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Abhishek Bansal | 21 Mar 2017,Tuesday | Global terrorism fast reaching nuclear threshold: Dalai Lama | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dalai-lama-terrorist-crisis-fast-reaching-nuclear-threshold-tibetian-spiritual-leader/1/909379.html | Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama on Tuesday said the global terrorist crisis is fast reaching the nuclear threshold. Once it crosses the threshold, it could mean that the entire mankind could perish, he added. Dalai Lama also said that the terrorism crisis cannot be resolved unless all the nations come together on a single platform against it. | Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama today warned that the global terrorist crisis is fast reaching the nuclear threshold. He said that people of both India and China are great; it is only the politicians who cause problems. He was addressing a gathering at the Karshni Mahotsava in Mathura after which he headed to Agra. Talking to India Today about the question raised by China on his Arunachal Pradesh visit, Dalai Lama said he goes there to spread the message of peace and co-existence and China can come and see what he preaches there. He added, "If China considers Arunachal Pradesh as a part of its country, then it should also consider Kashmir a part of India."Dalai Lama reached Mathura on March 20 where he visited the Leelasthali of Lord Krishna and his childhood consort Radha. The spiritual leader also visited the Raman Reti Ashram, where a religious programme was organised.Commenting on the political changes in several countries recently, including the United States, the Dalai Lama said that change is the universal truth, but only the change that takes place in the hearts of the people. "Political changes are petty issues, whereas the rise of maturity in the people of India and China are the most important factors that will shape the world's future," the leader said.NO DISPUTE BETWEEN BUDDHISM AND HINDUISMHe expressed grief on the global spread of violence in the name of religious and sectarian differences and said, "These problems have been created by the people and only they can solve them through a firm resolve". |
Deepali Aggarwal | 10 Apr 2017,Monday | First UK-China freight train departs on Monday | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-uk-china-rail-freight-service-to-depart-with-whisky-pharmaceuticals-on-board/1/924986.html | The first rail freight service from UK to China will depart on its 7,500-mile journey on Monday. The train stocked with British goods will pass through seven countries including Germany and Russia over a span of 17 days. The service is a part of China's One Belt, One Road programme of reviving the Silk Road trading routes with the West. | The first rail freight service from the UK to China will depart on a 7,500-mile journey from Essex today, the media reported.Thirty containers will carry British goods including whisky, soft drinks, vitamins and pharmaceuticals, the BBC reported.A DB Cargo locomotive will leave the DP World (global trade services firm) London Gateway rail terminal in Stanford-le-Hope for the city of Yiwu in Zhejiang province.After going through the Channel Tunnel the train will pass through seven countries - France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan - before arriving on April 27.REVIVING ANCIENT SILK ROAD TRADING ROUTES?The service is part of China's One Belt, One Road programme of reviving the ancient Silk Road trading routes with the West dating back more than 2,000 years.DP World chief executive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said it was a "significant trade occasion"."DP World London Gateway, one of the UK's largest logistics hubs, is designed and developed to ensure products can be both imported and exported from the UK via ship or train in a faster, safer and more reliable way than ever before," the BBC quoted Bin Sulayem as saying on Sunday."We look forward to enabling and facilitating more trade between the UK, China and the whole world."The first rail freight service in the opposite direction, from China to the UK, arrived three months ago. |
Mansha Mahajan | 13 Feb 2017,Monday | Vikram Limaye to get ?8 crore a year as NSE CEO | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/limaye-to-get-rs-8-cr-package-at-nse-egm-called-next-month/1/880926.html | Leading stock exchange NSE has proposed a pay package of ?8 crore per annum for its new CEO Vikram Limaye. Limaye's annual pay would be nearly double that of the total remuneration earned by the chiefs of rivals BSE and MSEI. At a meeting, NSE will seek shareholders' approval for Limaye's appointment for five years and his remuneration package. | New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI) Leading stock exchange NSE has proposed a pay package of Rs 8 crore per annum for its new chief Vikram Limaye and will seek approval of its shareholders on March 7 for his appointment and remuneration package. At an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, the National Stock Exchange will seek their approval for Limayes appointment as MD and CEO for five years. Recently, NSEs board approved the appointment, which is also subject to clearance from the market regulator Sebi. NSE will also seek the shareholders nod at the EGM for the remuneration package to be paid to Limaye, who is joining the exchange from IDFC Ltd. As per the EGM notice sent to the shareholders, the compensation package payable to him would include a fixed pay component of little over Rs 6 crore per annum and variable pay of Rs 2 crore per year, taking the total pay to about Rs 8 crore. This variable pay of 25 per cent of total pay is as per a median performance level of A-. There are five grades of performance level, namely A+, A, A-, B+ and B. If an employees performance is rated above the median performance level, the payout could be 120 per cent (for A+) or 110 per cent (for A rating). If an employee is rated below the median performance level, the variable payout would be 90 per cent for B+ or even zero per cent at B level. The variable pay component cannot exceed one-third of the total pay while 50 per cent of variable pay would be paid on a deferred basis after three years. ESOPs and other equity-linked instruments will not form part of the pay package while the terms of compensation would have "malus and clawback arrangements". The fixed pay would include basic salary, house rent allowance, special allowance, leave travel allowance, medical allowance, lunch subsidy, contribution to provident fund, gratuity and superannuation and pension schemes. Fixed pay would not include certain perquisites like company-maintained car with driver, telephone (besides mobile phone), leave encashment, club membership, medical and personal accident insurance cover, the notice said. Giving further details of Limayes salary, NSE said he would be entitled to a salary of Rs 15 lakh per month and the board would decide the annual increment. He would also get a special allowance of Rs 21.93 lakh, including Rs 2.25 lakh in lieu of contribution to superannuation scheme. He will not get any sitting fee during his tenure. If the company has no profits or its profits are inadequate in any financial year, the monthly remuneration payable cannot exceed the limits specified under the Companies Act. His appointment comes at a time when the exchange is preparing to launch its IPO estimated to be worth over Rs 10,000 crore. Besides, the bourse is facing regulatory issues over alleged preferential access to a few in co-location case. |
Mansha Mahajan | 06 Mar 2017,Monday | Cancer drug prices slashed by up to 86% in a year, says Govt | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cancer-drug-prices-slashed-up-to-86percent-in-a-year-nppa/1/897893.html | Drug pricing regulator the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has said that price of cancer drugs has been slashed by up to 86% since March 2016, providing relief to lakhs of patients. The reduction is in the price range of 86% to 13%, NPPA said. Earlier, the government had slashed the prices of coronary stents by up to 85%. | null |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 17 Feb 2017,Friday | Bengaluru's Bellandur Lake catches fire again | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengaluru-bellandur-lake-fire-pollution/1/884948.html | The Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru caught fire again on Thursday, enveloping the area in smoke. "Usually, a pile of garbage strewn around the lake is set on fire, but yesterday... the smoke started billowing and surrounding the lake in the evening," Karnataka Fire Department Deputy Director KU Ramesh said. Notably, there are toxic pollutants and foam in the lake. | Bengaluru's Bellandur lake is in news again. A fire broke out at this lake, considered to be one of the biggest in the city, on Thursday evening sending out huge cloud of toxic smoke causing panic among locals. Known for its toxic pollutants and foam that spills on the adjoining road, it has now become a common sight to see the lake on fire. The flames raged for a while, and the area was enveloped in smoke. Fires are often sparked by deadly effluents in the lake, but this time, it was a pile of burning garbage that caused the scare.ALSO READ: 1,000 Bengaluru kids write to PM Modi: Get us clean air, water and environmentOn Thursday evening, a part of the lake caught fire, with fumes spreading across the nearby Sun City Apartments and Iblur flyover."Usually, a pile of garbage strewn around the lake is set on fire, but yesterday it caused a scare among residents and motorists as the smoke started billowing and surrounding the lake in the evening," KU Ramesh, deputy director at Karnataka Fire Department, said.Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chairman Lakshman said notices have been issued to the BBMP, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewage Board and other agencies to stop the dumping. He also said the board is in the process of inspecting sewage treatment plants in the area Toxic chemicals, garbage from small factories are dumped regularly in Bellandur and Varthur lakes in the city rendering these water bodies useless. The Bengaluru Development Authority has been under pressure to restore the lakes but no action has been taken so far. (With PTI inputs) WATCH: Bengaluru: Choked in toxic fume, Bellandur lake catches fire |
Anmol Sharma | 28 Feb 2017,Tuesday | Sehwag clarifies his tweet was not meant for Gurmehar Kaur | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/virender-sehwag-gurmehar-kaur-ramjas-protest-anti-nationalism/1/893246.html | Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, who was accused of bullying Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, has clarified that his recent tweet was not intended for her. "It was plain fun but people construed the other way," said Sehwag. Sehwag had tweeted a picture holding a placard which was similar to Gurmehar's placard holding video, which she had posted last year. | Virender Sehwag, who was accused of bullying Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, said his tweet wasn't intended for the 20-year-old.Sehwag, the only Indian to slam two triple hundreds in Test cricket, told India Today that the TWEET, which turned out to be rather controversial, was a sudden idea and it was not intended to hurt anyone. (Also read: Virender Sehwag, Randeep Hooda accused of bullying Kargil martyr's daughter who spoke against ABVP)"My tweet wasn't intended for Gurmehar. It was plain fun but people construed the other way," he told India Today. Gurmehar, a student of the Lady Sri Ram College, stirred up a storm when her Facebook post on February 22 went viral.Gurmehar's post received mixed reactions but Sehwag's tweet drew widespread condemnation with some senior journalists accusing him of bullying a young student. Sehwag, known for his wit and candour on social media, tweeted this to express his difference with Gurmehar. Bat me hai Dum !#BharatJaisiJagahNahipic.twitter.com/BNaO1LBHLHActor Randeep Hooda retweeted it and also faced some backlash. However, he later clarfied that he was only laughing at a joke Sehwag had cracked but he condemned the alleged rape threats made to the 20-year-old student. |
Arshiya Chopra | 01 Jul 2017,Saturday | 2 militants, 2 civilians die in crossfire in J&K's Anantnag | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jammu-and-kashmir-encounter-anantnag-firing/1/991705.html | Jammu and Kashmir Police has confirmed that two militants, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Bashir Lashkari, have been killed in Anantnag following an encounter with security forces on Saturday. Two civilians were also killed and over ten were injured in the crossfire. Lashkari was one of the most wanted Lashkar commanders who carried a bounty of ?10 lakh. | Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid has confirmed that two terrorists have been killed in Anantnag encounter. The police are trying to ascertain the identity of the slain militants.Earlier, two civilians were also killed and over 10 persons were injured in firing during an encounter between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag. Two militants identified as Bashir Lashkari and Azad Malik were believed to be trapped inside a house that was blasted by Army. Security forces rescued about 17 civilians who were trapped with militants inside a residential complex. The encounter started at around 6 am. Following the encounter, locals came out in protests and clashed with the forces. According to police, after receiving specific information regarding presence of militants in Birnhi Batpora Dailgam, security forces cordoned off the area in the wee hours. While the cordon was being laid, some militants outside a house fired upon the security personnel which was retaliated. In the cross firing, a woman sustained injuries and later on succumbed. However, some militants are holed up in the house. "Security forces were fired at when they launched an operation in Batpora village after a tip-off about the militants hiding in a house," the police said in a statement.The statement said, "Some militants are still holed-up in the house. Efforts are ongoing to take out the civilians." "The militants are using the civilians as human shield," it added. Search operations by security forces in Dailgam village are underway. WHO IS BASHIR LASHKARI Hailing from Kokernag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir Bashir Lashkari crossed to POK in 1999. He returned from POK under state government amnesty scheme announced by Omar Abdullah government in 2012. Lashkari was jailed till 2014 and got reactivate as terrorist in 2015.In a year Bashir has managed to mobilise group of terrorists and even some Pakistani Lashkar terrorists are part of this group. Lashkari is the most wanted Lashker Commander with bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head. Lashkari is also responsible for killing of SHO Feroz with other 5 policeman last month. Special police teams were formed to hunt him down after the killing. With inputs from Ashraf WaniALSO READ:Jammu and Kashmir: Collision between Indigo flight, BSF plane averted over BanihalRestrictions in parts of Srinagar against separatists' protest |
Tarun Khanna | 22 Apr 2017,Saturday | Expelled Congress leader Barkha Shukla Singh joins BJP | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/barkha-singh-shukla-congress-bjp-rahul-gandhi/1/935403.html | Expelled Congress leader Barkha Shukla Singh, who was also the former chief of Delhi Commission for Women, on Saturday joined the BJP. Barkha had accused Congress' Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken of "misbehaving" with her and had called party's Vice-President Rahul Gandhi "mentally unfit". Later, she was expelled from Congress for allegedly carrying out anti-party activities. | A day after she was expelled, former Congress leader Barkha Shukla Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday.Singh, a former Chief of the Delhi Commission for Women met BJP's national Vice President and Delhi in-charge Shyam Jaju on Saturday afternoon, an office bearer of Delhi BJP said.Singh was expelled from the Congress on Friday for undertaking anti-party activities.On Thursday she resigned from all party posts raising questions over the leadership of Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken.While resigning as chief of DPCC's women wing, Barkha Singh had said: "Rahul Gandhi is unfit to lead the party." |
Tarun Khanna | 22 Mar 2017,Wednesday | Muslims too voted for you: Yogi Adityanath's father to him | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-father-advice-muslim-women/1/909861.html | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's father, Anand Singh Bisht, has advised him to respect all religions, stating that even Muslim women voted for him. "He'll need to take everyone along...He needs to respect all religions, win their hearts," Bisht reportedly said. Adityanath can take people from all faiths on the path of progress, he added. | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath may be busy in deciding portfolios for his ministers in hectic consultations with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership in New Delhi but his 84-year-old father has an important advice for him."He will need to take everyone along. Women in burqa have also voted for him. He needs to respect all religions, win their hearts," The Times of India quoted Anand Singh Bisht, as saying.Bisht, a former forest ranger, asserted that his chief minister son now has a huge responsibility on his shoulders and that it was important for him to take people of every section of the society along for overall growth of his state.He pointed out that Muslim women voted in favour of the BJP in support of party's stand on the issue of triple talaq. "People from all faiths believe BJP and Adityanath can take them on the path of progress. That has to be kept in mind," Bisht said.MY GOVT WILL WORK FOR ALL: YOGI ADITYANATH Speaking in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister vowed to work for development of all sections by creating a "new structure" of progress."In Uttar Pradesh, the new model of development will be based on 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," emphasised Adityanath, who is known for his firebrand Hindutva image."My government will be for everyone, not specifically for any caste or community ... We will work for development of all sections and castes and create a new structure of progress," said the chief minister of the country's largest state.He said his government in the state will create a "new model" of development under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Adityanath, the head of Gorakhpur math who was a surprise pick for the post of UP chief minister, said his government will try to create a situation where no riots take place.The five-time MP asserted this while citing the example of his constituency Gorakhpur."Of the 304 riots that took place in Uttar Pradesh, not a single riot took place in Gorakhpur," he said.WATCH: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Lok Sabha: Full speechALSO READ: |
Arshiya Chopra | 14 Jul 2017,Friday | Bihar man gets ?13L electricity bill, later revised to ?3K | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lowly-mason-served-rs-13l-power-bill-embarrassed-bihar-officials-slash-it-to-rs-3k/story-W2jnYMiwN6AZdMWGmLl4iP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A mason in Bihar living in a one-room house equipped with just four LED bulbs, a TV, and a ceiling fan was served an electricity bill of ?13 lakh, which later got revised to ?2,992. The power firm deferred the issue for months, before revising the bill and changing faulty metre within six hours as soon as the media intervened. | PATNA: A poor mason with just four LED bulbs, a TV and a ceiling fan in a one-room house in Bihar?s Samastipur district, was served an energy bill of Rs 13 lakh, only to be corrected to Rs 2,992 after the power firm realised its folly on Thursday.Having received the bill in March, Manoj Kumar had struggled to get it rectified till the media got a whiff of it. As the Hindustan Times approached the power officials for comments, within hours, an image-conscious energy department sorted out the matter - having slashed the net payable amount by Rs 12.82 lakh, changed the faulty energy meter of the consumer, issued a showcause notice to the junior engineer (revenue) concerned, while also deciding to change the rural revenue franchisee of the area. All this happened in quick time - less than six hours to be precise. Aggrieved Manoj Kumar told HT over phone: ?I received a bill of Rs 1335 in January. No one came to take the reading in February. In March, I was served a bill of Rs 1.74 lakh. I then went to the billing office in Mathurapur for correction. Again, there was no meter reading done in April, May and June. In July, I was served a bill of Rs 12.81 lakh.?The revised energy bill.Director (HR), Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited, R Lakshmanan said, ?The meter was faulty and the reading had jumped to show an abnormal energy consumption of 86,780 units in February. The negligence on the part of our officers was that the junior engineer (JE)-revenue, who is supposed to cross-check cases of abnormal billing, did not do so before releasing the bill to the consumer. We have issued a showcause notice to the officer concerned.?Suspecting that this may not be a one-off case, the power firm has also ordered that energy bills over Rs 1 lakh of domestic, non-domestic and low-tension industrial subscriber be screened in Samastipur.Lakshmanan said the revised bill of Rs 2,992 was cumulative of the average bill since February 2017, when the meter went awry, and the actual consumption between July 2016 and January 2017. Kumar had last paid his energy bill in June 2016. |
Parmeet Kaur | 14 Jul 2017,Friday | Delhi Police to train 2400 underprivileged youngsters | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-police-engages-2-400-underprivileged-youngsters-in-skill-training/story-IHNQPnSmYltXda6tDDwy6J.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Delhi Police is giving vocational training to over 2400 young adults from economically weaker sections, as a part of project YUVA. "Children and youngsters...who are school dropouts and get addicted to drugs are also part of the skill training program," officials said. The initiative is in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry and National Skill Development Corporation. | In an effort to make an inclusive society, Delhi Police has been training more than 2400 young adults, in the 14 to 25 age group, in different vocational skills. As part of project YUVA, these youngsters have been shortlisted from 3500 children and youngsters, from the economically weaker sections of the society. ?Children and youngsters who are living in JJ clusters, including those who are school dropouts and get addicted to drugs are also part of the skill training program. Those , whose family members are involved in crimes, and have no one else in the family to financially support are also part of this program. These youngsters are basically from economically weaker sections and resort to crimes because of lack of resources to earn a living,? says Madhur Verma, DCP (Crime) and PRO, Delhi Police. This initiative of Delhi Police is in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). ?Both the institutions ? CII and NSDC ? will provide skill training as well as job opportunities to these youngsters. Usually such training used to take place at one centre in the city but this time, we have designated several centres including 20 police stations,? adds Verma. The police, however, have left out those who have allegations of serious crimes against them, to ensure security of the institutes and the trainees. Verma says that the counselling sessions are complete, dresses and centres are ready and skills are being imparted to those who have been enrolled. The food and beverages service steward training under Delhi Police initiative YUVA which is a part of Pradham Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.
(Shivam Saxena/ HT Photo )
A spokesperson from NSDC, who is managing the project, says, ?We are providing skill training to the offenders to align them to the main stream. They commit crimes because they don?t have jobs and because they lack skills. NSDC is implementing Pradhanmantri Vikas Yojana and providing training to the ones under this initiative of Delhi Police. If not 100 per cent, we will try to provide jobs to at least 70 per cent of the trainees under this scheme.?The selection of candidates has been made on the grounds of seriousness towards bringing a change in their personality and the society at large. ?There?s no point in training someone who isn?t serious about changing oneself. The training is in different sections, from plumbing and construction to painting walls. Officially, the programme will be inaugurated on July 15 or 16,? adds the NSDC spokesperson. ?We have been experimenting with the individuals, in their own way, for quite some time now. And based on our previous experiences, we realised that police can maintain the law and order situation and control crime, when they interact with the stake holders [offenders] in a non-policing way. There is a technological push and a policy push on the community policing initiative in Delhi. You have to have work like this in a major city like Delhi, and I?just hope that it will bring a change,? says Sanjay Beniwal, Special CP (Women and Modernisation). Manish (name changed), a juvenile offender says, ?I always wanted to do something in life but due to financial constraints and lack of resources, I never got an opportunity. Now, with YUVA, I will learn as much as I can and start a new life.?Follow @htTweets for more |
Prashanti Moktan | 20 Jul 2017,Thursday | TV actor slams serial on 9-year-old boy marrying adult woman | http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/karan-wahi-on-pehredaar-piya-ki-don-t-sell-stupidity-in-the-name-of-content/story-DUUjkwu1B3VfgrmBlauYYI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Television actor Karan Wahi has slammed the serial Pehredaar Piya Ki, which shows a 9-year-old boy marrying an adult woman, who is said to be his 'bodyguard'. Wahi wrote in a Facebook post, "Don't sell me stupidity in the name of content which gives TRP because honestly no one is watching this." He added, "We can be better than this." | Television actor Karan Wahi has expressed his disappointment at the makers of Pehredaar Piya Ki, Sony?s new daily soap, for showing a romantic angle between an adult woman and a preteen boy.Wahi took to Facebook to share his concern on the quality of content being shown on television. ?Dear producer and channel, I understand we cant make shows like How I Met Your Mother and Friends, and honestly I don?t expect us to also, but for the love of god and for the reason we all got in this industry please don?t sell me stupidity in the name of content which gives TRP because honestly no one is watching this,? he wrote in the post.?Leave aside other people, I think the fraternity only doesn?t (watch the show). I wish and pray well for everyone who is a part of this show also but it would be great if we started enjoying our work and not just working because we don?t have an option. Not to sound arrogant but we can be better than this,? he added.Pehredaar Piya Ki aired its first episode on Monday. It tells the story of a 9-year-old prince who is put under the care and security of his adult wife. Even the promos, when released about a month ago, got a lot of flak for showing a romantic relationship between a child and an adult. The trailer showed child actor Afaan Khan put vermillion on Tejaswi Prakash, causing a furore among viewers.The show?s synopsis on YouTube reads: ?While Diya takes up her duty of a wife and willfully commits to the relationship, Ratan is enamored by her beauty and considers her to be a pari from the fairy tales he has heard from his Maasa. Though being a miss matched couple, both create a comfortable world for themselves. While 9-year-old husband tries to cheer up his wife Diya with his cute gestures, Diya keeps up the promise to protect him and nurture their relationship. Will Diya and Ratan rewrite the pages of history with their love story? Is age only a number when it comes to finding true love? Watch the unfolding of a beautiful fairytale as Pehredaar Piya Ki presents the most unique Jodi on Indian television.? Pehredaar Piya Ki ?? ?? @tejasswiprakash baby smile :) plz ?? Guys watever @imkaranwahi said its his pov no1 can question him neither me nor you guys. But this doesnt change the fact that WE the whole team of #PPK we love this show and we all have worked really hard for it and we still are andddd we will ?? our motive is to entertain you guys not promote child marriage or anything. This show is different , plz dont judge it and jump onto conclusions ?? If a channel like @sonytvofficial has approved the show they must have thought something right ??? Even d producers must have thought a lot before making this and investing soo much money ?? its my req to all,plz watch it first and then decide :) maybe m wrong MAYBE :) but lets wait n then decide. Love to all ???? n thanku for sucha good response for the frst epi .?? @tejasswiprakash baby smile :) plz ?? A post shared by Suyyash Ranjana Rai (@suyyashrai) on Jul 19, 2017 at 1:50am PDTActor Suyyash Rai, who is a part of the show, made a post on Instagram saying that Karan?s views are his own and the show doesn?t support child marriage. ?Guys, whatever Karan Wahi said it?s his point of view. No one can question him neither me nor you guys. But this doesn?t change the fact that we, the whole team of #PPK, we love this show and we all have worked really hard for it and we still are and we will. Our motive is to entertain you guys not promote child marriage or anything. This show is different , please don?t judge it and jump onto conclusions. If a channel like Sony has approved the show they must have thought something right? Even the producers must have thought a lot before making this and investing so much money. It?s my request to all, please watch it first and then decide. Maybe m wrong maybe but lets wait and then decide. Love to all and thank you for such a good response for the first episode. Tejasswi Prakash baby smile please,? he wrote with the post.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Sumedha Sehra | 19 Apr 2017,Wednesday | Why did the BSF suspend Tej Bahadur Yadav? | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bsf-constable-tej-bahadur-yadav-samba-substandard-food-court-of-inquiry-social-media/1/932648.html | The BSF on Wednesday sacked constable Tej Bahadur Yadav, who had complained of "substandard food", for damaging the "image of the BSF". He was found guilty of not obeying orders by carrying two phones on duty and posting photographs in uniform on social media. Yadav was charged with making false allegations and not adhering to the formal grievance redressal system. | The Border Security Force (BSF) today sacked constable Tej Bahadur Yadav after a three-month long proceeding at a summary court martial held in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district.Yadav was dismissed by the Summary Security Force Court (SSFC), a court of inquiry which found that he had damaged the "image of the BSF" when he uploaded a video clip on the "substandard food" on social media, triggering an uproar.The trooper was facing the inquiry on various charges under provision of BSF Act and rules, including indiscipline. His plea for voluntary retirement was also rejected by the BSF authorities.SPECIFIC CHARGESThe charges specifically against him were:He was found guilty of all charges and awarded dismissal from service. As per the BSF Act and rules, he can now submit a petition or appeal against the punishment to the higher HQ within 3 months. The SSFC proceedings commenced from 13th April 2017 and concluded on 19th April 2017. During the proceedings, all opportunities were given to the individual for his defence. WHAT DID TEJ BAHADUR ALLEGE?On January 9 this year, the BSF constable had uploaded the video, complaining about the "poor quality of food" provided to the troopers.Yadav had further alleged that the senior officials illegally sold off the food supplies meant for the troopers.Yadav also expressed apprehension that his seniors may take action against him for exposing the condition of soldiers on the border.Denying the allegation of poor quality food, the force said it was "making all efforts to ensure a transparent and effective measure for the procurement as well as distribution of healthy diet to all its personnel".Also read | BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav is hale and hearty, clarifies BSF after photos of dead lookalike go viralAlso read | New video of Tej Bahadur surfaces, soldier makes fresh charges against BSF |
Arshiya Chopra | 24 Jul 2017,Monday | Prison officials agree VK Sasikala given special treatment | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vk-sasikala-bengaluru-central-jail/1/1009196.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Prison officials in the Public Accounts Committee Meeting of Karnataka Legislative Assembly have agreed that AIADMK leader VK Sasikala was given special treatment in jail. The committee has ordered a probe into the matter asking officials to submit a report within 15 days. Notably, the issue was raised by Karnataka's DIG of Prisons D Roopa who has now been transferred. | It was alleged that VK Sasikala is being given special treatment in Parappana Agrahara Central jail, where she has been imprisoned after being acquitted in the disproportionate assets case.This claim was made by Karnataka's Deputy Inspector of General Prisons D Roopa who has now been transferred. D Roopa, in her report, also suggested that Sasikala paid Rs 2 crore was paid to avail facilities like five rooms, cot, bed, television and a separate kitchen inside the prison. A probe was ordered by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who ordered Roopa's transfer. However, during the Public Accounts Committee Meeting of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, that was recently, the prison high officials agreed that the former general secretary of AIADMK was given special treatment. The committee is headed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former home minister R Ashok who has asked the officials to submit a report within 15 days. D ROOPA'S CONTROVERSIAL REPORTIn her four-page report after visiting the central prison on July 10, Roopa had said a special kitchen was functioning in the jail here for Sasikala, a convict in a corruption case, in violation of the rules.Sasikala has been lodged at the Parappana Agrahara central jail in Bengaluru since her conviction in February in a disproportionate assets case along with her two relatives, VN Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, all serving a four-year jail term.(With inputs from Priyamvatha P)Also Watch: Exclusive: Exposing poor administration doesn't amount to criticising the govt, DIG Roopa to India Today |
