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Aarushi Maheshwari

22 May 2017,Monday

Diamond ring bought for ?900 expected to fetch ?3 crore

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/22/diamond-ring-bought-for-10-at-car-boot-sale-may-fetch-350000?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning+briefing&utm_term=227100&subid=21525752&CMP=ema-2793

A diamond ring is expected to fetch £350,000 (?3 crore) at an auction in London, 30 years after its owner bought it for £10 (?900), thinking it was a costume jewel. The owners wore the 26.27-carat diamond for decades, only learning its value after a jeweller said it could be valuable. The owners are "incredibly excited," a jeweller said.

A large diamond ring is expected to fetch £350,000 at auction 30 years after its owner paid £10 for it at a car boot sale, thinking it was a costume jewel.The ?exceptionally sized? stone was presumed not to be real because 19th-century diamonds were not cut to show off their brilliance like today?s gems. The owner, unaware of its value, wore it for decades, while doing everything from the shopping to the chores.The 26.27-carat, cushion-shaped, white diamond, snapped up at a Sunday sale at the West Middlesex hospital in Isleworth in west London in the 1980s, is going under the hammer at Sotheby?s on 7 June. The head of the auction house?s London jewellery department, Jessica Wyndham, said: ?The owner would wear it out shopping, wear it day-to-day. It?s a good-looking ring. But it was bought as a costume jewel. No one had any idea it had any intrinsic value at all. They enjoyed it all this time.?They had been to quite a few car boot sales over the years. But they don?t have any history of collecting antiques and they don?t have any history of collecting diamonds. This is a one-off windfall, an amazing find.?Wyndham said that after about 30 years of wearing the ring, the owners brought it into Sotheby?s after a jeweller told them it could have substantial value.?They came in with the idea that it might be real and they had no idea of its value,? she said. ?We had a look and said ? I think that?s a diamond, and we got it tested at the Gemological Institute of America. The majority of us can?t even begin to dream of owning a diamond that large.? Wyndham said the owners, who did not want to be named, are ?incredibly excited. Anyone would be in this position. It?s a life-changing amount of money. No matter what your background is or what your past experiences have been, it?s going to revolutionise someone?s life?.The diamond is thought to have been cut in the 19th century but its history and how it arrived at the car boot sale are unknown.Wyndham said the older style of diamond cutting was ?slightly duller and deeper than you would see in a modern style ? it could trick people into thinking it?s not a genuine stone?.She added: ?The diamond cutter is looking to maximise the amount of brilliance from the stone because that?s what makes it sparkly,? she said.?With an old style of cutting, an antique cushion shape, the light doesn?t reflect back as much as it would from a modern stone cutting. Cutters worked more with the natural shape of the crystal, to conserve as much weight of the crystal rather than make it as brilliant as possible. The older stones have quite a bit of personality. They sparkle in a different way.??Serendipity? may have prompted the owners to buy the ring in the first place, she said, ?but a 26-carat, cushion-shaped diamond, no matter how filthy or dark that mount was, maybe that stone still speaks to people. They also bought some designer dresses for about £10. We should have all been at the car sale!?

Saloni Tandon

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Sania Mirza out, Rohan Bopanna in Wimbledon quarters

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tennis/wimbledon-2017-rohan-bopanna-in-mixed-doubles-quarter-finals-sania-mirza-out/story-eeNVBCBmyoW2gplCdzkBkO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Sania Mirza and her mixed doubles partner, Croatia's Ivan Dodig, crashed out of the Wimbledon's mixed doubles event, losing 6-7, 4-6 to Henri Kontinen and Heather Watson in the third round. Meanwhile, French Open champions Rohan Bopanna and his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski reached the quarters, beating the Croatian pair of Nikola Mektic and Ana Konjuh 7-6, 6-2 on Wednesday.

Rohan Bopanna and his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski entered the quarter-finals in mixed doubles category of Wimbledon, while it was curtains on Sania Mirza-Ivan Dodig?s campaign.French Open mixed doubles champions Bopanna-Dabrowski defeated Croatian pair Nikola Mektic-Ana Konjuh 7-6 (5), 6-2 in one hour and three minutes.READ | Rohan Bopanna: 7-year itch & freedom - expect more Slams from French Open champThe 10th seeded pair Bopanna-Dabrowski will next face Henri Kontinen-Heather Watson in the quarter-final clash. Kontinen-Watson beat the fourth-seeded pair Sania-Dodig 7-6 (4), 6-4 to book the quarter-final berth.In mixed doubles at Wimbledon, Bopanna has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals. He is now the only Indian left in the competition.

Abhishek Bansal

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Iran bans chess grandmaster for not wearing hijab

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iran-hijab-chess-dorsa-derakhshani/1/887830.html

Chess grandmaster Dorsa Derakhshani was banned by Iran for not wearing a hijab at the Gibraltar Chess Festival 2017. Dorsa's 15-year-old brother was also banned for playing a chess match against Israel. "The first step in dealing with them would be to deprive them of every game played in Iran and in the name of Iran," said an Iranian official.

Chess grandmaster Dorsa Derakhshani was banned by Iran for not wearing a hijab. Dorsa's brother Borna was banned too, who was playing a chess match against Israel.Dorsa, 18, is currently studying in Spain and had previously participated in the Gibraltar games independently. Her brother Borna, who is 15, had also registered in the games on his own.In 2017, a ban like this in Iran may come as an accepted norm but the story hasn't been the same always.Tables were turned after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 or called as the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.This is how women in Iran dressed up like in 1970s.An old magazine photo of an Iranian woman in 1970s.Poles apart but another Iranian woman in a magazine before the Islamic Revolution.Magazine model without hijab in 1970s.Another shot from the bygone era of Iran.And this is 2017.  Dorsa is a member of the Iranian Women's National Chess Team. She is also the sixth world champion in under-18 games. Well, that never mattered compared to donning a particular attire. She got banned for not covering her hair at the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival.According to the head of Iran's Chess Federation Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, they will "seriously deal" with Dorsa for not observing the veil, and brother Borna who played with an Israeli player.

Gaurav Shroff

20 May 2017,Saturday

'Doomsday' vault flooded after surrounding soil melts

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/19/arctic-stronghold-of-worlds-seeds-flooded-after-permafrost-melts?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

Norway's Global Seed Vault, meant to preserve world's crops from "doomsday" scenarios like nuclear war or asteroid strike has been flooded. The vault, built in permafrost (permanently frozen soil), was breached after soaring temperatures in the Arctic post Earth's hottest recorded year sent water gushing into its entrance. However, no damage was done to the seeds, said a government official.

It was designed as an impregnable deep-freeze to protect the world?s most precious seeds from any global disaster and ensure humanity?s food supply forever. But the Global Seed Vault, buried in a mountain deep inside the Arctic circle, has been breached after global warming produced extraordinary temperatures over the winter, sending meltwater gushing into the entrance tunnel.The vault is on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen and contains almost a million packets of seeds, each a variety of an important food crop. When it was opened in 2008, the deep permafrost through which the vault was sunk was expected to provide ?failsafe? protection against ?the challenge of natural or man-made disasters?.But soaring temperatures in the Arctic at the end of the world?s hottest ever recorded year led to melting and heavy rain, when light snow should have been falling. ?It was not in our plans to think that the permafrost would not be there and that it would experience extreme weather like that,? said Hege Njaa Aschim, from the Norwegian government, which owns the vault.?A lot of water went into the start of the tunnel and then it froze to ice, so it was like a glacier when you went in,? she told the Guardian. Fortunately, the meltwater did not reach the vault itself, the ice has been hacked out, and the precious seeds remain safe for now at the required storage temperature of -18C.But the breach has questioned the ability of the vault to survive as a lifeline for humanity if catastrophe strikes. ?It was supposed to [operate] without the help of humans, but now we are watching the seed vault 24 hours a day,? Aschim said. ?We must see what we can do to minimise all the risks and make sure the seed bank can take care of itself.?The vault?s managers are now waiting to see if the extreme heat of this winter was a one-off or will be repeated or even exceeded as climate change heats the planet. The end of 2016 saw average temperatures over 7C above normal on Spitsbergen, pushing the permafrost above melting point.?The question is whether this is just happening now, or will it escalate?? said Aschim. The Svalbard archipelago, of which Spitsbergen is part, has warmed rapidly in recent decades, according to Ketil Isaksen, from Norway?s Meteorological Institute. ?The Arctic and especially Svalbard warms up faster than the rest of the world. The climate is changing dramatically and we are all amazed at how quickly it is going,? Isaksen told the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.The vault managers are now taking precautions, including major work to waterproof the 100m-long tunnel into the mountain and digging trenches into the mountainside to channel meltwater and rain away. They have also removed electrical equipment from the tunnel that produced some heat and installed pumps in the vault itself in case of a future flood.Aschim said there was no option but to find solutions to ensure the enduring safety of the vault: ?We have to find solutions. It is a big responsibility and we take it very seriously. We are doing this for the world.??This is supposed to last for eternity,? said Åsmund Asdal at the Nordic Genetic Resource Centre, which operates the seed vault.

Rini Sinha

14 Jul 2017,Friday

I'm blessed that you even know I exist: Ranveer to Amitabh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amitabh-bachchan-ranveer-singh-birthday-text-sonam-kapoor/1/1001914.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

In a Twitter conversation with actor Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh wrote, "I'm blessed that you even know I exist!" Ranveer wrote this after Amitabh complained about him not replying to his SMS birthday greetings. Ranveer tweeted further, "Except that I TOTALLY replied! I just cross checked it too! You were in fact one of the first to even wish!"

Remember when Amitabh Bachchan sulked over Sonam Kapoor not replying to his SMS that he sent on her birthday? This time, Ranveer Singh finds himself in Sonam's position. Apparently, Big B sent Ranveer a text message on his birthday, but received no response.Amitabh Bachchan wrote on one of Ranveer's replies to a birthday wish, "hey .. but what about my intention .. sent you sms greetings for your birthday .. did not get a reply .. did you see it .. !??"However, while Sonam missed his message in the ocean of tweets, texts and birthday posts, Ranveer made sure he did not forget to reply to Big B's text. The Bajirao Mastani actor responded, "Except that i TOTALLY replied! I just cross checked it too! You were in fact one of the first to even wish!"Ranveer then went on to say that it's gestures like these which make Amitabh Bachchan the greatest of all time, adding, "I'm blessed that you even know I exist!"

Anmol Sharma

30 Jun 2017,Friday

Will give opinion only if BCCI asks: Kohli on coach debate

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bcci-team-india-head-coach-virat-kohli-india-vs-west-indies/1/990650.html

Virat Kohli has said that the appointment of Indian team's new coach is in BCCI's control and he and the team will give opinions only if BCCI asks. Kohli added that the team is currently focused entirely on the Windies series and not on anything else. Notably, BCCI will finalise the coach before India's tour of Sri Lanka next month.

While the Indian cricket team's search for the new head coach continues following the Anil Kumble's resignation, skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday insisted that his team are currently entirely focussing on their ongoing limited-overs series against West Indies and not on anything else.Speaking on the eve of India's third ODI against the Caribbean side at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Kohli said that the appointment of the new coach is in BCCI's control and that his side's priority is to just focus on their game and win the ongoing series."Right now, we have series at hand and this is what we are focused on. The process is taking place. That is something which is in control of the BCCI. The process is always in place. We, as a team, are focussing on the series right now. We will not focus on anything else at the moment. Our priority is coming here and winning this series and preparing for the game that lies ahead of us," the 28-year-old told the reporters here.When quizzed whether he has any say on the appointment of the coach, the swashbuckling batsman said that they only voice their opinion as a team and that there is no individual view involved."From personal point of view, I can't pinpoint anything or give details. We as a team voice our opinions only when being asked by the BCCI to give our suggestions. So, that is something we have always gone through as a process. That is something that we respect as a team," Kohli said.He further explained, "When asked it has been asked together. It is not like segregation of anything. So we respect that process. And the same procedure if and when takes place. We will give our suggestions to the BCCI."The head coach position has been vacant since Anil Kumble's resignation following India's 180-run defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at the Oval on June 18.Former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh, Richard Pybus and Tom Moody and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag have all applied for the post.

Mishika Bangia

28 Jul 2017,Friday

No immediate arrest in dowry cases without investigation: SC

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-immediate-arrests-in-dowry-harassment-cases-sc-rules-to-curb-misuse-by-disgruntled-wives/story-Kb0FhYidsg3YKedZoN8gzJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that police will conduct a preliminary enquiry before making any arrest in dowry harassment cases to ensure there is no misuse of law. A Family Welfare Committee will be set up in every district to scrutinise the cases, only after which will the arrests be made effective, the court said.

A Family Welfare Committee (FWC) in every district will scrutinise dowry harassment cases before local police can arrest the accused, the Supreme Court said on Thursday, laying down a set of guidelines to curb misuse of the law.Indian Penal Code?s Section 498A has been criticised for giving ?disgruntled women? a legal option to harass their husbands, and Thursday?s orders take forward measures announced by the top court in 2014 when it prohibited automatic arrests.A bench of justices AK Goel and UU Lalit barred the police from making direct arrest and said the involvement of civil society was necessary ?to achieve the laudable object of punishing cruelty at the hands of husbands or his relatives against the wife?.Quoting the National Crime Records Bureau?s 2012 data, the bench said that a quarter of all arrests were those of women ? mothers and sisters of husbands ? and while chargesheets were filed at an ?exponentially high 93.6%? of cases, only 14.4% ended in convictions. The report projected that out of the 3,72,706 cases pending trial in 2012, as many as 3,17,000 were projected to lead to acquittals.Curbing misuseForm 3-member committee in every district of para-legal volunteers, social workers, working officers? wives or suitable citizensDecide bail applications on same day as far as possibleGrant exemption from personal appearance or allow it by videoconferencingDon?t make passport impounding or red corner notice routine for people residing out of IndiaThe court, however, put a rider to its restrictions, saying that they were not valid in offences involving tangible physical injury or death.?It is a matter of serious concern that large number of cases continues to be filed under Section 498A alleging harassment of married women. To remedy the situation, we are of the view that involvement of civil society in the aid of administration of justice can be one of the steps, apart from the investigating officers and the concerned trial courts being sensitised,? the bench said.The top court also ordered that trial courts must decide bail applications in such cases on the same day as far as possible. Recovery of disputed dowry items may not by itself be a ground for denial of bail if maintenance or other rights of wife/minor children can otherwise be protected, SC said.According to the ruling, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) will form the committee comprising three members who could be para-legal volunteers, social workers, retired persons, wives of working officers or citizens who may be found suitable and willing.A dowry harassment complaint to the police or magistrate will be referred to the committee that can interact with the parties personally or through electronic communication. The committee must submit its report to the authority, which refers the complaint to it within a month.Till the report is received, no arrest should be effected, the court said. After considering the report on its own merit, the police or magistrate will proceed with further action.SC also directed that only a designated Investigating Officer of the area shall investigate dowry harassment cases. Such designations must be done within a month, the court said. These officers must be trained, which the court held must be completed within four months.In further directions to lower courts, the SC said that accused should be exempted from appearing in person or be allowed to appear via video conferencing as far as that does not adversely affect the progress of the case.In cases where accused is residing out of India, impounding of passports or red corner notice should not be a routine, the court said.In cases where a settlement is reached, it will be open to a district and sessions judge or any other senior judicial officer nominated by him in the district to complete the proceedings including the closing of the criminal case if dispute primarily relates to matrimonial discord. Committee?s functioning may be reviewed once a year, SC added.In 2014, a separate bench had criticised the law?s misuse and said: ?The fact that Section 498-A is a cognisable and non-bailable offence has lent it a dubious place of pride amongst the provisions that are used as weapons rather than shield by disgruntled wives?.

Nandini Sinha

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Italy may face water rationing due to prolonged drought

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/24/rome-water-rationing-italy-suffers-driest-spring-60-years-fountain?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A prolonged drought in Italy may lead to water rationing as the country faces its driest spring in 60 years, reports said. Water supply shutdowns could last as long as eight hours daily as some parts of the country received rainfall totalling 80% below normal, officials said. The drought could reportedly lead to Rome's famed fountains being turned off.

Scarce rain and chronically leaky aqueducts have combined to put Romans at risk of drastic water rationing as soon as this week.Sky TG24 TV meteorologists noted on Sunday that Italy had experienced one of its driest springs in some 60 years and that some parts of the country had seen rainfall totals 80% below normal. Among the hardest-hit regions was Sardinia, which is seeking natural disaster status.Farmers? lobby Coldiretti last week estimated ?2bn ($2.3bn) worth of damage had been done to Italian agriculture so far. Dairy farmers are lamenting drops in milk production. Among those suffering are farmers growing canning tomatoes in the southeastern region of Puglia, wine grapes throughout much of Italy and those cultivating olives ? all signature crops for the nation.Another afflicted area was the province in Parma, an area in north-central Italy renowned for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and prized prosciutto.Rome?s water supply worries have turned political. Last week, the governor of Lazio region, which includes the Italian capital, ordered that no more water be drawn from Lake Bracciano, which supplies some of the Italian capital, because the drastically decreasing water level posed danger to the aquatic life of the lake.The lake, 40km from Rome, used to be used only for backup water supply but recent years have seen it being tapped on a regular basis.Rome water company ACEA warned that without the lake, drastic rationing loomed. Italian media said staggered water supply shutdowns could last as long as eight hours daily in alternating neighbourhoods and start as soon as Wednesday. Rome?s famed fountains risk being turned off.The move put populist 5-Star Movement Mayor Virginia Raggi under pressure, since the city of Rome is a major shareholder in Acea. Michele Meta, a Democratic party lawmaker from Rome, demanded to know why Acea ?doesn?t have other solutions besides rationing and staggering the capital?s water? supply?Rome had 26 rainy days in this year?s first six months, compared to 88 in the first half of 2016, with precipitation totals in those same periods more than four times higher last year than this year.But water supply pipelines in the Rome area ? famed in ancient Roman times for its aqueducts, segments of which still stand ? are notoriously leaky.La Stampa daily reported on Sunday that water, energy and environment companies lobby Utilitalia analysed companies serving roughly half of Italy?s population and concluded that the water loss rate from inadequate infrastructure, often decades-old, ranged from 26% in the north to 46% in the central and southern parts of the country.

Daisy Mowke

28 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Beyoncé fulfils dying fan's wish to talk to her

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/beyonce-cancer-student-dies-talk-facetime-terminally-ill-houston/1/914435.html

Singer Beyoncé fulfilled the wish of Ebony Banks, a dying fan suffering from cancer, whose dream was to talk to Beyoncé once in her life. Ebony passed away three days after talking to the singer over a video chat. Ebony's classmates had started an online campaign before her death to give her a chance to meet her favourite singer.

A terminally-ill Houston high school student, whose dream was to speak with Beyonce once in her life, succumbed to cancer days after talking to the star over a video chat.Ebony Banks' Alief Hastings High School classmates started an online campaign before her death to give her a chance to meet her favorite singer, Beyonce. As wonderful Queen Bey is, she soon made Banks' dream come true. On Wednesday, she received a FaceTime call from Beyonce.Beyoncé facetiming with Ebony, a fan with a rare cancer disease whose last wish was to see Beyoncé. â?¤ï¸?ï¸?ð??? pic.twitter.com/pCkGzF4feZThree days later, on late Saturday night, Banks died, confirms Alief Independent School District spokeswoman Kimberly Smith. Banks' high school gave her diploma during a graduation ceremony in the hospital last week. In her memory, her fellow schoolmates gathered at a candlelight vigil Sunday. A video posted on social media shows the students raising their candles to Beyonce's "Halo".@AliefHastingsHS Band & color guard students tribute to Ebony w her favorite singer - Beyoncé pic.twitter.com/57ida3fCAoWe Will Miss You Ebony ð??? Long Live ð???ð??½ #ebobpic.twitter.com/uTIZDd89dq|| Read more on FYI ||Children of cancer: How childhood cancer is eating away the future generationAfter losing 8-year-old daughter to cancer, mother shares haunting photo to raise awareness

Pragya Swastik

19 May 2017,Friday

India has capability to make 2,600 nuclear weapons: Pakistan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-has-capability-to-make-2600-nuclear-weapons-pakistan/1/957190.html

In the wake of heightened tension between the two nations regarding the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, Pakistan said India is capable of producing 2,600 nuclear weapons. India has the world's fastest growing nuclear programme, it added. Pakistan's statement regarding India enhancing its nuclear capability has come just days after reports suggested that New Delhi may be rethinking its nuclear doctrine.

Amid heightened tension between the two neighbouring nations in the wake of the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, Pakistan has said that India is capable of producing 2600 nuclear weapons.Claiming the India has the fastest growing nuclear programme in the world, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told reporters in Islamabad that India's nuclear aspirations pose a threat to strategic stability in the south Asian region."Pakistan has been underscoring the risk of diversion by India to imported nuclear fuel, equipment and technology received pursuant to civil nuclear accord and 2008 energy waiver by Nuclear Suppliers Group," Radio Pakistan quoted Zakaria, as saying. The top Pakistan official also raised concerns over India's bid for a permanent membership at the NSG, saying the world community should check the risks involved in allowing New Delhi a seat in the elite group.'INDIA RETHINKING NO FIRST USE NUCLEAR POLICY'Pakistan's statement regarding India enhancing its nuclear capability has come just days after reports suggested that New Delhi may be rethinking its nuclear doctrine. India may abandon its 'no first use' nuclear policy and launch a preemptive strike against Pakistan if it feared that Islamabad was likely to use the weapons first, a top nuclear expert on South Asia has claimed. "There is increasing evidence that India will not allow Pakistan to go first," Vipin Narang, an expert on South Asian nuclear strategy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, had said. He also pointed out that India's preemptive strike may not be conventional strikes and would also be aimed at Pakistan's missiles launchers for tactical battlefield nuclear warheads.ALSO  READ:India may abandon its no first use nuclear policy: Expert

Tarun Khanna

11 Mar 2017,Saturday

Cong single largest party in Manipur, fails to get majority

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assembly-election-results-2017-live-uttar-pradesh-punjab-uttarakhand-goa-manipur-modi/1/901863.html

Manipur on Saturday witnessed a hung Assembly as Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 28 seats but failed to secure a majority in the 60-member Assembly. Furthermore, while Congress' vote share has been recorded at 35.0%, BJP which came second has 36.2% vote share.

AAJ TAK LIVE TV WITH LIVE ELECTION RESULTS I congratulate Shri. Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh & UttarakhandMy heartiest congratulations to Capt Amarinder Singhji & all our party workers who worked tirelessly @capt_amarinderTo all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute & committed to our values & our belief in an India united in strength & purposeOur fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts & minds of peopleCongratulations to @AmitShah, party office bearers & state units for their exemplary work in taking the party to new heights.  Spoke to @capt_amarinder & congratulated him on the win in Punjab. Also wished him a happy birthday & prayed for his long & healthy life.  .@BJP4India takes lead over @INCIndia in #ManipurWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/N0J8NNjN3oIn Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand we are disappointed. The alliance had lot of expectations: Sanjay Jha, CongLIVE https://t.co/4fqxBVUizLpic.twitter.com/AxCle4efLiIn a nutshell there is no leader today with a pan India acceptability who can take on Modi & the BJP in 2019.At this rate we might as well forget 2019 & start planning/hoping for 2024.How the hell did almost all the experts/analysts miss this wave in UP? It's a tsunami not a ripple in a small pond.Celebrations galore at BJP HQ as Ashoka Road gets barricaded. #[email protected]/3zdaWhfHBA.@narendramodi be like#[email protected]/0KVevi8dGT#ElectionResults2017: Meanwhile in the Delhi @BJP4India headquarters (Photo: @NeerajGupta20) pic.twitter.com/SR7may7Q0B  In #UttarPradesh, @BJP4India hasn't left much to imaginationWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/UyufTVNxcM#Verdict2017It's BJP everywhere in UP. @rahulkanwal shares the latest numbers from UP assembly polls. Live:https://t.co/oIU1FtZewBpic.twitter.com/vnUtSdIF1APunjab is proof that the Congress can win an election despite Rahul Gandhi. #PunjabElection2017Modi magic still working in Uttar Pradesh. Demonetisation, what demonetisation??#ElectionResultsScenes of celebration @BJP4India HQ in Delhi. Pic by @the_hindu photog Sandeep Saxena pic.twitter.com/0oQ8s6FOayThe brilliant @MANJULtoons strikes again on #ElectionResults day.Only the guy in the middle is not getting his wish today. ð??? pic.twitter.com/D9JA8jJOGe#UPElection2017 Results LIVE: Counting of votes underway, #BJP emerges as clear winner with lead in 287 seats https://t.co/0eCLGTAeEQpic.twitter.com/p8l2eOX1iEThe Loha Singh Live Blog: Assembly Election Result updates with a punch ð??? Grab some popcorn ð??? and read ð??? https://t.co/sQ5MPCReyUpic.twitter.com/ATo9PXtyQk@KyaUkhaadLega AAP is ready with victory posters ð???ð???ð??? pic.twitter.com/lyQUr0PEGdBJP leading in Uttar Pradesh: Party workers celebrate in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SmmoBRNKSV#UttarPradeshElection2017 Counting shuru ho gayi hai, humari badi jeet hogi: Shivpal Yadav, SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/7C91hJWhcJ#ResultsWithNdtv@ndtv at Lucknow counting centre , drone cameras being used to monitor activity pic.twitter.com/VKhU0XCPGUMuscle, money power openly used by parties: Irom Sharmila https://t.co/d91oCpXEtZ Read @ANI_news story #Manipurpic.twitter.com/gdQ1KJMv3h#ABPResults UP Assembly Election Result Live: @samajwadiparty accuses EC of being biasedhttps://t.co/6I474e06FOpic.twitter.com/DAjGeq1RDh#UttarPradeshElection2017 Security arrangements in place outside counting centres in Moradabad #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/XlwpiN5ZecSP-Congress alliance will win today,and we will expose the people who were conspiring against CM: Rajendra Chaudhary,SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/iEq4OAiloXSamajwadi Party workers perform Havan in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SP9iJcdwfX                                                                                                                                               

Saloni Tandon

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Players change underwear at Wimbledon since it is not white

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/13/wimbledon-diary-venus-williams-outdated-underwear-rules?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Boys' doubles top seeds, Hungary's Zsombor Piros and China's Wu Yibing, were asked to change their non-white underwear at Wimbledon on Wednesday, because it was not compliant with the all-white dress code. The boys were checked by the umpire during their match and given a pair to change into. On Thursday, another player was checked for wearing a non-white underwear.

