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Ayushi Ahluwalia

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Uttarakhand witnessed maximum number of protests in 2016

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/state-of-agitation-uttarakhand-witnessed-most-protests-in-2016-tn-came-second/story-B0rycwY1w5Ewa5NmO3qsFO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Uttarakhand had witnessed the maximum number of protests (21,966) in 2016, followed by Tamil Nadu (20,450) and Punjab (11,876), according to the Bureau of Police Research and Development. Uttarakhand saw protests on several issues, including President's rule and a smart city project. Notably, Nagaland was the last state on the list with only one protest through 2016.

Uttarakhand may be one of the smaller states in India, but that hardly matters as far as the disgruntlement quotient of its residents is concerned.A report released by the Bureau of Police Research and Development shows that the state witnessed as many as 21,966 protests in 2016, topping national charts and leaving many giants such as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra behind. And there is no change in the situation even now, with residents organising protests every other day against the shifting of liquor shops to residential areas in the aftermath of a Supreme Court verdict. In 2016, many protests were held when President?s rule was imposed on Uttarakhand.According to the report, Tamil Nadu came second on the list with 20,450 protests due to the pro-Jallikattu movement that hogged the headlines in the latter part of 2016. While Punjab came third with 11,876 protests, Delhi took the fourth position with 10,039, and Telangana ranked fifth at 8,926. In utter contrast, the northeastern state of Nagaland figured at the bottom with just one protest through 2016.Social activist Anoop Nautiyal admitted that Uttarakhand witnesses a large number of protests every year, most of which arise from factors such as administrative apathy, civic problems and unemployment. ?Even in the past, the Uttarakhand region saw agitations such as the Chipko Andolan (an organised resistance against deforestation in the 1970s). As there is a yawning gap between the protesters and the people in power, people instinctively come out to protest,? he added.Former Uttarakhand director general of police AB Lal said several sections of the society, such as teachers and Anganwadi workers, constantly indulge in demonstrations. ?It does hamper work, but people have the right to protest,? he said.

Vani Vivek

03 May 2017,Wednesday

Apple cash pile is worth two-thirds of Indian forex reserves

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/forex-reserves-shy-of-record-high-at-usd-371.14-bn/1/941178.html

In its earnings report for the quarter ended April, Apple revealed that it has $256 billion in cash, which is over two-thirds of India's total foreign exchange reserves. As per RBI data, India's foreign exchange reserves stood at a little over $371 billion on April 21, 2017. Notably, India's reserves touched an all-time high of $371.99 billion in September 2016.

Mumbai, Apr 28 (PTI) Foreign exchange reserves were just short of the life-time high after rising by USD 1.250 billion to USD 371.14 billion in the week to April 21, helped by increase in foreign currency assets, the Reserve Bank said. The reserves had touched a life-time high of USD 371.99 billion in the week to September 30, 2016. In the previous week, reserves had risen by USD 889.4 million to USD 369.887 billion. Foreign currency assets (FCAs), a major component of the overall reserves, surged by USD 1.237 billion to USD 347.485 billion in the reporting week, the RBI said. Expressed in US dollar terms, FCAs include the effects of appreciation/depreciation of non-US currencies, such as the euro, pound and the yen, held in the reserves.

Radhika Chugh

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

85,000 registered Delhi traders yet to shift to GST regime

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/85-000-registered-traders-still-to-shift-to-gst-regime/story-El9NX9Js75oEAyOdW8mLNM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

About 85,000 registered traders are still to migrate to the GST regime, according to Delhi trade and tax department officials. Reportedly, some traders have not been able to migrate due to 'mismatch' in their Permanent Account Number (PAN). Around 3.3 lakh traders have migrated to GST till last week, the officials added.

It?s been over a fortnight since the goods and services tax regime kicked in. But about 85,000 registered traders in the Capital are still to migrate to the new regime, sources in Delhi government?s trade and taxes department said .According to a government estimate, about 4.15 lakh traders were registered with the tax department under the previous value-added tax (VAT) regime. Around 3.3 lakh traders are said to have migrated to GST till last week. Sources in the department said while many traders have not been able to migrate due to ?mismatch? in the permanent account number (PAN) provided by the traders, others have still not turned up for registration.?Any registered trader continuing with business without completing the formalities will technically be illegal,? a senior tax department official said. H Rajesh Prasad, commissioner, trade and taxes department, however, said while the number of traders who have not been able to migrate due to the PAN mismatch is not much. ?The number of such traders would not be more than a few thousand. One major reason for the PAN mismatch is change in proprietorship over generations or partnership firms changing hands. The old registration must have details of the older proprietor,? said Prasad, who has been closely associated in the GST implementation.?However, such traders are being advised to apply afresh and get a new application reference number and continue with trade,? Prasad said.Officials said while the department is making efforts to ensure all eligible traders are enrolled under the GST, the number of overall registered traders is likely to be corrected due to several reasons. ?Many of registered traders might have stopped business altogether. There is also a possibility other few accounts are either dormant or are no more eligible for the registration owning to the annual turnover cap,? an official said.All traders with an annual turnover of R 20 lakh have to register with the trade and taxes department. In order to assist the traders in GST implementation, the Delhi government has decided to run six ?GST help vans? in commercial areas to address traders? problems arising out of the new tax regime. The government has also decided to set up help desks in smaller markets. The decision was taken after deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who holds the finance portfolio, held a meeting with senior officers of the trade and taxes department on the implementation of the GST last week. The government has already put in place GST facilitation centres.

Mansha Mahajan

15 Apr 2017,Saturday

Tata supports kids to pursue careers in science: Chairman

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tata-supports-millions-of-kids-to-pursue-careers-in-science/1/929699.html

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has said IT major TCS is committed to encourage millions of children across the globe to pursue careers in science and technology. Chandrasekaran said Tata Group wants to be associated with making contributions to advancement of technologies in every way that it can help. Notably, before being appointed as Tata Sons chairman, Chandrasekaran headed TCS.

From Lalit K Jha Washington, Apr 15 (PTI) Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran has said the Indian IT major is committed to encourage millions of children across the globe to pursue careers in subjects related to science and technology.  "TCS fully recognises the importance of what we call a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) here in the US. Our effort in this country and around the world, for the last several years has been to promote talent, skill development, whether in math or computer science or any related discipline at schools, colleges and also at an advanced level," Chandrasekaran told PTI. STEM has been a big priority area for the US for the past few years now. "We are working with a large number of schools to promote STEM. It is our keen interest to join forces with like-minded people and companies to create millions of kids to pursue their careers in STEM. We are pursuing this in different parts of the world," the new chairman of Tata Sons said in response to a question. Before being appointed as Tata Sons chairman, Chandrasekaran headed TCS, in which capacity he was instrumental in USD 35 million grant to Carnegie Mellon University to research and promote "pioneering work in technologies so that we are able to create a better future, a better world for the humanity". "What Im excited is that it (TCS-CMU partnership) is going to do very cutting edge work in future technology areas, including industrial 4.0 vision learning," he said. "All of this are very close to us. Day in and day out we are engaged with customers globally, around the world. In doing, binary work and all these areas, everyone wants to embrace these technologies to be able to develop the future," he added. The new centre will be ready by next year and it will help in promoting advanced research in all these technologies and more, he said. "So it will be a very meaningful contribution. It will also enhance this as a pioneer of innovative solutions, which we will develop for our customers," he said.

Radhika Chugh

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

?6.17 crore collected as air pollution fine in Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/mcd-challan-6-400-people-collect-rs-6-17cr-fine-for-air-pollution/story-jfFQHvJzTCjaV6Rs7zjgcK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The three Delhi Municipal Corporations have collected fines amounting to ?6.17 crore from nearly 6,400 violators for causing air pollution in the past year, according to government data. Earlier, the National Green Tribunal had directed the agencies to collect a ?5,000 fine for burning waste in the open and ?5 lakh fine for violating dust control measures at construction sites.

The civic agencies in the capital have prosecuted nearly 6,400 violators for causing air pollution and recovered a fine of Rs6.17 crores from July 2016 to 2017, revealed the data released by the three Municipal Corporations (MCDs) on Tuesday.In their stringent action against the people who are not adhering to the norms despite repeated warnings, the North MCD issued 1,194 challans to construction sites and 361 challans for burning of leaves, while the South MCD has issued 1,418 and 475 challans, respectively.In east Delhi, the MCD issued 630 challans for burning leaves and 2,303 for prevalent air pollution at construction sites.?The number of challans have increased in the last two months as earlier, the civic agencies were busy in improving the sanitation conditions in their jurisdictions for the last few months. Taking advantage of the lean period, the violations have increased manifold. As a result we again cracked down heavily on violators,? said senior officials from the department of environment management services, EDMC.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed all land owning agencies in Delhi to impose a fine of Rs5,000 on persons found burning waste in the open and Rs5 lakh fine on the owners/builders, who are found violating dust control measures. Apart from this, the civic agencies have also taken action against the people stacking construction material and running illegal industries in the city. ?The North Corporation alone has issued 686 notices and sealed 154 industries operating in various areas. The action has been taken after issuing the advisory to the defaulters,? said a senior official from the North Corporation.The purpose of the drive is to keep the environment pollution free and not challan people unnecessarily, said Praveen Gupta, commissioner, North Corporation.?Before challaning violators, the agency is creating infrastructure facilities for public, simultaneously. Apart from carrying out awareness drives on a large scale, we are placing dustbins, opening parking lots and toilets for public use. Still some people don?t want to co-operate,? said Gupta. The agency has imposed 26,000 sanitation challans in its jurisdiction in the last one year.The South MCD issued 905 challans to people who parked their old vehicles on roadsides for long time. ?These vehicles have been restricting the cleaning of roads and also become nuisance for residents living in neighbourhood,? said an SDMC official.

Parmeet Kaur

21 Jul 2017,Friday

First women-only Kanwar camp set up in Ghaziabad

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ghaziabad-women-only-kanwar-camp-set-up-in-modi-nagar/story-W65EJKqxEkVl8WdBd5v7TL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

In a first, Ghaziabad district administration has set up a women-only Kanwar camp in Modinagar. The camp can accommodate 20 pilgrims and has facilities like toilets, baths, and changing rooms to ensure privacy for the women pilgrims. The camp also has medical facilities and women constables are deployed to ensure the security of the women pilgrims.

In a first, the Ghaziabad district administration has set up a women-only Kanwar camp in Modi Nagar. Officials said that the camp was set up to ensure privacy to women pilgrims and ensure that no untoward incident takes place, as reported last year.?Last year, a woman pilgrim was taking a bath and a man was scanning his mobile phone in the vicinity when the woman spotted him. She thought that he had taken obscene pictures of her and was adamant that the phone should be destroyed. The tussle went for a couple of hours before the camp owners collected Rs8,000, the cost of the phone, and the phone was crushed in front of the woman,? said Atul Kumar, subdivisional magistrate, Modi Nagar.Since then, it was felt that a separate facility be set up for women pilgrims, officials said.?The camp was also set up as a part of a unique initiative, as directed by the district magistrate. We roped in local associations for setting up the camp. We are planning for more such camps in the future,? Kumar said.The women-only camp can accommodate 20 pilgrims and has facilities of toilets, baths and changing rooms.?Our association is running the camp this year and it has been successful. Recently, we had a doctor couple who were on a pilgrimage in their car. The woman slept in the camp while her husband slept outside, in the car. They both appreciated our efforts,? said Anupreet Kaur, president of ?Ehsas Mahila Samiti,? an NGO working for women?s empowerment.The women-only camp has been erected next to a Kanwar camp at Raj Chopla. The camp includes medical facilities and women constables are also deployed for security.The camp offers the best possible facilities to women pilgrims who walk afoot during the annual Kanwar pilgrimage from Hardiwar to Ghaziabad and beyond, officials said.?Staying here is a unique experience as the camp has separate changing rooms, bathing facility and most importantly, ensures our privacy,? said Guddi Chaudhary, a pilgrim at the camp.It is estimated that 15%?of the Kanwar pilgrims are women. The officials of the district administration said that all Kanwar camps have common facilities for men and women.?We often find women devotees sleeping on roadsides and in other common camps. We appeal to them to make use of our facility. We are also spreading the word so that other Kanwar camps can send women pilgrims here,? said Kalpana Kaushik, another member of the NGO.

Sanira Mediratta

26 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Punjab female police officer marries her same-sex partner

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/same-sex-marriage-female-punjab-police-inspector-wedding-homosexuality/1/938198.html

Manjit Kaur, a Sub-Inspector in the Punjab Police, recently married her same-sex partner, according to reports. The marriage was reportedly solemnised according to Hindu rituals in Jalandhar and the cop wore a red turban and her bride wore a lehenga. The reports further added that the wedding took place in the presence of their families and colleagues.

India's criminalisation of homosexuality did not stop a Punjab police sub-inspector from marrying a woman and that too with full Punjabi style. Manjit Kaur, a sub-inspector in the Punjab Police, tied a knot with a woman and it wasn't a hush-hush affair. Jalandhar's Pucca Bagh witnessed a big fat same-sex wedding.While the cop wore a red turban, her bride rode a chariot. The marriage was solemnised according to the Hindu rituals, as reported by The Tribune. Reportedly, the wedding took place in the presence of their families, many classmates and colleagues of Manjit too were present at the ceremony.This is not the first time that a same-sex couple has gotten married. In fact, India has its very own gay marriage bureau. Benhur Samson, an NRI, established India's first avenue where gays can find their soulmates in 2016. The bureau helps them find the right match, both within and outside the country. Samson started the arranged gay marriage service when he received numerous requests from gays regarding prospective life partners. Till 2013, he used to help gays with surrogacy. According to figures submitted by the government to the Supreme Court in 2012, there are 25 lakh gay people in India. Perhaps, it is time the Supreme Court goes ahead and takes a progressive step and decriminalises homosexuality. Also read:

Tarun Khanna

29 Mar 2017,Wednesday

RSS trying to implement fundamentalist agenda: Akhilesh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rss-foisting-fundamentalist-agenda-through-bjp-govts-akhilesh/1/915158.html

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is trying to implement its "fundamentalist agenda through the BJP governments, which could put the secular character of the country at risk". "BJP has no plan for the development of Uttar Pradesh...a new form of corrupt politics has come before us," he added.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was trying to implement its "fundamentalist" agenda through the BJP governments, putting at risk the secular character of the country. "The politics today is at a very dangerous turn...RSS is conspiring to get its fundamentalist agenda implemented through the BJP governments, which could put the secular character of the country at risk," he told a meeting of SP MLAs and MLCs in Lucknow. Referring to the results of the recent Assembly polls in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh accused the BJP of introducing a "new form of political corruption". The former chief minister was unanimously elected as the combined leader of the party in both the state Assembly and Council, SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said.  'BJP HAS NO PLAN FOR UP's DEVELOPMENT "BJP has no plan for the development of Uttar Pradesh...they have formed the government on the basis of false promises. People have been misled in a planned manner...a new form of corrupt politics has come before us," Akhilesh said yesterday. In a democracy, governments keep changing but these elections were fought on issues "other than development or peoples welfare", the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister alleged while recalling that schemes launched by his government were replicated by the governments of other states. He also claimed that his government had succeeded in creating a "basic structure for development" in the state. Stressing that funds were utilised for peoples welfare and corruption was checked during his regime, Akhilesh reminded his party colleagues that they would once again have to go to the people with SPs policies and programmes. "People will soon start realising the difference between the SP government which had honoured its promises and the BJP government which has only misled them," he claimed. Meanwhile, according to the secretariat of the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, senior SP leader Ahmed Hasan has been made the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House.

Parmeet Kaur

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Leopard kills 2-year-old boy on walk with family in Mumbai

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/leopard-kills-2-year-old-boy-on-walk-with-family-at-mumbai-s-aarey/story-wvlr6DtK2YdgbRpOPyDbcO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A two-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a leopard while he was out for a walk with his family on Saturday in Mumbai. The boy was grabbed and taken away by the leopard while the elders were walking ahead, officials said. He was brought to a hospital where doctors declared him dead and said he died of blood loss.

A two-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a leopard on Saturday evening, close to Film City in Goregaon (East).The Mumbai forest range said the incident took place around 5.30pm at Moracha Pada, near the helipad at Aarey. Vihaan Nilesh Garuda, the son of a Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) staffer Nilesh Garuda, suffered injuries on his neck and was rushed to the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal Hospital at Jogeshwari, where he was declared dead.?The incident took place when Vihaan was with 15 members of his family. They had come for an evening walk to Aarey. As the elders walked ahead, Vihaan was grabbed by the leopard and taken away within seconds,? said Sameer Inamdar, round forest officer, Mumbai forest range. ?The family searched for him and found the leopard had left the boy?s body a few metres from where it grabbed him.?Inamdar said the body was badly bruised and Vihaan died of blood loss. ?The leopard did not eat any part of Vihaan?s body,? Inamdar said.Forest officers said a complete investigation will be done.?This is probably the first time the kin of a forest staffer has been attacked in Mumbai. We will go back to the site and trace the incident to understand what exactly happened,? said Santosh Kank, range forest officer, Mumbai.This is the fourth leopard attack this year.On May 29, a four-year-old boy, a resident of Royal Palms in Aarey Colony, was attacked by a leopard. On March 17, a three-year-old boy was attacked near Khadakpada, a tribal hamlet inside the forests of Aarey Milk Colony. The boy escaped with injuries on his chest and throat after local residents scared the leopard away. On May 21, a three-year-old boy was saved by his mother after she snatched him away from the claws of a leopard that had pounced on him in Chafyachapada, Aarey.

Rini Sinha

01 Jul 2017,Saturday

Director accuses Toilet- Ek Prem Katha makers of plagiarism

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-toilet-ek-prem-katha-copyright-row/1/991742.html

Filmmaker Praveen Vyas has sent a legal notice to the makers of 'Toilet- Ek Prem Katha', accusing them of copying his 2016 documentary Manini. "Since they've...refused to monetarily compensate us for the origin of idea and script, we will now be fighting this in court," said Vyas. Toilet Ek Prem Katha is a take on PM Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The trailer of Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha has been lauded by one and all, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But there is one person who is not impressed. Filmmaker Praveen Vyas has sent a legal notice and a cease and desist notice for the film's trailer and promotional campaign, Mumbai Mirror reports.Praveen Vyas, whose 2016 docu-feature Manini also revolves around the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, has alleged that several scenes and dialogues Akshay and Bhumi's film are a direct copy of his documentary. "Manini follows the female protagonist as she protests against lack of a toilet in her marital home on the first night of her marriage after female relatives wake her up before sunrise to tend to nature's call in an open field. The scenes in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha's trailer shows the same interaction between characters," the filmmaker told the publication.His film beat thousands of entries centred on the theme of Swachh Bharat to win the third prize at last year's International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Post this win, Manini was uploaded on the National Film Development Corporation's official website, and awarded a certification of appreciation by Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.Vyas said that he and his screenplay writer, Shanker Arnimesh, were both shocked that their "novel" plot and "unique" characters have been replicated in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. Talking about the legal notice sent to the film's production and distribution company, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, he said, "Since they have denied all our allegations and refused to monetarily compensate us for the origin of idea and script, we will now be fighting this in court."Shital Bhatia, co-founder of Friday Filmworks that is co-producing Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, denied the allegations and told the daily, "These allegations are baseless and border on harassment. The script of our film has been registered under our writers' names, Siddharth and Garima, with the authorised industry association since 2013. Furthermore, the film has been in the public domain through various news stories since July 2015. We firmly deny all the claims made by this gentleman who is obviously misled. It is sad that genuine producers have become soft targets for this kind of nuisance."

Parmeet Kaur

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Bike set on fire after it hits Kanwar procession in Gurugram

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/kanwar-yatra-devotees-set-bike-on-fire-after-it-hits-procession-in-sohna/story-SWCdNZwa1cXiXT5BXGGABK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A group of locals and Kanwarias allegedly set on fire a motorcycle owned by an unidentified man after it hit their Kanwar procession in Gurugram's Sohna on Thursday. The Kanwarias alleged that three youths on a bike intentionally hit them and escaped soon after. The police, however, maintained that it was a minor accident and are probing the matter.

Angry locals and Kanwarias allegedly set on fire a motorcycle owned by unidentified men, after it hit their Dak Mahakanwar at Sohna town on Thursday afternoon.Dak Kanwar is a procession, wherein devotees collect water from the Ganges and carry it to their local shiva shrines. The objects in which the water is being carried have to keep moving until it reaches the destination, according to the beliefs.The Kanwarias alleged that three youths allegedly hit them with an intention to create trouble and escaped soon after the incident. Although the police maintained that it was a minor accident, they said that however, they are probing the matter to know the antecedents of the youths on the bike and also if there was any other angle to the matter. A case against unidentified persons might be filed for setting the bike on fire, police said. The incident happened when a procession comprising 16 men from Tauru town in Mewat reached the Tikona Park, where the locals alleged that three youths on a bike hit the Kanwarias with a stick and also punched them.?Three or four Kanwarias were injured, but they tried to protect the Dak Mahakanwar. In the melee, the miscreants escaped. Pilgrims and locals tried to chase them. The motorcycle fell at Agarsen Chowk, but the youths managed to escape,? said Anil Mendiratta, a Tauru resident, who has beeing undertaking the procession from Tauru for several years.Kanwarias often get agitated when their way is blocked and it often leads to skirmishes.Tauru resident Gaurav Gauba, who was pushing the Kanwar, said that unidentified youths on bike tried to force their way among the Kanwarias, and one among them punched him. On this, his associate Manoj pushed the bikers. The bikers fled when the people tried to attack them. Soon after the incident, the locals and the pilgrims congregated and shouted slogans against the administration for failing to protect their procession from interruptions and taking action against the interruptors. As per information, the Mahadak Kanwar had left Haridwar on July 16 and was scheduled to reach Tauru on Thursday. The Kanwar entered Sohna town from Chungi No 1 around 1 pm and it took almost an hour to pass through the main Sohna Bazaar as people paid their obeisance. Meanwhile, the police said that as soon as they received the message on the skirmish, they rushed to the spot and managed to pacify the crowd.?Prima facie, it appears to be a minor accident. But we are probing the matter from all angles. Security is being provided to all the Kanwars passing through the town and the situation is under control,? said Brahm Singh, assistant commissioner of police, Sohna.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

Recall what happened in 1971: Venkaiah Naidu to Pakistan

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/venkaiah-naidu-asks-pakistan-to-recall-1971-war-says-terrorism-will-not-help-them/story-iqo29EhfJ94w71Qkz9tM3M.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

NDA Vice Presidential nominee Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that Pakistan should "recall what happened in 1971," and focus on their own country and maintain peace there. "Pakistan is mixing terrorism with religion. It has unfortunately become Pakistan's state policy," he added. India had won the 13-day war against Pakistan in 1971, which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh.

Hitting out at Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) vice-presidential nominee M Venkaiah Naidu asked Islamabad on Sunday to recall the 1971 war and said aiding and abetting terror will not help them.Addressing Kargil Parakram Parade in New Delhi, Naidu said terrorism is the enemy of humanity, it has no religion and it has unfortunately become Pakistan?s state policy.?Our neighbour should understand that aiding and abetting terror will not help them, they should recall what happened in 1971 and should focus on their own country and maintain peace there. Terrorism is the enemy of humanity, it has no religion. Pakistan is mixing terrorism with religion. It has unfortunately become Pakistan?s state policy,? he added.He further said Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an ?inch? of it will be allowed to be taken.?We are a peace loving people, we never attacked any country and this is our specialty. We don?t want war, we don?t want confrontation, we don?t want violence we want to have peace, we also want to have good relation with the neighbours but they should also reciprocate the same. They should remember that Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an inch of even PoK will be allowed to be taken by anybody,? the Union Minister said.He also squarely blamed Pakistan for funding terrorism and influencing the situation in Kashmir.?Ours is a peace loving country. We never want war. But when this highly coveted peace is denied to us, our brave soldiers respond in a befitting manner. We are too strong to lose our focus to country?s development and betterment of the country,? he said. The NDA nominee said on this day we should recall the valour of our brave soldiers and their sacrifices which got us back the Kargil heights.The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the liberation war in East Pakistan, from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971. The war began with preemptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations that led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and Indian entry into the war of independence in East Pakistan on the side of Bengali nationalist forces.

Rini Sinha

09 Feb 2017,Thursday

'Rajamouli to cast Rajinikanth, Aamir in Mahabharata film'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ss-rajamouli-mahabharata-rajinikanth-mohanlal-aamir/1/878497.html

As per reports, SS Rajamouli, the director of film franchise 'Baahubali' is planning to cast actors Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth and Mohanlal in his upcoming project based on the epic 'Mahabharata'. A source revealed, "He is yet to decide on the characters these stars will portray." Reportedly, the film will be made on a budget of ?400 crore.

SS Rajamouli, who currently awaits the release of his much-anticipated film Baahubali: The Conclusion, went on the record saying that he would love to make a film on Mahabharat.Speaking at India Today Conclave South 2017, Rajamouli said, "My dream has always been to do Mahabharata on a scale not attempted ever."ALSO READ: After piracy threat, Suriya asks fans to watch Singam 3 in theatresALSO READ: Sasikala vs Panneerselvam: 5 film roles Chinnamma will fit perfectly inNow, an interesting update about the film has cropped up. According to reports, Rajamouli is planning to approach Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Aamir Khan to star in the mega-budgeted film. A source was quoted by Bollywood Life as saying, "Rajamouli is currently busy with Baahubali 2, but he is thrilled about Mahabharat. He wants to take Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth and Mohanlal on board for this project. He is yet to decide on the characters these stars will portray."Interestingly, Aamir Khan himself expressed his desire to work with Rajamouli during the promotions of Dangal. He said, "I am a huge fan of Rajamouli's work and if he ever plans to make Mahabharata, I'd love to play Krishna or Karna. I might actually go with Krishna."

