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Niharika Prabhakar | 20 Jul 2017,Thursday | Family of every martyr will get ?1 crore in MP: CM Chouhan | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/madhya-pradesh-martyrs-rs-1-crore-compensation-shivraj-singh-chouhan/1/1005942.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced compensation of ?1 crore to the families of security personnel from the state who are killed in the line of duty. "We will provide them a house, a job to a family member, erect a statue of the martyr and name a road after him/her,? Chouhan added. | Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced in the state assembly that the government from now on will give Rs one crore as compensation to the family members of anyone from the state who attains martyrdom for the country.Speaking on the adjournment moved by the Opposition Congress party on the Mandsaur police firing in which six farmers were killed, Chouhan said, "Opposition members are questioning me. Asking why I gave compensation of Rs one crore to those whose family members died in the police firing. I just want to say I have my own style of working. I want to make this announcement right now. I hope I never have to do this but god forbid if anyone from the state gets martyred, my government will give a compensation of Rs one crore to the family members."Earlier speaking on the adjournment, leader of Opposition, Ajay Singh charged the government of trivialising the issue and refuted charges of the Congress party's role in the violence. "The government is charging us with indulging in violence. We were not part of the agitation from day one but yes we stood by the farmers after six of them were killed in police firing. We still stand with the farmers and the government should accept that it was failure on the part of its machinery," he said.Ajay Singh also raised the issue of farmers committing suicide across the state and read out names of farmers who committed suicide in the chief minister's home district after June 6. "Had the state government legislated the moneylender's act as was announced in 2011, the situation would never had arisen as most of the farmers are committing suicide after getting into a debt trap," he said.Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in return read out the figures of suicides committed by farmers during the Congress' rule. Also read:Madhya Pradesh: 42 farmers commit suicide since Mandsaur firing, Shivraj Singh's Sehore tops the list Revealed: What is killing India's farmers? India Today exclusive |
Saloni Tandon | 21 Jun 2017,Wednesday | Farmers do shavasana on highway on Int'l Yoga Day in protest | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/international-yoga-day-farmers-shavasana-in-protest/1/983709.html | Farmers across North India performed the 'shavasana' on highways on International Yoga Day as part of their ongoing protest across the country. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh also joined in, protesting the killing of five farmers in police firing in Mandsaur recently during an agitation. Farmers in UP called the government's loan waiver an eyewash, saying nobody benefited from it. | While PM Narendra Modi led the country in celebrating the International Yoga Day, farmers in a few states protested by performing shavasana (corpse pose) to highlight the agrarian crisis.In Madhya Pradesh, farmers under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh headed by Shivkumar Sharma demonstrated their protest by performing the 'shavasana', since their demands for loan waiver and better prices for the agriculture produce are still not met. They demanded action against the administrative and police officials responsible for the firing in Mandsaur which killed five farmers and left scores injured.Recently, on June 15, a large gathering of farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh converged at Jantar Mantar in the national capital to stage protest against their poor condition. The Kisan Mahapanchayat, organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), also protested today, organising a 'Yoga on Highways' session to protest alleged anti-farmer policies of the Modi government. In Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of farmers belonging to BKU laid on the highway performing 'shavasan', bringing the traffic on NH-28 to a standstill. However, they allowed ambulances and students to pass through.Harinam Singh Verma, a BKU leader said, "The loan waiver of Yogi was a mere eyewash and not a single farmer has benefited out of it. Imagine, we have to sell our milk at 25 Rs/litre, whereas bottled waters are sold at rs 50 to 60 of some brands."Mukesh Singh, another leader demanded higher support price for the produce. He lamented that, "The central government has failed to live up to its promises and the farmers are left to fend for themselves. We are agitated by what happened in Mandsaur." The farmers however cleared the highway for traffic after the token protest. Earlier, they had plans to stage the protest till 12.00 noon.According to the BKU President Naresh Tikait, while Prime Minister Modi performs Yoga at Lucknow Stadium; farmers all over the country will block highways between 9 am to 12 noon as a mark of protest. The Opposition has slammed the Centre for not managing the farmer crisis efficiently. Congress and other opposition parties criticised the BJP for making false promises of loan waivers. On June 19, Punjab became the third state this year after UP and Maharashtra to announce a waiver on crop loans.Also Read:International Yoga Day: Yoga is about an inexpensive health assurance, says PM ModiInternational Yoga Day: Tight security at Delhi's Connaught Place |
Vani Vivek | 11 Jan 2017,Wednesday | Citibank launches voice verification for phone banking | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/citi-india-launches-voice-biometrics-authentication/1/853920.html | Citibank has launched voice verification for its phone banking clients to replace the current authentication process of remembering PINs or answering verification questions. The bank said identifying a user's unique voiceprint will take 15 seconds, down from an average 45 seconds it takes currently. The authentication will be completed automatically while the customers speak to the bank official. | New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI)Foreign lender Citi India today launched voice biometrics authentication that would replace the current practice of interactive voice response (IVR) for its customers. The new technology allows clients to use their voiceprints for authentication rather than having to remember multiple PINs or respond to questions used for verifying their identities, Citi South Asia Head (Operations & Technology) Anand Chopra said. The voice biometrics authentication capability uses voiceprint, similar to fingerprint, which is unique for each person. The new authentication solution is fast, secure and convenient as verification is completed automatically within 15 seconds while clients speak to the (bank) official when they call CitiPhone Banking, the 24-hour hotline service. Earlier, on an average, it took 45 seconds for a customer to verify his/her details. "This technology will definitely add to customer convenience by saving around 30 seconds/per call, on verifying their identity. This will create opportunities for our Citiphone banking officers to engage with our customers in a holistic manner and provide more value-added services to them," he said. On an average, CitiPhone in India receives 12.5 million calls annually. When clients call CitiPhone Banking, they can choose to enroll for this service by having their voice recorded to generate their unique voiceprint. Each voiceprint will be uniquely tagged and cannot be emulated or reused once stored. "Voice biometrics authentication coupled with our already launched e-chat and virtual assistant feature, will transform the way we service the Citi customers in India. We anticipate a very high uptake for the use of voice biometrics authentication amongst our customers," Chopra said. Clients can enroll for the voice biometrics authentication by calling CitiPhone Banking. Upon clients agreement, a recording will be made of their voice while speaking with a CitiPhone officer. |
Sanira Mediratta | 27 Dec 2016,Tuesday | Tomb discovered behind 4,200-year-old wall in Egypt | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/4200-year-old-pharaonic-tombs-discovered-in-egypt/1/843003.html | Archaeologists recently found evidence of a new tomb behind a 4,200-year-old wall unearthed in Egypt. The two-metre high wall has been found below a pathway in the West Aswan cemetery at Qubbet el-Hawa, and the hidden tomb is thought to hold an unknown ruler. The team will reportedly excavate the tomb further in April next year. | Cairo, Dec 26 (PTI) In a "stunning" discovery, archaeologists have found compelling evidence of new pharaonic tombs behind a 4,200-year-old wall unearthed in Egypt. The two-metre high ancient encroachment wall has been found below a visitors pathway in the West Aswan cemetery at Qubbet el-Hawa, Egypts Ministry of Antiquities said. The wall is thought to indicate the architectural support for the known tombs of the first upper terrace, including those of Harkhuf and Heqaib, who were governors of Elephantine Island during the Old Kingdom. Owing to the landscape of Qubbet el-Hawa, the support wall helped to secure the hillside, and thus lower lying tombs, which were accessible by a causeway leading to a second terrace, according to the archaeological mission directed by Dr Martin Bommas of the University of Birmingham in the UK. "The findings are dramatically altering our understanding of the funerary landscape in this area during the Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period in 2278-2184 BC," Carl Graves, a PhD student who worked alongside Bommas on the project, said. "I dont think anyone yet knows who the tombs might have belonged to," Graves said. |
Arshiya Chopra | 29 Jul 2017,Saturday | Inquiry ordered after JNU student alleges harassment by CISF | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/inquiry-ordered-after-jnu-student-alleges-harassment-by-cisf-at-delhi-s-rajiv-chowk/story-KrMV14AEcouTnxlWwgwMdP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | After a JNU student's Facebook post alleging he was beaten up at a Delhi metro station by CISF personnel went viral, the organisation has ordered an enquiry into the matter. The student also mentioned the personnel made remarks like he would be "sent to Pakistan". The personnel got enraged when he 'defied' their instructions to take off earphones, he said. | The CISF has ordered an enquiry after a JNU student?s Facebook post alleging harassment went viral. Aman Sinha, 22, alleged that he was beaten up at Rajiv Chowk metro station by a few CISF personnel and told that he would be ?sent to Pakistan?, even as the paramilitary force rejected the charges and ordered a probe.Sinha, who is pursuing a master?s degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, alleged that the incident occurred on Thursday evening.The Facebook post said that the CISF personnel got enraged when Sinha, who was sporting a beard, ?defied? their instructions to take off his earphones, a laid down protocol that passengers are expected to follow.What ensued was a heated argument, according to Sinha. ?A CISF person came and said you are spoiling the name of the nation, ?Pakistan bhejenge tum mussalay ko aaj.?(You Muslim, we will banish you to Pakistan). They dragged me to the security office through the very long passage where there was no CCTV and no public.?They started abusing my mother and sister, thrashing and beating me very badly, saying that ?public k samne humara naam kharab kar diya?. I tried to record it which they later made me delete and threw away my phone,? Sinha wrote on Facebook.When contacted, the CISF said the student was only asked to write an apology letter for his behaviour with the security personnel, and was neither ?manhandled? nor ?thrashed?. ?He started yelling and arguing with constables Shoeb and PC Bisht who were on duty after he was asked to remove the earphones, which is a normal security drill in the Delhi Metro. He was unwilling and used abusive language after which he was taken to the metro control room,? a senior CISF officer said.Sinha was taken to the control room of the station where he tendered an apology in writing, the CISF officer said.As per CCTV records, the officer said, the entire episode lasted about 30 minutes and the student was then allowed to go.A few social media users expressed disapproval about Sinha not complying with the security check:To which Sinha replied:Several users expressed solidarity with Sinha. Sample some reactions:(With inputs from PTI) |
Chhavi Tyagi | 03 Feb 2017,Friday | Chinese media urges India to return 1962 war prisoner | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/china-india-1962-war-prisoner-wang-qi-raj-bahadur-chinese-army/1/873621.html | Chinese media has urged India to take steps to enable a former Chinese soldier, residing in Madhya Pradesh after being imprisoned post the 1962 war, to return to China to visit his family. The story of Wang Qi, a Chinese army surveyor who strayed into India in January 1963 and subsequently imprisoned until 1969, was recently reported by the BBC. | China's State media has urged India to take steps to enable a former Chinese soldier, who has been residing in Madhya Pradesh after being imprisoned shortly after the 1962 war, to return to China to visit his family.The story of Wang Qi, who was a Chinese army surveyor who strayed into India in January 1963 and subsequently imprisoned until 1969, has garnered increasing attention in China after a report last week by the BBC describing his life in the village of Tirodi, in MP, and his desire to return to visit his family.On Friday, the Global Times, a widely-read Party run newspaper published by the People's Daily, strongly urged India to issue relevant documents to allow Wang, who reports said is now in his eighties, to return on humanitarian grounds. Wang was issued a passport by the Chinese Embassy in 2003 but denied permission to travel to see his ailing mother, who died in 2006.The Global Times said: "Wang's story caused quite a stir on China's social media and appeals are rising that the man should be helped back home as soon as possible. There is also speculation that India is deliberately making it difficult for Wang, blocking him from returning to China," it claimed.WANG DELIBERATELY WITHHELD?The Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi said it was looking at "how best" the matter could be handled. "We are aware of the matter," said spokesperson Vikas Swarup. "We are in touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs to ascertain the details and how best it could be handled."Also read: By testing missile with 10 nuclear warheads, is China preparing for a military showdown with US? Also read: Russia, US, Brexit and China to re-shape world order. Read how The Global Times said Wang "was issued a Chinese passport by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi in 2013 and applied for permission to travel to China in 2014, but since then Wang's quest has been lost in 'official procedures' in New Delhi. It is high time for the Indian authorities to take the case seriously and process it efficiently. If Wang's hope for a reunion with his family in China is shattered in India's red tape, that will hurt the feelings of a massive number of Chinese netizens."The paper cited the case of two veteran Chinese soldiers, captured in 1962, who were returned in 2003 in what was "conceived as a goodwill gesture that both countries hoped would lead them out of the shadow of the 1962 war.""Although it's unclear whether Wang is a prisoner of war, it is inhumane to have isolated the elderly man from his family for such a long time," the Global Times said. "The Indian authorities should give their utmost attention to this case, actively communicating with the Chinese Embassy and improving administrative efficiency in processing this case, while the Chinese side should cooperate to provide the necessary documents pertaining to Wang that India requires."WANG ALIAS RAJ BAHADURThe BBC reported that Wang said he had strayed into India while carrying out land surveying duties for the Chinese army, and picked up by the Indian Red Cross Society.He was jailed and transferred around several Indian states before being released in 1969 and sent to the remote village of Tirodi, which is a five hour drive from Nagpur. Wang now goes by his Indian name Raj Bahadur, and has three children. He was married to a local girl and started a family.Also read: China says it will not sit idle if India sells missiles to Vietnam |
Deepali Aggarwal | 23 Jun 2017,Friday | Respect Pakistan's sovereignty: China tells US | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/respect-pakistans-sovereignty-china-tells-us/1/984956.html | China on Thursday asked the US to respect its ally Pakistan's sovereignty following reports that US President Donald Trump is planning to expand drone strikes to Pakistan in a crackdown on terrorism in the region. Praising Pakistan for firmly opposing terrorism, China said that peace, stability, and economic development in Pakistan serves the interest of south Asian countries. | By K J M Varma Beijing, Jun 22 (PTI) China today asked the US to respect Pakistans sovereignty and backed its all-weather ally for being on the "forefront" of the fight against terrorism, amid reports that the Trump administration is exploring tough measures against Islamabad for harbouring militant groups. "Pakistan is an important country in South Asia. Peace, stability and economic development in Pakistan serves the interest of regional countries and people," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media here. He was responding to reports that the US is exploring hardening its approach toward Pakistan to crackdown on Pakistan-based militants launching attacks in Afghanistan. "Pakistan is on the forefront of global fight against terrorism. It has been firmly opposing terrorism and it has made important sacrifice and contribution to fighting terrorism and maintaining regional security and stability," Geng said. The foreign ministry spokesman said the international community should acknowledge that and support the counter terrorism efforts made by Pakistan on the basis of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week during a Congressional hearing on the State Departments annual budget proposals said that the Trump administration is beginning an inter-agency policy review of relations with Pakistan and the president has specifically asked questions about the level of support and funding to Islamabad. Media reports, quoting US officials, said potential Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding US drone strikes, redirecting or withholding some aid to Pakistan and perhaps eventually downgrading Pakistans status as a major non-NATO ally. Afghanistan has also been strongly critical of Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring hard-line Taliban factions. Asked about reports from Pakistan that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is likely to visit Pakistan and Afghanistan this weekend to defuse tensions between the two neighbours, Geng said China continue to have friendly exchanges with the two countries but declined to confirm reports about Wang?s visit. |
Rini Kapoor | 01 Jan 2017,Sunday | Home ministry clears proposal to add 15k men to Delhi Police | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/proposal-to-add-15-000-men-to-delhi-police-cleared-says-rajnath/story-txD9JQP8l9G8dia4CVey0L.html | Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that a proposal to add 15,000 more personnel to the Delhi Police has been cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Reportedly, Delhi Police has a total sanctioned strength of around 82,242 at present, of which 77,083 are filled. "I feel Delhi Police strength is not adequate. It has to increase," Singh added. | The Union home ministry has cleared a proposal to add 15,000 more personnel to the Delhi Police and it awaits the finance ministry?s nod, home minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday terming its strength as ?inadequate?.Singh made the announcement at a mega police event where ranks were awarded to 24 personnel out of the 27,000 promoted this year.The expansion, if effected, will make the force nearly one lakh strong.?I feel Delhi Police strength is not adequate. It has to increase. The proposal pertaining to recruitment of 15,000 personnel have been sent to the finance ministry by the home ministry. I hope the approval will be received soon,? he said.The event also saw the presence of Ministers of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma and a bevy of senior officials, inspectors, constables and their family members.Singh said it was ?raining promotions? in Delhi Police as ?no where? have so many personnel been promoted together. He lauded Verma?s efforts toward removing the stagnation in promotion.?Promotions are in short supply in Police as well as in paramilitary forces and when it happens the person is on the last leg of his career. I had told the police commissioner to promote personnel when it is due without any hesitation,? Singh said.According to official data, Delhi Police at present has a total sanctioned strength of around 82,242, of which 77,083 are filled. |
Niharika Prabhakar | 29 Jul 2017,Saturday | IAF officers misused allowance, caused ?82 lakh loss: CAG | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-officers-misused-allowance-for-foreign-trips-caused-loss-of-rs-82-lakh-cag/story-lj051Kkkfhic3iEHEKNSlJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Indian Air Force officers violated regulations by claiming allowances after visiting foreign countries, causing a loss of more than ?82 lakh, the Comptroller and Auditor General reported. Military officers can claim leave travel concessions (LTC) only for visits within India when they are on leave, but 49 officers availed LTC while visiting foreign countries between 2010 and 2015, it added. | Dozens of Indian Air Force (IAF) officers violated defence travel regulations by claiming allowances after visiting foreign countries, causing a loss of more than Rs 82 lakh to the exchequer, the Comptroller and Auditor General has found.Under the regulations, military officers can claim leave travel concessions (LTC) only for visits within India when they are on leave.?We examined records pertaining to the period 2010-15 and found that in 49 cases, IAF officers availed of LTC while visiting a foreign country,? read the CAG report tabled in Parliament on Friday.The national auditor said it reflected the ?systemic failure of internal control? in the IAF.The CAG report said the leave travel claims of the officers were entertained despite the journey from origin to a foreign country not even touching any Indian station.?Admitting such LTC claims and payments amounting to Rs 82.58 lakh was not only irregular but also in gross violation of the government policy on LTC,? the report said.Several CAG reports have highlighted the abuse of LTC provisions by government servants.The report said IAF officers obtained permission from the competent authorities to go on leave to foreign countries with the condition that expenditure would be borne by the officers themselves.?Subsequently, the officers were applying for all-India LTC under travel regulations for the period of sanctioned leave,? the report said.The bills of these officers were cleared though not admissible under travel regulations, it noted.In its reply to the audit findings, the defence ministry said in January 2017 that an internal inquiry into the matter found there was ambiguity in the interpretation of the rules ? the CAG did not find the reply convincing. The ministry also said full recoveries would be made from the officers concerned along with penal interest. |
Rini Sinha | 15 Jul 2017,Saturday | It's rude: Priyanka on fans slamming Rahman for Tamil songs | http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/that-s-rude-priyanka-chopra-on-fans-walking-out-of-ar-rahman-concert/story-s363jpLZRUWbWb2oS9wKGP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Reacting to music composer AR Rahman being slammed by fans for singing Tamil songs during his Wembley concert on July 8, actress Priyanka Chopra said, "It's rude." While some fans slammed Rahman, others also defended him on Twitter. nReports suggest that Rahman performed 12 Tamil songs and 16 songs in Hindi during the concert. | Priyanka Chopra termed ?rude? the social media criticism of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman for singing Tamil, and not Hindi, songs at a concert in London.?Well, first of all, that is rude. I do not know the details so I do not want to talk much about it,? said the actor who is here with the cast and crew of an upcoming Marathi film which she is producing.Priyanka Chopra with her mother Madhu Chopra and brother Siddharth Chopra during a promotional event of her Marathi production Kay Re Rascalaa in Mumbai on Friday.
(PTI)
The actress said she is in India instead of New York attending the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards as she wants to have a birthday party with her mother and brother.?Unfortunately IIFA and my birthday coincided. I do not get much time to spend with my brother and mum. So yes, I deserve this holiday.?Rahman?s ?Netru, Indru, Naalai? (Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow) gig at the Wembley Stadium concert on July 8 didn?t hit the right chord with all his fans, especially his Bollywood-song admirers.Priyanka Chopra at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
(IANS)
According to reports, some left the concert after he started singing Tamil songs and then trolled him on social media.Rahman is currently in New York for the 18th edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards and is yet to directly comment on the incident.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Chhavi Tyagi | 02 Aug 2017,Wednesday | Woman bites off her alleged rapist's tongue | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-woman-bites-off-chunk-of-neighbour-s-tongue-when-he-tried-to-rape-her/story-ajiv6xUnbE4d1wHfgblAiO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A woman in Kerala's Kochi area bit off the tongue of a neighbour on Monday night when he allegedly tried to rape her. The woman filed a police complaint against her 30-year-old neighbour and produced a two centimetre strip of the tongue at the police station. The accused allegedly had similar charges against him earlier. | A woman in Kerala?s Kochi bit off the tongue of a neighbour on Monday night when he allegedly tried to molest her, police said.The woman filed a police complaint against her 30-year-old neighbour and said she bit off the tongue when he allegedly tried to force himself on her and kiss her. She also produced a 2 cm strip of the tongue at the police station.Police said the man was booked under section 447 (criminal trespass), 354 (assault with the intention to outrage modesty of a woman) and 367 (attempt to rape) of the Indian Penal Code. The man was allegedly had similar charges against him earlier and has been remanded to judicial custody for a week.This is the second high-profile sexual assault case to surface in the southern state in two months. In June, a 23-year-old law student told police she cut off the genitals of 52-year-old godman in self-defence when he made sexual advances towards her. But weeks later, she accused the police of forcing her to make statements, and said the godman never hurt her.In Kochi, the woman told police she stepped out of her house on Monday night when he allegedly jumped at her but fled after she attacked him. After her complaint, police alerted all city hospitals and found the man undergoing a surgery at a private hospital.The man had told hospital authorities that he injured his tongue in a bike accident and was arrested after the surgery was over and he was discharged. Doctors at the hospital said as he received serious injuries on the tongue, his speech will be slightly impaired.An earlier version of this story used a photo of a woman who has no connection with the case. The photo has been changed. |
Tanya Dhingra | 25 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Ayushmann requests Doordarshan not to change its logo | http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/please-don-t-change-the-doordarshan-logo-it-represents-my-childhood-ayushmann-khuranna/story-voPT8pLMpSFeYrgUoxcmIN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has tweeted, "Please don't change the Doordarshan logo. It represents my childhood." His statement comes after recent reports of Doordarshan planning on changing its logo to create something youthful, which will appeal to "children of liberalization". Doordarshan has been sporting the current logo since its inception in 1959. | Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana does not want the logo of broadcasting network Doordarshan changed as he has childhood memories attached to it.Filmmakers Nitesh Tiwari, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and actor Ayushmann Khurrana during the trailer launch of Bareilly Ki Barfi in Mumbai.
(IANS)
According to reports, Doordarshan is reportedly planning to change its iconic logo and create something youthful in a bid to tap the ?children of liberalization?.Ayushmann on Tuesday tweeted: ?Please don?t change the Doordarshan logo. It represents my childhood.?Please don't change the Doordarshan logo. It represents my childhood.? Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) July 25, 2017The actor was last seen on the silver screen in the film Meri Pyaari Bindu, and is now gearing up for the release of the film Bareilly Ki Barfi. Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Tarun Khanna | 24 Apr 2017,Monday | Farmers die only when Assembly is in session: Minister | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/odisha-agriculture-minister-pradeep-maharathy-farmer-suicides-assembly/1/936372.html | Odisha Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy on Sunday said that farmers commit suicides only when the Assembly is in session. "Once the session is over, are such incidents reported?" he asked. "Odia farmers live with dignity. No farmer has committed suicide even in difficult times like the famine in 1866 or the Super Cyclone in 1999," he added. | Odisha's Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy has again landed in a controversy stating that state farmers commit suicides only when the Assembly is in session.Maharathy made the shocking statement when asked about Tamil Nadu farmers and also questioned the local media for not debating their plight. Tamil Nadu farmers, who have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for past 41 days demanding drought relief package, today called off their strike till May 25 after assurance from Chief Minister E Palaniswamy.This is not the first time that the minister is in news for his insensitive remarks about farmer suicides. On March 4, Maharathy had made a statement in the state Assembly about a farmer who committed suicide in Bargarh district. He, then, said that the farmer had consumed poision after a quarrel with his wife and the cause of his death was not crop loss or debt burden.Later, the deceased farmer Hadu Bagarti's wife Kalabati had rejected the minister's statement and claimed she did not have any quarrel with her husband.The opposition BJP had slammed the statement and demanded his dismissal for "misleading" the Assembly with his statement on the death of a farmer in Bargarh district. |
Arshiya Chopra | 28 Jun 2017,Wednesday | Government to provide cradles for abandoned babies | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/abadoned-babies-cradle-adoption/1/988906.html | The Women and Child Development Ministry is setting up cradles at police stations, hospitals, and orphanages across the country where parents can leave their child for adoption. Cradles will be accompanied by a bell to notify the authorities at the premises. WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi called it a 'humane and anonymous method' for parents to put babies up for adoption. | For years, poverty along with the cultural bent to favour boys has led to Indian parents abandoning babies in dumpsters, hedges, train tracks and even rivers or lakes where few of them survive.But they can now make a more humane choice. Offering a solution to hapless parents who are unable to bring up their newborns, the women and child development (WCD) ministry will now keep cradles at government hospitals, orphanages and police stations across the country where one can leave their child behind for adoption. The cradle will be accompanied by a bell, which a person can ring to notify authorities at the premises after dropping off a baby."It is a simple, humane and anonymous method for parents who are unable to look after their child and have to unwillingly part ways with them," WCD minister Maneka Gandhi told Mail Today. "By leaving their child behind in a cradle, parents will knowingly put their child up for adoption."TO FILL THE GAPThe move came after the ministry found it difficult to bridge the gap between 600 kids up for adoption and 14,000 requests. The department's statutory body, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), functions as the nodal agency for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate adoptions in India as well as abroad.The government's decision also comes as a blessing for childless people and couples. "This will prove to be a safe place for orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children," said a senior ministry official.After a hospital or orphanage is notified by the ringing bell, officials will take the child into custody and he or she will handed over to the area's child welfare committee. The panel will further screen the child and decide if the baby is fit for adoption.REASONS FOR ABANDONMENTThe reasons for abandonment vary: an unwed mother facing social stigma; parents unable to look after their child, often because it is mentally or physically ill; or simply not wanting a girl. The "surrendered children" fail to get registered under the adoption list and in the process bring down the number of children ideal for the purpose.The official added the ministry will prioritise adoption demands by single mothers as well as economically welloff mothers and women who are over child- bearing age. While critics argue it could create more problems than it solves, such as increase abandonment, other analysts maintain that forcing parents to keep unwanted children can lead to abuse and infanticide.The WCD ministry has identified private and government hospitals and orphanages as prime locations to place the cradles. Ministry officials are yet to place police stations in the same ambit, citing complications of taking care of infants at such spots and are awaiting the approval of ministry of home affairs for this.WCD ministry officials pointed out that the cradles will help eliminate the guilt and social pressure stifling parents. It will also aid the government in ensuring that a child goes to a family with a good house.Gandhi was inspired during her trip to a child care institution in Guwahati where she saw infants put up for adoption. On asking, she was told that the institution had left a cradle outside its gate where parents parted ways with their children with |
Saloni Tandon | 22 Dec 2016,Thursday | No performance incentive for Team India due to SC order | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/no-performance-incentive-for-team-india-due-to-court-order/1/840214.html | The Indian cricket team will not get a performance incentive after their 4-0 victory over England due to the Supreme Court restricting BCCI's financial freedom. As per the order, BCCI cannot take any financial decisions till it complies with the Lodha Panel recommendations. The Board had announced ?2 crore for the team after it defeated South Africa 3-0 in 2015. | null |
Daisy Mowke | 27 Jul 2017,Thursday | Many refused Toilet- Ek Prem Katha before I got role: Akshay | http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/toilet-ek-prem-katha-was-offered-to-many-heroes-who-rejected-it-before-i-got-the-film-akshay-kumar/story-9Nu3AEOJ0EcrVPHhaStgVM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Actor Akshay Kumar has revealed that before he got the role in 'Toilet- Ek Prem Katha', the film was offered to many other actors who had rejected it. "Interestingly, this script was doing the rounds in the industry for over four years," he added. Akshay further said he asked co-producer Neeraj Pandey with folded hands to give him the role. | Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has said his upcoming film, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was offered to many other heroes, who rejected the movie, before it landed on his plate.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra minister for Women and Child Development Pankaja Munde and actor Akshay Kumar during an international conference on women trafficking in Mumbai on Thursday.
