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Krishna Veera Vanamali

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Still counting notes deposited after demonetisation: RBI Guv

http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/deposited-demonetised-notes-are-still-being-counted-rbi-governor-urijit-patel/story-oZyhJdtXZvlKnaf9IDCVlO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

RBI Governor Urjit Patel on Wednesday told a parliamentary panel that the notes deposited after demonetisation were still being counted by a special team working round the clock. He said the total money in circulation in the country is now ?15.4 lakh crore, as against ?17.7 lakh crore at the time of demonetisation in November last year.

The Reserve Bank of India is still counting the demonetised currency returned to it and it also can?t say how much black money has been recovered, governor Urjit Patel has told a parliamentary panel.Patel, who appeared before a parliamentary standing committee on finance on Wednesday, failed to give an estimate of the fake currency recovered, sources said.In a sudden decision, the Modi government had on November 8 announced scrapping of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, taking out 86% of all cash from the economy, disrupting economic activity in Asia?s third-largest economy.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the move was aimed at weeding out black money and choking counterfeit currency that was being to fund terrorist activities.Patel couldn?t provide to the panel, chaired by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, a date by which the Reserve Bank of India would come out with the exact amount of the money deposited.Prior to November 8, the currency in circulation was Rs 17.7 lakh crore. It now stands at Rs 15.4 lakh crore.On the day demonetisation was announced, 17,165 million pieces of Rs 500 notes and 6,858 million pieces of Rs 1,000 notes were in circulation, according to an SBI report.Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, one of the vocal critics of demonetisation, asked if the RBI would be able provide the details before May 2019, when the Modi government?s term ends.Patel told the panel the RBI was using 39 counting machines and had hired seven more machines. ?Even with some many machines, it is taking time as we also have to keep count of the fake notes. We have decided to buy some more counting machines,? sources quoted him as saying.The bank had cut staff holidays and they were working ?round the clock? except on Sundays to count the notes.Some panel members, including Biju Janata Dal?s Bhartruhari Mahtab, Samajwadi Party?s Naresh Agarwal, flagged concern over the recent farmer agitation in Madhya Pradesh and other states, saying the farm distress was reportedly linked to the unavailability of cash in rural India following demonetisation. Trinamool?s Saugata Ray alleged ?even now, rural bank branches are giving only Rs 1,000 if a farmer asks for Rs 5,000?, sources said.The RBI would give more cash to busy rural branches, Patel said.There was a 50-day window -- from November 9 to December 30 -- for the exchange of old notes at banks and post offices. After December 30, designated offices of the RBI accepted the scrapped currency till June 30.Indians who were abroad during the 50-day period were given a three-month grace period, till March 31, to deposit the old notes. In the case of NRIs, the deadline was June 30.Responding to a clutch of petitions, the Supreme Court on July 4 asked the government and the RBI to consider granting a window to those who couldn?t exchange old notes for ?genuine reasons?.

Arshiya Chopra

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Indian-origin boy dies after 'cheese prank' at London school

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/london-school-bullying-cheese-prank-karanbir-cheema/1/1000556.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An Indian-origin boy Karanbir Cheema with an allergy to dairy products died due to a reaction after a piece of cheese was allegedly forced on him as a prank in his school. The 13-year-old died on Sunday after battling for ten days in a children's hospital. The police also arrested Karanbir's classmate on suspicion of attempted murder.

Karanbir Cheema, a 13-year-old boy fell ill while he was at his school in west London. A student of William Perkin C of E High School in Greenford, Karanbir died due to an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurred because a piece of cheese was 'thrown' on him.The Cheema family demanded answers from the school and authorities whether their son was bullied at school or not.According to a report by The Independent, Karanbir's mother Rina said that he had multiple allergies but led a life of normalcy."I want answers, I want to get to the bottom of what happened, I will be asking the school if he was bullied but my son was very popular, you could not help but like that child, he never made enemies."Karanbir was allergic to dairy products and always religiously avoided them. According to the school, Karanbir got hit by a piece of cheese and died. His father was not convinced by the explanation and felt that the incident did not make any 'sense'.The school showed remorse after the death of Karanbir Cheema and posted grief on their official website.

Krishna Veera Vanamali

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Credit card bill payments exempt from ?2L cash dealing limit

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/credit-card-bill-payment-exempt-from-cash-dealing-limit/1/993883.html

Restrictions on cash dealings of ?2 lakh or more will not apply to credit card bill payments, the Revenue Department has clarified on Monday. Earlier, the government banned cash transaction of ?2 lakh or above with effect from April 1, 2017. The move was aimed at curbing black money by discouraging cash transactions and promoting digital economy.

Deepali Aggarwal

28 Jun 2017,Wednesday

China launches its biggest new generation naval destroyer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/china-commissions-biggest-new-generation-naval-destroyer/1/988991.html

China on Wednesday launched its biggest new generation destroyer weighing 10,000 tonnes as part of a massive expansion of its navy. The country's first new generation destroyer is equipped with new air defence, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons. This comes after China recently launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier amid North Korea's nuclear threats to the US.

By K J M Varma Beijing, Jun 28 (PTI) Chinas Navy today launched its biggest new generation destroyer weighing 10,000 tonnes as part of a massive expansion to become a global naval power. The Navys new destroyer, a domestically designed and produced vessel, was launched at the Jiangnan Shipyard (Group), Shanghai. The vessel is the first of Chinas new generation of destroyers. It is equipped with new air defence, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The vessel marks a milestone in improving the nations Navy armament system and building a strong and modern Navy. According to the plan, tests will be carried on the vessel, including equipment operation, berthing and sailing. The biggest naval destroyer was an addition to two aircraft carriers which China is in the process of deploying to compete with other naval powers liked the US and India, specially in the India Ocean. The Chinese Navy is currently trying to form battle groups that accompany the aircraft carriers when they set out on missions far from shores. The first aircraft carrier Liaoning has left with a flotilla of Chinese naval ships on June 25 on "routine training mission" from Qingdao in east China. The naval formation includes destroyers Jinan and Yinchuan, frigate Yantai and a squadron of J-15 fighter jets and helicopters, a Chinese defence ministry statement said. The training mission, like the previous ones, is expected to strengthen coordination among the vessels and improve the skills of crew and pilots in different marine region.

Sonu Kumari

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Republican Party of India to seek ?636-cr loan waiver for SCs

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/rpi-to-demand-636-crore-loan-waiver-for-sc-sts/story-0bsZ1HcZMyKng4aw7CcGmO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Republican Party of India has announced an agitation demanding a loan waiver of ?636 crore for people of Scheduled Castes and Tribes starting July 25. The loans had been granted by state-run corporations for self-employment and other purposes. Like farmers, even people from socially backward classes are not in a position to pay, party leader Ramdas Athawale said.

The Republican Party of India (RPI) led by union minister Ramdas Athawale would start an agitation from July 25, demanding a loan waiver of Rs636 crore, which had been advanced by state-run corporations to people from Scheduled Class and Tribes for self-employment and other reasons.According to a source, RPI party workers will agitate across the state in front of collectors? offices demanding the waiver. According to Athawale, like farmers, even people from socially backward classes are facing hardships. ?These people are in no position to pay and hence the loans should be waived off. If the farmers can get relief, even these people who have taken loans should be let off,? said Athawale. He said he would talk to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on this issue. Various state-run corporations like Annabhau Sathe Mahamandal and Mahatma Phule backward Class Development Corporation provide loans to the people belonging to the backward classes and tribes to start their own ventures at subsidised interest rates. However, the number of defaulters seem to be on the rise. Last month, farmers across the state started their strike, which resulted in a massive shortage of vegetable and fruits as well as rates reaching record highs. This forced Fadnavis to accept their demands and he announced a mega loan waiver of Rs34,000 crore. Political analysts called such demands as just vote-gathering tactics. ?The Fadnavis Government has opened a Pandoras box and now many disadvantageous sections will demand similar concessions,? said political analyst Prakash Bal. ?Athawale is just playing to the gallery as these people are his voters, but the Government is unlikely to cede to his demand,? he added.

Chhavi Tyagi

16 Jan 2017,Monday

Jallikattu organised at Ramanathapuram despite SC ban

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jallikattu-organised-ramanathapuram-despite-ban/1/858661.html

People of Kanjirangudi in Tamil Nadu conducted bull-taming sport Jallikattu despite the Supreme Court's ban declaring that it is their traditional sport and it can't be banned. Police reached the spot hearing the news and requested the crowd to stop the event as it is banned. Earlier, Jallikattu was held in several other places and arrests were also made.

On the day of 'Kaanom Pongal', the last day of Pongal festival, jallikattu was conducted against the ban by Supreme Court at Kanjirangudi, Ramanathapuram. People of Kanjirangudi conducted jallikattu against the ban declaring that it is their traditional sport and it can't be banned. The bull specifically trained for 'Yerudhukattu', a form of sport where the bull would be tied to a rope allowing it to move inside a 15ft circumference was conducted under the orders of 'Yeruthu Kattu Sangam' leader, Adithan.Trained men, tried to wrangle with the bull for nearly an hour but no one was able to get near it.Also read: To defy jallikattu ban, cock fight conducted in Tamil Nadu

Mansha Mahajan

07 Jan 2017,Saturday

Demonetisation has cut hawala business by 50%: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-cuts-terror-attacks-hawala-business-fake-currency/1/851666.html

An internal survey by the government found that demonetisation has affected hawala transactions, with call traffic of hawala agents dropping by as much as 50%, according to reports. The government also found that the impact of demonetisation resulted in a 60% drop in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the report further stated.

Akshita Jain

22 Jan 2017,Sunday

Seven Mumbai students injure themselves in 'cut' dare

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mumbai-school-students-injured-dare-play-slit-arms-pencil-sharpener-blade/1/862937.html

Seven school students in Mumbai got injured after they cut themselves with a pencil sharpener blade as part of a dare, according to reports. Even though all the students were bleeding profusely from the cuts, they did not tell anyone. When the students came with bandages on their hands the next day, the school felt something amiss and questioned them.

In a very shocking incident seven school students including three girls of Mumbai got injured in dare play during school hours. The students started cutting themselves with pencil sharpner blade and injured themselves in a dare that who can cut own maximum times.The incident took place in English School in Santacruz east under Vakola Police jurisdiction ame of the school withheld to protect identity f All the students are from 7th class. The school has now issued an urgent notification and planning to educate the students on ill effects of dangerous dares.The incident took place during the school hours after the lecture was over the students had two lectures off. One of the student in the class removed blade from the pencil sharpener and told his friends that he would slit his arm but he wont be in any pain.Also read: Uttar Pradesh: 14, including 13 schoolchildren, killed as bus, truck collide in EtahHe started bleeding while his friends just watched. Now the student dared his other friends watching accepting the dare another student with the same blade slit his arm several times and he later dared the other friend. This passing of dared continued till four boy students laterwards the girls also came into action. One of the girl took the blade and slit her arm over 40 times. All the students were bleeding profusely but they did not tell anyone. The girl was badly injured they applied running water and hide it through clothes and handkerchiefs.  When students came back to their home all of them watched videos on internet to learn the cuts that it can be harmful or would they face any infection. Next day the students came to school with bandages. The school authorities felt something amiss and questioned all of them after which the incident came to light. No police complaint was made in the matter.

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Jul 2017,Friday

New airport device tells if bag had explosives in last 24hrs

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-airport-cisf-gets-new-machines-that-can-detect-traces-of-explosives-for-24-hours/story-Tow2laG1DUU24UHBwELPEJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

New Explosive Trace Detectors at Delhi Airport can trace if any items in passengers' bags were in contact with any explosives in the past 24 hours. Shaped like card swipe machines, they are used on random passengers to increase security in the check-in area. The CISF said they can penetrate into bags, meaning they do not need to be opened.

Amid a heightened security threat, the Delhi airport security has new Explosive Trace Detectors (ETD) that can trace if any item in the bag was in contact with any explosive in the past 24 hours. Shaped like a handheld card swipe machine, the new device is used on random passengers coming to Delhi?s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Since passengers spend considerable time before the security check at the airport, the CISF stops passengers on a random basis just after they enter the terminal building. Based on profiling, they were taken to a separate enclosure and ETD check was carried on. The device is passed through the baggage and hands of passengers and through colours, it can tell whether the person has packed explosive or any such item. Since passengers and their bags are not checked till they reach the security point, through ETD checks, the CISF wants to ensure better security at the check-in area.Read: Bomb alert! How Delhi airport security failed to detect ?explosives? in a bag?Now, we have an improved version of the device. It can penetrate into the bag and check if there is any trace of any explosive. We don?t need to open the bag in that case. While our staff is highly trained, through better use of technology we try to minimise terror-related incident,? said an official of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).Officials said there will be some trace of the explosive on a person?s hand if he has touched it before coming to the airport. At Delhi airport, the CISF has separate enclosures just after the entry gate and passengers with suspicious activities are taken there. ?First their baggage is scanned, then they are frisked and then check with ETD is conducted. The handheld device is quite handy and we have about a dozen of them. They are easy to carry and success rate is also very good,? the official added.The CISF is also planning to use handheld ETD to check passengers with artificial limb so that they do not have to go through the trauma of removing it during security check. Usually ETD is used to check the prosthetic limbs but the CISF says it is meant only for detection of explosives and there is always a chance that a person may try to use prosthetic limb to hide a weapon or for smuggling. Now, the CISF has requested for an upgraded version of ETD so that passengers don?t have to go through the trauma of removing it.

Prashanti Moktan

25 Mar 2017,Saturday

Kangana gifts herself 3-bedroom bungalow on birthday: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-three-storey-bungalow-rani-laxmibai/1/912019.html

As per reports, actress Kangana Ranaut has gifted herself a three-bedroom bungalow on the occasion of her 30th birthday. The actress is said to be planning to use it as office space as she intends to start working on her directorial project this year. It is also being reported that Kangana is looking to become a producer soon.

Kangana Ranaut, the queen of Bollywood, gifted herself royally on her 30th birthday. She bought a three-storey bungalow which she plans to turn into her office and begin working on her directorial debut from.A source was quoted by Mid-Day as saying, "It's a spacious three-storey bungalow. Kangana had always dreamed of her own office space and intends to start work on her directorial project this year. She also hopes to turn producer in the near future."Fresh from Rangoon, Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film is Simran directed by Hansal Mehta. After this, she will dive into the shooting of Manikarnika, based on the life of Rani Laxmibai, to be directed by eminent Telugu filmmaker Krish.Reportedly, Kangana Ranaut recently visited Vaishno Devi with her family to receive blessings for not just Manikarnika but also her new property.After the shooting of Manikarnika, Kangana Ranaut will begin work on her directorial debut. According to her spokesperson, she will announce the film sometime later this year.

Tarun Khanna

30 Apr 2017,Sunday

AAP govt directs Delhi schools to install air purifiers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pollution-aap-govt-asks-schools-to-install-air-purifiers/1/941864.html

The AAP-led Delhi government has directed the city schools to install air purifiers to ensure that students don't face health hazards due to air pollution. The government has also asked the schools to educate the students about the importance of improved air quality. The schools have been asked to submit a compliance report within 15 days.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (PTI) Concerned over the quality of air in the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party government has directed city schools to install air purifiers so as to ensure students dont face health hazards due to air pollution. The Director of Education (DoE) has also asked schools to create awareness among students about adverse impact of indiscriminate burning of firecrackers on public health. "The ambient air quality of Delhi needs to be improved. In view of the gravity of harm to human health due to inferior ambient air quality, schools should take action to install air filters as per need," a communication sent to schools on Friday reads. It also asks schools to take "proper steps" to educate students on the need for improvement of air quality. "The cooperation of the young generation should be encouraged through co-curricular activities," it adds.

Gaurav Shroff

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Erupting volcano with lightning wins photographer of year

http://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/nature-s-wrath-erupting-volcano-hit-by-lightning-captured-on-camera/story-KBFlXWTQUSfU2Xpo6woGZO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Mexican photographer Sergio Tapiro Velasco, who captured the explosion of a volcano with lightning connecting the ash cloud and volcano surface in 2015, has been named National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year 2017. The friction in the ash particles generated a lightning bolt about 600 metres long between the ash and the volcano, Velasco described.

It could easily be mistaken as a CGI photo, given the stunning improbability of capturing a lightning bolt striking an angry, erupting volcano. But that?s precisely what earned a Mexican photographer the title of 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Selected from more than 15,000 entries from participants in more than 30 countries, the photograph by Sergio Tapiro Valesco captures volcanic lightning -- also known as a dirty thunderstorm -- whereby a flash of lightning is produced within the ash cloud spewing from the volcano. Titled ?The Power of Nature,? the photo was taken 12 km away from the crater of the active volcano on a clear night. Glowing, angry lava, plumes of grey smoke and lightning bolts are set against a starlit night sky, producing visual testimony of nature?s brute force. For more than a decade, Velasco has been studying and photographing Mexico?s Colima volcano, also known as the ?Volcano of Fire.? He had been tracking the increase in activity and closely monitoring the volcano for almost a month, and positioned himself for the shoot, during which he heard an explosive booming noise. ?When I looked on the camera display, all I could do was stare,? Velasco said. ?What I was watching was impossible to conceive, the image showed those amazing forces of nature interacting on a volcano, while the lightning brightened the whole scene. It?s an impossible photograph and my once in a lifetime shot that shows the power of nature.? Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.

Abhishek Bansal

20 Feb 2017,Monday

Sacking Dhoni as Pune captain a third-rate decision: Azhar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mahendra-singh-dhoni-rising-pune-supergiants-ipl-2017-mohammad-azharuddin/1/887353.html

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has criticised the Rising Pune Supergiants franchise for MS Dhoni's removal as captain of the team. "The decision and manner of execution was third-rate and disgraceful. Dhoni has been a jewel in Indian cricket," said Azharuddin. "Belittling Indian sporting legends like Dhoni through corporate board-rooms is stooping down to the lowest," Azhar added.

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has lashed out at the Rising Pune Supergiants franchise for sacking Mahendra Singh Dhoni as captain of the team for the upcoming tenth season of the Indian Premier League."The decision and manner of execution was third-rate and disgraceful. Dhoni has been a jewel in Indian cricket, he has won almost everything in the 8-9 years of his captaincy and even though the franchise can say they run the team with their own money, shouldn't they have seen Dhoni's stature and credibility before first stripping him of captaincy and then not even letting Dhoni the grace? I feel angry and sad as a former cricketer," Azhar told Aaj Tak. (Dhoni as Indian Premier League skipper: Two titles, 83 wins)(WATCH VIDEO HERE) Dhoni was replaced with Australian captain Steve Smith and the Pune franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka had said the team needed a young captain with vision and zest to lead them in the IPL this year.Goenka also made it a point to emphasise and re-emphasise that "Dhoni himself had no say in the decision and that he was sacked" after the team had finished seventh last year - incidentally the first of the two years the franchise has been permitted to stay in the IPL. (Dhoni was cooperation personified with captaincy change: Pune Supergiants owner Sanjiv Goenka to India Today)Azhar came down heavily on the Pune owners for shifting all the blame to Dhoni. "What will a captain do when the team doesn't play well? If Dhoni wasn't a good and an inspirational captain would he have won two IPL titles (leading Chennai Super Kings)? Belittling Indian sporting legends like Dhoni through corporate board rooms is stooping down to the lowest," Azhar said. (MS Dhoni and Steve Smith's batting records for Rising Pune Supergiants)

Aarushi Maheshwari

19 Dec 2016,Monday

House where Hitler was born to be turned into charity

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/15/austrian-politicians-pass-law-to-seize-house-where-hitler-was-born?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=inshorts_full_article&utm_campaign=inshorts_full_article

The house in Austria, where Adolf Hitler was born will be turned into the headquarters of a charity for the disabled. This comes after the Austrian Parliament passed a law on Wednesday, allowing the authorities to seize it from its current owner. Owner Gerlinde Pommer had refused to sell the house for years, and once operated it as a guesthouse.

Austria?s parliament has passed a law allowing authorities to expropriate the house in which Adolf Hitler was born in 1889.The law, passed on Wednesday night, ends years of dispute between the building?s owner, Gerlinde Pommer, and the authorities in Braunau am Inn. For years, Pommer refused to sell the building or allow it to be renovated.Pommer, who once ran it as a guesthouse and was compensated by the government with a generous level of rent to prevent it from becoming a lure for neo-Nazi tourists, is due to be compensated for the loss of the three-storey house with an undisclosed sum. But quite what the government plans to do with it remains unclear.While their main aim is to prevent the building becoming a shrine for the steady stream of neo-Nazi supporters who still make their way to Braunau, there has been an ongoing discussion over what more positive purpose it might serve. Ideas have ranged from turning it into a labour office or a cultural centre to tearing it down altogether, though detractors say that would amount to an attempt to erase Austria?s Nazi past. Heritage experts are against pulling it down, arguing the house has an important place in Braunau?s architectural history.Marcus Franz, an independent politician, has suggested the Bulgarian wrapping artist Christo should be invited to cover it up as an art installation.Previous uses have included a workshop for people with learning difficulties and a day centre operated by a local charity, which rented the building from Pommer but was forced to give up the lease after she refused to carry out any repairs.Hitler was born on the top floor of the house on 20 April 1889. Close to the border with Germany, Braunau has never been able to shake its association with the Nazi leader. ?It is not so seldom that neo-Nazis stop in front of the house to be photographed making the Hitler greeting,? Harry Buchmayr, a Social Democrat who lives in Braunau, told parliament. Walter Rosenkranz, of the rightwing Freedom party, defended parliament?s decision to buy the building. ?Expropriation is not a nice thing, rather the last resort,? he said. ?But we?ve had five years of negotiations that were carried out in a very considerate way, but which didn?t lead to any result.?

Arshiya Chopra

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

No question of Tejashwi resigning: Lalu on 4-day ultimatum

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lalu-yadav-tejashwi-yadav-nitish-kumar-rjd-bjp/1/1000061.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has said there is no question of his son and Bihar's Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav resigning. The statement comes after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar gave Tejashwi a four-day ultimatum to come out clean of corruption allegations. Lalu added Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati are supporting him and they won't let BJP succeed in breaking the grand alliance.

Hours after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumargave 4-day ultimatum to his deputy Tejashwi Yadav to come out clean of corruption allegations in land-for-hotel case, RJD chief Lalu Yadav has come out in support of minister son.In his first interview after last week's CBI raids on his family and associates, the former Bihar CM categorically ruled out Tejashwi resigning from Nitish Kumar's Cabinet.Lalu described the CBI raids as part of a conspiracy hatched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to "finish off him and his party - RJD"."Tejashwi was a minor...cricket player when the hotel deal was finalised. These are baseless allegations," he said. HERE'S WHAT ALL LALU SAID:ALSO READ:Nitish Kumar gives ally Lalu Prasad 4 days to decide on son Tejashwi Yadav

Dishant Sharma

04 Feb 2017,Saturday

Atlético Madrid defender arrested on assault suspicion

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/atletico-madrid-lucas-hernandez/1/874209.html

Spanish La Liga side Atlético Madrid's defender Lucas Hernández was arrested on Friday on suspicion of having assaulted his girlfriend. Both Hernández and his girlfriend were reportedly treated at the scene by emergency medical workers for minor injuries. A spokesperson said the player did not resist arrest and appeared before a court in Madrid on Friday.

Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez was arrested in the early hours of Friday on suspicion of having assaulted his girlfriend, Spanish police said.They said the Guardia Civil - the national gendarmerie - were called at 2:30 a.m. to Hernandez's home in Las Rozas, near Madrid, after the French U21 player was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend.

Mishika Bangia

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Widow of IAF pilot received pension after waiting for 55 yrs

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamla-lowe-pension-air-force-plane-crash/1/1007278.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 95-year-old widow of an Indian Air Force pilot, who died in a plane crash in 1962, waited 55 years to get the due special pension. In 2004, her appeal got rejected, saying her husband had already availed the insurance benefits. A military court finally gave her the special pension, which is for widows of officers who died on duty.

The widow of an ace Air Force pilot, who died in a plane crash in service, had to wait over five decades after her husband's death to get the pension due to her, in an incident underscoring government apathy towards families of martyred soldiers.Kamla Lowe, now 95, was fighting for the special family pension, which is given to widows of officers and men who died in service while carrying out their duties. A military court finally gave her justice.Squadron Leader JM Lowe was a test pilot in the Air Force on deputation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and died on June 19, 1962 in a flying accident. His widow with her four-year-old child had been fighting since then for the dues.THE INCIDENTThe accident occurred 55 years ago in Bengaluru while the pilot was test-flying the Gnat aircraft, which developed severe mechanical failure witnessed as "violent pitch oscillations" prior to delivery to the IAF."Despite the fact that the officer's widow is entitled to special family pension, the government in September 2004 rejected her appeal by giving an illogical reason that under the terms of deputation the applicant had already availed the benefits of insurance," Lowe's counsel Wing Commander Ajay Bhalla told Mail Today.Kamla Lowe also had to wait nine years for getting the ordinary pension and had to suffer a lot because of the lack of it, her husband's case revealed.The lady had also been fruitlessly writing letters to various authorities concerned to get her dues from the government.The government countered her by saying that she could not be given the special pension as her husband had opted for an insurance scheme before his death and also opposed the plea in the Armed Forces Tribunal, saying that she had come for justice after 55 years and her plea should dismissed on the basis of delay in approaching the court.The government also told the court that finding papers of the family pension granted to the widow of the officer and documents related to his deputation to HAL also could not be found as the matter was very old."Pained" by the sufferings of the IAF officer's widow, the tribunal bench headed by Chairperson Justice Virendra Singh said, "Apart from the awful trauma of losing her husband, and having to bring up her four-year-old child, all alone, we observe that for almost nine years this widow was not even granted the basic right of ordinary family pension." The chairperson in his order said the terms and conditions of that insurance (opted for by the martyred pilot) "are not before us"."However, it would be pertinent to mention that no insurance scheme can take away the right of pension of a serviceman, and therefore, consequently the widow," he said.The court said the government has to deal fairly with its workforce as "employees cannot be asked to sign undertakings contrary to law."Ruling in favour of the elderly lady, the court said, "We find no impediment in the applicant being granted Special Family Pension as prayed for. Her plea is allowed and the impugned order rejecting the claim of the applicant for Special Family Pension is hereby set aside."ARREARS

Shubhodeep Datta

14 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Delhi cop attacked with chilli powder, bricks

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-cop-attacked-with-chilli-powder-and-bricks/story-D6xwvp0N46ZvEEsKXzVAEK.html

A Delhi Police constable was attacked with chilli powder and bricks when he tried to stop seven suspicious looking men in south-west Delhi?s Bindapur area. Police officials said the incident took place in the wee hours of the morning on Monday. The incident was recorded on a CCTV camera and the police have reportedly identified the accused.