Of all the rules at Wimbledon ? and there are many ? surely none is more outdated than one referring to players? clothing. Not the part that insists they should wear ?almost entirely white? attire, something players do not mind. But rather the one that refers to the colour of their underwear and how visible it is during play. First Venus Williams was asked to change her pink bra in a first-round match, which drew a suitably clipped response to a media inquiry: ?I don?t like talking about bras in press conferences. It?s weird.? On Wednesday, four junior doubles players were asked to change their underwear because it could be seen under their white shorts, and on Thursday the 18?year?old Austrian Jurij Rodionov was asked by a supervisor to show her his underwear. ?Yesterday I wore black pants and nobody said anything and today I wore blue and suddenly it?s a problem,? he said. ?It was a big surprise for me.? Rodionov said Wimbledon provided him with two white pairs. ?One was a little bit too big but these ones were OK,? he said. Asked if the rule was outdated, he said: ?Wimbledon is always special. Maybe it?s a little bit too much but I like that the players only have to wear white. It?s tradition.?On the eve of the championships, Andre Agassi said he did not want to consult Novak Djokovic?s former coach Boris Becker to get an idea of what to expect as he began his new role working with the Serb, because he was trying to avoid going in with any preconceptions. That is definitely not the case for Jonas Bjorkman, who has been coaching Marin Cilic since August of last year. The Swede was spotted chatting to Cilic?s former long?term coach Bob Brett after the Croat?s victory against Gilles Muller, possibly about how to get the better of Sam Querrey in the semi-finals.Magdalena Rybarikova captured the imagination of the Wimbledon crowds with her run to the semi?finals, the first time she had been beyond the third round of any of the grand slam tournament. It was big news in Slovakia but she is not going to have any trouble walking around without being noticed, it seems. While doing a TV interview the day before her defeat by Garbiñe Muguruza, several people walked past without even spotting her. At the same time the nine-times champion Martina Navratilova, wearing a hat, was chased down the street outside Wimbledon by two people who had not fallen for the (slim) disguise.

Dishant Sharma

18 Mar 2017,Saturday

Afridi appointed ambassador of Blind Cricket World Cup

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shahid-afridi-ambassador-blind-cricket-world-cup/1/907083.html

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been appointed the ambassador of Blind Cricket World Cup's fifth edition. The tournament will be hosted by the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council in the UAE and Pakistan in January 2018. "Afridi is not only an icon in the arena of cricket...but also a philanthropist and a role model in social works," said PBCC Chairman.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been appointed as the ambassador for the fifth edition of the Blind Cricket World Cup.The announcement was made on Friday by the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC)"Afridi is not only an icon in the arena of cricket across the globe but also a philanthropist and a role model in social works," the Dawn quoted said PBCC chairman Syed Sultan Shah as saying.Shah asserted that with Afridi's contribution, blind country will gain new heights.The PBCC statement also stated that the fifth edition of the tournament, to be played in ODI format, will be hosted by PBCC in the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan in January 2018.It is reported that the PBCC is trying to host some of the pool matches and the final in Pakistan.Nine members of World Blind Cricket Ltd will participate in the tournament and four of them have agreed to play in Pakistan.37-year-old Afridi had last month announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing to an end his illustrious 21-year career.

Saloni Tandon

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Ravi Shastri to be paid ?7 crore per year as coach: Reports

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/anil-kumble-wanted-rs-9-crore-ravi-shastri-could-get-rs-7-crore-reports/story-gF2znJN5DwfvRKZn9REmyI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Team India coach Ravi Shastri will reportedly receive an annual compensation of ?7 crore, less than the ?9 crore that was demanded by former coach Anil Kumble. A four-member panel appointed by the Committee of Administrators will however decide the final pay. Kumble had reportedly asked for an amount at par with Grade A players, which BCCI considered "too high".

A four-member panel comprising BCCI acting president CK Khanna, CEO Rahul Johri, Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji and acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary will take a call on the salary of the newly-appointed head coach Ravi Shastri.If news doing the rounds in BCCI corridors is to be believed then Shastri is expected to get Rupees seven crore per year for two years. It was learnt that Anil Kumble had asked for an amount at par with a Grade A player?s total annual earnings, about Rupees nine crore per year which was considered too high.The CoA, which met on Saturday, finalised the appointment of Shastri but took no decision on Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid who were recommended as bowling and batting consultants on overseas tours by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).Shastri had apparently been skipper Virat Kohli?s choice and wants his own set of people as support staff. He will meet the panel on Tuesday (July 19) to discuss the appointment of support staff as well as his salary.?We will further discuss with Shastri the appointment of other coaches. We have set up a committee and they will speak to the CAC, communicate with them after talking to Shastri. The support staff has been decided in consultation with the head coach,? CoA head Vinod Rai said.?Three appointments which are core to the coaching team have been decided. But we have to consult each one of them, we have to ascertain their willingness and have to ensure that there is no conflict of interest issue.?The appointment of Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid will be made only after consulting with Ravi Shastri. (BCCI) The CoA also clarified that CAC had just recommended Dravid and Zaheer?s names but the decision on the support staff will be taken only after consultation with Shastri.?It?s only a recommendation. It?s not an appointment. A recommendation has been made and the CoA has to act on the recommendation which will be done only after consultation with the head coach.?Cricketers for managerThe Indian board, meanwhile, has called for applications for the post of team manager. The candidates have been asked to submit applications by July 21.The Board has laid down criterion for the manager. It will prefer someone who has played cricket at domestic or international level and has a minimum of 10 years? experience in private or public sector.

Animesh Choudhary

24 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Parliament vote required for starting Brexit process: UK SC

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/24/supreme-court-brexit-ruling-parliament-vote-article-50?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The British government must hold a vote in both houses of the Parliament before starting the process of leaving the European Union, the country's Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday. UK Prime Minister Theresa May had earlier promised lawmakers a vote on the outcome of the Brexit talks, but had hoped to trigger the talks without parliamentary approval.

The government has lost its fast-tracked appeal to the supreme court, forcing ministers to introduce emergency legislation into parliament to authorise the UK?s departure from the EU.In a judgment that sets a far-reaching constitutional precedent and upholds parliamentary sovereignty, the court ruled by a majority of eight justices to three that MPs and peers must give their consent before the government can trigger article 50 and formally initiate Brexit.The decision sets clear limits on the extent of the government?s executive powers. Rights embedded in the law by the 1972 European Communities Act, which took the UK into what was then the European Community, cannot be removed by the government?s prerogative powers, a majority of the justices declared.The eagerly awaited ruling by the largest panel of judges ever assembled in Britain?s highest court routes the protracted Brexit process through parliament, handing over to MPs and peers the authority to sanction the UK?s withdrawal.The supreme court ruled that there was no need for the government to wait for consent from the devolved assemblies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Although the ruling represents a blow to Theresa May?s intended timetable on Brexit, a Downing Street spokesman said the ruling had not changed the verdict of the British people. ?It?s important to remember that parliament backed the referendum by a margin of six to one and has already indicated its support for getting on with the process of exit to the timetable we have set out,? a spokesman said. ?We respect the supreme court?s decision, and will set out our next steps to parliament shortly.?The government now has a tight deadline to pass even a short bill through parliament, but it is still possible to meet its article 50 deadline of the end of March. In May?s favour, there is not a large appetite in either the Commons or the Lords to actively block the process. The SNP and Lib Dems are likely to vote against the bill if their amendments are not passed, and some Labour rebels will join them. But Labour has no desire to appear to be trying to prevent the referendum result being honoured. The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said his party would not ?frustrate the process for invoking article 50? but would seek to amend the government?s bill. Corbyn said: ?Labour will seek to amend the article 50 bill to prevent the Conservatives using Brexit to turn Britain into a bargain basement tax haven off the coast of Europe. ?Labour will seek to build in the principles of full, tariff-free access to the single market and maintenance of workers? rights and social and environmental protections. ?Labour is demanding a plan from the government to ensure it is accountable to parliament throughout the negotiations and a meaningful vote to ensure the final deal is given parliamentary approval.?The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, confirmed his party would vote against article 50 unless people were given another vote on the final deal.Scotland?s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, said the ruling showed the promises made to the Scottish government on devolution were ?not worth the paper they were written on?. She said the Scottish parliament would still have an opportunity to vote on whether it consented to the triggering of article 50.The attorney general, Jeremy Wright, said the government was ?disappointed? by the supreme court ruling but would comply with it. He said enacting the decision would now be a political and not legal matter and the Brexit secretary, David Davis, would be making a statement to the Commons later on Tuesday.Gina Miller, the investment fund manager who was one of the lead claimants in the challenge, welcomed the ruling, saying: ?No prime minister, no government can expect to be unanswerable or unchallenged. Parliament alone is sovereign.? Outside the court, she said MPs would now have the chance to help the government select the best course in Brexit talks. She also spoke of how this ?divisive issue of a generation? had led to her and her legal team facing ?extraordinary and unwarranted criticism?. The justice secretary, Liz Truss, who faced criticism for not defending the appeal court justices denounced by sections of the media as ?enemies of the people? after they ruled against the government, said: ?Our independent judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law and is vital to our constitution and our freedoms. The reputation of our judiciary is unrivalled the world over, and our supreme court justices are people of integrity and impartiality. ?While we may not always agree with judgments, it is a fundamental part of any thriving democracy that legal process is followed. The government has been clear that it will respect the decision of the court.? The president of the supreme court, Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, delivered a summary of the decision, which has far-reaching constitutional implications.Reading the summary, Neuberger said: ?By a majority of eight to three, the supreme court rules that the government cannot trigger article 50 without an act of parliament authorising it to do so.?Section 2 of the 1972 [European Communities] Act provides that, whenever EU institutions make new laws, those new laws become part of UK law. The 1972 act therefore makes EU law an independent source of UK law, until parliament decides otherwise.?Therefore, when the UK withdraws from the EU treaties, a source of UK law will be cut off. Further, certain rights enjoyed by UK citizens will be changed. Therefore, the government cannot trigger article 50 without parliament authorising that course.?Neuberger said: ?Any change in the law to give effect to the referendum must be made in the only way permitted by the UK constitution, namely by an act of parliament. To proceed otherwise would be a breach of settled constitutional principles stretching back many centuries.?The eight to three margin of defeat suffered by the government was bigger than ministers had hoped for. They had already conceded in advance that they would probably lose.The three dissenting justices who found for the government were Lords Reed, Carnwath and Hughes. Their judgments say that the European Communities Act did not restrict the government?s use of its prerogative powers and that ministers could withdraw without reference to parliament. The devolved assemblies in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff had argued for a say on the basis of the Sewel convention, which provides for them to be consulted on matters that are ?normally? devolved, but they did not win any formal right to participate in the Brexit process.Neuberger said: ?On the devolution issues, the court unanimously rules that UK ministers are not legally compelled to consult the devolved legislatures before triggering article 50. The devolution statutes were enacted on the assumption that the UK would be a member of the EU, but they do not require it. Relations with the EU are a matter for the UK government.?The Sewel convention plays an important role in the operation of the UK constitution but the policing of its scope and operation is not a matter for the courts.?Paragraph 122 of the 96-page long judgment makes clear that it is up to MPs and peers to decide what form the bill put before parliament should take. The majority judgment states: ?What form such legislation should take is entirely a matter for parliament. But, in the light of a point made in oral argument, it is right to add that the fact that parliament may decide to content itself with a very brief statute is nothing to the point. There is no equivalence between the constitutional importance of a statute, or any other document, and its length or complexity. ?A notice under article 50(2) could no doubt be very short indeed, but that would not undermine its momentous significance.?

Tarun Khanna

24 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Indian troops kill two militants in J&K encounter

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/terrorists-jammu-and-kashmir-ganderbal-encounter-security-forces/1/865024.html

The Indian security forces on Tuesday killed two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in an encounter in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. The security forces have recovered two AK-47 rifles from the slain militants. The encounter started after militants believed to be hiding inside a house opened fire as soon as security forces cordoned off the Hadoora village.

Ahead of the Republic day function, security forces gunned down two militants in Ganderbal area of central Kashmir today.Initial reports suggest that the two militants belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba, but the police is yet to establish their identity officially.Two AK-47 rifles were also recovered from the slain militants.The encounter started earlier today after militants believed to be hiding inside a house opened fire as soon as security forces cordoned off the Hadoora village and intensified search operations following specific information about their location. WHERE IS HADOORA VILLAGEThe Hadoora village is located on the boundary of Srinagar and Ganderbal districts. In the ensuing gun fight that lasted for nearly two hours, the two heavily armed militants were killed. Also read | Political leaders of poll-bound states, J-K potential targets of terror outfits: Intel agenciesJ&K: Encounter underway in Khimber's Hadoora area in Ganderbal district between security forces and terrorists . More details awaited.INFILTRATION BID FOILED  Meanwhile, an infiltration bid has been foiled in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. One infiltrator has been killed.FLASH: Infiltration bid foiled in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, J&K. One infiltrator killed.

Gaurav Shroff

01 Mar 2017,Wednesday

NASA may send robotic spacecraft to Sun next year

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nasa-may-send-robotic-spacecraft-to-sun-next-year/1/892287.html

NASA is planning to send its first robotic spacecraft to the Sun, 15 crore kms from Earth, to probe its atmosphere from a distance of 60 lakh kms. The mission is aimed at understanding why the Sun's atmosphere reaches 20,00,000ºC, whereas, its surface temperature is just 5,500ºC, and also to ascertain the emission of harmful high-energy particles, scientists said.

Washington, Feb 27 (PTI) NASA plans to send its first robotic spacecraft to the Sun next year that is slated to get within six million kilometres of the blazing star to probe its atmosphere. Humans have sent spacecraft to the Moon, Mars and even distant interstellar space. Now, NASA plans to launch the Solar Probe Plus mission to the Sun which is about 149 million kilometres from the Earth. "This is going to be our first mission to fly to the Sun," said Eric Christian, a NASA research scientist at Goddard Space Flight Centre. "We cant get to the very surface of the Sun," but the mission will get close enough to answer three important questions, Christian said. First, the mission will hopefully unveil why the surface of the Sun, called the photosphere, is not as hot as its atmosphere, called the corona. According to NASA, the surface temperature of the Sun is only about 5,500 degrees Celsius. However, the atmosphere above it is a sizzling two million degrees Celsius. "You would think the farther away you get from a heat source, you would get colder. Why the atmosphere is hotter than the surface is a big puzzle," Christian said. The scientists also want to know how solar wind gets its speed, Live Science reported. "The Sun blows a stream of charged particles in all directions at a million miles an hour. But we do not understand how that gets accelerated," he said.

Deepali Aggarwal

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Killer of Putin critic Nemtsov sentenced to 20 years in jail

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russia-hands-20-year-jail-term-to-killer-of-putin-critic-boris-nemtsov/story-CC6m8LeZpOQ6N8Wp1OxTxJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Russian court has handed prison sentences ranging from 11 to 20 years to five Chechen men found guilty of killing President Vladimir Putin's vocal critic and opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in 2015. The group reportedly was paid $250,000 for the assassination. Lawyers representing Nemtsov's family claimed that senior figures within Chechnya who are loyal to Putin ordered the killing.

A Russian court sentenced a man convicted of murdering opposition leader Boris Nemtsov to 20 years in jail on Thursday and handed terms of between 11 and 19 years to four other men convicted of being his accomplices.Nemtsov, one of President Vladimir Putin?s most vocal critics, was murdered in 2015 as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin after dining with his girlfriend. Aged 55, he had been working on a report examining Russia?s role in the conflict in Ukraine. His killing sent a chill through opposition circles.The same court last month found the five men guilty of killing Nemtsov, but the late politician?s allies said the investigation had been a cover-up and that the people who had ordered his killing remained at large.The court handed the longest sentence, of 20 years, to Zaur Dadayev, a former soldier in Chechnya and the man state prosecutors said pulled the trigger. The other four Chechen men convicted of being his accomplices received jail sentences ranging from 11 to 19 years.?The shortcoming of this sentencing is that those who ordered and organised this crime are not in the dock,? said Vadim Prokhorov, a lawyer for Nemtsov?s daughter Zhanna.State prosecutors said the group had followed Nemtsov around the Russian capital and had been promised a bounty of 15 million roubles ($249,169.44) between them for the high-profile assassination.Shamsudin Tsakayev, Dadayev?s lawyer, told Reuters after the sentencing that there was ?incontrovertible proof? that his client had not committed the crime.

Abhishek Bansal

11 Jun 2017,Sunday

Gave birth to boy, hospital handed us girl: Delhi couple

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-couple-says-gave-birth-to-boy-hospital-handed-them-girl/1/975838.html

Sonia Prajapati, a 25-year-old Delhi woman has claimed that she gave birth to a boy on June 2 at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital but the central government-run institute handed her a baby girl. The couple is now waiting for the report of a DNA test to confirm the identity of the baby. The hospital, however, denied any mistake.

Is it a boy or a girl? Sonia Prajapati, 25, says she gave birth to a son on June 2 at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. But the central government-run institute handed her a baby girl. She and her husband are now waiting for the report of a DNA test to end the mystery and their anguish.The hospital says the results would be in its favour and denies any possible baby switch. Sonia and her husband, Bhupender, are distraught. She is still in the gynaecology ward and keeps on looking at the empty crib next to her with tears in her eyes. She feels a little better on seeing other mothers playing with their babies.The couple lives in south Delhi's Khanpur and has lodged a complaint with the Safdarjung Police station."Mine was a normal delivery. I am certain that I had a given birth to a baby boy and even the doctors showed me. In case this was a girl child and I was wrong, the doctors in the OT and the nursing staff should have corrected me. But they didn't. That proves that I gave birth to baby boy," Sonia, who teaches at the NGO Navasrishti, told Mail Today."Also, without taking my permission, doctors here inserted Copper-T (a device used to prevent pregnancy) into my body. It is illegal. And if our DNA matches with the baby girl, I will accept her," Sonia added. DOC REFUTES CLAIMHowever, Dr AK Rai, director of Safdarjung Hospital, told MAIL TODAY that the couple's allegation is wrong."We are all waiting for the DNA reports and I am sure they will be in our favour as there was no exchange of babies. The DNA reports are likely to come in 20 days and till that time the baby girl is being kept in our nursery and looked after by the nursing staff," he said.Dr Rai added that on June 2, only two boys were born at the hospital and the rest were girls. "At 11am, a patient delivered a baby boy, who was premature and was sent to the nursery and the other male child was born at around 4pm, after the allegations made by Sonia (the patient) over exchange of babies," he said. "How can it be possible?"The young couple waited four years for a child and is not ready to accept the "wrong" baby."They have returned the child to the hospital's nursery but have not got back their own son. We are trying to help them," said Krishna Bansal from Navasrishti, who helped the couple raise their voice against the alleged medical negligence. "Sonia's family approached us. We asked them to take action as previously incidents of medical faults have been noticed at Safarjung Hospital."Bansal has now written to the National Human Rights Commission to look into the matter."In this whole scenario, it's the baby girl who is suffering and being kept away from her mother since birth, which is the golden period for any newborn," said Bansal.

Tanya Dhingra

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Kamal Haasan made ambassador of Kabaddi team Tamil Thalaivas

http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/kamal-haasan-appointed-ambassador-of-the-kabbadi-team-tamil-thalaivas/story-7ACW2hk3xITTtGVB2SSkaM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actor Kamal Haasan has been appointed as the ambassador of the new Kabaddi team Tamil Thalaivas for the fifth season of Pro Kabaddi League. Haasan added, "I am honoured to associate myself strongly with the sport of Kabaddi. I take personal pride in highlighting...a sport developed by my ancestors thousands of years ago." Tamil Thalaivas is co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar.

It might come as a surprise to many that actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan is considering a career outside films. After making his splash on television as the host of reality show Bigg Boss, the Dasavatharam star is all set to be seen in a new role ? as the ambassador of team Tamil Thalaivas (co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar) for the fifth season of Pro Kabbadi League. The team believes that Haasan?s association will be a great source of inspiration to put up a great fight in the league. In a statement, it was said that it was a unanimous choice to bring Haasan on board, given his love for sports.Talking about his association, Haasan said in the statement: ?I am honoured to associate myself strongly with the sport of Kabbadi. I take personal pride in highlighting the profile of a sport developed by my ancestors thousands of years ago. I am glad the team owners chose me. My dear Thalaivas fill your lungs with pride and cross the line to take the game across to international adulation.?On the career front, Haasan will soon resume work on multi-lingual comedy Sabash Naidu, which had to be stalled last July after he fell from the stairs of his office in Chennai and fractured his leg. Amid rumours that the project has been shelved, Haasan recently confirmed that the film will be revived soon.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Saloni Tandon

29 Dec 2016,Thursday

17-yr-old 500-hitter selected in Mumbai's Ranji team

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prithvi-shaw-ranji-trophy-mumbai/1/844947.html

Mumbai have included 17-year-old cricketer Prithvi Shaw in their squad for the Ranji Trophy semifinal to be played in Rajkot from January 1. Shaw created a record by scoring 546 runs in the Harris Shield school tournament in 2013, the then-highest score in school cricket and then third-highest score going by all registered scorecards available worldwide in competitive cricket.

Not all of them may have had their first razor experience but they are ready to smell the perfume ball. Prithvi Shaw's initiation into the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team, aged 17 completes the trio of Mumbai cricket's boy wonders' transition to higher grade cricket. That each one of them have been chosen for Ranji Trophy before reaching adulthood is reassuring that the record makers haven't just been flash in the pan.Prithvi who has made the squad for a game none less than a Ranji Trophy semi-final to be played against Tamil Nadu on January 1 is fresh from a victorious Asia Cup U-19 campaign under Rahul Dravid's tutelage. Prithvi who first made news, aged 14, scoring a record individual score of 546 in the famed Harris Shield, made 191 runs from five matches as an opener in Asia Cup for India U-19. Mumbai's Chairman of selectors Milind Rege while wishing the youngster well did admit Shaw benefitted from lack of quality opening options knocking at the selectors' door. "Prithvi has scored runs in age group cricket. So we want to try him out. But honestly it's also true that we have struggled to find two good openers for the past two years. With Akhil Herwadkar unavailable, we wanted to reward Prithvi for the runs he has scored," Rege told India Today.Rege did add that having had a word with Dravid convinced the selectors to pick Prithvi. "He did think highly of his batting abilities when I spoke to him," he said.  The Mumbai selectors would hope Prithvi's transition from cricketing adolescence to adulthood is more fruitful than another boy wonder, Armaan Jaffer, they tried earlier in the season. Armaan whose schools' record of 498 runs was bettered by Prithvi, could only muster 44 runs in the six innings he played for Mumbai.Rege agrees bridging the gap between age group cricket to Ranji Trophy does not come easy. "I was surprised Armaan did not do well. He is a very organized player. But making the grade from age group cricket to Ranji Trophy is as difficult as is the one from first class to international cricket," he says.

Radhika Chugh

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Gurugram hospitals using parking area as labs and offices

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/gurgaon-private-hospitals-malls-misusing-basement-area-rtis-reveal/story-yQhMCYXr0v52HtjmfDBamN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The reply to an RTI query by a Gurugram resident has revealed that private hospitals in the city are misusing their basement area by converting it into labs and offices. The resident alleged that since the basement, which is approved in building plans as parking space is being used commercially, the roads leading to the hospitals are packed with vehicles.

Private hospitals and malls in the city are misusing their basement areas to carry out commercial activities, according to replies to RTI queries by city residents.In building plans, basements are approved as parking spaces of the establishments, including hospitals. However, the Haryana urban development authority (Huda)?said in a RTI reply that basements are being used for labs and offices in many hospitals.In the absence of parking areas, vehicles are parked on roads in a city that already has limited public parking spaces.An RTI query in this regard was filed in November by Gurgaon resident Aseem Takyar. He received a reply last month. It said that as reported on June 22, 2017 by the junior engineer and subdivisional engineer (survey) of Huda office, three leading hospitals ?are misusing their basement area in reference to approved building plan by converting into lab and offices,? Vivek Kalia, estate officer II of Huda, Gurgaon, said in the reply.The roads leading to these important hospitals are always packed with vehicles, alleged Takyar, adding that the space should be freed to provide easy access in case of an emergency.Last Thursday, Bhure Lal, chairman of the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), had also asked the district administration to take effective steps to remove roadside parking and make it mandatory for every establishment to have parking facility inside the premises. ?Vehicles parked on roads across the city cause traffic congestion, which increases pollutants in the air,? he said.Last September, Raman Malik, a BJP spokesperson, had also filed an RTI query regarding illegal establishments on the ground floors of malls and commercial towers. He alleged that 90% of malls, hospitals and commercial towers are flouting the terms and conditions of the building plans. He had also complained to then deputy commissioner Hardeep Singh on the issue.?As per the project approval, the (ground-floor) areas cannot be monetised. No commercial activity is allowed in these areas, but no rules are being followed by the commercial units,? he said.In reply to Malik?s RTI query, the district town planning (DTP)?department said ?no compiled information is available?. Malik had asked for the number of hospitals, educational and commercial establishments making direct or indirect commercial use of areas sanctioned for service and parking purposes.?We are aware of the issue and all these commercial establishments will soon be removed from malls and hospitals,? said Rajender Sharma, DTP (enforcement), Huda. The hospitals declined to comment on the matter.