(PTI)
Directed by Shree Narayan Singh and co-produced by Akshay and Neeraj Pandey, the film stars Akshay and Bhumi Pednekar. ?The writers brought the subject to me. Interestingly, this script was doing the rounds in the industry for over four years. It went to a lot of heroes, a lot of people but nobody picked it up,? Akshay told reporters.?I liked it and I asked Neeraj Pandey with folded hands to give it to me. Earlier, the film was named Sandaas: Ek Prem Katha but later the title was changed.?Actor Akshay Kumar at the Kargil Vijay Diwas programme at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Nariman Point in Mumbai on July 26.
(IANS)
The actor said the film is based on a true incident and is essentially a love story. ?This film is primarily a love story. The toilet construction just forms the backdrop. The film is about Keshav and Jaya. It is based on a true story.?When the film?s trailer came out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised it and called the movie a commendable effort to promote cleanliness.When asked if he has any plans to hold a special screening for Modi, the actor said, ?I would love to.?The film is scheduled to release on August 11. Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Mishika Bangia | 14 Jul 2017,Friday | Kiran Bedi pulls up airport officials over unclean toilets | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kiran-bedi-pulls-up-chennai-airport-officials-over-unclean-toilet/story-Cigb171LkN7hnfYyF9SeUJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Thursday pulled up Chennai airport officials for improper maintenance of toilets in the VIP lounge. She found the toilets unclean when she arrived from Delhi. Immediately after that, the officials deployed sanitary workers to clean up the toilet and spray perfume. Bedi told officials that toilets needed to be maintained in a clean manner. | Puducherry Lt governor Kiran Bedi on Thursday pulled up airport officials in Chennai for ?improper maintenance? of toilets in the VIP lounge. Bedi, who arrived here from Delhi, was upset after she visited a toilet in the lounge and found it to be ?unclean?, airport sources said.She pulled up officials, who immediately deployed sanitary workers to clean up the toilet and spray perfume.Bedi then told officials that toilets needed to be maintained in a clean manner,the sources said. |
Nandini Sinha | 01 Aug 2017,Tuesday | Half of all Australian university students harassed: Report | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/aug/01/university-sexual-assault-report-released-live?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | More than half of university students in Australia were sexually harassed at least once in 2016, according to a Human Rights Commission survey. With over 30,000 responses registered across the country, it was found that women experienced harassment and assaults at higher rates than men. The survey was conducted amid claims that universities were responding poorly to sexual assault incidents. |
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That brings our coverage of the AHRC?s landmark survey to a close.Here are the report?s main points:Submissions from survivors themselves told us how:Universities have promised to implement the report?s recommendations, but given how vocal advocates have been of past ?institutional failures?, the strength of their response and the timeline of implementation will be something to keep an eye on.Updated
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Here?s a final submission from someone who used to work as a residential tutor, who contacted Guardian Australia anonymously to share their story:I was working in one of the residential colleges as a member of the staff, and was supporting a student through a case of sexual assault. It was escalated to the university and an internal investigation was conducted (I was not involved in the investigation, but sat in during the interviews). Basically, it was a case of the student?s word against the perpetrator?s and therefore the university concluded that there was not enough evidence to take any action. Based on our experience and from the testimonies given by both sides, my colleagues at the college who were involved in supporting the student and I knew that the victim?s account is more likely to be true than not, but we could not do anything without proof. And because the report came back without any conclusive result, we could not take any official action against the perpetrator. It was frustrating and I felt that we had truly let the victim down. To make it worse, the victim and the alleged perpetrator had to remain staying in the same college till the end of the year.Updated
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Some personal stories from Twitter that have been shared with my colleague Calla Wahlquist. All have been published with their permission. As undergrads, my classmates & I were harassed & stalked by the same student. He followed us & did PUA experiments on us 'for his writing'.@callapilla pic.twitter.com/7FHtaZ58fr
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?The universities often actually make it worse?Here?s a video from Fair Agenda featuring speakers from End Rape on Campus, Hunting Ground Australia and student councils. They speak a bit more about how university processes let students down, either by acting too slowly or not at all. As we?ve seen in the report, there are a number of barriers that contribute to the ?damning statistic? that only 4% of students believe their universities are doing enough.Updated
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Here?s some more on methodology. The End Rape On Campus ambassador, Nina Funnell, has criticised the final report for scaling back its own sample size from an earlier census-esque proposal.The original survey was planned for all 1.3 million Australian university students but was reduced and only sent to 300,000, according to Funnell. Of those 300,000, only 31,000 answered. ?Perhaps the response rate would have been higher had the AHRC not trusted universities to select when to send the survey out,? she said.?Left to their own devices many of the universities sent the survey out during student exams when students have more pressing concerns.?Updated
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?In a lecture theatre of 100 students, two have been sexually assaulted.?Here?s the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins, talking through the report?s findings this morning.She said one in five students had been sexually harassed in a university setting last year, with women twice as likely as men to be sexually harassed and three times as likely to be sexually assaulted.It?s also worth noting that Jenkin?s hypothetical lecture theatre example only counts on-campus incidents of assault. If we count all incidents, that number rises to seven students out of 100, and one in 10 for female students.Updated
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Today?s report has been criticised by some advocates for implying that universities only have an obligation to deal with incidents that happen in a university setting ? either on campus or at a university event. But the co-women?s officer at the University of Sydney, Imogen Grant, told Guardian Australia today that assaults that occur outside of university grounds can still be reported to universities because they involve student perpetrators.She says we should keep in mind that student offenders can be disciplined by their university: Most incidents of assault occur around the broader university community, in share houses and at social events.But the perpetrators are still fellow students. And if the perpetrator is a fellow student, you can report that to the university and you can expect disciplinary action as well.It?s also an issue raised by End Rape On Campus ambassador Nina Funnell, who said in today?s media conference that the report?s 10-point plan had no recommendations for improving disciplinary proceedings against offenders. In response, the chair of Universities Australia, Prof Margaret Gardner, said she had ?begun a conversation? with universities about new misconduct proceedings. Here?s a submission from the report itself that claims this issue has been overlooked:A woman who was sexually assaulted on numerous occasions by her intimate partner, a fellow university student, was told the university had ?no power to do anything, because none of it occurred on-campus?.She felt that the university should have taken action, because she was aware of the perpetrator sexually assaulting at least two other women at her university. Updated
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Calla WahlquistAt some point in the pub crawl, usually on the walk between pubs two and three, one of the guys at the front of the group would tip their head back and start singing: ?I wish all the women.?It?s a classic rhyming song, where the lead singer makes observations like, ?I wish all the women/were waves in the ocean/and if I was a surfer/I?d ride them with my motion,? and everybody else sings it back. By the train ride home even the most devoted singers would have run out of verses and switched to ?Beastiality is best?. The hook is everybody chanting: ?Beastiality is best, boys, beastiality is best. Fuck a wallaby!?My two years living at a residential college at an Australian university were some 10 years ago now, so I can only remember what we were supposed to do to an owl.Details about the culture of sexual harassment and prevalence sexual assault at residential colleges contained in the AHRC report were appalling, but they did not surprise me. That?s just O-week. We had a golden bed springs award. I liked living at college. I was new to the city and did not know anyone and at college I had ready-made friends, some of whom remain close friends now. It?s only later that you think about what happened and realise it?s not normal. The Eagle Rock thing? We did that. There was a weekly newsletter about who had slept with who. Everyone told rape jokes. We drank so much we couldn?t move. People who did not join in were ostracised. I remember one occasion where a woman from another hall said she had been raped from a male from our hall. The universal judgment was that she was a slut, she was just making it up. Women did that all the time, didn?t they?Updated
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As mentioned earlier today, only 9% of students who had been sexually assaulted on their campus reported the attack to their university. Here are some examples, in survivors? own words, of why they decided not to pursue the perpetrators of their assault or harassment. Multiple submissions said they were deterred by their university?s failure to provide anonymous reporting:Our cohort for our course is incredibly small. I felt too scared to report these incidents. I couldn?t have action taken against him because everyone would find out.Another student had their identity disclosed to their rapist?s friends: The university broke confidentiality by informing organisers of the camp (i.e: the rapist?s friends) what I?d done. People spread lies about me and I was ostracised from the club.Another said the university forced them into a process of face-to-face ?mediation? with their harasser:When I complained to the head of school I had a ?mediation? session with the professor who was harassing me ... he stormed out and slammed the door. He wasn?t told to change his behaviour, the ?mediation session? was all that was done.For many respondents there was always an underlying social pressure not to report, stemming from a fear of being ridiculed, ostracised or shamed for not doing enough. Said one: It was my word against his. He?s known as being a really nice friendly guy so I didn?t think a lot of people would believe me or care.Updated
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Calla WahlquistI?m going to hand over the reins to my colleague Naaman Zhou, who was at the launch in Sydney today.Updated
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Residential colleges at Australian universities are full of students from regional and remote areas, as well as international students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time. They?re usually co-ed.They?re also one of the highest risk places on campus for sexual assault and sexual harassment, according to the AHRC survey. Twelve per cent of women and 3% of men who were sexually assaulted at a university in 2015 and 2016 said it had occurred at a residential college.The report found that hazing practices at colleges often involved excessive alcohol consumption and humiliating or degrading acts, ?and, in many cases, sexual harassment and sexual assault?.According to one submission:The aim is to get the freshers as drunk as possible. Maybe a secondary aim is to make them look as ridiculous and embarrassing as possible, giving them costumes, props, and even sometimes smearing food all over them.Said another:You had to participate, there was nothing you could do about it. The administration knew about this and they condoned this. The students had no power whatsoever, you couldn?t say anything. Hazing practices described in the report included getting female students to ?run the gauntlet?, which meant running down a hallway where male students stood in every doorway with the nozzle of a cask of wine sticking out their fly. Female students were required to kneel before each male resident and ?drink from his sack?.Another college had a ritual where all first-year female students had to remove their top when a certain song was played. They would be surrounded by male students and unable to leave the dance floor with their top still on. Other submissions described year-round traditions that focused on residents? sexual exploits.Conquests of guys getting girls from other colleges were broadcasted weekly in this gossip session the whole college had, where you would submit your experiences to an executive, and on weeknights we would gather and hear about everyone?s conquests that week ... women were described as objects or trophies. The report also found that power relationships between resident advisers ? usually senior students ? and first-year students, as well as the close proximity created by living in residential colleges and the easy access to both alcohol and bedrooms, were contributing factors in the high rates of sexual assault. Updated
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In addition to the survey data, the report contains details from almost 2,000 written submissions, mostly from students and former students sharing their experiences of sexual assault and harassment.Some said they dropped out of university to avoid bumping into their attacker.One person wrote:I left the course and tried studying by distance education but have now been so traumatised by ?higher education? institutions that I don?t feel able to set foot into study again.Said another:He delayed my education by a year and made me afraid to go to uni and at the time I truly didn?t see how bad the impact he was having on me, not even when I dropped out.The release of the report prompted other people to share their stories. This tweet is posted with the author?s permission.The reality of sexual assault and feeling unheard/unwelcome was one of the main reasons I dropped out of my phys/chem undergraduate degree.Updated
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Ayushi Ahluwalia | 01 Aug 2017,Tuesday | Not quitting as BJP President: Amit Shah | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amit-shah-rules-out-joining-modi-government-says-happy-being-bjp-president/story-sUTciw2XYckyd4792DBcqJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Monday said he would not quit from the post of party President even if elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. "I am very happy with my job and discharging my responsibilities with full devotion," he added. Shah filed his nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls on Friday. | BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday said he is happy being the party president and ruled out joining Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre. Shah?s filing of nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat triggered speculation about him joining the Union ministry.The buzz about possible ministry expansion has been generated as many ministers are currently holding multiple crucial portfolios in the National Democratic Alliance government. Finance minister Arun Jaitley is holding the additional charge of the defence ministry since Manohar Parrikar left the government in April to take over as chief minister of Goa. M Venkaiah Naidu, who was holding information and broadcasting, urban development, housing and urban poverty alleviation portfolios, has been nominated as NDA?s candidate for the post of vice president creating more vacancies. Science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan is holding the additional environment portfolio since the demise of Anil Dave. There are talks that Shah, Modi?s closest confidant, was given the Rajya Sabha nomination to pave the way for his induction into the Union ministry. ?I am very happy with my job and discharging my responsibilities with full devotion, you don?t speculate,? a vividly relaxed Shah said while interacting with media persons on Monday, the concluding day of his three-day Lucknow visit. Shah also rubbished the allegations that under him the BJP is creating rifts in the Opposition ranks be it in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat. The Congress recently flew out a group of its MLAs from Gujarat to Karnataka ahead of August 8 Rajya Sabha elections, accusing the BJP of trying to lure them. ?Accha chalo Gujarat mein toh hamari sarkaar hai, par inhoney Bengaluru mein kyon vidhayakon ko kamrey main band kar rakha hai (Ok, it?s a BJP government in Gujarat but why have they kept their MLAs confined to a room in Congress-ruled Karanataka?s capital Bengaluru,? Shah asked. ?Arrey bhai, wahan toh unhe ghoomney do (at least let them move freely there),? he said with a smile. He was flanked by UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma. ?Hamne koi dal nahi toda hai (we have not broken any party),? he said, denying BJP had any role in the breakup of Bihar?s grand alliance?What could we do when Nitish Kumar himself decided to resign and sever ties with the RJD? Was I expected to stop him from doing so at the gun point? We did not have a hand in the developments there as Nitishji wasn?t interested in continuing with those accused of corruption,? Shah said, referring to recent change of political equation in Bihar. On Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav?s allegation that the BJP is indulging in ?political corruption? in UP by engineering resignations of his party MLCs, Shah said he wasn?t aware of any such move by the BJP. Asked if the SP MLCs, who recently left the party, would join the BJP and would get ?return gift? from him, he said, ?I don?t know whether they would be joining the BJP? The local unit might have planned something. But, as far as return gift is concerned, this is not BJP?s culture.?Several SP and BSP leaders had joined the BJP ahead of the 2017 assembly polls in UP and many of them were given tickets and are now ministers in Adityanath government. However, Shah said those leaders after quitting their parties had contested an election, there by indicating that his party had not poached on opposition lawmakers in the middle of their term.He denied any plan to induct disgruntled Samajwadi Party MLA Shivpal Yadav into the BJP. Shivpal and his nephew Akhilesh Yadav are the central characters in the bitter intra-party conflict in the SP. On the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute in Ayodhya, Shah said his party is in favour of building a temple at the disputed site either through a court order or by creating a consensus on the issue. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 05 Jan 2017,Thursday | B'luru molestation a conspiracy to defame city: Minister | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengaluru-molestation-karnataka-home-minister-g-parameshwara/1/850030.html | Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday termed the recent Bengaluru mass molestation case a conspiracy to defame the state's Congress government and the Information Technology city. Earlier, he was reported as saying "these things do happen" over the case. However, the minister said that he was misquoted by the media and promised to make Bengaluru safer for women. | Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara today promised to make state capital Bengaluru safer for women, five days after video from the city of women being groped, molested, robbed by men during New Year celebrations shocked the country.While promising a safer Bengaluru, the top minister termed the entire episode an a conspiracy to defame the state's Congress government and the IT city in particular. Parameshwar said that he was misquoted by the media over the mass molestation case. "These things do happen," the minister was quoted in the media while responding to the January 1 incident.HERE'S WHAT THE MINISTER SAID: On Kamanahalli incident : We have got enough evidence through the CCTV images. We have taken necessary action. FIR has been registered in the case. WATCH: Bengaluru molestation: 4 accused arrested in Kamanahalli case |
Rini Sinha | 24 Jul 2017,Monday | I stress on female comedians not being eye-candy: Sugandha | http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sugandha-mishra-in-indian-comedy-women-are-cast-as-eye-candy-or-to-give-men-cues/story-Mr0aGpSysKbDoz2htMDB1N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Comedian Sugandha Mishra said she stresses on female comedians not being made eye-candy. She added that sometimes, makers of a comedy show keep women only for cues and give main lines to men. Sugandha further said that initially, good-looking girls find it difficult doing comedy as they're confused about negative portrayals, as is sometimes required in comedy shows. | Actor Sugandha Mishra, who has part been of multiple comedy shows such as Comedy Circus Ke Taansen and Kapil Sharma show, now stars in the recently launched show, The Drama Company. While she agrees that the position of female comedians has improved, she says it will take time for more progress, as Indian comedy is a male-dominated field.?It?s more difficult for a good-looking girl to enter comedy, because such girls usually want to do acting first and look pretty. As a comedian you may have to look bad too, to justify your character, but good-looking girls often face this conflict...whether they should do it or not,? says Sugandha. The 29-year-old actor says it is also difficult for women to make a mark in the comedy circuit, as they face several limitations. ? My first show Laughter Challenge had some big comedians and to participate with them was a challenge. Being a man, they had no limits at all for comedy. They could perform anything, but being a female, I can?t do everything. Like toilet humour, I can?t do double-meaning comedy and I don?t approve of it either. I don?t even look funny that if I crack a joke on myself, people will laugh. To perform with those limits has been very challenging,? says Sugandha.She stresses on the importance of giving female stand-up comedians proper roles in shows.?Sometimes it would happen that we are doing some gags, the makers of the show would keep the girl for giving cues and give the punches to the men. I have always worked on my choices and left shows where I have been uncomfortable. I have always emphasised on not making the female comedian eye-candy for the show,? she says.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Deepali Aggarwal | 09 Mar 2017,Thursday | China's Parliament approves Prez Xi Jinping as core leader | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chinas-parliament-approves-xis-core-leader-status/1/899819.html | China's Parliament has approved President Xi Jinping as the core leader, elevating him to a status higher than others in the ruling Communist Party of China's collective leadership system. The core leader status, that had earlier been approved by the Communist Party, puts him at par with party founder Mao Zedong reinforcing his hold over all the organs of power. | From K J M Varma Beijing, Mar 8 (PTI) Chinas Parliament has given its approval to President Xi Jinpings elevation as the "core leader", reinforcing his hold over all the organs of power, ahead of his second five-year tenure. The core leader status, that had been earlier been approved by the ruling Communist Party, puts 63-year-old Xi at par with party founder Mao Zedong, his successor and reformist leader Deng Xiaoping and elevates him to a higher status above others in the Communist Party of Chinas (CPC) collective leadership system. Chinas top legislator Zhang Dejiang pledged further conformity to the CPC Central Committee with Xi as the core, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today. National lawmakers should unite more closely "around the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core," to develop the system of the peoples congress and realise the dream of national rejuvenation, Zhang, the chairman of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said while delivering a work report of the NPC Standing Committee. The endorsement of Xi as the core "reflects the will of all members of the Party, all members of the armed forces and all the people of China," Zhang told the nearly 3,000 NPC deputies gathered at the Great Hall of the People. NPC is often referred by the foreign media as a rubber stamp parliament for routinely approving CPCs proposals. The legislature, along with advisory body -- Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) -- are currently holding their annual sessions set to end on March 15. Zhangs remarks of Xi being the "core leader" was echoed by Yu Zhengsheng, head of the CPPCC. Yesterday, the top leadership of the military endorsed the core status of Xi. "The troops must resolutely safeguard the core and follow the leadership of the CPC," Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) headed by Xi, said while taking part in a panel deliberation of the government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the annual session of the NPC. CMC is the overall high command of the 2.3 million-strong Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Under the Chinese political system, armed forces function under the CPC. |
Rini Sinha | 26 Jun 2017,Monday | Jhanvi, Ishaan cast in The Fault In Our Stars remake: Report | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jhanvi-kapoor-ishaan-khatter-the-fault-in-our-stars-remake-look-test/1/987574.html | According to reports, Sridevi's daughter Jhanvi Kapoor will feature in the Hindi remake of 2014 Hollywood film 'The Fault In Our Stars'. Actor Shahid Kapoor's half-brother Ishaan Khattar will also be seen in the film. Reports suggest that this will be Jhanvi's debut film in Bollywood. | Jhanvi Kapoor's Bollywood debut has kept many intrigued for the past few months. From Student Of The Year 2 to an untitled film opposite Varun Dhawan, many films have been associated with the star kid. And it was only last month that news of Jhanvi been roped in with Shahid Kapoor's brother Ishaan Khatter for the remake of Marathi film Sairat.But if a new report in Mumbai Mirror is to be believed, Jhanvi and Ishaan will romance each other not in Sairat remake but The Fault In Our Stars remake. The report suggests that Karan Johar has roped in Shashank Khaitan as the director of the film. Earlier Sara Ali Khan was in running for this film before she opted out for Kedarnath. In fact, the two have begun with the look tests for the remake. In real life, Jhanvi and Ishaan are rumoured to be dating each other. Their appearance at the screening of Badrinath Ki Dulhania in March this year grabbed eyeballs. And this very movie date gave way to link-up rumours. And a recent report in Mid-Day only confirmed the news when Ishaan was warned by his brother to focus on his career. The report suggests that Ishaan and Jhanvi are secretly dating, and Shahid doesn't want Ishaan's personal life to take away the focus from his debut film Beyond The Clouds. While Jhanvi will make her big screen debut with The Fault In The Stars Remake, Ishaan has already begun shooting for Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds. |
Daisy Mowke | 24 Dec 2016,Saturday | Artistes refuse to perform at Trump's inauguration event | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/donald-trump-america-elton-john-chainsmokers-inaugration-usa-hillary-clinton-lifest/1/841605.html | Several artistes have refused to perform at US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration event, scheduled to take place on January 20, 2017. This includes musicians like Elton John, The Chainsmokers, Idina Menzel and Celine Dion. "I just got call to perform at the Inauguration?I didn't pick up and blocked the number," rapper Ice-T wrote on Twitter. | As unsettling as it might be, Donald Trump is America's President-elect. After a harrowing Election season that saw a dramatic climax last month, The Donald is gearing up to enter The Oval Office--with hardly (and understandably) anyone ready to welcome him. Keeping aside his history of not paying those who perform at his rallies and of him not being an exact gentleman, Trump's inauguration function has hit headlines even before making it to the world. Reportedly, several A-list artistes have denied to perform at the event that kicks off on January 19, 2017. Trump who has, in the past, expressed his disdain over musicians who endorse politicians, is now said to be immensely "unhappy" with his organising committee's failed attempts at securing popular names. Also Read: Hillary Clinton delivers a presidential speech, says Trump will be our presidentNames like Elton John, The Chainsmokers, Idina Menzel, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, KISS among others have refused to perform at Trump's inauguration citing one reason or another.While Anthony Scaramucci from Trump's transition team seemed almost sure of Elton John performing at the event and establishing a "pro-gay stance" on Trump's behalf, John's rep almost instantly denied the claim and told The New York Times, "Incorrect. He will NOT be performing."Singer Idina Menzel made her annoyance with Trump apparent and told Vanity Fair, "I mean, look: All the artists in the world got up and tried to get our girl [Hillary Clinton] elected, and it still didn't happen, so we're all still trying to recover from that."Rapper Ice T didn't hold back and posted a tweet saying, "I just got call to perform at the Inauguration. I didn't pick up and Blocked the number."All of Me singer John Legend had earlier explained the reason behind artists not wanting to associate themselves with Trump, "We tend to be more liberal-minded. When we see somebody that's preaching division and hate and bigotry, it's unlikely he'll get a lot of creative people that want to be associated with him."Also Read: Donald Trump picks 'Death by China' author for trade advisory roleSeeing his inauguration event running into a tunnel without a light at the end, an evidently-miffed Trump(like always) took to Twitter and wrote, "The so-called "A" list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!"Model and Legend's wife, Chrissy Teigen was quick to reply in a series of tweets. "Hi--we are people. You are our president too. I don't want you to be, but u are. Also we ALL know you are dying without the approval, dear," she wrote. |
Daisy Mowke | 17 Jul 2017,Monday | Maha govt defends Sanjay Dutt's early release from jail | http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/1993-mumbai-blasts-sanjay-dutt-deserved-early-release-from-jail-says-maharashtra-government/story-UrImsl55jm2QLk82r87o2N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Maharashtra government filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court on Monday, justifying Sanjay Dutt's early release from?Yerwada Jail after he was convicted for his role in the 1993 blasts case. The affidavit stated that Dutt displayed "good behaviour, and discipline while in jail". It also said that he "performed all allotted work in accordance with prescribed standards". | The Maharashtra government filed an affidavit in the Bombay high court on Monday, justifying actor Sanjay Dutt?s early release from?Yerwada Jail after he was convicted for his role in the 1993 blasts case.Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni submitted the affidavit stating that Dutt displayed ?good behaviour, and discipline while in jail,? participated in ?institutional activities such as physical training, educational programmes? and ?performed all allotted work in accordance with prescribed standards? thus earning early remission according to the ?statutory rules.?The state allows a convict to earn seven days of remission a month if they follow the prison rules, and display exemplary conduct. Such remissions however, are not allowed while the convict is out of prison on parole or furlough.Dutt spent a little over a year and four months in jail as an under trial. He spent about two-and-a-half years in jail as a convict. During this period, Dutt was out for 256 days between June 2013 and February 2016, the affidavit reads.The state claimed that on October 19, 2015, Duty had filed an application requesting ?special remission.? However, the state rejected the application in December 2015.On February 25 2016, however, considering Dutt?s conduct, the state decided to let him out eight months and 16 days before he completed his five-year sentence.Dutt was convicted for illegal possession and destruction of an AK-56 rifle in 1993 serial blasts case. |
Rini Sinha | 08 Jan 2017,Sunday | Deepika to appear on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show': Reports | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/deepika-padukone-the-ellen-degeneres-show-priyanka-chopra-xxx-reurn-of-xander-cage-lifetv/1/852209.html | As per reports, actress Deepika Padukone will feature on American television talk show 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'. Reportedly, she will appear on the show to promote her upcoming Hollywood debut film 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage'. Deepika will be seen playing the role of Serena Unger in the action film, also starring Vin Diesel. | Ellen DeGeneres' show is truly the hub of all that's hot in the industry. After desi girl Priyanka Chopra struck an awkward equation on the show with host Ellen DeGeneres, it's now Deepika's time to hopefully set things right.If some reports are to be believed, Deepika Padukone will appear on the talk show to promote her Hollywood debut, xXx: Reurn of Xander Cage, on January 18. |