A constable was attacked with chilli powder and bricks when he tried to stop seven suspicious looking men in south west Delhi?s Bindapur area on Monday. The incident was captured on CCTV and police have identified the accused. Police officials said the incident took place around 3.45 am when constable Pawan and home guard Laxmi Narayan were on night duty in the area of Manas Kunj T point at Mangal Bazar road. They spotted at least seven men walking together in a group, going towards Uttam Nagar. The presence of so many men at such an odd hour alerted Pawan and he stopped them.In his complaint to the police, Pawan said that he became suspicious about them while enquiring them. He decided to question them further and so asked them to sit near a shop. The men agreed but one of them refused and began verbally abusing Pawan and Narayan.?Sensing that the men could attack them, Pawan took out his pistol, made a phone call to Bindapur police station and asked for back-up. While he was asking for more policemen to come to the spot, one of the men suddenly stood up and threw chilli powder in Pawan?s eyes,? said a senior police officer. Later, the men started hurling bricks at Pawan and Narayan. When the latter tried to restrain them, all of them forced him to the ground and threw more bricks at him. When a brick hit Narayan on the head, Pawan fired two times from his pistol. The men fled away from the spot, leaving behind an injured Narayan. A case under sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC was registered against unknown persons at Bindapur police station. Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Surender Kumar said that that based on CCTV footages, the accused persons have been identified and their locations traced. They will be nabbed soon, Kumar added. COPS ATTACKED AGAIN AND AGAIN1A policeman was allegedly stabbed in his stomach and thigh by a man after the victim and his colleague had gone to attend a PCR call of quarrel in South East Delhi?s Molarband area. The incident happened in the wee hours of November 1 after police received a call of a brawl taking place in Molarband?s Mohanbaba Nagar.2A head constable was allegedly beaten up, his uniform ripped off and the PCR van he was using damaged when he tried to stop two men from verbally abusing a victim in west Delhi?s Nilothi Extension on November 27.3 A gang of robbers fired and wounded a constable when two police cars blocked their vehicle in northwest Delhi?s Rohini area on August 21.4 Two brothers were arrested for allegedly attacking policemen who tried to stop them from creating nuisance after getting drunk in outer Delhi?s north Rohini. The incident occurred on September 13.

Rini Kapoor

31 Dec 2016,Saturday

285 Delhi schools told not to start nursery admissions

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/285-delhi-schools-on-govt-land-told-not-to-start-nursery-admissions/story-oyrFp9A8oaBHe1TmjnGayJ.html

As many as 285 schools in Delhi that are built on government land have reportedly been issued a notice directing them not to start nursery admissions from January 2, 2017. This comes after Delhi government issued a circular saying it will release a separate set of guidelines and schedule for these schools to make them comply with land allotment terms.

The Directorate of Education (DOE) has warned of action if school on government land starts the nursery admission process from January 2 next year. The order applies to 285 schools such as Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, Vasant Valley and Apeejay. The government had on December 19 issued a circular saying it will release a separate set of guidelines and schedule for these 285 schools. The new set of rules is to make schools comply with land allotment terms. The terms state that schools running on government land will not refuse admission to residents of the ?locality?. It says ?the society shall undertake to admit 75% of the students of the neighbourhood or from the locality in which the school is located?.For the remaining 1,400 schools, the nursery admission process will begin January 2. ?It has come to the notice of the department that some of these schools have issued the admission notice to start the admission process from January 2, 2017 in violation of the directions,? said a circular from the DOE.Read: Nursery admissions: Shifting goalposts, litigation trouble for parents in DelhiThis order indicates the admission process for the 285 schools will be delayed and there will be two separate schedules for different schools. ?All the schools around my house are on government land. I am clueless on what to do. Now I need to devote two days for going around and filling forms,? said Rahul Bisht, father of a 3 year old girl and a resident of Malviya Nagar. School principals are also worried.?It will be very difficult to start the process if the announcement from DOE comes late. It may lead to a situation where two parallel schedules will be running, and it will cause a lot of inconvenience to parents. The same parent will have to follow the schedule of schools build on DDA land and those not built on DDA land,? said Ashok Pandey, principal, Ahlcon International School.

Deepali Aggarwal

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Donald Trump 1st US President without pet in nearly 150 yrs

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/donald-trump-presidency-who-is-still-missing-from-the-white-house-a-pet/story-q1Nzpf6Vv5IKg42ox43T9K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Donald Trump is the first US President without a pet in the White House in nearly 150 years, in break with a long-held tradition of presidential pet ownership. The last pet-less US leader was Andrew Johnson who was impeached in 1868. US Presidents have owned conventional pets like cats and dogs, and also exotic animals like bears and tigers.n

Politically ambitious pups and kittens: Put your resumes aside.The job of first pet ? an enviable White House gig with luxurious live-in privileges, after-hours access to the President and guaranteed positive press coverage ? is not currently available.That?s because President Donald Trump is not looking for a fluffy sidekick at the moment. Asked about plans for a four-legged addition to the White House, Stephanie Grisham, a spokesperson for Melania Trump, said in a statement: ?The first family is still getting settled so there are no plans at this time.?If Trump stays pet-free, he will be breaking with a long held tradition of presidential pet ownership.President Franklin Delano Roosevelt?s had his beloved terrier Fala. President George HW Bush?s English springer spaniel Millie was featured on ?The Simpsons.? When President Barack Obama?s family acquired their Portuguese water dog Bo, it was big news.?In the modern-day presidency, almost all of them have had a pet,? said Jennifer Pickens, a White House social expert who wrote ?Pets at the White House.? Still, she noted, ?all didn?t necessarily have them at the beginning of the administration.?Power and pets have long gone hand in hand.Read |?Hardly a dog?s life! Obama?s pets Bo and Sunny have schedules too?For some reason people in power, they end up suffocating different opinions and dominating their staff, but they in some ways long for someone who will speak up to them, and a pet will,? said Doug Wead, a former George HW Bush administration staffer who wrote books on presidential children and the 2016 campaign.Wead noted that political pets can sometimes be used for, well, politics. He recalled an event after Millie had puppies that was ?carefully choreographed so guests could see all these little puppies.?President Bush and first lady Barbara Bush walking with their dog Millie across the South Lawn as they return to the White House. (AP File Photo) ?It was calculated like a state dinner,? he said.While there have been notable pets in the White House for generations, Millie was the first modern White House dog, said Pickens. She added that Barbara Bush was the first one to ?use the pet as a tool to reach out.?The former first lady wrote ?Millie?s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush,? which reached the number one spot on the New York Times non-fiction best seller list in the fall of 1990. The newspaper?s description: ?The memoirs of the English springer spaniel who lives in the White House.?Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1998 followed Bush?s lead, with a children?s book about family dog Buddy and cat Socks. ?Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids? Letters to the First Pets? featured photographs of the pets, details on their habits and more than 50 letters from children to the pets.Socks, the cat peers over the podium in the White House briefing room in Washington. (AP File Photo) During President George W Bush?s administration, when the White House was closed for tours after 9/11, the administration tried to connect with the public through videos. Among them was the ?Barney Cam? series of short videos featuring the Scottish terrier having adventures in the West Wing, with cameos from the first family and White House staff.When he declared victory in the 2008 presidential race, Barack Obama told his daughters: ?You have earned the new puppy that?s coming with us to the White House.? Several months later, Bo joined the family, a gift from the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. Bo quickly became a household name, appearing on morning television shows and in videos promoting the White House Easter egg roll.Some notable pets belonged to first kids, including Amy Carter?s Siamese cat Misty Malarky Ying Yang and Caroline Kennedy?s pony Macaroni. The Kennedy family had a veritable menagerie of pets, complete with dogs, cats, birds, hamsters and a rabbit named Zsa Zsa.Going back in White House history, some presidential pet stories get more outlandish. According to the Presidential Pet Museum website, President Martin Van Buren was given a pair of tiger cubs that he donated to a zoo and President John Quincy Adams was presented an alligator.Obama's pet dogs Bo and Sunny. (Wikipedia) While Trump has not embraced presidential pet ownership, vice-president Mike Pence has picked up the slack. The Pences have a bunny, Marlon Bundo, and a cat named Pickles. Another cat named Oreo recently died. And they just added two more pets to the household ? puppy Harley and cat Hazel. They also installed a beehive.Pickens said she doesn?t know that it matters if Trump gets a dog, but she said they are ?effective tools to connect with the American people and I think pets help humanise the presidency.?Of course, while pet ownership can provide personal and political perks, it can also go wrong. Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney was dogged by criticism for admitting that during a 1983 family vacation, he strapped his Irish setter ? in a pet carrier ? to the roof of his car for a 12-hour drive from Boston to Canada.

Anmol Sharma

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

India post their second-highest Day 1 score in Test history

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lanka-vs-india-galle-test-day-1-stats/1/1011546.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

India's 399/3 against Sri Lanka on the first day of the Galle Test is the team's second-highest score on day one, and the highest first day score by India overseas. Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara scored centuries, marking the third instance of two Indians scoring centuries on day one. India's total also surpassed the highest first day total in SL.

The Indian batsmen cashed in on a flat track at the Galle International stadium and made the Sri Lankan bowlers toil hard throughout day 1 after winning the toss and opting to bat in the first Test on Wednesday.Centuries from opener Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar Pujara (144 not out) helped India reach 399/3 at stumps with Ajinkya Rahane also batting on 39.India rode on a 253-run second wicket effort between Dhawan and Pujara to surpass the highest ever first day's total of 351 runs in Sri Lanka.Later, Pujara and Rahane added another 113 runs for the fourth-wicket to take the visitors to their second ever highest opening day's total.Abhinav Mukund (12) and captain Virat Kohli (3) were the only two batsmen who failed to get going on a pitch which had no assistance whatsoever for the bowlers - pacers or spinners.As a result, India broke quite a few records during the day. Here's a look at the numbers from the first day's play.- 190 is the highest individual score for Shikhar Dhawan after the 187 he scored in his maiden Test innings against Australia in Mohali in March 2013.- 399/3 is India's highest total on Day 1 of an away Test. Previous best was 375/9 vs New Zealand at Wellington in 2009.- This is also India's third highest score on Day 1 of a Test match, home or away, and also the highest for any side vs Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.- This is only the third instance when India have opened the innings with two left-handers - Dhawan and Mukund after Gautam Gambhir-Irfan Pathan (2005) and Gambhir-Mukund (2011).

Sanira Mediratta

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

Fur coat worn by Titanic survivor sells for over ?1 crore

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fur-coat-worn-by-titanic-survivor-sells-for-150000-pounds/1/936070.html

A fur coat worn by a stewardess aboard the Titanic has been sold at an auction for over ?1 crore (£150,000), almost twice its valuation. Mabel Bennett is believed to have used the coat for protection when lifeboat crew arrived on the ship. It had been on display in a US museum, after being sold by her family in 1999.

London, Apr 23 (PTI) A fur coat worn by a first class stewardess when the Titanic sank in 1912 has been sold for 150,000 pounds at an auction in the UK, almost double its original valuation of 80,000 pounds. Mabel Bennett, who was 33 at the time, was in her nightdress when the ship began to sink after hitting an ice berg. More than 1,500 passengers and crew died when the ship sank in April 1912, on its maiden voyage. She put on the beaver lamb fur coat she owned to keep her warm as she boarded lifeboat, the Telegraph reported. Bennett died aged 96 in 1974 and was the longest living female member of the crew. She passed the coat to her great niece in the 1960s as she found it too heavy to wear. The fur coat and letter of provenance went under the hammer yesterday at an auction at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire. "This stunning coat is unique in that not only was it a personal possession of a Titanic crew member that was worn... but, to our knowledge, represents the only piece of exceptionally well provenance clothing from Titanic to ever come to auction," the auctioneers said.

Dishant Sharma

24 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Federer to face compatriot Wawrinka in Aus Open semifinal

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jan/24/australian-open-2017-day-nine-roger-federer-v-mischa-zverev-live?CMP=share_btn_tw

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer will face compatriot and world number four Stanislas Wawrinka in the semifinal of the Australian Open 2017. The four-time Australian Open champion defeated Germany's Mischa Zverev in straight sets to reach his 13th semifinal at the tournament and his 41st Grand Slam semifinal overall. Notably, Zverev had knocked out Andy Murray in the 4th round.

10.24am GMT 10:24 Here?s Kevin Mitchell?s report from Melbourne Park: 10.06am GMT 10:06 Right, that?s it from me. Thanks for your company ? be sure to join us again on Wednesday for the rest of the quarter-finals. And stick around on site for all the reports and reaction from day nine. But, from me, cheerio! 10.02am GMT 10:02 Federer will face Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals ? his 13th trip to the last four in Melbourne in 14 years.Here?s Federer courtside with Jim Courier: ?I thought I was maybe going to win a few rounds, maybe get to the fourth round, quarters, depending on the draw. Then when I saw the draw ? I didn?t see a dream draw at all. I didn?t expect to play this well. ?Stan is a clutch player. He?s won a slam the last three years. I?ve just got to stay aggressive, the more time I give him the better he is.? 9.58am GMT 09:58 Well, that was about as emphatic as you can get. Zverev momentarily looked in the match in the second set but in general he was utterly overwhelmed by Federer, who was imperious. 9.57am GMT 09:57 Third set: Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 2-6 Federer* (*denotes server)An ace takes Federer to 30-0 in a flash but a fine Zverev return brings it back to 30-15 and Federer nets a forehand for 30-30. He follows that up by netting a routine volley. Zverev has an unlikely break point ? and Federer crunches down an ace. Match point arrives presently and a forehand into the open court gives Federer victory. 9.54am GMT 09:54 What the deuce?Federer about to serve for the match ?Updated at 9.54am GMT 9.53am GMT 09:53 Third set: *Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 2-5 Federer (*denotes server)Zverev sends down a couple of unreturnable serves to lead 40-15 but his second serve is letting him down and a gentle Federer backhand brings him back to 40-30 before a couple of straightforward passing shots ? at least, he makes them look straightforward ? give him a break point. Zverev twice volleys beautifully to save it though. But the German can?t get over the line and nets another volley to bring up a fifth deuce. Federer passes him to bring up a second break point ? but an ace saves the day. Deuce No6. He misses with a volley ? break point No3. But another fine serve comes to the rescue again. Deuce No7. And then deuce No8. Break point No4 ? but Federer goes a touch long. Deuce No9. Federer is almost inside the service box on Zverev?s second serve as he earns a fifth break point ? but another ace booms down.Crikey. Deuce No10. Zverev nets a forehand volley. Break point No6 ? and this time Federer backhands down the line for a double break. That game took about as long as the first set. 9.42am GMT 09:42 Third set: Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 2-4 Federer* (*denotes server)Federer charges the net and Zverev dumps a dejected backhand to give the Swiss a 30-15 lead. And two points later Federer has the hold. Zverev looks truly broken now. 9.40am GMT 09:40 Third set: *Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 2-3 Federer (*denotes server)Zverev goes 30-0 up but is again passed twice at the net ? at times he looks like a man at a bus stop watching perplexed and stranded as the No91 zooms past him without stopping ? as Federer brings us back to 30-30. Federer soon has a break point but Zverev scrambles to bring up deuce. Zverev takes the advantage but then there?s probably the rally of the match, Federer brilliantly hitting two lobs, the first of which is hoiked back in by Zverev; the second, a dozen shots later, drops inside the line to give Federer the point. And that puts a bit of a pep into the Swiss ? a fizzing cross court backhand gives him another break point, one he takes with a ludicrously good backhand down the line. Zverev, at the net on both occasions, can only watch on with admiration. 9.34am GMT 09:34 Third set: Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 2-2 Federer* (*denotes server)Zverev makes a rare excursion to the net on the Federer serve and gets passed for his troubles. Another utterly straightforward hold. 9.31am GMT 09:31 Third set: *Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 2-1 Federer (*denotes server)It?s all gone a little flat out on Rod Laver ? the crowd have stopped believing in this as a contest, while Zverev has only sporadically suggested he believes in it himself. Federer brings up 30-30 with two passing shots as Zverev looks on helplessly at the net but a nice deep volley from the next points takes him to 40-30 and Federer goes long from the next. 9.27am GMT 09:27 Third set: Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 1-1 Federer* (*denotes server)The most routine of routine holds for Federer. 9.26am GMT 09:26 Third set: *Zverev 1-6, 5-7, 1-0 Federer (*denotes server)Deuce on the Zverev serve and a cracking passing shot gives Federer a break point. The world No50 saves it with a ferocious serve and a controlled volley. Another excellent volley gives him the advantage and a point later he has the hold. It?s far from straightforward for the German at the moment though. 9.23am GMT 09:23 @John_Ashdown Do you think it's possible to watch FedEx and not call in love?There?s just something in the way he moves isn?t there? Federer is almost exactly six months younger than your correspondent ? I move like the Tin Man filled with concrete, he moves like some sort of sentient liquid. 9.20am GMT 09:20 Second set: Zverev 1-6, 5-7 Federer* (*denotes server)A extraordinary, barely believable, cross-court forehand kisses the line to take Federer 30-0 up and within the blink of an eye he has two set points. A wonderful volley from the German keeps him in it at 40-30 but he follows that up with an errant return and Federer leads two sets to love. 9.17am GMT 09:17 Second set: *Zverev 1-6, 5-6 Federer (*denotes server)This is exactly the point that you?d expect Federer to crank through the gears and he duly does so. At 0-15 Federer sends a return skidding onto Zverev?s toes and the big man can only dump the ball into the net. 0-30. And that soon becomes 0-40 as Federer gets the better of a close-quarters exchange at the net. Three break points. Federer needs just won, passing Zverev with ease as the German?s volley sits up to be hit. Federer will serve for the second set. 9.14am GMT 09:14 Second set: Zverev 1-6, 5-5 Federer* (*denotes server)So Federer serves to stay in the second set. Zverev seems content to sit at the back of the court on the Federer serve now, tempting Federer to attack the net. Which he does without success on this occasion ? Zverev leads 15-30. A weak return from the German allows Federer to go cross-court for 30-30 a long return makes it 40-30, and an ace gives Federer the hold. 9.10am GMT 09:10 Second set: *Zverev 1-6, 5-4 Federer (*denotes server)At 30-0 Federer misses with the most routine of forehands and an ace brings Zverev a routine hold. The German is still on the back foot in the main but it?s chalk-and-cheese from the first set. 9.08am GMT 09:08 Second set: Zverev 1-6, 4-4 Federer* (*denotes server)Federer cruises into a 30-0 lead but Zverev battles back to 30-30 with the help of his strangely punched forehand (he almost shovels the balls over the net rather than take a full swing). Again from that point though, Federer takes control. 9.04am GMT 09:04 Second set: *Zverev 1-6, 4-3 Federer (*denotes server)Zverev booms down an ace to hold to 15.In other news, Andy Murray is not in the GB Davis Cup squad: 9.02am GMT 09:02 Second set: Zverev 1-6, 3-3 Federer* (*denotes server)The points here are flying by so quickly it?s hard to keep up. Essentially the shape of the match is as follows ? Zverev is at the net; if his approach shot is awkward for Federer then Zverev tends to win the point with a volley; if his approach shot is anything other than excellent then Federer wins with a passing shot or by sending a ferocious drive into the body of his opponent.Federer is also attacking the net on occasion ? he does so at 30-0 but is beaten by a fine passing shot, then a long baseline rally ? the longest of the match ? ends with Federer netting a backhand. From 30-all, though, Federer steps on the accelerator again and holds with ease. 8.58am GMT 08:58 Second set: *Zverev 1-6, 3-2 Federer (*denotes server)Federer earns two break points ? he can?t beat Zverev with a lob from the first but hammers a backhand at the body of his opponent to take the second. We?re back on serve. 8.56am GMT 08:56 Second set: Zverev 1-6, 3-1 Federer* (*denotes server)We have a match now! Zverev breaks to love. All of a sudden, Federer isn?t getting those easy passing opportunities and on the occasions when the Swiss comes to the net, Zverev is making life very awkward. 8.52am GMT 08:52 Second set: *Zverev 1-6, 2-1 Federer (*denotes server)The point of the match comes at 30-0 with Zverev being peppered at the net by Federer but coping admirably and finally winning the point with his third successive volley. A hold to love. 8.51am GMT 08:51 Second set: Zverev 1-6, 1-1 Federer* (*denotes server)This is better from Zverev, a cracking forehand down the line takes him 15-30 up on the Federer serve. But a couple of thumping Federer backhands help him back to 40-30 and the deepest of deep forehand just kisses the line to give Federer the hold. 8.47am GMT 08:47 Second set: *Zverev 1-6, 1-0 Federer (*denotes server)Federer nets a forehand as Zverev finally finds a bit of venom in his serve and the German player has his nose ahead in the second set. 8.46am GMT 08:46 ?John, can we get some sort of longitudinal study up and running about sporting arena marriage proposals?? wonders Ian Nicol. ?I have a feeling that divorce rates among those who marry after a very public proposal must be higher than the national average. There?s something very odd about the impulse to do it. Evidence sought!?I?d be surprised if there?s never been a study done on the ?most successful? place for a marriage proposal. Who knows, maybe Rod Laver Arena has a 100% success rate for happy unions. The pool must be fairly small. 8.44am GMT 08:44 First set: Zverev 1-6 Federer* (*denotes server)That game ends a run of 18 (at least) straight games for Federer against this opponent. Zverev digs in for 30-30 but another straightforward winner gives Federer his first set point ? but he makes a rare error, straying wide on his forehand. An ace and a serve-volley of his own brings Federer the first set. It took just 19 minutes. 8.40am GMT 08:40 First set: *Zverev 1-5 Federer (*denotes server)So the underdog can?t compete from the baseline and his serve-volley game is being completely undermined by Federer?s returning. He looked tentative from the off and now he looks shellshocked. Another volley off the frame at the net at least gives him a 15-0 lead this time and, after another Federer pass, an ace takes us to 30-15. Federer fails to return another booming serve but then a Zverev volley goes long ? 40-30. But Federer goes long with his return from the next and Zverev is on the board. 8.37am GMT 08:37 First set: Zverev 0-5 Federer* (*denotes server)Zverev already looks a beaten man. Federer holds to love. 8.35am GMT 08:35 First set: *Zverev 0-4 Federer (*denotes server)Federer races into a 40-0 lead, with Zverev left helpless at the net by his opponent?s brilliant returning. The German?s second shot is continually a desperate pop into the middle of the court, giving Federer all the time he needs to find the passing shot or a lob. Another break to 15. 8.32am GMT 08:32 First set: Zverev 0-3 Federer* (*denotes server)Zverev sprints into a 0-30 lead, courtesy of a slightly fortunate framed-volley at the net. Federer responds with an ace before charging the net himself and forcing Zverev to go long. The baseline rallies are complete one-way traffic ? with Zverev pinned to the back of the court Federer rattles through another two points and holds once more. 8.29am GMT 08:29 First set: *Zverev 0-2 Federer (*denotes server)A couple of successful serve-volleys take Zverev 30-0 up but he nets the next attempt and Federer passes him with a beautiful backhand to bring up 30-all before pinging a forehand cross court to bring a first break point. And Federer needs no second invitation, putting his return onto Zverev?s toes and then hammering another forehand cross-court past his opponent. An early break. 8.26am GMT 08:26 First set: Zverev 0-1 Federer* (*denotes server)Zverev won the toss but opted to receive, interestingly. A couple of spot-on serves give Federer a 30-0 lead before Zverev dumps a backhand into the net. The German comes to the net at 40-0 down but Federer stings his racket with a forehand and it?s a straightforward hold for the Swiss. 8.24am GMT 08:24 Right, warm-ups completed, off we go. Federer to serve. 8.15am GMT 08:15 Out come the players. Zverev gets a warm round of applause, Federer receives a raucous reception. 8.14am GMT 08:14 It looks like we?ve had a pre-match marriage proposal out on Rod Laver. She said yes. Sporting venues have never struck me as prime proposal territory, to be honest. But each to their own, I suppose. 7.57am GMT 07:57 We?re about five minutes away from seeing the players on court at the Rod Laver Arena. The suspicion is we?ll see them walking off again about two hours later after a straightforward Federer victory. But you never know. 7.41am GMT 07:41 The bad news for Zverev: In the last 13 Australian Opens, Federer has reached 12 semi-finals. And on both occasions these players have previously met, Federer has won in straight sets.And on the most recent of those occasions, in Halle in 2013, Federer was a 6-0, 6-0 winner.And the Swiss master has been in superb form in Melbourne, crushing Tomas Berdych in round three and coming through a thrilling five-setter with Kei Nishikori in the last 16.The good news? Well, this is already Zverev?s best run at a grand slam, eclipsing his run to the third round of Wimbledon in 2008. And he was brilliant against Murray.Updated at 7.42am GMT 7.31am GMT 07:31 7.21am GMT 07:21 Hello all. Well, then. This was supposed to be Roger Federer v Andy Murray for a place in the Australian Open semi-finals. Mischa Zverev, though, put paid to that on Sunday with his shock victory over the world No1. The whole tournament is very much up for grabs now and no one will fancy their chances more than Federer.Also in the running is Stan Wawrinka, who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earlier today and awaits the winner of Federer/Zverev in the semi-finals.In the women?s draw Venus Williams rolled back the years to oust Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets. Coco Vandeweghe is also through to the last four after romping to victory over Garbiñe Muguruza. 11.02pm GMT 23:02 John will be here shortly. In the meantime, read Kevin Mitchell?s preview of Johanna Konta versus Serena Williams.

Shubhodeep Datta

07 May 2017,Sunday

What is Water Tanker scam that AAP ministers are accused of?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/live-witnessed-him-take-illegal-cash-tweets-aap-s-kapil-mishra-reaches-rajghat-after-meeting-l-g/story-SvBGLzti91nqeFABVUvcmO.html

The Water Tanker scam happened in 2012 during Sheila Dikshit's tenure as CM, in which irregularities worth ?400 crore were reported while hiring water tankers. The AAP government set up sacked minister Kapil Mishra-led panel in 2015 to probe the scam. Mishra has now alleged that Arvind Kejriwal is trying to suppress the scam because of AAP ministers' involvement.

Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra claimed he saw former fellow cabinet colleague Satyendar Jain giving chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Rs 2 crore and demanded to know what the money was for. Mishra heightened suspense on Sunday morning ahead of a press conference at Rajghat, saying he had seen ?him? take illegal cash, without identifying the person.Mishra, who was removed from his post on Saturday, has claimed that a conspiracy is being hatched against him due to the alleged Rs 400-crore water tanker scandal.Follow live updates here:9:15 pm: Kapil Mishra says he will go to ACB office at 11 am on Monday.I am going to give two person's names to ACB in connection with tanker scam, Ashish Talwar and Vibhav Patel: Kapil Mishra pic.twitter.com/EF4FYrSplK? ANI (@ANI_news) May 7, 20178:30 pm: Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari meets lieutenant governor Anil Baijal and asks him to examine the possibility of ?immediately dismissing? Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain.7:00 pm: ?Shameless? Kejriwal won?t resign unless CBI takes action, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy tells ANI.6:00 pm: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh seeks resignation of Kejriwal, claiming that the AAP supremo had no moral right to continue in office as his ?corrupt face? had been ?totally exposed?.5:30 pm: Without naming anyone, lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi in her twitter handle said the ?allegation of corruption made by a minister claiming to be an eyewitness against his own chief minister needs an independent investigation forthwith.?5:10 pm: Kejriwal became chief minister due to fight against corruption in Delhi, and the news of allegations on him today is saddening, ANI quotes Anna Hazare, the Delhi CM?s mentor who was the face of the anti-corruption crusade.5:05 pm: The person who can buy out Kejriwal has not been born yet, tweets AAP leader Ashish Khetan.Arvind Kejriwal ko kharidne wala abhi tak is duniya me bana nahi hai? Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) May 7, 20175:00 pm: Youth Congress workers protest outside the chief minister?s residence, water cannons used: TV reports4:45 pm: Even Kejriwal?s greatest enemies won?t believe in Mishra?s allegation, says Kumar Vishwas: ANI 4:05 pm:?Former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav says Swaraj Party does not have enough evidence to back Kapil Mishra?s allegations: TV reports3: 00 pm: Kumar Vishwas tweets that he has known Arvind Kejriwal for 12 years and he cannot even think that the Delhi CM could be involved in corruption.?????? ?? ???? 12 ???? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?? @ArvindKejriwal ?????????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????? Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) May 7, 20172:25pm: Youth Congress to demonstrate outside Kejriwal?s house at 4 PM seeking his resignation on Kapil Mishra?s charges, tweets Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken.2:15pm: I want to very strongly tell Arvind Kejriwal that he now doesn?t have the moral or the legal right to be Delhi CM and should resign immediately:?Manoj Tiwari at a press conference.Kapil Mishra ne der se hi sahi lekin jo saahas kiya hai uske liye main unhe dhanyavaad karna chahta hoon. CM isteefa dein: Manoj Tiwari,BJP? ANI (@ANI_news) May 7, 20172:12pm: ?Whole of Delhi is absolutely shocked by today?s remarks of Kapil Mishra.Its not an allegation but statement of a witness, says Manoj Tiwari,BJP:?ANI1:18pm:?Kejriwal should take moral responsibility and resign immediately, says Ajay Maken. 1:15pm: Congress leader Ajay Maken says Kapil Mishra has levelled serious allegation...the Centre, anti-corruption bureau and CBI should take cognizance and immediately act on this. The true test of character comes in adversity.We are now seeing the true faces of AAP's remnants as it's ship sinks.What an opportunity lost? Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) May 7, 20171:10pm:?Kapil Mishra says whatever information he has, he has told the L-G and will now pass it on to CBI and ACB:?ANI.12:48pm: Arvind Kejriwal betrayed the people of Delhi and robbed them while acting honest. He should resign now, tweets Delhi BJP.?? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? EVM ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?? @ArvindKejriwal? Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishraAAP) May 7, 201712: 36pm: ?The day Satyendar Jain goes to jail, I?will be proved right on one count. Just few days more?, tweets Kapil Mishra.12:36pm: Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia dismissed Mishra?s allegations, calling them absurdHis allegations are not even worth responding to, they are so absurd and without any facts: Manish Sisodia,Delhi Dy CM on Kapil Mishra pic.twitter.com/FoJLcHZetB? ANI (@ANI_news) May 7, 201712:02pm: I?have given evidence on record. I?will give my statement to all agencies12:01pm: Will go to the CBI and ACB. I?have given all details to lieutenant general Anil Baijal as well12 noon: They need to explain where the money came from and for what it was used, says Mishra11:47am: ?I thought Arvind Kejriwal will not tolerate corruption but he needs to tell the reason behind the transaction,? says Mishra 11: 46am: ?Saw Satyendar Jain give Arvind Kejriwal Rs 2 crore two days ago. I?could not sleep all night,? ANI quotes Mishra as saying at Rajghat 11:45am: ?When I became minister, I sent a report against Sheila Dikshit to CM (Kejriwal). What happened to that report after that everyone knows,? ANI?quotes Kapil Mishra as saying at Rajghat11: 40am: Mishra arrives at Rajghat Kapil Mishra with his wife at MK?Gandhi?s samadhi at Rajghat in New Delhi on Sunday. (Sone Mehta/HT?Photo) 10:53am: Mishra tweets about ?HIM? taking a bribe after meeting L-G?Anil Baijal?i have witnessed HIM taking illegal cash.. have shared all details with Lt. Gov (sic),? said a cryptic tweet he sent after meeting Delhi?s lieutenant governor Anil Baijal, adding it was not possible to keep quiet and he didn?t care even if he lost his life.i have witnessed HIM taking illegal cash.. have shared all details with Lt. Gov. ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishraAAP) May 7, 201710 am: Kapil Mishra reaches Delhi CM?Arvind Kejriwal?s residence, ANI?reports 9:48 am: Mishra tells ANI?that he will always remain a member of AAP, the party he co-foundedI am founder member of AAP and will always remain in the party: AAP leader Kapil Mishra on the question of joining BJP pic.twitter.com/8esiwH7EA2? ANI (@ANI_news) May 7, 2017Mishra was on Saturday thrown out of the cabinet and stripped off the water and tourism portfolios by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.The party said he had failed to resolve Delhi?s water problem but Mishra said his removal came on the day he shared details of the alleged Rs 400-crore water tanker scandal report with the chief minister.Mishra?s sacking is Round 2 of the war within the ruling Aam Aadmi party where trouble has been brewing after back-to-back poll defeats.Mishra is considered close to party leader Kumar Vishwas who rose in revolt against Kejriwal. Party bought peace with Vishwas barely four days ago but the arrangement has not worked, with the senior leader tweeting in favour of Mishra.

Mansha Mahajan

19 Dec 2016,Monday

RBI had only ?4.94 lakh crore in ?2,000 notes on Nov 8

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/on-nov-8-rbi-had-only-rs-4.94-lakh-cr-in-2k-rupee-notes-rti/1/838142.html

On the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation, the RBI had only ?4.94 lakh crore in 2,000 rupee notes, which was approximately one-fourth of what it had in demonetised notes. An RTI response to a Mumbai-based activist further revealed that on November 8, the RBI had ?9.13 lakh crore in ?1,000 notes and ?11.38 lakh crore in ?500 notes.

Abhishek Bansal

15 May 2017,Monday

Kapil Mishra ends hunger strike on sixth day of fast

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aap-kapil-mishra-ends-hunger-strike-cbi-complaint-arvind-kejriwal/1/954399.html

Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Monday broke his fast at the RML Hospital in New Delhi, on the sixth day of his hunger strike. "Those who are making fun of me let me tell you that I came to hospital after five days of hunger strike. Kejriwalji goes to hospital after 15 days of coughing," Mishra said.

After being on a hunger strike for six days, sacked Delhi minister and rebel Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra today broke his fast at the RML Hospital here and poked fun at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by saying that he is hiding behind his wife."Those who are making fun of me let me tell you that I came to hospital after five days of hunger strike. Kejriwalji goes to hospital after 15 days of coughing. Kejriwalji is hiding behind wife. He brings forth his wife (in the fight)," Mishra said after getting released from the hospital.Earlier in the day, Kejriwal's wife Sunita had slammed Kapil Mishra saying that he would face the consequences of the false allegations that he has made."Law of nature never errs, seeds of betrayal, false allegations sown, so shall he (Kapil Mishra) reap. Inevitable," she tweeted.Mishra in his tweet about Sunita Kejriwal has said, "Sunita Kejriwal is a very loyal wife, she would not say anything against her husband. She has no idea what vicious plans are being made in her own house.Sunita Kejriwal doesn't know the truth, she is worried about her husband's downfall."Kapil Mishra who had started his hunger strike on May 10, with the demand that AAP must release details of foreign tours undertaken by five party leaders, said he will approach the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) against Arvind Kejriwal. Tmrw case of Hawala, Black Money, Money Laundering & Operating thru shell companies will be filed in CBI & CBDT against Arvind Kejriwal Ji"I will go to CBI and CBDT tomorrow at 11 am. I will also will reveal mohalla clinic scam by tomorrow or day after," Mishra said after coming out of the hospital.The former water resources and tourism minister in the Delhi government has levelled allegations of corruption against several party leaders, including Kejriwal and PWD Minister Satyendra Jain.Kapil Mishra had yesterday fainted at a media conference after accusing Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of "massive" financial irregularities.Mishra had demanded Kejriwal's resignation saying if he didn't step down, he will be dragged by his collar and locked up in Delhi's Tihar Jail.Also read:

Mansha Mahajan

16 Dec 2016,Friday

Political parties depositing old notes exempt from tax

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/deposit-in-bank-a-cs-of-political-parties-exempt-from-tax/1/836424.html

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Friday said that political parties depositing old ?500 and ?1,000 notes in their accounts will be exempt from income tax. If the amount is deposited in an individual's account then "that information will come into our radar", he stated. Notably, the I-T Act grants exemption from tax to political parties in respect of their income.

Dishant Sharma

12 Jun 2017,Monday

Michael Jordan's Olympic shoes auctioned for record ?1.2 cr

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/12/michael-jordans-olympic-converse-sell-for-record-six-figure-sum-at-auction?CMP=share_btn_tw

American basketball legend Michael Jordan's Converse shoes which he wore during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics gold medal match have been auctioned off for a record ?1.2 crore. They are considered the last pair of Converse shoes Jordan wore in an official game. Jordan scored 20 points, helping USA beat Spain 96-65 in the gold medal match in August 1984.

A pair of game-worn Michael Jordan sneakers sold at auction for $190,373 on Sunday, setting a record for game-used shoes.The Converse shoes were said to be used by the NBA legend in the gold medal game against Spain in the 1984 Olympics, according to ESPN. ?The record-shattering price proves that Michael Jordan has no equal in the marketplace for game-used basketball memorabilia,? said Dan Imler, vice president of SCP Auctions, which sold the shoes. Jordan?s shoes from the 1984 Olympics ? the game was played at The Forum in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles ? are autographed and include his orthotic inserts. They are considered the last pair Jordan wore in a game as an amateur and also the last time he wore Converse in an official game. Jordan scored 20 points in the 96-65 win over Spain on 10 August 1984. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls three weeks before he played his first game for the United States in the 1984 Games and signed his deal with the Bulls in September, followed by a Nike deal in October 1984. According to ESPN, the previous record for a pair of game-used sneakers sold at auction was for the ones Jordan wore in Game Five of the 1997 NBA Finals, also known as the ?Flu Game?. Those sneakers sold for $104,765 in 2013. That game was played 20 years ago on Sunday, with Jordan battling through flu-like symptoms to score 38 points in the Bulls? win over the Jazz.

Deepali Aggarwal

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

China to reduce Army to under 10L in biggest-ever troop cut

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-downsize-army-to-under-a-million-in-biggest-troop-cut-in-its-history/story-Ckb4iFv6YhCjg76kdSK3AI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

China will downsize its 23 lakh-strong Army, the world's largest, to under 10 lakh in the biggest troop reduction in its history. This comes as part of a restructuring process for strategic goals and security requirements, according to reports. However, China will increase the number of personnel in other services including navy and missile forces, reports added.

China will downsize its 2.3 million-strong military, the world?s largest, to under one million in the biggest troop reduction in its history as part of a restructuring process, an official Chinese daily said.The People?s Liberation Army (PLA) will increase the numbers of other services, including navy and missile forces, the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, reported.Jun Zhengping Studio, a Chinese social WeChat account run by the newspaper published an article yesterday on structural reform in the military, saying that ?the old military structure, where the army accounts for the vast majority, will be replaced after the reform?.?The reform is based on China?s strategic goals and security requirements. In the past, the PLA focused on ground battle and homeland defence, which will undergo fundamental changes,? the report said.?This is the first time that active PLA army personnel would be reduced to below one million,? it said.It added that the number of troops in the PLA Navy, PLA Strategic Support Force and the PLA Rocket Force will be increased, while the PLA Air Force?s active service personnel will remain the same.According to the Ministry of Defence data, the PLA Army had about 8.50 lakh combat troops in 2013. No official numbers of the total strength of PLA Army were released.Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced that the PLA will be cut by three lakh troops.?The total PLA personnel was about 2.3 million before the country announced a cut of 300,000 troops in 2015,? state-run Global Times reported.?This reform will provide other services, including the PLA Rocket Force, Air Force, Navy and Strategic Support Force (mainly responsible for electronic warfare and communication), with more resources and inputs, and the PLA will strengthen its capability to conduct overseas missions,? Xu Guangyu, a senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, was quoted by the media report.The PLA Daily article said that China?s overseas interests were spread around the world and needed to be protected.?These are beyond the army?s current capabilities,? Xu said.The PLA structure should also fit China?s international status, Xu said.

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Jan 2017,Saturday

Security tightened after bomb threat at Coimbatore airport

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bomb-threat-to-airport-being-investigated-security-tightened/1/868596.html

Security has been tightened at the Coimbatore International Airport after a letter with a bomb threat was received, the police said. The letter threatened that a bomb would be planted on the premises if the demands made by the teaching community were not met by the Central and State governments. Vehicle checks have been intensified, the police added.

Tarun Khanna

15 Apr 2017,Saturday

Will set up Commission for SC/STs after MCD polls: Kejriwal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-will-set-up-commission-for-sc-st-after-mcd-polls/1/929580.html

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced his government would set up a Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes after MCD polls. "We'll bring a law to form a Commission for SC and ST in order to provide justice to the people of these communities," he said. Notably, there are over 20 lakh Dalits and Scheduled Castes in Delhi.

As India celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government would set up a commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes after the municipal polls.The move is being seen to woo the dalit community and sanitation workers ahead of the election on April 23.There are around 20 lakh dalits and Scheduled Castes in Delhi, making up for nearly 20 per cent of the city's electoral population of 12 million.After making the announcement, the CM while accepting AAP's defeat in Rajouri Garden constituency during bypolls said that people were not happy with the decision of Jarnail Singh's resignation to contest in Punjab's state elections.

Vani Vivek

16 May 2017,Tuesday

Which Indian cities were worst hit by WannaCry malware?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/48k-ransomware-attack-attempts-seen-in-india-quick-heal-tech/1/955035.html

According to cybersecurity company Quick Heal, Kolkata was the worst-hit Indian city by WannaCry ransomware. This was followed by Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Pune, and Mumbai. The malware was confirmed to have hit offices of West Bengal electricity distribution company that cater to 8 lakh households, Gujarat government's 120 computers, and about 25% of the computer network used by Andhra Pradesh police.

Mumbai, May 16 (PTI) A cyber security firm today said it has detected over 48,000 ransomware attack attempts in the country, with West Bengal witnessing the most incidents. Quick Heal Technologies has "detected over 48,000 MS-17- 010 Shadow Broker exploit hits responsible for WannaCry ransomware outbreak in India", it said in a statement. "Our observation is that the attack is not focused towards any particular industry but it is widely spread across industries especially those organisations which are online and connected," Quick Heal Technologies managing director Sanjay Katkar said. The Pune-based company said 60 per cent of the attempts by the malicious WannaCry ransomware were targeted at enterprises, while 40 per cent were on individual customers. It said there have been over 700 distress calls by customers in the last few days, following the discovery of the attacks which has impacted 150 countries globally. The top five cities impacted by the WannaCry ransomware are Kolkata followed by Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Pune and Mumbai, while the top top five states with maximum detections are West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, NCR (Delhi), and Odisha, it said. The company claimed it "successfully detected" the ransomware activity and "cleaned the malicious file responsible for file encryption from all the attacked systems". It said computers running on the desktop and server editions of the Microsoft Windows operating system are most impacted.

Mansha Mahajan

22 Jan 2017,Sunday

Would like some animal spirit in Indian entrepreneurs: Kotak

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-inc-needs-animal-spirit-govt-nudge-for-growth-kotak/1/863723.html

Kotak Mahindra Bank MD Uday Kotak has said he would like to see a little bit of "animal spirit" in Indian businesses and entrepreneurs to come back. He further said that a nudge from the government, to see growth, would certainly be welcome. This would also help many from the startup ecosystem in moving to mainstream business arena, he added.

From Barun Jha Davos, Jan 22 (PTI) Confident of India gaining its "rightful place" in coming years on the world stage alongside the US and China, ace banker Uday Kotak has said Indian corporates also need to combine some "animal spirit" with their judicious capital allocation for their own business growth and add to the economys expansion. The Kotak group chief, who has steered one of the most successful banking and financial services sector stories in recent years in India, also favoured nudge from the government and policymakers to the corporates to get that "animal spirit" and said the country should also incentivise delta jobs created in any country. Kotak, who was here to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting that saw China positioning itself as a new champion of globalisation, told PTI in an interview that India has to take its rightful place over the next 5-10 years and the institutions like his will have to contribute to that journey. On Indian corporates in the past having started to look overseas for expansion through acquisitions, but the process stopping thereafter, Kotak said, "That also probably because of the reason that they did not necessarily take the best capital decisions and probably our timing was wrong." Asked whether India Inc has learnt its lessons, he said, "I think, it has. The private sector has become more careful and more sort of thoughtful and therefore, we are seeing a slowdown in investments -- both in terms of external investments as well as within India. "To a certain extent, we need to get the balance right between judicious capital allocation with a little bit of animal spirit. At this stage, what I would like to see in India is that a little bit of animal spirit in business and entrepreneurs came back. "A nudge from the government and policymakers that we would love to see growth in businesses and entrepreneurship would certainly be helpful and welcome." He agreed this would also help many from the start-up ecosystem move to the mainstream business arena. Kotak further said this balance between judicious capital allocation and animal spirit would need to be a high focus area as the jobs would finally happen only through successful business growth. Optimistic about job creation, going ahead, Kotak said, "I am a great believer that India should incentivise delta jobs created in any sector." Asked whether more acquisitions are in store for Kotak group itself, he said, "We are still a small company in global scheme of things.

Dishant Sharma

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Brett Lee reveals his experience after son's hearing loss

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/former-australian-cricketer-brett-lee-on-hearing-loss/1/902573.html

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee took part in a function to discuss the importance of screening newborns for early detection of hearing loss. Lee recalled his experience when his son, who was then just five years old, had a fall and fractured a small part of his skull leading to hearing loss in one ear.

Chhavi Tyagi

30 Jun 2017,Friday

Man arrested for masturbating mid-air on B'luru-Mumbai plane

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mumbai-flight-masturbation-mid-air-arrest/1/991150.html

A 31-year-old man has been arrested for masturbating mid-air and inappropriately touching a woman passenger on board a Bengaluru-Mumbai flight. The woman co-passenger woke up from her sleep to find the man masturbating and raised an alarm. When the airline crew reached the seat, the man denied the woman's allegation, however, he was fixing the zip of his trousers.

In the second such incident in this month, a man was arrested for masturbating and inappropriately touching a woman passenger onboard a flight. This time, in Mumbai. The 31-year-old man was arrested on arrival on Tuesday morning and has been sent to judicial custody.The accused and his victim were travelling from Bengaluru to Mumbai on the early morning flight. The flight took off around 6.20 in the morning and the woman soon fell asleep. The man, Sabeen Hamza, meanwhile, began taking advantage of the situation and moved his hand on her. At some point, she woke up to discover Hamza was masturbating.She raised an alarm and the airline crew rushed to check. The crew found Hamza denying any wrongdoing even while he was fixing the zip of his trousers. The crew informed the airport officials in Mumbai.Hamza found CISF men waiting for his arrival at 7.45 am. An FIR was registered and he was taken away.Ten days ago, on June 18, a 56-year-old man was arrested in a similar incident after the Indigo flight from Hyderabad landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.The man from Delhi's Rohini was caught by his co-passenger masturbating mid-air. The 44-year-old woman had woken up to the horror of the middle-aged man masturbating while looking at her. He did not stop even when she told him she would complain to the crew, which she did. The man was arrested and is now out on bail.Also read:

Shubhodeep Datta

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Family robbed of jewellery worth ?10L on Yamuna Expressway

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/armed-men-rob-delhi-family-on-yamuna-expressway/story-WpHJc9lRLJn75EikAQAOfL.html

A family was allegedly robbed of jewellery worth ?10 lakh by armed men on the Yamuna Expressway during the early hours on Monday. Some men threw metal objects on the road which burst the tyre of the car, and as the victim stepped out, four men armed with a country-made pistol surrounded him and robbed his family, the police said.

A family was allegedly robbed of jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh by armed men on the Yamuna Expressway during the early hours on Monday. Police said the incident took place at 2.30am when the family was on its way Delhi from Kanpur. The victim, Ram Prasad Dikshit, works in a private firm in Delhi and lives in a rented flat in Shastri Nagar. He was travelling with his wife and two kids (son and daughter).?The family had gone to Kanpur to celebrate the Christmas vacation. When they were returning to Delhi, some men threw some metal objects on the road which burst the tyre of their car. As soon as Dikshit stepped out of the vehicle, four men, armed with a country made pistol surrounded him and asked the family to hand over the cash and valuables,? said Subodh Kumar, SHO, Jewar police station.Apart from the jewellery worn by his wife, Dikshit?s family was also carrying jewellery in their bags. They told police that they usually carry their jewellery with them since they live in a rented house. The police said the criminals, however, did not harm Dikshit or his family. The SHO said the family reached the police station in the morning to lodge a complaint. ?The family was traumatised and then had to change the tyre too, that is why they did not call the police from the spot,? said Kumar.

Nandini Sinha

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Saudi-led coalition blocks fuel for UN aid planes to Yemen

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/saudi-arabia-coalition-blocks-fuel-for-un-aid-planes-to-yemen/story-av01ESowfO270o05tVPqRM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen is blocking deliveries of jet fuel to UN planes bringing humanitarian aid to the rebel-held capital Sanaa, UN officials said. Aid efforts were also hampered by delays and refusals of visas by the Yemeni government, officials added. The Saudi-led coalition has been involved in Yemen's civil war backing the Yemeni government against the Houthi rebels.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen is obstructing deliveries of jet fuel to UN planes bringing desperately-needed humanitarian aid to the rebel-held capital Sanaa, a UN official said Tuesday.Auke Lootsma, the country director of the UN Development Program, also reported an outbreak of meningitis in Yemen, compounding the cholera epidemic and the risk of famine in the world?s worst humanitarian crisis.The United Nations operates two humanitarian flights into Sanaa from Amman and Djibouti, but there is no jet fuel available in the Yemeni capital for the plane to make the return trip.?We have difficulties obtaining permission from the coalition and from the government of Yemen to transport this jet fuel to Sanaa to facilitate these flights,? Lootsma, the country director for the UN Development Program, told reporters by video-link from Sanaa.Asked why the jet fuel deliveries were blocked, Lootsma said: ?It?s a good question. I don?t have an answer.?The fuel must be delivered to Sanaa from the port of Aden, which is controlled by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.The Saudi-led coalition has repeatedly been accused of blocking aid to Yemen, one of the Arab world?s poorest countries, which has been brought to its knees since the military campaign began in March 2015.Yemen?s health system has collapsed during the war pitting coalition forces backing the internationally recognized Yemeni government against Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels.Describing the situation as ?very bleak,? the UN official said there were ?several? new cases of meningitis detected in Yemen but he could not provide details.Aid efforts are also hampered by delays and refusals of visas, by the Yemeni government and by the rebels in control of Sanaa, he added.Lootsma said he saw ?no end in sight? for the war that has left thousands dead, seven million people at risk of famine and more than 400,000 ill from cholera.

Sonu Kumari

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Working woman not entitled to maintenance: Bombay HC

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/working-woman-doesn-t-need-maintenance-from-estranged-spouse-bombay-hc/story-LbRuqUWdl9VgezPkl8Q8YN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

In a recent order, the Bombay Court held that a working woman who is "capable of maintaining and sustaining herself" should not be entitled to get maintenance from her estranged husband. The court observed this during the hearing of a plea filed by a TV actress who had challenged a family court's order, which too had denied her maintenance.

The Bombay high court, in a recent order, held that a ?working woman,? who is ?capable of maintaining and sustaining herself,? should not be entitled to receiving maintenance from her estranged spouse.A bench of Justices RM Savant and Sadhana Jadhav were hearing a plea filed by a television actress, who had challenged a family court order denying her any interim maintenance.The petitioner separated from her husband, who is also a television actor, in 2010. While their divorce proceedings are currently pending in the family court, she had sought that considering that her husband had not paid her any maintenance amount in the years since their separation, the family court award her an interim maintenance amount of rupees 50,000 each month till the divorce decree is granted.Her husband, meanwhile, had opposed her demand for interim maintenance saying that while he had worked in TV shows produced by Balaji telefilms between 2005 and 2010, since then, he hadn?t had a stable source of income. He had claimed that he now works ?as and when he gets an assignment.?The family court had accordingly held that since both the parties had failed to produce any documentary evidence of the money that they were making annually, the issue of maintenance would have to be decided upon at a later stage, after examination and cross-examination.In the high court, however, the woman claimed that she wasn?t part of any TV shows or films currently and thus, had no money of her own. She claimed that for her survival, she was ?totally dependent upon her aging parents.? She also told the court that her husband had signed a Telegu movie and thus, made a lot of money. He, thus, be directed to pay her some interim maintenance.The husband, meanwhile, told HC that when he and his wife used to stay together, he was the one who paid for all expenses, including the expenses incurred by the petitioner?s ?parents,? and the money needed to maintain her ?pet.?Taking note of these submissions, the high court held that the mere fact that the petitioner was not part of any TV shows or films currently, did not entitle her to interim maintenance. It held that considering that she was an actor who had been working for the past several years, and that she was ?capable of finding work in the future, and thus, sustaining herself,? it did not deem it fit to interfere with the family court?s order.

Tanya Dhingra

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

If it doesn't make you laugh, that comedy isn't wrong: Lilly

http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/superwoman-lilly-singh-calls-on-india-to-show-comic-tolerance/story-mmREfnbUkqZeRNRcAj9LzM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Indo-Canadian YouTube star Lilly Singh, also known as Superwoman, said, "If you watch something and it makes you laugh, great. If it doesn't, that comedy isn't wrong. It's just not suitable for you." Calling comedy "very subjective", Lilly added, "The best thing you can do is promote what you love, (and not) bash what you hate."