Tarun Khanna | 04 Apr 2017,Tuesday | Give us EVM for 72 hrs, will show how to rig it: Kejriwal | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/election-commission-arvind-kejriwal-evm/1/919778.html | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has challenged the Election Commission to give them EVM for 72 hours and they will prove how it can be tampered with. While the poll panel has denied the allegations about EVMs tampering, AAP and Congress have demanded that the civic polls in the city must be conducted through paper ballots. | The Election Commission (EC) has refuted the allegations of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress over the controversy surrounding EVMs and claimed that no such machines have been moved from Uttar Pradesh for the purpose of bye-elections in Madhya Pradesh.Earlier, AAP chief Kejriwal once again demanded that the upcoming civic polls in the capital must be conducted using paper ballots. He wrote to the EC claiming that "our experts" will prove that the voting machines can be tampered with. "I challenge the ECI to give us 72 hours to prove it," he said in the note. In a press statement today, the EC called the allegations of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress as "baseless" and clarified that VVPAT machines are not required by the law to be retained in strong room for the purpose of election petition and are available for use in any other election.However, in the ongoing by-elections only VVPAT machines, which were kept in reserve and not used during the actual poll, have been redeployed.WHAT THE EC STATEMENT SAIDThe EC statement said, "Certain baseless observations and allegations have been made by a leader of a political party today in a press conference regarding the use of EVMs. It has been alleged that EVMs as per law cannot be taken out for 45 days from the date of declaration of results but still EVMs for the by-polls in the Madhya Pradesh were taken out and shifted from Uttar Pradesh where the results have been declared on March 11, 2017 and hence the 45 days period is still not over."Clarifying the legal position, EC said the EVMs comprising the Control Unit (CU) and Ballot Unit (BU) used in any election are kept in a strong room after declaration of results and are not accessed by anyone till the period of filing of election petition is over. The election petition has to be filed within 45 days.However, in case of VVPAT machines, the printed paper slips have to be retrieved at the time of counting and sealed in a paper envelope and only these sealed paper slips have to be kept inside the strong room along with the EVMs.It further said, "The VVPAT machines are not required by the law to be retained in strong room for the purpose of election petition and are available for use in any other election. However, in the on-going bye-polls only VVPAT machines which were kept in reserve and not used during the actual poll, have been redeployed.""Aspersions have also been cast on EC that EVMs from Uttar Pradesh were moved to Bhind, Madhya Pradesh. The Commission would like to point out that these allegations are completely baseless and made without verifying the facts. No EVMs have been moved from Uttar Pradesh for the purpose of bye-polls in Madhya Pradesh," it said.The statement claimed that required number of VVPAT machines was moved from different states for use in bye-polls as per the existing policy of EC. "This is because 53,500 VVPAT machines, available with the Commission, were deployed during the recently concluded polls in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur."The Commission would like to clarify that in any election a certain percentage of EVMs and VVPAT machines are kept in reserve so that EVMs and VVPAT machines deployed on the poll day can be replaced, if required. The EVMs and VVPATs kept in reserve also go through the stringent protocol of first level checking, randomisation and loading of symbols during the candidates setting in the presence of representatives of candidates and political parties. Hence, the VVPATs that were sent to Bhind had the previous symbols loaded from Uttar Pradesh," it said.EC said, "This is a standard protocol and there was nothing amiss in this. According to standard protocol, the old symbols are erased only during first level checking before the next poll. However, it was not done when the demonstration was made on March 31, 2017 at Bhind. As per the Commission's instructions, any training or demonstration is commenced only after completing the first level checking which was missed out at Bhind for which Commission has replaced the District Election Officer," and added that the report of special officer deputed to inquire into allegations of multiple printing of paper slips of a particular political party at Ater (Bhind) is awaited and would be made public.Also Read:EVM software is bugged, dare Election Commission to reveal its name to us: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal |
Tarun Khanna | 17 Feb 2017,Friday | If PM is UP?s adopted son then who is his father, asks Lalu | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-modi-is-adopted-son-of-uttar-pradesh-lalu-prasad-yadav/1/885085.html | Reacting to PM Narendra Modi?s statement that he is "UP?s adopted son", RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said that if he?s UP?s adopted son then he should reveal who is his father. "For the sake of votes he is linking relations with every state," he said. Earlier, PM Modi had said that he has blood relation with Punjab. | RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad has reacted strongly to PM Narendra Modi's remarks made during Hardoi rally that he was the "adopted son" of Uttar Pradesh and the state was like his "mai-baap" whom he will never desert. Lalu said if PM Modi considered himself "adopted son" of Uttar Pradesh then he should reveal who is the father and what is his name? |
Daisy Mowke | 18 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Marathi actress molested in Mumbai movie theatre | http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/marathi-actor-priya-berde-molested-in-a-mumbai-theatre/story-eunwropgH0lK1RDkTny9KL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A Marathi actress was molested by a person sitting behind her in a movie theatre in Mumbai. The incident took place when the actress was out with her daughter. Following the incident, she filed a police complaint against the accused and the police later stated that the accused was drunk. | Popular Marathi actor Priya Berde, wife of late actor Laxmikant Berde, was reportedly molested in a theatre hall in Mumbai. The incident took place when the actor was out with her daughter.According to an India.com report, a person sitting behind the actor started molesting her and later even assaulted her. The actor immediately alerted the theatre security after which the person was arrested. She also filed a police complaint against the accused.Police later clarified that the accused was drunk and was continuously disturbing the actor.Priya is a noted singer-dancer who routinely features in Marathi films.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Mansha Mahajan | 19 Feb 2017,Sunday | Fabindia removing 'Khadi' from products after legal notice | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fabindia-removing-khadi-brand-name-from-its-products/1/886443.html | Ethnic-wear brand Fabindia has started removing brand name 'Khadi' from its products after a legal notice by Khadi India alleged that the use of the word amounted to "unfair trade practice". Fabindia stated it has complied with the directions issued, reports said. Notably, Fabindia was asked to immediately stop using 'Khadi' from its products and remove display banners from showrooms. | Fabindia has started removing the brand name Khadi it uses to promote its cotton products after a legal notice by Khadi India that the use of the word amounted to "unfair trade practice" and misusing its trade name. Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) had sent a legal notice to Fabindia Overseas Pvt Ltd, a chain of ethnic wear retail outlet, asking it to immediately stop using the word Khadi from all its cotton products and remove display banners from its showrooms. Sources said Fabindia CEO Viney Singh has responded to KVICs notice, saying it was complying with all the directions of the KVIC. Fabindia has stated that "as per the direction issued" by KVIC, it has complied with them, they said. Fabindia, in its reply, has also sought a meeting with KVIC officials to explain its position in order to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of Khadi India. KVIC Chairman V K Saxena, who justified serving the legal notice, referred to the earlier communications with Fabindia by which the private firms application for Khadi mark was treated as closed. He cited a September 29, 2016 letter which stated that "upon the request of Fabindia, several meetings were held with KVIC and the last meeting was held on August 2, 2016, with Chairman of KVIC at New Delhi. During the meeting, it was assured that Fabindia will communicate their consent shortly. Also read: KVIC sends legal notice to Fabindia for violating regulations on Khadi"Since two months have passed and KVIC has not yet received any response from your end, it is presumed that you are not interested to obtain Khadi mark certificate for sales and promotion of Khadi products. "Hence in the present circumstances, your application for Khadi mark certificate may please be treated as closed. Henceforth, no correspondence on this subject will be entertained," the communication said. KHADI MARK Saxena also drew attention to a February 16 letter of KVIC in which it was decided to issue Khadi mark certificate in favour of Fabindia to carry out trading/selling of genuine Khadi and Khadi products attaching Khadi mark tags/labels, subject to several conditions which were also mentioned. KVIC, which is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, had accused Fabindia of misleading and confusing the consumers by promoting its goods under its registered trade mark Khadi.In the February 8 legal notice addressed to Fabindia's New Delhi-based CEO, KVIC had said, "You are called upon to explain your position in the above matter within 15 days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which the KVIC will be constrained to proceed against your company as per law for the violation of Khadi Mark Regulation and payment or incidental damages for the losses caused to KVIC by Fabindia."It also said Fabindia was denied the certificate to use the brand name as it did not adhere to the procedural formalities for Khadi mark certification which was discussed with its representatives. |
Tarun Khanna | 11 Mar 2017,Saturday | People of UP rejected Muslims' appeasement politics: BJP MP | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/up-assembly-election-results-bjp-mp-yogi-adityanath-appeasement-of-muslims-sp-congress/1/902100.html | BJP MP Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the massive mandate which the people of Uttar Pradesh have given to BJP indicates that voters have rejected the politics of Muslims' appeasement. "BJP's campaign was full of positivity but those by the SP-Congress alliance and BSP focused on Muslims' appeasement," he alleged. | Firebrand BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has said that the massive mandate people of Uttar Pradesh have given the party in the Assembly election indicates that voters have rejected the Samajwadi-Congress combine and Bahujan Samaj Party's politics of appeasement of Muslims."BJP's campaign was full of positivity but those by the SP-Congress alliance and BSP focused on Muslims' appeasement. The mandate clearly shows that people have rejected appeasement politics", said Yogi Adityanath.Taking a jibe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath said that it was the alliance which the former stitched with Congress that helped them win whatever few seats they have finally got."It was the alliance which Samajwadi Party forged with Congress that ensured them win a respectable number of seats in the election", he said. RAM TEMPLE WILL BE BUILT SOON: ADITYANATH On the contentious issue of construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Yogi indicated that the temple would be built soon after the BJP government is formed in Uttar Pradesh."Ram Mandir is definitely on our agenda. Whatever we have promised in our manifesto, we will deliver on those points", the BJP MP added.Finally, on the issue of who will the chief minister of UP be, Adityanath kept everyone guessing, stating that he was not in the race for the top post."I am not a contender for the chief minister's post. I will abide by the BJP parliamentary board's decision on the choice of the next chief minister", he said.Also read | BJP's tsuNaMo in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand; Congress set to win Punjab: 10 big takeawaysWeb Exclusive Result TV With Rahul Kanwal |
Saloni Tandon | 08 Jan 2017,Sunday | Tamil Nadu Cricket Association refuses to host U-19 Tests | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tnca-bcci-ma-chidambaram-stadium-u-19-tests-india-vs-england/1/852280.html | Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has written to BCCI citing inability to host two U-19 Test matches between India and England in Chennai next month. TNCA, led by ex-BCCI President N Srinivasan, listed "various domestic programs scheduled during the period" as the reason for not hosting the Tests. Reportedly, the refusal came after Srinivasan met sacked BCCI President Anurag Thakur. | The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association on Sunday wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri letting him know of the non availability of the MA Chidambaram stadium for the two U-19 Test matches scheduled to be played between India and England next month. (Secret meeting involving N Srinivasan, Anurag Thakur fails)This move by the TNCA seems like a clear act of defiance against the Supreme Court, which sacked BCCI boss Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke for their failure to implement the Lodha Committee reforms on January 2nd. (Complete Lodha Panel recommendations)India Today has learnt from Lodha Committee sources that no less than 21 state associations have agreed to adopt the reforms as mandated by the apex court. (Lodha committee not giving us time for last two months: Anurag Thakur)India and England U-19 teams were supposed to play a two-match Test series from February 13-24. TNCA, which is headed by former BCCI president N Srinivasan, wrote in its letter that it won't be able to host the two matches due to various domestic programs scheduled at the Chepauk stadium during that period.(Disqualify BCCI office-bearers, Lodha panel tells Supreme Court)This letter was sent after the informal meeting involving Srinivasan and Thakur, along with office bearers from the other 22 state associations failed to reach a conclusion yesterday. A total of 24 BCCI units, who are either done with their BCCI career or forced to go into compulsory cooling off, had gathered to discuss their future course of action following the Supreme Court's latest order. (BCCI setting dangerous precedent with its defiance of Supreme Court)WATCH FULL VIDEOBut the meeting itself didn't seem to have any effect on the Lodha Committee neither did it succeed in paving a way forward for the sacked or ineligible officials. (10 times Supreme Court showed BCCI who is boss)"No less than 21 state associations have written to the Lodha committee that they will adopt the reforms as mandated by the Supreme Court. What the ineligible officials do in their personal capacity, the Lodha committee is not bothered," the committee sources told India Today.Following are some of the latest instances when BCCI state associations refused to host cricket matches due to various technical reasons: |
Daisy Mowke | 26 Mar 2017,Sunday | FIR filed against actor Parth Samthaan in molestation case | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fir-filed-against-tv-actor-parth-samthaan-for-molestation-lifetv/1/912797.html | A 20-year-old model has filed an FIR against actor Parth Samthaan, accusing him of molesting her. The model has alleged that he misbehaved with her in a drunken state and also shared her contact number with other people, after which she started receiving calls from boys who wanted "favours" from her. Parth starred in the MTV series 'Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan'. | Indian television actor Parth Samthaan, who became a household name, thanks to the success of his show Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan, is in deep trouble.A complaint of molestation has been lodged against the actor by a 20-year-old model. Bangar Nagar police station has registered the FIR under section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR was filed last month, as the incident had apparently occurred on February 20. |
Ankush Verma | 14 Jul 2017,Friday | Islam's 3rd holiest site shut 1st time in 17 yrs post attack | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/shooting-attack-jerusalem-temple-mount-friday-prayers?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Islam's third holiest site, the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, will be closed for Friday prayers for the first time in 17 years. This comes after three attackers killed two Israeli police officers near the mosque complex earlier in the day. All the three gunmen were killed and the area was cleared of visitors and closed, police officials said. | Two Israeli police officers have been shot dead and three gunmen killed during an early-morning shootout in one of Jerusalem?s most holy and sensitive sites.The attack ? involving three Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin ? took place just after 7am in the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif complex in Jerusalem. It began near the Lions? Gate entrance to the compound, which is revered as a holy site by both Muslims and Jews.A few hours after the incident, the chief of the Israeli police, Roni Alsheich, confirmed the death of the two male officers from wounds sustained in the attack.The incident was among the most serious in Jerusalem in recent years and threatened to raise Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The two dead police officers were named as Hael Sathawi, 30, and Kamil Shnan, 22.According to police, the three men ? residents of the Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm who were armed with home-made Carlo machine guns and a pistol ? opened fire on police near the gate before fleeing back into the heart of the compound which houses the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.Israel?s Shin Bet security service later named the three attackers as Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Jabareen, 29, Mohammed Hamed Abd Al-Latif Jabareen, 19, and Mohammed Ahmed Mafdal Jabareen, also 19, noting that none had previous security convictions.Police security camera footage, released late on Friday, showed the gunmen approaching two policemen at the gate from within the compound - raising questions about how their weapons were smuggled onto the site.Two men with guns can be seen emerging through the low arched entrance and almost immediately shooting one of the policemen from behind as he is talking to his seated colleague.As other Israeli police pursued the men, a heavy exchange of gunfire took place, startling early-morning worshippers in the central plaza, some of whom recorded the shootout on camera phones.In the immediate aftermath the compound was cleared of visitors and closed, with police announcing that Muslim Friday prayers, usually attended by thousands, would be cancelled for the first time in 17 years.Israel said the site would remain closed until Sunday at the earliest while it continued with security assessments despite calls for it to be reopened.The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the attack in a rare phone call to the Israeli president, Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the Palestinian Wafa news agency.Video footage recorded during the attack showed shooting and police running across the central plaza in pursuit of the attackers.At one point, one of the gunmen, who is seen lying on the ground apparently motionless, is seen jumping up, amid a fresh exchange of fire in which he falls.A police spokesman described the beginning of the incident.?When they saw policemen they shot towards them and then escaped towards one of the mosques in the Temple Mount compound,? said Luba Samri. ?A chase ensued and the three terrorists were killed by police.?Named after a Swedish submachine gun of the 1940s, the 'Carl Gustav' or 'Carlo' is the Palestinian nickname for crude automatic weapons produced in small workshops in the occupied territories.Designs and materials vary. A gun used in one recent attack had a barrel made from water piping while the moving parts are often mounted on already available stocks, including from paintball guns.While unreliable and inaccurate, the guns are much cheaper than black market weapons and Israel is increasing its efforts to find and close the workshops where they are made.The al-Aqsa mosque is Islam?s third-holiest site, while the seventh-century Dome of the Rock is also revered by Jews as the site of the historic temple. Jews are permitted to visit the site but not pray there, a prohibition supported by the mainstream Jewish Halakhic tradition. It is managed under a longstanding arrangement with the Jordanian-supported Islamic institution known as the Waqf.The last time the complex was closed off to Muslims was after the 2014 shooting of Jewish prayer rights activist Yehuda Glick, now a Knesset member for the Likud, while the last time Friday prayers were cancelled was in 1990. Netanyahu said in the aftermath of the attack that he would not change prayer rights at the site, despite calls by far-right politicians who sought to exploit the shooting.The deputy defence minister, Eli Ben-Dahan of the far-right Jewish Home party, had called for Israel to ?bolster its rule and control over the [holy sites], and to ensure that all Jews can pray there at any time in safety?. A second Jewish Home MP, Moti Yogev, said the compound should be ?closed to Muslim [worshippers] for a long time?.Netanyahu rejected the calls. ?It was decided to shut the Temple Mount today for security reasons. Searches will be carried out to ensure there are no more weapons at the [site]. The status quo on the Temple Mount will be preserved,? he said.The grand mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, told Palestinian news agencies he had been prevented from entering the complex. ?We insist on reaching al-Aqsa mosque and performing prayers there. The occupation preventing us from praying marks an assault against our right to worship in this pure Islamic mosque,? he said.The incident follows a reported move by the Israeli government to allow Israeli MPs, who are not allowed to go to the flashpoint site, to visit the Temple Mount on a trial basis.Israel?s public security minister, Gilad Erdan, said: ?The terror attack today is a severe and dire event in which all red lines have been crossed. The attack is still under investigation and will force us to look into existing security arrangements at Temple Mount and in its vicinity.?I call on all public figures to do all in their power to calm the situation and keep the peace.?A wave of Palestinian street attacks that began in 2015 has slowed but not stopped. Since September 2015, Palestinian attackers have killed 43 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist.In that time, Israeli forces have killed more than 254 Palestinians, most of them said by Israel to be attackers. |
Dishant Sharma | 28 Feb 2017,Tuesday | PM Modi meets blind cricket team, calls them an inspiration | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-prime-minister-national-blind-cricket-team/1/893313.html | The Indian blind cricket team which won the T20 World Cup for the Blind earlier this month met PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Modi complimented the team members for their achievement and urged them to do even better in future. The team presented the PM with an autographed bat, a ball and a team jersey with his name on it. | The national blind cricket team which won the T-20 World Cup for Blind earlier this month met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.Modi complimented the team members for their achievement and urged them to do even better in future, an official statement said.The team members presented the Prime Minister with an autographed bat, a ball and a team jersey with his name on it. Best wishes to the entire team that won the T-20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind. Keep playing well and making India proud of your game. |
Pragya Swastik | 16 Apr 2017,Sunday | Snapchat iOS app rating drops to 1-star on poor India remark | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/snapchat-evan-spiegel-india-anthony-pompliano-app-store-ratings/1/930319.html | The current rating of Snapchat's iOS app has dropped to mere one star over Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel's alleged remark of India being a "poor" country made in 2015. Several Indians are said to have uninstalled the app and many have given a one-star rating to the app with negative reviews. Snapchat's Android app rating has fallen to 3.9 stars. | A day after Snapchat CEO faced the ire of Indian twitterati who lambasted him for his 'India is too poor' comment, the ratings of the application have plummeted. According to the application info on App Store, the "Customer Ratings" of the current version of the app was "single star" (based on 6,099 ratings) and all versions rating was "one and half star" (based on 9,527 ratings) as on Sunday morning, reported IANS.This comes after Snapchat's ex-employee Anthony Pompliano was quoted by a website Variety as saying that company CEO Evan Spiegel in September 2015 told him that "the app is only for rich people. I don't want to expand into poor countries like India and Spain".Indians did not take the comment lightly and took to social media to lash out at the statement from the CEO. Some users wrote, "Poor India & Spain need better than Snapchat", "Good bye, My Snapchat Account and Snap Inc. You'll be product of gone by era and derision", and "Poor Evan Spiegel".Consequently, the rating of the popular app dropped to a 'single star' from an apparent 'five star' on the App Store. The rating for the app on Android Play Store was "four star" (based on 11,932,996 ratings).However, on Sunday, Snapchat appeared to have responded to the claim. The Hindustan Times quoted the company as saying, "This is ridiculous. Obviously Snapchat is for everyone! It's available worldwide to download for free."TWITTER RAGESThe app was also trolled on Twitter. #boycottsnapchat became the most trending hashtag on Twitter overnight."I haven't seen any Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians etc Tweets yet. Thanks @Snapchat for Uniting us," a user tweeted."I was addicted to @Snapchat but I love my country more than this app. Let's see how you earn without Indians. @evanspiegel #boycottsnapchat," another user wrote on twitter.Some users even flagged the app for hateful content and left a message, "Dear @snapchatsupport, flagged you for hateful content. #boycottsnapchat".INSTAGRAM SURPASSES SNAPCHATAccording to a report in Forbes on Thursday, Facebook's photo-sharing app Instagram surpassed Snapchat in daily active users of "Stories" feature, though the format was first launched by Snapchat in 2013.Instagram's "Stories" feature was now used by more than 200 million people every day -- an increase of 50 million since January.On the other hand, Snapchat who launched the "Stories" format in October 2013, had 161 million daily active users in February."Stories" feature is an ephemeral chain of photo and video clips with filters and special effects. More recently, Facebook and WhatsApp also introduced the feature, imitating Snapchat.Snapchat has more than four million users in India.(With inputs from IANS)Also Read:#BoycottSnapchat: Twitter rages after Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegal's apparent 'India is too poor' comment |
Abhishek Bansal | 23 May 2017,Tuesday | Ranchi civic body uses 'Sholay' climax to promote sanitation | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ranchi-sanitation-poster-sholay/1/960359.html | Ranchi Municipal Corporation has used movie Sholay's climax scene in its posters to promote sanitation and toilet construction. Amitabh Bachchan's character can be seen in Dharmendra's arms asking him how he got injured. In response, Bachchan is shown saying, "I don't have a toilet at home, so I fell down while trying to relieve myself in the night." | The Ranchi Nagar Nigam has upped the ante with its posters on sanitation and building toilets.Posters put up in Ranchi, Jharkhand, took a play on superstar Amitabh Bachchan's movie Sholay, and its hugely popular climax. An injured Amitabh can be seen in Dharmendra's arms, who asks him how he got so injured. In response, Bachchan's character is shown as saying, "I don't have a toilet at home, so I feel down while trying to relieve myself in the night."A photo of the poster was shared on Facebook by Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi. |
Shubhodeep Datta | 24 May 2017,Wednesday | Twitter forced me to remove tweet on Arundhati: Paresh Rawal | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paresh-rawal-tweet-arundhati-roy-coerced-by-twitter-jeep-kashmir/1/962198.html | BJP MP Paresh Rawal has alleged that he was "coerced by Twitter" into removing a tweet targeting author Arundhati Roy. Rawal in his tweet said, "Instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie up Arundhati Roy!" Further, Rawal said in a statement that he will continue to stand by the citizens and Armed forces "at any cost". | Famous actor and BJP lawmaker Paresh Rawal alleged today that he was "coerced by Twitter" into removing a tweet targeting author Arundhati Roy. The tweet had sparked a major controversy .Paresh Rawal was outright when he defended his tweet in spite of being criticised for the post.The tweet which now has been deleted, talked about the incident of an army officer strapping a protester to his jeep as a "human shield" against stone pelters in Kashmir.The deleted tweet read, "Instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie up Arundhati Roy!"Read || Paresh Rawal wants Arundhati Roy to be tied to army jeep instead of stone pelter ||Paresh Rawal, however, declared today, "I Paresh Rawal, citizen of India, continue to defend my tweet and support my expression which was made without any prejudice to gender, race, religion or caste. More importantly, I maintain that I ardently love my country and support my country unwaveringly, I stand by and will continue to stand by the citizens and Indian armed forces under any situation and at any cost."Paresh Rawal's tweet targeting Arundhati Roy created a lot of ruckus.Paresh Rawal referred to the controversial April 9 incident in Kashmir where Farooq Dar, a civilian was tied to the front of an army vehicle and paraded across at least 9 villages as a 'human shield' against stone pelters. |
Rini Sinha | 04 Apr 2017,Tuesday | Why are you lying: Hrithik to model calling him friend | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hrithik-roshan-angela-krislinski-size-zero-rogue-twitter/1/919988.html | Hrithik Roshan, responding to model Angela Krislinzki's claims of him being a great friend to her, tweeted, "My dear lady, who are you and why are u lying." In an interview, she claimed that Hrithik's a "mentor" who has been "supportive and gave her acting tips". Angela, who is part Polish-part Spanish, earlier featured in an advertisement with Hrithik.nn | Hrithik Roshan shoots ads and one of the many women he shot an ad with happens to be Polish model-turned-actor Angela Krislinzki.Recently, in an interview with DNA, Angela Krislinzki gushed about the actor and her camaraderie with him. Her words made it appear like Hrithik and Angela share some special bond and as such the publication compared Angela to Kites actor Barbara Mori "who he (Hrithik) then took under his wing."When Hrithik Roshan read the report this morning, he took a screenshot of the interview, took to Twitter and wondered out loud, "My dear lady, who are you and why are u lying. (sic)"My dear lady, who are you and why are u lying. pic.twitter.com/xydPrKr8nHIn the interview, Angela Krislinzsi reminisced about the time Hrithik Roshan was "supportive" and gave her "acting tips.""Like every other newcomer, I had a crush on Hrithik when I worked with him for the first time in a commercial. When I told him about my half-Spanish background, he was reminded about the old-world charm of Valencia and Spain. He was supportive and gave me acting tips," Angela said.She went on to add that she found a mentor and friend in Hrithik."I was under the impression that he had forgotten me. After all, he is a star who shoots umpteen ads with several young models. But he called out to me and remembered all the conversations we'd had and the fact that my dad was from Valencia. He also asked me jokingly whether the colour of my eyes was real. When I signed a movie in the South. He also inquired about the maker and assured me that this film would definitely take me places," Angela said.The interview goes on to add that Hrithik Roshan has "great plans" for Angela and that the actor is even considering her "for one of his big films.""I consider Hrithik a mentor and keep him informed. I showed him a song from my last south release, Size Zero and he liked it immensely. Later, I I even sent him the first look and trailer of my upcoming film Rogue and he was impressed," Angela added.Angela Krislinzki has so far co appeared in three films in the South; Jyothi Lakshmi, Size Zero and Rogue. |
Tarun Khanna | 11 Mar 2017,Saturday | Early trends indicate Congress lead in Manipur | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assembly-election-results-2017-live-uttar-pradesh-punjab-uttarakhand-goa-manipur-modi/1/901863.html | With the counting of votes underway, the initial trends on Saturday showed Congress taking the lead in Manipur and being closely trailed by BJP. While the trends show Congress leading in 9 seats, BJP is leading in 8 seats. The trends are out for 21 seats out of the total 60 seats. The NPF is leading on 2 seats. | AAJ TAK LIVE TV WITH LIVE ELECTION RESULTS I congratulate Shri. Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh & UttarakhandMy heartiest congratulations to Capt Amarinder Singhji & all our party workers who worked tirelessly @capt_amarinderTo all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute & committed to our values & our belief in an India united in strength & purposeOur fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts & minds of peopleCongratulations to @AmitShah, party office bearers & state units for their exemplary work in taking the party to new heights. Spoke to @capt_amarinder & congratulated him on the win in Punjab. Also wished him a happy birthday & prayed for his long & healthy life. .@BJP4India takes lead over @INCIndia in #ManipurWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/N0J8NNjN3oIn Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand we are disappointed. The alliance had lot of expectations: Sanjay Jha, CongLIVE https://t.co/4fqxBVUizLpic.twitter.com/AxCle4efLiIn a nutshell there is no leader today with a pan India acceptability who can take on Modi & the BJP in 2019.At this rate we might as well forget 2019 & start planning/hoping for 2024.How the hell did almost all the experts/analysts miss this wave in UP? It's a tsunami not a ripple in a small pond.Celebrations galore at BJP HQ as Ashoka Road gets barricaded. #[email protected]/3zdaWhfHBA.@narendramodi be like#[email protected]/0KVevi8dGT#ElectionResults2017: Meanwhile in the Delhi @BJP4India headquarters (Photo: @NeerajGupta20) pic.twitter.com/SR7may7Q0B In #UttarPradesh, @BJP4India hasn't left much to imaginationWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/UyufTVNxcM#Verdict2017It's BJP everywhere in UP. @rahulkanwal shares the latest numbers from UP assembly polls. Live:https://t.co/oIU1FtZewBpic.twitter.com/vnUtSdIF1APunjab is proof that the Congress can win an election despite Rahul Gandhi. #PunjabElection2017Modi magic still working in Uttar Pradesh. Demonetisation, what demonetisation??#ElectionResultsScenes of celebration @BJP4India HQ in Delhi. Pic by @the_hindu photog Sandeep Saxena pic.twitter.com/0oQ8s6FOayThe brilliant @MANJULtoons strikes again on #ElectionResults day.Only the guy in the middle is not getting his wish today. ð??? pic.twitter.com/D9JA8jJOGe#UPElection2017 Results LIVE: Counting of votes underway, #BJP emerges as clear winner with lead in 287 seats https://t.co/0eCLGTAeEQpic.twitter.com/p8l2eOX1iEThe Loha Singh Live Blog: Assembly Election Result updates with a punch ð??? Grab some popcorn ð??? and read ð??? https://t.co/sQ5MPCReyUpic.twitter.com/ATo9PXtyQk@KyaUkhaadLega AAP is ready with victory posters ð???ð???ð??? pic.twitter.com/lyQUr0PEGdBJP leading in Uttar Pradesh: Party workers celebrate in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SmmoBRNKSV#UttarPradeshElection2017 Counting shuru ho gayi hai, humari badi jeet hogi: Shivpal Yadav, SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/7C91hJWhcJ#ResultsWithNdtv@ndtv at Lucknow counting centre , drone cameras being used to monitor activity pic.twitter.com/VKhU0XCPGUMuscle, money power openly used by parties: Irom Sharmila https://t.co/d91oCpXEtZ Read @ANI_news story #Manipurpic.twitter.com/gdQ1KJMv3h#ABPResults UP Assembly Election Result Live: @samajwadiparty accuses EC of being biasedhttps://t.co/6I474e06FOpic.twitter.com/DAjGeq1RDh#UttarPradeshElection2017 Security arrangements in place outside counting centres in Moradabad #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/XlwpiN5ZecSP-Congress alliance will win today,and we will expose the people who were conspiring against CM: Rajendra Chaudhary,SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/iEq4OAiloXSamajwadi Party workers perform Havan in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SP9iJcdwfX |