Parmeet Kaur | 17 Jul 2017,Monday | Theme-based art to decorate upcoming Delhi Metro stations | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/peacocks-to-tech-theme-based-artworks-to-decorate-walls-of-metro-s-upcoming-magenta-line/story-yeIj6Xp14oxYn0xJkDb71H.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Four stations on the Delhi Metro's upcoming Magenta line will feature artwork based on the features of their neighbourhood, reports said. While the Kalkaji station will feature artwork linked to Lotus and ISKCON temples, the IIT and Jamia stations will have artwork based on education and struggle of students. A mountain and peacock theme was chosen for the airport station. | Delhi Metro?s upcoming Magenta line will be a visual treat for commuters as artwork will adorn four stations ?Jamia Millia Islamia, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi International Airport. Taking a cue from the Heritage Line, the theme of the artwork on these stations on the Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden corridor will be based on the salient features of the neighbourhoods. For instance, the artwork at Jamia Millia Islamia will depict photos of the values of the university, education, art and learning. The Magenta line will connect education hubs such as Jamia Milia Islamia and IIT-Delhi. The line is likely to be operational by September. Battling land acquisition issues, the project had missed its December 2016 deadline. The corridors of IIT will be decorated with artefacts depicting the struggle of students in coping up with the ever-changing technologies.The corridors of IIT will be decorated with artefacts depicting the struggle of students in coping with new technologies.At the Kalkaji station, the walls will be decorated with paintings and artefacts of the Lotus and ISKCON temples. The one at IGI airport will showcase Delhi?s hilly areas and the national bird, peacock, said a senior official of Delhi metro. ?The theme of mountain and peacock was chosen for the airport station because it is near the ridge area,? he said. Stations on the short 5.17-km Heritage line also has three-dimensional (3D) panels that depict the glory of the bygone era at the Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid, Lal Quila and Kashmere Gate stations. The life-size artwork and walls decorated with paintings showcasing India?s history during the Mughal era was were well received by commuters. So the metro has decided to carry forward the concept in other stations also, he said. Other stations such as INA, Govindpuri, Green Park and Jangpura, also have artworks on the walls.?Having tied up with various government bodies/organisations such as the National Book Trust, Delhi Tourism, Sahitya Akademi, India Habitat Centre and the textile ministry, DMRC is enhancing the overall commuting experience,? he said.At the Kalkaji station, the walls will be decorated with paintings and artefacts of the Lotus and ISKCON temples. Trials between Botanical Garden in Noida and Kalkaji Mandir (13 kilometres) in Delhi had started on October 27 last year while dummy runs between Terminal 1-IGI airport and Janakpuri west (10KM) began on December 21. This section from Botanical Garden till Kalkaji Mandir, which will be opened in next two months, consists of nine elevated stations ? Botanical Garden, Okhla Bird sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Work on all stations has been completed and finishing activity is in progress. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 08 Apr 2017,Saturday | German national stabbed and robbed by two men in Delhi | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/german-national-stabbed-robbed-in-delhi-by-two-men/story-ijhSBOicrLFZ3GUJzhfiNJ.html | A 19-year-old German national was stabbed and robbed by two men near Kashmere Gate in Delhi on Friday at around 11 pm when he was returning from Chandni Chowk in a rickshaw. The victim was spotted bleeding by locals who rushed him to a nearby hospital. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has ordered a probe into the matter. | A 19-year-old German national, who is on his second visit to India, was stabbed and robbed by two men near Kashmere Gate in north Delhi on Friday, police said on Saturday.According to police, Benjamin Scholt was returning from Chandni Chowk in a rickshaw on Friday night when he was attacked at around 11pm.?On way to Kashmere Gate from Chandni Chowk in a rickshaw, the driver offered a lift to another (person). The two men stabbed him with a blade or a similar sharp object on his face and robbed him of his phone and wallet,? said an officer.A bleeding Scholt tried fleeing towards the Geeta Colony flyover and was spotted by locals who rushed him to a nearby hospital. Deputy commissioner of police (North) Jatin Narwal said they have registered a case at the Kotwali police station and identified the two men. ?We will nab the accused,? Narwal said. Police have informed the German embassy and are probing if the rickshaw puller was involved in other such cases. Delhi is among the most unsafe places for foreigners in India with 147 cases of heinous crimes registered in 2015 that accounted for more than 40% of the total crimes against foreigners in the country, according to National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).Four foreigners were murdered in 2015 across the country and 12 cases of rape, 23 cases of assault on women with intent to outrage modesty, six cases of insult to modesty, four cases of kidnapping and 10 cases of robbery were filed. There were 223 cases of theft involving foreigners across the country.According to NCRB, 365 crimes were reported against foreigners in India in 2015, compared to 486 in 2014, a dip of 25%. |
Saloni Tandon | 17 Mar 2017,Friday | Abhinav Bindra reveals he was epileptic during Rio Olympics | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-conclave-2017-abhinav-bindra-dipa-malik/1/906435.html | India's sole Olympic individual gold medalist Abhinav Bindra has revealed he was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2014, and battled it during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2016 Rio Olympics. Abhinav added, "I didn't end up fourth (at Rio Olympics) because my hands were shaking or because of the condition. I ended up fourth because I wasn't good enough." | Abhinav Bindra, Beijing Olympics Gold medal winner and India's most decorated shooter, revealed he was fighting epilepsy during the Rio Games. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Bindra said he had been suffering since the 2014 Commonwealth Games.However, despite the odds, Bindra qualified for the finals of the men's 10 metre air rifle final event in Rio last August.But Bindra, who was a bright medal prospect for India, narrowly missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in the final at the Olympic Shooting Centre.Bindra did not however use his condition as an excuse in the Rio Games."I didn't end up fourth because my hands were shaking or because of the condition. I ended up fourth because I wasn't good enough ," Bindra said. Participating in his fifth Olympics, the 33-year-old got off to a good start with scores of 29.9 and 30.2 in the first two series placing him in the top three.He fell to the fourth spot after a relatively poor 21.1 in the third series with a total score of 81.2. But luck favoured Bindra in the fourth series as he climbed to second with 21.5 as the other shooters in the top four also faltered. However, Bindra seemed to let the pressure get to him as his performance started to go downhill from there. The former World Champion registered progressively poorer scores of 20.8, 20.2 in the next two series. A brilliant series of high 10s saw him go up to second after 11 shots and third after 12.Bindra had maintained the position till the 14th shot but a couple of poor shots saw him score 20.1 in what would eventually be his final series and tied at fourth with Ukranian Serhiy Kulish after the 16th shot. In the shoot-off that followed, Bindra could manage only a 10.0 while the Ukranian shot a brilliant 10.5 to move ahead, thus relegating the Indian to the fourth place.The ace Indian shooter said he had no regret after the heartbreak in Rio because he knew he had done the best he could. "Time is the best healer. You accept what the reality is and move on. Sometimes an event happens and then you move on. I was satisfied I tried the best I could. An athlete is scared of regret but I had no regret," Bindra said in the session moderated by Boria Majumdar. Meanwhile, Deepa Malik, who became the first Indian to win a Paralympic Silver medal in Rio, talked about her early struggles and looked back at the time when she was given a difficult choice.Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2017, Deepa said: "In 1999, there was a choice given to me, repetitive tumours... we can either make you live, or make you walk. Otherwise the tumour will spread to your head. My body could be paralyzed, I never chose my soul to be paralysed. In 1999, my husband was at war... hospital was full war injured soldiers... they were proud of their injuries. I asked the doctor, can I walk to the operation theater and not take the stretcher... I took those 10 steps and realised how much we are blessed to do those little things.I spoke to my husband on radio. I said "Dear Vikram. Over. They say I will never walk again. Over."He said, "Don't worry about your legs. I will carry you over all my life. Let's just be alive."Sports was more about creating a new identity for me and about declaring to the world that legs indeed are overrated. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 09 Jan 2017,Monday | Lack of coordination between banks, government: Robert Vadra | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/robert-vadra-petrol-pumps-banks-government/1/852778.html | Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra said that lack of coordination between banks and government policies is forcing petrol pump owners to stop accepting payments through credit or debit cards. He added, "The government seems to have reached its levels of desperation to overcome the initial blunder it created through the unplanned and unthought process of demonetisation." | Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra today attacked the Centre for lack of management after the petrol pumps across the country threatened to stop accepting payments through credit or debit cards.Also read: Demonetisation unplanned; both RBI, government clueless: Robert Vadra |
Rini Sinha | 20 Mar 2017,Monday | Big B pens blogpost after demise of Aishwarya Rai's father | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amitabh-bachchan-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-father-death/1/907764.html | Actor Amitabh Bachchan wrote a post on his blog titled 'Death...the inevitable end', following the demise of daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai's father Krishnaraj Rai on Saturday. "That call you wait anxiously knowing that it will come, and come it does to end all other calls...glimpses of reactions in the mind, of the lost one...," read a part of Bachchan's post. | The Bachchans are going through a difficult time. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's father passed away on Saturday, after a prolonged battle with disease, leaving the family bereaved. Amitabh Bachchan penned an emotional note after the loss. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Death has but one end, and words cannot define it."T 2468 - Death has but one end .. and words cannot define it ..!!The actor also expressed his grief on his blog, where he wrote, "That call you wait anxiously knowing that it will come, and come it does to end all other calls .. glimpses of reactions in the mind, of the lost one, of those that shall reflect on the lost one .. and suddenly then in the midst of sorrow and grief among the grieved and grieving .."Big B added, "That walk to the ultimate destination and the realityâ?¦ Embracing the tragedy, the discussions on its transport, its rituals, its formalitiesâ?¦ The custom, the tradition, the visitors with the sadness and the embrace of consolation, the last rites, the carriage, the placement, the cremationâ?¦ What to say what to put out where to put toâ?¦ All laden with grief and departure." |
Dishant Sharma | 01 May 2017,Monday | Ghosh wins both singles and doubles titles at Chile Open | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/soumyajit-ghosh-chile-open-table-tennis/1/942830.html | Indian table tennis player Soumyajit Ghosh became the third Indian to win a men's singles title at an ITTF Challenge Series at the Chile Open on Monday. The tournament's top seed, Ghosh, defeated compatriot Anthony Amalraj 4-2 (8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7) in the men's singles final before partnering with him to clinch the Chile Open doubles title. | Somyajit Ghosh defeated Anthony Amalraj 4-2 (8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7) to become the third Indian to win a men's singles title at an ITTF Challenge SeriesIndian top seed Soumyajit Ghosh beat compatriot Anthony Amalraj in the men's singles final at the Seamaster ITTF Challenge Chile Open table tennis tournament here. He had a memorable outing in the Chilean capital as he partnered Amalraj to capture the doubles title as well.Somyajit on Sunday defeated Amalraj 4-2 (8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7) to become the third Indian to win a men's singles title at an ITTF Challenge Series or ITTF World Tour tournament while Amalraj became the fourth Indian to reach such a final.Soumyajit and Amalraj later combined brilliantly to win the men's doubles title when the Indian pair accounted for the Bulgarian combine of Philipp Floritz and Romania's Hunor Szocs 4-0 (13-11, 10-12, 14-12, 11-9).In the singles final, third seed Amalraj made a better start winning the opening game but lost a close second which helped the momentum to swing towards his adversary. Undoubtedly the second game was crucial. But Amalraj had another chance coming his way in the fourth which, like the second, he could have turned to his advantage.Trailing 8-9 in the fourth, Amalraj opted for time-out and even managed to win the next point to level the score only to let the opportunity slip by. Yet to Amalraj's credit, he won the fifth game being the more consistent player but in the sixth Soumyajit emerged on top, all guns blazing.Attacking quickly from the backhand and staying close to the table, Soumyajit won the opening four points. Amalraj secured the next two. Soon confusion prevailed and Ghosh, who was awarded the next point, advised the umpire that the ball had hit his shirt.With the score at 4-3 in favour of Soumyajit, a determined Amalraj attacked well to recover and level 7-all. But that was all he could do as the next four points went Ghosh's way and with that the title was secured."I had to start the sixth game aggressively because I kept thinking about my first big international title. It was hard to win against Amalraj. It took some time to adapt to the ball, harder than the one we used before enabling more power but less spin," said Soumyajit in a release."Now I'm the third to win such a tournament. I'm really happy. But being the top seed, I felt the pressure all through."Amalraj, even though he lost the singles final, said he was pleased to bag the winners medal in the doubles. |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 29 Jun 2017,Thursday | Man implants travel card chip into skin to enter stations | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/meow-ludo-travel-card-opal-chip-implant-hand-australia-sydney-lifetr/1/990110.html | An Australian man named Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow has implanted a travel card chip into his left hand, enabling him to tap in and out at train stations. He said his new implant gives him "an ability not everyone else has," and added, "If someone stole my wallet, I could still get home." Meow-Meow has another implant for important documents. | Meet Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow--yes, that's what this Australian man's legal name is. But it's not his name that has caught our attention. It's his unique implementation of science that has blown our minds.This man will no longer have to worry about losing his travel card. For, Meow has implanted a travel-card chip in his left hand. The implant, which, according to Meow, gives him 'an ability not everyone else has', is that of his Opal card chip, cut down to 10mmX6mm to suit the purpose. An Opal card is a rechargeable card, used to tap in and out of stations or buses in Sydney.Also Read: This young engineer from India booked a ticket to USA for Re 1 only! |
Vani Vivek | 02 Jul 2017,Sunday | Kanye West quits Jay-Z's music startup on dispute over money | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kanye-west-leaves-jay-zs-tidal-over-money-dispute/1/992446.html | Rapper Kanye West has reportedly quit Jay-Z's music streaming startup Tidal over a dispute regarding money. According to reports, West complained that Tidal owes him over ?19.4 crore. Tidal has also been accused of going back on its promise of reimbursing West for music videos, but the startup said that West didn't deliver the videos required by the contract. | Los Angeles, Jul 2 (PTI) Rapper Kanye West, who is a key player in Jay-Zs music streaming service, Tidal, has left the company over money dispute. West, 40, was reportedly unhappy with the company for a long time, sources told TMZ. "Were told Kanye has complained the company owes him money -- more than USD 3 million," the sources added. |
Ankur Vyas | 20 Feb 2017,Monday | Stop endorsing donkeys of Gujarat: Akhilesh Yadav to Amitabh | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akhilesh-yadav-narendra-modi-amitabh-bachchan-uttar-pradesh-election/1/887038.html | Referring to a Gujarat Tourism advertisement of a Wild Ass Sanctuary in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday asked the 'century's biggest superstar' to stop endorsing the 'donkeys of Gujarat'. The advertisement promotes the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary situated in Gujarat's Little Rann of Kutch, one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India. | Samajwadi Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of fourth phase voting for Assembly elections. Addressing a rally in Raebareli, Akhilesh criticised Modi over Gujarat Tourism advertisement which showcases superstar Amitabh Bachchan.ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2017: FULL COVERAGE"Ek gadhe ka vigyapan aata hai, main iss sadi ke sabse bade mahanayak se kahunga ke ab aap Gujarat ke gadhon ka prachar mat kariye (There's an ad on TV which shows donkeys. I appeal to century's biggest star...please stop endorsing donkeys of Gujarat)," Akhilesh said referring to one Gujarat Tourism TV advertisement which features Amitabh Bachchan.The ad shows Amitabh inviting tourists to visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary located in Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. ALSO READ: Akhilesh Yadav in Raibareli: Modi must speak truth, SP provides 24-hour power to VaranasiThe statement came a day after PM Modi stirred a massive controversy by drawing a parallel between Hindu and Muslim festivals. "Gaon me kabristan banta hai to shamshaan bhi banna chahiye. Ramzan me bijli aati hai to Diwali me bhi aani chahiye. Bhedbhav nhi hona chahiye (If land is given for cemetery in a village, it should be given for cremation ground also. If electricity is supplied during Ramazan, it should be supplied during Diwali also. There should not be discrimination," Modi said addressing an election rally in Fatehpur.The Opposition lashed out at PM Modi's statement which they termed 'communal'. The Congress said it will be filing a complaint with the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Such statements are totally unwarranted and the PM is trying to communalise the atmosphere for political gains. He is bringing disrepute to his post as well," party secretary of legal and human rights cell K C Mittal told India Today.WATCH: Akhilesh dares Modi to ban meat exports after Amit Shah vows to close slaughterhouses |
Mansha Mahajan | 18 Feb 2017,Saturday | Will look at Vodafone-Idea merger when required, says TRAI | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/will-look-at-voda-idea-merger-when-required-trai/1/885247.html | Telecom regulator TRAI on Friday said it will look into the proposed merger between telecom majors Vodafone and Idea "as and when" regulatory issues crop up. "As and when there is regulatory issue I will certainly give advise to the government," TRAI Chairman RS Sharma said. Notably, the proposed merger comes amid competition from new entrant Reliance Jio. | Telecom watchdog TRAI today said it will look into the proposed Vodafone and Idea merger "as and when" regulatory issues crop up. "Thats (merger of Idea and Vodafone India) a business decision. I would not like to comment. As and when there is regulatory issue I will certainly give advise to the government," TRAI Chairman R S Sharma said on the sidelines of Momentum Jharkhand here today. On January 30, Britain's Vodafone Group confirmed it is in discussions to merge its Indian unit with Idea Cellular in an all-share deal to create the countrys largest telecom operator with 43 per cent revenue marketshare. Also Read: Voda-Idea merger to create Rs 80,000 crore revenue firm |
Sumedha Sehra | 12 Jul 2017,Wednesday | Amarnath attack bus driver to get ?5 lakh reward | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/j-k-govt-amarnath-board-announce-rs-5-lakh-reward-for-bus-driver-saleem-mirza/story-CGu05DloTJpQ09yqVmHMbN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Jammu & Kashmir government and the Amarnath Shrine Board have announced a reward of ?5 lakh for the driver of the bus which came under attack from terrorists on Monday. The driver, Saleem Mirza, displayed "exemplary alertness and courage," as he kept driving even when the terrorists opened fire on the bus, saving around 50 lives. | The Jammu and Kashmir government and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) on Tuesday separately announced rewards totalling Rs five lakh for Saleem Mirza, the driver of the bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims which came under terror attack in Anantnag.The rewards were announced for Mirza for displaying ?exemplary alertness and courage? by which he saved several lives as he continued to drive the bus in the midst of firing by the terrorists.The state government also announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs six lakh each to the kin of those killed, Rs two lakh for those seriously injured and Rs one lakh for those with minor injuries, an official spokesman said.The governor also announced relief of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of those killed, Rs 1.50 lakh to those who suffered serious injuries and Rs 75,000 for those with minor injuries, the spokesman said.The state cabinet, which met under the chairpersonship of chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, sanctioned a reward of Rs three lakh in favour of Saleem Mirza for exemplary alertness and courage during the incident, the spokesman said.Governor N N Vohra, in his capacity as chairman of SASB, also announced a special reward of Rs 2 lakh to the driver for his alert response which saved lives of many pilgrims, the spokesman said.Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others were injured when terrorists fired at their bus near Khanabal while it was on its way to Jammu from Srinagar.The driver kept the vehicle moving even when he was under heavy fire from the front and the wind-screen had been shattered.The cabinet directed the finance department to provide necessary additional funds for meeting the compensation/ex- gratia on most immediate basis for release to the next of kins of the deceased and to the injured, the spokesman said. |
Gaurav Shroff | 11 Jun 2017,Sunday | Crocodile, dinosaur, turtle fossils found at a single site | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/over-66-million-year-old-crocodile-fossil-found-in-china/1/974500.html | Fossils of a complete crocodile, turtles, and bones belonging to at least six different dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period, 145 to 66 million years ago, have been excavated from a single site in China's Jilin province. The 1.5-metre-long crocodile fossil was well preserved from head to tail, with clear skin, which is quite rare among Cretaceous era findings, scientists said. | Beijing, Jun 9 (PTI) Fossils of a completely preserved crocodile and bones belonging to at least six different dinosaurs, dating back 145 to 66 million years, have been unearthed in northeast China. Paleontologists from Chinese Academy of Sciences began the excavation in late May, following the discovery of dinosaur fossils last year at Longshan Mountain in the city of Yanji in Jilin Province. A 1.5-meter-long crocodile fossil was found on June 1, researchers said. The fossil was well preserved from head to tail, with clear skin, which is quite rare among Cretaceous strata findings in China, they said. "Crocodiles and dinosaurs lived together, which means there are probably more fossils buried underneath," said Jin Changzhu, a research fellow at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology. Archaeologists also found a large amount of teeth, arm, pelvis and rib bones belonging to at least six different dinosaurs, most of which were in good condition, Xinhua reported. |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 17 Apr 2017,Monday | Air India to fine unruly flyers up to ?15L for flight delay | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/air-india-to-fine-unruly-passengers-up-to-rs-15-lakh-after-gaikwad-incident/story-inqgUitHUygdoSRToPVa0J.html | Air India has formulated rules to take legal action against unruly passengers, with fines of up to ?15 lakh if they delay flights. The airline will now fine passengers based on the time by which the flight is delayed. It also announced a 'Standard Operating Procedure' to handle unruly passengers which includes the immediate filing of an FIR. | Passengers delaying flights beyond two hours in an air rage could be fined Rs 15 lakh, says national carrier Air India?s proposed set of standard operating procedures to tackle unruly flyers.The draft SOPs detail steps for the crew and ground staff in the event of ugly incidents such as two recent controversies involving parliamentarians Ravindra Gaikwad of the Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress?s Dola Sen.Gaikwad was banned from flying by six airlines after he assaulted a senior Air India official with his slippers, allegedly angry over the state-run carrier shifting him from business class to economy on a Pune-New Delhi flight this March. But his name was struck off the ?no-fly? list 10 days ago after political intervention.Air India says the Gaikwad incident caused a flight delay of 90 minutes. Similarly, Trinamool?s Sen had an argument with the cabin crew and delayed the flight for 39 minutes.. @airindian prepares SOP to handle 'unruly passengers'. To levy fine upto R 15 lakh, in case they delay the flight. @htTweets @htdelhi? Faizan Haidar (@FaiHaider) April 17, 2017The proposal lists six steps to tackle similar situations, including informing the airport manager, no direct interaction with media, immediate filing of police complaint, assessment of damage, and fining a misbehaving flier in accordance with the amount of delay.If a rowdy passenger causes a delay of up to an hour, he will have to pay a penalty of Rs 5 lakh. For delays between one and two hours, the fine is Rs 10 lakh; and Rs 15 lakh for beyond two hours.An internal communication of the airline says such incidents should be prevented as these affect the crew?s morale.?The proposal from the commercial department has been forwarded to the legal team. After the legal opinion, we will notify it. In between, we hope the definition of unruly passengers will be out. Otherwise, we will define it,? an Air India official said on Monday.The fine could be symbolic, though.?Even a roadside hotel has a board saying ?right to admission reserved?. Air India, thus, must have a procedure for handling unruly passengers. Further, recent incidents have revealed that unruly behaviour does not require any provocation,? the proposal says.Hundreds of flyers ? mostly drunk, petulant or arrogant ? have been grounded, blacklisted, arrested, fined and imprisoned for their aggressive behaviour since aviation became an accessible and favoured mode of transport around the world.Last December, a Citibank vice-president and his girlfriend were arrested in America for fighting with the flight crew and fellow passengers.Back home, a police complaint was lodged against Gaikwad, the Sena MP for Osmanabad, who had bragged before television camera that he hit the Air India employee with his slippers 25 times.Air India retaliated by blocking seven attempts he made to book a ticket, changing the spelling of his surname and using prefixes such as Prof. He was forced to travel by train.All six airlines cited passenger safety as a reason for banning him from flying.Gaikwad didn?t face any police action. Instead, Air India lifted the travel ban as the central government intervened. He expressed regret for the incident, but did not apologise.The Shiv Sena, an ally of the ruling BJP at the Centre and Maharashtra, held him clean and threatened to stop all flights from Mumbai and skip a meeting of the NDA if the ban was not revoked. Also, Sena parliamentarians created a ruckus in Parliament. |
Sonu Kumari | 22 Jul 2017,Saturday | Delhi biker injured as manja cuts throat | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-biker-s-throat-cut-by-manjha-in-geeta-colony/story-WqBopRfiirRj4ya9pW1bUK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A 35-year-old motorcyclist was injured on Friday as a 'manja' (kite string) slit his throat on the Geeta Colony flyover in Delhi. The man was taken to a hospital where he was declared out of danger. Notably, the National Green Tribunal had recently banned "manufacture and use" of non-biodegradable 'manja', saying it posed a life-threat to birds, animals and humans. | A 35-year-old motorcyclist?s throat was slit on the Geeta Colony flyover on Friday afternoon after his neck got entangled in a manjha (kite flying string).The man, who lives in east Delhi?s Gokulpuri with his family and works as a supervisor at a private university in Noida, was headed to work on when the accident occurred.Eyewitnesses told police that the biker nearly collided with a truck passing by after the manjha slit his throat. While the trucker managed to prevent a collision, the victim fell off his motorcycle and collapsed.He was taken to a nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment. The police said they will register a case against unknown persons. It was not immediately clear if the manjha was made in India or was a Chinese variant.On July 11, the National Green Tribunal had banned the use of manjha across the city. The green body passed the order following several deaths reportedly due to getting caught in the manja. Incidents of birds getting caught in the manjha are fairly common in Delhi.A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said: ?There shall be a total ban on the ?manja?, which are made of nylon or any other synthetic material or are coated with synthetic non-biodegradable substances.? |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 03 Mar 2017,Friday | Railways starts Roll-on Roll-off service for trucks in Delhi | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-railways-roro-service-delhi-traffic/1/895725.html | The Indian Railways on Thursday launched a Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service to carry loaded trucks on wagons from Gurugram to Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh. The service, launched by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, aims to decongest roads in Delhi NCR and reduce carbon emissions. The Ro-Ro service will use eight entry and exit routes to take trucks off the roads. | A new train of thought from Indian Railways will help unclog the National Capital Region's trafficpacked roads and help residents breathe easy.With the launch of a roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) service to carry loaded trucks on wagons from Haryana's Gurugram to Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh, the network plans to extend the service to private vehicles jostling with daily snarls.According to the railways, about 20,000 trucks not meant for NCR enter the region daily to travel further. Out of the total 127 entry-exit points to the city, nine major points crisscrossing the region account for 75 per cent of the commercial light and heavy duty trucks. Railway ministry officials said eight more routes will be identified soon.COMMERCIAL VEHICLES CAUSE POLLUTION IN DELHIA study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) shows commercial vehicles entering Delhi spew close to 30 per cent of the total particulate load and 22 per cent of nitrogen oxide load from the transport sector.The Ro-Ro service aims to reduce carbon emission and congestion on the roads of the national capital region (NCR) as about 66,000 diesel-guzzling trucks pass through Delhi and its adjoining areas in a day."Nearly 80 per cent of the heavy goods vehicles entering Delhi are overloaded, but the border checkpoints don't have the mechanism to weigh these vehicles. These diesel-guzzling trucks are also the major source of pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 that have hit an all-time high in Delhi in recent months. Launch of Ro-Ro service is a welcome initiative but it will be beneficial only after capacity augmentation," said Dr PK Sarkar, head of transport planning at the School of Planning and Architecture.ALL ABOUT RO-RO TRAINSAlso Read |
Saloni Tandon | 26 Dec 2016,Monday | Yoga derecognised 15 months after being declared a sport | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yoga-sports-ministry-sport-pm-modi/1/842045.html | The Sports Ministry has derecognised yoga, 15 months after declaring it a 'priority sport'. The decision was communicated to National Sports Federations and the Sports Authority of India after the government concluded it will not be possible to conduct competitions. Yoga will now come under the prerogative of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy). | Just 14 months after Yoga was declared as a sport in India, the decision has now been reversed.When Yoga was recognised as a sport in India in September last year, it had the seal of approval from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), but on Wednesday the sports ministry communicated to all the National Sports Federations and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), that "Yoga can't be termed as a sport."Yoga, in fact, was added in the list of priority sports but the government has found out that it has many dimensions and it will not be possible to conduct competitions in Yoga.For any sport to be added into the priority list, it should be part of Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games but for Yoga, an exception was made. |
Vani Vivek | 06 May 2017,Saturday | Google X agrees to work on internet access in Andhra Pradesh | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/naidu-woos-google-x-to-andhra-pradesh/1/947171.html | Google's experimental research and development unit Google X has reportedly agreed to work with the Andhra Pradesh government to better internet penetration and connectivity in the state. This comes after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the Google X facility in US that has developed Google's driverless cars and smart glasses besides using balloons for spreading internet. | Andhra Pradesh could be the potential ground for experimenting and launching the innovations carried on by Google X. This was indicated by chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, now on a week long tour of the United States, after visiting Google's X facility that has developed Google's driverless cars and Google's glasses projects besides using balloons for spreading Internet." Experiments such using stratosphere balloons to give access to Internet to inaccessible areas is one example out of many that can be experiment in our state," said Naidu. That Google X has agreed to collaborate with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and work towards internet penetration to enhance connectivity all over the state is a milestone moment.Google X CEO Astro Teller made a presentation about the ongoing research and development works at the facility during which a demonstration of the driverless car and use of drones to deliver various products at home was shown to Naidu and his delegation that includes the state finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, the state's Communication Adviser Dr. Parkala Prabhakar and the Principal Secretary in charge of Infrastructure and Investments Ajay Jain. |