Comic and UN ambassador Lilly Singh has called on the Indian government to be more tolerant of satire after a popular comedy group was slapped with criminal charges over allegations that they insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.?If you watch something and it makes you laugh, great. If it doesn?t, that comedy isn?t wrong. It?s just not suitable for you,? the Canadian internet sensation recently told AFP on the sidelines of a trip to New Delhi as a UN goodwill ambassador.Last week comedy group All India Bakchod were put under investigation for defamation and publishing obscene material online after a social media post poking fun at Modi. The troupe posted a photograph of a Modi look-alike alongside an image of the real prime minister?s face superimposed with a dog?s features using a Snapchat filter.The post went viral, but sparked a backlash from Modi supporters. AIB later deleted the post.?Comedy is very subjective... and the best thing you can do is promote what you love, don?t bash what you hate,? said Singh, who met students in the Indian capital and in Madhya Pradesh state as a UNICEF ambassador. ?Comedy is the best way to express views.?The child of Indian migrants, Singh has more than 11 million YouTube followers and is one of the channel?s biggest earners.The 28-year-old has made her name with video rants, making fun of imaginary Punjabi parents and anti-sexism sketches that take on themes such as ?Why bras are horrible? and ?If boys got their periods?. In 2015 AIB fell foul of authorities when they were at the centre of an obscenity investigation over some sexually explicit jokes in a comedy ?roast? show featuring several Bollywood stars.Last year Mumbai police asked YouTube and Facebook to block an AIB video mocking cricket great Sachin Tendulkar and famous Indian movie singer Lata Mangeshkar.Free speech advocates allege that there is a growing climate of intolerance under Hindu nationalist leader Modi, with online trolls feeling empowered to target social media users who express different points of view from the Bharatiya Janata Party.This week the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to certify a documentary film featuring Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen unless some words, including ?cow? and ?Hindu India?, are beeped out.

Prashanti Moktan

24 Feb 2017,Friday

Ayesha Takia gets plastic surgery done: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ayesha-takia-then-and-now-photo-plastic-surgery/1/890669.html

Reports of actress Ayesha Takia undergoing plastic surgery have emerged after the actress was spotted at a recent event. Ayesha, who is known for films like 'Taarzan: The Wonder Car' and 'Socha Na Tha', is said to have opted for a lip job and botox. Bollywood actresses, including Priyanka Chopra and Anushka Sharma, have reportedly opted for plastic surgery. n

Plastic surgery is an open secret in Bollywood, and from the looks of it, the latest to have gone under the knife is Ayesha Takia. The Wanted actor, who has been missing in action ever since she got married and became a mother, looked drastically different from her former self at an event last night. The excessive bee-stung lips and frozen face have sparked speculation that Ayesha got a lip job and botox.Ayesha talked about her comeback film and said that she is in the process of reading scripts. She revealed that she is currently doing a film called Borivali Ka Bruce Lee, which would likely release by the end of the year. She also shot for a music video for Amit Mishra in December last year, which is expected to release soon.Ayesha, who is a mother to three-year-old Mikhail, said that she is open to doing films as long as they can fit into her schedule. However, family and motherhood remains her priority.

Saloni Tandon

07 Jan 2017,Saturday

Kashmir boys to play with Spanish football club

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/la-liga-sociedad-deportiva-lenense-proinastur-basit-ahmed-md-asrar-rehbar/1/851534.html

Srinagar's Basit Ahmed and Mohammed Asrar Rehbar have been selected to play with Sociedad Deportiva Lenense Proinastur, a third division professional club in Spain's La Liga, for the next six months. The 18-year-olds were chosen by the Central Reserve Police Force, who entered into a contract with the club and picked talent in an initiative to engage with Kashmiri youth.

From the shadow of guns in Srinagar to football grounds in Spain, it will be a long journey for two Kashmir boys who will be the first from the Valley to play in the prestigious Spanish league. Basit Ahmed and Mohammed Asrar Rehbar, both aged 18, will play with Sociedad Deportiva Lenense Proinastur - a third division professional club from the Spanish La Liga - for the next six months.                La Liga is the national football league in Spain. Ahmed, a centre-forward, and Rehbar, who plays on the wing, hail from Srinagar and were chosen by a special committee formed by the CRPF to pick footballing talent from the Kashmir Valley as part of its initiative to engage with the youth.                The paramilitary force also entered into a contract with the foreign club as part of the talent drive it undertook.              

Ayushi Ahluwalia

08 Jul 2017,Saturday

Delhi Police may ban Ladies' Night for women?s safety

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-police-to-put-ban-on-ladies-night-parties-at-hauz-khas-village/1/997156.html

Delhi Police may impose a ban on Ladies' Night in Hauz Khas Village till August 15 due to women safety issues, according to reports. Police officials have reportedly asked pubs and restaurants in the area to stop hosting such nights. "Such nights lure many men and it creates a law and order problem," a police official said.

Free drinks for the ladies at clubs in Delhi's Hauz Khas Village might see an end, as Delhi Police is considering to ban ladies' nights. Police is of the view that such parties 'disturb law and order situation'. The decision might bring about an end to the night-party culture in Hauz Khas, as bars and restaurants will be shut. However, police has appealed to ban ladies' night at Hauz Khas Village till Independence Day.According to a Navbharat Times report, police will soon decide on which pubs and bars will be allowed to host such parties. As Delhi plans to impose this ban, women are of the view that the government imposes witless bans when they should be taking actions against those who ridicule the law and order.Navbharat Times reports that South Delhi's DCP, Ishwar Singh confirmed that there are pubs and bars in Hauz Khas Village which host night parties for women on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. According to Singh, this trend hampers the law and order in the area. He added that all such establishments will be asked to stop hosting such nights.Instructions are also being given to the SHO of the concerned police station. The new instructions come in the wake of an incident which happened a couple of days ago. A Twitter user recounted her experience in Delhi's Hauz Khas Village, where she witnessed a group of stone-cold sober men trying to abduct a woman.Read Here || Terrifying Twitter thread: How men prowl through Hauz Khas Village to abduct and rape women ||

Daisy Mowke

03 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Assam village gives livestock, animals as lottery prizes

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assam-villagers-new-year-bizarre-lottery-animals-livestock/1/848328.html

Villagers in the Barpeta district of Assam organised a lottery to mark the New Year and the prizes to be won included livestock and animals. The organisers gave a cow, a goat and a duck as the first, second and third prize respectively. A number of hens and fishes were also given out as consolation prizes.

While people all over the country celebrated the arrival of a new year in a lot of different ways, this bizarre new year celebration in Assam will leave you bedazzled for sure.In the Barpeta district of Assam, the locals organised a lottery in which the prizes to be won are not cars, bikes and appliances but livestock and animals!In a bizarre list of prizes, the organisers handed out a cow, a goat, a duck as the first, second and third prize, and a number of hens and fishes as consolation prizes.Interestingly, even after the announcement of the list of prizes, people queued up in huge numbers to buy the lottery tickets.For the locals of Assam, lotteries like this are a common occurrence and happen in almost all the villages of the state.

Daisy Mowke

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Kangana to start Rani Laxmibai biopic on b'day: Reports

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-ketan-mehta-rani-laxmibai-biopic/1/909168.html

According to reports, actress Kangana Ranaut will start shooting for the biopic on Rani Laxmibai on her birthday on March 23. However, filmmaker Ketan Mehta will no longer direct the film, as per reports. Mehta reportedly wanted to shoot the film in English as he wanted the biopic to have a global appeal, but Kangana did not agree to it.

Biopics seems to be the thing with Bollywood. And Kangana Ranaut is the next in line to begun shooting for a biopic. It's been two years since Kangana was working on a script with director Ketan Mehta. The two had collaborated for a film on Rani Laxmibai. But the latest buzz has Kangana will shooting for the biopic on her 30th birthday, but with another director. According to a report in Mid-Day, Kangana and Ketan have fallen out, and the actor has chosen another director for the biopic. If report is to be believed, Mehta wanted to shoot his film in English as he wanted the biopic to have a global appeal. But Kangana, who also worked on the script, had a different opinion. A source was quoted as telling the daily, "Ketan was insistent that his movie be made in English for an international audience, like Gurinder Chadha's The Viceroy House, but those working on the film felt it won't go with the ethos of the story. The actress and the filmmaker couldn't find common ground on the language factor, leaving the project in a limbo."But come Thursday, and Kangana will shoot for the first poster of Manikarnika. With Kangana out of out Ketan's film, she has joined hands with director Krish of Gabbar Is Back fame for the biopic. The story has been written by KV Vijayendra Prasad, writer of Baahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. "The new film will be helmed by a fresh team. A top studio, too, has agreed to back the venture, which is envisioned as an action-packed, feisty film. It is the biopic of an ordinary girl, who when faced with tough times, discovered the warrior in her. The film will go on floors in mid-May," added the source.

Parmeet Kaur

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Delhi cops shot at while trying to stop ATM theft

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-cops-shot-at-while-trying-to-stop-atm-theft-in-pandav-nagar/story-4JOFm2QlA5c7M7DTR1bEXL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Two Delhi Police constables were shot at while trying to stop an ATM theft by five men in Delhi's Pandav Nagar on Friday. After spotting the policemen, the three men outside alerted two of their aides inside the ATM and opened fire to scare the constables away, but no bullets hit them. The men managed to escape, but without money.

A group of five men allegedly broke open an ATM of Central Bank in Acharya Niketan market in east Delhi?s Pandav Nagar area on Friday, but had to flee without the money. Police said that the theft was foiled by two constables who spotted the men while on patrolling. After being spotted, the men opened fire at the two policemen and managed to escape. Luckily, the bullets did not hit the policemen. According to the police, the five men came to the Central Bank ATM around 2am in a Honda city car. They parked the car outside and went in. The men allegedly covered the cameras installed inside the ATM with a cloth and started breaking the machine. ?While two of them were inside, the other three kept watch outside. While they were taking the cash tray out, two policemen on patrolling duty crossed the ATM and saw the men breaking the ATM open. They reacted immediately and parked their bike to a side,? a senior police officer said. On seeing the policemen, the men outside alerted the their aides inside and whipped out pistols. They even fired two rounds to scare the police away. ?The policemen, however, chased the two men who were inside the ATM, but they managed to escape. The other three, too, manged to flee with their car,? a police officer said. The police have registered a case against the men and have started to conduct raids to arrest them. ?Based on a statement by the two policemen, we have registered a case. Raids are on. We have identified two of the suspects and they will soon be arrested. We have also accessed the CCTV footage from the cameras installed in and around the ATM,? a police officer said.

Tanya Dhingra

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Raveena Tandon starrer Shab hits the theatres

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/shab-movie-review-raveena-tandon-sparkles-through-this-dark-murky-tale-of-emotions/story-kdB5oqybFfLXv6F3PQ3dLO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Raveena Tandon starrer Shab, which released on Friday, "is a dark, haunting film about human emotions, relationships, love and betrayal", wrote Hindustan Times. NDTV wrote, "Shab is a courageous film...stylish, layered, evocative," while Koimoi wrote, "This is not a family entertainer or a film which everyone would like to watch." It was rated 3/5 (HT, NDTV) and 1.5/5 (Koimoi).

ShabDirector: OnirCast: Raveena Tandon, Ashish Bisht, Simon FrenayRating: 3/5{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Review","author": {"@type":"Person","name":"Sweta Kaushal","sameAs":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/sweta-kaushal"},"datePublished":"2017-07-14","description":"Raveena Tandon?s new film Shab, which is directed by Onir, is all about the loneliness we face in big cities.","inLanguage":"en","itemReviewed": {"@type":"Movie","name":"Shab","image":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/rf/image_size_960x540/HT/p2/2017/07/14/Pictures/_fc61e1ee-683e-11e7-95fb-ec6334583ea6.JPG","sameAs":"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4287778/","datePublished":"2017-07-14","director": {"@type":"Person","name":"Onir"},"actor": [{"@type": "Person","name": "Raveena Tandon","sameAs": ""},{"@type": "Person","name": "Ashish Bisht","sameAs": ""}]},"publisher": {"@type":"Organization","name":"Hindustan Times","sameAs":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/"},"reviewRating": {"@type":"Rating","worstRating":0.0,"bestRating":5,"ratingValue":"3"}}Raveena Tandon in a still from Shab.Onir explored various shades of issues that have forever been sidelined by the society -- people in homosexual relationships or suffering at the hands of AIDS -- in his previous ventures. This time, the National Award-winning filmmaker delves into the murky world of Delhi and the unconventional relationships that take wing in the shadow of the city?s high-class lifestyle, with Shab. With his brilliant understanding of human emotions, Onir takes a leap into the ?forbidden? love stories of the society with his latest venture.Shab traces the lives of four characters - their personal struggles and love lives. Mohan (Ashish Bisht) is a small-towner who travels from Dhanaulti to Delhi with the hope of becoming a successful model. He is rejected at a talent hunt after being mocked for his ?lack of finnese? and is ridiculed for his broken English. One of the judges, however, finds her fantasy in this young man and there starts our first love story. She is Sonal Modi (Raveena Tandon), a rich trophy wife whose husband has no interest in her life. She decides to make Mohan her boy-toy. Meanwhile, Mohan meets Raina (Arpita Chatterjee) and Neel (Areesz Gandii) who appear to be caring, helpful and hard-working people and offer him all the help he needs. While Neel is recovering from a broken relationship, Raina appears to be mostly concerned about her younger sister?s well-being even as she nurtures some darker secrets. Onir?s expertise is seen in the way he handles these characters and their stories - his sensible filmmaking is written all over the frames. Even when showing stereotypical mindsets in our society, he makes it a point to balance out the narrow-minded comments by placing sane-minded characters nearby, giving them at least one or two jibes to throw at the prejudiced characters. Shab is the darkest film Onir has made till date. With the film, he explores the ?morally wrong? shades of human relationship without letting the audience hold any judgments - he shows us the emotional turmoils of people in these relationships. Though the reason behind such endeavours is revealed much later in the film, what we get to witness, are the everyday struggles. Of the four main characters, Onir seems to give a bigger window into the hearts of Mohan and Sonal. Raveena Tandon has given one of her most sensual, brilliant performances in Shab. She manages to bring out every single element of a rich and lonely trophy wife who does not shy away from paying up for the love she desires. She is authoritative, demanding and dominant when Mohan but becomes a loyal, caring wife when sitting beside her husband (Sanjay Suri) in a party. Her last scene, where she is told that her credit card is blocked, is something you will appreciate the most. When asked to pay up later at a hotel, she takes off her jewelry, places them at the counter and tells the man behind the cash counter, ?Tell my husband that her wife has kept all this for guarantee?. And the masterstroke comes when she places her heels at the counter as well. Ashish has an air of innocence about his presence that adds to the credibility of his character and makes his efforts shine through. Shab is a dark, haunting film about human emotions, relationships, love and betrayal that thrive in a rather opportunistic and materialistic world of Delhi?s elite society. Follow @htshowbiz for more

Radhika Chugh

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Organs from brain-dead Mumbai man save 4 lives

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/organs-from-brain-dead-mumbai-man-save-4-lives/story-U7MCv37CupVM2BdzHN7MiK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Organs retrieved from a 32-year-old brain-dead man, who was admitted to a Mumbai hospital after multiple injuries, saved lives of four end-stage organ failure patients. The man's heart, liver, kidneys, eyes, and skin were donated. While the deceased's heart was transplanted into a 56-year-old man, his liver and kidney were transplanted into two patients.

Family members of a 38-year-old brain dead man saved lives of four end-stage organ failure patients by donating his organs. This was the 32nd cadaver donation in the city this year, said officials. The donor had suffered multiple injuries and was admitted at Jupiter Hospital, Thane. He developed an intracranial bleeding and was declared brain dead on July 18 at 7:30pm.While the heart was taken to Fortis Hospital, Mulund, through a green corridor, his kidneys and liver were sent to different hospitals. The skin and corneas were sent to the skin and eye banks. A green corridor is clearing of a stretch of road to make way for an ambulance.The recipient of the heart was a 56-year-old man, who was recently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition? and was put on the waiting list earlier this month.Dr Anvay Mulay, chief of cardiac transplant team, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, who performed the heart transplant surgery, said, ?The donor?s family played an instrumental part and have enriched the lives of six people today. We encourage families to make informed decisions and spread goodwill amongst others. We as a community must come together to highlight the cause which can save many more lives in the future.? This was the 16th heart transplant for this year, said the hospital authorities.

Rini Sinha

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Was told I'm too good looking to look real in films: Kriti

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kriti-sanon-on-her-struggling-days-i-was-told-i-m-too-good-looking-to-be-an-actor/story-QeIRq6Ey6Yxkhw5iXPAx0H.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actress Kriti Sanon has said that when she was struggling to enter films, somebody told her she was too good-looking and there have to be imperfections for looking real onscreen. She added, "I think I did feel low, but at the same time, I did have people who believed in me." Kriti made her Bollywood debut with 2014 film 'Heropanti'.

Although actor Kriti Sanon is just three films old, she has already been directed by some of the best filmmakers and co-starred with actors such as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. However, it wasn?t an easy start for her, considering she had to face some bizarre criticism in the aspiring actor phase.?There were some low phases in my life; there were films offered by big banners, but they were not the best debut projects. So, I had to tell myself that I should be patient and good things will happen to me,? says Kriti, who was born and brought up in Delhi and shifted to Mumbai to try her luck in Bollywood.The actor, who turned 27 on Thursday, adds, ?There were days when I was annoyed and irritated. On some days, I used to cry, because there was nothing to keep me busy. There were also times when I met a few people who told me that something was not right about me ? someone told me, ?You?re too good-looking. There has to be some sort of imperfection in you to look real on screen.? I think I did feel low, but at the same time, I did have people who believed in me a lot. That?s what you need. I think that gave me a little more confidence.? Kriti, who made her debut with Tiger Shroff in Heropanti (2014), went on to star in Dilwale (2015) and this year?s Raabta. Her personal life made headlines when she was linked up with her Raabta co-star Sushant Singh Rajput. Neither of them has ever accepted it publicly, and Kriti says that negative stories do affect her.?I think I?ve made peace with all these rumours, but having said that, I?m also human and anything written about me does affect me. Though I know that the news is not true, being written in a negative way does make me feel bad. But it?s more important to move on from such things and focus on something exciting and positive,? says Kriti, who will soon be seen in Bareilly Ki Barfi.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Prashanti Moktan

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Tarantino to direct film on Manson Family murders: Report

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/quentin-tarantino-s-new-film-about-manson-murders-brad-pitt-and-jennifer-lawrence-in-talks/story-sHI5hXbhMrXmccAom5T7CO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

As per reports, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is set to direct a film on the Manson Family murders. The yet-to-be titled project has also been reportedly written by Tarantino, who is known for films like Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds. It is being said that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence have been approached for the film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Quentin Tarantino is quietly starting to put together his latest project and is talking to A-list actors for what is promising to be a unique take on the Manson Family murders.The project, whose title is unknown, was written by Tarantino, who will also direct.Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who have produced and executive produced the previous Tarantino films, are involved.In this Aug. 20, 1970, file photo, Charles Manson, head of the cultic Manson Family charged with murder-conspiracy in the Tate-LaBianca slayings, is escorted by deputy sheriffs to court in Los Angeles. (AP) They?re said to be in the early stages of shopping the project to studios to co-finance and co-distribute the venture.The move apes the way Tarantino and the Weinsteins made the filmmaker?s 2009 movie Inglourious Basterds, which had Universal Studios as a financial and distributing partner. The director is putting the finishing touches on the script. Brad Pitt, who worked with the filmmaker on Basterds, and Jennifer Lawrence have been approached. Studios could receive the package after Labor Day, according to one source.Script details are fuzzy but one of the stories centres on Sharon Tate, the actor and wife of director Roman Polanski who was murdered by Manson and his followers in 1969.In this Feb. 24, 1970 file photo, Patricia Krenwinkel, a defendant in the Tate murder case, enters the superior court in Los Angeles for an arraignment. Krenwinkel, a follower of cult killer Charles Manson, is again seeking parole Thursday 22, 2017. (AP) Manson had ordered a group of his followers to attack the inhabitants of a house in the Benedict Canyon part of Los Angeles, believing it was owned by a record producer who earlier had rejected him.Over the course of several hours on the night of August 8, the four followers, using guns and knives, brutally killed Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and four other occupants.In 1971, Manson and certain members of his crew were sentenced to life imprisonment for these and several other murders committed that summer.The movie is eyeing to start shooting in 2018.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Niharika Prabhakar

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

No interference in Jayalalithaa's treatment: Apollo Hospital

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-interference-in-jayalalithaa-s-medical-treatment-apollo-hospitals/story-7iLkVEqvnVJWFAUL8usRBI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Apollo Hospitals on Tuesday said that there was "no interference" in the medical treatment given to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and that they are ready to face any probe. This comes after several political parties have demanded a detailed probe into the treatment given to Jayalalithaa and the circumstances that led to her hospitalisation.

Apollo Hospitals said on Tuesday there was ?no interference? in the treatment given to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and it is ready to face any probe.Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Apollo Hospital Group?s Founder Chairman Prathap C Reddy said: ?We have all the data. There was no interference in the medical treatment given to her (Jayalalithaa).?He said Jayalalithaa was improving well but suddenly suffered cardiac arrest.Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital here on September 22, 2016 for fever and dehydration. She was in the hospital till she passed away on December 5, 2016.Several political parties including former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam have demanded a detailed probe into the treatment given to Jayalalithaa and the circumstances that led to her hospitalisation.

Tarun Khanna

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Raj Gujjar body demands separate 5% quota under OBC: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gujjar-community-rajasthan-gujjar-aarakashan-sangharsh-samiti-special-backward-castes-obcs/1/844480.html

The Rajasthan Gujjar Aarakashan Sangharsh Samiti has demanded separate reservation of 5% within Other Backward Class quota, reports said. In 2015, the Rajasthan government had provided 5% reservation for Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Gadarias and Raikas under Special Backward Classes, taking the total reservation in Rajasthan to 54%. However, the Rajasthan High Court struck down the move.

The Gujjars demand for reservation in Rajasthan can fast become an albatross around Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's neck. After the Rajasthan High Court struck down the move to bring five castes, including Gujjars, under the Special Backward Castes (SBC) category, the Rajasthan Gujjar Aarakashan Sangharsh Samiti has begun to demand that a separate reservation of 5 per cent be created for the nomadic castes within the Other Backward Classes (OBC), thus abiding with the total cap of 50 per cent on reservation. This, the agitating Gujjars feel, can help avoid the court's scrutiny.The Rajasthan government had, through a Bill in September, 2015, provided 5 per cent reservation for 5 castes under the Special Backward Classes (SBC), thus taking the total reservation in Rajasthan to 54 per cent. These castes include Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Gadarias and Raikas.RAJASTHAN GOVERNMENT IN DILEMMA OVER DEMANDThe Rajasthan government is presently in a dilemma about whether it must accept the demand. If it yields, it runs the risk of antagonising other castes whose share in the reservation quota will then drop. Such castes include the Jats and Bishnois, among many others.Currently, according to the Supreme Court, the cap on reservation under different categories in government jobs is 50 per cent. Before the government decided to bring in a Bill for 5 per cent reservation in September last year, caste-based reservation in government jobs in Rajasthan stood at 49 per cent. That included 21 per cent for OBCs, 16 per cent for Scheduled Castes and 12 per cent for Scheduled Tribes.Also read | Raj Govt tries to assure Gujjars on quota after stir threatThe High Court had mentioned that five castes (Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadarias, Raikas and Gadia Lohars), previously falling in the category of OBCs and getting benefits of reservation, have been brought under SBCs to provide five per cent reservation, exceeding the ceiling of 50 per cent. The court observed that the SBC Commission and the state government had failed to discharge their obligation, as per the directions of the apex court, to collect quantifiable data. The court, citing the Supreme Court's 9-judge bench Indira Sahani judgement, stated that there were no special reasons for creating a separate 5 per cent reservation pool for these castes. The court mentioned that according to a report, there were 25 more backward castes.GUJJARS FEEL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT KEPT PROMISEThe representative Gujjars, who have witnessed several violent agitations in the past, feel that the government has so far not fulfilled its promise of ensuring Amendment to the 9th Schedule to bring in the requisite changes. In May 2015, members of the Gujjar community began agitating in Bharatpur by once again blocking railway tracks. After that, representatives of the Sangharsh Samiti were called in for a dialogue. As per Himmat Singh Gujjar, spokesperson for Rajasthan Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (RGASS), the government during the dialogue that happened following the May agitation had promised that changes would be made in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution at the Central level, thus fulfilling the government's promise on the issue of reservation. Also read | Rajasthan: Gujjars launch fresh stir demanding quota in government jobsHe claimed, "Now our demand is for 5 per cent reservation to be set aside for the 5 castes within the OBC category."

Rini Sinha

04 Jul 2017,Tuesday

I felt angry after watching Lipstick Under My Burkha: Ekta

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/i-got-angry-when-i-watched-lipstick-under-my-burkha-ekta/1/993882.html

Film-television producer Ekta Kapoor has said that she felt angry after watching the film Lipstick Under My Burkha. She added, "I saw the film and realised we really live in a world where as women we are not allowed to do or say anything." Notably, the film will be distributed by Ekta Kapoor's ALT Balaji and Balaji Motion Pictures.

New Delhi, Jul 4 (PTI) Producer Ekta Kapoor has said she came up with a "sassy promo" for "Lipstick Under My Burkha" as she wanted the film to reach out to wider audiences rather than being confined to the art film zone. The movie hit a roadblock with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) soon after Ekta came onboard as a distributor but it only strengthened her desire to take the movie to the masses. "The film made me angry. I saw the film and realised we really live in a world where as women we are not allowed to do or say anything. Here was this entertaining movie that spoke about what I think. Why didnt I think of it? I loved it," Ekta, 42, told PTI in an interview. She came onboard the project when it had already hit a roadblock. Jha called her to watch the film and asked whether she would like to distribute and she immediately agreed. "I decided to distribute this movie knowing that I might not earn profits. Then I was hoping we would get a certificate and thats when it landed into a soup with the censor board." The board was criticised for being regressive by refusing certification to Lipstick... as the film was "lady- oriented". The makers approached the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which directed the CBFC to certify the film with few cuts. After the film was cleared for release, Ektas team came up with an edgy poster of the film, which depicts a woman showing her middle finger. "I thought, will this be an artie movie that 200 people will watch or a film where Ill get more and more women to see it? So, we got a sassy promo out, edgy as hell with great Hindi masala music and have more women pay attention to it. I felt this was the way to go forward." As someone who has produced shows on TV before venturing into cinema, Ekta understands the duality of the audiences in India. "Hamare khaane ke daant aur, dikhane ke daant aur hain. What I say in front of my parents, I wont repeat the same with my friends. And we are okay with it. "This is our society, this is how weve been brought up. But it doesnt mean I dont like discussing such topics. It means I will take up these issues in a different medium at the right time." Ekta said lipstick, as a symbol, had less to do with vanity and more to do with freedom of choice. "When you wear lipstick for vanity, it makes you look good. A lot of women say they wear lipstick when they want to feel good. I read somewhere there is nothing that a right shade of lipstick cant fix. So many acts by us are a form of rebellion." Spilling details about the first scene of the film, Ekta said one of the characters goes to a shop and steals a lipstick.