Vani Vivek | 22 Feb 2017,Wednesday | No doubt we made errors in our execution: Snapdeal Founders | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/full-text-in-email-snapdeal-founders-say-mistakes-made-as-company-cuts-600-jobs/1/889050.html | The Snapdeal Founders have written an email to employees explaining the layoffs of around 600 people. "Did we make errors in our execution? No doubt about that. Over the last 2-3 years, with all the capital coming..., our entire industry, including ourselves, started making mistakes." "All of us starting with myself and Rohit, are to blame for it," it added. | Snapdeal is going through tough times. Today we heard that the company cut 600 jobs and that there is a lot of confusion and chaos in its offices. Also the company founders have taken a full, which means 100 per cent, salary cut. The gravity of the situation can be ascertained from the email that Snapdeal founders have presumably written to the company employees. It has been leaked and posted on Pastebin so far now we are not completely sure that this is the complete and genuine email. But it sure seems to have come from the founders. Here is the full text:--At Snapdeal, we find ourselves at an important point in our journey - we know where we want to go and now is the time to make the choices of how we will get there.Has our company and industry been going through a troubled time? Absolutely. Did we make errors in our execution? No doubt about that. Over the last 2-3 years, with all the capital coming into this market, our entire industry, including ourselves, started making mistakes. We started growing our business much before the right economic model and market fit was figured out. We also started diversifying and starting new projects while we still hadn't perfected the first or made it profitable. We started building our team and capabilities for a much larger size of business than what was required with the present scale.Ambition is critical, because that's what motivates us to give our very best every single day - to achieve the undoable. However, a large amount of capital with ambition can be a potent mix that drives a company to defocus from its core. We feel that happened to us. We started doing too many things, and all of us starting with myself and Rohit, are to blame for it.That said, there is almost no successful company on the planet, which hasn't gone through this phase in their lifetime - Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Tesla, Lego, Spicejet, you name it! Each one of them had painted themselves into a corner many times over before they became as wildly successful as they are today. A quick look at their stock prices over the last 15 years will show you what we're talking about. The formula to revive the company is uncannily similar for almost all of them - focus on only your core, stop all non-core activities, reduce costs drastically, turn profitable as soon as you can, and use those profits to spur further growth and new projects. We must do the same, and there is no doubt that with the really smart folks we have in the company, we will make it something that we are all very proud of.This also comes with some tough decisions in the short term. As part of our overall path to profitability plan that is currently in full swing, we will be reorganizing the company into a lean, focused, and entrepreneurial one. We are combining teams, reducing layers, eliminating non-core projects and strengthening the focus on profitable growth. Sadly, we will also be saying really painful goodbyes to some of our colleagues in this process. This is by far the hardest decision that we have ever taken in our lives. Our colleagues are our friends before they are co-workers, and I feel a deep sense of disappointment that we won't be able to have them continue on this journey with us. We will do what we can to help them with their transition to their next opportunity. We take this time to express our sincere gratitude to all those who are leaving us -your contributions have helped build Snapdeal in ways big and small. With time, I am confident, that we will be able to welcome back some of our colleagues who will be leaving us at this point. And that point, we will be a self sufficient, profitable company.Daunting as it may appear in the moment, it is important that we do this now, so that we can continue on our overall mission of building a successful, profitable business that provides incredible opportunities to our customers, sellers and partners. This also means more responsibility for the team members continuing on this journey with us.We believe that every resource of the company should be deployed for driving us towards profitable growth and with this announcement, both Rohit and I are taking a 100% salary cut. Many of our leaders have also stepped up proactively and offered to take a significant cut in their compensation, which is an excellent sign of how galvanised the team feels in this shared quest for profitability.These are tough times, no doubt. But, I am supremely confident, that like we have done before as a team, we will prevail. The greatest companies in the world got built in many interesting patterns - we just can't tell the pattern while are in the midst of it. For now, we need to keep our heads down, focus all our energy on execution that delivers on our two focus areas - best customer and seller experience, and profitable growth. This will mean tough choices and a conscious departure from a me-too race to the edge of the cliff. Let's remember - GMV is vanity, Profit is sanity.I have seen that whenever we put our minds to a well-defined plan, which we believe in unequivocally, we make progress like nobody else can. I am glad that we have picked our path clearly - of building a profitable business over the next two years. |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 03 Aug 2017,Thursday | Photo shows how close flight came to crashing onto 4 planes | https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/03/air-canada-near-miss-picture-shows-how-close-planes-came-to-crashing?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle#img-2 | Investigators have released pictures showing how close an Air Canada flight came to crashing onto four planes at a US airport last month. Its pilots mistakenly descended towards a taxiway, where four planes were parked, instead of the runway before aborting the landing. Investigators said the incident came within a few feet of becoming one of the worst aviation disasters. | Newly released data and photos show how shockingly low an Air Canada jet was when it pulled up to avoid crashing into planes waiting on a San Francisco international airport taxiway last month. The Air Canada pilots mistook the taxiway for the runway next to it and flew their jet to just 59ft (18m) above ground before pulling up to attempt another landing, according to National Transportation Safety Board information released on Wednesday.That?s barely taller than the four planes that were on the taxiway when the incident occurred late at night on 7 July. Pilots in a United plane alerted air traffic controllers about the off-course jet, while the crew of a Philippine Airlines jet behind it switched on their plane?s landing lights in an apparent last-ditch danger signal to Air Canada. NTSB investigators said they have not determined probable cause for the incident that came within a few feet of becoming one of the worst disasters in aviation history.?It was close, much too close,? said John Cox, a safety consultant and retired airline pilot.The investigators said that as the Air Canada jet approached the taxiway just before midnight after a flight from Toronto, it was so far off course that it did not appear on a radar system used to prevent runway collisions.Those systems were not designed to spot planes that are lined up to land on a taxiway a rare occurrence, especially for airline pilots. But the Federal Aviation Administration is working on modifications so they can, agency spokesman Ian Gregor said.Both pilots of the Air Canada Airbus A320 jet were very experienced. The captain, who was flying the plane, had more than 20,000 hours of flying time, and the co-pilot had about 10,000 hours.The pilots told investigators ?that they did not recall seeing aircraft on taxiway but that something did not look right to them,? the NTSB said.Investigators could not hear what the Air Canada captain and co-pilot said to each other during the aborted landing because their conversation was recorded over when the plane made other flights, starting with a San Francisco-to-Montreal trip the next morning. Recorders are required to capture only the last two hours of a plane?s flying time.Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for Air Canada, declined to comment, citing the investigation. |
Dishant Sharma | 19 Jun 2017,Monday | Bangladeshi fan commits suicide after India's CT final loss | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bangladeshi-fan-commits-suicide-after-indias-final-defeat/1/982151.html | Bidyut, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi fan of Indian cricket, committed suicide by jumping in front of a train after India lost to Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017 in London on Sunday. India had reached the tournament's final after having defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets in what was Bangladesh's maiden semifinal appearance at an ICC event. | Dhaka, Jun 19 (PTI) A 25-year-old Bangladeshi fan of Indian cricket committed suicide by jumping in front of a train after India lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. |
Mansha Mahajan | 28 Apr 2017,Friday | UK's top paid CEO's payout plunges by ?185 crore in a year | https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/apr/28/sir-martin-sorrell-pay-uk-wpp?CMP=twt_gu | Martin Sorrell, CEO of world's largest advertising and public relations company WPP, was awarded a payout of over $62 million (?400 crore) in 2016. The payout was around 32% less from the $91 million (?585 crore) he received in 2015, one of the biggest in UK's corporate history. With this, Sorrell has received $272 million in total remuneration since 2012. | Sir Martin Sorrell received £48m in remuneration last year as WPP, the marketing and advertising company he founded and runs, moved to curb the level of his future payouts to avoid further clashes with investors.Sorrell, who has been on the receiving end of a string of shareholder voting revolts at WPP?s annual meetings in recent years, received total pay, bonuses and incentive scheme payouts of £48.1m in 2016.The figure is 31.6% lower than the £70.4m he received in 2015, one of the biggest pay deals in UK corporate history, which was opposed by one-third of WPP shareholders at last year?s AGM. The payout, the last to be awarded under WPP?s controversial ?Leap? scheme, means Sorrell has received about £210m in total remuneration since 2012.WPP has introduced a less generous arrangement for Sorrell, which is expected to pay out £19m a year. It will be the subject of a binding vote at the company?s annual meeting in June.However, WPP said on Friday that it intended to tighten the policy further with a potential payout band of £14.9m to £19.2m maximum this year. From 2018, that will fall to between £18m and £13m as dividend equivalent payments are scrapped.The company has moved to stem further potential run-ins with investors at a time of renewed scrutiny of corporate Britain since the Brexit vote and the warning from Theresa May that she would curb boardroom excess. WPP?s chairman, Robert Quarta, appointed at last year?s annual meeting, also said planning to identify the successor to Sorrell, 72, had intensified.?Our succession planning process, which has always been rigorous, has become even more focused and detailed over the past year,? said Quarta, in WPP?s annual report published on Friday. ?Whether it happens in the near or distant future, when Sir Martin leaves his role as chief executive, we will have an exceptional team of potential candidates on the bench.?Sorrell shows no signs of slowing down, having celebrated the birth of another child on the day of the US presidential election last year. He has no plans to step aside and said, on the question of succession, that there is ?nothing to see here?. His pay has been a flashpoint in the past. In 2012, during what became known as the shareholder spring, nearly 60% of investors rejected his annual package for the previous year. Last year, Sorrell defended his remuneration, arguing that he had put three decades of his life into turning WPP from a maker of wire baskets into a global marketing business worth £22bn.?I?m not a Johnny-come-lately who picked a company up and turned it round [for a big payday],? he said. ?If it was one five-year plan and we buggered off, fine [to criticise my pay]. Over those 31 years ? I have taken a significant degree of risk. [WPP] is where my wealth is. It is long effort over a long period of time.?The question of a successor has exercised investors in recent years, with Guy Jubb, the former head of governance at Standard Life Investments, using his final appearance at a WPP annual meeting in 2015 to criticise the apparent ?Sorrellcentricity? at the company.Quarta, writing in the annual report, said there is a list of internal and external candidates who could take over.?As part of our continuous assessment of those individuals who might one day become chief executive of the group, we have invited a number of leaders within WPP companies to present to the board and attend board meetings,? he said. ?This exercise gives me greater confidence than ever in the strength of our people and their potential to succeed at the very top.?This internal pool is, of course, maintained alongside a constantly refined list of external candidates.?Quarta said internal candidates include those who report directly to Sorrell, as well as ?many who currently occupy the senior tier below?. |
Abhishek Bansal | 12 May 2017,Friday | Will cut your heads, hang them in J&K: Militants to Hurriyat | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hizbul-mujahideen-warns-hurriyat-leaders-lal-chowk-chop-heads/1/952474.html | A leader of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has warned Hurriyat leaders that their heads will be chopped off and hung in Srinagar's Lal Chowk. This comes after Hurriyat had said the struggle by people in Kashmir is a political struggle and not a religious one. The message, which was delivered through a video clip, called the separatist leaders as "infidels". | Hizbul Mujahideen leader Zakir Musa has warned Hurriyat leaders that their heads will be chopped off and hung in the Lal Chowk in Srinagar for interfering in the militant group's "struggle for Islam".In an audio, which has gone viral on social media, Zakir is heard saying: "I am warning all those hypocrite Hurriyat leaders. They must not interfere in our Islamic struggle. If they do, we will cut their heads and hang them in Lal Chowk".The militant leader asserted that his outfit was clear in its motives of "fighting to impose a Shariat in Kashmir and not resolving the Kashmir issue by calling it a political struggle"."Those leaders should know that the struggle is for Islam, for Shariat," he was heard saying in the over five-minute audio clip. IANS can not confirm the authenticity of the audio clip.Urging the people of Kashmir to unite against the Hurriyat's "hycocrisy", Zakir says: "We all should love our religion and we should realise that we are fighting for Islam. If the Hurriyat leaders think it is not so, then why have we been hearing the slogan 'Azaadi ka matlab kya - La ilaha il Allah', why have they (Hurriyat groups) been using mosques in their politics?"The Hizbul Mujahideen has been waging a silent battle to upstage the Hurriyat Conference since the 2016 uprising. Last week, the militant outfit also released a statement asking women protesters to not come on the roads to protest.Militants from the group are also believed to be behind the killing of Kashmiri Army officer Ummer Fayaz earlier this week.Also Read:Ummer Fayaz killing: Jammu and Kashmir Police identifies 3 Hizbul Mujahideen suspects Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen men behind recent bank robberies in Jammu and Kashmir: Police Internet suspended in Jammu and Kashmir for a month over student protests |
Daisy Mowke | 13 Dec 2016,Tuesday | Amsterdam café gives discounts in return for plastic wastes | https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/dec/13/amsterdam-dutch-recycling-plastics-local-currency-cities-foundation-wasted?CMP=twt_gu | The Al Ponte café in Amsterdam, Netherlands provides discounts to residents in return for plastic wastes. The initiative is part of a pilot project named 'Wasted', which incentivises households to recycle their plastics. For every bag of plastics, households earn one green coin which can be used for a free second coffee. | Located just behind Amsterdam Centraal station with views looking out across the river IJ, Al Ponte is a popular cafe serving a constant stream of commuters on their way to and from the nearby ferry port. Not all Al Ponte?s customers pay for their coffees, however. Not in the traditional sense anyway.Al Ponte is one of the businesses participating in Wasted, a pilot project running in Amsterdam?s Noord district which incentivises households to recycle their plastics by rewarding them with discounts at local businesses.When prospective participants sign up they are given bags labelled with unique QR codes, enabling the scheme?s organisers to apportion the correct credit to each household once the filled bags have been collected. For every bag of plastics they produce households earn one green coin. At present the coins are sent to users in the post, although next year Wasted?s organisers want to develop the scheme?s digital currency. As well as reducing bureaucracy, this will enable them to engage online businesses in offering rewardsAt Al Ponte, one coin earns users a free second coffee. Meanwhile, over at BeekhovenBikes Fietsspecialist?s cycle shop three coins earn users 50% off tyre repairs. Discounts on accountancy support, groceries and reiki treatments are also included in the list of rewards offered by the 30 or so participating retailers.Silvia Salani, who owns Al Ponte, says there are days when only one or two customers have a coin to exchange and others when that number reaches double figures. As well as improving her standing in the community, Salani believes being part of the scheme has been positive for business growth as she sees those who first came in with friends for free coffees returning as paid customers.Since Wasted was set up in early 2015 by Dutch non-profit the Cities Foundation, more than 700 households have signed up. In a previous iteration of the project, staff from the Cities Foundation collected the plastics from users? homes and fed them into the municipal recycling scheme. As the project has scaled, however, the city council, which subsidises the project, has taken over the weekly collection.The city council doesn?t normally offer domestic collection of recyclables, instead providing Noord?s 87,000 residents with on-street containers. With Wasted, however, it has said is keen to support the Cities Foundation?s goal to connect waste management with supporting local entrepreneurs.In a recent survey of Wasted users, 52% of respondents said they had improved their waste disposal habits as a result of using Wasted and 23% said they had reduced their total plastics consumption. ?People start to realise how much plastic they produce on a weekly basis and it is pretty distressing,? says Francesca Miazzo, founder of the Cities Foundation.Broader research to date suggests schemes that reward residents to recycle have mixed long-term results. A study carried out by independent consultancy Eunomia, commissioned by Serco, shows such initiatives have ?highly variable? results.?Unfortunately there?s no real indication that reward schemes outperform simply publicising pre-existing recycling scheme information,? says Peter Jones, a principal consultant at Eunomia. While Miazzo acknowledges the long-term challenge, she believes activating community participation and creating awareness can help sustain positive behaviour: ?We want to engage those who don?t usually care about recycling, while building a social contract between the community and business owners that goes beyond the traditional consumer relationship,? she says. Sign up to be a Guardian Sustainable Business member and get more stories like this direct to your inbox every week. You can also follow us on Twitter. |
Rini Sinha | 09 Apr 2017,Sunday | Ghajini director slams National Awards jury for being biased | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ar-murugadoss-national-awards-priyadarshan-biased/1/924346.html | AR Murugadoss, director of 2008 film 'Ghajini' on Twitter slammed the 64th National Awards' jury for being biased. After the awards were announced, numerous Twitter users questioned why the best actor National Award was given to Akshay Kumar and not Aamir Khan. Meanwhile, filmmaker Hansal Mehta also expressed disappointment at his film 'Aligarh' not receiving any recognition. | This year, award shows have come under the scanner. After the Filmfare Awards got flak for not nominating Akshay Kumar (Airlift) or Manoj Bajpayee (Aligarh) in the Best Actor category, the National Awards are being slammed for their decisions. Filmmaker AR Murugadoss also alleged on Twitter that the National Awards were biased this time. "Can clearly witness the influence & partiality of people in jury, it's biased," he wrote.#NationalAwardsCan clearly witness the influence & partiality of people in jury, it's biased.The decision to give Akshay Kumar the Best Actor for Rustom over other contenders like Aamir Khan (Dangal) and Manoj Bajpayee (Aligarh) has been questioned, with many alleging that the jury headed by Priyadarshan was biased. That the filmmaker is close to Akshay is common knowledge, and many claim that he abused his position as the head of the jury to favour the actor, who he directed in several films like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyya.However, Priyadarshan defended the decision and told Indian Express, "Why are we insulting an actor? If he was a bad actor, how is he one of the top stars of the film industry for so many years? 38 people decided to award him and these people are sensible. Does that mean they are fools? Also, last year Mr Amitabh Bachchan got the best actor trophy (for Piku) and Ramesh Sippy was on the jury, no one questioned that. When Ajay Devgn won for Gangaajal, Prakash Jha was on the jury. That time also no one said anything."Other than Murugadoss, Aligarh director Hansal Mehta too expressed his disappointment over the list of winners. However, he clarified that the disappointment wasn't directed at anyone. He wrote on Twitter, "When I expressed my disappointment about the National Awards it was personal and not directed at anybody. I would like to believe that the jury has done its best within their understanding and framework. Aligarh was not considered worthy in that framework by the appointed juries just like Lunchbox was ignored in the year that Shahid won two national awards. I did not complain then and I am not complaining now either. I've got to respect the decision and move on."He added, "What hurts is that in some statement the chairperson who I respect and whose films I've often enjoyed says that 'While watching films we realised that a lot of Bollywood movies were themed around homosexuality. The mnovies are not really highlighting social problems. Whereas regional cinema are themed around fantastic social issues.' This statement is disturbing and sensitive. Priyadarshan sir, Aligarh did not meet the standards set by you and your jury - I accept that. But your views on homosexuality not figuring as a 'fantastic' social issue rankles."\When I expressed disappointment about the National Awards it was personal and not directed at anybody. I would.. pic.twitter.com/1bPzeOGmKA |
Anmol Sharma | 30 Jul 2017,Sunday | PCB reserves ?60 crore for legal action against BCCI | http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/pakistan-cricket-board-reserves-1-billion-rupees-for-legal-action-against-bcci/story-H0ZixF2WoxpLLKSyXD4bXK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Pakistan Cricket Board has reserved over ?60 crore to bear the legal costs of filing compensation claim against the BCCI in the ICC disputes resolution committee. PCB chairman Shahrayar Khan said that the board had no option but to seek compensation from BCCI for not playing any bilateral series with Pakistan despite a MoU signed between the boards. | Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reserved around Rs. 1 billion (100 crore in Pakistani rupees) to bear the legal costs of filing compensation claim against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee.PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said in an interview on Saturday that the board of governor?s meeting on Friday had given approval for the budget to cover the legal costs.?We have hired a British law firm to represent us in the case and file the compensation claim with the disputes resolution committee,? Khan said.He said the PCB had no option but to seek compensation from the BCCI for not playing any bilateral series with Pakistan despite a MOU signed between the two boards in 2014.Khan said the claim would be filed with the ICC committee shortly after the BCCI had failed to respond to the notice of intent sent to them by the PCB and three rounds of talks with their officials also failed to break the deadlock.READ | Sports minister Vijay Goel slams BCCI for meeting PCB officials in Dubai?The BCCI claims they can?t play any bilateral series with us since their government is not giving clearance to them,? he added.Under the MOU the two countries are supposed to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2022.The PCB, he said, had already sent a notice to the BCCI seeking USD 69 million in compensation from the Indians.?With India refusing to play us in a bilateral series we have lost millions in revenues. Even our broadcasting contract is clear that unless Pakistan and India don?t play a series or more during the tenure of the contract a sizeable amount is deducted from the contract amount (sic),? he said.Khan also confirmed that the planned tour by the World XI to Lahore from September 12 was subject to clearance and security assurances from the Punjab government.READ | Pakistan Cricket Board to discuss financial losses in meeting with BCCI?Giles Clarke who is organizing the tour as head of the ICC special task force on Pakistan cricket has some reservations over the delay in the PCB giving them clearance for the tour,? he said.He said without the PCB first getting clearance and security assurance from the government, it couldn?t give the same to the ICC special task force.Khan also made it clear that Pakistan would not restore cricketing ties with the Afghanistan Cricket Board until the latter gave a public apology.?The Afghanistan board has (to) apologise for the way they publicly gave a statement about Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. We were surprised at their statement because we have always supported Afghanistan cricket,? he added.Khan also said that as far as relations with Bangladesh were concerned the only issue was that they would have to tour Pakistan first as Pakistan had already visited Bangladesh twice and will (not) go there for a third consecutive time.READ |?Pakistan Cricket Board signed proper contract with BCCI, not MoU: Shahryar KhanThe chairman said domestic cricket of the country was not too appalling as it had been portrayed and some of their coaches were qualified and very good.Khan also made it clear the BOG was not happy at all with the performance of the national women?s team in the World Cup.?We all agree that there is a need for more players to come up on the women?s circuit as the same set of players more or less have been representing Pakistan for the last six to eight years.?Khan said he was leaving the PCB in a good state of affairs as the ICC Champions Trophy victory by the national team was a big boost for Pakistan cricket despite international teams not touring the country since 2009.?Sarfraz Ahmed did a very good job as captain and we feel that since he has been made captain in all three formats and is still young Pakistan cricket has a good future ahead of it,? he said. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 07 Jul 2017,Friday | 25 cows die at govt-run shelter due to improper facilities | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/haryana-25-cows-die-at-government-run-shelter/1/996633.html | At least 25 cows have died at a government-run cow shelter in Haryana's Kurukshetra district due to improper facilities, rains, and lack of food and water. While operations at the cow shelter have been suspended until repair work is carried out, other animals have been relocated to 20 other shelters running in the district, as per reports. | Precarious conditions at a cow shelter in Haryana's Kurukshetra district led to the death of at least 25 cows, news agency PTI reported today. Continuous rains and lack of food were the chief causes behind the cows' death, according to officials quoted by PTI. The cows died over a the last few days, prompted senior officials, including Haryana Gau Sewa Commission chairman Bhani Das Mangla and a few district administration officials to visit the cow shelter in Mathana village where the deaths took place. Kiran Bala, the Mathana village chief, told PTI that after severe rains, a number of cows got stuck in swampy land and later died. A few other cows starved to death due to the non-availability of fodder and even more have fallen sick. The Mathana Gaushala, as it is formally known, was started by the Kurukshetra district administration and the responsibility of its operation lies with the village panchayat and the state animal husbandry department.District Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr Dharminder Singh asserted that the department takes proper care of the animals and that the cattle at the Mathana cow shelter were vaccinated by the staff of a veterinary hospital in the village."Some weak animals lost their lives after getting stuck in the swampy land. At least 25 to 30 cows have died over the last few days," he said.Interestingly, Ashok Papneja, the former president of 'Shri Krishan gaushala' that provides fodder to the government cattle shelter, said the district administration had raised a boundary wall around seven-and-a-half acres of village panchayat land and "that is how it was built"."At present, there are over 600 cows in the shelter, which lacks proper facilities. There is no fodder and drinking water available for so many cows," he claimed.Meanwhile, operations at the cow shelter have been suspended until repair work is carried out. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Narinder Pal Malik, who was among those who visited the shelter to take stock of the situation asked officials to shift the sick cows to a cattle shelter in Karnal."Other animals have been relocated to 20 other shelters running in the district...till the repair works here are completed," he said.(With inputs from PTI) |