Daisy Mowke

11 Feb 2017,Saturday

Vogue 125th anniversary cover slammed for lack of diversity

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vogue-125-anniversary-cover-ashley-graham-plus-size-model-lifest/1/878684.html

Social media users have criticised the cover of the 125th-anniversary issue of fashion magazine 'Vogue' for an alleged lack of diversity. The cover has featured only one plus-size model, Ashley Graham. Readers have also accused 'Vogue' of featuring only light to medium skin-toned models. Further, it has been slammed for reportedly photoshopping Gigi Hadid's arm to cover Graham's torso.

One wouldn't have thought that a plus-size model could feature in advertisements, let alone the cover page of leading fashion magazines, even a decade back. But that's just the kind of progress we have made over time. Fashion, today, is about celebrating all body types with utter confidence and oomph. So it doesn't come as a surprise that plus-size supermodel Ashley Graham would feature in the upcoming edition of Vogue. The March 2017 issue of the magazine is celebrating beauty in all its forms. Also read: This hot plus-size model finally has a Barbie in her name With the cover page tag of 'Women Rule! Fashion's Fearless Female', the issue features Ashley Graham, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Adwoa Aboah, Liu Wen, Vittoria Ceretti, and Imaan Hammam--all of them in black turtleneck tops, and multi-coloured, high-waist beach shorts. Vogue claims that this issue is revolutionary, and as their cover announces, 'No norm is the new norm'.

Tarun Khanna

21 Apr 2017,Friday

Railways asked to pay ?30K to family which couldn't use loo

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-railways-compensation-crowd-in-train-amritsar-to-delhi-train/1/934419.html

Indian Railways was asked by a court to pay ?30,000 compensation to a family which couldn't use a train lavatory for over 90 minutes as the passage to it was blocked by unreserved passengers. Dev Kant was travelling from Amritsar to Delhi in 2009 when a big crowd entered into the reserved compartments at Ludhiana Railway station by force.

The inability of Indian Railways' to stop unauthorised crowd occupying reserved seats of a train has cost it a sum of Rs 30,000 as a compensation to a family which could not use washrooms for more than an hour an half as the passage to the toilet was blocked. Dev Kant, who is the deputy legal advisor in the ministry of law and justice took the Indian Railways to the consumer court saying they had encountered mental and physical stress due to deficiency in service while travelling from Amrtisar to Delhi in 2009 with his wife and two children. WHAT HAPPENEDAfter seven years of protracted legal battle, the state consumer forum upheld the compensation of Rs 30,000 awarded to his family that was awarded by the district consumer court. The complainant told the court that a big crowd entered into the reserved compartments at Ludhiana Railway station by force and occupied all the vacant seats. Those who could not find a place to sit squatted on compartment's floor and blocked the passages towards the washrooms and the washbasin, the complainant said. Speaking to Mail Today, Dev Kant's son Harisharan Bagga, who is also an advocate, said the crowd did not let him use the washroom for around 90 minutes. "The passage was jam packed and the crowd was uncooperative. Also, apart from my father my sister and my mother were also traveling with us and it was an uncomfortable situation for them as well," said Bagga. "We brought it to the notice of the TTE and asked him to call the railway police but he did not bother and went away after expressing his inability to handle the situation," Bagga added. The counsel for the Northern Railways told court that the crowd was asked to vacate the train at the Ambala station and, therefore, had taken timely action.

Tarun Khanna

17 Mar 2017,Friday

Rahul doesn't even know where's Manipur on map of India: BJP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/himanta-biswa-sarma-manipur-bjp-government-rahul-gandhi-northeast-pm-modi/1/906025.html

BJP's Assam leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, who quit Congress to join BJP, has said Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has no political knowledge and doesn't even know where Manipur is on the map of India. "His comments are based on the lines and statements fed to him by others," Sarma said. "We plan to wrest Tripura from the Left," he added.n

Buoyed by the party's success in Manipur, Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that they are confident of winning 19 seats out of 24 from the northeast in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.The BJP is upbeat after it formed its maiden government in Manipur led by N Biren Singh.Talking about the BJP's impressive show in Manipur, Sarma said, "This is the one state where BJP had no representation in the Assembly. From having no seat to winning 21 and then going on to form the government is a big achievement. This shows the faith and trust people of the northeast have in PM Modi."Now a convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance or NEDA, Sarma quit the Congress and joined the BJP in August 2015. This after he fell out with the Congress leadership for reportedly not considering him for the chief minister's post in Assam. MANIPUR SUCCESS HARD-EARNED: SARMA  Sarma added, "The hard work of BJP cadres paid off. We had planned this victory in Manipur about six months ago and started working hard for it."When asked how he saw BJP's gaining a stronghold in the northeast in the context of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sarma said, "Amit Shah laid special focus on the northeast as an area of expansion for the BJP. We are confident of winning 19 out of 24 seats from the northeast in the 2019 general elections. For this, we need more and more BJP governments in the region so that central schemes initiated by PM Modi can be implemented at the ground level."Talking about assembly elections in Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya, the 3 northeastern states that go to polls next year, he said, "We plan to wrest Tripura from the Left and Meghalaya from Congress."Reacting sharply to allegations by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi that BJP undermined democracy by using money power to form its government in Manipur, Sarma said, "We got 30 or 31 seats not by luring people by offering them money. National People's Party (NPP) is a part of NEDA and so is the Naga People's Front. LJP led by Ram Vilas Paswan is already a part of the Union government. We got Manipur only by uniting friends. Rahul Gandhi has no political knowledge. His comments are based on the lines and statements fed to him by others. He doesn't even know where Manipur is on the map of India."SARMA LAUDS MODI'S FOCUS ON NORTHEASTPraising PM Modi's focus on developing the northeast, the Assam BJP leader said, "Under PM Modi, all Indian states are on the path of development. We want northeast to be at par with other states in the country. We want to integrate PM Modi's vision with northeast states to put them on the path of development."When asked about what he thought about Congress winning Punjab, Sarma said, "Congress' win in Punjab is mainly Captain Amarinder Singh's victory. It is about time Congress started thinking beyond the Gandhi family for its own good."He added, "Congress needs to get away from the high command culture and build regional satraps. The word Gandhi has become irrelevant for young India. People want to come out of a feudal mindset. People of India in the 21st century do not espouse family rule."Also read | Manipur: Defecting Cong MLA Shyam Kumar made minister in first BJP govt, gets showcause notice

Deepali Aggarwal

06 May 2017,Saturday

Prince Philip's most famous comments and clangers

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/04/prince-philip-most-famous-comments-and-clangers?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning+briefing&utm_term=224560&subid=21525752&CMP=ema-2793

Britain's Prince Philip who retired from the public eye recently was known for his public gaffes. He once said, "When a man opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife." He also told a 13-year old who wanted to go to space that he was too fat to be an astronaut.

The Duke of Edinburgh has shocked and sometimes delighted the public with his outspoken comments and clangers.His reputation for plain speaking has often led to controversy, but he was once called a ?national treasure? by the press for his inability to curb his off-the-cuff remarks.He claimed he was misunderstood. In fact, the duke has been ?misunderstood? almost everywhere he has been.Here are some of Philip?s famous phrases:

Aarushi Maheshwari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

China opens cinema hall on disputed South China Sea island

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/south-china-sea-cinema-theatre-yongxing-island-sansha-yinlong-cinema/1/1008928.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

China opened a cinema hall on Yongxing Island in the disputed South China Sea on Saturday, not far from where an American warship sailed earlier this month. Over 200 residents and soldiers attended an inaugural screening of the Chinese movie 'The Eternity of Jiao Yulu'. Several countries, including the Philippines and Malaysia, have territorial claims over the South China Sea.

China has opened a modern cinema theatre on Yongxing Island in the disputed South China Sea as part of its plan to establish authority over the area, the state media reported today.Over 200 residents and soldiers watched the Chinese movie 'The Eternity of Jiao Yulu' yesterday at the Sansha Yinlong Cinema, located in Sansha municipality, China's newest city in the South China Sea (SCS)."The cinema will show at least one film every day, so residents and soldiers on Yongxing Island can enjoy films simultaneously with moviegoers across the country," said Gu Xiaojing, general manager of Hainan Media Croup.China has been expanding facilities in the islands under its control encouraging population settlements in the disputed area, where Beijing also built artificial islands some with facilities for garrison as well as airstrip reinforcing its control over the area.Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the South China Sea.HI-FI TECHNOLOGYThe theatre is equipped with advanced projection equipment, including the latest 4K digital projectors as well as a 3D perforated screen for viewers to indulge in the pleasure of big screen, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.Chen Zijian, general manager of Hainan Film Company, which operates the cinema, said they have also purchased two mobile projection units and plan to screen films for free on more islands within the municipality to meet the demands of residents, it added.The opening of the cinema is part of a plan by local cultural authorities to establish community services on islands under Sansha's jurisdiction.In April last year, Sansha opened its first public library. It also has a stadium and has organised various cultural activities to enrich the lives of residents. Sansha municipality was set up in 2012.Also, a total of 12 Chinese-developed underwater gliders are carrying out scientific observations in the SCS from the research vessel "Kexue" and sending back real-time data.It is the largest group of gliders to perform simultaneous observations in the region.MARITIME SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITIONKexue left Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province last Monday for a maritime scientific expedition and stopped in Xiamen, southeast China to resupply Friday after completing the first part of the mission."The gliders have collected detailed maritime information, including temperature, salinity, turbidity, oxygen levels as well as the intensity and direction of currents," said Yu Jiancheng, a scientist with the programme.The 12 submersible devices will collect comprehensive ocean data over the next month, said Sun Song, another scientist with the programme.

Gaurav Shroff

18 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Ultralight paper device can be charged with body movements

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ultralight-paper-device-can-be-charged-with-body-movements/1/930898.html

Scientists have developed a lightweight, paper-based device that can harvest energy from body movements. The inner surfaces are coated with gold and a carbon polymer film, comprising the electric nanogenerator. Pressing and releasing the device for a few minutes charged the device to 1 volt, which was enough to power a remote control or a watch, researchers said.

Washington, Apr 17 (PTI) Inspired by the Chinese and Japanese arts of paper-cutting, scientists have developed a light-weight, paper-based device that can harvest energy from body movements to power sensors and watches. Despite the many advances in portable electronic devices, one thing remains constant - the need to plug them into a wall socket to recharge. Portable electronic devices, such as watches, hearing aids and heart monitors, often require only a little energy. They usually get that power from conventional rechargeable batteries. Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology in the US and Chongqing University in China wanted to see if they could untether small energy needs from the wall socket by harvesting energy from a users body movements. They have been working on this approach in recent years, creating triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that can harness the mechanical energy all around us, such as that created by our footsteps, and then use it to power portable electronics. However, most TENG devices take several hours to charge small electronics, such as a sensor, and they are made of acrylic, which is heavy. Researchers turned to an ultra-light, rhombic paper-cut design a few inches long and covered it with different materials to turn it into a power unit. The four outer sides, made of gold- and graphite-coated sand paper, comprised the devices energy-storing supercapacitor element.

Saloni Tandon

03 Feb 2017,Friday

Don't sledge Virat Kohli, Michael Hussey tells Australia

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/michael-hussey-virat-kohli-india-vs-australia-test-series/1/873714.html

Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey has said the Australian team should avoid sledging Virat Kohli during their upcoming four-match Test series in India. "I wouldn't try and fire him up. He thrives on that and he's a real competitor...loves being in the fight," said Hussey. During India's tour to Australia in 2014, Virat had hit a century after being sledged.

Former Australian middle-order stalwart Michael Hussey has urged Steven Smith's men to not try and rile India captain Virat Kohli in the four-Test series which starts this month. (Watch what Kohli and Dhoni did to Chahal after his 6 for 25)Smith suggested in an interview in December that his team would want Kohli a little angry. The young Aussie captain felt distracting his India counterpart would be advantageous for him. (Kohli's witty response to journalist: Sri, if I do everything, what will the others do?)However, Hussey, who has been involved in some fabled India-Australia battles, said firing Kohli up would be a wrong idea. Mr Cricket, as Hussey is fondly known for his astute cricket brain, may have hit the nail on the head again. Back in 2014-15, Australia had tried to sledge Kohli which is in line with their tactics of unsettling the best batsman in the opposing team. But that backfired on the hosts as Kohli went on to slam his then Test best of 169 in the Boxing Day match.Kohli seems to enjoy these battles and not many teams around the world want to rub the run-machine the wrong way. England, who were recently handed a 4-0 drubbing in the Test series late last year, stayed quiet. Apart from one episode that involved a spat with Ben Stokes and another press conference in poor taste from James Anderson, the series was largely played in good spirits. Hussey reckons Australia would do well to keep mum against Kohli.

Daisy Mowke

08 Jan 2017,Sunday

Om Puri was intoxicated the night before death: Police

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rip-om-puri-dead-investigation-nandita-puri-ishaan-oshiwara/1/852476.html

Mumbai Police has revealed that Om Puri had been intoxicated the night before his death. He reportedly wanted to meet his son Ishaan, which did not happen. Om Puri's body was discovered with an injury on his head and it is suspected that he might have fallen. The initial cause of his death was said to be a heart attack.

New details have emerged after Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) for actor Om Puri's demise on Friday (January 6). The Oshiwara Police which is handling the investigation in Om Puri's death spoke to the actor's driver and producer Khalid Kidwai, who were the last to see the deceased icon.ALSO READ: Mumbai Police registers Accidental Death Report for Om Puri's deathALSO READ: Om Puri was suffering in his last years, says Naseeruddin ShahALSO WATCH: Om Puri passes away at 66 due to heart attackOm Puri's dead body was discovered with an injury on his head and it is suspected that he might have fell. The initial cause for Om Puri's death was said to be an heart attack but according to the preliminary postmortem report, Om did not die of 'natural causes'.

Daisy Mowke

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Ramdev, Sonakshi to judge bhajan reality show: Reports

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baba-ramdev-sonakshi-sinha-to-judge-bhajan-reality-show-om-shanti-om-lifetv/1/1016890.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

According to reports, yoga guru Ramdev and actress Sonakshi Sinha will be part of the judging panel on upcoming reality show 'Om Shanti Om'. The show will be aired on Life OK, which is set to re-brand itself as Star Bharat. The judging panel will also include singers Shekhar Ravjiani and Kanika Kapoor.

Life OK, which is geared up to re-brand itself as Star Bharat is coming up with a unique reality show. They have collaborated with Colosceum Media, that has produced shows like Roadies, Splitsvilla and MasterChef to launch a bhajan reality show.  The show will be judged by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, music director Shekhar Ravjiani and singer Kanika Kapoor. Aparshakti Khurana, who was last seen in Super Night with Tubelight will host the show. According to reports, the shoot has already begun. Their first shoot was held on Tuesday at a studio in Powai, where actor Ranveer Singh was the first guest on the show with guest performances by Naagin actress Mouni Roy and rapper Badshah. "It's a youth-oriented show and the contestants will be singing bhajans and devotional songs set to contemporary tunes. Sonakshi is the perfect combination of the traditional and the modern. She also has a great connect with youngsters," informed a source to Times of India.

Aarushi Maheshwari

10 Jun 2017,Saturday

Maha govt tells court it can't find own highway notification

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharashtra-government-notification-national-state-highways/1/974782.html

The Maharashtra government pleader on Friday informed the Bombay High Court it cannot find the notification classifying roads as state highways and other roads. Liquor vendors have filed petitions, alleging the excise department is not renewing their liquor license by claiming they are located on highways. However, the petitioners claim the outlets are located over 500 metres away from highways.

The Bombay High Court today was informed by the Maharashtra government pleader that it cannot find the notification classifying roads as state highways and other roads. The reason Maharashtra government is looking for this notification is because a bunch of petitions have been filed by liquor vendors and restaurant owners claiming that the excise department is now not renewing their licenses to sell or serve liquor as the department claims they are located on the highways.It was in December last year that the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment of State of Tamil Nadu V/s. K. Balu and others had directed for not issuing license to liquor shops and permit rooms within distance of 500 mtrs form the national and state highways.  By the said judgment the apex court had also directed for not renewing license of existing shops and for not issuing new license for such shops after 31st March, 2017 along national and state highways. The petitioners claim that the bars, restaurants and wine shops are neither situated on a national highway nor on a state highway, but is located in by-lanes of the city, more than 500 meters from the highways.  For example, one of the petitioners is King Wines, which is located in the heart of Kolhapur city. The petitioner submits that recently, their licenses were renewed for this year on accepting requisite license fees by the district collector and superintendent of state excise in Kolhapur. However, the same authorities, after renewal, directed the wine shop owner to forthwith, stop all their business owing to Supreme Court's order.  Thus, during the last hearing on May 31st the division bench of Justice B P Colabawalla and Justice A M Badar had asked for the notification. Advocate Shrikrishna Ganbavale who is appearing for the petitioners explained, "There has to be a notification from state government that this road or that road is a national highway or a state highway. Without that the state government cannot arbitrarily close down business establishments. That is why they have been asked to show the notifications."The court has granted the state government time till Monday to get these notifications and has even asked the advocate general of Maharashtra to appear before them.

Rini Kapoor

23 Jan 2017,Monday

Man arrested for raping, molesting teenage sisters

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/man-held-in-west-delhi-for-raping-molesting-his-teenage-sisters/story-j54PfKqR2YnVUSDdF34wZP.html

A 22-year-old man was arrested in west Delhi for allegedly raping his 17-year-old sister and molesting his 13-year-old sister, police said. Reportedly, the accused had been assaulting his sisters for the past one year and threatened to throw them out of the house if they complained. Their father passed away two years ago and their mother is suffering from cancer.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly sexually assaulting his two minor sisters. The incident was reported from west Delhi?s Tilak Nagar on Sunday.The man, police said, had been assaulting the girls for the past one year. The father of the girls passed away two years ago and their mother, who has cancer, is bedridden.According to the police, he allegedly raped his 17-year-old sister in April last year and molested his 13-year-old sister around the same time. He allegedly sexually abused them whenever he got a chance.?The mother had no idea about her son sexually abusing her daughters. She had given the 22-year-old the responsibility to take care of the two girls,? a police officer said.When questioned, the mother told police that the girls would often refuse to go to the school or tuition with their brother but they never shared any details with her.DCP West, Vijay Kumar, confirmed the incident. ?We have registered a case of rape against the youth and have arrested him. He is being questioned. The investigation in the case is on,? he said.The matter came to fore after the 13-year-old shared her ordeal with her friend, whose father works with an NGO. The friend?s father then approached the police and lodged a formal complaint. In her complaint, the 13-year-old said that the brother terrorized her and her sister. She alleged that he would always look for an opportunity to touch them inappropriately, sometimes outside the house and mostly late at night when everyone was asleep. He allegedly even threatened to throw them out of the house if they dared to complain.?Luckily, the girl shared the episode with her friend who convinced her to narrate it to her father assuring that he would help. The girl said that she did not know who to approach as the 22-year-old claimed to be the owner of the house and she thought that if she complained to her mother, she would not believe her. Based on the complaint, a case was registered and the girls have been rescued. They will now record their statements before the magistrate under 164 CrPc,? an investigator said.

Deepali Aggarwal

04 Jan 2017,Wednesday

US store bans 'Obama and other Muslims'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/us-store-displays-racist-signs-obama-muslims/1/848026.html

The Mayhill Convenience Store in USA's New Mexico has put up window signs targeting US President Barack Obama, Muslims, and African Americans. One of the signs reads "Kill Obama", while another says "Obama & other Muslims not welcome here". Police have not filed a case as no complaint has been made.

Tarun Khanna

03 Apr 2017,Monday

Ex-Delhi Minister AK Walia quits Congress before MCD polls

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ak-walia-quits-congress-mcd-election-delhi/1/919129.html

AK Walia, who was Health Minister in former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's Cabinet, has quit the Congress over ticket distribution in the upcoming MCD polls. Walia has alleged the party has sold tickets to the "outsiders" for the polls. "I am pained. I have worked tirelessly for the party for years and now no one listens to me," he said.

Dr. AK Walia, veteran Congress leader, has quit the party alleging that tickets for upcoming MCD elections were being sold for money. Walia, who held several major portfolios in the Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi, claimed that some of the tickets were given to 'outsiders' in his constituency. "I am pained. I have worked tirelessly for the party for years and now no one listens to me," Walia said."Every time a new committee was formed, they interviewed us like class 8 students. What is my use if they are unable to understand me," Walia said, adding, " I will now sit at home and work. Will look for other ways to serve Delhi." Walia's resignation just days ahead of MCD elections comes as a big jolt to Congress. The leader, who represented Laxmi Nagar constituency in his last stint as an MLA, enjoys a massive support in  East Delhi. A doctor by profession, Walia owns a nursing home in Laxmi Nagar.  The Congress has so far announced names of 267 candidates for the civic polls. Congress has fielded majority of first timers in the elections giving preference to youth over experience and also factoring winnability. There are 272 wards in three municipal corporations in the city, including 104 each in South and North Delhi Municipal Corporation and 64 in East Delhi Municipal Corporation, which are going to polls on April 23. ALSO READ: MCD elections 2017: Delhi BJP announces first list of 160 candidates for civic polls

Aarushi Maheshwari

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Sri Lankan held for entering Delhi Airport on fake ticket

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lankan-held-for-entering-delhi-airport-on-fake-ticket/1/1016390.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Sri Lankan national was arrested for allegedly using a fake ticket to enter a terminal at the Delhi Airport on Monday, officials said. CISF personnel had found the accused, identified as Nuwan U Fernando, roaming suspiciously inside the terminal-III building. Fernando told officials he had used a cancelled ticket to enter the airport terminal to see off his mother.

New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) A Sri Lankan national has been apprehended at the Delhi airport for entering a terminal allegedly using a fake ticket, officials said today. The man was apprehended last evening when a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, deployed for the airports security, found him roaming suspiciously inside the terminal-III building, a senior official in airport security said. The man was identified as Nuwan U Fernando, a resident of Sri Lanka, he said. He told the CISF personnel that he had come to see off his mother, who was travelling to Colombo from the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the official said.

Chhavi Tyagi

17 Dec 2016,Saturday

Bipin Rawat named new Army chief, BS Dhanoa new IAF head

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-new-chief-lt-gen-bipin-rawat-air-force-bs-dhanoa/1/837110.html

The government on Saturday announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat as the new Indian Army Chief and Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa as the new Indian Air Force Chief. Rawat, who belongs to the 5th Battalion of 11th Gorkha Rifles, will take over from Dalbir Singh Suhag, while Dhanoa, a Kargil war veteran, will replace Arup Raha.

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has been appointed as the new chief of Army Staff and Air Marshal BS Dhanoa will take over as the new chief of Air Staff.Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is presently serving as  VCOAS of the Indian Army from 01 September 2016. He was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, from IMA, Dehradun, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honour'.He has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter insurgency operations. He commanded an Infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector; a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley.He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and at Army War College, Mhow. Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary's Branch at Army HQ.WATCH VIDEO He has also been Major General General Staff at HQ Eastern Command. He commanded a Multinational Brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).An alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command & National Defence College Courses, the General Officer,  during the span of over 35 years service in uniform, has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander's Commendation.  Whilst serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander's Commendation.Prior to taking over as the VCOAS, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat tenanted the appointment of the GOC-in-C, Southern Command.NEW AIR CHIEFAir Marshal BS Dhanoa will succeed Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha who will retire on December 31, 2016.Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa AVSM YSM VM took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 01 June 2015. He was commissioned in the IAF in June 1978 as a fighter pilot. He is an alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Air Marshal Dhanoa is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown various types of fighter aircraft in his distinguished career. During the Kargil Operations, he commanded a fighter squadron and himself flew numerous night strike missions in the mountainous terrain. He has the distinction of having held a number of the important operational appointments including Station Commander of a fighter base and leader of an Indian Military Training Team abroad He has also served as Chief Instructor (Air) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters and Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational Commands. Prior to being appointed as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Marshal was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.

Niharika Prabhakar

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Mumbai man booked for Facebook post against Bal Thackeray

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-man-booked-for-offensive-facebook-comment-against-sena-founder-bal-thackeray/story-05PUEbcd4uyEGlYoDgS12L.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The police on Thursday booked a man in Mumbai for hurting religious feelings over a comment he made on Facebook against Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Reportedly, the man commented abuses on a post praising Thackeray's stand against terrorism. Earlier, two girls were arrested for expressing displeasure on Facebook over a bandh after Thackeray's death.

The Kandivli police booked a man on Thursday for hurting religious sentiments over a comment he made on Facebook against Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. While Ahmed Shaikh, a resident of a slum in Kandivli, has not been arrested, he was charged based on a complaint by one Lalsingh Rajpurohit, a builder. In his complaint to the police, Rajpurohit said he noticed Shaikh?s derogatory comment on a friend?s Facebook post expressing outrage over the Amarnath yatra terror attack. While his friend had put a photo of Thackeray and written a post praising the late leader?s stand against terrorism, Shaikh commented with abuses. While the police now plan to summon both ? the man who put up the post and Shaikh ? for questioning, a case has been registered against the later under section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for ?deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings?.Mukund Pawar, senior inspector at Kandivli police station, they will decide on the further course of action only after they investigate further.This is not the first time that police have registered an offence over a Facebook post about Thackeray. In November 2012, the Palghar police arrested two college-going girls ? Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Srinivasan ? for expressing anguish over a bandh after the leader?s death. They were booked under the controversial Section 66a of the Indian IT Act 2002, but charges against them had to be dropped after nationwide outrage. The state government even suspended two police personnel in the case.