Dishant Sharma

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Indian women's hockey team reaches HWL Semi-Final quarters

http://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/hockey-world-league-semi-final-indian-women-beat-chile-1-0-make-quarterfinals/story-2WjGiBVldS8H3ixLJZNw7N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Indian women's hockey team reached the quarter-finals of the Hockey World League Semi-Final after defeating the Chilean women's team 1-0 on Wednesday. India's Preeti Dubey scored the only goal of the match. The Indian team will next play Argentina on July 16 in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Indian Women?s Hockey team secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Chile to book their tickets for the knockout stage of the FIH?Hockey World League Semi-final for women in Johannesburg on Wednesday.Preeti Dubey?s 38th minute goal was enough to get India their first win of the tournament. Their match against South Africa ended in a goalless draw and they were beaten 4-1 by USA in their previous game.Both India and Chile looked to score early in the game. India thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute off the penalty corner rebound. However, the goal was overturned after a video referral and the first half ended goalless. READ?|?Hockey World League Semi-Final: Indian women?s team hold South Africa 0-0However, India finally made a breakthrough when Pretti Dubey slotted home in the third quarter. India looked to increase their lead thereafter, but had to switch tactics after Renuka Yadav was yellow carded. They thus started the final quarter with 10 men. Chile attacked relentlessly in the final quarter which led to some tense moments for India?s defence. They even earned back-to-back penalty corners with 5 minutes to go. But India defended well in the death, thus giving them their first win of the tournament. India will next play Argentina on July 16 in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Aarushi Maheshwari

13 Jan 2017,Friday

Delhi declared free of bird flu after three months

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-declared-free-from-h5n8-avian-influenza/story-llCSvlQ73iZtxm7C7DAriI.html

The Delhi government has declared the capital free of bird flu, three months after the outbreak was reported. "This is declared after two consecutive samples collected at 15 days intervals from the last positive results tested negative," the Animal Husbandry Department announced. Following this, the National Zoological Park in New Delhi opened to the public after three months.

Delhi has been declared free from H5N8 avian influenza, which had scared the city residents in October last year.Animal Husbandry Department of Delhi government on Tuesday issued a circular declaring the National Capital Territory of Delhi was ?free from H5N8 strain of Avian Influenza.??This is declared after two consecutive samples collected at 15 days intervals from the last positive results tested negative at the epicenters as per the guidelines issued by Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India,? the circular stated.Following the move, National Zoological Park yesterday opened its gates for public three months after the scare had led to its closure.

Rini Sinha

28 May 2017,Sunday

Baahubali director is now India's biggest superstar: Johar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karan-johar-on-baahubali-2s-success-rajamouli-prabhas-rana/1/964841.html

Filmmaker Karan Johar, while speaking about the success of 'Baahubali 2', said that the film's director SS Rajamouli has become India's biggest superstar. He added, "I feel short of words when I speak about 'Baahubali'. It has become a milestone film." Notably, Johar is the distributor of the Hindi versions of 'Baahubali' film franchise.

On its fifth week, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is running to packed houses and has grossed Rs 1600 crore worldwide. Ever since its release. the Prabhas-starrer has been smashing records with its box-office collection.Speaking about the blockbuster success of Baahubali 2, Karan said, "I feel short of words when I speak about Baahubali. It has become a milestone film. SS Rajamouli has become the country's biggest superstar."Karan Johar distributed Baahubali 2: The Conclusion and its predecessor in Hindi."I think the filmmaker's victory is beyond everybody else. I am honoured that me and my production house got associated with Baahubali and I am proud and privileged to be a part of its journey," Karan added.Directed by SS Rajamouli, the film stars Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Ramya Krishnan and Sathyaraj in pivotal roles. Baahubali: The Beginning ended with Katappa revealing himself as the killer of Amarendra Baahubali. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion takes the story forward from the first part ended. Meanwhile, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is expected to release in China soon.( With inputs from IANS )

Ankur Vyas

16 Feb 2017,Thursday

Cong complains to EC against BJP on Sharmila's claim

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cong-lodges-complaint-with-ec-against-bjp-on-sharmila-claim/1/883876.html

Congress on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP for allegedly offering to finance the poll campaign of Independent candidate Irom Sharmila in Manipur. The party demanded a thorough probe into the allegations and strict action including criminal prosecution. Notably, Sharmila had accused BJP of offering her ?36 crore for her campaign.

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) Congress today lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP for allegedly offering to finance the poll campaign of Independent candidate Irom Sharmila in Manipur and demanded a thorough probe and strict action including criminal prosecution. In its complaint, Congress secretary of Legal and Human Rights Cell K C Mittal said the charges by Sharmila that BJP and its chief Amit Shah had offered to finance her campaign to the tune of crores was "grave and serious" and required a thorough investigation. "The allegations made by her against the national political party are grave and very serious, which go to the root of electoral process, requiring thorough investigation and appropriate action by the Commission, including criminal prosecution," he said. Mittal said these allegations need to be investigated in depth to reach to the truth which is essential "to save Constitution and the democratic process".

Rini Sinha

25 Jun 2017,Sunday

Telugu actor Ravi Teja's brother passes away in car accident

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ravi-teja-brother-bharath-raju-dead-car-crash-accident/1/987044.html

Telugu actor Ravi Teja's brother Bhupatiraju Bharath Raju passed away on Saturday in Hyderabad in a car accident. Reports suggest Raju rammed the car into a parked lorry resulting in a head-on collision. "We're yet to find out whether he was under the influence of alcohol or not. But he was speeding, which led to his death," said the police.

Telegu actor Ravi Teja's brother Bharath Raju died in a car crash last night. According to a report in The News Minute, the accident took place on Outer Ring Road near Kotwalguda in Shamshabad Mandal, when the 45-year-old rammed his red Skoda sedan into a parked lorry from behind.Apparently, police officials reached the spot within 5-6 minutes, but Bharath had already succumbed to his injuries. The car was so badly damaged that extracting the body from the debris took the police almost 45 minutes. Bharath's body was then taken to the Osmania General Hospital for a post-mortem.Inspector M Mahesh of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport's police station told the publication, "We are yet to find out whether he was under the influence of alcohol or not. But he was speeding, which led to his death." He added that additional details would be available only after the post-mortem and further investigation.

Aarushi Maheshwari

13 Jan 2017,Friday

Smoke from Pongal festivities delays 19 flights in Chennai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bogi-smoke-in-chennai-delays-19-flights/1/856468.html

Nineteen international and domestic flights to and from Chennai were delayed on Friday as dense smoke engulfed the area around the airport after old articles were burnt on the occasion of Bhogi. Old and unwanted articles of the past year are burnt as a symbolic gesture during Bhogi, which is celebrated on the first day of Pongal.

Chennai, Jan 13 (PTI) Nineteen international and domestic flights to and from Chennai suffered delay today after dense smoke engulfed the airport region here following the burning of old articles on the occasion of Bogi festival.

Vani Vivek

01 Jun 2017,Thursday

Parents have no right to dead kid's FB account: German court

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/31/parents-lose-appeal-access-dead-girl-facebook-account-berlin?CMP=twt_a-technology_b-gdntech

A German court on Wednesday ruled that the parents of a teenager, who died in 2012 after falling in front of an underground train, had no claim to access her Facebook details or chat history. The family had said it wanted to know whether the girl's death was suicide and, if so, whether it was the consequence of online bullying.

The parents of a dead 15-year-old who appealed to Facebook to allow them access to her account to see if she was being bullied before her death have lost their claim in court.Berlin?s court of appeal ruled on Wednesday that the parents of the teenager, who died in 2012 after falling in front of an underground train, had no claim to access her details or chat history. The ruling goes against the decision made in an initial judgment by the regional court in 2015. It raises fresh questions over digital inheritance and who has the right to manage someone?s online presence and intellectual property when they die.The court said it had made the ruling according to the telecommunications secrecy law which precludes heirs from viewing the communications of a deceased relative with a third party. Before the ruling both Facebook and the parents of the girl, whose identity has not been made public, reserved the right in the event of a defeat to take an appeal to Germany?s federal court of justice in Karlsruhe. The judge said they were free to do so, but the parents have not confirmed that this is what they still intend to do.The family have said they are desperate to find out whether the girl?s death in Berlin was suicide and, if so, whether it was the consequence of online bullying. They have said they want Facebook to allow access to chats she might have had online which might provide a clue as to the cause of their daughter?s unexpected death.The girl had reportedly given her mother the login details to her account when she was 14 but the company, having been informed of the girl?s death by one of her Facebook friends, froze or ?memorialised? her account. The move meant that photos and posts the girl had shared remained visible, and friends could pay tribute to her, but it was no longer possible to log in to the account. Facebook has refused to say who applied for the account to be frozen, also citing data protection. The person who lodged the request would have had to provide Facebook with proof that the girl had died. The US social media company has repeatedly rejected the parents? request, arguing that in the event messages from a user are revealed, other users would also be exposed. They argue that the conversations would have taken place on the understanding that their content remained private.In its 2015 ruling, Berlin?s regional court ruled in favour of the mother, arguing that the contents of the daughter?s Facebook account should be owned by her heirs. The judge insisted then that Facebook chats should be regarded no differently to the girl?s letters and diaries which her parents automatically inherited. Facebook appealed against that ruling, which is why the case was heard by the court of appeal. The ruling on Wednesday was based on weighing up inheritance laws drawn up almost 120 years ago and the rights of parents towards minors, with the telecommunications secrecy law introduced to protect the privacy of telephone conversations which was updated by the constitutional court in 2009 to include emails. Björn Retzlaff, the judge who ruled in Berlin, deemed that the same rules applied to internet chats. ?That is at the centre of our decision,? Retzlaff told the court, stressing at the same time that the decision had been a difficult one.In a statement in German to the media Facebook said it welcomed the ruling, adding: ?At the same time we are sympathetic towards the family and respect their wish. We are making every effort to find a solution which helps the family at the same time as protecting the privacy of third parties who are also affected by this.?The case recalls that of an Italian architect who appealed to Apple?s chief executive, Tim Cook, last year to unblock his dead 13-year-old son?s iPhone so he could download the photographs stored on it.

Sumedha Sehra

18 May 2017,Thursday

India gets 1st artillery guns after the 1980s Bofors guns

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/m777-ultra-light-artillery-gun-india-army-united-states/1/956596.html

India received the first artillery guns after the 1980s Bofors scandal on Thursday, as two of the 145 M777 ultra light artillery guns ordered from the US arrived ahead of schedule. The guns will be tested at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan today. Out of the 145 guns, 120 will be assembled in India, by Mahindra Defence.

Ending a three-decade-old howitzer drought, the Indian Army is all set to receive its first heavy ordnance as the first two guns out of the 145 M777 ultra light artillery guns it ordered from the US will be arriving today, a month ahead of schedule.The two 155mm/39 caliber ultra light howitzers will be firing at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan today. "In fulfillment of the United States' Foreign Military Sale of 145 M777 ultra light weight howitzer to India, we are pleased to confirm that the first two weapon systems will land in India ahead of schedule over this weekend," a BAE Systems spokesman said in a statement."We continue to support the US government in integrating this new weapon system with the Indian Army's artillery modernisation program," he added.The acquisition of the 'Ultra Light Howitzers', thus called because at 4.2 tons, they weigh only a third of normal 155 mm howitzers. The guns, which can be carried underslung by heavy lift helicopters like the Chinook, will give the army tremendous flexibility especially along the mountainous border with China. The Bofors scandal that broke out nearly 30 years ago had badly hit the artillery modernisation of the Indian Army.  WATCH | All you should know about India's Rs 5000 crore M777 howitzer deal with US 

Rini Sinha

12 May 2017,Friday

India made me, freedom fighter's son, romance king: SRK

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-ted-talk-2017-speech-video-muslim-son/1/951883.html

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, during his first TED Talk at Vancouver, said that India made him, the Muslim son of a broke freedom fighter, its king of romance. He added, "The people of this ancient land embraced me in their limitless love." Shah Rukh further said that Indians assume he's the best lover in the world.

Last month, Shah Rukh Khan attended the TED 2017 conference in Vancouver, Canada and gave a fantastic speech that was tweeted about and written about by whoever was lucky enough to witness SRK speak.Yesterday, the entire filmed episode of Shah Rukh Khan's speech was uploaded on the TED website and within minutes, the video got viral. And for good reason.Shah Rukh Khan began by saying that he sells dreams and peddles love to millions of Indians who assume that he is the world's best lover."If you don't tell anyone, I'm going to tell you I'm not, but I never let that assumption go away," Shah Rukh Khan added and the crowd laughed wildly.Shah Rukh Khan then went on to speak about humanity comparing it to himself, an ageing movie star."It's an ageing movie star, grappling with all the newness around itself, wondering whether it got it right in the first place, and still trying to find a way to keep on shining regardless," SRK said.In one of the talk's best moments, Shah Rukh Khan said, "In its immense generosity, India decided somehow that I, the Muslim son of a broke freedom fighter who accidentally ventured into the business of selling dreams, should become its king of romance, the 'Badshah of Bollywood,' the greatest lover the country has ever seen ... with this face. Yeah.""The people of this ancient land embraced me in their limitless love, and I've learned from these people that neither power nor poverty can make your life more magical or less tortuous," Shah Rukh Khan added.

Mansha Mahajan

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Arvind Panagariya quits as Niti Aayog Vice Chairman

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/niti-aayog-vice-chairman-arvind-panagariya-reisgns/story-gmM2ByO310VgaqMZg2EzlL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Arvind Panagariya, the Vice Chairman of policy think-tank Niti Aayog, which replaced the 65-year-old Planning Commission, announced his resignation from office on Tuesday. The economist said that he would like to resume his teaching career at Columbia University in the US. Further, August 31 will be his last day in office.

Indian-American economist Arvind Panagariya is stepping down as vice chairperson of Niti Aayog, the government?s policy think tank, and returning to academics in New York?s Columbia University.The 64-year-old professor of economics was picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2015 to head the National Institution for Transforming India, better known as Niti Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission.?I have requested the Prime Minister to relieve me from my responsibility as my leave in Columbia University is coming to an end on September 5 and I have decided to join back,? he told reporters on Tuesday. ?The PM has agreed after listening to me.?He will serve the think tank till August-end.According to government sources, Modi wanted him to stay but relented when Panagariya told him that his wife too wants to be with their children in the US.Panagariya said he informed the Prime Minister, who is the ex-officio chairman of Niti Aayog, about his decision about two months ago after Columbia University refused to make an exemption for him and extend his two-year, public-service leave.?There is nothing unusual in this. Henry Kissinger returned to Harvard after his leave was not extended,? he added.Modi chose him to head the new think tank to decide policies for accelerating India?s growth after his government dismantled the Soviet-style Planning Commission that functioned for 64 years.Panagariya, who is standing down after two-and-a-half years in the job, said he is satisfied with the stint in which his team built the organisation?s foundation and forged ties with the Centre and states.?Many states adopted our land leasing law bill. Over 400 schools have Atal Tinkering labs and we promoted digital economy in a big way.?He is the second economist after former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan to quit a top job in India and return to academics in the US. Rajan resigned after a three-year term in 2016 to rejoin Chicago University.At US universities one can teach as long as health permits.Panagariya said: ?I would not have got a similar job. There is no retirement and one can work till his or her body and brain functions.?He holds a PhD from Princeton University and worked with the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, IMF and UNCTAD.The economist wants to write the next edition of India: The Emerging Giant, his 2008 book that describes India?s contemporary economy.Niti Aayog advised the government to sell sick public sector units, including national carrier Air India, and proposed new regulators for education and health. It also recommended minimal government intervention in agriculture and replacing the minimum support price for farmers with a deficiency payment.But the think tank had its fare share of criticism. Some of its reform-oriented proposals were not accepted, or appreciated either.The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, a farmer union affiliated to the ruling BJP?s ideological mentor RSS, called several Niti Aayog proposals anti-farmer and anti-labour.?There is poor response (from the government) to labour and services sectors. Following the advice of Niti Aayog, the government is moving towards contractual employment, relaxing labour laws to benefit industry,? CK Shaji Narayana, the union?s president, said some time ago.The organisation?s performance has been sketchy and change incremental. So far, it has only circulated a draft of a proposed three-year Action Agenda.Panagariya said a seven-year strategy and 15-year vision for India is ?80-85%? ready.A recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2012, India?s third highest civilian honour, he expects a successor to be named soon to complete the work.(With agency inputs)

Tarun Khanna

21 Apr 2017,Friday

MNS workers attack Zara outlet for selling Pakistani clothes

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kulbhushan-jadhav-mns-workers-zaras-showroom-fashion-brand-pakistani-clothes/1/934196.html

Protesting against the death sentence awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Pakistani court, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers on Tuesday vandalised a Zara showroom and threw clothes that had Pakistan's tag. "We had written letters to them asking them not to sell Pakistani brands. Other stores in areas like Juhu had acceded to our request," said MNS leader Rita Gupta.

After staying out of headlines for a long a time, Raj Thackeray's party did what it knows best. Citing Pakistan's decision to sentence Kulbhushan Jadhav to death, Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers on Tuesday stormed into fashion brand Zara's showroom in Lower Parel and threw away clothes bearing Made in Pakistan tags. The party says this is their way to protest against the decision of a Pakistani court to sentence Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav to death."We had written letters to them asking them not to sell Pakistani brands. Other stores in areas like Juhu had acceded to our request. But, we got information that the lower Parel store still sells Pakistani clothes. Hence, we had to protest," said Rita Gupta , MNS's general Secretary, adding "We have information about a few more stores in Mumbai who sell Pakistani goods. In next few days, we will target more such stores selling Pakistani goods." After the Uri attacks, MNS had threatened Pakistani artists and even went on to stop the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that starred Pakistani artist Fawad Khan. But, this time the MNS's move to mix up patriotism with hooliganism hasn't gone down well with many.BJP leader and fashion designer Shaina NC called this protest as a desperate move to grab headlines."Some parties are trying to use the sentiments to revive their fortunes. But, whatever they have done at the Zara store is nothing, but hooliganism. No one has the right to take law into their hands," Shaina said. "Our govt stand in solidarity with Kulbhushan Jadhav, but then there is a legal and democratic way to protest. The police will soon file a case and the culprits will be brought to book," Shaina said.Also read:Hope for Kulbhushan Jadhav: India to ask for defence lawyer in Pakistan

Aarushi Maheshwari

09 May 2017,Tuesday

Gujarat Deputy CM's 'drunk' son barred from boarding flight

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gujarat-deputy-cheif-minister-nitin-patel-son-taken-off-qatar-airways/1/949126.html

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel's son Jaimin was prevented from boarding a Greece-bound Qatar Airways flight on Monday after he allegedly arrived at Ahmedabad Airport in a "heavily drunken" state. Airport officials claimed Jaimin cleared immigration in a wheelchair and argued with Qatar employees. Denying the reports, his father said, "Our opponents are trying to tarnish our image."

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel's son was early on Monday prevented by authorities from boarding a Qatar Airways flight to Greece after he arrived in a "heavily drunken" state at the airport and argued with the airline's staff.Official sources told IANS that Jaimin Patel, who is in his mid-30s, his wife Jhalak and their daughter Vaishvi were stopped from boarding the Qatar Airways flight, which was to take off at 4 a.m.When Patel, who is a land dealer, reached Ahmedabad International Airport, he was not even able to walk because of his drunken state. He cleared the immigration and other checks in a wheelchair due to his inebriated condition, said airport officials."Jaimin Patel was prevented from boarding the flight. He also had an argument with the staff of the airways," an official said, requesting anonymity.Meanwhile, Nitin Patel told reporters in the evening on Monday in Gandhinagar that this was a ploy to defame him. "My son, his wife and daughter were going for a vacation. He was not feeling well.""His wife called up home and then it was decided to return home and not proceed," Patel added."Our opponents are trying to tarnish our image by spreading false and mischievous information," he said.Also Read:Why Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad is not travelling by Air India

Vani Vivek

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Petya hackers clean out ?7 lakh Bitcoin from ransom wallet

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/05/notpetya-ransomware-hackers-ukraine-bitcoin-ransom-wallet-motives?CMP=twt_a-technology_b-gdntech

Hackers behind the Petya ransomware attack, which hit computers in over 60 countries in late June, have wiped out nearly ?7 lakh worth of bitcoins from the digital wallet used to receive ransoms. After reports suggested that the hackers may be state-sponsored actors, they left a message offering to decrypt every infected computer for a one-off payment of ?1.7 crore.

The hackers behind the NotPetya ransomware, which wiped computers in more than 60 countries in late June, have moved more than £8,000 worth of bitcoins out of the account used to receive the ransoms.The transfer has added credence to messages purporting to be from the attackers offering to decrypt every single infected computer for a one-off payment of £200,000, after security researchers suggested they may be state-sponsored actors. It is possible to see the movement of the ransom payments thanks to the public nature of the bitcoin currency: all transfers are recorded on the public blockchain, although the real-world identities of the individuals or organisations behind a particular payment address can be near-impossible to discern.Currently, the blockchain records that the bulk of the ransom money, £7,872 worth of bitcoin, was simply transferred to a second wallet on Tuesday night, but two smaller payments, of £200 each, went to accounts used by two text-sharing websites, Pastebin and DeepPaste.Around 10 minutes before the payments were made, someone made posts on both those sites claiming to be able to decrypt hard disks infected with the malware in exchange for a payment of 100 bitcoins.The £200,000 offer has created more uncertainty about the motivations behind the ransomware. While it originally appeared to be created with the intention of earning a lot of money through ransom payments, researchers quickly pointed out that a number of features of the software made it appear that the ransom element was a smokescreen, with the real goal being widespread damage.Significantly, the majority of infections occurred in Ukraine, due to the main attack vector being a compromised version of an accounting program, ME Doc, used to file taxes in the nation. That has led to many, including the Ukrainian government, suspecting Russian involvement as part of the ongoing cyberwar between the two countries.Hackers offering to decrypt files for money suggests that the cash motivation may be more significant than thought ? but that too could be misdirection.While the hackers continue to play games, the Ukrainian cybercrime unit is continuing its investigation. On Wednesday, it announced that it had seized ME Doc?s servers after ?new activity? was detected there, and said it had acted to ?immediately stop the uncontrolled proliferation? of malware.Cyber police spokeswoman Yulia Kvitko suggested that ME Doc had sent or was preparing to send a new update and added that swift action had prevented any further damage. ?Our experts stopped (it) on time,? she said.It wasn?t immediately clear how or why hackers might still have access to ME Doc?s servers. The company has not returned messages from reporters, but in several statements took to Facebook to dispute allegations that its poor security helped seed the malware epidemic.Cyber police chief Coonel Serhiy Demydiuk previously said that ME Doc?s owners would be brought to justice, but Kvitko said there had been no arrests.

Dishant Sharma

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Federer wins in his 100th Wimbledon match to reach 12th semi

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/12/andy-murray-v-sam-querrey-wimbledon-2017-quarter-final-live-roger-federer-novak-djokovic?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Roger Federer registered a win in his 100th Wimbledon match to progress to his 12th Wimbledon semi-final. Federer, who swept past Canada's Milos Raonic in straight sets, has become the oldest man to reach the tournament's semifinals since 1974. The seven-time Wimbledon champion will now face Tomas Berdych, who reached the semis after Novak Djokovic retired due to an injury.

