Sunday fun day

Maiden major-winner Matt Fitzpatrick wants to follow in the footsteps of Nick Faldo after storming to success in the U.S. Open on Sunday. In a win many fans may feel was a long time coming, the Yorkshire man finished one shot clear of Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. That leaves Fitzpatrick five majors short of Faldo, the most successful British player of the modern era after clinching each of the Masters and The Open on three occasions. "Six is the number," Fitzpatrick told reporters following the biggest day of his career to date. "That's the number that we all agreed on. I've got a bit of a way to go, but it's a good start. You want to go win more now, there's no doubt about that. It's easy to still go off track. I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing, and hopefully more will come. I'm delighted with one so far." Considering he only turned professional in 2014, the 27-year-old has time on his side as he … [Read more...] about Matt Fitzpatrick sets target after US Open win and makes Sheffield United comparison

Newly sworn-in Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday evening brought 50 MLAs, who support him, back to Mumbai city from Goa by a chartered flight on the eve of a special two-day session of the state legislative assembly. An election for the post of Speaker and a floor test of the newly-formed government will be held on July 3-4, respectively. On July 4, Shinde will face a floor test as he claims to have the support of 50 legislators, including 39 rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena. Shinde had flown to Goa in the morning to bring them back to Maharashtra’s capital city. Traffic was halted for some time when the buses carrying MLAs left the airport. The MLAs were staying at a hotel in Goa since June 29 after flying from Assam’s Guwahati. After landing in Mumbai, the legislators would be staying in a starred hotel ahead of the special session on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, NCP president Sharad Pawar claimed that Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal can still perform officiating … [Read more...] about MLAs of Shinde Faction Return to Mumbai Amid Heavy Security; Assembly Speaker Election Tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing a public meeting titled as ‘Vijay Sankalpa Sabha’ at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad here on July 3. As the title of the meeting suggests, PM Modi may sound the poll bugle for the 2023 Assembly polls in Telangana to prepare the BJP cadre for the electoral contest. Modi, who landed here on Saturday to attend the BJP’s two-day National Executive Committee meeting, will address the rally on Sunday evening. During his last visit to the city on May 26, Modi, indirectly referring to TRS party, lashed out at family politics saying ‘parivaarvadi’ is democracy’s “greatest enemy”. He had expressed confidence that the BJP would storm to power in the state in the next assembly elections. According to political pundits, Modi is expected to continue his tirade against Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and the ruling TRS. Rao, popularly known as KCR, on Saturday in a party meeting in support of opposition parties’ presidential candidate Yashwant … [Read more...] about PM Modi to Address Public Meeting in Hyderabad on July 3

Halfway through the second episode of The Midwich Cuckoos I found myself wishing I didn’t have a science degree. For those unfamiliar with Sky ’s show, the source novel by John Wyndham, or one of the pair of movie adaptations, after the village of Midwich mysteriously falls asleep for a day, all the women of childbearing age suddenly find themselves to be pregnant. The resulting children have some disturbing features and abilities. They are the cuckoos of the title. The Sky adaptation seeks a female perspective to the story, which is very much in its favour. It’s mostly the men whom we see trying to deal with the problems presented by the cuckoos in the book, which is perhaps its biggest flaw given they’re not the ones who have to deal with being used as human reed warblers (a favoured cuckoo host in Britain). But modernising it clearly presented the makers with some challenges. Abortion is legal today . It wasn’t in 1957 when the book was published. And then … [Read more...] about Why do writers and filmmakers keep using lazy science?

F or many years of my childhood, my imagination associated with trains ran parallel to its rails, never to meet at a point to realise it! In my district known for its hills and terrains, the rail tracks never made it till there but the fascination associated with rails ran undiminished! Very vaguely I remember the first journey in a push-pull train that ran between the neighbouring districts. I still remember the excitement and the joy of sitting beside the window or peeping out of the door enjoying the gush of wind on the face. The warnings from our parents about the dangers of standing at the door only would bring us back to our senses. For many years from that first journey, I preferred bus travels even to places well connected by train, just for the comfort that the frequent bus travels had brought in! In the later years, I had to take up train travels to very remote parts of central, northern and eastern parts of India which were connected only by trains. Those travels … [Read more...] about Rails of fascination