Saloni Tandon

01 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Rishabh Pant becomes India's youngest T20I debutant

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-vs-england-3rd-t20i-live-cricket-scores-virat-kohli-eoin-morgan/1/872138.html

Opener Rishabh Pant, who is making his international debut in the T20I against England at Bengaluru on Wednesday, has become India's youngest T20I debutant. Rishabh, aged 19 years, 120 days, has gone past Ishant Sharma, who made his India T20I debut aged 19 years, 152 days. Rishabh was selected after scoring a triple century in the Ranji Trophy this season.

Hello and welcome to our Live coverage of the third and deciding T20I between India and England in Bengaluru. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates. (LIVE SCORECARD)Virat Kohli: Coming back here after a while. It has been a long time since we played the IPL final. Even after losing all three tosses, we won the series, just like the Test series. It is not a very bad thing to have MS Dhoni behind the stumps. I am new to the limited overs format and I keep taking help. A lot of credit goes to them. Yes, that too and that one over from Jordan to Yuvi. We thought 175-180, but that over took us to 200. Credit to Chahal, he knows the ground better. I have a lot of faith in him and he plays his cricket with confidence. He has to maintain his orginality and it is great to have a guy who has so much zeal. I wanted to send him up, but he is the one to say he will bat down the order. He is a champion player and he is a match-winner. Come to the big game, he stepped up. It is a memorable tour. When we went to England we lost the Test series. It has been a brilliant couple of months for this side. Yuzvendra Chahal: I felt nice playing my first match at Bengaluru for India. I have bowled in the poweplay in the IPL and Virat has the confidence in me to give me the ball. I plan according to how the batsman plays. Even Dhoni used to tell me what the batsman is going to play. Mishy bowled well in the last match as well, looking at him I get the confidence to toss the ball up. Eoin Morgan: We lost two in batsmen and it really hurt us. It was an excellent spell from Chahal. Credit should be given where it is due. India played the better cricket today. Beautiful wicket to bat and we would have taken 190-200 at the beginning. We take a lot of things. The biggest thing is our bowling. We showed improvement in our bowling department. Tonight's batting performance has been our worst in a couple of years. Yuzvendra Chahal wins the Man-of-the-Series award for taking 8 wickets in three matchesYuzvendra Chahal wins Man-of-the-Match award for taking 6/25 Mishra: Chahal and I had worked out where to bowl on this pitch to stop runs.Yuvi: Dhoni and I have good understanding. Tried my best. Bangalore has always been a batting paradise. We put up a very good total and the bowlers bowled very well. 202 was a par score in Bangalore. Great bowling performance by the bowlers. Mishra set the tone today and Chahal was able to get the wickets from the other end.  And it is a wrap! Test series 4-0, ODI and T20I series 2-1 #INDvENG#[email protected]/IX9u2vheCkThe Men in Blue have done it again. They have won the series 2-1! They beat England in the Tests, in the ODIs and now in the T20Is. In the series decider, India set a huge target in front of the visitors. It was a great collective batting performance from the hosts. They started with the ball in a great fashion too as they sent packing Billings on a golden duck. Series deciders:ODI vs NZ, 2016: NZ 63/2 to 79 all out. Amit Mishra 5/18T20I vs Eng,2017: Eng 119/2 to 127 all out. Chahal 6/25#INDvENGJason Roy and Joe Root then steadied the ship. The stitched a 47-run partnership in just 29 deliveries for the second wicket. Roy then fell to Mishra. Once again, Morgan came out in the middle and kept England in the run chase. He and Root together put up 64 runs in 43 balls. However, they then started the collapse as a tight over from Mishra which led England needing 86 off 42 deliveries. The pressure got the better off the visiting side as Morgan and Root departed in back-to-back deliveries. It was a horrendous performance from thereon as they lost 8 wickets for 8 runs in the space of 18 deliveries. Buttler who got promoted above Stokes once again failed while Stokes and Ali too couldn't do anything as they had a daunting task ahead of them. 22.17 IST:OUT! Edged and taken! Full and wide outside off, Mills slashes hard but only gets a thick outside edge which goes through the slip cordon. Virat Kohli has stationed himself at wide first slip but does well to get across to his left to take a good catch. INDIA WIN BY 75 RUNS AND TAKE THE SERIES 2-1!England are all out for 127 & India win the match by 75 runs to take the series 2-1 #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/Ol6WzKtIpz22.16 IST: Chahal is the second bowler to take 6 wickets in T20 International cricket. His 6/25 is the third best figures in this format. 22.14 IST: WICKET! Chahal has a six-fer! Chris Jordan is stumped by Dhoni for 0. England 127-8 (16)22.13 IST:OUT! That's five for Yuzvendra Chahal - Stokes caught on the boundary for 6. England 127-7 (15.4)22.11 IST:WICKET! Moeen Ali is Chahal's fourth victim - caught by Kohli in the deep for 2. England 123-6 (15.1) 22.04 IST: WICKET! England losing their wickets way quickly now. A short ball outside off, Buttler gets across to pull but gets a top edge due to the extra bounce. The ball goes straight up in the air and Virat Kohli takes a simple catch running to his right from mid off. The promotion of Buttler does not work for England and they now need 84 from 34 balls.22.01 IST: OUT! Two in two for India as Root is trapped in front by Chahal for 42. England 119-4 (13.4)21.57 IST: WICKET! Eoin Morgan is caught by debutant Pant off Chahal for a quickfire 40. England 119-3 (13.3) 21.53 IST: Excellent for Amit Mishra. He finishes up with 20 runs in 4 overs and 1 wicket21.44 IST: England will need to up the ante as the asking rate is nearly 12. Yes skipper! @Eoin16 cracks three big SIXES off the 12th over & England are 114-2 ð??¥ #INDvENGFollow the chase: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/c60F2b2Lll21.40 IST: ENG 86/2 after 10 overs. England need 117 runs in 60 balls - Morgan 15* and Root 36* 21.35 IST: SIX! Length delivery, Root uses his feet, walks down the track and heaves it over mid-wicket and a long way into the stands. Root moves onto 36 off 23 deliveries! Shot Rooty! @root66 charges down the track for a big 6ï¸?â?£ & England are 86-2 after 10. Game on ð??? #INDvENGLIVE: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/WMzuUKdvyp21.29 IST: SIX! Root shuffles a touch and flicks it handsomely over mid-wicket. Clears the fence easily! That looks so easy on the eyes! 21.23 IST: OUT! MISHRA HAS HIS MAN! Tossed up in the line of the stumps, Roy kneels down and goes for a slog sweep. Gets a top edge instead and the ball balloons high in the air. Dhoni gets under it near the short leg region and collects it easily. The danger man, Roy departs! End of a 47-run partnership!England reach 55-1 off the PowerPlay with Jason Roy 32* & Joe Root 20* - keep going lads! ð??? #INDvENGFollow live: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/mQV49f0Tnk21.14 IST: ENG 44/1 after 5 overs. England need 159 runs in 90 balls - Root 15* and Roy 27*21.11 IST: FOUR! Once again Chahal concedes a boundary off his first delivery! Tossed up on middle and leg, Roy kneels and sweeps it over long leg for a boundary. There were more sixes than fours in Indian innings - 12 vs 11. Has happened only twice before for India in a complete match.#INDvENG21.07 IST: After fielding, Kohli throws the ball at Chahal. He is not alert and instead of whipping the bails off he turns and throws it to the keeper's end. Dhoni doesn't even pick the ball and shouts on Chahal! Roy gets a reprieve! 21.03 IST: Joe Root is the new man in! Only second time 5 Indian batsmen have scored at a SR of 140 (or more) in same innings. Other instance was vs SL (Nagpur, 2009).#INDvENG20.57 IST: WICKET! Quicker one sliding in, Billings looks to play it across the line but yorks himself. The ball goes off the inside edge onto the boots and towards gully. Raina from first slip dives and grabs the ball.20.54 IST: SIX! Tossed up on middle and off, Roy brings out his reverse slog. Slogs it over point for a maximum. 20.51 IST: We are back for the chase! Jason Roy and Sam Billings are the two who have come out to open. Ashish Nehra to begin the proceedings. 203 needed for the victoryHere come Jason Roy & Sam Billings! We need 203 to win the series... go well lads! #INDvENGFollow the chase: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/NwxcjQVxx0India innings: Right then! England need 203 to win the T20I series. Seems to be a bridge too far. But then this is M.Chinnaswamy where anything is possible. The conditions are not totally against India, with the pitch playing a bit two-paced and the ball stopping on the batsmen a bit. How the bowlers handle the dew will be key. Stay tuned for the run chase. England were very inconsistent tonight. Whether it was the short boundaries, or the dew, one can't say but surely they would not have planned to concede 118 in the last 9 overs. Of those, only two overs went below 10, with the lower value being 8. Tymal Mills and Ben Stokes were impressive, finishing with 1/32 each in their 4 overs while we saw the other side of Chris Jordan tonight, going for 56 in his 4 overs. Strangely, Plunkett bowled just 2 overs with Morgan preferring to bowl 6 overs out of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, yielding a total of 53 runs without any wicket.Pandya's run out from the last ball & India finish 202-6 - will we chase it & win the series? #INDvENGFind out ð??? https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/yuSEivZQKHSo India finish on a commanding total. This is the first time a team has crossed the 200-run mark in T20Is at this venue. Did not look like they will do so at the halfway mark but scintillating knocks from Raina and Dhoni made it possible. 20.41 IST: MS Dhoni's maiden fifty (56), Suresh Raina's 63 help India post 202 vs England in 20 oversIt has taken MS Dhoni 10 years & 66 innings to score his maiden T20I fifty- the longest for any player in terms of time & innings.#INDvENG20.41 IST: RUN OUT! Fuller on middle and leg, Pandya clips it through mid-wicket. Stokes the man in the deep, rushes towards the ball and hurls a throw at the striker's end. Buttler collects it and calmly whips the bails off. INDIA FINISH ON 202/6! 20.40 IST: SIX! Jordan once again fails to find his mark and Pandya takes full advantage of it. Lofts it over long on. Roy present there jumps to the fullest, gets hand to it but fails to hold onto it. 20.39 IST: OUT! DHONI DEPARTS! Banged in short, Dhoni is surprised by that and takes his eyes off the ball as he goes for a pull.20.38 IST: FOUR! Low full toss, Dhoni hits it powerfully straight down the ground. There's no long off in place but not sure even he would have stopped it. A boundary is signalled! 20.35 IST: FOUR! That spoils a good over for England! Pant shuffles and scoops the length delivery over backward square leg. Beats Plunkett in the deep is beaten and the ball crosses the ropes. 9 runs off the over! 20.30 IST: OUT! Slower one does the trick for Mills! Yuvraj out for 26. Back of a hand slower one, Yuvraj who has backed long way already, is beaten by the lac of pace on it. He tries to adjust but the ball goes off the leading edge straight into the gloves of Buttler. Timely wicket for England as Yuvraj was looking very threatening. That's end of a superb cameo from Yuvraj! Also, the end of a 57-run partnership! IND 179/4 in 18.3 overs. Rishabh Pant comes in20.26 IST: SIX, SIX, FOUR, SIX - Yuvraj Singh, take a bow! 24 runs off the Jordan's over. IND 177/3 in 18 overs20.23 IST:Maiden T20I fifty for MS Dhoni in 32 balls. IND 154/3 in 17.1 overs20.21 IST: FOUR! Fuller in the line of the stumps, Dhoni whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Dhoni once again uses his bottom hand to a superb extent! IND 153-3 20.18 IST: FOUR! Full outside off, Stokes fails to hit his mark and Dhoni punishes him, drives it powerfully through mid off for a boundary. 20.16 IST: FOUR! Down the leg side, MSD glances it delicately. Gets it past short fine leg and the ball reaches to the fence. Dhoni is using the pace of the bowlers superbly. Second time in 3 deliveries! IND 142/3 in 16 overs20.14 IST: Interesting stat on MS Dhoni by Rajneesh Gupta  Last time MS Dhoni came in to bat in a T20I in 8th over (or earlier) was vs NZ at Nagpur in 2016 & before that in 2012!#IndvsEng#INDvENG20.11 IST: FOUR! Back of a length delivery outside off, Dhoni guides it through the gap in point and gets a boundary for it. Good placement that! IND 132/3 in 15 overs20.05 IST: OUT! Plunkett removes Raina for 63. On a length and outside off, Raina who is on the charge looks to go big once again. Mistimes his loft high in the air. Morgan at extra cover gets a couple of steps back and grabs it with a reverse cup. Good breakthrough for a England! IND 120/3 in 13.3 overs. Yuvraj Singh walks in nextWICKET! Got him! Plunkett gets Raina caught by Morgan in the deep for 63 - India 120-3 #INDvENGFollow LIVE: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/Co9cpE2ckx20.03 IST: SIX! Sheer power that! Full on middle from Plunkett, Dhoni uses his bottom hand to a great extent. Whips it over long on for a maximum. 20.01 IST: Four Byes! Tossed up outside off, spinning away, Raina gets down on one knee for a hugs slog but gets beaten as the ball spins away sharply. Buttler also misses and Mills chases it from short third man but fails to stop it before the fence. IND 113/2 in 13 overs20.00 IST: SIX! Another maximum! Tossed up delivery, Raina uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it straight down the ground for a biggie. Great shot that! India on a move!  19.58 IST: SIX! SIX! Tossed up around off, Raina kneels down and slogs it over mid-wicket. Gets a maximum for it! Superb stuff from the Indian batsmen! Fifty for Raina off 39 balls Well batted, Suresh Raina - 50 up from from 39 balls. India are 98-2 off 11.5 overs #INDvENGLive blog: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/U3Qbb9lmZI19.56 IST: SIX! SIX! That's a clean hit! Fuller on middle and off, Dhoni clears his front leg and heaves it over mid-wicket for a maximum! IND 99/2 in 12 overs19.55 IST: Dropped! Rashid puts down Raina on 47 19.49 IST: FOUR! Classical shot. Dropped short outside off, Raina backs away and places it behind point for a boundary! IND 78/2 in 10 overs19.46 IST: Hold on! Replays show that KL Rahul was dismissed on a no ball. It wasn't refereed and Stokes got away with it. Rahul must be disappointed. All evens out at the end of the day. ð??¸ @benstokes38 smashes the ball into Rahul's middle stump! ð??¥India 70-2 (9 overs) #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/mJTTZ4JxCD19.41 IST: OUT! Stokes removes Rahul for 22. Stokes breaks the stand! Shows the values of bowling straight. Rahul was in that mood of attacking every ball and missed this one. He was playing beautifully up until now but for this ball, he just swung wildly. Stokes bowled an off cutter, pitching it on a good length outside off. Rahul was already through his shot even before the ball reached him. It went past the bat and hit the middle stump. The 61-run stand is broken in 37 balls. IND 67/2 in 8 over. Dhoni comes in next WICKET! Bowled him! Ben Stokes makes the breakthrough - KL Rahul goes for 22. India 65-2 #INDvENGFollow LIVE: https://t.co/MZ6wQXunehpic.twitter.com/XYlWI1Vx9i19.34 IST: SIX! COLOSSAL! Flighted outside off, Rahul jumps down the track and sends this miles up in the air and it is out of Chinnaswamy! New ball please! 19.33 IST: Fifty partnership comes up between Raina and Rahul off 35 balls.19.31 IST: SIX! Not sure who is going to reach this one though! A poor ball, down the leg side, on a length, Raina gets across and scoops it well over short fine leg. It lands onto the second tier! Another good over for India, 14 runs off it. IND 53/1 in 6 overs  19.29 IST: SIX! TOP EDGE, BUT SIX! Jordan is smiling, Stokes is smiling, everyone is smiling. How did that happen? That is Chinnaswamy for you. A short ball around middle and leg. Raina goes for the hook but gets a top edge. The ball goes high in the air, Ben Stokes settles himself under it but the ball sails over him! IND 46/1 in 5.2 overs  19.25 IST: FOUR! Terrific placement! A short ball outside off, angling away from the batsman, Raina just places it through point and gets a boundary! IND 39/1 in 5 overs 19.24 IST: IN THE AIR... SAFE! Miscommunication in the field now. A length ball on middle and leg, Raina looks to go over the on side now but mistimes this one too. It goes off the toe end of the bat towards the region between mid on and mid-wicket. Chris Jordan is at mid on, Moeen Ali is at mid-wicket but both leave it to each other. In the end, the ball lands in between, albeit not sure whether either of them could have got to it anyways. A single taken. 19.22 IST: Here's Jordan's impressive effort to run out Kohli.  ð??¸ What. A. Hit! Take a bow, @CJordan ð??? #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/mdkvD8rF3b19.20 IST: FOUR! Up and over! Back-to-back boundaries for Rahul! A length ball outside off, Rahul backs away slightly, not as much as Raina does and gets it cleanly over mid off for two boundaries in succession! IND 29/1 in 4 overs  19.19 IST:FOUR! Effortlessly done! Full and on middle and off, Rahul flicks it without any fuss over square leg. There is a man in place in the deep but he is at mid-wicket and the ball meets the fence! Even Plunkett is amazed at that shot. 19.17 IST: SIX! Lovely shot! Finally Raina gets one away. Landed outside off, slightly short of a full length, Raina backs away slightly, then reaches out and lofts it cleanly over cover-point for a maximum! IND 17/1 in 3 overs  19.13 IST: Suresh Raina realising that India need to capitalise on the fielding restrictions. Both Raina and Rahul are trying to up the ante and take the attack to the opposition. IND 8/1 after 2 overs 19:06 IST: OUT! Virat Kohli run-out. The India captain scored for an impossible single, Rahul sent him back and Jordan, the bowler picked the ball up and an easy direct hit sent Kohli on his way back. India 4/1 from 1.1 overs. Suresh Raina walks in next19.00 IST: KL Rahul and Virat Kohli walks in to open the innings. The balls comes onto the bat quite well in Bengaluru and they will look to set a total of 170-180. England bat deep and with the dew coming in later on, India will have their work cut out to post a good total on the board.18.49 IST: England was lucky for the third time in a row. Winning three out of three toss'England have won the toss and will bowl first. One change for India - Rishab Pant set to make his T20I debut in place of M Pandey #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/7WmZ2SqlB1Rishabh Pant at 19y-120d is the youngest for India to appear in a T20I game#IndvEng18.44 IST: Playing XIs:India: Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Rishabh Pant, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Amit Mishra, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish NehraEngland: Jason Roy, Sam Billings, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills 18.42 IST: Eoin Morgan: We are going to have a bowl first. The wicket looks reasonably good. It's a high-scoring ground. Hopefully we put up a complete performance tonight. The bowlers have come a long way, hopefully the batsmen come to the fore tonight. It's a huge game. It's a big final. It's a great stage to come out and express yourself. Liam Dawson misses out, Liam Plunkett comes back.18.41 IST: Virat Kohli: Seeing the wicket how dry it is, maybe it will be perfect to bat on in the first half. Just felt a bit of dew while practicing now. We have to bat better than the last two games. The surface is pretty dry. I think it is going to break a bit. I think it is going to help the spinners a bit in the second innings. We got to put up a big total because this is a high-scoring ground. We have worked hard throughout the season. 18.34 IST: Just one change for India. Rishabh Pant comes in place of Manish Pandey18:31 IST: TOSS! England opt to bowl 18:28 IST: Rishabh Pant becomes the youngest debutant for India in T20Is18:25 IST: Rishabh Pant earns a well deserved debut in T20s for IndiaProud moment for Rishabh Pant as he gets his #TeamIndia Cap #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/AKcadcGpaK18.22 IST: The England team on their way ahead of the series deciderBig game! We are on our way. #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/jKqjWndQ6u18:13 IST: MS Dhoni being felicitated ahead of the match tonight Inspirational. Captain par-excellence. Thank you - #[email protected]/swnMcKzFld18.09 IST: England will be raring to make amends after throwing it away in the second T20I. However, it will be a humongous task for the visitors to get the better of an opponent brimming with confidence. They may have displayed fighting abilities and also won the opening game, but the hosts will still have their nose ahead at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Chhavi Tyagi

19 Jan 2017,Thursday

Malegaon blast accused to contest UP Assembly elections

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/malegaon-blast-uttar-pradesh-election-hindu-mahasabha-ramesh-updhyay/1/861259.html

The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has decided to field Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, in the forthcoming assembly elections from two seats in Uttar Pradesh. Upadhyay had moved the election application last week and both the jail authorities and NIA said that they had no objection to him contesting elections.

Niharika Prabhakar

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Delhi woman alleges in-laws set her on fire, dies

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-burns-in-laws-fire/1/1014230.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 27-year-old woman has told police that her in-laws poured petrol on her and set her on fire before succumbing to 90% burn injuries at a Delhi hospital. In a previous statement, the woman had claimed that she had burned herself while cooking. However, the victim's family alleged that she gave the first statement under duress.

Mansha Mahajan

20 Apr 2017,Thursday

Explain delay in action against Sena MP: Air India to police

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/why-the-delay-in-taking-action-against-ravindra-gaikwad-air-india-asks-delhi-police/story-OLBZKSinx5rTFDbDe339tI.html

Air India has asked Delhi Police to explain the delay in action against Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad who was accused of thrashing an airline employee. ?Any delay in taking action will give a wrong impression. The morale of the staff will also be affected,? it stated. Gaikwad was taken off Air India's no-fly list following intervention from the government.

Air India has asked Delhi Police to explain the delay in action against controversial Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad who is accused of thrashing an elderly airline employee.The national carrier informed the police that no action against the parliamentarian was impacting the morale of its staff, nearly a month after the alleged incident. ?Any delay in taking action will give a wrong impression. The morale of the staff will also be affected,? Air India said in a letter.AI also asked the Delhi Police commissioner to take the two complaints made by the airline to a logical conclusion.Gaikwad was taken off a no-fly list by Air India and five other airlines earlier this month following an intervention from the civil aviation ministry, which had said legal proceedings against the Osmanabad MP would continue. The FIR was filed on March 23. There was no comment from police or the airline.Gaikwad sparked nationwide outrage last month after a video apparently showing him hitting a 60-year-old AI staffer went viral on social media. The MP has expressed regret to Parliament but has refused to apologise to the staff.

Prashanti Moktan

31 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Ramdev can't make gay people straight: Transgender model

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anjali-lama-lakme-fashion-week-transgender-model-nepal-lifest/1/870094.html

Anjali Lama, who is the first transgender model to walk at the Lakmé Fashion Week, said that she has heard that yoga guru Baba Ramdev claims he can change gay people to straight. "He can keep trying but that's never going to happen," added Anjali. However, she added that she is fond of the affordable products from Ramdev's Patanjali brand.

A model from Nepal, Anjali Lama has crystal clear skin. Ask her the secret behind it, the 32-year-old blushes and reveals that water is her magic potion. "I can't afford pricey beauty brands," she says, adding her fondness for Patanjali's range. Lama is a transgender; the first from the 'other' category to walk at the Lakme Fashion Week. "I have heard he says that he can change gay people to straight," says Lama, referring to Ramdev Baba. "Woh marte dam tak koshish karle woh kabhi nahi hoga.  [He can keep trying but that's never going to happen."] Lama has all the attributes to pass off for a top notch ramp model. She is tall, skinny (she attributes her figure to skipping 500 to 600 times a day), has high cheekbones and a poise that makes you want to straighten your spine. If anything, it's only the voice that could give her away. Still she has been hit on by men. For those who mistake her for a woman, she reveals her true self. "I never lie," she says. "It's one of my mother's diktats along with 'Don't give up'."Lama's resilience is inspiring and impressive. Born Nabin Waiba, the fifth of the seven children to a farmer residing in the tiny village Nuwakot, Nabin came out in 2003 after moving to Kathmandu. Nabin wanted to be called Sonali - after Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre - but her mother at the non-governmental organisation Blue Diamond Society recommended Anjali. After Nepal Fashion Week (NFW) crushed her modelling dreams by rejecting her for three consecutive years, Lama came to Mumbai last year to give LFW a shot. "It was my dream to walk for NFW," she said. "Because of my gender I wasn't picked." Also Read:Lakme Fashion Week welcomes a gender neutral model on its runway for the first time

Parmeet Kaur

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Village adopted by Manoj Tiwari has free WiFi but no water

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/this-delhi-village-has-free-wifi-but-no-regular-water-supply/story-C8XsUtSsaULZbHCH7FexyM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Delhi village Kadipur has free WiFi with 24-hour connectivity but lacks basic civic amenities like regular water supply. The village, which was adopted by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari in 2014, also faces issues like broken roads and choked drains. "It would have been better if the government fixed this (water supply) instead of spending on internet connectivity," a resident said.

Kadipur, a small village in northwest Delhi, has free WiFi facility with 25 servers providing 24-hour internet connectivity. But when it comes to basic civic amenities, the village has nothing to show. The village, with a population of about 800, is battling broken roads, inconsistent water supply and choked drains. Saurav Verma, 18, a student of Delhi University and resident of Kadipur village, has to wake up at 5 in the morning every alternate day, and wait an hour till the water tank is filled up. Verma, and most other residents of the village, say while the WiFi facility may have waited, the government should have first ensured regular water supply, an approach road and improved connectivity.Kadipur was declared a ?free Wi-Fi? village on June 19 by the local councillor Urmila Rana. Villagers access the facility by registering their phone numbers on which they get security code to log in.Delhi BJP chief and Northeast Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari had adopted Kadipur village under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna in 2014.A month after the WiFi facility was launched, Hindustan Times visited the village and found that while the internet facility was working fine, most villagers were disappointed with the civic infrastructure.?We get only two hours of water supply that too every alternate day. It would have been better if the government would fixed this instead of spending on improving internet connectivity,? Verma said.It takes Verma at least two hours to reach Delhi University (North Campus) as connectivity to different parts of the city from the village is poor. The villagers have to hail shared vans to reach the main road 5 km away from where they get transport. Though the internal roads were fine, the approach roads to the village are dust bowls with waterlogging at some places.Another resident, who did not wish to be identified, said, ?There are times when we could not sleep whole night because there are warehouses here where movement of trucks continue entire night. We complained to the local councillor but nothing happened. The politicians focus on populist measures while the basic infrastructure is crumbling.?He said that the drains are clogged and water overflows at several places.?The mobile connectivity is not a big issue. Children in the village anyway had mobile phones with internet facility. We are not dependent on government for WiFi,? he said.Anil Kashyap, another resident, said things have improved a bit. ?There has been some development in the past few years. He said earlier the villagers have to wait five days for getting water supply.?He said improved connectivity will create better employment opportunities for the village youth, he said.Area councillor Urmila Rana said she has written to the Delhi government several times for improving the water supply but nothing has happened. ?I would have got the roads constructed but the corporation is yet to notify the newly drawn municipal zones because of which no development funds could be allocated.?Manoj Tiwari told Hindustan Times that it was for the Delhi government to take care of problems related to water and power. ?I have adopted the village and my funds will be used for the purpose. But I can only suggest or recommend the work but the government will have to do it. The problem persists because of the government?s non-cooperative attitude. I am hurt that I cannot do much despite efforts,? he said.