Tarun Khanna

03 May 2017,Wednesday

Mamata highlights her achievements in dealing with Maoists

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-west-bengal-model-maoist-menace-centre-sukma-attack/1/944420.html

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday highlighted her government's achievements in dealing with Maoists in the state. "So far, in West Bengal, 328 Left-wing extremists have surrendered. This includes 111 Maoists in 2017. 205 surrenderees have already been enrolled as Special Home Guards," she said. "Apart from employment, surrendering Maoists get financial incentives," she added.

At a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party led government at the Centre is mulling a change in strategy to deal with the Maoist menace after last week's deadly Sukma attack, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has highlighted Bengal's success story in dealing with the same.Bengal, the birthplace of Naxal movement in the 60's witnessed the revival of violent anti-government agitation backed by the Maoists in the impoverished Jungalmehal region during the end of the erstwhile Left front government. But soon after a regime change in 2011, the Mamata Banerjee government successfully quelled the rebellion by killing Maoist commander Kisenji and arresting Chatradhar Mahato, the leader of Peoples Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) - a frontal organisation spearheading the agitation backed by rebels.Elaborating on how the state was trying to integrate rebel cadres into the mainstream, Mamata wrote on Facebook, "So far, in West Bengal 328 Left wing extremists have surrendered. This includes 111 Maoists in 2017 (till date). 205 surrenderees have already been enrolled as Special Home Guards. Now, 11 more are being enrolled as Special Home Guards and another 9 cases are in process. Thus, total of 225 surrenderees will be enrolled for employment till date."Banerjee also announced that the Bengal government had designed rehabilitation programme with incentives, providing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to those who have surrendered so that they become a part of mainstream."Apart from employment, surrendering Maoists get financial incentives as well as assistance for housing, medical and child education, as per norms set up by the government," Banerjee announced.Also read:Bengal BJP workers who lunched with Amit Shah at Naxalbari join Mamata's Trinamool CongressDidi a hijra: BJP leader launches attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee BJP's multi-pronged strategy to corner Mamata Banerjee and wrest power from Trinamool in West BengalNarada scam: ED registers case against 12 Trinamool Congress leaders

Dishant Sharma

09 May 2017,Tuesday

Our attack one of the best in the world: Mohammed Shami

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mohammed-shami-team-india-icc-champions-trophy-delhi-daredevils/1/949169.html

Pacer Mohammed Shami, who has returned to the Indian team after being included in the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, has said that the Indian bowling attack is one of the best in the world. Speaking about his two-year absence from the Indian team, Shami said, "In these two years, I have focussed on my strength and fitness."

Two years is a long hiatus from limited overs cricket and a fit-again Mohammed Shami is ready to come out all guns blazing in the upcoming Champions Trophy in England from June 1.Shami last played for India in an ODI, back in 2015 World Cup and it will be a fresh start in the 50-over cricket."Two years is a long time to be out of ODI squad. In these two years, I have focussed on my strength and fitness. I have also worked on my weaknesses. I have got leaner. I am hopeful that I can perform well in the upcoming Champions Trophy. I want to give my best shot," Shami said after being named in the Champions Trophy squad.Shami who plays for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, feels that IPL games will be great match practice in the tune up to the marquee event."IPL is a good platform for me wherein I will be getting 8-10 matches before going to the international tournament."Delhi Daredevils captain Zaheer Khan's presence has been of great help as his insights has helped Shami become a better bowler.

Tanya Dhingra

09 Jul 2017,Sunday

Nothing going on: Richa on rumours of dating Angad Bedi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/richa-chadha-angad-bedi-dating/1/996787.html

Actress Richa Chadha has denied rumours of dating Pink actor Angad Bedi, adding, "There is nothing going on like that." Richa and Angad will be seen together in the upcoming web series Inside Edge. A source had previously said, "They (Richa and Angad) hadn't met until they started to work together and have been spending time together since."

Richa Chadha has flatly denied rumours of a link-up with Inside Edge co-actor Angad Bedi. Richa and Angad were spotted together at the 6th edition of Sportsperson of the Year Awards 2017, along with actress Taapsee Pannu and shuttler PV Sindhu on Thursday. When prodded about the rumours, Richa told the media, "There is nothing going on like that."Angad simply nodded his head affirmatively. Rumours of Richa and Angad dating have been doing the rounds for a while now. A source was quoted as telling Mumbai Mirror a few days ago, "Richa recently moved to Versova (Mumbai) and Angad worked alongside the packers to smoothen out the process of settling into a new home for her. Since then she has been regularly dropping by a city studio where he is currently shooting for his next film and is a constant source of motivation."Richa and Angad's spokesperson told the tabloid, "They hadn't met until they started to work together and have been spending time together since. They have hit it off really well."Now, seems like it was all mere speculation. Angad and Richa will be seen together in upcoming web series Inside Edge, which will have cricket as its backdrop.Asked about their sports interests, Angad, son of former cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, said, "I have a sports background, so obviously I have followed sports from childhood. I have been following the India-West Indies cricket tour and now also Wimbledon has started, I have been following that as well."Richa said, "I watch other sports events like Olympics if India is part of it. It isn't as though I don't have any interest in sports. I am interested in other things in life, so it's hard to find more time to add more interests. I enjoy cricket the most, then football, badminton and squash."ALSO READ: If Modi knew how women are harassed on Twitter, he would put a stop to it, says Richa Chadha

Rini Sinha

15 Jan 2017,Sunday

Pic of Aamir's son with Imran and his daughter shared online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/imran-khan-daughter-imara-aamir-son-azad-instagram/1/857790.html

A photograph of Aamir Khan's son Azad Rao Khan with actor Imran Khan and his daughter Imara has been shared online. In the photograph, Azad can be seen in a blue T-shirt while Imara is dressed in white. Imara is Imran's first child with wife Avantika, whom he married in 2011 after dating her for ten years.

Imran Khan has been missing from the limelight ever since his 2015 release Katti Batti with Kangana Ranaut. Imran is busy being a good daddy to his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Imara.ALSO WATCH: Abhi-Ash's daughter Aaradhya and Aamir's son Azad dancing on their Annual Day

Daisy Mowke

14 Jan 2017,Saturday

Kamal Haasan asks Jallikattu supporters not to harass Trisha

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamal-haasan-asks-people-not-to-hurt-trisha-jallikattu-issue/1/857310.html

Actor Kamal Haasan, who has been vocal about his support for Jallikattu, took to Twitter and asked supporters of the traditional sport not to harass actress Trisha. "Let's not hurt her just because she differs from our opinion," he tweeted. Earlier, there were reports that Jallikattu supporters held up shooting of Trisha's film as she is endorsing PETA.

Legendary actor Kamal Haasan has been vehemently speaking in favour of jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport, played in the heartlands of Tamil Nadu.Trisha Krishnan, who recently endorsed People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), was forced to call off the film's shooting after protests by the pro-jallikattu supports in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.ALSO READ: Bairavaa ReviewALSO READ: Khaidi No 150 ReviewALSO READ: Gautamiputra Satakarni ReviewThat bein said,I am shocked n mortified at d haters n d kind of filthy language bein used jus bcoz u have free access 2 social media. pic.twitter.com/oCX0TvbsgjCondemning Tamils for the same, Kamal Haasan took to Twitter and asked people not to hurt Trisha. He wrote, "Please stop hurting Ms Trisha. Let's not hurt her (Trisha) just because she differs from our opinion. We need both Trisha and jallikattu. Let's continue to contend with love (sic)."Pls stop hurting MsTrisha.à®?வரà¯?à®?à¯?à®?à¯?à®®à¯? நமà®?à¯?à®?à¯?à®®à¯?ள வà¯?à®±à¯?à®±à¯?à®®à¯? à®?ரறியà®?à¯?à®?à¯?à®®à¯? à®?னà¯?னியà¯?à®®à¯? வாழ நமà¯? à®?ாளà¯?யà¯?à®®à¯? வாழ வழி à®?à¯?யà¯?வà¯?à®®à¯?. தரà¯?à®?à¯?à®?à®®à¯? தà¯?à®?à®°à¯?à®? நà¯?à®?தà¯?தà¯?à®?னà¯?In his next tweet, Kamal wrote, "My support is always for decency. Let individuals be . Dont weaken our case by slandering. Leave small people alone fight decesion makers."My support is always for decency. Let individuals be . Dont weaken our case by slandering. Leave small people alone fight decesion makers. Trisha took to Twitter and clarified that she had said nothing wrong about the sport. Secondly,I have never spoken against Jallikattu at any given point.Thank u @iam_str for making my stand clear and takin up for me as always  Disrespecting a woman and her family is tamil culture?You should be ashamed to call urself a Tamilian or even speak about Tamil culture.  I never bow down to bullyism nor do i fear you.Get off my timeline and get a life !!! Period !!! Earlier to this, Kamal Haasan 's famous 'biryani remark' shoot the nation. Speaking at India Today Conclave South 2017, Kamal said, "If you want a ban on jallikattu, let's also ban biryani."

Chhavi Tyagi

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Two militants killed in encounter in Burhan Wani's hometown

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/encounter-underway-between-militants-and-security-forces-in-south-kashmir/story-kV3urGqbwWJQ1jqLNjX4BL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Two militants have reportedly been killed today in an ongoing encounter with security forces in terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen's slain commander Burhan Wani's hometown Tral in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. However, Inspector General of Police Muneer Khan said, "Till the time we do not recover bodies and weapons, we can't confirm it."

Three militants were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Tral area of south Kashmir?s Pulwama district on Saturday, a senior police officer said.According to officials, the militants were planning a major attack on army and police.The encounter began at around 8.30 on Saturday after Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)?and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants opened fire on security forces conducting a search in Satoora forest area of Tral.?Since the last two-three days, we had information that this group of militants were planning an attack on army and police,? Muneer Khan, inspector general of police, Kashmir Range told HT earlier during the day.?Pursuing them, we finally established contact today (Saturday) morning,? he said.The identity of deceased militants is yet to be ascertained.Tral, which is 36 km from Srinagar, is the hometown of Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen ultra who was gunned down by security forces on July 8 last year triggering a wave of unrest in the Valley for nearly a year.

Akshita Jain

12 Feb 2017,Sunday

Congress turned Devbhoomi of Uttarakhand to loot-bhoomi: PM

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttarakhand-assembly-elections-narendra-modi-rahul-gandhi/1/880843.html

While addressing a rally in Uttarakhand, PM Narendra Modi highlighted the corruptness of Congress and said that it turned the state from a "Devbhoomi" to a "loot-bhoomi". The appointed people lost no opportunity to make personal gains and were caught on camera, he added. Modi was referring to a sting operation, which showed CM Harish Rawat offering bribes to MLAs.

With two days to go before the poll campaign ends in Uttarakhand, electioneering is reaching its zenith today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi are in Uttarakhand to seek votes for their respective parties.Prime Minister Modi is holding two election rallies in Uttarakhand- at Srinagar and Pithoragarh-in the last leg of the election campaign.At his rally in Srinagar, the Prime Minister launched a sharp attack on the Harish Rawat-led government, and promised to take the state to newer heights over the next five years.Confident of a BJP victory in the state, the Prime Minister said the current government will be relegated to the past on March 12--a day after the Assembly election results in the five states will be announced.  The election in Uttarakhand will be held in a single phase on February 17. HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES FROM MODI's SPEECHES: We have increased funds being allotted to the armed personnel. This has benefited them & their families immensely: PM in Pithoragarh pic.twitter.com/DCMtq1gfee

Rini Sinha

07 Jul 2017,Friday

Coincidence Ranbir's hair like Tintin: Jagga Jasoos director

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anurag-basu-jagga-jasoos-ranbir-kapoor-hairdo-tintin/1/995541.html

Jagga Jasoos director Anurag Basu has said it's a coincidence that Ranbir Kapoor's hairdo in the film is like the comic book character Tintin. He added, "This look wasn't my first choice...[but] no other look...matched our narrative." Basu further revealed that he had stacks of Tintin comics during childhood and details of such adventure stories stayed in his mind.

Jagga Jasoos, starring ex-flames Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, has been making headlines for quite some time now. Be it the interesting trailer or ex-flames Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's off-screen banter, Jagga Jasoos is making a lot of noise ahead of its release. The look of Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Jagga in the film, has been discussed at length ever since it was released. The boy with the quiff will immediately remind you of the detective-cum-reporter, Tintin who we all have grown up reading and loving.Looks like Jagga, the teenage detective, is an ode from director Anurag Basu to his childhood superhero Tintin. The director told Mid-Day, "When I was a child, I had stacks of Tintin's comics in my room."Anurag Basu said that through Jagga Jasoos, he wanted to pay homage to all the art, literature, comics, that have influenced his work."I used to love adventure stories when I was a kid. The setting and details of such stories often stay at the back of your mind, and resurface when you are creating something of your own. Jagga Jasoos is my childhood playing out on screen," added the Barfi director.Ranbir Kapoor's Tintin quiff has been the talk of the town ever since the trailer of Jagga Jasoos hit the web."I am aware that the hairdo is the most obvious point of discussion," Basu said, adding, "I wanted to give Ranbir a unique hairdo. This look wasn't my first choice. When we started trying out different looks, there was one we liked, but it did not make him look very childlike, which was essential. No other look, apart from this one, matched our narrative. It's a coincidence that it is the same as that of Tintin."

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Kolkata woman caught for rash driving kisses policeman

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-drunken-woman-caught-for-rash-driving-starts-kissing-policeman/story-S5fOcH4dgrjEFxHoJVpPZI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A drunk woman who was caught for rash driving started hugging and kissing a policeman after he approached her, Kolkata Police said on Thursday. Other policemen stopped her after seeking the help of another woman nearby. The incident occurred around midnight, and the accused, in her late 30s, was taken to the police station with two other people accompanying her.

This is one kiss which the recipient could have never expected. A policeman who stopped and hauled up a drunk woman for rash driving ended up being hugged and smooched, police said Thursday. The woman, in her late 30s, was driving her car while returning from a party around Wednesday-Thursday midnight in an allegedly heavily inebriated condition, police said.She apparently lost control at the Chingrihata crossing on the Eastern Metropolitan by-pass close to Salt Lake and hit a divider.However, when a taxi driver tried to rescue her, the woman thrashed him.Then a constable tried to bring out the woman and her two friends - a man and a woman, who were also under the influence of liquor A- from the car. But, the policeman was hardly prepared for what followed next.The woman pulled him towards her, hugged him tightly, and started raining kisses on him.The other policemen sought help from another woman present at the spot, finally managed to extricate their colleague and take the three to the Bidhannagar South police station.The woman has been booked for rash driving under the influence of liquor. Cases have also been initiated against her two friends for misconduct.?We may even start a case against the woman driver for trying to bribe a policeman by kissing him,? said a police officer lightheartedly.

Daisy Mowke

27 Apr 2017,Thursday

Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme passes away at 73

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/26/silence-of-the-lambs-director-jonathan-demme-dies-aged-73?CMP=twt_gu

Hollywood director Jonathan Demme, best known for directing the 1991 Oscar-winning film 'The Silence of the Lambs', passed away on Wednesday at the age of 73. He passed away of cancer complications, his publicist said. Other films directed by him include 'Swing Shift' (1984), 'Something Wild' (1986) and 'Married to the Mob' (1988).

Film director Jonathan Demme, best known for The Silence of the Lambs and Something Wild, has died at the age of 73. His publicist told Variety that the cause of death was ?cancer complications?.The Silence of the Lambs, the horror-thriller adapted from Thomas Harris? novel, was the high point of his career as a mainstream film-maker: the film won five Oscars, including best director for Demme, and made its central character, Hannibal Lecter, into a household name.However, it was untypical of Demme?s career, both before and after its 1991 release. Having spent much of the 1960s living in London and working as a music writer, Demme cut his teeth in the no-budget school of Roger Corman: initially as a writer, then gaining his first directorial credit on the prison flick Caged Heat in 1974. (Its tag line: ?Women?s prison USA ? Rape Riot and Revenge! White Hot Desires melting cold prison steel!)After directing two other films for Corman, Demme found a niche in the burgeoning independent cinema scene with his 1980 film Melvin and Howard, a comedy about a former milkman who claims to be the heir of Howard Hughes. Later in the same decade, Demme completed the yuppie-in-peril comedy Something Wild, which gave Melanie Griffith one of her early successful roles.The Silence of the Lambs, he said later, ?was a great delirious shock to everybody concerned?, but he appeared to being disquieted by the controversies that accompanied it, and subsequently concentrated on films that reflected his own politically liberal credentials. Philadelphia, which starred Tom Hanks in an Oscar-winning performance and brought Aids and gay characters into the mainstream. Meanwhile, Beloved, released in 1998, was an adaptation of Toni Morrison?s seminal novel about slavery.Alongside his feature film career, Demme indulged a taste for the odd, the eccentric and the underground. He made documentaries about Talking Heads (including Stop Making Sense, 1984), Neil Young (among them Heart of Gold, 2006) and his radical priest cousin (Cousin Bobby, 1992); he filmed Spalding Gray?s celebrated one-man show Swimming to Cambodia (1987), and shot a profile of US president Jimmy Carter (Man from Plains, 2007).His mainstream film-making took a dip in the 2000s, after the poorly received remake of Charade, The Truth About Charlie and a new version of The Manchurian Candidate, but he restored his reputation with the wedding comedy-drama Rachel Getting Married and the likable girl-rocker film Ricki and the Flash.Jodie Foster, who won an Oscar for her role in The Silence of the Lambs, released a statement earlier today. ?I am heart-broken to lose a friend, a mentor, a guy so singular and dynamic you?d have to design a hurricane to contain him,? it read. ?Jonathan was as quirky as his comedies and as deep as his dramas. He was pure energy, the unstoppable cheerleader for anyone creative. Just as passionate about music as he was about art, he was and will always be a champion of the soul. JD, most beloved, something wild, brother of love, director of the lambs. Love that guy. Love him so much.? Meryl Streep, who took the title role in Ricki and the Flash, also released a statement to pay tribute to ?A big hearted, big tent, compassionate man?, while Tom Hanks called him ?the grandest of men?.Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Jonathan Demme. Admired his movies, his documentaries, his concert films. He could do anything.Film-makers such as Edgar Wright and James Wan have also paid tribute to Demme on Twitter, with Wright saying: ?Admired his movies, his documentaries, his concert films. He could do anything.?

Shubhodeep Datta

24 Mar 2017,Friday

Cops fire shots in Punjab jail over violence among prisoners

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-gurdaspur-jail-firing/1/911827.html

Large-scale violence was reported in Punjab's Gurdaspur jail as the police resorted to firing in the air to bring the situation under control. As per reports, the clashes started as four undertrials attacked two jail wardens with plastic pipes, which they had removed from walls. The prison-mates reportedly ransacked several barracks in the jail and caused loss to government properties.

Large scale violence is reported from Gurdaspur jail in Punjab. Groups of inmates today clashed inside the jail premises.Several inmates are reported to be injured in the violence inside the Gurdaspur jail. As the situation went out of control, the police resorted to firing in air to rein in rampaging inmates.Several top police officials of Gurdaspur rushed to the jail. Additional police force was rushed to Gurdaspur jail to control the rioters.The prison-mates reportedly ransacked several barracks in the jail and caused huge loss of government properties. They also climbed up to the rooftops of the barracks.Punjab Police were having a tough time in containing the inmates. The cause for clashes among the jail inmates were not immediately known. Meanwhile, the district police headquarters ordered all the 13 SHOs to reach Gurdaspur jail with heavy force. Meanwhile, the District Collector has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The probe will be conducted by a sub-divisional magistrate.Gurdaspur is close to Pakistan border. The district had seen a terrorist attack in January last year when Pakistani terrorists had attacked Dinanagar police station.

Tarun Khanna

03 Feb 2017,Friday

Nagaland crisis: Centre assures support to CM TR Zeliang

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nagaland-kohima-dimapur-violent-protest-rajnath-singh-zeilang/1/873784.html

Amid tension in Nagaland?s capital Kohima, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday spoke to state CM TR Zeliang and assured him all possible help from the Centre. The tribal groups in Nagaland have been opposing the Nagaland government's decision of granting 33% reservation to women in the local bodies. On Wednesday, two protestors were killed in police firing in Dimapur.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang over the tensed scene in the capital city of Kohima. Rajnath Singh has assured all possible help from the Centre and is said to be closely monitoring the situation. The home secretary is also holding a series of meetings to advocate the issue that has caused a violent stir in Nagaland. A source in MHA said, "Distance from Delhi will not hamper the help that needs to be extended to Nagaland." Zeliang has assured that the situation is under control with no more violent clash being reported since morning. Also read: Nagaland: Protesters angry over women's quota in local polls set fire to government offices in Kohima Also read: Nagaland tense over anti-women's qouta stir, two killed in police firing

Sonu Kumari

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Sacked employees damage Vivo factory in Noida

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/sacked-employees-ransack-vivo-factory-in-greater-noida/story-TPzxrLh8GgBJqe6dZCunII.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Workers of Vivo phone factory on Tuesday protested and damaged the company premises in Greater Noida, alleging that the Chinese firm had sacked over 60 employees without giving prior notice. They claimed that Vivo, the title sponsor of IPL T20, hired many workers during the IPL season but fired over 1,000 employees after the matches ended nearly two months ago.

The workers at a mobile phone factory in Greater Noida turned violent on Tuesday evening when the company?s management sacked over 60 workers without any prior notice. Over the last couple of months, after Indian Premier League cricket tournament was concluded, Vivo company handed over pink slips to over a thousand workers. The Chinese handset maker has been one of the official sponsors of the 10th edition of IPL this year.The growing resentment among the workers took a violent turn on Tuesday, when one of the guards of the company allegedly slapped a worker after he asked about his job.Soon after the incident, thousands of workers gathered and staged a protest against the errant policies of the company. The workers inside the factory also broke windowpanes of the building and cell phone assembly units in the factory.Police at the Vivo factory in Greater Noida. (HT) A clash between security guards and workers continued outside the company gates for about half an hour, before the police took over. Some workers reportedly received minor injuries during the clash.According to one of the workers, who was fired by the company on Tuesday, the company hired many workers during IPL season, and started laying them off when the season concluded. He said that the company has sacked over a thousand employees in the last few months and has plans to fire 2,000 more. Gautam Budh Nagar?s Senior Superintendent of Police, Love Kumar, said, ?The situation is under control. We have asked the workers not to indulge in any kind of violence and have also asked company to mend their policies.?Vivo officials were not available for comments.?In last couple of months, the cell phone maker has handed pink slips to over thousand workers and plans to axe about 2000 more in near future. Given the sensitivity of the matter, we shall post police personnel near the IT park on Wednesday morning,? said Suniti, Superintendent of Police (Rural)According to Manmohan Sharma, an official of World Trade Centre (IT Park complex), where the Vivo factory is situated, the company had asked its employees to leave after lunch as they did not have much work. The workers staged a protest and attacked security guards of the commercial complex who did not let them enter the factory.?We are told by the VIVO?officials that the employees who created a ruckus are on contractual basis, so no notices were served to them prior to sacking. They attacked security guards and ransacked the building. The estimated loss to the building owing to the attack is of around Rs 10-12 lakh. We shall identify the attackers through CCTV and lodge FIR against them,? said Sharma.

Niharika Prabhakar

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Bee attack delays Hyderabad-Pune flight by an hour

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/bees-delay-hyderabad-pune-flight-dgca-to-probe-how-hive-was-allowed-to-grow-at-airport/story-so0ScWIaYc1qCoYo1F4lzK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A swarm of bees reportedly attacked a Hyderabad-Pune flight last week and delayed it by almost an hour. The flight was able to take off only after a repellent spray was used to clear the insects from the area. "We will look into the matter and necessary action will be taken," a Directorate General of Civil Aviation official said.

After a swarm of bees held up a Hyderabad-Pune flight last week for more than one hour, the country aviation regulator said it will investigate how a bee hive was allowed to flourish in the airport area. The flight on July 26 was held up when the ATR?72 - a short-haul aircraft - was besieged by bees. The flight, which was scheduled to take off at around 6.25pm, took off only at around 7.22pm after a repellent spray was used to clear the insects from the apron area. This was the first such incident in the past five years. A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official on Monday said, ?We will look into the matter and necessary action will be taken.? Air India spokesperson, Dhananjay Kumar, confirmed the incident and said that taking safety as priority, the pilot took necessary precautions before taking off the flight. ?The swarms of bees kept coming and settling on the wind screen of the cockpit, not allowing the pilot to push back,? he explained.The incident took place when the flight was to line up for its scheduled take off. The Flight 9I 867 of Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, couldn?t push back when a group of bees surrounded the twin engine turboprop. Though the aircraft?s door was shut to stop bees from entering it, the pilot got in touch with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) who in turn informed the airport operator. The pilot had to then call for a spray in order to get rid of the bees. Commenting on the incident, Captain Mohan Ranganathan, aviation safety expert, said, ?Bees do not pose a threat to the ATR but the engineers and other ground staff who play a major role before take-off would have found it impossible to perform their functions due to their presence.? Pilots said that the bee hives shouldn?t be in the airport premises as part of the air safety measures taken in the airport. Former Indian Air Force helicopter pilot and aviation expert, Vipul Saxena, said that the delay will not only be with respect to the safety of the passengers but also for the safety of the cockpit crew.?The DGCA should take a note of the incident and ensure that they do not occur again,? said a senior pilot associated with a leading airline.

Niharika Prabhakar

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Centre mulls jailing NGO heads hiding public funds

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modi-government-considering-jailing-ngo-heads-hiding-public-funds/1/1000854.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it may enact a new law to provide jail terms or fines for heads of NGOs which misappropriate government funds or do not file annual statements. Earlier in April, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to examine enacting such a law, saying that merely blacklisting NGOs is not sufficient.

