified in the form of jelly a the top, and there were a lot of scraps of soup. I remember carrots and green radishes, and there was also other minced meat, which I believe were human remains. About the head – it is a skull actually, with no skin or meat on it. So, basically, skull with hair,'' Mr Chung said, during a press conference. 

Police believe the influencer was attacked in a car and was unconscious when she was taken to the house. A forensic examination found a hole at the back of the skull that could be evidence of a fatal attack.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong police have charged four people in connection to the gruesome murder. Those charged with Ms Choi's killing included her ex-husband Alex Kwong, his father, Kwong Kau, and brother Anthony Kwong. Ms Choi's former mother-in-law, Jenny Li, was also charged with perverting the course of justice by destroying evidence. 

According to police, Ms Choi had financial disputes with her ex-husband and his family involving a luxury property involving tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars. All four appeared in court on Monday and were denied bail, with the next hearing set to take place on May 8.

Notably, Ms Choi, a well-known model and influencer, has appeared in Elle, Vogue, as well as Harper's Bazaar. She was a regular at Paris Fashion Week as well. Her last social media post was on February 19, featuring a photoshoot she had done with the fashion magazine L'Officiel Monaco.

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Origin Of Covid "Shouldn't Be Politicised": China On Lab-Leak Theory

China on Monday rejected a new US report that claims the Covid-19 virus may have leaked from a bio laboratory in Wuhan, saying the origins-tracing of the pandemic "is about science and should not be politicised."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the international experts have considered the theory that the pandemic might have leaked from a Chinese laboratory as "extremely unlikely".

She said it is a science-based, authoritative conclusion reached by the experts of the WHO-China joint mission after field trips to the lab in Wuhan and in-depth communication with researchers.

Mao's remarks came in response to the US Department of Energy's (USDE) latest assessment that the coronavirus mostly likely leaked from a bio laboratory in Wuhan.

"It was accurately recorded in the mission's report and has received extensive recognition from the international community," she said.

"The origins-tracing of SARS-CoV-2 is about science and should not be politicised. China has always supported and participated in global science-based origins-tracing," Mao said.

The USDE has assessed in the intelligence report that it had "low confidence" that the Covid-19 virus accidentally escaped from a lab in Wuhan, CNN reported on Sunday.

A low confidence assessment generally means that the information obtained is not reliable enough or is too fragmented to make a more definitive analytic judgment or that there is not enough information available to draw a more robust conclusion, it said.

The Huanan market in central China's Wuhan city was the epicentre of the pandemic. From its origin there, the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly spread to other locations in Wuhan in late 2019 and then to the rest of the world, killing nearly seven million people.

A WHO team of experts who visited Wuhan in 2021 amid the raging controversy over the lab-leak theory, which China vehemently denied, stated in its report that the leak from the Wuhan bio lab was the "least likely hypothesis".

But WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who received the report, said the Wuhan lab leak allegation required further probe.

"As far as the WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table," Ghebreyesus said.

Over two years since Covid-19 was first detected in Wuhan, the question of how the virus first emerged remains a mystery.

It is suspected that the coronavirus may have escaped, accidentally or otherwise, from a laboratory in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where the virus was first recorded.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) has been studying coronaviruses in bats for over a decade.

The USDE assessment further adds to the divide in the US government over whether the Covid-19 pandemic began in China in 2019 as the result of a lab leak or whether it emerged naturally.

The various intelligence agencies have been split on the matter for years.

In 2021, the intelligence community declassified a report that showed four agencies in the intelligence community had assessed with low confidence that the virus likely jumped from animals to humans naturally in the wild, while one assessed with moderate confidence that the pandemic was the result of a laboratory accident, the CNN report said.

A USDE spokesperson in a statement to CNN said, "the Department of Energy continues to support the thorough, careful, and objective work of our intelligence professionals in investigating the origins of COVID-19, as the President directed."

The Department of Energy's Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence is one of the 18 government agencies that make up the intelligence community, which is under the umbrella of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.

The controversial lab-leak theory first emerged early on in the pandemic and was promoted by then-US President Donald Trump.

China has rejected the claim that the virus may have escaped from a laboratory, calling it a smear, and has suggested the coronavirus may have entered the country in food shipments from another country.