Tanya Dhingra | 03 Aug 2017,Thursday | Shouldn't rob their childhood: Aamir on kids reality shows | http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/secret-superstar-don-t-rob-childhoods-says-aamir-khan-on-kids-reality-shows/story-g1wZiloXHkg1ShKnD0z9zJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Aamir Khan, while talking about reality shows on television that feature kids, said that these shows shouldn't be so aggressive that they rob children of their childhood. "I haven't seen those reality shows...it cuts both ways. There are kids who are talented and want to be out there to show their talent, it (reality shows) gives them an opportunity." | Aamir Khan, whose last film Dangal told the story of two girls who grow up to become formidable wrestlers, says his upcoming movie Secret Superstar -- a musical drama -- is yet another film on the empowerment of the girl child.The film revolves around a teenager who dreams of becoming a famous singer.?Both Dangal and this film are based on the same topic... That we look differently at our daughters. And probably we aren?t able to give the same treatment to our daughters as our sons. So, Secret Superstar is another film based on empowerment of the girl child,? Aamir said here when asked about the message that Secret Superstar carries for the society.The actor was present at the trailer launch of the film on Wednesday.Aamir, a father of three, feels the Indian film industry must make more films for children.?We should make more films for children. This film (Secret Superstar is for youngsters, but isn?t restricted to an age group. This is a family film... It has a wider scope. When our kids were younger, we used to show them foreign animated films which are only for kids. And that is definitely something we should do.?We don?t make enough films for kids in India,? Aamir said.Asked about the recent controversy surrounding children?s reality shows, ignited by filmmaker Amole Gupte, and spurred on by director Shoojit Sircar, Aamir weighed in.?Honestly, I haven?t seen those reality shows. But it cuts both ways (referring to kids getting platform to show their talent and they shouldn?t be overexposed). There are kids who are talented and want to be out there to show their talent, it gives them an opportunity. At the same time, we shouldn?t get so aggressive about it that we really rob them of their childhood,? Aamir said.After portraying the character of Mahavir Singh Phogat in Dangal, Aamir will be seen in a very unusual avatar in Secret Superstar. He says he and his wife Kiran Rao were both very apprehensive about him taking up the role he plays.?When I heard the story for the first time, I loved it a lot. But Advait (director Advait Chandan) asked me to play Shakti Kumar?s character. I told him I couldn?t see myself in that role. Kiran also didn?t want me to do this role.?So, I decided to go through the screen test process. Then while doing the screen test, I had fun and this was a very unusual character, completely opposite of me. So it proved to be a challenge for me as an actor to make the audience believe in the character.?Kiran, who has co-producer the film, also spoke about not wanting Aamir to play the role.?I told him not to do this role as (I felt) he won?t be able to do it. It?s kind of a creepy character... He is a kind of guy who you really don?t want to hang out with alone in a room. So I told him, ?Please don?t do this role as it will be very weird to do such a character after a film like Dangal?.?But when we went through the screen test, we laughed so much that we were convinced he can do this role too. But he wasn?t the original fit.?When asked about the 100% success rate of his films on the box office and his secret for it, Aamir said: ?We just make films we believe in. I am just very fortunate with the films that we have made, the writers and directors that we work with and the talented people that come to us with the films that they want to make.?Somehow it all works out well in the end. I don?t know if it?s anything else to it other than the fact that we believe in what we make and we work with people who are very talented.?Secret Superstar also features Zaira Wasim along with Meher Vij. The film will release in October.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Chhavi Tyagi | 14 Jan 2017,Saturday | YouTuber claims women in 'kiss prank' video were his friends | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/21-yr-old-youtube-kissing-prankster-friend-held/story-nwl3Snm6HtKNpvQNxhr5MK.html | The 21-year-old YouTuber, who was detained by cops on Friday for posting an objectionable 'prank' video on his channel 'The Crazy Sumit', has claimed that women in the video were his friends. In the video, Sumit was seen fleeing after kissing random women in public places. He also told the police that "the video was shot to get maximum hits". | The Delhi Police has arrested a 21-year-old and his associate for posting a ?prank? video on YouTube in which the accused was seen randomly kissing girls and running away. The video went viral on social networking site Facebook and YouTube.Sumit Kumar was detained along with his friend Satyajeet Kadyan, 25. Kumar had uploaded the video on his YouTube channel ? The Crazy Sumit . The video was shot by Kadyan, who also has a channel on YouTube as ?DC Prank? since September 2016. The two are final-year students of World College of Technology and Management in Gurgaon.Read I Delhi ?serial rapist? was amused, encouraged by girls? cries for mercyJoint commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Yadav said, ?During questioning Sumit claimed that the women seen in the video were his friends. The video was shot to get maximum hits. Investigations are in progress and we have to verify their statements?.Yadav said that both shot such ?pranks? to get maximum hits. ?We have been told YouTube used to pay them Rs700 to Rs 800 for 1,000 likes. Both have been even felicitated by YouTube for maximum hits on their pranks. Investigations will be also conducted to assess the criminal liability of the event management company, YouTube and Google,? Yadav added.However, a spokesperson of YouTube said, ?YouTube?s community guidelines prohibit content featuring things like harassment, hate speech, shocking or disturbing content, illegal acts, and graphic violence, and we give our users tools to flag content so that we can review and remove anything that violates our policies. We also comply with valid legal requests from authorities wherever possible, consistent with our longstanding policy.?Read |?YouTube ?kissing prankster? case: FIR filed, social media accounts being scannedOnce the investigations are completed, decision will be taken about the culpability of the persons involved in it.Kumar told police that he planned to film the ?prank? in December and later it was shot at Connaught Place and two other places in Gurgaon. Police said the statements of the girls will be taken to ascertain the facts. Yadav said, ?Sumit said that he was also awarded a trophy in October 2016 by YouTube for surpassing 1, 00,000 subscribers on his channel?. He further said, ?We have to verify all the claims made by the duo during questioning. The progress will go on and we have to contact YouTube and Google also in this regard.? Police have recovered two laptops, one video camera, wireless microphones from them. Earlier police had taken suo-moto cognizance and a case was registered under section 67 of IT Act and Section 354 of Indian Penal Code at police station EOW.The cyber cell of Crime Branch was tasked to nab the accused. During investigation, details of YouTube account ?Crazy Sumit? were obtained. As investigations have been initiated, Yadav said, ?We will also have to change the sections in this case. There are many people involved in this process as per the statement of the detained youths. We will also check bank account of these two men to ascertain the detail how much many they have received so far?. Both were arrested on Friday from Ashok Vihar Phase-III after a raid was conducted at Kumar?s house. Sumit had created his channel one-and-half-year ago. Three years ago, he met with an accident and got bedridden for two months. In this period, he used to watch prank videos on YouTube, said police. He got the idea to earn money by making his own prank videos. He has made 35-40 pranks videos, police added |
Mishika Bangia | 13 Jul 2017,Thursday | No red carpets, special towels, sofas: Yogi warns officials | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-red-carpet-special-towels-or-sofas-for-yogi-up-cm-s-office-issues-diktat/story-wHH78odJTaf5NXqSRwbzOK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has banned red carpet welcomes and special arrangements during his visits and asked bureaucrats to "keep it simple". He also warned officials not to arrange special towels, air conditioners or particular sofas. Earlier, officials covered up a muddy road with red carpet when Yogi went to meet slain CRPF sub-inspector Sahab Shukla's kin in Gorakhpur. | Uttar Pradesh chief minister?s office has banned red-carpet welcomes during visits and asked bureaucrats to ?keep it simple?, days after controversy over officials covering up a muddy road with a red carpet during Yogi Adityanath?s visit.?The CM has desired that no red carpets, special towels or particular sofa be arranged during his visits,? read the orders issued by the CM?s principal secretary SP Goyal.The orders have put the officials in a fix and many say they are unsure about what arrangements are to be made in the absence of clear orders. ?It?s a common practice to make seating arrangements for the VIP arrange bouquets for welcome and refreshments. What are we supposed to do now?? a district magistrate from eastern UP asked when told about the orders from the chief minister?s office. On Saturday, controversy erupted after a mud road leading to the house of a slain CRPF sub-inspector in Hamirpur district?s Majhgawa village was covered up by carpets during the CM?s visit. Sources claimed that CM Yogi Adityanath expressed his displeasure over the administration?s failure to ensure proper roads. Officials said the carpet was laid to provide easy access to the house as rain rendered the road slippery.In addition, a luxurious sofa and a cooler were placed and a red carpet laid inside the room where Adityanath spent about 10 minutes. ?I don?t know much but sofa and carpet were set up for the CM,? Saurabh, the son of the martyr, said.Last month, a storm of criticism was unleashed after the administration made similar arrangements for another visit in Deoria but took back the air conditioner and sofa from the family of another slain soldier after Adityanath left the premises. Many questioned whether the move had insulted the dead personnel?s family.Adityanath reportedly took note of the criticism and conveyed his displeasure of the manner in which the whole episode was handled by local officials. Goyal?s written orders, communicated to all commissioners, district magistrates and district police chiefs, have made a specific mention of the Deoria visit.?In the past, there have been instances like the one during Deoria, when ACs, sofa and carpets have been put up for the CM?s visit and removed afterwards. The CM wasn?t happy at the development. He has warned against a repeat of such incidents,? read Goyal?s orders marked?important?.?He wasn?t aware how the matter was handled. Had he known it, it wouldn?t have happened,? an official of the CM?s secretariat said. The official said Adityanath has also asked the party cadre to do away with the practice of welcoming him with bouquets and garlands during his outstation visits.?Instead, he has asked them to welcome him by doing something for the village which he is visiting,? the official said. |
Dishant Sharma | 27 Feb 2017,Monday | Russian team scores 11 own goals to have easier matchup next | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/27/russian-team-scores-11-own-goals-bandy-meet-easier-opponent-next-round?CMP=twt_a-world_b-gdnworld | Russian Super League team, Vodnik scored 11 own goals to face an easier opponent in the following round in ice hockey-like winter sport of bandy. With 22 minutes left in the then-scoreless game, Vodnik starting hitting their own nets to avoid facing reigning champions in the next round. Meanwhile, the opposing club Baikal-Energiya also scored nine own goals for "fun". | Two clubs in the winter sport of bandy raced to put the ball into their own nets 20 times on Sunday and now face disciplinary action.The Russian Super League game in the northern city of Arkhangelsk finished in an 11-9 win for Baikal-Energiya against local club Vodnik. It was 0-0 with 22 minutes to go before Vodnik player Oleg Pivovarov scored three own goals.Baikal-Energiya responded with nine own-goals in quick succession. Not to be outdone, Pivovarov then put the ball into his own team?s goal eight more times in the final seven minutes.Both teams now face ?very tough measures,? Russian Bandy Federation president Boris Skrynnik told the Tass news agency.He accused Vodnik of starting the own-goal extravaganza in order to ?play against a convenient team? in the upcoming playoffs. Had Vodnik won, it would have faced the league?s reigning champion.The result mattered less to Baikal-Energiya, which was already assured of facing a much weaker club in the playoffs. As a result, its players ?decided to have some fun? and score own goals too, Skyrnnik claimed.Not well known outside Russia and Scandinavia, bandy is a relative of ice hockey played on a large outdoor rink with a rubber ball. It?s played at semi-professional level in Russia.Sunday?s game carries echoes of a scandal at the 2012 Olympics in badminton. Eight female players from South Korea, China and Indonesia deliberately made basic errors in the group stage as they tried to manipulate the draw for the next round. All were disqualified from the Olympics.In soccer, a 2002 Madagascan league game reportedly saw the Stade Olympique de l?Emyrne team score a record 149 own-goals as a protest against what they felt was unfair refereeing. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 26 Jun 2017,Monday | Not a single taint on my govt in three years: PM Modi in US | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/not-single-taint-on-my-govt-in-three-years-says-modi-in-us/1/987474.html | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in the United States as part of his three-nation tour, said that there has not been a single taint on his government in the past three years. Asserting that "Indians hate corruption", Modi added, "Corruption was the main reason why governments in India were voted out in the past." | By Yoshita Singh and Lalit K Jha Washington, Jun 26 (PTI) Highlighting his achievements in rooting out corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there has been "not even one taint or blot" on his government in the past three years. Modi said corruption was the main reason why governments in India were voted out in the past. "Indians hate corruption," he told the nearly 600 Indian-American community members at a reception in Virginia. The prime minister assured the Indian diaspora in the US that his government will continue to strive to take India to newer heights. "I humbly state that whatever work my government has done in the last three years, till now there is not even one taint or blot on this government." He underscored that technology has brought about transparency and is being used to achieve great heights across sectors in India. "I can give various examples where India is making great achievements with the help of technology," whether it is space or agriculture. "Renewed focus is being given to technology-driven governance and development," he said. In several parameters, the country is moving at a rapid pace. Noting that infrastructure is essential for sustainable development, Modi said the focus is on global benchmark, setting high standards of development. The increase in aspiration of the common people is the greatest cause of this fast track development of the country. "We are working to convert the aspiration of the people of India," he said amidst applause from the audience. Modi said that India is now receiving record number of foreign direct investment and all credit agencies and multilateral fora are giving a positive rating about India. "The world today sees India as a top investment direction," he said and urged the diaspora to work for and help in the development of India. He added that India is growing at an unprecedented pace. |
Rini Kapoor | 15 Jan 2017,Sunday | Delhi?s Tihar Jail prisoners publish monthly newspapers | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-s-tihar-jail-prisoners-turn-into-journalists-churn-out-monthly-newspapers/story-ZzfbpW4N9vFsw7n7IwU8lI.html | The Tihar Jail prisoners in Delhi have reportedly launched a series of monthly newspapers, with each newspaper having a circulation of around 100 copies in prison and official circles. While two sub-jails have published their newspapers, the remaining seven are awaiting clearances. One of the four pages of each newspaper is dedicated to covering monthly events at the sub-jails. | The pen is mightier than the sword, they have learnt, even if the lesson has come a bit late.Prisoners at Tihar Jail, one of the largest prison complexes in Asia, have launched a number of monthly newspapers, becoming journalists in their own right.While sub-jails 1 and 2 have published their papers ? Shakti Times or Power Times and Karagar Samachar or Jail News ? the remaining seven are awaiting clearance for their publications from the prison headquarters.Each newspaper, distributed in prison and official circles, has a circulation of around 100 copies.The editorial teams boast of prominent names such as former assistant commissioner SS Rathi and inspector Anil Kumar ? convicted in the 1997 killing of a businessman in the infamous Connaught Place fake encounter case.Bhupinder Singh Bisht, bodyguard of slain liquor baron Ponty Chadha, is a part of the ?creative team?. He has penned poems on demonetisation as well as a piece on introspection among prisoners. Mahmood Farooqui, writer and husband of Peepli Live director Anusha Rizvi, convicted in a rape case last year, has written about his jail experience and interaction with fellow prisoners.Others such as Sunil Gora-wara, a bank manager jailed along with former Haryana Speaker Satbir Singh Kadiyan in the 1991 IFFCO graft case, have made poetic contributions.Read | Meet India?s only woman incharge of a men?s prisonEach newspaper has four pages, and one of them is dedicated to covering monthly events at the nine sub-jails. Editorial team members source images shot by jail photographers from the superintendent?s office.Shakti Times, the in-house newspaper of sub-jail 1, offers a glimpse into how the prison media operates.A front page item, titled Ticket to Mandoli, pertains to the shifting of prisoners to the Mandoli jail complex. The facility was constructed to ease pressure on Tihar, bursting at the seams with 14,000 convicts and undertrials until recently ? more than twice the sanctioned number of 6,225.A page 3 item reports on the final of a cricket tournament between inmates of sub-jails 1 and 2 last month. The match was held as part of the jail?s ?annual winter Olympics?.A third newspaper, Tihar Akhbaar ? simply Tihar newspaper ? is in the works. It has details of classes and exams to be held by the National Open School in Tihar and the success story of a Bangladeshi prisoner who recently passed with flying colours.Prisons director general Sudhir Yadav said inmates are encouraged to publish their own newspapers so they can express themselves in a creative manner. The editorial content is monitored by senior officers.Subhash Chandra, superintendent of sub-jail 1, is excited about the response from prisoners to the initiative.?Many are sending in their articles and poems. We are selecting only the best ones,? he said. |
Mansha Mahajan | 21 Jul 2017,Friday | 98 Johnnie Walker bottles disappear from Punjab govt lab | http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/johnnie-walker-scotch-bottles-disappear-from-punjab-govt-testing-lab-cm-orders-probe/story-d3vHAheqvo6taRCgKBC76I.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into alleged disappearance of 98 Johnnie Walker scotch bottles from Punjab State Drug Food and Chemical Testing Laboratory. The bottles were deposited with the lab as samples of liquor seized by state police. The incident came to light when a raid was carried out following complaints of irregularities at the lab. | Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered an inquiry into the alleged disappearance of 98 bottles of Johnnie Walker scotch from the Punjab State Drug Food and Chemical Testing Laboratory, Kharar.Taking cognizance of reports published in a section of the media, the CM directed the director general of police (DGP) to get the matter thoroughly investigated and submit the report in two weeks, according to a press release issued by his office. The said bottles had been deposited with the lab as sample of liquor seized by the state police. The incident came to light when a raid was carried out by the vigilance department on a complaint about irregularities at the lab.The CM said that no laxity would be tolerated in the matter, especially in view of his government?s commitment to the elimination of the drug menace. |
Daisy Mowke | 02 Aug 2017,Wednesday | Koena files sexual harassment case after getting lewd calls | http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/koena-mitra-gets-lewd-phone-calls-files-sexual-harassment-case/story-0zUWKTOKGdGbbzGRfHJpeN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Actress Koena Mitra has filed a sexual harassment complaint after receiving lewd phone calls from a stranger. The man reportedly kept calling her, offered her money for a night out and verbally abused her. "From July 24, I started getting calls from random numbers," said Koena. She decided to approach the police when the calls didn't stop coming. | Bollywood actor-model Koena Mitra has registered a case of sexual harassment against a stranger in Mumbai. A Mid Day report said that Koena received a call and a stranger asked her for a night out. The man kept calling her despite being rebuffed. Koena reportedly got calls from 40-50 unknown numbers over last one week. When she picked up one of the calls Saturday evening, the caller offered her money for a night out and even abused Koena, the report said. She then approached Oshiwara Police station and filed a complaint.The tabloid quoted a cop as saying, ?We have booked the caller under section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of IPC and are investigating the case further.?Talking to India.com, Koena said that she is awaiting further action in the case. Talking about the harrowing experience, she said, ?From July 24, I started getting calls from random numbers, many among them being Mumbai numbers too. They called me non-stop. I changed my handset too. Usually, I don?t take a call from an unknown number. But once I answered... he started talking nonsense and filth, it took me seconds to react. I was literally frozen. And after a few minutes, I was just angry and fired him. And after that, there was a marathon of calls. I was tired of answering the calls. A day later, he called again and I fired him and he abused me in Marathi.? When the calls didn?t stop coming, she decided to approach the police.The 37-year-old actor began her tinsel town journey with a special song in Ram Gopal Varma?s Road (2009) called Khullam Khulla. She then appeared in several films including Heyy Baby, Apna Sapna Money Money and Musafir.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Sonu Kumari | 15 Jul 2017,Saturday | Rare whale washes ashore at Mumbai beach, dies during rescue | http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/rare-60kg-whale-washes-ashore-rajodi-beach-near-mumbai-dies-during-rescue-by-fishermen/story-K0PVO8A8dZ7k9mOq503E4M.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A rare 60-kg sperm whale on Thursday washed ashore at Rajodi beach near Mumbai. The fishermen said that the seven-and-a-half-foot-long mammal looked injured and died during rescue operation. "This species of whale has not washed ashore along the state's coastline for more than a decade," said a member of the Konkan Cetacean Research Team. | In a rare incident along the state?s coastline, a seven-and-a-half-foot-long sperm whale washed ashore at Rajodi beach, Virar, around 3pm on Thursday.Though the state mangrove cell confirmed that it was a sperm whale, the officials are unclear whether it was a juvenile whale or a pygmy or a dwarf (subspecies). The whale weighed 60 kg. Fishermen from Rajodi said they spotted the whale close to the shoreline towards the south side of the beach and it looked injured. ?The mammal most likely hit a large rock close to the shoreline and got injured. We tried pulling it out, but it died as soon as it came close to the beach. We informed the forest department but nobody showed up at the spot,? said James Rodrigues, a fisherman and Rajodi beach resident. ?Along with seven others, we buried the animal near the spot where it had washed ashore. We have not seen a mammal like this at this beach before.?When HT contacted the forest officers from Vasai-Virar, they were unaware of the beaching incident. According to the Konkan Cetacean Research Team (KCRT), the last documented evidence of this mammal to have beached is from Goa in March 2016. ?This species of whale has not washed ashore along the state?s coastline for more than a decade. It is extremely rare and our team is going to collect tissue samples and study the mammal,? said Mihir Sule, member, KCRT. This was the 15th case of dead marine animal carcass washing ashore along Mumbai?s beaches. Between 2015 and 2017, 74 carcasses have washed ashore along the city?s coastline. Both the dwarf and the pygmy sperm whales are protected under schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Owing to lack of information about the species, the mammal is not listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). |
Deepali Aggarwal | 18 Apr 2017,Tuesday | Nepal withdraws public holiday for Prez's return from India | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nepal-withdraws-public-holiday-for-prezs-return-from-india/1/931239.html | After facing criticism, the government of Nepal has withdrawn its decision to declare a public holiday on Friday, the day when President Bidya Devi Bhandari returns after completing her five-day state visit to India. In monarchical Nepal, public holidays were customarily announced whenever the King embarked on an official visit to any nation or returned home after the visit. | From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Apr 17 (PTI) Amid widespread criticism, the Nepal government today decided to withdraw its decision to declare a public holiday on Friday, the day when President Bidya Devi Bhandari returns after concluding her state visit to India. The Ministry of Home Affairs said it has revised the notice issued yesterday which had granted a public holiday on coming Friday, April 21. MoHA statement made it clear that no holiday would be observed on the day of the arrival of President Bhandari from New Delhi after completing her five-day state visit to India. |
Parmeet Kaur | 24 Jul 2017,Monday | Mumbai police not to probe Lalit Modi money laundering case | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lalit-modi-ipl-commissioner-money-laundering-mumbai-police-cbi/1/1009242.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Mumbai police has reportedly refused to probe the money laundering case against former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, and returned it to Chennai police saying that 'FIR was filed in Chennai'. Seven years after the FIR, Chennai police in June transferred the case to Mumbai saying that as Mumbai police has territorial jurisdiction, it can conduct speedy investigation of the case. | After India Today reported on June 14 that Chennai Police has decided to transfer the case of money laundering against the ex-commissioner of Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi to Mumbai Police, the latter has declined to probe the matter. After sitting on the case for almost seven years, the Chennai Police recommended a CBI probe and transfer of case to Mumbai Police on grounds of, "territorial jurisdiction to Mumbai Police is legally sound and justified for effective and speedy investigation".But according to latest reports, Mumbai Police has returned the case to Chennai Police saying that the 'FIR was filed in Chennai'. K Jayanth Murali, Additional Director General of Police, Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID), Chennai confirming it said, "It is true. It has returned to Chennai. The reason Mumbai Police gave to us is - as per the law, it is not tenable." Murali further added, "We will be now referring it to the state government. Whatever they decide, we will follow the orders". WHY DID CHENNAI POLICE TRANSFER THE CASE?In early July 2017, A K Vishwanathan, Commissioner of Police, Chennai had opined the proposal for transferring Lalit Modi's case to Mumbai Police or to the CBI, considering the nature, gravity and inter/intra state ramification and the parallel investigation conducted by the ED. The Central Crime Branch (CCB), Chennai had also agreed to it.In a confidential letter, accessed by Indiatoday.in, the Chennai Police Commissioner opined that "Tamil Nadu (TN) Police have no territorial jurisdiction to investigate the case, therefore, the case is to be transferred from CCD department, Chennai to Mumbai Police, without any further delay".Surprisingly, the state government, after careful examination accepted the proposal and accordingly, directed the Director General of Police to transfer the case to Mumbai for further investigation. The Tamil Nadu (TN) Police was also directed to inform the status to ED, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue and Government of India.WHAT IS THE CASE? In 2010, the Chennai Police registered an FIR against Lalit Modi and others, on complaint filed by former BCCI Chief N Srinivasan. Subsequently, the ED registered its ECIR under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).The case relates to Lalit Modi allegedly receiving a huge kickback in the form of diverting funds by switching TV rights contracts, cheating, criminal misappropriation and falsification of documents etc.Later, CBCID Chennai took up the investigation conducted by CCB Chennai under Section 409, 420, 468, 477, 120 (B) IPC. The probe revealed that the alleged transaction by committing various irregularities by Lalit Modi and six others, betrayed the interest of BCCI.The internal investigation report tabled by Chennai Police before the state government said, "The accused committed the offences of criminal breach of trust, forgery, cheating, falsification of accounts and defrauded BCCI in several instances to the tune of Rs 425 crore, Rs 125 crore, Rs 200 crore and Rs 3.5 crore without the consent of the IPL governing council". |
Tarun Khanna | 28 Dec 2016,Wednesday | ?ISI plotting to attack India from Thailand-Myanmar border? | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/exclusive-pakistan-india-isi-terror-launchpad/1/843949.html | Pakistan?s spy agency ISI is plotting to open a new front in eastern India by launching an attack from a secret terror launchpad set up at Thailand-Myanmar border, a report has claimed. Furthermore, the ISI is reportedly using Taliban fighters to train Rohingya Muslims to launch terror attacks. It is also training some Khalistani militants. | Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI, is planning to open new fronts to launch attacks in India.According to intel sources, ISI has made a tactical shift in its strategy for India. After several attacks on the western border, the ISI plans to open a new front in eastern India by launching an attack from a secret terror launchpad.Here are the revelations: |
Pragya Swastik | 05 Jun 2017,Monday | Sting operation reveals Apple staff misled users on Error 53 | https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/05/apple-error-53-sting-operation-caught-staff-misleading-customers-court-documents-allege#img-1 | A sting operation against Apple by Australian consumer watchdog has revealed the staff repeatedly misled iPhone customers over 'error 53' malfunction. The watchdog said the staff wrongly denied consumers free replacements or repair if they had taken their devices to an unauthorised third-party repairer. Between 2014 and 2016, 'error 53' malfunction rendered many iPhones and iPads useless. | Australia?s consumer watchdog carried out a sting operation against Apple which it says caught staff repeatedly misleading iPhone customers about their legal rights to a free repair or replacement after a so-called ?error 53? malfunction, court documents reveal.Australian authorities lodged a high-profile case against Apple this year, after iPhone and iPad customers experienced a malfunction that rendered phones useless if it detects that a repair has been carried out by a non-Apple technician. The fault occurred between late 2014 until early last year.The case, set to go to trial in mid-December, accuses Apple of wrongly telling customers they were not entitled to free replacements or repair if they had taken their devices to an unauthorised third-party repairer.That advice was allegedly given even where the repair ? a screen replacement, for example ? was not related to the fault.Apple has so far chosen to remain silent about the case brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). But court documents obtained by Guardian Australia show the company has denied the ACCC?s allegations, saying it did not mislead or cause any harm to its Australian customers.The documents also show how the ACCC used undercover methods to investigate Apple. Investigators, posing as iPhone customers, called all 13 Apple retailers across Australia in June last year.They told Apple staff their iPhone speakers had stopped working after screens were replaced by a third party.Apple?s response was the same in each of the 13 calls, the ACCC alleges.?In each call, Apple Australia represented to the ACCC caller that no Apple entity ... was required to, or would, remedy the defective speaker at no cost under the [Australian consumer law] if the screen of the iPhone had been replaced by someone other than Apple Australia or an Apple-authorised service provider,? the ACCC?s court claim alleged. Error 53 generally occurred after a user tried to update their phone to iOS 8 or iOS 9, and affected about one in every 1,000 phones supplied by Apple or its resellers between September 2014 and February 2016. Australian consumer law clearly protects the right of a customer to a replacement or free repair if the product is faulty or of unacceptable quality. The ACCC has also alleged information on Apple US?s website misled customers about their rights. The website told users experiencing error 53 that: ?If the screen or any other part on your iPhone or iPad was replaced somewhere else, contact Apple Support about pricing information for out-of-warranty repairs.?Apple, in response, said the undercover calls made by the ACCC cannot be considered as breaches because consumer law does not exist in ?hypothetical circumstances?. The company said that real customers who had called the store would have received other information from Apple that informed them of their rights under consumer law. Apple denied the message on its US website was an ?express representation? that consumers were not entitled to a free replacement or repair. Apple said the website was referring only to the conditions of the company?s own limited warranty, which existed in addition to a customer?s statutory rights. It was only one part of the communications between the company and its customers over error 53, the company said, and must be interpreted in the broader context. Apple said it had also established an error 53 outreach program and offered replacements or repairs for many of the phones referred to in the ACCC?s case. It also released an update in February last year to resolve the problem and restore the functionality of affected devices. Apple has previously faced court action in the United States relating to error 53, but the case was thrown out last year. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 29 Jul 2017,Saturday | 14 JD(U), 12 BJP leaders inducted in Bihar Cabinet | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-cabinet-expansion-live-nitish-kumar-govt-gets-new-ministers/story-dZszMvfWo3HE72rkLof3bI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Saturday expanded the Cabinet, inducting 27 new ministers which included 14 JD(U), 12 BJP and 1 LJP legislator. The oath-taking ceremony, held at Raj Bhawan in Patna, was attended by the CM along with Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. This comes after Nitish split from the Grand Alliance and aligned with the BJP-led NDA. | The two-day-old Nitish Kumar cabinet was expanded on Saturday. Kumar, who won the floor test at the one-day special assembly session on Friday, inducts 27 ministers in his team. The swearing-in took place in Raj Bhawan.Kumar was sworn in on Thursday, a day after he dumped the Grand Alliance and joined hands with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had also taken oath as deputy chief minister along with Kumar.Following the oath of 27 more ministers, 12 of the BJP, 1 of LJP and 14 of the JD(U), the strength of Nitish cabinet now reaches 29, with scope for six more.Khurshid Alam and Manju Verma were the lone Muslim and women representatives in the entire cabinet sworn in this time.Below are the live updates:6:25pm: 26 inducted into 2-day-old Nitish cabinet. BJP?s Mangal Pandey could not take oath as he was not in Patna. Pandey, who is party?s in-charge in Himachal Pradesh was in Shimla. He is on way to Patna and likely to take oath later in day.6:15pm: JD(U)?s Kapil Dev Kamat, Dinesh Chandra Yadav and BJP?s Ramesh Rishidev take oath as ministers in Bihar government6:07pm: BJP?s Vinod Kumar Singh & Krishna Kumar Rishi and JD(U)?s Madan Sahni are inducted in Nitish?s cabinet.6:01pm: JD(U)?s Santosh Kumar Nirala, BJP?s Brij?Kishor and BJP?s Rana Randhir Singh sworn in as ministers. BJP?s 41-year-old Rana Randhir Singh is the youngest face in Nitish Kumar?s cabinet5:56pm: Khurshid Alam and Manju Verma were the lone Muslim and women representatives in the entire cabinet sworn in this time.5:49pm: BJP?s Suresh Kumar Sharma , Vijay Kumar Sinha and JD(U)?s Manju Verma takes oath.5:43pm: JD(U)?s Maheshwar Hazari, Shailesh Kumar, BJP?s Vinod Narayan Jha and Ramvilas Paswan?s younger brother Pashupati Paras (LJP) among those sworn into Nitish Kumar?s cabinet.5:36pm: JD(U)?s Jay Kumar Singh, Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma and BJP?s Pramod Kumar take oath as ministers.5:30pm: BJP?s Nand Kishore Yadav takes oath of office and secrecy. 5:28pm: Shrawan Kumar (JDU) and Ram Narayan Mandal (BJP) take oath as ministers in the government.Prem Kumar taking the oath.