Heads of NGOs, which misappropriate government funds or do not file annual statement, may soon go to jail or be slapped with hefty fines as penalty.There could be criminal proceedings for misappropriation and civil action for recovery of given funds.The Modi government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that a legislation may soon be enacted in this regard and discussions are on at the top level to include a penal provision to punish errant NGOs"A penal provision needs to be made as it cannot be included in the mere guidelines. A separate regime is required for provision of punishment or fine," Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud.The ASG's comments came when the CJI said: "This is a very serious issue. Our directions are already there. You just implement it so that the authorities who are overseeing the activities of the NGOs get more teeth." The SC had in its order in April asked the Centre to examine enacting a law to regulate government funds for NGOs and prosecute them in case of misuse, misappropriation of funds or non-filing of statements.Passing detailed orders on the PIL by advocate M L Sharma in 2011, to seek a tab on functioning of NGOs, the bench had said mere blacklisting of NGOs who do not file annual statements will not suffice. Criminal proceedings for misappropriation and civil action for recovery of given funds must be initiated. "Rs950 crore is being given in total to all NGOs every year. This is a phenomenal amount... tax payers money ... since 78 ministries and departments were granting money to NGOs, a law on regulating funds and work by NGOs would be much better. Inform us in eight weeks whether you want to streamline NGOs through guidelines or through legislation," the bench had told the government.The SC order came after senior lawyer Amucus Dwivedi cited a CBI report that said only 10 per cent of NGOs filed annual income and expenditure statements. Raising the issue of transparency in functioning, the report said that out of 22,39,971 NGOs in 20 states (information from nine states is awaited), only 2,23,428 have filed balance sheets, a paltry 10 per cent.

Mansha Mahajan

24 Apr 2017,Monday

Girl who paid ?12000 for phone on Snapdeal gets brick in box

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/chennai-girl-pays-for-rs-12-000-phone-on-snapdeal-gets-a-brick-in-the-box/1/936865.html

A student of IIT Madras, who ordered a new mobile phone through e-commerce firm Snapdeal, has reported that instead of the mobile phone, she found a brick inside the parcel. The girl, who paid ?12,000 for the product, said she contacted Snapdeal and registered a complaint. An executive from the company said he would enquire into the issue.

At a time when virtually all gadget shopping is done online, this story will make you think twice before adding an expensive product to your online shopping cart. This is how horribly wrong online shopping can go. Imagine you order a mobile from an online shopping site and get a brick in return. Well, that's what happened to a student based in Chennai when she ordered a mobile phone on Snapdeal.Also Read: iPhone 6 for Rs 25,660, iPhone 5S for Rs 17,499 as Flipkart kicks off Apple Days saleNithila Devi and her friend Ramya spent Rs 12,000 to buy a brand new Lenovo Z Plus phone on the site. After waiting for 3 days, they found that their order has arrived, although they asked the delivery guy to bring it next day because they were not available. Later the excited girls ripped open the cover and guess what they found? a brick. "We couldn't pick up our parcel the day it arrived so we asked the delivery person to bring it the next day. When we opened the box, we were shocked to find half a brick inside,' said Ramya, a student in IIT Madras.The girls immediately called the delivery boy who said he had no clue and asked them to call Snapdeal. According to Ramya, "As soon as we opened the package, we contacted the delivery person and he said he can't take it back. That's when we contacted Snapdeal on their website but they have no proper redressal mechanism. We finally called them and registered a complaint and they've promised us a refund."

Mansha Mahajan

08 Jan 2017,Sunday

Bank with suspicious deposits worth ?871 crore under probe

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/i-t-probes-rajkot-bank-that-got-suspicious-rs-871cr-deposits/1/852285.html

The I-T department has detected alleged discrepancies in transactions of a Rajkot-based cooperative bank where ?871 crore were deposited, over 4,500 new accounts opened and five dozen accounts with same mobile number initiated. This is reportedly one of the biggest cases of black fund generation post demonetisation. The department has now initiated action and sought full details from the bank.

New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) The Income Tax department has detected huge alleged discrepancies in the transactions of a Rajkot-based cooperative bank where Rs 871 crore deposits were made, over 4,500 new accounts opened and more than five dozen accounts having same mobile number initiated, making it one of the biggest cases of black fund generation post November 8. The departments Ahmedabad probe wing has now initiated action under tax laws and has sought full details from the bank after it conducted survey operations against it sometime back and found large irregularities. Officials said the departments investigation till now has found that cash deposits of Rs 871 crore, majorly using the old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, was made in this bank between November 9-December 30 last year while Rs 108 crore was withdrawn during the same period in a highly suspicious manner not commensurate with the banks activities during the same period in 2015 or at other times. The sleuths have identified at least 25 high value cash deposits post demonetisation where Rs 30 crore monies have been transacted in an alleged suspicious and unsatisfactory manner and in accounts with purported weak KYC norms in place. An I-T analysis report prepared in this regard states that Rs 10 crore funds were deposited in a number of "dormant" accounts post the currency scrap, including in that of a petroleum firm where Rs 2.53 crore was deposited. What has startled the taxman has been the fact that a total of "4,551 new accounts were opened in the bank post demonetisation as against the average 5,000 of such accounts usually opened in the full year while 62 of these were opened using one mobile number."

Pragya Swastik

11 Dec 2016,Sunday

Odisha CM's aircraft pushed on runway by security personnel

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/odisha-chief-minister-naveen-patnaik-rourkela-hamid-ansari-biju-patnaik/1/831881.html

The aircraft of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik was on Saturday pushed by security personnel on the runway of a Rourkela airport after it encountered a technical glitch. The personnel pushed the aircraft till it was out of the runway. The runway had to be cleared immediately as Vice President Hamid Ansari?s flight was about to land.

An aircraft of the Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik was pushed and pulled on the runway of an airport by the security personnel in the four wheeler style !!In a peculiar situation, police personnel from Rourkela had to push Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's aircraft as it underwent some technical difficulties.The incident occurred at Rourkela Airport, where the Chief Minister's flight stood idle on the runway for a while after landing. Airport officials were anxious as Vice President Hamid Ansari's flight was about to land.Watch the video here:Vice President and Chief Minister had visited Rourkela for Inaugurating and attending the opening ceremony of Grameen Hockey Championship of the state being held to  mark the centenary celebrations founder of Biju Janata Dal and former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik.The flight developed a technical snag and was almost pushed on the runway by security officials till it was out of the runway. It is perhaps one of the most bizarre way of shifting an aircraft of a Chief Minister from the run way.Rourkela is an industrial belt yet has a strong Maoist presence in the region hence security cordon and requirements are usually high in South Odisha as compared to the rest of the state.Also read: Odisha: 4 die as boat capsizes in Chilika lakeEven though BJD has supported the decision of demonetisation of Central Government Odisha has been in controversy in recent times for a hospital fire, maoist menace as well as deaths due to ripple effect of demonetisation and poverty in various districts.

Vani Vivek

28 Feb 2017,Tuesday

10 supercars seized in Chennai for illegal racing

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tamil-nadu-chennai-super-cars-lamborghini-aventador-traffic-violation/1/892506.html

Chennai police on Sunday impounded 10 supercars that were allegedly involved in illegal racing in the city. The cars, estimated to be worth around ?30 crore in total, include two Lamborghinis, a Ferrari, and an Audi. According to the police, the cars were being driven at 180 kmph on a 60 kmph stretch.

While 10 super cars were seized from near Akkarai on East Coast Road on Sunday evening for violating traffic, deeper investigations have revealed the story of a traffic policeman who defied norms and stood against the VIP culture. Following the incident, an FIR was filed against 10 persons. The accused were also booked for rash driving, obstructing public servant and hindering him from conducting his duty. "Apparently, a traffic unit detected the 10 Supercars grouping near VGP, ECR for a rally and informed the control room. Another team detected the speed of the vehicle near Akkarai which exceeded 180km/hr on a stretch that was 60km/hr zone", explained a police officer. "What's bad is that they didn't even stop when we intercepted them at Akkarai", he added. Traffic Inspector Soundarrajan and his team were alerted near the Uthama toll gate as the cars sped away from Akkarai. Soundarrajan, blocked the cars and cordoned them. When he asked for the documentation, the drivers were able to only give them a copy of their driver's license and refused to cooperate.TRAFFIC COP INJUREDThe situation turned ugly when a Lamborghini Aventador tried to break from line and escape. Soundarrajan jumped in front of the car to stop it. But the driver ran over Soundarrajan's foot and escaped. The driver was later identified as Raghav Krishna by the cops and an additional FIR under section 332 IPC was filed against him. Kanathur Police later tracked Raghav's residence in the night and apprehended the vehicle. All 10 drivers were left on station bail. "We initiated the traffic check after the countless complaints from people. I have done my job and law and order will take it from here," said Sounderrajan. But unofficial account stated that there was too much pressure from above who wanted Kanathur Police to release the seized vehicles at once due to their whopping Rs 50 Cr cost. Yet, Soundarrajan, Kanathur police and Neelangarai Assistant Commissioner S Pandian, decided to go ahead with the impounding as for the public safety was more important than costly cars.

Aarushi Maheshwari

10 Feb 2017,Friday

Teenagers spot fire on GoAir flight with 194 onboard

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mid-air-fire-forces-flight-to-make-emergency-landing-goair-igi-airport-no-casualties/1/879382.html

Two teenagers in Delhi saved the lives of 194 people when they spotted a fire on the tail of a Bengaluru-bound GoAir flight on Wednesday evening, officials said. The Delhi Police was alerted, following which the flight captain was informed and the aircraft made an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the capital.

Navneet Kumar was resting inside his aunt's house in south-west Delhi's Najafgarh area when two of his nephews who were playing outside ran in frantically. They had seen a plane, mid-air, on fire."I immediately came out of the house and saw flames had engulfed the left engine," the Gurugram resident told Mail Today. "I was in a state of shock for a moment and so were the others present there. I realised that a massive tragedy would occur if steps were not initiated soon. I immediately dialled 100 on my mobile phone to inform police about the incident," said Kumar.The 187 passengers and six crew members on board the Bengaluru-bound Airbus A320 of GoAir (G8 557) had a narrow escape after the plane caught fire just seven minutes after take-off from Delhi airport on Wednesday evening.The pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the plane made an emergency landing without any casualties.ALSO READ|  Jet Airways Goa-Mumbai flight with 161 on board skids off runway, all passengers evacuatedRecounting the sight, Kumar said, "It was quite dark but the aircraft was visible due to the fire. We saw the plane for 10 to 15 seconds while it was crossing above the house and travelled quite a distance before it turned around and headed towards the airport for emergency landing."The incident came days after two aircraft came face to face moments before one was to take-off at Indira Gandhi International airport in the national Capital.An Indigo flight was headed towards the taxiway after landing just when a SpiceJet aircraft was preparing for take-off on December 27.Hours earlier on the same day, a Jet Airways flight with 161 people on board veered off the runway and skidded into the field at Goa airport.Some passengers were hurt in the incident. Jet flight 9W 2374 was scheduled to fly from Goa to Mumbai at 4.40 am but aborted the takeoff at the last moment as pilots detected a technical snag.The flight spun 360 degree before coming to a halt in the field inside the Dabolim airport premises."We received a PCR call about a plane catching fire mid-air above Najafgarh and when we enquired about the matter the airport operation control centre confirmed about the emergency landing of a GoAir flight," said deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Sanjay Bhatia of IGI Airport.'ALSO READ|  Singapore Airlines engine trouble sets wing on fire, 241 evacuated safelyAccording to a top source at the airport, the pilot was aware that a technical fault had occurred in the left wing of the engine but did not know that it had caught fire.It was the local police that informed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials and ATC passed on the message to the pilot.After detecting the technical fault and fire in the engine, the pilot of the Airbus sought permission for emergency landing and clearance of runway at IGI airport on priority."Following instructions about emergency landing, we placed fire engines and ambulance on standby to deal with any eventualities. Airbus A320 has two engines on either side. The pilot made full emergency landing safely. All 193 passengers and crew members are safe and sound," said a senior officer at IGI airport.ALSO READ|  SpiceJet plane makes emergency landing at Delhi airport, airline deniesThe official pointed out that if the plane had stayed in the air for some more time, it could have led to a major tragedy.The collective efforts of an alert onlooker, Delhi police, CISF, ATC and the two pilots of the plane helped defuse the crisis, he said.Since the matter was quite sensitive, the passengers were evacuated through two normal gates and two emergency doors.They were put on another Bengaluru-bound GoAir flight an hour later."G8-557 Delhi-Bengaluru flight had an emergency landing at Delhi airport at 1953 hours (7:53pm) due to technical reasons," the airline said in a statement.

Saloni Tandon

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

No time for a relationship, says Jhulan Goswami

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/jhulan-goswami-has-no-time-for-romantic-partnership/story-2rvGaiHeR6k9332p82HggL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Indian women's cricket team pacer Jhulan Goswami has said she has no time for a romantic relationship. "I am focusing on the game. If I can't devote time to a relationship then I won't be able to do justice to it. I would prefer to do one thing at a time...there's a lot of time for that," said the 34-year-old.

She may be an ace pacer but Jhulan Goswami is in no rush to engage in a romantic partnership at the moment. Indian star Goswami believes in doing just one thing at a time.?I am focusing on the game. I am so busy with it that I will not be able to devote time to anything else. If I can?t devote time to a relationship then I won?t be able to do justice to it. I would prefer to do one thing at a time,? Goswami told a television channel here on Saturday.READ?|?Mithali Raj reaches Hyderabad amid fanfare; CM awards plot and Rs 1 crore?I have seen my friends.... how they have had to struggle to balance two things at one time. There?s a lot of time for that (relationship),? she remarked days after India women?s cricket team agonisingly lost to hosts England in the World Cup final at Lord?s.Does the pacer unwind at all??I like movies and music. In fact, before the semi-final and final match (of the World Cup) I saw a couple of classic Bengali movies to divert my mind,? the 34-year-old said.READ?|?Indian women?s cricket team present signed bat to Prime Minister Narendra ModiIndia rode on Goswami?s 3/23 to restrict England to 228/7 but after Punam Raut (86), semi-final?s star Harmanpreet Kaur (51) and Veda Krishnamurthy (35) helped India come within touching distance of the target, the Mithali Raj-led side lost wickets in a hurry and inexplicably lost by nine runs.Goswami vouched for increasing accessibility to infrastructure for women cricketers.?Cricket Association of Bengal has done a good thing by starting district cricket but I feel it is as important to look into club cricket scenario in Kolkata. They have good infrastructure and it should be made accessible to women,? she said.

Pragya Swastik

30 Mar 2017,Thursday

Oppo fires Chinese employee for tearing Indian flag

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/oppo-flag-controversy-india-china-chinese-employee-sacked/1/916077.html

Chinese smartphone maker Oppo has fired one of its employees named Suhahu for tearing a photograph of the Indian flag in the office premises in Noida. Suhahu, a Chinese national, tore the photo pasted on a wall and threw it in a dustbin. The termination comes after several people including Oppo employees protested outside the company's office.

Chinese smartphone maker Oppo today sacked one of its employees Suhahu for allegedly tearing a photograph of the India flag in the offices premises in Noida. Suhahu, a Chinese national, tore the photo of the flag which was pasted on a wall and threw it in a dustbin. Oppo's action comes a day after the incident kicked up a furore and thousands of employees protested against Suhahu's act of disrespect towards the national flag.In a statement Oppo India said, "Based on the recent incident and after thorough investigation with the concerned authorities, we have found that a worker discarded the India flag from the table during regular external material check. Oppo India regrets this unfortunate incident and reaffirms that this is an individual's behaviour that in no way represents our company's position. We have zero tolerance for such incidents and have taken strict action in terminating the individual. We continue to work very closely with the authorities on the matter."It said that Oppo has deep respect for India and its culture and the company continues to obey the applicable laws and regulations in India and will not tolerate any misconduct.The company saw massive protests over the Chinese national's action. He is a production manager in the company's Noida sector 63 office.STAFF PROTESTED AGAINST CHINESE NATIONAL'S ACTProtests began outside the company's office on Monday evening after Suhahu allegedly tore a poster with a picture of the India flag which was pasted on a wall of the office.The flag was put up on the wall on January 26, when the company celebrated Republic Day.Many workers on Tuesday assembled and protested outside the company office against the company management for disrespecting the national flag, demanded suspension and strict police action against Suhahu. The area was cleared after senior officers of the district administration intervened.Police registered a case for showing disrespect to the national flag, based on a complaint filed by the company employees against Suhahu.Superintendent of Police (City) Dinesh Yadav told IANS that the employees were already sore over their grievances not being addressed by the executives, such as defaulting on overtime payment, violation of labour laws, security and other issues.He said the police on Wednesday examined the CCTV of the production house and company on the incident. Senior officials, including Yadav, District Magistrate NP Singh as well as the Labour Commissioner held a meeting with the Oppo executives.Earlier, China said it expected that the rights of the Chinese companies as well as the employees would be protected in India.

Anmol Sharma

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

Embrace the occasion, MS Dhoni tells India's women team

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/womens-world-cup-final-eng-v-ind-mithali-raj-ms-dhoni/1/1008870.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Wishing the Indian women's team ahead of the World Cup final, former men's team captain MS Dhoni advised the team to embrace the occasion and not focus on the result. "Enjoy the moment because that's what cricket is all about. It's a sport...it's meant to be enjoyed," Dhoni added. India Women played their second World Cup final on Sunday.

As India women get ready to face hosts and favourite England in the final of the Women's World Cup at Lord's, former captain MS Dhoni has sent his advice and wishes for the Women in Blue.India women have reached the final of the World Cup for the second time -- the first being in 2005 where they were overhwhelmed by Australia by 98 runs.MS Dhoni has led Team India 2011 World Cup triumph, T20 World Cup win and the 2013 Champions Trophy victory.2011 WORLD CUPIn the 2011 World Cup as well, India had defeated Australia in the quarter-final just like the 1983 World Cup and then went on to win the trophy.At the Wankhede Stadium in the final, Sri Lanka won the toss, opted to bat first and posted a good 274 runs for India to chase.Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni steered India's chase as the former scored 97 runs off 115 balls and the Captain Cool promoted himself up the order and played a match-winning knock of 91 in 79 balls to give India their second World Cup.MS Dhoni's calm yet explosive innings at the fag end of the match still remains a strong memory in the minds of all Indian cricket fans.2007 T20 WORLD CUPOpting to bat first, Gautam Gambhir held the strings and scored a solid 75-run innings at the top to guide India to a decent total of 157 runs.Pakistan's batting order held their stitches together and Misbah-ul-Haq's 43 from 38 balls was crucial to take Pakistan close.But Dhoni's call to give Joginder Sharma the last over proved to the masterstroke that gave India a 5-run victory and the Men in Blue scooped the first T20 World Cup and their first ICC trophy under Dhoni.2013 CHAMPIONS TROPHYIndia were on a rampage in the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. They reached the final after winning all of their four matches.MS Dhoni's young squad was up against the hosts England in the final and put to bat first, India managed to put a 129 runs on the board in 20 overs with Virat Kohli being their highest scorer with 43 runs.Bowling to England, India picked up wickets at regular intervals as Dhoni's sharp bowling rotations enabled Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma to pick two wickets each.With such an effort, India were able to hold England to 124 in 20 overs and won the championship by 5 runs.MS Dhoni, the only captain to have won all the ICC trophies, restrained from saying 'All the best' to the girls saying he's superstitious."Cricket is a game where superstition is involved and I'm definitely superstitious about a few words so I won't say those words but I'll definitely share my experience and what I think is important," Dhoni said in a video.Can the #WomenInBlue keep cool like @msdhoni to cross the line and lift the @ICC#WWC17? Watch Cricket LIVE at 2 PM, on Star Sports! pic.twitter.com/kda0qJvjcGBut the 'Captain Cool' shared his vast experience with Mithali Raj and co and asked them to simply embrace the occasion."To start of, I think the women's team has done exceedingly well throughout the World Cup. What's important is to embrace the occasion, to go into the final to win the finals. If it happens the next time, you have to win all the games in the league stage and the quarters or a semi-final to get into the final. So what's important is not to focus on the result, not to think what if we win or don't win," Dhoni adviced.Dhoni went on to say that one extraordinary performance on the day would be enough for the Women in Blue to lift the World Cup."What's important is as a team all of you have done really well and contributed, that one extraordinary performance will give you the World Cup, can be a brilliant catch or a good run out or good innings or a good bowling spell. So that's what it boils down to," Dhoni told.Dhoni adviced the India women to keep it simple and enjoy the occasion because that's what cricket is all about.

Parmeet Kaur

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Agra, Noida face drought conditions after 53% less rain

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/agra-drought-rainfall-monsoon-pilibhit-muzaffarnagar-ghaziabad/1/1014058.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Agra has had 53% lower rainfall this year, with just 123.5 mm rainfall, according to the Meteorological Department. Five districts across UP? Agra, Pilibhit, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad and Noida had seriously low rainfall and are facing drought conditions, reports said. Noida received only 96 mm rains against the average of 204.2 mm, making a shortfall of 53%.

India is called a land of vast diversities and as almost always, this monsoon is serving to show exactly how vast the diversity is. When large parts of Northeast and West India are being inundated by heavy rains, causing property damage worth crores and claiming lives of men and animals alike, most of the Ganga-Yamuna plain area of Uttar Pradesh is parched due to lack of rainfall.Farmers in the northeast have lost their crops to the heavy rains and in Uttar Pradesh, the farmers are afraid of losing their crops to the dry season. Five districts of UP, Agra, Pilibhit, Muzaffar Nagar, Ghaziabad and Noida are facing a serious drought that is showing no signs of lifting anytime soon.A senior administrative official told India Today that out of 72 districts in UP, 44 are yet to have decent rainfall in the monsoon season. Farms are drying up in these districts, but out of these, the worst affected five districts are gearing up for contingency plans in case the monsoon decides to skip these districts altogether. The heat and humidity is making people fall sick and although the Yamuna river is flowing with ample water to ward off any drinking water crisis, vegetable prices are shooting sky-high.The month of July ends in two days, but the monsoon clouds have overflown these districts, especially the western UP, where 21 cities of 30 districts have seen very low rainfall. In east UP, 23 out of 42 cities have not had satisfactory rains. The affected districts of western UP include Agra, Oraiyya, Badaun, Bulandshehar, Etawah, Firozabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Hathras, Mahoba, Mathura, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Rampur, Pilibhit, Saharanpur, and Etah.Agra's neighboring district Mainpuri has had 307.99 mm rains in July, Etah has had 274.3 mm, Firozabad has had 244.4 mm, while Mathura has had only 164.3 mm rainfall. A Meteorological Department official told India Today that the drought affected 5 districts have had seriously low rainfall this July.Agra has had 53 per cent lower rainfall this year, with just 123.5 mm rainfall. The average for July is 260.4 mm. Rampur lost 52 per cent of its annual rainfall and got only 191.3 mm rains compared to the average of 399.4 mm. Noida got just 96 mm rains against an average of 204.2 mm, making a shortfall of 53 per cent. Ghaziabad had 105.8 mm rains against 238.6 mm average, with a shortfall of 56 per cent. Muzaffar Nagar lost 61% of its water, getting only 120.4 mm rains compared to 305.2 mm average. Similarly, Pilibhit too lost 62 per cent water this month, getting 152.8 mm rains against 403 mm average.Commenting on the lack of rains in Agra, social activist Vishal Sharma quoted a small verse "Shukr hai Agra mein nahin baraste badal, mere sheher ko barish ki aadat nahin hai". He said that although the dry season brings its own set of problems, it is a fact that Agra is not equipped to handle rains that last even an hour, let alone an entire day. The civic amenities in the city are prone to failure in the event of heavy rains due to the lack of drainage in most of the city, as was witnessed a couple of years earlier when heavy rainfall caused vast property damage in the city and the municipal authorities struggled for days to clear the water-logging in the low-lying areas.Sharma said that even this month, the rainfall that took place a couple of days back, claimed the roofs of several old houses in Motikatra, Nagla Joshiyan and other parts of the old city, injuring a number of people. Several houses were also cracked, although the rain was not enough to cause serious water logging. However, even 40-50 mm rainfall in a day would be enough to cut off most of the densely populated outer areas from the rest of the city for several hours, if not days.Meanwhile, Agra District Magistrate Gaurav Dayal has instructed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Additional District Magistrates of Agra to prepare reports of the drought so that the compensation amounts could be decided for the farmers.ALSO READ:

Aarushi Maheshwari

13 Mar 2017,Monday

Our struggle will continue: Akhilesh Yadav

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/up-election-results-uttar-pradesh-election-akhilesh-yadav-samajwadi-party-mulayam-singh-yadav/1/902923.html

Outgoing Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said, "Our struggle will continue," adding that the Samajwadi Party was not only a party but an ideology. He told party workers, "You all should reach out to people and strengthen the party again." The Samajwadi Party will devise a new strategy after a meeting with MLAs and party candidates, he added.

After suffering a crushing defeat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and party partron Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday met party workers and leaders and asked them to reach out to the people and strengthen the outfit.During the meet, Akhilesh told partymen that Samajwadi Party was not only a party, but an ideology, and that "our struggle will continue." "You all should reach out to people and strengthen the party again. I will review party's performance and analyse the results. A meeting of all the party candidates and MLAs will be held next week after which we will devise our new strategy," he said.The Samajwadi Party, which got an absolute majority in the 2012 state polls by winning 224 seats, could only win 47 seats this time despite the party's aggressive campaign against its rival BJP.Driven by the Modi wave, the BJP stormed to power in Uttar Pradesh after 14 years, securing three-fourths majority and demolishing rivals SP-Congress and BSP in the keenly-contested Assembly polls.Showing an astonishing performance, the saffron party got 312 seats in the 403-member Assembly.Watch the video here: Also read:

Chhavi Tyagi

26 May 2017,Friday

Uttar Pradesh too big to ensure zero crime: State Minister

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jewar-bulandshahr-highway-gangrape-murder-suresh-khanna-uttar-pradesh/1/963379.html

Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Khanna said, "Ours is a huge state, we never claimed that we will ensure zero crime. But I assure you criminals won't go unpunished." This comes after recent murder and gangrape incidents and Opposition Congress' comment, "Uttam Pradesh is turning into Crime Pradesh. Such incidents never happened before. This all happened at the behest of government."

