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India beat Scotland by 150 runs
Scotland won the toss and chose to field, but were quickly made to regret their decision by India. Openers Kamalini G and Trisha Gongadi unleashed a barrage of boundaries, propelling India to 67-0 at the end of the powerplay. Their attack didn’t stop there; the pair continued to pepper the field with boundaries, taking India to 104-0 by the 10th over.
Kamalini G brought up her fifty in style with a boundary, before Scotland finally claimed their first breakthrough, courtesy of Macie Maceira. The Indian opening pair set a new record for the highest partnership in this World Cup, amassing 147 runs. Trisha Gongadi then made history, scoring the first-ever century in the tournament. She, along with Sanika Chalke, powered India to an impressive total of 207-1. The total of 207 is not only the highest score in this edition but also the second highest across both editions of the tournament.
Scotland began their chase with determination, but regular wickets from the Indian bowlers meant they were never able to mount a serious challenge. Aayushi Shukla was the standout bowler, taking 4/8 as India bowled out Scotland for just 58 in 14 overs. Vaishnavi Sharma also contributed significantly, claiming three wickets, while Trisha Gongadi capped off her exceptional day by picking up three wickets as well.
For her remarkable all-round performance, scoring the first-ever century of the tournament with an unbeaten 110* off 59 balls, and taking three wickets for just six runs, Trisha Gongadi was named the Player of the Match.
India, already qualified for the semi-finals, now sit firmly at the top of their Super Six group, with only Australia, who play tomorrow, having a chance to dethrone them from the top spot.
Brief scores:
India Women Under 19s 208/1 in 20 overs [G Kamalini 51, Gongadi Trisha 110*, Sanika Chalke 29*; Maisie Maceira 1-25] beat Scotland Women Under 19s 58 in 14 overs [Pippa Kelly 12, Emma Walsingham 12, Pippa Sproul 11, Nayma Sheikh 10; Aayushi Shukla 4-08, Vaishnavi Sharma 3-05, Gongadi Trisha 3-06] by 150 runs
A regional jet carrying dozens of passengers and a military helicopter have collided midair near Washington Dc the United States, raising fears of mass casualties and forcing a halt to all takeoffs and landings at Ronald Reagan Washington national airport.
US President Donald Trump said late on Wednesday he had been briefed on the “terrible accident”.
“May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders,” he said in a statement. “I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet collided with a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at around 9pm local time while en route from Wichita, Kansas, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.
“PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas,” the FAA said in a statement.
“The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation,” the aviation agency added, referring to the National Transportation Safety Board.
[Aljazeera]
Three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals are expected to be freed from Gaza by Hamas on Thursday, Israel has said.
Two women, civilian Arbel Yehud, 29, and military observer Agam Berger, 20, have been named along with an 80-year-old man, Gadi Moses, as the Israelis set for release.
If completed, it will be the third hostage release of the latest Gaza ceasefire deal. In exchange for the Israeli hostages, 110 Palestinians are being freed from Israeli jails.
The Thai hostages’ names have not yet been made public. Their release would be a unilateral move by Hamas, and would not constitute part of the deal. They are reportedly agricultural workers who were abducted from Israel where they worked. Thailand’s government has said six of its citizens are still being held hostage in Gaza.
Their names are Watchara Sriuan, Bannawat Seatho, Sathian Suwannakham, Nattapong Pinta, Pongsak Tanna and Surasak Lamnau. Thailand said two other Thai hostages – Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri – are believed to be dead.
The names of the 110 Palestinian prisoners set to be freed by Israel have not been released either, but it’s thought they include at least 30 women and children, as well as prisoners sentenced to life terms.
Their release is part of the third such exchange since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January. Seven women have already been freed alive in exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
A fourth hostage release involving three men is expected to take place on Saturday, the Israeli government said.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.
More than 47,310 people in Gaza have been killed since then in Israel’s offensive, the majority of them civilians, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry says.
[BBC]
Latest News
’Clean Sri Lanka’ program must be implemented with humanitarian objectives – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya underscored the importance of implementing the “Clean Sri Lanka” program with humanitarian objectives at its core. Addressing the Colombo District Coordination Committee meeting held at the District Secretariat in Narahenpita, the Prime Minister highlighted the program’s complexity and its broader purpose beyond environmental cleanliness.
During the meeting, key discussions took place on various matters, including the allocation of land for an explosives warehouse in the Colombo District, the future development plan for local government institutions, community empowerment programs, and the execution of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative. Additionally, attention was directed toward resolving issues related to paddy lands along the border between Maharagama and Kesbewa, the urgent removal of waste at the Colombo Main Bus Stand, and the cessation of unsafe garbage disposal into the Niripola paddy fields in Seethawaka.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated that the public had voted in the last election with expectations of change, necessitating the government’s commitment to fulfilling those aspirations. She emphasized that “Clean Sri Lanka” is not merely about environmental cleanliness, policy implementation, or legal enforcement but also about fostering quality in behavior and human relationships.
“The change required must begin at an individual level. People must determine the difference they want to make in their own spaces. Sensitivity and quality service to the public are of utmost importance, ensuring satisfaction with the services provided. This is not a transformation that can be achieved solely through official directives or circulars,” the Prime Minister stated.
“The government remains committed to ensuring the success of the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, engaging all stakeholders in fostering a cleaner, more organized, and community-driven future”.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Plane collides with helicopter midair near Washington, DC
Three Israelis and five Thai hostages expected to be freed next by Hamas
’Clean Sri Lanka’ program must be implemented with humanitarian objectives – Prime Minister
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