(ANI Photo/Twitter)
5:22pm: Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Prem Kumar and Rajiv Ranjan Singh take oath as ministers in Bihar government.5:20pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar gets new cabinet, 27 members of JD(U) and BJP take oath as ministers. BJP?gets 13 ministers, JD(U) gets 14.5pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan arrive for the oath-taking ceremony of Bihar Cabinet ministers at Raj BhawanKumar was sworn in on Thursday, a day after he dumped the Grand Alliance and joined hands with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had also taken oath as deputy chief minister along with Kumar. |
Tarun Khanna | 11 Jan 2017,Wednesday | Modi will run back to Gujarat like a son of a rat: TMC MP | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tmc-mp-kalyan-banerjee-narendra-modi-mamata-banerjee-saradha-scam/1/854740.html | Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday slammed PM Narendra Modi over demonetisation and the arrest of TMC party leaders, stating, "Modi will run back to Gujarat like a son of a rat." Refusing to apologise for his remarks, Banerjee further accused the media of favouring the PM. The BJP has lodged a complaint against him. | Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee today went berserk attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation and recent arrests of his party leaders in connection with a chit fund scam. "Modi's supporters call him a lion. But I say time is not far when Modi will have to return to his hole in Gujarat like a son of a rat," Banerjee said during a protest rally in Kolkata.Talking to India Today later, Banerjee refused to apologise for his abusive language against the prime minister and accused the media of speaking only in favour of PM Modi. He justified his comment stating that it was Prime Minister Modi who had started the trend of using derogatory words against Opposition leaders.Speaking at the same stage, Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee further endorsed her MP's comments against the PM. Mamata too used the "rat" analogy to slam the Narendra Modi government."They thought TMC is on soft mud so let's uproot them. When the mud's soft, even rats try pushing through. But remember, Trinamool Congress stands firm on fertile soil, we don't get rattled by rats. We fight against tigers," Mamata said. The BJP has lodged a complaint against Kalyan Banerjee. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress launched a three-day countrywide protest on Monday (January 9) demanding removal of PM Narendra Modi to "save the country"."Trinamool Congress is organising nationwide protest against Modi Babu's shameless flop-show," Banerjee had said in Kolkata.Banerjee on January 6 called for President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention to "save the country" and mooted a National Government headed by BJP veteran LK Advani or Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley or Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. |
Pragya Swastik | 26 Dec 2016,Monday | BMW to recall 1.93 lakh cars in China over faulty airbags | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bmw-to-recall-over-1.93-lakh-vehicles-in-china/1/842861.html | German automaker BMW will start recalling over 1.93 lakh cars from August 2017 in China over a defect in their airbags. The cars are being recalled as the gas generators inside the inflating airbags may damage and cause flying debris, posing safety risks to the passengers. BMW has promised to replace the defective airbags free of charge. | Beijing, Dec 26 (PTI) German automaker BMW will recall 1,93,611 cars in China over a defect in their airbags, a quality watchdog here said today. |
Arshiya Chopra | 24 Jul 2017,Monday | 20 held for lynching Kashmir cop near mosque | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-cop-lynched-20-held-for-beating-mohammad-ayub-pandith-iron-rod-used-to-kill-recovered/story-plqiClEROjoDk6z0kJ7CBO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said it had arrested 20 people accused in the lynching of DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandith outside a mosque over a month ago. The police added that one accused was killed in an encounter with security forces earlier this month. Reportedly, the police have also recovered an iron rod used to hit Pandith. | No one knew who Jammu and Kashmir police officer Mohammad Ayub Pandith was on the night he was stripped and lynched in Srinagar last month and his identity became clear only the next morning, the Valley?s top police officer said on Monday.Inspector general of police (Kashmir range) Muneer Khan told reporters that 20 people were arrested for the crime on June 23, when thousands had gathered for night-long congregational prayers on Islam?s holiest night of Shab-e-Qadr. The lynching was widely condemned across ideological leanings in the Valley and across the country.Describing the events of the night, Khan said 57-year-old Pandith, who was in plainclothes, was confronted by four men coming out of Jamia Masjid allegedly shouting slogans in support of Zakir Musa, a top militant who has called for Islamic rule in Kashmir. The men allegedly were at the mosque to welcome separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.?Four of the miscreants saw the deputy SP checking the deployment -- he was on duty for access control. Then these four guys called him and started questioning him and asked for his I-card and he refused to give it. That is how the thing started. They started heckling, the number of miscreants swelled and rest is history,? Khan said.Ayub Pandith was killed by a mob outside a mosque in Srinagar.Khan also ruled out any possibility of dereliction of duty by the police in the case and said apart from the darkness and the noise, no one knew of Pandith?s identity.?The deputy SP was there to ensure the safety and security of all devotees who had come to pray at Jamia Masjid on Shab-e-Qadr night, including the Mirwaiz,? he said. ?The body was defaced and disfigured, and his clothes were torn.? Khan also praised the cooperation of common people in the investigation.Khan said one of the accused was Sajad Gilkar, who went underground after the incident and was killed in an encounter with security forces in Budgam on July 12. Prior to the lynching, Gilkar was, according to the police, booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) thrice and wanted in stone-pelting and stabbing cases. The officer said the investigation would be completed within stipulated time. ?The investigation of the case is going on in absolutely right manner, expeditiously and effectively. Some more arrests are expected and some more evidence is to be collected.? Khan added that the police initially arrested three suspects and their questioning led to further arrests and the recovery of crucial pieces of evidence such as the iron rod allegedly used to hit Pandith, his pistol - from which he had fired in self-defence after being heckled by the mob - as well as his cell phone that was taken away by the attackers.The three men, who were injured below the waist after Pandith fired in self-defence, have also been arrested as they allegedly were the ones who initially started heckling the police official, Khan said. |
Ankush Verma | 30 Jan 2017,Monday | Americans donate over ?5.4 crore to rebuild mosque in Texas | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/americans-raise-usd-780000-to-rebuild-burned-texas-mosque/1/870233.html | An online donation drive to rebuild a mosque that was gutted by fire in the US state of Texas has raised over $800,000 (over ?5.4 crore), reports said. Nearly 18,000 people have helped to raise the funds within a day. The mosque had been burnt down hours after President Donald Trump announced the ban on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. | Houston, Jan 30 (PTI) An online donation drive to rebuild a mosque that was gutted by fire in Victoria in the US state of Texas has raised more than USD 780,000, demonstrating the overwhelming goodwill from people in the city and beyond. The Islamic Center of Victoria was destroyed in early morning fire on Saturday when nobody was in the building in Victoria city, about 185-km southwest of Houston. The incident occurred within hours of President Donald Trump announcing a ban on citizens from seven Muslim majority countries entering the United States. "A gofundme.com page set up to raise funds to rebuild the mosque demonstrated the overwhelming goodwill from supporters in Victoria, the state of Texas, the US and beyond. As of 10:45 PM Sunday, the page had raised more than USD 780,000 since its creation the previous day," Victoria Advocate newspaper reported. Meanwhile, hundreds of people prayed and communed yesterday at the burned ruins of the mosque in a show of community solidarity. Religious leaders of varying faiths and backgrounds led an emotional crowd, the paper said. At least four churches and a synagogue have offered the use of their own houses of worship for the displaced members of the now-destroyed mosque. |
Daisy Mowke | 14 Mar 2017,Tuesday | Priyanka Chopra plays Holi with US TV host Jimmy Fallon | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/priyanka-chopra-celebrates-holi-with-jimmy-fallon/1/903531.html | Actress Priyanka Chopra celebrated Holi with TV host Jimmy Fallon on his talk show. Priyanka, who appeared on the show for the third time, said playing Holi with Fallon was fun and made her a "little less homesick". She later celebrated the festival with her friends and team in her apartment in New York. | Los Angeles, Mar 14 (PTI) Away from home, Priyanka Chopra played Holi, the festival of colours, with popular talk show host Jimmy Fallon. The 34-year-old actress, who is currently shooting for the TV series "Quantico" in the US, indulged in an impromptu celebration on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". Priyanka took to Twitter to share her colourful experience by writing, "This was so fun @jimmyfallon my favourite part besides your shocked face after I got you with a big blob of face paint was @theroots playing #RangBarse." The show also tweeted a photograph of host Fallons colour-smeared face after playing colours with the actress. "Jimmy backstage after Holi with @priyankachopra! #FallonTonight," captioned the picture. |
Ayushi Ahluwalia | 17 Jul 2017,Monday | West Bengal school teaches boys and girls on different days | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/to-curb-harassment-bengal-school-teaches-boys-and-girls-on-separate-days/story-i0vcybhsHYIzoH4CjDsXZO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Barhra High School in West Bengal's Arjjunshuli village has adopted a segregation policy after receiving complaints of boys harassing the girls. Boys in Classes 11 and 12 attend school on alternate days starting Monday, while girls attend classes alternately starting Tuesday. District education officials said they were not aware of the decision and called it "illegal". | A 159-year-old co-educational school in West Bengal has adopted a segregation policy after complaints of boys harassing the girls.According to the plan for classes 11 and 12 at Barhra high school, boys attend classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while girls are taught on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.?The boys use lewd words at us, shout in class and also use mobile phones even when the teacher is present in class,? a girl said.The school, established in 1858 and affiliated to the state education board, is about 225km northwest of Kolkata on the West Bengal-Jharkhand border. It has 439 students, including 257 girls, in the two classes.?After getting several complaints from the students of classes 11 and 12 that the boys create trouble, we were forced to take the decision of asking them to attend school on separate days,? headmaster Kanchan Adhikari said.The decision was taken at a meeting of the school?s managing committee.The district inspector of schools disapproved of the move.?I am not aware ? But if it is true, we will take necessary steps,? said Rejaul Haque, the inspector in Birbhum district. ?I say such a decision is illegal. Before taking this step, they should have consulted us.?Headmaster Adhikari, who is the deputy head of the local panchayat, clarified that the decision is not permanent and the measure will be withdrawn if the students ?change their attitude?.Parents are worried that the alternate-day schedule leaves students and teachers with little time to complete the syllabus.?My son is attending school three days a week. The number of classes is reduced further in case of holidays,? said a guardian who didn?t wish to be named.For teachers, the segregation entails double duty as they have to teach the same lessons twice to the boys and the girls separately.?We are aware that it will be difficult to complete the syllabus. But what can we do? Even after warnings, the troublemakers did not mend their ways,? a teacher said.Former headmaster Jamaluddin Ahmed is surprised at the move.?I taught there for more than 35 years. The school authorities have taken a strange decision,? he said. |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 26 Jul 2017,Wednesday | Russian pranksters dupe US official to talk about pig manure | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/26/us-energy-secretary-rick-perry-call-ukrainian-pm-pig-manure-prank?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Russian pranksters fooled US Energy Secretary Rick Perry into believing he was discussing American coal exports and pig manure with Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Groysman. The pranksters convinced Perry that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had invented a new biofuel made using pig manure and home-brewed alcohol. Perry called the idea "interesting," saying he looked forward to meeting Poroshenko. | The US energy secretary Rick Perry has become the latest victim of a pair of Russian phone pranksters who have previously fooled Elton John into thinking he was chatting to Vladimir Putin.On this occasion, Perry believed he was discussing American coal exports with Ukraine?s prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman. In fact, he was talking to Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov, Russian pranksters who have become known for targeting celebrities and politicians with audacious stunts, energy department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes confirmed.Suspicions might have been raised when the 22-minute conversation turned to a claim by the pretend PM that the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko had invented a new biofuel made from home-brewed alcohol and pig manure, according to a translation reported in the Washington Post.The energy secretary ? who appeared to be relying on a translator during the conversation ? welcomed the idea as ?interesting?. He would be visiting Kiev in August, he told his caller. ?I look forward to visiting with the president and getting a more in-depth briefing ? If that?s the result, then he?s going to be a very, very wealthy and successful man.?Krasnov and Stolyarov are sometimes called the ?Jerky Boys of Russia?, named after an American duo who put out recordings of their prank phone calls in the 1990s. The pair famously made a prank call to Elton John, who thought he was speaking to the Russian president.?These individuals are known for pranking high-level officials and celebrities, particularly those who are supportive of an agenda that is not in line with their governments. In this case, the energy security of Ukraine,? Hynes said. During the call on 19 July, Perry, whose department oversees the US nuclear weapons program, discussed a range of topics, including sanctions against Russia and helping Ukraine develop oil and gas.He also said the Trump administration opposes Nord Stream 2, a Russian project to bring natural gas to Europe across the Baltic, and that US technology could help Ukraine develop gas. ?Giving Ukraine more options with some of our technology is, I think, in everyone?s best interest ? with the exception of the Russians, but that?s OK,? he said. Perry also discussed the Paris climate accord, defending Donald Trump?s decision to withdraw the US from the agreement: ?Our position is that it?s our record that should be looked at, not whether or not we have signed on to some international accord ? The president made the decision that the cost to the United States to be in the Paris accord was not in our best interests.?The call, first reported by E&E news, was recorded and posted online. It happened about a month after Perry met with a Ukrainian delegation at the energy department.Trump said last month that Washington plans to offer Ukraine more coal exports from the United States because the eastern European nation?s industrial sector has difficulty securing coal from separatist-held regions. It is unclear how the United States would bring more coal to Ukraine but Perry hinted on the call that the commerce department was working on it. ?The coal conversation at this particular point in time is with [secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross] and I full well suspect it will go forward,? he said on the call.Reuters contributed to this report. |
Mansha Mahajan | 27 Mar 2017,Monday | Telco BT fined record ?345 crore for serious breach of rules | https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mar/27/bt-fined-42m-over-delays-to-high-speed-cable-installation?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Slack | Telecom giant BT has been fined $53 million (?345 crore) for a "serious breach" of rules, making it the largest fine imposed on a telco. BT will also have to pay $376 million (?2,440 crore) in compensation to rivals. BT allegedly misused its contracts to cut compensation payments for delays in connecting high-speed business lines to other telcos including Vodafone. | BT has been fined £42m, the largest penalty imposed by regulator Ofcom, and will have to pay an estimated £300m in compensation to rival telecoms companies over delays installing high-speed internet connections.Ofcom found that BT broke rules put in place to stop Openreach, its subsidiary that controls the UK broadband infrastructure network, abusing its ?significant market power? by cutting compensation payments to rivals, blaming installation delays on factors beyond its control when this was not the case.BT said it expected to pay out £300m in compensation to rivals including Sky, Vodafone and TalkTalk for the ?serious breach? of Ofcom?s rules.?The size of our fine reflects how important these rules are to protect competition and, ultimately, consumers and businesses,? said Gaucho Rasmussen, investigations director at Ofcom. ?Our message is clear ? we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour. Millions of people rely on BT?s network for the phone and broadband services they use every day.?Compensation must be paid to affected providers within 12 months, Ofcom said.The record £42m penalty, which was reduced from £60m after BT admitted full liability and agreed to pay back rivals, is more than 11 times greater than the previous largest fine levied on a telecoms operator by Ofcom. Last year, Vodafone was fined £3.7m for taking pay-as-you-go customers? money without providing a service. BT?s fine is more than seven times that of the second largest penalty handed down, the £5.7m ITV had to pay in 2008 over the ?abuse? of premium-rate phone lines in a number of hit shows.Ofcom?s investigation into BT focused on the installation of high-speed business lines, known as ethernet services, which provide connections for big businesses as well as organisations including schools, hospitals and libraries, between January 2013 and December 2014. It was instigated after a complaint from Vodafone, which relies on BT ethernet services to transmit data between its mobile masts. Vodafone accused Openreach of failing to meet its 30-day installation guarantee but then reclassifying the delay as having been agreed by rivals which allowed it to avoid paying compensation.?These high-speed lines are a vital part of this country?s digital backbone,? said Rasmussen. ?We found BT broke our rules by failing to pay other telecoms companies proper compensation when these services were not provided on time.?BT was also fined £300,000 for ?failing to provide information to Ofcom?.?We apologise wholeheartedly for the mistakes Openreach made in the past when processing orders for a number of high-speed business connections,? said Clive Selley, chief executive of Openreach. ?This shouldn?t have happened and we fully accept Ofcom?s findings.? A spokesman for Vodafone said: ?We hope this ruling will encourage BT Openreach to finally drop the unacceptable practices it has used to avoid paying compensation for late delivery of fixed fibre lines, which have impacted businesses across the country as well as our own 4G roll-out.?Less than half (48.8%) of high speed ethernet installations were completed within 30 days, according to Openreach?s own statistics for the final quarter of last year.However, Openreach said that almost 87% of installations are completed by the original agreed date, and that the number of outstanding orders is at a 34-month low.Rivals have repeatedly called for Openreach, responsible for building and maintaining the tens of millions of copper and fibre lines that run from telephone exchanges to homes and businesses across the UK, to be split from BT.They argue that BT has dragged its heels in opening the network to their engineers, which has hampered their ability to offer homes superfast broadband access.This month BT finally agreed a halfway house deal to legally separate Openreach, after two years of wrangling with Ofcom, which wants to strengthen the independence of the broadband network operator to promote competition and boost superfast services.The £42m penalty follows a bad week for BT after Ofcom fined subsidiary Plusnet £880,000 for continuing to charge more than 1,000 customers more than £500,000 after they had cancelled their accounts.The fine is the latest headache for Gavin Patterson, the chief executive of BT, who has endured a torrid year that included an accounting scandal at its Italian operation that wiped £8bn off its shares.?The investigation ? revealed we fell short of the high standards we expect in serving our communications provider customers,? Patterson said. ?We take this issue very seriously and we have put in place measures, controls and people to prevent it happening again. My management team and I are determined that BT applies the highest standards when serving our customers.?This month BT, which is to introduce inflation-busting price rises for its customers, denied it was forcing them to foot the bill to pay for its new £1.2bn Champions League football rights deal. |
Prashanti Moktan | 07 Apr 2017,Friday | Pic shows Ranveer with Sachin Tendulkar's daughter Sara | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ranveer-singh-sachin-tendulkar-daughter-sara-photo/1/921920.html | A picture showing actor Ranveer Singh and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's daughter Sara Tendulkar has surfaced online. Earlier, Ranveer was also spotted with Sachin to promote the latter's app. Sachin in 2015 had clarified rumours of his daughter joining films while tweeting, "My daughter Sara is enjoying her academic pursuits. Annoyed at all the baseless speculation about her joining films." | Sara Tendulkar is one of the rare celebrity kids who stays off the radar. However, a picture of the 19-year-old chilling with actor Ranveer Singh has surfaced on social media, and boy, she has grown up to be quite the beauty.In 2015, rumours were strong that Sara would be making her Bollywood debut opposite Shahid Kapoor. Her father, Sachin Tendulkar, and said that there was no truth to this and that he was annoyed with all the baseless reports doing the rounds.My daughter Sara is enjoying her academic pursuits. Annoyed at all the baseless speculation about her joining films. |
Akshita Jain | 29 Dec 2016,Thursday | Mumbai Congress members get tattoos calling PM Modi corrupt | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-congress-mumbai-tattoo-protest-modi/1/845514.html | Around 50 Congress party members in Mumbai got tattoos on their hands to protest against the Centre's demonetisation move. The tattoos read, 'humara pradhan mantri rishwatkhor hai' (Our Prime Minister is corrupt). "It is our way to protest against PM who is still silent on such serious charges," said Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam. | Mumbai Congress has come up with a unique way to protest against government's decision of demonetisation. About 50 Congress workers in Mumbai got a tattoo on their hand which reads "huamara pradhan mantri rishwatkhor hain." According to these Congressmen, even after 50 days of demonetisation there is no respite for the people and that the situation has only worsened."We wanted to question PM Modi on Saturday when he was on a visit to Mumbai about the allegations levelled against him by Rahul Gandhi, but police kept us under house arrest. Rahul asked him about the money that he received from big business houses but PM doesn't want to answer and thus we have decided on these temporary tattoos. It is our way to protest against PM who is still silent on such serious charges," said Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress Chief.Also Read: Congress hits out at BJP for not investigating Amit Shah's bank accounts From December 30 midnight, Mumbai Congress will start a missed call line where people who feel they are hit by the decision of demonetisation can give a missed call and register their protest. The Mumbai Congress has also planned to do a mass rally against demonetisation on January 6 and gherao the collector office's in western suburban area of the city. On January 8, Mumbai Mahila Congress will hold a protest rally from Mahalxmi temple where they will do 'taal katora andolan'.Earlier, the Congress had intended to intensified its agitation on demonetisation. A recent meeting of State Congress chief chaired by Rahul Gandhi in Delhi gave a green signal to corner BJP on the issue of demonetisation. Sources within Mumbai Congress said that they will lead its BMC poll campaign from new year targeting government on the issue of demonetisation. Congress workers will conduct a door to door campaign telling people about the adverse effects of demonetisation. |
Dishant Sharma | 19 Apr 2017,Wednesday | Serena Williams suggests she is pregnant on Snapchat | https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/19/serena-williams-pregnant-snapchat-20-weeks?CMP=share_btn_tw | USA's 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams on Wednesday suggested in a Snapchat post that she is pregnant with her first child. The former world number one posted a picture of herself in a swimsuit, showing her baby bump, with the caption '20 weeks' before deleting it within minutes. The 35-year-old has been engaged to Reddit Co-founder Alexis Ohanian. | Serena Williams is pregnant with her first child, her spokesperson has confirmed.The tennis star hinted at the good news when she posted a photo of herself on Snapchat wearing a swimsuit and revealing what appeared to be a large baby bump with the caption ?20 weeks? on Wednesday. The snap was deleted less than a half hour later.However, Williams? team confirmed the implications of the photo later in the day. ?I?m happy to confirm Serena is expecting a baby this fall,? a spokesperson for Williams told the Guardian by email.The Women?s Tennis Association, which listed Williams as scheduled to enter next month?s Madrid Open as recently as Monday, said they had yet to be contacted by anyone from the American?s team regarding her status.?We have not been informed, nor do we have confirmation,? a tour spokesperson told the Guardian. ?We will let you know once we have further information.?Serena's snap suggests that she won the Australian Open without dropping a set while pregnant. pic.twitter.com/ltPndJRJBqWilliams, 35, announced she was engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in December. The announcement left the sport?s chattering class wondering to what degree she was looking ahead to life after tennis.She answered that speculation with brio at the Australian Open, capturing her 23rd major singles title without dropping a set, to eclipse Steffi Graf?s record for grand slam titles in the Open era and regain the No1 ranking she had ceded in the fall to Germany?s Angelique Kerber.But she has been inactive since her win over elder sister Venus in the final at Melbourne Park. Last month, Williams pulled out of Indian Wells and Miami, citing a left knee injury. That enabled Kerber to retake the top ranking, though Serena is assured a return to No1 in next week?s table when the points from last year?s Porsche Grand Prix drop off.The announcement comes one week after Victoria Azarenka, the former world No1 and two-time grand slam champion, announced she will return to the tour after 14-month layoff that included the birth of her son, Leo, in December.Williams? win at Melbourne Park made her the oldest player to win a major singles championship in the Open era, breaking a record she set herself last year ? and again the year before that. She has won grand slam titles in her teens (one), 20s (12) and 30s (10, more than triple the previous mark). No one could think less of Williams, now closer to 40 than 30, if she called it a career.But there?s equal if not more reason to believe Williams has unfinished business.She remains tantalizingly close to the all-time grand slam record held by Australia?s Margaret Court, whose 24 major titles were split between the amateur and professional eras. She still plays at an extraordinary high level, having won 125 of her 138 singles matches since Wimbledon 2014. And while there are no shortage of young lions on the tour, among them Garbiñe Muguruza, Karolína Plí?ková and Madison Keys, none has offered a sustained challenge of Williams? dominance the way Monica Seles swiftly ended Graf?s stranglehold on the sport.Nor would Williams be the first mother to excel on the tour.Kim Clijsters was already a borderline Hall of Famer when she retired abruptly at 23, having won the 2005 US Open and spent 19 weeks atop the women?s rankings. But the Belgian was even better after a 28-month layoff that included the birth of her daughter, winning once more at Flushing Meadows as an unseeded wild card in only her third tournament back. That made her the first mother to win a major singles title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley at Wimbledon in 1980, setting the stage for a final act that included two more grand slam titles and a return to the No1 ranking. |
Niharika Prabhakar | 22 Jul 2017,Saturday | Less than 1 doctor per 1,000 people in India: Govt | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/less-than-one-doctor-for-1-000-population-in-india-govt-to-ls/story-olGNMkfVFFWSfZ0I23YOdM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The government has said that India has less than 1 doctor for every 1,000 people, which is less than the World Health Organisation standard. Around 8.18 lakh doctors may be available for active service, giving a doctor-population ratio of 0.62:1000, the Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said. The WHO prescribes a ratio of 1:1000. | India has less than one doctor for every 1,000 population which is less than the World Health Organization standard, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.Minister of state for health Anupriya Patel said as per information provided by the Medical Council of India, there were 10,22,859 allopathic doctors registered with the state medical councils or Medical Council of India as on March 31 this year.?Assuming 80 per cent availability, it is estimated that around 8.18 lakh doctors may actually be available for active service. It gives a doctor-population ratio of 0.62:1000 as per current population which is estimated to be of around 1.33 billion,? she said during Question Hour.The WHO prescribes a doctor population ratio of 1:1000.The doctor-population ratio of the some of the countries are: Australia ? 3.374:1000, Brazil ? 1.852:1000, China ? 1.49:1000, France ? 3.227:1000, Germany ? 4.125:1000, Russia ? 3.306:1000, the USA ? 2.554:1000, Afghanistan - 0.304:1000, Bangladesh ? 0.389:1000, Pakistan ? 0.806:1000.The minister said emphasis of the government was to increase the number of doctors in the country to improve the doctor population ratio.There are 479 medical colleges in the country with an intake capacity of 67,218 MBBS seats. 12,870 MBBS seats have been added in the last three years, she said. |
Rini Sinha | 17 Apr 2017,Monday | Wish media hadn't leaked Ranbir's look from Dutt biopic: Dia | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dia-upset-over-leak-of-ranbirs-look-from-sanjay-biopic/1/930555.html | Actress Dia Mirza has said that the media shouldn't have leaked Ranbir's look as actor Sanjay Dutt from the upcoming biopic on Dutt. She added, "I will admit it was upsetting...we wish media had respected the privacy of the film and not revealed the look." In the film, Dia will be seen playing the role of Maanayata, Dutt's wife. | Ranbir Kapoor's new look from Sanjay Dutt's biopic has gone viral online but his onscreen wife Dia Mirza feels it should not have been leaked. "You should not have seen that look. It was leaked by the media... I will admit it was upsetting that the look was out as we were saving the look to reveal much later. We are enthused with the response from the public but we wish the media had respected the privacy of the film and not revealed the look," Dia told reporters here. In the Rajkumar Hirani-directed film, Dia plays the role of Maanayata, Dutt's wife. "Shooting is going really well. I have just completed my work. It's such a privilege and honour to be working with such a wonderful set of people. Rajkumar Hirani had directed me in Lage Raho Munnabhai and it was great to be working with him again," she said, adding, "Right now we all are tight-lipped about the film but we can't wait to reveal things." Dia has teamed up for the first time with Ranbir, and she is all praise for her co-star. "Ranbir is amazing and there are no two ways about it," the actor said. The film also stars Vicky Kaushal as Sanjay Dutt's close friend, Manisha Koirala as Nargis Dutt and Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt. |
Tarun Khanna | 29 Mar 2017,Wednesday | SC allows CCTV cameras in courtrooms for 1st time | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/supreme-court-video-recording-cctv-camears-district-courts/1/915291.html | In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the installation of CCTV cameras inside the courtrooms in at least two district courts of all states and Union Territories. The top court, however, made it clear that the footage of the CCTV camera will not be available under the RTI and will be released only on High Courts' direction. | In a first, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court ordered High Courts across India to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in some courts under their jurisdiction. The video recording facilities will initially be installed in at least two districts of each state and union territory, The Telegraph reported. The apex court has set a time frame of three months to complete the work of installing the cameras."We direct that at least in two districts in every state/union territory (with the exception of small states/union territories where it may be considered to be difficult to do so by the concerned high courts) CCTV cameras (without audio recording) may be installed inside the courts and at such important locations of the court complexes as may be considered appropriate," The Indian Express quotes as the Supreme Court as saying.NO AUDIO, NO RTI Notably, the video recordings will not be accompanied by corresponding audio nor will they be available to general public under the Right To Information Act. The videos will only be released to the public under the express directives of the respective High Courts.The Telegraph report notes that the two-judge bench of Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit delivered the order after the Centre indicated it was in favour of CCTVs in courtrooms for increased transparency and, according to the Indian Express, to keep electronic records of court cases.The Indian Express further reports that the Supreme Court order comes after several rounds of discussions between the executive and the judiciary. According to the report, since August 2013, union law ministers have written three times to respective chief justices of India, urging the court to consider allowing video and audio recordings of judicial proceedings. |