Given the massive human toll of the pandemic, most scientists think understanding how and where the virus originated is crucial to prevent it from happening again.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Feeling Constipated? 5 Everyday Diet Tips To Regulate Bowel Movement

There are days when you start the morning in an irritated mood because your gut is giving you a silent treatment. Let's agree, we all have been there. Constipation is quite a common problem among many people. It can be uncomfortable and painful at times, especially when it is prolonged. Ever wondered what can be the probable reason for constipation?! It shouldn't come as a surprise that food and lifestyle play a major role in your gut's performance. Let's start with understanding what constipation is and how it affects our regular life.

What is the problem of constipation?

Constipation is a digestive condition characterised by an infrequent or difficult bowel movement. As per experts, the condition is typically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. However, this can vary depending on the individual. Constipation may often cause stools to be hard, dry, and difficult to pass. This can lead to straining during bowel movements, discomfort, and even pain at times.

Also Read: 5 Foods That Can Help You Poop And Ease Constipation

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Infrequent bowel movements:

As mentioned earlier, it is one of the most common symptoms of constipation is infrequent bowel movements, which are typically fewer than three bowel movements per week.

Difficulty passing stool:

Constipation often makes it difficult to pass stool, resulting in straining or pain during bowel movements.

Hard or lumpy stool:

A stool that is hard, dry, or lumpy is another symptom of constipation. This can make bowel movements even more difficult and painful.

Abdominal pain or bloating:

Constipation can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, and cramping due to the build-up of gas and stool in the digestive system.

Feeling irritated:

Constipation can leave you feeling irritated. It majorly happens due to unclear bowel movements.

What are the major causes of constipation?

Nutrient deficiency:

One of the most common reasons for constipation is a lack of dietary fibre. Fibre adds bulk to stool, which helps it move more easily through the digestive system. A diet that is low in fibre can cause constipation.

Inadequate fluid intake:

Inadequate fluid intake can also lead to constipation. Without enough water, stool can become hard and difficult to pass. It is important to drink plenty of water and other fluids to help keep stools soft and easy to pass.

High-fat diet:

A diet that is high in fat (and low in fibre) can also cause constipation. These types of foods can be difficult to digest, leading to constipation.

Increased stress:

Stress is quite unhealthy that is often blamed for irregular bowel movements. It is said that stress-related changes can directly affect our gut health, leading to constipation or loose stools.

Medical condition:

Certain medical conditions may cause constipation, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), thyroid disorders, diabetes, and certain neurological conditions. Hence, it is always advised to consult a doctor if you are experiencing chronic constipation problem.

Home remedies: How to prevent constipation?

As mentioned earlier, what comes out of your body depends much on what goes in. Hence, it is important to load up on a healthy diet regime to prevent constipation and other gut-related problems. Here, we bring you some simple dietary tips that you can follow every day to regulate bowel movements.

Also Read: 6 Best Fruits To Manage Constipation

 

5 everyday diet tips to promote healthy bowel movement:

Increase fibre intake:

Fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lentils can help regulate bowel movements. These foods help add bulk to the stool and promote its regularity. Experts suggest aiming for at least 25-30 grams of fibre per day. Click here for some of the most popular fibre-enriched food options.

Drink plenty of water:

Staying hydrated is important for maintaining regular bowel movements. It is always recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water per day to keep up overall health.

Incorporate probiotics:

Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, chaas, kimchi and more can help promote healthy gut bacteria and improve digestive function. Click here for some popular desi probiotic food options.

Avoid processed foods:

Processed foods and fat and calorie-laden junk foods can disrupt the digestive system and lead to irregular bowel movements. Instead, always choose whole, unprocessed foods for better gut health. Here are some whole-grain options for you to add to your daily diet.

Exercise regularly:

Regular exercise can help stimulate bowel movements and improve overall digestive health. Health experts always suggest brisk walking or light exercises for at least half an hour on most days of the week.

Eat healthy, stay fit!

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Kashmiri Pandit Group Calls For "Brutal Operation" Against Terrorists

Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti or KPSS has called for a "brutal operation" against terrorists and their supporters in the Valley, a day after the killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Kumar by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

KPSS, an organization of Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley, has also demanded replacing Jammu and Kashmir's Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps to protect Pandits in the Valley.