6.42pm BST 18:42 6.37pm BST 18:37 What a strange day. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have both hobbled out of the tournament and it?s the first time since 2005 that only one member of the Big Four has made it to the Wimbledon semis. That man?s Roger Federer. He?s through to play Tomas Berdych on Friday. The other semi will be contested by Marin Cilic and Sam Querrey. It?s Federer?s to lose, but it?s time to expect the unexpected. That?s all from me today. Thanks for reading and emailing. Bye.Novak Djokovic, in Serbian: "maybe i will miss half a year playing." Sounds like won't make US Open.Updated at 6.47pm BST 6.32pm BST 18:32 Djokovic is the 10th player to retire. ?We?ve had a very long, very tough year with a lot of matches. Bodies have taken a lot physically. As an athlete, one way or another you are going to experience this kind of thing. Injuries are part of sport.? 6.31pm BST 18:31 Djokovic continues. ?The intensity and level of pain was increasing as the days went by. I was feeling it since the beginning of the tournament. I kept doing everything with my physiotherapist. It was only getting worse. Today was the worst day. Probably the fact I played yesterday, days adding up, it wasn?t helping. I?m not a specialist but I?m going to speak with some and understand what needs to be done. I haven?t considered not starting. I always like to give it a shot and step on the court. That?s all I could do.? 6.29pm BST 18:29 Djokovic says he will talk with specialists to see how he can solve the problem. He says he needs to rest. 6.28pm BST 18:28 Was it challenging to play back-to-back days? ?Those kind of circumstances don?t really help. At the end of the day it?s the kind of situation you have to accept. I spent two hours on the table. It wasn?t to be. For an athlete there is no way out if you don?t feel fit.? 6.27pm BST 18:27 Novak Djokovic speaks. ?It?s not the shoulder, it?s the elbow that keeps bothering me. For over a year and a half actually. It?s unfortunate I have to finish Wimbledon in this way. I was able for 30 minutes to play with some pain that was bearable. All the treatments and medication couldn?t help. The serves and forehands were where I could feel it the most and after that there was really no point.? 6.26pm BST 18:26 Well, who?d have thought that only one member of the Big Four would still be standing at the end of play on the second Wednesday? That decision to skip the French Open by Federer doesn?t look too bad now. 6.24pm BST 18:24 Third set tie-break: Federer* 7-4 Raonic (*denotes server): After a short rally, Raonic screws a backhand wide. What a tie-break from Federer, who leaps with joy after sealing his place in another Wimbledon semi-final. He has revenge for last year and his sights on an eighth title here!Updated at 6.29pm BST 6.23pm BST 18:23 Third set tie-break: Federer* 6-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Federer earns two match points with an ace. 6.22pm BST 18:22 Third set tie-break: Federer 5-4 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic serves big to restore some hope. 6.22pm BST 18:22 Third set tie-break: Federer 4-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Oh. Oh. Oh! Oh, I say! Raonic chips and charges. Federer runs on the ball out on the right and bends a stunner of a forehand past the Canadian, down the line and on to the line! 6.21pm BST 18:21 Third set tie-break: Federer* 4-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Federer uses a body serve and gobbles up a backhand volley to claim his fourth straight point. 6.20pm BST 18:20 Third set tie-break: Federer* 3-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic tries a forehand pass from right to left, but Federer?s too smart with a volley. 6.19pm BST 18:19 Third set tie-break: Federer 2-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic serves wide. Federer pings a spectacular forehand pass down the line. 6.19pm BST 18:19 Third set tie-break: Federer 1-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Federer gets back one mini-break with a fine forehand down the line that Raonic can?t handle at the net. 6.18pm BST 18:18 Third set tie-break: Federer* 0-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic crashes a forehand down the line to take a very firm grip on proceedings!Updated at 6.26pm BST 6.17pm BST 18:17 Third set tie-break: Federer* 0-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Federer puts a seemingly simple forehand wide. 6.16pm BST 18:16 Third set tie-break: Federer 0-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Federer flicks a backhand into the net. 6.15pm BST 18:15 Federer holds with one of those backhand flays. Tie-break. 6.13pm BST 18:13 The Djokovic result has flashed up on the Centre Court scoreboard. There are gasps. Roger Federer remains poker-faced. 6.12pm BST 18:12 Back on Centre Court, Milos Raonic holds easily for 6-5. He?s got a tie-break at least. 6.11pm BST 18:11 Novak Djokovic?s early retirement means Andy Murray can?t be caught at the top of the rankings. Yet. 6.10pm BST 18:10 Tomas Berdych looks rather sheepish after, er, claiming his, er, third ever win over Novak Djokovic. The world No4 decided that the pain in his elbow was too much and he?s out of the tournament. What a gimme for Berdych. He?s through to the semis. This is turning into a rather drab affair on the men?s side, isn?t it?Updated at 6.18pm BST 6.08pm BST 18:08 Novak Djokovic has retired! 6.07pm BST 18:07 Tomas Berdych has broken in the second game of the second set to lead 7-6, 2-0! Deep, penetrative hitting draws the error from Djokovic. Back on Centre Court, Raonic comes through deuce to hold for 5-4 in the third. Can he force a fourth set? 6.02pm BST 18:02 After a medical timeout, Novak Djokovic is ready for the second set on Court 1. He?d won 14 sets in a row against Tomas Berdych. Not a 15th, though. I wonder if he?ll suffer the kind of collapse we saw against Dominic Thiem in Paris? 6.00pm BST 18:00 Back on Centre Court, Milos Raonic has held and lost three break points in the eighth game of the third set. Federer saved them all and he ends up holding for 4-4 with a dreamy touch at the net. 5.59pm BST 17:59 First-set tie-break: Berdych* 7-2 Djokovic (*denotes server): Djokovic approaches the net, but Berdych does enough with a backhand down the line to force the Serbian to net a volley! The trainer?s on for Djokovic. He?s having treatment on his elbow and he looks grim.Updated at 6.16pm BST 5.57pm BST 17:57 First-set tie-break: Berdych 6-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic pounces on a short return to save the first set point with a backhand. 5.56pm BST 17:56 First-set tie-break: Berdych* 6-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): Djokovic nets a poor slice. 5.55pm BST 17:55 First-set tie-break: Berdych* 5-1 Djokovic (*denotes server): Djokovic nudges a backhand wide off a second serve. 5.55pm BST 17:55 First-set tie-break: Berdych 4-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Djokovic nets at the end of an attritional rally. 5.54pm BST 17:54 First-set tie-break: Berdych 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Berdych nets a forehand. 5.53pm BST 17:53 First-set tie-break: Berdych* 3-0 Djokovic (*denotes server): Djokovic sends a forehand wide. 5.53pm BST 17:53 First-set tie-break: Berdych* 2-0 Djokovic (*denotes server): Berdych is animated when a point has to be replayed after a good serve?s called out. He?s happier when Djokovic deflects a return wide. 5.51pm BST 17:51 First-set tie-break: Berdych 1-0 Djokovic* (*denotes server): Berdych makes a fine start with a surprise drop shot after a fantastic return. 5.50pm BST 17:50 Looking to force a first-set tie-break, Tomas Berdych, races into a 40-0 lead. You feel he?s playing at his maximum, whereas Novak Djokovic can still go up a level or two. So it proves when Djokovic charges to deuce. Eventually Berdych holds. 5.37pm BST 17:37 After taking a rather lengthy toilet break after the second set, Milos Raonic is feeling more peppy and he earns his first break point in the second game of the third set. The unflappable Federer saves it with accurate serving and holds with an ace. 5.30pm BST 17:30 There?s no sign of a break on Court 1. It?s still on serve after seven games and Djokovic leads 4-3. 5.27pm BST 17:27 ?Any ideas on what?s happened to Milos? forehand?? says Michael Devine. ?It?s a completely different stroke in this match?high, looping topspins that sit up invitingly and land short, as opposed to his usual flat stroke. If this is Mark Knowles? work, I?d say his tenure is going to be short.?Raonic has had a few injury problems this year, so perhaps he?s not at full pelt. Still, he?s dropping his forehands very short today and that?s asking for it against Federer, who?s giving it the treatment. 5.25pm BST 17:25 Federer earns three set points with an ace. This is preposterous. He pings a forehand into the left corner and Raonic nets a backhand. The Canadian?s surely not winning this one. 5.18pm BST 17:18 Here?s a report on Marin Cilic?s win by Simon Cambers. 5.15pm BST 17:15 Milos Raonic coolly saves two break points, but there?s no denying Roger Federer on the third. Another singing crosscourt backhand does the job as Raonic stretches and plants a volley wide for Federer to break again and lead 6-4, 4-1. I wonder if he?s after a spot of revenge after last year.Updated at 6.11pm BST 5.13pm BST 17:13 This is a masterclass from Roger Federer. They?re underway on Court 1, meanwhile. Can Berdych stun Djokovic? 5.02pm BST 17:02 Roger Federer earns a break point with a glorious backhand pass. Milos Raonic, desperate not to go for the Federer forehand, runs around a backhand and plonks a forehand a few yards wide to drop his serve in the opening game of set two. This doesn?t look it?s going to be an epic. 4.56pm BST 16:56 The sun breaks out from behind the clouds as Federer moves into a 30-0 lead, Raonic unable to do anything with a couple of returns. He swings a serve down the T to earn two set points. An ace down the middle, his fifth of the set, does the trick.Superb from Federer, who takes the first set 6-4. The Swiss has hit 14 winners and just two unforced errors so farUpdated at 4.59pm BST 4.54pm BST 16:54 Milos Raonic volleys stoutly to hold after being taken to deuce, but Federer?s about to serve for the first set at 5-4. On Court 1, meanwhile, Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych are being wheeled out. Djokovic has a fairly healthy lead in their head-to-head: 25-2. Ouch. 4.49pm BST 16:49 Roger Federer holds breezily to lead 5-3. Raonic has won three points on the Federer serve.Updated at 4.54pm BST

Tarun Khanna

13 Jan 2017,Friday

Pakistan hands over Indian national to India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-hands-over-indian-national-to-army-on-loc-in-poonch/1/856233.html

Pakistan on Thursday handed over Javed Iqbal, an Indian national who had inadvertently crossed the LoC on May 3, 2016, to the Indian Army. Javed was handed over at Chakan Da Bagh crossing point along LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Iqbal's return was made possible after continuous pursuance by the Indian Army, said a defence official.

Tarun Khanna

22 Apr 2017,Saturday

Punjab govt cuts down VIP security including CM's

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-govt-cuts-down-on-vip-security-including-cms/1/935187.html

The Punjab government on Friday slashed the VIP security, including that of the Chief Minister, by withdrawing nearly 2,000 personnel. CM Amarinder Singh's security has been reduced from 1,392 to 1,016 personnel. As per the government, the security has been cut down to create the necessary infrastructure for better policing.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Punjab today cut down on VIP security, including that of the chief minister, by a whopping 2,000 personnel and decided to deploy them to ensure better policing and improve the law-and-order situation in the state. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also directed the police to review the arms and ammunition licences to check unbridled proliferation of arms in the hands of criminals. The decision was taken at a high-level security review meeting chaired by Amarinder and attended by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora and Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Dinkar Gupta, besides Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar. The withdrawal of security also includes pruning of the chief ministers security from 1,392 to 1,016 personnel. Some 1,500-odd security personnel have been withdrawn in other categories of constitutional and government functionaries, an official spokesperson said after the meeting. The chief minister has already ordered withdrawal of all deployment along his travel routes and his security is likely to be cut down further at the next review meeting, based on fresh reports on threat perceptions. Amarinder has made it clear that he does not want security beyond the "bare necessity". He has also directed the police and other agencies to review the existing security policy, which was approved by the Punjab cabinet and subsequently notified by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice in 2013. The chief minister underlined the need to provide only "need-based" security, taking the latest threat perception for individuals into account. With the existing security policy being three-year-old, he directed the police to call for fresh reports from the state and central agencies to map the threat perceptions of individuals who have been provided security and then decide on the quantum of security. This was the second security review meeting of the Amarinder-led Congress government since it took over the reins of Punjab last month. At the first meeting in March of a committee headed by the DGP (Law-and-Order), as many as 749 police and paramilitary personnel were withdrawn from various categories of protectees. The Congress manifesto for the Punjab Assembly polls had clearly stated that the "unhealthy" trend of the use of policemen by politicians and bureaucrats for their personal security will be discouraged strongly. Amarinder expressed grave concern at the threat posed to internal security as a result of arms proliferation, which had led to several incidents of law-and-order violation in the state. He ordered a comprehensive review of all the arms licences issued by district magistrates and police commissionerates. Amarinder also directed a propriety audit of the arms licences issued after the notification of the Arms Rules, 2016, which came into effect from July 15, 2016.

Niharika Prabhakar

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Delhi civic bodies to jail people for littering

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-swachh-bharat-mission-delhi-municipal-corporation/1/1014397.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Delhi civic bodies reportedly plan to make the acts of littering in public places and allowing mosquito breeding in households criminal offences with appropriate jail terms. The imprisonment will vary from one month to six months depending on the severity of the violation. This comes after Municipal Corporation officials said existing penalties were too weak to deter violators.

Trash the city and you may end up behind bars.To deter litterbugs, Delhi's BJP-ruled civic bodies are planning to make discarding of waste in public places and even allowing mosquito breeding in households a criminal offence with appropriate jail terms under the Indian Penal Code.The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has already issued orders in this regard and the two other agencies will follow suit, officials said. Municipal magistrates will keep a check on violators and ensure they are prosecuted. A person can get a maximum jail term of six months for such an offence.The Narendra Modi government last year directed states to start levying fines for littering, open defecation and public urination as the Prime Minister's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission failed to have the desired effect in urban areas. 'EXISTING PENALTY TOO WEAK'According to MCD officials, the existing penalty on violating sanitation bylaws is too weak to deter people and so it was decided to slap criminal charges on them. The imprisonment would vary from one month to six months depending on severity of the violation."To keep Delhi free of littering and insanitary conditions, various provisions of IPC and the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act may be invoked against the violators...departments may proceed accordingly," said an order issued by the chief law officer of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation.Public spaces in the Capital often are eyesores full of rotting piles of garbage along the streets, in neighbourhoods, public parks and playgrounds, and outside fancy air-conditioned malls and five-star hotels. HIGH COURT INSTRUCTIONSThe move from the corporations follows instructions of the Delhi High Court to maintain proper sanitation in the city. The court had recently pulled up the three civic bodies and had said that even citizens should take the responsibility of keeping their surroundings clean. The HC directed that a time-bound garbage collection system be set up to prevent the piling of waste. A senior MCD official said mosquito breeding in households is a key concern of the civic body as this could result into the outbreak of vectorborne diseases like dengue and chikungunya. "Cases of dengue in recent years have been on the rise, claiming several lives. The occupants of a house where dengue larva is found may be booked for endangering public life and causing health hazards. The provision attracts a fine and imprisonment of up to six months," he said. Similarly, negligence by people that is likely to spread fatal diseases would also be dealt with strictly. The civic body has identified 14 provisions under IPC to deal with sanitation woes. Any pollution that may cause fouling of drinking water has also been put in the category of criminal offences. 'FAILED ATTEMPTS' Officials said repeated attempts by the MCDs to amend the sanitation bylaws for higher penalty have failed to yield results. The draft of the amendment is pending with the Delhi government for the last seven years. The modified rules would have provision for hefty penalties up to Rs 10,000 and five times higher for repeated offenders. Apart from the fine, the civic bodies have also proposed widening the ambit of the law. Littering caused by distributing food material (langar), illegal burning of solid waste, improper storage of construction material and non-segregation of recyclable and nonrecyclable waste will attract fines. These activities were till now undefined and so exempted from prosecution. The MCDs proposed to increase the fine for littering caused by langars to Rs 5,000, while penalty for dumping construction material on roadside was fixed at Rs 10,000. The proposed amendment prescribed a fine of Rs 500 for littering, spitting and urinating in public places. It also empowers the municipal magistrates to order community services, like road cleaning, garbage and graffiti removal, in case a person fails to pay the fine. The amendment in "Delhi Sanitation and Public Health Bylaws" was proposed by the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on June 23, 2010 and the civic body had adopted it through a resolution passed by the House.

Rini Sinha

25 Jun 2017,Sunday

Thanks for bearing me: SRK on completing 25 yrs in Bollywood

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-completes-25-years-in-bollywood/1/986852.html

Actor Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, "Thanks for bearing me," on completing 25 years in Bollywood, as his debut film 'Deewana' released today in 1992. He played negative characters in 'Darr', 'Baazigar', and later gained popularity for romantic roles in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'. He has won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor a record eight times.n

Shah Rukh Khan burst onto the Bollywood scene in 1992 with Deewana, and in no time, he had millions of girls swooning over his dimpled smile and wanting to run into his outstretched arms. Over two decades later, his ability to make girls go weak in the knees has not changed. The Baadshah of Bollywood completes 25 years in films today, and took to Twitter to thank his fans for all their love."Went 2 bed early cos been a hectic week.Woke up for no reason & realised I am 25 yrs old.Will deal with all this love tom.Thx for bearing me (sic)," he wrote.Went 2 bed early cos been a hectic week.Woke up for no reason & realised I am 25 yrs old.Will deal with all this love tom.Thx for bearing meFans started remembering their favourite Shah Rukh moments, tweeting it with the hashtag #25YearsOfSRK.Karan Johar, who directed SRK in his directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, tweeted, "Have had the honour of working with him for 22 of those 25 years....love you so much Bhai @iamsrk...And thank you for everything....."Have had the honour of working with him for 22 of those 25 years....love you so much Bhai @iamsrk...And thank you for everything.....������ https://t.co/k4e5ouQ0ILRed Chillies Entertainment shared a montage of Shah Rukh's cinematic moments with his Dilwale dialogue playing in the background, "Dil toh har kisi ke paas hota hai. Lekin sab dilwale nahi hote."25 years of cinema, love & magic! � We're blessed with his presence & his legacy! We love you @iamsrk �#25GoldenYearsOfSRKpic.twitter.com/WODFomHSilShah Rukh Khan will be seen next in Imtiaz Ali's Jab Harry Met Sejal opposite Anushka Sharma. The film will hit the theatres on August 4.

Arshiya Chopra

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Maharashtra tops the list of fresh GST registrations

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-tops-the-list-of-fresh-gst-registrations-gujarat-comes-second/story-1epvkStQHjYN28BMrVBHQK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Maharashtra has topped the list for the maximum number of applications for fresh registration under Goods and Services Tax with over 1.3 lakh applications. Maharashtra is followed by Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh with 90,000 and 87,000 registrations, respectively. According to Goods and Services Tax Network's Chairman, over 10 lakh applications from across the country have been received so far.

Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have emerged as the states from where maximum number of applications for fresh registration under the recently-launched Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been received.The GST Network (GSTN), which that supports the entire IT mechanism for the new tax structure, has so far received about 10 lakh applications for new registrations. Out of these, 1,32,448 applications have poured in from Maharashtra while about 90,000 came from Gujarat and over 87,000 from Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu made up the top part of the list with more than 75,000 applications each.?We have received about 10 lakh new registrations. We are receiving about 40-45,000 applications every day,? GSTN chairman Navin Kumar told Hindustan Times.Read more: PM Modi says GST not just a tax reform, it will promote honesty The number of fresh registrations has been relatively lower in the north-eastern states. Businesses have time until July 30 to register under the GST -- touted as the one tax structure for the entire country-- which was launched on the midnight of June 30.Kumar said that of the existing 80 lakh taxpayers, who have been paying service tax, central excise or value added tax, about 71 lakh have migrated to GST. While the window to migrate from the existing structure to the unified tax regime will be open till July end, Kumar said several may not migrate to the new tax structure as businesses with turnover of up to Rs 20 lakh were exempted from GST.Read more: Arun Jaitley releases case study on GST Government sources said that the GST Council is set to tweak tax rates of a few items, besides bringing in procedural changes. Kumar added that a 12 hour helpline?operating from 8am to 8pm-- has been set up to assist merchants in uploading their invoices and other data relevant for fresh registration under GST.

Daisy Mowke

24 Jan 2017,Tuesday

SRK condoles death of man who died at Vadodara station

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/raees-shah-rukh-khan-promotion-train-fan-dead-varodara/1/865014.html

Actor Shah Rukh Khan has condoled the death of a person who died during a stampede caused by Khan's arrival at the Vadodara railway station on Monday night. "It's unfortunate, my prayers are with the family of the deceased," said Shah Rukh. The man reportedly died of suffocation during the stampede. Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

When Shah Rukh Khan promised fans, "Aa raha hoon main," he did not disappoint. As a part of the promotional strategy of his upcoming film Raees, SRK is taking the August Kranti Rajdhani Express from Mumbai to Delhi, and reached the Vadodara station on Monday night. The superstar has a huge fan following and hordes of people turned up to catch a glimpse of their favourite actor. In the commotion that ensued, one person was killed and two policemen were injured.ALSO READ | Raees is 'beimaan' film, Kaabil is for 'deshbhakts': BJP National GS strikes againALSO READ | Hrithik on Raees-Kaabil clash: There cannot be any bad blood between Shah Rukh and meALSO READ | Raees: This is how Shah Rukh's son AbRam is promoting his papa's filmShah Rukh Khan, who reached Delhi on Tuesday morning, said, "It's unfortunate, my prayers are with the family of the deceased." Khan was at the Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station.The railway police said, "The crowd went berserk when the train halted and began banging its window panes and even falling on top of each other. Police had to resort to mild lathi charge to control the crowd. When the train started moving, people started running along with it. Due to the rush, one person died of breathlessness and two policemen posted there to control the crowd were injured."

Abhishek Bansal

28 Feb 2017,Tuesday

How is the new Nokia 3310 different from its older version?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/new-nokia-3310-vs-old-nokia-3310-how-much-difference-does-17-years-make/1/892447.html

The new Nokia 3310 has a 2.4-inch colour screen unlike the original phone, which came with an 84x84 black and white display. The 2017 Nokia 3310's 1200mAh battery life is 10 times more than the original. The new model, which is slimmer and lighter than the original, has an updated version of the 'Snake' game, which was made by Gameloft.

In line with previous leaks and rumors, Nokia unveiled a re-incarnated version of their iconic Nokia 3310 feature phone along with a slew of Android powered smartphones during their MWC 2017 event.While the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 are the big ticket items aimed at the general public, it was the Nokia 3310 that was undoubtedly the star of the show and grabbed everyone's attention. An oddity, a relic of a bygone era, the Nokia 3310 is a feature phone that dares to stand tall amongst today's infinitely complex smartphones. A new report claims that the Nokia 3310 will be released globally before Nokia's three Android smartphones. The Nokia 3310 will be launching in April, with the Nokia 3, Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 getting a staggered release throughout May. A feature phone in 2017 might seem like a ludicrous idea to some. But when you think about it, the mind-blowing battery life, tank like build quality and the affordable price point makes a feature phone such as the Nokia 3310 an excellent option for a secondary phone and even as a primary device for those who are sick of the ultra connected world we live in.Also Read: Sony Xperia XZ Premium is the world's first smartphone with a 4K HDR displayThe original Nokia 3310 was a legend. There are instance of people still using the Nokia 3310 17 years after they bought it in the year 2000 without any problem. Can you imagine a smartphone of toady's time lasting even remotely close to that long?Thus, it is pretty clear that the re-incarnation of the Nokia 3310 has a lot to live up-to. Does it carry forward the legacy of its predecessor? What all has changed? Let's find out! Also Read: New Nokia 3310 launch is not about phone, it's about sending a message

Dishant Sharma

01 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Virat Kohli will come back bigger and stronger: Starc

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mitchell-starc-india-vs-australia-cricket/1/893402.html

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has said that Australia is wary of a comeback from Indian captain Virat Kohli. "We know he'll come back bigger and stronger, but he's one I'll take over Pujara at the moment", Starc said about the Indian duo he dismissed in the Pune Test. "One Test is not going to win us the series", Starc added.

Australia paceman Mitchell Starc is bracing for a heavier workload in the second Test against India having hardly broken a sweat in his team's romp in the series opener in Pune.CLICK TO WATCH FULL VIDEOWith spin twins Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon claiming 17 of the 20 Indian wickets, Starc and pace colleague Josh Hazlewood bowled a combined 20 overs as Australia triumphed by 333 runs inside three days to go 1-0 up in the four-test series."It's amazing. I think it's making up for the summer Josh and I had," Starc told reporters on Tuesday."The spinners bowled really well and the pitch didn't have much in it for Josh and me. There was very minimal natural swing because it was so abrasive and it didn't really go too much reverse. (Also read: Steve O'Keefe akin to reliable Korean car: Monty Panesar)"But when Steve's taking that many wickets and Nathan's bowling really well there's not really much need for us on that wicket."World number one India were all out for 105 in the first innings and managed only two more in the second before succumbing to a crushing defeat that snapped their 19-test unbeaten streak. (Also read: Steve O'Keefe surprised by India's batting collapse in Pune Test)With the smarting hosts unlikely to repeat the mistake of rolling out another turning track at Bengaluru, Starc reckoned he and Hazlewood would have to shoulder more responsibility in the match starting on Saturday."I'm sure it will be a pretty dry wicket again, so that'll probably help reverse swing there and it's something we'll be working hard at all the time in the nets," said the 27-year-old. (Also read: IPL 2017: Mitchell Starc reveals why he parted ways with Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Daisy Mowke

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Kajol hints at not working with Karan Johar in future

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/may-never-work-with-karan-johar-kajol-hints/story-okripS4NcozHwbolGmxu7I.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actress Kajol, on being asked if she is open to working with Karan Johar, hinted that she may not work with him in future. "If any of my other friends want to offer me a film I'll definitely do it," she added. Kajol further said, "You can't work alongside [people] if you don't talk".

They were one of the most popular Bollywood buddies once upon a time and have given hits such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and My Name Is Khan, but Kajol now refrains from even talking about filmmaker Karan Johar. The actress also hints that chances of her teaming up with the filmmaker again are remote.Actors Kajol, Dhanush with director Soundarya Rajinikanth during the promotion of their upcoming film VIP 2in New Delhi on July 24. (IANS) Kajol said, ?If you?re not comfortable with the people you?re working with, if you cannot speak up, or speak to the people you?re working with....I think communication is a key element in working with people. You can?t work alongside them if you don?t talk.?In his autobiography, Karan had said his nearly 25-year-long friendship with Kajol ended prior to the release of his and her actor-filmmaker husband Ajay Devgn?s films -- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay. The two films clashed at the box office during Diwali last year. Ajay had said ?nasty? things to him before the release of films and so he vowed ?no matter what, she?s out of my life?, Karan wrote.When asked if she is open to work with Karan, Kajol says, ?Let me put it this way, I am not answering any questions on that particular point. If any of my other friends want to offer me a film I?ll definitely do it.?The 42-year-old actress says even now, working with people she is comfortable with plays a big part in choosing roles, and that was one of the reasons she gave her nod to upcoming Tamil film, ?VIP 2?. @manishmalhotra05 and me once again? A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol) on Jul 2, 2017 at 8:35am PDT The actress features in the Soundarya Rajinikanth- directed film along with Dhanush. This is her second Tamil movie after Minsara Kanavu (1997). ?I would not have been able to do this film, taken that chance with the film which is in another language without knowing that Dhanush and Soundarya would back me up and safeguard me,? she adds.VIP 2 is a sequel to the 2014 comedy-drama VIP and stars Dhanush, Amala Paul, Vivek, Saranya Ponvannan and Samuthirakani returning from the first film.Soundarya had made her directorial debut with Kochadaiyaan which featured her father, Rajinikanth.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Chhavi Tyagi

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Only one President of India elected without contest till now

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/presidential-election-2017-ram-nath-kovind-meira-kumar-victory-margin/1/1003822.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy is the only President of India who was elected to the highest office without a contest ever since the country won independence. While 37 candidates had filed their nominations for the 1977 Presidential elections, the Returning Officer rejected 36 after scrutiny and the only valid nomination was that of Neelam Sanjiva Reddy.