Sumedha Sehra | 11 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Standoff temporary, won't hit economic, cultural ties: China | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/doklam-standoff-india-china-economic-cultural-ties/1/999122.html | A Chinese Embassy official in New Delhi has said that the ongoing standoff between the armies of India and China will not impact the economic and cultural ties between the two nations. "India and China have enjoyed historical and cultural connections over thousands of years... This border issue, I reckon, is temporary," the official said. | Even as Indian and Chinese soldiers continue their weeks-long standoff in Doklam near Sikkim, a Chinese embassy official in New Delhi sought to allay fears of other Indo-Sino ties being hit. The "long-standing" economic and cultural ties that India and China share will not be hit. "Both India and China enjoy long cooperation as our lands are connected," news agency IANS quoted Li Rongrong, Second Secretary in the Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Office of the Chinese Embassy in India, as saying Monday. "India and China have enjoyed historical and cultural connections over thousands of years. And, be it trade or other relationships, we have been establishing ties. This border issue, I reckon, is temporary," news agency PTI quoted an unnamed Chinese embassy official as saying. "And it will not affect our long-standing economic and cultural ties."It wasn't immediately clear if the official quoted by PTI was Li. However, both IANS and PTI reported that the respective comments were made during a promotional event for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo to be held in the city of Dongguan in the Chinese province of Guangdong from September 21 to 24.Notably, the India-China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC), a not-for-profit orgnaisation, renewed its partnership with the Dongguan's municipality for the flagship expo. "My dear Chinese friends, India is much bigger than what you see on TV screens. Don't believe what the private channels are showing you or the commentators they bring in for their shows. Most of it is rhetoric. Believe only what the Indian government tells or any of its ministers or Foreign Ministry," Secretary General of ICEC, Mohd Saqib said in his address at the promotional event."What unfortunate things you have reading in media or seeing on TV (about the border issue), it is going to be pass very soon. India and China have been Friends and feel welcome in our country. And, I tell the same things to Indian delegates planning to attend this exposition, do not feel insecure," Saqib added. THE STANDOFFFor around three weeks now, the Indian and Chinese armies have been engaged in a non-violent standoff in Dokalam, an area that is disputed between China and Bhutan. The standoff was triggered after Indian Army soldiers attempted to stop the People's Liberation Army from constructing a road in the area. The Indian soldiers intervened after Bhutan, whose army first made contact with the Chinese road construction crew, sought New Delhi's help. Since then, soldiers from the Indian Army and the PLA have stood their ground at Doklam in what is the longest-ever, though civilised standoff. Chinese media has unusually raised the rhetoric over the issue, calling on Beijing to teach New Delhi a "lesson". The Chinese Army too has been blunt, asking India to immediately withdraw its troops and making passing references to the 1962 Indo-Sino war where India suffered a humiliating defeat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping recently met on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany but there has been no indication - from either countries - on when and how the standoff will be resolved. However, just today Chinese media again upped the ante, with the official China Daily newspaper warning that there will be "more serious consequences" if India does not withdraw its troops. |
Mansha Mahajan | 12 Dec 2016,Monday | Jaipur bank CEO goes missing after I-T raid, ?1.56 cr seized | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jaipur-bank-ceo-missing-it-raid-rs-1-56-crore-seized/1/832887.html | The Chief Executive Officer of a Jaipur co-operative bank, Keshav Badaya, went missing after officials of the Income Tax department raided several Jaipur-based branches of the bank. As much as ?1.56 crore in cash and jewellery worth ?50 lakh have been seized from the bank's premises. Some bank officials said Badaya was missing since the raids began on Friday night. | The Chief Executive Officer of a Jaipur co-operative bank went missing after officials of the Income-Tax department swooped down on several of its branches. By the time the raids were over, Rs 1.56 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh had been seized from the bank's premises.ALSO WATCH The bank's CEO, 38-year-old Keshav Badaya, handles 14 branches. In addition, he also manages an educational society called St Wilfred Educational Society, which runs the St Wilfred's PG College in Jaipur.ALSO READ: Post-Demonetisation: 27 public sector bankers suspended after Bengaluru IT raid Of the total money seized, Rs 1.38 crore was in Rs 2000 denomination and the rest in demonetised Rs 1000 currency.Bank officials stayed tight-lipped on the CEO or his whereabouts. Some said his mobile was switched off and he was missing since the raids began on Friday night. ALSO READ: Axis Bank raid: Former minister, other Delhi netas under scanner after 44 fake accounts found The bank's branch manager, however, said the I-T department had come to the bank to conduct a survey and checked some documents. |
Anmol Sharma | 16 Jul 2017,Sunday | If Indian cricket requires me, won't shy away: Anurag Thakur | http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/anurag-thakur-won-t-shy-away-from-accepting-bcci-responsibility/story-UXOL9QzrHT1Yds5EOVdCfK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur, who was removed from his post in January 2017 by the Supreme Court, has said that he will always be available for the board if Indian cricket requires him. Thakur, who was removed on perjury and contempt of court charges, recently tendered an unconditional apology, after which the Supreme Court dropped charges against him. | He has been away from the hullabaloo of Indian cricket for the last six months but former BCCI president Anurag Thakur said if required, he ?won?t shy away from accepting responsibility?.The Supreme Court recently dropped perjury charges against Thakur after he tendered an unconditional apology. He was removed from the BCCI by the Supreme Court in January for failing to convince Board members to implement the Lodha Reforms.Since then, the SC-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has spent an unsuccessful six months failing to make any headway in the matter.Recently, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, while accepting birthday wish from Thakur, urged him to make a comeback into cricket administration.?It was kind of Sourav to have said something like that. I feel humbled when a former India captain says something like that. I have not decided anything but if Indian cricket requires me, I will be always available. I have never shied away from responsibility,? Thakur told PTI.Asked if he is a relieved man, Thakur said: ?I had complete faith in judiciary?.The Hamirpur MP has been very busy with his political work as well as looking after other sporting activities.?During all these months, I was busy doing what I love most -- promoting sports. I organised the Himachal Pradesh State Olympics, which was a huge success. I am also involved with Hockey Himachal as promoting Olympic sports in the state has been one of my prime endeavours,? said Thakur. ?Also, I am the chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Information and Technology, my constituency work in Hamirpur -- I had a very busy six months,? he said.Thakur, however, didn?t wish to comment on the ongoing drama regarding appointment of chief coach and support staff.He doesn?t want to talk on BCCI?s internal matters and only twice has he aired his views on cricketing matters.The first time was when he supported Virat Kohli after the ?cheatgate? incident during the home series against Australia and then when Kohli was being criticised after the infamous fallout with former coach Anil Kumble. |
Saloni Tandon | 09 Feb 2017,Thursday | Karun 4th player to be dropped after hitting triple century | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karun-nair-india-vs-bangladesh-hyderabad-test-ajinkya-rahane/1/878527.html | Karun Nair has become the fourth player in cricket history to miss a Test after scoring a triple century in his previous match. Karun, who became India's second Test triple centurion in the Chennai Test against England in December, was replaced by Ajinkya Rahane, who returned from an injury. Inzamam-ul-Haq was the last triple centurion to be dropped, in 2002. | Karun Nair today became only the fourth batsman to be excluded from the playing XI of the next Test after scoring a triple hundred in his previous Test. (Virat Kohli settles Ajinkya Rahane - Karun Nair debate ahead of Hyderabad Test)Karun had to make way for Ajinkya Rahane, who was selected in the India side for their one-off Test against Bangladesh which started in Hyderabad today.Players sitting out of next Test (for any reason) after scoring a triple-ton:Andy SandhamLen HuttonInzamam-ul-HaqKARUN NAIR#IndvBanIndia captain Virat Kohli had made it clear he would prefer to go in with Rahane for the Hyderabad Test at the expense of Karun whose 303 not out in Chennai, fashioned an emphatic triumph over England. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 19 Jan 2017,Thursday | ND Tiwari has not joined party, only his son has: BJP | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-nd-tiwari-not-joined-party-son-rohit-shekhar/1/860566.html | After reports said that Congress veteran ND Tiwari has joined the BJP ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly election, the party clarified that only his son Rohit Shekhar has joined. The BJP clarified that ND Tiwari (91), a three-time Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, only accompanied his son and extended his support to the party. | Shortly after reports said Congress veteran ND Tiwari has joined the BJP, the party clarified only his son Rohit Shekhar has joined. Sources in the BJP said Shekhar has joined the party ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly election, while Tiwari has only extended his support to the party.Earlier today, Tiwari went to BJP president Amit Shah's residence in New Delhi along with his son Rohit and wife Ujjwala, dealing a major blow to a party he served for over five decades ahead of the February 15 election.Tiwari, 91, was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for three terms and was the third Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2002 to 2007. He also served as a minister at the Centre several times having held charge of key portfolios like Finance and External Affairs.Tiwari was also the Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 2007 to 2009, a post he quit after being embroiled in a sex tape controversy.Tiwari's family today expressed disappointment and shock over reports of his joining the BJP and alleged the decision was being "made for him". |
Dishant Sharma | 26 Mar 2017,Sunday | Mid-air backheel assist sets up Ronaldo's long-range goal | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/world-cup-qualifiers-cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-netherlands/1/913037.html | Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a left-footed long-range effort after his teammate André Silva provided a mid-air backheel assist on an aerial long ball, in Portugal's 3-0 friendly win over Hungary on Sunday. The 32-year-old also scored a freekick from the side of the penalty box, claiming his 70th career goal for Portugal. | While Cristiano Ronaldo kept moving up Europe's all-time scorers list on Saturday, a demoralizing loss to Bulgaria endangered the Netherlands' World Cup qualification.With two goals in Portugal's 3-0 win over Hungary, Ronaldo moved into fourth place on the all-time scorers list for European nations.Ronaldo's 70 in 137 appearances trail only Miroslav Klose (71), Sandor Kocsis (75) and Ferenc Puskas (84).Here is a look at World Cup qualifiers in Europe:BULGARIA STUN NETHERLANDSTeenager Matthijs de Ligt's dream debut for the Netherlands quickly turned into a nightmare as he handed Bulgaria an early goal.Just five minutes into the match De Ligt let a speculative ball fall over his shoulder before he collided with goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, allowing Spas Delev to tap in.Delev made it 2-0 in the 20th when he curled a shot past De Ligt's attempted block and into the bottom corner of Zoet's goal.Injuries had forced coach Danni Blind to make the risky choice of De Ligt who, at 17, became the youngest Netherlands debutant since Mauk Weber in 1931.After the stunning loss, the manager took the blame."I blame myself," Blind told national broadcaster NOS, adding that, "It can't go on like this. Things have to change."The Netherlands, which failed to qualify for the European Championship last year, looks likely to struggle to reach the World Cup in Russia.France stayed on top of the group with 13 points after beating Luxembourg 3-1 thanks to Olivier Giroud's double and a penalty by Antoine Griezmann.Sweden is second with 10 points after thrashing Belarus 4-0. The Netherlands slid to fourth with seven points, behind Bulgaria with nine.RONALDO AT THE DOUBLERonaldo appears to have found his ideal partner up front for in Andre Silva.The 21-year-old striker scored Portugal's opener in the 32nd before quickly getting Ronaldo on track.Ronaldo struck both goals from outside the area, first slashing home a left-footer off Silva's pass, followed by a right-footed free kick from an angle to seal the win in Lisbon."We started off slowly, but the first goal gave our confidence a boost and the other goals came naturally," Ronaldo told Portuguese television.Portugal strengthened its hold on second place with 12 points, opening a gap over Hungary, which stayed with seven points in third.Switzerland earned a fifth win in as many matches after beating Latvia 1-0 to remain on top of the group with 15 points.Still stuck at the foot of the table, Andorra nevertheless savored the end to a losing streak that had lasted 58 competitive matches stretching over 11 years after drawing with Faroe Islands 0-0.LUKAKU RESCUES BELGIUMRomelu Lukaku saved Belgium's place at the top of Group H, snatching a 1-1 draw in Brussels after being frustrated all night by an unyielding Greece defense. Lukaku chested down the fall and fired past goalkeeper Stefano Kapino with only two minutes of regular time remaining. |
Rini Sinha | 08 Apr 2017,Saturday | Not surprised by Shivaay's National Award win: Ajay Devgn | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shivaay-wins-national-award-ajay-devgn/1/923158.html | Actor Ajay Devgn, producer of the film 'Shivaay' which won the National Award for Best Special Effect, has said that he is not at all surprised by the win. He added, "I'm thankful to the honourable jury...This indeed is a well-deserved win." Starring Ajay Devgn, the film is about a mountaineer and what happens when his daughter is kidnapped. | Actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn, whose production and directorial venture Shivaay has got the National Film Award for Best Visual Effects, says the decision is not surprising.After winning the award, Ajay said in a statement, "I feel delighted that the prestigious 64th National Award for Best Visual Effects has been awarded to our very own Naveen Paul of NYVFXWALA for our film Shivaay.""Many congratulations to Naveen and the entire team. I am thankful to the honourable jury but I have to say that I am not at all surprised by their decision. This indeed is a well deserved win," said the statement.The film released on Diwali last year alongside Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Despite mixed reviews from critics, Shivaay was successful at the box office.Shivaay deserved a unanimous thumbs-up for its special effects from all quarters. |
Mansha Mahajan | 09 Dec 2016,Friday | Demonetisation problems will end in 10-15 days: Centre to SC | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-was-your-policy-confidential-supreme-court-asks-centre/1/830664.html | The government on Friday told the Supreme Court that the problems being faced by people will be over in "10-15 days". The government is "not sitting around doing nothing" as no violence or unrest has been reported in the last month, an official claimed. The apex court was hearing a plea seeking rationale behind the demonetisation move. | In a hearing on its decision to impose demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, the government today told the Supreme Court that the problems being faced by people will be over in "10-15 days".Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing the government, said it is "not sitting around doing nothing" and claimed no violence or unrest has been reported in the last month."The government is not sitting around doing nothing. In 10-15 days, it will all be over," Rohatgi told a three-judge Supreme Court bench, which is hearing a number of petitions challenging the note ban.The Supreme Court asked the Centre whether its demonetisation decision was taken in absolute secrecy. The apex court is hearing a plea seeking rationale behind putting the entire nation to "such great difficulties".The Supreme Court asked, "When you made the policy on demonetisation, was it confidential?" The three-judge bench has framed nine questions for the adjudication to decide whether demonetisation was unconstitutional or not.NO CASH IN BANKS, ATMs: PETITIONERS Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, noted lawyer Prashant Bhusan argued that there was no preparation fro m the government to deal with the impending situation caused by demonetisation."There was no cash in ATMs, recalibration was not done well and cooperative banks were being discriminated against," Prashant Bhushan told the apex court.Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for another petitioner, told the court that contrary to the government's claim, there was no cash in the banks.Former Finance Minister and senior counsel P Chidambaram told the court that all the Reserve Bank of India printing presses can print only 300 crore currency notes per month.Replacing every demonetised note with a new note will take at least six months, Chidambaram told the court.Last week, the apex court had asked the government to see if something could be done to lessen troubles people were going through since demonetisation was announced on November 8. The matter will be next heard on December 14.STATE LIMIT OF WITHDRAWALS: SCIn its observations, the Supreme Court asked the government to state the threshold limit of cash that each account holder can withdraw from banks across the country without being refused.The bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud also asked the government to state if it could relax curbs on accepting deposits by the district cooperative banks after imposing certain conditions.On cash withdrawals, the court asked the Centre to spell out the limit of cash an account holder can withdraw as it was told that though the government said each account holder can withdraw up to Rs 24,000 per week, the banks were instead giving them only Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000. Also read:Demonetisation: What about cooperative banks, Supreme Court asks government |
Mansha Mahajan | 07 Jul 2017,Friday | 43 McDonald's joints ran without health permits for 3 months | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/43-mcdonalds-outlets-ran-without-valid-licence-since-april/1/996333.html | A total of 43 McDonald's outlets in Delhi operated without valid health licenses for nearly three months from April 1, estranged India partner Vikram Bakshi alleged. Bakshi, an equal joint venture partner of McDonald's India in Connaught Plaza Restaurants, refused to sign licensing documents. Notably, McDonald's shut 43 of the 55 Delhi outlets over failure to renew eating house licences. | New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) US fast food chain McDonalds 43 outlets in the national capital operated without valid health licences for nearly three months from April 1, its estranged India partner Vikram Bakshi has alleged. Last month, McDonalds had decided to shut down 43 of the total 55 outlets here due to failure to renew eating house licences. Bakshi, an equal joint venture partner of McDonalds India Pvt Ltd (MIPL) in Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd (CPRL), the licensee for North and East India regions, said licences had expired on March 31. "From April 1 to June 27, 2017, we did not have any health licence, its absolutely correct," Bakshi told PTI. He has been at loggerheads with McDonalds since 2013 when he was removed as the managing director of CPRL and is contesting it at legal forums, including the London Court of Arbitration. Bakshi said the health licence was necessary from local municipal bodies to run the restaurants for water hygiene and proper maintenance of food, among others. When contacted to confirm if the company operated those 43 outlets without valid health licences, Barry Sum, Director - Corporate Relations, Asia Foundational Markets, McDonalds, declined to comment. "We want to focus our efforts on resolving the issues as soon as possible at this moment," he said. The closed outlets are unlikely to open any time soon as Bakshi has refused to sign the licensing documents. To renew it, the JV partner and an MIPL-nominated director have to co- sign licence renewal applications. Bakshi said: "In early March before the licences were to go for renewal, I have clearly stated that because of issues of food safety and because of us not actually providing quality and safe food to customers, I no longer intend to sign (to apply for renewal of) the licences." Sum blamed Bakshi for the closing of the outlets. "The current situation is the result of our former JV partners refusal to co-sign the licence renewal applications with an MIPL-nominated director, which were the protocols previously approved by the CPRL board," he said. The restaurants will reopen when the required licences have been obtained, Sum said. MIPL still intends to look for a constructive resolution to the situation so that the impact on stakeholders will be mitigated. This will require the appointment of someone from CPRL other than the directors, he added. Bakshi defended his decision, saying once he was removed from the post of managing director in 2013, he no longer had the authority. |
Saloni Tandon | 26 Apr 2017,Wednesday | Nita Ambani made member of IOC's Olympic Channel Commission | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nita-ambani-made-member-of-iocs-olympic-channel-commission/1/938497.html | Nita Ambani has been made a member of International Olympic Committee's Olympic Channel Commission, which handles IOC's digital platform. Besides the Olympic Channel, she has also been made a member of IOC's Olympic Education Commission. In August last year, Nita became IOC's first Indian woman member after being elected at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro. | null |
Parmeet Kaur | 31 Jul 2017,Monday | 3 top AIIMS professors resigned in 6 months over poor salary | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-aiims-brain-drain-pay-scale/1/1014866.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Three top professors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi resigned over the last six months for better pay packages. "In last three years, approximately 17 young faculty members have resigned because of poor salary and non-availability of accommodation," a faculty member said. Notably, Assistant Professors' existing pay band and grade pay at AIIMS is ?15,900-?39,100. | The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the country's premier institute in the field of medicine, is finding it difficult to retain talent. Three top professors have left the faculty for greener pastures over the last six months, a development which insiders say is unprecedented in AIIMS history.Dr BS Sharma, senior professor from neuro-surgery, who was a member of AIIMS faculty for more than 25 years, has joined a private medical institute in Jaipur while another professor from the department, Dr Sumit Sinha has moved to Paras Hospitals, a super speciality medicare chain. Dr Sinha served AIIMS for over a decade. The third one to leave is Dr Pravash Mishra from hematology department, who has joined Max Healthcare."The migration of faculty has severely affected key areas of healthcare like liver transplantation services, renal transplantation, high quality paediatric medicine and general medicine services," noted the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAAIIMS) in a letter sent to director Randeep Guleria on July 25. Mail Today has a copy of the letter.The FAAIIMS has also sent their demands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union health minister JP Nadda, requesting them to take action to stem the migration.Reacting to the issue and the letter sent to health ministry, Union health secretary CK Mishra said, "AIIMS doctors get salaries which is very different from other government hospitals. However, the ministry is looking into the matter."FIRST TIME"It has never happened in the history of AIIMS," a senior faculty member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Mail Today."These top doctors are migrating from AIIMS as they are not getting appropriate salaries, suitable accommodation and have administrative issues. The worrying part is that in some of the departments where the faculty faces the brain drain, the waiting list of patients stretches till 2019-2020.""Not just the veteran but even the younger faculty is getting distraught with the functioning of the institution."In last three years, approximately 17 young faculty members have resigned because of poor salary and non-availability of accommodation," the faculty member said.The FAAIIMS letter also points out that senior most faculty members "get no promotion for 15 to 20 years". This translates into static or slow raise in their incomes."An assistant professor's existing pay band and grade pay is Rs 15,600-39,100 with minimum scale of Rs 30,000."Suppose, this pay-band gets him a take-home amount of Rs 1 lakh. If the same doctor applies to a private institution, particularly with AIIMS experience, he is likely to get three times of his current pay. Why would he stay on?"NEW PAY BANDS"We want that the new faculty which is coming should be given pay band 4 so that they straightway come to the new level 13. With this, AIIMS can attract bright faculty for the future," said another senior member of AIIMS faculty.The Seventh Pay Commission recommendations are yet to be implemented for the AIIMS faculty. At present, it has been enforced only for staff group B, C and D.In February this year, a committee was formed for the implementation of revised pay rules and the matter was discussed that pay scale should be made higher and new allowances should be given to the faculty.ALSO READ | |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 22 Jul 2017,Saturday | Near-miss between planes as crew reports wrong jet altitude | http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/emirates-flight-narrowly-averts-collision-with-air-seychelles-plane-in-mauritius/story-8VrSYPJAaL3PiWEeldP9kM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | An Emirates flight nearly collided with an Air Seychelles aircraft while descending to land in Mauritius. The Air Seychelles aircraft, which had just taken off and was running directly into the path of the Emirates flight, veered "sharply to the right" to avoid a collision. The incident was reportedly caused by Emirates crew members? incorrect report of the plane altitude. | An Airbus A380 flight of Emirates Airways nearly collided in mid-air with an Air Seychelles passenger jet when the Dubai-based carrier was about to land in Mauritius, local media reported on Thursday.The near-collision was reportedly due to the Emirates crew members? incorrect report of the plane altitude, when the Emirates A380-800 descended to land at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius, according to Dubai daily Gulf News.UAE daily The National reported that the double-decker aircraft ? which can carry 498 passengers aboard ? almost crashed into the Air Seychelles Airbus A320-200 plane, which had just taken off from the same airport.The Air Seychelles flight veered ?sharply to the right? after it ran directly into the path of the Emirates A380, the world?s biggest passenger jet.No passenger was injured on the Emirates flight, said the report, adding that further investigation about the incident was underway. |
Dishant Sharma | 02 May 2017,Tuesday | India slip to number four in ICC T20I team rankings | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-icc-t20i-rankings-pakistan-england-new-zealand/1/943584.html | The Indian T20I team slipped a spot to the fourth place in the ICC T20I team rankings, according to the latest ICC rankings released on Tuesday. The Virat Kohli-led team, with 118 rating points, is three points behind World T20 2009 winner Pakistan and World T20 2010 winner England. New Zealand with 125 rating points is the top-ranked T20I team. | India, the World T20 2007 champion, lost six points to slip to fourth position in the latest ICC T20I Team Rankings released on Tuesday.The Virat Kohli-led team is now on 118 points, three points behind World T20 2009 winner Pakistan, who have joined second-placed England on 121 points after gaining five points but are ranked behind the World T20 2010 winner by a fraction of a point.England have benefited significantly as they have risen three places after gaining seven points to now sit on second place. Eoin Morgan's side is four points behind table-topper New Zealand, who are on 125 points after dropping two points.South Africa have also slipped two places to fifth after conceding six points, but are one point ahead of Australia.Australia have swapped places with reigning champions, the West Indies, who are 14 points ahead of 2014 winner and eighth-ranked Sri Lanka (95 points, down by four). |
Abhishek Bansal | 03 May 2017,Wednesday | Why is there such fear: Mamata on Kajol's 'beef' statement | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-kajol-beef-bjp/1/944540.html | Reacting to Kajol's recent clarification that the meat she was served was not beef, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "Why is there such fear? Whom should we fear?" Stating that some people are "trying to dictate what others will eat", Mamata added, "She had to clarify that it was not beef but buffalo meat. It is an alarming situation." | West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today reacted sharply to Bollywood actor Kajol's controversy where the actor reportedly clarified what meat she had eaten recently.Speaking at a public rally in North Dinajpur district, Mamata said the actor had come up with the clarification out of fear. She said there was an environment of fear in which everyone was operating.Slamming the BJP, she said, "Why is there such fear? Whom should we fear? Since I'm always vocal, they threaten us with the CBI and the ED; threaten us with jail all the time. But let me tell them, even if you put entire Trinamool Congress in jail, I don't care. People will give you a fitting reply.""They only know how to create riots. They are not in favour of Hindu religion, they are a blot on the name of Hinduism," Banerjee added. The Trinamool Congress supremo's comment comes after the actor tweeted a clarification that a video that she had earlier shared on social media was not of beef but "legal" buffalo meat."A video of me at a friend's lunch said that there was a beef dish at the table. That's a miscommunication. What was shown was buffalo meat, that is legally available meat. I'm issuing this clarification because this is a sensitive matter that may hurt religious sentiments, which is not my intention," Kajol has tweeted on Monday soon after her video went viral a day before.KAJOL CLARIFIED IT WAS NOT BEEF Though the actor has removed the video from her Facebook page, it has already gone viral. In the video, Kajol is seen visiting a restaurant whose chef is her friend. When Kajol asks her friend about a dish that he had served, he explains it as "beef pepper water with dry lentils and dry beef". Following which Kajol is heard joking "We are going to cut his hands off after this."However, soon after the post, social media went abuzz with many questioning her given husband and actor Ajay Devgn had campaigned for the BJP, which seeks beef ban across the country.The Bengal chief minister's outcry on the matter is not new. Last month, she had accused the BJP of spreading canards about her over her trip to the Jagannath temple in Puri. "They (BJP) have spread canards that I eat beef! But what I eat is my choice. They are liars spreading canards over social media," Banerjee had said then. Also read: Mamata: BJP spreading canards that I eat beef, spending crores on social media to tarnish my imageAlso read: Kajol's beef clarification: Has the fear of gau rakshaks spread to celebs? |