In a strongly worked statement, the KPSS claims that a sizeable number of Kashmiri Muslims are working for terrorists responsible for killing of Kashmiri Pandits.

"Decisions taken by the Government of India in August 2019 have exposed the Kashmiri Society and its social fabric. Two out of Ten have turned OGWs (over ground workers) for these terror Organisations who are responsible for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities" said Sanjay Tikoo, president KPSS.

The Pandit group said that "in a fight between Muslim Kashmir and Hindu India, religious minorities living in Kashmir are becoming a scapegoat".

Press Release - 27.02.2023
Raliv, Galiv ya Chaliv (convert, die or leave) a modus-operandi initiated by the Radical Kashmiries to establish Islamic Doctrine in Kashmir continues and is reverberated by every #KashmiriPandit killing which is happening in Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/JO4bBs4cDR

— KPSS (@KPSSamiti) February 27, 2023

The KPSS said religious terrorist groups are issuing threats against Pandits. "Islamic countries and scholars repeatedly claim that terror doesn't have a religion, but they need to see in Kashmir that here it not only has a religion but a face too."

Mr Tikoo has appealed to the Prime Minister to issue necessary directions to initiate "brutal operation against the militants and their aides to safe guard the lives of the innocents Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities living in Kashmir".

On Sunday, Sanjay Kumar, a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead by terrorists near his home at Achan village in Pulwama district.

Soon after the killing, local Muslims held protests and demanded an end to terrorism to save Kashmiriyat. Since yesterday candlelight vigil was were held at several places to protest against the killing.

This was the first targeted attack on a Kashmiri Pandits after a gap of over four months in the Valley. In 2022, four Kashmiri Pandits were killed in targeted attacks by terrorists in Kashmir.

Mr Tikoo however is cynical about these anti terrorist protests. He claims that same people who are behind the killings are joining protests held against the killers.

"After executing the task these people join the wailing crowd in stealth mode by giving statements about Kashmiriyat and join Candle Light Marches. Just strategy has changed but the result is the same and i.e. Islamic Kashmir without Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus," said the Pandit organisation.

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Maanvi And Varun Host An Outdoor Lunch Party, Share Beautiful Pics

Maanvi Gagroo and Varun Kumar just dropped a series of images from their outdoor lunch party and it is truly a treat for the eyes. The couple, who were twinning in white, chose to wear traditional outfits for the party they hosted post their marriage. Maanvi was seen wearing a vibrant lehenga and teamed it with Kundan jewelry. Varun wore a white kurta-pajama paired with a vibrant jacket. Sharing the images, Maanvi wrote, "23/23 celebrations would've been incomplete without an outdoor lunch party in the Delhi winter(ish) sun."

The post has been garnering a lot of likes with many users congratulating the couple on their marriage. One user commented, “Congratulations maanvi and varun! Maanvi - you just look breathtaking in every single picture.” Another wrote, “Oooooooh you look like a sunkissed flower.” See the post here:

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A post shared by Maanvi Gagroo (@maanvigagroo)

Newlyweds Maanvi Gagroo and Varun Kumar, who got married on February 23, hosted a post-wedding party in Mumbai for their family and close friends on the same day. The bash was attended by Maanvi's co-stars Sayani Gupta (Four More Shot Please!) and Kunaal Roy Kapur with his wife Shayonti (TVF Tripling). Other celebs who were spotted at the party were Patralekhaa and Rasika Dugal. For the special occasion, Maanvi opted for a pink lehenga set and accessorized the look with gold jewelry. Varun, on the other hand, looked dashing in a black pant-suit set.

The couple happily posed for the shutterbugs stationed at the venue. Maanvi's parents Surender-Urmil Gagroo and Varun's mom were also pictured at the bash. See some pictures from the day here: 

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A post shared by Maanvi Gagroo (@maanvigagroo)

On Valentine's Day, Maanvi Gagroo officially confirmed that she is dating Varun Kumar in an adorable Instagram post. She shared a picture from their vacation and wrote, "Found my lobster. #HappyValentinesDay"

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A post shared by Maanvi Gagroo (@maanvigagroo)

Meanwhile, on the work front, Maanvi Gagroo is best known for her performance as Siddhi Patel in Four More Shots Please! and as Chanchal Sharma in Tripling. She has also worked in movies such as Ujda Chaman, No One Killed Jessica, and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.

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