The voting for presidential election 2017 is underway and BJP pick Ram Nath Kovind is all set for a big win against Opposition candidate Meira Kumar. Of the total electoral college votes of 10,98,903, former Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind is almost assured of 63 per cent of them. Besides BJP's allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), parties like Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have also pledged support to Kovind in the presidential election. Before the votes are counted and the next President of India is announced on July 20, we take a look at some of the biggest and closest victory margins recorded in previous presidential elections. SOME OF THE WINS BY BIGGEST MARGINS:1977: Following the sudden death of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in February 1977, election to the post had to be conducted within the next six months. A total of 37 candidates filed their nominations for the presidential election, but on scrutiny the Returning Officer rejected 36 of them. The only valid nomination was that of Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy. In July 1977, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy was declared the new President of India. This was the first time a candidate was declared elected to the highest office without a contest. 1997: Two candidates were in the fray to succeed Shanker Dayal Sharma as the country's 11th president. They were K R Narayanan and T N Seshan. Narayanan won the presidential election with a huge margin and  polled 9,56,290 votes against 50,631 votes for Seshan.1962: Before the second term of Rajendra Prasad expired, the election to choose his successor was held. Those in contention were Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Chowdhry Hari Ram and Yamuna Prasad Trisulia. Dr Radhakrishnan won the election with an overwhelming margin and got 5,53,067 votes while the other two candidates together managed to get nearly 10,000 votes. (The value of votes was then calculated on the basis of the 1951 Census.)   1957: Before the first presidential term of Rajendra Prasad concluded, the election to elect the second President of India was held. Rajendra Prasad was once again in the fray along with Chowdhry Hari Ram and Nagendra Narayan Das. Prasad polled 4,59,698 votes against 2,000 votes for Narayan Das and 2,672 votes for Hari Ram. Rajendra Prasad became the President of India for a second time.2002: When the election to chose K R Narayanan's successor was held, APJ Abdul Kalam won it with a huge margin. Kalam was the overwhelming favourite and got 9,22,884 votes against 1,07,366 votes polled by Lakshmi Sahgal. SOME OF THE CLOSE FIGHTS FOR PRESIDENT's POST:1969: Following the sudden demise of Dr Zakir Hussain in May 1969, then Vice President V V Giri took charge as the acting president. Two months later, Giri resigned from both the positions--vice-president and acting president--to contest the presidential election. Of the 15 candidates, Giri polled 4,01,515 votes, while Sanjeeva Reddy got 3,13,548 votes. However, none of the two candidates secured the number of votes required to be elected as President of India. That year, the quota for selection was fixed at 4,18,169 votes. After the first count, several  candidates were excluded leaving only two people in the fray--V V Giri and N Sanjeeva Reddy. Eventually, Giri edged past the qouta mark with 4,20,277 votes while Reddy got 4,05,427 votes.V V Giri was declared elected to the post of India's president. 1967: Seventeen candidates were in the fray for the presidential election that would choose Dr Radhakrishnan's successor. While 9 of the 17 candidates polled zero votes, the fight was close between Dr Zakir Hussain and Kota Subbarao. While Subbarao got 3,63,971 votes, Hussain edged past him with 4,71,244 votes. Dr Zakir Hussain assumed the President's office on May 13, 1967.  (Source: Election Commission of India)ALSO READ:Like it or not, Ram Nath Kovind is all set to be your next President

Abhishek Bansal

10 Mar 2017,Friday

Sri Lanka releases 53 Indian fishermen as goodwill gesture

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/53-indian-fishermen-released-from-sri-lankan-jail/1/901636.html

Fifty-three Indian fishermen were released from a Sri Lankan jail on Friday, days after the two countries decided to release fishermen in each other's custody. The move was aimed at defusing tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy. Another 32 Indian fishermen are still in custody in Vuvuniya jail, Fishery Ministry officials said.

Days after the killing of an Indian fisherman allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, the country today released 53 fishermen."53 fishermen have been released from Jaffna jail while 32 others are still in custody in Vuvuniya jail," Fishery Ministry officials said.Sri Lanka had earlier informed the Indian High Commission in Colombo that it will release all 85 Indian fishermen in their custody, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.Sri Lanka and India on Wednesday agreed to release fishermen held in each other's custody after a high-level discussion between the two sides in Colombo in a bid to defuse the tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman.A 22-year-old fisherman from Tamil Nadu was killed and another injured on March 6 allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy. (With inputs from PTI)

Tarun Khanna

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

MP witnessed deaths of 28K kids below 6 yrs of age in 2016

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/madhya-pradesh-children-malnourishment-deaths-kids/1/909594.html

More than 28,000 children aged less than six years have died in Madhya Pradesh in 2016, state's Women and Child Welfare Department Minister Archana Chitnis apprised the Assembly. "Technically, It is impossible to answer how many children died because of malnourishment because children died because of various diseases, which could have resulted from malnourishment," she stated.

More than 28,000 children aged less than six years have died in Madhya Pradesh in the past one year due to malnourishment and diseases resulting from it.The state women and child welfare department while accepting that children died because of disease resulting from malnourishment refuses to attribute even a single death to malnourishment.Women and child welfare department minister Archana Chitnis read out an answer to a question raised by Ram Niwas Rawat of the Congress in the ongoing budget session of the Assembly in which she accepted that 28948 children had died in the state in the past one year. And though malnourishment related deaths have been reported from across the state she refused to attribute even a single death to malnourishment."Technically It is impossible to answer how many children died because of malnourishment because children died because of various disease which could have resulted from malnourishment. But I can tell you as far as malnourishment figures are concerned we have improved on all parameters," Archana Chitnis said while talking to India Today.Children have died across the state but we chose to do a reality check in Satna where according to the minister's reply 2167 children below the age of 6 have died due to various reasons. Majhagava block is the worst affected where around 1000 malnourished kids who have been admitted to the rehabilitation centres set up by the government. Many deaths have been reported from the 19 odd tribal dominated villages that fall in this block but the government is not willing to accept malnourishment and severe malnourishment as the cause.Leader of opposition Ajay Singh however attributes corruption as the cause behind the rising deaths of infants in Madhya Pradesh. "Satna is there, also Chitrakoot is there and in Majhgava block there is severe malnourishment. The reason behind this is corruption. Those who are supposed to supply nutritional food are associated with the BJP and till the time this cartel is broken malnourishment cannot be tackled in Madhya Pradesh," he told India Today.If we break down the annual death figure of 28948 into days a shocking statistic stares at your face. 79 children aged below six years die every day in Madhya Pradesh and this shows that the infant mortality rate in Madhya Pradesh is worse than even many African nations. Whatever may be the cause the government has some serious thinking to do.

Deepali Aggarwal

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Zimbabwe Prez reaches Singapore for medical reasons

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/zimbabwe-president-reaches-singapore-for-medical-reasons-amid-concerns/story-uKHuPTHGhYm0KNl1bTSXYJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The 93-year-old Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has reached Singapore for a "routine" medical checkup, prompting opposition figures to question whether he is still medically fit to run the country. However, Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has claimed that he is fit and will contest the country's presidential election next year.

Zimbabwe?s President Robert Mugabe is in Singapore for medical reasons, prompting opposition figures to question whether the 93-year-old still has the stamina to run the country.State media, quoting an information ministry statement, said the world?s oldest head of state left on Friday for a ?routine? medical checkup and will be back in Zimbabwe later this week. This is Mugabe?s third Singapore visit this year.Mugabe had been scheduled to address a campaign rally on Friday, but organisers say that has been cancelled due to the trip.The opposition, which has called him a ?non-resident president? due to his frequent foreign travels, has expressed concern over his health, saying he should retire.Mugabe has said he will contest next year?s election, claiming he is still fit. He has been in power since 1980.

Tanya Dhingra

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Ask psychiatrist why Censors fear female sexuality: Shah

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/naseeruddin-shah-censor-board-is-afraid-of-female-sexuality-on-screen/story-wuoz4yYtwM3ZdXy4Di442I.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actor Naseeruddin Shah, while talking about the controversy around 'Lipstick Under My Burkha', said that one needs to ask a psychiatrist why the Censor Board is afraid of female sexuality on screen. He added, "It's very frightening to see that the Censor Board can do whatever it wants and practise its biases openly and ban films that it doesn't like."

Naseeruddin Shah has watched the film Lipstick Under My Burkha, starring his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, twice. And the veteran actor can?t figure out why the film was initially denied certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), aka Censor Board. ?I really don?t know what problem they had with the film. I think they have a problem with female sexuality being portrayed on screen. What the film?s success has done is that it has shown [the Censor Board] up, and what they thought about the film. I have seen the film twice, and it?s a wonderfully made film that talks about what?s going on in society. I don?t know why the Censor Board had a problem with that,? he quips. The CBFC letter informing the filmmakers that certification wouldn?t be given had called the film ?lady-oriented?, a perplexing word that drew much ridicule from filmmakers and actors. Afterwards, the Lipstick team got the required clearance from a parallel body. This has been one of the most high-profile tussles between the Censor Board and film teams in recent memory.With Lipstick?s release stalled for almost six months, director Alankrita Shrivastava and her team fought to get a clean chit, and finally received it from the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, which asked for 16 cuts in the film. Naseeruddin Shah says, ?One has to ask a psychiatrist as to why they are afraid of [female sexuality] on screen. It?s very frightening to see that the Censor Board can do whatever it wants and practise its biases openly and ban films that it doesn?t like. But the success of such films prove that no one is bothered about what the Censor Board or the doubters think about [these] films.?Shah also criticises the Censor Board for being dictatorial. ?For starters,? he says, ?they are supposed to give a film a certificate; they are no authority to ban a film, or stay its release. But then they claim to be someone who can do that. Their narrow-minded approach affects the film industry. But nothing has been done about it.?Follow @htshowbiz for more

Rini Sinha

08 Jan 2017,Sunday

Dangal becomes highest-grossing Hindi film of all time

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dangal-box-office-collection-aamir-khan-pk-sultan-bajrangi-bhaijaan/1/852300.html

Aamir Khan-starrer 'Dangal' has become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time with domestic box office earnings of over ?341.96 crore. It surpassed the collection of Aamir's 2014 film 'PK', which had lifetime earnings of ?340.8 crore. Bollywood trade analyst Taran Adarsh said 'Dangal' also became the highest-grossing Hindi film in USA, Canada and Australia, with earnings of ?174.3 crore.

The dangal is over. Victory has been achieved achieved. Dangal has beaten Aamir Khan's own PK and Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.MOVIE REVIEW: DangalThe lifetime collection of PK (nett.) was Rs 340.8 crore. Today, having earned Rs 341.96 crore at the domestic box office, Dangal became the most successful Hindi film ever.Here is the day-wise breakdown of Dangal's total box office collection so far:Day 1 (Friday) - December 23: Rs 29.78 croreDay 2 (Saturday) - December 24: Rs 34.82 croreDay 3 (Sunday) - December 25: Rs 42.35 croreDay 4 (Monday) - December 26: Rs 25.48 croreDay 5 (Tuesday) - December 27: Rs 23.07 croreDay 6 (Wednesday) - December 28: Rs 21.20 croreDay 7 (Thursday) - December 29: Rs 20.29 croreWEEK 2Day 8 (Friday) - December 30: Rs 18.59 croreDay 9 (Saturday) - December 31: Rs 23.07 croreDay 10 (Sunday) - January 1: Rs 31.27 croreDay 11 (Monday) - January 2: Rs 13.45 croreDay 12 (Tuesday) - January 3: Rs 12 croreDay 13 (Wednesday) - January 4: Rs 9.23 croreDay 14 (Thursday) - January 4: Rs 9.12 croreWEEK 3 Day 15 (Friday) - January 4: Rs 6.66 croreDay 16 (Saturday) - January 4: Rs 10.80 croreDay 17 (Sunday) - January 4: Rs 11 crore Total collection (18 days) - Rs 341.96 croreDirected by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal is based on the real-life story of Haryanvi wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat who trained his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari to become world-class wrestlers.Dangal's story with its themes of patriotism, achievement in sports and women empowerment touched the hearts of one and all.ALSO WATCH: Aamir Khan's Dangal vs Salman Khan's Sultan - Who did what betterThe performances of Aamir Khan as Mahavir as well as those of Zaira Wasim/Fatima Sana Shaikh as Geeta Phogat and Suhani Bhatnagar/Sanya Malhotra as Babita Kumar have been widely praised.

Anmol Sharma

14 Jan 2017,Saturday

Local newspaper vendor arrested over Ganguly death threat

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/threat-letter-newspaper-vendor-sourav-ganguly/1/857041.html

Police on Friday arrested a newspaper vendor named Nirmalya Samanta in Midnapore for allegedly sending death threat letter to former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Samanta had reportedly sent the letter to Ganguly's Behala residence warning him against attending a cricket tournament in Midnapore on January 19. The district police has handed over Samanta to Kolkata Police for further investigation.

Police have arrested a 39-year-old man in West Bengal for sending a "threat letter" to former India skipper Sourav Ganguly. Nirmalya Samanta, a local newspaper vendor from West Midnapore town was arrested on Friday for allegedly sending the threat letter.The anonymous letter was sent by courier to Ganguly's Behala residence in Kolkata on January 7 asking him not to attend a programme organised by Vidyasagar University on January 19.

Chhavi Tyagi

20 Mar 2017,Monday

BSP leader Mohammed Shami shot dead in Allahabad

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-bsp-leader-mohammed-shami-killed-allahabad/1/907964.html

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mohammed Shami was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad area on Sunday night by two unidentified gunmen who came on a motorbike. The incident took place when Shami was going towards his car parked outside his office. As per reports, the accused fled from the spot after the deceased fell down.?

BSP leader Mohammed Shami was shot dead in Allahabad on Sunday night. He was reportedly shot at by two unidentified gunmen who came on a motorbike. The incident took place in Allahabad's Mau Aima. Mohhamed Shami was going towards his car parked outside his office, when he was fatally shot. Sources said that he fell down immediately and the accused fled from the spot. The 60-year-old deceased was a local leader. After the incident, locals and supporters of Shami reportedly held a protest.The incident took place hours after Yogi Adityanath in his swearing-in ceremony as Uttar Pradesh CM vowed to improve the law and order situation in the state.WHO WAS MOHAMMED SHAMIShami was a history-sheeter of Mau Aima police station. His number is HS 18B and his gang is registered as IS (inter state) 197 in Allahabad He has 31 cases registered against him including heinous offences like murder, dacoity and loot.He had many serious enmities including a land dispute with another criminal which seems to be the likely cause of his murder.He was a block Pramukh thrice and was hopping between SP and BSP. 

Sumedha Sehra

22 May 2017,Monday

Gujarat vendor inspired by Jio introduces unlimited panipuri

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jio-gujarat-vendor-unlimited-panipuri-plans-inspired-jio-sim/1/959886.html

A street food vendor in Porbandar, Gujarat has introduced unlimited panipuri for customers, inspired by Reliance Jio's unlimited plans. People can have unlimited panipuri for a day by opting for the ?100 plan, and for a month by opting for the ?1,000 plan. The vendor, Ravi Jagdamba, has also redesigned his stall in a 'Jio theme' to attract customers.

A chaatwalla from Gujarat who got inspired from Reliance Jio's 4G plans came out with panipuri schemes to lure his customers.The Porbandar-based vendor Ravi Jagdamba introduced a daily and monthly scheme in which for Rs 100 and Rs 1000 one can enjoy unlimited lip-smacking panipuris at the Gujarati vendor's stall.Also read: Heartwarming: US YouTuber distributes McDonald cheeseburgers among the homelessJust like Reliance Jio, the chaatwalla's business is also in great demand now. The scheme actually worked for the vendor and fetched him business ever since he introduced the Jio panipuri schemes. He also introduced Jio-themed panipuri stalls to attract customers.

Chhavi Tyagi

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Mob assaults man caught with woman in compromising position

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mob-assaults-muslim-man-found-half-naked-with-woman-at-govt-centre-in-jharkhand/story-czewOzmBCYu5O1Cy0qHrVK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 25-year-old man was on Wednesday assaulted by a mob which allegedly found him in a compromising position with a woman at a government-run centre in Bokaro, Jharkhand. The victim, found unconscious when police rescued him from the mob, has suffered multiple injuries on his head, neck, legs and back. The man is reportedly battling for life in a hospital.

A 25-year-old man was battling for life on Wednesday after he was assaulted by a mob which allegedly found him in a compromising position with a woman at a government-run centre in Jharkhand?s Bokaro town, police said.The man, identified as Sakib Ansari, was unconscious when police rescued him from the mob comprising 50-odd men. Doctors said Ansari suffered multiple injuries on his head, neck, legs and back.Over the past few months, several people have been lynched in the BJP-ruled state over charges ranging from raping women, smuggling cow, and child-lifting. The latest incident took place at a Pragya Kendra, a government-run service centre that offer facilities such as linking Aadhaar number with other documents, issuing caste certificates, voter ID cards and PAN cards. When people turned up at the common service centre with their respective requisitions on Wednesday morning, they allegedly found Ansari half-naked with a woman at the Heena Market Pragya Kendra.He was dragged out of the office premises and beaten with sticks, belts, shoes and slippers by the mob.Ansari fell unconscious after the assault, but the mob continued thrashing him until the police intervened, sources said.The police rushed Ansari to the Bokaro General Hospital. He was yet to regain consciousness, doctors said.Bokaro deputy superintendent of police Poonam Minz said that the police have lodged an unnamed first information report against the mob, and arrested one Mantu Yadav in connection with the case.?We have arrested one, and are scanning the CCTV footage to identify others who assaulted the man,? she said.In April, a 25-year-old man was beaten to death in Saraikela Kharsawan for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl. On June 8, a 45-year-old man was lynched for allegedly raping a widow in Palamu and on June 27, another man was beaten to death by a mob for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in Dumka.Police deployed additional security forces across the affected area to prevent the incident from snowballing into a communal conflagration.?Rumour-mongers on social media too are under our scanner,? said a Bokaro police official working with the cyber cell of the district.

Tarun Khanna

07 May 2017,Sunday

Pakistan violated ceasefire every day in 2015 and 2016: Govt

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-violated-ceasefire-daily-in-2015-2016-mha/1/947628.html

The Home Ministry, in its reply to an RTI query, has stated at least one incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan was reported daily along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 and 2016. It further stated the ceasefire was violated 405 times in 2015 and 449 times in 2016. Over 20 security personnel were killed in this period.

From Deepak Ranjan New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) At least one incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan has been reported daily along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 and 2016, with 23 security personnel being killed in the two years, the Home Ministry has said in an RTI reply. It also said that 1,142 terror incidents were reported in J&K between 2012 and 2016 in which 236 security personnel and 90 civilians were killed. In the same period, 507 terrorists were killed in encounters, the ministry said. According to the reply, Pakistan violated the ceasefire across the Line of Control 449 times in 2016, as compared to 405 violations in 2015. Twenty-three security personnel were killed in the two-year period, it said. Major Gen (retd) G D Bakshi said Pakistan is running a "covert" war against India. "Though Pakistan talks about peace, it does not believe in it, and Jammu and Kashmir is an example," he said. Compared to 220 terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012, there were 322 incidents in 2016 in which 82 security personnel and 15 civilians were killed, the RTI reply said. It said in 2015, 39 security personnel and 17 civilians were killed in 208 terror incidents while 108 terrorists were killed in encounters. While 47 security personnel and 28 civilians were killed in the state, 110 terrorists were killed in encounters in 2014, the reply said.

Rini Sinha

09 Apr 2017,Sunday

Naam Shabana banned a day after its release in Pakistan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/naam-shabana-pakistan-terrorism-taapsee-pannu-akshay-kumar/1/924303.html

The Taapsee Pannu starrer 'Naam Shabana' has been banned in Pakistan a day after its release. According to sources, authorities felt that the film's theme of terrorism could reflect badly on Pakistan, which is why the film was withdrawn from theatres. Earlier this year, Pakistan had lifted the ban on screening Indian films.

By now, we all know that Aamir Khan's Dangal will not have a Pakistan release due to their censor board's objection to scenes featuring the national flag and national anthem. Now, Taapsee Pannu and Akshay Kumar's spy thriller Naam Shabana has been stopped from playing in theatres, if a report in DNA is to be believed.Apparently, the film was released smoothly, but officials put a stop to the screening after realising that the film contains references to terrorism. Pakistan has long been accused of state-sponsored terrorism, but authorities have always denied any involvement in the same.A source close to the development was quoted as saying, "The Pakistani authorities seemed fine with the film. But a day after the film released they woke up to the fact that the theme of terrorism could reflect badly on Pakistan."Naam Shabana revolves around Shabana Khan (Taapsee) and her journey of becoming a secret agent. She is trained to eliminate any threats to the national security of the country and is involved in a mission to eliminate the largest arms supplier to terrorist groups, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Chhavi Tyagi

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

SC appoints 9-judge bench to decide on Right to Privacy

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/9-judge-bench-to-decide-on-right-to-privacy-then-take-up-aadhaar-petitions/story-OmBGyW11qknDFrQ7K1Ds5K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

While hearing petitions challenging Aadhaar, the Supreme Court on Tuesday appointed a 9-judge bench to decide whether privacy is a fundamental right or not under the Constitution. While the government has been pushing for Aadhaar citing that it would ensure subsidy schemes reach the targeted, activists claim that it is vulnerable to data breaches and helps government spy on people.

Is the right to privacy a fundamental right?The question, which forms the basis of petitions that challenge Aadhaar for violating privacy, will be answered by a nine-judge constitution bench.The Supreme Court in Tuesday said the constitution bench would revisit its rulings that said the right to privacy was not a fundamental right and then hear petitions against the 12-digit biometric identity number.?During the course of hearing today it has become essential for us to determine whether right to privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution,? a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar said.The nine-judge bench is expected to take up and conclude its hearing on Wednesday itself.?The determination of this question would essentially entail whether the decision recorded by an eight-judge bench in 1954 and also by a six-judge bench in 1962 that there is no such fundamental right is the correct expression of constitutional provisions,? the court said.The court decided to refer the matter to a larger bench after the Centre cited the two judgments to argue that the right to privacy was not a fundamental right.?Our founding fathers have encompassed all rights. But consciously this is omitted,? attorney general KK Venugopal said. But justice J Chelameswar said it was illogical to argue that the Constitution didn?t mention the right to privacy while common law identified it.?Textually it is correct today that there is no right to privacy in the Constitution. But even freedom of press is not expressly stated. This court has interpreted it,? the judge said, adding the earlier verdicts should be looked at again.?One can?t overlook the constant view held by smaller benches in their later judgments holding right to privacy is a fundamental right.?The government is pushing for Aadhaar, saying it is necessary to plug leakages in subsidy schemes and to ensure benefits reach those targeted. But critics say the move violates privacy, is vulnerable to data breaches and helps government spy on people.

Sonu Kumari

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Mumbai man arrested for stealing data from a digital company

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-man-arrested-with-stolen-data-he-used-to-extort-from-firm/story-aisRL5V4KtmgU4qdktqa8J.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Mumbai police on Monday arrested a 60-year-old man for stealing sensitive data from a digital company. He allegedly also tried to blackmail the owner of the company by demanding ?8 crore to withhold the confidential data from a contending company. The police reportedly also found sensitive data of 25 other companies from his apartment.

The Mumbai crime branch on Monday arrested a 60-year-old man who had stolen data of a digital company. He allegedly tried to extort Rs8crore from the owner of the company using it. Ravindra Khera from Navi Mumbai was arrested while accepting Rs20 lakh from the complainant. Khera had demanded Rs20 lakh upfront for not selling the data to a rival company. Earlier, he had received Rs10 lakh from the owner of the company, Niyati Shah. The police are still investigating how he got the data. Shah alleged that it was an insider job. Shah started getting calls from Khera after her partner and her husband had resigned from the company, according to the complaint.?My partners were anticipating legal action against him after which the caller threatened us,? said Shah.On June 20 this year, Shah filed a written complaint with the additional and joint commissioner of crime, saying that Khera had demanded Rs8 crore from them.A nine-member police team led by senior inspector Chimaji Adhav arrested him from a five-star hotel at Goregaon.?Khera used to buy sensitive information of a company and then file a complaint with various government departments over irregularities. Later, he would approach the firm to settle the matter,? said an officer from unit 11, who did not wish to be named.The police searched Khera?s apartment in Oshiwara and found sensitive financial and technical data of 25 other companies, said the officer.READCard cloning racket: Mumbai gang steals debit, credit card data from 1,000 customers of 96 banksBeware, Bulgarian man who swiped cloned cards in Mumbai targeted overseas citizens

Sonu Kumari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Maha farmers to hold 'rasta roko' on Aug 14 for loan waiver

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-farmers-to-hold-rasta-roko-on-august-14-for-blanket-loan-waiver/story-nOecb6H2nAnTeZWJW17yYP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Farmers' organisations in Maharashtra will reportedly hold 'rasta roko' (blockade) on August 14 to restart their protests to demand farm loan waiver. This comes after the farmers' groups held a march in Pune to spread awareness about the alleged injustices to farmers. They also demanded that farmers be paid 50% minimum support price apart from input costs.

Farmers? outfits in Maharashtra will restart their protest to demand a blanked loan waiver and implementation of the Swaminathan commission?s recommendations across the state by staging ?rasta roko? on August 14. The commission has suggested 50% minimum support price (MSP) to be given to farmers for crops over and above the input cost. They have also appealed to Maratha outfits for their support.The decision was taken in a meeting of the steering committee, apex body of the all the farmers organisations, held on Sunday after conclusion of an awareness march at Pune. The awareness march (Janjagruti Yatra) was started from July 10 to tell people about the alleged injustice being done to farmers.?We have decided to take our agitation forward by holding rasta roko on August 14. This agitation will be held across the state with full vigour,? said Ajit Nawale, coordinator of the steering committee.Nawale added that they have also asked Maratha outfits to raise the farmers? issue during their silent march, which will be held in Mumbai on August 9.He said legislators Bachchu Kadu, Jiva Pandu Gavit and Jayant Patil, who support their agitation, will raise the issue of blanket loan waiver during the monsoon session of the state legislature starting on Monday. Raju Shetti, farmers? leader and Swabhimani Paksha chief, said they will intensify the agitation if the government won?t accept their demands after August 14.The awareness march was carried out through 26 districts and 14 big rallies were held. Reacting to this, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said some people want to prolong an issue and that?s why they use such means. ?The farmers of the state will show them their place,? Fadnavis said.A day after the state government announced a Rs34,000-crore farm loan waiver, the steering committee of the farmers? outfits rejected the offer on grounds that it was ?incomplete?. They have given the government time until July 26 to fulfil their demands, failing which they plan to resume their agitation.

Sumedha Sehra

01 Jul 2017,Saturday

GST implemented 17 years after being proposed

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gst-history-arun-jaitley-tax-reform-july-1/1/990641.html

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was first proposed 17 years ago, when the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed a GST committee. A proposed model was first placed during 2006 Budget speech, and the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced in 2010 that GST will be implemented from April 2011. It finally got President's approval in September 2016.