Ayushi Ahluwalia | 31 Jul 2017,Monday | BJP offered ?15 cr to our Gujarat MLAs: Congress | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-parades-44-gujarat-mlas-says-bjp-threatening-them-ahead-of-rs-polls/story-fP0VARJpIlsFATuevwqloN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Congress on Sunday presented 44 of its Gujarat MLAs before the media in Bengaluru and alleged that the BJP had offered them ?15 crore each ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. Adding that the decision to fly to Bengaluru was taken collectively by the legislators, the party said its leaders were being regularly threatened by the BJP. | The Congress legislators from Gujarat staying at a resort outside Bengaluru are willing to return home if state chief minister Vijay Rupani promises their safety, party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said on Sunday.The party shepherded 44 lawmakers on Friday night to the holiday retreat in Karnakata after a spate of resignation of its MLAs amid allegations that the ruling BJP in Gujarat were bribing and coercing them ahead of the August 5 vice-presidential election.?We have been threatened, offered money to defect and some have done so,? Gohil, the Congress MLA for Abdasa in the Kutch region, told reporters.The BJP denied the charges and criticised the Congress legislators for leaving the state when it was reeling under floods. Chief minister Rupani visited flood-affected districts in northern Gujarat during the day.Union minister Prakash Javadekar said in New Delhi that the opposition lawmakers were having fun at a resort when their BJP counterparts were busy providing relief to the flood-hit people.?Gujarat Congress leaders are making allegations against the BJP in Bengaluru. It is like a thief attacking a cop. If their leaders are leaving them, it has nothing to do with us,? he said.The Congress responded that its MLAs have not abandoned their constituencies, but were compelled by the BJP to move out.?There is an attempt by the BJP to steal our legislators. But we will fight to save democracy,? Govil said.Dhirubhai Chunilalbhai Bhil, a five-time legislator, alleged that as much as Rs 20 crore was offered to defect. ?But I am proud to say that none of the tribal leaders have fallen for this gimmick.?Rejecting the Congress?s charge, the BJP countered tongue and cheek whether the rival lawmakers were ?purchasable?.The Congress took the MLAs to the southern state, which it rules, after six of its 57 lawmakers in the Gujarat assembly resigned on Friday and Saturday.The defectors are believed to be close to former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit the Congress on June 21, his 77th birthday, alleging that some party leaders were conspiring against him.The defections reduced the party?s strength in the assembly to 51, but its Rajya Sabha nominee Ahmed Patel still has the numbers to sail through.Patel, the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, will need the votes of 45 lawmakers. The party hopes two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) lawmakers will vote for him. Besides, rebel BJP lawmaker Nalin Kotadiya could switch sides.?We have the support of a legislator from Janata Dal (United) and two from the NCP,? Gohil said.(With inputs from Hiral Dave in Ahmedabad and PTI) |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 19 Mar 2017,Sunday | Railways plans to buy recycled water from private players | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/railways-to-buy-recycled-water-from-private-players/1/907445.html | The Railways is planning to purchase recycled water from private players to cut down its water bill and save up to ?400 crore a year, a senior official said. The Railways presently buys water from the states, spending ?4,000 crore a year. It is expected to unveil its first-ever water management policy on March 22 (World Water Day). | New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) The Railways aims to cut down its water bill and save up to Rs 400 crore annually with a roadmap for buying recycled water from private players. With the dual aim of conserving the precious resource and reducing its consumption, the Railways will unveil its water policy, a first for the national transporter, for extensive use of treated water from water treatment plants for non-drinking purposes. The Indian Railways Water Policy, expected to be rolled out on March 22 (World Water Day), will spell out the way forward for all the railway zones including colonies, hospitals, factories, workshops and training centres to achieve the goal of reduced consumption and increased use of recycled water. Currently, the Railways buys water from the states and its water bill is about Rs 4,000 crore a year. "The water policy envisages buying treated water from water treatment plants for two paise per litre, while we now purchase water for seven paise per litre," said a senior Railway Ministry official. The policy has drawn out a detailed framework for setting up water treatment plants with private participation to generate an adequate amount of treated water for non-potable purposes. The private players will be encouraged to set up these plants and the Railways will ensure the purchase of treated water from these units, said the official. The water policy also envisages the revival of all the defunct water bodies on railway land across the country, various ways of recharging groundwater, including rainwater harvesting in all railway buildings. |
Daisy Mowke | 25 Dec 2016,Sunday | Pak Railways runs Santa train to spread message of peace | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-railways-run-special-santa-train-to-spread-peace-and-tolerance/1/842432.html | Pakistan Railways is running a special 'Santa Train' to send out the message of interfaith harmony, peace and tolerance. The Christmas-themed train decorated with lights and mock snowmen will be running from Islamabad to Peshawar and then Lahore. "This is a sign of tolerance, everybody will celebrate Christmas together," said Minister of Human Rights Kamran Michael. n | Pakistan Railways is running a special 'Santa Train' to send out the message of interfaith harmony, peace and tolerance this Christmas. The Christmas-themed train decorated with lights and mock snowmen will be running across Pakistan and the government aims to change mindsets in the country where attacks on religious minorities are a regular affair. |
Daisy Mowke | 15 Jan 2017,Sunday | Plane makes emergency landing after mid-air brawl | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/plane-makes-emergency-landing-after-fisticuffs-fly-at-30000ft/1/857826.html | A Middle East Airlines flight from Beirut to London was forced to make an emergency landing in Istanbul after a fistfight broke out on the plane. The fight took place after an air hostess was assaulted. The man who had punched the air hostess following an argument with his wife was taken away by four security guards after the landing. | London, Jan 15 (PTI) An ugly fistfight erupted on a packed London-bound flight at 30,000 feet after an air hostess was assaulted, prompting an emergency landing in Istanbul. The Middle East Airlines flight from Beirut was forced to make the emergency landing in Istanbuls Ataturk Airport after the argument broke out. An elderly man, named only as Z A Sh, reportedly began shouting and swearing at his wife, before he punched a fellow passenger. Cabin crew rushed to break up the fight, but the man "violently" shoved one of them away and punched another, The Mirror reported. The young man seen in the video of the brawl, with a beard and dark hair, then raced over to help the air hostesses. The older man then calms down for a few minutes but lashes out at one of the air hostesses again as he walks towards the toilet -- prompting the younger man to jump in again. Cabin crew quickly grabbed both the men and pulled them apart as the air hostess screamed at the passenger who tried to punch her. The planes captain then decided to make an emergency landing in Istanbul and the older man was dragged off the flight by four security guards. Footage of the incident that took place last Wednesday was uploaded to liveleak the day after the incident. |
Vani Vivek | 20 Jun 2017,Tuesday | You've to be willing to disrupt yourself: Instagram Founder | https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2017/jun/19/instagram-co-founder-disrupt-krieger-systrom-investors?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Slack | Instagram Co-founder Mike Krieger revealed that the one thing he would've done differently was realising that founders have to "be willing to disrupt" themselves and get comfortable with making changes to their product. Krieger added he would have hired people faster as they lost "so much sleep in the early days...it took a toll on our health and, probably, relationships." | We [Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger] both went to Stanford and at that point we knew we wanted to do something entrepreneurial. I hadn?t had that idea before coming to California but you?re surrounded by so many people there that have an entrepreneurial venture. It?s in the water, it?s in the air, and it?s very inspiring. I think Kevin was interested in entrepreneurship from an even earlier age. He was one of those high schoolers doing odds and ends to try to make a company.When we reconnected after university, we were both interested in building products that help people connect and tell their story, although we didn?t know what our product would be. We both quit our jobs because we knew we wanted to pursue something; it took about nine months until we found out what that thing actually was. We just get on really well, it?s seven years into the business and we?re still very close. We?re good friends, but we?re not best friends. I think if we were best friends it would be messier because we?ve spent so much time with each other [on the business]. Also, we balance each other out, there are times when I?m very stressed and he?s very calm, and vice versa. We can be each other?s therapists at some points.We also have very complementary skills. I bring a lot of the technology and engineering side; he brings a lot of product sense and design. He was also great at working with investors and today he is great at working across the different departments at Facebook [Instagram was sold to Facebook in 2012 for $1bn]. I like to go focus on the technology side a bit more. It works because we don?t want each other?s jobs. For us, one of the key things was being able to demonstrate, if not global traction, at least initial interest. We?d built this product called Burbn, which was the predecessor to Instagram [Burbn was a location check-in app that also allowed users to share photos, which proved to be its most popular feature]. I think the way we were able to raise financing on that product [Burbn secured $500,000 in seed funding] is that we had a couple of hundred people using it and some were really passionate about it, those user stories were really key.Investors have a mental check list of all the different risks a product might face: founder risk (are they the right founders?), execution risk, market risk. You need to remove some of those impediments from investors minds as early as possible by getting a product out there. From doing that you learn and you are able to say: ?Look, this isn?t just a hope and a dream, this is something we?ve already put out to a couple of hundred people.? I think that made a lot of difference in raising financing.There have been a couple ... even in the last year and a half you?ve seen our product go through a major evolution. It sounds like a silly example, but going from square to non-square photos was actually a big deal. Then we changed the feed, and then added Stories [an Instagram feature that launched in 2016, which allows a user to give an overview of their day, or an event, by pulling together videos and photos into a short clip].Sometimes the most resistance [to changing the product] comes from your own staff. It?s not because they?re conservative, but because change is scary ? it feels like driving a car that could go off a cliff. That?s where Instagram still being founder-led makes a big difference. We can say: ?Just take the leap of faith with us. We?re going to make this change and, if we?re wrong, we can roll it back.? There are few decisions you could make that could totally tank the company. We?ve learned that when the decision feels really hard it doesn?t necessarily mean it?s the right one, but it means we?re taking the right kind of risk.There was so much lost sleep in the early days and it took a toll on our healthI think the ability to make things is super important. I?ve met a fair amount of people who have an incredible idea for an app, and that?s great, but it?s even better when paired with the ability to prototype it. Today there are lots of resources around for building apps. Acquire those skills as early as possible, and develop them.Once we got to Facebook we had to enter a growth phase from being a 13-person company to a team of hundreds. Every six months we have a big meeting where we get everybody together to talk about the next six months. I remember one meeting where we screened a video showing the impact Instagram was having across the world. I looked around and everybody was so proud to have created that and to work on it, that was really special. At some point you have to be ready to let go of being the one person working on a business. The fact that we?ve been able to make that transition means a lot. Firstly, create a business profile. With that entrepreneurs are able to access analytics and insights about their audience [such as what time of the day they are using Instagram]. We?ve learned the value of data to Instagram, so we want to bring that to other people. Secondly, entrepreneurs should use a variety of different Instagram tools to tell their story, using their Instagram feed, but also experimenting with Stories and even posting live. They can use this to bring their audience along with them and let them view their business a new way, whether that?s behind the scenes or to an event. I would have hired much faster. There was so much lost sleep in the early days and it took a toll on our health and, probably, our relationships. It also took us a while to get comfortable with making big changes to the product. You have to be willing to disrupt yourself.Mike Krieger spoke at the Instagram #Wemadeit entrepreneurs breakfast.Sign up to become a member of the Guardian Small Business Network here for more advice, insight and best practice direct to your inbox. |
Saloni Tandon | 27 Jun 2017,Tuesday | Czech tennis player wins title 6 months after being stabbed | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/wimbledon-petra-kvitova-tennis/1/988096.html | Six months after being stabbed in her left playing hand, Czech tennis player Petra Kvitova won her first tournament at the Aegon Classic on Sunday. World number 12 Kvitova, playing in her second tournament since the December incident, beat Australian Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Birmingham. Kvitova had returned to action at the French Open in late May. | Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has cautioned against making her one of the favourites to lift the title this year despite a stunning return from the hand injury that almost ended her career.The Czech won the Birmingham grasscourt event on Sunday in only her second tournament since returning from the severe injuries to her left playing hand sustained in a knife attack by an intruder at her home last December.She had hoped to continue her preparations at the Aegon International in Eastbourne this week, but pulled out of the tournament on Monday with an abdominal strain.Providing she recovers, the 27-year-old will be high on most people's lists of possible Wimbledon winners as she goes in search of a third title and many think she among the favourites."Well, actually, I don't," she told reporters at a sun-drenched Devonshire Park. "I mean, I just came back to play tennis, to enjoy the sport which I always loved."Maybe the last tournament changed something in people's minds but not in mine. I'm really enjoying every match but, still, I think I do have lot of things to improve."I showed myself that I can play five matches in six days, but now I need a bit to relax to be ready. I know how tough it is to win a grand slam, so I'm not really seeing myself as one of the favorites right now."Kvitova said she now felt no discomfort from the hand that required four hours of surgery to repair tendons. But lasting the course of a grand slam throws up physical challenges."Even if the hand it's not in pain, I really don't know how the body will react," she said. "The matches are different with the tightness, with the body and the nerves and everything."Her immediate concern is the injury she felt while beating Australian Ashleigh Barty in the Aegon Classic final on Sunday. |
Yash Kumar | 01 Jan 2017,Sunday | Pakistan awards 'Nishan-e-Imtiaz' to top military leaders | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-awards-top-military-leaders-with-nishan-i-imtiaz/1/846706.html | Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday conferred the country's highest civilian honour 'Nishan-e-Imtiaz' on Army chief Qamar Bajwa and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Zubair Hayat in recognition of their services. The award is given to civilians based on their achievements towards world recognition for Pakistan or outstanding service for the country. | From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Dec 31 (PTI) President Mamnoon Hussain today conferred Pakistans highest civilian honour Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in recognition of their services. The generals were awarded at a ceremony held at the Awan-e-Sadr (President House). According to a statement by the President House, the President conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Hayat and General Bajwa "in recognition of their services." Last month, President Hussain appointed Bajwa as Chief of Army Staff and Hayat as the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 14 Jun 2017,Wednesday | Muslims protest plan to make marriage registration mandatory | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-muslims-protest-yogi-government-marriage-registration-mandatory/1/978050.html | Muslims have started protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government's plan to make marriage registration mandatory and termed it as 'un-Islamic'. "Muslim marriages are only registered at the office of the Waqf board of UP as per the Nikahnama documents," Muslim leader Haji Jameeluddin said. "There is no need to register marriages again merely to satisfy a government's whim," he added. | As the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to make marriage registration mandatory, Muslims are getting ready to come out on the roads in protest of this 'un-Islamic' move.Talking to India Today on this issue, Muslim leader Haji Jameeluddin said the Muslim community cannot accept the UP government's edict to register Muslim marriages at the marriage registrar's office as Muslim marriages are only registered at the office of the Waqf board of UP as per the Nikahnama documents.He said Muslim marriages are already registered according to the Sharia law and there was no need to register them again merely to satisfy a government's whim.He said the attention of both the Centre and the state governments have shifted from development and crime control to such frivolous issues. This is merely to divert the attention of the people from the issues raging before the country, which the Muslims will not tolerate.Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad chairman Sami Aghai said that the Yogi government seeks to keep the Hindus and Muslims of UP tied up in such petty issues so that they never raise their demand for development. He said that similar issue came up during the Samajwadi Party government as well but the Muslims did not let it gain prominence with their protests and the Akhilesh Yadav government had to shelve this topic.Former president of the Muslim wing of Samajwadi Party Md Yaseen Qureshi said Muslim marriages get registered at the time they are solemnised so Muslims do not need an additional registration, whereas most Hindu marriages are conducted without any paperwork.Mufti Mudassar Ali Qadri said that Muslim marriages are conducted according to Sharia, which is why the Muslim personal law has been defined separately in the Indian Constitution. The Qazi who conducts these marriages is registered with the state government and he has to present the statistics of marriages conducted by him in a year to the state government, he said.However, BJP leader Ashfaq Saifi claimed that since the order had not been given by the state government, but it was given by the Supreme Court, the Muslims as well as the state government, were duty bound to honour the Court's will. He said that some Muslim leaders are unnecessarily dragging the name of Yogi Adityanath in this matter, whereas the Chief Minister has issued an order to make all the marriages mandatory, irrespective of the religion. The rules are still being prepared by the women welfare department of the state government and as soon as the rules are ready, they will be brought into effect.Saifi said that whoever declines to obey these rules, shall be barred from availing government benefits, while those who register their marriages after a delay, shall be liable for a fine.Clearing confusion on this issue, senior advocate Md Arif said if a Muslim deposits his Nikahnama at the registrar's office, it will be deemed as a marriage registration and even if that copy is deposited by the Qazi who conducted the Nikah, the registration will be deemed effective. |
Shubhodeep Datta | 08 Mar 2017,Wednesday | Kin of ISIS militant killed in Lucknow refuse to accept body | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lucknow-encounter-saifullah-terrorist-isis-module-anti-national/1/899578.html | Father of Saifullah, the slain ISIS terror accused in the Lucknow shootout, has refused to accept his son's body, saying what his son has done was not in the country's interest. "We will not take the body of a traitor," Saifullah's father Sartaj added. During the encounter, Saifullah's family had asked him to surrender, but he did not listen. | At least for an hour suspected terrorist Saifullah's brother and Uttar Pradesh Police tried to make him surrender even as he was hiding in a house in Haji Colony of Lucknow's Thakurganj area.The invocation of Prophet Mohammad did not deter him to drop the gun. He was finally gunned down following a 12-hour siege and anti-terror operation that ended today morning.His father Sartaj said the family will not take accept the body of an "anti-national". "He left home two months ago after I had beaten him up for not working. Last Monday he called me up and said he is going to Saudi Arabia," he said.Sartaj said that what his son did was "not in the country's interest". "We will not accept the body of an anti-national," he said. Top sources in the Uttar Pradesh Police told India Today that what Saifullah and his associates were planning was nothing less than "disastrous." A senior police officer said the plans if executed would have been "catastrophic".SAIFULLAH WAS ADAMANTAll possible efforts were made by police to dissuade Saifullah but sources said he was adamant despite his family's intervention.When Saifullah did not surrender despite persuasion by police, a meeting took place between top officers of the Uttar Pradesh Police to chalk out a strategy to discourage him from resisting security forces. Police by then had managed to identify Saifullah's relatives and decided to rope them in to talk him into surrendering.Senior police officers opened channels of communication and made his Kanpur-based brother Khalid speak to him for at least one hour. Saifullah, however, was not receptive; rather he was hostile and did not respond. He was "screaming that he wanted to die".FOCUS ON STUDIES, SAID FATHER His brother Khalid then tried to bring in their father Sartaj to talk to him. Sartaj was in tears and tried his best to convince him but in vain. He told Saifullah that he should devote himself to studies and not terror activities. At one point, his brother Khalid invoked Prophet Mohammad and asked Saifullah to give up in the name of Prophet. Saifullah, however, was not prepared to listen to anything. Officers said he was indoctrinated to a point where family members found it impossible to make him see the other side. "His family members were shattered when they discovered that someone who had spent his childhood and best years of his life with them was not willing to listen to them at all," said a senior police officer. ISIS INCREASING PRESENCE IN INDIAWhen the family members failed to dissuade him, police launched a full-scale operation to eliminate him, a senior police officer said.The Lucknow encounter shows that ISIS, which has so far asked Muslim youth to join them in the fight in Syria and Iraq, is now increasing its footprint in India with its Khorasan module .After receiving a tip-off from police in Telangana and Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh police swooped down on Saifulla's hideout.WHAT HAPPENED ON GROUND ZEROPolice drilled holes and used fiber-optic cameras to monitor his movement. They fired tear gas and chilly shells to force him out of the house. ATS commandos issued a warning and stormed inside the house. Saifullah opened fire and in retaliation ATS commandos started firing. The rooms were searched, and Saifullah was found dead. The commandos saw a wire wrapped around his stomach, possibly to carry out a fidayeen attack. The UP police wanted to catch him alive as his interrogation could have shed light on the ISIS' Khorasan module, its plans and its sympathisers. Large cache of arms and ammunition, explosives, maps, ISIS flags were seized from the hideout. WATCH: Lucknow encounter: Know Saifullah, the killed ISIS suspectALSO READ: |
Daisy Mowke | 18 Jan 2017,Wednesday | Want to explore my bisexuality after split: Dakota Johnson | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fifty-shades-darker-dakota-johnson-matthew-hitt/1/857968.html | Hollywood actress Dakota Johnson, known for playing 'Anastasia Steele' in the 'Fifty Shades' film series said she wants to explore her bisexuality following her split from model-singer Matthew Hitt. "S**t happens," she said while speaking about the split. Dakota added, "I think I'm a little bit heartbroken all the time, even when I'm in a happy relationship". | Hollywood actor Dakota Johnson, who split from model-singer Matthew Hitt last year, says she is now planning to explore bisexuality.Johnson, who is gearing up for the release of her latest film Fifty Shades Darker, has graced the cover of Vogue magazine for its February issue.WATCH: Vin Diesel calls Ranveer Deepika's boyfriendALSO READ: xXx Return of Xander Cage ReviewSpeaking about her split, Johnson said:,"S**t happens."She further opened up and said, "I think I'm a little bit heartbroken all the time, even when I'm in a happy relationship. I don't do casual very well, and my feelings, even the good ones, get so intense that they hurt." |
Sonu Kumari | 20 Jul 2017,Thursday | Authorities plan night patrols to curb Noida sand mining | http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/noida-night-patrolling-planned-to-curb-sand-mining-on-yamuna-floodplains/story-aorSD5zDQBOwjkhvWLOihK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | After the police detected illegal sand mining along Yamuna in Greater Noida, the District Magistrate of Noida said that the authorities are planning to start night patrolling along the river to curb the menace. Noting that sand mining takes place mostly at night, the Magistrate instructed the Subdivisional Magistrates to make a list of defaulting sand miners under their jurisdiction. | A day after the district administration and the police, in a joint operation, seized illegally mined sand from two villages of Sikandarpur and Murshadpur, the district magistrate said he was planning to start night patrolling on the floodplains of river Yamuna to curb sand mining. The administration seized 10,638 cubic metres of sand in Sikandarpur and 7488 cubic metres of sand in Murshadpur area.?I have imposed a fine of Rs 70.69 lakh on both sand mafia groups caught mining sand from the two spots. I have instructed my staff to identify the properties that belong to two sand mafia groups. If they do not pay the penalty, we will auction their property,? said BN Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar. . Residents of the villages near the floodplains feel that there is a dire need to have night patrolling as sand mining mostly takes place at night.?Sand mafia groups transports the sand in dumpers at night. It happens with the involvement of the local police. If the administration wants to stop sand mining, it should ensure that the police stop supporting the sand mafia,? said Tikam Singh, a resident of Nagli village. The administration said they get information about sand mining activities from the villagers who live along the Yamuna embankment. ?Any person can share information about sand mining with our officers or with me. We will ban illegal sand mining and take appropriate action on residents? complaints,? the DM said. The administration will also confiscate properties of those part of the sand mafia in order to recover revenue lost as a result of the illegal sand mining activity. Sand mining along Yamuna floodplains mostly takes place during the night as there is no patrolling during that time. ?We will auction the properties of the sand mafia to recover the revenue lost in illegal sand mining. Our priority is to ensure that no illegal sand mining takes place on the Yamuna floodplains,? BN Singh said. The DM has instructed all subdivisional magistrates to prepare a list of those involved in illegal sand mining in their respective areas. Once the list is ready, the DM will act against these people if they continue to mine sand from the Yamuna floodplains.Read I Noida DM takes on sand mafia, vows to end illegal mining?I will ask SDMs and the local police to start a joint night patrolling along the Yamuna floodplains so that we stop illegal sand mining,? Singh said. Illegal sand mining has been a lucrative business in Gautam Budh Nagar district, especially because sand is in huge demand for the construction activities in Delhi-NCR. As a result, trhe sand is almost worth its weight in gold. A dumper load of sand costs from Rs1,800 to Rs 2,000. To mine sand illegally, the sand mafia had even built a temporary bridge across the Yamuna to ferry sand from UP to Haryana. Authorities in Gautam Budh Nagar district in October, 2015, had caught about 30 labourers who were building the temporary bridge across the river to ferry sand. The district administration had dismantled the 300metre structure constructed near Noida?s Chak Basantpur village for trucks and dumpers carrying the coveted natural resource. The administration had also seized around 6,000 sandbags, several concrete pipes and an excavator as well. Later, the National Green Tribunal bar council had filed a petition in the tribunal which banned sand mining on Yamuna floodplains. |
Tanya Dhingra | 12 Jul 2017,Wednesday | Wasn't making fun of anyone: Taapsee on K Raghavendra remark | http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/taapsee-pannu-on-k-raghavendra-rao-controversy-i-wasn-t-making-fun-of-anyone/story-4Lh9K9s558R9a62IEsqb8K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Actress Taapsee Pannu, who was bashed for her remark on Telugu filmmaker K Raghavendra Rao, has said her comment was purely on the basis of facts and she wasn't making fun of anyone but herself. Taapsee added, "If people are just going to sit there...so they can start throwing sh*t around at other people, you can never stop them." | Actor Taapsee Pannu has made her name in Bollywood with hard-hitting roles in Pink (2016) and Naam Shabana, but it was quite different in her debut film, Jhummandi Naadam (2010), directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, a legend of Telugu cinema.The actor has been roundly bashed on social media for referring to Rao?s penchant for ?showing [the heroine?s] midriff and throwing fruits and flowers at it?, in a chat with the comedy group East India Comedy. This was said as part of Taapsee?s anecdote about her first film, but this got angry fan reactions like ?ungrateful?, a ?hypocrite? and a ?backstabber? for supposedly forgetting her roots and taking a dig at such a veteran.Talking to Hindustan Times, Taapsee says, ?Er, what did I take a dig at? He?s known for that. I have stated a fact, and if you?re taking it in a derogatory manner, that?s your problem.? She says, ?Trust me, him or me, both of us are really unperturbed by whatever I have said, because I?ve seen the video and he has seen it, too, along with his family, and we are all laughing at it.?Maintaining that she didn?t say anything ?disrespectful? about anyone, Taapsee quips that the only person she ?disrespected or made fun of? in the entire chat video was herself. In it, she had said, ?...When my turn came, maybe because my midriff wasn?t quite ready, they threw a coconut on me! I don?t know what is so sensuous about a coconut hitting my midriff!?She tells us, ?And I still stand by all of that. Whatever I mentioned there was not to make fun of anyone expect me, and it was purely on the basis of facts. I didn?t say anything derogatory or disrespectful to anyone. If people are just going to sit there and wait [for a chance] to get hurt, so they can start throwing shit around at other people, you can never stop them.?Taapsee, who is doing a Telugu film (titled Anando Brahma) after several years, adds that as soon as the negative reactions surfaced, she made it a point to clear the air with K. Raghavendra Rao. ?The only person I was concerned about was my director and his family, and I got [a] good response from them ? they told me that they all sat together and saw the video, and laughed at it, and I guess that?s all that matters,? she says.She might have more to say on this subject, but Taapsee is biding her time. ?Until now, I haven?t really gone out and commented on it, and there?s a reason I?m waiting for the point [when] everyone will hear what I have to say, rather than me saying the same thing ten times to ten different people,? the actor says. ?Right now, I?m just sitting back and seeing how people can have so much of hatred in them that they really want to make so much of negativity out of nothing.?Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Sanira Mediratta | 10 May 2017,Wednesday | 3D film on Ramayana to be made on budget of ?500 cr: Reports | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-2-the-conclusion-ramayana-film-500-crore/1/950138.html | According to reports, a 3D film on Ramayana, is being produced on an estimated budget of ?500 crore. Reports added that work on the Ramayana script has been on for the past year and the movie will be released in three parts. It will also be released in three languages Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. | The stupendous box-office success of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion has trigerred a race amongst filmmakers to adapt our mythological epics for the big screen. After reports of a Rs 1000-crore Mahabharata film starring Mohanlal, a Ramayana film is reportedly in the works.According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, three film producers, Allu Aravind, Madhu Mantena and Namit Malhotra are coming together to adapt Ramayana for the big screen. The film will made on an estimated budget of Rs 500 crore and will be released in three languages; Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.Moreover, the new Ramayana film will be filmed in 3D and it will be released in three parts similar to the Lord of the Rings series. Work on the Ramayana script has been on for the past one year.Speaking about the production, Allu Aravind said, "It's a huge responsibility but the Ramayana needs to be told on the big screen in the most magnificent way possible. We are committed to delivering a spectacular extravaganza." Allu Aravind is best known for producing the Telugu blockbuster Magadheera directed by SS Rajamouli."They realised that the epic hasn't been presented on the big screen for many years now, not since Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan with Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia as Ram and Sita was telecast on Doordarshan in 1987-88, followed by another adaption of the epic by Sagar Arts in 2008 with Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee in the lead. They wanted to bring the epic to the big screen this time," a source was quoted as saying.Producer Namit Malhotra, whose company Prime Focus has handled the visual effects for films such as Star Wars, Transformers and The Martian, said that he is looking forward to raising the bar of Indian cinema with the new Ramayana film."Three generations of my family have been in the movies and we have a world-leading capability in bringing such stories to life. There cannot be a better time and opportunity to tell the greatest Indian story to the world in a way that preserves its respect and vision. The partnership with Allu sir and Madhu has aligned me with the best partners who share the same vision and passion to make this a cinematic experience all Indians can be proud of," said Malhotra. |
Dishant Sharma | 16 Jul 2017,Sunday | Federer's opponent cries mid-match during Wimbledon final | https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/16/wimbledon-2017-roger-federer-v-marin-cilic-in-mens-singles-final-live?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Swiss tennis star Roger Federer's opponent in the Wimbledon 2017 final, Croatia's Marin Cilic was seen crying during a second-set changeover on Sunday. Cilic had to take a medical timeout in the middle and after the end of the second set. The 2014 US Open winner's left foot was bruised, which required treatment. |
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The Wimbledon singles are over for another year. Garbine Muguruza is the women?s champion, while fresh-faced Roger Federer is the ruler of the men?s game again. Federer has made history again. Eight Wimbledon titles in the bag, now it?s time for him to win his 20th grand slam title. Next stop: New York. And with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic nursing injuries, there?s maybe only one man who can stop Federer from rounding up his tally at the US Open. You know who I mean. He?s a Spaniard with a very big forehand and an obsession with perfectly ordered water bottles. Anyway, that?s all from me today. As ever, thank you for reading and emailing over the past fortnight. Bye!Updated
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This victory will lift Roger Federer up to No3 in the rankings. Murray-Nadal-Federer-Djokovic. Wawrinka?s the man to drop out of the top four.