Akshita Jain | 14 Feb 2017,Tuesday | Only 0.2% of over 1L complaints against Delhi Police probed | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/crime-data-1-1-lakh-complaints-against-delhi-cops-in-2016-probe-in-only-1-out-of-every-400-calls/story-oytSIqQC3EQgSrx6GDuxKL.html | The annual report of Delhi Police released on Monday revealed that over 1.12 lakh complaints were received by its anti-corruption helpline against police personnel and only 307 of these cases were investigated. It makes up only 0.27% of the total complaints received. The complaints allege corruption among personnel, inaction over FIRs and rude behaviour by the police. | The anti-corruption helpline of Delhi Police received over 1.12 lakh calls, text and WhatsApp messages, alleging corruption, inaction in complaints and rude behaviour against police personnel in 2016, states the annual report of Delhi Police released on Monday.Of the total calls and messages, the department investigated only 307 complaint calls and messages. It means inquiry was initiated in only 0.27% complaints and calls received on the vigilance helpline. Police received over 1,12,144 calls and messages on the anti-graft helpline. While 93,350 complaints were received through WhatsApp on vigilance helpline number 9910641064, 13,765 came through calls. A total of 5,029 complaints against police personnel were sent as text messages. The Whatsapp helpline 9910641064 launched in 2014 was started by the vigilance department to take complaints of police personnel in corruption and wrong doing. Police receive video and audio files, complaints and information on this helpline. Out of 307 complaints taken up for inquiry, 150 were related to corruption, 55 were about inaction and 102 about interference in land and property matters and high-handed behaviour. Senior police officers, however, claimed that complaints of corruption, extortion, connivance with criminals and unlawful activities and misbehaviour decreased in 2016 when compared with 2015. In 2015, a total of 2,335 such complaints were made against police personnel. However, in 2016, the number dipped to 1,178. A total of 528 complaints were about corruption and extortion against police personnel. Similarly, 433 complaints were regarding misbehaviour by police and 109 complaints were related to non-registration of cases. Thirty-one people complained about faulty investigation into cases. Data shows that 616 officials were suspended for various allegations, while departmental inquiry was initiated against 696 police staff, out of which 863 were found guilty since in certain complaints several officials were named. During the year, 437 police personnel were punished, out of which 109 were dismissed. Of the 437 punished personnel, seven were inspectors, 73 sub-inspectors, 19 assistant sub-inspectors, 65 head constables and 271 were constables. ?The sharp decline in complaints received against police personnel is a result of the sustained emphasis laid by us and prompt inquiry into complaints followed by swift punitive action on substantiated allegations. The force has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, inaction and misbehaviour by police personnel. The perception created among staff that if found guilty, they will not be spared has helped us contain corruption in the department,? said Dependra Pathak, Delhi Police spokesperson. Besides the calls and messages received on 9910641064, the other vigilance helpline numbers ? 1064 and 1800111064 ? were also put to effective use. On these helplines, 247 calls were received in 2016, out of which 79 were of inaction, 147 regarding corruption and 21 related to miscellaneous issues. Delhi Police?s annual crime statistics show that with registration of 2,09,519 cases in 2016, 575 crimes were reported every day in the city. The year saw an increase of 18,142 cases over 2015 when the city had witnessed 1,91,377 crimes. The number increased even though heinous crimes such as dacoity, murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping for ransom and rioting saw a significant decrease as compared to crimes reported in 2015. Of the total 2,09,519 cases, only 55,957 cases were solved by the police. It means that almost 74% crimes remained unsolved, which is around 2% higher from 2015 when percentage of the unsolved cases was a little over 72%. Data shows that one woman is raped in Delhi every four hours. Every 9 minutes a woman makes a distress call to the police helpline. One vehicle is stolen every 12 minutes in Delhi while every 6 min, one person becomes victim of theft and every two hours, one person is robbed. One person becomes victim of snatching every 30 minutes. |
Tarun Khanna | 03 Mar 2017,Friday | China can cede Aksai Chin if India does in east: Ex-diplomat | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aksai-chin-china-india-tawang-dai-bingguo/1/895657.html | Dai Bingguo, China's retired negotiator on the border talks, has said that if India agreed to make concessions in the eastern sector, China would also make concessions in Aksai Chin. Notably, while India sees China as occupying 38,000 sq km of its territory in Aksai Chin, China claims 90,000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh. | China's long-time negotiator on the border talks, who retired in 2013, has said that Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is an "inalienable" part of Tibet and that a boundary settlement would not be possible unless India agreed to make concessions in the eastern sector.But if India did so, China would also make concessions in Aksai Chin, suggested Dai Bingguo, spelling out in detail for the first time his thoughts on a solution.Dai, who was the Special Representative on the boundary issue for 15 rounds of talks until his retirement in 2013, said that India "held the key" to the settlement and that if it took into account China's concerns in the eastern sector, Beijing would similarly do so in other areas.THE DISPUTE India sees China as occupying 38,000 sq km of its territory in Aksai Chin, while China claims 90,000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh.Dai, who recently penned his memoirs, told the Beijing-based China-India Dialogue magazine, published by the official China International Publishing Group, in an interview: "The disputed territory in the eastern sector of the China-India boundary, including Tawang, is inalienable from China's Tibet in terms of cultural background and administrative jurisdiction."He said it was not until February 1951 that "the local government of Tibet [was] forced to stop its actual administration of Tawang". "Even the British colonialists who drew the illegal 'McMahon Line' respected China's jurisdiction over Tawang," he said.Dai added: "The major reason the boundary question persists is that China's reasonable requests [in the east] have not been met"."If the Indian side takes care of China's concerns in the eastern sector of their border," he said, "the Chinese side will respond accordingly and address India's concerns elsewhere."Despite his emphasis on Tawang, Dai suggested that the 15 rounds of talks he participated in had moved both sides close to "a political settlement". His comments suggest this would involve mutual adjustments or concessions, most likely in Tawang and Aksai Chin."China and India are now standing in front of the gate towards a final settlement," he said. "The gate is a framework solution based on meaningful and mutually accepted adjustments. Now, the Indian side holds the key to the gate."The 19th round of talks was held between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and State Councillor Yang Jiechi, Dai's successor as SR, in Beijing last April.WATCH: Why have violations on India-China border dropped in last 5 years?ALSO READ: PLA banner in Ladakh says 'You are in China' but government insists no intrusion |
Saloni Tandon | 28 Feb 2017,Tuesday | Virat Kohli is human, he had to fail one day: Sourav Ganguly | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/virat-kohli-test-cricket-india-australia-sourav-ganguly/1/893483.html | Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has said Virat Kohli is "human and had to fail one day". "He failed in both innings in Pune...In the second innings, I think the game was already over. A 441-run target was a humongous task. Kohli will come back because he is a class act. His record against Australia is unreal," said Ganguly. | Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said Virat Kohli will come back strongly in the second Test against Australia in Bangalore after a rare failure in Pune.CLICK TO WATCH FULL VIDEOKohli, who has had a record-breaking home season, became the first batsman in history to slam four double hundreds in successive series. However, Kohli fell for a second-ball duck in the first innings, chasing a wide one off Mitchell Starc and then shouldered arms to a straight ball from Steve O'Keefe in the second to record scores of 0 and 13 respectively. (Never challenge Virat Kohli, he will come good in Bengaluru: Harbhajan Singh to India Today)These were Kohli's worst returns at home in a Test where he has batted in both innings, it was his first duck at home and only fifth overall. A couple of off days for the captain meant a staggering 333-run defeat for India. Last week, not even the most ardent Australian fan would have thought that was possible. (Can Virat Kohli's India repeat 2001 heroics vs Australia? Harbhajan Singh and Nayan Mongia recall Kolkata miracle)But Ganguly said Kohli was only human and he was bound to have one off-day. "Kohli is human and he had to fail one day. He failed in both innings in Pune. I think he played a little bit of a loose shot in the first innings outside the off stump but the Australians bowled him there," Ganguly told India Today. "They must have seen Stuart Broad and James Anderson bowling to him in England outside the off stump. In the second innings, I think the game was already over. A 441-run target was a humongous task. Kohli will come back because he is a class act. His record against Australia is unreal," he said. (Surprised with the way Australia won: Michael Clarke to India Today)Kohli was on fire in Australia, slamming 692 runs including four hundreds in four Tests down under. In his first Test as captain (standing in for an injured MS Dhoni) at the Adelaide Oval, Kohli smashed a hundred in each innings to pull off an improbable win. "To watch those four back-to-back Test match hundreds against Australia in Australia (was surreal). I have not seen even Sachin Tendulkar do that," Ganguly said. |
Tarun Khanna | 24 Apr 2017,Monday | BJP may win 202-220 seats in MCD polls: Exit Poll | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mcd-2017-exit-poll-results-bjp-aap-congress-india-today-axis-my-india-exit-poll/1/936510.html | An exit poll conducted by India Today-Axis My India has predicted 202-220 seats for BJP in the 272-ward MCD. The BJP is in power in MCD for the past ten years. The exit poll has further predicted 23-35 seats for AAP and 19-31 seats for Congress. "Exit poll results are according to our expectations," said Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari. | The Bharatiya Janata Party is poised for a third consecutive term in Delhi municipal corporations with a brute majority, an exit poll conducted by India Today-Axis My India has predicted. The survey places the Aam Aadmi Party, which rules Delhi assembly, and the Congress trailing behind with a huge margin.Of the total 272 wards in the national Capital, the BJP is expected to win 202-220 seats while AAP and Congress 23-35 and 19-31 respectively, according to the poll survey. The voting percentage reflected in the polls give 43 per cent share to the saffron outfit while the AAP and Congress are almost equally placed at 24 and 23 per cent in the MCDs.The BJP lead is evenly spread in all three wards. The North MCD, which has 104 wards, is expected to give the BJP 78-84 seats, with AAP and Congress getting 8-12 each. Similarly, the 104-seat North MCD gives the BJP 79-85 seats. The AAP is placed somewhere between 9 and13 wards while the Congress at 7-11.The smaller East MCD, which has 64 wards, is expected to give the BJP 45-51 seats while the Congress 4-8 and the AAP 6-10.'POLL RESULTS ACCORDING TO OUR EXPECTATIONS'"Exit poll results are according to our expectations," state BJP president Manoj Tiwari told Mail Today. Attributing the positive survey results to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tiwari said, "PM Modi has won hearts of people from sections of society. The BJP has taken all its decisions for welfare of India while the AAP has looted citizens of Delhi."Tiwari said exit polls results prove while the Congress has lost ground across the nation, there is simmering discontent and anger among Delhi electorate against CM Kejriwal.The survey results also indicate that the BJP has made new inroads in the national Capital, with the last-minute change in state leadership with an extra emphasis on poorvanchali voters having paid off rich dividends. The exit poll has predicted that 45 per cent of the poorvanchali vote went in favour of BJP.This section of voters was a key target of the party when they handed over the reins of city unit to Manoj Tiwari in November last year.The recent by-election results in Rajouri Garden assembly segment too proved this when the BJP's poll percentage in the constituency increased from 38 per cent in 2015 to 52 per cent in 2017. The seat saw a sharp decline of nearly 34 per cent in the vote share of incumbent AAP from 47 per cent in 2015 to 13.1 in 2017. In previous several elections, the party's vote share had remained between 30 and 35 per cent in the national Capital.While AAP leaders were quick to point out anomalies in electronic voting machines, they were at pains to explain how an exit poll survey, which is gauged out of speaking to a voter exiting the election booth, can be linked with faulty EVMs.Congress leaders advised patience till April 26 when the counting occurs. "These (polls) violate moral code of conduct. The results will come on 26. Let us wait till then," Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said. The exit polls also indicate that the BJP has succeeded in making a dent in SC/ST and OBC votes in the national Capital. Apart from 54 per cent upper cast votes, the BJP is also expected to get 41 per cent of the SC/ST votes and 29 per cent OBC voters that are also considered the traditional vote bank of the Congress and the AAP.In 2012, the BJP bagged nearly 22 per cent of votes collectively in the three municipal corporations. In north MCD, the party polled 22.2 per cent, in South MCD 17.65 per cent and East 35 per cent.ALSO READ | MCD election 2017: Voting concludes, 53.58 per cent overall turnout |
Akshita Jain | 26 Jan 2017,Thursday | Delhi govt forms task forces to decongest roads | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-govt-forms-six-task-forces-to-decongest-roads-ease-traffic-jams/story-QdrLYVIUmCZahRt21hYvBJ.html | Delhi government has formed six task forces to identify traffic junctions in the capital and offer solutions to decongest them. Each force will be headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) and have members from agencies like PWD and DTC, among others. The teams will also look at the issue of illegal parking and suggest remedial measures, said an official. | As traffic snarls continue to choke the national capital, the Delhi government has constituted a number of task forces to identify major bottlenecks in the city and offer solutions to decongest them.Hindustan Times had earlier highlighted the traffic mess in the city through a month-long series ?Unclog Delhi?, during which experts stressed the need of an umbrella body that could coordinate with the multitude of authorities to come up with an integrated transport plan.In an order issued on Tuesday, the state transport department formed six task forces on the basis of ranges (east, west, north, south, central and outer) which will be headed by the respective deputy commissioner of police (traffic). To improve coordination among various agencies, senior officials from multiple agencies like the NHAI, transport department, MCDs, Public Works Department (PWD), DTC and DDA have also been made members of the teams. The task forces have been asked to submit decongestion reports for their area by February 23. ?Apart from identifying bottlenecks causing snarls on major roads in their jurisdiction and suggesting short, medium and long term solutions for smooth flow of traffic, the STFs will need to provide a time frame for completion of the decongestion task,? said a transport department official.Read more: To unclog Delhi, hop into a streetcar named strategyAnother important issue that would be looked into by these teams would be that of encroachment. ?Identifying stretches where unauthorized or illegal parking is rampant is a priority. The teams will have to suggest remedial measures for that too,? he added.The move comes after Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on January 19 had instructed the Delhi Traffic Police and all other stakeholders to decongest the city?s roads by setting up a special task force for intelligent traffic management system in the capital.?The Lieutenant Governor expressed serious concern over the frequent traffic jams, encroachment on the roads / below the flyovers, safety of pedestrians and violation of traffic rules in Delhi? In order to identify bottlenecks leading to traffic jams on major roads in Delhi and to prepare a time bound action plan for smooth flow of traffic on those roads, the task forces, as per annexure... is hereby constituted,? the order issued by special commissioner (transport), KK Dahiya read. In a presentation given to the L-G, the traffic police had explained its preliminary plan to decongest three major stretches in the city?Dhaula Kuan, Mathura Road and Aurobindo Marg. They recommended setting up of foot overbridges at some points like Yusuf Sarai, AIIMS, Aali Village and Nizamuddin. Regulation of movement of buses was also suggested. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 20 Jun 2017,Tuesday | Man 'lynched' by Raj officials died of heart attack: Police | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/zafar-khan-lynching-activist-died-of-heart-attack-says-rajasthan-government-citing-post-mortem-report/1/982412.html | Citing post-mortem reports, the police claimed that the man allegedly lynched to death by Rajasthan government officials for stopping them from clicking women defecating in open died of heart attack. "There is no such injury mark on the victim's body which proves that he was murdered. The allegation against the accused is yet to be proved," the police added. | Investigations into the death of Zafar Khan, an activist based out of Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district, has got entangled in a blame game. The post mortem report, a copy of which has been accessed by India Today, has been made the basis of state machinery's claim that Zafar Khan was not murdered but died of heart attack.The post mortem report states, "In the opinion of Medical Board, tentative cause of death is cardio-respiratory failure. Final cause of death will be given after FSL & HPE report of viscera".Shivraj Meena, Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh, said, "As per the post mortem report, Zafar Khan's death was due to heart attack, and there is no such injury mark on Zafar's body which proves that he was murdered. The FSL report is yet to come... The case is being investigated impartially. The allegation against the accused is yet to be proved."Kiran Maheshwari, a minister in the Vasundhara Raje government, maintained that the case was solved and Zafar Khan died due to a heart attack. "The incident has been handled. No issue remains. Investigation has been done. The tragedy happened due to a heart attack. I understand that it has been properly sorted out. Everyone has together sorted it out in a proper way," the minister said. On Sunday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje called Zafar Khan's "demise" extremely unfortunate, a comment which saw enough criticism coming her way on social media. "The demise of Zafar Khan ji in Pratapgarh is extremely unfortunate. Investigation is on--justice shall prevail," the Rajasthan CM had tweeted.EYEWITNESSES HAVE A DIFFERENT STORY TO TELLEyewitnesses, however, alleged that Zafar Khan was brutally assaulted by civic officials after he objected to them clicking pictures of women defecating in the open. The commissioner of the Nagar Parishad is of the four accused named in the FIR filed by Zafar Khan's brother Noor Mohammed. Sarsi, an eyewitness to the alleged lynching, said: "Three of us had gone to relieve ourselves. Suddenly, a vehicle stopped near us and people who got down from that vehicle started misbehaving and clicking pictures. We started shouting. Zafar bhai came and tried to save us but they started beating him up and hit him with stones. He fell unconscious but was still beaten up. We tried to save him".Another eyewitness, Jaitun, said, "First, two men got hold of him and then someone started beating him up, he was hit with stones too. We saw it. I was standing there".ALSO READ:Zafar Khan lynching: Civil rights activists in Rajasthan demand justice |
Ayushi Ahluwalia | 25 Jul 2017,Tuesday | 33 ministers, 359 MLAs in UP fail to declare assets | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-33-yogi-adityanath-ministers-359-mlas-fail-to-declare-their-assets/story-s8ErywrgDX94yVmmEFmPxI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | As many as 33 ministers and 359 MLAs in Uttar Pradesh have failed to declare their assets despite CM Yogi Adityanath's repeated directions, according to a government notification. As per rules, ministers and MLAs are mandated to declare their assets and liabilities within three months of assuming office or being elected as members of the state assembly. | null |
Chhavi Tyagi | 31 Jul 2017,Monday | Nitish-BJP alliance unfortunate, against mandate: Sharad | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sharad-yadav-breaks-silence-on-nitish-kumar-s-bihar-flip-says-doesn-t-agree-with-decision-to-go-with-bjp/story-qhLfab2CithgXSUBMJKRnL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Monday termed party chief Nitish Kumar's decision to join hands with the BJP again as unfortunate and against the people's mandate. "I don't agree with the decision in Bihar. It is unfortunate. The mandate of the people (2015 Bihar Assembly Polls) was not for this," he added. | Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav on Monday said he didn?t agree with the decision in Bihar, calling it unfortunate in his first comments on his party walking out of the ruling grand alliance and going back to the BJP.Talking to mediapersons in Delhi, Yadav said the mandate was not for the JD (U) to join hands with the BJP.?I don?t agree with the decision in Bihar. It is unfortunate,? Yadav told reporters outside Parliament.?The mandate of the people (2015 Bihar assembly polls) was not for this,? the Rajya Sabha member said.Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had on July 26 resigned his position, ending his party?s two-year tie-up with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress. Kumar, who is also the JD (U) president, returned as the chief minister in less than 18 hours with the backing of the BJP with which he had broken ties in 2013.Kumar walked out of the ruling coalition citing corruption charges against his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who is the son of and RJD chief Lalu Prasad.While some senior JD (U) leaders have publically spoke against Kumar?s move, Yadav had not said anything until Monday. The RJD and the Congress have accused Kumar of being an opportunist and joining hands with ?communal and fascist forces? he had promised to take on.Reports have said Kumar and finance minister Arun Jaitley spoke to Yadav and tried to mollify him.Prasad said on Saturday he had spoken to Yadav and invited him to lead the fight against the BJP and Kumar.Kumar?s decision to end the so-called grand alliance not only altered dramatically the political scenario in India?s third most populous state but also dealt a blow to the opposition parties looking to replicate the Bihar model to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. |
Dishant Sharma | 24 May 2017,Wednesday | I might be able to bowl new kind of deliveries: R Ashwin | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/icc-champions-trophy-ravichandran-ashwin-team-india-cricket/1/961788.html | Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who missed the Indian Premier League 2017 due to injury, said, "I might be able to throw something new in this tournament (Champions Trophy), hopefully. I am equipped enough to do so." The 30-year-old also claimed that IPL has proved to be beneficial for not only Indian players but also cricketers from overseas. | Rejuvenated after a two-month break, India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says that he is ready with a bagful of new tricks, which he hopes to display during the upcoming Champions Trophy.After a gruelling home season of 13 Tests, Ashwin was advised rest during the IPL and the tweaker's next assignment is India's Champions Trophy defence."I might be able to throw something new in this tournament (Champions Trophy), hopefully. I am equipped enough to do so. The two warm-up games (vs New Zealand, vs Bangladesh) will give me an indication on how well I go in the tournament," Ashwin said on the sidelines of the CEAT Tyres annual awards function."It depends on how well my variations will come to fore, so just hoping that these practice matches can be put to good use and I bring something new to the table and give something new to the team," a confident Ashwin said.Ashwin said that changed rules with four fielders outside the 30-yard circle and two new balls from both ends forces every bowler to think out of the box."There have been rule changes to what ICC has done to one day format, and there is no point in going with same set of skills time and again, unless the game change your skill or let the game take the demand out of you."It's been going through my head and I have been working on lot of stuff based on how the game is changing," said the senior pro.Ashwin feels that one needs to prepare keeping placid wickets in mind."I feel you have to be prepaid for any challenge thrown at you and I generally expect placid wickets and that's the way I prepare for limited overs format. As far pressure is concerned, it is about handling one game at a time, as you build up to every game, you start becoming a favorite."On a very successful season that went by, Ashwin termed it as "surreal". |
Dishant Sharma | 02 Jul 2017,Sunday | Our bowling is something else, Riteish Deshmukh on India win | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-vs-pakistan-womens-world-cup-ekta-bisht-mithali-raj-cricket/1/992691.html | Reacting to the Indian women's cricket team's win over Pakistan in the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 on Sunday, actor Ritesh Deshmukh tweeted, "Our Bowling today is something else... Indian Women's Cricket Team... Come On #INDvPAK." Virender Sehwag tweeted, "Congratulations @BCCIWomen on a fabulous victory against Pakistan in the ICC #WWC17. Hats off on such a spirited effort. #INDvPAK." | Spinner Ekta Bisht wreaked havoc as India thrashed arch-rival Pakistan by 95 runs in their ICC Women's World Cup encounter at Derby on Sunday. Defending a lowly target of 170 runs, the Indian eves were spectacular with the ball as they didn't allow their arch-rival to claim a historic win and bowled out Pakistan for just 74 runs in 38.1 overs. Ekta started casting her magic from the very start and was absolutely lethal, giving nothing away and picking wickets right from the beginning. Captain Sana Mir was the lone Pakistan batter who fought soulfully till the very end. However, her 29 runs off 73 balls couldn't help her team register their first win of the tournament. Ekta was the pick of the Indian bowlers as she picked up five wickets for just 18 runs in her allotted 10 overs. She was well supported by Mansi Joshi (2/9), Jhulan Goswami (1/12), Deepti Sharma (1/21) and Harmanpreet Kaur (1/6). Earlier, the Mithali Raj-led side was done by some fine bowling performance by Pakistan as they registered their lowest total of the tournament. This is how twitter reacted to India's crushing victory: Congratulations @BCCIWomen on a fabulous victory against Pakistan in the ICC #WWC17 .Hats off on such a spirited effort. #INDvPAKWhat an incredible victory by @BCCIWomen . Defending 169 with ease. Great spell by Ekta Bisht & wonderful support by everyone else.#INDvPAKCongratulations India ???? #INDvPak#WWC17 top stuff!! Keep going @BCCIWomen ?????? https://t.co/zBTBDjag8s |
Chhavi Tyagi | 14 Jul 2017,Friday | AIB's Tanmay shares PM's old tweet on humour after meme row | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aib-tanmay-bhat-narendra-modi-meme-twitter-snapchat-dog-filter-humour/1/1001990.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | After Mumbai Police filed an FIR against comedy group All India Bakchod (AIB) for tweeting a meme on PM Narendra Modi, its co-founder Tanmay Bhat shared Modi's old tweet on humour. The tweet, "We surely need more humour in public life", was posted by Modi on Twitter on March 17 following the BJP's landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh Elections. | Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself called for more humour in public life. That was the reminder that All India Bakchod's (AIB) Tanmay Bhat posted on Twitter on Thursday after their meme on Modi went viral, was criticised, and promptly taken down by the comic group."We surely need more humour in public life," Modi had posted on Twitter on March 17 following the BJP's stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh election.Modi's call for humour had come in a response to a Twitter user called Sir Rajan, who applauded the Prime Minister for his tongue-in-cheek reply to a post by former cricketer Ravi Shastri."Wow! I hope you use your sense of humor (sic) extensively in every speech," Sir Rajan had told Modi after the latter retweeted Shastri's congratulatory message.pic.twitter.com/MMG9E5zNQjShastri's tweet, that started it all, went like this: "Congratulations @BJP4India on the landslide win in UP. The pair of PM @narendramodi & @AmitShah went past 300-mark like a #TracerBullet"The All India Bakchod group is in trouble following the Mumbai Police's Cyber Cell registering a First Information Report (FIR) against the comedy group for tweeting a Modi meme using the Snapchat dog filter.The AIB used the picture of a Modi lookalike at a train station and superimposed the dog filter onto PM Modi's picture.The picture, captioned #wanderlust, was subsequently deleted after the AIB was bombarded with criticism and accused of insulting Modi and "hurting the national sentiment". |
Mishika Bangia | 04 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Man in wheelchair plans skill development camp for disabled | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/wheelchair-bound-mohammad-imran-qureshi-paralysis-disability/1/993609.html | A wheelchair-bound man Mohammad Imran Qureshi plans to organise a 45-day skill development camp for the physically disabled this month. The workshop will provide training on how to use a wheelchair to its maximum capacity at public places and on difficult terrains. Imran said he's doing this for a social cause so that government organises such workshops across the state. | Mohammad Imran Qureshi was 17 when he lost his eyesight. Doctors said the resident of Gyanipur village in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur district had multiple sclerosis, a long-term disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system.After about 18 months of treatment, Imran regained his vision. But his troubles did not end. Two years later, in 2009, paralysis struck both his legs. His family took him to Mumbai where doctors declared that his condition was incurable and he had to use a wheelchair. "My parents decided to bring me back to the village, but I insisted on staying and joined the rehabilitation centre run by the Mumbai Paraplegic Foundation," recalled Imran, now 27.Things then started taking a turn for the better and in the next couple of years Imran began performing various acrobatics and synchronised acts."My colleagues gave me the nickname 'wheelchair man of India' and I started exploring opportunities," he said.ROLE IN AKSHAY KUMAR-STARRER HOLIDAYIn a surprising twist of fate in 2014, he bagged the role of a disabled army commando in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Holiday. His talent does not run out here. Imran is a painter, a swimmer, a netball player, a wheelchair performer, etc, and has won many accolades."Since childhood I was interested in drawing caricatures and painting. I also used to go to our local pond with friends and enjoyed swimming, until I fell ill," recalled Imran.However, he pursued his passion for swimming even during rehabilitation and apart from winning some competitions there he also won a gold medal in a state- level swimming contest held in Jalandhar last year. "I also won the first prize in the state-level painting competition that was held in Gujarat in 2014," he informed with delight.Apart from living his life, Imran now wants others like him to become self- reliant and make their families proud.SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAMP"Generally, society and even some parents do not accept us as normal human beings," he said.Imran plans to organise a 45-day skill development camp for the physically disabled and he will start it from his native place, Sultanpur. The camp was slated to begin from July 2 but he postponed it by a week because of some family problems."The training will include becoming self-reliant, personal care, day-to-day activities, using the wheelchair to its capacity, moving around at public places as well as on difficult terrain, first aid, etc," Imran described.A renowned surgeon of Sultanpur, Dr Sadiq Ali, has offered him space in his nursing home for the workshop. |
Saloni Tandon | 28 Apr 2017,Friday | Pakistan call off B'desh tour after country refuses invite | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-cricket-board-bangladesh-tour/1/939591.html | Pakistan have called off their tour to Bangladesh after the country rejected an invitation to play two T20Is in Pakistan this year. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan said the team cannot tour Bangladesh for a third straight time, since the latter failed to reciprocate. Pakistan travelled to Bangladesh in 2011 and 2015, while Bangladesh last toured Pakistan in 2007-08. | Pakistan has called off their scheduled cricket tour of Bangladesh this year, the country's board chairman Shaharyar Khan has said. (Pakistan Cricket Board threatens to sue BCCI for not honouring MoU)Bangladesh last toured Pakistan in 2007-08. Pakistan has since travelled to Bangladesh in 2011 and 2015 and were scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 International in July and August in the South Asian country.Khan said Bangladesh had failed to reciprocate Pakistan's visits with the Bangladesh Cricket Board turning down an invitation to play two T20 internationals in Pakistan."We had spoken about the possibility of hosting them (Bangladesh in Pakistan) this year," the PCB chairman told ESPNcricinfo."Pakistan have now toured Bangladesh twice without them reciprocating, and we feel we cannot tour Bangladesh for the third straight time. |
Sanira Mediratta | 25 May 2017,Thursday | Telugu filmmakers allege Sushant's Raabta copied their story | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/raabta-sushant-singh-rajput-kriti-sanon-magadheera-plagiarism/1/962457.html | The makers of 2009 Telugu film Magadheera alleged that Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon's upcoming film Raabta "copied its unique story and plot line in violation of its copyright", reported trade analyst Ramesh Bala. The makers approached a Hyderabad court on Wednesday to seek injunction against the release of the Hindi film. The hearing is scheduled for June 1. | The makers of Telugu film Magadheera approached the Hyderabad court on Wednesday to seek injunction against the release of the Hindi film Raabta starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon. Magadheera was directed by SS Rajamouli.Trade analyst Ramesh Bala took to Twitter to share the news.BREAKING: #Maghadheera film makers go to court against #Raabta.. Seek an injunction against the film's release.. Story plagiarism charge..pic.twitter.com/KA6INffWBCMagadheera was a love story between Ram Charan and Kajal Aggarwal, set in different time zones. Now, the makers of the Telugu film have alleged that the upcoming film Raabta has plagiarised the core of Magadheera. The Hyderabad court will hear the case on June 1 to decide the release of Raabta, which is slated to hit the screens on June 9. Magadheera became a landmark film in Telugu cinema, which paved the way for several period films like Arundhathi, Panchamukhi and of course, the Baahubali series.Made on a lavish budget, Magadheera minted more than Rs 200 crore at the box office and completed its 1000-day theatrical run in Andhra Pradesh. Raabta, has been directed by Dinesh Vijan. Apart from Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles, Raabta stars Jim Sarbh and Varun Sharma in pivotal roles. Rajkummar Rao has a guest appearance in the film. |
Ankush Verma | 09 Jul 2017,Sunday | Paris to host summit on second anniversary of climate deal | https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/jul/08/g20-summit-may-meets-world-leaders-in-bid-to-boost-brexit-trade-prospects?CMP=share_btn_tw&page=with:block-5960f200e4b042dfbe78b384#block-5960f200e4b042dfbe78b384 | Speaking at the G20 summit on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris will host a summit on December 12 to address financing issues on the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Macron added that the summit would aim to mobilise private and public financing for the projects committed to in the Paris agreement. |
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We?re going to wrap up our live coverage of the G20 summit for the day. Thanks so much for joining me. Here?s a summary of what happened on the final day of the summit.