India's biggest tax reform -- Goods and Services Tax (GST) -- is going to come into effect from July 1. The framework of the tax reform was formed 17 years ago during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The tax reform is now being taken over by the Modi government marking some historical moves.Also Read:GST midnight bash: To attend or not to attend? Sonia Gandhi to meet Manmohan Singh to decide today

Chhavi Tyagi

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

For Bihar's future, need to fight corruption together: Modi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-political-crisis-live-updates-cm-nitish-kumar-meets-governor-keshari-nath-tripathi-amid-row-over-graft-charges-against-tejashwi-yadav/story-TWzgT6JfRqu1MJ7GF6MyiN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said everyone needs to rise above political differences and fight corruption together for India's bright future, especially Bihar. "This is the need of the hour and the nation," Modi tweeted. This comes after JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar CM following corruption charges on his alliance partner, RJD's Lalu Yadav and his family.

In dramatic developments in Bihar, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resigned as chief minister, dumping the RJD and Congress to stitch a new alliance with BJP, which quickly announced support to a new government under him. Kumar, whose resignation was immediately accepted by governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, will take oath at the chief minister at 5pm on Thursday.?In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government,? Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Kumar?s resignation, saying in doing so he has joined the fight against corruption. Immediately after Kumar announced his resignation, Modi tweeted: ?Congratulations! Mr Nitish Kumar for joining the fight against corruption.?Here are Wednesday?s highlights on the political crisis in Bihar:12.30am: Lalu Prasad says: ?Nitish Kumar has underlined that he is an opportunist. Having done what he has, he cannot stake claim without a challenge. The Congress, CPI-ML and independents will back our claims to form the next government... Struggle is my life. I have to be in Ranchi for the next three days. However, Tejashwi has been asked to present the claim to the governor in the forenoon tomorrow.?12.28am: Tejashwi Yadav along with RJD delegation will meet Bihar governor KN Tripathi at 11 am on Thursday; to stake claim for forming government.12.07am: Taking a letter of support to governor to stake claim for forming government: Prem Kumar, BJP, on Sushil Modi and Nitish Kumar?s meet with governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.12.04am: Have asked Governor for time to meet, being the largest party we will stake claim to from government, tweets Tejashwi Yadav. We will also get support from JDU MLAs, he says.11.56pm: Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi and BJP, JDU leaders leave for Raj Bhavan to meet governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.11.11pm: Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi reaches Raj Bhavan after being discharged from hospital.10.36pm: Nitish Kumar to take oath as CM of Bihar at 5pm tomorrow.10.31pm: Bihar governor KN Tripathi admitted to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna due to an ENT problem.10.20pm: Nitish may take oath on Thursday. A meeting of JD(U) and BJP MLAs is underway.10.07pm: When Nitish Kumar broke alliance with BJP in 2013 he choreographed and followed the same script to secure himself. He surrenders as per needs: Lalu Prasad?s tweet9.55pm: Sushil Modi says BJP has handed over a letter of support to the governor, and will be part of the new government. All NDA members are heading to 1, Aney Marg to elect Nitish Kumar as the leader, Modi adds.9.49pm: Sushil Modi, Nityanand Rai and other BJP MLAs reach Nitish Kumar?s residence in Patna for a meeting of JDU-BJP MLAs, reports ANI.9.30pm: Sushil Kumar Modi says BJP will be part of the government under Nitish Kumar. BJP and JD(U) leaders are headed to the Raj Bhawan to meet governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.9.02pm: ?There are charges against both Nitish and Tejashwi. The MLAs of the Grand Alliance parties should sit down and pick a new leader. Bihar?s poor, deprived and reservation-backed sections gave the Grand Alliance historic majority against the BJP. This is foeticide of the Grand Alliance? There were corruption allegations against us before. Did Nitish Kumar not know while making an alliance and forming a government?? -- Lalu Prasad?s tweets9.01pm: Nityanand Rai and I called Nitish Ji. The BJP decides to support him; we will support the government formed under him. We will inform the governor also: ANI?quotes Sushil Modi as saying9pm: Thank PM Modi for his tweet on my decision, tweets Nitish Kumar after resigning as Bihar CM8.55pm: There?s involvement of Narendra Modi. Nitish Kumar slapped people of Bihar. People like Sushil Modi are eager to form a government in Bihar: Lalu Prasad8.40pm: Meeting underway at Lalu Prasad?s residence in Patna. Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and senior RJD leaders present.8.23pm: CP Joshi was informed at the governor?s house; he asked Kumar to wait. Joshi said he will get back after a word with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi: ANI quotes sources8.21pm: Nitish Kumar did not inform Rahul Gandhi about his intention to resign in their meeting: ANI?quotes sources.8.02pm: I appeal to Nitish Kumar... All RJD, JD(U) and Congress MLAs should sit down and pick new leader and make a government... His unwillingness to do so will prove he has already struck a deal with the BJP: Lalu Prasad7.59pm: The BJP welcomes the battle against corruption in Bihar; not in favour of midterm elections... A three-member panel from Bihar will report to central leadership for final call: JP Nadda after the BJP?s parliamentary board meeting.7.58pm: We are deeply disappointed by the news of Nitish Kumar?s resignation. The Congress respects Nitish Kumar as a leader: Randeep Surjewala, Congress7.57pm: Nitish Kumar knew that he is accused of section 302; one of India?s CM is main accused in murder and arms case : Lalu Prasad7.51pm: Nitish Kumar had said that he will never join hands with BJP: Lalu Prasad7.50pm: RJD chief Lalu Prasad says did not speak to the press over corruption allegations against Tejashwi following lawyers? advice. 7.49pm: Nitish Kumar did not ask for resignation: RJD chief Lalu Prasad at a press conference after Nitish Kumar quits as Bihar CM.7.45pm: RJD chief Lalu Prasad to address a press conference shortly.7.42pm: We are happy that Bihar CM didn?t compromise on issue of corruption and did not kneel down before RJD: BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi7.36pm: We don?t want midterm elections in Bihar. The MLAs should complete their term. A three-member committee will talk to MLAs and apprise the Centre of the situation in the state: BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi7.26pm: Source say BJP legislature party to finalise support without preconditions at its meeting late evening today.7.25pm: Nitish-Lalu alliance was a mismatch. This had to happen: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Nitish Kumar?s resignation7.24pm: PM Narendra Modi arrives for BJP parliamentary meeting in Delhi.7.09pm: The country and time require that for the bright future of India, and especially Bihar, people need to rise above political disputes and fight against corruption together: Prime Minister Narendra Modi7.09pm: I congratulate Nitish Kumar for joining the fight against corruption. The 1.25 billion people of the country are welcoming and supporting his honesty: Prime Minister Narendra Modi7.08pm: Before resigning, I had informed Laluji and Congress Bihar in-charge CP Joshi: Nitish Kumar.7.05pm: Gandhiji always said needs can be met on the Earth, but greed can never be fulfilled: Nitish Kumar7.04pm: I am not blaming anyone, those who want to blame me are free to do so: Nitish Kumar7.02pm: I felt that for a person like me it was not possible to run this government. I don?t want to create a dispute... When I saw there was no other way... I broke myself away (from the alliance with the RJD). The governor has accepted my resignation, and asked me to continue working till the next development.6.58pm: We worked in the alliance till the point we could: Nitish Kumar6.57pm: If there are charges then they must have replied to it. We felt they were not in a position to speak: Nitish Kumar6.56pm: It?s not possible to work in this environment; I tried. Tried to find out a solution: Nitish Kumar6.52pm: The situation is such that it?s not possible to work. Whatever we do, the discussion is only about one thing: Nitish Kumar6.50pm: Not possible to work in the grand alliance. We made all attempts. We never asked for anyone?s resignation: Nitish Kumar6.34pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi amid speculation that he may resign.6.33pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on his way to Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Daisy Mowke

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Never said can't cast fair actors with Nawaz: Casting head

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/all-i-said-was-the-film-needed-actors-as-good-as-nawazuddin-babumshai-bandookbaaz-casting-director/story-uqvEUax8pHBwGlTf6TUi4N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The casting director of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, Sanjay Chouhan, has said he never made the remark that fair actors cannot be cast with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. "All I said was the film needed actors as good as Nawazuddin. You need actors who could match his stature," he added. Sanjay further said he would never want to hurt Nawazuddin by giving such statements.

The casting director of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, Sanjay Chouhan, has said he never made the ?fair and handsome? remark about actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, that has led to a controversy.Bengali actor Bidita Bag (L) and Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui pose for a photograph during a promotional event for Babumoshai Bandookbaaz. (AFP) Hours after Nawazuddin tweeted a cryptic message on racism in Bollywood, it was widely reported that Chouhan, in an interview to a daily, had said that after Chitrangada Singh quit the film they had to find an actress who could look good opposite the actor as they ?can?t cast fair and handsome people with Nawaz. It would look so weird.?Siddiqui tweet late Monday, ?Thank you for making me realise that I cannot be paired along with the fair and handsome because I?m dark and not good looking, but I never focus on that.?Thank U 4 making me realise dat I cannot b paired along wid d fair & handsome bcz I m dark & not good looking, but I never focus on that.? Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) July 17, 2017However, the casting director clarified Tuesday evening that his comments have been misconstrued. ?I was completely misquoted. All I said was the film needed actors as good as Nawazuddin. You need actors who could match his stature. I don?t know from where the ?fair and handsome? bit came but I never said the words,? Chouhan told PTI. ?I would never want to hurt Nawaz sir or the film by giving such statements. I haven?t spoken to him yet, but I am deeply saddened by how the comments, which I never made in the first place, have turned out,? he added. Meanwhile, Nawaz who was in Delhi on Tuesday to promote his upcoming film, reiterated his stand on the skin-colour debate and told HT City, ?A lot of people in this industry are racist. Because of this, I have been rejected a lot of times.?Follow @htshowbiz for more

Pragya Swastik

02 Apr 2017,Sunday

Only five large banks can survive in long-term: Uday Kotak

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/only-five-large-banks-can-survive-in-the-long-term-uday-kotak/1/918578.html

Uday Kotak, Kotak Mahindra Bank's Managing Director, said there will be strong consolidation in the financial services sector and only five large banks will survive in long-term. "Globally, only three to five large banks dominate. This is how the future will be in our country as well," he added. He said that SBI will be one of the surviving banks.

Mumbai, Apr 2 (PTI) Banker Uday Kotak feels there will be strong consolidation in the financial services sector and eventually only five players will dominate the space just like in the global space. "Globally, in most countries, there are only three to five large banks which dominate. This is how the future will be in our country as well," Kotak, vice-chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank, told PTI in an interview over the weekend here. India will be no exception to this global trend of having a few dominating players, he added. When asked about the names of banks which will dominate the domestic banking space, Kotak declined to specify the names but said State Bank of India will be one among them. "The rest who knows? Cant say anything about ourselves but each of us will have to do our bit to get ourselves onto the high table. You just cant take it for granted," he said. Kotak, whose bank is widely speculated to be interested in buyouts, acknowledged that consolidation is something his bank is interested in. "We are open to change that is bold and that can be game-changing in the financial services industry," he said, but quickly added that there is nothing to announce now. The board of the bank last week decided to raise over Rs 5,300 crore by diluting 3.3 per cent of the promoters holding, for pursuing a host of opportunities, including consolidation. When asked if his bank which completed an integration with ING Vysya Bank, is ready for another such exercise, Kotak replied in the positive. "Do you think we are fatigued? We are alive and kicking, and have learnt a lot from the merger. That does not mean we are rushing into a merger but we are always open and keep our eyes and ears open for consolidation," he said. He said the share of private sector lenders should eventually grow beyond the present 25 per cent or thereabout. "Competition may be from government banks, new players. You have to be alert, agile and paranoid," he said. Kotak also made a strong pitch for having norms on "bank mortality", underlining that not all the players who enter due to liberal rules cant make it commercially, and should thus be given exit options. "That is a big issue. Who is thinking about mortality in banking? We have to see in the long-term how it happens. As you make entry easier, mortality always have to be thought about," Kotak said. When asked about if e-wallets will succeed, Kotak said, "to some of those models, you need to ask the question- how will you get stickiness and ultimately monetise?" Advocating a faster push on growth, Kotak said he is getting the vibes of an uptick in growth. "Macroeconomic stability, now combined with political stability, is a very big plus for the country to embark faster on the growth side. This is our opportunity," he said. When pointed to the continuing reluctance of private sector to invest since the past three years now, Kotak said, "we need to be bold and get the animal spirits back. We will get it back, people should feel excited to invest."

Prashanti Moktan

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Mumbai Police may close AIB's PM Modi meme case: Report

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/all-india-bakchod-s-twitter-meme-on-pm-modi-mumbai-police-may-close-weak-case/story-i0XFWcGs8Ybcj5YF5mg0KL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

As per reports, Mumbai Police may close the case against comedy group AIB for posting a meme on PM Modi on Twitter as "the case is weak". Earlier, the police charged AIB of obscenity and defamation after receiving a complaint on the official Mumbai police Twitter handle. Legal experts had commented that Modi's consent was required for the defamation case.

With neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor any of his relatives alleging defamation or insult through the meme on Twitter, the Mumbai police are contemplating closing the case against All India Bakchod (AIB) co-founder Tanmay Bhat.On Thursday, the AIB tweeted a picture of Modi?s doppelganger peering into his mobile phone at a railway station.?They also uploaded a picture of Modi superimposed with a Snapchat filter with #Wanderlust, allegedly meant to mock Modi?s frequent foreign trips. After receiving a barrage of insults and hate messages from trolls, the group deleted its post.A senior police official told HT the case is weak. He said the post against Modi led to outrage on Twitter, with a complaint on the official Mumbai police Twitter handle too. Taking note of the complaint, the police booked the group for obscenity and defamation under the IT Act and IPC. Legal experts like Majeed Memon, Abha Singh, Dr Olav Albuquerque said the aggrieved person, in this case Modi, should file the defamation case. Albuquerque said the police can file an FIR only when they have consent of Modi or any of his relatives. Even as police officials close to the investigation are refusing to come on record they said the case may not stand in court..

Ayushi Ahluwalia

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Akhilesh is Aurangzeb, Mulayam is Shah Jahan: Amar Singh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amar-singh-akhilesh-yadav-aurangzeb-mulayam-singh-shahjahan/1/1014274.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Rajya Sabha MP and former Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh has likened SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to Aurangzeb and said his father Mulayam Singh Yadav was like Shah Jahan. "One who cannot honour his father loses trust of people as well," he added. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had held his father Shah Jahan captive after a tussle for the throne.

Amar Singh, the name once synonymous with Samajwadi Party, has lashed out at its President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav after two SP leaders quit the UP Legislative Council. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the party's former general secretary, Amar Singh, said that the Samajwadi Party has a dark future without its leader, Mulayam Singh Yadav.  Amar Singh was dismissed from the SP just ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election as the Yadav clan was embroiled in a bitter tussle to control the party. He claims to have snapped all ties with his political mentor.Reacting to the exit of two party legislators from the UP Upper House, Amar Singh said,"I am not happy at what's happening to the party which I raised with so much hard work and I am also not responding to any calls from Mulayam Singh Yadav since I was ousted twice from the Samajwadi Party and humiliated."He says, "Samajwadi Party is gone with the wind. It's a quick sand, so the exit of leaders is understood." "Samajwadi Party has become a regional party from once a national party for which Mulayam Singh Yadav and I had worked so hard," he adds.He says, "Akhilesh Yadav is Aurangzeb, power has gone into his head and Mulayam Singh Yadav is like Shahjahan." Recalling how Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had held his father Shahjahan captive during tussle for the throne. "Akhilesh is to be solely blamed for what is happening . One who cannot honour his father loses trust of people as well," Singh added. "Where have all those supporters of Akhilesh disappeared who used to chant slogans for him and call me names?" Recalling the good old days of the party, Amar Singh said, "Despite Mulayam Singh's opposition, I was the one who supported Akhilesh who wanted to marry out of his caste, but I was humiliated and thrown out. He couldn't handle power."Asked to comment on the latest development in Bihar, Amar Singh heaped praise on Prime Minister Modi. "This is Narendra Modi's victory that Nitish Kumar who once broke off from him is now joining hands with him, even Ram Vilas Paswan who once resigned is standing with him and America which denied him visa is welcoming him," he said. "Secularism has become a farce. Everyone is using it as per convenience.' "Today, there is 67 per cent BJP in the country, I have also worn saffron, no body can ignore this colour," he quipped, showing off his saffron kurta.ALSO READ:Amit Shah in Lucknow: 2 Samajwadi MLCs quit, 3 MLAs 'waiting' to join BJP

Mishika Bangia

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

No separate VVIP lanes at toll plazas: UP govt

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-separate-lane-at-toll-plazas-for-lawmakers-up-govt/story-3OAtt5YMxjCTsqBHCT86cI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The UP government has revoked its decision to provide separate VVIP lanes at toll plazas for MPs and MLAs stuck in traffic jams. Additional Chief Secretary Sadakant issued letters to all magistrates "modifying" an advisory dated July 13 that ensured separate VVIP lanes, which he said, "raised a number of questions". All existing facilities will benefit all citizens, he added.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday revoked its decision to provide a dedicated corridor at toll plazas for lawmakers in case of traffic snarls, after drawing flak from the opposition.Additional Chief Secretary Sadakant issued letters to all district magistrates and divisional commissioners ?modifying? an advisory dated July 13, which he said had led to confusion and raised a number of questions.It was mentioned in the advisory that in case of long traffic jams at toll collection centres and plazas, there should be a provision for separate lane for VVIPs.?...it is being made clear that for the VVIPs, no separate lane at the toll plazas will be constructed. All the facilities which are existing at the toll plazas/toll collection centres will be applicable for all the citizens. The previously issued advisory stands modified,? the additional chief secretary said in the letter.The July 13 advisory had drawn flak from opposition parties which alleged that instead of providing separate lanes to emergency vehicles, like ambulances, the government was doing so for politicians.UP Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh had said, ?On one hand the government had declared that it wanted to curb VIP culture by removing red and blue beacons from ministers and officials vehicles, and on the other it was passing such orders which will only strengthen VIP culture.?

Radhika Chugh

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Water supply to Ghaziabad, Noida to be disrupted temporarily

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/silt-deposit-shuts-canal-water-supply-in-ghaziabad-to-be-hit/story-SA5gdPPgep96HWfoQsg66M.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Water supply to Ghaziabad and Noida will be temporarily disrupted because of silt deposit in the Upper Ganga Canal, caused by heavy rains in Uttarakhand. An official from Ghaziabad's water treatment plant said, "The issues of low supply and disruption will persist for some days. The water supply to the plant is low and it will decrease further by Friday."

Ganga water supply to Ghaziabad will be disrupted for a couple of days due to silt deposit in the canal, officials said.The UP irrigation department has shut the Upper Ganga Canal (UGC). Officials of UP Jal Nigam said that the Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) has been temporarily shut due to silt deposit caused by heavy rains in Uttarakhand.The UGC, which originates from Haridwar, supplies Ganga water to two treatment plants at Pratap Vihar in Ghaziabad where the water is treated and supplied to trans-Hindon areas of Ghaziabad and neighbouring Noida.?The water supply through the canal has been stopped. We received the information on Thursday afternoon and it will be put into effect in 12 hours. The issues of low supply and disruption will persist for a couple of days. The water supply to the plant is low and it will decrease further by Friday,? said Neelam, project manager of UP Jal Nigam at the Ganga water treatment plant in Ghaziabad.Residents in trans-Hindon areas said that their routine will be disrupted as a majority of the trans-Hindon population is dependent on Ganga water.?It will be problematic as residents are primarily dependent on the Ganga water supply. We don?t have groundwater supply. Also, we have not installed water purification systems and there will be a problem of unclean water supply,? said Meenakshi Mishra, of Gyan Khand in Indirapuram.Read I Ganga water supply shut in Noida, Ghaziabad?Ganga water supply in our area is comparatively low. We are mostly depended on groundwater supply,? said Vijay Laxmi, of Vaishali Sector 5.Of the two plants at Pratap Vihar, the 120MLD plant supplies 45MLD to Noida and 75 MLD to trans-Hindon Ghaziabad. 200MLD from the second plant, of 245MLD capacity, is supplied to Noida and 45MLD to Ghaziabad.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

09 Jul 2017,Sunday

St Teresa's blue-bordered sari trademarked

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/saint-teresas-blue-bordered-sari-an-intellectual-property-now/1/997725.html

Saint Teresa's blue-bordered sari was recognised as an Intellectual Property of the Missionaries of Charity after she was cannonised last year, reports said. The charity made the trademark public recently after it witnessed "unfair usage of the design across the globe." It is the first time that a uniform has been protected under the Intellectual Property rights, reports added.

Amitava Roy Kolkata, July 9 (PTI) The famous blue-bordered sari of Mother Teresa, who has been canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Vatican, has been recognised as an Intellectual Property of the Missionaries of Charity. "The Trade Marks Registry, Government of India, has granted the registration of the trade mark for that pattern of blue border of sari," Intellectual Property attorney Biswajit Sarkar said. The diminutive nun of Albanian descent went around the streets of Kolkata since 1948 to be with the poor and the destitutes wearing a white sari with three blue borders, the outer border being wider than the two inner ones. "The blue-designed border on the sari worn by nuns of the Missionaries of Charity was recognised as Intellectual Property for the organisation on September four, 2016, the day the Mother was canonised," Sarkar told PTI here. "The Missionaries of Charity does not believe in publicity and as such it was not publicised, but since we are witnessing unscrupulous and unfair usage of the design across the globe, we are now trying to spread awareness among people about the trademark," Sarkar said. "The blue border pattern is a distinctive symbolic identity of the Missionaries of Charity under the concept of colour trade mark protection," he said. Applications were filed before the Trade Marks Registry on December 12, 2013 and after "a stringent test of legal proceedings" for nearly three years, the registrations were granted. In order to mark the sainthood of Mother Teresa, the Government of India granted the trade mark registration on the same day on September four, 2016, despite it being a Sunday, Sarkar said. The exclusive right of use of the said blue pattern on white saris adopted by the Missionaries of Charity is unique and is the first time ever that a uniform has been protected under the Intellectual Property rights, the attorney said. Born in 1910 at Skopje in Macedonia in a Catholic family and baptised as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, she came to India in 1929 as Sister Mary Teresa and went to Darjeeling for her novitiate period. She later came to Kolkata and was assigned as a teacher at Saint Marys High School for Girls before she was given consent by her convent in 1948 to work for the poor.

Radhika Chugh

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

No need for separate law on mob lynching: Home Ministry

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-separate-law-for-mob-lynching-home-ministry-in-rajya-sabha/story-4fhFi2pXDC54dEQ5WpuJWJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir said on Wednesday that the government is not considering a separate law to tackle mob lynching incidents, in response to Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's question in the Rajya Sabha. "The state governments can take action against person or persons involved in such incidents under existing laws," he added.

The government is not mulling a separate law to tackle mob lynching incidents, minister of state for home affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said on Wednesday.Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, Ahir said that whether a lynching is done by a single person or by several persons, the existing laws can deal with it.?The state governments can take action against person or persons involved in such incidents under existing laws. I don?t think there is a need for a separate law,? Ahir said.The minister was responding to a supplementary question by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who asked if the central government was planning to modify the CrPC and IPC to deal with mob lynching in the name of cow protection which he said was ?emerging as a trend now?.The minister said the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain a separate data of killings in the name of cow protection.Stressing that law and order was a state subject, Ahir said Home Minister Rajnath Singh had already issued an advisory to all the states to take prompt action in cases of cow vigilantism and nab the culprits.Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal, who had asked the primary question on cow vigilantism, accused ?BJP people? of involvement in such incidents. Ahir objected to the reference to BJP cadres in this connection. Not satisfied with the Minister?s reply, Samajwadi Party MPs walked up to the Chairman?s podium and shouted slogans.?Gau raksha ke naam pe hatya, nahi chalegi (Killings in the name of cow protection won?t be accepted),? they shouted in a chorus as other opposition members stood up at their desks.Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House for 10 minutes amidst sloganeering.

Saloni Tandon

08 Dec 2016,Thursday

I read my own tweets for entertainment: Sehwag

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sehwag-figures-in-his-own-favourites-list/1/829406.html

Former cricketer Virender Sehwag, who is known for his tweets, has said he reads his own posts for entertainment. "Ranveer Singh said he reads my tweets at midnight and jumps laughing...Now I also watch my own batting videos on YouTube and enjoy. I read my tweets and enjoy...I have entertained people so much, I also have a right," said Sehwag.

Shubhodeep Datta

18 Jan 2017,Wednesday

?56 crore cash, 1.98 lakh litres alcohol seized from UP: EC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/polls-maximum-cash-liquor-seizures-in-up-drugs-in-punjab/1/860059.html

An amount of ?56 crore was recovered from poll-bound Uttar Pradesh till January 17, the Election Commission said. Further, 1.98 lakh litres alcohol worth over ?6 crore was also seized from the state. In total, the poll panel recovered ?64 crore in cash, liquor worth over ?6 crore and narcotics worth over ?2 crore from all the five election-bound states.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) Election Commission-appointed surveillance and expenditure monitoring teams have recovered over Rs 64 crore in cash, including Rs 56.04 crore from Uttar Pradesh alone, and liquor and drugs worth over Rs 8 crore from the five poll-bound states. As per official data, Punjab has witnessed the maximum seizure of drugs worth Rs 1.78 crore (heroine and poppy husk) followed by contraband in Goa valued at Rs 16.72 lakh while such seizures in Manipur amounted to Rs 7 lakh. Among other illegal inducements used to bribe voters during the polls, the maximum of 1.98 lakh litres liquor worth Rs 6.06 crore has been seized in Uttar Pradesh while 10,646 litres of spirit has been seized in Punjab, valued at Rs 17.54 lakh. Officials said a total of "Rs 64.38 crore in cash, Rs 6.23 crore of liquor and over Rs two crore worth narcotics have been seized in the five poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur, till data recorded upto January 17." UP has led the suspicious cash seizures tally with Rs 56.04 crore (Rs 31.65 lakh in old notes) followed by Punjab at Rs 8.17 crore, Uttarakhand Rs 10 lakh and Manipur Rs 6.95 lakh.  There has been no cash and illicit liquor seizure in Goa and Uttarakhand till now while Manipur has had no liquor seizure even as UP saw no drugs seizure till now.