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Roger Federer speaks. ?It is cruel sometimes, but he fought well and he?s a hero, so congratulations on a wonderful tournament, Marin. You should be really proud. You had a wonderful tournament and sometimes you don?t just see great in a final. I?ve got to take more time off, I don?t know. I?m going to be gone again for the next six months. Better than winning this trophy is being healthy. I?m feeling great. The tournament I?ve played, not dropping a set, it?s magical. It?s too much. It?s belief that I can achieve such heights. I wasn?t sure if I was going to be here after last year. I had some tough ones, losing to Novak. I kept on believing and dreaming and here I am today with the eighth. It?s fantastic. It?s such a special court. So many legends have marked this court, the women?s game, the men?s game, mixed, doubles. From day one to finals day, Centre Court is always packed and it?s a dream to play here. I hope I can come back next year to try to defend the title.?
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Marin Cilic speaks. ?I never gave up when I started a match. That was my idea today. I gave my best and that?s all I could do. I had an amazing journey here. I played the best tennis of my life. I want to thank my team, they gave so much strength to me. It was really tough today and I?m hoping I?m going to come back here and try one more time.?
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Roger Federer glides across the glass to collect his trophy. You want to check to see if his feet are touching the ground. He lifts the trophy in the air and gives it a big old kiss. Five years they?ve been apart. Been a while.Updated
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Federer?s four children are perched over the edge of his box as the presentations get underway. Marin Cilic receives a big round of applause as he comes up to collect his consolation prize.Updated
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The average number of slams for a GOAT is 19 ... N-n-n-n-nineteen pic.twitter.com/2xh5L285qh
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He?s crying now. ?Do you think that Federer, as the winner, now gets to announce the new Dr Who?? says David Wall. He?d make a good time lord actually.Updated
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Roger Federer, 36 next month, has just won a grand slam without dropping a set. His second of the year. This isn?t normal. But he?s making it normal.
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Roger Federer?s name is on the trophy here. He just needs to add the final few flourishes. History beckons. His heart is beating that little bit faster as he walks to the baseline to serve. Cilic, like a condemned man heading to the gallows, takes his place, ready to return. The sun?s come out at last. Of course it has. But Federer still needs some points. He loses the first, sending a backhand long. 0-15. But he steadies himself with an accurate serve. Another one makes it 30-15 and he gees himself up with some Swiss-German. He has two championship points when Cilic screws a forehand return off to the right. Applause. Silence. A missed first serve. A rally. It?s not over yet. Cilic finds the angles to force Federer to hit a forehand long. 40-30. Federer misses another first serve. There?s only one thing for it: a second-serve ace down the middle. That?s it! Roger Federer is the Wimbledon champion again! He looks very emotional, almost in tears, but he remembers that there?s a man who?s feeling a fair bit more emotional than him right now and he walks to the net to shake hands with poor Marin Cilic. It?s all over. Federer is the owner of an historic eight Wimbledon titles and a mere 19 majors overall. Take that, Rafa.Updated
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Third set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-6, 4-5 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic is serving to stay in the final, although he in reality he left it spiritually a long time ago. He is, however, determined to make Federer serve for it. His fifth ace of the match sets him up for a rare simple hold, even though there is the blemish of a double-fault. Federer will serve with new balls for his 19th grand slam title. ?Given this has been such an anti-climax, and is finishing so quickly, do you think they could ask Federer to knock up against one of those back-walls, so we get to see a bit more of him playing on centre court?? says David Wall. ?Even he can only have a couple more years on the tour and it?ll leave an enormous hole when he does retire.?Updated
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Third set: Cilic 3-6, 1-6, 3-5 Federer* (*denotes server): There?s rain in the south-west London area, but it?s not going to stop Federer. Another hold. Another step closer.Updated
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Third set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-6, 3-4 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic sends down an ace to make it 15-0, but it?s 15-30 when he flicks a backhand wide. He challenges to no avail. Then he nets a forehand, even though Federer was stranded on the baseline. Two break points. They double up as championship points. And it really is Federer?s to lose now. Cilic wheels into another forehand ... and dumps it into that blasted net. Federer is two games away from his eighth Wimbledon title.
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Third set: Cilic 3-6, 1-6, 3-3 Federer* (*denotes server): Federer sails through another service game. It feels as though Cilic?s best hope is a tie-break.
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Third set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-6, 3-2 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic holds with an ace out wide. He clenches his fist, glaring at his box, resolve and steel returning. You forget athletes are humans with real emotions. The sport of tennis is so hard because you're out there all by yourself.Updated
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Third set: Cilic 3-6, 1-6, 2-2 Federer* (*denotes server): He?s obviously not winning this and it?s a terrible final, but I?d say Cilic has done a lot to enhance his reputation in the past few games. It would have been very easy for him to throw in the towel. But Federer?s still so miserly, scrooge-like when he?s serving. He offers Cilic false hope by letting this game drift to deuce - the drama! - but he still holds.
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Third set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-6, 2-1 Federer (*denotes server): Alarm bells are ringing when Cilic spoofs a forehand into the net for 0-30. Somehow, though, he fights to 40-30, one backhand winner taking the breath away. This is gutsy from a man who is enduring some very public turmoil. Unfortunately the chap on the other side of the net is not making this any easier, making it deuce with a searing crosscourt backhand, earning a break point when Cilic nets a forehand. Admirably Cilic saves it with some serve-volley. Then he holds. This hurts, but tanking would hurt even more. ?Is this a record for unforced errors?? says Henry C. ?I feel sorry for Cilic but has got to be one of the worst finals ever. Hoping that something will change, but it is saying something when the first two sets lasted less than the Women?s final.?Updated
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Third set: Cilic 3-6, 1-6, 1-1 Federer* (*denotes server): Federer lopes forward off a second serve, planting a deft backhand volley out of reach for 15-0. He holds to 15. No mercy. There?s no room for the stuff at this level.
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Third set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-6, 1-0 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic holds to 15. The comeback starts here. It would be frankly hilarious if he wins this.
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Marin Cilic is now receiving treatment. Though I?m not sure there?s a doctor in the world who can find a cure for Federer.
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Marin Cilic has taken some pills. There hasn?t been a retirement in a Wimbledon final since 1911. Cilic is now having tape taken off his left foot, revealing it to be heavily bruised.Updated
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15:12
Federer leads 15-0 when Cilic sends a forehand return wide. It?s 30-0 when he attacks a short return with a whipped forehand. Soon he has three set points. He takes the first with a swinging ace down the middle. I don?t mean to be insensitive, but this is the worst men?s final for a long time. The doctor is back on court.Updated
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3.10pm BST
15:10
Second set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-5 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic is now using serve-and-volley on every point, which is enough to make you think he isn?t interested in long rallies. He?s drawn into one at 40-30, though, and he nets a forehand for deuce. Federer?s not going to give him anything now. He gives a second serve the treatment, a sweet backhand return earning him a break point. Federer can?t take it, though, knocking a return miles wide and challenging the call for absolutely no reason at all. But when Cilic sends down an 134mph serve, Federer?s flicked return brings up a second break point. Federer knocks a backhand down the line, the stretching Cilic hangs out his racket and volleys long. Federer will serve for a two-set lead. Updated
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3.04pm BST
15:04
Second set: Cilic 3-6, 1-4 Federer* (*denotes server): Of course, it?s one way to get the crowd on your side when you?re playing Federer. The sympathy vote. It?s not going to knock Federer off course, though, as he holds to 15. They retreat to their chairs. There?s no sign of Cilic requiring any more treatment.
3.02pm BST
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Second set: Cilic* 3-6, 1-3 Federer (*denotes server): Another cheer for Cilic when he wins the first point of this game with a big serve. The game goes to 30-all. The last time I saw something like this in a grand slam final was when Sabine Lisicki collapsed emotionally in the 2013 final. It?s not clear if he?s distressed or physically hurting. But he does manage to hold to 30, keeping this final alive.Updated
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The medical team and supervisors have left the court. It seems that Cilic, who was bawling his eyes out a moment or two ago, is going to continue. He doesn?t want this to end early. But this is awful to see, even though he?s given a huge ovation by the crowd as he prepares to serve.Updated
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14:58
Might that slip in the first set have hurt Cilic more than we first suspected? He hasn?t been moving well now I come to think of it.Updated
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14:57
Marin Cilic is sobbing in his chair. Something?s up here. A trainer and a supervisor are consulting him. This has come out of nowhere. This final could be over. Oh no.Updated
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2.56pm BST
14:56
Second set: Cilic 3-6, 0-3 Federer* (*denotes server): Cilic can barely do anything right now. Federer holds to 15 and all he has to do at the moment is wait for Cilic to miss.
2.54pm BST
14:54
Second set: Cilic* 3-6, 0-2 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic makes himself feel a bit better with an ace for 30-15. It?s not long before Federer has a break point, though, with Cilic?s game in danger of coming apart at the seams. The errors keep on coming. Cilic pulls a backhand wide and Federer leads by a set and a break.
2.50pm BST
14:50
Second set: Cilic 3-6, 0-1 Federer* (*denotes server): The good news for Marin Cilic is that this isn?t over yet. The bad news is that Federer hasn?t lost a grand slam match from a set up since the 2014 Wimbledon final. He?s such a strong frontrunner. That?s probably why Cilic hit his chair with his racket during the changeover. He suspects this final might already be running away from him. Federer begins the set with a straightforward hold to love.Updated
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2.47pm BST
14:47
Serving to stay in the set, Cilic?s pulled back to 30-all from 30-0. He decides it?s time to serve and volley, but he sets Federer up for a backhand pass, which is a bit like showing Leo Messi on to his left foot. Set point. A big serve forces Federer to return wide, but an errant forehand from Cilic brings up a second set point. Cilic is showing signs of strain. He misses a first serve. His second serve clips the top of the net and skitters wide to gift Federer the first set! That was all a bit flat.Updated
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2.42pm BST
14:42
First set: Cilic 3-5 Federer* (*denotes server): When he?s in the mood, Federer?s flash by like a Kryptonian going for a jog round the park. He holds to love and Cilic was never in the game.Updated
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2.40pm BST
14:40
First set: Cilic* 3-4 Federer (*denotes server): Cilic gambols into a 40-0 lead. Federer makes it 40-15 with a crisp forehand return down the line, then 40-30 with a preposterous, hypnotic backhand drop shot that draws a deeply satisfied sigh from the crowd. Suddenly there?s uncertainty in Cilic. From a position of dominance, it?s deuce after a double-fault, the class of Federer unsettling the Croatian. Fortunately for Cilic, Federer can?t take advantage. He holds to keep the distance between them to a single break.Updated
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2.35pm BST
14:35
First set: Cilic 2-4 Federer* (*denotes server): With Federer ahead, Cilic looks to haul himself back into the set with some aggressive hitting. Federer?s backhand slice seems to head wide - it?s called out - but the umpire overrules the line judge. The point?s replayed, Federer skips into a 15-0 lead and it?s 40-0 before Cilic has time to regroup. Federer clinches his first hold to love without any problems at all in the end, but that could have been a much tougher game.
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First set: Cilic* 2-3 Federer (*denotes server): Trailing 0-15, Cilic goes for a drop shot. Federer reads it. The 35-year-old springs forward to dink. Cilic hurtles forward, prods a backhand from left to right and falls heavily, leaving the court open for Federer to dab a backhand away for 0-30! That exchange seems to take the wind out of Cilic, who?s facing three break points after an awful forehand. He saves the first two, Federer?s returns drifting long. Not the third, though. Cilic doesn?t move his feet and he nets a poor backhand to hand the first break to Federer. ?Could the Prime Minister?s presence be a bad omen for fans of Roger Federer?? says David Wall. ?She?s been poison for what seemed to be sure-things in recent times.? Will Federer end up shedding a solitary tear?Updated
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14:27
First set: Cilic 2-2 Federer* (*denotes server): Cilic is starting to use his power to good effect, returning heavily and drawing an error from Federer for 0-15. It?s tense. Federer?s second double-fault of the match makes it 30-all. Hitting deep, Cilic is starting to boss a few rallies. A penetrative backhand makes Federer net a slice, bringing up the first break point. Federer nets a first serve. He goes for a body serve with the second, though, and Cilic stiffs a backhand into the net. The game goes to deuce and Federer ends up holding to considerable relief around Centre Court.
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First set: Cilic* 2-1 Federer (*denotes server): You?d almost think Federer?s feeling the pressure. He?s missing a lot early on. Cilic holds to 15 without ceremony.Updated
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2.19pm BST
14:19
First set: Cilic 1-1 Federer* (*denotes server): We begin with a see-saw rally, Federer on top at first and making most of the running before Cilic takes control with a big forehand down the line, forcing the Swiss to net a backhand. A smooth serve makes it 15-all. But Cilic appears to have shaken off the nerves. He repels a big first serve and asserts himself with a huge forehand for 15-30. Sensing danger, the crowd cheers when Federer makes it 30-all at the net. The game goes to deuce after Federer?s first double-fault, but he holds. There?s a lot of nervous energy out there.
2.14pm BST
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First set: Cilic* 1-0 Federer (*denotes server): Here we go, the 131st men?s singles final, with Marin Cilic serving first after Roger Federer elected to receive. It begins. Cilic sees a second serve rammed down his throat and dribbles a forehand into the net to make it 0-15. A purposeful, urgent start from Federer, while Cilic looks a little tight, slamming a forehand long to make it 15-30. The Croatian?s nervy. He?s grateful to see Federer miss a couple of backhands, but the game goes to deuce when Cilic slaps a forehand into the net. Here?s early pressure. But Cilic does well to deal with it and hold. A break there would have been sub-optimal.Updated
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2.09pm BST
14:09
They?re walking to the baselines. It?s time.
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14:09
You?d think she would invest in a good pair of gloves.Mirka Federer has spent 35.7% of her life clapping - 13.923 years in total - and has worn through 193 pairs of palms.
2.07pm BST
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Tok! Tok! Tok! They?re knocking up. In the press centre, there?s a huge queue to get on Centre Court. I think people are excited. It?s 14 years since Federer?s first Wimbledon final, when he beat Mark Philippoussis in straight sets, and five since he won his seventh title, beating Our Andy in four.
2.06pm BST
14:06
?I asked this about yesterday?s final as both women carried their own bags onto court (as well as their flowers), yet today the men are having their bags carried for them,? says David Wall. ?Did Mugaruza and Williams just chose to carry their own gear then, or have they stopped offering that to the women? I think it?s a good tradition, they?re in the final so should get all the special treatment going (in fact I?m disappointed there aren?t rose bearers casting petals in front of the players for them to walk on).?I have no idea, David, but it?s a good question.
2.04pm BST
14:04
Roger Federer won the toss and elected to receive. Time for some photographs. Almost time to get down to business.
2.03pm BST
14:03
It?s time for the coin toss. Here?s some info on the young chap who?s taking part.Luca Schmetzer (aged 11), who attends Allfarthing Primary School, Wandsworth, will take part in the coin toss ceremony on Centre Court.Luca is representing Place2Be, a children?s mental health charity which provides emotional and therapeutic services in schools across the country helping children cope with issues including bullying, bereavement and family breakdown.The Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Championships, invited HRH The Duchess of Cambridge to nominate a charity in her new role as Patron of the All England Club.Updated
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2.01pm BST
14:01
The players are making that familiar walk through the corridors of Centre Court. Well, it?s familiar for one man. Not so much for Marin Cilic. Cilic is leading the way here. They?re walking past so many photographs of old champions, so much history, so much pomp. The sense of occasion - it?s impossible not to feel it. It?s nothing new for Federer, of course, and he looks so relaxed. He?s seen it all before. Eventually they emerge to a huge ovation. The camera doesn?t linger long on Cilic, who?s smiling slightly. It?s soon fixated on Federer, following him as he makes his way to his chair, before finding his father in the crowd. Of course Federer Snr?s wearing a RF cap. Updated
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1.49pm BST
13:49
Theresa May?s in the Royal Box today. This is where I?m contractually obliged to do a joke about strong and stable tennis.
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13:47
You might have heard that Roger Federer is the oldest man in the Wimbledon final since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974. Rosewall got absolutely destroyed by Jimmy Connors that day. All yours, Marin.
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Pictures! Get yer Tom Jenkins pictures here! Tom?s never knowingly taken a bad snap, so this Wimbledon gallery?s bound to be worth a look. Get clicking!
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It was in 2001 when Croatia last had a male singles champion to celebrate. And what a final! One of the greatest of all time! Goran Ivanisevic, who had taken three days to defeat Tim Henman in the semis, and Pat Rafter on a Monday afternoon. It was an epic. You can read about it in more detail in this Joy of Six from 2013.
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Pre-match reading:Updated
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13:35
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13:30
This has been Roger Federer?s route to the final: 6-3, 3-0 (ret), 7-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4. Marin Cilic, by contrast, came through a five-set quarter-final and a four-set semi-final. He was a set down to Sam Querrey on Friday and a break down in the fourth set.
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Quite the paragraph from Goran Ivanisevichttps://t.co/Gw2im0Y5K8 pic.twitter.com/zqDsmTIpET
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13:23
?What a match between the British-Japanese pair and De Groot and Buis,? says Chris Page. ?That it is Whiley and Kamiji?s fourth consecutive Wimbledon doubles title. They lost the first set 6-2, but there was no doubt in my mind that they would come back to win. They?re almost telepathic. They took the second set comfortably, then the third was a 6-0 walk-over - including a 30 stroke rally! Follow that, Roger and Marin...?If you haven?t treated yourself to the delights of wheelchair tennis before, you?re missing out. It?s a terrifically absorbing sport: physical, skilled, inventive. After Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett?s triumph yesterday, this is another fine moment.
1.22pm BST
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Roger Federer leads the head-to-head 6-1. That one, of course, came in New York three years ago, when Marin Cilic overpowered Federer to reach the US Open final. The caveat there is that Federer was knackered after fighting back from two sets down to beat Gael Monfils. Federer is not knackered today.
10.24am BST
10:24
Hello. It?s interesting. If you?re actually at Wimbledon, you don?t actually have to watch a Roger Federer match to know how it?s going. You don?t even have to listen the umpire calling out the score after each point. All you need to do is stand outside Centre Court and listen to the crowd. If they?re in a state of unbridled glee verging on pure lust, if they?re oohing and aahing and panting and fawning after every point, you can safely interpret that as Federer dominance. Enthusiastic applause: Federer?s won the point. Grudging applause: the other bloke?s not playing ball.This is how it?s supposed to go. This is Federer?s kingdom, his palace from palace. There?s no desire for him to be pushed too hard. There?s no interest in an upset. Sure, it?s nice to see Federer?s opponent muster some defiance, just to keep the show going for as long as possible, but he?s not actually supposed to win. He?s supposed to be a good boy, know his place, let the master do as he pleases and lose in straight sets. You are the comedy sidekick, there to be willingly loaded into a cannon, to have a custard pie slammed in your face and raise no objections; take it, it?s all you?re good for here. This is the deal. There might be some pretence from the crowd that they?d like to see something resembling a contest, some confected jeopardy, like a tie-break in the first set, which is really about as dangerous and adventurous as splashing out on the Creuset pan instead of the John Lewis own brand (other brands are available). The Fed-lust can only stand so much risk.Centre Court, in all its stuffy blazered glory, really just wants to bask in reverie for Roger. He?s nice like Tim, but he?s even better at tennis. Andy is stubborn and pretty brilliant, so he?s an excellent alternative. Novak is mysterious and brutal, but he can be a bit bad-tempered. Rafa is sweet and amazing and Spanish, a fine young man, ever so handsome, but he isn?t an artist. None of them turn up on court wearing a cardigan or a blazer - that?s true class. None of them are Roger. They love Roger. WE LOVE YOU ROGER. I LOVE YOU ROGER. MARRY ME ROGER. Did I say that out loud? Oh, what am I like!This is what stands in front of Marin Cilic today: Federer the player and Federer the legend. He isn?t supposed to win. It?s not that the seventh seed isn?t an interesting player, of course, or incapable of playing the kind of tennis that could urinate all over the eagerly anticipated Swiss coronation. It?s just that he isn?t Roger. Nor is the former US Open champion much of a character, a card. He?s just a guy who?s good at tennis. Unlike Goran Ivanisevic, the last Croatian man to win Wimbledon, there?s no Good Marin, Bad Marin and Emergency Marin. There?s just Marin. It might not be enough to win their affections.It could be enough to win this final, though. Cilic is playing excellent grass-court tennis this year and he crushed Federer on the way to winning the US Open in 2014. At his best, shorn of nerves and anxiety, he is a mighty proposition. If the 28-year-old doesn?t freeze, he could do something here. He was two sets up against Federer in their quarter-final last year. Underestimate him at your peril. But for all that it has been possible to catch a few signs of Federer frailty over the past fortnight, he still won that match and he still hasn?t really come close to dropping a set at this tournament. And last year he had that knee injury. This time he?s well rested, having worked out how best to protect his physical resources after that knee injury, and he?s been untouchable this year, playing quick, sharp-shooting, ask-no-questions tennis that is intended to kill the argument as quickly as possible. It?s brought him another Australian Open title, his 18th major, and titles in Miami and Indian Wells. It could bring him an historic eighth Wimbledon title.This is Cilic?s second grand slam final. It?s Federer?s 11th here and his 29th overall. He?s 36 in less than a month. This isn?t normal. But he isn?t normal. You wonder when it?s going to end. Is it going to end? You know what they want on Centre Court. More Roger. They can?t get enough Roger. And do you know? It?s because there?s nothing else quite like it.Play begins at: 2pm BST.Updated
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Saloni Tandon | 31 May 2017,Wednesday | Virat Kohli described Anil Kumble as 'intimidating': Reports | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anil-kumble-virat-kohli-bcci-team-india-coa-cricket/1/965502.html | As per reports, Virat Kohli has described Anil Kumble's approach as "intimidating" while giving feedback about his coaching skills. A BCCI official also reportedly said that Kumble conducts himself like a "school headmaster" in the dressing room, which has made the players unhappy. BCCI has invited applications for the post of India's head coach, with Kumble's tenure ending in June. | Team India cricketers are apparently not very happy with Anil Kumble and they have complained to the Committee of Administrators (CoA) about the coach's overbearing attitude. Sources told India Today that the players are unhappy with the fact that there was no freedom in the dressing room and insisted that the coach does enjoy cordial relations with the players. It appears Kumble does not enjoy the confidence of his players.WATCH FULL VIDEOThis is a startling development ahead of India's Champions Trophy defense which commences on June 4 at Edgbaston with clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.Kumble was appointed coach for a one-year term by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising his former teammates Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman in 2016.The former leg-spinner took over and oversaw five successive series triumphs besides limited-overs series victories over New Zealand and England.Under Kumble's watch, India were nearly unbeatable in the home Test season - losing only one of 13, winning 10 and drawing two. However, the BCCI initiated a hunt for a new coach and many felt it was because the board was unhappy with his role in salary negotiations for the players with the CoA.Since it is a volatile situation, the CoA is understood to play it carefully, especially as India are days away from the Champions Trophy.Back in 2007, Australian Greg Chappell's tenure as India coach had come to an end following a public spat with Ganguly and complaints from several other senior cricketers. In the decade that followed, the likes of Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh have spoken out about the tough times the team endured under Chappell.Unlike Chappell, however, Kumble, has delivered the results. Under his command, India have not lost any series and Chesteshwar Pujara, who was going through a slump midway into 2016, finished the last season as the most prolific of Test batsmen.The BCCI, in a press release issued on May 25, merely stated that a nominee of the CoA would oversee the process of appointing the next coach to ensure transparency. |
Shubhodeep Datta | 28 Dec 2016,Wednesday | 8 JNU students suspended for disrupting council meeting | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/eight-jnu-students-suspended-for-disrupting-council-meeting/story-lZP07mdVGrS9URDoHrad0O.html | Eight JNU students have been suspended for "disrupting" an academic council meeting held on Monday, as per reports. This comes amid the academic council approving a UGC notification, making entrance test for PhD and MPhil as only a "qualifying" criterion. The students' suspension will continue till a committee, set up on Tuesday to investigate the matter, submits its findings. | Eight Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students have been suspended with immediate effect for ?disrupting? an academic council meeting held on Monday.Sources said there is ?sufficient? evidence to suspend the students from academic activities and withdraw their hostel facilities. The suspension will continue till a committee, set up on Tuesday to investigate the matter, submits its findings.The academic council on Monday approved a University Grants Commission notification making entrance test for PhD and MPhil as only ?qualifying? criterion, amid protests from teachers and students. The new system makes interview the only basis for preparing merit list for admission. Students allege that the new move will lead to discrimination.The university had claimed that some protesting students entered the meeting hall after ?a handful of faculty members? called them inside.?There is sufficient evidence in form of the statement by the security guards, who tried to stop the students. The students got into a scuffle with them and broke the latch to enter. The broken latch is a proof. Also, the students in their own posters are claiming they did it,? said an official, on condition of anonymity.The official said that while eight students have been suspended, another two former students have also been identified as being involved in the incident.Some of the suspended students belong to the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students? Association (BAPSA) and the National Students? Union of India (NSUI).Read: JNU students, teachers slam interview criteria for admissionsThe university had claimed that, ?a group of unruly students broke open the latch of the meeting room after thumping the door, came inside and began to shout slogans at the Chairperson and the Academic Council members.?The statement said the meeting was already over by that time and necessary decisions had been taken by the academic council.The Jawaharla Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) had refuted the allegation and said that a ?small section of students? had given a ?unilateral call? for protest outside the academic council meeting and they entered the hall when the meeting was already over.The JNUSU said the university was contradicting its statement from Monday in which it said the vice-chancellor had declared all the agendas passed when the students entered. ?If the academic council meeting was already over, as the university itself has stated, then how can it allege that the students caused disruption?? the students? union said. |
Saloni Tandon | 10 Jun 2017,Saturday | One dead in helicopter crash in Badrinath | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttarakhand-helicopter-accident-badrinath/1/975297.html | A helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed in Badrinath on Saturday morning, killing a flight engineer and injuring the two pilots. The accident reportedly occurred due to insufficient air pressure in the chopper. The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to a Mumbai-based operator, was carrying five pilgrims and three crew members, and was travelling from Badrinath to Haridwar. | A crew member died and two pilots were injured after the helicopter ferrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking of from Badrinath in Uttarakhand.Five passengers have been reported to be safe. An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi said that an engineer, who was part of the crew, died in the accident, while the two pilots suffered injuries.Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt said that the phone that the engineer, identified as Vikram Lamba, who hailed from Assam, was hit by rotor blades.The police officer said the helicopter got disbalanced while taking off due to insufficient air pressure and fell down. The accident took place around 0745 hrs.All the pilgrims were from Vadodara in Gujarat and they had left for their respective destinations, the police officer said.The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to Mumbai-based private operator Krestal Aviation, was on its way from Badrinath to Haridwar. The DGCA said it was investigating the matter.With inputs from PTI Also:IAF's Chetak helicopter crashes in Allahabad, pilots safe |