Aarushi Maheshwari

24 Jun 2017,Saturday

Nursery school holds monkey dance, Maneka Gandhi intervenes

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-cambridge-montessori-preschool-animal-rights-wildlife-protection-act-maneka-gandhi/1/986270.html

A Delhi preschool recently organised a monkey dance for its students, following which Union Minister Maneka Gandhi intervened and its principal was removed. The school had advertised the event online, following which users informed Gandhi. The Rhesus Macaque monkey is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, and using it for entertainment invites a punishment of up to seven years' jail.

A high-profile nursery school in Delhi landed in soup recently for organising a monkey dance for the entertainment of its students. The Cambridge Montessori Preschool in Ashoka Niketan, Anand Vihar, apparently fetched a madari to cheer its kids, and had to pay for it by removing its principal after Union Minister Maneka Gandhi intervened. Pankaj Kumar, owner of the school, who has a franchise for Cambridge Global, told MAIL TODAY, "We are all animal lovers. I myself have pet dogs at home. But this is India and we are all not so sensitised towards laws regarding wildlife. It seems the principal didn't know it is illegal to hold monkey dance shows. After I got a call from Maneka Gandhi herself enquiring about the incident, I found out about it and removed the Principal."Apparently, the school administration gladly put up photographs of the function on its Facebook page. But animal lovers spotted the video and pictures, and wrote several criticising comments before informing Gandhi. The monkey (or Rhesus Macaque) is a Schedule II animal under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972; and poaching, hunting, or using it for entertainment invites a punishment of imprisonment up to seven years.

Prashanti Moktan

20 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Indefinite strike to continue in Darjeeling, GJM to quit GTA

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gorkhaland-unrest-darjeeling-gjm-decides-to-pull-out-of-gta/1/983225.html

Darjeeling's ruling Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and other parties have decided to continue the indefinite strike for the demand for Gorkhaland while GJM announced that it will quit the semi-autonomous body Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The body was set up for better administration of the region. The parties will also boycott a meeting called by West Bengal government.

An all party meeting called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to decide the future course of the Gorkhaland agitation has decided to continue the indefinite shutdown in the Darjeeling hills.  The meeting, which was held at the Darjeeling gymkhana club was attended by fourteen political parties and social organisations, including all major hill based Gorkha parties and the BJP. However, the Trinamool Congress decided not to take part in the meet. This was the second such all party meeting called by the GJM in the hills.The meeting unanimously decided the formation of an All India Coordination Committee for Gorkhaland, a body that will have representation of all political parties supporting the movement in order to carry the agitation forward. GJM central committee member P Arjun said that the joint forum of parties had decided that all elected members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will pull out of the semi-autonomous body. The GTA was formed in 2011 as part of a tripartite agreement between the central government, GJM and the Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal administration. With the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland as the single point agenda, the hills parties criticiSed the Bengal government's decision to suspend mobile internet services in Darjeeling, and called for immediate withdrawal of army and central para-military forces for restoring normalcy in the region.While calling for a boycott of the all party meeting called by the state government in Siliguri on June 22, the forum decided to meet again on June 24. Meanwhile, a GJM delegation will be meeting Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in Gangtok on Tuesday evening to appraise the centre of the prevailing situation in Darjeeling.Also Read:Darjeeling unrest: As shutdown continues, schools forced to declare early vacation, cancel exams Darjeeling GJM unrest: Uneasy calm as Mamata Banerjee calls for peace before heading abroad

Chhavi Tyagi

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Was 13, didn't have moustache: Tejashwi on corruption charge

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tejashwi-yadav-nitish-kumar-rjd-benami-property/1/1000177.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who is accused of corruption in land-for-hotel deals, said, "I was only 13 when the sale of railway hotels took place in 2004." He added, "I did not even have a moustache at that time. How can a 13 or 14-year-old do all this?"

A day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stopped short of asking him to step down in the wake of corruption charges, deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav ruled out possibility of quitting. Tejashwi, who attended the Cabinet meeting called by Nitish alongwith elder brother Tej Pratap, described corruption charges levelled against him as a conspiracy hatched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "I was just 13 or 14 when the sale of railway hotels took place. (2004 mein humari moochein bhi nahi aayi thi. 13-14 saal ka baccha ye sab kaise kar sakta hai?)," Tejashwi Yadav told reporters in Patna."I had pledged zero tolerance on corruption when I took over as minister. Not one case of corruption has been reported in any of the three departments I hold so far," he said. "FIR against me is political vendetta. Conspiracy by Amit Shah and PM Modi. From Day 1 they have been trying to break our alliance but  Mahagathbandhan is will not break and BJP will get a befitting reply," Tejashwi, who has been named by the CBI in a land-for-hotel case, said."First, they feared my father (Lalu) and now they are nervous of me also and therefore they are targeting me," a defiant Tejashwi said. He went on to play the caste card  asserting that since he came from backward caste, the BJP was targeting him. "People of Bihar elected me. I have been doing good work which has made the BJP and their leaders nervous. I am being targeted because I belong to backward caste," he said. TEJASHWI WON'T QUIT: LALURJD chief Lalu Yadav has already made it clear that his son won't step down . n his first interview after last week's CBI raids on his family and associates, the former Bihar CM categorically ruled out Tejashwi resigning from Nitish Kumar's Cabinet.Lalu described the CBI raids as part of a conspiracy hatched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to "finish off him and his party - RJD"."Tejashwi was a minor...cricket player when the hotel deal was finalised. These are baseless allegations," he said.Nitish's JD-U had on Tuesday asked Tejashwi Yadav, an accused in the land-for-hotels scandal, to "come out with facts in public against the accusations" but stopped short of demanding his resignation. ALSO READ:EXCLUSIVE: No question of Tejashwi resigning, says Lalu on Nitish's 4-day ultimatumAs Nitish Kumar decides on dumping Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu's son is hitting political worries for a sixAfter CBI raids on Lalu Prasad Yadav, ED searches farms of Misa Bharti, husband Shailesh in Delhi

Prashanti Moktan

17 May 2017,Wednesday

6 arrested for blackmailing makers over Baahubali 2 piracy

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-2-piracy-gang-arrested-for-extortion-of-money/1/955746.html

The cyber crime police of Hyderabad have arrested six members of inter-state movie piracy gang for illegally downloading Baahubali 2: The Conclusion from a theatre in Bihar and blackmailing the producers, including Karan Johar, for money. The film's production house Arka Mediaworks stated that a man demanded ?15 lakh from the producers to not upload Baahubali 2's HD copy online.

The cyber crime police of Hyderabad have arrested an inter-state movie piracy gang for illegally downloading HD print of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion from a theatre in Bihar. The gang had blackmailed the producers including Karan Johar for money. Police arrested Rahul Mehta (26), Jitender Kumar Mehta (37) Taufiq (27) Md Ali (39) all from Delhi. Divakar Kumar (owner of Veena Cinema Hall at Teghra Begusarai in Bihar) and Chandan from Patna, while another accused Monu from Begusarai, Bihar is absconding. On April 29, cyber crime sleuths of the CCS, received a complaint from Arka Mediaworks and the producer alleged that one Rahul approached them posing as a member of an anti-piracy agency and demanded Rs 15 lakh from the producers to not upload the HD copy of the film online.The cyber crime police registered a case and nabbed the main accused Rahul Mehta on May 11 from Posh Jubilee hills area of Hyderabad. Based on his information, the rest were arrested in Delhi and Bihar. Investigation has also revealed that the accused Monu had helped the gang to get copy the digital print of the film with the digital key supplied by the distributor, while other accused Jitender and Taufiq were earlier arrested by Jabalpur Police in 2015 for pirating Baahubali: The Beginning.ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 box office collection Day 20ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 Tamil Review

Chhavi Tyagi

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Govt asks states to file FIRs over violence in cow's name

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-asks-states-to-file-firs-over-violence-in-name-of-cow-protection/story-e69vhebn6TumNji5dC879N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Centre has asked all the states to compulsorily file FIRs in all 'untoward incidents' happening in the name of cow protection, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. The Centre said that the responsibility to maintain law and order and preventing incidents of attacks on cattle traders, beef eaters, Muslims, Dalits and dairy farmers rests with the states.

The Centre has asked state governments to compulsorily register FIRs in all ?untoward incidents? happening in the name of cow protection, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.Minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir said the responsibility to maintain law and order, protect life and property and incidents of attacks on cattle traders, beef eaters, Muslims, Dalits and dairy farmers rests primarily with the state governments.An advisory with regard to untoward incidents over cattle, disturbance of law and order by miscreants in the name of cow protection, compulsory registration of an FIR for cognisable offences irrespective of territorial jurisdiction, and making available a copy of the FIR has been issued to states/UTs, he said replying to a written question.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Sunday sought to put the onus for checking cow vigilantism on state governments, insisting that they take ?stringent action against anti-social elements?.The prime minister also sought the support of opposition parties in tackling ?communal violence? in the name of cow protection, and deprecated attempts at giving a political or communal colour to the issue.

Deepali Aggarwal

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Indian guilty of using fake identity to get US citizenship

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indian-convicted-in-us-for-using-fake-identity-to-get-citizenship/story-gNELj9X0A01JEBJomFVNXL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An Indian man, Balbir Singh aka Ranjit Singh has been convicted for using a fake identity to obtain American citizenship and faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum possible fine of $250,000. Singh had attempted to obtain asylum under false pretences, however, when his attempt failed he changed his name and other details to obtain immigration.n

An Indian man, who was ordered deported, has been convicted for using fake identity to obtain American citizenship, an acting US attorney has said.Balbir Singh aka Ranjit Singh, 50, faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a maximum $250,000 possible fine, revocation of his citizenship and enforcement of his outstanding deportation order.According to acting US attorney Abe Martinez, Balbir Singh had previously attempted to obtain asylum under false pretences. When that attempt failed, an immigration judge then ordered his deportation from the US, thus making him ineligible to ever become a naturalised citizen.A resident of Houston, Singh, instead of leaving the country, changed his name, date of birth, the manner in which he entered the US and his familial history so that he could obtain lawful immigration status, and later naturalisation, based on a marriage to a US citizen.In the process of obtaining the citizenship, he denied ever being ordered deported, seeking asylum or using a different identity. ?In addition, Singh sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2013. In it, he complained about the anxiety and frustration he experienced in having to wait for an extended period at the airport every time he returned from an international trip due to discrepancies in his biometric information. He requested DHS clear these discrepancies,? the Justice Department said.After obtaining the citizenship, a fingerprint comparison established the man previously ordered deported from the US (Balbir Singh) and the man who later became a naturalised citizen (Ranjit Singh) were one and the same.Accepting the plea, US district judge Ewing Werlein set sentencing for October 13.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Those who talked about DNA have joined NDA: Akhilesh Yadav

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dna-to-nda-akhilesh-mocks-nitish-kumar-over-renewed-friendship-with-bjp/story-f11aBsIqrCkrfHzX79EErM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that those who used to talk about DNA have now joined the NDA (National Democratic Alliance). The remarks were in reference to PM Narendra Modi allegedly questioning the DNA of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in 2015. However, Modi had later clarified that he was instead talking about the "DNA of democracy".

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday mocked Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar switching alligience to the BJP, reminding the JD (U) leader about a war of words over his DNA with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Yadav?s taunt came a few days after Kumar dumped his allies, RJD and Congress, to renew his old friendship with the BJP and formed a new JD(U)-led NDA government.?DNA ki baat karne waale aaj NDA mein chale gaye (the one who spoke about DNA, has joined the NDA),? Yadav told ANI in Lucknow.The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was apparently referring to Modi questioning Kumar?s DNA in an 2015 attack on the JD(U) leader?s frequent change of political allegiences. Modi?s barb came soon after Kumar led the so-called grand alliance to victory over the BJP in the Bihar assembly polls.Though Modi later said he was referring to ?DNA of democracy?, an angry Kumar had said the comment was an insult to the state and ?also gives credence to the feeling that perhaps you and your party hold a prejudice against the people of Bihar?.Earlier on Thursday, Yadav had referred to a popular Bollywood song to take on Nitish.?Na-na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe, karna tha inkar magar ikrar tumhi se kar baithe. Bihar today,? Akhilesh said in a tweet.The song from the 1965 Bollywood film Jab Jab Phool Khile, loosely refers to someone saying yes after repeatedly rebuffing overtures professing love.The Yadav-led SP was ousted from power by the BJP early this year in a bitterly-contested assembly elections.With three members of the legislative council (MLCs) ? the upper house of the state assembly ? quitting on Saturday, Yadav accused the BJP of ?indulging in political corruption from Bihar to UP?.?People are watching everything,? he added.

Chhavi Tyagi

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Will give up life but never support state's division: Mamata

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ready-to-give-up-life-but-will-never-support-division-of-bengal-mamata-banerjee/story-iTE770SoxzgoRFmb2v9BsK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Reacting to the protests demanding separate state Gorkhaland, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said, "I'm ready to give up my life but I'll never support dividing (the state) into parts." "This is India. It's our duty to protect it, not to divide it...the hills are a part of Bengal and will remain so in the future," Mamata added.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she will never support the division of the state and urged all political parties in the hills to restore peace and normal life in Darjeeling, where the indefinite shutdown entered its 48th day.?Whatever happens, everyone should remember that I am ready to give up my life but I will never support dividing (the state) into parts. Every district is our asset. People from every religion, caste will be here.?This is India. It is our duty to protect it, not to divide it. I love the hills like all other districts of West Bengal. But people must remember that the hills are a part of West Bengal and will remain so in the future,? she said in a rally here in North Dinajpur district this afternoon.?Whatever happens, everyone should remember that I am ready to give up my life but I will never support dividing (the state) into parts. Every district is our asset. People from every religion, caste will be here,? said Banerjee.The chief minister said that she would do everything for the development of Darjeeling but not anything which may lead to a riot or create disturbance among the people.Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is spearheading the shutdown in Darjeeling to press the demand for a separate Gorkhaland.She requested political parties and leaders in the hills, to ?be calm and help in restoring normal life in Darjeeling?, to bring back peace and solve problems being faced by the locals.?I want the hills to get back to normal life. I want the tea gardens to start their operations. Darjeeling tea is a global brand, do not spoil it,? Banerjee said.The chief minister said that a political movement should be for the welfare of the people but the ongoing one by the GJM is ?only for the sake of politics?.?Today tea garden workers are not getting food. Students are unable to go to their schools and colleges. Tourism is getting affected. Why are you (GJM) in such a movement? There is no fault of the common people. They have not done anything wrong.?People are troubled and you (GJM) are continuing with the movement only for the sake of politics. This is not right,? she said.Banerjee alleged that it was not the hill people who were creating trouble, but political leaders, who were bringing in goons from outside to create law and order problems there.GJM chief Bimal Gurung had yesterday asked the chief minister to ?come and see the sad situation? in the hills.She had last visited Darjeeling on June 8, when the GJM supporters had clashed with the police outside the Rajbhavan where the state cabinet meeting was held. Following this, an agitation started and subsequently call for an indefinite strike was given in support of their demand of separate Gorkhaland.

Dishant Sharma

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

Punjab CM announces ?5 lakh reward for Harmanpreet Kaur

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/punjab-cm-amarinder-announces-rs-5-lakh-reward-for-harmanpreet-kaur/story-ob3LI6HsXrBVo1MIEjLIWI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Punjab's Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced a ?5 lakh reward for Indian women's team cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur. Singh, who called up Harmanpreet's father Harmandar Singh, also praised Kaur's unbeaten 171-run knock against Australia in the semifinals. The Chief Minister further said he hopes that Kaur would continue to make the country proud with her contributions.

Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced a cash reward of Rs five lakh for cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur for her performance that steered India to the finals of ICC Women?s World Cup.The chief minister conveyed this to Harmanpreet?s father, Harmandar Singh, whom he called up to congratulate, an official spokesperson said here.The chief minister lauded Harmanpreet?s score of 171 not out of 115 balls in the semi-final against Australia.Wishing the best to Harmanpreet for the final match between India and England, the chief minister hoped that she would continue to make the country proud with her continuing brilliance.Celebrations have been on at Harmanpreet?s home in Moga in Punjab after her 171-run knock against Australia two days ago -- one of the greatest ODI knocks in women?s cricket.

Chhavi Tyagi

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Mother, daughter fall ill after eating snake with cabbage

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mother-daughter-fall-ill-after-eating-snake-with-cabbage/story-htbCoQ4YLUowiWSbm5G2EN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 36-year-old woman and her teenage daughter fell ill after they accidentally cooked and ate a baby snake along with cabbage in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. "A snake?s poison becomes dangerous when it mixes in blood and gets circulated. We will monitor the condition of both the patients for the next couple of days," a doctor treating the mother-daughter duo said.

A 36-year-old woman and her teenage daughter fell ill after they accidentally cooked and ate a baby snake along with cabbage in Indore.Afzaan Imam and her daughter Aamna (15) said soon after consuming the vegetable on Thursday night, they felt queasy and started vomiting. ?I had cooked cabbage for dinner. After consuming some, I suddenly bit into something bitter and immediately felt unwell. My daughter also felt the same. When I checked the cabbage, I found a piece of snake inside,? Afzaan said.They were rushed to the MY hospital by family members where their situation is said to be stable now, according to doctors. ?They just vomited a lot after being admitted,? an attending doctor said.?A snake?s poison becomes dangerous when it mixes in blood and gets circulated. We will monitor the condition of both the patients for the next couple of days,? Dr Dharmendra Jhanwar of the medicine department at the hospital said.He said Afzaan and Aamna are being subjected to various check-ups to ascertain if the consumption of the reptile has caused any damage to their body tissues.(With agency inputs)

Prashanti Moktan

12 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Arpita shares childhood pic with her brother Salman Khan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/salman-khan-arpita-throwback-photo/1/926904.html

Arpita Khan has shared a childhood picture of herself with her brother actor Salman Khan on the photo-sharing app Instagram, where she is seen hugging him. Sohail Khan can also be spotted in the picture. Arpita is the adopted daughter of Salim Khan and Salma Khan and the biological daughter of a homeless woman who died on a Mumbai footpath.

Their bond is unbreakable, and this throwback picture is a perfect proof of it. It might not be a Thursday, but Salman Khan's sister Arpita Khan was in a mood to share a throwback picture with her bhaijaan. Arpita took to Instagram to share an adorable picture from her childhood. Now a mother, Arpita looks almost unrecognisable in this old picture where she is seen hugging Salman. In fact, Sohail Khan also makes an appearance in the frame with his nerdy glasses.?? @beingsalmankhanA post shared by Arpita Khan Sharma (@arpitakhansharma) on Apr 11, 2017 at 6:50am PDT It was only recently that reports of Arpita being upset with Salman were doing the rounds. Buzz has it that Arpita was hopeful that Salman will launch her husband Aayush Sharma in Bollywood, but he decided otherwise. However, Arpita has shut her detractors with his perfect picture. On the work front, Salman is currently busy shooting for Ali Abbas Zafar's Tiger Zinda Hai.

Sumedha Sehra

10 May 2017,Wednesday

Samajwadi Party MLC's drunk kin slaps cop in police station

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mohit-yadav-is-my-name-samajwadi-party-mlcs-nephew-brags-as-he-slaps-cop-inside-police-station/1/950372.html

The nephew of Samajwadi Party MLC Ramesh Yadav was caught on camera slapping a police officer inside a police station in Uttar Pradesh's Etah on Wednesday. The man, Mohit Yadav, can be seen shouting "my name is Mohit Yadav", before slapping the policeman. Yadav has been arrested on charges of assault on a policeman on duty.

A drunk relative of a Samajwadi Party leader went berserk inside a police station in Uttar Pradesh's Etah, the stronghold of the former party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his clan. Samajwadi Party MLC Ramesh Yadav's nephew Mohit was caught on camera bragging about his association with the former ruling party before launching an unprovoked attack on a cop standing near him."My name is Mohit Yadav...and this man," the man is seen shouting in the video before slapping a policeman. As others rush to control him, Mohit grabs the collar of one of the cops. Mohit Yadav has been arrested and charged with assault on policeman on duty.The Samajwadi Party was routed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assembly elections held in February-March but it seems people associated with the former ruling party are yet to come to terms to the humiliating loss. WATCH: Uttar Pradesh shocker: In Etah, SP neta's nephew thrashes copsALSO READ:

Tarun Khanna

02 May 2017,Tuesday

Police didn't provide intelligence before Sukma attack: CRPF

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sukma-attack-maoist-naxal-crpf-chhattisgarh-police-burkapal/1/943209.html

The CRPF officials have reportedly said the Chhattisgarh Police didn't provide intelligence prior to Sukma Naxal attack. "The Naxals had forewarned villagers from venturing out of their homes," a report stated. As per instructions, state police needs to have at least 33% of the CRPF strength, but in Sukma, on most occasions, there's barely even one, said an official.

In an elaborate postmortem of the worst naxal attack in Burkapal, team of senior officers of CRPF feel that its personnel who were caught off guard were not sitting ducks. However some sources say that the CRPF team was let down by Chhattisgarh Police, who failed to provide the intelligence. It is because anti-naxal operations are also based on local intelligence generated by state police.'NAXALS HAD INFORMED THE LOCALS ON TIME'Senior officials speaking to India Today on condition of anonymity, said "The naxals had fore-warned villagers from venturing out of their homes on April 24." According to senior officials, the village was nearly empty at the time of the fatal ambush.The house of tribals became hiding spots for Maoists who fired at the reinforcement team from either side of the road.'NEED TO CHANGE PREDICTABLE PATTERN OF CRPF'Another senior officer said, "As per Standard Operating Procedure, state police needs to have at least 33 per cent of the strength of CRPF, but in Sukma, on most occasions, there is barely even one." Police stations in Maoist hot beds like the one closest to Burkapal, Chintagufa police station is inside the CRPF campus, leaving no scope for generating intelligence. Though a high level inquiry is underway examining the Sukma attack, several senior officials say that despite initial setback, the soldiers fired and killed several Maoists. As compared to March 11, 2014 when 15 soldiers were killed with little defence, there has been major improvement in the retaliatory action from forces under barrage of gunfire.

Parmeet Kaur

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Opposition walks out after rape allegations against Minister

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/rape-allegations-against-maharashtra-minister-speaker-orders-probe-into-allegations/story-sxXjU5iWYXVZtMumNdo7FJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Opposition staged a walkout from the Maharashtra assembly, demanding a probe into the allegations of rape by a woman against a minister of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. Opposition leader Ajit Pawar claimed he had a CD to prove the allegations. Fadnavis, however, clarified that the victim withdrew her complaint the next day saying it was filed owing to misunderstanding.

A minister of the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government has been accused of rape. Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar demanded a probe into the allegations made by a woman from Sangli district against the minister, who is not from BJP, but from one of the party?s smaller allies. In the state assembly, Pawar claimed he had a CD to prove the allegations. The Opposition staged a walkout from the lower house, even after Speaker Haribhau Bagade ordered a probe into the allegations.Meanwhile, Fadnavis clarified that the victim withdrew her complaint the very next day saying it was filed owing to a misunderstanding. ?In her video statement before the police, she said the complaint filed a day before was out of misunderstanding. She had a dispute with a person named Prashant Jadhav and was under the impression that the minister was helping Jadhav against her. After realising that it was not so, she withdrew the complaint and has now nothing against the minister,? Fadnavis said.Hours after CM?s clarification, a video clip surfaced on social media showing a woman alleging harassment by the minister.In the unverified video, a woman with her face half covered says, ?I have been harassed and was forced to withdraw the complaint. Whatever I gave in writing was due to tremendous pressure. I would have been murdered if I had not withdrawn the complaint.? She further claimed of getting threats.However, there is no clarity on when the video was shot, and if it is the woman Pawar mentioned. Refuting the allegations the accused minister said, ?She is a journalist and I have met her only at press meets. Probe is going on and I am sure truth will prevail,? he said.Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, leader of opposition in the assembly demanded minister?s resignation. ?Considering the gravity of the case, the minister should resign from his post immediately,? Patil told HT..

Shubhodeep Datta

25 Dec 2016,Sunday

Police arrests prime accused in Delhi's Jamia Nagar rape

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/jamia-nagar-gangrape-main-accused-held-from-bijnor-4-others-at-large/story-TSzBh5Lx1SZmGrLDKsvxqK.html

The police on Saturday arrested a builder who was the prime accused in the gang rape of a teenage girl in Delhi's Jamia Nagar, from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. The arrest comes after the girl's mother was allegedly shot by two unidentified bike-borne men. There are four other accused in the case and all of them are on the run.