Abhishek Bansal

10 Jun 2017,Saturday

Time has come to take PoK back: Baba Ramdev

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmir-unrest-pakistan-occupied-kashmir-pok-baba-ramdev/1/975431.html

Terming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as the root cause of the persistent Kashmir unrest, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has said the only solution to the problem at this point of time is India acquiring the PoK territory. "PM should look into this issue and make a start in a phased manner to acquire PoK," Ramdev added.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has come out with a very specific demand for the Narendra Modi government- take Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) back from Pakistan. Terming PoK as the root cause of the persistent Kashmir unrest, he said PM should work in this direction to rid the northern state from its longstanding turmoil.

Saloni Tandon

26 Jun 2017,Monday

Roger Federer wins his career's 100th title

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/roger-federer-100th-title-wimbledon-halle-open/1/987464.html

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer registered his career's 100th title, winning the Halle Open in Germany on Sunday. The victory was Federer's 16th grass court and 92nd singles title, his fourth this year, after wins at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami Open. The 18-time Grand Slam champion is the 10th to reach the landmark of 100 career titles.

Roger Federer's  6-1 6-3 win over Alexander Zverev was nothing short of historic as records tumbled left, right and centre.The Halle Open win was the hundredth title of his long and illustrious career, 92 of which are singles crowns while eight have come in doubles. He is 10th to reach this landmark in the history of professional Tennis.With the Grass season truly underway and Wimbledon just around the corner, the Swiss racked in his 16th grass title, nine of which have come at the Halle Open itself. He won the title in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2012 are the years he won the Wimbledon Grand Slam.Halle Open also tops the list of most titles for Federer at a single completion with Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters, Basel and Dubai Opens (all at seven titles) coming in a close second.He is also third on the list of most singles titles and quickly closing in on second placed Ivan Lendl (who has 94 titles) and the leader -- Jimmy Connors, who has 109 titles to his name.The 35-year-old victor claimed the Halle Open title one week ahead of the Wimbledon tournament and had to hardly break a sweat in his 140th career final.Interestingly, he also became the first player to beat both the Zverev brothers at the same event. He defeated older sibling Mischa in the round of 16.Federer, who skipped the clay-court season after winning the Miami Open earlier this year, claimed his fourth title of the year. He has now matched Rafael Nadal's tally and will be seeded ahead of the Spaniard for Wimbledon, which starts in eight days.

Sanira Mediratta

06 Apr 2017,Thursday

World's only floating national park is in India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-is-home-to-the-only-floating-national-park-in-the-world-keibul-lamjao-manipur-loktak/1/588310.html

The Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in the Loktak Lake in Manipur, India, is known as the only floating national park in the world. The area is characterised by 'phumdis', a Manipuri word referring to floating mats of soil and vegetation. Among numerous animal species, the park is home to the brow-antlered deer, which is locally known as the 'Sangai'.

A proposition to travel to the North East is always exciting, and Manipur is a place that provides a gateway to this picturesque part of the country. Most of us have heard about the iconic Loktak Lake, located in Bishnupur district, at a distance of 53km from Imphal. More so, because it is considered to be the largest freshwater lake in the eastern part of India. It is known among travellers and photographers due to the round-shaped floating swamps, called Phumdis in the local language.But that's not all that this lake has. Very few travellers are aware of Keibul Lamjao, which is the only floating national park in the world. Accessible only by the dugout canoes, this green beauty is perched in the middle of the Loktak Lake. This forest is home to the sangai, or the brow-antlered deer, which is one of the most endangered species of deer in the world. The sangai is the state animal of Manipur and is an important part of the sociocultural life of the people. There is even an annual festival of dance and music that is named after this rare animal. According to a census done in April 2014, the total number of sangais in Keibul stood at 204. If media reports are to be believed, the number fell in 2015, but it's not confirmed as the forest officials didn't have enough funds to carry out a head count that year. Also read: 10 wildlife destinations in India you must visit this winter

Prashanti Moktan

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Police seeks Twitter's help to recover AIB's deleted PM pic

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/aib-controversy-mumbai-cops-seek-twitter-s-help-to-retrieve-deleted-photo-of-pm-modi/story-0177GuVC5Nm0Xdz3op37iK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Mumbai Police is seeking Twitter's help to retrieve the now-deleted picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which comedy group AIB had earlier tweeted. As per a senior police officer, Twitter will need to verify if such a post was actually uploaded or not. The police has already registered an FIR against AIB over the picture.

Cyber police investigating the defamation and obscenity case against All India Bakchod (AIB) said they are seeking Twitter?s help to retrieve the group?s now-deleted photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.?After receiving a complaint on our Twitter handle, we took swift action and registered an?FIR. However, investigations revealed that the group had deleted the photo in question. We need Twitter to verify if such a post was actually uploaded or not,? said a senior officer from cyber department, who did not wish to be named.On Thursday, AIB tweeted a picture of Modi?s doppelganger peering into his mobile phone at a railway station.?They also uploaded a picture of Modi himself, onto which a dog?s nose, ears and tongue were superimposed using a Snapchat filter. This was accompanied by the hashtag #Wanderlust, meant to allegedly mock Modi?s frequent foreign trips. After receiving a barrage of insults and hate messages from trolls, the group deleted its post.An FIR was registered against the group. ?Even if you delete a post, that does not mean it has disappeared from the internet. Twitter will still have a copy, which it can retrieve. A screenshot of the post will suffice initially, but the court will need Twitter officials to verify the photograph as the accused had used their platform,? said cyber expert Vijay Mukhi.Some experts alleged selective action. ?I agree with the FIR, but why are the police only targeting AIB? Why have they not acted against other instances of harassment and abuse on Twitter? There is so much trolling on that site. Everyone should be treated equally under the law,? said cyber expert Ritesh Bhatia.

Mansha Mahajan

20 May 2017,Saturday

Treat first 9 months under GST as trial period: Trade body

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/treat-first-9-months-under-gst-as-trial-period-cait/1/958182.html

Traders' body CAIT has suggested that the first nine months of GST, from its rollout date of July 1, should be treated as a trial period. No punitive action should be taken against businesses for procedural mistakes to allow them to get familiarised with the new regime, it added. "Let this period be a learning period," it stated.

New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) Traders body CAIT today suggested the first nine months of GST, from its rollout date of July 1, should be treated as a trial period and no punitive action taken against businesses for procedural mistakes to allow them to get familiarised with the new regime. Commenting on the outcome of the GST Council meeting that concluded today, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that classification of goods under different tax slabs of GST are by and large fitted in the correct basket and it is expected that goods will become cheaper under the new indirect tax regime. "However, on the other side, several items which have been placed under higher category of tax rate will disturb the pricing structure and pinch the common man," said B C Bhartia, president of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). He pointed out that items like pickles, sauces, and instant mixer pertaining to food processing which are consumed by large number of people, have been placed under the higher tax rate of 18 per cent. The CAIT further said that while the GST should be implemented from the scheduled date of July 1, the remaining nine months of the current fiscal "may be declared as trial period" and except habitual offenders, no action should be taken against traders for procedural mistakes.

Vani Vivek

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

iPhones worth ?3.8 crore stolen from moving truck

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/31/iphones-stolen-from-moving-truck-real-life-fast-and-furious-dutch-police?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Police have arrested five men for stealing nearly ?3.8 crore-worth iPhones from a moving delivery truck in the Netherlands. The men drove close to the back of the truck and one of the suspects climbed onto it to break in through the doors while it was being driven. He then passed the iPhones from the truck to other suspects.

Dutch police have arrested five men suspected of stealing ?500,000 (£448,000) of iPhones in a dangerous late-night heist from a moving truck akin to action scenes from Fast and Furious.Dutch police said that the five men, aged from 33 to 43 and all from Romania, allegedly raided a delivery truck full of iPhones on the A73 highway near Horst on the night of 24 July. Using a modified van, they drove close enough to the back of the truck to allow one of the suspects to climb onto it and break in through the doors while it was being driven down the road.The suspect then passed boxes of Apple?s iPhone from the delivery truck into the modified van through a hole in its roof.Dutch police spokesman Ed Kraszewski said that officers had long been investigating thefts from trucks but had remained sceptical that such a heist could be pulled off. Not any more.Kraszewski said: ?The truck was taking its freight from A to B and did not stop. Even so, [the phones] were gone. So it must have happened that way. And now we finally have the evidence, with the van and the loot.?The five men were arrested at a holiday park in the central Netherlands on Saturday. Police recovered the iPhones and the van they believe was used in the heist. The suspects are to appear Tuesday before an investigating judge.Kraszewski said similar raids had been reported elsewhere in Europe, almost always targeting high-end smartphones, but that there had been no arrests until now. The thieves are accused of being responsible for emptying 17 trucks of expensive goods since 2015, according to local reports.Romanian police released a video, shot from a police helicopter of a similar raid from 2012, where thieves drove up behind a truck using an angle grinder to break open the doors and steal goods while other members of the gang held-back traffic in other cars.Dutch police will send the fingerprints of the suspects to colleagues around Europe to check for potential matches to previous crimes.

Dishant Sharma

28 Jul 2017,Friday

99% donated player brains had degenerative brain disease

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/25/concussion-study-nfl-cte-college-players?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A research conducted on the donated brains of 111 NFL players has found that 99% of them showed symptoms of a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study also found that the disease was increasingly severe in players who had spent more time on the field.

The largest ever study of cases of football players with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has, again, found a link between the condition and ?prior participation in football?, particularly in professionals.The study looked at the brains of 111 NFL players and found CTE in 110 of them, or 99% of those studied.Researchers at Boston University and the Boston Veterans Affairs health system examined the brains of 202 high school, college, semi-professional and NFL players for evidence of the disease. They found increasingly severe CTE in players who had spent more time on the field. ?My hope is we?ll stop arguing about whether or not this is a problem, or whether or not it needs to be addressed,? said Dr Ann McKee of Boston University. ?We need to take our heads out of the sand. It?s not going away because we want it to.? CTE is associated with repeated blows to the head, including concussions. Symptoms include difficulty with attention and memory, dementia, mood disorders and headaches. The players in the study had played football for an average of 15 years, and died at a median age of 66 years old. CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death.Researchers found the most severe cases of CTE in athletes who had played the longest, and at the highest levels. For example, the three high school football players identified with CTE had mild symptoms, but the majority of college and semi-professional players (56%) had severe signs of the disease. Eighty-six percent of professional players had severe CTE. Players with the most severe CTE were also most likely to report clinical symptoms. Of the 84 participants with severe CTE, 80 (95%) had cognitive symptoms, 75 (89%) had behavioral, mood symptoms or both, and 71 (85%) had signs of dementia. Researchers warned that their study can not be used to assess how many people who play football develop CTE, because their sample was not random. The brains were donated by family members, most of whom said their loved ones had reported CTE symptoms during their lifetimes. The former Chicago Bears running back Mike Adamle said he and others have formed a ?fraternity? of players who have suspected cases of the disease. ?The only thing I remember is he said, ?You have symptoms that are concurrent with CTE,?? said Adamle, about a clinical diagnosis from his doctor. ?We?ve got sort of a fraternity of players who just call each other up whenever we need it and for lack of a better phrase talk each other off the ledge ? You really do get paranoid and depressed.?CTE was at first believed to primarily impact boxers, but in recent years it has increasingly become associated with football, hockey and military service. The NFL has for years been under sustained scrutiny because of the head trauma players endure. The NFL maintains that player safety is a top priority. However, as recently as 2016, a congressional investigation accused the NFL of seeking to influence CTE research with donations to the National Institutes of Medicine. The NFL only acknowledged a link between degenerative brain disorders and the sport in 2016, after years of downplaying the links. The league also recently settled a class action lawsuit with players for $1bn. ?This is just the individuals who have come into our bank,? said McKee, noting it is unclear how many more players may have the disease. She said the need to be able to diagnose the disease while people are still alive is increasingly urgent. ?We need to bring them reasons for hope and optimism,? she said. In a statement to the Guardian, the NFL said it welcomed McKee?s research. ?We appreciate the work done by Dr McKee and her colleagues for the value it adds in the ongoing quest for a better understanding of CTE. Case studies such as those compiled in this updated paper are important to further advancing the science and progress related to head trauma. The medical and scientific communities will benefit from this publication and the NFL will continue to work with a wide range of experts to improve the health of current and former NFL athletes. ?As noted by the authors, there are still many unanswered questions relating to the cause, incidence and prevalence of long-term effects of head trauma such as CTE. The NFL is committed to supporting scientific research into CTE and advancing progress in the prevention and treatment of head injuries.?

Sultan Mirza

17 Jul 2017,Monday

OnePlus 5 most bought item in Amazon.in?s Prime Day sale

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/oneplus-5-was-best-selling-smartphone-on-amazon-prime-day-sale/1/1002089.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The OnePlus 5 smartphone has emerged as the 'bestseller' in India during the Amazon Prime Day sale. Amazon Prime members were offered the ?32,999 OnePlus 5 smartphone at an additional cashback of ?2,000. The smartphone is powered by the most powerful processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and comes with upto 8GB RAM along with the proprietary 'Dash Charge' technology of OnePlus.

OnePlus 5 becomes the best selling smartphone during the Amazon Prime day, claims the online retail store. Amazon says that during the Prime Day sale, OnePlus 5 sales have seen an upsurge of up to 6 times, as compared to the hourly sales on the platform. The ecommerce site further adds that, "Amazon sales are exclusive of sales through the oneplusstore.in and offline experience stores." After becoming the best selling smartphone on Amazon, Vikas Agarwal, General Manager - India, OnePlus said, "We are overwhelmed by the nation-wide response we have received for the OnePlus 5 during the Amazon 'Prime Day' sale. Furthermore, Amazon.in played a vital role in the success of the OnePlus 5, which has been clear from the reactions to the phone since its recent launch. We are committed to giving OnePlus fans the best smartphone and the OnePlus 5 has proved to be just that."Earlier last week, there are another report that claimed that the flagship phone by OnePlus - the OnePlus 5 has also become the highest revenue-grossing smartphone in the launch week on Amazon with over 3 times sales growth when as compared to that of the OnePlus 3T.

Chhavi Tyagi

25 Feb 2017,Saturday

Kargil martyr's daughter starts online campaign against ABVP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/not-afraid-of-abvp-says-kargil-martyrs-daughter-on-fb-goes/1/891194.html

Days after Delhi University's Ramjas College saw violent clashes, a Lady Shri Ram College student who is a Kargil martyr's daughter has initiated a social media campaign #StudentsAgainstABVP. She held a placard that read, "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP".

Days after Delhi University's Ramjas college saw violent clashes, a Lady Sri Ram College student who is a Kargil martyr's daughter has initiated a social media campaign, "I am not scared of ABVP", which has gone viral.Gurmehar Kaur , daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, changed her Facebook profile picture holding a placard which read, "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP"."The brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP is very disturbing and should be stopped. It was not an attack on protesters, but an attack on every notion of democracy that is held dear in every Indians heart. It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation," she said in a Facebook status."The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas. This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear," she added.The literature students classmates and peers started sharing the post, prompting students from various universities across the country to change their profile pictures with the same placard, as the initiative went viral.Kaurs Facebook post so far has 2,100 reactions, 3,456 shares and 542 comments.

Ankur Vyas

21 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Cong poster offers ?5L reward for finding Prashant Kishor

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prashant-kishor-congress-missing-posters-uttar-pradesh-assembly-election/1/908073.html

A poster was spotted outside Congress office in Lucknow announcing an award of ?5 lakh to the person who finds poll strategist Prashant Kishor and presents him before party workers. The poster was removed immediately after it was spotted by state Congress chief Raj Babbar. Notably, Prashant Kishor was Congress' chief poll strategist for the recent Uttar Pradesh polls.

Congress state President Raj Babbar today spotted a poster announcing a reward of Rs 5 lakh to the person who finds political strategist Prashant Kishor and presents him before the party workers. The posters were removed immediately.According to reports, the missing poster was put up by secretary in the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Rajesh Singh, who however denied them. He has now been suspended.Kishor has been facing criticism since the party lost in the recently-ended Uttar Pradesh elections. He was handpicked by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to manage the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Reports suggest that Kishor was the one to suggest the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance.

Niharika Prabhakar

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Men held for posing as Delhi policemen and robbing people

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-men-who-wore-khaki-posed-as-policemen-to-rob-people-held/story-URRMeAxCvyPMsi4oYlHigI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Three members of a gang have been arrested for wearing khaki uniform and posing as policemen to rob people in Delhi. The gang dressed as policemen would reportedly check the target vehicle's documents, rob the occupants at gunpoint, and then throw them outside at an isolated stretch of road. Two other members of the gang are still on the run.

A gang of robbers who wore khaki uniform and posed as policemen to rob people in Delhi has been busted, police said on Thursday.Their latest heist was on last Saturday when they targeted jewellers in east Delhi?s Mayur Vihar and made away with their car and silvery jewellery worth over Rs 17 lakh.While three men involved in the robbery have been arrested, their two associates remain on the run. Having recovered some of the robbed jewellery, police said they were hopeful of recovering much of the rest.These robbers relied on people?s fear of policemen to execute their robberies. Each member of this gang would be dressed in police uniforms and would travel in two different cars, an Ertiga and an Elantra.Once they would choose a vehicle as their target, they would chase and intercept it. Then posing as policemen, they would begin checking the vehicle?s documents.As soon as they would sense that the vehicle?s occupants were relaxed, they would seize the opportunity to enter the vehicle and abduct them at gunpoint, said Ram Gopal Naik, DCP (crime).The kidnapped persons would then be separated and loaded into the three different vehicles before being robbed. They would then be thrown outside at an isolated stretch of road.In their latest robbery on Saturday, they had intercepted a Honda City car in which three jewellers were travelling near Star City Mall in Mayur Vihar. After robbing their car and the silver jewellery items they were carrying, they threw the jewellers on the roadside.Police said they had deployed their sources to help identify the robbers. On Wednesday, one of them tipped off the investigators about some of these robbers visited Siraspur in north Delhi to sell off some of the robbed jewellery.Police laid a trap and arrested three suspects, Bharat Bhushan, Pankaj and Ravi Datta. At their instance, the police were able to recover seven kilos of the robbed silver.

Niharika Prabhakar

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

Man arrested for speaking against PM Modi, cows in video

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jharkhand-muslim-man-s-abusive-video-against-pm-and-cows-lands-him-in-jail/story-tL7qfYOmnEmBlY3a7FmzZL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Jharkhand Police on Monday arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cows in a WhatsApp video. "The content in the video was explicitly provocative. Any person found spreading communally sensitive content in social media will not be spared," police officials said. Eleven such people have been jailed in Hazaribag district alone this year, they added.

Police in Jharkhand?s Hazaribag arrested a 25-year-old Muslim man late Monday night for allegedly abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cows in a video that recently went viral on WhatsApp, Hazaribag superintendent of police Anup Birthare said on Tuesday.Later Tuesday, a judicial magistrate remanded Mohammad Arif to 14 days of police custody. This is the second incidence in a month when a Muslim man has been sent to jail for speaking explicitly against Modi in BJP-ruled Jharkhand. On June 23, the Sahibganj police arrested 20-year-old Sameer Ansari for allegedly raising anti-Modi and anti-India slogans in a video which was largely shared on social media.Arif, who was arrested from Keredari block in Hazaribag, about 95 kilometers from the state capital Ranchi, is a motorcycle mechanic, police said.?The content in the video was explicitly provocative. Any person found spreading communally sensitive content in social media will not be spared,? Birthare said.In the video, Arif had allegedly disrespected cows and also threatened to slaughter cows openly, police sources said. He had shot the video and was also the first person to share it on WhatsApp, they said.He added that at least 11 such people, including Hindus and Muslims, have been jailed in Hazaribag alone this year for fanning communal hatred on social media.The government has prohibited sharing communally sensitive content of social media across all the 24 districts of the state.Read more: Jharkhand: Tension simmers in Giridh after temple desecration; cops detain sixEarlier this month, the Hazaribag administration had issued externment orders against 20 people for spreading communal hatred.At least five incidents of communal clashes have rocked Jharkhand in the past one month.On July 14, a Shiva temple was vandalized in Hazaribag by a deranged Muslim man, resulting in communal clashes. Giridih district witnessed communal clashes after a Muslim man allegedly vandalized a Durga idol at a village temple on July 18.On June 29, a Muslim trader Alimuddin Ansari was lynched to death for carrying beef. A Muslim man was thrashed on June 27 by cow vigilantes after the carcass of a cow was found near his residence in Giridih.Communal flare ups were also reported from capital Ranchi and Jamshedpur.

Arshiya Chopra

08 Jul 2017,Saturday

Manoj Tiwari urges Delhi traders to boycott Chinese goods

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manoj-tiwari-delhi-bjp-president-boycott-chinese-goods/1/997070.html

BJP Delhi President Manoj Tiwari on Friday urged Delhi's traders to stop selling Chinese goods to give a big blow to the Chinese economy. He added that China's economy was largely dependent on Indian markets and boycotting their goods would teach neighbours a lesson. He further said China was acting like a 'goonda' and is disturbed by India's growing power.

Here's yet another call to boycott Chinese goods in India, this time from the ruling BJP. In the wake of escalating tension along the India-China border, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Friday appealed to Delhi's traders to refuse selling Chinese products as that will be a big blow to the Chinese economy.He said, notwithstanding China's military, its economy was largely dependent on Indian markets and traders here should boycott selling their products to teach the neighbour a lesson. Tiwari was interacting with traders of Khan Market and Hauz Khas Village on Friday evening, regarding their concerns on the roll out of GST.Traders' association of Khan Market said it would ask traders not to sell Chinese goods during the upcoming festive season. "We will write to the traders of Khan Market to boycott Chinese goods. After all it is in the national interest," said Sanjiv Mehra, President of Khan Market Traders' Association.CHINA FRUSTRATED: TIWARIReferring to China in the context of GST, Tiwari said it was troubled by the economic reform in India and the tension on border was an outcome of China's frustration."China is acting like a goonda. It is disturbed by India's growing economic and strategic power. Since India is the biggest market of Chinese goods, we must stop using them. This will affect China's economy the most," Tiwari said.Last year, too, there came up a campaign to boycott Chinese goods in the wake of "Make in India", which escalated after the Uri attack, ahead of Diwali. However, Tiwari noted that last year traders had already stocked large quantities of Chinese products such as firecrackers and lights, and hence feared heavy losses."This year you (traders) should rethink purchasing Chinese products ahead of the festive season," he appealed.Another trader of Khan Market said that he supported the call for boycotting Chinese goods, but sought from the government a hassle-free trading environment within the country so that their business was not affected. He also suggested that awareness should be created among the public about the benefits of GST.About the concerns over GST, Tiwari assured the traders that government would not harass citizens. He said the grievances will be addressed soon.Also Read:Why China will mend ways to defuse border tension and not boast of 1962

Aarushi Maheshwari

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

Ukrainian enters airport on fake ticket to see off friend

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ukranian-held-for-entering-delhi-airport-on-fake-ticket/1/1011767.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Ukrainian national was arrested for allegedly entering the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi using a fake ticket on Tuesday. The accused, S Podbolotnyy, has claimed he entered the airport terminal on a cancelled ticket to see off his female friend. He has been handed over to the police.

New Delhi, Jul 26 (PTI) A Ukraine national has been apprehended for entering the Indira Gandhi International airport terminal allegedly using a fake ticket. He was apprehended yesterday around 11 am when the Central Industrial Security Force personnel, deployed for the airports security, found him roaming suspiciously inside the terminal building, a senior official in airport security said today. The man was identified as Ukranie national S Podbolotnyy. He told the CISF personnel that he had come to see off his woman friend, who was travelling to Almaty, the official said.

Arshiya Chopra

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Sanjay Kothari appointed Secretary to President-elect Kovind

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sanjay-kothari-appointed-secretary-to-new-president-ashok-malik-is-press-in-charge/story-uOP7Wf13WtcCOFzhQKk3NO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Sanjay Kothari, a 1978-batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, as the Secretary to President-elect Ram Nath Kovind. The committee also declared Senior journalist Ashok Malik as Press Secretary to Kovind. The appointments have been cleared for an initial period of two years by the committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle of 40 senior and mid-level officers, Indian Forest Services officer of Gujarat cadre Bharat Lal has been appointed joint secretary to President-elect Ram Nath Kovind. Known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lal earlier served as resident commissioner of Gujarat Bhawan in New Delhi. Ashok Malik, a well-known columnist, commentator, distinguished fellow at one of India?s leading think tanks, Observer Research Foundation, will be the press secretary to the new President. The third major appointment in the office of the President was that of Sanjay Kothari, an lAS officer of 1978 batch of Haryana cadre and currently the chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). He was made secretary to the President-elect.The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Modi approved these appointments to the office of the President for an initial period of two years. Other appointments included that of Vasudha Mishra, who was managing director of NCDCI. She was appointed additional secretary, department of administrative reforms and public grievances in place of Usha Sharma, an lAS officer of 1985 batch of Rajasthan cadre. Sharma has been appointed as director general, Archaeological Survey of India, a post that was lying vacant after the retirement of Rakesh Tewari.Sanjiv Gupta, 1985 batch lAS officer of Himachal Pradesh and additional secretary, department of industrial policy & promotion , has been appointed as the CEO, National E-Governance Division (NeGD), ministry of electronics & information technology. Sunil Kumar, a 1987-batch officer of UP batch and joint secretary, department of commerce, was appointed as additional secretary in the same department.

Nandini Sinha

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

New Zealand gangs plan 'fight club' to relieve tension

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/19/notorious-new-zealand-gangs-plan-fight-club-to-work-out-grievances?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Gang members in New Zealand are reportedly planning to organise a 'fight club' involving boxing matches between rival gangs that leaders hope will present a way to vent tension. The organisers claimed that a series of killings in Northland last year had escalated gang tensions. Notably, 80% of violence in the region is related to disputes over drugs.