Sumedha Sehra | 01 Aug 2017,Tuesday | Guj Congress MLAs get police protection after 6 quit party | http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/police-guard-for-nine-congress-mlas-who-stayed-back-in-gujarat/story-EhPvAqjs9qY1H9H4a94ceM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Election Commission ordered police protection for all Congress MLAs in Gujarat over reports of the BJP trying to bribe them to join the party. All of the nine MLAs in Gujarat were given security, in addition to the 42 that the party took to Bengaluru. This comes after six of the party's MLAs resigned and joined the BJP. | Police protection was given to all the Congress legislators in Gujarat on Monday following Election Commission?s order on a party complaint that the ruling BJP was trying to bribe and coerce its MLAs to defect ahead of the Rajya Sabha election in the state.The security cover was given to nine of the 51 Congress MLAs who stayed back in Gujarat as well as the 42 that the party took to Bengaluru on Friday to shield them from the alleged poaching attempts.The 42 MLAs are staying at a sprawling resort outside the Karnataka capital since six lawmakers of the party resigned in the run-up to the August 8 election in which Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, is contesting.Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said in Bengaluru on Sunday that the legislators staying in Bengaluru are willing to return home if chief minister Vijay Rupani promises their safety.?Two MLAs in Valsad district are being provided police protection as per the EC?s instruction,? said a top police officer. ?Two armed constables were deployed for round-the-clock security.?Lawmakers Ishwar Patel and Jitu Chaudhary could not go to Bengaluru for personal reasons.Security cover was also given to six alleged rebel Congress MLAs, who chose not to join their colleagues in Bengaluru.Raghvji Patel, known to be close to former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, said: ?I received a call from home that two policemen have arrived, though I haven?t asked for any security cover.?He said he will resign from the Congress soon.The BJP has fielded three candidates ? party chief Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and Congress turncoat Balwantsinh Rajput.The defectors are believed to be loyal to Vaghela, who quit the Congress on July 21, alleging that some party leaders were conspiring against him. Vaghela was with the BJP before he broke ranks in 1996 and formed his own party, which later merged with the Congress.Sources said chief secretary JN Singh is likely to submit by Monday night an inquiry report on the alleged horse-trading that the Election Commission had sought.Trouble began for the Congress after the political heavyweight resigned. A spate of resignations followed last Friday and Saturday and three of the six defectors joined the BJP.The Congress alleged that its lawmakers have been threatened and offered money to defect. The BJP denied the charges and criticised the Congress legislators for leaving the state when it was reeling under floods.Chief minister Rupani is camping in flood-affected districts of northern Gujarat since Sunday. The BJP?s Rajya Sabha poll candidates, Irani and Rajput, visited flood-hit people in Banaskantha, one of the worst-affected districts.Congress?s Ahmed Patel was in Banaskantha on Sunday.The defections reduced the party?s strength in the assembly to 51, but Patel could still sail through as he needs the votes of 45 lawmakers. The party hopes two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) lawmakers will vote for him. Besides, rebel BJP lawmaker Nalin Kotadiya could switch sides.Vaghela too visited the area on Saturday and criticised the six Congress MLAs from northern Gujarat for ditching the people at their hour of need.Congress supporters protested against the turncoats outside the BJP office in Ahmedabad on Monday. |
Niharika Prabhakar | 20 Jul 2017,Thursday | Non-veg food to be unavailable in Greater Noida for a week | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/non-veg-food-eggs-greater-noida-kanwariya-kanwar-yatra-shiv-ratri-lifefd/1/1006551.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday asked local vendors and restaurant owners in Greater Noida not to prepare or serve non-vegetarian food for a week during the period of Kanwar Yatra. Reportedly, the police have taken this decision because the number of pilgrims returning from Haridwar has increased this year and they only prefer vegetarian food. | You must've seen "Shiva Bhakts" walking around in orange attires, carrying things on their shoulders, on streets around your home and office of late. These people are kanwariyas, and right now is that time of the year where they do their "religious duties".Not only has a major chunk of the traffic going in and out of Noida been diverted because of these bhakts' devotion, our food choices are going to be affected too now.On Wednesday, UP police asked local roadside vendors and restaurant owners in Greater Noida (Dadri) not to serve or prepare non-vegetarian food. Why? Because, kanwar yatra. And kanwariyas prefer only pure vegetarian food.The police's justification for bringing this into practice this year is that the number of pilgrims returning from Haridwar to Greater Noida has increased this year.Ram Sen Singh, SHO, Dadri police station, told Times of India, "We have also removed vendors serving non-vegetarian food. They will be off the road till the religious season of kanwar yatra is on." |
Akshita Jain | 23 Dec 2016,Friday | 1,300 amenities planned along Mumbai-Goa highway: Gadkari | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/have-planned-1300-roadside-amenities-along-mum-goa-highway/1/840628.html | The proposed four-laning of highway connecting Goa and Mumbai will have around 1,300 roadside amenities, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. "Hotels, restaurants and outlets selling local produce can be promoted as part of these amenities. The local food can be made available along the road," he said. The facilities can be decided considering the tourism potential, he added. | Gadkari Panaji, Dec 22 (PTI) The proposed four laning of highway connecting Goa and Mumbai will have around 1,300 roadside amenities including helipads and outlets selling local produce, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today. The Minister for Road Transport and Highways laid the foundation stone for four/six laning of National Highway 4A and National Highway 17 in Goa. "While constructing the road with international standard, we have tried to ensure that it is accident-free. We have also decided to construct roadside amenities on this (Mumbai-Goa) highway," said Gadkari. "These amenities can be created considering the tourism potential. Hotels, restaurants and outlets selling local produce can be promoted as a part of these amenities. The local food can be made available along the road," he added. According to the Minister, there will also be a provision for helipads so that if there is any accident, the helicopter can be moved in swiftly. "We have planned 1,300 roadside amenities along the entire (Mumbai-Goa) highway," said Gadkari. He also said the highway connecting Goa to Mumbai is one of the most important road in the country. "This road is significant for the development of in Konkan and Goa area. But the only negative side of this highway is that it has highest number of accidents in the country killing several people," the Minister added. "To make this road accident free and to reduce the distance between Goa and Mumbai, we have decided to construct four lane concrete road," he said adding this work will be divided in four packages in Goa, while in eleven packages in Maharashtra. "Today we are laying foundation stone for the two packages in Goa of which tendering would be done shortly. At the same time, there are two more packages covering South Goa, which are pending, the tender of which would be out by 2-3 months," he said. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 03 Aug 2017,Thursday | More than half of India's languages may die in 50yrs: Survey | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-languages-survey-peoples-linguistic-survey-of-india/1/1017851.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | At least 400 languages or more than half languages spoken by India's 1.3 billion people may die out in next 50 years, a study by the People's Linguistic Survey of India (PSLI) stated. Further claiming that India has already lost 250 languages in last five decades, the survey said, "Each time a language is lost, the corresponding culture is killed." | More than half of the languages spoken by India's 1.3 billion people may die out over the next 50 years, scholars said on Thursday, calling for a concerted effort to preserve the tongues spoken by the nation's endangered tribal communities.The People's Linguistic Survey of India (PSLI) raised the alarm during the launch of the latest 11 volumes in its planned 50 volume survey of the country's languages. India's people speak as many as 780 different languages, the PSLI said."At least 400 Indian languages are at the risk of dying in coming 50 years," GN Devy, the chairman of PSLI, said.Each time a language is lost, the corresponding culture is killed, Devy said, adding that India had already lost 250 languages in last five decades.The group of scholars and teachers at PSLI documents Indian regional languages in order to conserve cultural heritage and diversity.Most at risk are marginal tribal communities whose children receive no education or, if they do go to school, are taught in one of India's 22 officially recognised languages."Maithili, which is spoken in the eastern state of Bihar, is at least 1,000 years old. Similarly there are several old languages which are surviving somehow in India, but we are hardly passing them on," said political psychologist Ashis Nandy.Devy said the PSLI will start work on a project to document about 6,000 living languages spoken around the world. The report is scheduled to come out by 2025.ALSO READ:Know interesting facts about Hindi the official language of IndiaBengaluru: Pro-Kannada group demands removal of Hindi boards, threatens to blacken them |
Mansha Mahajan | 02 Jan 2017,Monday | Farmer complains about receiving ?2 crore in bank account | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-andhra-pragati-bank-kurnool-abraham/1/847814.html | An Andhra Pradesh farmer complained to Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank that nearly ?2 crore were deposited in his account without his knowledge. His bank account showed unknown transactions, including a transfer of over ?34 lakh by Lanco Amarkantak Power, which is owned by a former Congress MP, reports said. Following this, the bank launched an inquiry into the suspicious transactions. | null |
Dishant Sharma | 02 Feb 2017,Thursday | Lampard announces retirement from professional football | https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/02/frank-lampard-retirement-football?CMP=share_btn_tw | Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard ended his 21-year professional football career after announcing his retirement on Thursday. The 38-year-old, who scored a club-record 211 goals for Chelsea, won a Champions League title alongside winning three Premier League titles with the Blues. The midfielder won 106 caps for England and scored over 300 goals in his career. | It is a moment that is seared on to the consciousness of Frank Lampard and every Chelsea fan ? particularly those who were there. Bolton Wanderers away; 30 April 2005. Lampard surges around one opponent, cuts inside another and thrashes a low shot into the net.If Chelsea win, they win the league title. For the first time since 1955. And in their centenary year, too. Lampard has set them on their way and the celebrations that follow are frenzied. He is buried beneath a scrum of team-mates. Even some of the substitutes jump on.Lampard is not finished. On a quick break, he finds himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He walks the ball around him to make it 2-0. Game over. Chelsea are the champions. Lampard is a champion. Not bad for a player who they said would not make it to the top.He was not finished. It was the second major honour of his career, following on from the League Cup triumph in February of that year and Lampard would go on to claim 11 of them ? all with his beloved Chelsea, the club he joined from West Ham United in 2001. The highlight, surely, was the Champions League final in 2012, when he captained Chelsea, in the absence of the suspended John Terry, to the penalty shootout victory against Bayern Munich.Now, Lampard is finished. At the age of 38 and after 21 years in the professional game, he has decided to retire. He does so with three Premier League titles to his name; four FA Cups; two League Cups; the Champions League and the Europa League. In other words, the clean sweep at club level.With England, it never went to plan, although he is hardly the only player who can say that. He was excellent at Euro 2004, scoring three times as England reached the quarter-finals but his subsequent tournament appearances at the World Cups of 2006, 2010 and 2014 were disappointments.Lampard missed his penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat against Portugal in 2006 and, four years later, his glorious shot in the last 16 against Germany bounced off the crossbar and over the line ? except that the officials ruled it as no goal. It would have made the score 2-2. Instead, England slumped to a 4-1 defeat.In many respects, it summed up how Lampard?s international career, which yielded 106 caps and 29 goals, came down on the wrong side of the margins. It was shaped by his relationship in central midfield with Steven Gerrard, or the lack of one. The Lampard-Gerrard conundrum was debated endlessly.Nevertheless, Lampard goes down as a Premier League great and he owes it all to his phenomenal work ethic and mental toughness; the desire that he has always had to prove his worth ? and others wrong.?When Frank was a youngster, I can remember a lot of people saying: ?What?s all the fuss? He?s a good player but he isn?t that good,? says Tony Carr, the former West Ham academy director, under whom Lampard developed. ?He never got to play for England schoolboys and I can remember Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager, asking me why Frank wasn?t playing for England youth, when he was a youth-team player at the club.?Harry rang the England coach, who was Dave Burnside, and Dave said: ?We know about him but we think we?ve got better.? That sort of thing was a fantastic spur for Frank. With his bloody?mindedness, his dedication, the way he constantly tried to improve himself ? he made himself the ultimate pro. I?ve got nothing but complete admiration for him.?As the tributes came in on Thursday, the one from Terry stood out. Lampard?s long-time Chelsea team?mate described him as a gentleman and a leader. But Terry also made reference to how Lampard had wrung every last drop from his talent. ?You were the best trainer by a million miles every single day, inspiring me and everyone at the club,? Terry wrote. ?You stayed out [after training] working on your finishing ? 20 goals a year wasn?t good enough for you; you wanted 25, 30 goals. I will miss you getting four cones and doing sprints after training ? setting the example for the academy kids.?Lampard is synonymous with consistency and durability; only Ryan Giggs and Gareth Barry have made more Premier League appearances than his 609 while his run of 164 consecutive matches remains a record for an outfield player. He read the game with intelligence ? this is a man who recorded one of Britain?s highest Mensa scores ? and it is questionable whether he got the credit he deserves for his exceptional short and long passing.In the end, though, Lampard was defined by his goals; the timing of the runs, the technique and the power of the execution. He says the two at Bolton were his best with the one he scored for Chelsea at Aston Villa in 2013, which took him past Bobby Tambling?s all-time record for the club, not far behind.When Lampard left Chelsea in 2014 to finish his career at Manchester City and New York City, he did so with 211 goals from 649 appearances for them. It is doubtful whether the mark will be overhauled. In terms of the Premier League, only Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole have scored more than his 177 goals and they, of course, are strikers.His numbers are mind?boggling and Terry, Tambling and others have described him as Chelsea?s greatest player. His next move looks likely to be into coaching. Whatever he does, Lampard will give it his all. |
Rini Sinha | 23 Jan 2017,Monday | There cannot be any bad blood between SRK and me: Hrithik | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/raees-kaabil-box-office-clash-hrithik-roshan-shah-rukh-khan-rakesh/1/864233.html | Hrithik Roshan, speaking on his film 'Kaabil' and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' releasing on the same day, said there cannot be any bad blood between him and Shah Rukh. "If there's understanding between friends, you can still compete and come out with an even better relationship," he added. However, the clash will be commercially detrimental to both films, Hrithik added. | Hrithik Roshan has been on a promotional spree since December. And rightly so for the stakes, to quote Donald Trump, are "yuuuge". Kaabil, his sole release of 2017, takes on Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees at the box office on January 25. Putting behind the underwhelming response to Mohenjo Daro and the unending war of words with Kangana Ranaut in 2016, Roshan is calm, more sure as he speaks to India Today about his action drama. He calls Kaabil a "small film with a large heart". Still "there are three major action sequences, a dance number, big sets," he adds. ALSO READ: SRK responds to Rakesh Roshan's angry rant over Raees-Kaabil date clashALSO READ: Raees-Kaabil to clash on Jan 25. Rakesh Roshan makes box office prediction Kaabil and Raees will be battling for audience's attention. Do you think it hurts the films, and more so your relationship with Shah Rukh Khan?There is a commercial side and a personal side. Commercially it is going to be detrimental to both films. I guess once you make peace with that you just see what happens. I feel even in times when friends have to stand opposite each other, as long as there is communication there is understanding. If there is understanding, then you can still compete and come out with an even better relationship. There cannot be any bad blood between Shah Rukh and me.This is your sixth collaboration with your father. Tell us about working with him. We are in a lot of ways diametrically opposite individuals but aligned towards the same objective. It's a given that the attempt is always (to achieve) a super hit. It is not easy which makes it fun. We agree that the film needs to have an emotional impact but the way to do (it) is where we will differ. Which is why there is a lot of hits and moulding. What we (finally) achieve is a balance of his and my world.So how do you differ?I would want the teardrop to fall. He won't wait for the cloud passing the setting sun. He will not care. (He'd be) I'm sacrificing the pace of the film. Whereas I'm greedy. [His take is] the objective of the scene has been achieved. Why do you want to look at the leaf falling and the wind blowing? This is the second time that a home production starring you is not directed by your father. I'm so happy and surprised how three people (Hrithik, Rakesh Roshan and Sanjay Gupta), who are equally headstrong, were working in complete unison. There has never been a situation in the 60 days we shot the film (where we have disagreed). How did you prepare for the part of a visually-impaired man?Somehow it came quite naturally to me. I did rehearse and practise a lot. I had a blindfold on and learned the geography of my entire house. I learned instincts of how to anticipate if you are walking into a ditch or a wall. The reactions when you touch something that you didn't expect to be there. But that's my job. It is not something to boast about. I saw a lot of videos (of visually-impaired people). There was a blind person who came to meet me. He came alone. He had my home address on the phone and found it using the talkback feature. He had lunch with me. He did not spill the food. He was eating and laughing and cracking jokes. He came without a stick. That is when the entire stance of my character changed. I was going to play him as a handicapped person who is projecting a certain kind of neediness or helplessness so that he creates empathy and sympathy for him. That was the initial idea. I just scrapped it and played it exactly as who I am without any weight given to the fact that he is blind. You don't seem to be in a rush to have a film release a year.I actually have only done movies that I have wanted to do. If there were more films that I wanted to do, then I would have done them. What you tend to do is see it in perspective - he is being choosy or likes to do it at his own pace. Perhaps, I am looking for something that is a little rarer or I want to use my films to express my own self through my interpretations of my experiences. To find that is rare. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 12 Jun 2017,Monday | Beef festival organised in Aizawl as Rajnath visits Mizoram | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/beef-festival-aizawl-mizoram-rajnath-singh/1/976814.html | A group of activists organised beef festival in Aizawl on Monday when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Mizoram to hold a meeting with chief ministers of states sharing borders with Myanmar. The security arrangement for Rajnath's visit to Aizawl was also beefed up in the wake of the beef festival being organised by ZOlife Group and some activists. | Opposing the recent notification of the Centre banning sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets, which is being widely perceived as beef ban, some activists today organised a beef festival in Mizoram capital Aizawl. The beef festival coincides with the visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived in Aizawl today to hold a meeting of chief ministers of the states sharing borders with Mynamar.The security arrangement for Rajnath Singh's visit to Aizawl was beefed up in the wake of beef festival organised by ZOlife Group and some activists. The organisers promoted the event on Facebook asking people to attend the beef festival at Vanapa Hall in Aizawl. It was scheduled for 2 pm today.CAUSE OF CONCERN FOR BJPThe opposition to the Centre's notification assumes political significance for the BJP, which is focusing on improving its presence in the entire North-East. Remruata Varte, one of the organizers said that the entire state stands together in opposing the 'beef ban' by BJP government at the Centre.Beef is an integral part of the food habits of the people in the region and no one will compromise for the same, Varte said.This of course comes as a big set-back for the BJP leaders who have been camping in the region trying to garner support for impending elections in the state. Earlier, protests were witnessed in Meghalaya against the Centre's notification for ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets.(Photo credit: Lal Hmingmawia and Remruata Varte in Aizawl, Mizoram) ALSO READ | |
Sumedha Sehra | 29 Jun 2017,Thursday | Odisha Home Guards asked to kneel as punishment | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/odisha-home-guards-kneel-down-punishment/1/989663.html | Odisha's Home Guards Reserve Inspector Ashok Kumar Sethi made four Home Guards in the state go on their knees with their hands up as punishment for wearing improper uniform. Sethi said that he was chided by his seniors and he did not take the "disciplinary action" to embarrass them, but to make them realise "the essence of discipline". | However embarrassing and insulting it might be for them but it was a 'back to classroom days' moment for a group of four Home Guards in Odisha when they were asked to kneel down as a punishment.In a bizarre incident, the four Home Guards personnel, including a female cop, were asked to kneel down with their hands up as a punishment for wearing improper uniform in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.Home Guards Reserve Inspector Ashok Kumar Sethi made the personnel kneel down for two minutes after finding them improperly dressed."My seniors often chided me after seeing Home Guards in civil clothes. To justify my work, I asked them to kneel down. My intent was not to embarrass them. I just wanted to be strict so that they realised the essence of discipline," Sethi said.The incident took place on June 26 when all the four Home Guards were on a special duty on the eve of Rath Yatra. |
Arshiya Chopra | 24 Jul 2017,Monday | IAF rescues pregnant woman from flooded Gujarat village | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iaf-indian-air-force-gandhinagar-nana-matra-chetak/1/1009155.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The Indian Air Force on Sunday rescued a pregnant woman, newborn twins and their mother from a flooded village in Gujarat. The village was inaccessible through roads due to heavy rainfall and floods. An official said a Chetak helicopter reached the location within 45 minutes of receiving the evacuation request and flew them to a medical team waiting for them. | Acting with lightening speed - peculiar to the Men in Blue and their flying machines, an Indian Air Force Chetak helicopter took flight within minutes of the IAF receiving a request for immediate evacuation of two pregnant women in critical condition, 'about to deliver'.The message with the location details was received at 4:30pm and the Chetak got airborne from Jamnagar at 4:40pm to head for the site.It took barely anytime for the seasoned heads and hands at work at HQ Southern Western Air Command Gandhinagar coordinating Human Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in the area in choosing a Chetak helicopter for this particular operation - owing to its much lesser all up weight as compared to a MI-17V5. Keeping in view - the medical condition of those to be evacuated, the aircraft would need to land to take them on board safely (in all probability on a patch of soft ground as reported by district officials at the site).While the aircraft was enroute to Nana Matra Village of Vinchia Taluka in Rajkot district - the district administration officials informed that one of the two women to be evacuated had already delivered a set of twins and needed to be airlifted immediately. By 5:15pm, the 'Saviour Chetak' was already overhead looking for a safe patch to land. The mother, with her new born twins and an attendant were instantaneously put into the aircraft and flown out to safety with due care. The aircraft landed at Jasdan helipad where they were handed over to the medical team already waiting for the aircraft on ground.The aircraft then returned to Nana Matra, this time picking up another pregnant woman bleeding profusely, in need of urgent medical attention. The lady along with an attendant was quickly evacuated and flown across the river where the medical staff and ambulance in wait took over.It is learnt that due to excessive flooding and damage to the access road, the village Nana Matra had become inaccessible for vehicles necessitating timely aerial evacuation by IAF to save previous lives.ALSO READ:IAF turns 83: PM Modi salutes Air Force's courage, determinationIndian Air Force plans to add muscle to SukhoisSukhoi-30 crash: Pilots onboard IAF aircraft confirmed dead, were unable to eject on timeALSO WATCH: Road rage shocker: IAF officer thrashed and robbed by 3 men in Delhi, video goes viral |
Tarun Khanna | 07 Feb 2017,Tuesday | Shirdi Saibaba temple got offerings worth ?403 cr in 2016 | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/note-ban-offerings-shirdi-saibaba-temple/1/876131.html | The Shirdi Saibaba temple in Maharashtra received offerings worth ?403.75 crore in 2016 as against ?393 crore it received in 2015. The temple received ?258.42 crore through offerings in the form of cash, online money transfers, credit/debit cards, and these offerings received an interest of ?125.95 crore from the banks. At present, 371-kg of gold is in the temple's locker. | The much-talked about note ban had no impact on the famous Shirdi Saibaba temple as it received offerings worth Rs 403.75 crore in 2016, which is Rs 10 crore more than what it received in 2015.According to Shirdi Sai Temple Trust's trustee, Sachin Tambe, the temple had received Rs 393 crore in 2015, while in 2016, it got Rs 403.75 crore.In 2016, the temple received Rs 258.42 crore through offerings in the form of donations, cash, online money transfers, credit/debit cards, and these offerings received an interest of Rs 125.95 crore from the banks.Also read: Now, Sai Darshan in just 3 seconds at ShirdiAccording to the official, there has been an increase in the offerings of gold too. |
Arshiya Chopra | 25 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Doctors say abortion not possible for 10-yr-old rape victim | http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/abortion-not-possible-for-10-year-old-rape-victim-pgi-chandigarh-doctors/story-za9obOnUf6OnS2QXITGLBO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A Chandigarh hospital's doctors ruled out the possibility of abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim who is nearly eight months pregnant. The Supreme Court on Monday had asked the hospital to examine if the pregnancy can be terminated after hearing a plea for the rape survivor. A Chandigarh district court had rejected the plea when she was six months pregnant. | Gynaecologists from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) have ruled out the possibility of aborting the nearly eight-month pregnancy of a 10-year-old rape victim. ?It will be just like delivering a baby,? said a senior gynaecologist from the premier government hospital, which was on Monday tasked by the Supreme Court with examining if the pregnancy can be terminated. As per SC directions, the PGIMER has constituted an eight-member committee that would formally check if the health of the girl and the child would be adversely affected if the pregnancy is allowed to extend to its full term up to delivery. HT interacted with some gynecologists from the PGIMER and also Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, to know their views. Almost all of them ruled out aborting the 30-week foetus due to medical reasons. A senior gynaecologist from GMCH-32 told HT, ?The baby cannot be aborted. They can go to any apex court or any hospital. The child has crossed the time to abort the baby.??Ten- to 12-year old children getting pregnant are rare cases. In the last five years, I have seen only two such cases; one mother was 10 and the other, 12,? said a PGIMER gynaecologist. She said that in both cases the babies were delivered safely via Caesarian (C-section). ?The mother is so fragile that she cannot bear the trauma of labour pain and natural delivery. We could not let the 10-year-old undergo so much pain; so in that case we conducted elective C-section, wherein delivery was done even before the labour pain began,? she added. When asked if C-section is safer than natural delivery among pregnant children, she said, ?So far, no study on that has been done.? About risk factors, she said, ?Surgically, the risk is as much as it is in any other surgery. But the pregnancy will be more complicated than that in adult women.? Meanwhile, on the panel constituted by the PGIMER are Dr D Behera, head of pulmonary medicine department, as chairperson; Dr Vipin Koushal from the hospital administration as member-secretary; Dr Vanita Suri, head, gynaecology; Dr Surjit Singh, head, paediatrics; Dr N Khandelwal, head, radio-diagnosis; Dr Ajit Awasthi, head, psychiatry; Dr Swati Kumari, head, internal medicine; and Dr Manoj Kumar Rohit from the cardiology department.The SC bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar had also asked member-secretary of the state legal services authority to assist the panel in the examination to be held on Wednesday. The next hearing is on Friday.India has a 20-week legal ceiling on abortion. Law allows a woman to abort but only after doctors confirm it is necessary to save the mother?s life. The SC has been receiving petitions, including from rape victims, to terminate pregnancies beyond 20 weeks; and uit has referred these to medical experts before any orders. Recently, the court gave a 10-year-old rape victim from Haryana the permission to abort.The Chandigarh case came to light 10 days ago after the girl was taken to hospital for stomach ache. The girl was raped allegedly by her maternal uncle, a hotel worker, repeatedly over seven months. He has been arrested. The girl?s family hails from Nepal and has been residing in servants? quarters in one of the southern sectors in Chandigarh. Her father is a watchman and the mother works as a domestic help. |
Deepali Aggarwal | 03 Aug 2017,Thursday | Email prankster fooled fired Trump media chief thrice | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/01/british-email-prankster-fools-white-house-officials-into-replying?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A self-styled email prankster, known as @SINON_REBORN on Twitter, has fooled recently-fired White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci thrice. The prankster fooled Scaramucci by posing as recently-fired Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, as a Russian envoy and finally as one of his friends. The prankster said he targeted Scaramucci because he had used mental health issues as a "put down". | A suspected British prankster appears to have conned White House officials including Anthony Scaramucci into replying to him after pretending in email correspondence to be several different members of the Trump team.The man, who goes by the Twitter handle @SINON_REBORN, posed as Jared Kushner well enough to convince homeland security adviser Tom Bossert to reply to him, according to CNN. Bossert included his personal email address in the exchange.Named director of communications after having been denied a White House role earlier, the New York financier and Republican fundraiser promptly threatened to fire everyone in his team over leaks. He also staged a combative and contradictory briefing room debut and talkshow tour; sought to bat away questions about suspiciously liberal pronouncements in his past and support for Trump?s Republican enemies; deleted tweets; warred openly with the former chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and seemingly forced him out; compared the struggle to take healthcare away from millions of Americans to Lincoln?s battle against slavery; poured obscene invective about leakers, Priebus and Steve Bannon down the phone to a New Yorker reporter; missed the birth of his son; saw his wife file for divorce; and was asked to resign.Trump?s first national security adviser ? one of four generals the president has employed ? resigned after it was revealed he misled Vice-President Mike Pence over his contacts with Russians during the election campaign. It was later reported that Yates had warned the White House Flynn was vulnerable to Russian blackmail.The most shocking firing of them all. Trump sacked his FBI director, by messenger rather than in person, as congressional and justice department investigations into links between Trump aides and Russia gathered pace. Lest anyone retain any doubt about why Trump pressed the big red button, he told NBC in a primetime interview the firing was tied to ?this Russia thing?. The reverberations will be felt for some time yet.The long-suffering but loyal surrogate for the president handed in his resignationin response to Scaramucci?s appointment. A Republican insider and Priebus ally, he never settled into the press secretary role after an infamous debut in which he angrily insisted Trump?s fantastic version of crowd sizes at the inauguration were true. Achieving by way of Melissa McCarthy?s lethal Saturday Night Live impression a somewhat dubious celebrity, his days at the White House were long rumoured to be numbered. His departure on a point of principle having seemingly been justified only 10 days later, he may now claim a sort of hollow vindication.The former Republican National Committee chair stayed loyal ? at least in public ? to Trump through Friday, when he was told his time was up. He stayed loyal after handing in his resignation too, rhapsodising about the president and his mission in interviews with CNN and, of course, Fox News. But it seemed Priebus?s card had alway been marked, less over his initial blocking of Scaramucci, which enraged the Mooch, or by his closeness to the House speaker, Paul Ryan, than by his private advice to Trump to quit the presidential race after 8 October, when the infamous Access Hollywood ?Gropegate? tape was published. The Washington Post reported that Priebus was thus never considered a member of the ?Oct 8th coalition?, a name for the inner cabal of Trumpites who have never wavered, however low their boss?s reputation has sunk.The man also fooled Scaramucci, the White House communications director who was fired on Monday, by pretending to be Reince Priebus, the former Trump administration chief of staff with whom he was believed to be in open warfare.In a series of emails, the man posing as Priebus baited Scaramucci, accusing him of being ?breathtakingly hypocritical? and saying ?at no stage have you acted in a way that is remotely classy?.Scaramucci responded: ?You know what you did. We all do. Even today. But rest assured we were prepared. A Man would apologize.?The heated exchange continued, with the prankster writing: ?I can?t believe you are questioning my ethics! The so called ?Mooch?, who can?t even manage his first week in the White House without leaving upset in his wake. I have nothing to apologize for.?Scaramucci replied: ?Read Shakespeare. Particularly Othello. You are right there. My family is fine by the way and will thrive. I know what you did. No more replies from me.? The White House has confirmed it is looking into the matter. ?We take all cyber related issues very seriously and are looking into these incidents further,? press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told CNN.Reince (me) giving @Scaramucci something to think about. He never replied haha pic.twitter.com/hutjACmogRAn excerpt of what I emailed to @Scaramucci whilst playing the part of Jon Huntsman Jr. Apparently this didn't seem out of the ordinary?! ?? pic.twitter.com/6INHJi3KCDThe man, who described himself as a ?lazy anarchist? on his Twitter profile, told CNN that his actions were meant to be ?humorous? not malicious.?I?m not trying to get the keys to the vault or anything like that.?He has previously convinced Scaramucci that he was the ambassador to Russia-designate Jon Hunstman and tricked Hunstman himself into believing he was the president?s son Eric Trump. He also fleetingly convinced Eric Trump he was his brother, Donald Jr. |