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: The holiday marking the birthday of the United States of America unfolds this year with deep divisions among its people over the weightiest of topics — abortion, guns, the events of 1/6 at the U.S. Capitol, rising gas prices and the direction of the nation in general. How to capture this and gauge your community’s sentiment as the fireworks explode and the flag paraphernalia comes out? Or just document the holiday? Here are some ideas on how to capture this unusual moment in the country’s history. STORY FORMS Short of polling, it’s generally impossible to take the pulse of a community. Instead, break it down into slices. Recommended Over £130m handed to housing providers named and shamed by regulator — Pick a place in your coverage area — a popular park (maybe where fireworks are scheduled?), an outdoor festival, perhaps a community sports event — and use the setting as a framing device for your story. — Range around your … [Read more...] about LOCALIZE IT: Covering July 4 in a deeply divided America

Recently crowned US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick helped younger brother Alex turn down a deal to link up with the controversial Saudi-backed Golf series that began earlier this month. The circuit - known as the LIV Golf Invitational Series - has sent shockwaves around the world of golf, attracting some of the sport’s biggest stars with mega-money deals, and huge financial prizes. As well as golf’s most renowned names - including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson - circuit organisers, led by ex-world No. 1 Greg Norman also looked to poach some of the planet's hottest amateur players, which included Fitzpatrick. As an amateur, the chance to turn professional and compete for a £20 million prize pot each event is no doubt a tough offer to turn down. Alex though took the decision not to sign up - with the help of big brother Matt. Per Sportsmail he said: “Matt helped me make the decision along with my parents and his incredible victory emphasised to me that I made the … [Read more...] about Matt Fitzpatrick helped force brother to make rebel Saudi tour U-turn before US Open win

Accusing the State government of not delivering on the promises made, pourakarmikas have decided to continue their strike indefinitely till all assurances have been committed to in writing. They alleged that promises made by the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the meeting on Friday found no mention in the minutes of the meeting officials shared with them on Saturday. The strike will continue for the third day on Sunday. “The Chief Minister had agreed to bring pourakarmikas on payroll and bring loading and unloading helpers on direct payment. He had also agreed to provide ₹10 lakh to those pourakarmikas who retire after 60 years. We also received assurances on scholarships for children of pourakarmikas and others. But when we received the letter, there was no reference about these promises made and many things have been left out. We want the State government to include all the promises that were made, and the Chief Minister must come in person and give the letter. We will continue … [Read more...] about Pourkarmikas say promises not kept; decide to continue strike

Believing British golfer Matt Fitzpatrick’s chance of winning the US Open had slipped away, his brother Alex left the course on Saturday and flew home. But by the time the plane landed Matt was back in contention, so Alex returned to the airport at 5am the next day and hours later was at the 18th hole to see his brother become champion. Sheffield lad Matt, 27, was given a bear hug by his sibling on the green after becoming only the third Englishman in modern times to win the major title. Alex, 23, who lives in North Carolina, travelled over 600 miles on Sunday back to Massachusetts where the tournament was held. After the rapid return to cheer on his brother, Alex said: “It’s been a hectic 24 hours but it was worth the 150 dollars coming back.” The trip included a 90-minute drive from his home to the airport. The golfer's brother had to rush back to the course after thinking victory had slipped by Alex has been praised for commiserating with the beaten golfers on … [Read more...] about Matt Fitzpatrick’s brother forced into 600-mile U-turn after thinking US Open was over

Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo resigned from his newly elected seat on the City Council. The chief is blamed by Texas Department of Public Safety officials for delays in responding to the Robb Elementary School Shooting on May 24. Just weeks before the school shooting that left 21 people dead, voters in Uvalde elected Arredondo to a seat on the City Council, the Uvalde Leader-News reported . In the days that followed the shooting, officials delayed the swearing-in ceremony. “After much consideration, I regret to inform those who voted for me that I have decided to step down as a member of the city council for District 3,” Arredondo said in a written statement. “The mayor, the city council, and the city staff must continue to move forward without distractions. I feel this is the best decision for Uvalde.” The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District placed Arredondo on administrative leave on June 22, the local newspaper reported. At $90,750 per … [Read more...] about Embattled Uvalde School Police Chief Resigns from City Council After Shooting