Two weeks after a 15-year-old girl accused a 35-year-old builder and his four friends of allegedly raping and blackmailing her over a period of four months in south Delhi?s Jamia Nagar, the police on Saturday arrested the builder from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. The other four men are still at large. The arrest of Sajid Khan came hours after the girl?s mother was shot at allegedly by two unidentified bike-borne men, some distance away from her home in Jamia Nagar. The police are probing Sajid?s role in the firing, though they believe that he was not present at the spot when the woman was shot at. The 47-year-old woman was on her way to a local hospital with her daughter at the time of the crime. Two bullets were fired on them. One of the rounds brushed against the woman?s hip. She was admitted to AIIMS and is undergoing treatment, said police. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal visited the woman at AIIMS on Friday and said the women?s panel will set up a committee to look into the incident. RP Upadhyay, joint commissioner of police (southeastern range), said that Sajid was the main accused in the gang rape case and was absconding since the FIR was registered. ?Our teams were working on the case and collecting information about the suspects after the FIR was registered. Six raids were made over the past two weeks to nab them,? said Upadhyay.On Friday, DCP (southeast) Romil Baaniya said, the investigating team received inputs about Sajid?s movements in Bijnor. A team was immediately dispatched. ?Raids were conducted at his possible hideouts and he was finally caught in the evening. We have brought him to Delhi and are interrogating him. He has confessed to having raped the minor girl,? added Baaniya. Sources said Sajid has denied his role in attack on the girl?s mother. Senior police officer said that they have identified the men who fired at the woman. ?Raids are on to nab them. They will be caught soon,? added Baaniya. The sexual assault on the girl first took place in July 2016 when Sajid allegedly raped her in his flat. She met him through her classmate. Sajid also made an MMS clip of the sexual assault and used it to blackmail her.

Deepali Aggarwal

24 Jun 2017,Saturday

Priorities and nature of ties with India, Pak different: US

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/priorities-and-nature-of-ties-with-india-pak-different-wh/1/986309.html

Asserting that the US' ties with India and Pakistan are not a 'zero-sum game', the White House has said that President Donald Trump administration's priorities and the nature of the relationship with the two countries are different. With India, the US is building a strategic partnership while with Pakistan the country seeks to have a productive partnership, US officials added.

By Lalit K Jha                           Washington, Jun 24 (PTI) Asserting that the US ties with India and Pakistan were not a zero-sum game, the White House has said that the Trump administrations priorities and the nature of relationship with the two countries were different. "We seek to have an effective partnership with each country. With India, were building that strategic partnership. We see Indias role and influence growing. We like to encourage that trend. So, were looking for ways to cooperate on our mutual interests," a senior administration official told reporters at a news conference here. "With Pakistan, we seek to have a productive partnership working together. But frankly, the priorities are different, and the nature of the relationships are different. So, I think that we would like to move forward with both countries. "We realise that the pace and scope of that relationship is going to be different in each case," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity said in response to a question on concerns in Pakistan with regard to increasing ties with India. Relationship with India and Pakistan is not a zero-sum game, he said. "I want to make the point here that US relationships with India and Pakistan really stand on their own merits and terms. We dont see a zero-sum relationship when it comes to the US relationship with Pakistan and the US relationship with India. "Were certainly eager to deepen the strategic partnership with India," he said. "We are also interested in continuing our cooperation with Pakistan," the official said adding that the US is concerned about tensions between India and Pakistan. He said the US would like to see the normalisation of relations between the two countries. "We believe its in both countries interests. Its in the interests of the region, and even the globe, given that theyre both nuclear-weapon powers," the official said. "But we very much encourage India and Pakistan to engage in a direct bilateral dialogue aimed at reducing those tensions," the official said while denying reports that sale of high-tech defence items to India would have any adverse impact on Pakistan. "The US also has a defence partnership with Pakistan. We do cooperate with Pakistan on some security and defence and counter terrorism issues. So again, we dont see this as a zero-sum game," the official said. "We see this as the US and India have mutual security interests that they want to advance, and we believe that the defence sales that are being discussed will help advance those. It is not about Pakistan. "The defence deals -- we do take into account the regional situation. We very much want to avoid a situation that escalates tensions between the two," he said. "So these issues are taken into account. But some of the defence systems that were talking about we dont believe impact Pakistan. They may be different systems than we are transferring to Pakistan, but we dont believe they represent a threat to Pakistan," said the White House official. Meanwhile, a senior Trump official yesterday said that India and the US have a common objective in Afghanistan, and the two countries could increase their cooperation to enhance the Afghan economy. "India has played a positive role in Afghanistan, the US believes. They have pledged over USD 3 billion in assistance to Afghanistan. The Afghans appreciate the kind of support and assistance that the Indians have provided--Im not just talking about the government, Im talking about the population," the official told reporters. "When theyve done polling, theres a very positive feeling toward India and the kind of assistance -- theyve assisted in the education sector, the health sector. They built the parliament building. They support democracy, democratic development there," he said, listing out the developmental activities by India in the war-torn country. "So I think this administrations opinion is that India has played a helpful role in Afghanistan in helping to stabilise that country, helping to strengthen the government in its fight against the Taliban insurgency. "Thats the kind of role that the US would like to encourage and perhaps maybe even cooperate in terms of development projects," the official said on condition of anonymity. As such, "this is an area that the two can increase their coordination and their consultation," the official said. "Of course, the US has major assistance programs to Afghanistan as well. So I think this is an area where I think they can expand that dialogue on what they can do to help the economy, help Afghanistan become more self-sufficiently financially.

Ankush Verma

21 Jan 2017,Saturday

Former US President Barack Obama leaves Washington DC

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/jan/20/donald-trump-inauguration-the-world-holds-its-breath-live-coverage?page=with:block-58824c5fe4b0f0efb00f64aa#block-58824c5fe4b0f0efb00f64aa

Former US President Barack Obama has left Washington DC in a helicopter after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Obama and his family were escorted by President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence. The Obamas will now fly the Air Force One for the last time to Palm Springs, California for a vacation.

6.09pm GMT 18:09 An ongoing live stream of the inauguration proceedings is here:Currently atop the blog are video highlights from the day thus far. [Update: we?ve gone back to the live stream up there for the moment but will re-elevate the highlights at the right time.]The Obamas at Andrews Air Force Base, where the former president is to deliver a thank you speech to staff.Updated at 6.26pm GMT 6.07pm GMT 18:07 6.04pm GMT 18:04 Tom DartThe Guardian?s Tom Dart reports from Bellville, Texas:Business was brisk in the Trump Cafe, a Donald-themed diner in the small Texas town of Bellville, an hour?s drive from Houston. Patrons cheered the president?s inauguration and clapped during moments in his speech when patriotism and promises united in rhetorical embrace. Larry Reed sat at the entrance behind a table selling hats, flasks, wristbands and Trump badges with the slogan ?Make America Great Again, President, Commander in Chief, Tweet Softly - But Carry A Big Stick.??I think that we?ve needed change in this country for a long, long time, and that?s why he got elected,? the 72-year-old said. ?Middle America, everything other than a couple of coastal areas has been crying out for change and neither party has given it. And it?s time. And so they took someone with a little populism and said ?hey, you know what? He doesn?t have to be perfect. If he claims to do these things, and he does it, we?re going to be happy?.?Reed does not think electing Trump is risky. ?No president can bring this country down, okay? Every president has had flaws, deep flaws, every one of them. They?re just men. But if they will lead, if they will put the right people in place to implement things that we need to see, we?ll be fine. We always are, no matter who the president is, and that?s what everyone has to realise this year. We?re going to be just fine if everybody will just zip their lips and watch it happen.? 5.55pm GMT 17:55 The old White House climate change page ? https://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/climate-change ? has disappeared like a species. The old url redirects to a generic Trump splash. Read further.Update: You can read the archived Obama White House web site here.Yes, the White House website's climate change page is gone. All the policy pages on https://t.co/Ju0da64MI6 have been taken down.Updated at 6.33pm GMT 5.52pm GMT 17:52 The Bidens are taking the Amtrak home to Delaware, of course. There?s footage now of them at Union Station. 5.51pm GMT 17:51 Let?s check the planner for what?s next. Looks like steak:Afternoon: The JCCIC has planned the traditional inaugural luncheon, to take place in National Statuary Hall at the Capitol. Four years ago Obama and guests dined on steamed lobster and hickory grilled bison. The menu for this year?s luncheon includes Maine lobster and Gulf shrimp, Seven Hills Angus beef, and chocolate soufflé and cherry vanilla ice cream for dessert.3pm EST/8pm GMT: The inaugural parade. There has been some controversy over a few of the groups slated to perform, including the marching band from Talladega College, a historically black college in Alabama, and the Marist College Band, from Poughkeepsie, New York. Additional college and high school bands and other groups from around the country will participate, as well as national groups such as the Boy Scouts of America, Wounded Warrior Project, and representatives from each military branch, to name a few.Evening: The Trumps and Pences will attend three official inaugural balls, according to the presidential inaugural committee. Two, titled ?Liberty and Freedom: The Official Presidential Inaugural Balls?, will be held at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre, with Sam Moore, the Piano Guys and the Rockettes listed among the performers. The Salute To Our Armed Services Ball will take place at the National Building Museum. 5.48pm GMT 17:48 Here?s the text of Trump?s inauguration speech, as prepared for delivery:Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans, and people of the world: thank you.We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people.Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come.We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done.Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power, and we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent.Today?s ceremony, however, has very special meaning. Because today we are not merely transferring power from one Administration to another, or from one party to another ? but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the American People.For too long, a small group in our nation?s Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.Washington flourished ? but the people did not share in its wealth.Politicians prospered ? but the jobs left, and the factories closed.The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nation?s Capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.That all changes ? starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you.It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America. This is your day. This is your celebration.And this, the United States of America, is your country.What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.Everyone is listening to you now.You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before.At the center of this movement is a crucial conviction: that a nation exists to serve its citizens.Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves.These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public.But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.We are one nation ? and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans.For many decades, we?ve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry;Subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military;We?ve defended other nation?s borders while refusing to defend our own;And spent trillions of dollars overseas while America?s infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.We?ve made other countries rich while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has disappeared over the horizon.One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores, with not even a thought about the millions upon millions of American workers left behind.The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed across the entire world.But that is the past. And now we are looking only to the future.We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital, and in every hall of power.From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land.From this moment on, it?s going to be America First.Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.I will fight for you with every breath in my body ? and I will never, ever let you down.America will start winning again, winning like never before.We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.We will build new roads, and highways, and bridges, and airports, and tunnels, and railways all across our wonderful nation.We will get our people off of welfare and back to work ? rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor.We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and Hire American.We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world ? but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first.We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow.We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones ? and unite the civilized world against Radical Islamic Terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other.When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.The Bible tells us, ?how good and pleasant it is when God?s people live together in unity.?We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.There should be no fear ? we are protected, and we will always be protected.We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we are protected by God.Finally, we must think big and dream even bigger.In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving.We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action ? constantly complaining but never doing anything about it.The time for empty talk is over.Now arrives the hour of action.Do not let anyone tell you it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America.We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again.We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the Earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow.A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights, and heal our divisions.It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget: that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American Flag.And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.So to all Americans, in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, and from ocean to ocean, hear these words:You will never be ignored again.Your voice, your hopes, and your dreams, will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.Together, We Will Make America Strong Again.We Will Make America Wealthy Again.We Will Make America Proud Again.We Will Make America Safe Again.And, Yes, Together, We Will Make America Great Again. Thank you, God Bless You, And God Bless America. 5.45pm GMT 17:45 The helicopter winds up. And leaves. They?re heading to the airport and thence to California, for family vacation. The Trumps and Pences stand on the steps, watching the helicopter go. Updated at 6.06pm GMT 5.43pm GMT 17:43 The Trumps and Obamas stand there. Then they walk down the steps in formation. The Obamas are hand-in-hand. Their walking towards the helicopter, which sounded like it was running but the blades aren?t moving. The group waits for the veep motorcade to pull out. There go the Obamas. Hand in hand, walking to their ride. The Trumps follow them to the steps. Trump shakes Obamas hand. He says something in his ear. It really does look like he says, ?I?ll call you.? Trump seems to return, indecisively, the salute of a military escort holding a salute.They finish their farewell. Michelle gets in. Barack gets in. He turns to wave from the door. And disappears inside. The Trumps turn and walk back to the Capitol.Next is lunch. 5.39pm GMT 17:39 Hugs. The Obamas and Trumps now will have a photo op with ?just presidents.? The veeps and spouses walk down to limos. Joe and Jill Biden are hopping in one. Jill hugs Karen Pence goodbye. Mike Pence says something important to Joe Biden.

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Feb 2017,Wednesday

SBI ATM dispenses fake ?2000 notes having churan lable strip

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/fake-rs-2-000-notes-bearing-churan-lable-dispensed-by-sbi-atm-in-delhi/story-8bsspBZ10wymlLb6JOwJWI.html

A State Bank of India ATM in South Delhi's Sangam Vihar dispensed fake ?2,000 notes bearing 'churan lable' strip instead of leaf markings and the Ashok emblem. Further, the notes dispensed on February 6 read 'Children's Bank of India' and 'Bharatiya Manoranjan Bank' in place of Reserve Bank of India. It also had a 'PK' logo instead of RBI's seal.

At a time when many people are struggling to withdraw cash, a State Bank of India ATM in South Delhi?s Sangam Vihar dispensed fake Rs 2,000 notes. The notes, which could be passed off as genuine at first glance, are replete with errors and seem to be a prank at people?s expense. The notes, dispensed on February 6, read ?Children Bank of India? in place of Reserve Bank of India and ?Guaranteed by the Children?s Government? in place of Guaranteed by the Central Government. ?Churan lable? in place of the latent image and a fake ?PK? logo instead of the bank?s seal, are among some of the other obvious deviations on the note. .fakenote_boxwrap {width:auto; font-family: "Open Sans"; padding:10px; background-color:#eee7ce; float:left}.fakenote_box1 ul {width:95%; line-height:24px; text-decoration:none; list-style:none; margin:10px; padding-left:0px; margin-left:0px; font-size:130%; float:left}.fakenote_h1 {font-size:110%; font-weight:normal; padding-left:5px; margin-bottom:10px}.fakenote_tophead {width:100%; font-size:170%; color:#F00; line-height:24px; font-weight:bold; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:10px; text-transform:uppercase; padding-left:5px; margin-top:10px; float:left}.fakenote_text1 {width:98%; font-size:110%; color:#F00; font-weight:bold; margin-top:5px; padding-left:5px; float:left}.fakenote_img {width:auto; float:left}.cricketmargin {width:100%; height:10px; border-bottom:1px dotted #000; float:left}.clrboth {clear:both}Spot the difference1. Bharatiya Manoranjan Bank instead of Bharatiya Reserve Bank2. Serial number 0000003. Rupee sign missing4. Churan Lable instead of strip with leaf markings5. P.K. logo instead of RBI seal6. I promise to pay the barer two thousand coupens (sic) instead of I promise to pay the bearer the sum of two thousand rupees7. Governor?s signature missing8. Churan Lable instead of the Ashok emblem9. Children Bank of India instead of Reserve Bank of India10. Guaranteed by the Children Government instead of Gauranteed by the Central GovernmentConfirming the development, a senior police officer said that the ATM first dispensed four such Rs 2,000 notes to a customer. ?We sent a sub-inspector to verify the allegations. He withdrew one Rs 2,000 note and that also turned out to be fake,? the officer said, adding that the other notes in the bundle were genuine.The man left with the fake notes has been identified as Rohit, a customer care executive at a call centre located in South Delhi?s Chhattarpur. He had visited the SBI ATM at around 7.45pm on February 6 to withdraw Rs 8,000. ?But all the four notes I withdrew were fake,? he alleged. Rohit noticed the deliberate mistakes on the notes like ?promise to pay the bearer two thousand coupons? and ?Serial number 000000? and immediately brought it to police?s notice after which a sub-inspector was sent to the ATM located at the T-Point of Tigri in Sangam Vihar.The policeman was unable to find any other customer with a similar complaint, so he withdrew a note from the ATM. The note that was dispensed confirmed Rohit?s allegations.Police said they are yet to identify the people behind this. A case of manufacturing documents resembling currency notes, using forged or counterfeit notes and of cheating has been registered at Sangam Vihar police station under IPC sections 489-b, 489-e and 420. An SBI spokesman has said they will be sending a team to investigate the matter.

Chhavi Tyagi

24 Feb 2017,Friday

BJP, Shiv Sena have no option but to come together: Gadkari

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bmc-election-results-bjp-shiv-sena-nitin-gadkari/1/890774.html

A day after a fractured verdict in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, BJP leader Nitin Gadkari on Friday said there is no option for the BJP and Shiv Sena than coming together. "The final decision has to be taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray. I'm sure they will take the right decision," Gadkari added.

A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls threw up a fractured verdict, senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari today said there is "no option" for his party and Shiv Sena than joining hands for control of the Mumbai civic body."The situation now is that both parties have no option but to come together again," Gadkari said."The final decision on this issue has to be taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Both are mature and I am sure they will take the right decision," he said."I feel leaders of both parties have to take a decision, showing sujh bujh (understanding) and maturity," Gadkari told a Marathi TV channel.He singled out Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' for its targeting of PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah."If there has to be a friendship with us (BJP), then there has to be a check on the writings in Saamana. How will there be friendship when Saamana, on a daily basis, writes insulting things about the PM and our party president?" he said."I feel that had these things been avoided, there would not have been so much bitterness between BJP and Sena," Gadkari said.Shiv Sena should take care that relations between the two parties should not deteriorate because of Saamana, he said.Gadkari's remarks came a day after the BJP scored an emphatic win in the Maharashtra civic polls, emerging as the largest party in eight of the 10 municipal corporations, while finishing a close second to Shiv Sena in BMC elections.The BJP improved its 2012 BMC poll performance by leaps and bounds, winning 82 seats, just two less than Sena. Both the parties are short of the magic figure of 114 needed to control the civic body.

Dishant Sharma

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Azhar Ali 1st Pak Test batsman to hit 2 200+ scores in a yr

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/azhar-ali-majid-khan-australia-vs-pakistan-melbourne-test/1/844252.html

Azhar Ali became Pakistan's first Test batsman to hit two 200+ scores in a year, after posting 205*(364) against Australia in the Boxing Day Test on Wednesday. The 31-year-old became the fourth Pakistani to hit 300+, when he scored 302*(469) against West Indies in October. Ali is also the fifth Pakistani batsman to score 1,000+ Test runs in a year.

Azhar Ali on Wednesday became the first Pakistan batsman to make more than one double century in a year as he slammed 205 not out helping the visitors declare their first innings at 443/9 against Australia in the ongoing second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Azhar's double century, the highest score by a Pakistan cricketer in Australia, put the tourists well in front but their chances of forcing a result have been reduced by the rain that disrupted the opening two days. (Scorecard)He tucked two runs off paceman Mitchell Starc to bring up the milestone and gave a running jump for joy before ripping off his helmet. Spectators gave him a standing ovation and batting partner Wahab Riaz jogged over to embrace him.Azhar 205 off 364 balls broke the 44-year-old record when he surpassed Majid Khan's 158.

Ankur Vyas

16 Apr 2017,Sunday

BJP can fight war with Pak to win 2019 polls: Digvijaya

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/congress-digvijaya-singh-narendra-modi-bjp-pakistan-2019-elections/1/930275.html

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday alleged that the Central government was creating an atmosphere of war with Pakistan to win the 2019 General elections. "BJP government is not fulfilling the promises it made to the people. So, there is no alternative left...to win the election," he said. Singh had earlier accused BJP of "stealing" people's mandate in Goa.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh today launched another tirade against the BJP Government. Casting grave doubts on the intention of the Modi dispensation, Singh mentioned there is an attempt to build an atmosphere in the direction of war with Pakistan. "BJP government is not fulfilling the promises it made to the people. So, there is no alternative left in the country to win the election. So, in this situation, Modi government can fight a war with Pakistan. This kind of an atmosphere is being built to win the 2019 elections.", Digvijaya Singh stated. Singh, who arrived in Jodhpur for a private function, also contradicted the Election Commission, mentioning that EVMs can be hacked. "A person who does it had come to me and had asked for Rs 2 crore to rectify the result of one Assembly.", Singh mentioned. DIGVIJAYA CALLS NDA GOVERNMENT 'THIEF'In the aftermanth of the Assembly elections, Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh had spearheaded the attack against BJP led NDA government in Rajya Sabha on the formation of government in Goa.Talking to India Today, Congress Rajya Sabha MP said, "Rahul Gandhi was right when he said that they have stolen ( mandate) like a thief.. They have committed dacoity. Theft and dacoity is always committed at night... They have committed dacoity and BJP will have to pay for it."Accusing BJP of 'stealing' people's mandate in Goa, Digvijaya Singh had asked for a detailed discussion on the matter in the Upper House of Parliament. Also Read:BJP stole mandate like thief, they will now pay for it: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Goa government

Prashanti Moktan

04 Mar 2017,Saturday

Dhanush, Trisha, Hansika's private images leaked online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dhanush-hansika-trisha-intimate-private-photos-leaked-suchitra/1/896055.html

Private images of actors including Dhanush, Trisha Krishnan and Hansika Motwani were leaked online from Tamil television host and singer Suchitra Karthik's Twitter account. Suchitra claimed that her account was hacked. "Please guys - I don't even socialize with actors, I don't have any of their pictures," tweeted Suchitra even as more images were posted by the alleged hacker.

Singer-actor Suchitra, who is known for her hit songs like Uyirin Uyire, May Maasam 98'il and Dole Dole, created a storm when she posted a series of tweets attacking South superstar Dhanush. However, her husband, actor Karthik Kumar, claimed that her Twitter account was hacked. Now, Suchitra seems to have leaked private pictures of celebrities like Dhanush, Trisha, Hansika Motwani and Anirudh Ravichander, among others.The photos have now been deleted, but not before already going viral. Suchitra took to Twitter to write that her account had been hacked again. "Please guys - I don't even socialize with actors, I don't have any of their pictures. More than anything - I am not a mean person. The person who is doing this, wants me to deactivate my acct. I'll do that in a second. But I know I have ppl here who genuinely like me. So I'm gonna see what best I can do now. But push comes to shove, I'll deactivate it. Apologising to my 'genuine' followers in advance," she wrote.However, Suchitra seems to know who the culprit is. "Verified info: apparently Mr Hacker thinks - by including a picture of himself in the leaked pix, he won't invite suspicion on himself," one of her tweets read.

Chhavi Tyagi

03 Jul 2017,Monday

Tea stall where PM sold tea to be developed as tourist spot

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tea-stall-where-modi-sold-tea-to-be-developed-as-tourist-spot/1/993294.html

A tea stall in Gujarat's Vadnagar railway station where PM Narendra Modi used to sell tea during his childhood is set to become a tourist spot. Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma visited the place on Sunday and said the tea stall will be developed as a part of a ?100-crore project to develop Vadnagar and surrounding areas as tourist destinations.

The tea stall in Guajarat's Vadnagar where Prime Minister Narendra Modi once sold tea during his childhood is all set to become a tourist spot with the Centre deciding to give it a face-lift. The stall is located on one of the platforms of the Vadnagar Railway station. Converting the stall into a tourist spot is part of a larger project of putting Modi's birthplace Vadnagar in Mehsana district of Gujarat on the world tourism map. Officials of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the town yesterday. The team of officials was led by Union Culture Mahesh Sharma, who later announced that the original charm of the tea stall will be preserved while giving it a modern touch. "Apart from being the birthplace of our PM, Vadnagar is an important historical centre having famous Sharmishta Lake and a step-well. The ASI had recently found remains of a Buddhist Monastery during excavation, which is still going on," Sharma told reporters at Gandhinagar yesterday. PRESERVING THE ORIGINAL CHARM Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi had often mentioned that he used to sell tea during his childhood at the Vadnagar railway station along with his father. "Inside the Vadnagar railway station, there is a small tea stall, from where our PM had probably started his life's journey. We also want to develop that tea stall as a tourism spot. We will try to preserve the original charm of the tea stall while giving it a modern touch. Our aim is to put Vadnagar on world tourism map," Sharma said. Earlier, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Ahmedabad division Dinesh Kumar had said the entire project of developing Vadnagar and adjoining places in Mehsana district would cost over Rs 100 crore. "The development of Vadnagar railway station is one of the components of the Rs 100 crore project to develop Vadnagar, Modhera and Patan as tourist destinations. As of now, the Ministry of Tourism has given Rs eight crore to the state Tourism Department to develop the railway station," Kumar had said.

Niharika Prabhakar

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Man arrested for receiving 'anti-national' WhatsApp message

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/chennai-man-arrested-for-receiving-anti-national-whatsapp-message-yes-for-receiving-it/1/1005622.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A man was arrested at the Chennai airport last week allegedly for receiving an audio message seen as anti-national, on his phone. The man was released on Monday after a judge told the police that a random message on a phone was not a sign of anti-national activities. It doesn't warrant arresting someone on charges of sedition, the court added.