Saloni Tandon | 24 Jan 2017,Tuesday | SC asks BCCI, Centre to propose names of BCCI administrators | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/supreme-court-bcci-interim-committee/1/865216.html | The Supreme Court has asked the BCCI and Centre to propose names for an interim administrative committee for BCCI. This comes after SC, which was supposed to name the administrators on Tuesday, earlier rejected nine names suggested by amicus curiae since they were above 70 years of age. The BCCI President and Secretary were sacked by SC earlier this month. | The Supreme Court has held back an order to name the interim committee to oversee the daily operations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The apex court also allowed the BCCI and Center to suggest names for the committee.BCCI and the Center will submit their suggestions by January 27 and the Supreme Court will pass the order on January 30. The Supreme Court also asserted that people over 70 years will not be appointed BCCI administrators. The Center was represented by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who contended that the Supreme Court should hold back the order as the government was mulling over a legislation to regulate sports bodies in India. However, the Supreme Court asked the Center why it had not made a representation so far.WATCH FULL VIDEO HEREOn January 20 hearing, two lawyers had proposed a list of names for the interim committee to the Supreme Court in a sealed envelope. But some of the names suggested were aged over 70 and the top court had immediately raised questions. In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court had cracked the whip on a defiant BCCI on January 2 for not complying with its orders to implement the Lodha Committee reforms. The apex court sacked its president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke in a historic judgement passed in the new year. For the time being, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri has been heading the board.The Supreme Court also said BCCI office bearers over 70 years or whose office period has extended for over nine years or those who have a criminal conviction should be removed.THE BACKGROUNDIt all started when the spot-fixing scandal broke out during the Indian Premier League in 2013 leading to developments that forced the top court to intervene.Subsequently, the Mudgal Committee was appointed by the Supreme Court, which submitted its report and pointed out irregularities pertaining to the IPL. To help things move further, the Supreme Court appointed a panel in January 2015 headed by former Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha. In July, the panel suspended IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) for two years, while the teams' co-owners Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra were banned for life from cricket. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 23 Apr 2017,Sunday | Bajrang Dal attacks police station to rescue 5 detained men | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/agra-bajrang-dal-police-station/1/935992.html | Bajrang Dal activists on Saturday attacked Sadar Bazaar police station in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to rescue five of their co-workers who were detained by the police following clashes. The agitators also set a vehicle ablaze during the attack on the police station wherein one policeman got injured. The attackers demanded action against police and withdrawal of assault case on co-workers. | The Sadar Bazar police station in Fatehpur Sikri of Agra came under attack by Bajrang Dal activists yesterday as they attempted to rescue five of their 'co-workers'.The attackers set a vehicle ablaze during the attack on the police station. One policeman was injured in the clashes with the agitators.The detained persons were said to be Bajrang Dal activists, who were taken into custody following a clashes with police earlier in the day at Fatehpur Sikri police station. The agitators demanded that a case registered against the activists of the Bajrang Dal and VHP in an assault case be withdrawn. They also sought action against some policemen.The protesters were led by BJP Fatehpur Sikri MLA Udaybhan Singh. However, police said that the attack by the Bajrang Dal activists took place after the legislator left the spot.Fourteen persons associated with different right-wing outfits have been arrested in connection with violence."We have arrested 14 persons in connection with the violence yesterday," said DIG Mahesh Mishra. HOW IT BEGANIt all started on Saturday morning when nine men, reportedly belonging to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, were booked on the charges of beating up men from minority community. The suspects were detained by police. But, as the news spread activists of Bajrang Dal and VHP reached the Fatehpur Sikri police station, where they, according to local reports, had a heated exchange with the Circle Officer Ravikant Parashar.As tempers flew, VHP leader Jagmohan Chahar reportedly slapped the CO. The police responded with lathicharge causing minor stampede.Later, a mob gheraoed the Fatehpur Sikri police station and pelted stones at it. Local reports say that police responded in the same kind. It went like this for about half-an-hour. People on both sides received injuries.Some more people - five to six - were taken into custody. Five of the detained men were taken to Sadar Bazar police station, where the Bajrang Dal activists launched an attack late night.BUILD UP AT SADAR BAZAR POLICE STATIONAfter the detained persons were taken to Sadar Bazar police station, several local leaders including BJP MLA Udaybhan Singh reached there and staged protest demanding their release. The police did not agree to their demands leading to further clashes.The agitators are said to have misbehaved with police officials at the Sadar Bazar police station. Meanwhile, supporters kept pouring in at the police station.As the mob kept gathering at the Sadar Bazar police station, the police resorted to another round of lathicharge, which fueled the protest even further. The protesters turned violent at Sadar Bazar police station and pelted stones at the policemen.Reports said that a vehicle was set ablaze and service revolver of a policeman was also snatched. The vehicle and service revolver belonged to the same policeman, who is said to have received injuries. EFFORTS TO PACIFY MOB FAILEDSeveral senior officials of Agra reached Sadar Bazar police station late night. They tried to bring normalcy but talks with the agitators did not yield results as they insisted on releasing the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists. Police rejected their demands.Among the detained persons is VHP leaer Jagmohan Chahar, who had reportedly slapped a police officer during the day.A police official was quoted as saying in some reports that the men, who attacked the Sadar Bazar police station, tried to break the lock-up, where detainees were kept. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 15 Apr 2017,Saturday | Porn clip plays on a screen at Delhi's Rajiv Chowk station | http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/porn-clip-plays-on-led-screen-at-rajiv-chowk-station-delhi-metro-starts-probe/story-pmW18KMZaxx1uSj6mGdmON.html | A pornographic video was played on an LED screen installed at Delhi Metro's Rajiv Chowk station, according to footage recently surfaced online. The incident happened on April 9 wherein the video lasted for nearly a minute. Claiming that the screen was under commissioning and testing by a private contractor, the Delhi Metro has initiated a probe into the matter. | Commuters at the busy Rajiv Chowk Metro station in central Delhi?s Connaught Place were left shocked when a pornographic clip played on an LED screen for around 10 minutes.The screen, that was installed on April 9 and is meant to display advertisements, started playing a porn video all of a sudden, eyewitnesses said. The video continued for several minutes and was stopped only after some commuters brought it to the attention of DMRC officials at the station.The incident was recorded by several commuters on their mobile phones and has been shared multiple times on various social media platforms, forcing the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to initiate an inquiry. DMRC said three unidentified men may have played the clip on the big screen as the system is not secure.Anuj Dayal, the DMRC spokesperson, said after preliminary investigations, it has been established that the incident took place around 5pm on April 9. ?The LED TV system was being commissioned and its Wi-Fi port was accessible. Prima facie, as per CCTV footage, three men played the porn clip through their mobile (phone) on this TV at Rajiv Chowk station. Attempts are being made to identify these men. CCTV footage is under examination to identify the culprits,? said Dayal.?This sort of interference with the system will not be possible in the future once the software is programmed and centrally controlled. In the interim, during the commissioning process, the contractor will be advised to ensure password protection,? Dayal added.A video of the area, recorded by a commuter, showed most people walk past the screen either clueless or unbothered. A few others, however, stopped by to record the unusual activity on their mobile phones. A few of them then alerted the DMRC officials who rushed into action to turn off the broadcast.Delhi Police, meanwhile, said they have not received any complaint from the DMRC in this connection. ?If the DMRC approaches us after completing their internal probe, we will go ahead with the legal proceedings,? said a senior police officer.?The objective of the LED screens is to disseminate information to passengers through various multimedia tools,? said another DMRC spokesperson.A similar incident had been reported from Wayanad district in Kerala in 2015. Hundreds of passengers waiting at a bus stand in Kalpetta then had seen a porn video playing on a television installed to broadcast advertisements. A witness had later shared the video of the spot on social media. The user reported that the clip had played for 30 minutes . Some passengers then had tried covering the TV set with a cloth while women and children chose to walk away from the spot. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 27 Feb 2017,Monday | Western Central Railways ban sale of colas at 300 stations | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/western-centrail-railways-ban-on-colas/1/892461.html | The Western Central Railways has banned the sale of colas including those produced by Coke and Pepsi at 300 stations falling under its jurisdiction. "The cold drinks being sold at railway stations do not have the required certification from the health department. Till the time they get the certificate, the sale of these cold drinks has been banned," Railways said. | The Western Central Railways has banned sale of colas including those produced by Coke and Pepsi at 300 stations falling under its jurisdiction."The cold drinks being sold at railway stations do not have the required certification from the health department. Till the time they get the certificate, the sale of these cold drinks has been banned," Sachin Shukla, Assistant General Manager, Western Central Railway said.The decision to ban these cold drinks comes after Union Minister of the State (Health) Faghan Singh Kulaste in the Lok Sabha said that the drinks contain metal content like cadmium and chromium."The company's old permission has expired and till the time they get fresh permission, the sale of cold drinks has been banned. Also the health department is conducting test on the contents of these drinks and till the time this test report is out fresh permission to sell these cold drinks will not be given," Shukla added.The cold drinks that have been banned include--Pepsi, Coca Cola, Sprite, 7Up and Mountain Dew.The Western Central railways has directed officials to ensure that the sale of these cold drinks is stopped immediately. Suppliers have been advised to recall the stock that has already been supplied to the 300 odd stations and inspections are underway.The Western Central Railways comprises of three divisions that include Bhopal, Jabalpur and Kota. |
Yash Kumar | 08 Dec 2016,Thursday | Pope Francis compares reading fake news to eating poop | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/07/pope-compares-fake-news-consumption-to-eating-faeces-coprophilia?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other | Pope Francis has slammed media organisations that focus on scandals and promote fake news and said people who consume such content are "coprophagic", or faeces-eaters. He added that spreading disinformation is "probably the greatest damage that the media can do". Earlier, US President Barack Obama had slammed online misinformation as a threat to democratic institutions. | Pope Francis has lambasted media organisations that focus on scandals and smears and promote fake news as a means of discrediting people in public life. Spreading disinformation was ?probably the greatest damage that the media can do?, the pontiff told the Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio. It is a sin to defame people, he added.Using striking terminology, Francis said journalists and the media must avoid falling into ?coprophilia? ? an abnormal interest in excrement. Those reading or watching such stories risked behaving like coprophagics, people who eat faeces, he added.The pope excused himself for using terminology that some might find repellent. ?I think the media have to be very clear, very transparent, and not fall into ? no offence intended ? the sickness of coprophilia, that is, always wanting to cover scandals, covering nasty things, even if they are true,? he said. ?And since people have a tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia, a lot of damage can be done.?He also spoke of the danger of using the media to slander political rivals. ?The means of communication have their own temptations, they can be tempted by slander, and therefore used to slander people, to smear them, this above all in the world of politics,? he said. ?They can be used as means of defamation. No one has a right to do this. It is a sin and it is hurtful.?Disinformation was the greatest potential harm the media could cause, he said, because ?it directs opinion in only one direction and omits the other part of the truth?. Wednesday?s interview was not the first time Francis has made the same point in unusual language. A year before being elected pope, he told the Italian newspaper La Stampa: ?Journalists sometimes risk becoming ill from coprophilia and thus fomenting coprophagia, which is a sin that taints all men and women ? that is, the tendency to focus on the negative rather than the positive aspects.?The pope?s latest comments on disinformation were made against a backdrop of a global debate over the proliferation of fake news websites and stories that present events through a highly partisan lens.In the US, some observers have suggested that fake news could have swayed the presidential election in favour of Donald Trump. On 19 November the Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced new steps to counter fake news on the platform, marking a departure from his scepticism that online misinformation was, as Barack Obama has put it, a threat to democratic institutions.The ?Pizzagate? conspiracy theory, which led to a self-radicalised gunman discharging his weapon in a popular pizza restaurant in Washington DC on Sunday, was spread with the help of fake news stories falsely accusing the owners of being part of a nonexistent paedophile ring with supposed ties to Hillary Clinton. |
Anmol Sharma | 31 Jul 2017,Monday | England players take London Tube to reach Test match venue | http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/england-cricketers-take-tube-to-reach-the-oval-for-day-3-s-play-vs-south-africa/story-T2lhTuvEoukGXa1PTvfXKL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | England cricketers took the London Underground (The Tube) to reach The Oval for the third day of the Test against South Africa, the record 100th Test at the stadium. Joe Root, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Jonny Bairstow were among those who took the train. Broad was photographed at the platform, looking at an advertisement featuring him alongside other sportspersons. | Before they consolidated their hold on the ongoing third Test at The Oval against South Africa, a few of England cricketers took the underground tube in London to reach the ground which is hosting his record 100th Test match, on Saturday.On a rain-truncated third day of the ongoing third Test, England shot South Africa out for a mere 175, and by the time the play was stopped, the hosts had accumulated an overall lead of 252 runs with nine wickets intact in their second essay.READ | Toby Roland-Jones joins elite England club after heroics against South AfricaEngland had posted an at-par total of 353 in their first innings, and seized control of the Test when debutant Toby Roland-Jones wreaked havoc in the South African ranks, claiming 5 for 57.Roland-Jones was in that bunch of cricketers who on Saturday morning took the London tube from the Bank Station. England captain Joe Root, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Jonny Bairstow were among those who took the train like the common London commuter to his workplace.#morningcommute @StuartBroad8 not awkward at all. pic.twitter.com/0uKohIGfRX? Joe Root (@root66) July 29, 2017As they waited for the train to arrive, Broad looked content at an advertisement poster in front of him for UK broadcaster Sky Sports. Broad posted on Instagram about the train travel with his teammates. #morningcommute #london Off to the Test! ?? A post shared by Stuart Broad (@stuartbroad8) on Jul 29, 2017 at 1:03am PDT While Root and Broad posted on social media about their travel in the tube, there was one man who seemingly enjoyed the journey without actually being there. It was Alex Hales.You can even see the smug look of self-satisfaction from behind him pic.twitter.com/pSm7LKMIXO? Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) July 29, 2017Almost as smug as this one! pic.twitter.com/QvfhdjSyrb? Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) July 29, 2017England were 74 for 1 in their second innings, with Keaton Jennings (34) and Tom Westley (28) at the crease. |
Krishna Veera Vanamali | 20 Jul 2017,Thursday | Air India privatisation is 'unpatriotic': Former employees | http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/air-india-privatisation-is-unpatriotic-and-illogical-say-former-employees/story-6aeEN9N0tpOSaaDGZrMOFL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | An employees union of retired Air India personnel on Wednesday termed the airline's privatisation as "unpatriotic" and "illogical" in a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry. The union said the decision is taken in haste, at a time when the airline is on the verge of becoming profitable. It also proposed that the government waive Air India's ?52,000-crore debt. | The employees union of Air India representing retired its personnel on Wednesday termed the government?s move to privatise the airline ?unpatriotic? and ?illogical? in a letter to civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.The letter also says that the the government?s priority should be to restructure the airline?s huge debt.The All India Airlines Retired Personnel Association (AIARPA), which has written the letter, represents nearly 11,000 former employees of Air India.?Why has the government announced the decision to privatise AI ? a decision taken in great haste ? just at a time when the airline is on the verge of becoming profitable.?The move is unpatriotic as well as not logical at this point of time,? the union said in the letter.For the first time in a decade, the airline posted an operational profit of Rs 105 crore in 2015-2016. It rose to Rs 300 crore in 2016-2017.?For now the restructuring of debt be carried out,? said the letter.Read | Ahead of privatisation, loss-making Air India could offer buyouts to employeesThe union also proposed that the government could waive Air India?s Rs 52,000 crore debt so that it can ?forge ahead? like it plans to do to make the national carrier attractive for a private player.It also claims that private investors are ?interested? in AI because it is operationally profitable, has a large fleet of aircraft, a profitable low-cost international carrier like Air India Express, profitable ground handling services, and prime slots at airports around the country and the world, among other factors.?The real reform needed is for compensating for costs incurred in implementing specific government policies not in line with their commercial objectives,? adds the letter. |
Prashanti Moktan | 02 Aug 2017,Wednesday | Veteran actor Dilip Kumar hospitalised in Mumbai | http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/dilip-kumar-hospitalised-due-to-kidney-complications-is-stable/story-EHsttfuTuuZ7thJdvypdvI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Veteran actor Dilip Kumar has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, following kidney complications and dehydration. The doctors treating the 94-year-old actor have said that he is stable and currently recuperating in the general ward while adding, "There is no cause for concern." The veteran actor had also been hospitalised twice last year due to medical reasons. | Yesteryear superstar Dilip Kumar was rushed to Lilavati Hospital on Wednesday owing to kidney complications and dehydration.Doctors said he is stable and currently recuperating in the general ward. ?There is no cause of concern.??The major reason of his admission was dehydration, which simultaneously impacts other organs as well,? doctors at the hospital said.The 94-year-old Bollywood actor has been facing medical complications in recent years. Last year, he was hospitalised in April due to fever and nausea, and in December to treat a swelling in his right leg.Kumar has acted in over 65 films in his career spanning over six decades and is known for his iconic roles in movies like Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Ganga Jamuna (1961), Kranti (1981), and Karma (1986).He is also honored with Padma Bhushan in 1991, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and India?s second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, in 2015. The Government of Pakistan has honoured him with its highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, in 1997.Follow @htshowbiz for more |
Tarun Khanna | 04 May 2017,Thursday | Pakistan arrests 30 Indian fishermen off Gujarat coast | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paks-maritime-authorities-arrest-30-indian-fishermen/1/944926.html | Amid ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, the latter on Wednesday arrested 30 Indian fishermen and seized five boats off Gujarat coast. On April 9, Pakistan had detained 42 Indian fishermen with their seven fishing boats off Gujarat coast and 23 fishermen on April 26. Furthermore, in March, 231 Indian fishermen were arrested by Pakistan and 40 boats were seized. | Pakistan's maritime authorities today arrested 30 Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the country's territorial waters, bringing the total number of Indian fishermen detained this year to 304.A spokesman for the Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) said that 30 Indian fishermen were detained and their five boats were seized. The detained fishermen were later handed over to the Docks police for further legal procedures.The Indian fishermen will be presented before a judicial magistrate tomorrow and then sent to jail.The latest arrests come at a time when tensions between the two countries are escalating over various issues. Today's arrests come just one week after the PMSA had on April 27 detained 29 Indian fishermen and seized five boats.EARLIER ARRESTS BY PAKISTANIn March also, the PMSA had twice apprehended Indian fishermen. On March 26, the PMSA had arrested 100 Indian fishermen and seized 19 boats while in early March some 85 Indian fishermen were arrested and sent to jail.On January 27, the Maritime Security Agency had arrested 60 Indian fishermen and seized 10 boats. The arrests of fishermen have continued this year even though Pakistan released some 219 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture on January 5 and before that released another batch of 220 Indian fishermen on December 25.Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently by the maritime security agencies of both countries for illegal fishing and often stray into illegal waters due to absence of any proper technology to confirm the coastline border between Pakistan and India near Sir Creek in the Arabian Sea. |
Pragya Swastik | 12 Jun 2017,Monday | Our wedding was magical: Model Kerr on marrying Snapchat CEO | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/miranda-kerr-had-a-magical-wedding/1/976523.html | Supermodel Miranda Kerr on Sunday opened up about her marriage with Snapchat Co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel for the first time and said their wedding was "magical". She added, "We started the day, did yoga, and then our families came over and we literally all just had, like, this celebration in our backyard." Kerr got married to Spiegel last month. | London, Jun 12 (PTI) Supermodel Miranda Kerr, who recently married her beau Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, has said the couple had a magical wedding ceremony. The 34-year-old catwalk star, who married her 26-year-old boyfriend on May 27, has revealed the duo kicked off their D- Day with a yoga session, reported FemaleFirst. |
Abhishek Bansal | 15 Feb 2017,Wednesday | India among top targets for web application attacks: Report | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/india-among-top-target-nations-for-web-application-attacks-akamai/1/883408.html | With over 1.1 crore web application attacks in the fourth quarter of 2016, India is one of the top target countries for web application attacks, according to a report by US-based content delivery network provider Akamai Technologies. While India ranked fourth, US topped the list with over 24 crore web application attacks in the country. | India is one of top target countries for web application attacks, according to Akamai Technologies' Q4 2016 State of the Internet/Security Report. With 11. 1 million, India ranked fourth while US topped the list with 242 million web application attacks in the country. There has been a 27 per cent increase in total web application attacks in Q4. Amongst the Asian countries, India saw 8,638, 666 attacks sourced in the country while China topped the list with 14,275,358 attacks. Findings reveal that insecure Internet of Things (IoT) devices continued to be a major source of DDoS traffic. Spike botnets carried out the maximum DDoS attacks in Q4. Also Read: Cyber attacks caused more than 20 per cent revenue loss in 2016: Cisco |
Mansha Mahajan | 01 Aug 2017,Tuesday | Air India's current business is not sustainable, says Govt | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ais-current-biz-not-sustainable-govt-tells-parl-panel/1/1015389.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Air India's current business is "not sustainable" as it is neither able to generate enough cash flow, nor start repaying even the principal amount of its debt, the government told a Parliamentary panel. Notably, Tata Group, IndiGo, and private equity funds KKR and Warburg Pincus have expressed interest in acquiring Air India's businesses following the cabinet's approval for its disinvestment. | null |
Pragya Swastik | 09 Dec 2016,Friday | Vijay Mallya owns 21 luxury cars, claim hackers | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vijay-mallya-has-these-cars-in-his-garage/1/830690.html | Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, whose Twitter account was hacked earlier on Friday, owns at least 21 luxury cars, the hackers claimed in a list tweeted through Mallya's account. The list includes cars from brands including BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and others. Besides the list, various email addresses of Mallya with their passwords were also made public. | It has been a crazy last few days, with cyber crime at its peak. We are talking about the alleged hacking of Rahul Gandhi and Indian National Congress's (INC) twitter account by 'The Legion'. Today, it was the beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya's turn as his account @TheVijayMallya, was possibly hacked by the same 'Legion'. Thanks to them, we now know which classic cars the 'King of Good Times' Vijay Mallya, might have in his garage.However, the authenticity of this list cannot be verified. Let's take a look at 6 of these classic cars and how much they cost1. 1990 Lamborghini CountachLamborghini produced only 658 units of the Countach's to mark its 25th Anniversary in 1988. This was the final evolution of the Countach line. Power comes from a four-cam V12 engine, mounted longitudinally behind the cabin, that produces 370 HP, mated to a five-speed gearbox, which is placed ahead of the engine between the seats. It has a top speed of 273BHP. Cost: Rs 2.51 crore2. 1955 Allard JRPost WW2, one of the most famous sportscar would be the JR 'Le Mans' Roadster. Sydney Herbert Allard made his entry into the motor scene with a four rear wheel special powered by a Steyr V8 tank engine. Based on the J2X, only six of these JRs were ever built and two served as factory entries in the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 1955 Allard JR would come with a 6047 cc, V8 engine that produces 350 HP of power, mated three-speed manual Ford-based with Lincoln Zephyr gearbox. Cost: Rs 2.30 crore- Rs 4.08 crore3. 1955 Mercedes 300 GullwingIf not for US importer, Max Hoffman, and his love for the W194 series race cars, Mercedes would have never made the iconic Mercedes 300 Gullwing. It was only after, Hoffman gave an initial order of 1000 units of the 300 Gullwing's that the Mercedes management approved it. The car was sold for only Rs 5.03 lakh in those days. Now, the speciality of this car are the aluminum Gullwing, which were known for its lightweight. It was completed on April 20, 1955, with metallic silver gray finishing over a blue leather interior. it also came with Rudge wheels, the NSL motor and Plexiglas windows per aluminum-build specifications. Under the hood of the Mercedes 300 Gullwing came a 2996 cc engine, that produces 215 BHP of peak power and 279 NM of peak torque, mated to a four-speed manual transmission. it has a top speed of 217.215 km/h. Cost: Rs 9.65 crore4. 1944 Alfa Romeo BucciThe first on the list is the Alfa Romeo 2500S with Bucci fitting, which the billionaire bought in 1998. The 1944 Alfa Romeo Bucci features a two-seater sports body with works by Nestor Salerno and has Clemar Bucci's fitting. It comes with a 2.5-litre, 6 cylinder engine that churns out maximum power out of 105 horsepower, mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a top speed of 241kmph. Cost: Rs 1.95 crore 5. 1925 Sunbeam TigerThe Sunbeam Tiger was built by Sunbeam of Wolverhampton and was an open wheel race car which could participate in both land speed record holder and circuit-racing. On March 16, 1926, Major Henry Segrave successfully achieved the World Land Speed Record in Southport with a record speed of 245kmph. Over the course of three season of Gran Prix from 1928-1930, the Sunbeam Tiger broke twenty-four records and also broke the Brooklands' lap record on three separate occasions.It comes with a 3976cc, supercharged V12 engine that produces 306 hp of peak power, mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a top speed of 244kmph. Cost: NA6. 1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 31 Jul 2017,Monday | Sierra Leone bans jogging in groups | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/31/sierra-leone-bans-jogging-in-groups-after-police-say-they-are-menacing?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | The police has banned jogging in groups in Sierra Leone, citing public order and safety. The police accused people jogging in groups of "raining insults, obstructing traffic, pounding on vehicles, playing loud music, and snatching property from other members of the public." It said violators "will be dealt with according to law. You have been warned." | Police in Sierra Leone have banned group jogging in the street on the grounds that it encourages disruptive behaviour.?Police headquarters has observed with dismay that people are in the habit of jogging in large numbers along the streets with a hint of menace, raining insults, obstructing traffic, pounding on vehicles, playing loud music, and snatching property from other members of the public,? police in the west African state announced.The letter, dated 27 July, said an immediate ban on such activities was being enforced ?in line with the constitutional consideration for public order and safety?.The announcement caused upset among some in the capital of Freetown. Mohamed Kamara, a civil servant, disputed that there had been any any major incidents caused by joggers. ?We usually team up with neighbourhood youths on weekends to jog to the beach where we play football and return peacefully,? Kamara said.Jogging and playing football in large numbers has helped transform many violent youths within his community, Kamara said.TV celebrity Amadu Lamarana Bah said the restriction was a waste of police time and affected young people who wanted to exercise in a country where cities have few recreational areas. ?I believe there are more serious security issues you must be paying attention to,? Bah said on Facebook.?Armed robbery and gang violence in communities should be your concern not those harmless youths who exercise on weekends.? A local non-government organisation, the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), called on police to ensure the ban upheld national and international law and freedom of assembly. Group jogging has taken on a political tinge in parts of Sierra Leone. Presidential candidates have organised fun runs in Freetown and the northern town of Makeni, with participants wearing T-shirts bearing the name of the party.The police letter said ?individuals desiring to jog for health reasons? were ?at liberty to do so, but at recreational facilities or at the beach?.But, it added, ?any group of persons now found jogging in the streets without authorisation will be dealt with according to law. You have been warned.? |