A day after the horrific murder and gangrape incident at the Jewar-Bulandshahr road off the Yamuna Expressway, a top minister in the Yogi Adityanath government said today that ensuring zero crime in a state as big as Uttar Pradesh is an improbable task."Itna bada pradesh hai, humne kabhi zero crime ki baat nahi ki thi. Lekin koi bhi apraadhi ho, use saza milegi. (Ours is a huge state, we never claimed that we will ensure zero crime. But I assure you criminals won't go scott free," minister Suresh Khanna said.The minister made the statement hours after four women were allegedly gang-raped and a man was shot dead by a group of armed criminals on the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway.Khanna's statement is likely to trigger a row as the Opposition is already criticising the Yogi Adityanath government over its failure to control communal clashes in Saharanpur. The incident, which is a horrific reminder of last year's Bulandshahr gangrape, took place near Sabota village in Jewar around 1.40 am when the eight people were going to visit a relative undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bulandshahr in western Uttar Pradesh.SSP, Gautam Budh Nagar, Love Kumar said a gang of five robbers targeted the vehicle after the driver stopped it near a roadside hut to fix a flat tyre.The occupants were attacked and, along with an old man who was in the hut, taken to a nearby field. The women were misbehaved with and a man was shot dead when he resisted, he said.The Yogi Adityanath government is facing flak over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. (With PTI inputs)

Ankush Verma

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

UK-based doctor charged with 118 sexual offences

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/02/doctor-from-romford-charged-with-118-sexual-offences?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A UK-based doctor, Manish Shah, has been charged with 118 sexual offences, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday. Shah has been accused of 65 counts of assault by penetration and 52 allegations of sexual assault, police officials added. He has also been charged with one count of sexual assault on a child under 13.

A GP who practised in east London has been charged with 118 sexual offences. Manish Shah, of Brunel Close in Romford, is accused of 65 counts of assault by penetration and 52 allegations of sexual assault, the Metropolitan police said. The 47-year-old is also charged with one count of sexual assault on a child under 13. The offences were alleged to have occurred at a GP practice between June 2004 and July 2013 and relate to 54 victims.The charges announced on Wednesday follow a long-running investigation into Shah. He has been bailed several times, having first been arrested in 2013.He is due to appear at Barkingside magistrates court on Thursday 31 August. Shah is registered as a doctor working with the national health service. The police investigation began over four years ago, after claims of sexual assault were made to detectives, and uncovered a series of allegations concerning alleged sexual offences.Specialist detectives from Scotland Yard?s sexual abuse command have been involved in investigating the claims. The decision to bring a series of criminal charges against Shah was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service.The NHS has set up a dedicated number for any individuals who may have concerns or questions on 0800 011 4253.

Aarushi Maheshwari

12 Jan 2017,Thursday

Over 70% of Japan's biggest coral reef has died

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/12/almost-75-of-japans-biggest-coral-reef-has-died-from-bleaching-says-report?CMP=twt_gu

The Japanese government has found that 70% of the Sekisei lagoon, Japan's biggest coral reef, has died due to bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures. It also found that over 91% of the coral is at least partly bleached. A survey in September and October discovered that over 56% of the reef had died, meaning the bleaching has spread rapidly.

Almost three-quarters of Japan?s biggest coral reef has died, according to a report that blames its demise on rising sea temperatures caused by global warming.The Japanese environment ministry said that 70% of the Sekisei lagoon in Okinawa had been killed by a phenomenon known as bleaching.Bleaching occurs when unusually warm water causes coral to expel the algae living in their tissues, causing the coral to turn completely white. Unless water temperatures quickly return to normal, the coral eventually dies from lack of nutrition.The plight of the reef, located in Japan?s southernmost reaches, has become ?extremely serious? in recent years, according to the ministry, whose survey of 35 locations in the lagoon last November and December found that 70.1% percent of the coral had died.The dead coral has now turned dark brown and is now covered with algae, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.The newspaper said the average sea surface temperature between last June and August in the southern part of the Okinawa island chain was 30.1 degrees centigrade ? or one to two degrees warmer than usual ? and the highest average temperature since records began in 1982, according to the Japan meteorological agency.The ministry report follows warnings by the Coral Reef Watch programme at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that global coral bleaching could become the ?new normal? due to warming oceans.Experts said that bleaching had spread to about 90% of the Sekisei reef, a popular diving spot that covers 400sq km.A similar survey conducted in September and October last year found that just over 56% of the reef had died, indicating that bleaching has spread rapidly in recent months.

Daisy Mowke

23 Dec 2016,Friday

Uber CEO announces scholarship for baby named 'Uber'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baby-uber-turns-one-company-sponsors-higher-education/1/841167.html

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has announced a scholarship of approximately ?8.14 lakh for the higher education of a baby named Uber who recently turned a year old. Babli, the mother, had delivered the baby in an Uber cab last December with help from the driver, who had provided her with towels and water stored in the car.

Do you remember Uber? No, not the cab but the baby boy who was named after the cab company Uber. The big daddy, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick met the baby and announced a scholarship fund of USD 12,000, approximately Rs 8.14 lakh, for the baby's higher education. Uber India President Amit Jain attended the birthday celebration Uber hosted for the baby. The baby was accompanied by his mother, father, grandparents and cousins for an intimate celebration. The money announced as scholarship is meant for his higher education when he turns 18 years of age. Travis also gifted the baby a bunny stuff toy, very similar to what he had as a child. "We are poor people and to be rewarded with scholarship is a blessing. To get Rs 8 lakh for his education is huge. They also hosted a private party in a 5 star hotel, we are overwhelmed" said Babli, Uber's mother.Last December, Babli hired an Uber after repeated calls to arrange an ambulance went unanswered. On her way to the hospital, Babli gave birth to her second child in the Uber cab. The blessing in disguise was the driver, Shahnawaz Khan, who extended all the help. On December 9, 2015, Khan received a request in the evening from Babli's husband to take his wife to a hospital. At that time he did not know that his passenger was in labour pain. Even after refusing he reached to pick her from the location and picked her along with two other women.Post-delivery, the cab driver Shahnawaz Khan jokingly suggested that the baby could be named after the cab company, and this, Babli took rather seriously.

Rini Sinha

15 Dec 2016,Thursday

Sushmita shares selfie of her daughters with Ranveer Singh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ranveer-singh-befikre-sushmita-sen-renee-alisah-vaani-kapoor/1/834858.html

Actress Sushmita Sen has shared a selfie of her daughters, Renée and Alisah with actor Ranveer Singh on social media. The photograph has been captioned, "Both were ecstatic to finally meet #RanveerSingh...he went out of his way to make their first meeting a memorable one...." In response, Ranveer tweeted, "They are both so warm & wonderful...just like you."

Sushmita Sen's daughters Renee and Alisah might be star-daughters but that does not make them immune from fangirling over superstars.Recently, they met the Befikre star Ranveer Singh and boy, were they excited!ALSO READ | There was a phase when I was only interested in no-strings-attached relationships, says Ranveer SinghWATCH | When Ranveer lost to Baba Ramdev in an epic dance battleOPINION | Ranveer-Vaani French kiss for 2 hours and simply annoy you in BefikreSushmita Sen shared the photo of Ranveer and his daughters and wrote that Ranveer went out of his way to make the meeting memorable.â?¤ï¸?â?¤ï¸?â?¤ï¸?ð??? Renée n Alisah truly have excellent taste in people!!!ð???ð??? both were ecstatic to finally meet #RanveerSingh and true to his nature, he went out of his way to make their first meeting a #memorable one!!!ð???â?¤ï¸?ï¸?ð??? 'handsome is what handsome does'...Ranveer sure lives it!!!ð???ð???â?¤ï¸?ï¸?more power to you #rockstar @ranveersingh missed seeing you!!!!ð???#mmmuuuaaahA photo posted by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) on Dec 13, 2016 at 8:23am PSTEarlier, in November, Sushmita Sen and her daughters bumped into Sushmita's Main Hoon Na co-star Shah Rukh Khan at the airport where the seven-year-old Alisah "stuck to her Shah Rukh Uncle like magnet."So here we are trying to get little #Alisah to step forward for the picture...needless to say she was stuck to her Shahrukh Uncle like magnet!!! ð???â?¤ï¸?ð???its the first time they met!!! #toocute #precious #happygang #memories #cherished #mumbaiairport ð???ð???ð???â?¤ï¸?A photo posted by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) on Nov 6, 2016 at 12:19pm PSTSushmita's family posed for the camera along with Shah Rukh and added that her elder daughter Renee was "thrilled to be colour coordinated with Shah Rukh."

Chhavi Tyagi

06 May 2017,Saturday

Police save woman attempting to live-stream her suicide

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/woman-wanted-to-live-stream-suicide-stopped-in-time-by-cops/1/947114.html

A 32-year-old woman lawyer in Mumbai reportedly planned to jump off the 18th floor of an under-construction building and live-stream the suicide on social media. However, she was stopped from doing so in time as the police reached the spot and persuaded her against it. A resident of a nearby apartment had spotted the woman and informed the police.

In what could have been a repeat of last month's Arjun Bhardwaj suicide, a 32-year-old woman lawyer attempted killing herself in Mumbai while live-streaming her life's final moments on social media. Priyanka Jethalal Maru planned to jump off the 18th floor of an under-construction building. However, officials from the Mumbai Police who reached the location dissuaded her from taking her life. Maru was spotted on the 18th floor of an under-construction building in Mumbai's Sewri area by a resident of a nearby apartment. The resident informed the Mumbai Police control room, which sent a team to the location. Maru, who planned on jumping off the building, was seen shooting a selfie video. However, the police team, led by Inspector Shalini Sharma, persuaded her not to take the extreme step. Sharma, who is trained in handling such situations, was instrumental in dissuading Maru, news agency PTI reported. Maru was then taken into custody and later admitted to a hospital in Parel where she is being counseled. ARJUN BHARDWAJ INCIDENTLast month, 23-year-old college student Arjun Bhardwaj ended his life by jumping off the 19th floor window of a five-star hotel in suburban Bandra. Before smashing the hotel room's windows and jumping off, Bhardwaj live streamed his final moments on Facebook in a video that went viral on social media. The video prompted the Mumbai Police to run a suicide-prevention campaign on social media.(With inputs from PTI)

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Apr 2017,Thursday

Kejriwal wants EVM to work like Sisodia does for him: Tiwari

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/by-poll-result-announced-aap-rajouri-garden-arvind-kejriwal-manoj-tiwari-bjp/1/927951.html

Reacting to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's remarks against the use of EVMs, BJP Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari said, "Kejriwal wants EVMs to work like Manish Sisodia does for him." He also took to Twitter to say, "Few people sit in someone's lap for power, and later celebrate happiness on their defeat! Jaago Voter Jaago."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a huge win in Rajouri Garden Assembly bypoll in Delhi pushing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party to the third spot and Congress to second. The BJP's performance in Assembly by-election ahead of the crucial MCD polls has the Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari beaming with confidence. Taking a dig at both the Congress as well as the AAP, Tiwari said the people of Delhi have now decided not to be hoodwinked by false promises.He also took a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). "Kejriwal wants EVMs to work like Manish Sisodia does for him," Tiwari told Aaj Tak. ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? , ????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ! Jaago Voter Jaago https://t.co/kMKCBLKyv7AAP LOSES DEPOSIT IN RAJOURI GARDENBJP's Manjinder Singh Sirsa won Rajouri Garden seat by 14652 votes, defeating Congress candidate Meenakshi Chandela. The AAP came a dismal third losing its deposit. AAP's Harjeet Singh failed to garner even one-sixth of the total votes polled.Despite the humiliating loss, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia expressed confidence of winning the upcoming MCD polls. Sisodia admitted that there was anger among people after AAP's MLA Jarnail Singh was asked to leave contest Punjab Assembly election."We will work hard now and make people understand. We will try to sort out the shortcomings. We will also consult people. We will win MCD polls," Sisodia said.ALSO READ:

Saloni Tandon

28 Jan 2017,Saturday

23-year-old national-level swimmer commits suicide

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/national-level-swimmer-tanika-dhara-suicide/1/868321.html

Tanika Dhara, a 23-year-old national-level swimmer working as a clerk with the Western Railway, allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Mumbai on Friday. Tanika had won a silver at the National Aquatics Championship last year and also clinched a bronze at the 2015 National Games. The reason for the suicide is yet to be known.

A 23-year-old national level swimmer working with Western Railway allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Lower Parel in Mumbai, police said on Friday.Tanika Dhara, who had won a silver medal in the 1m springboard event at the 70th National Aquatics in September last year and also clinched a bronze in 35th National Games held in Thiruvananthapuram in 2015, was found dead at her residence in Poonawala chawl in Lower Parel on Thursday, police said.She was working as a junior clerk with the Western Railway."The incident came to light when her friend visited her residence on Thursday and found the room locked from inside. Even her repeated calls to Tanika went unanswered. Finally, Tanika's friend and some neighbours broke the door open and entered the room, only to find her hanging from a window grill, a police official said.Tanika was rushed to a hospital, but was declared brought dead.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Malayalam news channel starts period leave for women workers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mathrubhumi-malayalam-news-period-leave-tv-culture-machine-first-day-petition/1/1006026.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Malayalam news channel Mathrubhumi has announced a 'First Day of Period' leave for its female employees. The additional leave will not be counted under sick leave, and will soon be extended to the company's online and print ventures. "We felt that it was a very good and practical practice to adopt. And so the decision was taken," the company said.

Malayalam media giant, Mathrubhumi has now decided to announce 'First Day of Period' leave for its employees. Earlier this month, Mumbai based digital media company Culture Machine had announced the 'First Day of Period' leave policy. The leave policy will come into place immediately. The company's Joint Managing Director MV Shreyams Kumar was quoted as saying that the additional leave will be granted to its women employees which will "not be counted under sick leave or casual leave". As many as 75 out of the 320 employees with Matrubhumi channel are women. The policy that is implemented only in Mathrubhumi TV will soon be extended to online and print verticals as well. "When this other firm came forward with the idea, we felt that it was a very good and practical practice to adopt. And so the decision was taken. The first day of period leave will be an additional leave for the women employees and will not be considered as casual leave or sick leave. We took the decision not because any employee asked for it, but felt that it should be granted," the MD said

Chhavi Tyagi

20 Feb 2017,Monday

SP provides 24hr power to PM's Lok Sabha constituency: UP CM

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akhilesh-yadav-raibareli-narendra-modi/1/886968.html

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said the Samajwadi party provides 24-hour power supply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. "Modi should speak the truth and accept the fact that it is the SP government, which has ensured electricity to Varanasi," Akhilesh said. This comes after Modi claimed that Uttar Pradesh faces severe power shortage.

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying that Uttar Pradesh faces acute power shortage, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said his government provides 24-hour electricity to Varanasi.Addressing an election rally at Raebareli, Akhilesh Yadav said, "It is the Samajwadi Party, which is providing 24-hour power supply to Varanasi.""Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak truth and accept the fact that it is the SP government, which has who has ensured 24 hour power supply to his own constituency," Akhilesh Yadav said.READ| Congress to move Election Commission over PM Narendra Modi's Diwali-Ramzan remarkAkhilesh further took a dig at PM Modi for his repeated referential references to river Ganga. AKhilesh Yadav said, "Aap (PM) Ganga maiyya ko bohut maante ho. Ganga ki kasam khao aur bolo SP 24 ghante Banaras mein bijli de rahi hai ya nahin? (You worship Ganga as mother. Take a vow in the name of Ganga and tell us if the SP government provides 24-hour power supply to Banaras (Varanasi) or not?)."On several occasions during the election campaign, PM Modi has said that UP faces power shortage. On Sunday, PM Modi accused the Akhilesh government of discrimination in power supply to various regions on religious grounds.

Tarun Khanna

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Delhi: CCTV captures man crushing puppies under car wheels

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-cctv-footage-emerges-of-man-crushing-puppies-under-his-car-wheels-vasant-kunj/1/909557.html

A CCTV footage from Delhi's Vasant Kunj area has surfaced which shows a man crushing two puppies, playing on the roadside, under his car wheels. As visible in the footage, there was enough space for the car to pass by, but the driver chose to turn left and drive straight towards the puppies.

A CCTV footage has emerged showing a person driving a WagonR ruthlessly crushing two puppies playing on the roadside in Vasant Kunj. The incident took place when the puppies were sitting on the roadside with their mother. In the video, the driver can be seen waiting at a distance while the puppies are playing towards the side of the street. While there was enough space for the car to pass by, the driver chose to turn left and drive straight towards the puppies.The driver drove over the puppies, crushing one of them to death and injuring the leg of the other. The dog, on seeing her puppies being crushed under the wheels, barked and chased the car helplessly but the driver did not stop or slow-down the car to check on the bleeding puppy.NO ACTION TAKEN EVEN 48 HOURS AFTER COMPLAINTThe heart-wrenching video was captured in the CCTV cameras of Sector B, Pocket 5 and 6 of Vasant Kunj. Some Good Samaritans, who had been feeding these puppies in the colony, filed a complaint at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station."Dogs in our colony have been poisoned several times in the past as well so it has not come as a surprise that the puppies have been crushed to death by one of the residents here. We had approached the police and filed a complaint but it has been over two days and no action has been taken yet," said the Good Samaritan, who does not wish to be named. "Running down or poisoning an animal is a direct violation of sections 428 and 429 of the IPC which require an FIR to be filed immediately. Even after two days of the complaint and repeated calls to the Vasant Kunj North police station regarding the case, no action has been taken," said Tarun Sarin, a volunteer with Dhyan Foundation, an animal rights NGO.ALSO READ|   When man bites a dog: Delhi resident chops off puppy's legs with hacksaw

Tarun Khanna

24 Feb 2017,Friday

Indian shot dead in US over alleged racism

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kansas-city-bar-shooting-united-states-indian-killed/1/890411.html

Srinivas Kunchubhotla (32), an Indian engineer, was shot dead and two others were injured in a bar in Kansas city in the United States on Wednesday when a man opened fire at them after allegedly shouting racial slurs. The 51-year-old accused Adam Purinton, who has now been arrested, allegedly yelled "Get out of my country" before firing at them.

The US Embassy in New Delhi has strongly condemned the attack on an Indian-origin engineer, who was killed and two others injured in shooting in a bar, in Kansas City in the United States on Wednesday night,Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who worked at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe area of Kansas, was killed in the shooting on Wednesday night, while another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured and has been discharged from the local hospital where he was undergoing treatment. Srinivas was a resident of Hyderabad. The other person injured in the shooting has been identified as Ian Grillot.The gunman -- 51-year-old Adam Purinton -- was arrested on Thursday morning, 5 hours after the incident, and has been charged with murder and attempted murder.US EMBASSY CONDEMNS ATTACKThe U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has strongly condemned the tragic shooting in Olathe area of Kansas. A release from the embassy said, "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kuchibhotla. We share their grief, and wish those injured a speedy recovery. We have reached out to Indian consular officials and promise them full support as they assist the victims. We understand that the alleged shooter is in custody and is expected to be prosecuted for the crime. U.S. Federal authorities are also investigating the case. We have full faith that U.S. legal authorities will bring the case to justice."MaryKay Carlson, a member of the Senior Foreign Service, said, "We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless act. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families. The United States is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study and live here. U.S. authorities will investigate the case thoroughly even though we recognise that justice is a small consolation to the families in grief."ALL ABOUT SRINIVASSrinivas, 32, was working as an engineer at Garmin International in Olathe area of Kansas since January 2014. Srinivas graduated in Electrical and Electronics engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University in Hyderabad during 2001-2005. After completing his B.Tech, Srinivas went to the US for his Masters degree. Srinivas completed his Masters in Electrical and Electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso from 2005-2007.Also read | It's not about where he's from, or ethnicity. We're all humans: Kansas shooting hero Ian GrillotAfter completing his studies, he started working as a software engineer with Rockwell Collins and later in January 2014 he joined Garmin International in Olathe as an aviation program engineer and manager. Srinivas' family is inconsolable after learning about his death.According to a bartender at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas, Adam Purinton used "racial slurs" before he started shooting on Wednesday night as patrons were watching the University of Kansas-TCU basketball game on television.GoFundMe CAMPAIGN A GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/srinus-familyrecovery-support) to collect money for Kuchibhotla's family has already raised $250,000, crossing its target of $150,000 in 12 hours.The donations came from more than 7,000 people, including Americans with a sum total of $259,807 being raised for Kuchibhotla's family.The campaign was started by Kuchibhotla's friend Kavipriya Muthuramalingam.While setting up the campaign, Kavipriya wrote, "Srini was the kindest person you would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone. He never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He was brilliant, well mannered and simply an outstanding human being. His wife Sunayana and his family are now faced with incredible grief and a multitude of expenses." The donations range from $5 to $100. INCIDENT A POSSIBLE HATE CRIME: POLICEPurinton opened fire after allegedly yelling "get out of my country" at the Indians. The local police has called the incident a "possible hate crime"."It was a tragic and senseless act of violence," Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke told reporters. FBI special agent Eric Jackson said, "We will make sure that the individual involved in this is held accountable for his actions."Purinton was taken into custody just after midnight on Thursday morning at an Applebee's about 70 miles to the southeast of Olathe in Clinton, Missouri, authorities said. A navy veteran, Purinton later reportedly told a bartender in Clinton, Missouri, where he was hiding that he killed two people from the Middle East.INDIAN EMBASSY SWINGS INTO ACTIONMeanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has condoled the death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla.The Indian Embassy has swung into action and two senior officials of the Indian Consulate in Houston have been sent to Kansas to assist the victims' families."Consul Ravindra Joshi and Vice Consul Harpal Singh rushed to Kansas to assist the kin of shooting victims. They are on their way and will reach by evening," the consulate said in a tweet.The accused has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and his bond has been set at $2 million.According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company's aviation systems. "We are saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last night's (Wednesday night) incident, and we express our condolences to the family and friends of our co-workers involved. Garmin will have grievance counsellors on-site and available for its associates today and tomorrow," Garmin said in a statement.

Sumedha Sehra

26 May 2017,Friday

Army foils attack along LoC, kills 2 Pak soldiers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-border-action-team-attack-uri-army/1/963590.html

The Indian Army killed two soldiers of the Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT), after they led an attack in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. "Alert troops foiled a BAT attack on our patrol party in Uri sector today. Two BAT terrorists were killed in the operation," an Army official said.

An Indian Army patrolling team was attacked by Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector today. Two BAT attackers were killed in the action by alert soldiers of the Indian Army. "Alert troops foiled a BAT attack on our patrol party in Uri sector today. Two BAT terrorists were killed in the operation," an army official said..The BAT attack was effectively repulsed, the official said.An AK 47 rifle, a pistol recovered with the two bodies of BAT attackers, in Uri According to police sources, the bodies of the two slain militants were lying in "no man's" land along the LoC. BAT attackers had beheaded two India soldiers early this month in the Krishna Ghati region of Kashmir.The operation is still on, the sources added. More details awaited.

Tarun Khanna

03 May 2017,Wednesday

BJP workers who hosted lunch for Shah at Naxalbari join TMC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengal-bjp-workers-amit-shah-had-lunch-with-in-naxalbari-join-trinamool-congress/1/944255.html

BJP workers Raju Mahali and his wife Geeta Mahali, who hosted lunch for party President Amit Shah at West Bengal's Naxalbari almost a week ago, have joined the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. While the BJP has alleged that the couple was abducted, TMC leader Goutam Deb has said they joined the party without any pressure from anyone.

In a major embarrassment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two party workers with whom BJP President Amit Shah had lunch last week in Naxalbari, have joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC).Raju Mahali and wife Geeta Mahali joined the TMC in the presence of West Bengal Tourism Minister Goutam Deb in Siliguri.A red-faced BJP claimed that the two BJP workers were abducted and forcibly made to join the Trinamool Congress. ALSO READ:Day after Sukma, BJP chief Amit Shah begins Mission Bengal from Naxalbari

Dishant Sharma

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel wins Hungarian Grand Prix

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/30/f1-hungarian-grand-prix-live?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Ferrari's Formula One racer Sebastian Vettel won the Hungarian Grand Prix title, finishing ahead of teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas. Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton finished fourth in the race. With the win, Vettel extended his lead over rival Lewis Hamilton to 14 points in the drivers' championship table.