It's not just sending a message that may land you in trouble nowadays. Even receiving a message on WhatsApp makes you vulnerable. Tadikala Akabar Saleem was last week arrested at the Chennai airport where he had gone to pick up a friend who was arriving from Gulf because cops found an audio message in his phone that they deemed anti-national.On Monday, although, 36-year-old Saleem was released after a magistrate in Chennai told cops that a random message on a phone was no sign of any anti-national activities and didn't warrant someone booked for charges of sedition.Saleem was booked by Chennai airport cops for sedition over a voice message that he received on WhatsApp. The message was considered as "anti-national" and an FIR was filed against Saleem on Saturday."Saleem was waiting outside the airport to receive his friend arriving from the Gulf and was taken in custody after his friend was found carrying excess gold on arrival," a report in the Indian Express noted. Although, during the investigation and questioning the airport authorities didn't find any wrongdoing on the part of Saleem, they did chance upon a random audio message that Saleem had received on his WhatsApp. After that they referred the case to the airport police, which booked Saleem after claiming that the message was anti-national.After his release on the directives of the court Saleem has reportedly returned to his village near Chennai though the police says it would continue to investigate as the case was "referred to by the customs department."The WhatsApp message, recorded in Urdu, was reportedly an appeal to all Muslims to assemble at Jantar Mantar for some protest. The alleged anti-national audio message, however, did not specify any time or date for the said protest.Also Read: WhatsApp may soon allow you to quickly switch from voice to video calls

Ankush Verma

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Brenda Hale appointed UK Supreme Court's first female Prez

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/jul/21/brenda-hale-appointed-as-uk-supreme-court-first-female-president?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, Brenda Hale, will be elevated to the position of the court's President in October, making her the first female to head UK's highest court. Hale, who joined the Supreme Court in 2009, will earn £225,000 a year as the President. She had earlier served as a counsel to Queen Elizabeth.

Brenda Hale has been appointed as the first female president of the UK supreme court.Lady Hale is a longstanding champion of diversity in the judiciary. She has previously said the court should be ashamed if it does not improve its record on the issue. Her appointment was announced on Friday and she will take up the role on 2 October, when she will be sworn in as president. She said: ?It is a great honour and a challenge to be appointed to succeed Lord Neuberger. I look forward to building upon his pioneering achievements, including developing closer links with each part of the United Kingdom, for example by sitting outside London, and improving the ways in which we communicate our work to the public. ?Recent high-profile cases mean that more people than ever before have heard of the supreme court, and we hope that this will help to create a broader understanding of how the judiciary serves society.?Hale?s appointment was announced alongside that of Jill Black, who, after promotion from the court of appeal, becomes the second female justice in the UK?s highest court. Two other court of appeal judges, David Lloyd Jones and Michael Briggs, were also appointed to the supreme court on Friday.A family law expert, Hale joined the supreme court in 2009 and is among the last of the judges who can serve to 75 as she became a judge before rules were changed in 1995 to make retiring at 70 mandatory.She will earn £225,000 a year as the head of the court. Neuberger said: ?I have had the pleasure of working closely with Lady Hale over the last five years, and have seen at first hand the intellect and humanity with which she approaches the appeals which come before her, as well as her commitment to the rule of law, legal education and building public understanding of the work of the courts.?For Lady Hale to become president of the institution to which she has contributed so much is a fitting pinnacle to a truly ground-breaking career.?Hale has criticised the inbuilt bias in choosing judges, and the dependence on ?soundings? from judges, as producing a judiciary that is ?not only mainly male, overwhelmingly white, but also largely the product of a limited range of educational institutions and social backgrounds?.Born in Yorkshire in 1945, she went to a state school, Richmond high school for girls, and then to Girton College, Cambridge, where she read law and graduated top of her class.Hale?s career began in academia when she joined the University of Manchester law faculty as a junior lecturer. While teaching ? and working in a pub ? she studied for the bar exams, winning the top results for her year in the bar finals. She was also the first woman and youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission.In 1989, she was appointed Queen?s counsel and in 1994 she became a high court judge, the first to have made her career as an academic and public servant rather than as a practising barrister.In 1999, she became the second woman to be appointed to the court of appeal; Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss was the first. Hale also became the first female law lord. In June 2013, she was appointed deputy president of the supreme court.Like Hale, Black is a family law specialist ? although she initially took on a broad range of criminal and civil work at the bar ? and worked in academia, having taught at then Leeds Polytechnic in the 1980s. She was raised in north Wales and studied at Durham University. Earlier this year, the 63-year-old was on a panel of appeal court judges who ruled against the government following freedom of information requests to view a former minister?s diaries. Lloyd Jones, 65, who grew up in Pontypridd, south Wales, was a ?friend of the court?, offering legal advice in the hearings into whether former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet had sovereign immunity from arrest and potential extradition to Spain over alleged human rights crimes.Briggs, 62, grew up in a naval family, following his father between ships on the south coast. While at the high court, he was in charge of the extensive Lehman Brothers insolvency litigation from 2009 to 2013.

Anmol Sharma

21 Mar 2017,Tuesday

India include Mohammed Shami in the squad for final Test

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/team-india-dharamsala-test-cricket-india-vs-australia/1/909323.html

India have added pacer Mohammed Shami into the squad for the final Test, scheduled to begin on March 25 in Dharamshala. Shami last played for India in November 2016 and had been out since due to knee injury. Earlier, Indian captain Kohli had hinted at including Shami saying that he was sent to play Vijay Hazare Trophy for match practice.

The Indian cricket team on Tuesday landed in Dharamsala for the fourth and final Test of the series against Australia, starting Saturday.India have boosted their pace battery by adding Mohammed Shami into the squad. Kohli had earlier said Shami remains in the scheme of things for the last Test."We sent him to play (Vijay Hazare), wanted to give him match practice. I've not spoken to selectors but all kinds of possibility approaching the next Test," Kohli said.The four-match series currently stands 1-1 after Australia stunned India by 333 runs in the opening Test in Pune before Kohli's men bounced back beautifully to win the second Test in Bengaluru by 75 runs to level the series. The third Test in Ranchi ended in a draw after Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh saved Australia blushes.Australia will just have to draw the final Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after their 2-0 victory in 2014. Kohli had won six consecutive series before the Australia. Pressure will be on India as their home domination is under threat.

Ankur Vyas

27 Feb 2017,Monday

Not fielding Muslims in UP a big mistake: Uma Bharti

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-assembly-polls-bjp-uma-bharti-muslim-candidates-rajnath-singh/1/892454.html

Union Minister Uma Bharti on Monday said BJP committed a "huge mistake" by not fielding any Muslim candidate in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh elections. "I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim," she said. In response, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar said, "When Muslims do not vote for us, then why should we give ticket to them?"

Union Minister Uma Bharti on Monday said the BJP made "a huge mistake" by not fielding any Muslim candidate in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly polls."I am really feeling sorry that we could not field a Muslim. I spoke with (BJP President) Amit Shah and (state party President) Keshav Prasad Maurya about how we could have brought a Muslim to the assembly," Uma Bharti told CNN-News18. "Rajnathji has said the right thing, we could have given ticket (to Muslims)," she said, referring to Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajnath Singh.Uma Bharti's comments met with opposition from her colleague, with Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar questioning the logic behind fielding Muslims. "When Muslims do not vote for us, then why should we give ticket to them," asked Katiyar.

Ankush Verma

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Over 8 lakh people still displaced from Mosul: UN

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/more-than-800-000-people-still-displaced-from-mosul-un/story-WevXaWnKlB1iaF5wvAZCeM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The UN on Friday said that over 8 lakh people out of nearly 10 lakh who fled Iraq's Mosul after the offensive against Islamic State began, still remain displaced. UN officials in Iraq said the new displacement figures underscored "the enormous crisis" in the area. Notably, Mosul was recaptured from ISIS earlier this month by US-backed Iraqi government forces.

More than a million people were displaced from Mosul by the battle in the Iraqi city against the Islamic State group, but nearly 200,000 have returned home, the UN said Friday. Out of nearly 1.05 million people who fled the fighting after the offensive against IS began last October, 825,000 remain displaced, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement. The city on the Tigris river in northern Iraq had an estimated population of two million in 2014.Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday declared Mosul fully retaken from the jihadist group after a Western-backed operation. But it is still near-impossible to access the Old City, where sweeping and demining operations continue.IOM?s chief of mission in Iraq, Thomas Lothar Weiss, said the new displacement figures underscored ?the enormous crisis? in the area.

Daisy Mowke

15 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Rekha to give 4th Yash Chopra Memorial Award to SRK

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rekha-to-give-4th-yash-chopra-memorial-award-to-srk/1/883197.html

Veteran actress Rekha will hand over actor Shah Rukh Khan the fourth Yash Chopra Memorial Award during a ceremony which will be held on February 25. The award commemorates the late director-producer by honouring excellence in various spheres of cinema like acting and music. Rekha will give the award along with Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao.

Mumbai, Feb 15 (PTI) Veteran actress Rekha will hand over superstar Shah Rukh Khan the fourth Yash Chopra Memorial Award during a ceremony later this month.

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Rape victims' mental age won't decide for trial under POCSO

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/biological-not-mental-age-will-determine-case-under-pocso-for-sexual-assault-victims-sc/story-sdTu2Ht1UFuLwTAMYpCLrN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Rape victim's biological age and not mental age will determine whether trial of the case will be held under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday. This came in response to a PIL filed by the mother of a 38-year-old victim suffering from Cerebral Palsy, leaving her with mental age of a six-year-old.

The biological age and not the mental age of a sexual assault victim will determine whether trial in the case will be held under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act of 2012, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday.The court order came on a petition raising a question of law as to whether the POCSO Act will apply where the mental age of the victim makes her a child despite her age.The PIL was filed by the mother of a 38-year-old rape victim suffering from cerebral palsy since birth, which has left her with the mental age of a six-year-old.The court had earlier stayed criminal proceedings in the case pending in a trial court. The POCSO Act is a special legislation enacted to try people accused of sexual assault on minors and provides for establishment of special courts, in accordance with an UN Convention on Rights of the Child 1992.India is among several countries in the world where sexual abuse of minors is rampant. Activists say most of the cases go unreported as family members avoid seeking police help for the social stigma attached to such incidents.

Vaibhav Gupta

03 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Next surgical strike will be different: New Army Chief

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-chief-india-strategy-against-terrorists/1/848200.html

The newly appointed Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday said the next surgical strike will be of a different manner and style. Adding that anti-India militants have changed their strategy post the September surgical strikes, Rawat said, "We will surprise the enemy." Referring to Pathankot, Uri and Nagrota attacks, he cautioned that security forces must not drop guard.

Three months after its dauntless surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the army on Monday didn't rule out another swoop to wipe out anti- India terror infrastructure across the border.But any such future measure would have a different shape and form, the new army chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, told India Today TV in an exclusive interview.NEXT SURGICAL STRIKE AGAINST PAK WILL BE OF DIFFERENT KIND  "We have done one surgical strike in PoK. But if we have to do something again, we will do it in a different manner and different style," Gen Rawat said. "We'll surprise the enemy." The Indian army, he explained, is closely watching terrorist movements in the restive Kashmir valley.Anti-India militants, noted Gen Rawat, have rapidly changed their strategy since the September surgical strikes. The operation against terrorists who were planning to infiltrate into the country from PoK came in response to an attack on an army base in J&K's Uri sector that left 19 personnel dead.ALSO READ: Inside story of Indian Army's daring surgical strikes against Pakistan"Terrorists have changed or are changing their strategy," the Gen Rawat said. "We have to adapt our strategy accordingly and we are working on it," he added. The army chief described the Special Forces' operation in PoK as a powerful deterrence against major attacks.However, he cautioned the security forces against dropping their guard. "Terrorists found weaknesses," he said, referring to last year's terrorist attacks targeting the military in Pathankot, Uri andNagrota. "Security forces must neutralise (the terrorists) at the earliest (during such operations)," he observed. "We have to prevent terrorists from taking action. They can infiltrate; they have Pakistan support. They have weapons as well as money."TERRORISTS LOOKING FOR SOFT TARGETS Gen Rawat warned that militants might choose targets other than military bases in the future. Asked about China, he said "cooperation" summarised the Indian army's current policy towards Beijing. "Wherever there is tension along the border with China, we deal with it through mutual dialogue," he said. India's army, he said, is supportive of peace. Violence, he noted, affects civilians the most in border areas.Asked about the supersession issue surrounding his appointment, he said the army would continue to get full "support and cooperation" from the two most senior officers, Lt-Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt-Gen PM Hariz. "Their commitment towards the army is unflinching."He also spoke about the need to modernise the army's infrastructure and hardware. "With changing times, we need to change our logistics. We are getting full support from the government in this regard. We need to modernise our warfare, arms, ammunition, and tanks," he said.

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Cong leader Sajjan Kumar granted bail in 1984 riots case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/1984-sikh-riots-sajjan-kumar-dwarka-court-bail/1/839759.html

A district court in Dwarka, Delhi, on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. He has been asked to cooperate with the investigation agencies and not leave the country without permission. Further, the court asked Sajjan to furnish a personal bond and a surety bond of ?1 lakh each.

A district court in Dwarka has granted anticipatory bail to senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.ALSO READ: 1984 Sikh riot: They took their time to kill between meals

Tarun Khanna

27 Mar 2017,Monday

Udaipur girl 1st to swim from Sea Link to Gateway of India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mumbai-gauri-singh-swimming-sea-link-gateway-of-india/1/913504.html

Udaipur's Gauri Singhvi (14) has become the first girl to swim from Bandra?Worli Sea Link to the Gateway of India, which is a 36 km long route. Gauri started swimming on Sunday at 11:00 am and reached the Gateway of India at 5:30 pm. Since childhood, she wanted to swim in the international channel and therefore eyed the Arabian Sea.

Gauri Singh, 14-year-old girl became the first girl to explore the route from Sea Link near Worli Koliwada to the Gateway of India. The 36 km long distance route, which she started on Sunday morning was completed in 6 hours and 30 minutes. Singh is a resident of Udaipur and a class 8th student. From her childhood, she started swimming and wanted to swim in the international channel, and therefore eyed the Arabian Sea.Her mother Shubh talking about the swimming said, "She was practising very hard for this. She was swimming in cold water throughout night in Udaipur to prepare for the Mumbai. She was very dedicated during the practice."Singh went for swimming on Sunday at 11 in the morning. She reached the Gateway of India at 5:30 pm in the evening. Talking about the exciting swim, Singh said, "It was very exciting. I just loved the swim. I want to swim more and achieve more goals. I want to swim longer now." Watch the video here:

Nandini Sinha

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Frozen bodies of couple found in Swiss Alps after 75 years

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/missing-75-years-ago-frozen-bodies-of-swiss-couple-found-on-shrinking-glacier/story-ETU4YJFpY7TE0Yfwt0O05L.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The bodies of a Swiss couple who went missing 75 years ago have been found perfectly preserved in the Alps, reports said. A bottle, a book, and a watch were also found along with the bodies that were dressed in clothes dating back to World War II. DNA testing will be carried out to confirm their identities, reports added.

The frozen bodies of a Swiss couple who went missing 75 years ago in the Alps have been found on a shrinking glacier, Swiss media said on Tuesday.Marcelin and Francine Dumoulin, the parents of seven children, had gone to milk their cows in a meadow above Chandolin in the Valais canton on August 15, 1942.?We spent our whole lives looking for them, without stopping. We thought that we could give them the funeral they deserved one day,? their youngest daughter Marceline Udry-Dumoulin told the Lausanne daily Le Matin.?I can say that after 75 years of waiting this news gives me a deep sense of calm,? added the 79-year-old.In an overnight statement, Valais cantonal police said that two bodies bearing identity papers had been discovered last week by a worker on Tsanfleuron glacier near a ski lift above Les Diablerets resort at an altitude of 2,615 metres (8,600 feet).DNA testing would be carried out to confirm the identities of the couple.?The bodies were lying near each other. It was a man and a woman wearing clothing dating from the period of World War Two,? Bernhard Tschannen, director of Glacier 3000, told the paper.?They were perfectly preserved in the glacier and their belongings were intact.??We think they may have fallen into a crevasse where they stayed for decades. As the glacier receded, it gave up their bodies,? he told the daily Tribune de Geneve.Marcelin Dumoulin, 40, was a shoemaker, while Francine, 37, was a teacher. They left five sons and two daughters. ?It was the first time my mother went with him on such an excursion. She was always pregnant and couldn?t climb in the difficult conditions of a glacier,? Udry-Dumoulin said. ?After a while, we children were separated and placed in families. I was lucky to stay with my aunt,? she said. ?We all lived in the region but became strangers.??For the funeral, I won?t wear black. I think that white would be more appropriate. It represents hope, which I never lost.?

Deepali Aggarwal

14 May 2017,Sunday

Hafiz Saeed spreading terrorism in name of jihad: Pakistan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mumbai-terror-attack-mastermind-hafiz-saeed-detained/1/953596.html

Jamat-ud Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed who masterminded 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been detained along with his four aides for "spreading terrorism in the name of jihad", Pakistan's Interior Ministry has told a judicial review board. However, Saeed said that he had been detained by the Pakistani government to stop him from raising voice for Kashmiris.

Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamat-ud Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed and his four aides have been detained for "spreading terrorism in the name of jihad", Pakistan's interior ministry has told a judicial review board.Saeed appeared before the board on Saturday and told it that he had been detained by the Pakistani government in order to stop him for raising voice for Kashmiris.However, the interior ministry rejected his arguments and told the three-member board that Saeed and his four aides have been detained for "spreading terrorism in the name of jihad".The board comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan of the Supreme Court (head), Justice Ayesha A Malik of Lahore High Court and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of Balochistan High Court directed the ministry to submit a complete record regarding detention of Saeed and his aides - Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid, Abdullah Ubaid and Qazi Kashif Niaz on next hearing on May 15.HAFIZ SAEED PRODUCED BEFORE BOARDThe board also sought personal appearance of the attorney general of Pakistan on next hearing.Police produced Saeed and his four aides before the board at Lahore registry of the apex court amid high security. A large number of Saeed's supporters gathered outside the court.Saeed's counsel advocate A K Dogar was also present but the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chose to plead his case before the court.SAEED'S ARGUMENTS"The allegations levelled by the government against me had never been proved by any state institution. My organisation and I have been victimised for raising voice for freedom of Kashmir and criticising the government s weak policy on the Kashmir issue," Saeed said.He said that he had been placed under house in order to stop him for raising voice for Kashmiri people.Saeed appealed to the board to set aside the Punjab government's detention order."The government detained the JuD leaders on pressure of United Nations and international organisations," an official representing the federal interior ministry told the board.Last Thursday, Lahore High Court division bench had questioned as why Saeed and others were not presented before a review board before the government issued notification for extension to his detention for another 90 days.THE EXTENSION OF HAFIZ SAEED'S DETENTIONOn April 30, detention of Saeed and his four aides was extended by the Punjab government for another 90 days under preventative detention under 11 EEE (I) and 11D of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997.The Punjab government on January 30 had put these five under house arrest in Lahore for their involvement in activities which can be prejudicial to peace and security.The government has also placed JuD and FIF under second schedule of the anti-terrorism act.US SANCTIONS JAMAT-UD-DAWAHThe Nawaz government had reportedly taken action against Saeed after the US clearly told Islamabad that in case of not taking action against JuD and Saeed it may face sanctions.JuD is said to be the front for the banned Lashkar-e- Taiba (LeT). The organisation has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.Saeed and his aides said in their petition that the government detained them without any legal justification. They said the UN resolution followed by the government did not seek detention of any citizen."The detention of the JuD leaders is a simple case of mala fide intention and ulterior motive on part of the government as it has been done so to please India and the United States," the petition said.Also Read:

Daisy Mowke

07 Jan 2017,Saturday

Indian teenagers win Travel Photographer of the Year award

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-teenagers-travel-photographer-of-the-year-award-2016-darpan-basak-ankit-kumar-lifetr/1/850238.html

Fourteen-year-old Darpan Basak and thirteen-year-old Ankit Kumar have won the Travel Photographer of the Year award 2016. While Darpan was named the 'Young Photographer of the Year', Ankit won the award in the 14 years old and under age-group in the 'Places and Experiences' category. The award was founded by photographers Chris and Karen Coe in 2003.n

It's an annual award that receives entries from over 100 countries. It's also an award that has some of the most beautiful picture you'll ever see as its entries.We're talking about the Travel Photographer Of The Year award 2016, which was founded by photographers Chris and Karen Coe in 2003. Ending 2016 on a beautiful note were these two teenagers from India who were declared the best in their respective categories. Darpan Basak, 14 years of age, won the Young Travel Photographer Of The Year, and Ankit Kumar, 13, won the Young Travel Photographer (14 years old and under) in the Places and Experiences category.Darpan, a self-taught photographer, started taking photography seriously in 2012. According to Huffington Post, the judges had this to say about the young boy's pictures, "Conveys the experience of landing the catch, getting into the action and giving a sense of the excitement." Here's a glimpse of what impressed the judges:

Dishant Sharma

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

South Africa's Tsotsobe handed 8-yr ban for match fixing

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/lonwabo-tsotsobe-handed-eight-year-ban-for-match-fixing/story-qQVbnPkb1BJ3Wk0znpyVCN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Cricket South Africa has handed an eight-year ban to pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe for his part in a 2015 match-fixing scandal. Six other South African players had been banned earlier for two to 20 years for being a part of the scandal. "I was, at the time, in a very vulnerable financial state," Tsotsobe revealed in a statement.

Former test bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been banned for eight years, taking to seven the number of South African players kicked out of the game for their part in a 2015 match-fixing scandal, Cricket South Africa said on Tuesday. The 33-year-old, who played in five tests and 61 one-day internationals, was charged in April with contriving to fix or improperly influence matches in the South Africa domestic Twenty20 Series and seeking to accept, or agreeing to accept, a bribe. Lonwabo Tsotsobe admitted one charge of contriving to fix a match and nine separate charges of failing to co-operate properly with various investigations. READ?|?Vernon Philander declared match fit ahead of second Test between England and South Africa?I was, at the time, in a very vulnerable financial state and this dilemma too easily persuaded me to participate in spot fixing,? Tsotsobe said in a statement. ?There are no words to describe the regret I have in relation to my actions and I hope that the cricket world could consider my apology and understand my deepest feeling of remorse.? Gulam Bodi, Jean Symes, Pumi Matshikwe, Ethy Mbhalati, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen were previously banned for between two and 20 years for their part in the scandal, although CSA has long held that no matches were actually fixed. READ?|?Bangladesh cricket vows crackdown on player scandalsThe investigation is now closed.

Abhishek Bansal

11 May 2017,Thursday

Who is Shayara Bano, woman behind triple talaq case in SC?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shaira-bano-face-of-fight-against-triple-talaq/1/682424.html

The triple talaq case in the Supreme Court originated from the petition filed by Shayara Bano in 2016 in a case of divorce from her husband. Bano was given divorce through a 'talaqnama' sent to her while she was at her parents' place. A postgraduate in Sociology, Bano petitioned the court for a ban on triple talaq and polygamy.

When an under-confident, middle-class woman from a small town showed the courage to demand the scrapping of unilateral pronouncement of divorce in one sitting (triple talaq) people took note.Not only because she was an unlikely candidate to have challenged a religious practice but also because many were keen to know whether she can eventually force a change despite the opposition.THE STORY OF SHAIRA37- year-old Shaira Bano has taken her triple talaq case to the Supreme Court and citing it as an 'unfair practice' she has demanded it be abolished in India. She says she was duped into accepting a post that summarily broke her home. A marriage of 15 years was dissolved in minutes unilaterally with her husband dispatching a 'talaqnama' to her while she was at her parent's place in Kashipur, Uttarakhand recuperating from an illness. Shaira recounts, "I spoke to him over the phone last year where he said he had left me. Then one day he said he was sending some property papers and that I must accept the post. I did. And when I opened it, there lay before me a divorce deed (talaqnama)."Shaira alleges she went through a harrowing time in the last 15 years of marriage. She was mentally tortured by demands of dowry initially. After she had two children, all subsequent pregnancies were forcefully aborted by her husband. Despite all this, she never protested, just so that she could save her home and not bring disrepute to her family.'KHULA' DIVORCEWhen I asked her mother about why she let her daughter suffer and not demand a 'khula', a divorce initiated by a woman, her mother claimed she were unaware of her daughter's plight. Shaira's mother, Firoza Bano, however later confessed that the family wanted to save the marriage from breaking somehow as they feared disrepute. She said, "Since day one he (Shaira's husband) would say I will seek talaq but we are simple people and wanted our daughter to remain settled in the marriage."Though Shaira has an MA in Sociology she has never worked. She was always financially dependent on her husband, who offered her a paltry 'meher' amount of about 16,000 rupees at the time of talaq. It is this 'unfairness' she says she has challenged but with this she has taken on those who refuse to entertain any thought of change to the Muslim personal laws. FIGHT AGAINST TRADITIONSHer brother Arshad told us "The Muslim Personal Law Board has filed a petition against us saying we are going against the rules of Islam and they will not allow any change."Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Kamal Farooqi told us that the Board has filed a rejoinder to Shaira's petition. According to him, "Personal laws cannot be tampered with or changed for one case alone. Today they will want to change talaq laws, tomorrow they will intrude into other aspects like inheritance. This is unacceptable."The AIMPLB is not alone in its opposition. No political party is willing to push for changes in personal laws. So much so that even the BJP that has been vocal on uniform civil code skirted the issue. Minority affairs minister Nejma Heptullah said that a "demand for change should come from within the community." The JD(U), Congress, Samajwadi party all voiced a similar opinion.However, Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate KTS Tulsi took a different stand, "Why can't the judiciary decide on something that is related to human right? Most Muslim countries have also done away with triple talaq, why can't we?"

Saloni Tandon

05 Mar 2017,Sunday

Amateur swimmers allowed burkinis in competitions in England

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/muslim-swimmers-allowed-to-race-wearing-burkinis-in-england/1/897216.html

Following a request by the Muslim Women's Sport Foundation, England's Amateur Swimming Association has allowed female swimmers to wear burkinis in amateur competitions. The outfit was previously banned as it was said to have performance-enhancing characteristics since it streamlined the shape of the body. However, swimmers will have to get their burkinis approved by a referee before competing.