Nandini Sinha | 23 Jul 2017,Sunday | Venezuela's violinist protester promises return post injury | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/23/venezuela-violin-face-protests-injured-clashes-strikes?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Musician Wuilly Arteaga, who became the face of anti-government protests in Venezuela, has promised to "be back in the streets" after he was injured in clashes on Saturday. Arteaga gained popularity for playing the national anthem and other tunes on his violin during the protests. "Neither rubber bullets nor pellets will stop our fight for Venezuela's independence," Arteaga said. | Venezuela?s opposition have announced a two-day national strike against President Nicolas Maduro following a day of violent clashes in Caracas on Saturday where the injured included a violinist who has become the face of the protests.?Neither rubber bullets nor pellets will stop our fight for Venezuela?s independence,? said musician Wuilly Arteaga. The 23-year-old has become famous in Venezuela for playing the national anthem and other tunes on his violin in front of security lines as battles rage around him. ?Tomorrow I will be back in the streets.? The opposition Democratic Coalition ? which organised a 24-hour shutdown this week that was heeded by millions and paralysed large swaths of the South American nation ? said the next strike would be on Wednesday and Thursday. Mass marches have been planned for Monday and Friday in an effort to force Maduro into aborting a controversial a vote on 30 July to elect a constituent assembly charged with rewriting the constitution. (Video) Ni PERDIGONES NI METRAS nos detendrán de seguir luchando hasta lograr la INDEPENDENCIA DE VENEZUELA. Mañana vuelvo a las CALLES... pic.twitter.com/aZHnmv7Hgt? Video provided by Robert Carmona-BorjasOpposition and human rights groups say the move is aimed at bypassing the National Assembly, which has been under opposition control since 2016, further consolidating the ruling Socialist party?s grip on power. Maduro argues a new constitution would promote dialogue in a country deeply polarised and crippled by widespread shortages of food, medicine and basic services, and unbridled violent crime.On Saturday, several thousand protesters sought to march on the pro-Maduro supreme court in support of alternative magistrates appointed by the opposition on Friday. Security forces blocked them with armored cars and riot shields. Clashes ensued for several hours as hundreds of masked youths hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at National Guard troops firing tear gas from motorcycles.The injured included Arteaga, who was treated by paramedics in the street as blood poured down his face. He later tweeted a video from hospital with a bandaged face, still clutching his violin.More than 100 people have died and thousands more have been injured in anti-government unrest since demonstrations began in April.Opposition lawmaker Simon Calzadilla said at a news conference flanked by other coalition officials: ?The Venezuelan people are not giving up, they are valiant, they will come out to defend democracy and the constitution.?Foes accuse Maduro of turning Venezuela into a dictatorship and wrecking what should be a prosperous economy. They want free elections and an end to two decades of socialist rule. Maduro calls himself a flag bearer for the international left, up against right-wing ?terrorists? seeking a coup with the connivance of the US and the international media.The opposition is stepping up street tactics in what it dubs ?zero hour? for Venezuela to try to block the new Constitutional Assembly Maduro wants to set up. The opposition is boycotting the vote, calling it a sham and demanding conventional elections instead. The Constituent Assembly, whose election rules appear designed to guarantee a majority for the government even though it has minority popular support, could rewrite the constitution and disband the existing opposition-led legislature.At rival pro-government rallies on Saturday, candidates for the Constituent Assembly said it was the only way to bring peace to Venezuela. ?We are not going to let them destroy our fatherland,? said Delcy Rodriguez, who left her post as foreign minister to stand for the new congress. ?All of us united are going to tell the right wing ?We?ve had enough of terrorism?,? Maduro?s wife Cilia Flores, also running for an assembly post, told the same rally in Caracas. Also on Saturday, the government?s intelligence service arrested Angel Zerpa, one of 13 sworn in as supreme court magistrates by the opposition in defiance of the government, opposition leaders said. Authorities have threatened to arrest all the opposition-named judges and try them in military courts. International pressure has been growing on Maduro to abandon next weekend?s vote, including a threat from US President Donald Trump to apply economic sanctions. But the government is showing no sign of backing down, announcing that it will put 232,000 soldiers on the streets to ensure the Constituent Assembly goes ahead. On Saturday, National Guard forces could be seen firing tear gas canisters horizontally at demonstrators in contravention of international norms, witnesses said. ?The repression has been brutal and the world has to understand what we are living through in the streets of Venezuela,? opposition leader María Corina Machado said. ?It?s criminal.? Reuters contributed to this report |
Parmeet Kaur | 01 Aug 2017,Tuesday | 2 Chinese nationals held for swapping ?34L diamond with fake | http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/2-chinese-nationals-swap-diamond-with-fake-one-at-jewellery-exhibition-arrested-at-mumbai-airport/story-gJqzdYnQQHbvzKGB6LmHwL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | Two Chinese nationals were arrested on Monday at the Mumbai airport after they stole a diamond worth ?34 lakh by swapping it with a fake at a Mumbai exhibition. The 5.4-carat diamond was recovered from a bottle of shampoo. Security officials interrogated the Chinese nationals and found the diamond after they were located at the airport using their passport information. | Two Chinese nationals, on Monday, managed to replace a piece of diamond jewellery with a fake one at Mumbai?s India International Jewellery Show. However, swift action by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) led to their arrest at Mumbai airport.The diamond, worth Rs34 lakh, was recovered from a bottle of shampoo.The CISF later also provided security at the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS)-2017, which was being held at Bombay Exhibition Center, Goregaon. ?On July 31, at 3:45 pm, Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) informed us that two Chinese nationals, while trying to strike a deal, cleverly switched and replaced a diamond piece weighing 5.4 carats, approximately costing Rs34 lakhs, with a fake piece,? said a CISF official.As soon as the information was received, a combined team of CISF personnel and council members spread out in the hall to locate the Chinese nationals and prevent them from exiting the venue. Meanwhile, their photographs were also taken from the council registration office and provided at all the gates. Subsequently, their movements were traced through CCTV footage, wherein it was revealed that the two Chinese nationals had already left the show. ?Once it was established that they had left, their passport details, registration details and photographs were taken from the council and sent to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) Mumbai and CISF?s airport incharge,? the official added.On the basis of the information, the immigration officials were able to detect the two Chinese nationals who were to board Air India flight AI 314 from Mumbai to Osaka via Delhi-Hongkong scheduled to depart at 7:45 pm. ?It was found that there were not carrying any check in luggage and only two small-shaving kit sized bags were in their possession. The individuals had also changed their clothes from what they were wearing at the exhibition,? the officer said.Because the size of the diamond was small, the X-ray machine could not detect it and therefore, they were then interrogated with the help of a Chinese interpreter, after being off-loaded from the plane.During interrogation, they revealed that the diamond was concealed in a small shampoo bottle, which was subsequently recovered. |
Chhavi Tyagi | 18 Apr 2017,Tuesday | Ilmi files FIR against AAP supporters over obscene remarks | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-shazia-ilmi-harassment-aap-suporters-sandeep-kumar-mcd-polls/1/931740.html | BJP leader Shazia Ilmi has filed an FIR against several AAP supporters who allegedly posted obscene remarks against her on social media. Ilmi, who had earlier approached the cyber cell to complain about online trolls, claimed that she was being targeted because of the forthcoming Delhi civic polls. "I want to know who these men are," she said. | BJP leader Shazia Ilmi today filed an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters for allegedly posting obscene remarks against her on social media.She filed the complaint at Delhi's Mandir Marg Police Station. Ilmi had earlier approached the cyber cell and complained about online trolls.Shazia claimed that she is being targeted because of the forthcoming MCD polls. "I want to know who these men are. This is such a filthy thing that people usual look away. I don't want to be the idol of sympathy but want to courageously take on these offenders," Ilmi told India Today.The drama unfolded after controversial AAP leader Sandeep Kumar who allegedly campaigned for BJP leader Savita Khatri.Following Kumar's involvement, Ilmi shared on social media that the BJP does not support Kumar as he was an AAP leader. Ilmi also shared a video condemning Sandeep Kumar's alleged campaigning.Ilmi said that in response to her video, AAP supporters posted filthy remarks.While condemning the BJP, AAP supporters had raised questions like how the BJP accepted Sandeep Kumar which attacked the senior AAP leadership over Kumar's CD scandal in the past.However, after the incident BJP expelled Savita Khatri, who was their candidate from Narela ward No.1 for the upcoming MCD polls. |
Daisy Mowke | 24 Feb 2017,Friday | Stop hypocrisy, open your mind: Disha to slut-shamers | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/disha-patani-filmfare-award-revealing-dress-slut-shaming/1/890463.html | Actress Disha Patani, while responding to a person shaming her for wearing a 'revealing' outfit, has asked people to stop their hypocrisy and open their minds. "It's easier to judge a woman on the basis of how much they cover up their skin, but it's hard to accept your own cheap mentality," she wrote in a message posted on Instagram. | Disha Patani's outfit at Filmfare Awards this year got a thumbs up from the fashion police, but the 'sanskaaris' on social media were up in arms over it, with moral lessons to offer. The MS Dhoni actor's outfit came under scrutiny for being "too revealing". It all began when a picture of a man checking out Disha's cleavage during the awards show went viral. Soon enough, the 24-year-old was trolled on social media for her outfit. She was called names on Instagram for her choice of outfit. But she gave it back to her haters with an epic response, and said that she is "not going to be anybody's idea of an Indian girl." She added, "It's easier to judge a woman on the basis of how much they cover up their skin, but it's hard to accept your own cheap mentality where you can't stop staring at those inappropriate areas which you are asking her to cover!"Really felt a need to share this! ???? thanks to my fan clubs friends and family for always giving me the strength i hope we all can find this strength from within each other and stop suffering ???? #spreadloveA post shared by disha patani (paatni) (@dishapatani) on Feb 21, 2017 at 2:59am PST She added, "Really felt a need to share this! (sic)" And asked people to stop this hypocrisy and open their minds. Recently, singer Monali Thakur too was slut-shamed for wearing 'short-dresses' on a reality TV show. |
Mansha Mahajan | 24 Dec 2016,Saturday | PM Modi favours higher taxes from market participants | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modi-favours-higher-taxes-from-market-participants/1/842164.html | Ahead of the Budget, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday favoured increasing the tax contribution from various market participants in a "fair, efficient, and transparent way". Those who profit from financial markets must make a "fair contribution" to nation-building, but for various reasons their contribution has been low, Modi said. This may be due to illegal activities and fraud, he added. | Ahead of the budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today favoured increasing the tax contribution from various market participants in a "fair, efficient and transparent way" and promised more "sound and prudent policies and reform measures". Asking the regulators and taxmen to think about the contribution of market participants to the exchequer, Modi said, "The low contribution of taxes may be due to the structure of our tax laws. Low or zero tax rate is given to certain types of financial income." Securities transaction tax also features among the various levies in the financial markets. According to estimates, an investor pays around 15.3 per cent in taxes. 1. The Prime Minister's remarks assume much significance ahead of the budget to be presented in the first week of February. 2. "Those who profit from the financial markets must make a fair contribution to nation-building through taxes. For various reasons, the contribution of tax from those who make money on the markets has been low. To some extent, it may be due to illegal activities and fraud," Modi said, without mentioning about any particular tax. 3. "We should consider methods for increasing it in a fair, efficient and transparent way," added the Prime Minister, while inaugurating the new educational and training campus of the Sebi-run National Institute of Securities Markets in this industrial township near Mumbai. 4. Modi said tax rates can go up as every investor today gets equal tax treatment. 5. "In the past, there was a feeling that some investors were getting an unfair deal by using certain tax treaties. As you know, those treaties have been amended by the government. Now, it is time to rethink and come up with a good design which is simple and transparent, but also fair and progressive." 6. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram had introduced the securities transaction tax (STT) in 2004. 7. When introduced, the rate was 0.125 per cent for a delivery stock and 0.025 per cent on intra-day transactions and 0.017 per cent on futures and options transactions, to stop tax avoidance of capital gains tax. 8. The 2013 budget reduced STT to 0.1 per cent on the turnover for delivery and also futures, while for equity options, it was cut to 0.05 per cent on sale premium. 9. Currently, the STT is charged at 0.1 per cent on all delivery trades in the cash market, and at 0.025 per cent on sell leg of all non-delivery trades in the cash market (equity shares and units of equity oriented funds). |
Saloni Tandon | 04 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Didn't see much communication between Kohli, Kumble: Manager | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/team-india-icc-champions-trophy-report-manager-kapill-malhotra-bcci/1/993707.html | Kapil Malhotra, manager of Team India during the Champions Trophy, has written in his report that he did not see much communication between then coach Anil Kumble and captain Virat Kohli. He said Kohli was "very positive, always approachable, even when the team had a bad day on the field". Kapil added he found Kumble to be "slightly reserved" initially. | Kapill Malhotra, Team India manager for the ICC Champions Trophy, said he did not see much communication between captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble, who stepped down two days after India lost the final to Pakistan.WATCH FULL VIDEO HEREIndia Today had broken reports of rift between the captain and coach days before the Champions Trophy started. However, Kohli denied that as mere speculation. But Kumble, soon after resigning, issued a statement and clarified he was quitting because the captain did not like his style of coaching.Malhotra's report was rather guarded despite clear differences between the coach and the captain."There was harmony in the dressing room, the coaches Mr Anil Kumble, Mr Bangar, Mr Sridhar & senior players like Mr MS Dhoni & Mr Yuvraj Singh were helpful to the younger players," Malhotra said in his report.However, Malhotra, who attended all team meetings on the eve of matches, said he did not see "much communication between captain and coach."India Today had also broken how communication between Kohli and Kumble had broken down for the past several months.Here is the full report:I hear by duly submit my report, Champions Trophy 2017.The arrangements made by ICC at the airports both when we landed & left were excellent, the hotels where we were put up were good. Our local liaison Mr Vasant Bhatt was very accommodating and helpful.Mr Peter Spinks our security in charge provided by ICC, worked very well with our security manager Mr Jaidev Joshi.Our staff performed there functions with sincerity and dedication.Before the tournament began, I had meetings with Mr Chris Tetley Head of events, meeting with Mr Neeraj Kumar & Miss Jill Mccraacken tournament safety & security manager, attended ACSU meetings. Had a meeting with Mr David Boon match Refree along with head coach Mr Anil Kumble.Both ICC venue managers Oval, Mr Dhiraj Malhotra and Edgbaston, Miss Sarah Edgar were very helpful & cooperative.Our Captain Mr Virat Kohli was very positive, was always approachable & respectful, even when the team had a bad day on the field, he encouraged the players to go out & express themselves & perform better, in the team meetings he spoke about intensity required on the field & led by example.All the team members got along well & behaved like true professionals & were always seen encouraging each other.There was harmony in the dressing room, the coaches Mr Anil Kumble, Mr Bangar, Mr Sridhar & senior players like Mr MS Dhoni & Mr Yuvraj Singh were helpful to the younger players.Team meetings were held one day before all the games, which I attended.Team selections were held one day before, both the selectors Mr MSK Prasad, Mr Devang Gandhi, head coach Mr Anil Kumble,Captian Mr Kohli & myself attended the meetings, the selection for all the games was unanimous. The minutes of the selection committee meeting are ready in hard copy.Initially When I met Mr Anil Kumble I found him to be slightly reserved, but as the tournament progressed I found him more approachable. I must add that I did not see much communication between the Coach & the Captain, personally I did not witness any arguments between the two.The Team members played well throughout the tournament & gave there 100 percent, it was unfortunate that we did not win the final.SuggestionsGoing forward, would suggest that there is enough time given to the squad to rest when they arrive, after long flights, before they start there activities, at least a couple of days, because If you see the scheduling, the day we got into London in the morning, within a few hours the Captain had to attend the arrival press conference, then captains photo shoot, then the entire squad had to attend Anti-Doping educational briefing along with ACU educational briefing. The next day we were at Lords practicing.Enough water should be provided in team rooms at the hotel, we were provided 2 crates of water which was not sufficient.Security concernsThere were 3 incidents reported by our security manager.1. On the final day of the tournament after the prize distribution ceremony, as the players were walking up the steps, one of the spectators said something to Mr Shami, who was upset initially, but let go of the incident as it could have got the spectator into trouble, this could have been avoided had there been more distance between the spectators & the team members.2. When we were about to leave the Oval after the finals, we were informed by our security manager that a minor incident had taken place with the door of the team bus, this was sorted out & the team bus arrived a little late.3. Our team analyst Mr Tulli left his passport & money at the hotel in his room locker, in Birmingham, our security officer informed the hotel regarding this, only the passport was returned & we were informed there was no money found in the locker. Our security manager had taken up this issue with the security department of the ICC. |
Sanira Mediratta | 29 May 2017,Monday | Parineeti lied she was poor: Man claiming to be classmate | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parineeti-chopra-poor-lie-family-income/1/965299.html | A man claiming to be Parineeti Chopra's classmate from her school in Ambala posted on Facebook that she was lying at a recent event when she said that she used to cycle to school as she was poor. He wrote, "Shame...coming from a privileged background and lying...I guess this is what being a celebrity means. Create a fabricated sob story." | At a recent event, Parineeti Chopra shared a touching story about her childhood struggles. The actor said that growing up, her family was poor and she could not afford a car to go to school. Parineeti talked about being eve-teased as she cycled to school every day, and how she has become a stronger person as a result of facing such struggles very early in her life.However, if a guy supposedly from Parineeti's school, is to be believed, the actor's rags-to-riches story is a lie. Kkanoo Gupta took to Facebook to slam Parineeti for "lying through the teeth" about her impoverished background."Shame...coming from a privileged background and lying through the teeth in front of camera. I guess this is what being a celebrity means. Create a fabricated sob story of no money no car etc etc (sic)," he wrote.He added, "Coming from the same school I probably also remember the car her father used to have. And going to school on a cycle was a trend those days and also a privilege not everyone had. My friends from CJM (Convent of Jesus and Mary) would probably understand the lies a bit better (sic)."Comments on the post seem to agree that Parineeti came from an influential family in Ambala and even cited her education at the University of Manchester as an example. |
Rini Sinha | 13 Jun 2017,Tuesday | SRK's 1997 Paris doodle to be sold for ?2 lakh: Report | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-doodle-paris-20-years-rs-2-lakh/1/977710.html | A doodle made by Shah Rukh Khan from his 1997 Paris visit will reportedly be auctioned in Mumbai on June 22 and is expected to sell for ?2 lakh. The doodle includes sketches of the Eiffel Tower, the Bastille fort and has captions like, 'In Paris, do as the Indians do'. It was part of a film journalist-critic's collection. | Shah Rukh Khan was in Paris long ago, when he doodled certain things on a piece of paper. Little did he know back then that the piece of paper would go on to fetch about Rs 2 lakh some day. The doodle is from Shah Rukh's 1997 Paris visit and is soon going to be auctioned off.The doodle, which has the Eiffel Tower in the centre, with King Kong climbing the monument with the damsel in distress, is all set to go under the hammer. A report in Mid-Day says that the obscure sketch is to be auctioned at Osian's The Greatest Indian Show On Earth 2. The auction is to take place at a high-end hotel in Bandra, Mumbai, on June 22.Shah Rukh's idea of France is laid out on the sketch. Apart from the Eiffel, there is the Bastille, the Concorde, Voltaire, French kissing, the French connection, the French Revolution and former French president Charles de Gaulle among other things. And there are stick-figures of a man and woman with 'Tu Mera Hero No. 1' too on the sketch.SRK's parting words - and the gospel truth for every Indian visiting Paris - are 'In Paris, do as the Indians do'. The doodle includes SRK's signature too. |
Sonu Kumari | 24 Jul 2017,Monday | Noida housing society allows banned maids to resume work | http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/noida-mahagun-residents-allow-banned-helps-to-resume-work/story-YDBf1hfXXmyQoyouBgLLoL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | After banning maids from entering the society following protests over an allegedly missing maid, Noida's Mahagun Moderne Society has reportedly allowed them to resume work. It was earlier decided that maids who participated in the protest will not be allowed to resume work, but many maids were reportedly hired again after the residents took responsibility for them. | Residents of Mahugan Moderne housing complex who had decided not to allow the domestic helps who had stormed the society and taken part in the protest on July 12, have gone back on their decision due to dependence on helps.Many residents have rehired helps who were caught throwing stones and creating a ruckus in the society on July 12.On July 16, residents had decided that around 60 helps caught on camera supporting the mob would be banned. It was decided that only those domestic helps who did not take part in the protest and share a good rapport with their employers would be allowed to resume work.However, the unity among the residents which was appreciated by many seems to have come to an end. Many have now hired those who took part in the events, after giving an undertaking, in writing, that they would take the responsibility of the domestic help in case of any problem.?Yes, few residents have hired helps, whom we banned, after giving an undertaking. It?s their decision and we can?t interfere with that. We are, again, verifying the documents of all the helps working in the society to avoid any issue in the future,? said Alam Negi, an official from JLL, a firm providing services to the apartment.Harshu Sethi, a resident who faced severe criticism after allegations surfaced that she had assaulted Zora Bibi, her domestic help, said that working people are dependent on helps for their daily chores.?These days, both women and men are busy with work and are dependent on helps. I don?t blame them for hiring banned helps because it?s not possible to bring around 2,000 families on the same platform. People who haven?t faced a situation like mine will never understand what I had to go through,? said Sethi.?I was saved by around 200 families from the society. Around 1,000 families are still united in their decision to not hire banned helps,? she said.On July 13, the society had banned all helps from entering the premises to protest against the ?hooliganism? created by supporters of Zora Bibi. All the residents had come together and decided to manage without domestic helps till they come up with a permanent solution to avoid such incidents in the future.Residents faced a riot-like situation on July 12, when a mob stormed into the society premises and vandalised Harshu Sethi?s house. Over 300 people had gathered at the gates of the Mahagun Moderne around 6am, alleging that Harshu had assaulted Zora. The crowd had managed to overpower the security guards and forcefully entered the premises. Harshu?s house was ransacked by the mob. |
Aarushi Maheshwari | 22 Jul 2017,Saturday | Five-year-old girl fined ?12,500 for running lemonade stall | https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/21/girl-fined-running-homemade-lemonade-stall?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle | A five-year-old girl was fined £150 (?12,500) for running a homemade lemonade stall in London last week, her father said. He said she cried after an enforcement officer "launched into a legalistic script" and accused her of trading without a licence after approaching them. The council later cancelled the fine, saying, "We expect our enforcement officers to show common sense."n | A five-year-old girl was left in tears after being fined £150 for running a stall selling cups of homemade lemonade to passersby.The schoolgirl was accused of trading without a licence by a council enforcement officer last Saturday, her father, Andre Spicer, said. The officer issued a fixed penalty notice demanding the sum ? or £90 if the family agreed to pay promptly.?She was very upset and had to watch Brave a few times to calm down,? he said.Spicer, a professor of organisational behaviour at the Cass Business School at City University London, said his daughter decided she wanted to set up the stall in the east London borough of Tower Hamlets after attending her school fete.?She wanted to sell toys or food or clothes but she eventually decided on lemonade. It was a way to entertain her on a summer?s day. We set up the stand and people started buying the lemonade. They were on the way to a concert and she brought a smile to their faces,? he said.But he said that, after about half an hour, an enforcement official approached them and ?immediately launched into a legalistic script?. They were handed the fine and told to pay within 14 days if they wanted to avoid the higher penalty.Spicer said he was shocked, adding that the difference between his daughter?s lemonade stand and an unlicensed street trader should have been common sense.He directed a tweet at Tower Hamlets council and, on deeper reflection, ?realised there were broader issues at stake, including how society treats children?.The fine was dropped and an apology issued after Spicer was moved to write an article for the Telegraph. But the academic, who has also written for the Guardian, said it was one thing for someone in such a privileged position as his to be able to fight back ? and quite another for someone without such a platform.?If there are other people who have been fined in a similar way, then this is kind of worrying. We are shooting down opportunities for kids to learn,? he said.A Tower Hamlets council spokesperson said: ?We are very sorry that this has happened. We expect our enforcement officers to show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly. This clearly did not happen.?The fine will be cancelled immediately and we have contacted Prof Spicer and his daughter to apologise.? |
Dishant Sharma | 04 Jul 2017,Tuesday | World no. 3 Wawrinka ousted by Wimbledon debutant in 1st Rd | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/wimbledon-rafael-nadal-john-millman-second-round/1/993578.html | World number three tennis player, Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, crashed out of the Wimbledon in the first round after suffering a 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 defeat against 21-year-old debutant Russia's Daniil Medvedev. Defending champion Andy Murray, who is currently ranked world number one, and Spanish star Rafael Nadal also won their respective first round matchups. | Back at Wimbledon and still playing his best, Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round at the All England Club. |
Sanira Mediratta | 04 May 2017,Thursday | Jimmy Kimmel talks about his newborn baby's illness | https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/02/jimmy-kimmel-live-baby-open-heart-surgery-obamacare?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning+briefing&utm_term=224245&subid=21525752&CMP=ema-2793 | American television host Jimmy Kimmel shared details about his son, nicknamed Billy, who was recently born with a heart defect. Billy underwent a successful surgery and will have another open-heart operation within six months. Talking about availability of life-saving healthcare for families, Kimmel added, "No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child's life." | Jimmy Kimmel has opened up about his newborn son?s open-heart surgery and pleaded for people to support the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in an emotional monologue on his TV show.?It was a scary story and, before I go into it, I want you to know it has a happy ending,? the late-night talk show host told the audience of Jimmy Kimmel Live.Barack Obama took to social media, retweeting Kimmel and touting the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. ?Well said, Jimmy. That?s exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations,? he tweeted. Kimmel described how William John, nicknamed Billy, was born 10 days ago with a heart defect. The condition was discovered hours after the comedian?s wife, Molly, gave birth.He was taken by ambulance to the Children?s Hospital of Los Angeles to undergo surgery. Kimmel described it as ?the longest three hours of my life?.Billy was released from hospital six days after the surgery and was ?doing great?, Kimmel said. He showed photos of him with his wife, their daughter Jane, two, and Billy.The infant will have another open-heart operation within six months to repair the valve openings followed by a third procedure when he is a teenager.The host then delivered an impassioned speech on how every American family should be able to receive life-saving healthcare. ?No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child?s life,? Kimmel told viewers. He criticised President Donald Trump?s proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health and praised Congress for instead calling for increased funding.?If your baby is going to die and it doesn?t have to, it shouldn?t matter how much money you make ? Whether you?re a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?? he said.Kimmel said he would skip the rest of this week?s shows to be with his family. |
Sumedha Sehra | 04 Jul 2017,Tuesday | Beer a health drink, govt promoting its sale: AP Minister | http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/andhra-minister-beer-health-drink/1/993676.html | Andhra Pradesh Excise Minister KS Jawahar termed beer a 'health drink' while speaking at a TV talk show. "Beer is a health drink and that's why his government is promoting its sale in the state", he said. The state is planning to open round-the-clock 'beer parlours' in the state to attract foreign tourists. | In a bizarre statement, Andhra Pradesh Excise Minister KS Jawahar has termed beer to be a healthy drink. The minister, who was inducted in to the cabinet in April represents Kovur constituency of Nellore district, was participating in a TV talk show on a regional channel. Explaining about Andhra Pradesh's new excise policy he said, "Beer is a health drink and that's why his government is promoting its sale in the state"Andhra Pradesh has got its new excise policy which has come in effect from July 1st and it has 10 per cent fee enhancement (every year) for the bars which set up established five years back. Also state government has plans of setting up round the clock 'beer parlors' attracting foreigners to tourism spots in the state.Meanwhile while government and its minister of excise are promoting 'liquor' calling it 'healthy' several villagers particularly women attacked a liquor shop in Atmakur of Nellore. The shop was allegedly opened with the support of ruling Telugu Desam Party leader ignoring the protest and concerns of locals. |