Hundreds of gang members in New Zealand are preparing for the inaugural ?fight club? ? an organised boxing match between rival gangs that leaders hope will present a safe way to vent simmering tensions.Some 60 rival gang members from some of New Zealand?s most notorious chapters ? including Black Power, Head Hunters and Nomads ? will face off at a Whangarei community centre on Saturday night. It is the fourth choice of venue after three other options pulled out of the controversial event. Former gang member and event organiser Tokomauri Hoterene said a spate of gang killings in Northland on the North Island in 2016 had brought gang tensions in his region to new highs. There are ten different gangs in Northland and Hoterene said 80% of the violence is related to disputes over drugs. Hoterene and his fellow organisers hope some of the lingering anger can be punched out in the boxing ring, but its been a challenge to get venues and some members of the community on board. ?As soon as anybody hear?s gang ? boom ? shuts down. We went through three venues till we actually found one ... we are looking at doing this properly, it has to be controlled because we want this to continue,? Hoterene told Maori Television. ?I?d rather walk out of a ring with a broken nose and a black eye and maybe some more missing teeth than I would coming home in a box? The president of the New Zealand chapter of the Mongrel Mob known as Smashdog told Maori Television it was about time gangs started addressing their differences. ?We should be sticking together you know, brothers aye, that?s what we?re all about, sticking together,? he said. ?Things have changed. We?re trying to make good all the P [methamphetamine] and all that sort of stuff and all the murders. We?ve just had enough.?Whangarei Police said in a statement they were aware of fight night and there would be an increased police presence in the area. Maori wardens will also be there.?Police will conduct checks of those attending, and traveling to and from the event,? the statement said.

Pragya Swastik

17 Jan 2017,Tuesday

I-T dept unearths ?1,550 cr black money from fraud entries

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/notes-ban-i-t-dept-unearths-rs-1550-cr-stash-pumped-by-entry/1/858932.html

The Income Tax Department has unearthed over ?1,550 crore black money from various fake firms and entities run by hawala dealers through fake bank entries since note ban, according to an official report. While ?930 crore was recovered from hawala dealers, ?200 crore was recovered from 80 accounts in Delhi. Another ?200 crore was recovered from Kolkata, Gurugram and Karnataka.

operators, hawala dealers New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) The Income Tax department today said it has unearthed a black money racket of over Rs 1,550 crore and a maze of shell firms and entities, perpetrated by entry operators and hawala dealers in the wake of demonetisation. An analysis report prepared by the department, also accessed by PTI, said this particular black money generation modus operandi is led by a group of hawala dealers in the national capital who illegally routed funds worth Rs 930 crore post November 8. In another case in Delhi, the taxman detected entry operators trying to launder Rs 200 crore stash funds using 80 accounts. "Similarly, in a bank branch in Noida, investigations are on into deposits in more than 100 bank accounts that were used to laundering more than Rs 200 crore," the report said. The tax departments action on such entry operators or hawala dealers in cities like Kolkata, Gurgaon, Charkhi Dadri and Chitradurga in Karnataka led the taxman unearthing laundering of cash to the tune of Rs 200 crore. A case in Bihars Gaya was similarly detected, the report said, where a person was allegedly trying to laundering Rs 13 crore of a Delhi-based entity. The taxman put freeze orders on two bank accounts used for this purpose in Gaya, it said. They added that the total amount involved in these prominent cases is over Rs 1,550 crore even as many more cases are still in the probe process. "The modus operandi followed is the same across the country. Cash is deposited in bank accounts of paper companies or accounts fraudulently and immediately transferred through RTGS to other similar fraudulent accounts.

Dishant Sharma

11 Jun 2017,Sunday

Pak-born London terrorist was trying for a job at Wimbledon

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-born-london-terrorist-was-trying-to-get-job-with-wimbledon/1/975929.html

Pakistan-born London terrorist Khuram Butt, who masterminded last Saturday's London Bridge attack, was trying to land a job with a firm that provides security at Wimbledon and other sporting events. The 27-year-old had previously worked six months with the London Underground metro before quitting in October. Butt and his aides rammed a high-speed van into pedestrians on the London Bridge.

security firm: report London, Jun 11 (PTI) Pakistan-born British citizen Khuram Butt, the London Bridge attack ringleader, had been trying to get a job with a security firm that provides stewards for Wimbledon and other sporting events, raising concerns whether he had considered targeting the prestigious tennis tournament. Security services and counter-terrorism police are now investigating 27-year-old Butts motive in trying to get the job with the security company, the Telegraph reported today. Citing well-placed sources, the paper said that Butt had set up the job interview with the security firm that supplies safety stewards to Wimbledon and to Premier League football clubs. The interview was scheduled to take place at the end of this month. "One possibility is Butt had considered targeting the tennis tournament but decided to speed up the plot, following the Manchester Arena bombing, and switched the attack to London Bridge," the paper said. Butt had previously worked for six months on the London Underground until quitting in October. Although he was under low­level investigation by MI5 and counter­terrorism police, Butt was able to get a job working at Westminster station because employers are not made aware of security services concerns when performing criminal records checks, the paper said. "The security firm would check his background but it does not have access to the police watch list or have knowledge of any MI5 investigation. There would have been no reason for him not to get the job. Butt could not only have caused serious damage but potentially helped other terrorists to get into one of these events," the paper said, quoting a source close to the intelligence services. Butt and his aides Moroccan-origin Rachid Redouane and Moroccon-Italian Yousef Zaghba rammed a high-speed van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers at the nearby Borough Market, killing eight people before being shot dead by armed police officers last week.

Rini Sinha

05 Feb 2017,Sunday

Just working with me doesn't make anyone an actor: Shah Rukh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/working-with-me-doesnt-make-anyone-an-actor-shah-rukh-khan/1/874742.html

Actor Shah Rukh Khan has said that simply working with him in a film doesn't make anyone an actor. "Girls who have started with me, either they had done a film in another language...in case of Anushka Sharma she did modelling," he added.nTalking about his 'Raees' co-star Mahira Khan, Shah Rukh said she's a well-established actress in Pakistan.

Mumbai, Feb 4 (PTI) Making debut opposite Shah Rukh may be every Bollywood aspirants dream, but the superstar says working with him does not make anyone "an actor". Most of the actresses, including Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma, who made their debut with SRK, are doing fairly well in their careers, but the 51-year-old actor says they were experienced in some or the other way before starting their Bollywood journey.

Radhika Chugh

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Mukerjea accused of using children as shields in jail riot

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/child-rights-panel-probes-if-indrani-inmates-used-children-as-shields-in-mumbai-jail-riot/story-2wUAd7GZjGHoXxFMfkdNhL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Indrani Mukerjea and a few other jail inmates have been accused of using children living with their mothers in Mumbai's Byculla jail as human shields during a recent protest against jail authorities. The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has initiated a probe and will reportedly submit its findings to the Maharashtra government within 15 days.

Indrani Mukerjea, jailed former media baron, along with other woman inmates at Byculla jail, have been accused of using children as shields against lathi charge during the protests on June 24 after 38-year-old Manjula Shetye was allegedly murdered by six jail officials. Based on news reports, the Maharashtra Commission for Protection of Child rights (MCPCR) formed a six-member committee that visited the jail on Saturday around 12 noon, and spoke to children of inmates as well as their mothers. The officials questioned the inmates accused of using children as human shields, including Mukerjea, who is the prime accused for the murder of her daughter.Pravin Ghughe, chairperson of MCPCR, said, ?We spoke with every person involved during the riot, and inquired whether they used children as a human shield. We even had a word with the jail officials as a part of our inquiry.? According to a source, MCPCR officials will be submitting a detailed report about the incident to the woman and child ministry of the Maharashtra Government. In addition, MCPCR officials would also be putting forth certain recommendations on the basis of their visit, for the betterment of development of the children in the jail.There are 285 woman inmates at Byculla Jail and 17 children below the age of six live with their mothers in the same barracks with other inmates. ?We would recommend that inmates who have to live with their children should be kept in a separate barrack all together, so that the children aren?t affected mentally and do not develop criminal minds,? said Ghughe. Mukerjea, along with 200 inmates, have been booked under the sections of rioting and mischief by fire. As after the news of Shetye?s death broke out, the woman inmates rose in protest. The inmates damaged jail property and as a mark of protest, they even went up to the prison roof and burnt clothes and newspapers. ReadMumbai jail inmate murder: Jail officials remanded in 14-day judicial custody

Daisy Mowke

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Malaika slams user who trolled her for 'divorcing rich man'

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/malaika-arora-khan-was-trolled-for-divorcing-a-rich-man-her-reply-is-dignity-itself/story-oIPZNI9deImCmabLMMwR2H.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Malaika Arora slammed an Instagram user who trolled her for "divorcing a rich man" and "having fun with the alimony". "Her life now is all about wearing short clothes, going to gym or salon, enjoying vacation[s]," the user commented. Malaika responded, "You certainly got to get your damn facts right before spewing sh*t on me...when you know nothing about me."

From her special numbers to TV?appearances, Bollywood actor Malaika Arora Khan has managed to carve her own identity. The actor, who made her debut in the Hindi film industry with the blockbuster debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Chaiyya Chaiyya from Dil Se (1998), is still remembered for the song. However, for trolls, she is a woman first and what matters right now is that she divorced a ?rich man?. On Wednesday, Malaika Arora shared a gorgeous picture of herself on Instagram and a follower decided to troll her for using her ?alumni? (read alimony) money to wear ?short clothes and going to gym or salon?. Little did he/she know that the Munni Badnam star would reply with the perfect comeback. Take a look at the interaction: Super excited to be affiliated with Khanna Jewellers @khannajewellerskj as their brand ambassador. Crafted to perfection, their stunning statement jewellery is a must have for every jewellery lover. #khannajewellers...#maksquad?? #hair @hairbypriyanka #stylist @manekaharisinghani #manager @ektakauroberoi #mua? @subbu28 #photographer @prasdnaik A post shared by Malaika Arora Khan (@malaikaarorakhanofficial) on Aug 2, 2017 at 6:20am PDT Then, Malaika decided to reply: The entire conversation only proves that no matter if a woman is successful, she will be attacked the moment she decides to step out of bounds the society decided for her. Apart from being a successful woman who lives life on her own terms, Malaika has literally played all the roles traditionally prescribed for a woman - she married quite early, had a son and raised him and was always around with the ?khandan?. But then, she got divorced and alimony is the taunt being thrown at her. The details of the alimony are only known to Malaika, her husband Arbaaz Khan and perhaps the family. The couple has handled the divorce with the utmost dignity. But we can vouch for the fact that she did not need an alimony to buy clothes (short or not, her choice), go on vacations and enjoy her life. If anything, she is as successful, if not more, than her ex-husband.What happened between Arbaaz and Malaika is their personal concern. But to claim that Malaika married and then divorced Arbaaz for money doesn?t hold water. For those who do not agree, please get a course in feminism and for others, here?s a playlist of some of her most popular songs. Follow @htshowbiz for more

Tarun Khanna

15 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Vande Mataram needs equal status, respect: SC lawyer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/national-anthem-supreme-court-vande-mataram-plea-equal-status-respect/1/883145.html

After the Supreme Court made it mandatory to play the National Anthem in all cinema halls, a petition by an apex court lawyer has demanded "equal respect and status" for National Song Vande Mataram. "On January 24, 1950, Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram both songs were adopted of equal honour with each other and equal status," said the petitioner. n

Even before the row over the order asking cine-goers to stand up before a movie for the National Anthem died down, the Supreme Court Tuesday admitted a plea which said "equal respect and status" should be given to National Song Vande Mataram too. "Constituent Assembly of India was empowered by Jawaharlal Nehru in August 25, 1948 by making a statement to alter the words or choose entirely a new song but unfortunately it could not be done and on January 24, 1950 Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram both songs were adopted of equal honour with each other and equal status," said the petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Sanjeev Bhatnagar. This was one of the several intervention applications filed by people who opposed to the November 30 order which made it mandatory for all cinema theatres across the country to play the National Anthem during which it was made compulsory for the public to show respect by standing up. One of the petition even termed the order "popocorn nationalism". Also read: Handwara encounter: Army major succumbs to injuries Significantly, the court on Tuesday clarified that the audience need not stand when the National Anthem is played as a part of the storyline of a film, a newsreel or a documentary. Agreeing to hear all the plea together on April 18, Justice Misra made it categorical to Bhatnagar that he will not be allowed to delve too much into history and should restrict himself only to legal debate on the issue. "We cannot get into all that. Yes, you have made some good research. But there is a lot of difference between intellectual curiosity and legal debate. You have to draw a distinction between the two. Remember, we have only one National Anthem and do not propagate theories here," SC told Bhatnagar. Also Read: Bihar: Clamour grows within RJD for Tejaswi as CM, Lalu says he is the future This was after Bhatnagar argued that a decision on equal respect to anthem and National Song required an intervention by the SC because "clearly the role of Vande Mataram has been referred by the Constituent Assembly as it has played a historic part in the struggle in the Indian Freedom". "The author Tagore conceded in his own letters written in 1937 he gave his composition "Bharat Bhagya Vidhata" to then Congress officials in 1911 and his composition was dedicated to the almighty (Brahmo Samaj).

Chhavi Tyagi

30 Apr 2017,Sunday

Yogi sets June 15 deadline to make UP roads pothole-free

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-deoria-uttar-pradesh/1/942052.html

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set June 15 as the deadline to make the roads in the state pothole-free, asking the authorities to work in the direction. Earlier, he had also promised to provide 24-hour power supply to all the 75 district headquarters, 20-hour electricity to tehsils and 18-hour power supply to rural areas in the state.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is turning to be a hard task-master for his bureaucrats. Yogi Adityanath has set a deadline for filling up all the potholes in Uttar Pradesh by June 15.Yogi Adityanath said, "We have asked (the concerned authorities) to ensure by June 15 Uttar Pradesh should become pothole-free."Taking a jibe on the previous Akhilesh Yadav government, Yogi Adityanath said, "It had become the identity of Uttar Pradesh that the spot from where potholes appear and where darkness sets in at the stroke of evening, the boundary of UP starts."Yogi Adityanath's comment is interesting in the wake of his predecessor Akhilesh Yadav's public claim about improving the roads of Uttar Pradesh. During the Assembly election, Akhilesh Yadav had even claimed that if PM Narendra Modi travelled on the roads built by his government, the Prime Minister would vote for Samajwadi Party.24-HOUR POWER TO DISTRICTSSpeaking at a function, organised for distributing assistive devices to specially-abled people, in Deoria, Yogi Adityanath said that his government would provide 24-hour power supply to all the 75 district headquarters in Uttar Pradesh.Yogi Adityanath said, "We will provide 24-hour power supply to every district headquarters. Every tehsil will get 20-hour electricity while rural areas will have power supply for 18 hours."Providing 24-hour power supply in Uttar Pradesh was among the poll promised of the BJP.Yogi Adityanath reiterated that his government would establish the rule of law in Uttar Pradesh. Anti-social elements will not be spared, Yogi Adityanath said. His comments assume significance in the wake of his warning to those committing atrocities in the name of cow protection.Yogi Adiyanath also promised that the closed sugar mills of Uttar Pradesh would be reopened soon. Attempts to check encephalitis in eastern UP will also be made on greater scale, he added.

Prashanti Moktan

24 Feb 2017,Friday

Akshay equals SRK's number of ?100 cr films with Jolly LLB 2

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jolly-llb-2-box-office-collection-akshay-kumar-100-crore-club/1/888597.html

With 'Jolly LLB 2' becoming actor Akshay Kumar's seventh film to earn over ?100 crore, he equalled the number of ?100 crore films that Shah Rukh Khan has. 'Jolly LLB 2' was also Akshay's 4th consecutive ?100 crore film after 'Airlift', 'Housefull 3' and 'Rustom'. The film entered the ?100 crore club on the twelfth day of its release.

Akshay Kumar is on a roll these days. The 49-year-old actor is busy playing some of the best characters on screen. From a patriot to Rustom to a lawyer in Jolly LLB 2, all his on-screen avatars have got a thumbs up from fans and critics alike. And Khiladi Kumar has all the reasons to be ecstatic as his last release Jolly LLB has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within 13 days of its release. ALSO READ: Why Jolly LLB 2's women are unlike Akshay Kumar heroines  MOVIE REVIEW: Jolly LLB 2ALSO READ: What is Akshay Kumar's secret to his newfound critical-cum-commercial success?After a superb opening weekend, the collections slowed down. But with no big releases, the film was able to continue its dream dun at the box office and has finally managed to enter the Rs 100 crore club.Here is the complete day by day box-office collection of Jolly LLB 2:WEEK 1 Day 1 (10th Feb, Friday) - Rs 13.20 croreDay 2 (11th Feb, Saturday) - Rs 17.31 croreDay 3 (12th Feb, Sunday) - Rs 19.95 croreDay 4 (13th Feb, Monday) - Rs 7.26 croreDay 5 (14th Feb, Tuesday) - Rs 9.07 croreDay 6 (15th Feb, Wednesday) - Rs 5.89 croreDay 7 (16th Feb, Thursday) - Rs 5.03 croreWEEK 2Day 8 (17th Feb, Friday) - Rs 4.14 croreDay 9 (18th Feb, Saturday) - Rs 6.35 croreDay 10 (19th Feb, Sunday) - Rs 7.24 croreDay 11 (20th Feb, Monday) - Rs 2.48 crore Day 12 (21st Feb, Tuesday) - Rs 2.45 crore Total box-office collection of Jolly LLB 2 after thirteen days: Rs 100.37 croreJolly LLB 2 has joined last year's Airlift, Housefull 3 and Rustom to become Akshay's fourth Rs 100-crore grosser since 2016.

Tarun Khanna

15 May 2017,Monday

J&K girl who pelted stones wants to play football for India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmiri-girl-afshan-ashique-stone-pelting-football-india/1/953580.html

Kashmiri girl Afshan Ashique (21), who was photographed while pelting stones at the security forces in the Valley a few days ago, has desired to play football for India. "We were on our way to the TRC ground for practice when a policeman hurled abuses at us and slapped a girl which enraged me," she said.

Last week during the student protests in Kashmir Valley, few photographs of girls pelting stones on security forces outside Women's College in Srinagar went viral on social media sites. Among them was a photograph of a girl, who dreams to play football for India. Afshan Ashique is Kashmir's first female football coach."Yes, I pelted stones, but that's not what I want to do. I want to play at the national level for India," said 21-year-old Afshan Ashique. "Last week, when we were going for our routine football practice, we saw a group of boys pelting stones on securities forces due to which we were unable to reach the playground for practice. So we stood there and waited for police to allow us to pass by."POLICE MISBEHAVED WITH US "I told the girls not to panic and asked them to wait. Police misunderstood and assumed that we were there to pelt stones. A cop walked up to us and slapped a girl and called her names. That enraged us. I wanted to stand by the girl, so we all started pelting stones at police," the female coach told India Today.However, police have a different story to tell. "The girls knew that we won't retaliate and that is why they started throwing stones at us," said the police.Afshan Ashique talking about the situation in Kashmir said, "I am not against the government, but at the same time we can't tolerate misbehavior from the police. It is very difficult for us to find space in national teams. We have to prove our worth and if the government will help us, why should we not accept the same."Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also interacted with Afshan Ashique on Saturday and appreciated her efforts as a football coach. The chief minister also urged her to motivate other girls to pursue football in Kashmir.

Tarun Khanna

06 Jan 2017,Friday

J&K discourse shifting to primacy of Islam over Azadi: Army

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/discourse-shifting-to-primacy-of-islam-over-azadi-army/1/850395.html

Army official Subrata Saha on Thursday said that the "discourse" in Jammu and Kashmir is shifting to "primacy of Islam over Azad". "Jammu and Kashmir indeed continues to be a challenge?it?s getting a little more complex," he added. Notably, the Census of 2011 has recorded the Muslim population in Jammu and Kashmir at 85.67 lakh.

Hyderabad, Jan 5 (PTI) A top Indian Army official today said the "discourse" in Jammu and Kashmir is shifting to "primacy of Islam over Azadi" adding to complexities in dealing with sectarian faultlines in the border state. "...Jammu and Kashmir indeed continues to be a challenge and its being dealt with; its getting a little more complex as slowly the discourse, as indeed the entire thrust, is taking a shift towards a primacy of Islam over Azadi. So, that clearly adds a fairly complex dynamic to stabilising the nation as it were," Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Planning & Systems), Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, said.

Chhavi Tyagi

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

International Tiger Day observed on July 29

http://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/international-tiger-day-here-s-valmik-thapar-s-wishlist-for-the-big-cat/story-No97vaQIoEoJas1Wu07RzL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The International Tiger Day, an annual celebration to promote a system for protecting natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness for tiger conservation, is celebrated worldwide on July 29. It was first observed in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit. Reportedly, the world has lost 97% of all wild tigers in a bit over 100 years.

The global tiger day was created to think of the needs of a wild tiger. Sadly we have forgotten this primary objective. What I am going to do is to spell out the Indian tiger?s wishlist in the hope that those that engage with tigers will rethink and review their strategies.The most important item on the wishlist is to see a mindset change in the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) where this specially created institution starts to imbibe field wisdom about wild tigers through innovative strategies on both protection and tourism. Tigers love well-managed visitors. They keep the forest staff on alert and can provide vital information on illegal grazing, wood felling and poaching. After all, there are hundreds of more eyes and ears looking and hearing. In places where tourism is low, tigers have suffered hugely. The NTCA must learn to respect site-specific initiatives of state governments that can through tourism revenue make our tiger reserves self sufficient. This in turn provides field directors to undertake vital protection work without bureaucratic delays. The NTCA in the last decade has discouraged tourism and endlessly interfered with state government policy seriously impacting the health of tigers. Managing tigers is a state subject and the NTCA must be in the role of facilitator and not policeman.The chief wildlife wardens of the states are vital to the tigers? wishlist. They need to take bold and innovative decisions that inspire the field staff. They need to engage with local communities in the effort to protect tigers. They need to ensure that all vacant positions are filled and chief ministers engaged with all the issues that confront wild tigers. State-of-the-art training is an essential element in the quality of governance that is needed to protect tigers. Retired army officers can instruct on field craft, retired intelligence officials on gathering intelligence on poachers and their syndicates. Our country can offer the best talent to secure the future of wild tigers. Inter-state cooperation is vital to good governance and even more important than linking up with the central government. Rajasthan has held such a meeting with Maharashtra so that both can imbibe best practices from each other. Choose forest staff with care. Good decisions are made by those who spend time understanding tigers. Ignorant decisions damage the future of tigers. The four or five big NGOs must revitalise their thinking and prevent duplication. Focus on specific trouble spots and solve problems with tactical help to the forest staff. Do not beat your own drum. Partner with local communities. The future of tigers will lie in how communities engage in protection. The time for sweet talking them is over. Gather the young and train them into tiger protectors.All this requires strong political will. Tigers need chief ministers at their side. Their instructions are vital to innovative initiatives and this is where strong partnerships between the government and non-governmental sector can trigger the necessary political will. Frequent meetings of the state board of wildlife that chief ministers chair are vital to resolving the tigers? problems.The Prime Minister of the country must play his role for the sake of our national animal. The Prime Minister chairs the national board for wildlife and frequent meetings are a must. The full board has not met for four years. This is the moment to meet and the best experts must apprise the Prime Minister of the tigers? needs.These are the five points on the wish list of India?s wild tigers. And who says it is not possible? Rajasthan has shown the way. Under the supervision of the chief minister, the Ranthambhore tiger reserve has shown the highest amount of tigers ever now touching 65 with the highest tourist revenue now touching 4 million dollars just on entry ticket revenue. It has some of the best local community monitoring and protection and a genuine partnership with field forest staff. It has the best tourism practices and regular monthly meetings of an empowered committee that reports back to the chief minister. For the first time ever, extra tourism revenue is going to new tiger habitats that suffered tremendously due to limited funds.Where there is a will there is a way. It is up to all of us to make it the day of the tiger.Valmik Thapar has worked for 42 years with wild tigers. He has also written 30 books on India?s tigers and wildlife

Parmeet Kaur

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

3 robbers held after shootout with police in Greater Noida

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/three-robbers-held-after-shoot-out-in-greater-noida/story-2eLUt7BByHKVCeW3pql3iO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The police on Saturday arrested three persons from a gang of five alleged criminals in Greater Noida, after a shootout in which one of them was injured and two managed to flee. The police had acted on a tip-off and discovered later that the gang from Bulandshahr, was involved in a robbery in Noida's Kasna this month.

The police arrested three persons after a shoot-out with a gang of five alleged criminals in Sigma-1 area of Greater Noida on Saturday morning. One of the accused got injured and two managed to flee.Those arrested have been identified as Kapil, Dinesh and Bhura, alias Prashant, all residents of Bulandshahr. Prashant suffered a bullet injury to his leg during the exchange of fire. He was rushed to the hospital after the trio was arrested.The police, acting on a tip-off, had laid a trap in Sigma-1 to apprehend the five persons, against whom there are several pending cases. This was a part of the drive by the Gautam Budh Nagar police to arrest all accused and criminals in the district.After making the arrest, the police came to know that the group was responsible for a robbery that took place on July 17 in Kasna.An 18-year-old man was robbed of Rs16 lakh in Swarn Nagri area of Greater Noida in the afternoon of July 17 by three young men on a bike.According to the police, Anuj Bhati, a resident of village Sikanderabad in Greater Noida works as a collection agent for a company. After collecting the cash from a customer of the company in Swarn Nagri, he was on way to Pari Chowk when he was robbed by the trio.The accused, who were on a bike, pushed Bhati?s bike. When the victim fell, one of the accused snatched his bag which had cash in it and fled. Bhati then called the police helpline and lodged a complaint. He informed the police that the accused were aged between 23-27 years.?The arrested persons have a history of criminal cases against them. In 2016, the group had looted a tempo in the Dadri jurisdiction,? Jitendra Kumar, station house officer, Kasna police station, said.The police recovered Rs4.20 lakh, two countrymade pistols, four live cartridges, one knife and two bikes from the accused. The police have also launched a manhunt to nab the two accused who fled.