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French President Emmanuel Macron says that he has not given up on trying to get Donald Trump to chance his mind over the Paris climate deal. I never despair to convince, because I think it is a duty, given my position, and it is a trait of my character.
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Speaking after a day of bilateral discussions at the G20 summit in Hamburg, the prime minister said the UK had led on bolstering the global fight against terror and modern slavery as well as pushing for the implementation of the Paris agreement and boosting international trade.On terrorism, Theresa May repeated past calls for world leaders to do more to disrupt international finance streams for terror groups and to help stop foreign fighters returning to the west from conflicts in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. She also said the G20 agreed to do more to combat domestic violent extremism and welcomed moves from technology companies to address the online spread of extremist content.The prime minister went on to describe modern slavery and trafficking as the ?great human rights issue of our time? and highlighted the UK?s taskforce to combat the issue. She said more needed to be done around thew world and called for a ?radically new global approach? to stopping human traffickers. On the Paris Agreement, the most contentious issue of the summit, May said she was ?dismayed? at the US decision to leave the pact. She urged Trump to rejoin it and said, following questions, that she had pushed the US president to do so in conversations during the Hamburg meeting. May went on to say she was a leading advocate of free trade but admitted some had been ?left behind? by globalisation - an admission she has made repeatedly in the past. She said the UK had pushed for G20 leaders to stop steel dumping practices and to do more to economically empower women. The prime minister added that the UK would work with others to improve international trading systems and to ensure more job opportunities for women. Linking her bilateral meetings to the Brexit process, May said she looked forward to agreeing trade deals with ?new friends and old partners?. Asked about a visit from one of the UK?s oldest partners, the US, May said no date had been agreed for Trump?s arrival in London.
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Theresa May is now holding a press conference. She said she is dismayed that the US have not changed their mind on withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, but Trump would still be visiting the UK although a date had not been set.May said: ?Like other leaders, I am dismayed by the US withdrawing from the Paris agreement?She said had urged president Trump to change his mind and that the UK?s commitment ?is as strong as ever?.?We play a leading role internationally,? she added. Discussions on Syria, violent extremism, modern slavery, women empowerment and trade had been positive, she said. On Brexit she said: ?I?ve been struck by positivity of world leaders at G20 on Brexit trade.?Updated
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Oliver MilmanWorld leaders have made clear the US?s isolated stance on climate change, with 19 of the G20 countries affirming their commitment to the ?irreversible? Paris climate agreement.After lengthy negotiations that stretched well into Saturday, the final G20 joint statement notes Donald Trump?s withdrawal from the Paris deal while stating that the world?s other major economies all still support the international effort to slow dangerous global warming.The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said on Saturday she ?deplored? the US exit from the agreement and added she did not share the view of Theresa May, the British prime minister, that Washington could decide to rejoin the pact.Read the full article on the leader?s communique here:
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French president Macron said Paris will host a summit on 12 December to make further progress on the 2015 Paris climate agreement and to address its financing issues.Le 12 décembre 2017, deux ans après l'adoption de l'Accord de Paris, la France accueillera un nouveau Sommet de mobilisation sur le climat.?On December 12, two years after the Paris (climate) agreement, I will convene a summit to take further action on climate, notably on the financial front,? Macron told journalists. He said that the summit would aim to mobilise private and public financing for the projects committed to in the Paris agreement.
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Vladimir Putin said he had established a working relationship with US president Donald Trump, speaking at a press conference as the G20 summit draws to a close.The Russian president said thought there were grounds to believe at least partial cooperation with Washington could be achieved. Putin said he felt Trump had accepted Putin?s assertions that Moscow had not interfered in the US presidential election last year, but that it was best to ask Trump what his views on that were. He said the two leaders at their meeting had agreed to work together on cyber security and said he thought Trump in reality was a different person from the one seen on TV.Putin said Trump had asked him detailed questions regarding allegations that Moscow had interfered in last year?s US election. He said he had tried to give Trump detailed answers which he said seemed to satisfy his counterpart.The new ceasefire deal in southern Syria was the result of the United States altering its stance and becoming more pragmatic about the situation there, Putin said.He also said that certain pre-cursors had been created for an improvement in relations between Moscow and Washington going forward.
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While climate change could not be agreed on, officials did reach a common statement including Trump about the other contentious issue at the summit, trade. However Merkel said discussions on subject with the US had been particularly difficult. The statement retains the G20?s longstanding rejection of protectionism. But it also acknowledged that trade must be mutually beneficial and that countries can use ?legitimate? trade defenses to protect workers and industries against being taken advantage of by trade partners.Merkel reiterated her statement that Europeans have to take their fate ?in their own hands,? saying that while cooperation with the US is important, some topics like trade, steel in particular, are ?difficult? to discuss with the Americans. Updated
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In a press conference, Angela Merkel said world leaders have agreed their final communique at the G20 summit.She said 19 members of the Group of 20 have reaffirmed the Paris climate accord as ?irreversible.?She made clear that it had been very difficult to get a consensus and in the end, breaking from tradition, a separate paragraph was included to cover the position of the US, who are withdrawing from the Paris climate change agreement and wanted fossil fuels to be mentioned. The German chancellor said the declaration makes absolutely clear that is not the common position of the other 19 world leaders. Merkel said there had been no compromise on climate change and called the US position ?regrettable?.She said: ?We amended the declaration and it says very clearly what the United States of America want and underneath what the other countries want.?The German chancellor said she ?deplored? the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement, but said that all other nations agree Paris climate accord is irreversible.Here is the controversial section of the G20 communique:We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The United States of America announced it will immediately cease the implementation of its current nationally-determined contribution and affirms its strong commitment to an approach that lowers emissions while supporting economic growth and improving energy security needs. The United States of America states it will endeavour to work closely with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently and help deploy renewable and other clean energy sources, given the importance of energy access and security in their nationally determined contributions. Directly following that paragraph is this one, as Merkel said in her press conference:The Leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible. We reiterate the importance of fulfilling the UNFCCC commitment by developed countries in providing means of implementation including financial resources to assist developing countries with respect to both mitigation and adaptation actions in line with Paris outcomes and note the OECD?s report ?Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth?. We reaffirm our strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, moving swiftly towards its full implementation in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances and, to this end, we agree to the G20 Hamburg Climate and Energy Action Plan for Growth as set out in the Annex. Read the whole declaration here. Updated
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Reporters in the room keep coming back to the problem of the fossil fuel sentence. Merkel said this into response to how they got round the disagreement:We amended the declaration and it says very clearly what the United States of America want and underneath what the other countries want.It?s absolutely clear it is not a common position.We worked on this until noon today.
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My colleague Anushka Asthana has more on the problem with the communique. Are we seeing an emergence of a G19?Are we seeing the emergence of a G19 of sorts? Every country but US agrees to irreversibility of Paris, & Trump isolated on other issues tooA diplo source told me that Macron asked May and Ox PM, Malcolm Turnbull, to step out of G20 session to speak to Trump about climate change"There was a concern that not being able to agree the language on the Paris agreement could hold up the whole summit communique," they said.
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Angela Merkel is giving a press conference and says world leaders have agreed their final communique at the G20 summit.She is discussing all the issues that have been discussed including corruption, education, sustainability and female empowerment. The German chancellor said she ?deplored? the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement. The G20 communique reflects the position of the US, she said, but all other nations agree Paris climate accord is irreversible.I?ll post more from the speech as soon as I can. Updated
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Trump?s daughter could be taking on the fight against modern slavery if this conversation is anything to go by. Ivanka apparently asked the UK government to send across information on the subject during a chat with May, who brought in landmark anti-slavery legislation while home secretary. PM chatted to Ivanka Trump at G20 - and apparently she raised Britain's work on modern slavery and asked for UK govt to send info on it.
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Trump has had another bilateral meeting this time with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.Trump began by saying they had discussed trade ?we made a lot of progress on trade? and that he and Abe agreed on the importance of the ?problem and menace of North Korea.??The prime minister is, I will say this, very very focused on what is going on with respect to North Korea.?Abe (through translator) thanked ?Donald? for organizing the trilateral summit with Japan-US-South Korea on Thursday and noted that the threat from Pyongyang ?has become increasingly severe.?He said he hoped they could ?demonstrate robust partnership? in the face of that threat.Abe said: As I look at the current situation, particularly the security environment in the Asia Pacific region, including North Korea, we believe that it has become increasingly severe and against such backdrop together with you Donald we would like to demonstrate the robust partnership as well as the bond between Japan and the United States on this occasion.Updated
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Putin has told leaders at the G20 summit that Russia has never interfered in the U.S. election, Russian G20 sherpa Svetlana Lukash reportedly said on Twitter, although the tweet seems to have since been deleted.?Pres Putin points to £G20 partners on absence of real evidence of that & confirms that Russia had never interfered in US elections,? the tweet read.
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Trump has promised $639 million in funding for humanitarian programmes, including $331 million to help feed starving people in four famine-hit countries - Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen. The US president?s pledge came during a working session of the G20 summit of world leaders in Hamburg, providing a ?godsend? to the UN World Food Programme, the group?s executive director, David Beasley, told Reuters on the sidelines of the meeting.?We?re facing the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two,? said Beasley, a Republican and former South Carolina governor who was nominated by Trump to head the world?s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. He said the additional funding was about a third of what the agency estimated was required this year to deal with urgent food needs in the four countries facing famine and in other areas. The WFP estimates that 109 million people around the world will need food assistance this year, up from 80 million last year, with 10 of the 13 worst affected zones stemming from wars and ?man-made? crises, Beasley said. ?We estimated that if we didn?t receive the funding we needed immediately that 400,000 to 600,000 children would be dying in the next four months,? he said. Trump?s announcement came after his administration proposed sharp cuts in funding for the US State Department and other humanitarian missions as part of his ?America First? policy. Beasley said the agency had worked hard with the White House and the U.S. government to secure the funding, but Trump would insist that other countries contributed more as well. A WPF spokesman said Germany recently pledged an additional 200 million euros for food relief.The United States has long been the largest donor to the WFP. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 12 Dec 2016,Monday | ?2,000 notes to be phased out within 5 years: RSS ideologue | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/2000-notes-new-currency-phased-out-rss-demonetisation-note-ban/1/832722.html | RSS ideologue and notable Chartered Accountant S Gurumurthy has said that the new ?2,000 notes will be phased out within next five years. He added that the ?2,000 note was introduced only as a bridge to meet the gap in cash being taken out of circulation. Gurumurthy further claimed that the government was committed to moving towards smaller denomination notes. | In the first indication of the government's future policy on currency, a top RSS ideologue consulted in decision-making has told India Today that the new 2,000-rupee notes would also be phased out gradually in the years to come.In an exclusive interview to India Today, RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy supported the notion of lower-denomination banknotes for the country.Gurumurthy, a key member of the Sangh-backed Vivekananda Foundation, has been advising seniors in the government over ways to deal with demonetisation.His comments came in the middle of the furore over the abrupt scrapping of 86 percent of the nation's currency by the Modi government."NO DEMONITISATION BUT REMONETISATION"Gurumurthy described the new 2,000 bills as a "bridge" to meet the gap in cash while it is being taken out of circulation.But the new biggest notes, he said, would also be "phased out" gradually."If you introduce new currency, it takes five to seven years to fake it," Gurumurthy remarked. "But before that, you will withdraw Rs 2,000 notes. Rs 2,000 note is only a bridge," he said.The 2,000-rupee bills, added Gurumurthy, only aimed at replacing the void 500 and 1,000 notes."It is obvious that they (the government press) are not able to print Rs 500-1,000 notes. The only way they could do it is by printing Rs 2,000 notes. After that, they will remonetise it without demonetising and then withdraw it," he explained.Prodded further if he believed that the 2,000-rupee bills would be pulled back without demonetising at some point in the next five years, he insisted the government would withdraw them gradually."Obviously... banks will be told that when you get Rs 2,000 notes, you don't return them. Slowly, banks will accumulate Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination. If anything remains, like 5-10 to 20% notes, they will say, in next one month or so, you change your Rs 2,000 notes for Rs 500 notes," he said.Gurumurthy cited practices the country had adopted in the past to replace old series with the new currency."It is called phasing out. We have phased out many such series in the past," said the RSS leader, also a renowned chartered accountant.The government is, however, committed to moving towards smaller denomination notes, he added.Indian currency, he said, should have 500 as its highest-denomination followed by 250 and 100."NOTHING HAPPENS THROUGH PERSUASION"Gurumurthy defended prime minister Narendra Modi for his Nov 8 demonetisation announcement, which came under heavy attack both from the opposition and independent economists."Nothing happens in India through persuasion which is why determined action by the government is justified," he argued.Leading economist Amartya Sen has termed Modi's move despotic.No amount of advertising, Gurumurthy said, would have had any impact on the people's attitude and actions.Now that the shock of demonetisation has been delivered, people will move towards digital transactions far more effectively than what persuasion would have achieved, he argued.Also read All you need to know about the new Rs 2000 noteNew Rs 500, Rs 2000 notes: All you need to know |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 27 Jul 2017,Thursday | Woman forced to carry toddler on lap for 3 hrs suing airline | http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/woman-forced-to-carry-child-on-lap-sues-us-airlines/story-kcMQnqohoJ1wOVl0OW88WM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | An Asian-origin teacher is suing United Airlines for being forced to hold her two-year-old son on her lap during a three-and-a-half-hour flight after paying nearly $1,000 (?65,000) for his seat. United gave the seat to a standby passenger, and reportedly did not apologise until five days later. The airline requires children aged over two to have their own seats. | An Asian-origin teacher has decided to sue United Airlines as she was forced to hold her two- year-old son on her lap after the airlines gave away the toddler?s seat to a standby passenger, according to a media report.Shirley Yamauchi said she hopes her lawsuit will help protect other passengers from this type of treatment.?United said they would change and I want to see that happen. I don?t want anymore passengers possibly in danger,? she said.Her attorney says he is ready for a trial.?United deserves everything we can do to them. We?ll let the people decide what to do to people that are this greedy and put lives potentially in danger,? attorney Michael Green was quoted as saying by the Hawai News Now.Yamauchi, a Kapolei Middle School teacher, held her toddler, Taizo, for the entire three-and-a-half hour flight from Houston to Boston. As children over the age of two years are required to have their own seat, she purchased a ticket for her son, Taizo - paying almost USD 1,000 each ticket.When she brought the problem up to flight attendants, Yamauchi said she was ignored.The airline did not apologise or respond to her until five days later, saying agents inaccurately scanned Taizo?s boarding pass, the report said.?It could have been resolved at that point, yet not a single flight attendant asked why he was on my lap the whole duration of the flight,? Yamauchi said.On her return trip back to Hawaii from a conference in Boston, she said the airline gave her free upgrades and perks, but she felt the gestures were not genuine.?There was a representative waiting for us. We were escorted to their United lounge, but we explained we don?t have a membership with them, yet they asked us to utilise their lounge. The three of us were moved to business class after getting our tickets. He offered to carry my bag for me down to baggage claim. We both received a lei. A flower lei,? she said.When asked for comment about the potential lawsuit, United said, ?We reached out to Ms Yamauchi to apologise to her and her son, and we also refunded their tickets.?The mother?s ordeal during the flight comes following a slew of incidents in which United has been accused by passengers of insensitive behaviour.In April, a passenger named David Dao refused to give up his seat on a United flight and was dragged, battered and bloodied down the plane aisle by police.Navang Oza, an Indian-origin man in the US, claimed that the United Airlines cancelled his flight reservation because he filmed an employee during an altercation.A giant rabbit, who was expected to outgrow his father to become the world?s biggest bunny, also died under the care of United Airlines earlier this year. |
Anmol Sharma | 07 Mar 2017,Tuesday | World XI to play four T20 matches against Pakistan in Lahore | https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/06/pakistan-host-international-cricket-t20-series-world-xi-icc#img-1 | Following the successful staging of the Pakistan Super League final, the International Cricket Council will be sending a World XI team to Lahore in September for a four-match T20 series against Pakistan. The tournament, called 'The Independence Cup', will be held to make efforts for the re-introduction of top-level cricket to Pakistan after an eight-year hiatus. | The International Cricket Council is planning to send a World XI to Pakistan in late September for a four-match Twenty20 series in Lahore that will look to build on the successful staging of the Pakistan Super League final in the city on Sunday.The four-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium ? to be called The Independence Cup to mark the 70th anniversary of partition ? is intended to continue the reintroduction of top-level cricket to the country after a near eight-year hiatus. The break resulted from the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 and has meant Pakistan, bar one series against Zimbabwe two years ago, have played home internationals at neutral venues.Details of which players will feature in the World XI are yet to be established. Six overseas cricketers ? including Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and Tymal Mills ? withdrew from Sunday?s PSL final following the tournament?s switch from the United Arab Emirates and in light of two bomb blasts in the preceding weeks.England?s Chris Jordan and the Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan, along with the former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, were among the eight who travelled as, amid a military-style security operation that saw the city in lockdown and bulletproof team buses escorted by elite troops, the match passed without incident. Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs.Giles Clarke, the president of the England and Wales Cricket Board, heads the ICC?s Pakistan Task Force that has been looking at ways to end a drought of international cricket and stated the PSL final, while not simply a test run for the World XI series in itself, has shown cricket can be staged in Lahore.?The desire is to give the cricket-starved Pakistani supporters the chance to see some of the world?s finest players in live action,? Clarke said. ?The world of cricket needs to help Pakistan, who cannot continue to play their home fixtures overseas. The youth need inspiring, and the national teams need far more cricket played in familiar terrain. Furthermore, the terrorists cannot win and cricket must not give up on Pakistan.?The World XI series overseas team will assemble in Dubai on 17 September, before flying to Lahore for four matches on the 22nd, 23rd, 28th and 29th, and follow a similar security plan to the PSL final, the rehearsals for which were overseen by an ICC delegation who included the ECB?s security director, Reg Dickason.Malan, speaking before playing Sunday?s final, said he made himself available after being talked through the security plans and following guarantees over player and spectator safety. ?As soon as they brought out how tough it would be to get to the players, I almost felt it was my duty to come and represent the team and do the right thing by them,? he said. ?Despite all the concerns that there have been in Pakistan, there has been an initiative to try to bring top-class cricket back to the country.? |
Tarun Khanna | 16 Apr 2017,Sunday | Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai airports put on hijack alert | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mumbai-hyderabad-chennai-airport-bomb-threat-security/1/930183.html | Security has been beefed up at Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai airports after the intelligence agencies reportedly received a tip that terrorists might attempt to hijack aircraft. As per reports, a woman had informed the agencies that she overheard six boys discussing a plan to hijack planes from these airports on Sunday. She also said that 23 people are involved. | After the Mumbai airport allegedly received a threat that a bomb was about to be placed there, security has been beefed up at Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad airports.Security forces upped the vigil after an anonymous letter was sent to the Mumbai Police Commissioner. The letter also stated that someone had heard suspects talking about a plot to hijack a plane.Following the alert, security levels at Chennai's Arignar Anna airport have been increased seven-fold.CISF jawans are patrolling the airport premises with loaded weapons, and Central Intel has also received a tip that terrorist organizations might attempt to hijack an airplane, sources said.Gates in both Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and the international terminal in Chennai have restricted entry for visitors, and airlines have been instructed to thoroughly check passengers' luggage - including hand luggage.ALSO READ | Mumbai: 2 people arrested for making hoax bomb threat |
Sumedha Sehra | 19 Apr 2017,Wednesday | Fire in electronics factory in Noida kills six | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/six-dead-in-noida-factory-fire-toll-may-rise-say-police/story-qZ1U96WZf1jUzihVuX4SIK.html | At least six people were killed in a fire that struck an electronic goods factory in Noida's Sector 11 on Wednesday afternoon. The factory's employees claimed that fire tenders reached the spot about 90 minutes after the complaint was registered. Goods estimated to be worth around ?15 crore were destroyed in the fire, which was caused by a short circuit. | Six employees of a factory that manufactured electronic goods were burnt to death after a fire engulfed a five-storey building in Noida?s Sector 11 on Wednesday.The incident was reported around 2.30pm at the factory that is located in F Block of Sector 11 near the Delhi-Noida border, police said. Some of the bodies recovered were charred beyond recognition.One of the employees, police said, sustained severe spinal injuries after he jumped down from the fifth floor.Employees, who survived the blaze, said that fire tenders reached the spot at least 90 minutes after the first call was made to the police. Fire department officials, however, rubbished the claims and said they rushed to the spot as soon as they were informed.The fire station is located just two kilometers away from the site of the incident in Sector 2. ?Twelve fire tenders, one 32 meters and another 42 meters hydraulic lift machines reached the spot within 30 minutes of being informed. It took us time to reach the spot because of traffic and encroachment on the road. Our Ghaziabad staff also reached the spot and lent us a helping hand,? said Aman Sharma, a fire department official. Initial estimates suggest that good sworth at least Rs 15 crore was gutted in the fire.Sources also said that the blaze also brought to the fore major lapses with regards to jurisdiction. Employees trapped inside the building said they kept calling 100 to inform Noida police about the incident but their call was diverted to neighbouring Delhi and Ghaziabad. A factory employee, Sheeshpal, said, that the fire broke out around 1pm. ?When we dialed 100, the call connected to Delhi police control room. Later, when we again tried to contact the police, the call connected to Ghaziabad police control room. After several attempts, we finally connected to Noida police control room,? he said. Sheeshpal said 12 employees worked in factory. ?It appears that fire started due to a short circuit on the third floor. We were trapped on the third floor after the blaze started. While four employees rushed upstairs after the blaze, the others rushed downstairs. One employee, Vivek, jumped from the fifth floor to escape the blaze,? said Ashish Kumar, another employee. The condition of Vivek is stated to be critical.?We swung into action as soon as we were informed about the fire. Over a dozen fire tenders were sent to the spot to douse the flames. Prima facie it appears that a short circuit may have triggered the fire,? said Aman Sharma, fire officer.Police said that the death toll may rise as there might be other bodies in the basement of the building. |
Ankur Vyas | 05 Apr 2017,Wednesday | Jayalalithaa will not be declared a convict in DA case: SC | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jayalalithaa-not-to-be-declared-convict-in-da-case-says-supreme-court/1/921023.html | The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will not be declared a convict in the disproportionate assets case. The court dismissed Karnataka government's review petition seeking to declare the deceased AIADMK leader a convict and recover a ?100-crore fine by selling her properties. Earlier, the court had convicted AIADMK leader Sasikala in the case. | Jayalalithaa will not be declared a convict in the disproportionate assets case, the Supreme Court ruled today. The apex court dismissed Karnataka government's review petition to declare former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa a convict in the DA case.The Congress-led Karnataka government also wanted Rs 100 crore fine imposed by the trial court on Jayalalithaa to be recovered by selling her properties. This too was rejected by the Supreme Court. The Karnataka government argued that for the state to recover the Rs 100 crore penalty, the former Tamil Nadu chief minister had to be held guilty. In its review petition to the Supreme Court, the Karnataka government had said that apex court's decision to abate proceedings against late Jayalalithaa was an "error apparent on the face of record". In February, the Supreme Court had set aside the Karnataka High Court judgment of May 2015 which had acquitted Sasikala Natarajan and former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa. The Supreme Court had upheld the trial court's judgment convicting Sasikala in the 21-year-old disproportionate assets case. The apex court had said that since Jayalalithaa is no more, the proceedings against her will be abated.ALSO READ:Sasikala convicted in DA case, she must serve remaining jail term, rules Supreme Court |
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