London, Mar 5 (PTI) Muslim women swimmers have won the right to race in loose-fitting full body outfits or burkinis while taking part in amateur swimming competitions in England. On a request from the Muslim Womens Sport Foundation, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has relaxed its swimsuit regulations to allow women to wear loose-fitting full body outfits. Until now, full body suits like those worn by Olympians have been banned, as they help streamline the shape of the body and have performance-enhancing characteristics. The new guidance, which will only apply to amateur competitions in England, states that competitors will not be allowed to wear any suit that a competition referee believes will increase performance, The Telegraph reported. Photographs published by the governing body suggested that loose-fitting outfits would be permissible, while specifically excluding body suits similar to those worn by elite competitors. "Swimmers wishing to swim in such a suit shall present the suit to the event referee for inspection prior to their swim," the guidance states. "Once the referee has been informed of a swimmer wishing to wear a suit, as described above, there is no requirement for the referee to question the swimmer further, the ASA swimming management group do not want athletes being asked why they wish to wear the suit," it says. Chris Bostock, chairman of the ASA sport governing board, termed the move as a "very positive step forward" for competitive swimming in England and one that he hoped would encourage many more people to take part.

Akshita Jain

19 Feb 2017,Sunday

Fake ?100 notes seized from two persons with ISI links

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-police-seize-rs-6-lakh-in-fake-rs-100-notes-from-gang-with-isi-links/story-qDtyQhV9qynTIQgpwSrhNL.html

Delhi Police has reportedly arrested two persons with ISI links and seized ?6 lakh in fake ?100 notes from them. The accused were trying to smuggle these notes from Nepal to India, as per reports. While the module was busted by the Border Security Force and National Investigation Agency, the Delhi Police made the seizure from Delhi's Sonia Vihar.

Delhi Police special cell on Friday arrested two persons, reportedly associated with the ISI and seized Rs 6 lakh in fake Rs 100 notes that they were allegedly trying to funnel into India from Nepal.According to sources the consignment worth Rs 6 lakh of FICN (fake Indian currency notes) was smuggled from Nepal to India. Sources said that earlier Malda route was used to pump in FICN of Rs 2,000 denomination.Police said that the Border Security Force and National Investigating Agency busted that module while the special cell of Delhi police made the seizure in the capital?s Sonia Vihar area. This is the first seizure of 100 rupee notes post demonetisation. One of the main aims of demonetising high value bank notes was to stop fake currency being pumped into the economy. But a spate of seizures recently, including some of high denominations, indicate that counterfeiters do not seem to have been hit hard.Last month, the Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested three men and claimed to have busted a fake currency printing racket. Counterfeit notes in the denomination of Rs 2,000 ?with a total face value of Rs 18 lakh ?were seized from them.Also read |?Demonetisation affects Nepal, black marketing of currency rampant at border

Ankur Vyas

23 Feb 2017,Thursday

Ex-Arunachal CM Pul's wife withdraws petition from SC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kalikho-pul-suicide-wife-moves-supreme-court-cbi-probe-into-death/1/889603.html

Former Arunachal Pradesh CM Kalikho Pul's wife Dangwimsai Pul on Thursday withdrew her Supreme Court petition seeking a CBI-probe into the allegations made in his purported suicide note. She said she did not want the court to decide her matter as that "will lead to closure of other remedies". Notably, Pul was found hanging at his official residence in August.

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul's wife Dangwimsai Pul today withdrew from the Supreme Court her petition seeking CBI probe into the death and the allegations levelled in a purported 'suicide note' he left behind. Withdrawing her petition, Dangwimsai Pul said she does not want the apex court to decide her matter as it "will lead to closure of other remedies". The former Arunchal Pradesh Chief Minister was found hanging in a bedroom of his official residence in the posh Niti Vihar area of state capital Itanagar on August 9 last year.

Abhishek Bansal

10 Mar 2017,Friday

Kaneria appeals to PCB tribunal to reopen his fixing case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/danish-kaneria-pcb-tribunal-appeals-reopen-fixing-case/1/901100.html

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, serving a life ban for spot-fixing, has appealed to the cricket authorities to have his case revisited by the inquiry tribunal set-up to probe into the allegations against Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif. Kaneria said his case was decided in the UK and he remained unsatisfied with the way the hearings were heard.n

Former Pakistan leg spinner Danish Kaneria, serving a life ban on charges of spot-fixing has appealed to the cricket authorities to have his case revisited by the inquiry tribunal set-up to probe into the allegations against Pakistani batsmen, Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif.The PCB had earlier announced a three-member tribunal headed by former Lahore high court judge, Asghar Haider to hold proceedings against Sharjeel and Khalid.The other members of the tribunal include former Chairman of the board, Lt General (retd) Tauqir Zia and former test captain, Wasim Bari."I have been saying all along that the anti-corruption panel of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) imposed the life ban on me based on the statement of my Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield, who himself has told lies about me and had to be forcibly summoned to attend the hearings," Kaneria told PTI on Thursday.Kaneria said his case was heard and decided in the United Kingdom and his lawyers and he remained unsatisfied with the way the hearings were heard."No one listened to us, lot of anomalies in the statements of Westfield against me were ignored. I didn't get justice," he said.The leg-spinner was banned for life in June 2012 by the ECB's anti-corruption tribunal on allegations of trying to convince his Essex teammates into spot-fixing in county matches.

Pragya Swastik

09 Feb 2017,Thursday

Hitachi admits 32 lakh debit cards were compromised in 2016

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hitachi-owns-up-systems-compromised-in-2016-leading-to-scare/1/878658.html

Hitachi Payment Services on Thursday confirmed its systems were hit by malware in 2016, that let hackers steal information from 32 lakh debit cards in India. A loss of ?1.3 crore was suffered by over 600 customers in one of India's biggest cyber security breaches. The compromise period has been identified between May 21 and July 11, 2016.

Mumbai, Feb 9 (PTI) Hitachi Payments Services today accepted its systems were compromised by a sophisticated malware in mid-2016, that led to one of the biggest cyber security breaches in country with 3.2 million cards affected and a scare over security of card-based transactions. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) had said over 600 customers had reported losses of at least Rs 1.3 crore due to the breach. The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Japanese Hitachi, made the acknowledgement following the receipt of final assessment report from payments and information security audit firm SISA Information Security, and said it "regrets" the inconvenience caused. In what poses more scope for worries, the company said the amount of data exfiltrated is "unascertainable due to secure deletion by the malware". "We confirm that our security systems had a breach during mid-2016," its Managing Director Loney Anthony said, adding this happened despite following adequate security measures and adopting the standards of internationally- accepted best practices. The compromise period has been identified between May 21 and July 11. It had come out in public after a slew of banks, including those not serviced by Hitachi, approached customers making either card replacements or ATM PIN changes compulsory. Out then, the compromise was suspected to have happened through one of the ATMs of Yes Bank, one of the biggest clients of the company. Yes Banks Rana Kapoor had called for stricter vigil on the outsourced service providers following the compromise. "There needs to be a lot more vigilance where there are outsourcing partners to make sure they dont endanger the delivery and system risk, and theres a fair amount of policing as far as outsourcing risks are concerned," he said. "Hitachi Payment Services regrets the inconvenience caused to banks and its customers due to this lapse in its security infrastructure. We assure you of our highest commitment to building a robust infrastructure in our systems and preventing such cyber frauds in future," Anthony said.

Tarun Khanna

10 Feb 2017,Friday

Religious freedom violations grew under Modi govt: US report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/muslims-dalits-religious-attacks-grew-in-india-narendra-modi-us-report/1/879370.html

A report by an independent bipartisan American body, sponsored by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has alleged that under Modi regime, religious minority communities have been subject to derogatory comments. "Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Jains generally are fearful of what the future portends. Dalits also are increasingly being attacked," the report added.n

Religious tolerance has deteriorated and religious freedom violations have increased in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime, a report by an independent bipartisan American body has claimed.The report, titled 'Constitutional and Legal Challenges Faced by Religious Minorities in India' and sponsored by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), said the religious minority communities and Dalits face discrimination and persecution in India where hate crimes, social boycotts and forced conversion have escalated dramatically since 2014."Under Congress Party and BJP-led governments, religious minority communities and Dalits, both have faced discrimination and persecution due to a combination of overly broad or ill-defined laws, an inefficient criminal justice system, and a lack of jurisprudential consistency. In particular, since 2014, hate crimes, social boycotts, assaults, and forced conversion have escalated dramatically," said the report."Since the BJP assumed power, religious minority communities have been subject to derogatory comments by BJP politicians and numerous violent attacks and forced conversions by affiliated Hindu nationalist groups such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sangh Parivar, and Vishva Hindu Parishad," it said.WHAT THE USCIRF-SPONSORED REPORT STATESThe USCIRF-sponsored report is written by Iqtidat Karamat Cheema, who is director for UK-based Institute for Leadership and Community Development. The report further says there are constitutional provisions and state and national laws in India that do not comply with international standards of freedom of religion or belief, including Article 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.The report suggested that the US government should put religious freedom and human rights at the heart of all trade, aid and diplomatic interactions with India."India is a religiously diverse and democratic society with a Constitution that provides legal equality for its citizens irrespective of their religion and prohibits religion-based discrimination," said USCIRF chair Thomas J. Reese.ALSO READ|  Religious tolerance in India deteriorating, says US rights expert"However, the reality is far different... India's pluralistic tradition faces serious challenges in a number of its states.""During the past few years, religious tolerance has deteriorated and religious freedom violations have increased in some areas of India. To reverse this negative trajectory, the Indian and state governments must align theirs laws with both the country's constitutional commitments and international human rights standards," he said.The report stated that India faces serious challenges to both its pluralistic traditions and its religious minorities. "Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Jains generally are fearful of what the future portends. Dalits also are increasingly being attacked and harassed"."The Indian government-at both the national and state levels-often ignores its constitutional commitments to protect the rights of religious minorities. National and state laws are used to violate the religious freedom of minority communities; however, very little is known about the laws," it said.STATES WITH MOST INCIDENTS OF RELIGIOUSLY-MOTIVATED ATTACKSIt stated that the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan tend to have the greatest number of incidents of religiously-motivated attacks and communal violence, as well as the largest religious minority populations.Quoting India's Home Ministry figures, it said that in 2015, India experienced a 17 per cent increase in communal violence, when compared to the previous year. In 2015, there were 751 reported incidents of communal violence, up from 644 in 2014.The report recommended the US government to urge the Indian government to push its states that have adopted anti-conversion laws to repeal or amend them to conform to international norms.It further urged the Indian government to immediately lift its sanctions against non-governmental organisations working for the welfare of the minorities in India."Identify Hindutva groups that raise funds from US citizens and support hate campaigns in India. Such groups should be banned from operating in the United States if they are found to spread hatred against religious minorities in India," it said.INDIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD REFORM ANTI-CONVERSION LAWSThe report further stated that Indian government should reform the anti-conversion laws and appreciate that "both conversion and reconversion by use of force, fraud, or allurement are equally bad and infringe upon a person's freedom of conscience".It said that India should not impose Hindu personal status laws on Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain communities, but instead provide them with a provision of personal status laws as per their distinct religious beliefs and practices.It recommended that India adopt the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination."Operationalise the term 'minority' in its federal laws and comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities.

Daisy Mowke

18 Dec 2016,Sunday

Panchayat secretary gives ?500, ?1,000 notes to pensioners

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/panchayat-secretary-demonetised-notes-500-1-000-old-age-pensioners-bihar/1/837099.html

The Panchayat secretary of Rafiganj, Bihar handed out old notes of ?500 and ?1,000 to more than 100 old-age pensioners. He had distributed demonetised notes worth nearly ?2.5 lakh to the pensioners. The pension money was reportedly due since the last six months already. An FIR was filed against the secretary on the orders of the district magistrate.

Panchayat secretary of Rafiganj in Bihar handed out old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to more than 100 elderly people. When the matter got attention, on the orders of district magistrate, an FIR was filed against the secretary, who had to give pension money to the old-age pensioners which was due since the last six months already.According to a Dainik Bhaskar report, pension money is deposited in the bank accounts directly but the secretary went ahead to pay the pensions of many in the village, in the old currency. Coming across this incident, Circle Officer Sunil Kumar of Goh in Aurangabad district, reached Dadar village where the incident occurred.Upon reaching the village, Sunil Kumar realised that secretary Kumar Prasad Gupta had distributed Rs 2,400 each to more than 100 old-age pensioners in the old currency. The Head of Panchayat Ranvijay Kumar was soon informed about the incident. Upon further enquiry, it was found that the reports were legitimate.ENQUIRYMany among these old-age pensioners have already deposited their demonetised notes in their accounts but still many are yet to do the same. An FIR has already been filed against Panchayat Secratery Kumar Prasad Gupta.DUESEach old-age pensioner receives Rs 400 every month and the dues have not been cleared since the last six months. For the last few months, the old villagers have been asking for their pension money from panchayat secretary but to no avail.

Akshita Jain

22 Jan 2017,Sunday

Delhi body initiates measures to improve air quality

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-air-quality-very-poor-sc-appointed-panel-calls-for-tough-action/story-HIiIY9DWoCjHIrSKBZOidP.html

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, appointed by the Supreme Court, on Friday enforced measures under "very poor" category for Delhi, like a blanket ban on garbage burning and firecrackers. The panel also directed the Delhi government to come up with a parking policy and the city police to impose heavy fines on illegally parked vehicles.

Taking stock of the air pollution in Delhi and the neighbouring states, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) on Friday asked officials to immediately enforce the graded response action under ?very poor? category for Delhi and ?moderate poor? for NCR.?Air quality for Delhi is very poor. Measures falling under this category of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have to be taken,? EPCA member and head of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Sunita Narain said.The EPCA, however, in its first meeting on GRAP refrained from strict enforcements, like banning the diesel generators and hiking the parking fee ? the measures that fall under the ?very poor? category. The temporary relaxation according to the EPCA members is to give enough time to the authorities and people to get prepared.Read | Delhi?s air pollution ?very serious? problem, find solution at the earliest, says SC?It was, however, decided to levy heavy fines on the violators, such as wrong parking.In the meeting, it was also decided to completely revamp the brick kilns to reduce the air pollution by next winter through essential low-cost methods.?There are many brick kilns in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana, which have not yet adopted to the low-polluting methods, such as zig-zag chimneys. From now on, the authorities concerned will work on that,? an EPCA member told IANS.EPCA head Bhure Lal in the meeting raised concern that the ?smog situation? that gripped Delhi in November 2016 should not be repeated again. Observing that the air quality in Delhi and NCR is ?already beyond poor?, the EPCA has decided to enforce moderate poor category in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, unless the task force formed by the Central Pollution Control Board starts providing the forecast for air pollution.The EPCA has been given the responsibility to implement the different categories of the GRAP. The enforcement has to be done through different government offices, including state and central pollution control boards, state secretaries, transport department and the civic bodies.There are different categories under the GRAP, which applies when particulate matters -- PM 10 and PM 2.5 (particles in air with diameter less than 10 and 2.5 mm) -- are pushed beyond a limit. For very poor, the PM 2.5 ranges between 121-250 units or PM 10 level is between 351-430 units. For moderate poor, the PM 2.5 range between 61 and 90 or PM 10 between 101 and 250 units, and for poor category, PM 2.5 should range between 91 and 120 and PM 10 between 251-350.Read |?Delhi air quality ?very poor?, calls for measures like ban on diesel gensetsMeasures under ?very poor? include banning the use of diesel generator sets, enhancing parking fee by 3-4 times, increasing bus and metro services by augmenting contract buses and increasing frequency of services, stopping use of coal or firewood in hotels and open eateries and others, including warning people from going out. For moderate poor category, measures include ban on garbage burning, enforcing all pollution control measures in brick kilns, industries and power plants and imposing heavy fine on violators.It also talks about ensuring that fly ash is watered every alternate day during the summers, firecrackers are banned and the apex court?s order to ban the entry of trucks registered after 2005 are enforced.The set of actions during emergency situation includes implementation of the ?odd-even? scheme and shutting of construction work if PM 2.5 crosses 300 units (micro grams per cubic metre) or PM 10 crosses the 500 mark.Click here to view the real-time air quality map

Chhavi Tyagi

18 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Remove Amma betrayer Sasikala from AIADMK: Panneerselvam

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/remove-amma-betrayers-sasikala-dinakaran-from-aiadmk-o-panneerselvam-steps-up-attack/1/931678.html

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday dubbed VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran as 'Amma (J Jayalalithaa) betrayers' and said that they must be removed from the AIADMK. Panneerselvam also reiterated his demand for a probe into Jayalalithaa's death and said that details regarding her treatment should be made public.

Amid talks of merger between the two warring factions of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK), former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has made it clear that he would settle for nothing less than ouster of VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran from the party. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Panneerselvam played the 'Amma' card and said it was important that members of the Mannargudi family be evicted if the AIADMK has to survive.Panneerselvam reiterated his demand for a probe into J Jayalalithaa's death and said details regarding her treatment should be made public."Sasikala has betrayed Amma. The treatment and medicines given to Amma should be made   public. A thorough investigation must be done into Jayalalithaa's death," Panneerselvam said."We have to follow the path which Amma (Jayalalithaa) laid out for us. The way Sasikala brought back Dinakaran into the party and her own elevation as AIADMK general secretary...everything was unconstitutional," Panneerselvam, who revolted against Sasikala in February after stepping down from the CM's chair, said. "That family (Mannargudi family) was not supposed to be in the party. Amma never wanted them in the party, they have betrayed her. Betrayers will have to go," Panneerselvam added.REVOLT IN EPS CAMPOn the other hand, the revolt inside the EPS (CM Edappadi Palaniswami) camp has spiralled out of control with senior ministers seeking deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran and interim general secretary Sasikala Natarajan's removal. Sources said Dinakaran has also lost support of influential party leaders Jayakumar, SP Velumani, Thangamani and Vaithyalingam - who helped him enter AIADMK again after Jayalalithaa's death. The four leaders are apprehensive of their names being associated with health minister Vijaybhaskar who was raided by the Income Tax department earlier this month. "They've completely surrendered to the Center as they are trapped now. If TTV quits his position within the party, they are likely to be saved," claimed a party leader. PANNEERSELVAM AS CM, EPS AS DEPUTY CM?As per negotiations tabled, Cabinet is ready to accept Panneerselvam as chief minister if Palaniswami is made his deputy. Palaniswami had reportedly asked for the role of general secretary as well. Madhusudhanan will remain as the presidium chairman.Surprisingly, a plan has also been formulated to bring Sasikala out of prison in 4 months if ahe quits the general secretary post Dinakaran is to not involve himself into party decisions but can be a party worker. Members of EPS camp led by education minister Sengottaiyan is likely to meet Panneerselvam tonight and will try and barter the deal. Dinakarana having lost the support of his close aides is ready to resort to any move to save himself.WATCH: Exclusive: No split within AIADMK, only difference of opinion, says ThambiduraiALSO READ: Tamil Nadu: AIADMK factions meet for merger talks. Sasikala, nephew Dinakaran to be kicked out?Have Panneerselvam and Sasikala patched up? Decision on merger of AIADMK factions likely today

Sumedha Sehra

07 Jul 2017,Friday

Govt approves renaming of Ganda, Kinnar villages in Haryana

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/centres-nod-to-change-embarrassing-names-of-2-hry-villages/1/996204.html

The central government has approved the renaming of two villages in Haryana, after complaints from villagers. The Ganda village has been renamed to Ajit Nagar and Kinnar has been renamed to Gaibi Nagar. A teenage girl from Ganda had written to PM Narendra Modi, saying that the villagers were embarrassed to use the village name, which means 'dirty' in English.

Chandigarh, Jul 6 (PTI) The Centre has approved renaming of Ganda and Kinnar villages in Fatehabad and Hisar districts of Haryana. Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the renaming of two villages in Haryana, an official spokesman said here this evening. Village Ganda has been renamed as Ajit Nagar, whereas village Kinnar has been rechristened as Gaibi Nagar, the official said. The Haryana government had recently changed the names of both villages on the demand of local residents who said they felt "embarrassed" with such names. Notably, a teenaged girl from Ganda (which means dirty in English), Harpreet Kaur Malkat, had written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking change of name of her village.

Mansha Mahajan

07 Apr 2017,Friday

Jio's complimentary offer not in sync with regulations: TRAI

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jio-complementary-offer-not-in-sync-with-regulations-trai/1/922745.html

TRAI Chairman RS Sharma has said the telecom regulator advised Reliance Jio to stop its complimentary services offer as it wasn't in accordance with the regulatory framework. TRAI has asked Jio to withdraw its three-month complimentary offer of unlimited data usage and free calls on payment of a minimum ?303. Jio has said it will fully comply with TRAI's order.

New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI) Trai Chairman R S Sharma today said the telecom regulator has advised Reliance Jio to stop complimentary service offer as it was not in accordance with the regulatory framework. "We examined it and found that it was not in accordance with regulatory framework, so we advised them to stop it," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman R S sharma told PTI. The regulator yesterday asked Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio to withdraw the three-month complimentary offer of unlimited data usage and free calls on payment of a minimum Rs 303.

Sumedha Sehra

21 Apr 2017,Friday

SC to hear 1999 Kandahar hijacker's plea

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ic-814-hijacking-kandahar-afghanistan-abdul-latif-adam-momin-supreme-court/1/934617.html

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea challenging the life sentence imposed on Abdul Latif Adam Momin alias Abdul Rehman, one of the convicts in the 1999 Kandahar hijacking case. He is one of the 10 people charged with the diverting Air India IC-814 to Afghanistan's Kandahar, while it was on its way from Kathmandu to Delhi.

Abdul Latif Adam Momin alias Abdul Rehman, one of the convicts in the 1999 IC 814 hijacking case, has challenged the life term awarded to him by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the Supreme Court.  A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and comprising Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman agreed to hear the appeal in July. MUST READ: Made in Mumbai - How IC 814 hijacking was plottedHERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW:(With PTI inputs)

Ankur Vyas

11 Apr 2017,Tuesday

BJP candidate touted as slum dweller is actually crorepati

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aam-aadmi-party-bjp-mcd-polls-sunita-kaushik-manoj-tiwari/1/925826.html

A BJP candidate for the upcoming MCD polls in Delhi Sunita Kaushik, touted as a slum dweller and the face of the city's urban poor, turned out to be a crorepati. In her election affidavit, Kaushik reported assets worth over ?1 crore, including two residential houses. AAP spokesperson Dilip Pandey termed BJP's support for the poor "hypocrisy" and "fake".

AAP found ammunition to gun for the BJP on Monday after it emerged that the saffron party's Inderpuri candidate for this month's municipal polls, who was touted as a slum dweller and the face of the city's urban poor, happens to be a millionaire. Meet Sunita Kaushik, who was handpicked by the party's city chief Manoj Tiwari. The BJP went on the defensive after she told the state election commission in an affidavit that she has assets worth Rs 1.35 crore, including three residential houses in west Delhi. However, Kaushik is not an income-tax payer. Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Dilip Pandey termed the BJP's support for the slum dwellers and residents of unauthorised colonies in Delhi "hypocrisy" and "fake". By portraying a millionaire candidate as a slum dweller, the BJP has hurt the sentiments of the poor," he said. "It is an insult to lakhs of people living in Delhi's slums and unauthorised colonies in a pitiable condition." KAUSHIK'S PLUNGE INTO DELHI POLITICSKaushik's plunge into Delhi politics was no less than a scene out of a Bollywood movie. Tiwari, who was on a visit to the Inderpuri slums this New Year's Eve, met the woman who came to the BJP president alleging that "politicians never listened to the problems of the poor". straight talk, Tiwari assured her of a "solution" and it surprised many when he declared Kaushik as the BJP's candidate from the local municipal ward. It was Tiwari's first visit to Delhi's slums after taking charge of Delhi BJP last year. He had spent the night of December 31, 2016 with the residents of Todapur slums where he also met Sunita Kaushik. "During the BJP president's visit, she had said that politicians don't listen to the poor. To this, she was promised a solution. Today she is a BJP candidate," the party's city unit had said in a statement after announcing her candidature. A senior leader said the BJP had also ensured her ticketkeeping in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to strengthen the weaker sections. "My visits were a reality check on the condition of slums and unauthorised colonies under the AAP government. I was pained to hear that politicians do not listen to the poor," Tiwari said about the interaction at the shanties. PROPERTIES OF SUNITA KAUSHIKKaushik is a millionaire with two houses and jewellery worth  Rs 97 lakh. She disclosed that she owns two residential properties measuring 720 square feet and 553 square feet at Dasghara in Inderpuri whose market price is pegged at Rs 50 lakh and Rs 32 lakh, respectively. Her husband, Shashi Bhushan, also owns a house worth Rs 10 lakh. The couple possesses jewellery worth Rs 7 lakh. Kaushik's share in it is valued at Rs 6 lakh. The affidavit also disclosed that she has Rs 50,000 in cash while her husband carries Rs 85,000. However, she only has Rs 1,000 in her bank account, a little more than her spouse's Rs 576. BJP leaders refused to comment on the assets declared by its candidate but said its pick was aimed at supporting the less-privileged. "While no other party has ever stood with the slum dwellers, the BJP is the only party to have chosen its candidate from the weaker sections. It has been done with a strong intent to strengthen the poor," said a party leader.Also Read:Ahead of MCD Polls, AAP slapped with another grievance by RWAs

Aarushi Maheshwari

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Air India to serve wine, retrain chefs for 'Indian touch'

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/wine-mocktails-regional-food-air-india-to-woo-premium-passengers-with-new-menu/story-vnyCNB0nU2MRJarcpgQjhN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Air India plans to serve a variety of wines, mocktails, and regional cuisines to its business and first class passengers on international flights, starting October. The airline also plans to offer passengers the food of their choice, and impart refresher training to chefs across 28 countries who have "lost their Indian touch." It will introduce new cutlery for premium passengers.