3.00pm BST 15:00 Well that?s all from me, thanks for reading. I?ll leave you with our initial race report: 2.56pm BST 14:56 Sebastian Vettel throws his trophy into the air. He now leads Lewis Hamilton by 14 points in the drivers? championship. ?It was a really difficult race,? says Vettel. ?I had my hands full. The steering was off. I had to stay focused for the whole race.? Here?s the race classification:INITIAL CLASSIFICATION (LAP 71/71): A win on his 50th Ferrari start for Sebastian Vettel ? #HungarianGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/FnGuEQBNeXUpdated at 2.57pm BST 2.49pm BST 14:49 Vettel celebrates on top of his Ferrari, punching the air before throwing himself into the mechanics in red. He will enjoy the world championship lead for the next four weeks.Updated at 2.56pm BST 2.45pm BST 14:45 Hamilton finishes fourth, then, with Verstappen fifth and Alonso a brilliant sixth ? he finished with the fastest lap of the race, not bad in that McLaren Honda. 2.44pm BST 14:44 Vettel has Kimi Raikkonen looming large in his mirrors but holds on to win the race, with his team-mate second ahead of Lewis Hamilton in third ? no, he allows Bottas back through right at the very last.Updated at 2.58pm BST 2.42pm BST 14:42 Lap 69/70 Mercedes haven?t been able to swap Hamilton and Bottas back, an unlikely bonus for the Briton and his championship hopes. 2.40pm BST 14:40 Lap 68/70 Vettel is closing in on another grand prix victory and 25 valuable championship points. He had a worry with those steering issues earlier and put his team-mate under pressure in the process, but they are nearing a crucial Ferrari one-two. 2.39pm BST 14:39 Lap 67/70 McLaren, by the way, are on the verge of sealing sixth and 10th positions, a very good result. Alonso has clear air and he?s enjoying himself, setting one of the fastest laps of the race. Updated at 2.42pm BST 2.37pm BST 14:37 Lap 66/70 Mercedes are now the ones with a decision to make. They had promised Bottas they would return him to third, after he let Hamilton through earlier. But there is a gap of five seconds between them and Verstappen is flying up behind in the Red Bull. It?s been some race from the Dutch driver considering his ten-second penalty. 2.34pm BST 14:34 Lap 64/70 ?We?re going to have to retire the car,? Paul di Resta is told. That?s a shame for Felipe Massa?s stand-in who had been enjoying a steady race in his first taste of the Williams car. 2.33pm BST 14:33 Lap 63/70 Magnussen jams past Hulkenberg and Kvyat aggressively and up to 11th as he chases a championship point. Vettel has opened up a slightly wider gap, now around two seconds. He seems to be over whatever he was struggling with through the middle part of this race. 2.30pm BST 14:30 Lap 61/70 Vettel continues to muddle on, but the turbulent air he?s kicking up is preventing Raikkonen from successfully closing the gap. Hamilton is suffering the same issue, it seems. He tells Mercedes he is waiting for a mistake. The top ten:1 Vettel 2 Raikkonen +1.53 Hamilton +1.04 Bottas +5.35 Verstappen +3.56 Alonso +53.27 Sainz +6.38 Perez +1.49 Ocon +4.310 Vandoorne +4.1 2.27pm BST 14:27 Lap 58/70 What a situation Ferrari have got themselves into as we approach the final 12 laps. Vettel, Raikkonen and Hamilton remain only two seconds apart. Raikkonen has stepped off a little, conscious that he is going to wear out his tyres if he keeps trying to close down his team-mate. Hamilton is struggling to get any closer to the Ferraris, though, despite the aid of DRS. 2.23pm BST 14:23 Lap 55/70 The Ferraris are approaching the backmarkers of Magnussen and Hulkenberg, who themselves are scrapping for 11th. They move through the traffic in one of the trickiest parts of the track, the third and final sector approaching the long pitstraight. As Vettel crosses the line he?s only 0.7 seconds ahead of Raikkonen, who is 0.7 seconds up on Hamilton. Bottas can?t keep up right now. 2.20pm BST 14:20 Lap 53/70 Hamilton is chasing Raikkonen, but the Fin is lining up a pass of his own as he attacks Vettel, who continues to struggle a little. He?s within DRS range and these two Ferraris are running round the Hungaroring in close convoy. 2.17pm BST 14:17 Lap 52/70 Hamilton has been told he?s got five laps to get the job done on Raikkonen. Game on. ?No pressure then,? Hamilton responds. 2.16pm BST 14:16 Hamilton needs to get results soon or he?ll be given a team order he won?t much enjoy:LAP 50: ? "Lewis will let you go by if he can't get past Raikkonen."#Teamwork ? #F1 2.15pm BST 14:15 Lap 49/70 Hulkenberg is having a terrible pit stop. Smoke appears to be billowing from his front left tyre, and as he pulls away he seems very unsure of whether his car is still road-worthy. Up ahead, Hamilton is attacking Raikkonen ? he?s 1.1 seconds down. Raikkonen is 1.1 seconds behind Vettel as it bunches up at the front. Raikkonen is continuing to complain on radio that he should be allowed to pass his team-mate. ?Vettel is being told to push, stay with him,? respond Ferrari. 2.11pm BST 14:11 Lap 47/70 Mercedes give the order and Valtteri Bottas pulls wide to allow Hamilton to pass. He sets his sights on Raikkonen and puts the hammer down, immediately setting an absurd fastest first sector. 2.09pm BST 14:09 Lap 45/70 Lewis Hamilton on radio to Mercedes, in teenager mode. ?OK man, look, I?ve got a lot of pace. Let me use it. And this radio stuff sucks, my tyres were fine. I didn?t need to come in.? 2.06pm BST 14:06 Lap 43/70 Max Verstappen comes in, serves his 10-second penalty, puts on some fresh shoes and shuffles back out in fifth position behind the Ferraris and Mercedes. 2.04pm BST 14:04 Lap 41/70 An interesting situation has developed at the front. Vettel is struggling and behind him Raikkonen is putting in quick times. Raikkonen wants to be let through to have a go at winning this race, but Vettel is their only championship hope and they don?t want to leave him vulnerable to the two Mercedes chasing. Ferrari HQ has a major decision to make. Updated at 2.17pm BST 2.00pm BST 14:00 Lap 39/70 Verstappen, the only one of the initial top six not to have stopped, is actually leading this race by 10.6 seconds, so even his 10-second time penalty can?t take that away from him. He?ll be in shortly. 1.58pm BST 13:58 Lap 37/70 Sergio Perez brings that garish Force India into the pits but it?s a pretty poor one and he?s lost some time. Next Alonso is in. He is desperate to get in and out ahead of Sainz, almost colliding with his young Spanish counterpart on exit. A battle ensues as they emerge on to the circuit but Sainz holds on to ninth spot, Alonso running off and on again in his eagerness to pass. 1.54pm BST 13:54 Lap 34/70 Vettel?s pit stop is a little sluggish. Next comes Raikkonen. First he sounds off over radio, telling backmarker Paul di Resta to ?get back in the commentary box?. He stops, comes out and nearly holds off his Ferrari team-mate, but not quite. Updated at 2.05pm BST 1.51pm BST 13:51 Lap 32/70 ?Fronts are not in a healthy shape,? says Vettel. ?Don?t extend it.? He wants to come in. Hamilton does stop and Mercedes get through it nearly a second quicker than his team-mate?s change of tyres. He returns fifth, such was the huge gap to Carlos Sainz before he came in. 1.49pm BST 13:49 Lap 31/70 Despite the issue with his steering wheel, Vettel seems comfortable enough to continue leading the way, though Raikkonen has closed that gap down from nearly two seconds. Now the stops start: Bottas comes in for Mercedes, a slightly slow one. Updated at 3.09pm BST 1.47pm BST 13:47 Lap 30/70 Vettel overtakes Ericsson, the first backmarker. Here?s the top ten:1 Vettel2 Raikkonen +1.23 Bottas +6.64 Verstappen +2.65 Hamilton +1.56 Sainz +22.77 Alonso +1.48 Perez +3.19 Vandoorne +3.410 Ocon +4.5 1.44pm BST 13:44 Lap 27/70 We are heading towards the part of the race when we should see a flurry of stops. The supersoft tyre (which most drivers have started with) is significantly quicker than the soft around the Hungaroring, though it doesn?t last nearly as long. There could well be some undercut opportunities here. Meanwhile: ?The steering is hanging to the left when I go straight,? complains Sebastian Vettel. ?And I think it?s getting worse.? 1.40pm BST 13:40 Lap 24/70 Grosjean?s race is over. He can?t get his crawling car back to the pits and he pulls up to become the second retirement of this race. 1.39pm BST 13:39 Lap 23/70 Well it should have been a long stint. ?OK slow down, bring it back,? Haas say on radio. ?I think we have a crossed wheel nut.? A replay shows a mechanic give the F1 signal for a crossed wheel nut, holding his arms in the air like he?s just signed for West Ham, only with much sadder eyes.Updated at 1.40pm BST 1.36pm BST 13:36 Lap 22/70 The front five are well clear of the rest with about 15 seconds splitting Vettel in first and Hamilton in fifth. Further back down the road, Grosjean pits from 16th after suffering a dip in right-rear tyre pressure. He puts on the soft tyre which will set him up for a long stint. 1.33pm BST 13:33 Lap 20/70 Hulkenberg has been given a free pass by Jolyon Palmer, his Renault team-mate. The Briton started 10th but has slipped back to 12th. 1.31pm BST 13:31 Lap 19/70 Hamilton, in fifth, has upped his pace in the past couple of laps, setting the fastest opening sector of the race and opening a gap between his Mercedes and the Toro Rosso of Sainz behind him of around 12 seconds ? the biggest in the race. Updated at 1.34pm BST 1.29pm BST 13:29 Lap 17/70 Here?s a huffy Daniel Ricciardo, who doesn?t hold back with his thoughts on Max Verstappen?s opening lap: ?It was what it was. I saw I had a good run out of one, I thought I?ll just go here and protect that place, and felt it hit. For sure it?s not on, that was amateur to say the least. I don?t think he likes when a team-mate gets in front of him. It was a very poor mistake. For sure, we?ll sort it out. I don?t think there?s an excuse for it. He got the line taken away from, he sees me go past, and it?s like ?I?ve got to fix this? and that?s it.? 1.26pm BST 13:26 Lap 14/70 Grosjean and Hulkenberg?s bump, a moment I haven?t seen much of, has been dismissed by the stewards as a racing incident. Yellow flags are out again briefly in sector one but are back in their holsters almost immediately. Vettel?s lead is already up to 3.4secs, but the biggest gap in the top six is between Raikkonen in second and Bottas in third of 5.6secs. 1.23pm BST 13:23 Lap 12/70 Clears signs of degradation on Lewis Hamilton?s rear tyres, but his priority at the moment is communication with Mercedes who are having some system issues in the garage ? though soon enough they get in touch to say it?s fixed. ?Good to have you back,? says Hamilton. 1.21pm BST 13:21 Lap 11/70 After a helter-skelter start things have settled a little in the Hungarian sunshine. Vettel has established a lead of more than two seconds from Raikkonen, with Bottas, Verstappen, Hamilton and Sainz making up the top six. Updated at 1.27pm BST 1.18pm BST 13:18 Lap 9/70 The stewards have come down on Max Verstappen over the incident with Ricciardo, dishing out a 10-second penalty. An opening lap bump between Grosjean and Hulkenberg is also being investigated. 1.16pm BST 13:16 Lap 7/70 Fantastic battling between Perez, Alonso and Sainz with the latter jumping past the former world champion and up to sixth, one place behind Hamilton. Back in the paddock, Ricciardo is watching a replay, his famous grin nowhere to be seen. 1.14pm BST 13:14 Lap 6/70 That Verstappen lock up was unfortunate but Ricciardo will still be fuming that his team-mate took such an aggressive line. The safety car comes in, and Vettel zips away with Raikkonen on his tail. Hamilton attacks Verstappen and they?re wheel to wheel through the first few corners, but the teenager won?t yield! 1.11pm BST 13:11 Lap 4/70 The safety car is out and leading Vettel round the Hungaroring, followed by Raikkonen, Bottas, Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Vandoorne, and Ocon in 10th. 1.09pm BST 13:09 Lap 2/70 Yellow flags as Ricciardo?s car is dealt with. The replay shows Hamilton try to hold the inside line on the tight turn one and get swamped by both Red Bulls, but on turn two Verstappen seems to lock up slightly, slamming into the side of his team-mate. A moment later Ricciardo is spinning across the track, and very fortunate not to take a big hit as he spun. Updated at 1.09pm BST 1.05pm BST 13:05 Vettel cuts off Raikkonen into turn one and holds on to the lead. Behind them is the action as Hamilton gets a sluggish start and Verstappen overtakes him. On turn three Ricciardo spins, he?s out! ?Someone hit me, Max I think it was,? says Ricciardo, of his Red Bull team-mate. Sainz is up to sixth, Perez all the way up to eighth. Updated at 1.24pm BST 1.03pm BST 13:03 Here we go... 1.02pm BST 13:02 A reminder of the grid:1 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 2 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 3 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 4 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 5 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 6 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 7 Fernando Alonso (McLaren) 8 Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren) 9 Carlos Sainz Jnr (Toro Rosso) 10 Jolyon Palmer (Renault) 11 Esteban Ocon (Force India) 12 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) 13 Sergio Perez (Force India) 14 Romain Grosjean (Haas) 15 Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 16 Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 17 Lance Stroll (Williams) 18 Pascal Wehrlein (Sauber) 19 Paul di Resta (Williams) 20 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) 1.00pm BST 13:00 The drivers are all set for the formation lap. It?s 30C at the Hungaroring, 55C on the track, and Lewis Hamilton has been making clear on team radio that he doesn?t back a one-stop strategy; he thinks tyre degradation is going to force a two.Updated at 1.01pm BST 12.56pm BST 12:56 Max Verstappen, by the way. What a cool customer. Just time for Giles Richards?s take on the 19-year-old?s stop-start season: 12.50pm BST 12:50 It?s a long run at Hungary down to the first corner, which should help negate a pile-up on the opening lap but also offers plenty of opportunity to overtake, something which becomes an awful lot harder once into the meat of the race. Getting off the grid well will be crucial. 12.48pm BST 12:48 Ted Kravitz grabs a word with McLaren?s Fernando Alonso: ?It should be the day for both McLarens to be in the top ten. Hopefully we execute.?And Red Bull?s Max Verstappen: ?I don?t know what we?re going to do. You can make plans but things can change. I?m just going to feel my way into the race.? Here?s Renault?s Jolyon Palmer: ?It?s a good position to be in [starting P10]. I think we need to make a good start and that will decide the race. The track feels good, the car feels good. I?m confident for a good race.? And finally acting?s Ashton Kutcher: ?I?m just here as a fan, man.? 12.43pm BST 12:43 F1 managing director Ross Brawn is enjoying the sunshine on the grid, and he?s excited for this grand prix. ?Ferrari have come back again here ? [their form] is circuit dependent I think, because I understand there?s no great change to cars. It doesn?t look like Mercedes had a great qualifying but what?s great is we don?t know who?s going to win.? 12.39pm BST 12:39 Sky Sports? F1 team are depleted today. Martin Brundle is in Belgium I hear while Paul di Resta has stepped up to replace the unwell Felipe Massa for Williams. Quite a switch from commentary box to cockpit. In Brundle?s stead, Ted Kravitz will take on The Grid Walk. 12.31pm BST 12:31 1 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 2 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)3 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 4 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)5 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 6 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)7 Fernando Alonso (McLaren) 8 Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)9 Carlos Sainz Jnr (Toro Rosso) 10 Jolyon Palmer (Renault)11 Esteban Ocon (Force India) 12 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)13 Sergio Perez (Force India) 14 Romain Grosjean (Haas)15 Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 16 Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso)17 Lance Stroll (Williams) 18 Pascal Wehrlein (Sauber) 19 Paul di Resta (Williams) 20 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)Updated at 12.33pm BST 11.57pm BST 23:57 After his dominance of Silverstone, Saturday was supposed to be the moment Lewis Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher?s record of 68 poles, which had stood untouched for 11 years. Instead, those expecting Hamilton to drive off into the distance with the championship got a surprise ? and a welcome one for fans of a title dust up.Ferrari were much too quick for Mercedes around the Hungaroring, where Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole for today?s race alongside his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen second. ?The car was phenomenal and when I saw it was two reds up front I let out a big scream,? said Vettel after qualifying. ?It?s only Saturday of course and the big challenge comes tomorrow, but after all the talk after the last race [that Ferrari were finished] it was good to give the answer on the track.? If Hamilton is to claim a sixth win at one of his favourite circuits, and overturn his one-point deficit at the top of the drivers? championship, he will have to do it the hard way.The three-time world champion starts fourth behind his team-mate Valtteri Bottas in an all-Mercedes second row who help to make up a nicely symmetrical front eight; Max Verstappen leads Daniel Ricciardo in an all-Red Bull third row, and Fernando Alonso starts ahead of Stoffel Vandoorne for the resurgent McLaren who occupy the fourth row ? their finest grid positions of the season. Formula One takes its summer break after Hungary, making this a pretty handy moment to land a telling blow. Vettel is in position to do just that.Lights out: 1pm BST, 2pm local time Updated at 2.59pm BST

Prashanti Moktan

29 Mar 2017,Wednesday

I do want to settle down early in life, says Alia Bhatt

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/alia-bhatt-sidharth-malhotra-marriage-plans/1/915456.html

Alia Bhatt, while talking about her plans regarding marriage, said, "I do want to settle down early (in life)...I have an advantage of having started off (in career) very early." Alia added that she wouldn't want to settle down late in life as that has its own issues. However, she clarified that she's not planning on settling down right now.

The nation's favourite 'dulhania' Alia Bhatt is just 24, but marriage might not be very far off into the future for her. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Alia said, "I do want to settle down early (in life) because I have an advantage of having started off (in career) very early. That way, I can get done with it (getting married) and continue (in my career). Also, I don't want to settle down too late in life because that also has its own issues." However, the Dear Zindagi actor added that she is not "thinking about it or planning as of now."Ever since she made her debut with Student Of The Year, Alia's name has been linked with her co-star Sidharth Malhotra's. Although the two have been in denial mode, several hints have been dropped. When Varun Dhawan was asked on Koffee With Karan what Sidharth had that he did not, he looked suggestively at Alia. Last week, the rumoured couple walked hand-in-hand out of a recent award show. In fact, Sidharth was even clicked entering Alia's house on Valentine's Day. When it comes to marriage, Sidharth seems to have somewhat different views. He had told DNA, "In today's day and age, marriage has become just a tagline. I think I will only get married when I want to have babies." We wonder how Sidharth will react to Alia's admission that she wants to get married soon.

Abhishek Bansal

12 Mar 2017,Sunday

Cong loses 8/10 seats in Gandhi bastion Amethi, Raebareli

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-election-results-uttar-pradesh-election-news-up-assembly-poll-amethi-raebareli/1/902547.html

Indian National Congress could manage to win only two of the ten Assembly seats in Amethi and Raebareli parliamentary constituencies, considered strongholds of the Gandhi family. Six of the Assembly seats went to Bharatiya Janata Party while Samajwadi Party won the remaining two. It was a complete washout for the Congress in Rahul Gandhi's Amethi Lok Sabha constituency.

Six out of 10 Assembly seats in Amethi and Raebareli parliamentary constituencies -- long considered Congress strongholds -- have gone to the BJP while two went to the Samajwadi Party, leaving the grand old party gasping with just two.A beaming Amit Shah, the BJP President, in his first media comments after the party's grand success in the state elections, drew specific attention to its performance in the twin Lok Sabha constituencies, held by party chief Sonia Gandhi and her deputy and son Rahul.It was a complete washout for the Congress in Rahul's Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, comprising the assembly seats of Amethi, Tiloi, Jagdishpur, Gauriganj and Salon. The party managed to win two of the five assembly constituencies of Sonia Gandhi's Raebareli Lok Sabha seat -- Raebareli and Harchandpur -- while losing Sareni, Bachhrawan and Unchahar.In Rahul's constituency, the Congress managed to come in at second spot in Jagdishpur, Gauriganj and Salon, was beaten to third spot in Tiloi and came in a miserable fourth in Amethi itself.In Sonia's constituency, the party came in at No.2 in Bachhrawan, No.3 in Sareni and a distant fourth in Unchahar.In the prestigious Amethi constituency, the erstwhile "queen" of the local principality Garima Singh of the BJP defeated SP's rape-accused absconding minister Gaytri Prasad Prajapati. Congress candidate Ameeta Singh, the current "queen" and wife of senior leader Sanjay Singh, came in a poor fourth behind the BSP candidate."Of 10 seats, we won six seats by big margins and this is making us very happy. We didn't do well here in 2014. But from now, politics will take a new direction in Uttar Pradesh," Shah said.Also read:Uttar Pradesh Election Results: Narendra Modi leads BJP's landslide win after 14 years

Akshita Jain

19 Feb 2017,Sunday

Police stations in UP turning into SP offices: PM Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/goonda-raj-in-up-even-sc-has-to-intervene-modi/1/886518.html

Prime minister Narendra Modi attacked the SP government for its failure to maintain law and order in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday while addressing a rally in Fatehpur. ?The SC had to intervene to get the FIR registered against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. Goonda raj is prevailing all over UP and police stations have become Samajwadi Party office," he said.n

Aarushi Maheshwari

27 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Donald Trump accepts PM Modi's invite to visit India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/donald-trump-accepts-narendra-modi-invite-visit-india/1/988092.html

United States President Donald Trump has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India, the White House announced on Monday. Inviting Trump and his family, Modi had said, "I hope that you will give me the opportunity to welcome you and host you in India." Meanwhile, he separately invited Trump's daughter Ivanka to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India.

US President Donald Trump has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invite to visit India, the White House said in a statement shortly after the two world leaders met in Washington. India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, who accompanied Modi to the US, confirmed the development saying, "Yes, President Trump has accepted PM's invitation to visit India". He added that apart from that he has no additional details. Earlier, while delivering a joint statement at the White House's Rose Garden, Modi, standing along side Trump, said, "I would like to invite you to India, along with your family. And I hope that you will give me the opportunity to welcome you and host you in India.Modi also separately invited Trump's daughter Ivanka to the US delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India that will be held later this year. "And I believe she has accepted," Trump said.Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for inviting me to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall. pic.twitter.com/ZNwmTTnGYDModi was welcomed by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House, where the two leaders held extensive talks, including one-on-one interactions. This was the first time Modi and Trump, who have previously spoken on the phone, met. Modi also became the first world leader whom Trump hosted at the White House for a working dinner. 'TRUE FRIEND'During their joint statement, Trump repeatedly thanked Modi for visiting the US and the White House, saying he enjoyed their "very productive conversation"."During my campaign, I pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House.  And that is now exactly what you have - a true friend," he said.President Trump also lauded PM Modi's efforts for launching the Goods and Services Tax (GST) describing it as the "largest tax overhaul in India's history".Modi appreciated the "warm welcome" accorded to him by President Trump and First Lady Melania and said, "We consider the USA as our primary partner for India's social and economic transformation in all our flagship programs and schemes."(With inputs from agencies)ALSO READ:Don't allow your soil to breed terror: PM Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump to PakistanIndia, US global engines of growth: All that PM Modi, President Trump said

Deepali Aggarwal

01 Jun 2017,Thursday

Pak's ISI behind Kabul blast which killed 90: Afghanistan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistans-isi-behind-kabul-blast-which-killed-90-top-afghanistan-official-to-india-today/1/968135.html

Afghanistan has accused Pakistan's spy agency ISI and the Pakistan-based banned terrorist outfit Haqqani Network of planning the Kabul blast, which killed 90 people and injured over 350 on Wednesday. An Interior Ministry spokesperson said that the Pakistan spy agency's role in the blast has been established, adding that India suffers from Pakistan-sponsored terror too.

Afghanistan has blamed Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the banned terror group - the Haqqani network - for Wednesday's deadly bomb blast in Kabul's diplomatic area which killed at least 90 people and injured 300 others.Talking exclusively to India Today, Afghanistan Interior Ministry spokesperson Sediq Siddiqui said role of Pakistan's ISI has been established in Kabul explosion. "We have nailed Pakistan's ISI role (in Kabul blast). Afghanistan expects Pakistan to crack down on Haqqani network. The attack will surely impact ties between the two (Afghanistan, Pakistan) countries," Siddiqui told India Today. He added that Kabul expects Islamabad to act against the  Haqqani network while expressing fears of more such attacks in the country.India and Pakistan both are victims of Pakistan sponsored terror, Siddiqui added. The Haqqani Network is an Afghan insurgent terror outfit based in Pakistan's Waziristan and has carried out many high-profile attacks on US forces, high ranking Afghan officials and foreigners in Afghanistan. The network has ties with Taliban and Al Qaeda and the US considers it a major threat to Afghanistan's stability.KABUL ATTACK Kabul's high-security diplomatic zone was rocked by a powerful blast on Wednesday morning. The explosion occurred near the German embassy at one of the entrances to Kabul's unofficial Green Zone.While the sewage tanker carrying the bomb was stopped from entering the zone, it was unclear how such a large quantity of explosives could get through the ring of checkpoints set up around Kabul to protect the capital.A huge crater ripped into the ground at the site of the blast and shattered windows in houses more than a kilometre away were testament to the power of the explosion, which was set off by a bomb concealed in the tanker.In scale, it was one of the worst such attacks since the US-led campaign to oust the Taliban in 2001 but in kind, it was only the latest in a grim series that has killed thousands of civilians over the years.(With inputs from Reuters) ALSO READ:Kabul bomb blast death toll hits 80, over 350 others injured in suicide attack near Indian embassy

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Drunk men attack homeless man, set his private parts on fire

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chennai-viral-video-shows-homeless-man-attacked-by-drunk-miscreants/1/977336.html

A video of several drunk men attacking a 50-year-old homeless man and attempting to torch his private parts in Chennai has surfaced online. In the incident that reportedly took place on June 4 around 1.30 in the night, the accused also beat the man with pipes. Further, the police are waiting for the victim to file a complaint.

A shocking video of miscreants attacking a homeless man and trying to burn his private parts has gone viral.The incident occurred on June 4 at Kodambakkam. 50-year-old Jaffar was sleeping near the Indian Bank at Rangaraja Puram when at around 1:30 in the night, Shyam, Pugazendhi and Rajesh along with a minor harassed him. Taking advantage of Jaffar's drunk state, one of the guys attempted to torch his private parts. Jaffer woke up seeing the flames but was unable to act as he was not in his complete senses. The miscreants didn't stop there. They went ahead and beat Jaffer with pipes. Cops have detained the miscreants, who admitted to having attacked Jaffer. The accused claimed that they attacked the 50-year-old because they were drunk. Police are looking for the victim to file a case.  The unfortunate incident occurred in a prominent area where cops are supposed to patrol in the night. The incident raises many questions about the law and order situation in the state.  Also Read:

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

We have another Gandhi in PM Narendra Modi: Culture Minister

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/we-have-another-gandhi-in-the-form-of-pm-narendra-modi-says-mahesh-sharma/story-MH8f1H4HdPVf2AAVVIsQiI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Union Minister Mahesh Sharma on Thursday said, "Today among us, we are fortunate to have another Gandhiji in the form of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is like an inspiration." He added, "He (PM) started with the promise that the glow of freedom would reach every person in the country. His dream is to fulfil the dreams of Gandhiji."

Union minister Mahesh Sharma said on Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ?another? Mahatma Gandhi who, like the father of the nation, had inspired many generations.The culture minister was speaking at an event to launch a book on Gandhi?s salt satyagraha.?Today among us, we are fortunate to have another Gandhiji in the form of our Prime Minister who is like an inspiration,? Sharma said.The minister, while talking about Gandhi?s contribution to the independence struggle, noted that the salt satyagraha was not just about a pinch of salt but about inspiring generations, something that the Prime Minister was also espousing.?He (PM) started with the promise that the glow of freedom would reach every person in the country. His dream is to fulfil the dreams of Gandhiji. The Ministry of Culture is duty bound and committed to spreading his dreams and thoughts throughout the world for the sake of humanity,? Sharma said.The salt march, also known as the dandi march and salt satyagraha, was an act of non-violent civil disobedience in colonial India, initiated by Gandhi in 1930, to produce salt from seawater in coastal village of Dandi.The book ?Historical Background to the Imposition of Salt Tax under the British Rule in India (1757-1947) and Mahatma Gandhi?s Salt Satyagraha (1930-31) against the British Rule Background? has been authored by Y P Anand, former Director, National Gandhi Museum.?This book is extremely important for India, especially in the present times, wherein there is a need for humanity in the world,? the minister added.

Chhavi Tyagi

20 Dec 2016,Tuesday

AAP declares Elvis Gomes as its CM candidate in Goa

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aap-declares-elvis-gomes-as-its-cm-candidate-in-goa/1/838375.html

The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday declared former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes as its chief ministerial candidate for upcoming Goa Assembly elections. Currently the elected President of Goa Football Association, 53-year-old Gomes had taken voluntary retirement as IG Prisons and Urban Development Secretary to join AAP. The announcement was made at a rally by AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Panaji, Dec 19 (PTI) The Aam Aadmi Party today declared Elvis Gomes, a former bureaucrat, as its chief ministerial candidate. The announcement was made at a rally at Cuncolim in South Goa by the AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The 53-year-old had taken voluntary retirement to join AAP. Currently, the elected President of Goa Football Association, Gomes was IG Prisons and Urban Development Secretary when he quit service. Previously, he has served as director of Municipal Administration and Tourism, chairperson of Goa Housing Board, commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Panjim, and Captain of Ports.