A variety of wines, mocktails for teetotallers and regional cuisine - this is Air India?s recipe for wooing business and first class passengers on international flights, according to its spokesperson.The proposal comes after the ministry of civil aviation instructed personnel from Air India?s catering division to ?spend more to fill the aircraft? during a meeting last month, said an official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.?We will first implement this plan for business and first class passengers on our international flights. Later on, we plan to introduce mocktails and regional cuisine on domestic flights. If this is successful we intend to expand this to economy class as well,? said Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar.The new menu is likely to be implemented for the winter schedule, which kicks in from October end.According to the blueprint prepared last week, the airline also plans to introduce new and better cutlery for its premium passengers.Also on the anvil is a suggestion to offer such passengers the food of their choice, which will be gathered from them a couple of days ahead of their journey.The airline will also be imparting refresher training for its chefs across 28 countries who have ?lost their Indian touch?.According to the spokesperson, once the new menu is finalised it will be showcased at an exhibition here in September.Air India?s international flights currently witness 70% seat occupancy in business class and 37% in first class. Officials hope that even a 10% increase in passengers in this segment will mean a significant boost in revenue for the airline.

Pragya Swastik

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Axis Bank denies reports of CEO Shikha Sharma's resignation

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/axis-bank-dismisses-ceo-resignation-buzz/1/909845.html

Axis Bank on Wednesday dismissed the reports of its MD and CEO Shikha Sharma's resignation. "The news is false, speculative and is being circulated with the mala fide intention of misleading the investors and the general public," the bank said. Axis Bank's Q3 profit witnessed a sharp fall over Income Tax Department raids on some of its branches post demonetisation.

New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Private sector lender Axis Bank today said its MD & CEO Shikha Sharma is not resigning. "..The news appearing in section of social media stating the impending resignation of the MD & CEO of the Bank, which please note is false, speculative and is being circulated with the mala fide intention of misleading the investors and the general public," Axis Bank said in a clarification to the BSE. Axis Bank has been under pressure over a sharp fall in third quarter profits along with Income Tax Department raids on some of its branches post-demonetisation.

Sumedha Sehra

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

JNU makes it mandatory to fill MPhil, PhD forms in Hindi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/hindi-mandatory-to-fill-mphil-phd-forms-at-jnu-students-say-varsity-imposing-language/story-AOy0YYdknMpjGthb7r0PNI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi has made it mandatory for MPhil and PhD students to fill their dissertation submission forms in both Hindi and English. Students who didn't know Hindi complained as they couldn't submit their dissertation. The university said the step was taken so that there is no spelling error on the certificates given to students.

A section of Jawaharlal Nehru University students have accused the administration of imposing Hindi on them after the university made it compulsory to fill the MPhil and PhD submission form in Hindi and English.Till last year, students could fill the form in either of the languages.?The students were going through their last hour of submission of M.Phil/Ph.D dissertation/thesis today. Students were severely harassed for filing an online tracking form which should contain title of the dissertation in Hindi,? said Satarupa Chakraborty, JNU students? union (JNUSU) general secretary.She said that on the verge of submission, those who neither speak Hindi nor have learnt to write Hindi, had to run from pillar to post to find someone who could write their dissertation title in Hindi. ?In a central university where students come from all across the country, how they can possibly write their names or dissertation titles in Hindi? And more importantly, why should they write these mandatorily in Hindi? Will our VC be able to write his name in Hindi or our PM in Tamil or Malayalam?,? she said. However, the university said the decision has been taken because since last year the students are being given bilingual certificates which contains their details in Hindi and English.?The certificates given to students after they complete their course now carries their details in Hindi and English. That is why we have asked them to fill their details in MPhil and PhD submission form in Hindi and English. This will ensure there are no spelling mistakes,? said JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar.Kumar said the university started giving bilingual certificates to students from 2016. ?If any student had any difficulty in writing the details in Hindi then they should come to us,? he said.Chakraborty said many students wrote their dissertation title in their local language script as a mark of protest.

Sumedha Sehra

13 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Snake bites man, he bites wife so they can die together

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/snake-bihar-samastipur-bites-man-wife-die-together/1/977676.html

A man in Bihar's Samastipur district was bitten by a venomous snake while he was sleeping on Saturday. His health started deteriorating after he woke up and he realised he won't survive. He bit his wife's wrist saying that he wants them both to die together. Although the man died, the woman was saved by doctors.

A man in Bihar was bitten by a venomous snake. After he was bitten by the snake, the man bit his wife in the wrist.The man's last wish was to die together with his wife, and to make it happen, he tried his best but the woman was luckily saved by doctors.However, the man died, according to a Gulf News report. The incident happened in Samastipur district on Saturday.TILL SNAKE BITE DO US APARTResident of Birsingpur village -- Shankar Rai -- was asleep when a lethal snake bit him. Upon waking up, he found his condition deteriorating and suddenly turned emotional.When Shankar realised that he won't make it through, he went up to his wife Amiri Devi and bit her hands saying that he loved her very much and wanted to depart this world together.After Shankar bit his wife Amiri, both fell unconscious.THE LAST WISHSoon the couple was rushed to a local hospital where Shankar died soon but the doctors managed to save Amiri."The woman could be saved as her treatment began on time. She is safe now," a local medical practitioner Dr Jaykant told the local media on Monday.According to Amiri Devi, her husband dug his teeth into her wrist. He wished to die together and also wanted to remain united even in afterlife, but his last wish wasn't fulfilled.

Sonu Kumari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Free WiFi being used to watch porn at Mumbai rail stations

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/non-commuters-take-advantage-of-free-wifi-watch-porn-at-railway-stations-in-mumbai/story-fSmKhmXDHssfJle29hSZjL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

After 19 Mumbai suburban railway stations were equipped with free WiFi earlier this month, the authorities said they were receiving complaints of non-commuters and miscreants using the facility to watch porn. Reportedly, officials now plan to urge the service providing agency, RailTel, to shut the WiFi post-midnight or after the departure of the last train from the stations.

Free WiFi access at suburban railway stations in the city has become a headache for railway authorities, with non-commuters and miscreants using the facility to watch porn during the night.?We have received complaints that the WiFi on stations is being used for wrong reasons,? said Aarti Singh Parihar, Senior Division Commercial Manager, Western Railway. ?Frequent complaints have been received particularly at Mumbai Central station.?Railway officials now plan to urge RailTel, the agency providing the service, to shut the WiFi after midnight or after the last suburban train departs from the stations. ?The department will be approaching RailTel regarding this,? said Parihar.They also plan to ask RailTel to devise methods to prevent misuse of the facility at stations from where outstation trains depart. ?Several non-commuters are found inside stations using the free WiFi to watch porn. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) drives them out, but they somehow manage to sneak in again,? said a railway official.Recently, 19 stations were provided with the facility. These include Mumbai Central, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Thane, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Bandra Terminus, Vashi, Kalyan, Panvel, Borivli, Churchgate, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Byculla, Khar Road, Dadar (Central Railway), Dadar (Western Railway), Andheri and Bandra.

Anmol Sharma

30 Mar 2017,Thursday

Messi denies abusing officials, says he was yelling at air

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lionel-messi-fifa-ban-yelling-to-the-air/1/916441.html

After being hit with a four-match ban by FIFA for abusing match officials, Argentina captain Lionel Messi has asserted his innocence saying he was yelling at the air. Messi has written to FIFA requesting that his ban be overturned. "If my words made assistant referee 1 uncomfortable, they were never directed at him and for that, I apologise," it said.

Argentina star striker Lionel Messi has asserted his innocence after being hit with a four-match international ban for verbally abusing an official, saying that he was yelling `to the air`.The action has been taken by FIFA's disciplinary panel against Messi for his insults aimed at - and comments about the mother of - Brazilian assistant referee Dewson Silva during Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile last week.The Barcelona forward was caught on video invoking "the c*** of [Silva's] mother" as he appeared livid against an officiating decision. Match referee Sandro Ricci did not include the incident in his report but FIFA confirmed they were investigating regardless after being made aware of the footage. (Barcelona condemn 'unfair and disproportionate' Lionel Messi ban)Having already missed his side's 0-2 defeat against Bolivia on Tuesday due to the ban, Messi insisted that he has been unfairly punished with the suspension as his insults were not at all directed at an official."My sayings were never addressed to the assistant, but they were said to the air," goal.com quoted Messi as saying.Earlier, Argentina had announced their intention to appeal the ban, which would also see Messi miss three more of remaining four World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru if unchanged. (New Argentina FA president vows to get Lionel Messi ban reduced)Revealing that Argentina would appeal the FIFA sanction, national team secretary Jorge Miadosqui had said that he was quite surprised with the way the issue was handled.

Sonu Kumari

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

1962 Indo-China war memorial vandalised in Gurugram

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/1962-indo-china-war-memorial-in-gurgaon-vandalised/story-HZlCjeCWZmxVeRsuOagwpN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A war memorial built to honour soldiers killed during the 1962 Indo-China War was reportedly vandalised on Tuesday in Gurugram's Palam Vihar. Officials managing the memorial said several stone benches and floodlights were broken. The memorial was built in 2012 in memory of the 114 soldiers who were killed during the battle at Rezang La Pass in 1962.

Broken benches, damaged floodlights and scratched plaques ? this was the sight of Rezang La war memorial in Palam Vihar on Tuesday morning when members of the Martyr?s family welfare foundation visited the site to plan celebrations ahead of the Kargil Vijay Diwas on Wednesday.?We were shocked to look at the site. All the eight benches, which are made of stones, had been broken and the floodlights were smashed,? TC Rao, convener of the Rezangla Shahidi Samaroh Samiti told HT.Rao called it ?an insult to the war veterans?. He said the 7,000 sq feet memorial was inaugurated by the then Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on December 29, 2012. It was constructed to honour 114 martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the historic battle of Rezang La pass in 1962 with China. A majority of war heroes of the 13th Kumaon Regiment were from south Haryana districts of Gurgaon, Rewari and Mahendragarh.?This sad state of affairs show how much we respect their sacrifices,? he added.Veteran allege that the memorial becomes a picnic spot for drunk men and miscreants every night. (Parveen Kumar/HT?Photo) By Tuesday evening, an FIR was registered against unknown persons under section 427 (mischief causing damage to property) and prevention of damage to Public property Act.Palam Vihar SHO Praveen Malik said they received the complaint late in the evening. He said that no CCTV cameras were available which could capture the act and that investigation is on.?We visited the spot and found out that the memorial had indeed been damaged,? he said.The 7,000-sq feet memorial was inaugurated by then Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on December 29, 2012. (Parveen Kumar/HT?Photo) A group of association members met at the memorial on Tuesday to decide about the Kagil Divas celebrations. ?But our celebrations turned into sorrow. This was not one person?s or one association?s property, it is the country?s heritage,? said Col (retd) Mahavir Yadav, a member of the association.Rao, who served in the Indian Army for years and was a part of Kargil war, said that it could not be work of just two-three men, but ?a group who had come solely with the purpose of destroying the great memorial.?He alleged that the vandalism was a result of a complaint he had filed at the chief minister?s window on Monday against a wine shop in the vicinity of the memorial. ?It is not just about the memorial. The wine shop is next to a hospital and very near to the school as well,? Rao said.The veteran said that the memorial becomes a picnic spot for drunk men and miscreants every night. He alleged that several men, who buy alcohol from the nearby wine shop, sit at the memorial.?It is a grave insult to our great martyrs who laid their lives for the country. Imagine how a soldier would feel when drunken men fight and abuse each other while sitting in the memorial?? Rao asked.

Daisy Mowke

01 Apr 2017,Saturday

Bombay HC orders stay on Raveena Tandon's film 'Maatr'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/raveena-tandon-maatr-comeback-legal-trouble/1/918142.html

The Bombay High Court has put a stay on the release of Raveena Tandon's film 'Maatr'. This comes after a private financial institution petitioned against the film's producer Anjum Rizvi. The institution has claimed that Rizvi owes it an amount of ?2 crore. It had reportedly given the loan to Rizvi in 2014 for a film which never released.

The Bombay High Court has put a stay on the release of actor Raveena Tandon's comeback film Maatr, which was scheduled for release on April 21. This move came after a private financial institution YT Capital Pvt Ltd petitioned the Bombay High Court against the film's producer Anjum Rizvi and has also made T-series, the film's co-producer, a party.While hearing the petition on Thursday, Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court noted that YT Capital Pvt Ltd had obtained an order in their favour against the film producers in an earlier petition where an amount of Rs 2,44,71,718 was due from Rizvi and had not been paid to the company. The court noted that "an Agreement for co-production dated 22nd September 2014 made it clear that the Decree Holder (YT Capital) would not only have a lien on the previous films but all future feature films or television serials of Rizvi and that these would not be released or distributed till the debt was paid."YT Capital had given this loan to Rizvi in 2014 for the movie Katha, which never released. Rizvi never paid this amount back, which is why the company has had to take such coercive action.The court noted that makers of Maatr, which is scheduled to release this month, had been issued summons but they never appeared before the court. The company is seeking an order of restraint against the release of this film and a court-appointed receiver till the debt is paid.The film Maatr, starring Raveena Tandon, Alisha Khan and Madhur Mittal is about a mother whose daughter is raped and dies, while the mother carries on with her fight to get justice. The petitioner had requested that the court should pass an order restraining the producers from parting with the release prints and/or negatives of the film. The company also wants the court to pass an order restraining Rizvi from selling or creating any third party rights whatsoever in the negatives of his previously released seven films - John Day, India Metro, A Flat, Fast Forward, A Wednesday, Ahista Ahista, Charges: A Joint Effort as well.

Arshiya Chopra

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Withdraw, get captured or killed: Ex-China diplomat to India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/doklam-war-attack-chinese-diplomat-gives-india-options/1/1006378.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A former Chinese diplomat, Liu Youfa, told Chinese state media that India has three possibilities, they can pull out voluntarily, can be captured, or if the dispute escalates, can get killed. "The Chinese side is standing there waiting for India to make a sensible choice, which is the first scenario (withdrawal of troops)," Youfa added.

A former Chinese diplomat, who was earlier Consul General in Mumbai, told Chinese state media on Wednesday that Indian troops faced three options at Doklam as the stand-off entered one month: withdrawal, capture or an attack by China "should the dispute escalate".His comments underline the sharpening rhetoric from Beijing - and the threat of use of force - over the stand-off, with the Chinese government still insisting that there was no room for diplomatic solutions until India fulfilled a "precondition" of withdrawing unilaterally.Liu Youfa, former Chinese Consul General in Mumbai and now a strategic affairs expert, told state broadcaster China Central Television's English-language channel on Wednesday, "When people in uniform get across the border and move into territory of another country, they naturally become the enemies who have to face three consequences."CHINA WAITING FOR INDIA TO MAKE SENSIBLE CHOICE "First," Liu continued, "They can pull out voluntarily. Or, they can be captured. And should the border dispute escalate, they maybe killed. These are the three possibilities."Liu added, "The Chinese side is standing there waiting for India to make a sensible choice which is the first scenario." "It is the best result for both sides to avoid a confrontation," Liu said.His comments reflect the hard-line approach to the stand-off that China has assumed, in what some experts have seen as muscle-flexing and posturing aimed at getting India to withdraw.MILITARY EQUIPMENT IN TIBET The PLA's official newspaper, the PLA Daily, reported this week in the latest indication of muscle-flexing that it had transported military equipment to Tibet under an exercise held on the plateau, although the location in northern Tibet near the Kunlun mountains is far from the site of the stand-off near the Sikkim section.In fact, the site of the stand-off at the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction is thought to be one of the few pockets along the border where China is at a considerable disadvantage in terms of both terrain and its capability to sustain a long-term forward posture, which some experts say might partly explain its shrill rhetoric.Also read: Doklam standoff: China says no bilateral talks with India till impasse is resolved

Parmeet Kaur

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Gadkari seeks facilities for those detained during Emergency

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/gadkari-seeks-facilities-for-people-detained-under-misa-during-emergency/story-KnzBFEAjFD54lAdZJrkOsO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has demanded that Maharashtra government provide special facilities to the persons detained during the Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). MISA detainees have demanded to be treated as freedom fighters saying that detainees in UP, MP, Bihar and Chhattisgarh are considered at par with the freedom fighters and are given pensions.

Union minister for transport and shipping Nitin Gadkari has demanded that the Maharashtra government provide special facilities to those detained during the Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). The MISA detainees on?Sunday held a convention under the banner of Satyagrahi Sangh in Nagpur after meeting Gadkari at his Mahal residence. The group, led by the Sangh?s vice-president Sacchidanand Upasane, national secretary Komal Chheda and Maharashtra unit chief Jayprakash Pande insisted that the detainees be treated as freedom fighters and be given all facilities available to a freedom fighter in the country. Incidentally, most of the MISA detainees are RSS activists or its supporters.The group submitted a memorandum to Gadkari, briefing him about the facilities and recognition extended to detainees in states like UP, MP, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. They claimed that in these states, the detainees are considered at par with the freedom fighters and given pensions and other facilities. The government in Rajasthan recently formed a committee to study facilities available to MISA and Defence of India Rules 1971 detainees in other states. The committee will its report to the state soon, they claimed. The group also pointed out that in Madhya Pradesh, MISA detainees, dubbed as ?Democracy Warrior? draw a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000. Gadkari told the group he had already spoken to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state finance minister, Sudhir Munganttiwar, in this regard. ?Both were positive on the issue.? The Congress, meanwhile, has accused the BJP-led government of trying to give such facilities to its Sangh Parivar members. ?The move is totally a political one,? says former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar. Muttemwar warned his party would launch a statewide agitation if government accepted the group?s demand.?How can these Sangh Parivar members be compared with freedom fighters??

Aarushi Maheshwari

15 Jun 2017,Thursday

Defence Ministry scraps ?6500 crore Navy chopper deal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/defence-ministry-scraps-rs-6-500-crore-helicopter-deal/1/979059.html

The Defence Ministry has scrapped a ?6,500-crore deal to procure 16 helicopters for the Indian Navy from American firm Sikorsky, according to reports. The deal had been in the making since 2009 but had been stuck over price issues since 2015. The Defence Ministry is merging the deal with a Make in India programme to produce 140 Naval Multirole Helicopters.

The Defence Ministry has scrapped a Rs 6,500 crore deal for buying 16 multirole helicopters for the Navy from America as the government is bargaining hard on price with foreign vendors and promoting Make in India in the military sector for reducing imports.The decision has come a couple of weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US where he would be meeting American President Donald Trump.With budgets not increasing in proportion with modernization demands of the armed forces, the Defence Ministry is using hard bargaining as a tool to cut down the cost of projects."The deal for procuring 16 helicopters for the Navy has been scrapped by the Defence Ministry, after it was stuck for over two years on the issues of price, and the American firm Sikorsky refuced to extend the validity of its commercial bid," Government sources told Mail today here.The final decision on the matter was taken by the ministry after the Contracts Negotiation Committee (CNC) headed by the Joint Secretary and Acquisition Manager (Maritime Systems) recommended the retraction of the tender.DEAL STUCK OVER PRICEThe deal had been in the making since 2009 when the navy initiated the process for buying 16 multirole choppers for being deployed on its warships.It was stuck over the issue of price for over last two years at the contract negotiation stage but the US firm did not agree to extend the validity of its commercial offer. It is now learnt that the procurement of these 16 choppers would be merged with a Make in India programme to produce around 140 Naval Multirole Helicopters (NMRH) for equipping all major naval warships with one multirole helicopter each when they go in for blue water missions and anti-piracy patrols.On the need for keeping the deal alive, Defence Ministry sources said, that the American firm would extend the validity of its price bid and also reduce the price of the choppers which was higher than the benchmark set by the government.UPGRADING ANTI-SUBMARINE CAPABILITIESThe 16 multirole helicopters are sought by the Navy for upgrading its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, which are on a decline as the Seaking helicopters bought from the UK in 1980s, would be on their way out from the force in near future, they added.Sikorsky was selected by the Navy for its requirements in December 2014 as it emerged as the only bidder in the race after Finmeccannica was chucked out of competition due to the chopper scam allegations on it.After the tender bid was opened, sources said there was a demand made to raise the price of the choppers to meet inflation, but the defence ministry sought a further cut in the price demanded by the firm originally in its commercial bid.Other issues like liability clause were also responsible for holding up the deal for some time, sources said.Navy sources said the deal is required badly for the force as it has to find a replacement for the SeaKing - 42 choppers bought from British firm Westland helicopters.

Saloni Tandon

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Youths try to barge into Mohd Shami's house, arrested

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/mohammed-shami-threatened-by-local-youths-in-kolkata-police-arrests-accused/story-M7CvZqw8jB62C7U5s1Ok9J.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A group of men were arrested after allegedly threatening and trying to barge into cricketer Mohammed Shami's Kolkata residence on Saturday. The incident happened after Shami's car, being driven by his driver, almost collided with a motorbike parked near the pacer's house, leading to an argument. The men later manhandled Shami's gatekeeper, after which the player's wife filed an FIR.

A group of young men allegedly threatened and tried to barge into Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami?s residence in South Kolkata?s Katjunagar after an altercation, as per media reports on Monday.The incident occured on Saturday night when the 27-year old was returning home with his wife. Shami?s driver was allegedly driving too fast and nearly collided with a local?s motorbike which was kept meters away from the pacer?s residence, reported ABP.READ |?Champions Trophy 2017: Mohammed Shami loses cool over ?Baap Kaun Hai? tauntsThis resulted in an argument between the youth and Shami?s driver, and as matters looked like getting out of hands Shami got out of the car to act as a peace maker. Both parties calmed down and retreated following the involvement of India pacer.However, matters only worsened as later the youth gathered friends and arrived at Shami?s house to gain revenge. The group manhandled the gatekeeper as he stopped them getting in and hurled abuse.A FIR was file against the group by Shami?s wife, following which the accused were arrested and presented in front of the court, the report added.Shami will be part of the India squad that travels to Sri Lanka for a full-fledged bilateral series, starting later this month.

Chhavi Tyagi

27 Mar 2017,Monday

TN CM concerned about by-polls, not farmers' cause: DMK

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/eps-concerned-about-rk-nagar-by-polls-not-farmers-cause-dmk-leader-mk-stalin/1/913714.html

DMK working president MK Stalin on Monday alleged that the ruling AIADMK government led by Chief Minister E Palaniswami is worried more about the RK Nagar by-polls than farmer issues. "Farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana have extended their support for Tamil farmers... Even BJP minister Pon Radhakrishnan met the farmers but our CM is least bothered," Stalin added.

DMK working president MK Stalin has alleged that the ruling AIADMK government has not shown any interest in the ongoing farmers' strike at the Jantar Mantar Delhi. Tamil Nadu farmers are protesting at the Jantar Mantar in the national capital from the last two weeks seeking drought-relief package. They also want the Centre to waive off the farmer loans.The farmers of Tamil Nadu had a rough season in 2016 and neighboring state Karnataka refused to share Cauvery river water even against the Supreme Court's orders. With less or no income, farmers' suicide increased and members of the farmers association went to Delhi to meet the concerned ministers with their plea. TWO WEEKS ON, PALANISWAMI SILENT ON FARMERS' ISSUEIt has been almost two weeks that the farmers are protesting at Jantar Manta but the state government led by Palanisamy has not yet reacted on the issue. It appears that they are worried more about the RK Nagar bypolls as the party's deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran is contesting from the constituency.Irked by the state government's attitude, Stalin said, "The state government is worried more on how to distribute money to gain votes for the RK Nagar polls than about the farmers' protest in Delhi."The DMK leader also claimed that during the budget session he had requested the 'benami' government to waive off the farmer loans citing that more than 200 farmers have died so far "but the government, running on the advise of a convict, didn't care much".UP, PUNJAB FARMERS EXTENDED SUPPORT"Farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana have extended their support for Tamil farmers and met them. Even BJP minister from the state Pon Radhakrishnan met the farmers but our chief minister is least bothered. He is only concerned about segregating votes for a Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) convict in RK Nagar," Stalin said.Many even questioned how the ministers of the state had time to stay in Delhi to attain the twin leaf symbol but couldn't take time out to meet the farmers.

Saloni Tandon

08 Jan 2017,Sunday

Lodha Panel reforms accepted by 21 state associations

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bcci-vs-lodha-committee-reforms/1/851629.html

Twenty-one state associations have confirmed in writing to the Lodha Panel that they will comply with the committee's reforms, following the latest Supreme Court verdict. With the confirmation, 24 administrators of different state units stand disqualified due to the age cap or cooling-off period listed in the reforms. The Lodha Panel will now meet on January 11 to address clarifications.

Justice RM Lodha and his committee will meet on January 11 in light of what happened on Friday to ensure that nothing like this is ever repeated again. The Indian team selection for the limited-overs series against England was preceded by high drama at the BCCI headquarters yesterday. (Lodha panel clears selection meeting after BCCI old guard stalls operations)The board officials said the meeting has not been authorised by the BCCI president, as required by the constitution. However, an e-mail exchange between BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and the Lodha Panel quickly settled matters and the meeting went ahead as planned, albeit a few hours later. (Complete Lodha Panel recommendations)The Lodha committee has now received emails from 21 state association stating that they are implementing the orders and asking for a few clarifications. Accordingly, the committee has decided to meet and address all of these concerns. The committee takes strong exception to any effort that tries to derail the game. (Supreme Court sacks BCCI president Anurag Thakur)"21 state units have already written to BCCI that they are adopting Lodha Panel reforms. So if 24 individuals, who are no longer qualified officials meet anywhere in India, no one should be bothered. They are individuals who went on their own capacity. These officials who went stand disqualified as per SC verdict," a source close to Lodha panel told PTI. WATCH FULL VIDEO HEREIt was actually joint secretary Amitabh Choudhary who tried to disrupt the meeting, as reported by India Today earlier. Choudhary instead defended himself by saying that he just acted according to the protocol. (Amitabh Choudhary eyes BCCI top post after delaying selection meet)